tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Drug-induced sedation endoscopy (DISE) as a tool for upper airway evaluation in obese children with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: An Boudewyns, Stijn Verhulst, Vera Saldien, Paul Van de Heyning
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Aims and objectives:  Obese children are at risk for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSAS) with prevalence rates up to 19% (Verhulst S. et al 2008). Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is not correlated to OSAS severity in these children and obesity is a risk factor for persistent OSAS following adenotonsillectomy (ATE) (Bhattacharjee R et al. 2010). We looked at anatomical factors contributing to upper airway (UA) obstruction in obese OSAS children.   Methods:  All patients underwent a drug induced sedation endoscopy (DISE). The UA was examined and the site (s) of obstruction or hypotonia were documented. Treatment decisions where based upon polysomnographic data and findings during DISE. Weight loss was part of the treatment in all children.   Results:  Data are available for 13 children, age 11.2 years (8.7-13.6), BMI 28.4 kg/m 2  (25.1-33.9), obstructive apnoea/hypopnoea index (oAHI) 8.9/hr (4.8-17.8). Seven had a history of prior UA surgery. In the surgically naive children, obstruction occured at the level of the adenoids and tonsils and was associated with UA hypotonia in 5/6.  Partial or complete tonguebase obstruction was documented 6/7 children with previous UA surgery. Significant tonsillar obstruction occurred in ¾ with previous adenotomy and these children were treated with tonsillectomy.   Conclusions:  Hypotonia contributed to UA obstruction in the majority of obese children without previous UA surgery along with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Tongue base obstruction was the most important finding in those with previous UA surgery, a finding that is in line with data obtained in non-obese children with a history of ATE.
The mtDNA sequence of the ostrich and the divergence between paleognathous and neognathous birds
Authors: A. Harlid, A. Janke, U. Arnason
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (1997)

The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule of the ostrich, Struthio camelus, was sequenced. The size of the molecule is 16,591 nucleotides. Since the ostrich represents the paleognathous birds, comparison with the mtDNA of the neognathous chicken, the only avian species reported so far in databases, made it possible to identify common and, probably, general avian mtDNA characteristics. Relative to other vertebrates, the avian NADH6 and tRNA-Glu genes are positioned upstream of the control region rather than the cytochrome b gene. The NADH3 gene of the ostrich is terminated by a stop codon at position 207. Thus, the gene is about 140 nucleotides shorter than in other vertebrates. The sequence for L-strand origin of replication is missing in both birds, and four transfer RNA genes of the two avian mtDNAs deviate from common characteristics of tRNAs of vertebrate mtDNAs by having an adenine (and not a thymidine) at position 8. Due to the absence of suitable fossils, most paleontological datings of avian divergences are conjectural. Molecular dating of the divergence between the ostrich and the chicken indicates that these two avian lineages separated 80-90 MYA. Phylogenetic analysis of complete cytochrome b genes of six avian orders showed that Passeriformes represent the earliest divergence among recent birds, contradicting the commonly accepted notion of a basal position of the Palaeognathae among recent birds.
Effect of fish oil on heart rate variability in survivors of myocardial infarction: a double blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: J. H. Christensen, P. Gustenhoff, E. Korup, J. Aaroe, E. Toft, T. Moller, K. Rasmussen, J. Dyerberg, E. B. Schmidt
Journal: BMJ (1996)

Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may protect against ischaemic heart disease.1 In the diet and reinfarction trial patients with an acute myocardial infarction advised to eat fish rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids had a 29% reduction in two year all cause mortality compared with controls.2 The authors hypothesised that dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids might reduce malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, as reported in animals.3 We investigated a possible antiarrhythmic effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in survivors of myocardial infarction.

Patients were eligible for study if they had been discharged from the department of cardiology at Aalborg Hospital between November 1991 and August 1993 after a myocardial infarction and had a ventricular ejection fraction below 0.40. We excluded patients aged over 75, patients with pacemakers or permanent tachyarrhythmias, and those with serious non-cardiac disease. Eighty one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 55 gave informed consent to a double blind placebo controlled trial.

Patients were randomly …
Effect of Simultaneous Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Cyclooxygenase-2 in HER-2/Neu-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Susan Lanza-Jacoby, Randy Burd, Francis E. Rosato, Kandace McGuire, James Little, Noel Nougbilly, Sheldon Miller
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract Purpose: HER-2/erbB2/neu is overexpressed in 25% to 30% of all invasive breast cancers and is associated with an aggressive course and reduced survival. HER-2/erbB2/neu breast tumors are frequently associated with up-regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, which promote enhanced cell growth and resistance to apoptosis. This study investigated whether simultaneously blocking both EGFR and COX-2 pathways with ZD1839 and celecoxib, respectively, would be more effective in inhibiting cell growth and inducing apoptosis than either agent alone. Experimental Design: The effects of ZD1839, celecoxib, and their combination on cell survival, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis were determined in NMF11.2 mouse mammary tumor cells. We also investigated the potential downstream EGFR-activated pathways that are altered by simultaneous inhibition of COX-2 and EGFR. Results: Celecoxib alone and ZD1839 alone produced a concentration- and time-dependent inhibition of cell survival. Both agents combined produced supra-additive inhibitory effects on cell survival and apoptosis compared with either agent alone. This effect was associated with increased cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and reduced protein expression of bcl-2. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was partially blocked by ZD1839 and celecoxib alone and was completely blocked by the combination of both agents. The enhanced proapoptotic effects of the combined agents were also associated with decreased phosphorylation of Akt and increased phosphorylation of p38. Conclusions: These findings show that both COX-2 and EGFR are important targets for inhibiting survival and inducing apoptosis in breast cancer. The data suggest a potential cross-talk between COX-2 and EGFR signaling in breast cancer cells overexpressing HER-2/erbB2/neu.
Association of Chronic Kidney Disease with Muscle Deficits in Children
Authors: Bethany J Foster, Heidi J Kalkwarf, Justine Shults, Babette S Zemel, Rachel J Wetzsteon, Meena Thayu, Debbie L Foerster, Mary B Leonard
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2010)

The effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on muscle mass in children, independent of poor growth and delayed maturation, is not well understood. We sought to characterize whole body and regional lean mass (LM) and fat mass (FM) in children and adolescents with CKD and to identify correlates of LM deficits in CKD. We estimated LM and FM from dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans in 143 children with CKD and 958 controls at two pediatric centers. We expressed whole body, trunk, and leg values of LM and FM as Z-scores relative to height, sitting height, and leg length, respectively, using the controls as the reference. We used multivariable regression models to compare Z-scores in CKD and controls, adjusted for age and maturation, and to identify correlates of LM Z-scores in CKD. Greater CKD severity associated with greater leg LM deficits. Compared with controls, leg LM Z-scores were similar in CKD stages 2 to 3 (difference: 0.02 [95% CI: -0.20, 0.24]; P = 0.8), but were lower in CKD stages 4 to 5 (-0.41 [-0.66, -0.15]; P = 0.002) and dialysis (-1.03 [-1.33, -0.74]; P < 0.0001). Among CKD participants, growth hormone therapy associated with greater leg LM Z-score (0.58 [0.03, 1.13]; P = 0.04), adjusted for CKD severity. Serum albumin, bicarbonate, and markers of inflammation did not associate with LM Z-scores. CKD associated with greater trunk LM and FM, variable whole body LM, and normal leg FM, compared with controls. In conclusion, advanced CKD associates with significant deficits in leg lean mass, indicating skeletal muscle wasting. These data call for prospective studies of interventions to improve muscle mass among children with CKD.
Sputum induction as a research tool for sampling the airways of subjects with cystic fibrosis
Authors: N R Henig
Journal: Thorax (2001)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Sputum induction (SI) has proved to be a reliable non-invasive tool for sampling inflammatory airway contents in asthma, with distinct advantages over collection of expectorated sputum (ES) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). A study was undertaken to evaluate the safety of SI and to assess if it might be an equally valuable outcome tool in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). <h3>METHODS</h3> The safety of the procedure was examined and sample volume, cell counts, cytokine concentrations, and bacterial culture results obtained by SI, spontaneous ES, and fibreoptic bronchoscopy were compared in 10 adults with CF. <h3>RESULTS</h3> SI was well tolerated and was preferred to BAL by all subjects. The mean (SE) sample volume obtained by SI was significantly greater than ES (6.74 (1.46) ml <i>v</i> 1.85 (0.33) ml, p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in the number of cells per ml of sample collected. There was a difference in the mean (SD) percentage of non-epithelial, non-squamous cells collected (67 (28)%, 86 (21)%, and 99 (1)% for ES, SI, and BAL, respectively). These percentage counts were different between ES and both SI and BAL (p=0.03 and p=0.006, respectively). Cell differential counts (excluding squamous cells) from all collection methods were similar (mean (SD) 84 (9)%, 87 (7)%, and 88 (11)% polymorphonuclear cells for ES, SI, and BAL, respectively). The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were the same in all three samples when corrected for dilution using urea concentration. The test specific detection rate for recovery of bacteriological pathogens was 79% for SI, 76% for ES, and 73% for BAL. <h3>CONCLUSION</h3> SI offers safety advantages over BAL and may be a more representative airway outcome measurement in patients with CF.
Experimental infection of lambs with Cryptosporidium isolated from a human patient with diarrhoea.
Authors: S Tzipori, K W Angus, I Campbell, E W Gray
Journal: Gut (1982)

An inoculum containing Cryptosporidium oocysts obtained from an adult human patient with acute transient diarrhoea induced enteritis in two newborn specific pathogen free lambs. Three days after inoculation the lambs became depressed and diarrhoeic, their milk intake was reduced and Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in their faeces. Mucosal changes observed in the small intestine of one infected lamb were consistent with but less severe than those induced experimentally in lambs by cryptosporidia isolated from calves and lambs.
Malignant transformation of multiple dermal cylindromas
Authors: B.K. Durani, H. Kurzen, A. Jaeckel, N. Kuner, H. Naeher, W. Hartschuh
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2001)

Cylindromas are benign tumours arising as small, solitary, slow-growing nodules on the head and neck. Multiple cylindromas may form a 'turban tumour' in the autosomal dominant Brooke–Spiegler syndrome. We report two unusual cases of multiple cylindromas with transformation into cylindrocarcinomas. The first patient, a 63-year-old white woman, developed a cylindrocarcinoma on pre-existing multiple cylindromas on her right shoulder. Eight months after resection she developed a lymph node metastasis in the right axilla. The second patient, a 68-year-old white woman, presented with multiple cylindromas of the scalp. One of these transformed into a cylindrocarcinoma, infiltrating the dura mater, with local recurrence 2 years after incomplete resection and postoperative radiation.
Age Interactions in the Development of Naturally Acquired Immunity to Plasmodium falciparum and Its Clinical Presentation
Authors: John J Aponte, Clara Menendez, David Schellenberg, Elizeus Kahigwa, Hassan Mshinda, Penelope Vountasou, Marcel Tanner, Pedro L Alonso
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2007)

Naturally acquired malaria immunity has many determinants and, in the absence of immunological markers of protection, studies assessing malaria incidence through clinical endpoints remain an approach to defining immunity acquisition. We investigated the role of age in disease incidence and the effects of chemoprophylaxis on clinical immunity development to Plasmodium falciparum during a randomised controlled trial.A total of 415 Tanzanian infants were randomly assigned to receive weekly malaria prophylaxis with Deltaprim (3.125 mg of pyrimethamine plus 25 mg of dapsone) or placebo between the ages of 2 and 12 mo. Children were followed up until 4 y of age. Uncomplicated febrile malaria, severe malaria, and anaemia morbidity were assessed through hospital-based passive surveillance. Compared with the group of control participants, there was a marked reduction in the incidence of clinical malaria, severe malaria, and anaemia in the group of children who had received chemoprophylaxis during the first year of life. After discontinuing the intervention, there was a significant increase in the incidence of clinical malaria for 2 y. The cumulative rates of clinical malaria, by age 4 y, were slightly higher in the group of children who had previously received chemoprophylaxis: 3.22 episodes versus 3.02 episodes in the group of control participants; rate difference 0.20 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.21 to 0.59). By age 4 y, the cumulative rates of severe malaria, however, were slightly lower in chemosuppressed children (0.47 versus 0.59) (rate difference -0.12 [95% CI: -0.27 to 0.03]). The number of episodes of anaemia was also slightly lower in chemosuppressed children by age 4 y: 0.93 episodes (95% CI: 0.79 to 0.97) versus 1.12 episodes in the group of control participants (95% CI: 0.97 to 1.28) (rate difference -0.19 [95% CI: -0.40 to 0.01]), respectively.Reducing exposure to P. falciparum antigens through chemoprophylaxis early in life can delay immunity acquisition. Infants appear to acquire immunity faster than older children, but have a higher risk of developing severe forms of malaria and anaemia. These findings provide insight on the interplay between immunity and exposure-reduction interventions.
Serum Carotenoids and Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Women With Type 1 Diabetes and Preeclampsia
Authors: Madona Azar, Arpita Basu, Alicia J. Jenkins, Alison J. Nankervis, Kristian F. Hanssen, Hanne Scholz, Tore Henriksen, Satish K. Garg, Samar M. Hammad, James A. Scardo, Christopher E. Aston, Timothy J. Lyons
Journal: Diabetes Care (2011)

Increased oxidative stress and immune dysfunction are implicated in preeclampsia (PE) and may contribute to the two- to fourfold increase in PE prevalence among women with type 1 diabetes. Prospective measures of fat-soluble vitamins in diabetic pregnancy are therefore of interest.Maternal serum carotenoids (α- and β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein) and vitamins A, D, and E (α- and γ-tocopherols) were measured at first (12.2 ± 1.9 weeks [mean ± SD], visit 1), second (21.6 ± 1.5 weeks, visit 2), and third (31.5 ± 1.7 weeks, visit 3) trimesters of pregnancy in 23 women with type 1 diabetes who subsequently developed PE (DM PE+) and 24 women with type 1 diabetes, matched for age, diabetes duration, HbA(1c), and parity, who did not develop PE (DM PE-). Data were analyzed without and with adjustment for baseline differences in BMI, HDL cholesterol, and prandial status.In unadjusted analysis, in DM PE+ versus DM PE-, α-carotene and β-carotene were 45 and 53% lower, respectively, at visit 3 (P < 0.05), before PE onset. In adjusted analyses, the difference in β-carotene at visit 3 remained significant. Most participants were vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/mL), and vitamin D levels were lower in DM PE+ versus DM PE- throughout the pregnancy, although this did not reach statistical significance.In pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, low serum α- and β-carotene were associated with subsequent development of PE, and vitamin D deficiency may also be implicated.
Genomic Amplification of <i>Orthodenticle Homologue 2</i> in Medulloblastomas
Authors: Kathy Boon, Charles G. Eberhart, Gregory J. Riggins
Journal: Cancer Research (2005)

To better understand the genetic basis of medulloblastoma development, we sought genomic amplifications and deletions in these tumors using digital karyotyping in combination with expression analysis. Five medulloblastoma genomes were karyotyped by sequencing an average of 195,745 genomic DNA tags for each analysis. Tags were tallied at unique positions and mapped to the human genome to determine DNA copy numbers in high resolution along each chromosome. Genomic alterations normally associated with medulloblastomas, including MYC amplification and isochromosome 17q, were easily detected. Surprisingly, analysis of only five genomes revealed novel amplicons on chromosome 14q, one of which contained the orthodenticle homologue 2 (OTX2) homeobox gene. DNA copy number analysis showed that OTX2 had undergone genomic amplification in 2 of 11 medulloblastoma cell lines and 8 of 42 primary tumors. The three genes and a predicted open reading frame flanking OTX2 in the 14q amplicon were not amplified in at least one of the other nine amplicons, implicating OTX2 as the gene target conferring a selective advantage. The degree of OTX2 amplification ranged from 8 copies to over 50 copies of the gene. OTX2 transcript was highly and specifically expressed in medulloblastoma or developing cells. Serial analysis of gene expression of 240 different human tumors or normal tissues revealed that 96% of all 783 OTX2 transcripts sequenced were in medulloblastomas or embryonic stem cells. OTX2 functions to specify the fate of neuroectoderm in various regions of the developing brain. This developmental role is consistent with the evidence suggesting that OTX2 is a medulloblastoma oncogene.
The role of weight loss in the treatment of psoriasis: evidence that psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disorder linked to metabolic syndrome
Authors: G. Solomon
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2014)

Journal Article The role of weight loss in the treatment of psoriasis: evidence that psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disorder linked to metabolic syndrome Get access G. Solomon G. Solomon New York University Langone Center for Musculoskeletal Care 333 East 38th Street – 4th Floor New York NY 10016 U.S.A Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 170, Issue 3, 1 March 2014, Pages 492–493, https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12877 Published: 01 March 2014
Diabetes and Risk of Hip Fracture in the Singapore Chinese Health Study
Authors: Woon-Puay Koh, Renwei Wang, Li-Wei Ang, Derrick Heng, Jian-Min Yuan, Mimi C. Yu
Journal: Diabetes Care (2010)

OBJECTIVE Asian populations are documenting rapid increases in the rates of diabetes and hip fracture, but there are no prospective data linking both diseases in Asian studies. We investigated this association among a cohort of Chinese in Singapore. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A prospective cohort of 63,257 Chinese in the Singapore Chinese Health Study, established between 1993 and 1998, was followed up for a mean duration of 12 years. Diabetes status was ascertained by baseline interviews, and incidence of hip fracture post-enrollment was identified through a nationwide hospital discharge database. RESULTS The risk of hip fracture, after adjustment for other risk factors, was almost double among people with diabetes compared with people without diabetes (relative risk 1.98, 95% CI 1.71–2.29). When stratified by BMI, the increase in risk of hip fracture among people with diabetes relative to people without diabetes was similar in all four strata. There was a very strong dose-dependent relationship between duration of diabetes and risk of hip fracture (P for trend &amp;lt;0.0001). Compared with people without diabetes, the relative risk (95% CI) among subjects with diabetes for &amp;lt;5 years at recruitment was 1.40 (1.08–1.82), and this risk increased to 2.66 (2.04–3.47) among individuals with diabetes for ≥15 years. CONCLUSIONS Asians with diabetes, like their Western counterparts, experience an increased risk of hip fracture. Early assessment for osteoporosis and increased fracture risk, as well as prevention of falls, should be part of the management of diabetes.
Effects of pulmonary and intercostal denervation on the response of breathing frequency to varying inspiratory flow
Authors: I Mitrouska, Z Bshouty, M Younes, D Georgopoulos
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1998)

In mechanically ventilated awake and sleeping humans, it has been shown that increasing inspiratory flow rate (V'I) exerted a reflex excitatory effect on respiratory output. Mechanoreceptors located in intercostal muscles or within the lung have been suggested as possible pathways that may mediate the excitatory effect of V'I. To test this, five patients with bilateral lung transplantation (LTP) and eight quadriplegics with spinal cord transection at the level of C6-C7 (QP) were studied. Patients were connected to a volume cycle ventilator in the assist volume-control mode and V'I was randomly changed. V'I pattern was square and all breaths were patient-triggered. V'I values of 30, 60 and 90 L x min(-1) were studied. Each level of V'I was sustained for 15 breaths. Airway pressures, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), airflows and volumes were measured breath by breath. Thirty seven trials in LTP and sixty in QP, where V'I was randomly changed between 30 and 90 L x min(-1), were analysed. In both groups of patients, minute ventilation increased and total breath duration decreased significantly as V'I increased. These changes were complete in the first breath after V'I transition, without evidence of adaptation of the response. The magnitude of the response did not differ between the two groups of patients and was comparable to that observed previously in conscious normal subjects. We conclude that the excitatory effect of inspiratory flow rate on breathing frequency persists in patients who have pulmonary or intercostal denervation. These results do not favour receptors located within the lung (below the resection lines) or in the intercostal muscles to mediate the response of breathing frequency to flow rate.
Darfur—dependent population at risk of another catastrophe
Authors: Remco van de Pas
Journal: BMJ (2006)

When I arrived in south Darfur in late 2005, the humanitarian situation, although fragile, seemed under control. The estimated 100 000 internally displaced people at Kalma camp, where I worked in a primary health clinic, had stable health indicators. My colleagues and I worked hard on training local health workers and building infrastructure within the community. The first months of 2006 were hopeful, but six months later the situation has changed dramatically.

Since February 2006, displacement has increased in all states of Darfur. New internal refugees arrive daily in the camps on the edge of Nyala. These camps have few facilities available, and violence and sexual …