tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The relationship between COPD assessment test (CAT) scores and severity of airflow obstruction in stable COPD patients
Authors: Hassan Ghobadi Marallu, Saeid Sadeghieh-ahari, Shahrzad Mohammadzadeh Lari
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background 

COPD is a major cause of morbidity in smokers.The COPD assessment test(CAT)is a validated test for the evaluation of COPD impact on health status.Although CAT is not a diagnostic test and pulmonary function test(PFT)remains the important diagnostic test, its predictive value for evaluation of disease impact is weak.The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the CAT score and PFT in stable COPD.

Method 

We evaluated 105 patients with stable COPD.Severity of airflow obstruction assessed by spirometry and classified by the Global initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease(GOLD)criteria.Then,the impact of COPD on health status was assessed by CAT.

We statically compared interrelationship between CAT score,COPD stages,CAT groups and PFT.

Results 

The mean age and mean period of smoking(p/y) were59.60±11.93SD and 35.43±15.33SD respectively.The mean FEV1%predicted was71.01±26.70SD. The mean CAT score was19.61±8.07SD. Correlations between the severity of smoking by GOLD stages was significant(p=0.006).There was a significant difference between the FEV1%predicted and total CAT score(r= -0.55, p< 0.001). The comparison of mean FEV1%predicted with mean score of CAT groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were significant(p<0.001).

Conclusion 

The relationship between CAT score and FEV1%suggests that CAT is linked to severity of airflow limitation and GOLD stages in COPD.Health status as measured by CAT worsens with severity of airflow limitation. Key words: CAT,health status.
Activation of contraction and ATPase activity in intact and chemically skinned smooth muscle of rat portal vein. Dependence on Ca++ and muscle length.
Authors: A Arner, P Hellstrand
Journal: Circulation Research (1983)

The mechanical manifestations of muscle contraction (force development or shortening) are accompanied by an increased turnover of chemical energy (ATPase activity, JATP). In intact rat portal veins activated by high potassium medium to produce graded contractions at different levels of extracellular calcium, a linear dependence of oxygen consumption on force was found. The slope of the relation (metabolic tension cost) was higher during early stages than during late stages of contraction, possibly reflecting a transient high crossbridge ATP turnover rate. Chemically skinned (Triton X-100) rat portal vein preparations were used to study the energy turnover of the smooth muscle contractile system under constant activation. In these preparations, JATP increased on activation by calcium in the presence of 1 microM calmodulin, remained constant for maintained contractures, and decreased promptly on relaxation. Force declined with each repeated contraction at optimal calcium level (10(-4.5) M), but the relation between force and JATP remained invariant and agreed with that of the intact muscle during the transient of high ATP turnover. Calcium activation in the range 10(-9) to 10(-4.5) M caused a progressively steeper (nonlinear) increase in JATP with force. Length-force relations showed a lower relative force at muscle lengths below L0 in the intact than in the skinned tissue, possibly indicating depression of excitation-contraction coupling. The slope of the relation between JATP and force was lower when length was varied than when calcium was varied. At a length where no external force was produced, the activated muscle had a significantly higher JATP than while relaxed (10(-9) M Ca++).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Parental education and children's respiratory and allergic symptoms in the Pollution and the Young (PATY) study
Authors: U. Gehring, S. Pattenden, H. Slachtova, T. Antova, C. Braun-Fahrländer, E. Fabianova, T. Fletcher, C. Galassi, G. Hoek, S. V. Kuzmin, H. Luttmann-Gibson, H. Moshammer, P. Rudnai, R. Zlotkowska, J. Heinrich
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2005)

Inequalities in health between socio-economic groups are a major public health concern. The current authors studied associations between parental socio-economic status (SES) and children's respiratory and allergic symptoms in 13 diverse countries, including the Russian Federation, North America (Canada and the USA), and countries across Eastern and Western Europe. Data of 57,000 children aged 6-12 yrs, originating from eight cross-sectional studies, were analysed. SES was defined by parental education. Respiratory and allergic symptoms were defined by parental questionnaire reports. Multiple logistic regressions showed that low parental education was associated with a decreased risk of inhalant allergy and itchy rash in school children. Furthermore, low parental education was associated with an increased prevalence of wheeze and nocturnal dry cough. No clear association was found between parental education and prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma and bronchitis. Part of the difference between socio-economic groups with regard to their children's symptoms was explained by established risk factors, such as parental allergy, smoking during pregnancy, pet ownership, crowding, mould/moisture in the home, use of gas for cooking, and air pollution (particulate matter with a diameter of <10 microm). However, differences remained after adjusting for these variables. Children's health was associated with parental education. The association could not fully be explained by established risk factors.
Treatment of B-Cell Lymphoma With Chimeric IgG and Single-Chain Fv Antibody–Interleukin-2 Fusion Proteins
Authors: Shih-Jen Liu, Yuh-Pyng Sher, Chou-Chik Ting, Kuang-Wen Liao, Cheng-Ping Yu, Mi-Hua Tao
Journal: Blood (1998)
The distributions, mechanisms, and structures of metabolite-binding riboswitches
Authors: Jeffrey E Barrick, Ronald R Breaker
Journal: Genome biology (2007)

Abstract Background Riboswitches are noncoding RNA structures that appropriately regulate genes in response to changing cellular conditions. The expression of many proteins involved in fundamental metabolic processes is controlled by riboswitches that sense relevant small molecule ligands. Metabolite-binding riboswitches that recognize adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP), lysine, glycine, flavin mononucleotide (FMN), guanine, adenine, glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P), 7-aminoethyl 7-deazaguanine (preQ 1 ), and S -adenosylmethionine (SAM) have been reported. Results We have used covariance model searches to identify examples of ten widespread riboswitch classes in the genomes of organisms from all three domains of life. This data set rigorously defines the phylogenetic distributions of these riboswitch classes and reveals how their gene control mechanisms vary across different microbial groups. By examining the expanded aptamer sequence alignments resulting from these searches, we have also re-evaluated and refined their consensus secondary structures. Updated riboswitch structure models highlight additional RNA structure motifs, including an unusual double T-loop arrangement common to AdoCbl and FMN riboswitch aptamers, and incorporate new, sometimes noncanonical, base-base interactions predicted by a mutual information analysis. Conclusion Riboswitches are vital components of many genomes. The additional riboswitch variants and updated aptamer structure models reported here will improve future efforts to annotate these widespread regulatory RNAs in genomic sequences and inform ongoing structural biology efforts. There remain significant questions about what physiological and evolutionary forces influence the distributions and mechanisms of riboswitches and about what forms of regulation substitute for riboswitches that appear to be missing in certain lineages.
The Persisting Burden of Intracerebral Haemorrhage: Can Effective Treatments Be Found?
Authors: Colin B. Josephson, Joseph Frantzias, Neshika Samarasekera, Rustam Al-Shahi Salman
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2010)

Colin Josephson, Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, and colleagues discuss the effectiveness of treatments for intracerebral haemorrhage.
Noninvasive Coronary Angiography by Retrospectively ECG-Gated Multislice Spiral CT
Authors: Stephan Achenbach, Stefan Ulzheimer, Ulrich Baum, Marc Kachelrieß, Dieter Ropers, Tom Giesler, Werner Bautz, Werner G. Daniel, Willi A. Kalender, Werner Moshage
Journal: Circulation (2000)

We investigated the applicability and image quality of contrast-enhanced coronary artery visualization by multislice spiral CT using retrospective ECG gating.Twenty-five patients in sinus rhythm (significant coronary artery stenoses ruled out by invasive angiography) were studied with a multislice spiral CT (Siemens SOMATOM Volume Zoom). In inspiration (mean breath-hold, 37 seconds), a volume data set of the heart was acquired (intravenous contrast agent; 4 x 1-mm slice thickness; 500-ms rotation; table feed, 1.5 mm/360 degrees ). Simultaneous recording of the ECG permitted retrospective reconstruction of contiguous cross sections in intervals of 1 mm at any desired interval of the cardiac cycle. The mean duration of the image reconstruction window was 185 ms. Next to 3-dimensional reconstructions of the heart and coronary arteries, multiplanar reconstructions were rendered to determine the visualized length of the coronary arteries, the contrast-to-noise ratio, and the correlation of coronary artery diameters to quantitative coronary angiography.The coronary arteries could be visualized over long segments (left main, 9+/-4 mm; left anterior descending, 112+/-34 mm; left circumflex, 80+/-29 mm; right coronary artery, 116+/-33 mm). On average, 78+/-16% of these distances were visualized free of motion artifacts. The mean contrast-to-noise ratio was 9.3+/-3.3. Coronary artery diameters in multislice spiral CT showed close correlation to quantitative coronary angiography (CT, 3.3+/-1.0 mm; angiography, 3. 2+/-0.9 mm; mean difference, 0.38 mm; r=0.86). Contrast-enhanced multislice spiral CT permits visualization of the coronary artery lumen. Further studies are necessary to determine whether image quality is sufficient to reliably detect coronary artery stenoses.
Hyponatremia, Cerebral Edema, and Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema in Marathon Runners
Authors: J. Carlos Ayus, Joseph Varon, Allen I. Arieff
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2000)

Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema is often associated with increased intracranial pressure and can be the initial manifestation of hyponatremic encephalopathy. Marathon runners tend to develop conditions that lead to hyponatremia.To describe the development and treatment of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in marathon runners that was associated with hyponatremic encephalopathy.Case series.One university hospital and two community hospitals.Seven healthy marathon runners who had a history of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. The runners collapsed after competing in a marathon and were hospitalized with pulmonary edema.Plasma sodium levels, chest radiograph, electrocardiogram, cardiac enzyme levels, and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomographic scans of the brain.Patients had nausea, emesis, and obtundation. The mean (+/-SD) plasma sodium level was 121 +/- 3 mmol/L, and oxygen saturation was less than 70%. Electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were normal. Chest radiographs showed pulmonary edema with a normal heart. Creatine phosphokinase-MB bands, troponin levels, and pulmonary wedge pressure were not elevated. Scanning of the brain showed cerebral edema. All patients were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Treatment with intravenous NaCl, 514 mmol/L, increased plasma sodium levels by 10 mmol/L in 12 hours. Pulmonary and cerebral edema resolved as the sodium level increased. One patient had unsuspected hyponatremic encephalopathy and died of cardiopulmonary arrest caused by brainstem herniation. All six treated patients recovered and were well after 1 year of follow-up.In healthy marathon runners, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema can be associated with hyponatremic encephalopathy. The condition may be fatal if undiagnosed and can be successfully treated with hypertonic NaCl.
Private Complaints and Public Health: Richard Titmuss on the National Health Service
Authors: David J Hunter
Journal: BMJ (2004)

W ith the NHS undergoing the most fundamental change in its 56 year history, this book is a timely reminder of important policy dilemmas that we ignore at our peril. Richard Titmuss is best known as one of the last century's foremost social policy thinkers. His penetrating insights into aspects of health policy during the 1950s and 1960s are unsurpassed. This collection of his writings brings together remarkably prescient commentaries on aspects of health, health care, and the NHS. Eds Ann Oakley, Jonathan Barker Policy Press, £19.99, pp 242 ISBN 1 86134 560 7 http://www.policypress.org.uk/ Rating: ![Graphic][1]</img>![Graphic][2]</img>![Graphic][3]</img> Titmuss is perhaps best known for his treatise on the gift relationship and altruism, using the example of voluntary blood donation as symbolising the difference … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [3]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif
Determinants of survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Authors: D A Schwartz, R A Helmers, J R Galvin, D S Van Fossen, K L Frees, C S Dayton, L F Burmeister, G W Hunninghake
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1994)

To identify the determinants of survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we performed a survival analysis on 74 subjects with IPF. The study subjects were on average 64 yr of age (range, 25 to 83 yr), 62% were male, and 29% were never smokers. A tissue diagnosis was made in 67 (91%) of our study subjects. These subjects were followed for a mean period of 4 yr (range, 1.4 to 118.8 months) after the onset of pulmonary symptoms. During the period of observation, 41 subjects died (median survival = 28.2 months) and 33 continue to survive (median follow-up period = 60.9 months). A univariate analysis demonstrated that diminished survival was significantly associated with male gender (hazard ratio = 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-3.85), a higher FEV1/FVC ratio (hazard ratio = 1.82 [per 10% increase in the FEV1/FVC ratio]; 95% CI = 1.21-2.73), a lower percent predicted FVC (hazard ratio = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.60-0.91), a lower percent predicted total lung capacity (TLC) (hazard ratio = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.60-0.94), a lower percent predicted diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) (hazard ratio = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.53-0.89), a higher ILO profusion category on chest radiograph (hazard ratio = 3.52; 95% CI = 1.58-7.87), and an enhanced release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by cultured alveolar macrophages (hazard ratio = 1.32 [per 10 pm/ml of PGE2]; 95% CI = 1.07-1.62).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Side-effects of antituberculosis drug treatment in patients with chronic renal failure
Authors: S.J. Quantrill, M.A. Woodhead, C.E. Bell, C.C. Hardy, A.J. Hutchison, R. Gokal
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2002)

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) have a high incidence of tuberculosis (TB). Those from the Indian subcontinent are at particular risk. The frequency of side-effects associated with antituberculous treatment in a group of patients with CRF was studied. All cases of TB in patients with CRF occurring over a 13-yr period at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, from 1986-1999, were identified by diagnostic coding, microbiology records and a TB database. The case notes were then reviewed. Twenty-four cases were identified, eight predialysis and 16 requiring regular dialysis. TB occurring in the dialysis group was extrapulmonary in every case. Nineteen of 24 (79%) patients were of Indian subcontinent origin and 14 of 16 (87%) dialysis patients were non-Caucasian. Adverse effects of treatment occurred in two of eight (25%) in the predialysis group and nine of 16 (56%) of the dialysis group. These were most commonly neuropsychiatric (6), hepatic (4) and gastrointestinal (4). Neuropsychiatric symptoms occurred exclusively in dialysis patients. In conclusion, a high incidence of side-effects from antituberculous medication, especially neuropsychiatric, hepatic and gastrointestinal, was identified in patients with chronic renal failure. Careful monitoring for side-effects is essential in this group, and consideration should be given to administering antituberculous chemoprophylaxis to all high-risk groups.
Prognosis in primary biliary cirrhosis: Model for decision making
Authors: Rolland E. Dickson, Patricia M. Grambsch, Thomas R. Fleming, Lloyd D. Fisher, Alice Langworthy
Journal: Hepatology (1989)

The ideal mathematical model for predicting survival for individual patients with primary biliary cirrhosis should be based on a small number of inexpensive, noninvasive measurements that are universally available. Such a model would be useful in medical management by aiding in the selection of patients for and timing of orthotopic liver transplantation. This paper describes the development, testing and use of a mathematical model for predicting survival. The Cox regression method and comprehensive data from 312 Mayo Clinic patients with primary biliary cirrhosis were used to derive a model based on patient’s age, total serum bilirubin and serum albumin concentrations, prothrombin time and severity of edema. When cross-validated on an independent set of 106 Mayo Clinic primary biliary cirrhosis patients, the model predicted survival accurately. Our model was found to be comparable in quality to two other primary biliary cirrhosis survival models reported in the literature and to have the advantage of not requiring liver biopsy.
Aldose Reductase Inhibition Ameliorates Pupillary Light Reflex and F-Wave Latency in Patients With Mild Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Mikihiro Nakayama, Jiro Nakamura, Yoji Hamada, Sadao Chaya, Ryuichi Mizubayashi, Yutaka Yasuda, Hideki Kamiya, Naoki Koh, Nigishi Hotta
Journal: Diabetes Care (2001)

OBJECTIVE—The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of an aldose reductase inhibitor, epalrestat, on autonomic and somatic neuropathy at an early stage in type 2 diabetic patients by assessing the pupillary light reflex and minimum latency of the F-wave. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 30 diabetic patients with subclinical or mild diabetic neuropathy were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 15) and epalrestat (150 mg/day) group (n = 15). After 24 weeks, the pupillary light reflex test, cardiovascular autonomic function tests, and nerve conduction study were performed. RESULTS—The beneficial effect of epalrestat on the pupillary light reflex was observed in the minimum diameter after light stimuli (P = 0.044), constriction ratio (P = 0.014), and maximum velocity of constriction (P = 0.008). Among cardiovascular autonomic nerve functions, the ratio of the longest expiratory R-R interval to the shortest inspiratory R-R interval during deep breathing was significantly improved by epalrestat (P = 0.037). Minimum latencies of F-wave of median and tibial motor nerves were significantly shortened by epalrestat (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively); however, no significant effects were observed in motor or sensory nerve conduction velocity. CONCLUSIONS—These observations suggest that epalrestat may have therapeutic value at the early stage of diabetic neuropathy and that the pupillary light reflex and minimum latency of F-wave may be useful indicators of diabetic neuropathy.
Ubiquitous Aberrant <i>RASSF1A</i> Promoter Methylation in Childhood Neoplasia
Authors: Ivy H. N. Wong, Jacqueline Chan, Joyce Wong, Paul K. H. Tam
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Purpose and Experimental Design: The role of RASSF1A has been elucidated recently in regulating apoptosis and cell cycle progression by inhibiting cyclin D1 accumulation. Aberrant RASSF1A promoter methylation has been found frequently in multiple adult cancer types. Using methylation-specific PCR and reverse transcription-PCR, we investigated epigenetic deregulation of RASSF1A in primary tumors, adjacent nontumor tissues, secondary metastases, peripheral blood cells, and plasma samples from children with 18 different cancer types, in association with their clinicopathologic features. Results: Regardless of the tumor size, ubiquitous RASSF1A promoter methylation was found in 67% (16 of 24) of pediatric tumors, including neuroblastoma, thyroid carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatoblastoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, Wilms’ tumor, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and T-cell lymphoma. A majority (75%) of pediatric cancer patients with tumoral RASSF1A methylation was male. Methylated RASSF1A alleles were also detected in 4 of 13 adjacent nontumor tissues, suggesting that this epigenetic change is potentially an early and critical event in childhood neoplasia. RASSF1A promoter methylation found in 92% (11 of 12) of cell lines largely derived from pediatric cancer patients was significantly associated with transcriptional silencing/repression. After demethylation treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, transcriptional reactivation was shown in KELLY, RD, and Namalwa cell lines as analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR. For the first time, RASSF1A methylation was detected in 54% (7 of 13), 40% (4 of 10), and 9% (1 of 11) of buffy coat samples collected before, during, and after treatment, correspondingly, from pediatric patients with neuroblastoma, thyroid carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Concordantly, RASSF1A methylation was found during treatment in plasma of the same patients, suggesting cell death and good response to chemotherapy. Conclusions: RASSF1A methylation in tumor or buffy coat did not correlate strongly with age, tumor size, recurrence/metastasis, or overall survival in this cohort of pediatric cancer patients. Of importance, epigenetic inactivation of RASSF1A may potentially be crucial in pediatric tumor initiation.
Antitrust Law Implications of Exclusive Contracts, Closed Staffs, and Denials of Hospital Privileges
Authors: L. BARRY COSTILO
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1982)

Reports of an impending surplus of physicians have intensified economic incentives to exclude competing professionals from the hospital workplace. These conditions have led to a substantial increase in the number of private lawsuits instituted by the excluded physicians. Denials of hospital privileges can be essential to the maintenance of high standards of quality and efficiency at a hospital. However, unreasonable denials of staff privileges, staff closures, and exclusive contracts can raise antitrust implications depending on the facts. The relevant factual and economic questions that should be asked about such conduct in order to determine the degree of antitrust risk are discussed.