tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Hostility and Liver Biopsy
Authors: STEPHEN N. COHEN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1977)

Comments1 June 1977Hostility and Liver BiopsySTEPHEN N. COHEN, M.D.STEPHEN N. COHEN, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-86-6-826_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: I hope Dr. Cantor (Ann Intern Med 86:362, 1977) read the preceding letter by Webster, Hughes, and Buckingham (Ann Intern Med 86:361-362, 1977), especially the part about stringent standards for use of laboratory tests. It may be axiomatic that illness requires a diagnosis, but it is not "axiomatic" that liver disease in an alcoholic patient requires a liver biopsy.Alcoholism is needed a "medical illness with sociologic and psychologic components." It is not obvious that physician hostility to alcoholics is the reason that liver biopsies are not done more often. Indeed, sticking a needle into the liver... This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: STEPHEN N. COHEN, M.D.Affiliations: University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, CA 94143 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 June 1977Volume 86, Issue 6Page: 826-827KeywordsAlcoholicsAlcoholismBiopsyLaboratory testsLiverLiver diseases ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 June 1977 PDF downloadLoading ...
35. Systemic Administration of rAAV6-Microdystrophin Preserves Muscle Function and Extends Lifespan in the Dystrophin-/Utrophin- Mouse Model of Severe Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Paul Gregorevic, Michael J. Blankinship, Elina Minami, James M. Allen, Charles E. Murry, Jeffrey S. Chamberlain
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2006)

Top of pageAbstract
Gene replacement is a promising strategy for treating severe neuromuscular disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, the therapeutic potential of miniaturized dystrophin expression cassettes has not been rigorously assessed because traditional gene transfer systems cannot simultaneously transduce the important skeletal muscles, and the heart of animals that model muscular dystrophies. Furthermore, because of limited prospects for efficient gene transfer, previous studies have typically assessed the effects of localized interventions in the comparatively robust dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse, which poorly models the progressive, severe dystrophy that shortens the lives of DMD patients. We recently established a method that facilitates the delivery of genes to striated muscles throughout adult animals via intravenous administration of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV vectors). This advance has enabled us to rigorously evaluate systemic administration of our most promising microdystrophin construct as a prospective treatment for DMD in the dystrophin-/utrophin- double-knockout mouse. This model experiences severe and progressive muscular dystrophy that shortens lifespan by 75% compared with wild-type and mdx mice. We observed that systemic administration of rAAV6-microdystrophin vectors restores dystrophin expression in important skeletal muscles body-wide and throughout the mouse heart. Restoration of dystrophin expression considerably reduced key indices of muscle disease (such as muscle fiber degeneration) in hindlimb and diaphragm muscles. Treatment also enhanced the force-producing capacity, and resistance to contraction-induced injury of limb and respiratory muscles, and dramatically reduced serum-based indicators of body-wide muscle fiber degeneration. Importantly, we have established that these effects of intravenous rAAV6-microdystrophin delivery preserve the muscle mass and physical mobility of dystrophic mice, and considerably extend their lifespan. These data provide evidence that systemic administration of AAV vectors is a promising strategy to achieve whole body treatment of pathology associated with muscular dystrophy, and as such may lead to a treatment for DMD and other severe neuromuscular disorders.
Early Loss of Blue-Sensitive Color Vision in Patients With Type I Diabetes
Authors: Michael L Daley, Robert C Watzke, Matthew C Riddle
Journal: Diabetes Care (1987)

Existing methods for early detection of ocular injury from diabetes have serious limitations. We describe a new method, measuring visual flicker discrimination of the blue-sensitive mechanism of vision. This method is noninvasive, quantitative, and capable of distinguishing two types of impairment. Blueflicker discrimination was measured in 10 adults with type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes for &amp;lt;5 yr. Although no evidence of diabetic changes was detected by careful ophthalmic examination by an experienced ophthalmologist, 12 of 19 eyes (63%) had flicker discrimination scores considered abnormal in comparison with those of a control group, and 8 of 10 subjects (80%) had at least 1 eye with abnormal performance. In all but 2 abnormal eyes the deficit of blue-flicker discrimination was of the “absorptive” type, suggesting increased absorbance or scattering of blue light in the optical media. These data show that a functional impairment of vision can be measured very early in the course of type I diabetes, before visible retinopathy is present, and suggest this test procedure may have both investigative and clinical applications.
Mechanism of anthracycline-mediated down-regulation of GATA4 in the heart
Authors: Ah-Mee Park, Hiroko Nagase, Lingling Liu, Shilpashree Vinod Kumar, Nava Szwergold, Chi-Ming Wong, Yuichiro J. Suzuki
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2010)

AimsAnthracyclines such as daunorubicin (DNR) and doxorubicin are effective cancer chemotherapeutic agents, but can induce cardiotoxicity. GATA4 has been shown to serve as a survival factor of cardiac muscle cells, and anthracyclines promote apoptosis in part by down-regulating GATA4. The present study investigated the mechanism of anthracycline action to down-regulate GATA4.
Anaphylatoxin-mediated regulation of the immune response. I. C3a-mediated suppression of human and murine humoral immune responses.
Authors: E L Morgan, W O Weigle, T E Hugli
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1982)

The C3a fragment of the third component of complement was found to have immunosuppressive properties. C3a is capable of suppressing both specific and polyclonal antibody responses. In contrast, C3a had no effect on antigen- or mitogen-induced B or T cell proliferative responses. The carboxy-terminal arginine is essential for C3a to exhibit its immunosuppressive properties. The serum carboxypeptidase inhibitor 2-mercaptomethyl-5-guanodinopentanoic acid, which prevents cleavage of the terminal arginine that would produce C3ades Arg-77, allowed us to assay the effects of C3a on in vitro immune response systems where serum is required. When the terminal arginine is removed from C3a, the resulting C3ades Arg-77 molecule is nonsuppressive. Helper T lymphocytes are the target of C3a-mediated suppression of the immune response. Substitution of T cells by soluble T cell factors was found to abrogate the C3a suppressive activity.
Abstract 3330: MicroRNA100 regulates breast cancer stem cells
Authors: Suling Liu, Shoumin Bai, Jia Ke, Rachel Martin-Trvino, Shivani H. Patel, Sean McDermott, Tahra Luther, Amber Heath, Ingrid Ibarra, Hasan Korkaya, Shawn G. Clouthier, Gregory Hannon, Max S. Wicha
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract There is increasing evidence that many human cancers, including breast cancer, are driven and maintained by a cellular subcomponent that displays stem cell properties. These “cancer stem cells” (CSCs) may also mediate tumor metastasis and contribute to treatment resistance and relapse. Our laboratory has identified cellular markers and developed in vitro and mouse models to isolate and characterize normal and malignant human mammary stem cells. We have previously demonstrated that breast cancer cell lines contain subpopulations with stem cell properties that can be isolated by virtue of their expression of Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) as assessed by the Aldefluor assay. We demonstrated, among microRNAs differently expressed in Aldefluor-positive and Aldefluor-negative populations of breast cancer cell lines we identified micrRNA100 (mir100). We found that mir100 is significantly increased in Aldefluor-negative compared to Aldefluor-positive populations. Utilizing a tetracycline inducible lentivirus driving mir100 expression, we found that induction of mir100 expression decreased the ALDH-positive population of SUM159 cells in vitro as well as in mouse xenografts where this reduction was associated with decreased tumor growth. Furthermore, induction of mir100 expression immediately upon orthotopic implantation or intracardiac injection completely blocked subsequent tumor growth and metastasis formation. These studies demonstrate that mir100 plays a functional role in the self-renewal and differentiation of breast cancer stem cells. Furthermore, the TET-inducible mir100 system allows for controlled regulation of the cancer stem cell population providing a valuable model to simulate the effects of CSC-directed therapies on breast cancer growth and metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3330. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3330
Circulating Fibrocytes Are an Indicator of Poor Prognosis in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Antje Moeller, Sarah E. Gilpin, Kjetil Ask, Gerard Cox, Deborah Cook, Jack Gauldie, Peter J. Margetts, Laszlo Farkas, Julian Dobranowski, Colm Boylan, Paul M. O'Byrne, Robert M. Strieter, Martin Kolb
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2009)

The clinical management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains a major challenge due to lack of effective drug therapy or accurate indicators for disease progression. Fibrocytes are circulating mesenchymal cell progenitors that are involved in tissue repair and fibrosis.To test the hypothesis that assay of these cells may provide a biomarker for activity and progression of IPF.Fibrocytes were defined as cells positive for CD45 and collagen-1 by flow cytometry and quantified in patients with stable IPF and during acute exacerbation of the disease. We investigated the clinical and prognostic value of fibrocyte counts by comparison with standard clinical parameters and survival. We used healthy age-matched volunteers and patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome as control subjects.Fibrocytes were significantly elevated in patients with stable IPF (n = 51), with a further increase during acute disease exacerbation (n = 7; P < 0.001 vs. control subjects). Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (n = 10) were not different from healthy control subjects or stable patients with IPF. Fibrocyte numbers were not correlated with lung function or radiologic severity scores, but they were an independent predictor of early mortality. The mean survival of patients with fibrocytes higher than 5% of total blood leukocytes was 7.5 months compared with 27 months for patients with less than 5% (P < 0.0001).Fibrocytes are an indicator for disease activity of IPF and might be useful as a clinical marker for disease progression. This study suggests that quantification of circulating fibrocytes may allow prediction of early mortality in patients with IPF.
The Chemokine Receptor CXCR6 and Its Ligand CXCL16 Are Expressed in Carcinomas and Inhibit Proliferation
Authors: Joost Meijer, Janneke Ogink, Bas Kreike, Dimitry Nuyten, Karin E. de Visser, Ed Roos
Journal: Cancer Research (2008)

The chemokine receptor CXCR6 and its ligand CXCL16 are involved in inflammation. Thus far, they were known to be expressed mainly by T cells and macrophages, respectively. However, we detected both in all of 170 human primary mammary carcinomas and at similar levels in all 8 human mammary carcinoma cell lines tested by microarray analysis. Expression was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR and for the cell lines also by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. CXCR6 and CXCL16 were also detected in several mouse and human mammary, colon, and pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. CXCL16 is a transmembrane protein from which the soluble chemokine can be cleaved off. The transmembrane form is present on the surface of the carcinoma cells. Surprisingly, suppression of either CXCR6 or CXCL16 led to greatly enhanced proliferation in vitro as well as in vivo, indicating that their interaction inhibits proliferation. This notion was verified using inhibitory antibodies and by introduction of CXCL16 into a rare CXCL16-negative cell line. The effect was mediated by the G protein-coupled receptor CXCR6 because it was blocked by the G(i) protein inhibitor pertussis toxin. In contrast, the soluble CXCL16 chemokine enhanced proliferation, and this was also mediated by CXCR6 but not via G(i) protein. It is remarkable that both CXCR6 and CXCL16 are expressed by all mammary carcinomas because cells that lose either acquire a growth advantage and should be selected during tumor progression. This suggests an unknown important role in tumor formation. Proteases, possibly macrophage derived, might convert inhibitory transmembrane CXCL16 into the stimulatory chemokine.
APPLICATION OF THE "RHYTHM" METHOD OF FAMILY PLANNING IN AN ILLITERATE POPULATION
Authors: Alice Thomas
Journal: JAMA (1952)

The "rhythm" method of family planning requires the use of thermometers, calendars, charts, numerals, and words. Such a system cannot be used in countries like India, where the major part of the population is illiterate. Simpler technique, requiring neither reading nor writing, must be taught. An easy method, utilizing beads of bright colors, is described. An abacus is employed with six threads or lines, each strung with 30 beads corresponding to the 30 days of a calendar month. The entire abacus covers a period of six months. Beads of three colors are used: (1) one red bead for each day of menstruation, (2) one green bead for each day of safe period, and (3) one black bead for each day of fertile period. The first two lines of the abacus denote the preliminary training period. The patient is taught to thread one bead each day, red for menstruation and green
Computers Enter Mainstream Psychiatry
Authors: Lynne Lamberg
Journal: JAMA (1997)

COMPUTERS increasingly are entering the psychiatric consultation room, according to reports at this year's annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Some psychiatrists use computers to take histories, fine-tune diagnoses, monitor progress, and maintain therapeutic contact via electronic mail (e-mail) between office visits. They report changes in the physician-patient relationship as patients and families explore vast Internet medical information resources and join online support groups. Pathologic computer use is a growing concern. <h3>Practicing 'Solo'</h3> Leading off a 2-day program on computers in clinical practice, Howard Feinstein, MD, PhD, a psychiatrist practicing in Ithaca, NY, described a recent visit with a patient referred to him for a medication consultation. Sitting at his desk opposite the patient, his keyboard in front of him and the screen to the side to permit face-to-face contact, Feinstein evaluated and entered the man's remarks into a computer chart. At the end of the interview, he
WHAT IS DYSPEPSIA?
Authors: FENTON B. TURCK
Journal: JAMA (1905)

Dyspepsia is difficult digestion and may include all forms of disturbances associated with the digestive process. Normally we are not aware that digestion is going on. When sensations are experienced we have dyspepsia. The ancients sought knowledge through the avenues of philosophic reasoning—the dream of ideas—but in modern methods we gain knowledge by experience of phenomena. What is dyspepsia? We all know, at least empirically, what it is. We were early taught by childish experience with unripe fruit. It has been facetiously stated that the apple which Eve gave to Adam was green, and that it caused indigestion. If we would gain a scientific knowledge of dyspepsia we must study the process of normal conditions and trace the pathologic changes that occur. From time immemorial dyspepsia has been a national as well as an individual problem. Nations do not begin to decline until they have reached the stage of luxury;
Hepatitis B Vaccination: A Personal Plea
Authors: Sheryl J. Menacker
Journal: JAMA (1991)

<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —I am a pediatric ophthalmologist at a tertiary care facility who recently contracted hepatitis B virus (HBV). My course of illness involved subacute hepatic failure and hospitalization. Recovery has been lengthy and uncomfortable. Looking back on this ordeal, the most regrettable factor is that it was preventable. I have not been stuck with a needle in years (something one definitely remembers these days) and am quite conscientious about wearing gloves. My medical and social histories are noncontributory for a possible source of infection. It seems that I took all the right precautions and had no high-risk factors, yet I still contracted HBV. So how could this have been prevented? Vaccination. Twelve thousand health care workers in the United States are expected to contract HBV each year. Of these, it is expected that 15 will die from fulminant hepatitis, 1000 will become HBV carriers, and 200 to 300
Prognostic value of neurohumoral activation in patients with an acute myocardial infarction: Effect of captopril
Authors: Jean-Lucien Rouleau, Milton Packer, Lemuel Moyé, Jacques de Champlain, Daniel Bichet, Marc Klein, Jacques R. Rouleau, Bruce Sussex, J.Malcolm Arnold, François Sestier, John O. Parker, Patricia McEwan, Victoria Bernstein, T.Edward Cuddy, Gervasio Lamas, Stephen S. Gottlieb, John McCans, Claude Nadeau, François Delage, Chuan-Chuan C. Wun, Marc A. Pfeffer
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1994)

Objectives. This study attempted to evaluate whether neurohumoral activation at the time of hospital discharge in postinfarction patients helps to predict long-term prognosis and whether long-term therapy with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril modifies this relation. Background. Neurohumoral activation persists at the time of hospital discharge in a large number of postinfarction patients. The Survival and Ventricular Enlargement (SAVE) study demonstrated that the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril improves survival and decreases the development of severe heart failure in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%) but no overt postinfarction heart failure. Methods. In 534 patients in the SAVE study, plasma neurohormone levels were measured a mean of 12 days after infarction. Patients were then randomized to receive captopril or placebo and were followed up for a mean (±SD) of 38 ± 6 months (range 24 to 55). The association between activation of plasma neurohormones at baseline and subsequent cardiovascular mortality or the development of heart failure was assessed with and without adjustment for other important prognostic factors. Results. By univariate analysis, activation of plasma renin activity and aldosterone, norepinephrine, atrial natriuretic peptide and arginine vasopressin levels were related to subsequent cardiovascular events, whereas epinephrine and dopamine levels were not. By multivariate analysis, only plasma renin activity (relative risk 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 2.5) and atrial natriuretic peptide (relative risk 2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.8) were independently predictive of cardiovascular mortality, whereas the other neurohormones were not. Only plasma renin activity and aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide and arginine vasopressin were independent predictors of the combined end points of cardiovascular mortality, development of severe heart failure or recurrent myocardial infarction. Except for 1-year cardiovascular mortality, the use of captopril did not significantly modify these relations. Conclusions. Neurohumoral activation at the time of hospital discharge in postinfarction patients is an independent sign of poor prognosis. This is particularly true for plasma renin activity and atrial natriuretic peptide. Except for 1-year cardiovascular mortality, captopril does not significantly modify these relations.
The Dietary Intake of Children With IDDM
Authors: Greg A Randecker, Helen Smiciklas-Wright, Jeannie M McKenzie, Barbara M Shannon, Diane C Mitchell, Dorothy J Becker, Kessey Kieselhorst
Journal: Diabetes Care (1996)

OBJECTIVE To assess the dietary intake of children with IDDM and to determine whether the intake meets the current nutritional recommendations for children with IDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 66 children with IDDM who were &amp;lt; 10 years of age were recruited from two suburban Pennsylvania hospitals. To collect dietary intake data, subjects were asked, via telephone interview, to complete three random-day 24-h dietary recalls. Data were analyzed for the content of nutrients and other food components by a computerized database program. Intakes were expressed as a 3-day average intake for each subject. RESULTS Overall mean intake of protein and cholesterol approximated the current recommendations. The mean intake of saturated fat exceeded recommendations, while fiber intake was &amp;lt; the recommended level. Many of the children consumed levels of saturated fat well above recommendations. Energy, vitamin, and mineral intakes were adequate for the overall sample. However, from 10 to 40% of the sample had an inadequate intake of vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc. The percentage of those with inadequate intakes of these nutrients decreased with age. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that, on average, among this sample of children with IDDM aged &amp;lt; 10 years, adherence to the current nutritional recommendations for children with IDDM was adequate, but some individual children had intakes that were not consistent with the recommendations for optimal management of IDDM.
11C-Pittsburgh B PET Imaging in Cardiac Amyloidosis
Authors: Seung-Pyo Lee, Eun Seong Lee, Hongyoon Choi, Hyung-Jun Im, Youngil Koh, Min-Ho Lee, Ji-Hyun Kwon, Jin Chul Paeng, Hyung-Kwan Kim, Gi Jeong Cheon, Yong-Jin Kim, Inho Kim, Sung-Soo Yoon, Jeong-Wook Seo, Dae-Won Sohn
Journal: JACC. Cardiovascular imaging (2014)