tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Bone Mineral Density, Markers of Bone Turnover, and Cytokines in Young Women With Borderline Personality Disorder With and Without Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Kai G. Kahl, Sebastian Rudolf, Beate M. Stoeckelhuber, Leif Dibbelt, Hans-Björn Gehl, Kerstin Markhof, Fritz Hohagen, Ulrich Schweiger
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2004)

OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of bone loss in major depressive disorder is a matter of debate. Studies of bone loss in nonpsychiatric medical disorders have found an association between the activation of osteoclastic cells and an imbalance of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines. Since major depressive disorder is also associated with alterations in serum cytokine concentrations, the authors hypothesized that bone loss in patients with major depressive disorder and comorbid borderline personality disorder may be associated with cytokines capable of activating osteoclastic cells. METHOD: Twenty-two patients with borderline personality disorder and comorbid current or lifetime major depressive disorder were compared with 16 patients with borderline personality disorder who did not have major depressive disorder and 20 healthy volunteers. Bone mineral density was assessed by means of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Markers of bone turnover as well as endocrine and immune measures were determined. RESULTS: The bone mineral density of 10 patients with borderline disorder plus current major depressive episode was significantly lower than that of the healthy subjects and the patients with borderline personality disorder without depression. Values of crosslaps, osteocalcin, serum cortisol, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 were significantly higher in the patients with borderline disorder plus current major depressive episode than in the healthy subjects. Crosslaps correlated positively with TNF-α but negatively with bone mineral density at the lumbar spine. Patients with borderline personality disorder who did not have current or lifetime depression displayed no alterations of either bone mineral density or the immunological and hormonal measures examined. CONCLUSIONS: Young women with comorbid borderline personality disorder and major depressive disorder have an elevated risk for osteoporosis. Borderline personality disorder per se is not associated with low bone mineral density. These data suggest that the immune and endocrine disturbances associated with depressive disorders in the context of borderline personality disorder may play a role in the pathophysiological process underlying bone loss in the patients studied.
The child is father of the man: the importance of early life influences on lung development
Authors: A John Henderson
Journal: Thorax (2014)

There is a great deal of interest in the early life determinants of lung function as possible determinants of obstructive airways disease through the rest of the life course. Failure to attain maximal lung function in early adult life either alone or coupled with accelerated decline during adulthood could contribute to the substantial burden of morbidity and mortality associated with obstructive airway disease and COPD in later life.1 Longitudinal studies of lung function in unselected populations have suggested that decrements of FEV1 established in the first few years after birth track to adulthood,2 thus pointing to early childhood as a critical period in lung function development. In this context, longitudinal cohort studies of populations that have lung function measurements during this critical period are of particular interest. Turner and colleagues report results from one of these, a birth cohort established in Perth, Western Australia, in 1987–1990 with repeat measures of lung function from shortly after birth to 18 years of age.3 The authors investigated whether factors associated with wheezing illnesses in childhood were associated with altered trajectories of lung function to age 18 years. The major influences identified were maternal asthma, atopy during infancy and maternal smoking when pregnant. Infant lung function was measured in this cohort at three times during the first 12 months after birth and subsequent spirometry was repeated on three further occasions at 1 and 18 years. Due to its longevity, the Perth infant study used ![Graphic][1]</img> rather than a raised volume method to measure infant lung function. Therefore, FEF25–75, a notoriously variable measurement, was selected as the most comparable measure from later spirometric variables. The authors also presented … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Safety and efficacy of outpatient bronchoscopy in lung transplant recipients: A single centre retrospective analysis
Authors: Jessica Rademacher, Hendrik Suhling, Christoph Düsberg, Thomas Fühner, Florian Länger, Tobias Welte, Jens Gottlieb
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Bronchoscopy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the management of patients after lung transplantation. Out-patient bronchoscopy attempts to improve quality of life of transplant recipients and reduce health costs through reducing hospitalisation. Limited data exists however, regarding safety and efficacy of outpatient bronchoscopy.  Between August 2008 and January 2011, we analysed outpatient bronchoscopies in our program. Post-bronchoscopy a routine monitoring for at least one hour, excepted patients with transbronchial biopsies, was performed. 3.197 outpatient bronchoscopies were performed in 571 lung transplant recipients. Analysis indicated a median bronchoscopy rate of 4 examinations per patient (interquartile range 2-7). Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) was demonstrated in 38% of the patients at the time of examination. Long-term oxygen therapy was required by 9% before examination. A median duration of 15 minutes (interquartile range 10-20 minutes) was identified, 14% had intravenous sedation and 4% antitussive medication. Interventions performed included bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) in 81%, transbronchial biopsy (TBB) in 23%, balloon dilatation in 4% and argon therapy in 15%. In 80% of examinations no detectable complications occurred. The most common occurring complications were coughing and minimal bleeding after TBB. Three patients (0,1%) developed pneumothoraces and two (0,15%) were hospitalized because of desaturation. We summarize that outpatients bronchoscopy is safe with an acceptable complication rate. Quality of examination is adequate in the vast majority based on a sufficient BAL recovery median and biopsy result.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: The Roles of HIV, Hepatitis C Infection, and Alcohol Abuse
Authors: Kathleen A. McGinnis, Shawn L. Fultz, Melissa Skanderson, Joseph Conigliaro, Kendall Bryant, Amy C. Justice
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

To explore the relationship of HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), and alcohol abuse/dependence to risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).Male veterans (n = 14,018) with a first HIV diagnosis in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System from October 1997 to September 2004; and 28,036 age-, race-, sex-, and location-matched HIV-negative veterans were identified. We examined the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and NHL and presence of HCV and alcohol abuse/dependence using International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9-CM) codes. HIV-positive to HIV-negative incident rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% CIs for the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma and NHL were calculated using Poisson regression models.HIV-positive veterans were at greater risk for hepatocellular carcinoma than HIV-negative veterans (IRR = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.77). After adjusting for HCV infection and alcohol abuse/dependence, HIV status was not independently associated with hepatocellular cancer (IRR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.56 to 1.63). HIV-positive veterans had 9.71 times (95% CI, 6.99 to 13.49) greater risk of NHL than HIV-negative veterans. After adjusting for HCV and alcohol abuse/dependence, the IRR for NHL comparing HIV-positive with HIV-negative veterans is similar (IRR = 10.03, 95% CI, 7.19 to 13.97).HIV-positive veterans have a higher relative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and NHL than HIV-negative veterans. For hepatocellular carcinoma, this association appears to be largely explained by the higher prevalence of HCV and alcohol abuse/dependence. Efforts to decrease hepatocellular carcinoma among persons with HIV should focus primarily on detecting and treating HCV and reducing heavy alcohol use.
Differential Effects of Lidocaine on Defibrillation Threshold With Monophasic Versus Biphasic Shock Waveforms
Authors: Michael R. Ujhelyi, Michael Schur, Thomas Frede, Marjorie Gabel, Michael L. Markel
Journal: Circulation (1995)

Background Defibrillation waveforms and antiarrhythmic drugs have disparate effects on myocardial excitability and refractoriness, making it likely that antiarrhythmic drugs will interact with one waveform differently than with another. The aim of the present study was to determine if the increase in defibrillation threshold (DFT) induced by lidocaine is similar for electrical shocks with monophasic and biphasic waveforms. Methods and Results Twenty-six pentobarbital-anesthetized farm-raised pigs were instrumented with pacing catheters and epicardial defibrillation electrodes. Each pig was assigned to one of four groups: (1) monophasic shock waveform and placebo (5% dextrose in water [D 5 W]) (n=7), (2) monophasic shock waveform and lidocaine (n=7), (3) biphasic shock waveform and placebo (D 5 W) (n=5), or (4) biphasic shock waveform and lidocaine (n=7). DFT was measured at baseline and subsequently during treatment (D 5 W or lidocaine). In the monophasic waveform groups, DFT increased from baseline in response to lidocaine by 92% ( P &lt;.0001), whereas DFT values in response to D 5 W did not change. In the biphasic waveform groups, DFT values did not change from baseline in response to lidocaine ( P =NS), whereas DFT values from baseline in response to D 5 W significantly decreased by 29% ( P =.04). In the monophasic waveform groups, the change in DFT from baseline in response to lidocaine was significantly different than the change from baseline in response to D 5 W (92±29% versus −0.5±29%, respectively) ( P &lt;.0002). In the biphasic waveform groups, however, the change in DFT from baseline in response to lidocaine was similar to the change from baseline in response to D 5 W (−5.66±15% versus −29±17%, respectively) ( P =.48). Furthermore, the change in DFT from baseline in response to lidocaine differed significantly between monophasic and biphasic waveform groups (92±29% versus −5.66±15%) ( P &lt;.0002), whereas the change from baseline in response to D 5 W did not differ between monophasic and biphasic waveforms (−0.5±29% versus −29±17%) ( P =.34). Conclusions Compared with placebo groups, DFT values increased during lidocaine treatment to a much greater degree in the monophasic waveform group than in the biphasic waveform group receiving lidocaine. These data support our hypothesis that antiarrhythmic drugs can affect the defibrillation efficacy of monophasic waveforms differently than that of biphasic waveforms.
Safely Ruling Out Deep Venous Thrombosis in Primary Care
Authors: Harry R Büller, Arina J Ten Cate-Hoek, Arno W Hoes, Manuela A Joore, Karel G M Moons, Ruud Oudega, Martin H Prins, Henri E J H Stoffers, Diane B Toll, Eit F van der Velde, Henk C P M van Weert
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

Background: Up to 90% of patients referred for ultrasonography with suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the leg do not have the disease. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficiency of using a clinical decision rule that includes a point-of-care d-dimer assay at initial presentation in primary care to exclude DVT. Design: A prospective management study. Setting: Approximately 300 primary care practices in 3 regions of the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Maastricht, and Utrecht). Patients: 1028 consecutive patients with clinically suspected DVT. Intervention: Patients were managed on the basis of the result of the clinical decision rule, which included a d-dimer result. Patients with a score of 3 or less were not referred for ultrasonography and received no anticoagulant treatment; patients with a score of 4 or more were referred for ultrasonography. Measurements: The primary outcome was symptomatic, objectively confirmed, venous thromboembolism during 3-month follow-up. Results: The mean age of the 1028 study patients was 58 years, and 37% of patients were men. A valid score was obtained in 1002 patients (98%). In 500 patients (49%), with a score of 3 or less, 7 developed venous thromboembolism within 3 months (incidence, 1.4% [95% CI, 0.6% to 2.9%]). A total of 502 patients (49%) had a score of 4 or more; 3 did not have ultrasonography. Ultrasonography showed DVT in 125 patients (25%), for an overall prevalence in evaluable patients of 13% (125 of 1002). Of the 374 patients who had normal ultrasonography results, 4 developed venous thromboembolism within 3 months (1.1% [CI, 0.3% to 2.7%]). Limitation: The study lacked a randomized design and relied on clinical follow-up to detect missed thrombotic disease. Conclusion: A diagnostic management strategy in primary care by using a simple clinical decision rule and a point-of-care d-dimer assay reduces the need for referral to secondary care of patients with clinically suspected DVT by almost 50% and is associated with a low risk for subsequent venous thromboembolic events. Funding: The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research.
Long term outcome after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt in non-transplant cirrhotics with hepatorenal syndrome: a phase II study
Authors: K A Brensing
Journal: Gut (2000)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Recent small studies on hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) indicate some clinical benefit after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPS) but sufficient long term data are lacking. <h3>AIM</h3> We studied prospectively feasibility, safety, and long term survival after TIPS in 41 non-transplantable cirrhotics with HRS (phase II study). <h3>PATIENTS AND METHODS</h3> HRS was diagnosed using current criteria (severe (type I) HRS, n=21; moderate (type II) HRS, n=20). Thirty one patients (14 type I, 17 type II) received TIPS (8–10 mm) while advanced liver failure excluded shunting in 10. During follow up (median 24 months) we analysed renal function and survival (Kaplan-Meier). <h3>RESULTS</h3> TIPS markedly reduced the portal pressure gradient (21 (5) to 13 (4) mm Hg (mean (SD)); p&lt;0.001) with one procedure related death (3.2%). Renal function deteriorated without TIPS but improved (p&lt;0.001) within two weeks after TIPS (creatinine clearance 18 (15) to 48 (42) ml/min; sodium excretion 9 (16) to 77 (78) mmol/24 hours) and stabilised thereafter. Following TIPS, three, six, 12, and 18 month survival rates were 81%, 71%, 48%, and 35%, respectively. As only 10% of non-shunted patients survived three months, total survival rates were 63%, 56%, 39%, and 29%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed bilirubin (p&lt;0.001) and HRS type (p&lt;0.05) as independent survival predictors after TIPS. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> TIPS provides long term renal function and probably survival benefits in the majority of non-transplantable cirrhotics with HRS. These data warrant controlled trials evaluating TIPS in the management of HRS.
Comment on 'Predicting the response to infliximab from trough serum levels'
Authors: K. Bendtzen, C. Steenholdt, M. Ainsworth, O. O. Thomsen, J. Brynskov
Journal: Gut (2010)

We read with great interest the commentary by Rutgeerts et al 1 on the value of predicting patient responses from trough serum levels of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF). In fact, we have proposed therapeutic monitoring for rational use of anti-TNF mAb for quite some time.2

The authors point to the importance of low drug trough levels and ask how this can be explained in the absence of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). They also pose the question whether ADAs are not always detected by routine assays. From experience with anti-TNF-treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn's disease (CD), we can say that standard solid-phase assays (ELISAs) often fail to detect ADA because of high background values, matrix effects, for example epitope masking, and inability to detect ADA in the presence of the drug itself. Furthermore, …
Chemotactic Gradients Predict Neutrophilic Alveolitis in Endotoxin-treated Rats
Authors: TIMOTHY S. BLACKWELL, LISA H. LANCASTER, THOMAS R. BLACKWELL, ANNAPURNA VENKATAKRISHNAN, JOHN W. CHRISTMAN
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

We hypothesized that the intensity of neutrophilic alveolitis is related to establishing a gradient of neutrophil attractant chemokines across the alveolar-capillary barrier. In these experiments, a positive chemokine gradient toward the alveoli was induced by intratracheal instillation of endotoxin in rats (IT LPS). Alteration of the chemotactic gradient was induced by combining IT LPS (0.1 mg/kg) with an intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin (IP LPS, 6.0 mg/kg). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood cell counts and differentials, and lavage and serum CXC chemokines were measured 4 h after LPS treatment. Compared with IT LPS treatment alone, IP + IT LPS resulted in a 30-fold reduction in neutrophil (PMN) count in BAL and a decreased percentage of PMNs in lavage (from 82 to 24%, p < 0.01). Total lung myeloperoxidase activity, a reflection of total PMN burden, was increased in all three treatment groups compared with the control group, but differences were not apparent between treatment groups. For the rat CXC chemokines MIP-2 and CINC, high concentrations were detected in BAL from both IT and IP + IT LPS groups; however, significantly higher concentrations were found in the sera of rats treated with IP + IT LPS compared with IT LPS alone. The calculated chemokine BAL-serum gradients were significantly higher for both MIP-2 and CINC in the IT LPS group than in the IT + IP LPS or IP LPS group, and correlated with neutrophil influx into the alveolar spaces 4 h after LPS treatment. In addition, the BAL-serum MIP-2 gradient was found to be increased 24 h after IP LPS, which is the time point of peak neutrophilic alveolitis. In summary, these data show that local chemokine gradients predict the intensity of neutrophilic alveolitis after treatment with endotoxin. Interventions to limit neutrophilic alveolitis could either be targeted to block local lung chemokine production or, paradoxically, to increase systemic production of chemokines.
Polyps and diverticula of the large intestine: a necropsy survey in Hong Kong.
Authors: P E Coode, K W Chan, Y T Chan
Journal: Gut (1985)

The study is based on a prospective survey of 200 necropsies, to determine the prevalence of colonic polyps and diverticula in Hong Kong. Adenomatous polyps were found in 34% of men and 19% of women. The corresponding figures for hyperplastic polyps were 22% and 15%. When compared with European countries having similar rates for colorectal cancer, the polyp pattern by type, prevalence, and distribution is very similar. For diverticula the prevalence rate in this study was only 5%; most of these were situated in the caecum. This is at marked variance to the European pattern.
Allelic 'choice' governs somatic hypermutation in vivo at the immunoglobulin κ-chain locus
Authors: Shira Fraenkel, Raul Mostoslavsky, Tatiana I Novobrantseva, Roberta Pelanda, Jayanta Chaudhuri, Gloria Esposito, Steffen Jung, Frederick W Alt, Klaus Rajewsky, Howard Cedar, Yehudit Bergman
Journal: Nature Immunology (2007)
Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of junior elite volleyball players
Authors: M J Duncan, L Woodfield, Y al-Nakeeb
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2006)

To investigate the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of junior elite volleyball players.Twenty five national level volleyball players (mean (SD) age 17.5 (0.5) years) were assessed on a number of physiological and anthropometric variables. Somatotype was assessed using the Heath-Carter method, body composition (% body fat, % muscle mass) was assessed using surface anthropometry, leg strength was assessed using a leg and back dynamometer, low back and hamstring flexibility was assessed using the sit and reach test, and the vertical jump was used as a measure of lower body power. Maximal oxygen uptake was predicted using the 20 m multistage fitness test.Setters were more ectomorphic (p<0.05) and less mesomorphic (p<0.01) than centres. Mean (SD) of somatotype (endomorphy, mesomorphy, ectomorphy) for setters and centres was 2.6 (0.9), 1.9 (1.1), 5.3 (1.2) and 2.2 (0.8), 3.9 (1.1), 3.6 (0.7) respectively. Hitters had significantly greater low back and hamstring flexibility than opposites. Mean (SD) for sit and reach was 19.3 (8.3) cm for opposites and 37 (10.7) cm for hitters. There were no other significant differences in physiological and anthropometric variables across playing positions (all p>0.05).Setters tend to be endomorphic ectomorphs, hitters and opposites tend to be balanced ectomorphs, whereas centres tend to be ectomorphic mesomorphs. These results indicate the need for sports scientists and conditioning professionals to take the body type of volleyball players into account when designing individualised position specific training programmes.
Bcl-2 inhibits the mitochondrial release of an apoptogenic protease.
Authors: S A Susin, N Zamzami, M Castedo, T Hirsch, P Marchetti, A Macho, E Daugas, M Geuskens, G Kroemer
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1996)

Bcl-2 belongs to a family of apoptosis-regulatory proteins which incorporate into the outer mitochondrial as well as nuclear membranes. The mechanism by which the proto-oncogene product Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis is thus far elusive. We and others have shown previously that the first biochemical alteration detectable in cells undergoing apoptosis, well before nuclear changes become manifest, is a collapse of the mitochondrial inner membrane potential (delta psi m), suggesting the involvement of mitochondrial products in the apoptotic cascade. Here we show that mitochondria contain a pre-formed approximately 50-kD protein which is released upon delta psi m disruption and which, in a cell-free in vitro system, causes isolated nuclei to undergo apoptotic changes such as chromatin condensation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. This apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is blocked by N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp.fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD.fmk), an antagonist of interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE)-like proteases that is also an efficient inhibitor of apoptosis in cells. We have tested the effect of Bcl-2 on the formation, release, and action of AIF. When preventing mitochondrial permeability transition (which accounts for the pre-apoptotic delta psi m disruption in cells), Bcl-2 hyperexpressed in the outer mitochondrial membrane also impedes the release of AIF from isolated mitochondria in vitro. In contrast, Bcl-2 does not affect the formation of AIF, which is contained in comparable quantities in control mitochondria and in mitochondria from Bcl-2-hyperexpressing cells. Furthermore, the presence of Bcl-2 in the nuclear membrane does not interfere with the action of AIF on the nucleus, nor does Bcl-2 hyperexpression protect cells against AIF. It thus appears that Bcl-2 prevents apoptosis by favoring the retention of an apoptogenic protease in mitochondria.
ZAP-70 expression is associated with enhanced ability to respond to migratory and survival signals in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL)
Authors: Sarah J. Richardson, Christine Matthews, Mark A. Catherwood, H. Denis Alexander, B. Sean Carey, Joanna Farrugia, Anne Gardiner, Sarah Mould, David Oscier, J. Adrian Copplestone, Archibald G. Prentice
Journal: Blood (2005)