tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Effect of breastfeeding duration on lung function at age 10 years: a prospective birth cohort study
Authors: I U Ogbuanu, W Karmaus, S H Arshad, R J Kurukulaaratchy, S Ewart
Journal: Thorax (2008)

<h3>Introduction:</h3> The protective effects of breastfeeding on early life respiratory infections are established, but there have been conflicting reports on protection from asthma in late childhood. The association of breastfeeding duration and lung function was assessed in 10-year-old children. <h3>Methods:</h3> In the Isle of Wight birth cohort (n = 1456), breastfeeding practices and duration were prospectively assessed at birth and at subsequent follow-up visits (1 and 2 years). Breastfeeding duration was categorised as "not breastfed" (n = 196); "&lt;2 months" (n = 243); "2 to &lt;4 months" (n = 142) and "⩾4 months" (n = 374). Lung function was measured at age 10 years (n = 1033): forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV<sub>1</sub>), FEV<sub>1</sub>/FVC ratio and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Maternal history of asthma and allergy was assessed at birth. The effect of breastfeeding on lung function was analysed using general linear models, adjusting for birth weight, sex, current height and weight, family social status cluster and maternal education. <h3>Results:</h3> Compared with those who were not breastfed, FVC was increased by 54.0 (SE 21.1) ml (p = 0.001), FEV<sub>1</sub> by 39.5 (20.1) ml(p = 0.05) and PEF by 180.8 (66.1) ml/s (p = 0.006) in children who were breastfed for at least 4 months. In models for FEV<sub>1</sub> and PEF that adjusted for FVC, the effect of breastfeeding was retained only for PEF (p = 0.04). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Breastfeeding for at least 4 months enhances lung volume in children. The effect on airflow appears to be mediated by lung volume changes. Future studies need to elucidate the mechanisms that drive this phenomenon.
Pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly: A series of 163 cases
Authors: Mohamed Redha Selmani, Radia Heddane, Tarek Djenfi, Abdelmadjid Djebbar
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background : In developed countries the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis increases with age, it appears even more in subjects living in institution. In Algeria, the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in 2010 is 24.8/100.000 and patients older than 65 years represent 5.4% of the population.

Aims : to compare the clinical features and clinical course of pulmonary tuberculosis occurring in older and younger patients, in order to identify a profile of this pathology in the elderly.

Methods : A retrospective and comparative study about 163 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis recruited by our department over a period of three years (2011, 2012 and 2013). Two groups were compared, the first called G1 (< 65 years), including 131 patients, the second called G2 (≥ 65 years) comprising the 32 others.

Results : The age of patients ranges between 16 and 92 years and thirty-two of them (19.6%) were 65 years and more. Sex ratio was 1.13 in G2 versus 1.73 in G1. Older patients presented more frequent comorbidities (68% vs 15%), dominated by diabetes, COPD and lung cancer. They had more dyspnea (23% vs 16%), alveolar opacities (46% vs 18%) and involvement of the lower lobes (54% vs 29%). Positive sputum smears were less common in elderly patients (64% vs 77%) in contrast to those in culture (27% vs 6%). All older subjects were anergic to tuberculin. Death was reported in three senior patients.

Conclusion : Tuberculosis in the elderly remains special by its difficult and late diagnosis due to nonspecific clinical and radiological presentations, which should prompt the clinician to be more vigilant in countries where tuberculosis still endemic.
Early and late‐phase asthmatic reactions: a hypothesis
Authors: C. Picado
Journal: Allergy (1992)

Why might a foreign particle, exercise or fog inhalation precipitate two asthmatic reactions? It is reasonable to suspect that asthmatic patients develop two reactions because healthy subjects may also develop two physiological responses to the same stimuli. This suggestion is supported by the observation that living things have developed adaptative systems to confront either sudden or persistent changes in the environment or within the internal milieu. The results of several studies suggest that the early phase response (EPR) usually involves cells which are normal residents of the respiratory epithelium (mast cells) and pre‐formed substances (histamine), whereas cells participating in the late phase reaction (LPR) are recruited from the circulation (eosinophils, basophils and T cells). Up to now most of the studies of the EPR and LPR have been addressed to detecting a cell or metabolite abnormality. This simplistic approach would probably not improve the knowledge of the mechanisms involved in asthmatic responses. Since the presence of isolated or dual responses seems to depend on the intensity and duration of the stimuli it is reasonable to suspect that EPR and LPR are the result of an excessive adaptative response of the bodies of asthmatics to sudden and prolonged/strong stimuli, respectively.
Meeting Palliative Care Needs in Post–Acute Care Settings
Authors: Laura C Hanson, Mary Ersek
Journal: JAMA (2006)

One fourth of US deaths take place in long-term care facilities. As the population ages and hospitals shorten length of stay, these settings will deliver more terminal care. Using an illustrative case of an older patient with metastatic melanoma whose life expectancy was weeks to months, we discuss when potential benefits outweigh the risks of transfer from the hospital to post-acute care settings. To improve continuity of care, we outline communication of treatment goals and orders that anticipate symptom escalation. We discuss criteria physicians can use to identify the settings most able to ensure access to high-quality palliative care. Physicians and patients must consider the advantages and disadvantages of inpatient hospice, nursing homes, and residential care facilities. Post-acute care settings vary in delivery of hospice and other palliative care services, professional nursing services, and support of activities of daily living. Finally, we discuss the evidence that palliative care can be improved in these settings, including innovations in advance care planning, staff training, and systematic changes in clinical care practices. Expanding, replicating, and disseminating these studies will be necessary to improve care for the growing number of persons who die in post-acute care settings.
Endothelium-dependent relaxation of hypertensive resistance arteries is not impaired under all conditions.
Authors: J Li, R D Bukoski
Journal: Circulation Research (1993)

Endothelium-dependent relaxation of mesenteric resistance arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats was studied. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation of SHR vessels precontracted with 10 microM norepinephrine was endothelium dependent and attenuated compared with WKY vessels. The impaired response of SHR vessels was normalized by inhibition of cyclooxygenase with indomethacin. Blockade of nitric oxide synthetase with NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or inhibition of guanylate cyclase with methylene blue attenuated acetylcholine-induced relaxation of norepinephrine-contracted SHR vessels but had no effect on WKY vessels. When vessels were precontracted with 30 nM arginine vasopressin, acetylcholine induced similar degrees of relaxation in both strains. A similar response was detected when lysine vasopressin was used to induce tone. Indomethacin had no effect on relaxation responses of SHR and WKY vessels precontracted with either form of vasopressin. L-NAME and methylene blue partially inhibited acetylcholine-induced relaxation of vasopressin-contracted vessels from both strains. Acetylcholine added at baseline did not induce contraction of vessels from either strain. It is concluded that endothelium-dependent relaxation of SHR resistance arteries is not impaired under all circumstances. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation may be suppressed in SHR resistance arteries when norepinephrine is used to induce contraction as a result of catecholamine-induced production of an endothelium-derived contracting factor. Vasopressin, on the other hand, does not elicit production of this contracting factor and may enhance the vasorelaxant action of acetylcholine in resistance arteries of both strains via actions on endothelial or vascular smooth muscle cells.
MiR-221 and miR-222 target PUMA to induce cell survival in glioblastoma
Authors: Chun-Zhi Zhang, Jun-Xia Zhang, An-Ling Zhang, Zhen-Dong Shi, Lei Han, Zhi-Fan Jia, Wei-Dong Yang, Guang-Xiu Wang, Tao Jiang, Yong-Ping You, Pei-Yu Pu, Jin-Quan Cheng, Chun-Sheng Kang
Journal: Molecular Cancer (2010)

Abstract Background MiR-221 and miR-222 (miR-221/222) are frequently up-regulated in various types of human malignancy including glioblastoma. Recent studies have reported that miR-221/222 regulate cell growth and cell cycle progression by targeting p27 and p57. However the underlying mechanism involved in cell survival modulation of miR-221/222 remains elusive. Results Here we showed that miR-221/222 inhibited cell apoptosis by targeting pro-apoptotic gene PUMA in human glioma cells. Enforced expression of miR-22/222 induced cell survival whereas knockdown of miR-221/222 rendered cells to apoptosis. Further, miR-221/222 reduced PUMA protein levels by targeting PUMA-3'UTR. Introducing PUMA cDNA without 3'UTR abrogated miR-221/222-induced cell survival. Notably, knockdown of miR-221/222 induces PUMA expression and cell apoptosis and considerably decreases tumor growth in xenograft model. Finally, there was an inverse relationship between PUMA and miR-221/222 expression in glioma tissues. Conclusion To our knowledge, these data indicate for the first time that miR-221/222 directly regulate apoptosis by targeting PUMA in glioblastoma and that miR-221/222 could be potential therapeutic targets for glioblastoma intervention.
Cerebral air embolism complicating bilevel positive airway pressure therapy
Authors: SC Hung, HC Hsu, SC Chang
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1998)

A 13 yr old male with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who received bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation via a face mask for post-transplant pneumonitis developed subcutaneous emphysema, radiographic evidence of pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pneumomediastinum and 6 h later, right hemiparesis and focal livedo reticularis. This case illustrates that severe barotrauma may complicate noninvasive bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation.
Dendritic Cell Subsets Differentially Regulate Angiogenesis in Human Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Tyler J. Curiel, Pui Cheng, Peter Mottram, Xavier Alvarez, Lieve Moons, Melina Evdemon-Hogan, Shuang Wei, Linhua Zou, Ilona Kryczek, Gary Hoyle, Andrew Lackner, Peter Carmeliet, Weiping Zou
Journal: Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Angiogenesis is essential for both primary and metastatic tumor growth. Tumor blood vessel formation is complex and regulated by many factors. Ovarian carcinomas have a poor prognosis, often associated with multifocal intraperitoneal dissemination accompanied by intense neovascularization. To examine tumor angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment, we studied malignant ascites of patients with untreated ovarian carcinoma. We observed high numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) and significant stromal-derived factor (CXCL-12/SDF)-1 in their malignant ascites, attracting PDCs into the tumor environment. We now show that tumor-associated PDCs induced angiogenesis in vivo through production of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 8. By contrast, myeloid dendritic cells (MDCs) were absent from malignant ascites. MDCs derived in vitro suppressed angiogenesis in vivo through production of interleukin 12. Thus, the tumor may attract PDCs to augment angiogenesis while excluding MDCs to prevent angiogenesis inhibition, demonstrating a novel mechanism for modulating tumor neovascularization. Because dendritic cells (DCs) have long been known to affect tumor immunity, our data also implicate DCs in regulation of tumor neoangiogenesis, suggesting a novel role of DCs in tumor pathology.
Hereditary angio-oedema: effective treatment with the progestogen-only pill in a young woman
Authors: L. Amar, O. Lidove, J.E. Kahn, F. Cordoliani, V. Fremeaux-Bacchi, M.A. Dragon-Durey, M.P. Chauveheid, O. Bletry
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2004)

Sir, A 24‐year‐old woman was admitted in February 2000, for an attack of hereditary angio‐oedema (HA). Her sister had weekly episodes of laryngeal oedema; her father and her paternal grandfather also had episodes of oedema which were never investigated. Her past medical history was unremarkable except for appendectomy when she was aged 5 years. Since the age of 9 years, she had had one or two episodes of HA each year, each lasting 2–3 days, with swelling of the arms, abdominal pain and low blood pressure, without upper airways swelling. Serum analysis confirmed the diagnosis of type I HA, showing low C1 esterase inhibitor (C1 INH) and C4 antigenic levels. She had never been treated with danazol. Between 1994 and 1998 she had remained symptom free while she was taking a progestogen‐only pill for birth control (norgestrienone 0·35 mg daily). Since she stopped taking the pill in August 1998, she had five attacks of HA. In February 2000, she was admitted for swelling of the right arm and the left foot. Blood tests showed a decrease of C1 INH functional activity (< 10% of normal value) associated with low C4 (41 mg L−1; normal 93–380) and C1 INH antigenic levels (54 mg L−1; normal 170–540), whereas C3 level (682 mg L−1; normal 660–1250) was normal. The attack resolved spontaneously. Norgestrienone was prescribed again. The patient has remained symptom free since then. Two months after starting treatment with norgestrienone, C1 INH functional activity increased to 22% of normal value, and C1 INH and C4 antigenic levels increased to 80 mg L−1 and 76 mg L−1, respectively.
Patients bearing gifts: are there strings attached?
Authors: Sean A Spence
Journal: BMJ (2005)

The use of the smiling option in relation only to semiformal dress may have introduced some bias.For example, the higher preferences for the semiformal nonsmiling doctor may have arisen by its association with a smile on another photograph.Ideally each dress style would have been presented with a smiling and non-smiling version, or the smiling option should have been randomly associated with any of the dress styles.Although these results are representative of the patient population at one hospital in New Zealand, we cannot be sure they would be generalisable to other populations.In view of differences compared with earlier studies, repeating this study at regular intervals to track secular changes would be of value.We predict that the trend will continue for decreasing popularity of white coats.Although sex interactions were not apparent in this study, looking more specifically for this would be worthy of further study.Similarly, qualitative work that explores why patients react in certain ways would be of interest.Dress style and manner are well within a doctor's control and therefore can be altered to fit most with patient preference.In the New Zealand setting this would involve dressing in a tidy, semiformal manner in conservative clothing.Asking patients if they prefer to be called by their first name may aid comfort.Doctors should introduce themselves fully and clearly, supple-mented by a name badge worn at the breast pocket.A big smile is a definite advantage.
Cloning of self-major histocompatibility complex antigen-specific suppressor cells from adult bone marrow.
Authors: T Takahashi, K Mafune, T Maki
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1990)

We examined if suppressor cell clones may be established from adult bone marrow that contains a population of cells capable of specifically downregulating the immune response directed toward self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Freshly prepared adult C3H (H-2k) marrow cells were cultured in medium containing interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-3, or a mixture of IL-2 and IL-3. After 7-10 d, cells grown in IL-3-containing medium were screened for their capacity to suppress cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) generation against self-MHC antigens in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte cultures. Cells capable of suppressing anti-C3H CTL generation were cloned by limiting dilution. Several suppressor clones were established that exhibited strong suppression of anti-H-2k, anti-H-2Kk/Ik, and anti-H-2Dk CTL generation, but failed to suppress anti-H-2d and anti-H-2b responses. When tested in a skin allograft model, intravenous injections of these bone marrow-derived anti-self suppressor cells (2.5 x 10(7) cells) together with IL-3 induced prolongation of C3H skin allografts in anti-mouse lymphocyte serum-treated B6AF1 mice. Injection of IL-3 alone had no effect on allograft survival. Moreover, these cells failed to prolong B10.AKM skin allografts on B6AF1 recipients. Northern blot analysis showed that these cells express full-length transcripts of the T cell receptor (TCR) gamma gene, but not those of TCR alpha, beta, or delta genes. However, no rearrangement of gamma gene was observed by Southern blot analysis. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that bone marrow-derived suppressor cells are strongly positive for Thy-1 antigen but negative for CD3, CD4 (L3T4), and CD8 (Lyt-2) surface markers, and express only class I MHC antigens. Suppressor cells derived from adult bone marrow may play an important role in extrathymic induction of self-tolerance.
Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Urothelial Bladder Cancer
Authors: Maximilian Burger, James W.F. Catto, Guido Dalbagni, H. Barton Grossman, Harry Herr, Pierre Karakiewicz, Wassim Kassouf, Lambertus A. Kiemeney, Carlo La Vecchia, Shahrokh Shariat, Yair Lotan
Journal: European Urology (2012)
Eccentric decline squat protocol offers superior results at 12 months compared with traditional eccentric protocol for patellar tendinopathy in volleyball players
Authors: M A Young, J L Cook, C R Purdam, Z S Kiss, H Alfredson
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2005)

Conservative treatment of patellar tendinopathy has been minimally investigated. Effective validated treatment protocols are required.To investigate the immediate (12 weeks) and long term (12 months) efficacy of two eccentric exercise programmes for the treatment of patellar tendinopathy.This was a prospective randomised controlled trial of 17 elite volleyball players with clinically diagnosed and imaging confirmed patellar tendinopathy. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: a decline group and a step group. The decline group were required to perform single leg squats on a 25 degrees decline board, exercising into tendon pain and progressing their exercises with load. The step group performed single leg squats on a 10 cm step, exercising without tendon pain and progressing their exercises with speed then load. All participants completed a 12 week intervention programme during their preseason. Outcome measures used were the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) score for knee function and 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) for tendon pain with activity. Measures were taken throughout the intervention period and at 12 months.Both groups had improved significantly from baseline at 12 weeks and 12 months. Analysis of the likelihood of a 20 point improvement in VISA score at 12 months revealed a greater likelihood of clinical improvements in the decline group than the step group. VAS scores at 12 months did not differ between the groups.Both exercise protocols improved pain and sporting function in volleyball players over 12 months. This study indicates that the decline squat protocol offers greater clinical gains during a rehabilitation programme for patellar tendinopathy in athletes who continue to train and play with pain.
Jejunal permeability to water and electrolytes in patients with chronic intrahepatic hypertension: evidence for a role of aldosterone.
Authors: B Duclos, P Bories, J C Mathieu-Daude, H Michel
Journal: Gut (1991)

Acute prehepatic portal hypertension induces intestinal secretion in animal models. In the course of chronic liver disease, however, these changes are not observed, despite higher portal pressures than those found in experimental studies. Eight patients without diarrhoea and with chronic alcoholic liver disease were examined for evidence of increased jejunal secretion; their suprahepatic wedge pressure was raised from 21 to 45 mmHg (mean 34.6 mmHg). Jejunal perfusion with a triple lumen catheter and a proximal occluding balloon was used to study net flows of water and chloride as well as net and unidirectional flows of sodium and potassium. No statistical difference in intestinal flows of water and electrolytes was noted between cirrhotic patients and control subjects after infusion with a 30 mmol/l glucose solution. Infusion with a 30 mmol/l mannitol solution resulted in a lower absorption of water, Na, K, and Cl than with the glucose solution. A higher rate of Na secretion was observed in cirrhotic patients than control subjects after infusion with 30 mmol/l mannitol (p less than 0.01). In addition, the rate of Na secretion was higher in cirrhotic patients than in control subjects (p less than 0.05). There was no correlation between the net flow of Na and the suprahepatic wedge pressure. A second perfusion with a 30 mmol/l glucose solution was given 75 minutes after a bolus injection of spironolactone (400 mg). Net flows of Na and Cl were lower in cirrhotic patients than in control subjects (p less than 0.05) because of a lower absorption of Na. Patients with gradually developing portal hypertension have moderate jejunal secretions of H2O and electrolytes which we assume are partly masked by increased absorption resulting from hyperaldosteronism. In contrast to animal models, this mechanism may be part of the jejunal adaptation to permeability in acute portal hypertension.