tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Exercise performance in children with asthma: is it different from that of healthy controls?
Authors: P Santuz, E Baraldi, M Filippone, F Zacchello
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1997)

Exercise tolerance and possible limitation in work capacity of asthmatic children is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to compare ventilation and gas exchange response to exercise of asthmatic children with that of healthy controls. Exercise performance was evaluated in 80 children with mild-to-moderate asthma, aged 7-15 yrs, and in 80 healthy controls matched for age, height, weight and habitual level of physical activity. The children performed a maximal exercise test on a treadmill, during which oxygen uptake (V'O2), carbon dioxide output (V'CO2) and minute ventilation (V'E) were measured continuously. No premedication was given to the asthmatic children. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) at rest was 93+/-11% of predicted in asthmatic children and 95+/-9% pred in controls. After the run, the mean fall in FEV1 was 13.9% (range 0-57%) and 1.6% (0-9%), respectively (p<0.001). The two groups achieved similar maximum oxygen uptake (V'O2,max) ((mean+/-SD) 40.3+/-8.4 and 42.6+/-9.6 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1) in asthmatics and controls, respectively; NS) and maximum minute ventilation output (V'E,max) (42.9+/-14.8 and 45.7+/-14.9 L x min(-1) respectively; NS). The kinetics of V'O2, V'CO2 and V'E during the test revealed no differences between the two populations. Moreover, anaerobic threshold and oxygen pulse were the same in the two groups. Asthmatics showed a ventilatory pattern with lower respiratory frequencies and greater tidal volumes during the run. These results suggest that asthmatic children can achieve a level of exercise performance similar to that of healthy children, provided that they have a comparable level of habitual physical activity. The only difference found concerned the ventilatory pattern of the asthmatic children, which was characterized by a reduced respiratory frequency and greater tidal volume at the same minute ventilation. The level of physical conditioning was found to be the main determinant of exercise tolerance for children with controlled asthma.
Anatomy and function of the communication between knee joint and popliteal bursae.
Authors: W Rauschning
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1980)

The anatomy and function of the opening between the knee joint cavity and gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa was studied in 120 necropsy specimens of knee joints both by conventional knife dissection and by a newly modified technique of serial cryosectioning of undecalcified joints frozen at various angles of flexion. The communication invariably took the shape of a transverse slit separating the capsule from the undersurface of the gastrocnemius tendon. On flexion it opened as the pull from the semimembranosus tendon and the medial meniscus widened the gap. On extension the communication was closed by compression by the overlying tendons. A functional closing action was invariably demonstrated, whereas no unidirectional valve mechanism was found.
Are COPD patients with pneumonia who are taking inhaled corticosteroids at higher risk of dying?
Authors: M.I. Restrepo, E.M. Mortensen, A. Anzueto
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

In 2007, Calverley et al . [1] reported the results of the TORCH (Towards a Revolution in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Health) study, which showed that combination of salmeterol (a long-acting β-agonist (LABA)) plus fluticasone propionate (an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)) had a trend toward a lower all-cause mortality rate in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with the placebo group, with a hazard ratio of 0.825 (95% CI 0.68–1.002; p = 0.052). Despite the beneficial effects of ICS therapy in COPD patients, the results raised a possible safety issue regarding higher rate of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the ICS groups. The probability of having pneumonia was higher among subjects receiving medications containing ICS (19.6% for ICS plus LABA and 18.3% for ICS alone) compared with the placebo group (12.3%; p<0.001) [1]. This association between ICS and pneumonia in COPD patients has also been seen in other studies: one study that examined the potential benefit of ICS and LABAs in reducing COPD mortality [1], and another comparing COPD exacerbation rates between patients receiving either salmeterol or the combination with a LABA [2, 3]. A follow-up evaluation of the TORCH study identified several risk factors associated with pneumonia, including age ≥55 yrs, forced expiratory volume in 1 s <50% predicted, COPD exacerbation in the year prior to the study, worse Medical Research Council dyspnoea score and body mass index <25 kg·m−2. However, mortality rate due to pneumonia was not increased among subjects treated with ICS plus LABA, but the same could not be concluded for ICS monotherapy [4]. Therefore, it was suggested that ICS use increases the risk of CAP in COPD patients; however, the CAP severity event may be milder, and it is possible that these …
Global myocardial ischemia in the newborn, juvenile, and adult isolated isovolumic rabbit heart. Age-related differences in systolic function, diastolic stiffness, coronary resistance, myocardial oxygen consumption, and extracellular pH.
Authors: M D Parrish, A Payne, D E Fixler
Journal: Circulation Research (1987)

Controversy persists over the relative tolerance of the immature myocardium to global ischemia. Thus, we evaluated the physiologic effects of 30, 60, and 180 minutes of global ischemia in an isolated, isovolumic rabbit heart model, at 3 different ages: newborns (less than 1 week of age) (n = 36), juveniles (4 to 6 weeks old) (n = 36), and adults (5 to 7 months old) (n = 36). Following 30 and 60 minutes of ischemia, respectively, adults recovered 87 +/- 4% (mean +/- SEM) and 90 +/- 7% of baseline systolic function, and juveniles recovered 91 +/- 10% and 85 +/- 8%. In contrast, newborns recovered only 27 +/- 6% and 28 +/- 4% of baseline systolic function (p less than 0.05 compared to adults and juveniles). During ischemia, newborn hearts became stiff more rapidly, reaching 361 +/- 46% of baseline stiffness by 60 minutes, whereas adults and juveniles were at 122 +/- 33% and 92 +/- 18% of baseline stiffness (p less than 0.05 newborns compared to adults and juveniles). With reperfusion after 60 minutes of ischemia, the work efficiency of the newborn heart deteriorated to 39 +/- 7% of baseline, compared with 95 +/- 7% and 91 +/- 7% of baseline efficiency in the adult and juvenile hearts (p less than 0.05, newborns compared to adults and juveniles). The ratio of tissue wet-to-dry weights were similar in all age groups after ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Kinematic and electromyographic analysis of the push movement in tai chi
Authors: S P Chan, T C Luk, Y Hong
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2003)

Background: Tai chi is a form of exercise derived from the martial art folk traditions of China. The force used in tai chi includes different principles of mechanical advantage. No studies on the kinematic features of tai chi exercise have been published. Objective: To analyse the kinematics and electromyographic characteristics of tai chi. Methods: An experienced tai chi master was asked to perform a sequence of basic movements: ward off, roll back, press, and push. The movements were videotaped and digitised using a motion analysis system. Electromyographic activities of the lumbar erector spinae, rectus femoris, medial hamstrings, and medial head of gastrocnemius were recorded by surface electrodes. The push movement data were analysed. Results: The medial hamstrings and medial head of gastrocnemius muscle groups maintained low activity, with higher electromyographic values in the lumbar erector spinae and substantially higher ones in the rectus femoris during the push movement. Both concentric and eccentric contractions occurred in muscles of the lower limbs, with eccentric contraction occurring mainly in the anti-gravity muscles such as the rectus femoris and the medial head of gastrocnemius. The forward and backward shifts in centre of gravity (CG) were mainly accomplished by increasing and decreasing respectively the joint angles of the bilateral lower limbs rather than by adopting a forward or backward postural lean. The path of the CG in the anteroposterior and mediolateral component was unique, and the sway or deviation from the path was small. The master maintained an upright posture and maintained a low CG (hips, knees, and ankles bent) while travelling slowly and steadily from one position to another. Conclusion: The eccentric muscle contraction of the lower limbs in the push movement of tai chi may help to strengthen the muscles.
Deletions of the derivative chromosome 9 do not account for the poor prognosis associated with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Alistair G. Reid, Brian J. P. Huntly, Eveline Hennig, Dietger Niederwieser, Lynda J. Campbell, Nick Bown, Nick Telford, Helen Walker, Colin D. Grace, Michael W. Deininger, Anthony R. Green, Elisabeth P. Nacheva
Journal: Blood (2002)
Lung function predicts lung cancer risk in smokers: a tool for targeting screening programmes
Authors: E. Calabrò, G. Randi, C. La Vecchia, N. Sverzellati, A. Marchianò, M. Villani, M. Zompatori, R. Cassandro, S. Harari, U. Pastorino
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2009)

The relationship between smoking, lung cancer and airflow obstruction is recognised but it is unclear whether the presence of minimal lung function damage constitutes an independent risk factor for the development of lung cancer. In order to identify those individuals at higher risk of lung cancer on the basis of functional impairment, we evaluated baseline pulmonary function tests of 3,806 heavy smokers undergoing annual chest computed tomography screening, and compared the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) % predicted of 57 lung cancer cases and that of 3,749 subjects without cancer. We obtained odds ratios (ORs) of lung cancer and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, study and smoking variables. Compared with subjects with FEV 1 ≥90% pred, the OR of lung cancer was 2.45 (95% CI 1.39–4.33) for subjects with FEV 1 &lt;90% pred and 2.90 (95% CI 1.34–6.27) for subjects with FEV 1 &lt;70% pred. These data show that even a relatively small reduction in FEV 1 % pred is a significant predictor of increased lung cancer risk. Test screening for lung cancer using airflow obstruction with FEV 1 &lt;90% is a strategy worth future consideration.
Development of a Natural Model of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Powerful Effects of Vector Saliva and Saliva Preexposure on the Long-Term Outcome of <i>Leishmania major</i> Infection in the Mouse Ear Dermis
Authors: Yasmine Belkaid, Shaden Kamhawi, Govind Modi, Jesus Valenzuela, Nancy Noben-Trauth, Edgar Rowton, José Ribeiro, David L. Sacks
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1998)

We have developed a model of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major that seeks to mimic the natural conditions of infection. 1,000 metacyclic promastigotes were coinoculated with a salivary gland sonicate (SGS) obtained from a natural vector, Phlebotomus papatasii, into the ear dermis of naive mice or of mice preexposed to SGS. The studies reveal a dramatic exacerbating effect of SGS on lesion development in the dermal site, and a complete abrogation of this effect in mice preexposed to salivary components. In both BALB/c and C57Bl/6 (B/6) mice, the dermal lesions appeared earlier, were more destructive, and contained greater numbers of parasites after infection in the presence of SGS. Furthermore, coinoculation of SGS converted B/6 mice into a nonhealing phenotype. No effect of SGS was seen in either IL-4- deficient or in SCID mice. Disease exacerbation in both BALB/c and B/6 mice was associated with an early (6 h) increase in the frequency of epidermal cells producing type 2 cytokines. SGS did not elicit type 2 cytokines in the epidermis of mice previously injected with SGS. These mice made antisaliva antibodies that were able to neutralize the ability of SGS to enhance infection and to elicit IL-4 and IL-5 responses in the epidermis. These results are the first to suggest that for individuals at risk of vector-borne infections, history of exposure to vector saliva might influence the outcome of exposure to transmitted parasites.
Endothelin 1 Type A Receptor Antagonism Prevents Vascular Dysfunction and Hypertension Induced by 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Inhibition
Authors: Frank Ruschitzka, Thomas Quaschning, Georg Noll, Andrea deGottardi, Michel F. Rossier, Frank Enseleit, David Hürlimann, Thomas F. Lüscher, Sidney G. Shaw
Journal: Circulation (2001)

The enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) prevents inappropriate activation of the nonselective mineralocorticoid receptors by glucocorticoids. Renal activity of 11beta-HSD is decreased in patients with apparent mineralocorticoid excess (SAME), licorice-induced hypertension, and essential hypertension. Although expressed in vascular cells, the role of 11beta-HSD in the regulation of vascular tone remains to be determined.lycyrrhizic acid (GA; 50 mg/kg IP, twice daily for 7 days) caused a significant inhibition of 11beta-HSD activity and induced hypertension in Wistar-Kyoto rats (157 versus 127 mm Hg in controls; P<0.01). After 11beta-HSD inhibition, aortic endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) protein content, nitrate tissue levels, and acetylcholine-induced release of NO were blunted (all P<0.05 versus controls). In contrast, vascular prepro-endothelin (ET)-1 gene expression, ET-1 protein levels, and vascular reactivity to ET-1 were enhanced by GA treatment (P<0.05 versus controls). Chronic ET(A) receptor blockade with LU135252 (50 mg. kg(-1). d(-1)) normalized blood pressure, ET-1 tissue content, vascular reactivity to ET-1, vascular eNOS protein content, and nitrate tissue levels and improved NO-mediated endothelial function in GA-treated rats (P<0.05 to 0.01 versus untreated and verapamil-treated controls). In human endothelial cells, GA increased production of ET-1 in the presence of corticosterone, which indicates that activation of the vascular ET-1 system by 11beta-HSD inhibition can occur independently of changes in blood pressure but is dependent on the presence of glucocorticoids.Chronic ET(A) receptor blockade normalizes blood pressure, prevents upregulation of vascular ET-1, and improves endothelial dysfunction in 11beta-HSD inhibitor-induced hypertension and may emerge as a novel therapeutic approach in cardiovascular disease associated with reduced 11beta-HSD activity.
Prospective Evaluation of the Four DSM-IV Criteria for Alcohol Abuse in a Large Population
Authors: Marc A. Schuckit, Tom L. Smith, George P. Danko, John Kramer, Jessica Godinez, Kathleen K. Bucholz, John I. Nurnberger, Victor Hesselbrock
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2005)

In 1994 DSM-IV presented new criteria for substance abuse as repetitive problems in any one of four areas reflecting social, interpersonal, and legal difficulties. The authors systematically evaluate the performance of each of the four diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse (problems in role functioning, alcohol use in hazardous situations, alcohol-related legal problems, and social or interpersonal problems) and determine the prognosis associated with a threshold of one versus two or more criterion endorsements.Baseline and 5-year follow-up data were analyzed for 2,596 men and women from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism, including 1,881 individuals with no alcohol-related diagnosis, and 715 with alcohol abuse, after excluding subjects with alcohol dependence. Performance of each criterion was analyzed for the entire group and for the 565 individuals who endorsed only one criterion at baseline.One alcohol abuse criterion was endorsed by 79% of subjects with alcohol abuse, 18.5% endorsed two, and 2.5% endorsed three. Compared with subjects who endorsed no criteria, individuals who reported any of the four diagnostic criteria at baseline had higher rates of alcohol and drug intake and related problems and higher rates of future difficulties. Diagnostic thresholds of one versus two abuse criteria at baseline performed equally well regarding most outcomes, although endorsement of two criteria predicted a higher risk for progression to dependence. The criterion most frequently endorsed--hazardous use--was associated with baseline substance use characteristics and problematic outcomes similar to those for the other criteria.The four DSM-IV alcohol abuse criteria performed well regarding both cross-sectional characteristics and the prediction of future problems, but no single diagnostic criterion was superior to any other. The similarity of outcomes for subjects with diagnostic thresholds of one versus two or more criteria may favor the continued use of a threshold of one criterion in the diagnosis of alcohol abuse.
Operation Baxstrom After One Year
Authors: ROBERT C. HUNT, E. DAVID WILEY
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1968)

A decision of the U. S. Supreme Court resulted in the movement of 969 "insane criminals" and "criminally insane" persons from, the hospitals of the New York State Department of Correction to the civil state hospitals of the Department of Mental Hygiene during the period March to August 1966. After one year there have been no significant problems with the patients. All have been absorbed into the general patient population, many reside on open wards, over 200 have been released, and only seven have been certified as too dangerous for a civil hospital. The experience has stimulated a variety of administrative and legislative moves toward liberalizing and improving the state's programs for the mentally ill and for offenders. The clinical experience raises questions concerning the need and the wisdom of placing the mentally ill in special security facilities solely because of their legal status. Legal circles are questioning the constitutionality of confining any mentally ill person in a prison-type facility unless there has either been conviction for an offense or special danger established by judicial determination with full due process.
Methionine derivatives diminish sulphide damage to colonocytes--implications for ulcerative colitis.
Authors: W E Roediger, W Babidge, S Millard
Journal: Gut (1996)

Bacterial production of anionic sulphide is increased in the colon of ulcerative colitis and sulphides can cause metabolic damage to colonocytes.To assess the reversal of the damaging effect of sulphide to isolated colonocytes by methionine and methionine derivatives.Isolated colonocytes were prepared from rat colons and 12 human colectomy specimens. In cell suspensions 14CO2/acetoacetate generation was measured from [1-14C]-butyrate (5.0 mmol/l) in the presence of 0-2.0 mmol/l sodium hydrogen sulphide. The effect of 5.0 mmol/l L-methionine, S-adenosylmethionine 1,4 butane disulphonate and DL-methionine-S-methylsulphonium chloride on sulphide inhibited oxidation was observed.In rat colonocytes sodium hydrogen sulphide dose dependently reduced oxidative metabolite formation from n-butyrate, an action reversed in order of efficacy by S-adenosylmethionine 1,4 butane disulphonate > DLmethionine-S-methyl-sulphonium chloride > L-methionine. In human colonocytes S-adenosylmethionine 1,4 butane disulphonate most significantly improved 14CO2 production (p = < 0.005) suppressed by sodium hydrogen sulphide.Sulphide toxicity in colonocytes is reversible by methyl donors. The efficiency of sulphide detoxification may be an important factor in the pathogenesis and treatment of ulcerative colitis for which S-adenosylmethionine 1,4 butane disulphonate may be of therapeutic value.
Impact of BRAF, MLH1 on the incidence of microsatellite instability high colorectal cancer in populations based study
Authors: Hassan Brim, Pooneh Mokarram, Fakhraddin Naghibalhossaini, Mehdi Saberi-Firoozi, Mansour Al-Mandhari, Kamla Al-Mawaly, Rayhaneh Al-Mjeni, Abeer Al-Sayegh, Sandy Raeburn, Edward Lee, Francis Giardiello, Duane T Smoot, Alexander Vilkin, C Richard Boland, Ajay Goel, Mitra Hafezi, Mehdi Nouraie, Hassan Ashktorab
Journal: Molecular Cancer (2008)

Abstract We have identified an alternative pathway of tumorigenesis in sporadic colon cancer, involving microsatellite instability due to mismatched repair methylation, which may be driven by mutations in the BRAF gene (V600E). Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer in the world, and African Americans show a higher incidence than other populations in the United States. We analyzed sporadic CRCs in Omani (of African origin, N = 61), Iranian (of Caucasian origin, N = 53) and African American (N = 95) patients for microsatellite instability, expression status of mismatched repair genes (hMLH1, hMSH2) and presence of the BRAF (V600E) mutation. In the Omani group, all tumors with BRAF mutations were located in the left side of the colon, and for African Americans, 88% [7] of tumors with BRAF mutations were found in the right side of the colon. In African Americans, 31% of tumors displayed microsatellite instability at two or more markers (MSI-H), while this rate was 26% and 13% for tumors in the Iranian and Omani groups, respectively. A majority of these MSI-H tumors were located in the proximal colon (right side) in African American and Iranian subjects, whereas most were located in the distal colon (left side) in Omani subjects. Defects in hMLH1 gene expression were found in 77% of MSI-H tumors in both African Americans and Iranians and in 38% of tumors in Omanis. BRAF mutations were observed in all subjects: 10% of tumors in African Americans (8/82), 2% of tumors in Iranians (1/53), and 19% of tumors in Omanis (11/59). Our findings suggest that CRC occurs at a younger age in Omani and Iranian patients, and these groups showed a lower occurrence of MSI-H than did African American patients. Our multivariate model suggests an important and significant role of hMLH1 expression and BRAF mutation in MSI-H CRC in these populations. The high occurrence of MSI-H tumors in African Americans may have significant implications for treatment, since patients with MSI-H lesions display a different response to chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil.