tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
A randomised, controlled trial of bosentan in severe COPD
Authors: D. Stolz, H. Rasch, A. Linka, M. Di Valentino, A. Meyer, M. Brutsche, M. Tamm
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2008)

Pulmonary hypertension during exercise is common in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It was hypothesised that the use of the endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan can improve cardiopulmonary haemodynamics during exercise, thus increasing exercise tolerance in patients with severe COPD. In the present double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 30 patients with severe or very severe COPD were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either bosentan or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary end-point was change in the 6-min walking distance. Secondary end-points included changes in health-related quality of life, lung function, cardiac haemodynamics, maximal oxygen uptake and pulmonary perfusion patterns. Compared with placebo, patients treated with bosentan during 12 weeks showed no significant improvement in exercise capacity as measured by the 6-min walking distance (mean+/-SD 331+/-123 versus 329+/-94 m). There was no change in lung function, pulmonary arterial pressure, maximal oxygen uptake or regional pulmonary perfusion pattern. In contrast, arterial oxygen pressure dropped, the alveolar-arterial gradient increased and quality of life deteriorated significantly in patients assigned bosentan. The oral administration of the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan not only failed to improve exercise capacity but also deteriorated hypoxaemia and functional status in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients without severe pulmonary hypertension at rest.
Does Psychotherapy Extend Survival? Some Methodological Problems Overlooked
Authors: James C. Coyne, Steven C. Palmer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

We fully agree with the comment that novel treatment approaches are needed in this group of lymphomas due to their associated poor prognosis.However, the role of doxorubicin in these entities is as yet unclear.We hypothesized that, given the existence in our study of tumors with a high proliferation signature, which is in turn associated with high expression of topoisomerase II␣, it is possible that this population could benefit from chemotherapy regimens that include inhibitors of topoisomerase II␣ such as doxorubicin.Therefore, further investigation based in our hypothesis is warranted before accepting the lack of efficacy that a major drug such as doxorubicin has in the treatment of PTCL.
Prospective comparative study of patients with culture proven and high suspicion of adult onset septic arthritis
Authors: M N Gupta
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2003)

<b>Objective:</b> To investigate whether patients with acute septic arthritis (SA) diagnosed by positive synovial fluid (SF) culture (Newman grade A) have different clinical and serological features from those with sterile SF in whom there is nonetheless a high suspicion of SA (Newman grades B and C). <b>Patients and methods:</b> A prospective 12 month multicentre hospital based study of adult patients with SA recruited 47 patients with culture positive SA and 35 patients with clinically suspected SA but sterile SF. <b>Results:</b> Patient demography, clinical and laboratory features at presentation were similar irrespective of the underlying diagnosis, SF culture, and the presence of prosthetic joints. Medical and surgical treatment and outcome were comparable in the two patient groups. Patients with both suspected and proven SA were more likely to be from the more socially deprived areas of our community (p&lt;0.0001). <b>Conclusion:</b> Patients in whom there is a high clinical suspicion of SA are comparable to those patients with SA with a positive SF culture and have similar morbidity and mortality on follow up. Therefore, if clinical suspicion of SA is high then it is correct to treat as SA in the absence of bacterial proof.
P153 Managing Suspected Pulmonary Embolism: Applying an effective ambulatory emergency care strategy
Authors: R Varia, M Murthy, A Pocock, M Abbas
Journal: Thorax (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> We observed a high number of patients admitted with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) via our acute medical unit. After positive diagnosis, they remained as inpatients until their International Normalised Ratio (INR) was in range resulting in long lengths of stay - Median (range) 7 (0 to 52) days. Recently, there has been increasing interest in ambulatory management providing high quality cost-effective care. <h3>Objectives</h3> To develop a care pathway for suspected PE incorporating prognostic scoring to assist ambulatory same-day management. To assess cost effectiveness of such a strategy in terms of bed day release whilst ensuring that it did not adversely affect safety by misclassification of patients. <h3>Method</h3> We formulated an ambulatory pathway (figure1) with an algorithm comprising of the simplified PESI (pulmonary embolism severity index) score and serum Troponin I measurement with various exclusion criteria to identify patients fit for ambulatory management. Over a 3-month period, 191 patients underwent computerised tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) for suspected PE. 28/191 patients were excluded from analysis as they were outpatients or pre-existing inpatients. We retrospectively applied the pathway to the remaining 163 patients. To assess the impact of the pathway, we measured increase in the number of patients that could have been managed using same-day emergency care, incremental bed day release and benefits derived via the enhanced tariff through Payment by Results (PbR). Safety was assessed by noting mortality within the ambulatory group identified. <h3>Results</h3> 73/163 (44%) patients were male and mean (SD) age was 62 (17.8) years. Using our pathway, 36/163 (22%) of all suspected PEs could have been managed within a zero-day admission. 5/36 (14%) with a definite PE could have been managed as ambulatory patients. A mean incremental stay of 4 days for the 36 patients equates to 144 bed days released over the 3-month period. The PbR additional income on completion of a same-day emergency management would add £225/patient to savings made. None of the patients selected for ambulatory management via the pathway suffered any adverse events. <h3>Conclusion</h3> We have successfully developed and implemented an effective ambulatory management strategy for suspected PE. A validity study is planned.
Comparison of Xpert MTB/RIF with Other Nucleic Acid Technologies for Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a High HIV Prevalence Setting: A Prospective Study
Authors: Lesley E. Scott, Kerrigan McCarthy, Natasha Gous, Matilda Nduna, Annelies Van Rie, Ian Sanne, Willem F. Venter, Adrian Duse, Wendy Stevens
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2011)

In this prospective, real-world cohort study nested within a national screening program for tuberculosis, Lesley Scott and colleagues compare the performance of Xpert MTB/RIF on a single sputum sample with different TB sputum detection technologies.
Treatment of metastatic breast cancer with a split-course high-dose chemotherapy regimen and autologous bone marrow transplantation.
Authors: R Ghalie, C M Richman, S S Adler, M A Cobleigh, A D Korenblit, S D Manson, B C McLeod, S G Taylor, L A Valentino, J Wolter
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1994)

We investigated the role of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) as the initial systemic treatment in patients with hormone-unresponsive metastatic breast cancer. We studied a regimen involving a split-course schedule using sequential administration of two pairs of alkylating agents separated by 5 days of rest. The rest period was intended to provide time for recovery from the treatment-immediate adverse effects, thereby allowing further dose escalation.The treatment consisted of thiotepa 225 to 300 mg/m2/d (days - 11 to -9), cisplatin 50 to 100 mg/m2/d (days - 11 and -3), and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg/d (days - 3 and -2). Dose escalation was performed in the initial 15 patients before reaching dose-limiting toxicities. When feasible, responding patients received posttransplant irradiation to sites of residual or prior bulky disease. Patients with bone marrow or CNS involvement, prior pelvic irradiation, or age greater than 55 years were excluded.Thirty-nine patients with measurable or assessable tumor were enrolled: 23 with visceral metastases, 11 with only soft tissue disease, and five with skeletal involvement. Twenty-five patients had received no chemotherapy for metastatic disease before transplantation. The dose-limiting toxicities of this therapy were renal and gastrointestinal. Six patients died from complications: four of a fungal infection and two of hemorrhage. A complete response was achieved in 14 patients (36%), three of whom are free of disease at 79+, 55+, and 40+ months after transplantation. Ten of 25 patients not treated with standard-dose chemotherapy for metastatic disease achieved a complete response (40%). The three patients in continuous remission were in the untreated relapse group.This single high-dose treatment achieved a relatively high complete response rate in patients with metastatic breast cancer and may have cured some of them. On the other hand, the split-course dose schedule as tested here did not permit significant dose-intensification.
i-BODE for evaluating the efficiency of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD
Authors: Ezgi Simsek Utku, Pinar Simsek Ergun, Dicle Yilmaz Kaymaz, Nilgün Alptekinoglu Mendil, Ipek Candemir, Nese Demir, Filiz Tasdemir
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

INTRODUCTION-AIM: BODE index is used for evaluating the morbidity, mortality, prognosis and the efficacy of Pulmonary Rehabilitation(PR) in COPD. In this study it was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of i-BODE index, which is a well correlated test with VO2 peak, in PR programme (PRP).  MATERIALS- METHODS: 228 patients having COPD were evaluated before and after PRP. Body composition and obstruction grading were respectively evaluated with bioelectrical impedance method and pulmonary function tests. Dyspnea was assessed with the Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) scale. Exercise capacity was measured using the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) and Endurance Shuttle Walk Test (ESWT).  RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 63.28 ± 8.56 years. 189 of them were males. After PR, the decrease in i-BODE index was statistically significant.( i-BODE pre: 4.74 ± 2.3, i-BODE post: 3.54 ± 1.9, p  DISCUSSION: By this first study, it was shown that being a multidimensional scoring, i-BODE index is a sensitive method for evaluating the efficiency of the in patients with COPD.
Injuries in youth amateur soccer and rugby players—comparison of incidence and characteristics
Authors: A Junge, K Cheung, T Edwards, J Dvorak
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2004)

In reviewing the literature on sports injuries, few studies could be found in which exposure related incidences of injury in different types of sport were compared. These studies indicated that ice hockey, handball, basketball, soccer, and rugby are popular team sports with a relatively high risk of injury. The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics and incidence of injuries in male youth amateur soccer and rugby players.This prospective cohort study comprised an initial baseline examination to ascertain the characteristics of the players and their level of performance, and a one season observation period during which a physician visited the team weekly and documented all occurring injuries. Twelve soccer and 10 rugby school teams with male amateur players aged 14-18 years were selected for the study. 145 soccer and 123 rugby players could be followed up over one season.Comparison of the incidence of soccer and rugby injuries indicated that rugby union football was associated with a significantly higher rate of injury than soccer. The differences were pronounced for contact injuries, injuries of the head, neck, shoulder, and upper extremity, as well as for concussion, fractures, dislocations, and strains. Rugby players incurred 1.5 times more overuse and training injuries in relation to exposure time, and 2.7 times more match injuries than soccer players. Three rugby players but no soccer players had to stop their participation in sport because of severe injury.The incidence of injury in New Zealand school teams playing soccer or rugby union is high, probably in part because of the low ratio of hours spent in training relative to hours spent playing matches. The development and implementation of preventive interventions to reduce the rate and severity of injury is recommended.
Lung-specific inactivation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein causes a pathological pattern characteristic of COPD
Authors: L. Didon, A. B. Roos, G. P. Elmberger, F. J. Gonzalez, M. Nord
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2009)

The link between respiratory complications in prematurely born infants and susceptibility for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving increasing attention. We have previously found that CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) activity in airway epithelial cells of COPD patients is decreased compared to healthy smokers, suggesting a previously unknown role for C/EBPs in COPD pathogenesis. To investigate the role of the transcription factor C/EBPα in lung development and its potential role in COPD, mice with a lung epithelial-specific disruption of the C/EBPα gene ( Cebpa ΔLE ) were generated using Cre-mediated excision, and the resulting pathology was studied during development and into adulthood. Cebpa ΔLE mice exhibit impaired lung development and epithelial differentiation, as well as affected vascularity. Furthermore, Cebpa ΔLE mice that survive until adulthood develop a severe pathological picture with irregular emphysema; bronchiolitis, including goblet cell hyperplasia, bronchiolar metaplasia, fibrosis and mucus plugging; and an inflammatory cell and gene expression profile similar to COPD. Cebpa ΔLE mice display lung immaturity during development, and adult Cebpa ΔLE mice develop a majority of the histopathological and inflammatory characteristics of COPD. Cebpa ΔLE mice could thus provide new valuable insights into understanding the long-term consequences of lung immaturity and the link to susceptibility of developing COPD.
Information processing as one key for a unification?
Authors: Michael Schulte-Mecklenbeck
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2007)

The human information-acquisition process is one of the unifying mechanisms of the behavioral sciences. Three examples (from psychology, neuroscience, and political science) demonstrate that through inspection of this process, better understanding and hence more powerful models of human behavior can be built. The target method for this – process tracing – could serve as a central player in this building process of a unified framework.
Pathological profile of lung cancer in Tunisia
Authors: Abdelhamid Ben Amar, Ilhem Yangui, Wajdi Ketata, Sameh Msaad, Abdelkader Ayoub
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: primary lung cancer represents a major public health problem. Its incidence is increasing worldwide and between one in Tunisia.  Aim: The aim of this work is to study the pathological profile of lung cancer in our department.  Methods: A retrospective study on 200 patients treated between 2005 and 2010 for a primary lung cancer.  Results: The average age of our patients was 60 years and the sex ratio was 10. Hundred and seventy eight cases of diagnosed patients were smokers or former smokers. Only one woman was smoking and only 14 among the 181 men were no-smokers. The tobacco intoxication average was 48.9 PA. The non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has represented the majority of primary lung cancer in our study with 165 cases (82.5%) against 35 cases (17.5%) of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Only one woman presented a small-cell carcinoma. The study of the distribution of histological types in the NSCLC showed a predominance of adenocarcinoma (47.5% of cases) followed by a lesser incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (28.5% of cases) and large cell carcinoma (3% of cases). The gender analysis has objectified the same frequency profile in women between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. (63% against 21% of adenocarcinoma of squamous cell carcinoma). Other rare histologic types that were found in our patients: 2 cases of sarcoma, a case of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, one case of adenosquamous carcinoma and one case of pleomorphic carcinoma.  Conclusion:  The histological distribution of primary lung cancer shows an increased frequency of adenocarcinoma being more frequent than squamous cell carcinoma (47.5% vs 28.5%) while the latter was clearly predominant in 1994 (42.8% versus 15, 3%).
Prevalence and Correlates of Estimated DSM-IV Child and Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication
Authors: Katherine Shear, Robert Jin, Ayelet Meron Ruscio, Ellen E. Walters, Ronald C. Kessler
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2006)

Objective: Despite its inclusion in DSM-IV, little is known about the prevalence or correlates of adult separation anxiety disorder or its relationship to the childhood disorder. Results of the first epidemiological study of adult separation anxiety disorder, to the authors' knowledge, and its relationship to childhood separation anxiety disorder are presented. Method: Data were from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), a nationally representative survey of U.S. households. A fully structured, lay-administered diagnostic interview assessed a wide range of DSM-IV disorders, including separation anxiety disorder. No independent clinical validation was obtained of the assessment. Results: Lifetime prevalence estimates of childhood and adult separation anxiety disorders were 4.1% and 6.6%, respectively. Approximately one-third of the respondents who were classified as childhood cases (36.1%) had an illness that persisted into adulthood, although the majority classified as adult cases (77.5%) had first onset in adulthood. The assessment of separation anxiety disorder in the NCS-R was comorbid with other NCS-R or DSM-IV disorders and associated with severe role impairment in roughly half of the comorbid cases and one-fourth of the pure cases. The majority of people with estimated adult separation anxiety disorder are untreated, even though many obtain treatment for comorbid conditions. Conclusions: Criteria for adult separation anxiety disorder should be refined in future editions of DSM because the disorder is likely to be much more common in adults than previously recognized. Research is needed to develop and evaluate treatments that take into consideration its high comorbidity with other DSM-IV disorders.
The Novel Sequence-Specific DNA Cross-Linking Agent SJG-136 (NSC 694501) Has Potent and Selective <b> <i>In vitro</i> </b> Cytotoxicity in Human B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells with Evidence of a p53-Independent Mechanism of Cell Kill
Authors: Christopher J. Pepper, Rachel M. Hambly, Christopher D. Fegan, Patrick Delavault, David E. Thurston
Journal: Cancer Research (2004)

SJG-136 (NSC 694501) is a novel DNA cross-linking agent that binds in a sequence-selective manner in the minor groove of the DNA helix. It is structurally novel compared with other clinically used DNA cross-linking agents and has exhibited a unique multilog differential pattern of activity in the NCI 60-cell line screen (i.e., is COMPARE negative to other cross-linking agents). Given this profile, we undertook a preclinical evaluation of SJG-136 in primary tumor cells derived from 34 B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients. SJG-136 induced apoptosis in all of the B-CLL samples tested with a mean LD50 value (the concentration of drug required to kill 50% of the cells) of 9.06 nmol/L. Its cytotoxicity was undiminished in B-CLL cells derived from patients treated previously, those with unmutated VH genes, and those with p53 mutations (P=0.17; P=0.63; P=0.42, respectively). SJG-136-induced apoptosis was associated with the activation of caspase-3 that could be partially abrogated by the caspase-9 inhibitor Z-LEHD-FMK. Furthermore, SJG-136 did not trigger the phosphorylation of p53 or the up-regulation of GADD45 expression in B-CLL cells whereas the cross-linking agent chlorambucil elicited both of these effects. This suggests that SJG-136 cross-linking adducts are not subject to p53-mediated DNA excision repair mechanisms in B-CLL cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate a novel mechanism of action for SJG-136 that appears to circumvent the effects of poor prognostic markers. This unique cytotoxicity profile warrants further investigation and supports the evaluation of this agent in Phase I clinical trials for patients with B-CLL.
NOTIFICATION OF PREGNANCY
Authors: J. W. Ballantyne
Journal: BMJ (1916)

the requirements of the Be itish Pharmnacopoeia 1914, and altogether compares very favourably with the German product obtainable before the war.So far as quality is concerned, therefore, the product of this firm should have no difficultyin permanently replacing thymol manufactured in Germany.MEDICAL AND SURGICAL APPLIANCES.MR. H. S. SOUTTAR has designed, and Messrs. Allen and Hanburys have made, a glove to maintain the extended position of the hands and flngers in paralysis of the extensor muscles, and the relaxation of those muscles essential to their recovery.A leather armlet above the elbow is connected by a detachable leatlher strap to the 4 'wrist of a stout leather glove.Inside the glove elastic bands pass from the wrist to the top of each finger.On contraction of the flexors the fingers and wrist can be flexed and the hand used.
Relationships between HCV genotypes, viremia and histopathological manifestations in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: I.K. Delladetsima, M. Daimonakou, N.C. Tassopoulos, I. Ketikoglou, D. Tsantoulas, I. Vafiadis, G. Hatzis, E. Akriviadis, C. Bassiaris, V. Sypsa, A. Hatzakis
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2001)