tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The 2004 Olympic Games: physiotherapy services in the Olympic Village polyclinic
Authors: Spyridon Athanasopoulos, Eleni Kapreli, Aikaterini Tsakoniti, Konstantinos Karatsolis, Konstantinos Diamantopoulos, Konstantinos Kalampakas, Demetrios G Pyrros, Costas Parisis, Nikolaos Strimpakos
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2007)

First, to document the injuries sustained during the 2004 Olympic Games in a sample of patients visiting the physiotherapy department of the Olympic Village polyclinic. Second, to provide information and data about the physiotherapy services for planning future Olympics and other mass gatherings.Observational study.Olympic Village polyclinic.457 patients aged 15-72 years visited the physiotherapy department from 30 July through 30 August.The department's workload was at a peak during the last 15 days of the Olympic Games (periods B and C). The most common injuries were overuse injuries (47.3%). The most common pathology for physiotherapy attendance was myofascial pain/muscle spasm (32.5%), followed by tendinopathy (19.2%) and ligament sprain (18.7%). The most prevalent site of injury was the thigh (21%), followed by the knee (14.1%) and the lumbar spine (13.5%). Most injuries had symptoms of <7 days' duration. The geographical region with the greatest demand for physiotherapy services was Africa (40.6%). Most patients were athletes (74.8%), although team officials accounted for a considerable number (14%).The smallest national teams--especially those from developing countries--were more likely to take advantage of services, probably because the larger teams had their own medical and physiotherapy staff. The characteristics of patients, their sustained injuries and the subsequent treatment varied by the accreditation status of the patients. The physiotherapy department's workload was dependent on the Olympic Games schedule.
A novel technique for peroral direct cholangioscopy
Authors: Jim Callaghan, Gaius Longcroft-Wheaton, Andrew Fowell, Richard Ellis, Pradeep Bhandari, Patrick Goggin
Journal: Endoscopy (2014)

Direct cholangioscopy has been possible since the 1970s [1] but the reliability of the intubation of the common bile duct (CBD) and second-order ducts has limited the applicability of the technique. One of the limitations to accessing the ducts is the acute angulation between the duodenum and the CBD [2]. Various methods have been employed to access the ducts including mother-and-baby endoscopes and balloon assisted intubation [3]. Mother-and-baby systems are expensive, require additional equipment, and provide poorer quality images than standard endoscopes. Balloon-assisted intubation carries a risk of damage to the CBD, and requires specialist equipment with an associated learning curve [4].
Echocardiographic examination of cardiac structure and function in elite cross trained male and female Alpine skiers.
Authors: K P George, P E Gates, G Whyte, R A Fenoglio, R Lea
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (1999)

To assess cardiac structure and function in elite cross-trained male and female athletes (Alpine skiers).Sixteen athletes (10 male, six female) and 19 healthy sedentary control subjects (12 male, seven female) volunteered to take part in the study. Basic anthropometry determined height, body mass, body surface area, and fat free mass. Cardiac dimensions and function were determined by two dimensional, M mode, and Doppler echocardiography. Absolute data and data corrected for body size (allometrically determined) were compared by two way analysis of variance and post hoc Scheffé tests.Absolute left ventricular internal dimension in diastole (LVIDd), septal and posterior wall thickness and left ventricular mass were larger in athletes than controls (p < 0.05) and also increased in the men (p < 0.05) compared with women (except for septal thickness in controls). An increased LVIDd, septal thickness, posterior wall thickness, and left ventricular mass in athletes persisted after correction for body size except when LVIDd was scaled by fat free mass. Cardiac dimensions did not differ between the sexes after correction for body size. All functional indices were similar between groups.There is evidence of both left ventricular chamber dilatation and wall enlargement in cross trained athletes compared with controls. Differences in absolute cardiac dimensions between the sexes were primarily due to greater body dimensions in the men.
MicroRNA-663 Regulates Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switch and Vascular Neointimal Formation
Authors: Pan Li, Ni Zhu, Bing Yi, Nadan Wang, Ming Chen, Xiaohua You, Xianxian Zhao, Charalambos C. Solomides, Yongwen Qin, Jianxin Sun
Journal: Circulation Research (2013)

Abnormal phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) is a hallmark of vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important regulators for VSMC function, and we recently identified miR-663 as critical for controlling human aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation.To investigate whether miR-663 plays a role in human VSMC phenotypic switch and the development of neointima formation.By using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, we found that miR-663 was significantly downregulated in human aortic VSMCs on platelet-derived growth factor treatment, whereas expression was markedly increased during VSMC differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that overexpression of miR-663 increased expression of VSMC differentiation marker genes, such as smooth muscle 22α, smooth muscle α-actin, calponin, and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, and potently inhibited platelet-derived growth factor-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. We identified the transcription factor JunB and myosin light chain 9 as downstream targets of miR-663 in human VSMCs, because overexpression of miR-663 markedly inhibited expression of JunB and its downstream molecules, such as myosin light chain 9 and matrix metalloproteinase 9. Finally, we showed that adeno-miR-663 markedly suppressed the neointimal lesion formation by ≈50% in mice after vascular injury induced by carotid artery ligation, specifically via decreased JunB expression.These results indicate that miR-663 is a novel modulator of human VSMC phenotypic switch by targeting JunB/myosin light chain 9 expression. These findings suggest that targeting miR-663 or its specific downstream targets in human VSMCs may represent an attractive approach for the treatment of proliferative vascular diseases.
A Phase I/II Trial of Belinostat in Combination with Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, and Cyclophosphamide in Thymic Epithelial Tumors: A Clinical and Translational Study
Authors: Anish Thomas, Arun Rajan, Eva Szabo, Yusuke Tomita, Corey A. Carter, Barbara Scepura, Ariel Lopez-Chavez, Min-Jung Lee, Christophe E. Redon, Ari Frosch, Cody J. Peer, Yuanbin Chen, Richard Piekarz, Seth M. Steinberg, Jane B. Trepel, William D. Figg, David S. Schrump, Giuseppe Giaccone
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2014)

This phase I/II study sought to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of a novel schedule of belinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC) administered before and in combination with cisplatin (P), doxorubicin (A), and cyclophosphamide (C) in thymic epithelial tumors (TET). Antitumor activity, pharmacokinetics, and biomarkers of response were also assessed.
Is frequent nocturnal sweating a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Erna Sif Arnardottir, Christer Janson, Erla Bjornsdottir, Bryndis Benediktsdottir, Sigurdur Juliusson, Sam K. Kuna, Allan I. Pack, Thorarinn Gislason
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Aims: To estimate the prevalence and characteristics of frequent nocturnal sweating in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared to the general population and to evaluate possible changes with positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment.  Methods: The Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort consisted of 822 newly diagnosed OSA subjects, referred for treatment with PAP. Of these, 700 subjects were also assessed at a 2 year follow-up. The control group consisted of 703 randomly selected general population subjects. Subjective reporting of nocturnal sweating was assessed on a frequency scale of 1 - 5: (1) never or very seldom, (2) less than once a week, (3) once to twice a week, (4) three to five times a week, (5) every night or almost every night. All OSA patients had a type 3 sleep study. Full PAP treatment was defined objectively as use ≥4 hrs./day and ≥5 days/week.  Results: Frequent nocturnal sweating (≥ 3x a week) was reported by 31.1% of the OSA cohort vs. 11.1% of the general population cohort (p   Conclusion: The prevalence of frequent nocturnal sweating was three-fold higher in untreated OSA patients than in the general population and decreased to general population levels with successful PAP therapy.
Novel Toll-Like Receptor 9 Agonist Induces Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibition and Synergistic Antitumor Activity with EGFR Inhibitors
Authors: Vincenzo Damiano, Rosa Caputo, Roberto Bianco, Francesco P. D'Armiento, Antonio Leonardi, Sabino De Placido, A. Raffaele Bianco, Sudhir Agrawal, Fortunato Ciardiello, Giampaolo Tortora
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract Purpose: Immunostimulating Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists cause antitumor activity interfering also with cancer proliferation and angiogenesis by mechanisms still incompletely understood. We hypothesized that modified TLR9 agonists could impair epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and, by this means, greatly enhance EGFR inhibitors effect, acting on both the receptor targeting and the immunologic arm. Experimental Design: We used a novel second-generation, modified, immunomodulatory TLR9 agonist (IMO), alone and in combination with the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab or tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib, on the growth of GEO and cetuximab-resistant derivatives GEO-CR colon cancer xenografts. We have also evaluated the expression of several proteins critical for cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, including EGFR, mitogen-activated protein kinase, Akt, bcl-2, cyclooxygenase-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and nuclear factor-κB. Results: IMO inhibited GEO growth and signaling by EGFR and the other proteins critical for cell proliferation and angiogenesis. IMO plus the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab synergistically inhibited tumor growth, signaling proteins, and microvessel formation. EGFR signaling inhibition by IMO is relevant because IMO cooperated also with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib in GEO tumors, while it was inactive against GEO-CR xenografts. On the other hand, IMO boosted the non-EGFR-dependent cetuximab activity, causing a cooperative antitumor effect in GEO-CR cells. Finally, combination of IMO, cetuximab and chemotherapeutic irinotecan eradicated the tumors in 90% of mice. Conclusion: IMO interferes with EGFR-related signaling and angiogenesis and has a synergistic antitumor effect with EGFR inhibitors, especially with cetuximab, boosting both the EGFR dependent and independent activity of this agent. Moreover, this therapeutic strategy could be translated in patients affected by colorectal cancer.
Measurement of organ blood flow with coloured microspheres in the rat
Authors: J. P Hakkinen, M. W Miller, A. H Smith, D. R Knight
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1995)

The aim was to establish a method for measuring organ blood flow in rats using commercially available, coloured, dye extraction microspheres.A mixture of radiolabelled and dye extraction microspheres was infused into rats at rest (basal) and during intravenous administration of either angiotensin II (0.5 microgram.kg-1.min-1) or isoprenaline [12.5 ng.(g0.74)-1.min-1]. Tissues were removed and placed in test tubes, counted for radioactivity, then digested with 2N sodium hydroxide. Within the same tube, microspheres were isolated using centrifugation and the dye was extracted with dimethylformamide. The dye was quantified by spectrophotometry.Recovery of microspheres averaged greater than 95% for all tissues studied; larger reagent volumes were required to achieve this level of recovery from white adipose tissue. Statistical analyses showed excellent correlations between blood flow values obtained by the dye extraction and radiolabelled microsphere techniques. Blood flow values obtained with the radioactive technique tended to be slightly higher. There were no differences in the results obtained with the two techniques when they were simultaneously used to measure changes in organ blood flow induced by angiotensin II or isoprenaline.The coloured, dye extraction microsphere technique accurately measured organ blood flow in rats. This technique is potentially useful for estimating blood flow in any animal, even if tissue sample size is limited.
Myosin Synthesis and Degradation during Development of Cardiac Hypertrophy in the Rabbit
Authors: E. MORKIN, S. KIMATA, J. J. SKILLMAN
Journal: Circulation Research (1972)

Metabolism of left ventricular myosin was studied in rabbits (2.7-3.2 kg) following banding of the ascending aorta (65% occlusion). In 26 rabbits the incorporation of amino acid into myosin was determined 2, 3, 4, 9, and 15 days after either stenosis or sham operation by injecting 3 H-lysine (0.5 mc/kg) 4 hours before the animals were killed. In 32 rabbits the same dose of 3 H-lysine was injected 24 hours before surgery, and disappearance of isotope from myosin was measured by killing the rabbits after 3, 5, 7, 10, or 16 days. Specific radioactivity of free lysine, myosin, and total proteins was determined in left ventricular samples from each animal. The experimental results indicate that: (1) left ventricular peak systolic pressure increased from 97 to 163 mm Hg; (2) the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight increased about 16% (3) disappearance of free 3 H-lysine was similar in rabbits with aortic stenosis and those with sham operations; (4) after the second day myosin synthesis was greater in rabbits with aortic coarctations, reaching a maximum increase of 117% on the tenth day; (5) synthesis of left ventricular total proteins also reached a maximum of about 56% on the tenth day; (6) the decrease in specific radioactivity of myosin in rabbits with aortic coarctation was slower than it was in sham-operated animals. The experimental results were analyzed by a computerized simulation of myosin metabolism which allowed the rate constant for myosin degradation to be calculated on successive days after coarctation. The best fit to the observed changes in myosin content was obtained when degradation was increased with the increase in synthesis; when degradation was assumed to be unchanged from sham-operated animals or was decreased, myosin content was overestimated. Moreover, these calculations showed that decay in specific radioactivity of labeled myosin was affected very little even by a large (hundredfold) decrease in degradation. It is concluded that the increased myosin content during development of cardiac hypertrophy is primarily a consequence of increased synthesis.
Androgen Glucuronidation: An Unexpected Target for Androgen Deprivation Therapy, with Prognosis and Diagnostic Implications
Authors: Laurent Grosse, Sophie Pâquet, Patrick Caron, Ladan Fazli, Paul S. Rennie, Alain Bélanger, Olivier Barbier
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Androgen deprivation therapy (ADTh) remains a mainstay of prostate cancer treatment, but its efficacy is bypassed by mechanisms that are not fully understood. In human prostate cancer cells, androgen glucuronidation, catalyzed by the two UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes UGT2B15 and UGT2B17, is the major androgen inactivation pathway. In this study, we investigated the effect of ADTh on androgen glucuronidation to evaluate its potential clinical utility for prostate cancer prognosis or therapy. UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 expression was evaluated in prostate cancer specimens from untreated or treated patients and in cell models of prostate cancer exposed to clinically relevant antiandrogens. UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 protein levels in prostate were increased after 5 months of ADTh when compared with specimens from untreated patients. UGT2B15 expression remained elevated for up to 12 months, but UGT2B17 returned to initial levels as soon as after 6 months. Several androgen receptor (AR) antagonists tested caused a dose- and time-dependent stimulation of UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 expression and androgen glucuronidation in prostate cancer cell lines. The role of AR in these regulatory events was confirmed using AR-deficient LNCaP cells, in which UGT2B attenuation reduced the antiproliferative effects of AR pharmacologic antagonists. Through this combination of clinical and functional investigations, our work revealed that ADTh stimulates a local androgen metabolism in prostate cells, establishing a foundation to evaluate the potential of UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 as drug targets and/or molecular markers for ADTh responsiveness and maintenance in prostate cancer. Cancer Res; 73(23); 6963–71. ©2013 AACR.
Occupational asthma caused by chloramines in indoor swimming-pool air
Authors: K.M. Thickett, J.S. McCoach, J.M. Gerber, S. Sadhra, P.S. Burge
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2002)

The first series of three workers who developed occupational asthma following exposure to airborne chloramines in indoor chlorinated swimming pools is reported. Health problems of swimmers in indoor pools have traditionally been attributed to the chlorine in the water. Chlorine reacts with bodily proteins to form chloramines; the most volatile and prevalent in the air above swimming pools is nitrogen trichloride. Two lifeguards and one swimming teacher with symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma kept 2-hourly measurements of peak expiratory flow at home and at work, analysed using the occupational asthma system (OASYS) plotter, and/or had specific bronchial challenge testing to nitrogen trichloride, or a workplace challenge. Air measurement in one of the pools showed the nitrogen trichloride levels to be 0.1−0.57 mg·m −3 , which was similar to other studies. Two workers had peak expiratory flow measurements showing occupational asthma (OASYS-2 scores 2.88 and 3.8), both had a positive specific challenge to nitrogen trichloride at 0.5 mg·m −3 with negative challenges to chlorine released from sodium hypochlorite. The third worker had a positive workplace challenge. Swimming-pool asthma due to airborne nitrogen trichloride can occur in workers who do not enter the water because of this chloramine. The air above indoor swimming pools therefore needs to be assessed and managed as carefully as the water.
Sustained Persistence of Transplanted Proangiogenic Cells Contributes to Neovascularization and Cardiac Function After Ischemia
Authors: Thomas Ziebart, Chang-Hwan Yoon, Thomas Trepels, Astrid Wietelmann, Thomas Braun, Fabian Kiessling, Stefan Stein, Manuel Grez, Christian Ihling, Marion Muhly-Reinholz, Guillaume Carmona, Carmen Urbich, Andreas M. Zeiher, Stefanie Dimmeler
Journal: Circulation Research (2008)

Circulating blood-derived vasculogenic cells improve neovascularization of ischemic tissue by a broad repertoire of potential therapeutic actions. Whereas initial studies documented that the cells incorporate and differentiate to cardiovascular cells, other studies suggested that short-time paracrine mechanisms mediate the beneficial effects. The question remains to what extent a physical incorporation is contributing to the beneficial effects of cell therapy. By using the inducible suicide gene thymidine kinase to deplete transplanted cells, we determined the contribution of physical incorporation in 3 animal models. After acute myocardial infarction, depletion of cells 14 days after infusion resulted in a reduction of capillary density and a substantial deterioration of heart function. Likewise, neovascularization of Matrigel plugs and ischemic limbs was significantly suppressed when infused cells were depleted 7 days after infusion. Induction of cell death in the previously transplanted cells reduced perfusion and led to vascular leakage as evidenced by Evans blue extravasation. These results indicate that physical incorporation and persistence of cells contribute to cell-mediated improvement of neovascularization and cardiac function. Long-term paracrine activities and/or cell intrinsic mechanisms may have contributed to the maintenance of functional improvement.
DNA copy number profiles of primary tumors as predictors of response to chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer
Authors: C. Postma, M. Koopman, T.E. Buffart, P.P. Eijk, B. Carvalho, G.J. Peters, B. Ylstra, J.H. van Krieken, C.J.A. Punt, G.A. Meijer
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2009)
Diagnosis and Treatment of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis with Ocular Complications
Authors: Chie Sotozono, Mayumi Ueta, Noriko Koizumi, Tsutomu Inatomi, Yuji Shirakata, Zenro Ikezawa, Koji Hashimoto, Shigeru Kinoshita
Journal: Ophthalmology (2009)
Predictors of Renal and Patient Outcomes in Atheroembolic Renal Disease
Authors: Francesco Scolari, Pietro Ravani, Alessandra Pola, Simona Guerini, Roberto Zubani, Ezio Movilli, Silvana Savoldi, Fabio Malberti, Rosario Maiorca
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2003)

ABSTRACT. Atheroembolic renal disease (AERD) is part of a multisystemic disease accompanied by high cardiovascular comorbidity and mortality. Interrelationships between traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, vascular comorbidities, precipitating factors, and markers of clinical severity of the disease in determining outcome remain poorly understood. Patients with AERD presenting to a single center between 1996 and 2002 were followed-up with prospective collection of clinical and biochemical data. The major outcomes included end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and death. Ninety-five patients were identified (81 male). AERD was iatrogenic in 87%. Mean age was 71.4 yr. Twenty-three patients (24%) developed ESRD; 36 patients (37.9%) died. Cox regression analysis showed that significant independent predictors of ESRD were long-standing hypertension (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.1; P < 0.001) and preexisting chronic renal impairment (HR = 2.12; P = 0.02); use of statins was independently associated with decreased risk of ESRD (HR = 0.02; P = 0.003). Age (HR = 1.09; P = 0.009), diabetes (HR = 2.55; P = 0.034), and ESRD (HR = 2.21; P = 0.029) were independent risk factors for patient mortality; male gender was independently associated with decreased risk of death (HR = 0.27; P = 0.007). Cardiovascular comorbidities, precipitating factors, and clinical severity of AERD had no prognostic impact on renal and patient survival. It is concluded that AERD has a strong clinical impact on patient and renal survival. The study clearly shows the importance of preexisting chronic renal impairment in determining both renal and patient outcome, this latter being mediated by the development of ESRD. The protective effect of statins on the development of ESRD should be evaluated in a prospective study. E-mail: [email protected]