tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The endurance shuttle walk: a new field test for the assessment of endurance capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: S M Revill, M D L Morgan, S J Singh, J Williams, A E Hardman
Journal: Thorax (1999)

The purpose of this study was to develop an externally controlled, constant paced field walking test to assess endurance capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There were four objectives: (1) to develop a protocol; (2) to compare treadmill and shuttle walk tests of endurance capacity; (3) to examine the repeatability of the endurance shuttle walk test; and (4) to compare the sensitivity to pulmonary rehabilitation of endurance and incremental shuttle walk tests.The test was designed to complement the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) using the same 10 m shuttle course and an audio signal to control pace. The intensity of the field endurance test was related to a percentage of each patient's maximum field exercise performance assessed by the ISWT. A number of cassette tapes were pre-recorded with a range of audio signal frequencies to dictate walking speeds between 1.80 and 6.00 km/h. In the first limb of the study 10 patients with COPD (mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 1.0 (0.36) 1, 35% predicted) performed three endurance shuttle walk tests (ESWTs) and three treadmill endurance tests. The walking speeds were calculated to elicit 75%, 85%, and 95% of each patient's maximum ISWT performance for the field tests and measured peak oxygen consumption for the treadmill tests. In a separate group of patients the repeatability of the ESWT at an intensity of 85% of the ISWT performance was evaluated. Finally, the ESWT (at the 85% intensity) and the ISWT were performed at the start of a five week control period and at the start and end of a seven week pulmonary rehabilitation programme in 21 patients with COPD (mean FEV1 0.80 (0.18) 1).The mean (SE) times achieved during the ESWT were 13.1 (2.3), 10.2 (2.5), and 5.3 (1.7) min for the walks at 75%, 85%, and 95% intensities, respectively. Patients tended to walk for longer on the treadmill than during the field tests at all intensities, but there were no significant differences between the end of test heart rates or Borg ratings of breathlessness or perceived exertion. Following one practice ESWT at the 85% intensity, the mean difference and limits of agreement (2SD) between tests 2 and 3 was +15 (42) s (p > 0.05). There was no significant change in performance on either test following the five week control period prior to rehabilitation. Following rehabilitation the ESWT duration increased by 160 (24)% and the ISWT distance increased by 32 (11)% (effect sizes 2.90 and 0.41, respectively).The ESWT was simple to perform, acceptable to all patients, and exhibited good repeatability after one practice walk. The test showed major improvement following rehabilitation and was more sensitive to change than the field test of maximal capacity.
Sodium and Its Multiorgan Targets
Authors: Edward D. Frohlich, Dinko Susic
Journal: Circulation (2011)

A 66-year-old retired man presented to his physician with complaints of shortness of breath and weight gain over 1 week's time during a recent cruise.He was not short of breath in the supine position, although his neck veins were distended.The blood pressure was 196/ 104 mm Hg; his heart rate was 92 bpm; and his cardiac rhythm was normal.He had a large habitus and was 76 in tall and 248 lb, which was 27 lb heavier than when he was evaluated 6 weeks previously in the office.The lungs revealed fine crackling rales bilaterally and posteriorly, but no wheezes or other sounds were noted.A fourth heart sound was heard at the apex.The ECG revealed left atrial abnormality and left ventricular hypertrophy with a normal sinus rate and rhythm.The echocardiogram confirmed left ventricular hypertrophy, increased left atrial size, and evidence of impaired diastolic function, and the left ventricular ejection fraction was 32%.Pulse wave velocity and aortic distensibility were impaired.There was severe 4ϩ bilateral edema of both lower extremities to the knees.Although the hemogram was normal, his blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were 28 and 1.2 mg/dL,
Role of Osteopontin in Cellular Signaling and Toxicant Injury
Authors: David T Denhardt, Cecilia M Giachelli, Susan R Rittling
Journal: The Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology (2001)

Osteopontin (OPN) is a glycosylated phosphoprotein found in all body fluids and in the proteinaceous matrix of mineralized tissues. It can function both as a cell attachment protein and as a cytokine, delivering signals to cells via a number of receptors including several integrins and CD44. Expression of OPN is enhanced by a variety of toxicants, especially those that activate protein kinase C. In its capacity as a signaling molecule, OPN can modify gene expression and promote the migration of monocytes/macrophages up an OPN gradient. It has both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory actions. Some experiments suggest that it may inhibit apoptosis, possibly contributing to the survival of cells in response to toxicant injury. Elevated OPN expression often correlates with malignancy and has been shown to enhance the tumorigenic and/or metastatic phenotype of the cancer cell. Recent studies have revealed that OPN plays critical roles in bone remodeling and cell-mediated immunity.
Common Variants in <i>RB1</i> Gene and Risk of Invasive Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Honglin Song, Susan J. Ramus, Danielle Shadforth, Lydia Quaye, Susanne Kruger Kjaer, Richard A. DiCioccio, Alison M. Dunning, Estrid Hogdall, Claus Hogdall, Alice S. Whittemore, Valerie McGuire, Fabienne Lesueur, Douglas F. Easton, Ian J. Jacobs, Bruce A.J. Ponder, Simon A. Gayther, Paul D.P. Pharoah
Journal: Cancer Research (2006)

Somatic alteration of the RB1 gene is common in several types of cancer, and germ-line variants are implicated in others. We have used a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) tagging approach to evaluate the association between common variants (SNP) in RB1 and risks of invasive ovarian cancer. We genotyped 11 tagging SNPs in three ovarian case-control studies from the United Kingdom, United States, and Denmark, comprising >1500 cases and 4,800 controls. Two SNPs showed significant association with ovarian cancer risk: carriers of the minor allele of rs2854344 were at reduced risk compared with the common homozygotes [odds ratio (OR), 0.73; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.61-0.89; P = 0.0009 dominant model]. Similarly, the minor allele of rs4151620 was found to be associated with reduced risk (rare versus common homozygote; OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.53; P = 0.00005 recessive model). After adjusting for multiple testing, the most significant association (rs4151620) was P = 0.001. A global test comparing common haplotype frequencies in cases and controls was of borderline significance (P(8df) = 0.04). There are no common coding SNPs in the RB1 gene. However, intron 17 of RB1 contains the open reading frame for the P2RY5 gene, and rs4151620 is perfectly correlated with rs2227311, which is located in the 5'-untranslated region of P2RY5 and is predicted to affect P2RY5 transcription. rs2854344 has been reported previously to be associated with breast cancer risk. The possible associations of rs2854344 and rs4151620 with ovarian cancer risk warrant confirmation in independent case-control studies before studies on their biological mode of action.
Foundation trusts turn in strong financial performance
Authors: Adrian O'Dowd
Journal: BMJ (2006)

England's foundation trusts are generating major cash surpluses for reinvesting in care of patients at a time when the NHS overall is struggling financially, says a report by an independent body.

Monitor, the independent regulator of foundation trusts, has given these NHS organisations, which have greater financial and operational freedom than other trusts, a clean bill of health for their finances, in a new report of their performance in the nine months to December 2005.

However, one foundation trust—University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust—is causing concern and was the only one of the 32 foundation …
HIV-1 infection among intravenous drug users in Manhattan, New York City, from 1977 through 1987
Authors: D. C. Des Jarlais
Journal: JAMA (1989)

Intravenous drug users are the second largest group to develop the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and they are the primary source for heterosexual and perinatal transmission in the United States and Europe. Understanding long-term trends in the spread of human immunodeficiency virus among intravenous drug users is critical to controlling the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome surveillance data and seroprevalence studies of drug treatment program entrants are used to trace seroprevalence trends among intravenous drug users in the borough of Manhattan. The virus entered this drug-using group during the mid-1970s and spread rapidly in 1979 through 1983. From 1984 through 1987, the seroprevalence rate stabilized between 55% and 60%—well below hepatitis B seroprevalence rates. This relatively constant rate is attributed to new infections, new seronegative persons beginning drug injection, seropositive persons leaving drug injection, and increasing conscious risk reduction. (<i>JAMA</i>1989;261:1008-1012)
Significance of halo, reversed halo and air crescent signs in lymphomatoid granulomatosis and pulmonary fungal infections
Authors: Narat Srivali, Nitipong Permpalung, Nischala Ammannagari, Wisit Cheungpasitporn, Edward F Bischof
Journal: Thorax (2013)

We read with interest the article by Lota et al .1 The authors report a case of lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LG) with an atypical CT finding of crescent sign for LG. Typically, LG patients with lung involvement can present with pulmonary …
Concentric and eccentric strength profile of quadriceps and hamstrings in healthy volleyball players
Authors: V Hadzic, E Dervisevic, M Veselko
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2011)

Background Lower-extremity strength profile can be used in injury prevention, conditioning and rehabilitation of volleyball players. Objectives The goals were: (1) to describe the concentric and eccentric quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) muscle function in volleyball players, (2) to evaluate the differences in Q and H strength, strength ratios and bilateral strength asymmetry among age groups, playing positions and playing levels, (3) to compare bilateral strength asymmetry in Q and H muscles in two different contraction modes. Design Controlled laboratory study. Setting Competitive elite level. Participants and intervention 95 professional male volleyball players were tested on an isokinetic machine at 60°/sec to assess concentric and eccentric Q and H strength. We also calculated strength ratios and bilateral strength asymmetries. Results Multivariate analysis of variances indicated significant main effect of playing level on relative PT (p=0.001) and strength ratios (p&lt;0.05). International-level players had significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher H strength and dynamic control ratio (DCR) of the right leg compared to the first and/or second national division players. There were no signs of bilateral strength asymmetry regardless of muscle group tested and contraction mode. Conclusions Our results suggest that right H strength and DCR could be important for successful volleyball performance. Descriptive data about Q and H muscle function can be used as guidelines for coaches and therapists during training and rehabilitation of male volleyball players.
Moderate Renal Impairment and Risk of Dementia among Older Adults
Authors: Stephen L. Seliger, David S. Siscovick, Catherine O. Stehman-Breen, Daniel L. Gillen, Annette Fitzpatrick, Anthony Bleyer, Lew H. Kuller
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2004)

Renal impairment is associated with an increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis and stroke, determinants of cognitive dysfunction and dementia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether moderate renal impairment is associated with incident dementia among community-dwelling older adults. Participants in the Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study without prevalent dementia (n = 3349) were included in the analysis. Incident dementia was confirmed through neurologic testing. Renal function at baseline was estimated by the inverse of serum creatinine (1/SCr); moderate renal impairment was defined as SCr > or = 1.3 mg/dl for women and > or = 1.5 mg/dl for men. Cox regression models were used to estimate the association of renal impairment with incident dementia. Because SCr is also a function of muscle mass, the authors determined whether the relationship between SCr and dementia was particularly strong among individuals without severe co-morbidity at baseline, as reflected by self-reported general health status. There were 477 incident dementia cases over a median 6 yr follow-up. After adjustment for potential confounders, moderate renal insufficiency was associated with a 37% increased risk of dementia (95% CI = 1.06 to 1.78). Similarly, a 0.5-unit decrement in 1/SCr (equivalent to an increase in SCr from 1.0 to 2.0 mg/dl) was associated with a 26% increased risk (95% CI = 1.02 to 1.60). These associations were present only among the 84% of older adults who reported good-excellent health. Among those in good-excellent health, higher SCr was associated with vascular-type dementia but not Alzheimer-type dementia. Moderate renal impairment, reflected by a higher SCr, is associated with an excess risk of incident dementia among individuals in good-excellent health. Strategies to prevent or delay the onset of dementia in patients with moderate renal impairment are needed.
High tuberculosis burden among people living with HIV in southern Mozambique
Authors: Alberto L. García-Basteiro, Elisa López-Varela, Durval Respeito, Raquel González, Denise Naniche, Ivan Manhiça, Eusebio Macete, Frank Cobelens, Pedro L. Alonso
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health concern, and a leading cause of disease and death worldwide. Mozambique is one of the few high TB burden countries where TB figures have not improved in recent years, with an estimated TB incidence in 2013 of 552 cases per 100 000 population [1]. With 58% of all notified TB cases being HIV-positive, Mozambique also has one of the highest TB/HIV co-infection rates. Published data on the burden of TB or HIV disease in the country are scarce, and improving epidemiological surveillance has been identified as an urgent step to improve TB control [2]. High TB burden, in terms of incident cases and case fatality, in PLHIV in a rural district in Mozambique <http://ow.ly/DdlZn> We thank Sergi Sanz, Elisa de Lazzari (both ISGlobal, CRESIB, Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain), Alberto Bila Junior and Elisa Fernández Cooke (both CISM, Maputo, Mozambique) for their support with the statistical analysis, data management and comments on the manuscript.
Influence of Posture on Cardiac Output and Minute Ventilation During Exercise
Authors: MAURICE MCGREGOR, WILLIAM ADAM, PAUL SEKELJ
Journal: Circulation Research (1961)

In four normal subjects, cardiac output, oxygen uptake, and ventilatory volume were compared on 8 occasions at rest and on 20 occasions during exercise in the recumbent and sitting postures. The oxygen uptake was not significantly different in the two postures either at rest or at equal external work loads. In the sitting posture during exercise, the cardiac index was approximately 12 per cent and stroke index 19 per cent lower than in the supine posture. Ventilation was signifi cantly higher because of an increase in respir atory frequency.
Fibrous pleural tumour producing 171 litres of transudate
Authors: CS Ulrik, K Viskum
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1998)

Localized fibrous tumours of the pleura (or localized benign mesothelioma) are rare, and in most cases, asymptomatic. This report describes a 48 yr old female with a right-sided fibrous pleural tumour, which produced 171 L of transudate before a correct diagnosis was reached. The tumour was surgically removed and the transudation stopped immediately.
Dietary Regulation of Gene Expression: Enzymes Involved in Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism
Authors: A G Goodridge
Journal: Annual Review of Nutrition (1987)

The mechanisms of the responses of an enzyme to different hormones and metabolites or several enzymes to a single hormone are surprisingly varied. There is neither an operon for lipogenic enzymes nor a common step at which hormones and metabolites coordinately regulate the expression of lipogenic genes. In bacteria, coordinated expression of several enzymes in a single metabolic pathway often is achieved by organizing the genes into operons. An operon is a group of genes linked together in a linear fashion and producing a polycistronic mRNA. Trans-acting factors regulate the transcription of these genes by interacting with promoter/regulatory sequences in the 5'-flanking region of the most 5'-ward of the genes. In vertebrate animals, however, coordinated control of gene transcription is not achieved by linking the individual genes, but by putting in the 5'-flanking regions of these genes a regulatory sequence that interacts with common trans-acting factors. Genes controlled by different hormones are expected to have regulatory elements for each hormone. The presence of glucocorticoid and cyclic AMP regulatory elements at the 5'-end of the PEPCK gene is consistent with this notion. Transcription is not the only step at which hormones and metabolites control the pathways for gene expression. The levels of the mRNAs for L-PK, ME, S11, and S14 are increased by T3 at post-transcriptional steps. Glucagon also regulates the accumulation of ME mRNA post-transcriptionally. Neither the mechanism nor the sequence organization of regulatory elements is known for post-transcriptional control of gene expression. In the case of PEPCK and HMG-CoA reductase, the next steps will be to determine more precisely the sequences in the 5'-region that mediate hormone sensitivity and feedback inhibition, respectively, and whether trans-acting factors are involved. For the other genes discussed, identification of the regulated step must precede identification of sequences that confer hormone or metabolite-sensitive regulation on a specific gene. In general, it is probable that the hybrid gene approach, so successful for PEPCK and HMG-CoA reductase, also will be effective in defining cis-acting hormone- or metabolite-regulatory elements in other genes. These techniques should be applicable to both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Our long-term objective is to understand the molecular basis of each event that intervenes between the binding of hormone or metabolite to its appropriate receptor and altered enzyme level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Normal testicular structure and reproductive function in deermice lacking retinol and alcohol dehydrogenase activity.
Authors: M A Leo, C S Lieber
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1984)

It was found that a strain of deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus), which genetically lacks liver alcohol dehydrogenase activity also displays no such activity in the testis and is devoid of the enzyme activity that converts retinol to retinal, both in liver and in the testis; nevertheless, these animals exhibit normal reproduction and testicular histology. Therefore, one must reconsider the theory that the testicular atrophy and aspermatogenesis commonly found in alcoholics is due, at least in part, to interaction of ethanol with these enzyme activities in the testis.
Burden of hepatitis C virus disease and access to hepatitis C virus services in people who inject drugs in India: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sunil Suhas Solomon, Shruti H Mehta, Aylur K Srikrishnan, Suniti Solomon, Allison M McFall, Oliver Laeyendecker, David D Celentano, Syed H Iqbal, Santhanam Anand, Canjeevaram K Vasudevan, Shanmugam Saravanan, Gregory M Lucas, Muniratnam S Kumar, Mark S Sulkowski, Thomas C Quinn
Journal: The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2014)
Phenotypic changes in colonocytes following acute stress or activation of mast cells in mice: implications for delayed epithelial barrier dysfunction
Authors: Julien Demaude, Christel Salvador-Cartier, Jean Fioramonti, Laurent Ferrier, Lionel Bueno
Journal: Gut (2005)

Stressful life events are known to modulate the development or relapse of disease in both inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel disease patients but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Stress is known to effect mast cells, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and myosin light chain phosphorylation to trigger colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether acute stress induced or chemical mast cell activation impaired expression and function of epithelial tight junctions, and altered colonocyte differentiation in mice.Colonic paracellular permeability was assessed as the in vivo lumen to blood ratio of 51Cr-EDTA in different groups of mice (controls, stressed, mast cell degranulator BrX-537A treated), pretreated or not with the mast cell stabiliser doxantrazole. Involvement of mast cells and IFN-gamma was evaluated in wild-type and IFN-gamma deficient mice. Tight junction alteration was assessed by histology, transmission electron microscopy, and real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Colonocyte differentiation was determined by protein kinase C zeta (PKCzeta) immunofluorescence and western blotting, and alkaline phosphatase activity assay.Acute stress induced a three day delayed increase in colonic paracellular permeability which involved mast cell degranulation and overproduction of IFN-gamma. The colonic epithelial barrier was morphologically altered and expression of mRNA encoding tight junction proteins ZO-2 and occludin was decreased. Moreover, three days after acute stress, colonocyte differentiation was reduced, as shown by decreased expression of both PKCzeta isotype and alkaline phosphatase.These data highlight new mechanisms whereby an acute stress acts on the gastrointestinal tract by inducing alterations in colonocyte differentiation and decreased expression of mRNA encoding tight junction proteins. Thus phenotypic changes in colonocytes could pave the way for stress related intestinal disorders.