tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 30: ERG oncoprotein expression in prostate cancer: Potential for ERG-based stratification
Authors: Shih-Han Tan, Bungo Furusato, Denise Young, Albert Dobi, Chen Sun, Ahmed Mohamed, Rajesh Thangapazham, Yongmei Chen, Gary McMaster, Taduru Sreenath, Gyorgy Petrovics, David G. McLeod, Shiv Srivastava, Isabell A. Sesterhenn
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Introduction: Prevalent gene fusions involving regulatory sequences of the androgen receptor (AR) regulated prostate associated genes (predominantly TMPRSS2) and protein coding sequences of nuclear transcription factors in the ETS gene family (primarily ERG), result in frequent overexpression of ERG in prostate tumors. Emerging studies suggest oncogenic functions of ERG in prostate cancer (CaP). Despite numerous reports of gene fusions and mRNA expression, ERG oncoprotein in CaP still remains to be defined. Using an anti-ERG monoclonal antibody (ERG-MAb) developed by our group, a global view of ERG oncoprotein expression has been established in the context of multi-focal CaP. Experimental procedures: Specificity of the ERG MAb was established using wt ERG and TMPRRSS2-ERG encoded proteins expressed in HEK 293 cells and ERG si RNA treated VCaP cells harboring TMPRRSS2-ERG fusion. ERG expression in formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE), whole mount-prostate specimens was optimized by immuno-histochemistry assay. TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status in representative specimens was analyzed by b-DNA assay or fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: Through exhaustive evaluations of 132 whole-mount prostates (227 tumor foci and over 200,000 benign glands), we demonstrate 99.9 % specificity of an anti-ERG monoclonal antibody. Specimens from over 60% patients had one or more ERG positive tumor focus. Over 80% concordance was noted between the presence of ERG protein and the common TMPRSS2-ERG fusion (A type) transcript in representative specimens from 35 pateints. Conclusions: Unequivocal association of focally ERG positive PIN lesions with ERG positive carcinoma (80 out of 80 specimens) and vice versa (52 out of 52 specimens) strongly affirms biological role of ERG in clonal progression of prostate tumors. Taken together, the homogeneous and strong ERG expression in individual tumors establishes the potential for ERG based stratification of prostate cancers. Funding sources: NIH Grants RO1 DK065977 and Center for Prostate Disease Research Program HU001-04-C-1502 Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 30.
Exocrine pancreatic pathology in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats after chronic treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.
Authors: Abraham Nyska, Micheal P Jokinen, Amy E Brix, Donald M Sells, Michael E Wyde, Denise Orzech, Joseph K Haseman, Gordon Flake, Nigel J Walker
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2004)

We evaluated the effect of chronic exposure to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds on the pancreas in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats. This investigation represents part of an ongoing National Toxicology Program initiative to determine the relative potency of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of polychlorinated dioxins, furans, and biphenyls. Animals were treated by gavage for up to 2 years with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126), 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF), or a toxic-equivalency-factor (TEF) mixture of these agents; control animals received corn oil-acetone vehicle alone. A complete necropsy was performed on all animals, and a full complement of tissues was collected and examined microscopically. Administration of each of the four compounds was associated with increased incidences of several nonneoplastic changes in the exocrine pancreas, including cytoplasmic vacuolation, chronic active inflammation, atrophy, and arteritis. Low incidences, but higher than those in the historical database, of pancreatic acinar adenoma and carcinoma were seen in the TCDD, PeCDF, and TEF-mixture groups. These results indicate that the pancreatic acini are target tissues for dioxin and certain dioxin-like compounds. Key words: carcinogenesis, dioxin, furans, inflammation, pancreas, polychlorinated biphenyls.
Acute lung injury. Pathogenesis of intraalveolar fibrosis.
Authors: L S Snyder, M I Hertz, M S Peterson, K R Harmon, W A Marinelli, C A Henke, J R Greenheck, B Chen, P B Bitterman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1991)

In patients dying with acute lung injury, interstitial mesenchymal cells migrate into the airspace where they replicate and deposit connective tissue. We therefore hypothesized that peptides capable of promoting mesenchymal cell migration and replication would be present in the alveolar airspace. To examine this hypothesis, patients with severe acute diffuse lung injury (n = 26) underwent bronchoalveolar lavage. Acutely ill patients without lung injury served as controls (n = 12). Recovered effluent was examined for mesenchymal cell growth-promoting and migration-promoting activity. Lavage cell supernates from both patients and controls were devoid of bioactivity. However, substantial growth-promoting and migration-promoting activity was present in lavage fluid from nearly every patient, whereas little or none was present in fluid from controls. Characterization of the bioactivity indicated a significant proportion consisted of three peptides related to PDGF: (a) a 14-kD peptide that shared with PDGF several biophysical, biochemical, receptor-binding, and antigenic properties; (b) a 29-kD peptide that appeared identical to PDGF of platelet origin; and (c) a 38-kD peptide that was biophysically and antigenically similar to PDGF. These data indicate that peptide moieties are present in the airspace of patients after acute lung injury that can signal mesenchymal cell migration and replication.
THE ADEQUACY OF TREATMENT IN THE CONTROL OF SYPHILIS
Authors: UDO J. WILE
Journal: JAMA (1934)

The public health aspects of an attack on disease focus on two problems: first, the adequate treatment of existing cases so that they cease to be a menace to the individual infected or affected and to those about or in intimate contact with him, and, second, the prevention of the development of new cases. The latter problem, far more important, is already an accomplishment in many infectious diseases. Unfortunately, some of the most serious public health problems present insuperable difficulties in control. Because of its unique natural history, the manner of its acquisition, the long duration of its potential dangers, and for many other reasons, the prevention of syphilis as a public health measure is perhaps the most difficult problem of all. To be sure, in time of national emergency, as during the late war, wonderful advances were made in the prevention of the spread of syphilis among the soldier
Climate change
Authors: Peter F Smith
Journal: BMJ (2006)

Contraction and convergence: myth and realityEditor-The review of climate change issues in the BMJ of 10 June was comprehensive.On grounds of morality, the principle of contraction and convergence is unassailable. 1 In the real world, it is a pipe dream.It would work only by being enforcible, which implies an international policing authority with real teeth.Can we seriously believe that the United States, China, or Russia would submit to such an authority?Sadly there is no mileage in morality when affluent lifestyles are threatened.It is right to plead for changes in individual behaviour, but only the de-carbonising of energy at source will make a predictable and sustained impact on carbon dioxide emissions.The only long term route to this goal will be through the adoption of renewable energy technologies on two levels.Firstly, small scale to micro-generation systems are rapidly approaching market viability.Within five to 10 years, millions of homes could become cost effective mini-power stations linked to a local mini-grid under the umbrella of distributed generation.The Energy Saving Trust estimates that this sector could meet 40% of UK electricity demand. 2 Secondly, base load electricity could be provided by gigawatt scale technologies mostly drawing energy from wind, rivers, and seas.Tidal stream, tidal estuary, tidal impoundment, wave power, and offshore wind could more than match the output of today's nuclear power. 3 In the short term, "balancing power" to compensate for intermittency would be provided by combined cycle gas power plants.In the longer term, surplus electricity, which is an intrinsic problem with renewables, will be directed to producing hydrogen for grid connected gigawatt scale fuel cells in a symbiotic coupling with high energy density renewables installations.All this will, of course, depend on massive government investment, but so would nuclear energy.On the demand side, buildings are the biggest carbon culprits.The only effective answer, embracing both new and existing buildings, is the concept of the carbon budget, enforcible by law.This could also be adapted for transport.These have complex implications, perhaps for another time.
Book: A War of Nerves: Soldiers and Psychiatrists 1914-94
Authors: D. Summerfield
Journal: BMJ (2001)

Ben Shephard Jonathan Cape, £20, pp 487 ISBN 0 224 06033 3 Rating: ![Graphic][1]</img>![Graphic][2]</img>![Graphic][3]</img>![Graphic][4]</img> This book is a scholarly tour de force drawing on a rich range of source material, including the first hand accounts of soldiers themselves, evocative but unsentimentalising. It describes the diagnostic eras of shell shock, battle fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder in the particular political, cultural, and medical contexts of their time. I sat down to it in the week in which the relatives of the 307 British soldiers executed in the first world war for “cowardice” were included in cenotaph ceremonies for the first … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [3]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif [4]: /embed/inline-graphic-4.gif
THE STRUCTURE OF HUMAN SKIN COLLAGEN AS STUDIED WITH THE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE
Authors: Jerome Gross, Francis O. Schmitt
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1948)

1. The structure of the collagen fibrils of normal human skin corium has been investigated with the electron microscope. 2. Under the conditions of observation the fibrils ranged in width from about 700 to 1,400 A with 1,000 A as the value occurring most frequently. They showed little tendency to fray longitudinally as is characteristic of tendon fibrils; when fracture of fibrils occurred it was usually in planes transverse to the axis. 3. The axial repeating periods observed in fibrils stained with phosphotungstic acid or shadowed with chromium or platinum range from about 500 to 800 A, the maximum occurring between 620 and 660 A. The average period in fibrils from infant skin does not differ significantly from that of adult and aged skin. 4. Depending on conditions of preparation, intraperiod fine structure, in the form of cross-bands, was observed in varying detail. The most detailed pattern commonly observed contains six bands of characteristic density and position. 5. Shadowed plastic replicas of dried collagen fibrils reproduce much of the structure commonly seen in shadowed fibrils. Replicas of moist fibrils show considerably less surface contouring than do dried fibrils. Replicas from smears of connective tissue fragments on glass show detailed structure, indicating the feasibility of applying this technique to biopsy material. 6. Infant skin differs from adult skin in having considerably greater amounts of amorphous material, little of which is strongly adherent to the collagen fibrils.
Local Delivery of Ethanol Inhibits Intimal Hyperplasia in Pig Coronary Arteries After Balloon Injury
Authors: Ming Wei Liu, Peter G. Anderson, Jian Fung Luo, Gary S. Roubin
Journal: Circulation (1997)

Background Smooth muscle cell (SMC) hyperplasia is an important mechanism of restenosis after coronary angioplasty and the primary mechanism of restenosis within coronary stents. Ethanol has been shown to reduce the response of SMCs to local growth stimulants in vitro. This study was carried out to determine whether local delivery of ethanol solution could reduce intimal hyperplasia induced by balloon injury. Methods and Results Three groups of juvenile domestic pigs underwent oversized balloon dilation injury of the left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary arteries. Immediately after the balloon injury, one of the arteries was randomized to local delivery of 15% ethanol with a local delivery balloon catheter, and the other received no further treatment. Histological and morphometric studies were carried out at 2 weeks in group 1 (n=16) and at 4 weeks in group 2 (n=10). In the third group (n=15), animals were killed at days 4, 8, and 14 after balloon injury, and coronary artery segments were studied by immunohistochemical staining against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Histological injury scores were not different between the ethanol-treated and untreated arterial segments in either group 1 or 2. The neointimal areas were significantly smaller in the ethanol-treated arterial segments than in the untreated segments (0.25±0.08 versus 0.57±0.08 mm 2 , P =.004, at 2 weeks; 0.33±0.05 versus 0.54±0.07 mm 2 , P =.03, at 4 weeks). SMC proliferative activity was significantly lower in ethanol-treated arteries than in untreated arteries at 4 and 8 days after injury by BrdU and PCNA staining. Conclusions Local delivery of 15% ethanol solution to pig coronary arteries significantly decreased the SMC proliferative activity and neointimal formation induced by balloon dilation injury.
Radionuclide Esophageal Transit (RET) Study The Effect of Body Posture
Authors: LAMK LAMKI
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1985)

Radionuclide esophageal transit (RET) was studied in the sitting and supine positions in 24 patients with dysphagla. The RET time was invariably longer in the supine position. Seven patients manifested abnormal RET times only in the supine position, which is more sensitive for routine use. There is, however, a place for sitting studies in patients whose RET times are too prolonged to quantify in supine position 3 patients. RET time-activity curves are useful not only quantitatively but also qualitatively, e.g., to differentiate diffuse non-propulsive esophageal contraction from aperistalsis.
Abstract SY36-01: Exploiting intra-tumor heterogeneity through agent-based models of tumor growth to infer properties of human malignancies.
Authors: Andrea Sottoriva, Zhicheng Ma, Haeyoun Kang, Christina Curtis
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract In recent years, intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH) has emerged as a fundamental property of many solid tumors. This feature is the product of cancer evolution and may be implicated in malignant progression and clinical outcome. ITH not only reflects the sequence of malignant events that have occurred in the neoplasm, but it also embeds a signature of the past proliferative history of tumor cells. This signature can be exploited to infer tumor dynamics and to measure properties of the cellular organization that render each cancer distinct. In particular, by integrating multiple types of genomic data derived from different regions of an individual tumor, with a 3-dimensional agent-based model of tumor growth, we can infer clinically relevant cancer parameters directly in human samples. This approach is highly flexible, enabling several malignant processes to be considered, and provides a natural framework with which to interpret the apparent complexity of cancer genomic data, with implications for understanding mechanisms of tumor progression. We demonstrate the utility of this approach on a cohort of breast and colorectal cancers. Citation Format: Andrea Sottoriva, Zhicheng Ma, Haeyoun Kang, Christina Curtis. Exploiting intra-tumor heterogeneity through agent-based models of tumor growth to infer properties of human malignancies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr SY36-01. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-SY36-01
THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC IN A CAMP
Authors: C. Averill, G. Young, J. Griffiths
Journal: BMJ (1918)

MED&CACJsWTNAIlrnervoiis .supply of the eye, probably by direct degenerative action on the central nerve elernents, and as a result the following may ensue: First, atroplhie clianges in the cornea producing a typical keratitis.Secondly, degenera- tive chlanges in the tissues of tlhe optic nerve pro(lucing a true malarial neuro-retinitis.Thliidlv, paresis of tiie extrinsic muscles of the eye.Fourtlhly, affections of the sensory nerves of supply.This, I think, represenits a fairly aceurate and reasonable view of wlhat really occurs.All tle otlher maniy affections of the eye structures whielh lhave been described as being malarial are not truly so, but are probablv simply inter- current affections or complications.A practical conclusion is that in military operations in tropical couintries in all cases of clhroniic eye trouble latent errors of refraction slhould be looked for.Tlheir correction will in many cases cure or alleviate greatly the condition even thouglh the error may be a smiiall one.
Statistics notes: Matching
Authors: J M Bland, D G Altman
Journal: BMJ (1994)

Vibrio species are Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria that are ubiquitous and often highly motile in aqueous environments. Vibrio swimming motility is driven by a polar flagellum covered with a membranous sheath, but this sheathed flagellum is not well understood at the molecular level because of limited structural information. Here, we use Vibrio alginolyticus as a model system to study the sheathed flagellum in intact cells by combining cryoelectron tomography (cryo-ET) and subtomogram analysis with a genetic approach. We reveal striking differences between sheathed and unsheathed flagella in V. alginolyticus cells, including a novel ring-like structure at the bottom of the hook that is associated with major remodeling of the outer membrane and sheath formation. Using mutants defective in flagellar motor components, we defined a Vibrio-specific feature (also known as the T ring) as a distinctive periplasmic structure with 13-fold symmetry. The unique architecture of the T ring provides a static platform to recruit the PomA/B complexes, which are required to generate higher torques for rotation of the sheathed flagellum and fast motility of Vibrio cells. Furthermore, the Vibrio flagellar motor exhibits an intrinsic length variation between the inner and the outer membrane bound complexes, suggesting the outer membrane bound complex can shift slightly along the axial rod during flagellar rotation. Together, our detailed analyses of the polar flagella in intact cells provide insights into unique aspects of the sheathed flagellum and the distinct motility of Vibrio species.
Aviation and public health
Authors: J. Banatvala, M. Rao
Journal: BMJ (2013)

Are we forgetting to consult on the health implications of airport development? 

The United Kingdom’s Department for Transport recently drafted an Aviation Policy Framework for the UK to achieve a balance between the economic importance of aviation and promoting good health and quality of life in the community.1 The framework stressed transparency in decision making, and it has been sent for consultation to the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs; the Treasury; the Department of Energy and Climate Change; and the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills but disappointingly not to the Department of Health.

A commission chaired by Howard Davies was launched in 2012 to make recommendations on airport expansion in the UK,2 and, most recently, a public consultation on London’s airport expansion opened with the promise of “the fairest possible evaluation” of the available options.3 Evidence from the public consultation will be submitted to the commission.

Safeguarding public health in the face of industrial development should be one of a government’s main priorities. The World Health Organization …
Teaching Good Transfusion Practices
Authors: Seymour Handler
Journal: JAMA (1993)

<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —The article by Soumerai et al<sup>1</sup>regarding face-to-face educational outreach to improve blood transfusion practices is an important contribution. At a 370-bed suburban community hospital, we accomplished similar results over a 15- to 20-year period, culminating in an article<sup>2</sup>documenting how our transfusion practices were better than those in comparable hospitals in Minnesota. More important than describing our ability to affect transfusion practices is our indictment of deficient surgical graduate education in teaching the importance of scientific transfusion practices. Surgeons and anesthesiologists unfortunately believe that anemia will contribute to myocardial infarction, when little or no information to support that thesis exists. How can 41% of surgeons believe that anemia compromises postoperative wound healing, when information to the contrary has been known for over 25 years? Indeed, the reason for our educational efforts in improving transfusion practices at this institution stemmed from the embarrassing lack of information
Case-control study of infections with Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 in England.
Authors: J. M. Cowden, D. Lynch, C. A. Joseph, M. O'Mahony, S. L. Mawer, B. Rowe, C. L. Bartlett
Journal: BMJ (1989)

OBJECTIVE--To determine the source of indigenous sporadic infection with Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4. DESIGN--Case-control study of primary sporadic cases identified by the Public Health Laboratory Service between 1 August and 30 September 1988. SETTING--PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Division of Enteric Pathogens, 11 PHLS laboratories, and 42 local authority environmental health departments in England. SUBJECTS--232 Patients (cases) with confirmed primary sporadic infection, for 160 of whom (88 female) (median age 30 years, age range 4 months to 85 years) data were obtained by questionnaire about consumption of fresh eggs, egg products, precooked chicken, and minced meat in the three days and one week before onset of the symptoms. Up to three controls, matched for neighbourhood, age, and sex (if aged greater than 11 years), were asked the same questions for the same calendar period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Association of primary sporadic infection with consumption of suspected food items. RESULTS--Illness due to S enteritidis phage type 4 was significantly associated with consumption of raw shell egg products (homemade mayonnaise, ice cream, and milk drinks containing eggs) (matched p = 0.02) and shop bought sandwiches containing mayonnaise (matched p = 0.00004) or eggs (matched p = 0.02). Illness was also significantly associated with eating lightly cooked eggs (unmatched p = 0.02), but not soft boiled eggs, and precooked hot chicken (matched p = 0.006). Reported consumption of eggs was not appreciably different between cases and controls before or after the median date of interview. CONCLUSIONS--Fresh shell eggs, egg products, and precooked hot chicken are vehicles of S enteritidis phage type 4 infection in indigenous sporadic cases. Public health education and reduction in contamination of eggs and infection of poultry with S enteritidis are needed to reduce the incidence of human infection.