tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Improved diagnostic of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy in peripheral lung lesions: Are the size and the bronchus sign important?
Authors: Olga Rajas Naranjo, Rosa Mar Gόmez Punter, Jose Andrés Gª Romero de Tejada, Emma Vazquez Espinosa, Julio Ancochea Bermúdez, Javier Aspa Marco
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background: Electromagnetic navigation (EN) is a technique that can be used with bronchoscopy to obtain samples of small peripheral nodular lesions. It enables both transbronchial biopsies and fine-needle aspiration to be performed. EN can obviate the need for more invasive diagnostic procedures thus saving time and avoiding complications.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of electromagnetic navigation-guided bronchoscopy (ENB) in patients with peripheral lung lesions and analyze the results according to the size of the lesion and the presence of a bronchus sign in the computed tomography (CT).

Patients and methods: From April 2009-October2010, 50 consecutive patients were included. We used the Bronchus®system (Superdimension) with a therapeutic bronchoscope (Olympus, working channel 2,8mm). All subjects had CT scans of the chest, configures with slices of 1-2mm thickness at 1-1.5mm intervals in DICOM format.

Results: 70%: male. Median age: 69. The average size of the lesions was 22,6mm [≤20mm: 19 (38%) and >20mm: 31 (62%)]. Mean duration of the intervention: 25mn. Diagnosis rate of this procedure was 67%; 61% for lesions ≤ 20mm in diameter, and 71% if>20mm.The bronchus sign (BS) was identified in 44% patients. In cases with BS, the diagnosis yield increased until 82% and when BS was negative: 54% (statistically significant variable).

Conclusions: FBEN is a safe method that increases the diagnosis yield of peripheral lung lesions. 67% of cases resulted in obtaining diagnostic tissue. If BS was identified, diagnostic yield was statistically significant increased. There was no relation with lesion's size.
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: Do Minimally Invasive Approaches Offer Significant Advantages?
Authors: Joseph A. Smith, S. Duke Herrell
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

Radical prostatectomy has maintained a cardinal role in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) has been introduced as a less invasive surgical approach. Available data on RALP versus open approaches were reviewed for surgical and cancer related outcomes. RALP is consistently associated with decreased blood loss and limited postoperative pain and hospital stay. Surgical margins seem similar between most reported series of RALP or open radical prostatectomy. Most intrainstitutional comparisons demonstrate better postoperative continence and potency with RALP, but there is still debate about whether results are superior to radical retropubic prostatectomy in the hands of a highly experienced surgeon. RALP provides outcomes at least comparable, and, in some measures, superior to open surgery. Refinements of instrumentation may provide even better results in the future.
Evidence for isoproterenol-induced phosphorylation of phosphatase inhibitor-1 in the intact heart.
Authors: J Neumann, R C Gupta, W Schmitz, H Scholz, A C Nairn, A M Watanabe
Journal: Circulation Research (1991)

The positive inotropic effect of the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol is accompanied by inhibition of phosphatase type 1 activity in myocardium. Indirect assays suggest that this effect is due to activation of protein phosphatase inhibitor-1, which inhibits phosphatase activity only when phosphorylated. To test this hypothesis directly, electrically stimulated (3 Hz) guinea pig ventricular preparations were perfused according to the Langendorff method with physiological buffers with or without 5 mCi 32P/heart, and then various concentrations of isoproterenol were applied. Contractility was recorded. Hearts were freeze-clamped and cAMP and inhibitor-1 activities were measured. In 32P-labeled hearts a protein at about 26 kd on autoradiograms of 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate gels was detected. Isoproterenol (1 microM) increased rate of tension development to 238% of the predrug value, cAMP concentrations 1.5-fold, and inhibitor-1 activity threefold. Concomitantly, there was an increase in a 32P-labeled band at about 26 kd from 380 to 540 pmol 32P/mg protein. This protein at about 26 kd, after transfer to nitrocellulose, was recognized by an antiserum prepared against rabbit skeletal muscle inhibitor-1. More radioactive protein of about 26 kd could be immunoprecipitated by the antiserum from isoproterenol-treated than from untreated hearts. It is concluded that a protein, probably identical to phosphatase inhibitor-1, is phosphorylated in vivo in the heart in the presence of isoproterenol. Phosphorylation of inhibitor-1 with consequent modification of type 1 phosphatase activity may contribute to the effects of isoproterenol in the heart.
Impacts of Waste from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations on Water Quality
Authors: JoAnn Burkholder, Bob Libra, Peter Weyer, Susan Heathcote, Dana Kolpin, Peter S. Thorne, Michael Wichman
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2006)

Waste from agricultural livestock operations has been a long-standing concern with respect to contamination of water resources, particularly in terms of nutrient pollution. However, the recent growth of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) presents a greater risk to water quality because of both the increased volume of waste and to contaminants that may be present (e.g., antibiotics and other veterinary drugs) that may have both environmental and public health importance. Based on available data, generally accepted livestock waste management practices do not adequately or effectively protect water resources from contamination with excessive nutrients, microbial pathogens, and pharmaceuticals present in the waste. Impacts on surface water sources and wildlife have been documented in many agricultural areas in the United States. Potential impacts on human and environmental health from long-term inadvertent exposure to water contaminated with pharmaceuticals and other compounds are a growing public concern. This work-group, which is part of the Conference on Environmental Health Impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: Anticipating Hazards--Searching for Solutions, identified needs for rigorous ecosystem monitoring in the vicinity of CAFOs and for improved characterization of major toxicants affecting the environment and human health. Last, there is a need to promote and enforce best practices to minimize inputs of nutrients and toxicants from CAFOs into freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Renal cell carcinoma in pregnancy
Authors: M A Gladman, D MacDonald, J J Webster, T Cook, G Williams
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2002)

Although rare in women of childbearing age, renal cell carcinoma is the commonest renal neoplasm occurring in pregnancy1 and is potentially curable with prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, the symptoms can mimic more common disorders such as urinary tract infection.
Evidence for a bone marrow B cell transcribing malignant plasma cell VDJ joined to C mu sequence in immunoglobulin (IgG)- and IgA-secreting multiple myelomas.
Authors: P Corradini, M Boccadoro, C Voena, A Pileri
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1993)

Multiple myeloma is a B cell malignancy characterized by the expansion of plasma cells producing monoclonal immunoglobulins (Ig). It has been regarded as a tumor arising at the B, pre-B lymphocyte, or even stem cell level. Precursor cells are presumed to proliferate and differentiate giving rise to the plasma cell clonal expansion. Antigenic features and specific Ig gene rearrangement shared by B lymphocytes and myeloma cells have supported this hypothesis. However, the existence of such a precursor is based upon indirect evidence and is still an open question. During differentiation, B cells rearrange variable (V) regions of Ig heavy chain genes, providing a specific marker of clonality. Using an anchor polymerase chain reaction assay, these rearranged regions from five patients with multiple myeloma were cloned and sequenced. The switch of the Ig constant (C) region was used to define the B cell differentiation stage: V regions are linked to C mu genes in pre-B and B lymphocytes (pre-switch B cells), but to C gamma or C alpha in post-switch B lymphocytes and plasma cells (post-switch B cells). Analysis of bone marrow cells at diagnosis revealed the presence of pre-switch B cells bearing plasma cell V regions still joined to the C mu gene. These cells were not identified in peripheral blood, where tumor post-switch B cells were detected. These pre-switch B cells may be regarded as potential myeloma cell precursors.
A Pseudomonas syringae Effector Inactivates MAPKs to Suppress PAMP-Induced Immunity in Plants
Authors: Jie Zhang, Feng Shao, Yan Li, Haitao Cui, Linjie Chen, Hongtao Li, Yan Zou, Chengzu Long, Lefu Lan, Jijie Chai, She Chen, Xiaoyan Tang, Jian-Min Zhou
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe (2007)
Mechanisms that Promote and Suppress Chromosomal Translocations in Lymphocytes
Authors: Monica Gostissa, Frederick W. Alt, Roberto Chiarle
Journal: Annual Review of Immunology (2011)

Recurrent chromosomal translocations are characteristic features of many types of cancers, especially lymphomas and leukemias. Several basic mechanistic factors are required for the generation of most translocations. First, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) must be present simultaneously at the two participating loci. Second, the two broken loci must either be in proximity or be moved into proximity to be joined. Finally, cellular DNA repair pathways must be available to join the two broken loci to complete the translocation. These mechanistic factors can vary in different normal and mutant cells and, as a result, substantially influence the frequency at which particular translocations are generated in a given cell type. Ultimately, however, appearance of recurrent oncogenic translocations in tumors is, in most cases, strongly influenced by selection for the translocated oncogene during the tumorigenesis process. In this review, we discuss in depth the factors and pathways that contribute to the generation of translocations in lymphocytes and other cell types. We also discuss recent findings regarding mechanisms that underlie the appearance of recurrent translocations in tumors.
SELECTED ASPECTS OF PENICILLIN ALLERGY
Authors: RUDOLF L. BAER, MICHAEL J. FELLNER, DAVID SIBULKIN
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1970)

SUMMARY.— Skin tests for immediate hypersensitivity with penicillin derivatives and haemagglutination tests for penicilloyl-specific IgG and IgM antibodies are useful in the prevention, diagnosis and management of clinical adverse reactions mediated by IgE antibodies. In rare instances, the skin tests themselves may cause clinical adverse reactions. Under suitable conditions, hyposensitization or temporary loss of skin sensitivity can be successfully brought about, even in individuals with a high degree of immediate hypersensitivity.



Delayed hypersensitivity plays a role in mediating certain non-urticarial forms of penicillin allergy, including some cases of exanthematous eruptions. The degree of delayed hypersensitivity consistently fluctuates to lower levels after administration of therapeutic doses of penicillin.



Preliminary data are presented which suggest that infants who are given penicillin at birth form IgM penicilloyl-specific serum antibodies much less frequently and in lower titres than occur after penicillin therapy later in life.
Decreased Arginine Bioavailability and Increased Serum Arginase Activity in Asthma
Authors: Claudia R. Morris, Mirjana Poljakovic, Lisa Lavrisha, Lorenzo Machado, Frans A. Kuypers, Sidney M. Morris
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2004)

Recent studies suggest that a nitric oxide (NO) deficiency and elevated arginase activity may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Although much attention has been directed toward measurements of exhaled NO in asthma, no studies to date have evaluated levels of plasma arginase or arginine, the substrate for NO production, in patients with asthma. This study, therefore, measured amino acid levels, arginase activity, and nitric oxide metabolites in the blood of patients with asthma, as well as NO in exhaled breath. Although levels of virtually all amino acids were reduced, patients with asthma exhibited a striking reduction in plasma arginine levels compared with normal control subjects without asthma (45 +/- 22 vs. 94 +/- 29 microM, p < 0.0001), and serum arginase activity was elevated (1.6 +/- 0.8 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.3 micromol/ml/hour, asthma vs. control, p < 0.0001). High arginase activity in patients with asthma may contribute to low circulating arginine levels, thereby limiting arginine bioavailability and creating a NO deficiency that induces hyperreactive airways. Addressing the alterations in arginine metabolism may result in new strategies for treatment of asthma.
Trajectory of Performance Status and Symptom Scores for Patients With Cancer During the Last Six Months of Life
Authors: Hsien Seow, Lisa Barbera, Rinku Sutradhar, Doris Howell, Deborah Dudgeon, Clare Atzema, Ying Liu, Amna Husain, Jonathan Sussman, Craig Earle
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2011)

Purpose Ontario's cancer system is unique because it has implemented two standardized assessment tools population-wide to improve care: the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) measures severity of nine symptoms (scale 0 to 10; 10 indicates the worst) and the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) measures performance status (scale 0 to 100; 0 indicates death). This article describes the trajectory of ESAS and PPS scores 6 months before death. Patients and Methods Observational cohort study of cancer decedents between 2007 and 2009. Decedents required ≥1 ESAS or PPS assessment in the 6 months before death for inclusion. Outcomes were the decedents' average ESAS and PPS scores per week before death. Results Ten thousand seven hundred fifty-two (ESAS) and 7,882 (PPS) decedents were included. The mean age was 65 years, half were female, and approximately 75% of assessments occurred in cancer clinics. Average PPS score declined slowly over the 6 months before death, starting at approximately 70 and ending at 40, declining more rapidly in the last month. For ESAS symptoms, average pain, nausea, anxiety, and depression scores remained relatively stable over the 6 months. Conversely, shortness of breath, drowsiness, well-being, lack of appetite, and tiredness increased in severity over time, particularly in the month before death. More than one third of the cohort reported moderate to severe scores (ie, 4 to 10) for most symptoms in the last month of life. Conclusion In this large outpatient cancer population, trajectories of mean ESAS scores followed two patterns: increasing versus generally flat. The latter was perhaps due to available treatment (eg, prescriptions) for those symptoms. Future research should prioritize addressing symptoms that worsen over time.
Bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine and isoprenaline in patients with airway obstruction.
Authors: M K Benson
Journal: Thorax (1978)

In order to examine the hypothesis that bronchial reactivity to non-specific constrictor stimuli is influenced by the resting tone of the bronchial smooth muscle, the airway responses to inhaled histamine solution and inhaled isoprenaline were measured in 19 patients with airway obstruction. There was a significant positive correlation between the size of the constrictor response to histamine and the dilator response to isoprenaline (r = +0.83; p less than 0.01) as measured by changes in specific airway conductance. Patients with asthma showed greater bronchial reactivity to both histamine and isoprenaline than those with chronic bronchitis, although some patients had changes intermediate between the two extremes.
The impact of time on the systemic inflammatory response in pneumococcal pneumonia
Authors: E Calbo, M Alsina, M Rodríguez-Carballeira, J Lite, J Garau
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2009)

The aim of our study was to analyse the impact of time from onset of symptoms on the systemic cytokine concentrations in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. Adults with severe pneumococcal pneumonia were prospectively included. At admission, vital signs, time from onset of pneumonia symptoms and circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-1ra were recorded. 32 patients were included; 13 patients had &lt;48 h of evolution and 19 patients had been sick for &gt;48 h. The group with a longer time of evolution presented higher plasmatic levels of TNF-α (19.1±8.5 versus 35.5±26 pg·mL −1 ), fibrinogen (6±1.8 versus 9±2); CRP (130±85 versus 327±131) and SAA (678±509 versus 984±391). Concentrations of TNF-α were associated with the presence of bacteraemia, initial blood pressure &lt;90 mmHg and with a lower oxygen saturation at admission. Likewise, TNF-α levels were correlated with concentrations of IL-1β (r = 0.49), IL-6 (r = 0.41) and IL-8 (r = 0.40). In pneumococcal pneumonia, patients with a longer time of evolution presented with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a higher expression of acute phase proteins, suggesting a sustained release of pneumococcal antigens over time.
Overview of Meta-Analyses of the Prevention of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Conduct Problems
Authors: Irwin Sandler, Sharlene A. Wolchik, Gracelyn Cruden, Nicole E. Mahrer, Soyeon Ahn, Ahnalee Brincks, C. Hendricks Brown
Journal: Annual Review of Clinical Psychology (2014)

This review presents findings from an overview of meta-analyses of the effects of prevention and promotion programs to prevent mental health, substance use, and conduct problems. The review of 48 meta-analyses found small but significant changes that reduce depression, anxiety, antisocial behavior, and substance use. Furthermore, the results were sustained over time. Meta-analyses often found that the effects were heterogeneous. A conceptual model is proposed to guide the study of moderators of program effects in future meta-analyses, and methodological issues in synthesizing findings across preventive interventions are discussed.
Absolute Quantification of [11C]docetaxel Kinetics in Lung Cancer Patients Using Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Astrid A.M. van der Veldt, Mark Lubberink, Henri N. Greuter, Emile F.I. Comans, Gerarda J.M. Herder, Maqsood Yaqub, Robert C. Schuit, Arthur van Lingen, S. Nafees Rizvi, Martien P.J. Mooijer, Anneloes Y. Rijnders, Albert D. Windhorst, Egbert F. Smit, N. Harry Hendrikse, Adriaan A. Lammertsma
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2011)

Tumor resistance to docetaxel may be associated with reduced drug concentrations in tumor tissue. Positron emission tomography (PET) allows for quantification of radiolabeled docetaxel ([(11)C]docetaxel) kinetics and might be useful for predicting response to therapy. The primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of quantitative [(11)C]docetaxel PET scans in lung cancer patients. The secondary objective was to investigate whether [(11)C]docetaxel kinetics were associated with tumor perfusion, tumor size, and dexamethasone administration.Thirty-four lung cancer patients underwent dynamic PET-computed tomography (CT) scans using [(11)C]docetaxel. Blood flow was measured using oxygen-15 labeled water. The first 24 patients were premedicated with dexamethasone. For quantification of [(11)C]docetaxel kinetics, the optimal tracer kinetic model was developed and a noninvasive procedure was validated.Reproducible quantification of [(11)C]docetaxel kinetics in tumors was possible using a noninvasive approach (image derived input function). Thirty-two lesions (size ≥4 cm(3)) were identified, having a variable net influx rate of [(11)C]docetaxel (range, 0.0023-0.0229 mL·cm(-3)·min(-1)). [(11)C]docetaxel uptake was highly related to tumor perfusion (Spearman's ρ = 0.815;P < 0.001), but not to tumor size (Spearman's ρ = -0.140; P = 0.446). Patients pretreated with dexamethasone showed lower [(11)C]docetaxel uptake in tumors (P = 0.013). Finally, in a subgroup of patients who subsequently received docetaxel therapy, relative high [(11)C]docetaxel uptake was related with improved tumor response.Quantification of [(11)C]docetaxel kinetics in lung cancer was feasible in a clinical setting. Variable [(11)C]docetaxel kinetics in tumors may reflect differential sensitivity to docetaxel therapy. Our findings warrant further studies investigating the predictive value of [(11)C]docetaxel uptake and the effects of comedication on [(11)C]docetaxel kinetics in tumors.
Associations of CTX-II with biochemical markers of bone turnover raise questions on its tissue origin: data from CHECK, a cohort study of early osteoarthritis
Authors: Willem E van Spil, K Wiepke Drossaers-Bakker, Floris PJG Lafeber
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2012)

<h3>Objective</h3> CTX-II (C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen) has been put forward as a marker of collagen type II degradation being part of osteoarthritis. In this study, the authors describe similarities between CTX-II and bone markers arguing against CTX-II as a marker of (solely) cartilage degradation. <h3>Methods</h3> uCTX-II, the bone markers uCTX-I, uNTX-I, sPINP, and sOC (C-terminal and N-terminal telopeptides of collagen I, aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and osteocalcin, respectively), and other (candidate) cartilage markers sCOMP, sCS846, and sPIIANP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, chondroitin sulphate 846 and type IIA collagen N-propeptide, respectively) were assessed by ELISA in CHECK (Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee), a cohort of 1002 individuals with early pain and/or stiffness in knee and/or hip. <h3>Results</h3> uCTX-II was more strongly associated with the bone markers than with the other cartilage markers, while the other cartilage markers were not so strongly associated with the bone markers. Moreover, both uCTX-II and bone markers but not the other cartilage markers showed an abrupt menopausal shift in women aged 48-53 years, also when adjusted for age and BMI. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The similarities between uCTX-II and bone markers could be attributable to a link between cartilage and bone metabolism through metabolic and biomechanical mechanisms. However, other cartilage markers were hardly associated with uCTX-II and did not show such evident associations with bone markers. uCTX-II has unique relations with bone markers as compared to other cartilage markers and might reflect bone rather than cartilage metabolism. More thorough molecular validation of uCTX-II is required.