tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Autism spectrum disorders and intestinal microbiota
Authors: Maria De Angelis, Ruggiero Francavilla, Maria Piccolo, Andrea De Giacomo, Marco Gobbetti
Journal: Gut Microbes (2015)

Through extensive microbial-mammalian co-metabolism, the intestinal microbiota have evolved to exert a marked influence on health and disease via gut-brain-microbiota interactions. In this addendum, we summarize the findings of our recent study on the fecal microbiota and metabolomes of children with pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) or autism (AD) compared with healthy children (HC). Children with PDD-NOS or AD have altered fecal microbiota and metabolomes (including neurotransmitter molecules). We hypothesize that the degree of microbial alteration correlates with the severity of the disease since fecal microbiota and metabolomes alterations were higher in children with PDD-NOS and, especially, AD compared to HC. Our study indicates that the levels of free amino acids (FAA) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) differ in AD subjects compared to children with PDD-NOS, who are more similar to HC. Finally, we propose a new perspective on the implications for the interaction between intestinal microbiota and AD.
Macrophage Cell Membrane Camouflaged Mesoporous Silica Nanocapsules for In Vivo Cancer Therapy
Authors: Minjun Xuan, Jingxin Shao, Luru Dai, Qiang He, Junbai Li
Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials (2015)

Engineering natural macrophage cell membrane-camouflaged mesoporous silica nanocapsules can reduce the arrested percentage of immune cells and tissues, effectively prolong the survival time of nanoparticles in blood circulation system, and improve the accumulation in tumor.
On disentangling and weighting kinds of semantic knowledge
Authors: Agnesa Pillon, Dana Samson
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2001)

To account for category-specific semantic deficits, Humphreys and Forde propose to fractionate semantic memory into multiple sensory and functional knowledge stores. There are reasons to doubt the empirical productivity of this proposal, unless theoretically motivated principles of distinguishing and weighting the different kinds of object knowledge can be spelled out in detail.
Upregulation of K <sub>2P</sub> 3.1 K <sup>+</sup> Current Causes Action Potential Shortening in Patients With Chronic Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Constanze Schmidt, Felix Wiedmann, Niels Voigt, Xiao-Bo Zhou, Jordi Heijman, Siegfried Lang, Virginia Albert, Stefan Kallenberger, Arjang Ruhparwar, Gábor Szabó, Klaus Kallenbach, Matthias Karck, Martin Borggrefe, Peter Biliczki, Joachim R. Ehrlich, István Baczkó, Patrick Lugenbiel, Patrick A. Schweizer, Birgit C. Donner, Hugo A. Katus, Dobromir Dobrev, Dierk Thomas
Journal: Circulation (2015)

Antiarrhythmic management of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a major clinical challenge. Mechanism-based approaches to AF therapy are sought to increase effectiveness and to provide individualized patient care. K(2P)3.1 (TASK-1 [tandem of P domains in a weak inward-rectifying K+ channel-related acid-sensitive K+ channel-1]) 2-pore-domain K+ (K(2P)) channels have been implicated in action potential regulation in animal models. However, their role in the pathophysiology and treatment of paroxysmal and chronic patients with AF is unknown.Right and left atrial tissue was obtained from patients with paroxysmal or chronic AF and from control subjects in sinus rhythm. Ion channel expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Membrane currents and action potentials were recorded using voltage- and current-clamp techniques. K(2P)3.1 subunits exhibited predominantly atrial expression, and atrial K(2P)3.1 transcript levels were highest among functional K(2P) channels. K(2P)3.1 mRNA and protein levels were increased in chronic AF. Enhancement of corresponding currents in the right atrium resulted in shortened action potential duration at 90% of repolarization (APD90) compared with patients in sinus rhythm. In contrast, K(2P)3.1 expression was not significantly affected in subjects with paroxysmal AF. Pharmacological K(2P)3.1 inhibition prolonged APD90 in atrial myocytes from patients with chronic AF to values observed among control subjects in sinus rhythm.Enhancement of atrium-selective K(2P)3.1 currents contributes to APD shortening in patients with chronic AF, and K(2P)3.1 channel inhibition reverses AF-related APD shortening. These results highlight the potential of K(2P)3.1 as a novel drug target for mechanism-based AF therapy.
The impact of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose on renal function: an analysis of the<scp>FAIR‐HF</scp>study
Authors: Piotr Ponikowski, Gerasimos Filippatos, Josep Comin Colet, Ronnie Willenheimer, Kenneth Dickstein, Thomas Lüscher, Giedrius Gaudesius, Barbara von Eisenhart Rothe, Claudio Mori, Nicola Greenlaw, Ian Ford, Iain Macdougall, Stefan D. Anker
Journal: European Journal of Heart Failure (2015)
Trends in adherence to cancer screening guidelines: Are we moving in the right direction?
Authors: A. B. Chagpar, K. M. McMasters
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

1539 Background: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cervical, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer screening are well- established. The purpose of this study was to determine how adherence to CPGs has changed over the past five years. Methods: The National Health Interview Survey is a population-based survey, designed to be representative of the entire civilian non-institutionalized population in the US. To determine trends in adherence to CPGs, data from the 2000 and 2005 surveys were analyzed using SAS and SAS-callable SUDAAN software. Results: There was a significant decline in women over the age of 21 reporting having had a PAP smear within the preceding three years and women over the age of 40 reporting having had a mammogram within the preceding two years over the period of 2000 to 2005. However, the rate of men over the age of 50 reporting having had a PSA did not significantly change over this period. The rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with either proctoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy increased between 2000 and 2005. While an increase in CRC screening between 2000 and 2005 was observed in both women (32.3% to 39.9%, p<0.0001) and men (37.2% to 42.7%, p<0.0001), men were significantly more likely to report having had endoscopic screening than women, independent of survey year (p<0.0001). On multivariate analysis, controlling for insurance status, educational level and family income, the trends in colorectal, cervical and breast cancer between 2000 and 2005 remained significant. Conclusions: There has been a significant decline in adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening CPGs over the past five years, while CRC screening has improved over the same time period. Although rates of PAP smears and mammography are high compared with lower GI endoscopy and PSA testing, the decline in breast and cervical cancer screening is concerning. Number of people (%) P value 2000 2005 Univariate Multivariate PAP smear within past 3 yrs 13,538 (78.7) 12,215 (74.1) P<0.0001 P<0.0001 Mammogram within past 2 yrs 7,289 (68.5) 7,061 (65.5) P=0.0005 P=0.0003 Endoscopy within past 10 yrs 4,260 (34.5) 5,337 (41.2) P<0.0001 P<0.0001 PSA within the past yr 2,104 (46.0) 2,350 (54.0) P=0.7649 P=0.8681 No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Innovations. DNA detectives.
Authors: M May
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1999)

To understand the many potential causes and resulting consequences of DNA damage, scientists first need methods to detect it. Canadian scientists X. Chris Le and Michael Weinfeld, with help from U.S. molecular biologist Steven Leadon, developed a selective, sensitive technique for measuring DNA damage. The scientists combined a thymine glycol antibody with thymine glycol to selectively tag a specific type of DNA damage. They then added a second antibody with fluorescing properties, and used laser-induced fluorescence to identify the damaged portion of the tagged DNA. The fluorescence can be quantified, with higher levels of fluorescence indicating higher DNA damage. The technique was shown to find 1 damaged base in 1 billion normal bases. This level of sensitivity could allow the measurement of DNA damage resulting from clinical levels of radiation, and may allow scientists to establish a day-to-day baseline for DNA damage. From this baseline, it would be possible to ascertain the levels of damage that a cell can tolerate, as well as how much damaged it is capable of repairing on a daily basis.
Comparative effectiveness of adjuvant oxaliplatin and irinotecan-based chemotherapy regimens among elderly stage III colon cancer patients completing 12 cycles.
Authors: N. B. Pandya, C. D. Mullins, F. S. Hsiao, E. Onukwugha, B. S. Seal, N. Hanna
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

e14069 Background: Randomized controlled trials and real world comparative effectiveness studies have suggested survival benefits with adjuvant oxaliplatin (OX)-based regimen in stage III colon cancer patients. However, patients in routine clinical practice may experience early discontinuation of therapy due to adverse events or other reasons. Our aim was to compare survival among colon cancer patients on OX and irinotecan (IRI)-based regimens who received at least 12 cycles of chemotherapy. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database was used to identify stage III colon cancer patients older than 65 who were diagnosed between 2002 and 2005, with follow-up through 2007. Patients who received at least 12 cycles of OX (n = 439) or IRI-based regimen (n = 142) after surgery were included. The primary outcomes were survival time from initiation of chemotherapies to all-cause death, colon cancer-specific death, and non-colon cancer death. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for patient and clinical characteristics, were used to comparing the survival benefit between OX and IRI- based combination therapy. Results: The crude event rates for all-cause death per 100 person years were 6.7 and 15.2 among OX and IRI-based regimen users, respectively. The crude event rates for colon cancer-specific death per 100 person years were 0.5 among OX- based and 8.4 among IRI-based regimen users. The adjusted overall survival and non-colon cancer survival between OX-based and IRI-based regimen in stage III colon cancer patients who received at least 12 cycles of chemotherapies were comparable. However, the point estimate suggests that OX-based regimen (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10-1.00; p = 0.049) had more favorable colon cancer-specific survival benefit than IRI-based regimen. Conclusions: There appears to be a comparative effectiveness benefit of OX-based versus IRI-based regimens among elderly stage III colon cancer patients who receive chemotherapy at least 12 times. The survival benefit reflects a wide range of possible magnitudes and is impacted by a variety of patient and treatment-related characteristics. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Position Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration sanofi-aventis Amgen, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, sanofi-aventis sanofi-aventis Pfizer, sanofi-aventis GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, sanofi-aventis
Bronchoscopic practice in Japan
Authors: Fumihiro Asano, Motoi Aoe, Yoshinobu Ohsaki, Yoshinori Okada, Shinji Sasada, Shigeki Sato, Eiichi Suzuki, Hiroshi Senba, Shozo Fujino, Kazumitsu Ohmori
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background and Objective : To investigate the current state of mechanisms to ensure the safety of bronchoscopic practice, the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy conducted a national survey.

Methods : A questionnaire survey was conducted over the course of 1 year (2010). A questionnaire was mailed to 538 facilities authorized by the Society.

Results : Responses were obtained from 511 facilities (95.0%). Rigid bronchoscopes were used in only 18.5% of the facilities, while mobile/thin bronchoscopes were used in ≥50%, and fluoroscopy systems were used in 99.8%. Biopsies were performed after discontinuation of therapy in patients receiving antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants in 96.7% and 97.4% of the facilities, respectively. Atropine was administered for premedication in 67.5% of the facilities, a decrease from previous surveys. Intravenous sedation was given in 36.1% of the facilities. In 21.9% of these, the procedure was conducted in the outpatient clinic for ≥70% of patients. A bronchoscope was orally inserted in ≥70% of patients in 95.7% of the facilities. Intravenous access was maintained during the examination in 92.5% of the facilities, oxygen saturation was monitored during examinations in 99.0%, oxygen was administered in 97.6%, and resuscitation equipment was available in 96%. In 98.6% of the facilities, bronchoscopes were disinfected using an automatic washing machine, but glutaraldehyde was used in 42.2%.

Conclusions : Japan-specific characteristics in bronchoscopic practice were identified. Whether procedures used in Japan meet international guidelines with respect to safety should be monitored continuously. In addition, a Japanese evidence-based consensus is needed.
OX40 Costimulation Enhances Interleukin-4 (IL-4) Expression at Priming and Promotes the Differentiation of Naive Human CD4+ T Cells Into High IL-4–Producing Effectors
Authors: Yusei Ohshima, Liang-Peng Yang, Takashi Uchiyama, Yuetsu Tanaka, Peter Baum, Martin Sergerie, Patrice Hermann, Guy Delespesse
Journal: Blood (1998)
Abstract 923: Dissociation Between Superoxide Accumulation And Nitroglycerin Induced Tolerance
Authors: Vamsi K Addanki, Pei-Suen Tsou, Ho-Leung Fung
Journal: Circulation (2007)

We hypothesize that superoxide (SO) accumulation is not a critical causative factor in inducing nitroglycerin (NTG) tolerance. Using p47phox−/− and gp91−/− mice vs. their respective wild-type (WT) controls, we showed that aorta from mice null of these critical NADPH oxidase subunits exhibited similar vascular tolerance after NTG dosing (20 mg/kg sc, tid for 3 days), as indicated by their ex vivo pEC 50 and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP, pmol/mg protein) accumulation upon NTG challenge. In vitro aorta SO production (cpm/mg dry weight) was enhanced by NTG incubation both in p47phox null and WT mice (Table 1 ). Pre-exposure of isolated mice aorta to 100 microM NTG for 1 hr resulted in vascular tolerance toward NTG and increased SO accumulation. Oxypurinol (Oxy, 1mM) reduced SO but failed to attenuate vascular tolerance (Table 2 ). In LLC-PK1 cells, pre-exposure to NTG (1 microM for 4 hours) resulted in increased SO accumulation and reduced cGMP response to 3.16 microM NTG vs. vehicle control. Exposure to 1 microM angiotensin II increased SO but did not reduce cGMP response. Taken together, these results indicate that in vivo vascular NTG tolerance in mice does not require the presence of the p47phox and gp91phox subunits of NADPH oxidase, and that increased SO accumulation may be a consequence, rather than a cause, of NTG tolerance. Table 1 Table 2
Low-Dose Combined Immunosuppression Results In Rapid Remission In Patients With Acquired Hemophilia A
Authors: Andrea Várkonyi, Attila Szederjesi, János Dolgos, Péter Farkas, Júlia Galgóczi, Kinga Káel, Katalin Pap, Krisztina Szabó, Beata Vilimi, Tamás Masszi, Imre Bodó
Journal: Blood (2013)
Myc Drives Chromosomal Gain in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Letetia Jones, Sabina Sevcikova, Vernon Phan, Sachi Jain, Angell Shieh, Joshua Dubansky, Min Li, Mei Lin Maunakea, George Zhu, Thelma R Tennant, Scott Lowe, Michelle M. Le, Scott C. Kogan
Journal: Blood (2008)
Effects of interpreters on the evaluation of psychopathology in non- English-speaking patients
Authors: Luis R. Marcos
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1979)

Non-English-speaking patients in need of psychiatric services are usually evaluated with the help of an interpreter. Discussions with psychiatrists and lay hospital interpreters who had experience in these interviews and content analysis of eight audiotaped interpreter-mediated psychiatric interviews suggested that clinically relevant interpreter-related distortions could lead to misevaluation of the patient's mental status. The author notes that pre- and post-interview meetings of clinicians and interpreters have been found useful in minimizing these distortions.
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I and Class II Alleles May Confer Susceptibility to or Protection Against Morphea: Findings From the Morphea in Adults and Children Cohort
Authors: Heidi Jacobe, Chul Ahn, Frank C. Arnett, John D. Reveille
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2014)

Objective To determine the HLA class I and class II alleles of the human major histocompatibility complex showing an association with morphea (localized scleroderma) in the Morphea in Adults and Children (MAC) cohort, using a nested case–control association study. Methods Patients with morphea were identified from the MAC cohort, and matched controls were obtained from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Scleroderma Family Registry and DNA Repository and from the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. HLA class II genotyping and single‐strand conformational polymorphism typing were performed to identify HLA–A, B, and C alleles. Associations between HLA class I and class II alleles and morphea, as well as its subphenotypes, were determined. Results Two hundred eleven patients with morphea and 726 matched controls were available for HLA class I typing, and 158 patients with morphea and 1,008 matched controls were available for HLA class II typing. The strongest associations were found with DRB1*04:04 (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.4–4.0, P = 0.002), and HLA– B*37 conferred the highest OR among the class I alleles (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.5–6.5, P = 0.001). Comparison of the risk allele profile in this cohort with the risk alleles previously identified in patients with systemic sclerosis, determined using the same methods and same control population, revealed one allele in common, DRB*04:04 . Conclusion These results demonstrate that specific HLA class I and class II alleles are associated with morphea and are also likely to be associated with generalized and linear subtypes of morphea. The morphea‐associated alleles are different from those found in scleroderma, suggesting that morphea is immunogenetically distinct. Risk alleles in morphea are also associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune conditions. Population‐based studies have indicated that patients with RA have an increased risk of morphea, and therefore a common susceptibility allele may be implicated.
Decision aids for localized prostate cancer treatment choice: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Philippe D. Violette, Thomas Agoritsas, Paul Alexander, Jarno Riikonen, Henrikki Santti, Arnav Agarwal, Neera Bhatnagar, Philipp Dahm, Victor Montori, Gordon H. Guyatt, Kari A. O. Tikkinen
Journal: CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (2015)

Abstract Patients who are diagnosed with localized prostate cancer need to make critical treatment decisions that are sensitive to their values and preferences. The role of decision aids in facilitating these decisions is unknown. The authors conducted a systematic review of randomized trials of decision aids for localized prostate cancer. Teams of 2 reviewers independently identified, selected, and abstracted data from 14 eligible trials (n = 3377 men), of which 10 were conducted in North America. Of these, 11 trials compared decision aids with usual care, and 3 trials compared decision aids with other decision aids. Two trials suggested a modest positive impact on decisional regret. Results across studies varied widely for decisional conflict (4 studies), satisfaction with decision (2 studies), and knowledge (2 studies). No impact on treatment choices was observed (6 studies). In conclusion, scant evidence at high risk of bias suggests the variable impact of existing decision aids on a limited set of decisional processes and outcomes. Because current decision aids provide information but do not directly facilitate shared decision making, subsequent efforts would benefit from user‐centered design of decision aids that promote shared decision making. CA Cancer J Clin 2015;65: 239–251. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Different sex ratios at birth in Europe and North America
Authors: A. Jacobs
Journal: BMJ (2002)

# Does it matter? {#article-title-2} EDITOR—Grech et al seem to confuse statistical significance with practical significance.1 They found highly significant differences in sex ratios among the regions they studied not because of large differences in the sex ratios but because of their large sample sizes. In any case, the use of significance testing in this context is questionable: the purpose of significance testing is to make inferences about a population from a sample, and here whole populations are being studied. What is the population about which Grech et al are trying to make inferences? In all regions that Grech et al studied I would expect 51 boys out of every 100 live births. Dodifferences in sex ratio at the third decimal place and beyond really have any practical significance? 1. ↵1. Grech V, 2. Savona-Ventura C, 3. Vassallo-Agius P .Unexplained differences in sex ratios at birth in Europe and North America.BMJ2002; 324:1010–1011. (27 April.) [OpenUrl][1][FREE Full Text][2] # Latitude has important role {#article-title-4} EDITOR—In their ecological study of 27 countries Grech et al reported a higher male to female ratio at birth for southern Europe than for central and Nordic Europe.1 A reversed latitudinal relation emerged for North America, with Mexico and the United States yielding lower sex ratios than any European country; Canada's sex ratio (although not stated) … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBMJ%26rft.stitle%253DBMJ%26rft.issn%253D0007-1447%26rft.aulast%253DGrech%26rft.auinit1%253DV.%26rft.volume%253D324%26rft.issue%253D7344%26rft.spage%253D1010%26rft.epage%253D1011%26rft.atitle%253DResearch%2Bpointers%253A%2BUnexplained%2Bdifferences%2Bin%2Bsex%2Bratios%2Bat%2Bbirth%2Bin%2BEurope%2Band%2BNorth%2BAmerica%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1136%252Fbmj.324.7344.1010%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F11976243%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=FULL&journalCode=bmj&resid=324/7344/1010&atom=%2Fbmj%2F325%2F7359%2F334.2.atom
Psychiatric diagnosis of chronic pain patients
Authors: J Reich, J P Tupin, S I Abramowitz
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1983)

Using DSM-III, the authors reviewed the psychiatric diagnoses of 43 patients evaluated over a 1-year period by a university medical center pain board and found that 98% of the patients had an axis I disorder and 37% had an axis II disorder. The findings are discussed in relationship to earlier findings and treatment implications.