Palliative care for non-cancer conditions in primary care: a time trend analysis in the UK (2009-2014).

Objectives: While guidelines recommend palliative care in non-cancer conditions, this has not been widely implemented. We examined whether the recording of a palliative care approach and the numbers of hospital deaths for deceased patients with heart failure, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer have changed since the UK End-of-Life Care Strategy was introduced.

Methods: We conducted sequential cross-sectional studies of decedents within the UK's Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episode Statistics.

Chronic cough: an Asian perspective. Part 1: Epidemiology.

Asia is one of the most diverse and dynamic continents. Due to recent rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, morbidity patterns are likely to be diverse in Asian populations. Chronic cough is a disease condition resulting from host-environmental interactions, and is associated with a high global epidemiological burden.

A randomized placebo controlled trial to evaluate the effects of butamirate and dextromethorphan on capsaicin induced cough in healthy volunteers.

Aims: The examination of cough reflex sensitivity through inhalational challenge can be utilized to demonstrate pharmacological end points. Here we compare the effect of butamirate, dextromethorphan and placebo on capsaicin-induced cough in healthy volunteers.

Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, six way crossover study the effect of dextromethrophan 30 mg, four doses of butamirate and placebo was evaluated on incremental capsaicin challenges performed at baseline and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h following dosing.

Human TRPM8 and TRPA1 pain channels, including a gene variant with increased sensitivity to agonists (TRPA1 R797T), exhibit differential regulation by SRC-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

TRPM8 (transient receptor potential M8) and TRPA1 (transient receptor potential A1) are cold-temperature-sensitive nociceptors expressed in sensory neurons but their behaviour in neuronal cells is poorly understood. Therefore DNA expression constructs containing human TRPM8 or TRPA1 cDNAs were transfected into HEK (human embryonic kidney cells)-293 or SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and G418 resistant clones analysed for effects of agonists and antagonists on intracellular Ca2+ levels. Approximately 51% of HEK-293 and 12% of SH-SY5Y cell clones expressed the transfected TRP channel.

Supervised exercise program improves aerobic fitness in patients awaiting abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: Aerobic fitness is an important predictor of postoperative outcome in major surgery. In this study, we assess the effects of a period of preoperative exercise on aerobic fitness as measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients scheduled for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods: As part of a randomized trial, the first patients recruited in the intervention group were enrolled in a supervised exercise program of six week duration.

Outcomes after open repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in octogenarians: a 20-year, single-center experience.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate morbidity, mortality, and survival in octogenarians undergoing open repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs) in comparison to younger patients.

Methods: This investigation was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database from a tertiary referral center. We included all consecutive RAAA patients who underwent open repair from 1990 to 2011.

National audit of supported discharge programmes for management of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2008.

The 2008 U.K. national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) audit examined the use of supported discharge programmes (SDPs) in clinical practice against British Thoracic Society guidelines.

Modelling the effect of venous disease on quality of life.

Background: A clear understanding of the relationship between venous reflux, clinical venous disease and the effects on quality of life (QoL) remains elusive. This study aimed to explore the impact of venous disease, and assess any incremental direct effect of progressive disease on health-related QoL, with the ultimate aim to model venous morbidity.

Methods: Consecutive patients with venous disease were assessed for inclusion in the study.

Targeted epidermal growth factor receptor therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma: where do we stand?

The median survival for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma remains extremely poor and there is a need for the development of more effective treatment modalities. The epidermal growth factor receptor is frequently over-expressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma samples and therefore may be a potential therapeutic target. Targeted EGFR therapy has been successful in non-small cell lung cancer using small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors and in colorectal cancer using monoclonal anti-EGFR antibodies.

Expression of bcl-2 family members in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Little is known about the Bcl-2 family members in mesothelioma. These proteins are involved in the control of apoptosis, carrying out both pro- and anti- apoptotic functions. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of p53 and Bcl-2 family members in 54 archival mesothelioma samples (39 epithelial, 15 sarcomatoid tumours).

Mismatch repair, p53 and chromosomal aberrations in primary colorectal carcinomas.

Colorectal carcinoma progresses via at least two genetic pathways. Microsatellite instability, due to defective mismatch repair genes, characterizes one pathway and gross chromosomal instability another. The involvement of p53 and mismatch repair gene abnormalities within these pathways has not been fully explored.

Expression of Cox-2 protein in radioresistant laryngeal cancer.

Background: Radiotherapy is the principal modality used to treat early stage laryngeal cancer. Unfortunately treatment failures occur in 10-25% of patients. Subsequent salvage surgery is technically more difficult, with increased complication and failure rates.