tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Gold vs GesEPOC: Are they different?
Authors: Xavier Flor, Silvia Alvarez, Laia Lamarca, Laia Berta, Victoria Feijoo, Ainhoa Toscano, Carolina Carrillo
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

In 2011 the GOLD guideline modified the classification of COPD and the approach, incorporating FEV1, number of exacerbations in the past year and patient’s symptoms. In 2012 arrived GesEPOC (new Spanish COPD guideline), which categorizes phenotypes. This has carried confusion on part of professional working in Primary Health Care (PHC) because doctors do not know which guideline should implement.  Aims  1 To assess the possibility of applying COPD guidelines in PHC.  2 To assess if there are differences implementing the baseline treatment between the two guidelines.  Methods  Patients with COPD diagnostic with a spirometry registered in the last 24 month, from a PHC centre in Barcelona city, was recruited. Patients included signed informed consent so we could review their clinic history.  Results  We included in the study 64 patients. The mean age was 73 (SD 9,2), 87,5% were men, 22% were smokers. The average FEV1post was 60,5 %(SD 19.1%). About 41% had 2 or more exacerbations in the last year (mean 1,5). The average time for GOLD applications was 6 minutes (SD 2,36) and 10 minutes GesEPOC (SD 3,16) p  Conclusions  We consider both guides feasible to implement at PHC consultations, because there is not much time needed to use them. For a single patient, treatment and severity varies depending on which guide we use.
Fifty Years Later, Many Teens Still Smoke
Authors: M. Fillon
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2014)

survival than those who don’t. However, the strength of that association is not known. In May 2012 FDA issued draft guidance suggesting that pCR could be used as an endpoint in neoadjuvant early-stage high-risk breast cancer trials for accelerated approval under certain conditions. The agency also established an international working group known as Collaborative Trials in Neoadjuvant Breast Cancer (CTNeoBC) to conduct a pooled analysis of data from more than 12,000 patients enrolled in neoadjuvant trials with long-term follow-up. The aim was to assess the correlation between pCR and disease-free or overall survival and the subtypes of early-stage breast cancer in which pCR is most likely to predict clinical benefit. The analysis will be published shortly in The Lancet, but preliminary results were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2012.
The Role of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 in Tumor Immune Evasion
Authors: T-C. Wu
Journal: Cancer Research (2007)

Abstract Tumor immune escape is a critical trait of cancer but the mechanisms involved have yet to fully emerge. One recent study has shown that tumor cells can escape T-cell immunity by overexpressing the endothelial cell adhesion molecule vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), which normally mediates leukocyte extravasion to sites of tissue inflammation. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was identified as one tumor type where VCAM-1 is commonly highly overexpressed. Together, our findings suggest that RCCs might exploit VCAM-1 overexpression for immune escape. [Cancer Res 2007;67(13):6003–6]
Long non-coding RNA: a new player in cancer
Authors: Hua Zhang, Zhenhua Chen, Xinxin Wang, Zunnan Huang, Zhiwei He, Yueqin Chen
Journal: Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2013)

Abstract Emerging evidence showed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in a wide range of biological processes and dysregulated lncRNAs are involved in many complex human diseases, including cancer. Although a few lncRNAs’ functions in cancer have been characterized, the detailed regulatory mechanisms of majority of lncRNAs in cancer initiation and progression remain largely unknown. In this review, we summarized recent progress on the mechanisms and functions of lncRNAs in cancer, especially focusing on the oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles of the newly identified lncRNAs, and the pathways these novel molecules might be involved in. Their potentials as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in cancer are also discussed in this paper.
Exhaled particles as markers of small airways inflammation in asthmatic subjects
Authors: Per Larsson, Björn Bake, Ekaterina Mirgorodskaya, Oscar Hammar, Mona Lärstad, Anna Bredberg Bredberg, Ann-Charlotte Almstrand, Anna-Carin Olin
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

It has recently been demonstrated that exhaled breath contains suspended particles of respiratory tract lining fluid (RTLF) from small airways. These particles are formed by the mechanism of airway closure/opening during breathing. To measure and sample these particles in the exhaled aerosol our group has developed a method called PEx (Particles in Exhaled air). In this study we use the PEx method to study the inflammatory response in the small airways of allergic subjects with asthma symptoms after seasonal birch pollen exposure. A change in the airway-vascular barrier induced by inflammation may lead to an altered amount of RTLF and concentrations of surfactant protein and albumin in small airways thereby influencing the amount of exhaled particles.  In the present study birch pollen exposure reduced the amount of exhaled particles in subjects with asthma symptoms and allergy (p
The Role of Tumor Cell–Derived Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2) in Pancreatic Tumor Growth
Authors: Kevin L. Bennewith, Xin Huang, Christine M. Ham, Edward E. Graves, Janine T. Erler, Neeraja Kambham, Jonathan Feazell, George P. Yang, Albert Koong, Amato J. Giaccia
Journal: Cancer Research (2009)

Abstract Pancreatic cancer is highly aggressive and refractory to existing therapies. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is a fibrosis-related gene that is thought to play a role in pancreatic tumor progression. However, CCN2 can be expressed in a variety of cell types, and the contribution of CCN2 derived from either tumor cells or stromal cells as it affects the growth of pancreatic tumors is unknown. Using genetic inhibition of CCN2, we have discovered that CCN2 derived from tumor cells is a critical regulator of pancreatic tumor growth. Pancreatic tumor cells derived from CCN2 shRNA–expressing clones showed dramatically reduced growth in soft agar and when implanted s.c. We also observed a role for CCN2 in the growth of pancreatic tumors implanted orthotopically, with tumor volume measurements obtained by positron emission tomography imaging. Mechanistically, CCN2 protects cells from hypoxia-mediated apoptosis, providing an in vivo selection for tumor cells that express high levels of CCN2. We found that CCN2 expression and secretion was increased in hypoxic pancreatic tumor cells in vitro, and we observed colocalization of CCN2 and hypoxia in pancreatic tumor xenografts and clinical pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, we found increased CCN2 staining in clinical pancreatic tumor tissue relative to stromal cells surrounding the tumor, supporting our assertion that tumor cell–derived CCN2 is important for pancreatic tumor growth. Taken together, these data improve our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for pancreatic tumor growth and progression, and also indicate that CCN2 produced by tumor cells represents a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. [Cancer Res 2009;69(3):775–84]
Dermatophyte Test Medium Culture for Evaluating Toenail Infections in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Phoebe Rich, Lawrence B. Harkless, Ercem S. Atillasoy
Journal: Diabetes Care (2003)

OBJECTIVE—To evaluate the performance of the in-office dermatophyte test medium (DTM) culture when used to confirm the diagnosis of onychomycosis in diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Nail samples from 184 diabetic patients who exhibited symptoms consistent with toenail onychomycosis were screened for dermatophyte fungal infection using DTM, potassium hydroxide evaluation, and central mycology laboratory culture tests. The diabetic patient group investigated in this study is a subset of a heterogeneous set of patients who participated in a nationwide survey designed to investigate the use of fungal culture tests by dermatologists, podiatrists, and primary care physicians described in detail elsewhere. The overall sensitivity of the DTM and central laboratory culture methods was estimated and compared. Sensitivity differences between DTM and central laboratory culture methods were tested for statistical significance using the McNemar statistic. RESULTS—DTM culture was positive in 102 of 184 patients (55%), while the central laboratory culture test detected the existence of fungal infection in 78 of 184 (42%). The two tests were in agreement (both positive or both negative) in 114 of 184 patients (62%). Central laboratory culture identified dermatophytes as the pathogen in 91% of positive cases. CONCLUSIONS—DTM is a convenient and inexpensive culture test that can be used to confirm dermatophyte infections in diabetic patients with presumed onychomycosis. We found this test to be well suited for use in the primary care setting. Because oral antifungal agents are effective against dermatophyte species, which cause the vast majority of nail infections, diagnosis of onychomycosis requires confirmation of dermatophyte infection only, not identification of genus and species. DTM fulfills this requirement and has a diagnostic yield comparable to central laboratory culture.
The pulmonary physician in critical care * 10: Difficult weaning
Authors: J Goldstone
Journal: Thorax (2002)

The study of patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation has offered new insights into the physiology of respiratory failure. Assessment of the balance between respiratory muscle strength, work and central drive is essential if difficulty in weaning occurs, and optimisation of these elements may improve the success of weaning. Psychological support of patients and the creation of units specialising in weaning have also resulted in a higher success rate.
Effect of training and lifting equipment for preventing back pain in lifting and handling: systematic review
Authors: Kari-Pekka Martimo, Jos Verbeek, Jaro Karppinen, Andrea D Furlan, Esa-Pekka Takala, P Paul F M Kuijer, Merja Jauhiainen, Eira Viikari-Juntura
Journal: BMJ (2008)

<b>Objectives</b> To determine whether advice and training on working techniques and lifting equipment prevent back pain in jobs that involve heavy lifting. <b>Data sources</b> Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, Cochrane Back Group’s specialised register, CINAHL, Nioshtic, CISdoc, Science Citation Index, and PsychLIT were searched up to September-November 2005. <b>Review methods</b> The primary search focused on randomised controlled trials and the secondary search on cohort studies with a concurrent control group. Interventions aimed to modify techniques for lifting and handling heavy objects or patients and including measurements for back pain, consequent disability, or sick leave as the main outcome were considered for the review. Two authors independently assessed eligibility of the studies and methodological quality of those included. For data synthesis, we summarised the results of studies comparing similar interventions. We used odds ratios and effect sizes to combine the results in a meta-analysis. Finally, we compared the conclusions of the primary and secondary analyses. <b>Results</b> Six randomised trials and five cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. Two randomised trials and all cohort studies were labelled as high quality. Eight studies looked at lifting and moving patients, and three studies were conducted among baggage handlers or postal workers. Those in control groups received no intervention or minimal training, physical exercise, or use of back belts. None of the comparisons in randomised trials (17 720 participants) yielded significant differences. In the secondary analysis, none of the cohort studies (772 participants) had significant results, which supports the results of the randomised trials. <b>Conclusions</b> There is no evidence to support use of advice or training in working techniques with or without lifting equipment for preventing back pain or consequent disability. The findings challenge current widespread practice of advising workers on correct lifting technique.
Effect of supplementation with tomato juice, vitamin E, and vitamin C on LDL oxidation and products of inflammatory activity in type 2 diabetes.
Authors: J E Upritchard, W H Sutherland, J I Mann
Journal: Diabetes Care (2000)

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of short-term dietary supplementation with tomato juice, vitamin E, and vitamin C on susceptibility of LDL to oxidation and circulating levels of C-reactive protein (C-RP) and cell adhesion molecules in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: There were 57 patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes aged &amp;lt;75 years treated with placebo for 4 weeks and then randomized to receive tomato juice (500 ml/day), vitamin E (800 U/day), vitamin C (500 mg/day), or continued placebo treatment for 4 weeks. Susceptibility of LDL to oxidation (lag time) and plasma concentrations of lycopene, vitamin E, vitamin C, C-RP, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were measured at the beginning of the study, after the placebo phase, and at the end of the study. RESULTS: Plasma lycopene levels increased nearly 3-fold (P = 0.001), and the lag time in isolated LDL oxidation by copper ions increased by 42% (P = 0.001) in patients during supplementation with tomato juice. The magnitude of this increase in lag time was comparable with the corresponding increase during supplementation with vitamin E (54%). Plasma C-RP levels decreased significantly (-49%, P = 0.004) in patients who received vitamin E. Circulating levels of cell adhesion molecules and plasma glucose did not change significantly during the study. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that consumption of commercial tomato juice increases plasma lycopene levels and the intrinsic resistance of LDL to oxidation almost as effectively as supplementation with a high dose of vitamin E, which also decreases plasma levels of C-RP, a risk factor for myocardial infarction, in patients with diabetes. These findings may be relevant to strategies aimed at reducing risk of myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes.
Oxidative stress as an initiator of cytokine release and cell damage
Authors: J.D. Crapo
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2003)

This article characterised the role of oxidative stress in mediating pathological reactions in the lung and the unique antioxidant defences that the lung possesses. The impact of redox balance in regulating inflammatory and immune reactions were discussed, and the impact of enhancing lung antioxidant capacity in animal models of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were characterised.
The Systemic Fibrinolytic Activity of Intrapleural Streptokinase
Authors: CHRISTOPHER W. H. DAVIES, SHE LOK, ROBERT J. O. DAVIES
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1998)

Intrapleural fibrinolytics probably improve the drainage of loculated pleural effusions and empyemas. Studies of crude indices of systemic coagulation suggest this effect is accompanied by little systemic fibrinolysis, but few studies have assessed this in detail. This study examines the systemic fibrinolytic activity of two intrapleural streptokinase (IPSK) regimes in detail. Eight patients received a single dose of 250,000 IU IPSK, and a further eight received serial doses of 250,000 IU IPSK every 12 h for 3 d (total dose: 1.5 million IU). Each dose was retained in the pleural cavity for 2 h. Venous blood for prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen, and D-dimers due to fibrin degradation were measured before any IPSK. These end points were then remeasured 24 h after IPSK in the single-dose group and after 24, 48, and 72 h in the group receiving serial doses. There were no physiologic or statistical differences in any of the indices after administration of IPSK. IPSK administered up to a dose of 1.5 million IU does not cause significant activation systemic fibrinolysis in humans.
Vitamin C Prophylaxis in Marine Recruits
Authors: Henry A. Pitt, Anthony M. Costrini
Journal: JAMA (1979)

A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was carried out to determine whether vitamin C prophylaxis, 2.0 g/day, vs placebo prophylaxis would reduce the incidence or morbidity of the common cold and other respiratory illnesses in 674 marine recruits during an eight-week period. Whole-blood ascorbic acid levels measured six weeks after initiation of the study were significantly higher in the vitamin C group. There was no difference between the two groups in the incidence or duration of colds. The vitamin C group rated their colds as being less severe, but this was not reflected in different symptom complexes or in fewer sick-call visits or training days lost. This study and the literature do not support the prophylactic use of vitamin C to prevent the common cold.
O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase is downregulated in transformed astrocyte cells: implications for anti-glioma therapies
Authors: Ken Sasai, Tsuyoshi Akagi, Eiko Aoyanagi, Kouichi Tabu, Sadao Kaneko, Shinya Tanaka
Journal: Molecular Cancer (2007)

A novel alkylating agent, temozolomide, has proven efficacious in the treatment of malignant gliomas. However, expression of O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) renders glioma cells resistant to the treatment, indicating that identification of mechanisms underlying the gene regulation of MGMT is highly required. Although glioma-derived cell lines have been widely employed to understand such mechanisms, those models harbor numerous unidentified genetic lesions specific for individual cell lines, which complicates the study of specific molecules and pathways. We established glioma models by transforming normal human astrocyte cells via retroviral-mediated gene transfer of defined genetic elements and found that MGMT was downregulated in the transformed cells. Interestingly, inhibitors of DNA methylation and histone deacetylation failed to increase MGMT protein levels in the transformed astrocyte cells as well as cultured glioblastoma cell lines, whereas the treatment partially restored mRNA levels. These observations suggest that downregulation of MGMT may depend largely on cellular factors other than promoter-hypermethylation of MGMT genes, which is being used in the clinic to nominate patients for temozolomide treatment. Furthermore, we discovered that Valproic acid, one of histone deacetylase inhibitors, suppressed growth of the transformed astrocyte cells without increasing MGMT protein, suggesting that such epigenetic compounds may be used to some types of gliomas in combination with alkylating agents. Normal human astrocyte cells allow us to generate experimental models of human gliomas by direct manipulation with defined genetic elements, in contrast to tumor-derived cell lines which harbor numerous unknown genetic abnormalities. Thus, we propose that the study using the transformed astrocyte cells would be useful for identifying the mechanisms underlying MGMT regulation in tumor and for the development of rational drug combination in glioma therapies.
Collaborative Care Management of Major Depression Among Low-Income, Predominantly Hispanic Subjects With Diabetes
Authors: Kathleen Ell, Wayne Katon, Bin Xie, Pey-Jiuan Lee, Suad Kapetanovic, Jeffrey Guterman, Chih-Ping Chou
Journal: Diabetes Care (2010)

OBJECTIVE To determine whether evidence-based socioculturally adapted collaborative depression care improves receipt of depression care and depression and diabetes outcomes in low-income Hispanic subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a randomized controlled trial of 387 diabetic patients (96.5% Hispanic) with clinically significant depression recruited from two public safety-net clinics from August 2005 to July 2007 and followed over 18 months. Intervention (INT group) included problem-solving therapy and/or antidepressant medication based on a stepped-care algorithm; first-line treatment choice; telephone treatment response, adherence, and relapse prevention follow-up over 12 months; plus systems navigation assistance. Enhanced usual care (EUC group) included standard clinic care plus patient receipt of depression educational pamphlets and a community resource list. RESULTS INT patients had significantly greater depression improvement (≥50% reduction in Symptom Checklist-20 depression score from baseline; 57, 62, and 62% vs. the EUC group's 36, 42, and 44% at 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively; odds ratio 2.46–2.57; P &amp;lt; 0.001). Mixed-effects linear regression models showed a significant study group–by–time interaction over 18 months in diabetes symptoms; anxiety; Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) emotional, physical, and pain-related functioning; Sheehan disability; financial situation; and number of social stressors (P = 0.04 for disability and SF-12 physical functioning, P &amp;lt; 0.001 for all others) but no study group–by–time interaction in A1C, diabetes complications, self-care management, or BMI. CONCLUSIONS Socioculturally adapted collaborative depression care improved depression, functional outcomes, and receipt of depression treatment in predominantly Hispanic patients in safety-net clinics.
A common single nucleotide polymorphism impairs B-cell activating factor receptor's multimerization, contributing to common variable immunodeficiency
Authors: Kathrin Pieper, Marta Rizzi, Matthaios Speletas, Cristian R. Smulski, Heiko Sic, Helene Kraus, Ulrich Salzer, Gina J. Fiala, Wolfgang W. Schamel, Vassilios Lougaris, Alessandro Plebani, Lennart Hammarstrom, Mike Recher, Anastasios E. Germenis, Bodo Grimbacher, Klaus Warnatz, Antonius G. Rolink, Pascal Schneider, Luigi D. Notarangelo, Hermann Eibel
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2014)
Chronic tonsillar enlargement and cough: preliminary evidence of a novel and treatable cause of chronic cough
Authors: S.S. Birring, C. Passant, R.B. Patel, B. Prudon, G.E. Murty, I.D. Pavord
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2004)

Tonsillar enlargement is sometimes seen in patients with otherwise unexplained chronic cough although its significance is unclear. In this study, the authors set out to test the hypothesis that cough symptoms and cough reflex sensitivity will improve after tonsillectomy in patients with otherwise unexplained chronic cough and enlarged tonsils. Eight consecutive patients with unexplained chronic cough and enlarged tonsils were recruited from 236 patients seen in a cough clinic between 2000 and 2001. Six patients with enlarged tonsils and no cough who were undergoing tonsillectomy for other reasons were recruited as a control group. All patients rated cough severity on a cough visual analogue score (0–100 mm) and had capsaicin cough reflex sensitivity measurement twice before and again 3 months after tonsillectomy. Patients with a chronic cough had heightened cough reflex sensitivity compared with the control group at baseline. There was a significant improvement in mean cough visual analogue score 3 months after tonsillectomy in patients with chronic cough (mean difference 30 mm; 95% confidence interval of difference 8–51 mm). The geometric mean concentration of capsaicin required to cause five coughs increased from 4 to 207 µmol·L −1 after tonsillectomy in patients with chronic cough (mean difference from baseline 5.6 doubling concentrations; 95% confidence interval of difference 3.1–8.2). There was no change in cough reflex sensitivity in control patients after tonsillectomy. These preliminary findings suggest for the first time a possible role for tonsillectomy in patients with enlarged tonsils in whom other causes of cough have been ruled out.