tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Cigarette Smoking and Colorectal Cancer Mortality in the Cancer Prevention Study II
Authors: A. Chao
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2000)

Recent studies suggest that long-term cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Whether the association is causal or due to confounding remains unclear.We examined cigarette smoking in relation to colorectal cancer mortality, evaluating smoking duration and recency and controlling for potential confounders in the Cancer Prevention Study II. This prospective nationwide mortality study of 1 184 657 adults (age > or =30 years) was begun by the American Cancer Society in 1982. After exclusions, our analytic cohort included 312 332 men and 469 019 women, among whom 4432 colon or rectal cancer deaths occurred between 1982 and 1996 among individuals who were cancer free in 1982. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by fitting Cox proportional hazards models. All statistical tests were two-sided.Multivariate-adjusted colorectal cancer mortality rates were highest among current smokers, were intermediate among former smokers, and were lowest in lifelong nonsmokers. The multivariate-adjusted RR (95% CI) for current compared with never smokers was 1.32 (1.16-1.49) among men and 1.41 (1.26-1.58) among women. Increased risk was evident after 20 or more years of smoking for men and women combined as compared with never smokers. Risk among current and former smokers increased with duration of smoking and average number of cigarettes smoked per day; risk in former smokers decreased significantly with years since quitting. If the multivariate-adjusted RR estimates in this study do, in fact, reflect causality, then approximately 12% of colorectal cancer deaths among both men and women in the general U.S. population in 1997 were attributable to smoking.Long-term cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer mortality in both men and women. Clear reduction in risk is observed with early smoking cessation.
Pleural Plaques and the Risk of Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Jean-Claude Pairon, François Laurent, Mickaël Rinaldo, Bénédicte Clin, Pascal Andujar, Jacques Ameille, Patrick Brochard, Soizick Chammings, Gilbert Ferretti, Françoise Galateau-Sallé, Antoine Gislard, Marc Letourneux, Amandine Luc, Evelyne Schorlé, Christophe Paris
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2013)

The association between pleural plaques and pleural mesothelioma remains controversial. The present study was designed to examine the association between pleural plaques on computed tomography (CT) scan and the risk of pleural mesothelioma in a follow-up study of asbestos-exposed workers.Retired or unemployed workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos were invited to participate in a screening program for asbestos-related diseases, including CT scan, organized between October 2003 and December 2005 in four regions in France. Randomized, independent, double reading of CT scans by a panel of seven chest radiologists focused on benign asbestos-related abnormalities. A 7-year follow-up study was conducted in the 5287 male subjects for whom chest CT scan was available. Annual determination of the number of subjects eligible for free medical care because of pleural mesothelioma was carried out. Diagnosis certification was obtained from the French mesothelioma panel of pathologists. Survival regression based on the Cox model was used to estimate the risk of pleural mesothelioma associated with pleural plaques, with age as the main time variable and time-varying exposure variables, namely duration of exposure, time since first exposure, and cumulative exposure index to asbestos. All statistical tests were two-sided.A total of 17 incident cases of pleural mesothelioma were diagnosed. A statistically significant association was observed between mesothelioma and pleural plaques (unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 8.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.0 to 26.5; adjusted HR = 6.8, 95% CI = 2.2 to 21.4 after adjustment for time since first exposure and cumulative exposure index to asbestos).The presence of pleural plaques may be an independent risk factor for pleural mesothelioma.
Management of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in End-of-Life Care
Authors: Nathan E. Goldstein, Rachel Lampert, Elizabeth Bradley, Joanne Lynn, Harlan M. Krumholz
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2004)

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can prevent premature death from an arrhythmia but may also prolong the dying process and make it more distressing.To describe the frequency, timing, and correlates of discussions about deactivating ICDs.Retrospective cohort study.Telephone survey.Next of kin of patients with ICDs who died of any cause. Of 136 next of kin contacted, 100 (74%) participated.Incidence of discussions about deactivating ICDs and timing of last shock from ICD.Next of kin reported that clinicians discussed deactivating the ICD in only 27 of the 100 cases. Most discussions occurred in the last few days of life. Family members reported that 8 patients received a shock from their ICD in the minutes before death.This retrospective survey relied on the reports of next of kin.Next of kin reported that clinicians discussed deactivating ICDs with few patients. Individuals who choose to receive this device should have the opportunity to choose to discontinue it as death approaches.
European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for the inclusion of patient representatives in scientific projects
Authors: M. P. T. de Wit, S. E. Berlo, G. J. Aanerud, D. Aletaha, J. W. Bijlsma, L. Croucher, J. A. P. Da Silva, B. Glusing, L. Gossec, S. Hewlett, M. Jongkees, D. Magnusson, M. Scholte-Voshaar, P. Richards, C. Ziegler, T. A. Abma
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2011)

To develop recommendations to enable successful inclusion of the patient perspective in European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)-funded scientific research projects.The EULAR standardised operational procedures for guideline development were followed. A systematic literature review was presented during a first task force meeting, including 3 rheumatologists, 1 rheumatologist/epidemiologist, 2 allied health professionals, 2 representatives of arthritis research organisations and 7 patient representatives, resulting in 38 statements. A Delphi method was carried out to reduce and refine the statements and agree on a set of eight. Next, a survey among a wider group of experts, professionals and patient representatives (n=42), was completed. Feedback from this wider group was discussed at the second meeting and integrated in the final wording of the recommendations. Subsequently, the level of agreement of the group of experts (n=81) was re-evaluated.The project resulted in a definition of patient research partner and agreement on a set of eight recommendations for their involvement in research projects. These recommendations provide practical guidance for organising patient participation, capturing (1) the role of patient research partners, (2) phase of involvement, (3) the recommended number, (4) recruitment, (5) selection, (6) support, (7) training and (8) acknowledgement.Collaboration between patients and professionals in research is relatively new. Trials or effectiveness studies are not yet available. Nevertheless, it is possible to define recommendations for the inclusion of patients in research following a solid expert opinion based consensus process.
Patterns of body surface potential and ventriculograms specific to occlusion of subdivisions of the coronary arteries.
Authors: L G Horan, M R Sridharan, H A Killam, N C Flowers
Journal: Circulation Research (1990)

The thoracic activation map patterns, the distribution of occlusions, and the ventriculograms obtained at cardiac catheterization were examined in 166 patients with multivessel coronary disease without conduction defects or prior coronary intervention. The mean potential and ventriculographic configurations were determined for 15 groups, each formed on the basis of significant luminal occlusion (less than or equal to 90%) of an individual coronary arterial subdivision. We mathematically extracted distinctive map and wall motion patterns specific for isolated occlusion of each of the 15 major subdivisions. For these prototypes we found the following: 1) Definitive change in electrical pattern (less than 2 SD from the normal mean) occurred frequently outside the electrode sites of the standard electrocardiogram. 2) Focal akinesis systematically followed lesion site down the arterial courses; early electrical activation patterns corresponded to identifiable anatomic loss. 3) Certain paradoxes arose, for example, similar wall motion change but quite dissimilar electrical patterns from posterior descending artery occlusion of right coronary versus left circumflex origin. This technique unmasks component surface electrical patterns and ventriculographic deformities otherwise unrecognized in multisite, multivessel disease.
Comorbid Dysthymia and Substance Disorder: Treatment History and Cost
Authors: Joseph Westermeyer, Sandra L. Eames, Sean Nugent
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1998)

The purpose of this study was to determine the treatment history and cost of previous treatment among patients with comorbid substance-related disorder and dysthymia, as compared to patients with substance-related disorder only.Retrospective data were obtained regarding past treatment. Treatment cost was calculated on the basis of the 1996 cost of various treatment modalities. The setting was alcohol-drug programs located within departments of psychiatry in two centers. A total of 642 patients were assessed, of whom 39 had substance-related disorder and dysthymia and 308 had substance-related disorder only (the remaining patients had other comorbid conditions). Data collection instruments included an interview-based questionnaire regarding previous psychiatric and substance abuse treatment. Current cost of treatment in various settings was assessed on the basis of a survey of facilities used by patients in this area.Patients with substance-related disorder and dysthymia had received more substance-related disorder treatment in 18 of 20 measures. Patients with substance-related disorder and dysthymia used 4.7 times more substance-related disorder treatment dollars than patients with substance-related disorder only, although their demographic characteristics were similar. Past self-help activities and pharmacotherapy were remarkably similar for both groups. Although substance-related disorder treatment differed considerably between the two groups of patients, other types of psychiatric treatment (i.e., non-substance-related treatment) did not differ between the two groups.Patients with substance-related disorder and dysthymia are referred to (or seek) substance-related disorder treatment more often than patients with substance-related disorder only but are referred to (or seek) non-substance-related psychiatric treatment no more often than patients with substance-related disorder only. The cost of previous substance-related disorder treatment was several times higher for the patients with substance-related disorder and dysthymia.
Tackling chronic disease through increased physical activity in the Arab World and the Middle East: challenge and opportunity
Authors: Fiona Bull, Jiri Dvorak
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2013)

Reflections on the International Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Arab World and the Middle East held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 10–12 September, 2012.

The Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation's East Mediterranean Regional (EMR) Office and FIFA, organised an International Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Arab World and the Middle East as part of the Regions follow-up to the United Nations (UN) Political Declaration on the prevention of NCDs.i Participants included international scientific experts, representatives from Ministries of health of all Arab countries as well as non-health sectors of government, representatives from UN funds, programmes and agencies and other key international and regional organisations and stakeholders from the civil society.

Attended by over 300 delegates, the 3 days included plenary presentations on the burden of NCDs globally and in the region, and a specific focus on the key common risk factors. There was a strong focus throughout the meeting on addressing the causes and identifying tangible actions. Plenary sessions and separate Round Table Forums were held to discuss how to scale up necessary actions required to address tobacco control, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity.

The Eastern Mediterranean Region is particularly interesting in terms of both health gains as well as projected burden of NCDs. Reports from the WHO indicate that life expectancy in the Middle East has increased from 51 years in 1970 to almost 70 today representing the greatest gain of any region in the world. In the same period of time, infant death rates have plummeted. These are surely good signs of public health success and economic developments. However, in conjunction with this demographic transition, EMR has experienced an epidemiological transition marked by a sharp rise …
Comparative effectiveness of nonpurpuragenic 595-nm pulsed dye laser and microsecond 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser for treatment of diffuse facial erythema: A double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Murad Alam, Nataya Voravutinon, Melanie Warycha, Dennis Whiting, Michael Nodzenski, Simon Yoo, Dennis P. West, Emir Veledar, Emily Poon
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2013)
Association between Melanocytic Nevi and Risk of Breast Diseases: The French E3N Prospective Cohort
Authors: Marina Kvaskoff, Anne Bijon, Sylvie Mesrine, Alice Vilier, Laura Baglietto, Agnès Fournier, Françoise Clavel-Chapelon, Laure Dossus, Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2014)

While melanocytic nevi have been associated with genetic factors and childhood sun exposure, several observations also suggest a potential hormonal influence on nevi. To test the hypothesis that nevi are associated with breast tumor risk, we explored the relationships between number of nevi and benign and malignant breast disease risk.We prospectively analyzed data from E3N, a cohort of French women aged 40-65 y at inclusion in 1990. Number of nevi was collected at inclusion. Hazard ratios (HRs) for breast cancer and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Associations of number of nevi with personal history of benign breast disease (BBD) and family history of breast cancer were estimated using logistic regression. Over the period 15 June 1990-15 June 2008, 5,956 incident breast cancer cases (including 5,245 invasive tumors) were ascertained among 89,902 women. In models adjusted for age, education, and known breast cancer risk factors, women with "very many" nevi had a significantly higher breast cancer risk (HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.01-1.27 versus "none"; ptrend = 0.04), although significance was lost after adjustment for personal history of BBD or family history of breast cancer. The 10-y absolute risk of invasive breast cancer increased from 3,749 per 100,000 women without nevi to 4,124 (95% CI = 3,674-4,649) per 100,000 women with "very many" nevi. The association was restricted to premenopausal women (HR = 1.40, ptrend = 0.01), even after full adjustment (HR = 1.34, ptrend = 0.03; phomogeneity = 0.04), but did not differ according to breast cancer type or hormone receptor status. In addition, we observed significantly positive dose-response relationships between number of nevi and history of biopsy-confirmed BBD (n = 5,169; ptrend<0.0001) and family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives (n = 7,472; ptrend = 0.0003). The main limitations of our study include self-report of number of nevi using a qualitative scale, and self-reported history of biopsied BBD.Our findings suggest associations between number of nevi and the risk of premenopausal breast cancer, BBD, and family history of breast cancer. More research is warranted to elucidate these relationships and to understand their underlying mechanisms.
Clinical Outcomes in Patients (P) with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (Mrcc) Receiving Several Lines of Target Therapy: Retrospective Analyses of a Cohort of Three Multidisciplinary Centres from Spain
Authors: M. Jové Casulleras, O. Etxaniz, N. Sala Gonzalez, A. Font, L. Jimenez, S. Recalde, M. Saigi, V. Navarro Perez, P. Barretina, M. Ochoa de Olza Amat, X. Garcia Del Muro
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Clinical trial registration: looking back and moving ahead
Authors: Christine Laine, Richard Horton, Catherine D DeAngelis, Jeffrey M Drazen, Frank A Frizelle, Fiona Godlee, Charlotte Haug, Paul C Hébert, Sheldon Kotzin, Ana Marusic, Peush Sahni, Torben V Schroeder, Harold C Sox, Martin B Van Der Weyden, Freek WA Verheugt
Journal: The Lancet (2007)
Podocyte-Specific Expression of Angiopoietin-2 Causes Proteinuria and Apoptosis of Glomerular Endothelia
Authors: Belinda Davis, Alessandra Dei Cas, David A. Long, Kathryn E. White, Anthea Hayward, Ching-Hsin Ku, Adrian S. Woolf, Rudolf Bilous, Giancarlo Viberti, Luigi Gnudi
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2007)

Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) modulates embryonic vascular differentiation primarily by inhibiting the antiapoptotic effects of Ang-1 on endothelia that express the Tie-2 receptor. Ang-2 is transiently expressed by developing glomeruli but is downregulated with normal maturation. Glomerular Ang-2 expression is, however, markedly upregulated in animal models of diabetic nephropathy and glomerulonephritis, both leading causes of human chronic renal disease, affecting 10% of the world population. It was hypothesized that Ang-2 might have significant roles in the pathobiology of glomerular disease. Mice with inducible podocyte-specific Ang-2 overexpression were generated. When the transgene was induced in adults for up to 10 wk, mice had significant increases in both albuminuria and glomerular endothelial apoptosis, with significant decreases of both vascular endothelial growth factor-A and nephrin proteins, critical for maintenance of glomerular endothelia and filtration barrier functional integrity, respectively. There was, however, no significant change of systemic BP, creatinine clearance, or markers of renal fibrosis, and podocytes appeared structurally intact. In kidneys of young animals in which Ang-2 had been upregulated during organogenesis, increased apoptosis occurred in just-formed glomeruli. In vitro, short-term exposure of isolated wild-type murine glomeruli to exogenous Ang-2 led to decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A protein. These novel results provide insight into molecular mechanisms underlying proteinuric disorders, highlight potentially complex interactions between subsets of glomerular cells, and emphasize how a vascular growth factor that has critical roles in normal development may be harmful when re-expressed in the context of adult disease.
Sterol upregulation of human CETP expression in vitro and in transgenic mice by an LXR element
Authors: Yi Luo, Alan R. Tall
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2000)

The cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) facilitates the transfer of HDL cholesterol esters from plasma to the liver. Transgenic mice expressing human CETP, controlled by its natural flanking region, increase expression of this gene in response to hypercholesterolemia. We established a CETP promoter-luciferase reporter assay in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes to map the sterol upregulatory element. Promoter mutagenesis suggested that a direct repeat of a nuclear receptor binding sequence separated by 4 nucleotides (DR4 element, –384 to –399) was responsible for this activity. Using mice carrying normal or mutated promoter sequences, we confirmed the importance of this element for gene induction by dietary sterol. A gel retardation complex containing LXR/RXR was identified using the CETP DR4 element and adipocyte nuclear extracts. Both LXRα/RXRα and LXRβ/RXRα transactivated the CETP promoter via its DR4 element in a sterol-responsive fashion. Thus, the positive sterol response of the CETP gene is mediated by a nuclear receptor binding site that is activated by LXRs. That Cyp7a, the rate-limiting enzyme for conversion of cholesterol into bile acids in the liver, is also regulated by LXRα suggests that this class of nuclear receptor coordinates the regulation of HDL cholesterol ester catabolism and bile acid synthesis in the liver.
Pulmonary Oedema: Physiological Considerations
Authors: I. D. B. Daly
Journal: Thorax (1946)

In this paper I propose to attempt to evaluate our knowledge of the mechanisms of acute pulmonary oedema in experimental animals, and to enquire how far it can be applied to our understanding of the phenomenon in man.Our knowledge of the mechanisms of lung oedema is extremely meagre; yet in some respects it may be integrated, with advantage to future investigations.The first issue which should be raised is the relation of pulmonary oedema in man to that produced experimentally.Is there any evidence that clinical pulmonary oedema, which is generally associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system and of the lungs themselves, is produced by similar processes to those which are caused by a variety of means in healthy and in most cases anaesthetized animals?In the former group there is a pathological background, in the latter there is a relatively normal physiological background.I raise this question because we should be extremely cautious in assuming that the chain of biological events which leads to the production of experimental pulmonary oedema is similar to that causing clinical lung oedema.Let me now refer to specific mechanisms which have been regarded as causa- tive factors. BACK-PRESSURE"The first is that pulmonary oedsma is due to left ventricular failure, giving rise to " back-pressure " effects on the pulmonary vascular bed and consequent capillary dilatation, and leading to an increased capillary permeability.This view was largely based on the experiments of Welch, who, in 1878, showed that ligature of the aorta or compression of the left ventricle in rabbits caused pulmonary oedema; it held sway for a considerable time.IJnfortunately Welch did most of his experiments on rabbits, which are particularly prone to pul- monary oedema, and later observers working on other animal species were * Read in opening a discussion at the January 1946 meeting of the Association for