tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Proliferation of human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells in culture is modulated by active TGF 
Authors: H. L Kirschenlohr, J. C Metcalfe, P. L Weissberg, D. J Grainger
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1995)

Human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) prepared by enzyme dispersal have been reported to proliferate more slowly and remain more differentiated than VSMC derived by explant culture. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these differences are attributable to the production of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), a major modulator of VSMC properties in culture, by enzyme dispersal, but not explant, cultures.Human aortic VSMC cultures were prepared by enzymatic dissociation of aortic media or by outgrowth of cells from explants derived from the vessel media. Properties, including rate of proliferation and differentiation, of the two different types of culture obtained from 10 donors (age 3-54 years, of either sex) were compared. The role of TGF beta as mediator of these differences was investigated.VSMC from enzyme dispersal cultures proliferated with a long doubling time in 20% fetal calf serum of 68(SEM 2) h, reaching a low saturation density with no "hills and valleys", and the cells were predominantly of stellate morphology. VSMC from explant cultures proliferated with a shorter doubling time of 35(2) h, reached a higher saturation density with "hills and valleys", and showed a spindle shaped morphology. The enzyme dispersed cells, but not the explant cells, released TGF beta into the medium. Addition of exogenous TGF beta to the explant cells extended the doubling time, while addition of a neutralising antibody to the enzyme dispersed cells decreased the doubling time. Tamoxifen, an anti-oestrogenic drug, decreased the rate of proliferation of the explant cells (ED50 = 50 nM; n = 3) but not enzyme dispersed cells by stimulating production of TGF beta. The explant and enzyme dispersal cultures also differed in response to growth factors. The explant cultures stimulated DNA synthesis in response to platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) AA and BB. Enzyme dispersal cultures stimulated DNA synthesis in response to PDGF-BB but response to AA was weaker and also variable.Human explant derived VSMC systematically differ from enzyme dispersed VSMC obtained from the same donor tissue. Wherever the potential role of TGF beta was investigated, the differences between enzyme dispersal and explant cultures were due to autocrine production of TGF beta by the enzyme dispersal, but not explant cultures.
Reticuloendothelial system and hepatocytic function in fulminant hepatic failure.
Authors: J Canalese, C D Gove, A E Gimson, S P Wilkinson, E N Wardle, R Williams
Journal: Gut (1982)

Kupffer cell and hepatocyte function were studied in 36 patients with fulminant hepatic failure by measurement of clearance of 125I microaggregated albumin (125IMAA) and galactose, respectively. Both were impaired but there was no correlation with final outcome, although on sequential testing 48 hours later, those patients who survived had a significantly greater improvement in Kupffer cell and hepatocyte function. In six other patients with similar hepatocyte dysfunction but no encephalopathy, Kupffer cell function was not significantly different from that of controls. This is additional support for a possible relation between encephalopathy and damage to Kupffer cell function. The latter was also shown to correlate with renal failure; this is consistent with the suggestion that endotoxaemia is important in the pathogenesis of this complication.
So Much More to Say
Authors: Patricia T. Leff
Journal: JAMA (1989)

"That woman—she never leaves me alone," I mutter to my friend as we dash to the cafeteria. "Every lab value. Every pulmonary treatment. Every IV. Every insulin injection. Every bowel movement...." My buddy nods knowingly. All of the interns have served time with Mrs Davis, Christy's mother. As we whizz past the clock, I turn my head for a second. Mrs Davis is flying after me and quickly gaining ground. I shiver: Patty, won't you ever learn to muzzle your mouth? "That woman" has probably heard a good 90% of the nasty things you've said about her. "Dr Leff, I thought we were going to see the radiologist together," she attacks. "Mrs Davis, we will. Let me grab lunch first; you could take a break too. Then we'll go straight to radiology. There really is no hurry," I plead, I implore; I'm hungry, I'm exhausted. She senses the earnestness in
An open‐label, phase 2 trial of denosumab in the treatment of relapsed or plateau‐phase multiple myeloma
Authors: Ravi Vij, Noemi Horvath, Andrew Spencer, Kerry Taylor, Saroj Vadhan‐Raj, Robert Vescio, Judy Smith, Yi Qian, Howard Yeh, Susie Jun
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2009)

Abstract RANKL is a key mediator of osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival. Preclinical data suggest that aberrant production and activation of osteoclasts may influence proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in the bone marrow. Reports have also shown that inhibiting RANKL may have a direct effect on RANK‐expressing myeloma cells and a therapeutic role in treating the disease. In mouse myeloma models, inhibition of RANKL led to reduced serum paraprotein levels and tumor burden. Based on this hypothesis, this proof‐of‐concept, single‐arm study investigated whether RANKL inhibition with denosumab could reduce serum M‐protein levels in relapsed or plateau‐phase myeloma subjects. All subjects received denosumab monthly, with loading doses on days 8 and 15 of month one, until disease progression or subject discontinuation. Results of this ongoing study demonstrated that no subjects in either cohort met the protocol‐defined objective response criteria of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), but that denosumab effectively inhibited the RANKL pathway regardless of previous exposure to bisphosphonates, as evidenced by suppressed levels of the bone turnover marker, serum C‐terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (sCTx). Eleven (21%) subjects who relapsed within 3 months before study entry maintained stable disease for up to 16.5 months. Nineteen (46%) subjects with plateau‐phase myeloma maintained stable disease for up to 18.3 months. The adverse event (AE) profile for denosumab and its dosing schedule in these populations was consistent with that for advanced cancer patients receiving systemic therapy. Additional controlled clinical studies of denosumab in subjects with both relapsed and plateau‐phase MM are warranted. Am. J. Hematol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hyaluronidase Expression by an Oncolytic Adenovirus Enhances Its Intratumoral Spread and Suppresses Tumor Growth
Authors: Sonia Guedan, Juan José Rojas, Alena Gros, Elena Mercade, Manel Cascallo, Ramon Alemany
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2010)

Successful virotherapy requires efficient virus spread within tumors. We tested whether the expression of hyaluronidase, an enzyme which dissociates the extracellular matrix (ECM), could enhance the intratumoral distribution of an oncolytic adenovirus and improve its therapeutic activity. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated that intratumoral coadministration of hyaluronidase in mice-bearing tumor xenografts improves the antitumor activity of an oncolytic adenovirus. Next, we constructed a replication-competent adenovirus expressing a soluble form of the human sperm hyaluronidase (PH20) under the control of the major late promoter (MLP) (AdwtRGD-PH20). Intratumoral treatment of human melanoma xenografts with AdwtRGD-PH20 resulted in degradation of hyaluronan (HA), enhanced viral distribution, and induced tumor regression in all treated tumors. Finally, the PH20 cDNA was inserted in an oncolytic adenovirus that selectively kills pRb pathway-defective tumor cells. The antitumoral activity of the novel oncolytic adenovirus expressing PH20 (ICOVIR17) was compared to that of the parental virus ICOVIR15. ICOVIR17 showed more antitumor efficacy following intratumoral and systemic administration in mice with prestablished tumors, along with an improved spread of the virus within the tumor. Importantly, a single intravenous dose of ICOVIR17 induced tumor regression in 60% of treated tumors. These results indicate that ICOVIR17 is a promising candidate for clinical testing.
Effect of Inhaled Carbon Ultrafine Particles on Reactive Hyperemia in Healthy Human Subjects
Authors: Alpa P. Shah, Anthony P. Pietropaoli, Lauren M. Frasier, Donna M. Speers, David C. Chalupa, Joseph M. Delehanty, Li-Shan Huang, Mark J. Utell, Mark W. Frampton
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2007)

Ultrafine particles (UFP) may contribute to the cardiovascular effects of exposure to particulate air pollution, partly because of their relatively efficient alveolar deposition and potential to enter the pulmonary vascular space.This study tested the hypothesis that inhalation of elemental carbon UFP alters systemic vascular function.Sixteen healthy subjects (mean age, 26.9 +/- 6.5 years) inhaled air or 50 microg/m3 elemental carbon UFP by mouthpiece for 2 hr, while exercising intermittently. Measurements at preexposure baseline, 0 hr (immediately after exposure), 3.5 hr, 21 hr, and 45 hr included vital signs, venous occlusion plethysmography and reactive hyperemia of the forearm, and venous plasma nitrate and nitrite levels.Peak forearm blood flow after ischemia increased 3.5 hr after exposure to air but not UFP (change from preexposure baseline, air: 9.31 +/- 3.41; UFP: 1.09 +/- 2.55 mL/min/100 mL; t-test, p = 0.03). Blood pressure did not change, so minimal resistance after ischemia (mean blood pressure divided by forearm blood flow) decreased with air, but not UFP [change from preexposure baseline, air: -0.48 +/- 0.21; UFP: 0.07 +/- 0.19 mmHg/mL/min; analysis of variance (ANOVA), p = 0.024]. There was no UFP effect on pre-ischemia forearm blood flow or resistance, or on total forearm blood flow after ischemia. Venous nitrate levels were significantly lower after exposure to carbon UFP compared with air (ANOVA, p = 0.038). There were no differences in venous nitrite levels.Inhalation of 50 microg/m3 carbon UFP during intermittent exercise impairs peak forearm blood flow during reactive hyperemia in healthy human subjects.
Comparative Definitions for Moderate-Severe Ischemia in Stress Nuclear, Echocardiography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Leslee J. Shaw, Daniel S. Berman, Michael H. Picard, Matthias G. Friedrich, Raymond Y. Kwong, Gregg W. Stone, Roxy Senior, James K. Min, Rory Hachamovitch, Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, Jennifer H. Mieres, Thomas H. Marwick, Lawrence M. Phillips, Farooq A. Chaudhry, Patricia A. Pellikka, Piotr Slomka, Andrew E. Arai, Ami E. Iskandrian, Timothy M. Bateman, Gary V. Heller, Todd D. Miller, Eike Nagel, Abhinav Goyal, Salvador Borges-Neto, William E. Boden, Harmony R. Reynolds, Judith S. Hochman, David J. Maron, Pamela S. Douglas
Journal: JACC. Cardiovascular imaging (2014)
Fusion Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography Demonstration of Epidural Metastases
Authors: Hossein Jadvar, Daniel Cham, Sherief Gamie, Robert W. Henderson
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2004)

We report the findings on fusion imaging with positron emission tomography–computed axial tomography (PET-CT) of metastatic epidural disease in an 82-year-old man with a history of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder previously treated with cystectomy and left nephrectomy. Hybrid PET-CT was performed using a Siemens Biograph scanner (Knoxville, TN) 45 minutes after intravenous administration of 15 mCi of [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). A CT transmission scan was obtained for attenuation correction. The patient had no neurologic symptoms but had a known mediastinal mass on chest radiography. PET demonstrated extensive intensely hypermetabolic disease in the thoracic spine that on fused CT localized to the epidural space from T1 to T10 with perineural extensions at multiple thoracic levels. Continuous disease was also noted extending into the left supraclavicular neck, the lower posterior mediastinum to the level of the carina, and through the retrocrural space into the upper abdominal retroperitoneum. There was additional hypermetabolic disease along the left lateral chest wall musculature, the left latissimus dorsi muscle, and the bilateral iliac nodal basins. A subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of the thoracic spine confirmed the epidural disease without evidence for metastatic cord compression.
Sophorolipids Decrease IgE Production in U266 Cells by Downregulation of BSAP (Pax5), TLR-2, STAT3 and IL-6
Authors: M. Hagler, T.A. Smith-Norowitz, S. Chice, S.R. Wallner, D. Viterbo, C.M. Mueller, R. Gross, M. Nowakowski, R. Schulze, M.E. Zenilman, M.H. Bluth
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2007)
Glucose-specific regulation of aldose reductase in capan-1 human pancreatic duct cells In vitro.
Authors: J V Busik, S R Hootman, C A Greenidge, D N Henry
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1997)

Impaired pancreatic duct secretion is frequently observed in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), although the cellular mechanism(s) of dysfunction remains unknown. Studies in other tissues have suggested that a hyperglycemia-induced decrease in Na, K-ATPase activity could contribute to the metabolic complications of IDDM and that increased polyol metabolism is involved in this response. The present studies examined the effects of glucose on Na, K-ATPase activity and on expression and activity of aldose reductase (AR), a primary enzyme of polyol metabolism, in Capan-1 human pancreatic duct cells. Increasing medium glucose from 5.5 to 22 mM caused a 29% decrease in Na,K-ATPase activity. The decrease was corrected by 100 microM sorbinil, a specific AR inhibitor. Increasing glucose from 5.5 to 110 mM also resulted in concentration-dependent increases in AR mRNA and enzyme activity that could be resolved into two components, one that was glucose specific and observed at pathophysiological concentrations (< 55 mM) and a second that was osmotically induced at high concentrations (> 55 mM) and which was not glucose specific. The present study demonstrates that pathophysiological levels of glucose specifically activate polyol metabolism with a consequent decrease in Na,K-ATPase activity in pancreatic duct epithelial cells, and that this response to hyperglycemia could contribute to decreased pancreatic secretion observed in IDDM. This is the first report of AR regulation in the pancreatic duct epithelium.
The British Medical Scene since 1980
Authors: John Lister
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1983)

Since the last London Post was written over two years ago,1 the British medical scene has been unsettled on account of economic factors, government policy, and professional problems.Whether the so-called monetarist policy of the Thatcher government is considered to be harsh or just realistic may depend on one's own political viewpoint, but it has undoubtedly had a profound effect on the National Health Service (NHS), the universities and their medical schools, and research activity. Even before the economic recession became serious, the NHS authorities were subjected to rigid budgetary limits, and because of the high rate of inflation many . . .
ASSOCIATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS WITH C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY: THE REGARDS STUDY
Authors: Mehdi H. Shishehbor, Suzanne Judd, David Litaker, Saima Karim, Dawn Kleindorfer, Michael Lauer, George Howard, Virginia Howard, Mary Cushman
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Negative chemical ionization studied of human and food chain contamination with xenobiotic chemicals.
Authors: R C Dougherty, M J Whitaker, L M Smith, D L Stalling, D W Kuehl
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1980)

Negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry with a mixture of isobutane, methylene chloride, and oxygen as the reagent gas has been used to explore contamination of environmental substrates with xenobiotic chemicals. The substrates in question, fish tissue, human seminal plasma, and human adipose tissue, were cleaned up by one of the following three cleanup procedures: (1) continuous liquid-liquid extraction steam distillation; (2) gel-permeation chromatography; and (3) adsorption on activated carbon followed by elution with toluene. The third procedure was used only for the examination of planar polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental samples. Using these techniques, we have found evidence for contamination of fish samples with polychloronaphthalenes, polychlorostyrenes, polychlorobiphenyls, polychlorodibenzofurans, and polychlorodibenzodioxins among other chemicals. The polychlorodibenzodioxins appeared only in the spectra of extracts of fish obtained from the Tittabawassee River at Midland Michigan. The polychlorodibenzofuran ions appeared in NCI mass spectra of fish that were significantly contaminated (above 2 ppm) with polychlorobiphenyls. Toxic substances occurring in human seminal plasma included pentachlorophenol, hexachlorobenzene, DDT metabolites, and polychlorobiphenyls. We have investigated toxic substances in human seminal plasma because of the apparent decrease in sperm density in U.S. males over the last 30 years. Results of screening human adipose tissue for contamination with xenobiotic chemicals have been largely coincident with result of the EPA human monitoring program. Polychlorobiphenyls, DDT metabolites, nonachlor, and chlordane have appeared in most samples examined. Detection limits for all of these chemicals were of the order of 1 ppb.
Tackling alcohol misuse at the front line
Authors: Robin Touquet, Alex Paton
Journal: BMJ (2006)

The UK government announced at the end of last year that £3.2m (€4.8m; $6m) was to be made available “for new initiatives which will help identify and intervene early with” people who may be damaging themselves with alcohol.1 In 2004 in England 38% of men and 16% of women aged 16-64 had an alcohol use disorder (26% overall), equivalent to around 8.2 million people.2

About £217m is currently spent on specialist alcohol treatment, but compare that with the £20bn estimated cost of alcohol misuse. We hope that some of the new money will be used to support those clinical settings in which alcohol misuse is common and detection and intervention are most likely to be rewarding—for example, in hospital emergency departments, general practices, and hospital wards.

Most conurbations in England have one or more specialist alcohol units, which are usually headed by psychiatrists and largely deal with complex problems such as dependence, psychiatric comorbidity, and accompanying physical illness. These are controlled by mental health trusts, which are separated administratively from acute hospital trusts, so services tend to be fragmented.

In many areas voluntary agencies provide a local service for people with alcohol problems, ranging from the heavy drinker who is beginning to have problems to the dependent street drinker. Staffed by professionals with backgrounds in health and social services and considerable expertise in managing alcohol problems, these often unappreciated assets are closely in touch with the local community and with resources such as those for housing, jobs, and legal advice. They receive funds from various sources such as the local authority, primary care trusts, and charitable foundations, while NHS services now rely solely on funds from primary care trusts. The national body Alcohol Concern coordinates the work of the voluntary sector as well as providing information and advice for the general public.
Yersinial Cervical Adenitis
Authors: RICHARD C. ROSE
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1983)

Letters and Corrections1 November 1983Yersinial Cervical AdenitisRICHARD C. ROSE III, M.D., JOHN W. CAMPBELL, M.D.RICHARD C. ROSE III, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, JOHN W. CAMPBELL, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-99-5-739_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: A recent report (1) describes the syndrome of pharyngitis due to Yersinia enterocolitica. A case we have seen may be a complication of this syndrome.A 63-year-old man went to his personal physician because of sore throat and swelling in the right side of his neck of several days' duration. The patient had neither fever, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. Oral ampicillin was prescribed and, when there was no response in several days, he was referred with a diagnosis of suspected tonsillar cancer. A barium swallow showed no evidence of compression of the esophagus and roentgenograms...References1. TACKETDAVISCARTERRANDOLPHCOHEN CBGJM. Yersinia enterocolitica pharyngitis. Ann Intern Med. 1983;99:40-2. LinkGoogle Scholar2. BOTTONE E. Yersinia enterocolitica: a panoramic view of a charismatic micro-organism. CRC Crit Rev Microbiol. 1977;211-41. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: RICHARD C. ROSEIII, M.D.; JOHN W. CAMPBELL, M.D.Affiliations: Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center Knoxville, TN 37916 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byYersinia EnterocoliticaCervical Lymphadenitis 1 November 1983Volume 99, Issue 5Page: 739-739KeywordsAbdominal painDiarrheaEsophagusFeversInflammationPharyngitis ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1983 PDF downloadLoading ...
Melanotic spinothoracic schwannoma.
Authors: F Paris, J Cabanes, C Munoz, L Tamarit
Journal: Thorax (1979)

A dumb-bell mediastinal melanotic schwannoma is described, and the rarity of this type of tumour emphasised. The tumour was resected by simultaneous laminectomy and posterior thoracotomy. The patient is well four years after operation. The pathology of the tumour is described and the origin of melanotic cells is discussed.
AN EFFICIENT AND INEXPENSIVE INSTRUMENT FOR THE REMOVAL OF EAR WAX.
Authors: ALFRED HINDE
Journal: JAMA (1897)

Many years ago from a piece of iron wire heated at one end, flattened, and then twisted half a revolution, cooled quickly, and sharpened near its point, I hastily constructed a most efficient ear wax remover. It still continues to be the most suitable instrument for the rapid removal of inspissated cerumen with which I am acquainted. After repeated requests of the students of Rush Medical College I have had Messrs. Sharp &amp; Smith copy my old instrument—a cut of which is herewith presented and its dimensions given. They have made one instrument blunt-pointed for the removal of softened wax, and one with a cutting edge of three millimeters length at the inner lip or edge of the instrument. This is used where the wax is of greater density and the plug is readily tunneled and removed piecemeal or extracted in one lump if too hard too be broken down.
Extracranial Arterial Occlusion
Authors: George J. Vakkur
Journal: JAMA (1970)

To the Editor.—  I was pleased to see the letter by Thompson ( 213 :874, 1970), in which he pointed out an obvious fallacy in the recent progress report of the Joint Study of Extracranial Arterial Occlusion by Fields et al ( 211 :1993, 1970). I would like to add some comments.  In a previous report by Bauer et al ( 208 :509, 1969), the results were expressed as survival rates at 42 months. This method would be expected to favor the surgical group, were many of the deaths to occur early. A more meaningful index (in the patient's standpoint at least) would have been the mean survival time in months. Unfortunately this parameter cannot be estimated from the published material for the only subgroup that is said to benefit by surgery—the 218 patients who were clinically in group A (no or mild deficit) and who radiologically had a unilateral carotid stenosis only.