tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
A Framework for Examining Social Stress and Susceptibility to Air Pollution in Respiratory Health
Authors: Jane E. Clougherty, Laura D. Kubzansky
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2009)

ObjectiveThere is growing interest in disentangling the health effects of spatially clustered social and physical environmental exposures and in exploring potential synergies among them, with particular attention directed to the combined effects of psychosocial stress and air pollution. Both exposures may be elevated in lower-income urban communities, and it has been hypothesized that stress, which can influence immune function and susceptibility, may potentiate the effects of air pollution in respiratory disease onset and exacerbation. In this paper, we attempt to synthesize the relevant research from social and environmental epidemiology, toxicology, immunology, and exposure assessment to provide a useful framework for environmental health researchers aiming to investigate the health effects of environmental pollution in combination with social or psychological factors.Data synthesisWe review the existing epidemiologic and toxicologic evidence on synergistic effects of stress and pollution, and then describe the physiologic effects of stress and key issues related to measuring and evaluating stress as it relates to physical environmental exposures and susceptibility. Finally, we identify some of the major methodologic challenges ahead as we work toward disentangling the health effects of clustered social and physical exposures and accurately describing the interplay among these exposures.ConclusionsThere is still tremendous work to be done toward understanding the combined and potentially synergistic health effects of stress and pollution. As this research proceeds, we recommend careful attention to the relative temporalities of stress and pollution exposures, to nonlinearities in their independent and combined effects, to physiologic pathways not elucidated by epidemiologic methods, and to the relative spatial distributions of social and physical exposures at multiple geographic scales.
Patellar tendinopathy: some aspects of basic science and clinical management.
Authors: K M Khan, N Maffulli, B D Coleman, J L Cook, J E Taunton
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (1998)

][3][4][5][6] Despite the morbidity associated with patellar tendinopathy in athletes, management is far from scientifically based. 7After highlighting some aspects of clinically relevant basic science, we aim to (a) review studies of patellar tendon pathology that explain why the condition can become chronic, (b) summarise the clinical features and describe recent advances in the investigation of this condition, and (c) outline conservative and surgical treatment options. MethodA computerised literature search of the entire MEDLINE database, covering the years 1966 to the present, was conducted for this review.Table 1 lists the keywords used in the search.All relevant articles were retrieved, either locally or by interlibrary loan.The search was not limited to the English literature, and articles in all journals were considered.The authors' personal collections of papers and any relevant personal correspondence were also included.The references selected were reviewed by the authors, and judged on their contribution to the body of knowledge of this topic.The conduct and validity of any clinical studies was carefully considered, and the outcomes of management protocols were carefully scrutinised.Case reports were excluded, unless they mentioned a specific association with the condition which was thought to be relevant to the discussion.Only papers that made a significant contribution to the understanding of this condition were included in the review.This left a total of 315 publications, 52 of which were directly related to patellar tendinopathy, and the remainder to tendon or tendon structure in general.
Increased efficacy of omalizumab in atopic dermatitis patients with wild‐type filaggrin status and higher serum levels of phosphatidylcholines
Authors: M. Hotze, H. Baurecht, E. Rodríguez, N. Chapman‐Rothe, M. Ollert, R. Fölster‐Holst, J. Adamski, T. Illig, J. Ring, S. Weidinger
Journal: Allergy (2013)

Abstract Omalizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting I g E , is an established therapy for severe allergic asthma and has shown efficacy in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Small‐scale studies indicated some beneficial effect also in atopic dermatitis ( AD ). To evaluate the efficacy of omalizumab in AD and to identify markers associated with treatment response, we conducted a prospective 28‐week open‐label trial on 20 adults with moderate‐to‐severe AD . Our results confirm previous observations of a positive response in a subgroup of patients and suggest that responders are characterized by the absence of filaggrin mutations and altered lipid metabolite profiles with high levels of various glycerophospholipids.
Assessment of pain in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: relation between pain intensity and degree of joint inflammation.
Authors: N T Ilowite, G A Walco, R Pochaczevsky
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1992)

The relation between pain and joint inflammation in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis has not previously been systematically evaluated. Eighteen patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis completed paediatric pain questionnaires and the joints affected were examined by thermography. Although significant correlations were shown between parent and doctor pain intensity ratings and joint temperature, correlations of patient pain intensity ratings and joint temperature were only significant in younger children. The degree of joint inflammation is only one factor of several contributing to the amount of subjective pain experienced by children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, indicating the need for a comprehensive assessment of the relatively independent variables of inflammation and pain in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Retention of Intrinsic Stem Cell Hierarchies in Carcinoma-Derived Cell Lines
Authors: Matthew Locke, Matthew Heywood, Stuart Fawell, Ian C. Mackenzie
Journal: Cancer Research (2005)

Abstract Recent work indicates that the growth and behavior of cancers are ultimately determined by a small subpopulation of malignant stem cells and that information about the properties of these cells is urgently needed to enable their targeting for therapeutic elimination. A key feature of normal stem cells is their asymmetrical division, the mechanism that allows stem cell self-renewal while producing hierarchies of amplifying and differentiating cells that form the bulk of the tissue. Most cancer deaths result from epithelial malignancies, but the extent to which the hierarchical proliferative stem and amplifying cell patterns of normal epithelia are actually retained in epithelial malignancies has been unclear. Here we show that even cell lines generated from carcinomas consistently produce in vitro colony patterns unexpectedly similar to those produced by the stem and amplifying cells of normal epithelia. From the differing types of colony morphologies formed, it is possible to predict both the growth potential of their constituent cells and their patterns of macromolecular expression. Maintenance of a subpopulation of stem cells during passage of cell lines indicates that the key stem cell property of asymmetrical division persists but is shifted towards enhanced stem cell self-renewal. The presence of malignant epithelial stem cells in vivo has been shown by serial transplantation of primary cancer cells and the present observations indicate that stem cell patterns are robust and persist even in cell lines. An understanding of this behavior should facilitate studies directed towards the molecular or pharmacologic manipulation of malignant stem cell survival.
Endothelial Dysfunction in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Thomas F. Lüscher, Felix C. Tanner, Marcel R. Tschudi, Georg Noll
Journal: Annual Review of Medicine (1993)

The endothelium is a physical barrier between the blood and vascular smooth muscle, a source of enzymes activating and deactivating cardiovascular hormones and a site of production of relaxing and contracting factors. In addition, the endothelium is a source of growth inhibitors and promoters of vascular smooth muscle cells. Monoaminooxidasc deactivates catecholamines and serotonin. Angiotensin converting enzyme transforms angiotensin I into angiotensin II and breaks down bradykinin into inactive products. Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet function that under most circumstances is released together with prostacyclin, which exerts similar effects. Both substances play an important protective role in the coronary circulation in that they cause continuous vasodilation and inhibition of platelet function. In addition, the endothelium is a source of contracting factors such as endothelin-1, thromboxane A 2 , and endoperoxides. Endothelium-derived growth inhibitors include heparin (sulfates) and transforming growth factor β 1 , while basic fibroblast growth factors and platelet- derived growth factor and possibly endothelin promote proliferation. Because of its strategic anatomic position, the endothelium is a primary target for injuries and cardiovascular risk factors. In particular, aging, low density lipoproteins, hypertension, diabetes, and ischemia alter endothelium function. In arterial coronary bypass grafts, the release of nitric oxide is more pronounced than in vein grafts. Alterations of endothelial function may contribute to vasospasm, thrombus formation, and vascular proliferation and in turn myocardial ischemia, all commone vents in patients with coronary artery disease.
Serum levels of microRNA-125a are decreased in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension and correlate inversely with hemodynamics
Authors: Lars Huber, Silvia Ulrich, Max Gassmann, Ursula Treder, Rudolf Speich, Matthias Brock
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA fragments associated with gene silencing that have emerged as important mediators of vascular remodelling in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Here we addressed the role of miR-125a as potential biomarker in precapillary pulmonary hypertension.  Methods. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from 31 patients, who had precapillary PH confirmed by right-heart catheterization (WHO group 1: 25 patients, group 4: 6 patients), and from 23 healthy control subjects. RNA was isolated from sera using miRNeasy kit. miR-125a levels were measured with quantitative PCR method and were median-normalized to c. elegans miRNAs spike-in controls.  Results. Normalized ct values of miR-125a were found to be significantly altered in patients with PH as compared to healthy controls (28.91 ± 0.89 vs. 27.77 ± 1.29, p   Conclusion. These data identify miR-125a as potential biomarker in precapillary PH. Serum levels of miR-125a might be used as diagnostic tool to predict presence and severity of PH.
Are there more factors other than hepatitis B virus DNA level and A1762T/G1764A mutation in liver tissue that also independently predict postoperative survival in hepatocellular carcinoma?
Authors: Yong-Ning Xin, Zhong-Hua Lin, Shi-Ying Xuan
Journal: Hepatology (2011)

We read with great interest the study by Yeh et al.1 on hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA level and basal core promoter A1762T/G1764A mutation in liver tissue independently predicting postoperative survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to the article, the amount of HBV-DNA in liver tissue and the presence of the basal core promoter mutation were two independent predictors for postoperative survival in HCC. The authors also found that a short-stretch pre-S deletion located between codons 107 and 141 was associated with a poorer postoperative prognosis. This study can be hailed as an original contribution in terms of predicting postoperative survival in HCC; however, we have some concerns about it. First, as is well known, evidence suggests that HBV genetic mutations contribute to the risk of HCC. Recent studies have shown that HBV genotype- or subgenotype-specific mutations, including C1653T in the EnhII region, T1753V, and the double mutant A1762T/G1764A in the BCP region, are independent risk factors for HCC.2 Another study has indicated that pre-S deletions, I68T in surface gene, T1762/A1764, and A1899 are independent risk factors for HCC.3 A recent meta-analysis revealed that the HBV pre-S mutations C1653T, T1753V, and A1762T/G1764A are associated with an increased risk of HCC. These mutations alone and in combination may be predictive of hepatocarcinogenesis.4 We wonder whether the other gene mutations correlated with HCC in HBV other than the basal core promoter A1762T/G1764A mutation (e.g., C1653T, T1753V, A1899) can independently predict postoperative survival in HCC. Second, it has not been determined whether hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is associated with postresection survival in HCC. According to Sun et al.,5 HBeAg was associated with a higher risk of early recurrence and poorer survival in patients after curative resection of small HCC. However, Chen et al.3 indicated that HBeAg positivity is not a negative factor for resection in HCC patients and has no significant influence on postresection survival. Therefore, we wonder whether HBeAg was associated with postresection survival in HCC in the study by Yeh et al. Given that the serum samples used in the study had been stored in the serum bank, we think that the detection of HBeAg in both groups is convenient and has great significance. Finally, a study by Tomimaru et al.6 showed that histological assessment of the degree of fibrosis in noncancerous tissue is a unique prognostic factor for primary HCC without hepatitis B or C viral infection. If this is the case, then is histological assessment of the degree of fibrosis in noncancerous tissue one of the prognostic factors for HBV-related HCC as well?
A Receptor-like Cytoplasmic Kinase Targeted by a Plant Pathogen Effector Is Directly Phosphorylated by the Chitin Receptor and Mediates Rice Immunity
Authors: Koji Yamaguchi, Kenta Yamada, Kazuya Ishikawa, Satomi Yoshimura, Nagao Hayashi, Kouhei Uchihashi, Nobuaki Ishihama, Mitsuko Kishi-Kaboshi, Akira Takahashi, Seiji Tsuge, Hirokazu Ochiai, Yasuomi Tada, Ko Shimamoto, Hirofumi Yoshioka, Tsutomu Kawasaki
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe (2013)
The of COPD: or balancing repair (yang) and inflammation (yin)
Authors: J. B. Soriano, A. Agustí
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2008)

Ancient Chinese scholars believed there were two natural, complementary and contradictory forces in our universe: yin and yang (or in simplified Chinese ![Graphic][1]</img>, in traditional Chinese ![Graphic][2]</img>, and in pinyin (standard Mandarin romanisation) yīnyáng). Yin represents the female, negative aspects, darkness, softness, moisture, night-time, even numbers, and docility. Yang represents the male, positive aspects, brightness, hardness, dryness, day-time, odd numbers, and dominance. Yin and yang are continually in a state of flux and always looking for a balance point. One moves, the other responds. Ancient scholars therefore treated this phenomenon as a natural universal law. In this issue of the European Respiratory Journal ( ERJ ), Man et al. 1 hypothesise that a ratio of fibronectin to C-reactive protein (CRP) is a more suitable tool than each separated biomarker to assess the prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using the Lung Health Study III data 2, they updated (and improved on) their previous research on CRP only 3. It appears that in this well-described group of mild-to-moderate COPD patients, the relationship of the log transformed ratio of fibronectin to CRP (both in ug·mL−1) and mortality is L shaped, … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif
Two Positive Nodes Represent a Significant Cut-off Value for Cancer Specific Survival in Patients with Node Positive Prostate Cancer. A New Proposal Based on a Two-Institution Experience on 703 Consecutive N+ Patients Treated with Radical Prostatectomy, Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection and Adjuvant Therapy
Authors: Alberto Briganti, Jeffrey R. Karnes, Luigi Filippo Da Pozzo, Cesare Cozzarini, Andrea Gallina, Nazareno Suardi, Marco Bianchi, Massimo Freschi, Claudio Doglioni, Ferruccio Fazio, Patrizio Rigatti, Francesco Montorsi, Michael L. Blute
Journal: European Urology (2008)
Pulsology Rediscovered
Authors: Suzanne Oparil, Joseph L. Izzo
Journal: Circulation (2006)

early everything that modern practicing clinicians know about hypertension and its treatment is based on simple noninvasive measurement of brachial artery blood pressure.As the study by Williams and colleagues 1 illustrates, however, additional knowledge of pulse-wave characteristics may be important in the future to fully assess optimal cardiovascular drug therapy.The study of pulse-wave characteristics is far older than the study of absolute pressure values, dating back thousands of years to the Chinese masters who used their fingertips and their powers of observation to associate "hardening of the pulse" with adverse outcomes in people who ingested too much salt.These qualitative observations were less well developed in Western medicine, but as early as the 1870s, the sphygmocardiogram was developed as a reproduction of a peripheral pulse wave on a rotating drum via a tonometer attached to a levered stylus.1a Morrell and other early investigators were clearly able to differentiate the effects of nitrovasodilators from digitalis using this early equipment, but interpretations remained largely qualitative.Within a few decades, the development of sphygmomanometry by Korotkovand Riva-Rocci allowed quantitation of brachial cuff blood pressures, and the more descriptive methods largely disappeared.
Refractory severe connective tissue disease thrombocytopenia: is rituximab treatment effective and safe?
Authors: W J Zheng, X Zhang, Q Wang, D Xu, X F Zeng, F C Zhang
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2009)

Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against B cell-specific surface marker CD20, has shown encouraging results in treating autoimmune diseases.1–4

In this study, six patients with refractory severe thrombocytopenia (platelets (PLT) 4 to 10×109/litre) were treated with rituximab (weekly infusion of 375 mg/m2 for 3–4 consecutive weeks), including three cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, one case each of primary Sjogren syndrome, undifferentiated connective tissue disease (CTD) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Previous corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents in all patients were continued. Disease durations were 3 months to 13 years. Prior to rituximab therapy, all patients had failed at least two courses of methylprednisolone pulse (1 g …
Circadian variation in biochemical assessments used to monitor rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: N G Sitton, A J Taggart, J S Dixon, K E Surrall, H A Bird
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1984)

Circadian variation has been demonstrated in several clinical parameters used to assess disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis, but circadian variation in modern laboratory assessments has not been studied in depth. We therefore made 2-hourly measurements of plasma viscosity, C-reactive protein, total serum sulphydryl, and serum histidine on samples obtained over a 24-hour period from 6 patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis. Hourly control samples were also taken from 6 normal volunteers, 3 of whom starved from 2200 h the previous night and 3 of whom ate normally. There was no significant variation in any of these laboratory measurements between 0900 and 1800 h either in patients or controls. These findings enable us to eliminate circadian variation as a source of error when using these laboratory tests in clinical trials of slow-acting anti-rheumatoid drugs.
Regulatory T cells and IL-10 in allergic inflammation
Authors: Catherine M. Hawrylowicz
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2005)

Recent studies suggest that human regulatory T (T reg) cells protect against the development of allergic and asthmatic disease and that their function is impaired during active disease. Two new studies contribute to our understanding of the role that T reg cells play in the control of allergic airway disease in mice. However, these studies also highlight several outstanding questions in the field.
Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis: role of patient advocacy organisations in the twenty first century
Authors: G M Zimmerman
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2005)

All the psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis patient advocacy organisations are devoted to promoting public awareness and patient education; supporting access to effective treatments and physicians committed to the welfare of patients; working with physicians and other organisations to facilitate development of new treatments; and supporting research for more effective treatments and a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. They have participated in the remaking of health politics in the late twentieth century. This was an era in which small patient support and advocacy groups were transformed into sophisticated national health organisations integral to the formation of national health policy and research, treatment, and education funding by working with physicians, legislators, pharmaceutical companies, third party payors, and the media. As we enter the twenty first century, some of these groups have done critical surveys of patients and physicians to discern needs that are redirecting their programming and reshaping directions in the field. Many national leagues have united to form international organisations. Although differences in their national healthcare systems, the age of their organisations, and the diseases they cover are reflected in the focus of their individual activities, much unites them. Whatever their size, as their roles have come to be recognised in the healthcare community, the patient advocacy organisations welcome being invited to the decision making table. This report describes a sampling of these organisations.
Impact of Adoption of Chemoradiotherapy on the Outcome of Cervical Cancer in Ontario: Results of a Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Robert Pearcey, Qun Miao, Weidong Kong, Jina Zhang-Salomons, William J. Mackillop
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

To describe the adoption of concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (C-CRT), and to evaluate its impact on the outcome of cervical cancer in Ontario.We used a population-based cancer registry to identify the 4,069 patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix diagnosed in Ontario between 1992 and 2001. We linked electronic records of treatment to the registry. We described time trends in the use of C-CRT, and we compared survival before and after widespread adoption of C-CRT.Over the study period, the proportion of patients treated with primary radical radiotherapy (RT) remained constant at approximately 42%. Between 1992 and 1998, less than 10% of RT cases received chemotherapy. Early in 1999, there was rapid adoption of C-CRT. Between 1999 and 2001, more than 60% of RT cases received C-CRT. There was a contemporaneous increase in overall 3-year survival from 71.1% in the 1995 to 1998 cohort to 75.9% in the 1999 to 2001 cohort (P = .03). There was no change in survival in patients treated with surgery alone. However, there was a significant increase in 3-year survival from 58.6% in the 1995 to 1998 cohort to 69.8% in the 1999 to 2001 cohort (P < .01) in the subpopulation of patients treated with primary RT +/- chemotherapy.The adoption of C-CRT was associated with a significant improvement in overall survival of cervical cancer at the population level. The magnitude of the benefit of C-CRT in the general population was consistent with the results of the relevant clinical trials.