tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Classifying Asthma Severity in Children
Authors: Leonard B. Bacharier, Robert C. Strunk, David Mauger, Deborah White, Robert F. Lemanske, Christine A. Sorkness
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2004)

Current guidelines for asthma care categorize asthma severity based on the frequency of asthma symptoms, medication use, and lung function measures. The objective of this study was to determine whether lung function measures are consistent with levels of asthma severity as defined by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program/Expert Panel Report 2 Guidelines. Parents of children aged 5–18 years with asthma seen in two outpatient subspecialty clinics completed questionnaires regarding asthma medication use and symptom frequency over the preceding 1 and 4 weeks, respectively. All children performed spirometry. When asthma severity was based on the higher severity of asthma symptom frequency or medication use, asthma was mild intermittent in 6.9% of participants, mild persistent in 27.9%, moderate persistent in 22.4%, and severe persistent in 42.9%. FEV1 % predicted did not differ by level of asthma severity. FEV1/FVC decreased as asthma severity increased (p < 0.0001) and was abnormal in 33% of the participants, and a greater percentage of participants had an abnormal FEV1/FVC as asthma severity increased (p = 0.0001). In children, asthma severity classified by symptom frequency and medication usage does not correlate with FEV1 categories defined by National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Guidelines. FEV1 is generally normal, even in severe persistent childhood asthma, whereas FEV1/FVC declines as asthma severity increases.
Thorax with extra "e"
Authors: R. ORME
Journal: Thorax (1999)

During the past few years the world wide web has crept persistently into our collective consciousness. At first only a minority could or wanted to communicate in its specific jargon and some even revelled in that exclusivity, but the net has since widened and become much more accessible and available. Thorax must embrace the technological changes and opportunities that this brings. The printed page is likely to remain our main medium of communication for some time, but the web is a major development and we …
Long term relative survival after surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm in Western Australia: population based study
Authors: P. E Norman, J. B Semmens, M. M D Lawrence-Brown, C D'A. J Holman
Journal: BMJ (1998)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective:</b> To determine the long term relative survival of all patients who had surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm in Western Australia during 1985-94. <b>Design:</b>Population based study. <b>Setting:</b>Western Australia. <b>Subjects:</b> All patients who had had surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm in Western Australia during 1985-94. <b>Main outcome measures:</b> Morbidity and mortality data of patients admitted and surgically treated for abdominal aortic aneurysm in Western Australia during 1985-94. Elective, ruptured, and acute non-ruptured cases were analysed separately. Independent analyses for sex and patients aged 80 years or more were also undertaken. Postoperative (&gt;30 days) relative survival was assessed against age and sex matched controls. <b>Results:</b> Overall, 1475 (1257 men, 218 women) cases were identified. The crude five year survival after elective surgery, including deaths within 30 days of surgery, was 79% for both men and women. When compared with a matched population the five year relative survival after elective surgery was 94.9% (95% confidence interval 89.9% to 99.9%) for men but only 88.0% (76.3% to 99.7%) for women. The five year relative survival of those aged 80 years and over was good: 116.6% (89.1% to 144.0%) compared with 92.4% (87.7% to 97.0%) for those under 80 years of age (men and women combined). Cardiovascular disease caused 57.8% of the 341 deaths after 30 days. <b>Conclusion:</b> In a condition such as abdominal aortic aneurysm, which occurs in elderly patients, relative survival is more clinically meaningful than crude survival. The five year relative survival in cases of elective and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm was better in men than in women. This is probably because of greater comorbidity in women with abdominal aortic aneurysm and this deserves more attention in the future. The long term survival outcome in octogenarians supports surgery in selected cases.
The Development and Utility of a Novel Scale That Quantifies the Glycemic Progression Toward Type 1 Diabetes Over 6 Months
Authors: Jay M. Sosenko, Jay S. Skyler, Craig A. Beam, David Boulware, Jeffrey L. Mahon, Jeffrey P. Krischer, Carla J. Greenbaum, Lisa E. Rafkin, Della Matheson, Kevan C. Herold, Jerry P. Palmer
Journal: Diabetes Care (2015)

OBJECTIVE We developed a scale to serve as a potential end point for 6-month glycemic progression (PS6M) toward type 1 diabetes (T1D) in autoantibody-positive relatives of individuals with T1D. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The PS6M was developed from Diabetes Prevention Trial–Type 1 (DPT-1) data and tested in the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention Study (PTP). It is the difference between 6-month glucose sum values (30–120 min oral glucose tolerance test values) and values predicted for nonprogressors. RESULTS The PS6M predicted T1D in the PTP (P &amp;lt; 0.001). The area under the receiver operating chacteristic curve was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.001) for the PS6M than for the baseline–to–6-month difference. PS6M values were higher in those with two or more autoantibodies, 30–0 min C-peptide values &amp;lt;2.00 ng/mL, or DPT-1 Risk Scores &amp;gt;7.00 (P &amp;lt; 0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS The PS6M is an indicator of short-term glycemic progression to T1D that could be a useful tool for assessing preventive treatments and biomarkers.
Effect of Hypercapnia on Myocardial Potassium Movement in the Dog
Authors: D. G. SPIKER, C. W. SMITH
Journal: Circulation Research (1972)

This investigation tested the hypothesis that uptake of potassium during respiratory acidosis is secondary to the increased catecholamine activity which accompanies hypercapnia. The plasma K + concentration of simultaneously drawn arterial and coronary sinus blood samples from dogs was determined under three conditions: (1) hypercapnia (25% CO 2 -75% O 2 ), (2) normocapnia (25% N 2 -75% O 2 ) + propranolol (a beta-receptor blocker), and (3) hypercapnia + propranolol. The change during hypercapnia from uptake of K + to loss of K + after administration of propranolol (0.05 mg/kg, iv) was statistically significant. However, the administration of propranolol during normocapnia had no effect on myocardial K + movement. Changes in heart rate and myocardial contractility did not explain the change in myocardial K + movement during hypercapnia following the administration of propranolol. These data suggest that uptake of K + is secondary to the increased catecholamine activity which accompanies hypercapnia.
Incidence of cancer among UK Gulf war veterans: cohort study
Authors: Gary J. Macfarlane, Anne Marie Biggs, Noreen Maconochie, Matthew Hotopf, Patricia Doyle, Mark Lunt
Journal: BMJ (2003)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objectives</b> To determine whether incidence rates of cancer are higher in UK service personnel who were deployed in the Gulf war than in those not deployed and whether any increased risk of cancer is related to self reported exposures to potentially hazardous material during the period of deployment. <b>Design</b> A cohort study with follow up from 1 April 1991 (the end of the Gulf war) to 31 July 2002. <b>Participants</b> 51 721 Gulf war veterans and 50 755 service personnel matched for age, sex, rank, service, and level of fitness who were not deployed in the Gulf (the Era cohort). <b>Main outcome measures</b> Incident cancers, identified on the NHS central register. <b>Results</b> There were 270 incident cancers among the Gulf cohort and 269 among the Era cohort (incidence rate ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 1.17). There was no excess in site specific cancers among the Gulf cohort. Adjustment for lifestyle factors (smoking and alcohol consumption) did not alter these results. In the Gulf cohort, risk of cancer was not related to multiple vaccinations or exposure to pesticides or depleted uranium during deployment. <b>Conclusion</b> There is no current excess risk of cancer overall nor of site specific cancers in Gulf war veterans. Specific exposures during deployment have not resulted in a subsequent increased risk of cancer. The long latent period for cancer, however, necessitates the continued follow up of these cohorts.
Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Blood Pressure
Authors: Louise A. Beveridge, Allan D. Struthers, Faisel Khan, Rolf Jorde, Robert Scragg, Helen M. Macdonald, Jessica A. Alvarez, Rebecca S. Boxer, Andrea Dalbeni, Adam D. Gepner, Nicole M. Isbel, Thomas Larsen, Jitender Nagpal, William G. Petchey, Hans Stricker, Franziska Strobel, Vin Tangpricha, Laura Toxqui, M. Pilar Vaquero, Louise Wamberg, Armin Zittermann, Miles D. Witham
Journal: JAMA Internal Medicine (2015)

CollaborationIMPORTANCE Low levels of vitamin D are associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) and future cardiovascular events.Whether vitamin D supplementation reduces BP and which patient characteristics predict a response remain unclear.OBJECTIVE To systematically review whether supplementation with vitamin D or its analogues reduce BP.
Induction of Programmed Cell Death in Kaposi's Sarcoma Cells by Preparations of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Authors: F. Samaniego, J. L. Bryant, N. Liu, J. E. Karp, A. L. Sabichi, A. Thierry, Y. Lunardi-Iskandar, R. C. Gallo
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1999)

BACKGROUND: Isolation of the first neoplastic acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cell line (KS Y-1) has furthered understanding of the pathogenesis of KS. Studies with KS Y-1 cells have indicated that inhibition of KS cell proliferation occurs in early pregnancy in mice and after treatment with certain commercial preparations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, a pregnancy hormone purified from urine). The activity of the commercial preparations has been attributed to an hCG-associated factor(s) (HAF). While several clinical benefits of HAF are clearly evident, the basis for its anti-KS properties remains unknown. We investigated the apoptosis-inducing effects of HAF and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in KS cells. METHODS: KS Y-1 and KS SLK cells were treated with clinical-grade crude preparations of hCG, recombinant hCG, or urine fractions exhibiting anti-KS activity and then examined for features of apoptosis. Levels of proteins associated with apoptosis were monitored by western blot analysis, and cell DNA content was assessed by flow cytometry. Tumors induced in mice by inoculation of KS Y-1 cells were treated with preparations of hCG, and the tumors were examined for cell morphology and also for DNA fragmentation by use of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS: The HAF present in some preparations of hCG and in urine fractions has the ability to induce apoptosis in KS cells in vitro and in vivo . HAF-triggered apoptosis was preceded by increased levels of the apoptosis-related proteins c-Myc and c-Rel and cell accumulation in G 0 /G 1 phase of the cell cycle. KS Y-1 cells transfected with a c-Myc complementary DNA showed elevated rates of apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The anti-KS activity of HAF appears to induce apoptosis. Such activity suggests a role for HAF in pregnancy-related regulation of cell death.
Prediction of the rate of decline in FEV1 in smokers using quantitative computed tomography
Authors: R Yuan, J C Hogg, P D Pare, D D Sin, J C Wong, Y Nakano, A M McWilliams, S Lam, H O Coxson
Journal: Thorax (2009)

<h3>Background:</h3> A study was undertaken to determine if quantitative CT estimates of lung parenchymal overinflation and airway dimensions in smokers with a normal forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV<sub>1</sub>) can predict the rapid decline in FEV<sub>1</sub> that leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). <h3>Methods:</h3> Study participants (n = 143; age 45–72 years; 54% male) were part of a lung cancer screening trial, had a smoking history of &gt;30 pack years and a normal FEV<sub>1</sub> and FEV<sub>1</sub>/forced vital capacity (FVC) at baseline (mean (SD) FEV<sub>1</sub> 99.4 (12.8)%, range 80.2–140.7%; mean (SD) FEV<sub>1</sub>/FVC 77.9 (4.4), range 70.0–88.0%). An inspiratory multislice CT scan was acquired for each subject at baseline. Custom software was used to measure airway lumen and wall dimensions; the percentage of the lung inflated beyond a predicted maximal lung inflation, the low attenuation lung area with an <i>x</i> ray attenuation lower than −950 HU and the size distribution of the overinflated lung areas and the low attenuation area were described using a cluster analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis that these CT measurements combined with other baseline characteristics might identify those who would develop an excessive annual decline in FEV<sub>1</sub>. <h3>Results:</h3> The mean (SD) annual change in FEV<sub>1</sub> was −2.3 (4.7)% predicted (range −23.0% to +8.3%). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the annual change in FEV<sub>1</sub>%predicted was significantly associated with baseline percentage overinflated lung area measured on quantitative CT, FEV<sub>1</sub>%predicted, FEV<sub>1</sub>/FVC and gender. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Quantitative CT scan evidence of overinflation of the lung predicts a rapid annual decline in FEV<sub>1</sub> in smokers with normal FEV<sub>1</sub>.
Moving Beyond Directly Observed Therapy for Tuberculosis
Authors: John Z. Metcalfe, Max R. O’Donnell, David R. Bangsberg
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2015)

Mycobacterium tuberculosis often develops resistance in the setting of monotherapy, either de facto (when an organism is susceptible to only one drug of an intended multidrug regimen) or actual (historically, or in the setting of extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) salvage regimens) [1][2][3][4].With current regimens, sterilization of drug-susceptible organisms requires at least six months of treatment to prevent disease relapse.Unfortunately, pill burden, drug toxicity, stigma, and poor provider practice often complicate these prolonged treatment courses, and nonadherence is widely blamed for the global epidemic of drug-resistant TB.Directly observed therapy (DOT) has for decades been considered crucial to ensuring anti-TB medication adherence worldwide, but carries important individual and health policy concerns.This week in PLOS Medicine, Fielding and colleagues present a cluster randomized trial of an alternative strategy-managing adherence with reminders delivered by an electronic pillbox or text messaging.DOT is variously defined as 5-7 daily doses per week observed by facility-, workplace-, or community-based healthcare workers or confidants.Although DOT is employed selectively for other communicable and noncommunicable diseases for which incomplete adherence threatens treatment success, DOT in TB treatment has become enshrined as "canon in a field long characterized by fervor in principle and practice" as in no other disease [5].First implemented in Madras and Hong Kong in the 1950s [6], DOT became globally endorsed (as one of five key components of the World Health Organization directly observed therapy short-course [DOTS] strategy) [7] in 1994 in the aftermath of public health alarm created by an outbreak of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB in New York City [8].Operationalization of DOT varies according to resource availability, cultural factors, and individual provider perception, and is often incomplete, even among populations for which strict adherence is considered essential [9].Although in its best form DOT can be a platform for patient social support and guidance, it has long been debated whether the requirement for witnessed dosing represents the least restrictive alternative in pursuit of public health goals [10].Conceived of as a principal standard of care to protect individuals from drug resistance amplification and communities from a potentially devastating airborne disease, DOT in some cases adversely impacts the dignity, autonomy, and livelihoods of patients who are often already poor and disenfranchised [11].For example, among patients receiving treatment for both HIV and drug-resistant TB, loss of a sense of agency due to provider supervision of TB treatment contributes to preferential adherence to antiretrovirals over drug-resistant TB therapy, complicating combined treatment regimens
An international study on starting tumour necrosis factor-blocking agents in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: T Pham, R Landewe, S van der Linden, M Dougados, J Sieper, J Braun, J Davis, M Rudwaleit, E Collantes, R Burgos-Vargas, J Edmonds, I Olivieri, I van der Horst-Bruinsma, H Mielants, M Stone, P Emery, D van der Heijde
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2006)

To determine the type and proportion of patients with ankylosing spondylitis who rheumatologists consider to be candidates for treatment with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-blocking agents, and to what extent this is in agreement with the ASsessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS) international working group recommendations on initiation of treatment with anti-TNF agents.
Rhinovirus-induced interferon production in asthma
Authors: Simonetta Baraldo, Marina Saetta, Angelo Barbato, Marco Contoli, Alberto Papi
Journal: Thorax (2014)

After reading the article by Sykes et al ,1 we would like to comment on impaired response to rhinovirus in relation to asthma severity. The authors examined rhinovirus-induced interferon (IFN) production in a cohort of asthmatic patients compared with controls. While they previously reported in this population a reduced IFN production in cells from bronchoalveolar lavage,2 they fail to document such an impaired response in bronchial epithelial cells.1 …
Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide on motility and sensation of the proximal stomach in humans
Authors: J Schirra
Journal: Gut (2002)

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1(7–36)amide (GLP-1) retards gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and inhibits antroduodenal and stimulates pyloric motility. Aims: To assess the effects of synthetic GLP-1 on fundus tone and volume waves, gastric compliance, and perception of gastric distension. Subjects: Eleven healthy male volunteers. Methods: Background infusions were saline, or GLP-1 at 0.3 or 0.9 pmol/ kg/min on separate days in random order. Interdigestive fundus motility was recorded by barostat (maximum capacity of intragastric bag 1200 ml) during basal and peptide periods of 60 minutes each. Thereafter stepwise isobaric distensions were performed with ongoing peptide infusion, and gastric sensation was scored. Results: Low and high loads of GLP-1 induced physiological and supraphysiological plasma immunoreactivities, respectively. GLP-1 dose dependently diminished fundus tone (162.9 (15.0) and 259.5 (17.2) <i>v</i> 121.1 (6.0) ml with saline; p&lt;0.0001). It greatly reduced volume waves and total volume displaced by these events (p&lt;0.0001). Gastric compliance derived from isobaric distension rose in a dose related manner (42.6 (5.5) and 63.6 (7.7) <i>v</i> 27.0 (3.5) ml/mm Hg; p=0.0004) with a concomitant reduction of the pressure at half maximum bag volume (6.4 (0.4) and 5.5 (0.4) <i>v</i> 7.2 (0.1) mm Hg; p&lt;0.0001). GLP-1 did not change perception of isobaric distension but reduced the perception score related to corresponding bag volume (p&lt;0.0001). Conclusions: GLP-1 is a candidate physiological inhibitory regulator of fundus motility. It allows the stomach to afford a larger volume without increase in sensation.
Monocyte/Macrophage Regulation of Vascular Calcification In Vitro
Authors: Yin Tintut, Jignesh Patel, Mary Territo, Trishal Saini, Farhad Parhami, Linda L. Demer
Journal: Circulation (2002)

Calcification is a common complication of atherosclerosis and other chronic inflammatory processes that involves infiltration of monocytes and accumulation of macrophages.To determine whether these cells modulate vascular calcification in vitro, calcifying vascular cells (CVCs), a subpopulation of osteoblast-like cells derived from the artery wall, were cocultured with human peripheral blood monocytes for 5 days. Results showed that alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, a marker of osteoblastic differentiation, was significantly greater in cocultures than in cultures of CVCs or monocytes alone. Both ALP activity and matrix mineralization increased in proportion to the number of monocytes added. Activation of monocyte/macrophages (M/Ms) by oxidized LDL further increased ALP activity in cocultures. However, neither conditioned medium from oxidized-LDL-activated M/Ms or transwell coculture had this effect on CVCs, which suggests a need for cell-to-cell contact. In contrast, conditioned medium from lipopolysaccharide-activated M/Ms increased ALP activity of CVCs. ELISA showed that lipopolysaccharide-activated M/Ms secreted tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and neutralizing antibody to tumor necrosis factor-alpha attenuated the induction of ALP activity by the conditioned media.These results suggest that M/Ms enhance in vitro vascular calcification via 2 independent mechanisms: cell-cell interaction and production of soluble factors such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
Pigtail drainage in the treatment of tuberculous pleural effusions: a randomised study
Authors: Y-F Lai
Journal: Thorax (2003)

Tuberculous pleurisy can result in obvious clinical symptoms, pleural fibrosis, and pleural thickening. Some studies of tuberculous pleurisy have suggested that symptomatic improvement and minimisation of sequelae can be achieved by completely draining the effusion during treatment, although the results have not been conclusive.Sixty one patients with tuberculous pleurisy were divided into two groups; 30 patients received pigtail drainage combined with antituberculosis (TB) drug treatment and 31 received only anti-TB drugs. Outcome measurements were assessed for a period of 24 weeks after treatment and included symptom scores and the incidence of residual pleural thickening (RPT).Although the duration of dyspnoea was significantly shortened by the use of pigtail drainage (median 4 days (IQR 4-5) v 8 days (IQR 7-16), p<0.001), a comparison of combined mean (SD) visual analogue scale (VAS) scores showed no significant difference between the groups after one week of treatment (57.1 (33.2) v 68.5 (44.7) or at any time during the follow up period. The incidence of RPT of more than 10 mm in the group treated with pigtail drainage and anti-TB drugs was 26% compared with 28% in the group receiving drug treatment only. The incidence of RPT levels of more than 2 mm in the two groups was 50% and 51%, respectively. No statistical difference between the two groups in terms of forced vital capacity was found at the end of treatment (median (IQR) 85.5% (69-94) of predicted v 88% (78-96) of predicted).The addition of pigtail drainage to an effective anti-TB regimen is not clinically relevant and does not reduce the level of RPT.