tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Community-Based Epidemiological Study on Diabetes in Pu-Li, Taiwan
Authors: Pesus Chou, Hsu-Hsi Chen, Kwang-Jen Hsiao
Journal: Diabetes Care (1992)

Objective –To determine the prevalence and possible risk factors associated with diabetes in Pu-Li, Taiwan. Research Design and Methods –The project was a community-based cross-sectional study with stratified cluster sampling of residents ≥ 30 yr of age. Medical students conducted home-visit interviews with public health nurses, drew fasting blood samples from 1738 of 2573 registered residents ≥ 30 yr of age in Pu-Li, Taiwan. Results –The prevalence of diabetes, including those with a history of diabetes and newly diagnosed cases determined by modified World Health Organization criteria, was 12.4%. With the standard world population of Segi, the age-adjusted prevalences were 6.9% for previous diabetes and 4.4% for new diabetes. The age-specific prevalence of diabetes increased significantly with age for new diabetes cases but not for previously diagnosed cases. To study factors associated with diabetes, we first applied univariate analysis. Stratified analyses by age and sex were used for interaction assessment. A significant interaction effect on diabetes was found between age and sex. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. The final model showed that, after controlling for all other covariates, the significant factors associated with diabetes were family history of diabetes (father and/or mother, yes vs. no, odds ratio [OR] 3.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–8.33), obesity (yes vs. no, OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.09–6.63), and age (continuous, OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08). Locality and physical activity were not significantly correlated with diabetes. Conclusions –The age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes in Pu-Li were 6.9% for previous diabetes and 4.4% for new diabetes. Possible risk factors associated with diabetes with logistic regression were family history of diabetes, obesity, and age. Locality and physical activity were not significantly correlated with diabetes.
Four multifaceted countrywide campaigns to promote hand hygiene in Belgian hospitals between 2005 and 2011: impact on compliance to hand hygiene
Authors: M Costers, N Viseur, B Catry, A Simon
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2012)

Four consecutive one-month campaigns were organised to promote hand hygiene in Belgian hospitals between 2005 and 2011. The campaigns included a combination of reminders in wards, educational sessions for healthcare workers, promotion of alcohol-based hand rub use, increasing patient awareness, and audits with performance feedback. Prior and after each one month intervention period, the infection control teams measured hand hygiene compliance of healthcare workers by direct observation using a standardised observation roster. A total of 738,367 opportunities for hand hygiene were observed over the four campaigns. Compliance with hand hygiene significantly increased from 49.6% before to 68.6% after the intervention period for the first, from 53.2% to 69.5% for the second, from 58.0% to 69.1% for the third, and from 62.3% to 72.9% for the fourth campaign. The highest compliance rates were consistently observed in paediatric units. Compliance rates were always markedly lower among physicians than nurses. After patient contact and body fluid exposure risk, compliance rates were noticeably higher than before patient contact and performing aseptic procedures. We conclude that repeated countrywide campaigns to promote hand hygiene result in positive long-term outcomes. However, lower compliance rates among physicians compared with nurses, before patient contact, and before performing aseptic procedures remain challenges for future campaigns.
Distinguishing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from athlete’s heart physiological remodelling: clinical significance, diagnostic strategies and implications for preparticipation screening
Authors: B J Maron
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2009)

Sudden cardiac death in young competitive athletes is an important public health problem, although a relatively low-event-rate phenomenon. The single most common cardiovascular cause of these unexpected catastrophes is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), accounting for about one-third of cases. Since the phenotypic expression of HCM is variable, and not uncommonly includes patients with mild and localised left ventricular hypertrophy, the differential diagnosis with physiological remodelling of athlete’s heart not uncommonly arises. This review discusses those non-invasive strategies that are useful in distinguishing the benign consequences of systematic athletic training from pathological left ventricular hypertrophy with the potential for sudden cardiac death. Preparticipation screening in healthy general athlete populations may raise the suspicion of HCM, and ultimately lead to definitive diagnosis. However, recently controversy has arisen regarding the most effective and practical strategy for the screening of athletes. European investigators have promoted routine 12-lead ECGs as part of a national mandatory programme distinct from the customary practice in the US which is limited to history and physical examinations. Consensus criteria and recommendations for eligibility and disqualification of athletes with HCM (and other cardiovascular abnormalities) have proved useful to the practising community.
Renal vascular adjustments to partial renal venous obstruction in dog kidney.
Authors: U Abildgaard, O Amtorp, K Agerskov, E Sjøntoft, N J Christensen, O Henriksen
Journal: Circulation Research (1987)

Blood flow studies were conducted in neurolept anesthetized dogs to characterize the involvement of renal nerves in ipsilateral renal vasoconstriction seen during acute elevation of renal venous pressure above 30 mm Hg. Renal blood flow was measured electromagnetically. The vasoconstrictor response was almost abolished by acute surgical denervation of the kidney, since renal vascular conductance remained unchanged during renal venous pressure elevation from 30-60 mm Hg. However, following additional alpha-adrenoceptor blockade or chronic renal denervation, renal vascular conductance increased progressively during renal venous pressure elevation to 60 mm Hg. The effect of acute decapsulation of kidney was studied in another group of dogs. Decapsulation induced a vasoconstriction. The decrease in renal vascular conductance observed during renal venous pressure elevation was unaffected by acute surgical denervation of decapsulated kidney, but was almost abolished following additional alpha-adrenoceptor blockade or chronic denervation. In decapsulated chronically denervated kidney, the increase in renal vascular conductance during renal venous pressure elevation to 60 mm Hg was still present but considerably attenuated as compared with the chronically denervated kidney with intact capsule. The renin-angiotensin system did not participate in acute vascular adjustments to renal venous stasis in intact kidney or in decapsulated acutely surgically denervated kidney. The data favor the view that neurogenic and myogenic mechanisms significantly influence the vasoconstrictor response to renal venous pressure elevation in dog kidney. The neurogenic contribution to the vasoconstrictor response comprises intrarenal and extrarenal vasoconstrictor mechanisms evoked reflexively by renal venous pressure elevation, and the myogenic contribution to the vasoconstrictor response comprises opposing vasodilator mechanisms due to increase in renal interstitial tissue pressure during renal venous pressure elevation.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Executive Summary of the Clinical Practice Guideline Update on the Role of Bone-Modifying Agents in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Catherine H. Van Poznak, Sarah Temin, Gary C. Yee, Nora A. Janjan, William E. Barlow, J. Sybil Biermann, Linda D. Bosserman, Cindy Geoghegan, Bruce E. Hillner, Richard L. Theriault, Dan S. Zuckerman, Jamie H. Von Roenn
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2011)

Purpose To update the recommendations on the role of bone-modifying agents in the prevention and treatment of skeletal-related events (SREs) for patients with metastatic breast cancer with bone metastases. Methods A literature search using MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration Library identified relevant studies published between January 2003 and November 2010. The primary outcomes of interest were SREs and time to SRE. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and pain. An Update Committee reviewed the literature and re-evaluated previous recommendations. Results Recommendations were modified to include a new agent. A recommendation regarding osteonecrosis of the jaw was added. Recommendations Bone-modifying agent therapy is only recommended for patients with breast cancer with evidence of bone metastases; denosumab 120 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks, intravenous pamidronate 90 mg over no less than 2 hours, or zoledronic acid 4 mg over no less than 15 minutes every 3 to 4 weeks is recommended. There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate greater efficacy of one bone-modifying agent over another. In patients with a calculated serum creatinine clearance of more than 60 mg/min, no change in dosage, infusion time, or interval of bisphosphonate administration is required. Serum creatinine should be monitored before each dose. All patients should receive a dental examination and appropriate preventive dentistry before bone-modifying agent therapy and maintain optimal oral health. Current standards of care for cancer bone pain management should be applied at the onset of pain, in concert with the initiation of bone-modifying agent therapy. The use of biochemical markers to monitor bone-modifying agent use is not recommended.
Five-year clinical study of children with atopic asthma
Authors: Zoia Nesterenko, Oksana Yerokhina, Anna Dobrokhotova, Svetlana Zaitseva
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background:  The continuing increase in child asthma prevalence rates, changes of asthma (A) symptoms lead to difficulties in diagnosis.   Aim:  to study the results of five-year clinical study of A in children.   Methods:  42 patients aged 2-18 years old with atopic A were observed during 5 years. All patients were given treatment according to GINA guidelines.   Results:  Mild persistent A (MPA) was observed in 27(64.3%) children, moderate persistent (MdPA) - in 15(35.7%). Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), caused by atypical pathogens was diagnosed in 21(50%) patients with A exacerbation, 15 of which had MdPA (71.4%). In 9(42.9%) asthmatic patients with MdPA CAP episodes occurred annually. 20(47.6%) children with A had allergic rhinitis (AR). In 10(23.8%) patients with MdPA and CAP, pulmonary hypertension (PH) was revealed: in 6 of them (60%) - with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and recurrent episodes of CAP (RCAP). In 4 patients with A, RCAP, PH and PF (66.7%) CT scans showed emphysematous bullae (EB). As a result of 6-12 month treatment 26(61.9%) patients achieved full A control; in 9(21.4%) children with MdPA, AR and CAP, with antibiotics included in A treatment, control was achieved after 18-30 months, in 7(16.7%) patients with A, RCAP and AR - after 32-36 months.   Conclusions:   1. More than half of children with A exacerbations had CAP caused by atypical pathogens.  2. All children with MdPA had A exacerbation due to CAP, in 60% of them - to RCAP.  3. Almost in a third of asthmatic patients PH was revealed, with PF in 60% of them.  4. In 66.7% of patients with MdPA, RCAP, PH, PF, CT scans showed EB.  5. Achieving A control on the basic treatment with antibacterial therapy extended to 6-24 months in patients with MdPA, AR and CAP.
The natural cardioprotective particle HDL modulates connexin43 gap junction channels
Authors: Sandrine Morel, Miguel A. Frias, Christian Rosker, Richard W. James, Stephan Rohr, Brenda R. Kwak
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2011)

AimsHigh-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known for its cardioprotective properties independent from its cholesterol transport activity. These properties are mediated by activation of kinases such as protein kinase C (PKC). Connexin43 (Cx43) is a gap junction protein present in ventricular cardiomyocytes. PKC-dependent phosphorylation modifies Cx43 gap junction channel properties and is involved in cardioprotection. We hypothesized that cardioprotective properties of HDL may be mediated in part by affecting Cx43 gap junction channels.
Physiological and radiological characterisation of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care
Authors: C O'Brien
Journal: Thorax (2000)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is common although often poorly characterised, particularly in primary care. However, application of guidelines to the management of such patients needs a clear understanding of the phenotype. In particular, the British guidelines for the management of COPD recommend that the diagnosis is based on appropriate symptoms and evidence of airflow obstruction as determined by a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV<sub>1</sub>) of &lt;80% of the predicted value and an FEV<sub>1</sub>/VC ratio of &lt;70%. <h3>METHODS</h3> A study was undertaken of 110 patients aged 40–80 years who had presented to their general practitioner with an acute exacerbation of COPD. The episode was treated at home and, when patients had recovered to the stable state (two months later), they were characterised by full lung function tests and a high resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) scan of the chest. <h3>RESULTS</h3> There was a wide range of impairment of FEV<sub>1</sub> which was in the normal range (⩾80%) in 30%, mildly impaired (60–79%) in 18%, moderately impaired (40–59%) in 33%, and severely impaired (&lt;40%) in 19% of patients. A reduced FEV<sub>1</sub>/VC ratio was present in all patients with an FEV<sub>1</sub> of &lt;80% predicted but also in 41% of those with an FEV<sub>1</sub> of ⩾80% predicted. Only 5% of patients had a substantial bronchodilator response suggesting a diagnosis of asthma. Emphysema was present in 51% of patients and confined to the upper lobes in most (73% of these patients). HRCT evidence of bronchiectasis was noted in 29% of patients and was predominantly tubular; most (81%) were current or ex-smokers. A solitary pulmonary nodule was seen on 9% of scans and unsuspected lung malignancy was diagnosed in two patients. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> This study confirms that COPD in primary care is a heterogeneous condition. Some patients do not fulfil the proposed diagnostic criteria with FEV<sub>1</sub> of ⩾80% predicted but they may nevertheless have airflow obstruction. Bronchiectasis is common in this group of patients, as is unsuspected malignancy. These findings should be considered when developing recommendations for the investigation and management of COPD in the community.
Bone mineral density in adult survivors of childhood acute leukemia: impact of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and other treatment modalities
Authors: Marion Le Meignen, Pascal Auquier, Vincent Barlogis, Nicolas Sirvent, Audrey Contet, Marie-Claude Simeoni, Claire Galambrun, Marilyne Poirée, Pascal Chastagner, Barbara Play, Virginie Villes, Julie Berbis, Hervé Chambost, Pierre Bordigoni, Gérard Michel
Journal: Blood (2011)
Electrocardiographic Features of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy According to Disease Severity
Authors: Khurram Nasir, Chandra Bomma, Harikrishna Tandri, Ariel Roguin, Darshan Dalal, Kalpana Prakasa, Crystal Tichnell, Cynthia James, Phillip Jspevak, Frank Marcus, Hugh Calkins
Journal: Circulation (2004)

The purpose of this study was to systematically study diagnostic and prognostic electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics of arrhythmogenic right ventricle dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C).The patient population included 50 patients with ARVD/C (27 males, 23 females; mean age 38+/-15 years). We also analyzed the ECG of 50 age- and gender-matched normal control subject and 28 consecutive patients who presented with right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) tachycardia. Right bundle-branch block (RBBB) was present in 11 patients (22%). T-wave inversions in V1 through V3 were observed in 85% of ARVD/C patients in the absence of RBBB compared with none in RVOT and normal controls, respectively (P<0.0001); epsilon waves were seen in 33%, and a QRS duration > or =110 ms in V1 through V3 was present in 64% of patients. Among those without RBBB, our newly proposed criterion of "prolonged S-wave upstroke in V1 through V3" > or =55 ms was the most prevalent ECG feature (95%) and correlated with disease severity and induction of VT on electrophysiological study. This feature also best distinguished ARVD/C (diffuse and localized) from RVOT.A prolonged S-wave upstroke in V1 through V3 is the most frequent ECG finding in ARVD/C and should be considered as a diagnostic ECG marker.
L-Dopa, Dopamine, and Hypomania
Authors: DENNIS L. MURPHY, FREDERICK K. GOODWIN, H. KEITH H. BRODIE, WILLIAM E. BUNNEY
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1973)

Greater urinary excretion of dopamine during L-dopa administration was observed in bipolar than in unipolar depressed patients. The authors suggest that increased levels of brain dopamine may play a role in the development of hypomania and mania, since there is a tendency for bipolar patients to regularly develop hypomanic episodes during L-dopa treatment and since evidence from animal studies indicates that increased brain dopamine is highly correlated with increased psychomotor activity.
Interleukin 18 induces angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo via Src and Jnk kinases
Authors: M Asif Amin, Bradley J Rabquer, Pamela J Mansfield, Jeffrey H Ruth, Hubert Marotte, Christian S Haas, Elyse N Reamer, Alisa E Koch
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2010)

Background Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a novel mediator of angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objective To examine the role of IL-18 in RA angiogenesis and the signalling mechanisms involved. Methods Human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC) chemotaxis, capillary morphogenesis assays and Matrigel plug angiogenesis assays were performed in vivo using IL-18 with or without signalling inhibitors. A novel model of angiogenesis was devised using dye-tagged HMVECs to study their homing into RA and normal (NL) synovial tissues (STs) engrafted in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Results IL-18-mediated angiogenesis depended on Src and Jnk, as the inhibitors of Src and Jnk blocked IL-18-induced HMVEC chemotaxis, tube formation and angiogenesis in Matrigel plugs. However, inhibitors of Janus kinase 2, p38, MEK, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and neutralising antibodies to vascular endothelial growth factor or stromal derived factor-1α did not alter IL-18-induced HMVEC migration. These results were confirmed with Jnk or Src sense or antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. Moreover, IL-18 induced phosphorylation of Src and Jnk in HMVECs. As proof of principle, IL-18 null mice had a significantly decreased angiogenesis compared with wild-type mice in Matrigel plug angiogenesis assays in vivo. IL-18 markedly enhanced mature HMVEC homing to human RA ST compared with NL ST in SCID mice, confirming the role of IL-18-induced angiogenesis in RA ST in vivo. Conclusion Targeting IL-18 or its signalling intermediates may prove to be a potentially novel therapeutic strategy for angiogenesis-dependent diseases, such as RA.
Inhibition of DYRK1A destabilizes EGFR and reduces EGFR-dependent glioblastoma growth
Authors: Natividad Pozo, Cristina Zahonero, Paloma Fernández, Jose M. Liñares, Angel Ayuso, Masatoshi Hagiwara, Angel Pérez, Jose R. Ricoy, Aurelio Hernández-Laín, Juan M. Sepúlveda, Pilar Sánchez-Gómez
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2013)

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are very aggressive tumors that are resistant to conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. New molecular therapeutic strategies are required to effectively eliminate the subpopulation of GBM tumor-initiating cells that are responsible for relapse. Since EGFR is altered in 50% of GBMs, it represents one of the most promising targets; however, EGFR kinase inhibitors have produced poor results in clinical assays, with no clear explanation for the observed resistance. We uncovered a fundamental role for the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase, DYRK1A, in regulating EGFR in GBMs. We found that DYRK1A was highly expressed in these tumors and that its expression was correlated with that of EGFR. Moreover, DYRK1A inhibition promoted EGFR degradation in primary GBM cell lines and neural progenitor cells, sharply reducing the self-renewal capacity of normal and tumorigenic cells. Most importantly, our data suggest that a subset of GBMs depends on high surface EGFR levels, as DYRK1A inhibition compromised their survival and produced a profound decrease in tumor burden. We propose that the recovery of EGFR stability is a key oncogenic event in a large proportion of gliomas and that pharmacological inhibition of DYRK1A could represent a promising therapeutic intervention for EGFR-dependent GBMs.
UDP-Glucuronyltransferase-Catalyzed Deconjugation of Bilirubin Monoglucuronide
Authors: Theo H.M. Cuypers, El Terlen M. Haar, Peter L. M. Jansen
Journal: Hepatology (1984)

Bilirubin monoglucuronide is rapidly deconjugated when incubated with UDP and rat liver microsomal preparations at pH 5.1. The following evidence was found that this reaction is catalyzed by UDP-glucuronyltransferase: (i) unconjugated bilirubin and UDP-glucuronic acid were identified as the reaction products; (ii) Gunn rat microsomal preparations lack bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase deficiency and do not catalyze the deconjugation reaction, and (iii) neither saccharo-1,4-lactone, a β-glucuronidase inhibitor, nor butylated hydroxy toluene, an inhibitor of spontaneous isomerisation, affect the rate of the deconjugation reaction. Deconjugation appears to be the reverse of UDP-glucuronyltransferase-catalyzed glucuronidation. The conditions for the reverse reaction differ in the following aspects from those of the forward reaction: (i) nucleotide triphosphates stimulate the reverse reaction probably allosterically; (ii) UDP- N -acetylglucosamine stimulates the forward reaction but has no effect on the reverse reaction; (iii) the optimal pH for the reverse reaction is pH 5.1 and for the forward reaction is pH 7.8, and (iv) Mg ++ ion is not required for the reverse reaction but stimulates the forward reaction. Detergents stimulate both reactions. Stimulation of the reverse reaction by nucleotide triphosphates and detergents is mutually independent and additive which suggests different mechanisms of action. Deconjugation reactions may become important during parenchymatous liver disease when, as a result of anaerobic glycolysis, intracellular pH decreases. Elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the serum of patients with parenchymatous liver disease may be a sign of sick liver cells rather than decreased UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity.
Successful treatment of naturally occurring influenza A/USSR/77 H1N1
Authors: L. P. Van Voris
Journal: JAMA (1981)

Forty-five university students with proved influenza A/USSR/77 H1N1 infection were randomly treated with either amantadine hydrochloride (14 students), rimantadine hydrochloride (19 students), or placebo (12 students). By 48 hours after initiation of therapy, amantadine and rimantadine recipients had significantly less fever and greater improvement compared with subjects given the placebo. Minor reversible CNS side effects at the end of the five-day course of therapy were observed in one third of the amantadine-treated subjects. However, both amantadine and rimantadine recipients returned to classes earlier and shed smaller amounts of virus than placebo recipients. Thus, both drugs exerted a notable therapeutic effect. Hence, during an influenza outbreak, five days of empirical therapy with amantadine or rimantadine for persons with an influenza-like syndrome should ameliorate clinical symptoms and might decrease spread of virus.