tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Prospective study of bacterial infection in acute liver failure: An analysis of fifty patients
Authors: Nancy Rolando, Felicity Harvey, Javier Brahm, John Philpott-Howard, Graeme Alexander, Alexander Gimson, Mark Casewell, Elizabeth Fagan, Roger Williams
Journal: Hepatology (1990)

Fifty consecutive patients admitted with acute liver failure, minimal grade II encephalopathy, were studied prospectively to determine the incidence, timing and cause of bacterial infection, the relationship to clinical criteria for infection; and the influence of early microbiological diagnosis on clinical outcome. There were 53 proven bacterial infections in 40 patients, whereas in 5 of the remaining 10 patients infection was suspected on clinical grounds in the absence of significant cultures. Seven patients (14%) had more than one bacterial infection, and four patients had simultaneous infections caused by different organisms at each site. Fourteen infections (26.4%) were associated with bacteremia, and in six of these no source was found. Twenty-five infections (47.1%) arose from the respiratory tract, 12 (22.6%) from the urinary tract and 2 (3.7%) from central venous cannulas. Thirty-seven (69.8%) of the 53 infections were due to gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 19 (35.8%) of all the infections. Thirty patients died (60%), 28 of whom had bacterial infection at some time; in 24 of these the infection was diagnosed less than 24 hr before death. All nine deaths that occurred more than 7 days after admission were directly attributable to microbial infection. Clinical features such as elevated temperature and elevated peripheral white blood cell count were poor indicators of bacterial infection because these were absent in 30.2% of cases. These data show that there is a high incidence of bacterial infection early in the course of acute liver failure and suggest that prophylactic antimicrobial therapy, although unproven, might be justified.
198. In Vitro and In Vivo Gene-Transferring Characteristics of Novel Cationic Lipids, DMKD(O,O′-dimyristyl-N-lysyl aspartate) and DMKE(O,O′-dimyristyl-N-lysyl Glutamate)
Authors: Hong Sung Kim, In Ho Song, Jong Chul Kim, Eun Jung Kim, Yeon Kyung Lee, Jung Seok Kim, Kyung Hye Koo, Doo Ok Jang, Yong Serk Park
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2006)

Previously, we introduced a novel cationic lipid consisting of three biocompatible components, lysine, aspartic acid, and two C-14 hydrocarbon chains, named as O,O′-dimyristyl-N-lysyl aspartate (DMKD) as a potent gene transfection reagent. Recently, we have chemically synthesized another gene-transferring cationic lipid consisting of a core of glutamic acid and lysine with two C-14 hydrocarbon chains, assigned the acronym DMKE (O,O′-dimyristyl-N-lysyl glutamate). Biophysical characteristics of the cationic liposomes made of DMKE or DMKD were compared with those of conventional DOTAP liposomes. The DMKE- and DMKD-liposomes exhibited similarly stronger DNA-binding affinity than the DOTAP liposomes. Interestingly, vesicle size changes of DMKE- and DMKD-liposomes by lipoplex formation were far smaller than that of the DOTAP liposomes. Their gene-transferring capabilities were also tested in various cell-lines and compared with the control DOTAP liposomes. Under the same transfection conditions, the order of in vitro gene transfection efficiency was DMKE=DMKD>DOTAP. The pH changes (pH 5.0 – 7.4) in culture media little affected fusigenic activities of all the cationic liposomes. However, cell surface-binding affinities of the DMKE- and DMKE-lipoplexes were similar to each other, but higher than the DOTAP liposomes. In mouse studies, intravenously administered DMKE- and DMKD-lipoplexes did not exhibited superior gene expression in lungs to the DOTAP lipoplexes. Interestingly, they were more favorably transferred to the liver, not to the lungs. Particularly, under the same experimental conditions of intratumoral transfection, the DMKE lipoplexes showed more efficient gene expression in the tumor tissues than the DOTAP- and DMKD-lipoplexes. This study suggests that a small difference in the backbone structure of cationic lipid significantly affects their gene transfection capabilities. The DMKE- and DMKD-liposomes can be utilized as an efficient gene-transferring vector for hepatic or intratumoral transgene expression.
A role for the MLL fusion partner ENL in transcriptional elongation and chromatin modification
Authors: Dorothee Mueller, Christian Bach, Deniz Zeisig, Maria-Paz Garcia-Cuellar, Sara Monroe, Arun Sreekumar, Rong Zhou, Alexey Nesvizhskii, Arul Chinnaiyan, Jay L. Hess, Robert K. Slany
Journal: Blood (2007)
Bayesian Analysis of Electrocardiographic Exercise Stress Testing
Authors: Robert D. Rifkin, William B. Hood
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1977)

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of exercise-induced ST-segment depression in detecting coronary-artery disease by applying the likelihood-ratio formulation of Bayes's theorem to stress-test data, which were partitioned into half-millimeter ranges of depression. The graphic relation between the predictive value of a given test result and the pretest risk of disease in the test subjects was obtained for each of these half-millimeter intervals. This method reveals that the predictive value of testing depends on the degree of ST-segment depression, and that the pretest risk of coronary-artery disease is an important determinant of the predictive value of any test result in the individual patient. These findings suggest that the use of the terms "positive" and "negative" are inappropriate to describe most stress-test results. Instead, the results should be interpreted in terms of a continuum of risk based on the extent of ST-segment depression.
Off the cuff consultations.
Authors: M A Weingarten
Journal: BMJ (1985)

Over six months I recorded 198 off the cuff consultations that occurred at social gatherings, at chance meetings, and in medical settings outside my surgery. More men than women made such consultations, roughly two thirds were a request for health information, and just under half of consultations were with other doctors9 patients. It seemed that many patients were seeking a second medical opinion.
Frequency of Diabetes Transmission From Two Type 1 Diabetic Parents to Their Children
Authors: Iiona Rjasanowski, Ingrid Költing, Wolfgang Kerner
Journal: Diabetes Care (2003)

There is little information in the literature about the risk of diabetes in children of type 1 diabetic parents (mother and father affected), and evidence is based on small numbers (1). Analysis of a larger number of such trios could importantly contribute to the clarification of type 1 diabetes inheritance. In the Karlsburg Clinic for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, 77 offspring of 61 pairs with type 1 diabetes have registered since 1955. Until 1989, the parents and their children (diabetic and nondiabetic) were repeatedly treated or checked for diabetes in our clinic; since 1990 some of the patients have visited the clinic or have been contacted as outpatients. The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in the affected individuals …
BM-35 * CLINICAL FACTORS IMPACTING SURVIVAL IN BRAIN METASTASES
Authors: O. Veilleux, S. Cottin, K. Michaud
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2014)

BACKGROUND: Metastatic brain tumors are a common complication of systemic cancers. Good performance status, absence of extracranial metastases, age < 65 years and control of the primary tumor are the strongest predictors of survival. Controversy exists regarding best adjuvant treatment for patients. Therefore, careful evaluation of patient features and tumor characteristics must be considered when determining treatment modality. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the treatment management and clinical features of metastatic brain neoplasms following a neurosurgical procedure and evaluate factors conditioning survival. METHODS: Between January 1st 2009 and January 1st 2013, medical files of patients who underwent a surgical procedure for metastatic brain tumors at Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus in Québec City were reviewed. Data on patient features, primary and metastatic neoplasm characteristics, procedure and survival were recorded. Wilcoxon rank sum test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Cox proportional-hazards regression for survival data were used to assess the impact of treatments and patient characteristics on survival. Efficacy of whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and combined treatment in terms of patient survival were also evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty six patient files were reviewed and 109 were included for analysis. The mean survival time for patients was 537.9 days. Age below 65 years (p = 0.08) was a protective factor. WBRT combined with SRS (p < 0.0001), the use of WBRT alone (p = 0.002) or SRS alone (p = 0.004) all significantly improved survival. SRS, when compared to WBRT alone or to combined WBRT and SRS treatment, did not show significant difference in survival. CONCLUSION: Survival in our population is influenced by age and the use of adjuvant treatment. The choice of treatment modality after surgery remains somewhat controversial and our results support the need for further studies to compare WBRT and SRS.
The Role of Leukotrienes in the Regulation of Tone and Responsiveness in Isolated Human Airways
Authors: DUNJA SCHMIDT, KLAUS F. RABE
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2000)

Cysteinyl-leukotrienes and histamine are the major determinants of inherent tone in isolated human bronchi, which is mainly the result of a balance of continual production and release of contractile mediator, in particular cysteinyl-leukotrienes and to a lesser extent histamine, and on the other side bronchodilating prostanoids. Cysteinyl-leukotrienes are also powerful constrictors of isolated human airways through direct interaction with Cys-LT1 receptors on airway smooth muscle, and with a potency 1,000-fold higher than histamine. On stimulation inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and mst cells produce and release significantly increased amounts of leukotrienes leading to smooth muscle contration in vitro. In isolated human airways, leukotrienes are the most important mediators of allergen and adenosine-induced contractile responses. The induction of allergen responses in passively sensitized airways is not only related to an increased release of leukotrienes and histamines, but also to an enhanced responsiveness of the airway smooth muscle, particularly to LTC4. Studies in isolated human airways in vitro have demonstrated that understanding the regulation of human airway tone and airway reactivity are closely linked to the understanding of baseline and stimulated production of and smooth muscle responsiveness to leukotrienes in vitro and in vivo.
Abstract 2813: Serum biomarker panel detects lung cancer in never smokers
Authors: Charlie Birse, Robert Laiger, Robert Bruce, Jennifer Tomic, Steve Ruben, Thomas Lenk
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract Introduction: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide with more than 1 million deaths each year. Although most lung cancers are attributable to smoking tobacco, it is estimated that as many as 25% of all lung cancer cases are in subjects who have never smoked. A number of clinical, epidemiological, and molecular variations suggest that lung cancers that arise in smokers and non-smokers are significantly different. Biomarker panels may have considerable value when combined with imaging protocols in detecting and diagnosing lung cancer. We previously employed a novel mass spectrometry-based approach to identify serum biomarkers which we have previously shown to detect non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a smoking population representing all 4 stages of disease. In this study we extend these findings to a cohort of lung cancer subjects who have never smoked. Methodology: Initially 9 biomarkers were assayed in serum collected from smoking subjects with NSCLC and appropriate controls. More than 600 specimens collected from 4 independent sites were employed in the study. Samples were randomly divided into a training set (NSCLC n=128, controls n = 191) and a testing set (NSCLC n=141, controls n=175) and used to develop a regression-based algorithm for lung cancer detection. Subsequently, an independent validation study was undertaken in cohort of lung cancer subjects who had never smoked (interview questionnaire). All stages of cancer (stage I n = 8, stage II n = 4, stage III n = 17, stage IV n = 11) and all major histological cell types (adenocarcinoma n = 21, squamous n = 7, bronchioloalveolar = 8, others n=4) were included. Controls were matched on age/gender (n=40). Results: A global 6-marker regression model identified smoking associated cancer cases with good performance (Training AUC=0.877; Testing AUC=0.868). All stages of cancer were distinguished as well as all of the major histological cell types. Fitting of the model to data from the never smoker cohort revealed that the algorithm again discriminated the malignant cases with strong performance AUC=0.906 (sensitivity = 83% at specificity = 83%). Conclusion: Lung cancer biomarkers identified initially through proteomic analysis have shown robust performance in a study cohort of lung cancer subjects who have never smoked. The findings from these studies suggest that these biomarkers may provide suitable performance across all lung cancer populations to design tests for a variety of diagnostic applications. For example, it is possible that these biomarkers could be employed to enhance the discrimination of malignant nodules identified by radiologic imaging. 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 2813. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2813
Cellular Mechanism of the Nonmonotonic Dose Response of Bisphenol A in Rat Cardiac Myocytes
Authors: Qian Liang, Xiaoqian Gao, Yamei Chen, Kui Hong, Hong-Sheng Wang
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2014)

Background: The need for mechanistic understanding of nonmonotonic dose responses has been identified as one of the major data gaps in the study of bisphenol A (BPA). Previously we reported that acute exposure to BPA promotes arrhythmogenesis in female hearts through alteration of myocyte Ca2+ handling, and that the dose response of BPA was inverted U-shaped.Objective: We sought to define the cellular mechanism underlying the nonmonotonic dose response of BPA in the heart.Methods: We examined rapid effects of BPA in female rat ventricular myocytes using video-edge detection, confocal and conventional fluorescence imaging, and patch clamp.Results: The rapid effects of BPA in cardiac myocytes, as measured by multiple end points, including development of arrhythmic activities, myocyte mechanics, and Ca2+ transient, were characterized by nonmonotonic dose responses. Interestingly, the effects of BPA on individual processes of myocyte Ca2+ handling were monotonic. Over the concentration range of 10–12 to 10–6 M, BPA progressively increased sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and Ca2+ reuptake and inhibited the L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL). These effects on myocyte Ca2+ handling were mediated by estrogen receptor (ER) β signaling. The nonmonotonic dose responses of BPA can be accounted for by the combined effects of progressively increased SR Ca2+ reuptake/release and decreased Ca2+ influx through ICaL.Conclusion: The rapid effects of BPA on female rat cardiac myocytes are characterized by nonmonotonic dose responses as measured by multiple end points. The nonmonotonic dose response was produced by ERβ-mediated monotonic effects on multiple cellular Ca2+ handling processes. This represents a distinct mechanism underlying the nonmonotonicity of BPA's actions.Citation: Liang Q, Gao X, Chen Y, Hong K, Wang HS. 2014. Cellular mechanism of the nonmonotonic dose response of bisphenol A in rat cardiac myocytes. Environ Health Perspect 122:601–608; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307491
Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Edward S. Wong
Journal: JAMA (1996)

Gastrointestinal infections, particularly cholera and dysentery, have had an impact on human history. In the words of Tramont and Gangarosa, contributing authors to this text, diarrheal infections "have accounted for the outcome of more battles than the instruments of war." Today, diarrheal diseases continue to affect humankind. Globally, an estimated four to six million children die each year from diarrheal diseases, making them the leading cause of death in developing countries. While the number of deaths in the United States is much smaller, gastrointestinal infections constitute the second or third most common clinical syndrome seen in general practice. Thus, physicians in practice today must be comfortable and knowledgeable in the diagnosis and management of at least the common gastrointestinal infections. In the last decade, new or newly recognized enteric diseases have emerged. Examples include gastrointestinal syndromes associated with<i>Escherichia coli</i>O157:H7,<i>Cryptosporidium</i>, and AIDS. The diagnosis and treatment of these
Nasal contribution to exhaled nitric oxide at rest and during breathholding in humans.
Authors: B Kimberly, B Nejadnik, G D Giraud, W E Holden
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1996)

We characterized the nasal contribution to exhaled nitric oxide (NO) at rest and during breathholding in humans. Exhaled NO was greater during nose breathing (141 +/- 17 nl/min/M2, mean +/- SEM) compared with mouth breathing (68 +/- 6 nl/min/M2, n = 8, p < 0.001). After voluntary closure of the soft palate (VCSP) to eliminate nasal NO, exhaled NO from the mouth decreased further (30 +/- 4 nl/min/M2, p < 0.001). Release of NO into nasal passages during VCSP (217 +/- 19 nl/min/M2) was greater than exhaled NO during nasal breathing (141 +/- 17 nl/min/m2, p < 0.001), suggesting that nasal NO is taken up by the respiratory tract. During mouth breathing or nose breathing, NO concentrations sampled with a bronchoscope were higher in the nasopharynx than at the epiglottis or in the trachea in five subjects. Increased peak exhaled NO after a breathhold (33 +/- 7 ppb) was reduced (10 +/- 4 ppb, p < 0.001) after balloon occlusion of the nasopharynx. NO concentration during breathholding increased to a greater extent in the nasopharynx than in the pharynx or trachea. We conclude that the majority of exhaled NO at rest and during a breathhold originates in the nasopharynx.
Neurologic outcomes of toxic oil syndrome patients 18 years after the epidemic.
Authors: Manuel Posada de la Paz, Rossanne M Philen, Fredric Gerr, Richard Letz, Maria José Ferrari Arroyo, Lydia Vela, Maravillas Izquierdo, Concepción Martín Arribas, Ignacio Abaitua Borda, Alejandro Ramos, Cristina Mora, Gloria Matesanz, Maria Teresa Roldán, Juan Pareja
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2003)

Toxic oil syndrome (TOS) resulted from consumption of rapeseed oil denatured with 2% aniline and affected more than 20,000 persons. Eighteen years after the epidemic, many patients continue to report neurologic symptoms that are difficult to evaluate using conventional techniques. We conducted an epidemiologic study to determine whether an exposure to toxic oil 18 years ago was associated with current adverse neurobehavioral effects. We studied a case group of 80 adults exposed to toxic oil 18 years ago and a referent group of 79 adult age- and sex-frequency-matched unexposed subjects. We interviewed subjects for demographics, health status, exposures to neurotoxicants, and responses to the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT), Programa Integrado de Exploracion Neuropsicologica (PIEN), and Goldberg depression questionnaires and administered quantitative neurobehavioral and neurophysiologic tests by computer or trained nurses. The groups did not differ with respect to educational background or other critical variables. We examined associations between case and referent groups and the neurobehavioral and neurophysiologic outcomes of interest. Decreased distal strength of the dominant and nondominant hands and increased vibrotactile thresholds of the fingers and toes were significantly associated with exposure to toxic oil. Finger tapping, simple reaction time latency, sequence B latency, symbol digit latency, and auditory digit span were also significantly associated with exposure. Case subjects also had statistically significantly more neuropsychologic symptoms compared with referents. Using quantitative neurologic tests, we found significant adverse central and peripheral neurologic effects in a group of TOS patients 18 years after exposure to toxic oil when compared with a nonexposed referent group. These effects were not documented by standard clinical examination and were found more frequently in women.
Etiological and Environmental Factors
Authors: Ernest L. Wynder
Journal: JAMA (1973)

Epidemiologic surveys of cancer of the esophagus have revealed that two principal risk factors predominate in its cause: smoking and high alcohol consumption. The risk of developing cancer of the esophagus is significantly higher among smokers, whether cigarettes, cigars, or pipes are involved (Fig 1). These findings have been documented fully by prospective studies which report that the risk for smokers is anything from two to six times that of nonsmokers (Table 2).<sup>7-11</sup> In several retrospective studies, it has been noted that heavy alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of smokers to develop esophageal cancer (Fig 2).<sup>12-14</sup>The effect appears to result from the total amount of alcohol consumed rather than the type of alcohol or whether it was drunk straight or diluted. Persons (particularly women) with Plummer-Vinson disease, a condition caused by nutritional deficiency, have an increased risk to develop esophageal cancer.<sup>2</sup>In areas where this
Ultrasonic localization of perforating veins.
Authors: A P Wyatt
Journal: BMJ (1970)

sensitivity of the assay (30 picograms/ml.).These results contrast with the failure of the plasma corticosteroid levels to respond to insulin or lysine vasopressin in a patient several months after the withdrawal of long-term prednisolone therapy given two to three times per day, in keeping with the findings of Livanou et al.3The details of these cases will be published in due course.Meanwhile it is clear that the theoretical disadvantage of depot tetracosactrin referred to by Drs.Treadwell and Dennis is not a practical reality, at least when it is used in a dosage of 0.5 mg.intramuscularly twice weekly.-Weare, etc.,