tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and clinical significance of antikeratin antibodies and other serological markers in Lithuanian patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: L Vasiliauskiene, A Wiik, M Høier-Madsen
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2001)

<h3>OBJECTIVES</h3> To assess the clinical value of several serological markers in Lithuanian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with control patients with rheumatic disease and age matched healthy controls. <h3>METHODS</h3> Serum samples from 96 patients with RA of approximately 8 years9 duration, 90 rheumatic disease controls, and 37 healthy subjects were tested. Antikeratin antibody (AKA), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), and antinuclear antibody (ANA) titres were estimated by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and serum samples positive for ANA and ANCA were further studied by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgA and IgM rheumatoid factors (RF) were measured by ELISA. <h3>RESULTS</h3> A positive AKA test was highly specific for RA (diagnostic specificity 97%), being found in 44% of the patients. Although both RF tests had a higher sensitivity, they were less specific for RA. ANCA was detected in 33% of patients with RA but lacked diagnostic specificity. AKA and ANCA were associated with more erosive disease and the presence of extra-articular manifestations. Positivity for AKA, IgA RF, and ANCA was significantly associated with disease activity and worse functional capacity. However, in multiple regression analysis only positivity for AKA was significantly correlated with functional disability (p=0.0001), evaluated by the Steinbrocker functional classification, and no single marker had any relation with radiological damage. <h3>CONCLUSION</h3> Although AKA showed the highest disease specificity, all serological markers studied except ANA exhibited interesting associations with important clinical and paraclinical parameters of RA.
Comedolytic effect of topically applied active vitamin D<sub>3</sub> analogue on pseudocomedones in the rhino mouse
Authors: N. Hayashi, H. Watanabe, H. Yasukawa, H. Uratsuji, H. Kanazawa, M. Ishimaru, N. Kotera, M. Akatsuka, M. Kawashima
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2006)

Retinoids and active vitamin D(3) analogues regulate the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes and are effective in the treatment of psoriasis. Retinoids are known to be effective against acne vulgaris through comedolysis. However, the comedolytic effect of active vitamin D(3) analogues has not been reported.To investigate whether maxacalcitol, one of the active vitamin D(3) analogues, has a comedolytic effect by using spontaneously comedogenic rhino mice.Rhino mice were treated topically with tretinoin and maxacalcitol once daily for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. The dermal side of the epidermal sheet was observed to determine the size of the utricle. Haematoxylin and eosin-stained vertical sections were used to measure utricle diameter and density and to evaluate histological changes.Maxacalcitol (25 microg g(-1)) and tretinoin (0.1%) significantly decreased the size and the diameter of the utricle after 1 week of treatment. However, maxacalcitol did not affect the density while tretinoin did have an effect. Histopathologically, maxacalcitol and tretinoin markedly induced epidermal hyperplasia accompanied by a minor accumulation of inflammatory cells in the dermis, with and without hypercornification, respectively.These results indicate that maxacalcitol has a prominent effect on comedolysis and that its mechanism of action may be different from that of retinoids.
Injuries to world cup nordic skiers and telemarkers - data from two seasons
Authors: T Flørenes, L Nordsletten, S Heir, R Bahr
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2011)

Background There are no recent data regarding injury risk among elite athletes in the Nordic skiing disciplines and Telemark skiing. Objective To describe the injury rate in World Cup (WC) ski jumping, cross-country and Telemark skiing. Design/Setting Athletes from selected WC teams (Continental Cup for ski jumping women) were interviewed towards the end of two consecutive winter seasons regarding acute injuries sustained during the competitive seasons. A methodological study has shown retrospective interviews to give the most complete picture for WC athletes. Ski jumpers were also asked if they had had a serious knee injury (absence &gt;28 days) during the last four seasons. Exposure data were extracted from the official database of the International Ski Federation as the number of jumps, kilometres and runs performed and used to calculate the incidence for acute injuries in WC competitions. Results Among 973 athletes, 50 acute injuries were reported in WC competitions (23 time-loss injuries). In ski jumping there were 0.6 (95% CI 0 to 1.4) and 0.4 (0–1.2) time-loss injuries per 1000 jumps in males and females, respectively. In cross-country skiing there were 0.2 (0–0.3) and 0.1 (0–0.2) injuries per 1000 km skied and in Telemark skiing 3.0 (0.8–5.1) and 5.5 (1.4–9.6) injuries per 1000 runs for males and females, respectively. In ski jumping, 3.9% of the female and 2.0% of the male athletes had sustained a severe knee injury during the previous 4 years, most of these were during ski jumping activity. Conclusion There are few injuries and a low injury risk in the Nordic disciplines. Telemark skiing also has a low incidence, comparable to slalom which has the lowest risk among the alpine skiing disciplines. Although the injury incidence is low in ski jumping, we found that severe knee injuries occur at about the same frequency as in team handball and football.
Evidence for the Effects of HIV Antibody Counseling and Testing on Risk Behaviors
Authors: D L Higgins, C Galavotti, K R O'Reilly, D J Schnell, M Moore, D L Rugg, R Johnson
Journal: JAMA (1991)

<h3>Objective.</h3> —To review published abstracts, journal articles, and presentations for evidence of the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody counseling and testing on risk behaviors. Studies reviewed focused on homosexual men, intravenous drug users in treatment programs, pregnant women, and other heterosexuals. <h3>Data Sources.</h3> —Peer-reviewed journals (January 1986 through July 1990) and published abstracts and oral presentations from the second (1986) through the sixth (1990) International Conferences on AIDS. <h3>Study Selection.</h3> —We identified 66 studies that included data on the behavioral effects of HIV antibody counseling and testing. By consensus of the authors, 16 of these were excluded because of small sample size or inadequate study design. <h3>Data Extraction.</h3> —Studies were assessed by the authors according to methodological strength (sample selection, inclusion of appropriate comparison groups, and inclusion of statistical tests of significance). <h3>Data Synthesis.</h3> —All longitudinal studies of homosexual men reported reductions in risky behavior among both tested and untested men, and a few reported greater decreases among seropositive men than among seronegative men and those untested or unaware of their serostatus. For intravenous drug users in treatment, we found reductions in intravenous drug use and sexual risk behaviors regardless of counseling and testing experience. We found little evidence for the impact of counseling and testing on pregnancy and/or pregnancy termination rates for either seropositive or seronegative high-risk women. We noted substantial risk reduction among heterosexual couples with one infected partner. Findings among other heterosexuals at increased risk were scanty and mixed. <h3>Conclusions.</h3> —Further studies should specifically address the behavioral consequences of counseling and testing in various settings. (<i>JAMA</i>. 1991;266:2419-2429)
Unexpected Diagnosis of Thyroid Storm in a Young Child Referred for Urgent Lung Perfusion Imaging
Authors: Georgios Arsos
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2013)

A 2-year-old girl with cardiorespiratory distress and suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) was referred for urgent lung perfusion scintigraphy, proven negative for perfusion defects but unexpectedly revealing an enlarged orthotopic thyroid. This finding was, under the circumstances, considered as suggestive of thyroid storm (TS), subsequently confirmed by thyroid hormones measurement. A 99mTcO4− thyroid scan 1 week later showed a homogenously enlarged thyroid with high tracer uptake. Both PE and TS are rare but serious pediatric conditions with partially overlapping presentations. In the present case, the unbounded 99mTc fraction avidly taken by the overfunctioning thyroid suggested the correct, clinically unsuspected, diagnosis.
Good question, wrong answer
Authors: N. Black
Journal: BMJ (2012)

Although the extent to which national clinical databases publicly disclose comparisons of the quality of providers' care is an important question to answer, Tavare does not acknowledge that most of the leading databases already do this. 1 These include, among others, adult critical care (Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre's case mix programme database), severe trauma care (Trauma Audit and Research Network),
Coronary vascular resistance and myocardial oxygen consumption dynamics in response to catecholamine infusion
Authors: R. E. SMITH, F. L. BELLONI, H. V. SPARKS
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1978)

These experiments were performed in order to ascertain whether activation of coronary vascular adrenergic receptors could change the time course of the coronary vasodilatation accompanying increases in myocardial metabolic activity. The left common coronary arteries of dog hearts were perfused in situ with blood at constant flow. Coronary perfusion pressure and coronary sinus blood O2 content were continuously monitored. Norepinephrine was infused into the coronary artery at 0.5 to 5 μg·min−1, and isoprenaline at 0·5 to 2 μg·min−1. The amplitude of the vascular resistance change was less with norepinephrine than with isoprenaline infusion for a similar change in oxygen consumption. The time course of coronary vascular resistance, after correction for the effects of vascular transit, lagged significantly behind the time course of coronary sinus O2 content in the case of norepinephrine infusion. On the average, no lag was observed with isoprenaline infusion. It is concluded that stimulation of coronary vascular adrenergic receptors can alter the time course and the magnitude of the coronary vascular response to increases in myocardial metabolic activity resulting from myocardial β-receptor stimulation.
The Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Diffusion Impairment in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: PHILIP T. DIAZ, MARK A. KING, ERIC R. PACHT, MARK D. WEWERS, JAMES E. GADEK, DAVID NEAL, HAIKADY N. NAGARAJA, JANICE DRAKE, THOMAS L. CLANTON
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

Numerous reports have demonstrated that prior to the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related pulmonary complications, human immunodeficiency virus–positive (HIV+) individuals commonly develop unexplained reductions in pulmonary diffusing capacity (Dl CO). The potential relevance of this observation is underscored by recent data demonstrating that reductions in Dl CO independently predict the subsequent development of opportunistic pneumonia. To delineate the alterations in gas exchange associated with HIV, we investigated a group of HIV+ subjects with unexplained reductions in Dl CO, using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest and a separation of diffusing capacity into its membrane (Dm) and capillary blood volume (Vc) components. We compared this abnormal group with HIV+ subjects with more normal gas exchange and also with a group of HIV− volunteers matched for age and smoking history. Compared with other groups, the HIV+ group with diffusion impairment demonstrated prominent reductions in Vc, despite a well-preserved total lung capacity (TLC). HRCT demonstrated virtually no evidence of interstitial fibrosis in any HIV+ subject, but evidence of early emphysema that significantly correlated with Dl CO. Our results suggest that the previously reported impairment in pulmonary gas exchange in the HIV+ population involves loss of Vc and likely represents the development of early emphysema.
Mechanism of cytokine inhibition of beta-adrenergic agonist stimulation of cyclic AMP in rat cardiac myocytes. Impairment of signal transduction.
Authors: M K Chung, T S Gulick, R E Rotondo, G F Schreiner, L G Lange
Journal: Circulation Research (1990)

Studies conducted in our laboratory have demonstrated that activated immune cells produce a soluble inhibitor(s) of cardiac myocyte contractile and cyclic AMP (cAMP) responses to beta-adrenergic stimulation. To examine the mechanism of this effect, metabolic assays were conducted on cultured rat cardiac myocytes incubated in the presence and absence of supernatants harvested from rat activated splenocyte cultures. Intracellular cAMP accumulation in response to isoproterenol was inhibited by up to 74% in a dose-dependent fashion by conditioned media containing soluble cytokines from activated immune cells. By use of myocyte cultures in which contaminating nonmyocyte proliferation was inhibited by nonlethal irradiation, this phenomenon was shown to be independent of mitogenic effects. Isobutylmethylxanthine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, did not ablate cytokine-induced inhibition of cAMP accumulation. Parameters of beta-adrenergic receptor binding and affinity were also unaffected. cAMP suppression was maintained after cholera toxin stimulation of cAMP production via stimulatory G protein ADP-ribosylation. cAMP inhibition was not apparent when cells were stimulated with forskolin, a direct adenylate cyclase activator. Importantly, pertussis toxin treatment significantly ablated cytokine-induced cAMP inhibition. Thus, interference with agonist-occupied beta-adrenergic receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase to produce cAMP and subsequent contractile responses is induced by a factor(s) elaborated by activated immune cells. This interference occurs at the level of signal transduction across the membrane, can be overridden by pertussis toxin, and may involve changes in the coupling of the stimulatory/inhibitory G proteins to adenylate cyclase. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism of cytokine-induced myocyte dysfunction and may have important pathophysiological ramifications in immune-mediated myocardial diseases.
Pulmonary alveolar macrophages from patients with active sarcoidosis express type IV collagenolytic proteinase. An enzymatic mechanism for influx of mononuclear phagocytes at sites of disease activity.
Authors: C Agostini, S Garbisa, L Trentin, R Zambello, G Fastelli, M Onisto, A Cipriani, G Festi, D Casara, G Semenzato
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1989)

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) recovered from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of 44 patients with sarcoidosis were evaluated for their ability to release type IV collagenolytic metalloproteinase (IV-Case). This enzyme, which is produced by peripheral blood monocytes (PBMs) but not by tissue macrophages, degrades type IV collagen, the major structural component of vessel wall basement membranes, and helps to promote the migration of PBMs from the blood compartment to peripheral tissues. Our results demonstrated that AMs from patients with active sarcoidosis released significantly increased levels of IV-Case with respect to patients with inactive disease and control subjects. After in vitro culture, sarcoid AMs secreted IV-Case during the first 24 h of collection; after that time, AMs progressively lost their ability to release IV-Case. Exposition of both sarcoid and normal AMs to recombinant IL 2 or gamma IFN did not influence their property to release IV-Case. The immunoblot analysis of IV-Case demonstrated complete identity between IV-Case released by AMs and the degradative enzyme obtained from PBMs. The increased property to release IV-Case was significantly related to the increase of the absolute number of AMs and, in particular, of AMs bearing two determinants that are usually expressed by most PBMs (CD11b and CD14). Selective depletion of CD11b+/CD14+ AMs from the entire macrophagic population was associated with the recovery of the IV-Case activity to normal values. A positive correlation was also found between the increase in the absolute number of lung T cells and the enhanced CD4/CD8 pulmonary ratio. A 6-mo follow-up study indicated a significant association between the positivity for the 67Gallium scan and the increased property of AMs to release IV-Case. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that a IV-Case mediated influx of peripheral monocytes takes place in the lung of sarcoid patients. Furthermore, the correlation found between the IV-Case release and disease activity suggests that this assay could represent a useful tool in sarcoidosis disease staging.
Ethics approval for a national postal survey: recent experience
Authors: C. Middle, A. Johnson, T. Petty, L. Sims, A. Macfarlane
Journal: BMJ (1995)

<h3>Abstract</h3> Magnetoreception, the perception of the geomagnetic field, is a sensory modality well-established across all major groups of vertebrates and some invertebrates, but its presence in humans has been tested rarely, yielding inconclusive results. We report here a strong, specific human brain response to ecologically-relevant rotations of Earth-strength magnetic fields. Following geomagnetic stimulation, a drop in amplitude of EEG alpha oscillations (8-13 Hz) occurred in a repeatable manner. Termed alpha event-related desynchronization (alpha-ERD), such a response has been associated previously with sensory and cognitive processing of external stimuli including vision, auditory and somatosensory cues. Alpha-ERD in response to the geomagnetic field was triggered only by horizontal rotations when the static vertical magnetic field was directed downwards, as it is in the Northern Hemisphere; no brain responses were elicited by the same horizontal rotations when the static vertical component was directed upwards. This implicates a biological response tuned to the ecology of the local human population, rather than a generic physical effect. Biophysical tests showed that the neural response was sensitive to static components of the magnetic field. This rules out all forms of electrical induction (including artifacts from the electrodes) which are determined solely on dynamic components of the field. The neural response was also sensitive to the polarity of the magnetic field. This rules out free-radical 9quantum compass9 mechanisms like the cryptochrome hypothesis, which can detect only axial alignment. Ferromagnetism remains a viable biophysical mechanism for sensory transduction and provides a basis to start the behavioral exploration of human magnetoreception. <b>Significance Statement</b> Although many migrating and homing animals are sensitive to Earth’s magnetic field, most humans are not consciously aware of the geomagnetic stimuli that we encounter in everyday life. Either we have lost a shared, ancestral magnetosensory system, or the system lacks a conscious component with detectable neural activity but no apparent perceptual awareness by us. We found two classes of ecologically-relevant rotations of Earth-strength magnetic fields that produce strong, specific and repeatable effects on human brainwave activity in the EEG alpha band (8-13 Hz); EEG discriminates in response to different geomagnetic field stimuli. Biophysical tests rule out all except the presence of a ferromagnetic transduction element, such as biologically-precipitated crystals of magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>).
FDA seeks to ease burden on trial review boards
Authors: Bob Roehr
Journal: BMJ (2005)

The growth in the number and complexity of clinical trials has put great strain on institutional review boards in the United States, say experts in evidence submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration.

The boards were set up to approve and review biomedical research using humans. But the pressures on them, due in part to the large number of sites in trials, are growing to such an extent that a new approach is needed, in particular to recording adverse events, the FDA was told at a public hearing at its headquarters on 21 March.

The meeting was held to find out how the process might be improved to best meet the primary purpose …
RADIOACTIVE GOLD IN THE TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT EFFUSIONS
Authors: William B. Seaman
Journal: JAMA (1953)

Since the majority of patients with cancer eventually succumb to their disease, the practicing physician frequently must deal with the problem of palliation. One of the complications of advanced cancer is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal or pleural cavities, which not only mechanically interferes with the function of the lungs and gastrointestinal tract but also depletes the body of proteins. Clark<sup>1</sup>reports a 29% incidence of significant effusions (over 1,000 cc. of fluid) in 266 consecutive autopsies on men with malignant disease. A radioactive isotope was first used to treat ascites due to peritoneal carcinomatosis by Muller in 1945, who used Zn<sup>63</sup>prepared in a cyclotron. In 1950<sup>2</sup>he reported on eight patients treated by intraperitoneal injection of colloidal Au<sup>198</sup>, including one in whom both intrapleural and intraperitoneal injections were performed. The inhibition of fluid formation noted in these patients has encouraged other clinical
TLE3 Is a Dual-Function Transcriptional Coregulator of Adipogenesis
Authors: Claudio J. Villanueva, Hironori Waki, Cristina Godio, Ronni Nielsen, Wen-Ling Chou, Leo Vargas, Kevin Wroblewski, Christian Schmedt, Lily C. Chao, Rima Boyadjian, Susanne Mandrup, Andrea Hevener, Enrique Saez, Peter Tontonoz
Journal: Cell Metabolism (2011)
Liver Scanning for Detection of Collateral Circulation in Liver Disease
Authors: Raymond B. Johnson
Journal: JAMA (1969)

To determine whether the liver-scan findings previously shown to be related to portal-systemic collateral circulation occur only in patients with fibrotic liver disease, 567 hepatic scans with gold Au 198 performed over a six-year period were reviewed. Observance for liver "mottling," splenic uptake, or bone-marrow uptake of the isotope showed that one or more of these abnormalities was present in 51 (9.0%) of the patients. Evidence of portal-systemic collateral circulation on scan was most prominent in hepatic cirrhosis (76.6%); extrahepatic malignancies, acute and chronic hepatitis, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, and chronic lung disease accounted for the remainder. Evidence of portal-systemic shunting is most common in cirrhosis, and, when seen in the noncirrhotic patient, occurs when portal hypertension and hepatic collateral circulation are likely to be present.