tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Use of an Automated Device for Alternative Site Blood Glucose Monitoring
Authors: S. Edwin Fineberg, Richard M. Bergenstal, Robert M. Bernstein, Lori M. Laffel, Sherwyn L. Schwartz
Journal: Diabetes Care (2001)

OBJECTIVE—To evaluate the accuracy, comfort, and ease of use of a new automated device for blood glucose monitoring using the arm as an alternative sampling site. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—These studies use an automated hand-held device that applies a small vacuum, lances the skin, transfers blood onto an electrochemical test strip, and measures glucose. Patients who had type 1 or type 2 diabetes and had received no prior training using this device were recruited from five diabetes clinics. Testing was performed by the patients using this device and by trained healthcare professionals. Blood glucose was measured by 354 patients: from the arm using the device, from the finger using a laboratory reference instrument, and from the finger using the device via the secondary test port. Each patient completed a questionnaire rating the level of pain and ease of use of the device. RESULTS—Blood glucose results in samples obtained from the arm with the automated device agreed well with finger-stick plasma glucose results using a reference instrument (regression slope 0.98, intercept 0.01 mmol/l [0.1 mg/dl], r = 0.96). Error grid analysis showed that 100% of the measurements fell within zones A and B. In the survey, 60% of the patients reported that arm testing with the automated device was “painless;” another 31% of the patients stated that it was “much less painful,” and 6% of patients considered using the device “less painful” than finger-stick testing. In a survey containing 15 questions for rating the ease of use with a scale of 1 to 6, the overall mean rating was 5.5. CONCLUSIONS—The automated device is easy to use and provides accurate glucose results; 97% of the patients found it less painful than finger-stick testing.
Automatic CPAP titration with different self-setting devices in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: A. Stammnitz, A. Jerrentrup, T. Penzel, J.H. Peter, C. Vogelmeier, H.F. Becker
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2004)

Autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices automatically adjust the pressure according to upper airway obstructions. The aim of this study was to compare the treatment effects of different automatic CPAP devices (AutoSet, Horizon and Virtuoso) with conventional CPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea independently of financial manufacturer support. Twelve male patients with obstructive sleep apnoea were submitted to a crossover study protocol with overnight polysomnography for 6 consecutive nights. After diagnostic polysomnography, the CPAP pressure was manually titrated. Over the next 4 nights, the patients were treated with any one of the three automatic CPAP devices or fixed CPAP in random order. The apnoea/hypopnoea index on the diagnostic night was 67.3±21.7 events·h −1 , and was significantly reduced to 0.7±1.2, 3.0±2.9, 2.3±2.5 and 12.0±13.6 events·h −1 with the fixed CPAP, AutoSet, Horizon and Virtuoso devices respectively. An apnoea/hypopnoea index of &lt;5 events·h −1 , an indicator of optimal treatment, was achieved in all patients with fixed CPAP and in 10 patients using the Autoset and Horizon devices, but in only six of the 12 using the Virtuoso. The mean pressure was significantly lower with the AutoSet and Virtuoso devices, but not with the Horizon as compared to fixed CPAP. The maximum pressure was significantly higher with the Horizon. It is concluded that automatic continuous positive airway pressure devices produce a significant reduction in apnoea/hypopnoea index; however, there is considerable difference in the efficacy of the various devices.
Apparent response to anti-IgE therapy in two patients with refractory "forme fruste" of Churg-Strauss syndrome
Authors: S Pabst, V Tiyerili, C Grohe
Journal: Thorax (2008)

AbstractTwo cases of formes frustes variants of Churg–Strauss syndrome are reported, who were treated with an antibody against immunoglobulin E as an addition on rescue therapy.
Bronchial Histamine Challenge
Authors: M. Pavlovic, N.‐H. Holstein‐Rathlou, F. Madsen, U. Gerner Svendsen, B. Weeke
Journal: Allergy (1985)

We compared the provocative concentration (PC) values obtained by two different methods of performing bronchial histamine challenge. One test was done on an APTA, an apparatus which allows simultaneous provocation with histamine and measurement of airway resistance (R tot ) by the interrupter method. The second test was a conventional tidal breathing method, with measurement of the FEV 1 . There was a high correlation between the PC 20 ‐FEV 1 and the PC 30 ‐, PC 40 ‐ and PC 50 ‐R tot values. The correlation coefficients were 0.85, 0.71 and 0.70 ( P &lt; 0.05) respectively. We further tested the reproducibility of the histamine challenge done on the APTA. When the PC 30 ‐R tot values were compared, a correlation coefficient of 0.56 (NS) was found. For the PC 40 ‐ and PC 50 ‐R tot values the correlation coefficients were 0.65 ( P &lt; 0.05) and 0.70 ( P &lt; 0.02) respectively. We conclude that the APTA is useful for routine bronchial histamine challenge when 40–50% increase in basal R tot is used as endpoint.
Kidney Function Can Improve in Patients with Hypertensive CKD
Authors: Bo Hu, Crystal Gadegbeku, Michael S. Lipkowitz, Stephen Rostand, Julia Lewis, Jackson T. Wright, Lawrence J. Appel, Tom Greene, Jennifer Gassman, Brad C. Astor
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2012)

The typical assumption is that patients with CKD will have progressive nephropathy. Methodological issues, such as measurement error and regression to the mean, have made it difficult to document whether kidney function might improve in some patients. Here, we used data from 12 years of follow-up in the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension to determine whether some patients with CKD can experience a sustained improvement in GFR. We calculated estimated GFR (eGFR) based on serum creatinine measurements during both the trial and cohort phases. We defined clearly improved patients as those with positive eGFR slopes that we could not explain by random measurement variation under Bayesian mixed-effects models. Of 949 patients with at least three follow-up eGFR measurements, 31 (3.3%) demonstrated clearly positive eGFR slopes. The mean slope among these patients was +1.06 (0.12) ml/min per 1.73 m2 per yr, compared with −2.45 (0.07) ml/min per 1.73 m2 per yr among the remaining patients. During the trial phase, 24 (77%) of these 31 patients also had clearly positive slopes of 125I-iothalamate–measured GFR during the trial phase. Low levels of proteinuria at baseline and randomization to the lower BP goal (mean arterial pressure ≤92 mmHg) associated with improved eGFR. In conclusion, the extended follow-up from this study provides strong evidence that kidney function can improve in some patients with hypertensive CKD.
Phase I and pharmacologic study of the alkylating agent modulator novobiocin in combination with high-dose chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Authors: M J Kennedy, D K Armstrong, A M Huelskamp, K Ohly, B V Clarke, O M Colvin, L B Grochow, T L Chen, N E Davidson
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1995)

PURPOSE Resistance to alkylators may potentially be overcome by drugs that inhibits DNA repair, thus improving the efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy. This trial was performed to determine if novobiocin, an agent that inhibits DNA repair, could be given with high-dose alkylators. Study aims were to define the toxicities and maximal-tolerated dose (MTD) of novobiocin and the pharmacokinetics of novobiocin and high-dose cyclophosphamide and thiotepa. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-eight women with responsive metastatic breast cancer received high-dose cyclophosphamide (3 to 6 g/m2 over 4 days), thiotepa (400 to 800 mg/m2), and novobiocin (0.5 to 5.0 g/d x 7, orally) with autologous marrow support. Toxicity was monitored. The pharmacology of novobiocin, cyclophosphamide, and thiotepa was evaluated. RESULTS There were no toxic deaths. The MTD of novobiocin was 4 g/d. All seven patients treated at 5 g/d developed grade III/IV mucositis and vomiting. The severity of mucositis correlated with the plasma levels of novobiocin. Other severe toxicities were not observed. Plasma novobiocin levels &gt; or = 100 micrograms/mL, which are associated with reversal of drug resistance in animal models, were consistently seen at dose levels greater than 2 g. The dispositions of cyclophosphamide and thiotepa were not altered by novobiocin. CONCLUSION Novobiocin may be given with high-dose alkylators in doses that produce plasma levels that augment the activity of these cytotoxics in experimental models. The pharmacology of high-dose cyclophosphamide and thiotepa is unaffected. Novobiocin 4 g/d orally for 7 days is recommended for future study.
Long-term effects of Aβ42 immunisation in Alzheimer's disease: follow-up of a randomised, placebo-controlled phase I trial
Authors: Clive Holmes, Delphine Boche, David Wilkinson, Ghasem Yadegarfar, Vivienne Hopkins, Anthony Bayer, Roy W Jones, Roger Bullock, Seth Love, James W Neal, Elina Zotova, James AR Nicoll
Journal: The Lancet (2008)
THE AMOUNT AND NATURE OF URINARY PROTEINS IN NORMAL HUMAN SUBJECTS 12
Authors: Demetrios A. Rigas, Carl G. Heller
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1951)

Glomerular filtrate and normal urine have gen- erally been regarded as being protein-free.The presence of protein in the urine has long been considered as indicative of renal disease.The classical experiments of Wearn and Richards (1), demonstrating the absence of protein in the glo- merular filtrate and urine of the frog, added im- petus to this belief.A number of investigators have taken issue with the generally held concept that the urine is proteinfree including Moerner (2) who found 22-78 mg. per liter, Gunton and Burton (3) who declared the mean concentration to be 3.7 mg. per cent and Addis (4) who states 10 mg. of protein per 24 hours is normally excreted.The nature and exact amount of protein in urine, however, continues to be obscure.The application of two technics, a) concentration of the urinary proteins by ultrafiltration (5) and b) analysis of the electrophoretic migration pat- terns using the Tiselius apparatus, has permitted us to approach the problem of the nature and amount of the proteins contained in normal urine.Ultrafiltration of urine through a collodion mem- brane, as routinely applied in our laboratory to recover urinary gonadotrophins (6), permits the concentration of protein from a large volume of urine.Sufficient protein can be concentrated in this way from a 72 hour aliquot of urine to have enough to submit to electrophoretic analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODSSubjects consisted of 12 normal male and three nor- mal female students 24 to 30 years old.The women col- lected urine during the first half of the menstrual cycle.Each subject collected the total urinary output for a 72
The role of serum uric acid as an antioxidant protecting against cancer: prospective study in more than 28 000 older Austrian women
Authors: A.M. Strasak, K. Rapp, W. Hilbe, W. Oberaigner, E. Ruttmann, H. Concin, G. Diem, K.P. Pfeiffer, H. Ulmer
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2007)
Preoperative Diagnosis of Benign Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate Cytology
Authors: Erik K. Alexander, Giulia C. Kennedy, Zubair W. Baloch, Edmund S. Cibas, Darya Chudova, James Diggans, Lyssa Friedman, Richard T. Kloos, Virginia A. LiVolsi, Susan J. Mandel, Stephen S. Raab, Juan Rosai, David L. Steward, P. Sean Walsh, Jonathan I. Wilde, Martha A. Zeiger, Richard B. Lanman, Bryan R. Haugen
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2012)

Approximately 15 to 30% of thyroid nodules evaluated by means of fine-needle aspiration are not clearly benign or malignant. Patients with cytologically indeterminate nodules are often referred for diagnostic surgery, though most of these nodules prove to be benign. A novel diagnostic test that measures the expression of 167 genes has shown promise in improving preoperative risk assessment.We performed a 19-month, prospective, multicenter validation study involving 49 clinical sites, 3789 patients, and 4812 fine-needle aspirates from thyroid nodules 1 cm or larger that required evaluation. We obtained 577 cytologically indeterminate aspirates, 413 of which had corresponding histopathological specimens from excised lesions. Results of a central, blinded histopathological review served as the reference standard. After inclusion criteria were met, a gene-expression classifier was used to test 265 indeterminate nodules in this analysis, and its performance was assessed.Of the 265 indeterminate nodules, 85 were malignant. The gene-expression classifier correctly identified 78 of the 85 nodules as suspicious (92% sensitivity; 95% confidence interval [CI], 84 to 97), with a specificity of 52% (95% CI, 44 to 59). The negative predictive values for "atypia (or follicular lesion) of undetermined clinical significance," "follicular neoplasm or lesion suspicious for follicular neoplasm," or "suspicious cytologic findings" were 95%, 94%, and 85%, respectively. Analysis of 7 aspirates with false negative results revealed that 6 had a paucity of thyroid follicular cells, suggesting insufficient sampling of the nodule.These data suggest consideration of a more conservative approach for most patients with thyroid nodules that are cytologically indeterminate on fine-needle aspiration and benign according to gene-expression classifier results. (Funded by Veracyte.).
Therapeutic Effect of Human Amniotic Membrane–Derived Cells on Experimental Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders
Authors: Ornella Parolini, Luciana Souza‐Moreira, Francisco O'Valle, Marta Magatti, Pedro Hernandez‐Cortes, Elena Gonzalez‐Rey, Mario Delgado
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2013)

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease caused by loss of immunologic self tolerance and characterized by chronic joint inflammation. Cells isolated from human amniotic membrane (HAMCs) were recently found to display immunosuppressive properties. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of HAMCs on antigen‐specific T cell responses in RA patients and to evaluate their therapeutic potential in a preclinical experimental model of RA. Methods We investigated the effects of HAMCs on collagen‐reactive T cell proliferation and cytokine production, on the production of mediators of inflammation by synoviocytes, and on the generation of Treg cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and synovial membrane cells isolated from RA patients. Mice with collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) were treated with HAMCs after disease onset, and clinical scores and joint levels of mediators of inflammation were evaluated. We determined Th1/Th17‐mediated autoreactive responses in the mice by measuring the proliferation and the cytokine profile of lymph node cells restimulated with collagen. Results Treatment with HAMCs suppressed synovial inflammatory responses and antigen‐specific Th1/Th17 activation in cells isolated from RA patients. Moreover, HAMCs stimulated the generation of human CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells with a capacity to suppress collagen‐specific T cell responses. Systemic infusion of HAMCs significantly reduced the incidence and severity of CIA by down‐regulating the 2 deleterious components of disease: Th1‐driven autoimmunity and inflammation. In mice with CIA, HAMC treatment decreased the production of various inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the joints, impaired antigen‐specific Th1/Th17 cell expansion in the lymph nodes, and generated peripheral antigen‐specific Treg cells. HAMCs also protected the mice from experimental sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Conclusion HAMCs have emerged as attractive candidates for a cell‐based therapy for RA.
Scabies in Edinburgh from 1815 to 2000
Authors: J A Savin
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2005)

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) was founded in 1729. Since then it has moved three times, in 1741, 1880 and 2002. During the last move dermatology records thought to have been destroyed in 19361 were found. They go back to 1906 and lie at the heart of this paper. Their discovery triggered an analysis of other Edinburgh health records, from which details of large numbers of patients with skin infections and infestations, including nearly 16 000 with scabies, have been harvested. A complex picture emerges of their interacting epidemiology in Edinburgh over a period of nearly two centuries through the 'sanitary awakening' of the nineteenth century to the present day.
Survival motor neuron gene deletion in the arthrogryposis multiplex congenita-spinal muscular atrophy association.
Authors: L Bürglen, J Amiel, L Viollet, S Lefebvre, P Burlet, O Clermont, V Raclin, P Landrieu, A Verloes, A Munnich, J Melki
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1996)

The survival motor neuron (SMN) gene was lacking in 6/12 patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) associated with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Neither point mutation in the SMN gene nor evidence for linkage to chromosome 5q13 were found in the other patients. Hitherto, arthrogryposis was regarded as an exclusion criterion in SMA. Our data strongly suggest that AMC of neurogenic origin is genetically heterogeneous, with a subgroup being allelic to SMA. Absence or interruption of the SMN gene in the AMC-SMA association will make the diagnosis easier and genetic counselling will now become feasible.
Hepatocyte growth factor and c-met expression in Long-Evans Cinnamon rats with spontaneous hepatitis and hepatoma
Authors: N Nakayama, H Kashiwazaki, N Kobayashi, J Hamada, Y Ogiso, Y Itakura, K Matsumoto, T Nakamura, T Koike, N Kuzumaki, N Takeichi
Journal: Hepatology (1996)

The Long–Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat is characterized by the spontaneous onset of acute and chronic hepatitis, followed by occurrence of liver cancer, and is thus able to provide a unique experimental model for human genetical liver disease, Wilson's disease. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent hepatotrophic factor in liver regeneration, and its expression is up–regulated in response to liver injuries. We found that the plasma HGF level in LEC rats rose markedly during the fulminant hepatitis phase, fell during the phase of chronic/cholangiofibrosis, and fluctuated during the hepatoma phase. Immunohistological staining of the liver revealed that the number of HGF–positive cells increased remarkably during the fulminant hepatitis phase, and that many of these cells were localized at the portal triads. Fewer HGF–positive cells were observed during the phase of chronic hepatitis. The surface of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and the cytoplasm of the nonepithelial cells in cancerous liver tissues were HGF–positive. The HGF–messenger RNA (mRNA) level in the liver rose in the fulminant hepatitis phase, fell in the chronic hepatitis phase, and was intermediate or high during the hepatoma phase. The expression of c– met mRNA was strong in the tissues of LEC rats with fulminant hepatitis and, especially, in the cholangiofibrosis tissues. c– met mRNA was also detected in HCCs. These results suggest that the HGF–c– met system may play an important role in the regeneration of hepatocytes as well as in the development of HCC in paracrine or autocrine mechanisms.
Constructing Molecular Classifiers for the Accurate Prognosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lan Guo, Yan Ma, Rebecca Ward, Vince Castranova, Xianglin Shi, Yong Qian
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2006)

Individualized therapy of lung adenocarcinoma depends on the accurate classification of patients into subgroups of poor and good prognosis, which reflects a different probability of disease recurrence and survival following therapy. However, it is currently impossible to reliably identify specific high-risk patients. Here, we propose a computational model system which accurately predicts the clinical outcome of individual patients based on their gene expression profiles.Gene signatures were selected using feature selection algorithms random forests, correlation-based feature selection, and gain ratio attribute selection. Prediction models were built using random committee and Bayesian belief networks. The prognostic power of the survival predictors was also evaluated using hierarchical cluster analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis.The predictive accuracy of an identified 37-gene survival signature is 0.96 as measured by the area under the time-dependent receiver operating curves. The cluster analysis, using the 37-gene signature, aggregates the patient samples into three groups with distinct prognoses (Kaplan-Meier analysis, P < 0.0005, log-rank test). All patients in cluster 1 were in stage I, with N0 lymph node status (no metastasis) and smaller tumor size (T1 or T2). Additionally, a 12-gene signature correctly predicts the stage of 94.2% of patients.Our results show that the prediction models based on the expression levels of a small number of marker genes could accurately predict patient outcome for individualized therapy of lung adenocarcinoma. Such an individualized treatment may significantly increase survival due to the optimization of treatment procedures and improve lung cancer survival every year through the 5-year checkpoint.
Experimental evaluation of streamline patterns and separated flows in a series of branching vessels with implications for atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
Authors: O A el-Masry, I A Feuerstein, G F Round
Journal: Circulation Research (1978)

Flow conditions in four models representing the aortic bifurcation, iliac bifuraction, and a renal artery branch were investigated at volumetric flow rates corresponding to Reynolds numbers from 1000 to 4000 over the complete range of flow division between daughter vessels. Qualitative flow streamline patterns and quantitative definition of those flow conditions leading to disturbed flow (flow separation ) were determined primarily at steady flow with a limited set of pulsatie experiments. Under conditions of no flow separation, common characteristic streamline patterns not parallel to the center lines of parent or daughter tubes were found for all models. These effects were accentuated with increasing Reynolds number. Flow separation was inducible through alteration of flow division between daughter vessels or by an increase in flow rate. Each of the four models had distinct combinations of flow division ratio and flow rate which gave: (1) no flow separation, (2) flow separation at the outside of the right daughter tube, and (3) flow separation at the outside of the left daughter tube. Models representing the renal artery also had regions of simultaneous left- and righthand separation on the outside of their daughter tubes. The separated flows observed here displayed streamlines forming an open vortex with flows entering and leaving. These regions, which occur only at distinct combinations of flow rate and flow division, may be key centers where platelet aggregates may form, release constituents, and cause vessel injury.
Fat intake modifies vascular responsiveness and receptor expression of vasoconstrictors: Implications for diet-induced obesity
Authors: A MUNDY, E HAAS, I BHATTACHARYA, C WIDMER, M KRETZ, R HOFMANNLEHMANN, R MINOTTI, M BARTON
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2006)

Objective: Angiotensin II (Ang II), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the development of pathologic changes associated with obesity including hypertension and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary fat content on vasoreactivity and receptor expression at the level of gene and protein expression.