tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Genetics of Hyperuricemia And Achievement
Authors: Harold Schwartz
Journal: JAMA (1967)

To the Editor:—  Recent investigations correlating hyperuricemia with achievement have been prompted by the relatively frequent occurrence of gout among the eminent in history. 1-3 A genetic family evaluation is a logical extension of the clinical studies.  Particularly suitable for consideration are the Harrisons of Virginia who for ten consecutive generations in this country have occupied high elective public office. Among these and the equally eminent cognate line of Lee, several cases of acute gouty arthritis have been documented. Already published but uncorrelated historical data permit genetic association and analysis. 4,5   A high serum urate level is characteristic of noninvolved members of families where gout is manifest. Also, such arthritis is known to occur in relatively few individuals with familial hyperuricemia. Achievement, leadership, range of activity, and drive correlate with elevated serum urate levels, this being established in university professors, military personnel of high intelligence, medical students, and executives. 1,2
Arterial calcification: A review of mechanisms, animal models, and the prospects for therapy
Authors: Reidar Wallin, Nadeem Wajih, G. Todd Greenwood, David C. Sane
Journal: Medicinal Research Reviews (2001)

Abstract The causes of arterial calcification are beginning to be elucidated. Macrophages, mast cells, and smooth muscle cells are the primary cells implicated in this process. The roles of a variety of bone‐related proteins including bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2), matrix Gla protein (MGP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteopontin, and osteonectin in regulating arterial calcification are reviewed. Animals lacking MGP, OPG, smad6, carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme II, fibrillin‐1, and klotho gene product develop varying extents of arterial calcification. Hyperlipidemia, vitamin D, nicotine, and warfarin, alone or in various combinations, produce arterial calcification in animal models. MGP has recently been discovered to be an inhibitor of bone morphogenetic protein‐2, the principal osteogenic growth factor. Many of the forces that induce arterial calcification may act by disrupting the essential post‐translational modification of MGP, allowing BMP‐2 to induce mineralization. MGP requires gamma‐carboxylation before it is functional, and this process uses vitamin K as an essential cofactor. Vitamin K deficiency, drugs that act as vitamin K antagonists, and oxidant stress are forces that could prevent the formation of GLA residues on MGP. The potential role of arterial apoptosis in calcification is discussed. Potential therapeutic options to limit the rate of arterial calcification are summarized. © 2001 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 21, No. 4, 274–301, 2001
The Endothelium and Cardiovascular Disease -- A Complex Relation
Authors: Thomas F. Luscher
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1994)

Cardiovascular disease accounts for considerable mortality and morbidity in Western countries. Most of the common forms of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, are caused by functional and structural changes in the blood-vessel wall. These changes include abnormal vasoconstriction, enhanced interaction of blood cells with the vessel wall, activation of coagulation mechanisms, and migration and proliferation of vascular smooth-muscle cells13. Depending on the stage and location of the disease, one or more of these factors predominate. These vascular abnormalities have an important role in the pathogenesis of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular forms of renal failure.A . . .
Cerebral Ischemia in Surgery
Authors: Rosalie A. Burns
Journal: JAMA (1961)

Because of the sensitivity of the brain to hypoxia, acute cerebral ischemia due to operative or postoperative disruption of circulatory homeostasis, especially in older persons, should not be surprising. Six cases were selected to illustrate various peripheral circulatory mechanisms which, in conjunction with unrecognized preexisting cerebral vascular disease, induced acute cerebral ischemia. A history of symptoms attributable to cerebral vascular insufficiency, the existence of vascular disease in other organs, or the presence of diabetes, hypertension, or hypercholesteremia should direct attention to evaluation of the status of the cerebral circulation. Exceptional care in operative and postoperative management of such patients is mandatory.
A Clinician's Guide to the Office Measurement of Cholesterol
Authors: James J. Burke
Journal: JAMA (1988)

The office laboratory has the potential to be an ideal setting for cholesterol testing if accurate test results are achieved. This study describes the performance of three office chemistry analyzers (Abbott Vision, Boehringer-Mannheim Reflotron, and Kodak Ektachem DT60 Analyzer) in the measurement of cholesterol. The accuracy of these instruments was assessed by testing aliquots of 84 plasma specimens and comparing these results with values obtained in one of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Lipid Research Clinic laboratories. To evaluate instrument precision, results from each of the three instruments were compared with the cholesterol standards recently released by the College of American Pathologists. When operated according to the manufacturers' recommended procedures, each of the three instruments demonstrated analytic capabilities that met the current accuracy and precision goals established by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Analytic issues that are pertinent to the clinician's role as both the office laboratory director and the test interpreter are reviewed.
Malabsorption of Bile Acids in Children with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Andree M. Weber, Claude C. Roy, Claude L. Morin, Roger Lasalle, Liette Chartrand, Guy Lepage
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1973)

Quantitative fecal bile acids (in milligrams per 24 hours per square meter of body-surface area) in 24 children with untreated pancreatic insufficiency secondary to cystic fibrosis were increased (743.2 ± 55.3 — mean ± S.E.) whereas those in 12 cases of celiac disease and in seven with chronic nonspecific diarrhea did not differ from values in 18 controls (110.0 ± 11.0). Bile acid loss in cystic fibrosis was comparable to that of six infants after ileal resection (957.7 ± 195.1). A large increase (p<0.01) in fecal bile acids occurred when pancreatic enzyme therapy was withdrawn in five patients with cystic fibrosis. These data and the good correlation (r = 0.78) found in cystic fibrosis and not in celiac disease between fecal fat and bile acids suggest that unhydrolyzed fat or other products of maldigestion may interfere with bile acid absorption. The daily fecal bile acid sequestration of 1.9 g and 3.7 g found in two cases of cystic fibrosis studied during pancreatic supplementation indicates that a definite interruption of the bile acid enterohepatic circulation may occur in this disease. (N Engl J Med 289:1001–1005, 1973)
Comparison of Materials for repair of Cardiac Defects
Authors: D. B. Longmore, W. A. Cook, B. A. Jepson, R. Curran, J. B. Kinmonth
Journal: Thorax (1964)

Many cardiac defects can be repaired by direct suture. Some septal defects and narrowings of the ventricular outflow tracts require the implantation of additional material. The qualities of the implanted material may need to differ according to the nature of the defect. If it is one involving the outer wall of the heart or great vessels the repair may be able to gain blood supply or support from the surrounding tissues. If, on the other hand, the defect is intracardiac, perhaps a large atrial or ventricular septal defect, it may be that the implanted material will need to lie with both its surfaces freely exposed to the blood. It must then rely upon its own strength and durability, together with any growth of host tissues that may occur from its periphery, in order to remain intact. It will not have the advantage of assistance or support from the host tissues on one of its surfaces, such as it might get if it were placed on the outer wall of the heart or great vessels. It is difficult to test unsupported implants in the heart because artificially produced defects in the septa show a strong tendency to contract and obliterate. Defects in the walls of the heart or great vessels can be made in such a way that this tendency is overcome. The studies recorded here are of materials implanted into such defects. They give direct data on the behaviour of supported implants but also less directly some knowledge as to how unsupported implants of different materials might behave.
Receiver operating characteristic curves
Authors: P. Sedgwick
Journal: BMJ (2013)

Researchers evaluated the performance of a cognitive test called "test your memory" as a screening test for Alzheimer's disease. The screening test is designed to use minimal operator time and to be suitable for non-specialist use. It is self administered under medical supervision. The test has a minimum score of zero and a maximum score of 50; lower scores indicate greater cognitive impairment.1 The study was based in hospital outpatient departments. Participants included 94 patients diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease. For each patient, three age matched healthy controls without Alzheimer's disease (n=282) were recruited from accompanying relatives. All patients and controls completed the screening test. The optimal test score for discriminating between patients with Alzheimer's disease and controls was investigated. Each score from 50 down to zero was taken successively as the cut-off point between a "negative" and "positive" screening test result; all scores less than or equal to the cut-off score were considered positive and others were considered negative. For each cut-off score the sensitivity and specificity of the screening test was calculated, and these values were used to derive a receiver operating characteristic curve (figure⇓). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.95. Receiver operating characteristic curve for "test your memory" scores differentiating patients with Alzheimer's disease (n=94) and age matched controls (n=282). Numbers on curve refer to a range of selected cut-off scores between "negative" and "positive" results Which of the following statements, if any, are true?
A peptide trivalent arsenical inhibits tumor angiogenesis by perturbing mitochondrial function in angiogenic endothelial cells
Authors: Anthony S Don, Oliver Kisker, Pierre Dilda, Neil Donoghue, Xueyun Zhao, Stephanie Decollogne, Belinda Creighton, Evelyn Flynn, Judah Folkman, Philip J Hogg
Journal: Cancer Cell (2003)
Foreign Medical Graduates in Psychiatry: Issues and Problems
Authors: Eduardo Val
Journal: JAMA (1981)

It is ironic that the publications of this extensive work combining research and anecdotal data appears when the education of foreign medical graduates (FMGs) is rapidly becoming an issue of the past. The first part of the book reports on a project outlined by the American Psychiatric Association Subcommittee on FMGs and funded by the National Institute of Mental Health over a four-year period. This section reviews the major issues encountered in the education of FMGs, describes the participating programs, and offers an extensive report of the findings from several chapters and other sources. Together with a chapter devoted to conclusions, it constitutes the bulk of the work. The description of the programs involved is a valuable contribution, showing innovative and creative approaches to tailoring curricula to some of the specific FMG needs and offering a philosophy of education from which readers interested in psychiatric training in general might benefit.
MxA mRNA as early predicter of response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Maria Cristina Nava, Eleonora Simeoni, F. Panizzuti, A. Redaelli, Ombretta Turriziani, Cristina Ogliari, C. Quarenghi, Astrid Scalori, M. Pozzi, P. Pioltelli, L. Roffi, G. Mancia, G. Antonelli
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (1998)
Influenza Vaccine for Healthy Adults?
Authors: Peter A. Patriarca, Raymond A. Strikas
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1995)

Of all the preventive measures available to practitioners today, few are as medically and economically compelling as vaccination against influenza. The disease it prevents is associated with 10,000 to 40,000 excess deaths and more than 150,000 excess hospitalizations annually,13 most of which result from the exacerbation of preexisting medical conditions.1,2 Although their intensity and distribution vary, community-wide outbreaks of influenza routinely cause widespread absenteeism in businesses, schools, and day-care centers during the winter months and have been estimated to cost consumers in this country at least $12 billion annually in direct and indirect expenses.3 Influenza vaccine was introduced . . .
The Production of Carbon Monoxide from Hemoglobin In Vivo*
Authors: R. F. Coburn, W. J. Williams, P. White, S. B. Kahn
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1967)

Dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital were shown to produce carbon monoxide at an average rate of 0.21 +/- (SD) 0.05 ml per hour. After intravenous injection of erythrocytes damaged by incubation with N-ethylmaleimide, CO was produced in excess of base-line production for 3 to 4 hours with an average yield of 0.89 +/- (SE) 0.046 mumole of carbon monoxide to 1 mumole of heme degraded. After intravenous injection of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-treated erythrocytes containing hemoglobin labeled with (14)carbon, (14)CO was produced. Its specific activity was approximately one-eighth that of the injected heme. It was also produced after intravenous injection of solutions of hemoglobin-(14)C and of reconstituted methemoglobin containing hemin-(14)C, but not after injections of methemoglobin containing globin-(14)C. The average yields of (14)CO from metabolized heme in the experiments with damaged erythrocytes and hemoglobin solutions were 89 +/- (SE) 4.6 and 97 +/- (SE) 17.0%, respectively. These results demonstrate that the CO produced during hemoglobin degradation arises from the heme moiety. The yield of (14)CO after injection of hemoglobin-(14)C solutions decreased significantly to values of 35 and 42% in two experiments when exogenous CO was added to the body stores, resulting in blood carboxyhemoglobin levels of 11.3 and 13.2% saturation. This finding suggests that oxidative metabolism is required during catabolism of hemoglobin to CO and that carboxy-hemoglobin levels in this range are sufficient to cause inhibition. After intravenous injection of either hemin-(14)C or protoporphyrin-(14)C, (14)CO was also produced. After injection of protoporphyrin-(14)C labeled bilirubin was isolated from gall bladder bile, and labeled hemin was isolated from the liver. It is thus very likely that protoporphyrin is converted to heme before the formation of CO. There was a large difference between the maximal rates of catabolism of hemoglobin to CO observed after injection of damaged erythrocytes and hemoglobin solutions. The limiting parameters in these processes are not yet clear.
Accuracy of intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography for assessment of ischemic area of the heart in mice
Authors: Hideo Hirayama, Kazushi Kitamura, Kentaro Ohtani, Jyuri Okazaki, Yasushi Kashiwagi, Sachiko Yagura, Tsutomu Toshida, Akiko Iwata, Toshihiko Asanuma, Fuminobu Ishikura, Shintaro Beppu
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2002)
P326Regulation by androgens of umbilical artery tone of normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women
Authors: A Esteves, J Pereira, J Feiteiro, E Cairrao, I Verde
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2014)

In the last decades several investigators have suggested the association of androgens with hypertension. Recently, some studies have shown that the incidence of cardiovascular diseases is increased in men with low testosterone levels, suggesting a protective role of androgens. Hypertension is one of the most common problems in pregnancy that complicates 5-10 % of pregnancies. An increase of morbidity was observed in babies from pregnant women with hypertension. However, the pathogenesis remains unclear and this limits the ability to prevent and treat this pathology. The beneficial effects of androgens for vascular system are associated with their ability to cause vasorelaxation. In human vessels, this non genomic effect of androgens appear to be due to activation of large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BKCa) and voltage gated potassium channels (KV) which is induced by cGMP increase and a consequent activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). On the other hand, the genomic effects of androgens concerning ionic channels are almost unknown. Our previous studies suggested that androgens increase the expression of BKCa channels and decrease expression of L-type calcium channels (LTCC). The aim of this work was to analyze the genomic effects of androgens on the expression of other proteins involved in the regulation of vascular contractility, such as soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), the natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPRA) and PKG. This study also aimed to compare the expression levels of these proteins in human umbilical artery (HUA) from normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women. To achieve these goals real time PCR was performed using smooth muscle cells of HUA pre-incubated for 24 hours with DHT (1-1000nM) or not (control). In the cells from normotensive pregnant women, androgens caused a decreased expression of sGC and PKG and an increase in the NPRA expression. However, in HUA muscle cells from pregnant hypertensive women, androgens cause a decrease in expression of sGC and NPRA and an increased expression of PKG. In summary, DHT modulates differently the expression of the analyzed proteins in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women, which suggest that androgens could play an important role in hypertension.
Evaluation of factor VII antigen in factor VII congenital deficiencies with a new ELISA assay
Authors: M. C. Tirindelli, G. Mariani, M. G. Mazzucconi, G. Iacopino, M. Carbonaro, A. Ghirardini, M. Motta, F. Mandelli
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1987)

Abstract An evaluation of a new Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) factor VII:Ag assay in factor VII congenital deficiencies was carried out. This assay was compared to factor VII:C assay and the Inhibitor Neutralization Assay (INA) for factor VII:Ag, both in normals and F VII‐deficient patients. The correlations between ELISA F VII:Ag and VII:C, as well as the one between INA F VII:Ag and VII:C, were good ( r = .86 and .81, respectively). The correlation between the two immunologic methods of assay in normals was fairly good ( r = 0.73, P &lt; 0.001); whereas in mild F VII deficiencies (heterozygotes for F VII deficiencies), the two methods correlated very well ( r = .96). In the severe deficiencies, ELISA F VII:Ag assay allowed the evaluation of F VII protein levels below 1 u/dl. The sensitivities of the INA and ELISA assays were evaluated by creating artificially prepared plasmas containing serial amounts of purified F VII: INA was unable to pick up F VII protein levels lower than 75 ng/ml, whereas the ELISA assay could detect up to 5 ng of F VII.
Small diameter melanoma: a follow-up of the Norwegian Melanoma Project
Authors: P. Helsing, M. Loeb
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2004)

Melanoma prognosis is dependent upon early recognition and treatment. There is a need for good clinical guidelines that focus on the early signs of melanoma. The ABCD (asymmetry, border, colour and diameter) rule states that most melanomas are more than 6 mm in diameter. Critics crave a modification, arguing that small diameter melanomas are not infrequent.The aim of the present study was to describe the frequency and prognosis of melanomas less than 7 mm in a clinical setting.The Norwegian Melanoma Project was conducted as a multicentre, prospective study with inclusion criteria. Patients were recruited from five dermatological departments in Norway from 1990 to 1993.The frequency of small melanomas was 11.4% (18/158). One-third was in situ melanoma, the rest invasive with a median thickness of 0.8 mm. Four small melanomas were T2 lesions, with a Breslow thickness of more than 1 mm. One nodular T2 melanoma recurred locally 2 years after diagnosis and the patient died of distant metastasis only months later.The ABCD rule remains a practical guide for early recognition of melanoma. Clinicians must be aware of its limitations.
The role of nonparenchymal and parenchymal liver cells in the catabolism of extracellular purines
Authors: Hans-Georg Leser, Axel Holstege, Wolfgang Gerok
Journal: Hepatology (1989)

Adenosine-degrading enzymes within the liver lobule can modulate both vascular and metabolic effects of circulating adenosine in the liver. Since it has not been fully established whether nonparenchymal cells participate in the elimination of sinusoidal purines, isolated Kupffer cells and endothelial cells were tested for their capacity to degrade extracellular purines. After perfusion and digestion of rat livers by collagenase, the resulting mixed cell population was separated by centrifugal elutriation. The isolated parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells were incubated for up to 2 hr in the presence of [8- 14 C]adenosine, [8- 14 C]guanosine and [8- 14 C]hypoxanthine (50 μmoles per liter). In the deproteinized medium, adenosine, guanosine, inosine, adenine, guanine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, uric acid and allantoin were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Radioactive peaks were collected and counted. Nonparenchymal cells catalyzed the degradation of adenosine into inosine and hypoxanthine. However, the formation of xanthine, uric acid or allantoin from adenosine could only be detected in hepatocyte suspensions. Within 15 min, adenosine was completely eliminated from the medium by Kupffer cells, whereas endothelial cells catabolized only less than half of the initial amount of the adenine nucleoside during this time period. Accordingly, incubation of nonparenchymal cells in the presence of hypoxanthine did not result in the formation of further breakdown products of the purine, whereas its catabolites slowly accumulated in the medium of hepatocytes. Guanosine conversion into guanine and xanthine was much slower in endothelial cells as compared to Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. Further degradation of xanthine occurred only in the presence of hepatocytes. The results of our study indicate a rapid breakdown of extracellular purine nucleosides by Kupffer cells and a much slower catabolism by endothelial cells. Further degradation of hypoxanthine or xanthine was exclusively catalyzed by hepatocytes, indicating metabolic cooperation between parenchymal and nonparenchymal liver cells.
Endocardial Fibrosis Simulating Constrictive Pericarditis
Authors: Glenn M. Clark, Eleanor Valentine, S. Gilbert Blount
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1956)

THE first physician to describe the association of endocardial fibrosis and eosinophilia as a clinical entity was Löffler1 in 1936. The similarity of this disease to constrictive pericarditis was noted, and it was postulated that in both entities the clinical picture results from restriction of diastolic filling by a thick fibrous plate; it makes little difference whether the thickened plate consists of pericardium or endocardium.Löffler considered the entity that he described to be a manifestation of the rheumatic state, as did Mumme2 and Berblinger,3 who have reported cases in which there was thought to be "rheumatic involvement of valve . . .
NT-PROBNP ASSAY MAY PRECLUDE THE NEED FOR ROUTINE ENDOMYOCARDIAL BIOPSY TO DETECT CARDIAC ALLOGRAFT REJECTION, BUT NOT EARLY AFTER TRANSPLANTATION
Authors: Carlos T. Aguiar, Maria José Rebocho, Marta Marques, Miguel Abecasis, José Neves, João Figueira, Rosa Gouveia, João Melo
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)