tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Surgical treatments for men with benign prostatic enlargement: cost effectiveness study
Authors: N. Armstrong, L. Vale, M. Deverill, G. Nabi, S. McClinton, J. N'Dow, R. Pickard
Journal: BMJ (2009)

<b>Objective</b> To determine which surgical treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostate enlargement is cost effective. <b>Design</b> Care pathways describing credible treatment strategies were decided by consensus. Cost-utility analysis used Markov modelling and Monte Carlo simulation. <b>Data sources</b> Clinical effectiveness data came from a systematic review and an individual level dataset. Utility values came from previous economic evaluations. Costs were calculated from National Health Service (NHS) and commercial sources. <b>Methods</b> The Markov model included parameters with associated measures of uncertainty describing health states between which individuals might move at three monthly intervals over 10 years. Successive annual cohorts of 25 000 men were entered into the model and the probability that treatment strategies were cost effective was assessed with Monte Carlo simulation with 10 000 iterations. <b>Results</b> A treatment strategy of initial diathermy vaporisation of the prostate followed by endoscopic holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in case of failure to benefit or subsequent relapse had an 85% probability of being cost effective at a willingness to pay value of £20 000 (€21 595, $28 686)/quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Other strategies with diathermy vaporisation as the initial treatment were generally cheaper and more effective than the current standard of transurethral resection repeated once if necessary. The use of potassium titanyl phosphate laser vaporisation incurred higher costs and was less effective than transurethral resection, and strategies involving initial minimally invasive treatment with microwave thermotherapy were not cost effective. Findings were unchanged by wide ranging sensitivity analyses. <b>Conclusion</b> The outcome of this economic model should be interpreted cautiously because of the limitations of the data used. The finding that initial vaporisation followed by holmium laser enucleation for failure or relapse might be advantageous both to men with lower urinary tract symptoms and to healthcare providers requires confirmation in a good quality prospective clinical trial before any change in current practice. Potassium titanyl phosphate laser vaporisation was unlikely to be cost effective in our model, which argues against its unrestricted use until further evidence of effectiveness and cost reduction is obtained.
Randomized, Controlled Intervention Trial of Male Circumcision for Reduction of HIV Infection Risk: The ANRS 1265 Trial
Authors: Bertran Auvert, Dirk Taljaard, Emmanuel Lagarde, Joëlle Sobngwi-Tambekou, Rémi Sitta, Adrian Puren
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2005)

Observational studies suggest that male circumcision may provide protection against HIV-1 infection. A randomized, controlled intervention trial was conducted in a general population of South Africa to test this hypothesis.A total of 3,274 uncircumcised men, aged 18-24 y, were randomized to a control or an intervention group with follow-up visits at months 3, 12, and 21. Male circumcision was offered to the intervention group immediately after randomization and to the control group at the end of the follow-up. The grouped censored data were analyzed in intention-to-treat, univariate and multivariate, analyses, using piecewise exponential, proportional hazards models. Rate ratios (RR) of HIV incidence were determined with 95% CI. Protection against HIV infection was calculated as 1 - RR. The trial was stopped at the interim analysis, and the mean (interquartile range) follow-up was 18.1 mo (13.0-21.0) when the data were analyzed. There were 20 HIV infections (incidence rate = 0.85 per 100 person-years) in the intervention group and 49 (2.1 per 100 person-years) in the control group, corresponding to an RR of 0.40 (95% CI: 0.24%-0.68%; p < 0.001). This RR corresponds to a protection of 60% (95% CI: 32%-76%). When controlling for behavioural factors, including sexual behaviour that increased slightly in the intervention group, condom use, and health-seeking behaviour, the protection was of 61% (95% CI: 34%-77%).Male circumcision provides a degree of protection against acquiring HIV infection, equivalent to what a vaccine of high efficacy would have achieved. Male circumcision may provide an important way of reducing the spread of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa. (Preliminary and partial results were presented at the International AIDS Society 2005 Conference, on 26 July 2005, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.).
Hepatitis C virus and kidney disease
Authors: Paul Martin, Fabrizio Fabrizi
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2008)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains frequent in patients on renal replacement therapy and has an adverse impact on survival in infected patients on chronic hemodialysis as well as renal transplant (RT) recipients. Nosocomial spread of HCV within dialysis units continues to occur. HCV is also implicated in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction often mediated by cryoglobulins leading to chronic kidney disease as well as impairing renal allograft function. The role of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C in patients with renal failure remains unclear. Monotherapy with conventional interferon (IFN) for chronic hepatitis C is probably more effective in dialysis than in non-uraemic patients but tolerance is lower. Limited data only are available about monotherapy with pegylated interferon and combination therapy (pegylated IFN plus ribavirin) for chronic HCV in the dialysis population. Clinical experience with antiviral therapy for acute HCV in dialysis population is encouraging. Interferon remains contraindicated post-RT because of concerns about precipitating graft dysfunction. Sustained viral responses obtained by antiviral therapy in renal transplant candidates are durable after renal transplantation and may reduce HCV-related complications after RT (post-transplant diabetes mellitus, HCV-related glomerulonephritis, and chronic allograft nephropathy).
Abundance of surfactant-like particles reflects mucosal integrity in patients with peptic ulcer disease.
Authors: R Eliakim, D H Alpers, R Oren, A Fich, K DeSchryver-Kecskemeti
Journal: Gut (1996)

BACKGROUND: Surfactant-like particles, normal products of the human enterocyte, are released into the lumen and secreted into blood. AIMS: To assess their role as markers for mucosal functional integrity, this study examined their content in biopsy specimens and serum of patients with duodenal ulcer disease, compared with non-diseased control subjects. PATIENTS: Endoscopic biopsy specimens were taken 1-2 cm from areas of active inflammation or ulcer (peptic ulcer patients) or just beyond the duodenal bulb (normals) in 35 consecutive subjects. METHODS: After staining for phospholipid, extracellular and intracellular particles were counted on transmission electron micrographs of coded specimens. Serum was obtained from 24 patients, and densitometry of the 59 kDa band detected on western blot by antiserum against human jejunal particle was measured. RESULTS: Normal duodenum (n = 15) contained more particles (44 (4.7)) particles/block, mean (SD) than active duodenal ulcer (n = 13, 17 (3.9)) or gastritis/duodenitis patients (n = 4, 9 (2.7)). Three patients examined after healing of duodenal ulcers showed abundant particles (n = 3, 67 (2.2)). Similarly, the 59 kDa band was decreased in serum of patients with active peptic ulcer disease (n = 11, 0.25 (0.04) absorbance units) compared with normal patients (n = 10, 0.40 (0.03)) or healed ulcers (n = 3, 0.62 (0.04)). There was good correlation between morphological mucosal particle abundance and particle protein content of serum assayed from the same patients (r = 0.831). These changes were independent of Helicobacter pylori status. CONCLUSION: The mucosal and serum content of surfactant-like particles may reflect general mucosal integrity of the enterocytes from which they are derived.
Comparison of the acute effects of a selective endothelin ETA and a mixed ETA/ETB receptor antagonist in heart failure
Authors: M Ohnishi
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1998)

Objective: Both the selective endothelin (ET) ETA receptor and mixed ETA/ETB receptor antagonists improve haemodynamics in patients and experimental models with congestive heart failure (CHF) and reduce the mortality in CHF rats. However, it remains unclear which of these antagonists is superior in the treatment of CHF. In addition, there is little information as to whether these ET receptor antagonists contribute to the neuroendocrine regulation and body fluid balance. We therefore investigated the cardiorenal and neurohumoral benefits of selective ETA receptor and mixed ETA/ETB receptor antagonists in CHF. Methods: We administered acutely either the selective ETA receptor antagonist FR139317 (FR, n=6, 1 and 10 mg/kg) or the mixed ETA/ETB receptor antagonist TAK-044 (TAK, n=6, 1 and 3 mg/kg) to conscious dogs with CHF induced by rapid right ventricular pacing for ten days. Results: Both FR and TAK decreased the cardiac pressures and the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level and increased the cardiac output and urinary sodium excretion. FR increased the urine flow rate in association with an increased glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, while TAK reduced the plasma aldosterone level. Neither antagonist increased the plasma renin activity or norepinephrine levels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a selective ETA receptor antagonist has more beneficial acute effects on renal functions in CHF than a mixed ETA/ETB antagonist. However, the long-term administration of a mixed ETA/ETB receptor antagonist would improve not only the haemodynamics but also prevent fluid retention by suppressing secretion of aldosterone during the treatment of chronic CHF.
In Vivo Role of Complement-Interacting Domains of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Glycoprotein Gc
Authors: John Lubinski, Liyang Wang, Dimitri Mastellos, Arvind Sahu, John D. Lambris, Harvey M. Friedman
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1999)

Immune evasion is critical for survival of viruses that establish persistent or recurrent infections. However, at the molecular level, little is known about how viruses evade immune attack in vivo. Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 glycoprotein gC has two domains that are involved in modulating complement activation; one binds C3, and the other is required for blocking C5 and properdin (P) binding to C3. To evaluate the importance of these regions in vivo, HSV-1 gC mutant viruses were constructed that lacked one or both gC domains and studied in a murine model of infection. Each gC region of complement regulation contributed to virulence; however, the C3 binding domain was far more important, as virus lacking this domain was much less virulent than virus lacking the C5/P inhibitory domain and was as attenuated as virus lacking both domains. Studies in C3 knockout mice and mice reconstituted with C3 confirmed that the gC domains are inhibitors of complement activation, accounting for a 50-fold difference in virulence between mutant and wild-type viruses. We conclude that the C3 binding domain on gC is a major contributor to immune evasion and that this site explains at a molecular level why wild-type virus resists complement attack.
An extremely severe case of cutaneous calcinosis with juvenile dermatomyositis, and successful treatment with diltiazem
Authors: Y. Ichiki, T. Akiyama, N. Shimozawa, Y. Suzuki, N. Kondo, Y. Kitajima
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2001)

Journal Article An extremely severe case of cutaneous calcinosis with juvenile dermatomyositis, and successful treatment with diltiazem Get access Y. Ichiki, Y. Ichiki Department of Dermatology and Yoshiro Ichiki. E‐mail: yoichiki@cc.gifu‐u.ac.jp Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar T. Akiyama, T. Akiyama Department of Dermatology and Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar N. Shimozawa, N. Shimozawa Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Gifu University, 40 Tsukasa‐machi, Gifu 500‐8705, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Y. Suzuki, Y. Suzuki Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Gifu University, 40 Tsukasa‐machi, Gifu 500‐8705, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar N. Kondo, N. Kondo Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Gifu University, 40 Tsukasa‐machi, Gifu 500‐8705, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Y. Kitajima Y. Kitajima Department of Dermatology and Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 144, Issue 4, 1 April 2001, Pages 894–897, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04153.x Published: 01 April 2001
Interstitial Flow as a Guide for Lymphangiogenesis
Authors: Kendrick C. Boardman, Melody A. Swartz
Journal: Circulation Research (2003)

The lymphatic system is important in tissue fluid balance regulation, immune cell trafficking, edema, and cancer metastasis, yet very little is known about the sequence of events that initiate and coordinate lymphangiogenesis. Here, we characterize the process of lymphatic regeneration by uniquely correlating interstitial fluid flow and lymphatic endothelial cell migration with lymphatic function. A new model of skin regeneration using a collagen implant in a mouse tail has been developed, and it shows that (1) interstitial fluid channels form before lymphatic endothelial cell organization and (2) lymphatic cell migration, vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression, and lymphatic capillary network organization are initiated primarily in the direction of lymph flow. These data suggest that interstitial fluid channeling precedes and may even direct lymphangiogenesis (in contrast to blood angiogenesis, in which fluid flow proceeds only after the vessel develops); thus, a novel and robust model is introduced for correlating molecular events with functionality in lymphangiogenesis.
Incidence and risk factors for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: prospective study of 5408 women enrolled in Italian tamoxifen chemoprevention trial
Authors: Savino Bruno, Patrick Maisonneuve, Paola Castellana, Nicole Rotmensz, Sonia Rossi, Marco Maggioni, Marcello Persico, Alberto Colombo, Franco Monasterolo, Donata Casadei-Giunchi, Franco Desiderio, Tommaso Stroffolini, Virgilio Sacchini, Andrea Decensi, Umberto Veronesi
Journal: BMJ (2005)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective</b> To assess the incidence, cofactors, and excess risk of development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, attributable to tamoxifen in women. <b>Design</b> Prospective, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. <b>Setting and participants</b> 5408 healthy women who had had hysterectomies, recruited into the Italian tamoxifen chemoprevention trial from 58 centres in Italy. <b>Intervention</b> Women were randomly assigned to receive tamoxifen (20 mg daily) or placebo for five years. <b>Main outcome measure</b> Development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in all women with normal baseline liver function who showed at least two elevations of alanine aminotransferase (≥ 1.5 times upper limit of normal) over a six month period. <b>Results</b> During follow up, 64 women met the predefined criteria: 12 tested positive for hepatitis C virus, and the remaining 52 were suspected of having developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (34 tamoxifen, 18 placebo)—hazard ratio = 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.5; P = 0.04). In all 52 women ultrasonography confirmed the presence of fatty liver. Other factors associated with the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease included overweight (2.4, 1.2 to 4.8), obesity (3.6, 1.7 to 7.6), hypercholesterolaemia (3.4, 1.4 to 7.8), and arterial hypertension (2.0, 1.0 to 3.8). Twenty women had liver biopsies: 15 were diagnosed as having mild to moderate steatohepatitis (12 tamoxifen, 3 placebo), and five had fatty liver alone (1 tamoxifen, 4 placebo). No clinical, biochemical, ultrasonic, or histological signs suggestive of progression to cirrhosis were observed after a median follow up of 8.7 years. <b>Conclusions</b> Tamoxifen was associated with higher risk of development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis only in overweight and obese women with features of metabolic syndrome, but the disease, in both the tamoxifen and the placebo group, after 10 years of follow up seems to be indolent.
Induction of lupus-associated autoantibodies in BALB/c mice by intraperitoneal injection of pristane.
Authors: M Satoh, W H Reeves
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1994)

Intraperitoneal injection of pristane (2,6,10,14 tetramethylpentadecane) is a standard technique for obtaining monoclonal antibody-enriched ascitic fluid. However, pristane also induces plasmacytomas and an erosive arthritis resembling rheumatoid arthritis in BALB/c mice, probably as a consequence of enhanced interleukin 6 production. We report here that the production of autoantibodies characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a further consequence of injecting pristane in BALB/c mice. Anti-Su antibodies appeared as early as 1-2 mo after a single injection of 0.5 ml pristane, followed by anti-U1RNP and anti-Sm antibodies after 2-4 mo. Within 6 mo of pristane injection, 9 of 11 BALB/c mice had developed anti-Su, anti-U1RNP, anti-U2RNP, anti-Sm, and possibly anti-U5RNP antibodies. Autoantibodies were not produced by 20 BALB/c mice of the same age and sex that were not injected with pristane. Thus, autoantibodies characteristic of lupus were induced in mice that are not usually considered to be genetically susceptible to the disease. The induction of autoantibodies associated with SLE by pristane may be relevant to understanding the role of abnormal cytokine production in autoantibody production and the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Furthermore, the induction of high titer autoantibodies by pristane dictates caution in the use of ascitic fluid as a source of monoclonal antibodies, since the polyclonal antibodies induced by pristane may copurify with the monoclonal antibody secreted by an injected hybridoma.
Community interventions for preventing smoking in young people: A Cochrane systematic review
Authors: Brian Smith, Kristin Carson, Kourosh Sayemhiri, Fatemeh Sayemhiri, Malcolm Brinn
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background: Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the world. Decisions to smoke are often made within a broad social context and therefore community interventions may be effective in influencing the smoking behaviour of young people.

Aim: To determine the effectiveness of multi-component community based interventions in influencing behaviour and preventing smoking in young people.

Method: We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction group specialised register, online databases and bibliographies of included studies in November 2013. Randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials and time-series studies assessing the effectiveness of multi-component community interventions designed to prevent smoking in young people (> 25 years) were included, with data abstraction by two independent researchers.

Results: Twenty-six studies from 4109 citations met the inclusion criteria. One study reported a reduction in short-term ( 12 months.

Conclusion: There is some evidence to support the use of community programs to prevent smoking among youth. Rigorous trials evaluating social media for delivering these prevention messages need to be performed.
Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease and Cognitive Function in Adults 20 to 59 Years of Age
Authors: Susan M. Hailpern, Michal L. Melamed, Hillel W. Cohen, Thomas H. Hostetter
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2007)

Previous studies among elderly suggest an association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether moderate CKD is associated with cognitive performance among young, healthy, ethnically diverse adults. Three computerized cognitive function tests of visual-motor reaction time (Simple Reaction Time), visual attention (Symbol Digit Substitution), and learning/concentration (Serial Digit Learning) were administered to a random sample of participants, aged 20 to 59 yr, who completed initial interviews and medical examination in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Participants for this study (n = 4849) completed at least one cognitive function test. GFR was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. Moderate CKD was defined as estimated GFR (eGFR) 30 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). Unadjusted, residual-adjusted, and multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models were used. The cohort was 49.0% male and 11.6% black, and median (interquartile range) age was 36 yr (27 to 45) and eGFR was 107.9 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) (95.0 to 125.4). There were 31 (0.8%) prevalent cases of moderate CKD. Models were adjusted for residual effects of age, gender, race, diabetes, and other known potential confounders. In multivariate models, moderate CKD was not significantly associated with reaction time but was significantly associated with poorer learning/concentration (odds ratio 2.41; 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 5.63) and impairment in visual attention (odds ratio 2.74; 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 7.40). In summary, among those in a large nationally representative sample of healthy, ethnically diverse 20- to 59-yr-old adults, moderate CKD, reflected by eGFR 30 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), was significantly associated with poorer performance in visual attention and learning/concentration.
Bisphosphonates Inhibit the Growth of Mesothelioma Cells <i>In vitro</i> and <i>In vivo</i>
Authors: Savita Wakchoure, Melinda A. Merrell, Wayne Aldrich, Telisha Millender-Swain, Kevin W. Harris, Pierre Triozzi, Katri S. Selander
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract Purpose: Bisphosphonates (such as risedronate and zoledronate) are widely used inhibitors of bone resorption. Despite their in vitro antiproliferative effects in various cancer cells, bisphosphonates have not exhibited significant antitumor efficacy in animal models of visceral cancer, which may be due to their poor bioavailability. The diagnostic use of radioactive bisphosphonates has revealed the accumulation of bisphosphonates in mesothelioma, which prompted us to test the antitumor efficacy of bisphosphonates in this disease. Experimental Design and Results: Treatment with either risedronate or zoledronate (2 × 10−4 to 2 × 10−6 mol/L) inhibited the growth of AB12 and AC29 mouse mesothelioma cells and induced the accumulation of unprenylated Rap1A in these cells. Both these in vitro effects were reversed by geranygeraniol, an end product of the mevalonate pathway that these bisphosphonates inhibit. Both bisphosphonates also induced the phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in AB12 and AC29 cells. The inhibition of p38 augmented bisphosphonate-induced growth inhibition in these cells. Bisphosphonate-induced p38 phosphorylation was not reversible by geranylgeraniol. Risedronate (15 mg/kg) and zoledronate (0.5 mg/kg) inhibited the growth of s.c. tumors and increased the median survival of mice with i.p. mesothelioma tumors in vivo. Discussion: In conclusion, risedronate and zoledronate inhibit the mevalonate pathway and induce p38 activation in mesothelioma cells in vitro. The effects on the mevalonate pathway dominate because the net result is growth inhibition. Both bisphosphonates also inhibit mesothelioma tumor growth in vivo and prolong the survival of mesothelioma-bearing mice. These results support further study of bisphosphonates in the management of mesothelioma.