tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The complex role of SOCS1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclears of patients with bronchial asthma
Authors: Lada Sorokina, Valeriy Mineev, Valeria Lim, Michael Nyoma, Anna Eremeeva, Yulia Malfygina, Vasiliy Ivanov, Vasiliy Trofimov
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

The aim of the study is to analyze an expression of a negative regulator of cytokine signaling SOCS1 in peripheral blood of patients with allergic (ABA) and non-allergic bronchial asthma (NABA).  Materials and methods. 14 healthy controls, 40 patients with allergic (atopic) and 33 with non-allergic BA were examined. The expression of SOCS1 mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR. Primers of SOCS1 have been developed on the basis of known sequences (GenBank). Expression level of mRNA SOCS1 was estimated relatively to level of β-actin mRNA. Preparation of cell lysates, and the Western blotting were performed through the standard procedure. Anti-SOCS1 antibodies (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, UK) were used. The level of protein was analyzed relatively to β-actin using anti-actin antibodies (Sigma Aldrich, USA).  Results.We determined the decrease (in 5,4 times) of SOCS1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclears in patients with ABA in comparison with healthy persons (p=0,036) and NABA patients (in 5,3 times) (p=0,024) (U-criterion). NABA patients had no significant difference in comparison with healthy persons. SOCS1 mRNA expression level in peripheral blood mononuclears in ABA patients was significantly lower than in the healthy persons (in 1,4 times) (p=0,048; crit. Tukey) and NABA patients (in 1,3 times) (p=0,041; crit. Tukey).  Conclusion .  SOCS1 may play an important role in pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Decrease of SOCS1, and SOCS1 mRNA expression in patients with ABA may be sign of defect in negative regulation system of cytokine signaling. It may be caused by genetic based impairment of SOCS1 expression regulation either on transcription or further levels (translation, protein levels).
Prevalence and compensation of academic leaders, professors, and trustees on publicly traded US healthcare company boards of directors: cross sectional study
Authors: Timothy S Anderson, Chester B Good, Walid F Gellad
Journal: BMJ (2015)

<b>Objective</b> To identify the prevalence, characteristics, and compensation of members of the boards of directors of healthcare industry companies who hold academic appointments as leaders, professors, or trustees. <b>Design</b> Cross sectional study. <b>Setting</b> US healthcare companies publicly traded on the NASDAQ or New York Stock Exchange in 2013. <b>Participants</b> 3434 directors of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical equipment and supply, and healthcare provider companies. <b>Main outcome measures</b> Prevalence, annual compensation, and beneficial stock ownership of directors with affiliations as leaders, professors, or trustees of academic medical and research institutions. <b>Results</b> 446 healthcare companies met the study search criteria, of which 442 (99%) had publicly accessible disclosures on boards of directors. 180 companies (41%) had one or more academically affiliated directors. Directors were affiliated with 85 geographically diverse non-profit academic institutions, including 19 of the top 20 National Institute of Health funded medical schools and all of the 17 US News honor roll hospitals. Overall, these 279 academically affiliated directors included 73 leaders, 121 professors, and 85 trustees. Leaders included 17 chief executive officers and 11 vice presidents or executive officers of health systems and hospitals; 15 university presidents, provosts, and chancellors; and eight medical school deans or presidents. The total annual compensation to academically affiliated directors for their services to companies was $54 995 786 (£35 836 000; €49 185 900) (median individual compensation $193 000) and directors beneficially owned 59 831 477 shares of company stock (median 50 699 shares). <b>Conclusions</b> A substantial number and diversity of academic leaders, professors, and trustees hold directorships at US healthcare companies, with compensation often approaching or surpassing common academic clinical salaries. Dual obligations to for profit company shareholders and non-profit clinical and educational institutions pose considerable personal, financial, and institutional conflicts of interest beyond that of simple consulting relationships. These conflicts have not been fully addressed by professional societies or academic institutions and deserve additional review, regulation, and, in some cases, prohibition when conflicts cannot be reconciled.
SURFACE TENSION OF SERUM
Authors: P. Lecomte du Noüy
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1925)

1. The injection of antigen into an animal determines a gradual change in the blood fluid which finds expression in two physicochemical manifestations that can readily be followed, namely a decrease in the static value of the surface tension of serum solutions, and a special form of crystallization when serum diluted with isotonic sodium chloride solution is allowed to evaporate under certain conditions. 2. The change in the blood is at a maximum around the 13th day after the first antigen injection, and decreases progressively thereafter until it can no longer be observed, which is usually around the 30th day. 3. The change follows the same course, whether a single large injection of antigen is made, or many smaller ones. It begins at the same time in either case, it comes to a maximum after the same period, and in its subsequent course it is not affected by the reinjection of antigen. The manifestations of the change would appear to be independent of the presence of antigen in the circulation. 4. The mean length of the protein molecules of the immune serum obtained after the injection of the antigen dealt with is little if at all different from that of the protein molecules of normal serum. 5. It is possible that this reaction is independent of the antibody formation.
Abstract 55: Gray Matter to White Matter Ratio in CT Radiography of the Brain is Not Associated With Outcome After Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Robert B Metter, Jon C Rittenberger, Francis X Guyette, Clifton W Callaway
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Introduction: Brain injury is a leading cause of death after cardiac arrest. Grey matter to white matter (GM/WM) differentiation on early CT scan is a potential predictor of outcome. Hypothesis: We...
Contribution of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of CNS Toxicity of a Cytarabine-Containing Regimen in Pediatric Leukemia
Authors: Pierre Véra, Pierre Rohrlich, Jean Louis Stiévenart, Monique Elmaleh, Michel Duval, François Bonnin, Bernard Bok, Etienne Vilmer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1999)

Cytarabine (ara-C) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in patients with acute leukemia (AL), with a clear dose effect. Use of high-dose ara-C is hampered, however, by a noticeable toxicity, particularly to the CNS. We investigated the usefulness of CNS perfusion imaging with technetium-99m ((99m)Tc)-hexamethyl-propylene-amine oxime (HMPAO) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) concurrent to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to specifically assess the effects of standard- and high-dose ara-C in children with AL.Twenty-six perfusion studies using (99m)Tc-HMPAO SPECT were performed in 12 children (age range, 4 to 15 years) with AL after induction therapy, which consisted of a standard-dose ara-C, immediately after consolidation with high-dose ara-C, and later during follow-up (range, 6 to 44 months). The chemotherapy-related adverse events were monitored and correlated to SPECT and MRI.After the induction phase, all children were neurologically normal on MRI. On SPECT imaging, four children displayed a slightly heterogeneous perfusion. After high-dose ara-C (4 to 36 g/m(2)), five children had regressive neurologic signs of potential toxic origin. Of these five children, only one had an abnormal MRI scan, whereas all patients showed evidence of diffuse cerebral and/or cerebellar heterogeneous perfusion on SPECT. The seven other patients without any neurologic symptoms had normal MRI scans; SPECT was normal for three patients and abnormal for four patients. On follow-up, for four children who had presented with clinical neurologic toxicity, SPECT improved in three patients and remained unchanged in one patients. In two of these four children, delayed abnormalities (T2 white matter hypersignal and cerebellar atrophy) appeared on MRI scans.In our series, diffuse heterogeneous brain hypoperfusion is often the sole early objective imaging feature identified by SPECT of high-dose ara-C neurotoxicity, where MRI still demonstrates normal pictures.
Investigation of a spatiotemporal cluster of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 infections in eastern England in 2007
Authors: B Rechel, H Mahgoub, G C Pritchard, G Willshaw, C Williams, B Rodrigues, M Lewin, P Nair
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2011)

An outbreak of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) infections linked to an open farm occurred in eastern England in April and May 2007. This paper describes the investigation and highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration for successful control of such outbreaks. There was a temporal cluster of 12 confirmed symptomatic cases of VTEC O157 and one asymptomatic carrier, from five families. The investigation revealed that four of these cases formed part of an outbreak involving two families who visited an open farm. The phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the isolates from the two families and the putative farm animal contacts were indistinguishable, indicating that the animals were the source of the primary infections. No epidemiological link could be established between the remaining three families affected and the open farm or people having visited the farm. Control measures included improved hand washing facilities on the farm, information for visitors and staff, restricted access and suspended petting and feeding of animals, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of affected areas.
Wearing the "safeguarding" hat in the community
Authors: A. Fadilah
Journal: BMJ (2015)

As doctors, we follow structured guidance for safeguarding concerns that arise in clinical settings. But what about in the community? You could be on a train and witness a restless toddler being pinched, then struck on the arm by a parent who seems at their wit’s end. Do you intervene? You may be in a busy supermarket when you see a preschool child jumping excitedly, a parent turning to and silencing the child with a strike on the face—the child’s resigned whimpering speaking of a …
Relationship between endogenous NO and blood gas parameters in former asbestos workers
Authors: Liubov Barbinova, Alexandra Preisser, Xaver Baur
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background:  Nitric oxide is a major endogenous regulator of the vascular tone. Inhaled nitric oxide gas has been used for treatment of pulmonary arterial pressure and hypoxaemia (especially in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn).  It is not known whether there is a relationship between endogenous bronchial NO concentration and blood gases parameters.   Patients and methods:  48 former asbestos workers (all non-smokers) were examined within the framework of a surveillance program. Lung function tests, blood gas analyses, diffusion capacity for CO (D L,CO ), and multiple FeNO measurements (inclusive the estimation of the alveolar NO fraction C alv ) were performed.   Results:  D L,CO  was reduced in asbestos workers (83.4% pred. according to Cotes,1979). The mean value of Pa,O 2  at rest was borderline.  None of the patients exhibited high FeNO values (FeNO=16.9 ± 1.2 ppb). In contrast, C alv  was significantly increased when compared to the control group (n=43) (1.4 ± 0.2 vs. 0.5 ± 0.1 ppb, p  There was a significant negative correlation between FeNO and C alv  on the one hand and AaO2 on the other hand (r sp = -0.33, p sp = -0.36, p alv  showed a positive correlation with Pa,O 2  (r sp = 0.29, p=0.1).  Furthermore, a positive association was found between FeNO and D L,CO  (r sp = 0.40, p   Discussion and conclusions:  The decreased values of D L,CO  reflect the pulmonary fibrosis in asbestos exposed subjects. This is associated with reduced FeNO. The positive correlation between C alv  and Pa,O 2  could be explained by local effects of NO in the alveoli. The relationship of endogenous NO with blood gases parameters may be due to its vasodilatative effects.
Disruption of Nrf2 enhances susceptibility to pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice
Authors: Ying-Ji Li, Takako Shimizu, Yukiyo Hirata, Hirofumi Inagaki, Arata Azuma, Hajime Takizawa, Satoru Takahashi, Masayuki Yamamoto, Tomoyuki Kawada, Shoji Kudoh
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction:  Recently studies suggest that N-acetylcysteine improve the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Oxidant/antioxidant balances may play an important role in many of the processes of inflammation and fibrosis. Nrf2 is involved in the transcriptional regulation of many antioxidant genes. We therefore investigated the role of Nrf2 against the development of pulmonary fibrosis in mice.   Materials and methods:  Both Nrf2 –/–  and Nrf2 +/+  C57BL/6J mice were used. Bleomycin was administered intravenously to the mice at a dosage of 0, 70, 80, and 90 mg/kg body weight on day 0, and the fibroblastic foci were assessed histologically by Ashcroft score determined in the lung tissues on day 28. Furthermore, bleomycin was administered intravenously to the mice at a dosage of 80 mg/kg body weight on day 0, and the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid examined for cell populations on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28.   Results:  The fibroblastic foci were induced by bleomycin at a dosage of 90mg/kg body weight in the lung tissues on day 28 in Nrf2 +/+  mice. In contrast, the fibroblastic foci were induced by bleomycin at a dosage of 70mg/kg body weight in Nrf2 –/–  mice. The total number of cells and macrophages in the BAL fluid were significantly increased from day7 after bleomycin administered in both Nrf2 +/+  and Nrf2 –/–  mice. The increased cells number were significantly greater in Nrf2 +/+  mice than in Nrf2 –/–  mice.   Conclusions:  These findings suggest that Nrf2 might be an important genetic factor in the determination of susceptibility to bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the macrophages defense mechanisms.
<i>Gasometers</i>
Authors: Thomas B. Cole
Journal: JAMA (2015)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry (1919-1959) Podcasts Clinical Reviews Editors' Summary Medical News Author Interviews More JN Learning / CMESubscribeJobsInstitutions / LibrariansReprints & Permissions Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved Search All JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Forum Archive JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry Input Search Term Sign In Individual Sign In Sign inCreate an Account Access through your institution Sign In Purchase Options: Buy this article Rent this article Subscribe to the JAMA journal
Abstract 5569: Paracrine Effects of Cardiomyocyte STAT3 Determine the Vasculogenic Differentiation Potential of Cardiac Progenitor Cells: Potential Role of Endogenous Erythropoietin
Authors: Philipp Fischer, Melanie Hoch, Britta Stapel, Helmut Drexler, Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner
Journal: Circulation (2008)

Mice with a cardiomyocyte-restricted knock out of STAT3 (αMHC-Cretg/+; STAT3flox/flox, STAT3-KO) show a continuous decrease of cardiac vascularization and develop heart failure beyond the age of 9 months. We investigated the role of cardiomyocyte STAT3-driven paracrine effects on Sca-1+ cardiac progenitor cells (CPC) in the mouse heart. CPC were immunomag-netically isolated from KO and wildtype (STAT3flox/flox, WT) hearts (age: 3 months). PCR and Western blot confirmed deletion of STAT3 in cardiomyocytes of KO mice, while CPC from KO showed normal expression of STAT3. The total number of CPC per heart was similar between WT and KO mice. FACS analysis revealed a reduced number of endothelial progenitor cells (defined by co-expression of Sca-1, CD31 and CD38, −25%, P&lt;0.05) in CPC from KO compared to CPC from WT. In vitro culture for 4 weeks on fibronectin-coated plates of CPC from KO revealed reduced proliferation (−33%, p&lt;0.01), impaired endothelial cell (EC) tubeformation (monitored with Tie2, eNOS and CD31 immunohistochemistry (IHC), p&lt;0.01) and enhanced adipocyte differentiation (oil red staining and RT-PCR, p&lt;0.05) compared with CPC from WT. Microarray of freshly isolated CPC reflected this differences in EC and adipocyte differentiation on the mRNA level (i.e. EC marker Prostaglandin E Rezeptor-3: 2.3-fold lower; adipocyte marker Lipocalin-2 2.7-fold higher in CPC from KO hearts). Microarray results from whole left ventricular tissue showed a decrease in gene expression of Erythropoietin (Epo) in KO hearts (-9,25-fold). ELISA, IHC and methylcellulose assay confirm expression of active EPO by cardiomyocytes. CPC express high levels of EPO receptor (IHC, RT-PCR). Epo enhanced tube formation and sprouting of EC and attenuated adipocyte differentiation of CPCs from KO. In vivo treatment with Epo rescued impaired proliferation, promoted EC differentiation and attenuated adipocyte differentiation of CPC from KO hearts. Conclusion: STAT3-dependent paracrine factors from cardiomyocytes regulate proliferation, differentiation and vasculogenic properties of CPCs. Cardiomyocyte derived EPO is an important paracrine mediator that promotes differentiation into EC and attenuates differentiation into adipocytes from CPCs in the adult heart.
Crisis in cremation
Authors: C. Hawley, M C Bateson, R N Arber
Journal: BMJ (1999)

Performance indicators for primary care groups Current indicators have been chosen for ease of collection rather than scientific validityEditor-McColl et al provide a welcome alternative 1 to performance indicators proposed by the NHS Executive and the Department of Health. 2 They have suggested a range of evidence based interventions which are likely to produce behaviour change at practice level.The proposed indicators are very different from the performance indicators in current use, which seem to have a political role at health authority level, often being used simply to search for poorly performing doctors.I have looked at the performance indicators that have been described in the literature, and in particular the scientific evidence underpinning them.Little evidence exists for the validity of using the common indicators in current use. 3 A consistent finding is that indicators are often chosen for their ease of collection rather than their scientific validity.The most commonly used indicators include uptake of cervical cytology, immunisation rates, and various prescribing indicators.I have found little published research showing the importance of a high or low indicator.This applies particularly when the indicators have been accepted as proxy measures of individual general practitioners' clinical competence.Others have also reviewed performance indicators and have identified additional areas that raise doubts about their validity. 4 5 The new indicators will need to be differentiated from the non-clinical indicators that are currently popular markers of clinical competence.In practice these often reflect historic support that has been provided for the practice rather than the competence of the individual general practitioner.Thus the proposed introduction of evidence based clinical indicators for primary care groups provides a more acceptable way forward.Although McColl et al's paper refers to cost effectiveness of proposed interventions, the likely timescale over which they will operate requires consideration, as it has an important implication for the primary care groups at which they are targeted.Although secondary and tertiary prevention may reduce morbidity and mortality over decades, the short term effects of the implementation of interventions will create upward pressure on costs, particularly prescribing costs.This issue should not present obstacles to the promotion of evidence based interventions at the level of primary care groups but must be taken into account when these groups and health authorities are funding health improvement plans.
Changes in neural respiratory drive during initiation of domicilary non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
Authors: Michelle Ramsay, Swapna Mandal, Eui-Sik Suh, Joerg Steier, Anita Simonds, Nicholas Hart
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction: Neural respiratory drive, measured by surface parasternal electromyogram (sEMGpara), reflects the respiratory muscle load-capacity balance. We hypothesised that sEMGpara would quantify the unloading of the respiratory chest wall muscles during the initiation of NIV.

Method: sEMGpara was recorded from the second intercostal space. The peak root mean square signal per breath was averaged over 2 minutes and normalised to a maximal inspiratory manoeuvre (sEMGpara%max). We measured sEMGpara%max during wakefulness, self ventilation overnight and the first night of NIV set up. NIV was titrated using oximetry and capnography. 2 minute epochs of breathing were analysed every 10 minutes.

Results:28 patients (16 male) participated; 10 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 11 obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and 7 neuromuscular disease (NMD). Inter-occasion reliability of sEMGpara%max was assessed a day apart in 10 patients with an agreement of 0.93. NMD patients had the highest levels of sEMG%max during wakefulness. sEMGpara%max fell overnight in all groups, with a significant further reduction during the first night of NIV in the obese group.

![Figure][1] 



Conclusion:Respiratory muscle unloading may not be optimised during the first night of NIV in all patients. The use of automated techniques to monitor sEMGpara%max, may guide ventilator settings to improve respiratory muscle unloading during NIV set up.

 [1]: pending:yes