tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Range of the Sympathetic Control of the Dog Femoral Artery
Authors: MÁRIA GEROVÁ, JÁN GERO
Journal: Circulation Research (1969)

Femoral arterial diameter and pressure were measured in anesthetized dogs. Immediately after section of the ipsilateral lumbar sympathetic chain the artery dilated, reaching a maximum of 122.0% (±0.56 sem ) of resting diameter within 30 to 40 seconds. Later the diameter diminished, stabilizing at 104.3% (±1.8 sem ) of resting diameter within 15 minutes. Stimulation of the peripheral stump of the sympathetic chain induced frequency-dependent constriction, the frequency-response curve being hyperbolic. The average maximal response was 13.42% (± 1.19 sem ) of the resting diameter. These changes were not dependent on suprarenal secretion, blood flow, or changes in distal vascular bed resistance. The contraction of the artery was slow. The half-time of stabilized contraction was 21.6 seconds at a stimulus frequency of 1/sec and 36.8 seconds at 25/sec. The half-time of relaxation was shorter (10.7 seconds and 21.5 seconds, respectively) and also frequency-dependent. A significant dilatation, after stimulation, inversely proportional to the stimulation frequency, occurred after low-frequency stimulations. The time course of contraction suggests the activation of individual smooth muscle layers successively more remote to the nerve endings, possibly due to diffusion of transmitter liberated at the nerve endings by stimulation.
Involvement of beta 2-microglobulin modified with advanced glycation end products in the pathogenesis of hemodialysis-associated amyloidosis. Induction of human monocyte chemotaxis and macrophage secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1.
Authors: T Miyata, R Inagi, Y Iida, M Sato, N Yamada, O Oda, K Maeda, H Seo
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1994)

beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2M) is a major constituent of amyloid fibrils in hemodialysis-associated amyloidosis (HAA), a complication of long-term hemodialysis. However, the pathological role of beta 2M in HAA remains to be determined. Recently, we demonstrated that beta 2M in the amyloid deposits of HAA is modified with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) of the Maillard reaction. Since AGEs have been implicated in tissue damage associated with diabetic complications and aging, we investigated the possible involvement of AGE-modified beta 2M (AGE-beta 2M) in the pathogenesis of HAA. AGE- and normal-beta 2M were purified from urine of long-term hemodialysis patients. AGE-beta 2M enhanced directed migration (chemotaxis) and random cell migration (chemokinesis) of human monocytes in a dose-dependent manner. However, normal-beta 2M did not enhance any migratory activity. AGE-beta 2M, but not normal-beta 2M, increased the secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta from macrophages. Similar effects were also induced by in vitro prepared AGE-beta 2M (normal-beta 2M incubated with glucose in vitro for 30 d). When TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta was added to cultured human synovial cells in an amount equivalent to that secreted from macrophages in the presence of AGE-beta 2M, a significant increase in the synthesis of collagenase and morphological changes in cell shape were observed. These findings suggested that AGE-beta 2M, a major component in amyloid deposits, participates in the pathogenesis of HAA as foci where monocyte/macrophage accumulate and initiate an inflammatory response that leads to bone/joint destruction.
883 INTERFERON-STIMULATED GENE EXPRESSION AND IL28B GENOTYPE TO PREDICT RAPID VIRAL RESPONSE DURING STANDARD THERAPY FOR CHRONIC HEPATITIS C
Authors: M.E. Burlone, R. Minisini, E. Boccato, C. Smirne, F. Corliano, C. Fabris, P. Toniutto, M. Pirisi
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2012)
Well-Done Meat Intake and the Risk of Breast Cancer
Authors: W. Zheng, D. R. Gustafson, D. Moore, C.-P. Hong, K. E. Anderson, L. H. Kushi, T. A. Sellers, A. R. Folsom, R. Sinha, J. R. Cerhan
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1998)

Background: Heterocyclic amines, mutagens formed in meats cooked at high temperatures, have been demonstrated as mammary carcinogens in animals. We conducted a nested, case-control study among 41 836 cohort members of the Iowa Women's Health Study to evaluate the potential role of heterocyclic amines and intake of well-done meat in the risk for human breast cancer. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to individuals in the cohort who had breast cancer diagnosed during the period from 1992 through 1994 and a random sample of cancer-free cohort members to obtain information on usual intake of meats and on meat preparation practices. Color photographs showing various doneness levels of hamburger, beefsteak, and bacon were included. Multivariate analysis was performed on data from 273 case subjects and 657 control subjects who completed the survey. Results: A dose- response relationship was found between doneness levels of meat consumed and breast cancer risk. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for very well-done meat versus rare or mediumdone meat were 1.54 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.96-2.47) for hamburger, 2.21 (95% CI = 1.30-3.77) for beef steak, and 1.64 (95% CI = 0.92- 2.93) for bacon. Women who consumed these three meats consistently very well done had a 4.62 times higher risk (95% CI = 1.36-15.70) than that of women who consumed the meats rare or medium done. Risk of breast cancer was also elevated with increasing intake of well-done to very well-done meat. Conclusions: Consumption of well-done meats and, thus, exposures to heterocyclic amines (or other compounds) formed during high-temperature cooking may play an important role in the risk of breast cancer.
A case of progressive bilateral pitting oedema
Authors: Fatima Alves Pereira, Matthew Di Capite, David Thompson, Matt Hayes, Kate Akester
Journal: BMJ (2015)

A 68 year old man presented with a two month history of progressive shortness of breath. He had previously been able to swim three times a week, but was now becoming short of breath on climbing stairs. His associated symptoms included orthopnoea, swollen ankles, weight gain, and anorexia. He was being treated with simvastatin for hypercholesterolaemia and diltiazem for hypertension and had never smoked.

On examination, he was plethoric, his pulse was regular at 84 beats/min, and his blood pressure was 138/72 mm Hg. Heart sounds were normal and his jugular venous pressure was not raised, although he had pitting oedema to the mid thighs. Findings on respiratory examination included a respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min, with dullness to percussion and associated reduced breath sounds over the right lung base. His abdominal examination was unremarkable.

Laboratory tests showed haemoglobin 129 g/L (reference range 130-170), mean cell volume 79.4 fL (80-100), and creatinine 127 μmol/L (80-115). All other blood test results, and an electrocardiogram, were unremarkable. Chest radiography showed mild cardiomegaly and echocardiography showed well preserved left ventricular size and function. As a result, computed tomography with contrast of his chest, abdomen, and pelvis was performed (figure⇓). 



Reformatted curved coronal section through the abdomen 





### 1. What abnormalities can be seen on the computed tomogram?

#### Short answer

The computed tomogram shows a small renal mass in the right kidney (A) and a large filling defect within a grossly dilated suprarenal inferior vena cava (B).

#### Long answer

The computed tomogram shows a small renal mass in the right kidney that probably represents a renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and a grossly dilated suprarenal inferior vena cava containing a large heterogeneous mass (tumour thrombus) …
Who Calls the Suicide Prevention Center: A Study of 55 Persons Calling on Their Own Behalf
Authors: GEORGE E. MURPHY, RICHARD D. WETZEL, CAROLYN S. SWALLOW, JAMES N. MCCLURE
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1969)

The authors report their experience with a suicide prevention center. Most people calling the center on their own behalf were psychiatrically ill, and two-thirds were chronically so. Four-fifths of the callers had had previous professional attention for their disturbances. Over half had made previous suicide attempts. Depressed mood was the most characteristic motive for calling, while acute interpersonal crises were surprisingly infrequent. Although the callers were predominantly younger women—more like suicide attempters than successful suicides—a substantial number appeared to present significant risk.
Turning a blind eye to the war
Authors: R. Smith
Journal: BMJ (2003)

“We are surprised and indeed disgusted to see the BMJ turning a blind eye to the manslaughter that occurs now in Iraq,” wrote Mr H Hashimi and Dr A L Stewart in a rapid response to last week's BMJ . “Instead of pointing the light on what could prove to be the most grotesque display of human aggression in this century,” they continued, “the BMJ is now reduced to publishing merely about MMR, anxiety, and vertigo.” The issue had some 20 pages on doctors' wellbeing and one page on the war in Iraq. Does this mean that we think doctors' wellbeing 20 times more …
296 PDGFβ AND TGFβ1 STIMULATES HEPATIC STELLATE CELLS THROUGH C-ABL ACTIVATION
Authors: C. Candelaresi, S. Saccomanno, F. Marra, S. De Minicis, L. Agostinelli, A. Benedetti, G. Svegliati-Baroni
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)
An Address on Acromegaly from a Surgical Standpoint: Part II
Authors: H. Cushing
Journal: BMJ (1927)

EI] " --' ''Lf _5NA neither (a) nor-(b) exhibits adherence to ski nar enlarged lymphatic glands_in the axilla. 2. It is difficult for women, who are so accustomed to pain, to associate it with pathological lesions in their breasts.They do not regard-pain in their breasts as beinig so important as when it occurs elsewhere.At puberty they experience mammary pain, which is repeated throughout the term of their menstrual periods.Any irregularity of the pelvic visceral organs induces pain in the breast.Various emotions.may give rise to it.Thus throughout life a certain amount of pain in, the breasts is so common that manly women regard it as a normal experiernce.Tlle fact makes difficult an attempt to elicit pain as part of the history of a pathological lesionl.
Chromogranin A Regulates Tumor Self-Seeding and Dissemination
Authors: Eleonora Dondossola, Luca Crippa, Barbara Colombo, Elisabetta Ferrero, Angelo Corti
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Cancer progression involves the seeding of malignant cells in circulation and the colonization of distant organs. However, circulating neoplastic cells can also reinfiltrate the tumor of origin. This process, called "tumor-self seeding," can select more aggressive cells that may contribute to cancer progression. Here, using mouse mammary adenocarcinoma models, we observed that both tumor self-seeding and organ colonization were inhibited by chromogranin A (CgA), a protein present in variable amounts in the blood of cancer patients. Mechanism studies showed that CgA inhibited the shedding of cancer cells in circulation from primary tumors, as well as the reinfiltration of tumors and the colonization of lungs by circulating tumor cells. CgA reduced gap formation induced by tumor cell-derived factors in endothelial cells, decreased vascular leakage in tumors, and inhibited the transendothelial migration of cancer cells. Together, our findings point to a role for circulating CgA in the regulation of tumor cell trafficking from tumor-to-blood and from blood-to-tumor/normal tissues. Inhibition of the multidirectional trafficking of cancer cells in normal and neoplastic tissues may represent a novel strategy to reduce cancer progression.
What is to be done about fundholding?
Authors: T. Gosden, D. Torgerson, A. Maynard
Journal: BMJ (1997)

Objective: To compare prescribing patterns in general practices before and after the introduction of fundholding in April 1993 to determine whether fundholding changed prescribing patterns among practices that joined the scheme.Design: Analysis of prescribing data from the Drug Utilisation Research Unit's database for all practices in Northern Ireland during April 1989 to March 1996.Setting: Northern Ireland.Subjects: 23 first wave fundholders, 34 second wave fundholders, 9 third wave fundholders, and 268 non-fundholders.Main outcome measures: Prescribing costs per 1000 patients, prescription items per 1000 patients, average cost per item, and rate of generic prescribing.Results: Prescribing costs and frequency increased in all groups throughout the study.Among the fundholders the rate of increase in costs after fundholding was significantly lower than among non-fundholders.The rate of increase in cost per item fell, coinciding with a significant increase in the rate of generic prescribing.However, with regard to first wave fundholders, their yearly increase in costs in their third year as fundholders (1995-6) was similar to that of the non-fundholders.The earlier practices that joined the scheme seemed to differ in some important respects from those that joined later.Conclusions: After fundholders joined the fundholding scheme their patterns of prescribing changed compared with those of non-fundholders: the rate of increase in costs fell and there was a significant rise in the rate of generic prescribing.
Localized Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Improved Knowledge With Unchanged Survival Over Time
Authors: Jürgen Weitz, Christina R. Antonescu, Murray F. Brennan
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2003)

The objective of this study was to define whether survival of patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS), stratified for known risk factors, has improved over the last 20 years.From January 1982 to December 2001, 1,706 patients with primary and recurrent STS of the extremities were treated at our institution and were prospectively followed. From this cohort, we selected 1,261 patients who underwent complete macroscopic resection and had one of the following histopathologies: fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, or synovial sarcoma. Median follow-up was 55 months. Patient, tumor, and treatment factors were analyzed as prognostic factors.The 5-year disease-specific actuarial survival was 79% (78% for patients treated from 1982 to 1986, 79% for patients treated from 1986 to 1991, 79% for patients treated from 1992 to 1996, and 85% for patients treated from 1997 to 2001; P = not significant). For high-risk patients (high-grade, > 10 cm, deep tumors; n = 247), 5-year disease-specific survival was 51% (50% for patients treated from 1982 to 1986, 45% for patients treated from 1986 to 1991, 52% for patients treated from 1992 to 1996, and 61% for patients treated from 1997 to 2001; P = not significant). Tumor depth, size, grade, microscopic margin status, patient age, presentation status (primary tumor versus local recurrence), location (proximal versus distal), and certain histopathologic subtypes were significant prognostic factors for disease-specific survival on multivariate analysis; however, time period of treatment was not.Prognosis of patients with extremity STS, stratified for known risk factors, has not improved over the last 20 years, indicating that current therapy has reached the limits of efficacy.
Prognostic Significance of p27, Ki-67, and Topoisomerase IIα Expression in Clinically Nonfunctioning Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors
Authors: Hee Jin Chang, Kenneth P. Batts, Ricardo V. Lloyd, Thomas J. Sebo, Geoffrey B. Thompson, Christine M. Lohse, Shane V. Pankratz
Journal: Endocrine Pathology (2000)
Restricted heterogeneity of T lymphocytes in combined immunodeficiency with hypereosinophilia (Omenn's syndrome).
Authors: G de Saint-Basile, F Le Deist, J P de Villartay, N Cerf-Bensussan, O Journet, N Brousse, C Griscelli, A Fischer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1991)

We report the immunological characteristics of five patients with Omenn's syndrome, a rare inherited immunodeficiency also known as combined immunodeficiency with hypereosinophilia. The syndrome is characterized by T cell infiltration of skin, gut, liver, and spleen leading to diffuse erythroderma, protracted diarrhea, failure to thrive, and hepatosplenomegaly. Blood T cells as well as those infiltrating the skin and gut were found to express activation markers and were partially activated by mitogens but not by antigens. Although the lesions resembled those in graft-versus-host disease, the blood T cells were shown by DNA haplotype analysis using probes revealing variable number of tandem repeats to belong to the patients as well as the T cells infiltrating the gut and skin in one patient. A given T cell subset (TCR alpha beta+, CD4+/CD8+, or TCR gamma delta+) was predominant in each patient, with a specific distribution in the skin lesions. Moreover, the study of T cell receptor beta, gamma, and delta gene rearrangements in four patients revealed oligoclonality involving C beta 1, C beta 2, or different V gamma J gamma or V delta J delta genes. This indicates that restricted heterogeneity of the T cell repertoire, previously reported in one case, is a major feature of this syndrome. The occurrence of alymphocytosis-type severe combined immunodeficiency in the brother of one of the patients suggests that the restricted heterogeneity of T cell receptor gene usage in Omenn's syndrome may arise from leakiness, within the context of a genetically determined faulty T cell differentiation.
Suppression of atrial fibrillation by multisite and septal pacing in a novel experimental model
Authors: R Becker
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2002)

Objectives: To evaluate the preventive efficacy of multisite and septal atrial pacing in an experimental model. Methods: Sterile right atrial pericarditis was induced in 12 foxhounds to provide an anatomical substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). As a trigger mechanism, atrial extrasystoles were simulated by constant asynchronous pacing at a cycle length of 1000 ms from randomly selected right or left atrial electrodes, using a biatrial epicardial multielectrode with 128 bipoles. Additionally, a transvenous pacing lead was screwed into the interatrial septum. Four electrodes located in the high and low right (HRA/LRA) and left atrium (HLA/LLA) were selected for preventive multisite stimulation. Constant pacing at a cycle length 30 ms below sinus rate was applied from the following site(s): HRA, septal, HRA+LRA, HRA+LLA, HRA+LRA+LLA and HRA+LRA+HLA+LLA (order randomized). Number and duration of AF episodes were studied during 10 min intervals, separated by 5 min pauses, respectively. To validate the model, the protocol was repeated 10 min after i.v. bolus administration of d,l-sotalol (1 mg/kg body weight). Results: The number of AF episodes decreased with increasing number of pacing sites, reaching statistical significance compared to HRA stimulation for quadruple-site and single-site septal pacing only (P<0.05). Single-site septal was as efficient as quadruple-site pacing in suppressing AF. The duration of AF episodes was not significantly affected by the pacing configuration. d,l-sotalol almost completely suppressed AF irrespective of the pacing configuration used. Conclusions: In this novel experimental model, quadruple-site and septal pacing effectively suppress paroxysmal AF.
Empathy: A unitary circuit or a set of dissociable neuro-cognitive systems?
Authors: James R. Blair, Karina S. Perschardt
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2002)

We question whether empathy is mediated by a unitary circuit. We argue that recent neuroimaging data indicate dissociable neural responses for different facial expressions as well as for representing others' mental states (Theory of Mind, TOM). We also argue that the general empathy disorder considered characteristic of autism and psychopathy is not general but specific for each disorder.
Interleukin 1β and tumour necrosis factor α inhibit acid secretion in cultured rabbit parietal cells by multiple pathways
Authors: I L P Beales, J Calam
Journal: Gut (1998)

Background —The cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) are inhibitors of gastric acid secretion when administered systemically. Aims —To investigate the inhibitory effect of IL-1β and TNF-α on cultured, acid secreting parietal cells in order to determine the mechanism of this inhibition. Methods —Rabbit parietal cells were prepared by collagenase-EDTA digestion and counter flow elutriation. Acid secretory activity was assessed by aminopyrine accumulation. Results —IL-1β and TNF-α inhibited basal and stimulated acid secretion in a dose dependent manner; near maximal effects were seen with both at 10 ng/ml. Inhibition was maximal with 15 minutes pretreatment but seen with up to 18 hours of preincubation. Both cytokines inhibited histamine, carbachol, gastrin, forskolin, and A23187 stimulated acid secretion but had no effect on stimulation by dibutyryl-cAMP. Inhibition of acid secretion was not accompanied by a change in radioligand binding to histamine H 2 or gastrin/CCK B receptors. Pertussis toxin abolished the inhibitory effects on histamine and forskolin stimulation. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin reduced the inhibitory effects of TNF-α against all stimuli but only reduced the effects of IL-1β against histamine and forskolin stimulation. Conclusions —IL-1β and TNF-α seem to inhibit parietal cell acid secretion by multiple pathways; the inhibition occurs at postreceptor level and involves pertussis toxin and tyrosine kinase dependent and independent pathways. Mucosal production of cytokines may be important in the regulation of gastric acid secretion.
EDITORIALS: Polymerase Chain Reaction and Analysis of Cancer Cell Markers
Authors: E. Kawasaki, H. Erlich
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1990)

The use of tumor cell markers for clinical analysis poses a twofold challenge: (a) the identification of markers whose presence is informative and clinically relevant and (b) the development of sensitive, simple, and reliable methods for their detection. With increasing knowledge of the etiology of various cancers, the analysis of tumor cell markers is becoming more important in diagnosis and in their use as prognostic indicators. Many leukemias and lymphomas contain characteristic chromosomal aberrations, and cytogenetic analyses to detect the t(9;22) chromosomal translocation associated with chronic myeloid leukemia and the t(14;18) associated with follicular lymphomas are an important part of the diagnostic regimens for these cancers. Much effort has gone into the identification of specific cell proteins (receptors, tumor-specific antigens, etc.) for possible use as diagnostic and prognostic markers in solid tumors. Breast cancer cells have been extensively analyzed for this purpose, and tests to detect the estrogen receptor (ER) provide clinically useful information in this neoplasia. Other markers, like the neu protooncogene, may also prove to be clinically relevant. Given the heterogeneity of many biopsy samples, quantitative issues, such as sensitivity, are critical for the diagnostic relevance of a given tumor cell marker. Cytogenetic, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and protein analyses require that at least 5% of the cells be of tumor origin if interpretable results are to be obtained. However, if the actual proportion of tumor cells is low relative to normal cells or only small amounts of material are available as in needle biopsies, the usual protocols may not be sensitive enough for the analysis. In this issue, Stetler-Stevenson et al. (7) and Fuqua and associates (2) address this problem by describing their use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to study the t(14;18) translocation in Hodgkin's lymphoma and the expression of ER mRNA (and presumably protein) in breast cancer cells, respectively. The t(14;18) translocation is present in about 90% of follicular lymphomas and is an excellent marker for diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of minimal residual disease. In follicular lymphomas, most of the cells are malignant, whereas in tissues of patients with Hodgkin's disease, only 1% are considered abnormal. Thus molecular analysis of the neoplastic (Reed-Sternberg) cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma is difficult even under the most