tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Balancing Selection at a Frog Antimicrobial Peptide Locus: Fluctuating Immune Effector Alleles?
Authors: J. A. Tennessen, M. S. Blouin
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2008)

Balancing selection is common on many defense genes, but it has rarely been reported for immune effector proteins such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). We describe genetic diversity at a brevinin-1 AMP locus in three species of leopard frogs (Rana pipiens, Rana blairi, and Rana palustris). Several highly divergent allelic lineages are segregating at this locus. That this unusual pattern results from balancing selection is demonstrated by multiple lines of evidence, including a ratio of nonsynonymous/synonymous polymorphism significantly higher than 1, the ZnS test, incongruence between the number of segregating sites and haplotype diversity, and significant Tajima's D values. Our data are more consistent with a model of fluctuating selection in which alleles change frequencies over time than with a model of stable balancing selection such as overdominance. Evidence for fluctuating selection includes skewed allele frequencies, low levels of synonymous variation, nonneutral values of Tajima's D within allelic lineages, an inverse relationship between the frequency of an allelic lineage and its degree of polymorphism, and divergent allele frequencies among populations. AMP loci could be important sites of adaptive genetic diversity, with consequences for host-pathogen coevolution and the ability of species to resist disease epidemics.
A PLAN OF RECTAL FEEDING
Authors: EDWARD E. CORNWALL
Journal: JAMA (1918)

In devising a plan of rectal feeding, it seems proper to take into consideration the following facts and principles.  Proof that the colon possesses adequate digestive capacity is lacking, and consequently all food introduced by way of the rectum should be completely predigested if it is not already in forms suitable for immediate absorption by the colonic mucosa.  It is necessary to think of the protein ration in terms of amino-acids, and of particular amino-acids, because the proteins of different foodstuffs split up into different groups of amino-acids, and the body not only requires for its synthetic purposes a definite variety of amino-acids, but requires them in particular proportions if its nitrogenous economy is to be favored. Articles of food whose protein contains potentially all the amino-acids that the body needs in approximately ideal proportions are animal flesh, eggs and milk. Flesh and eggs are undesirable because of their tendency
Obesity in Adult Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Kevin C. Oeffinger, Ann C. Mertens, Charles A. Sklar, Yutaka Yasui, Thomas Fears, Marilyn Stovall, Terry A. Vik, Peter D. Inskip, Leslie L. Robison
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2003)

To determine whether adult survivors (>or= 18 years of age) of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at increased risk for obesity and to assess patient and treatment variables that influence risk.A retrospective cohort of participants of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study was used to compare 1,765 adult survivors of childhood ALL to 2,565 adult siblings of childhood cancer survivors. Body-mass index (BMI; kilograms per square meter), calculated from self-reported heights and weights, was used to determine the prevalence of being overweight (BMI, 25-29.9) or obese (BMI >or= 30.0). Polytomous logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for being overweight or obese among ALL survivors relative to the sibling control group.The age- and race-adjusted OR for being obese in survivors treated with cranial radiation doses >or= 20 Gy in comparison with siblings was 2.59 for females (95% CI, 1.88 to 3.55; P <.001) and 1.86 for males (95% CI, 1.33 to 2.57; P <.001). The OR for obesity was greatest among females diagnosed at 0 to 4 years of age and treated with radiation doses >or= 20 Gy (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 2.34 to 5.99; P <.001). Obesity was not associated with treatment consisting of chemotherapy only or with cranial radiation doses of 10 to 19 Gy.Cranial radiotherapy >or= 20 Gy is associated with an increased prevalence of obesity, especially in females treated at a young age. It is imperative that healthcare professionals recognize this risk and develop strategies to enhance weight control and encourage longitudinal follow-up.
MIP-1alpha as a critical macrophage chemoattractant in murine wound repair.
Authors: L A DiPietro, M Burdick, Q E Low, S L Kunkel, R M Strieter
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1998)

At sites of injury, macrophages secrete growth factors and proteins that promote tissue repair. While this central role of the macrophage has been well studied, the specific stimuli that recruit macrophages into sites of injury are not well understood. This study examines the role of macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha (MIP-1alpha), a C-C chemokine with monocyte chemoattractant capability, in excisional wound repair. Both MIP-1alpha mRNA and protein were detectable in murine wounds from 12 h through 5 d after injury. MIP-1alpha protein levels peaked 3 d after injury, coinciding with maximum macrophage infiltration. The contribution of MIP-1alpha to monocyte recruitment into wounds was assessed by treating mice with neutralizing anti-MIP-1alpha antiserum before injury. Wounds of mice treated with anti-MIP-1alpha antiserum had significantly fewer macrophages than control (41% decrease, P < 0. 01). This decrease in wound macrophages was paralleled by decreased angiogenic activity and collagen synthesis. When tested in the corneal micropocket assay, wound homogenates from mice treated with anti-MIP-1alpha contained significantly less angiogenic activity than control wound homogenates (27% positive for angiogenic activity versus 91% positive in the control group, P < 0.01). Collagen production was also significantly reduced in the wounds from anti-MIP-1alpha treated animals (29% decrease, P < 0.05). The results demonstrate that MIP-1alpha plays a critical role in macrophage recruitment into wounds, and suggest that appropriate tissue repair is dependent upon this recruitment.
A sixth of new cases of HIV are drug resistant strains
Authors: S. Gottlieb
Journal: BMJ (1999)

An increasing number of people newly infected with HIV have drug resistant strains of the virus that could compromise successful treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the current treatment of choice, according to two new studies (JAMA 1999;282:1135-41, 1142-9, 1177-9).

In the first study Dr Martin Markowitz of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York City studied 77 men and three women from New York and Los Angeles whose HIV infection had been diagnosed within the previous five months.

The researchers …
Reduction of the concentration and total amount of keratan sulphate in synovial fluid from patients with osteoarthritis during treatment with piroxicam.
Authors: G J Carroll, M C Bell, B A Laing, S McCappin, C Blumer, A Leslie
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1992)

To study the effects of piroxicam on cartilage metabolism in vivo, a three phase (placebo/piroxicam 20 mg/day by mouth/placebo) double blind controlled trial was conducted in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Twenty one patients were recruited, 19 of whom (11 women, eight men, median age 70 years) completed the treatment schedule. The knee joint under study was aspirated to dryness at four week intervals. Treatment with piroxicam was accompanied by a decrease in the pain score, an improvement in the functional index, and an increased range of movement. Reductions in the concentration (mean (SEM) 120 (6) to 110 (8) micrograms/ml) and the total amount (1.22 (0.34) to 0.99 (0.37) mg) of keratan sulphate, but not the effusion volume (9.4 (2.5) to 8.3 (2.6) ml) were observed during treatment with piroxicam. These findings are consistent with decreased proteoglycan catabolism during treatment with piroxicam. Neither depressed synthesis nor enhanced clearance of degraded proteoglycan fragments can be excluded, however.
Outcome of Gastric Surgery for Morbid Obesity: Weight Changes and Personality Traits
Authors: Robert H. Bull, Gabriela Legorreta
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (1991)

This controlled study explores weight change in relation to certain personality and behavioural characteristics in a population of morbidly obese individuals who have undergone a gastric procedure to lose weight. In particular, measures of alexithymia and symbolic function were used, and the results of the study indicate that these concepts are particularly helpful in understanding obese individuals, and aetiology and treatment of their condition.
The Management of Mitral Valve Prolapse-Reply
Authors: Robert M. Jeresaty
Journal: JAMA (1986)

In Reply.—  The letters by Drs Romanic, Alves, and Lebow and Ross raise important questions about the management of mitral valve prolapse and are greatly appreciated.  In response to Dr Romanic's comments, I do not believe that the in vitro studies reported by Walsh et al would justify subjecting 5% of the population to antiplatelet therapy, which has its own risks. As I pointed out in my article, because of the high prevalence of mitral valve prolapse and the rare occurrence of cerebral ischemic episodes, antiplatelet therapy is not advocated on a preventive basis in all patients with mitral valve prolapse. 1,2   Dr Alves would favor antiplatelet therapy in women who have mitral valve prolapse and are using oral contraceptive agents and would advocate screening women using oral contraceptives for mitral valve prolapse. To the best of my knowledge, the hypercoagulability caused by oral contraceptives is due to a defect
Expression of CD44 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Makoto Haramaki, Hirohisa Yano, Kazunori Fukuda, Seiya Momosaki, Sachiko Ogasawara, Masamichi Kojiro
Journal: Hepatology (1995)

CD44 is a glycosylated cell surface adhesion molecule expressed on a diverse range of cells and has several variant forms, some of which are involved in metastasis of cancer cells. Because little is known about CD44 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we investigated its expression in tissue specimens from primary lesions (12 cases), in smear specimens from peritoneal effusions (2 cases), and in cell lines (HCC cell lines, KIM-1, KYN-1, KYN-2, KYN-3, HAK-1A, and HAK-1B; combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma cell lines, KMCH-1 and KMCH-2; and bile duct carcinoma cell lines, KMC-1 and KMBC). Immunohistochemical studies using monoclonal antibody recognizing epitope Group 1 of human CD44 molecule showed that HCC cells in all tissue specimens, including the original tumors of one smear specimen and HAK-1A, were negative for CD44; whereas, HCC cells in two-smear specimens, KIM-1, KYN-2, KYN-3, HAK-1A, HAK-1B, KMCH-1, KMC-1, and KMBC, showed positive reactions on the cell membrane. Immunostain-positive cell lines showed a positive cell rate of 51.9% to 99.8% by flow cytometric analysis. Western blotting detected CD44 protein of hemopoietic type in KIM-1, KYN-3, HAK-1A, and HAK-B and epithelial type in KMC-1 and KMBC. Southern blotting of complementary DNA amplified after reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected hemopoietic type and some variant forms with longer insertion in all cell lines but KMCH-2, whereas hemopoietic type and variants with minor insertion were only detectable in tissue specimens. These findings suggest that HCC cells in ascites and in culture often express CD44, but those in tissue do not at protein level.
Folic acid as ultimate in disease prevention:Beware of vitamin B12 deficiency
Authors: Stephen Malnick, Sorel Goland
Journal: BMJ (2004)

EDITOR—In response to the review by Lucock on folic acid supplementation,1 we have a word of caution about possible concomitant vitamin B12 deficiency, which may also cause raised concentrations of homocysteine.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be subtle, manifesting only as an increase in concentrations of homocysteine …
Case of Hydrophobia; Recovery
Authors: J. Ruxton
Journal: BMJ (1881)

THE BRITISH MEDICAL 7OURNAL.81I beef-tea for nourishment, and of water to quench thirst, it was impos- sible, as he could never be made still enough to endure it ; nor was it even possible to reassure him, or offer the slightest comfort or consola- tion, as he seemed unable to listen to anything, so entirely absorbed was he in his appalling suffering.A careful lost nzor/lenz examination was made by MIr.Wiseman 42 hours after death.The rigor mortis was very marked indeed, the body not arching at all when a block was placed beneath the abdomen, in order to place the body in a suitable position for the removal of the spinal cord.The blood was abnormally fluid.There was rather more obvious congestion of the corpse than uisual, and of the central nervous organs; but without serous effusion.The lungs also were more lecidedly congested, being dark purple in colour; but all other organs Df the body were perfectly healthy.
Suppression of ouabain-induced ventricular rhythms with aprindine HCl. A comparison with other antiarrhythmic agents.
Authors: P R Foster, R M King, A B Nicoll, D P Zipes
Journal: Circulation (1976)

Three groups of dogs were given ouabain (mean 60 mug/kg) until an accelerated ventricular escape (AVE) and repetitive ventricular response (RVR) followed cessation of pacing. In a group of six control dogs, the AVE and RVR were found to occur at stable escape intervals for periods of at least three hours. A second group of dogs received various antiarrhythmic agents in an attempt to suppress the AVE and RVR. Quinidine, diphenylhydration, lidocaine, procainamide, and propranolol, were successful in only 0 to 33% of trials. Potassium canrenoate, 12 mg/kg was unsuccessful in three dogs. Verapamil, by bolus, suppressed RVR in 41% and AVE in 21% of trials. KCl, infused until AVE and RVR were suppressed, was successful when the mean serum potassium rose from 3.8 mEq/L to 7.2 mEq/L. Aprindine, 2.86 mg/kg, suppressed AVE and RVR in 14 of 14 dogs. In the third group of dogs, verapamil was infused continuously and suppressed RVR and AVE at a mean cumulative dose of 2.93 mg/kg. Calcium chloride reversed aprindine and verapamil-induced suppression of RVR and AVE. This study demonstrates that RVR and AVE resist suppression by available antiarrhythmic agents in clinically-used doses. Only aprindine was 100% successful at doses used in man. The ionic pathogenesis of RVR and AVE is unknown, but some data suggest the slow current may play an important role.
Prognostic Factors in Adult Patients up to 60 Years Old With Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Translocations of Chromosome Band 11q23: Individual Patient Data–Based Meta-Analysis of the German Acute Myeloid Leukemia Intergroup
Authors: Jürgen Krauter, Katharina Wagner, Irina Schäfer, Rolf Marschalek, Claus Meyer, Gerhard Heil, Markus Schaich, Gerhard Ehninger, Dietger Niederwieser, Rainer Krahl, Thomas Büchner, Cristina Sauerland, Brigitte Schlegelberger, Konstanze Döhner, Hartmut Döhner, Richard F. Schlenk, Arnold Ganser
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

To identify risk factors for induction success and overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) and to evaluate the impact of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (alloSCT) in adult patients up to 60 years old with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and reciprocal translocations involving chromosome band 11q23 [t(11q23)].An individual patient data-based meta-analysis was performed on 180 adult patients with AML and t(11q23). These patients were identified by cytogenetics and/or molecular techniques and treated within eight prospective multicenter trials of the German AML Intergroup. The median follow-up time was 53 months.Complete remission rate was 71%. Favorable factors for induction success were the presence of a t(9;11), t(11q23) as a sole aberration, and de novo leukemia. OS rate at 4 years was 29%. Translocations other than t(9;11), platelets less than the median, secondary leukemia, and peripheral blasts greater than the median were adverse risk factors for OS. RFS rate at 4 years was 29%. The presence of a t(6;11) and peripheral blasts greater than the median had a negative impact on RFS. Three risk groups for OS and RFS could be defined by the combination of these factors with 4-year OS rates of 50%, 28%, and 5% and 4-year RFS rates of 37%, 26%, and 5%. An alloSCT from matched related or unrelated donors in first complete remission was beneficial, especially in t(6;11)-negative patients.Risk stratification of AML patients with reciprocal translocations of chromosome band 11q23 is feasible based on the translocation partner and clinical parameters.
CLINICAL OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS PRESENTING AS A ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (STEMI) ACTIVATION AT A MAJOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY STEMI-RECEIVING CENTER (SRC)
Authors: David Lange, Stanley Conte, Effie Pappas-Blocke, Mamoo Nakamura, Hasan Jilaihawi, Raj Makkar, Saibal Kar, Timothy Henry
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
Alterations in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+regulatory proteins in the atrial tissue of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation
Authors: Tomoko Ohkusa, Takeshi Ueyama, Jutaro Yamada, Masafumi Yano, Yoshihiko Fujumura, Kensuke Esato, Masunori Matsuzaki
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1999)
Bradycardia and Edema in a Patient Receiving Herbal Therapy for Fertility
Authors: Rana Adawi, Liron Walsh
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2005)

Letters15 November 2005Bradycardia and Edema in a Patient Receiving Herbal Therapy for FertilityRana Adawi, MD and Liron Walsh, MDRana Adawi, MDFrom the Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202.Search for more papers by this author and Liron Walsh, MDFrom the Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-143-10-200511150-00029 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Editor's Note:The lead author of the following Clinical Observation was one of a dozen Associates of the American College of Physicians selected to present a clinical vignette at the 2005 Annual Session in San Francisco. We are proud to present this case report through a special arrangement with the Council of Associates of the College.TO THE EDITOR:Background: A consumer poll in 1998 indicated that nearly one third of Americans use botanical remedies. Herbal products are marketed without the proof of safety that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires for drugs, and some may induce adverse cardiac effects.... References1. Guha S, Dawn B, Dutta G, Chakraborty T, Pain S. Bradycardia, reversible panconduction defect and syncope following self-medication with a homeopathic medicine. Cardiology. 1999;91:268-71. [PMID: 10545684] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Ernst E. Cardiovascular adverse effects of herbal medicines: a systematic review of the recent literature. Can J Cardiol. 2003;19:818-27. [PMID: 12813616] MedlineGoogle Scholar3. Penzak SR, Jann MW, Cold JA, Hon YY, Desai HD, Gurley BJ. Seville (sour) orange juice: synephrine content and cardiovascular effects in normotensive adults. J Clin Pharmacol. 2001;41:1059-63. [PMID: 11583473] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Valli G, Giardina EG. Benefits, adverse effects and drug interactions of herbal therapies with cardiovascular effects. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002;39:1083-95. [PMID: 11923030] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Rana Adawi, MD; Liron Walsh, MDAffiliations: From the Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byHerbal supplement use among reproductive-aged women in an academic infertility practiceThe use of complementary and alternative fertility treatment in couples seeking fertility care: data from a prospective cohort in the United States 15 November 2005Volume 143, Issue 10Page: 763KeywordsAlkaloidsArrhythmiaBradycardiaDyspneaEdemaHeart failureHeart ratePulmonary hypertensionTeaThorax ePublished: 15 November 2005 Issue Published: 15 November 2005 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2005 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
Moving into management
Authors: J. Simpson
Journal: BMJ (1997)

In the first of an occasional series of articles on careers in management for doctors, Dr Jenny Simpson, chief executive of the British Association of Medical Managers, discusses the role of the medical director of a trust 

“Lose half my clinical work, go to endless boring meetings, and get all the blame when things go wrong - not likely,” was the typical initial response to the idea of a moving into management as medical director. Perhaps worse is the attitude that “only doctors who are no good clinically do jobs like that.”

Yet, five years on, things have changed radically. Doctors are keen to take on these roles - and it is certainly not those with clinical performance problems. Indeed, credibility - both clinical and managerial - is a prerequisite. These doctors are not, on the whole, regarded as having “crossed to the other side,” They simply spend a part or all of their working lives on managerial matters, and have learnt to be a bilingual and much valued link between the worlds of medicine and management.

So what is this job and why are able doctors so keen to do it? Early attempts to define the role proved to be difficult. Each medical director, it seemed, had an entirely different job and a single core element could not be agreed. Over the past two to three years, however, a far greater consistency has emerged, alongside markedly increased enthusiasm to take on the job. There is now considerable competition for medical director posts in many trusts and increasingly these jobs are being advertised nationally. Initially the job was always filled by a doctor already working in the trust. Now there are several examples of doctors moving trusts to take up a medical director post and fitting clinical work around the …
Temporary cystogastrostomy with self-expanding metallic stents for pancreatic necrosis
Authors: S. Belle, P. Collet, S. Post, G. Kaehler
Journal: Endoscopy (2010)

Conventional endoscopic drainage of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts has its limitations when the content of the collection is nonfluid. This leads to obstruction of placed flap stents; it requires the placement of an irrigation catheter and repeated implantation of several stents. Herein we describe the temporary use of a special self-expanding partially covered metal mesh stent, which was designed to keep the pancreaticogastrostomy open for drainage of walled-off necrosis and for further endoscopic necrosectomies. The stent has a diameter of 20 – 25 mm and a length of 50 mm and was placed following the first transgastric removal of necrotic masses. After a treatment period of 7 – 11 days involving 2 – 3 endoscopic procedures we achieved clinical success, defined as complete removal of necrotic masses, in all cases without major complications.