tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Nurse-conducted smoking cessation with minimal intervention in a lung clinic: a randomized controlled study
Authors: P Tonnesen, K Mikkelsen, C Markholst, A Ibsen, M Bendixen, L Pedersen, R Fuursted, LH Hansen, H Stensgaard, R Schiotz, T Petersen, L Breman, P Clementsen, T Evald
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1996)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a motivational, minimal intervention approach to smoking cessation in an open, randomized design conducted by nurses as routine work in a lung clinic. Subjects who smoked less than 10 cigarettes x day(-1), and subjects who smoked &gt; or = 10 cigarettes x day(-1) and who had refused to participate in a smoking cessation trial with nicotine replacement therapy, were randomly allocated to a motivational approach to smoking cessation or to a control group. The motivational approach consisted of a nurse-conducted 5 min consultation concerning reasons to quit smoking, brochures about smoking cessation and advice about how to quit. After 4-6 weeks, subjects in the motivational group received a letter encouraging them to quit smoking. After 1 year, all subjects were contacted by phone and smoking status reported. Subjects claiming to be abstinent attended the clinic for carbon monoxide verification. A total of 507 subjects were enrolled, 254 in the motivational group and 253 in the control group. The mean age of the motivational group was 51 yrs, 50% were males and they smoked a mean of 13 cigarettes x day(-1). The mean age of the control group was 53 yrs, 61% were males and they smoked a mean of 12 cigarettes x day(-1). At the 1 year follow-up, the success rate for point prevalence (no smoking at 1 year and during the preceding month) was 8, 7% in the motivational group versus 3.6% in the control group (p=0.025). The 12 months sustained success rate (no smoking at all during the year) was 3.1 versus 1.2% (p=0.22). The point prevalence for light smokers (&lt;10 cigarettes x day(-1)) was 13.9% in the motivational group versus 6.3% in control group (p=0.12), and for heavy smokers (10 or more cigarettes x day(-1)) 5.2% versus 1.9% (p=0.20). In conclusion, the effect of this nurse-conducted, minimal intervention, motivational approach seems promising as the quit rate at 1 year follow-up had doubled.
Patterns of expression of MMR proteins in serrated adenomas and other polyps of the colorectum
Authors: H Bonte
Journal: Gut (2003)

<h3>Abstract</h3> Transposon Directed Insertion Sequencing (TraDIS) is a high-throughput method for mapping insertion sites in large libraries of transposon mutants. The <i>Himar1</i> (<i>mariner</i>) transposon is ideal for generating near-saturating mutant libraries, especially in AT-rich chromosomes, as the requirement for integration is a TA dinucleotide. In this study, we generated two novel <i>mariner</i> vectors, pTsodCPC9 and pTlacPC9 (differing only in the promoter driving expression of the transposase gene), in order to facilitate TraDIS identification of conditionally essential genes in <i>Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae</i> and other bacteria. Using the pTlacPC9 vector, we have generated, for the first time, saturating <i>mariner</i> mutant libraries in both <i>A. pleuropneumoniae</i> and <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> that showed a near random distribution of insertions around the respective chromosomes. A preliminary screen of 5000 mutants each identified 8 and 15 genes, respectively, that are required for growth under anaerobic conditions.
The Community-Based Strategy to Prevent Coronary Heart Disease: Conclusions from the Ten Years of the North Karelia Project
Authors: Pekka Puska, Aulikki Nissinen, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Jukka T. Salonen, Kaj Koskela, Alfred McAlister, Thomas E. Kottke, Nathan Maccoby, John W. Farquhar
Journal: Annual Review of Public Health (1985)

In recent decades, there has been remarkable growth in scientific research examining the multiple ways in which racism can adversely affect health. This interest has been driven in part by the striking persistence of racial/ethnic inequities in health and ...Read More
Decreased bone mineral density and periodontal management
Authors: Michael S. Reddy, Sarah L. Morgan
Journal: Periodontology 2000 (2012)

Abstract The definition of osteoporosis has evolved beyond low bone mineral density to include impaired bone morphology and matrix properties. As such, the subsequent bone density insufficiencies extend beyond the skeletal risks of fracture and have implications for oral health management patients. As our population ages there is a worldwide increase in the risk of decreased bone mineral density and its subsequent morbidity. This makes age an independent risk factor for fracture and decreased bone mineral density. Multiple examinations and diagnostic tests are currently used in combination to develop an algorithm to assess osteoporotic risk. Oral health care professionals should follow these principles and caution should be used in applying a single independent assessment to determine a patient's osteoporotic or bone metabolism risk. Therapeutic approaches for osteoporosis are often divided into nonpharmacological interventions and pharmacological therapies. The periodontist and other oral health care professionals should have a full understanding of the therapeutic options, benefits and implementation of preventive therapies. Bone turnover is a coupled event of bone formation and bone resorption and it is the imbalance of this homeostasis that results in osteoporosis. Based on this uncoupling of bone resorption and formation, osteoporosis or decreased bone mineral density and osteopenia, may be a risk factor for alveolar bone loss in periodontitis. The role of prevention and maintenance with a history of periodontitis and oesteopenia extends beyond biofilm control and should include management of bone mineral density. The chronic periodontal infection in a patient with osteopenia may place the patient at greatly increased risk for alveolar bone loss, gingival recession and root caries. A key component in the management is the oral health professional's knowledge of the interrelationship between skeletal health and periodontal health.
LG-04 * NOTCH SIGNALING ACTIVATION IN PEDIATRIC LOW-GRADE ASTROCYTOMA
Authors: W. D. Brandt, K. C. Schreck, E. E. Bar, I. Taylor, L. Marchionni, E. Raabe, C. G. Eberhart, F. J. Rodriguez
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2015)

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is the most common primary brain tumor in children, and various signaling pathways have been implicated in its biology. The Notch signaling pathway has been found to play a role in development, stem cell biology and the pathogenesis of several cancers but its role in PA has not been investigated. We studied alterations in Notch signaling components in clinical PA tumor tissue, to identify much needed therapeutic targets. In this study, we found Notch pathway members to be overexpressed at the mRNA (NOTCH1, NOTCH2, HEY1, HEY2) and protein (HES1) level in PA at various anatomical sites compared to non-neoplastic brain. The changes were not associated with specific BRAF alterations. Inhibiting the Notch pathway in pediatric low grade astrocytoma-derived cell lines (Res 186 and Res 259) using either RNA interference or a gamma secretase inhibitor resulted in a significant, but variable reduction in cell growth and migration. This study suggests a role for Notch signaling in the context of pediatric low grade astrocytoma tumorigenesis, and that Notch signaling is a viable pathway to target therapeutically.
Ia determinants on human T-cell subsets defined by monoclonal antibody. Activation stimuli required for expression.
Authors: E L Reinherz, P C Kung, J M Pesando, J Ritz, G Goldstein, S F Schlossman
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1979)

The nature of Ia antigens which appear on human T cells after activation and the stimuli required for their expression was examined utilizing a monoclonal antibody reactive with the Ia antigen framework. T cells were purified using monoclonal antibodies directed either at the entire T-cell population (OKT3) or the T-cell inducer subset (OKT4). By indirect immunofluorescence, it was shown that the human T-cell population contains no detectable Ia+ cells in the resting state. In contrast, in excess of 60% of the T-cell population expresses Ia antigen after alloactivation in the mixed lymphocyte culture. Moreover, these Ia antigens are expressed within both the OKT4+ and OKT4- subsets. Similarly, phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A induced approximately 20% of peripheral T cells to express Ia antigen and the expression of these antigens is not restricted to either OKT4 subset. In contrast, only the inducer T-cell population which proliferates maximally to soluble antigen expresses Ia antigens after activation by tetanus toxoid. Thus, the expression of human Ia antigens on unique T-cell subsets depends upon the activation stimuli utilized and ability of the individual subset to respond to a given stimulus. Additional studies indicated that Ia antigens appear on previously Ia- T cells after activation and do not result from clonal expansion of a small subset of Ia+ T cells.
Evaluation of interventions to reduce air pollution from biomass smoke on mortality in Launceston, Australia: retrospective analysis of daily mortality, 1994-2007
Authors: F. H. Johnston, I. C. Hanigan, S. B. Henderson, G. G. Morgan
Journal: BMJ (2013)

<b>Objective</b> To assess the effect of reductions in air pollution from biomass smoke on daily mortality. <b>Design</b> Age stratified time series analysis of daily mortality with Poisson regression models adjusted for the effects of temperature, humidity, day of week, respiratory epidemics, and secular mortality trends, applied to an intervention and control community. <b>Setting</b> Central Launceston, Australia, a town in which coordinated strategies were implemented to reduce pollution from wood smoke and central Hobart, a comparable city in which there were no specific air quality interventions. <b>Participants</b> 67 000 residents of central Launceston and 148 000 residents of central Hobart (at 2001 census). <b>Interventions</b> Community education campaigns, enforcement of environmental regulations, and a wood heater replacement programme to reduce ambient pollution from residential wood stoves started in the winter of 2001. <b>Main outcome measures</b> Changes in daily all cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality during the 6.5 year periods before and after June 2001 in Launceston and Hobart. <b>Results</b> Mean daily wintertime concentration of PM<sub>10</sub> (particulate matter with particle size &lt;10 µm diameter) fell from 44 µg/m<sup>3</sup> during 1994-2000 to 27 µg/m<sup>3</sup> during 2001-07 in Launceston. The period of improved air quality was associated with small non-significant reductions in annual mortality. In males the observed reductions in annual mortality were larger and significant for all cause (−11.4%, 95% confidence interval −19.2% to −2.9%; P=0.01), cardiovascular (−17.9%, −30.6% to −2.8%; P=0.02), and respiratory (−22.8%, −40.6% to 0.3%; P=0.05) mortality. In wintertime reductions in cardiovascular (−19.6%, −36.3% to 1.5%; P=0.06) and respiratory (−27.9%, −49.5% to 3.1%; P=0.07) mortality were of borderline significance (males and females combined). There were no significant changes in mortality in the control city of Hobart. <b>Conclusions</b> Decreased air pollution from ambient biomass smoke was associated with reduced annual mortality in males and with reduced cardiovascular and respiratory mortality during winter months.
Generalized bullous fixed drug eruption is distinct from Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis by immunohistopathological features
Authors: Yung-Tsu Cho, Jheng-Wei Lin, Yi-Chun Chen, Chia-Ying Chang, Cheng-Hsiang Hsiao, Wen-Hung Chung, Chia-Yu Chu
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2014)
A pilot study of corticosteroid priming for lymphoblastoid interferon alfa in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: K Chayama
Journal: Hepatology (1996)

Interferon treatment reduces the serum level of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and improves inflammatory activity, but relapse is frequently observed. In an attempt to develop a new therapeutic strategy that may reduce relapse and cure the disease, we evaluated the effect of corticosteroid priming on lymphoblastoid interferon alfa in an open randomized clinical trial. The level of HCV RNA increased significantly during corticosteroid priming (from 5.60 [median] to 21.0 x 105 Eq/mL; P = .0004) but decreased to the pretreatment level 4 weeks after cessation of corticosteroid (7.0 x 105 Eq/mL; P = .07). Sustained normalization of alanine transaminase (ALT) level and virus clearance, confirmed by negative results for HCV RNA using reverse-transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were observed over a period of 6 months in 8 of 19 (42.1%) corticosteroid-primed patients, compared with 6 of 19 patients (31.6%) treated with interferon only. A “rebound” of ALT after the withdrawal of corticosteroid was observed in only 2 of 19 patients primed with corticosteroid, but both showed sustained responses. Multivariate analysis for factors predictive of the sustained response indicated that HCV titers measured immediately before interferon therapy and HCV genotype were statistically significant (P = .006 and P = .025, respectively). Our results indicated that corticosteroid priming has a marginal benefit over treatment with interferon alone and that large-scale clinical trials are necessary to determine whether interferon with corticosteroid priming is more effective than interferon alone.
Dexamethasone Ameliorates Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Sanjeev Kumar, David A. Allen, Julius E. Kieswich, Nimesh S. A. Patel, Steven Harwood, Emanuela Mazzon, Salvatore Cuzzocrea, Martin J. Raftery, Christoph Thiemermann, Muhammad M. Yaqoob
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2009)

In the setting of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), the effect and mechanism of action of glucocorticoids are not well understood. In rat renal IRI, a single dose of dexamethasone administered before ischemia, or at the onset of reperfusion, ameliorated biochemical and histologic acute kidney injury after 24 h. Dexamethasone upregulated Bcl-xL, downregulated ischemia-induced Bax, inhibited caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation, and reduced apoptosis and necrosis of proximal tubular cells. In addition, dexamethasone decreased the number of infiltrating neutrophils and ICAM-1. We observed the protective effect of dexamethasone in neutrophil-depleted mice, suggesting a neutrophil-independent mechanism. In vitro, dexamethasone protected human kidney proximal tubular (HK-2) cells during serum starvation and IRI-induced apoptosis, but inhibition of MEK 1/2 abolished its anti-apoptotic effects in these conditions. Dexamethasone stimulated rapid and transient phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, which required the presence of the glucocorticoid receptor and was independent of transcriptional activity. In summary, in the setting of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, dexamethasone directly protects against kidney injury by a receptor-dependent, nongenomic mechanism.
Impact of T and N Stage and Treatment on Survival and Relapse in Adjuvant Rectal Cancer
Authors: Leonard L. Gunderson, Daniel J. Sargent, Joel E. Tepper, Norman Wolmark, Michael J. O'Connell, Mirsada Begovic, Cristine Allmer, Linda Colangelo, Steven R. Smalley, Daniel G. Haller, James A. Martenson, Robert J. Mayer, Tyvin A. Rich, Jaffer A. Ajani, John S. MacDonald, Christopher G. Willett, Richard M. Goldberg
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2004)

To determine survival and relapse rates by T and N stage and treatment method in five randomized phase III North American rectal adjuvant studies.Data were pooled from 3,791 eligible patients enrolled onto North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) 79-47-51, NCCTG 86-47-51, US Gastrointestinal Intergroup 0114, National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) R01, and NSABP R02. Surgery alone (S) was the treatment arm in 179 patients. The remaining patients received adjuvant treatment as follows: irradiation (RT) alone (n = 281), RT + fluorouracil (FU) +/- semustine bolus chemotherapy (CT; n = 779), RT + protracted venous infusion CT (n = 325), RT + FU +/- leucovorin or levamisole bolus CT (n = 1,695), or CT alone (n = 532). Five-year follow-up was available in 94% of surviving patients, and 8-year follow-up, in 62%.Overall (OS) and disease-free survival were dependent on TN stage, NT stage, and treatment method. Even among N2 patients, T substage influenced 5-year OS (T1-2, 67%; T3, 44%; T4, 37%; P <.001). Three risk groups of patients were defined: (1) intermediate (T1-2/N1, T3/N0), (2) moderately high (T1-2/N2, T3/N1, T4/N0), and (3) high (T3/N2, T4/N1, T4/N2). For intermediate-risk patients, those receiving S plus CT had 5-year OS rates of 85% (T1-2/N1) and 84% (T3/N0), which was similar to results with S plus RT plus CT (T1-2/N1, 78% to 83%; T3/N0, 74% to 80%). For moderately high-risk lesions, 5-year OS ranged from 43% to 70% with S plus CT, and 44% to 80% with S plus RT plus CT. For high-risk lesions, 5-year OS ranged from 25% to 45% with S plus CT, and 29% to 57% with S plus RT plus CT.Different treatment strategies may be indicated for intermediate-risk versus moderately high- or high-risk patients based on differential survival rates and rates of relapse. Use of trimodality treatment for all patients with intermediate-risk lesions may be excessive, since S plus CT resulted in 5-year OS of approximately 85%; however, 5-year disease-free survival rates with S plus CT were 78% (T1-2/N1) and 69%(T3/N0), indicating room for improvement.
Efficacy of on‐demand treatment in reducing morbidity in patients with hereditary angioedema due to <scp>C</scp>1 inhibitor deficiency
Authors: A. Zanichelli, M. Mansi, G. M. Azin, M. A. Wu, G. Periti, G. Casazza, R. Vacchini, C. Suffritti, M. Cicardi
Journal: Allergy (2015)

Angioedema due to hereditary deficiency of C1 inhibitor causes temporarily disability. Guidelines recommend early on-demand treatment of attacks to reduce morbidity. In this prospective observational study, we evaluated the efficacy of on-demand approach.From January 2009 to August 2014, data on attacks and treatments were collected from 227 patients from our centre in Milan.A total of 4244 attacks were reported; 50% were treated with approved therapies (pdC1-INH or icatibant), 15% were with tranexamic acid, and 35% were not treated. Attack locations were peripheral cutaneous (46%), abdominal (34%), multiple (12%), facial (5%) and laryngeal (3%). Attack severities were moderate (48%), mild (28%) and severe (24%). Median attack duration (data available for 2393 attacks) with approved therapies was 10 h, significantly shorter than without treatment (45 h) or with tranexamic acid (38 h). Most of the treatments were self-administered: 93% with icatibant and 59% with pd-C1-INH. Median attack duration with icatibant was 8 and 11.5 h with pd-C1 INH. Median time from onset of symptoms to drug administration was 1 h with icatibant and 2 h with pd-C1INH and median time from drug administration to complete resolution was 5.5 and 8 h, respectively. Second treatment was required in 12.7% of icatibant-treated attacks and in 1.9% of pdC1-INH-treated attacks.This study provides evidence that on-demand treatment is effective in reducing disease-related morbidity. The use of on-demand treatment in Italy has increased up to 50% of attacks in the last years, reflecting a better adherence to international guidelines.
Are filaggrin mutations associated with hand eczema or contact allergy? – we do not know
Authors: S.J. Brown, H.J. Cordell
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2008)

Conflicts of interest: none declared. Sir, We were interested to read the recent report by Lerbaek et al. describing their investigation of the association between filaggrin loss‐of‐function mutations and hand eczema or contact dermatitis.1 The study addresses an important question: filaggrin is known to play a significant role in epidermal barrier function and filaggrin null mutations result in deficiency or absence of filaggrin in the skin,2 so do these mutations also predispose to hand eczema and allergic sensitization? However, unfortunately the study design – specifically the choice of controls and lack of statistical power – means that this study is unable to give an answer to the question. These limitations are acknowledged by the authors but are not reflected in the title or abstract of their paper. Genetic association studies require careful phenotype definition and the matching of cases with an appropriate control population.3 This is particularly important for the investigation of a complex trait,4 where multiple genetic factors must be identified on a background of multiple environmental factors which all contribute to the pathogenesis of disease.
2-Methoxyestradiol Inhibits Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α, Tumor Growth, and Angiogenesis and Augments Paclitaxel Efficacy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Justin L. Ricker, Zhong Chen, Xin Ping Yang, Victor S. Pribluda, Glenn M. Swartz, Carter Van Waes
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Purpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas have been reported to overexpress hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, a transcription factor that promotes expression of angiogenesis factors and resistance to programmed and therapy-induced cell death. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is a natural compound with HIF-1α inhibitory activity that is currently being evaluated in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors and multiple myeloma. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effects of 2ME2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Experimental Design: In the present study, we investigated the effects of 2ME2 alone and in combination with paclitaxel, an active agent in recurrent or advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Results: 2ME2 exhibited antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in a panel of five head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in the 0.5 to 10 μmol/L range, including induction of G2-M blockade, caspase-3/7 activation, and apoptosis at 48 hours. 2ME2 resulted in decreased nuclear HIF-1α–binding activity and affected the expression of downstream genes, such as bid, a proapoptotic bcl-2 family member, and vascular endothelial growth factor, a proangiogenic cytokine. The up-regulation of Bid (57.5% at 12 hours, P &amp;lt; 0.0006) and inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor secretion (57.7% at 24 hours, P &amp;lt; 0.015; and 50.3% at 48 hours, P &amp;lt; 0.0006) could be partially attributed to the effects on HIF-1α, because HIF-1α small interfering RNAs produced similar effects. Finally, in vivo, in a xenograft model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using UM-SCC-11A cells, 2ME2 exhibited antitumor and antiangiogenic activity, as measured by CD31 immunostaining. Conclusions: These results provide support for the use of 2ME2 in combination with paclitaxel for the treatment of recurrent or advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.