tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Comparison of drainage and aspiration in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: Andreas Thelle, Miriam Gjerdevik, Malcolm Sue-Chu, Ole Magnus Hagen, Per Bakke
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Objective:  To compare aspiration and drainage in the treatment of both primary and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.   Methods:  We conducted a prospective randomised clinical trial with 127 patients including both primary and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. Patients requiring intervention were randomised to removal of interpleural air by aspiration or drainage by a thoracic chest drain. Failure of treatment in the aspiration group had drainage as secondary intervention. Primary outcome variable was duration of hospital stay due to the pneumothorax.   Results:  64 patients were primarily treated with aspiration, 63 with drainage. 86 patients (68%) had a primary pneumothorax, 41 patients (32%) had a secondary pneumothorax. Pneumothorax size ranged from 23-100% (median 44.5%). Calculations were done by intention-to-treat groups. Median (25/75percentile) hospital stay was 2.6 days in the aspiration group, vs 4.8 days in the drainage group (p-value 0.0023, Mann-Whitney test). Aspiration was successful in 44 of 64 (69%), drainage was successful in 54 of 63 patients (86%). Secondary treatment with drainage following failure to aspiration, was successful in 17 of 20 cases (85%).   Conclusion : Treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with aspiration is effective in two of three cases, even in a mixed population of primary and secondary pneumothoraxes. Attempt of aspiration may save the patient of several days in hospital.
Single Ascending Dose Tolerability, Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Study of Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Inhibitor Ro 09-4889
Authors: S. Eralp Bellibas, Indra Patel, Emmanuel Chamorey, Bettyna Brivet, Ernest D. Bush, Catherine Kircher, Stephane Nave, Ludger Banken, Nicole Renée, Gérard Milano
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Purpose: Ro 09-4889 was designed to enhance the anticancer efficacy of capecitabine (Xeloda) by generating a dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase inhibitor (DPDi) 5-vinyluracil (5-VU) preferentially in tumor tissues. This study assessed the tolerance to Ro 09-4889 treatment, and related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data such as inhibition of DPD activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma uracil levels. Experimental design: This was a single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose escalation study in 64 healthy male volunteers at 1-, 5-, 20-, 50-, 75-, 100-, and 200-mg oral dose of Ro 09-4889. Also, food effect was assessed separately in a group dosed with 20 mg of the compound. Results: No serious adverse effects or significant laboratory and electrocardiogram abnormalities were observed during the study. Ro 09-4889 has a short elimination half-life (t1/2) of 0.5 h, followed by metabolites 5′-deoxy-5-vinyluridine (5′-DVUR), 5′-deoxy-5-vinylcytidine (5′-DVCR), and 5-VU with t1/2 of 1.3, 1.2, and 2 h, respectively. The major metabolite excreted in urine was 5-DVCR (45% of dose). The inhibition of PBMC DPD activity and the increase in plasma uracil were related to Ro 09-4889 dose. DPD inhibition versus dose and uracil AUC (area under the curve) versus dose were modeled using the Emax model with a baseline effect. The model-predicted ED50 value was 100 mg. Conclusion: Single oral doses of Ro 09-4889 ranging from 1 to 200 mg were well tolerated. On the basis of these findings, a 10-to-30-mg dose range of Ro 09-4889 combined with capecitabine could be appropriate for further evaluation in cancer patients.
Smoke gets in your joints?
Authors: C. DEIGHTON
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1997)

Two of the commonest causes of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are ischaemic heart disease and respiratory infection, both of which should be exacerbated by cigarette smoking. I shall not insult the readership of the Annals by listing the many other reasons why patients with RA should not smoke. The paper by Saag et al , in this issue suggests yet another reason that we may not have thrust persuasively at our patients to date.1 This is that smoking may aggravate their RA.

The aetiology of RA and pathogenesis of progression to severe RA seem to share much in common. For example being female predisposes to RA, and is associated with more severe articular disease.2Being seropositive for rheumatoid factor (RF) associates with RA, and the higher the titre the more severe the RA.3 Possessing the shared epitope predisposes to RA, and the presence of these alleles leads to more severe disease, particularly when the personhas inherited two copies.4 What we see in RA is a threshold effect. Certain variables seem to push people over …
Diversification of Wolbachia Endosymbiont in the Culex pipiens Mosquito
Authors: C. M. Atyame, F. Delsuc, N. Pasteur, M. Weill, O. Duron
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2011)

The α-proteobacteria Wolbachia are among the most common intracellular bacteria and have recently emerged as important drivers of arthropod biology. Wolbachia commonly act as reproductive parasites in arthropods by inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), a type of conditional sterility between hosts harboring incompatible infections. In this study, we examined the evolutionary histories of Wolbachia infections, known as wPip, in the common house mosquito Culex pipiens, which exhibits the greatest variation in CI crossing patterns observed in any insect. We first investigated a panel of 20 wPip strains for their genetic diversity through a multilocus scheme combining 13 Wolbachia genes. Because Wolbachia depend primarily on maternal transmission for spreading within arthropod populations, we also studied the variability in the coinherited Cx. pipiens mitochondria. In total, we identified 14 wPip haplotypes, which all share a monophyletic origin and clearly cluster into five distinct wPip groups. The diversity of Cx. pipiens mitochondria was extremely reduced, which is likely a consequence of cytoplasmic hitchhiking driven by a unique and recent Wolbachia invasion. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that wPip infections and mitochondrial DNA have codiverged through stable cotransmission within the cytoplasm and shows that a rapid diversification of wPip has occurred. The observed pattern demonstrates that a considerable degree of Wolbachia diversity can evolve within a single host species over short evolutionary periods. In addition, multiple signatures of recombination were found in most wPip genomic regions, leading us to conclude that the mosaic nature of wPip genomes may play a key role in their evolution.
Variants in exons and in transcription factors affect gene expression in trans
Authors: Anat Kreimer, Itsik Pe'er
Journal: Genome biology (2013)

Abstract Background In recent years many genetic variants (eSNPs) have been reported as associated with expression of transcripts in trans . However, the causal variants and regulatory mechanisms through which they act remain mostly unknown. In this paper we follow two kinds of usual suspects: SNPs that alter coding regions or transcription factors, identifiable by sequencing data with transcriptional profiles in the same cohort. We show these interpretable genomic regions are enriched for eSNP association signals, thereby naturally defining source-target gene pairs. We map these pairs onto a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and study their topological properties. Results For exonic eSNP sources, we report source-target proximity and high target degree within the PPI network. These pairs are more likely to be co-expressed and the eSNPs tend to have a cis effect, modulating the expression of the source gene. In contrast, transcription factor source-target pairs are not observed to have such properties, but instead a transcription factor source tends to assemble into units of defined functional roles along with its gene targets, and to share with them the same functional cluster of the PPI network. Conclusions Our results suggest two modes of trans regulation: transcription factor variation frequently acts via a modular regulation mechanism, with multiple targets that share a function with the transcription factor source. Notwithstanding, exon variation often acts by a local cis effect, delineating shorter paths of interacting proteins across functional clusters of the PPI network.
Locoregional recurrence after pulmonary segmentectomy of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Thomas Krbek, Uldis Kopeika, Joachim Kolb, Petar Traykov, Kato Kambartel, Thomas Voshaar
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

The objective of this study was to compare locoregional recurrence after lobectomy or segmentectomy for NSCLC.  We retrospectively reviewed 134 patients with stage Ia and Ib NSCLC who underwent segmentectomy or lobectomy between 2008 and 2012. 49 patients underwent segmentresection and 85 underwent lobectomy. Indications for segmentectomy were second primary lung cancer after lobectomy in 11 cases and severe concomitant diseases in 38 cases. In all cases surgical margins were tumor free.All record data were analyzed to examine independent predictors for prognosis and recurrence.  Mean age was 70±9 years in segmentectomy group and 65±11 years in lobectomy group. In lobectomy group 5 patients had distant recurrence (7%), and 1 locoregional (1.2%). After segmentectomy six patients (12%) had locoregional recurrence. In four cases distant metastases were observed, but only in second lung cancer group. By multivariate analyses, three variables were shown to be independently significant risk factors for locoregional recurrence- type of surgical procedure, visceral pleural invasion and a small number of harvested lymph nodes. Tumor size has no influence on locoregional recurrence and cancer related mortality. Segmentectomy was associated with significant impairment in overall, but not with cancer related survival, compared with lobectomy, but segmentectomy group patients were statistically older and with poor lung function.  Segmentectomy with systematic lymph node dissection with a sufficient surgical margin could be a radical treatment for stage Ia and Ib NSCLC patients while preserving pulmonary function. Patients with N0 R0 disease have low rates of locoregional recurrence after segmentresection.
Deaths from injury in children and employment status in family: analysis of trends in class specific death rates
Authors: Phil Edwards, Ian Roberts, Judith Green, Suzanne Lutchmun
Journal: BMJ (2006)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective</b> To examine socioeconomic inequalities in rates of death from injury in children in England and Wales. <b>Design</b> Analysis of rates of death from injury in children by the eight class version of the National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification (NS-SEC) and by the registrar general9s social classification. <b>Setting</b> England and Wales during periods of four years around the 1981, 1991, and 2001 censuses. <b>Subjects</b> Children aged 0-15 years. <b>Main outcome measures</b> Death rates from injury and poisoning. <b>Results</b> Rates of death from injury in children fell from 11.1 deaths (95% confidence interval 10.8 to 11.5 deaths) per 100 000 children per year around the 1981 census to 4.0 deaths (3.8 to 4.2 deaths) per 100 000 children per year around the 2001 census. Socioeconomic inequalities remain: the death rate from all external causes for children of parents classified as never having worked or as long term unemployed (NS-SEC 8) was 13.1 (10.3 to 16.5) times that for children in NS-SEC 1(higher managerial/professional occupations). For deaths as pedestrians the rate in NS-SEC 8 was 20.6 (10.6 to 39.9) times higher than in NS-SEC 1; for deaths as cyclists it was 27.5 (6.4 to 118.2) times higher; for deaths due to fires it was 37.7 (11.6 to 121.9) times higher; and for deaths of undetermined intent it was 32.6 (15.8 to 67.2) times higher. <b>Conclusions</b> Overall rates of death from injury and poisoning in children have fallen in England and Wales over the past 20 years, except for rates in children in families in which no adult is in paid employment. Serious inequalities in injury death rates remain, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists, house fires, and deaths of undetermined intent.
The sensory/functional assumption or the data: Which do we keep?
Authors: Bradford Mahon, Alfonso Caramazza
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2001)

The HIT model explains the existence of semantic category-specific deficits by assuming that sensory knowledge is crucially important in processing living things, while functional knowledge is crucially important in processing nonliving things – the sensory/functional assumption. Here we argue that the sensory/functional assumption as implemented in HIT is neither theoretically nor empirically grounded and that, in any case, there is neuropsychological evidence which invalidates this assumption, thereby undermining the HIT model as a whole.
Endogenous presentation of self myelin epitopes by CNS-resident APCs in Theiler’s virus–infected mice
Authors: Yael Katz-Levy, Katherine L. Neville, Ann M. Girvin, Carol L. Vanderlugt, Jonathan G. Pope, Lit Jen Tan, Stephen D. Miller
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1999)

The mechanisms underlying the initiation of virus-induced autoimmune disease are not well understood. Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus–induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, is initiated by TMEV-specific CD4+ T cells targeting virally infected central nervous system–resident (CNS-resident) antigen-presenting cells (APCs), leading to chronic activation of myelin epitope–specific CD4+ T cells via epitope spreading. Here we show that F4/80+, I-As+, CD45+ macrophages/microglia isolated from the CNS of TMEV-infected SJL mice have the ability to endogenously process and present virus epitopes at both acute and chronic stages of the disease. Relevant to the initiation of virus-induced autoimmune disease, only CNS APCs isolated from TMEV-infected mice with preexisting myelin damage, not those isolated from naive mice or mice with acute disease, were able to endogenously present a variety of proteolipid protein epitopes to specific Th1 lines. These results offer a mechanism by which localized virus-induced, T cell–mediated inflammatory myelin destruction leads to the recruitment/activation of CNS-resident APCs that can process and present endogenous self epitopes to autoantigen-specific T cells, and thus provide a mechanistic basis by which epitope spreading occurs.
Pediatric Palliative Care in Europe Expands
Authors: M. Gethins
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2011)

In late September, the first independently owned pediatric palliative – hospice care facility in Ireland opened. Mary McAleese, president of Ireland, spoke at the official opening, and the € 6.5 million spent erecting and fitting the facility was raised entirely through private donations. The Sunshine Home and the Lauralynn Hospice Foundation coordinated fundraising and will continue to raise funds to sustain the service. Ireland is not alone in facing pediatric palliative – hospice care funding challenges. Despite a long European tradition of government-funded National Health Service, few freestanding pediatric palliative – hospice care facilities receive suffi cient, if any, federal funding and must rely on charitable contributions from the corporate and private sectors. However, cost is only one hurdle. Pediatric palliative care training modules for medical specialists and nursing staff have traditionally been scarce. But a slate of new educational initiatives and models of care are emerging across Europe. Three models in particular have taken hold: in-hospital pediatric palliative services, freestanding facilities, and in-home community support services.
THE CONTROL OF STRYCHNINE CONVULSIONS BY INTRASPINAL INJECTIONS OF MAGNESIUM SULPHATE
Authors: Elliott C. Cutler, Benjamin H. Alton
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1917)

We feel that the results obtained in the human case and in our animal experiments justify the supposition that magnesium sulphate may be of use in controlling cases of poisoning by strychnine. It is a method easily available not only in large hospitals but in private practice, and requires no elaborate technique. The amount of magnesium sulphate to be used should follow the advice of Meltzer (19) in tetanus cases: intraspinally 1 cc. of a 25 per cent solution to each 20 pounds of body weight in adults, and one-half the dose in young children. Should this not control the convulsions a small amount of ether may be used. In order to hasten the excretion of strychnine, 200 to 300 cc. of salt solution should be given intravenously.(6) In the event of the return of the convulsions, the intraspinal dose may be repeated, always taking precautions to keep the head elevated. Meltzer's apparatus for intrapharyngeal insufflation and a 2.5 per cent solution of calcium chloride should always be on hand in case of respiratory failure following an overdose of the magnesium salts (Meltzer (19)).
Molecular prognostic markers for adult acute myeloid leukemia with normal cytogenetics
Authors: Tara K Gregory, David Wald, Yichu Chen, Johanna M Vermaat, Yin Xiong, William Tse
Journal: Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2009)

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous disorder that results from a block in the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells along with uncontrolled proliferation. In approximately 60% of cases, specific recurrent chromosomal aberrations can be identified by modern cytogenetic techniques. This cytogenetic information is the single most important tool to classify patients at their initial diagnosis into three prognostic categories: favorable, intermediate, and poor risk. Currently, favorable risk AML patients are usually treated with contemporary chemotherapy while poor risk AML patients receive allogeneic stem cell transplantation if suitable stem cell donors exist. The largest subgroup of AML patients (~40%) have no identifiable cytogenetic abnormalities and are classified as intermediate risk. The optimal therapeutic strategies for these patients are still largely unclear. Recently, it is becoming increasingly evident that it is possible to identify a subgroup of poorer risk patients among those with normal cytogenic AML (NC-AML). Molecular risk stratification for NC-AML patients may be possible due to mutations of NPM1, FLT3, MLL, and CEBPα as well as alterations in expression levels of BAALC, MN1, ERG, and AF1q. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm if poorer risk NC-AML patients have improved clinical outcomes after more aggressive therapy.
Differential effects of therapeutic regimens on specific classes of rheumatoid factor.
Authors: R M Pope, J Lessard, E Nunnery
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1986)

This study was performed to define further the relationship of circulating IgM and IgG rheumatoid factor to the articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with substantial clinical improvement (greater than 55%) or no improvement or worsening were chosen for study. Patients were further selected to include those treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone, or NSAIDs plus D-penicillamine or gold. Significant reductions of IgM (p less than 0.001) and IgG (p less than 0.005) rheumatoid factor were seen only in those treated with gold who improved clinically. These observations suggest that in patients experiencing comparable degrees of clinical improvement the simultaneous alterations of circulating IgG and IgM rheumatoid factor observed are dependent upon the therapeutic regimen employed.
Impact of a structured educational program for nursing staff on chest drain care
Authors: Rizwan Ahmed, Rehan Naseer, Allison Scott, Matthew Callister
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: At the 2011 ERS congress we presented findings from a survey of nursing staff regarding chest drain knowledge, care and management in our tertiary care centre. Worryingly we found only 17% felt they had adequate training in chest drain care. We present our intervention and subsequent feedback.  Intervention: Unlike doctors in the UK, nursing staff usually do not have a structured training program. We developed an interactive self- directed workbook on chest drain knowledge and management, based on the adult learning principles of Andragogy. The instructional design theories used to help learning included constructivism and the use of cognitivism and behaviouralist design which allowed efficient construction and transfer of knowledge. Nursing staff based on respiratory wards were asked to complete the workbook and a self assessment at the end. They also attended a workshop which included 30mins of lectures followed by 30mins of group discussion. Structured forms were used to collect feedback.  Feedback: 24 feedback forms were analysed. 96% 9agreed9 or 9strongly agreed9:  1. The workbook was relevant to their current role  2. The activities and tasks helped to improve their understanding of the topic  3. The training provided them with new knowledge on chest drain management.  4. Completion of the training improved their confidence in dealing with chest drains.  Subjectively we felt patient care and safety improved on the wards.  Conclusion: Formal training sessions of nursing staff on chest drain care has proved very popular and productive for nursing staff and we recommend other hospitals should consider developing similar sessions to improve the standard of care.
Phase II Evaluation of Cytembena (NSC-104801) in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Carcinoma Resistant to Alkylating Agents: Brief Communication 2
Authors: J. H. Edmonson, D. G. Decker, G. D. Malkasian, M. J. Webb, E. O. Jorgensen
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1977)

Journal Article Phase II Evaluation of Cytembena (NSC-104801) in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Carcinoma Resistant to Alkylating Agents: Brief Communication Get access J. H. Edmonson, M.D., J. H. Edmonson, M.D. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar D. G. Decker, M.D., D. G. Decker, M.D. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar G. D. Malkasian, M.D., G. D. Malkasian, M.D. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar M. J. Webb, M.D., M. J. Webb, M.D. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar E. O. Jorgensen, M.D. E. O. Jorgensen, M.D. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 59, Issue 6, December 1977, Pages 1619–1620, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/59.6.1619 Published: 01 December 1977 Article history Received: 04 April 1977 Accepted: 06 July 1977 Published: 01 December 1977