tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Low-Activity 124I-PET/Low-Dose CT Versus 99mTc-Pertechnetate Planar Scintigraphy or 99mTc-Pertechnetate Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography of the Thyroid
Authors: Andreas M. Darr, Thomas Opfermann, Tobias Niksch, Dominik Driesch, Robert J. Marlowe, Martin Freesmeyer
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2013)

The standard thyroid functional imaging method, 99mTc-pertechnetate (99mTc-PT) planar scintigraphy, has technical drawbacks decreasing its sensitivity in detecting nodules or anatomical pathology. 124I-PET, lacking these disadvantages and allowing simultaneous CT, may have greater sensitivity for these purposes. We performed a blinded pilot comparison of 124I-PET(/CT) versus 99mTc-PT planar scintigraphy or its cross-sectional enhancement, 99mTc-PT single-photon emission CT (SPECT), in characterizing the thyroid gland with benign disease.Twenty-one consecutive adults with goiter underwent low-activity (1 MBq/0.027 mCi) 124I-PET/low-dose (30 mAs) CT, 99mTc-PT planar scintigraphy, and 99mTc-PT-SPECT. Endpoints included the numbers of “hot spots” with/without central photopenia and “cold spots” detected, the proportion of these lesions with morphological correlates, the mean volume and diameter of visualized nodules, and the number of cases of lobus pyramidalis or retrosternal thyroid tissue identified.124I-PET detected significantly more “hot spots” with/without central photopenia (P < 0.001), significantly more nodules (P < 0.001), and more “cold spots” than did 99mTc-PT planar scintigraphy or 99mTc-PT-SPECT, including all lesions seen on the 99mTc-PT modalities. Ultrasonographic correlates were found for all nodules visualized on all 3 modalities and 92.5% of nodules seen only on 124I-PET. Nodules discernible only on 124I-PET had significantly smaller mean volume or diameter (P < 0.001) than did those visualized on 99mTc-PT planar scintigraphy or 99mTc-PT-SPECT. 124I-PET(/CT) identified significantly more patients with a lobus pyramidalis (P < 0.001) or retrosternal thyroid tissue (P < 0.05).124I-PET(/CT) may provide superior imaging of benign thyroid disease compared to planar or cross-sectional 99mTc-PT scintigraphy.
Cross-reactivity patterns of T cells specific for iodinated contrast media
Authors: Marianne Lerch, Monika Keller, Markus Britschgi, Gisele Kanny, Valerie Tache, Daphne A. Schmid, Andreas Beeler, Basil O. Gerber, Michael Luethi, Andreas J. Bircher, Cathrine Christiansen, Werner J. Pichler
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2007)
HIGHER MORTALITY RATES AFTER PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION IN FEMALE PATIENTS ON HEMODIALYSIS
Authors: Luis Gruberg, Puja B. Parikh, Allen Jeremias, Srihari S. Naidu, Richard A. Shlofmitz, Sorin J. Brenner, Thomas Pappas, Kevin P. Marzo, David L. Brown
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Is reward an emotion?
Authors: Ralph Adolphs
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2000)

The brain and emotion treats emotions as states elicited by reinforcers (reward or punishment), but it is unclear how this view can do justice to the diversity of emotions. It is also unclear how such a view distinguishes emotions from states such as hunger and thirst. A complementary approach to understanding emotions may begin by considering emotions as aspects of social cognition.
Seize the day
Authors: L. Farrell
Journal: BMJ (1998)

It's great to be alive. If any of us had true insight, a true understanding of what this gift of life means, every morning we would wake up and rejoice and shout and laugh, bubble and effervesce and radiate with joy, sing and dance and go hippity-hop up the street. Because to be healthy, sound of wind, and clean of limb in a world of such coruscating beauty, where the birds are singing like angels and the morning stars still faintly glowing, is but a transient privilege. So seize the day: the best time to be is now, the best place …
Identification of Amino Acids of Sindbis Virus E2 Protein Involved in Targeting Tumor Metastases in Vivo
Authors: Alicia Hurtado, Jen-Chieh Tseng, Christopher Boivin, Brandi Levin, Herman Yee, Christine Pampeno, Daniel Meruelo
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2005)

Previous studies conducted in our laboratory with Sindbis viral vectors in animal models demonstrated excellent in vivo targeting of tumor cells and significant reduction of metastatic implant size. To explore the influence of Sindbis strain on these factors, we constructed new plasmids from the wild-type Ar-339 Sindbis virus strain and compared their sequences. We found differences in the replicase and envelope proteins between JT, HRSP, and Ar-339 sequences. We made chimeras combining both strains and studied their efficiency in SCID mice bearing tumor xenograft using IVIS in vivo imaging techniques. We found that JT envelope proteins targeted tumors more efficiently than those of Ar-339, while the Ar-339 replicase showed increased efficacy in tumor reduction. To determine which residues are responsible for tumor targeting, we made mutants of Ar-339 E2 envelope protein and tested them by IVIS imaging in ES-2 tumor-bearing and tumor-free mice. The change of only one amino acid from E70 to K70 in Ar-339 E2 suppressed the ability to target metastatic tumor implants in mice. A K70 and V251 double E2 mutant did not reverse the loss of targeting capability. Only the mutant with JT E2 and Ar-339 helper targeted tumor, though with less intensity.
Abstract 5556: Evaluation of maspin expression in primary tumors and metastasis of melanoma patients: Evidences for prognostic significance
Authors: Chiara Martinoli, Sara Gandini, Chiara Luise, Giovanni Mazzarol, Stefano Confalonieri, Alessandro Testori, Pier Francesco Ferrucci
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Background: Maspin is a member of the serpin family of protease inhibitors that is thought to act as a tumor suppressor in several cancer types, including melanoma. Recent studies have shown that maspin sub-cellular distribution may impact its effect on disease outcome. Similar studies are missing in melanoma. Methods: Using 3 different tissue microarrays (TMA), Maspin expression was evaluated by two pathologists in a blinded manner on 150 primary lesions and 106 metastasis obtained by melanoma patients. Maspin expression in nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments were evaluated separately and correlated with clinicopathological characteristics (logistic model) and disease-free survival (Cox model) of patients included in the study. Results: Maspin was expressed in nuclei of 52% and in cytoplasms of 17% samples of primary melanomas. Nuclear maspin expression was significantly associated with melanoma thickness (p&amp;lt;0.0001), mitotic rate (p&amp;lt;0.0001), ulceration (p=0.003), LN involvement (p=0.0005) and worse prognosis (p=0.02). On the contrary, higher cytoplasmic expression was observed in patients with thin lesions (p=0.007), with mitotic rate &amp;lt;1/mm2 (p&amp;lt;0.005), no LN involvement (p=0.012), and better prognosis (p=0.05). Metastatic samples showed Maspin expression in the nuclei of 33% cases and in the cytoplasms of 10% cases, showing a progressive lost of expression with disease spreading. Conclusion: Our study shows a compartment-dependent effect of maspin expression in primary and metastatic melanomas. Further studies will be aimed to dissect the biological significance of maspin expression and localization during disease progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5556. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5556
Treatment of Jellyfish Stings
Authors: John S. Loder
Journal: JAMA (1973)

ABSTRACT To the Editor.— With reference to the note on jellyfish (most commonly Physalia species) stings in the MEDICAL NEWS section (225:1299, 1973), readers might be glad to know of a simple expedient to have handy for anyone likely to be exposed to jellyfish stings. The remedy, any of the papaincontaining meat tenderizers (eg, Adolf's), is simply sprinkled liberally on the wetted affected area and allowed to remain until the stinging has abated. Mr. Dave Cargo of the Natural Resources Institute in Solomons, Md, rediscovered this old treatment in the mid '60s.When jellyfish tentacles are disturbed, they fire nematocysts at the offending stimulus. The toxins in this structure are usually fairly simple polypeptides, which papain rapidly cleaves into nontoxic amino acids. An anthropologist at the turn of the century reported that natives stung by the Portuguese man-of-war would apply a cut papaya to the affected surface, with obvious relief. Mr.
Muhammed Mumtaz Hassan
Authors: J. Bissenden, D. Addy
Journal: BMJ (2013)

Muhammed Mumtaz Hassan was a man of huge energy and presence who did much to enhance the image of Pakistani paediatrics in the UK and internationally. He arranged a rotation of doctors and senior nurses between Islamabad and Birmingham for training and teaching. We personally benefited from his hospitality in Pakistan, including trips to the Hunza valley and down the Khyber Pass, and from …
The Arterial Medial Cell, Smooth Muscle, or Multifunctional Mesenchyme?
Authors: ROBERT W. WISSLER
Journal: Circulation (1967)

UNDERSTANDING of the pathogenesisof atherosclerosis in man is still incom- plete.This is largely due to the dearth of data regarding the artery wall and its metab- olism.In this editorial emphasis will be placed on two basic assumptions regarding the artery wall and atherogenesis.1.The medial cells of the artery are of prime importance in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.2. They represent a single cell type in the arterial media, a cell which is probably responsible for the production of collagen, elastin, smooth muscle fibers, and base- ment membrane (acid mucopolysaccharides), and furthermore, they are the chief cell in which one can identify serum lipoproteins in human and animal atherosclerosis.Many histology textbooks still state that two separate cell types exist in the arterial media, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts.I have yet to find an electron microscopist who has seen
Cohort study of plasma natriuretic peptides for identifying left ventricular systolic dysfunction in primary care
Authors: S. J McClure, L. Caruana, A. P Davie, S. Goldthorp, J. J V McMurray
Journal: BMJ (1998)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objectives</b> : To determine whether blood natriuretic peptide concentrations are helpful in identifying or excluding left ventricular systolic dysfunction in stable survivors of acute myocardial infarction. <b>Design</b> : Comparison of blood natriuretic peptide concentrations with echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular systolic function in a general practice population. <b>Setting</b> : Practices in Western District of Glasgow audit group. <b>Subjects</b> : 134 long term survivors of myocardial infarction recalled for echocardiography as part of a primary care secondary prevention audit. <b>Main outcome measures</b> : Area under the receiver operating curve for brain natriuretic peptide and N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide. <b>Results</b> : Brain natriuretic peptide was of some diagnostic utility in identifying the minority of subjects with severe left ventricular dysfunction (area under curve=0.73) but was unable to discriminate between patients with moderately severe dysfunction and those with preserved left ventricular function (area under curve for moderate or severe dysfunction=0.54). The corresponding values forN-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide for severe and moderate or severe dysfunction were 0.55 and 0.56 respectively. <b>Conclusions</b> : Blood natriuretic peptide concentrations are not useful in identifying important left ventricular systolic dysfunction in stable survivors of myocardial infarction.
Nonuniformity of the transmural distribution of coronary blood flow during the cardiac cycle. In vivo documentation by contrast echocardiography.
Authors: D Rovai, A L'Abbate, M Lombardi, S E Nissen, M Marzilli, A Distante, E M Ferdeghini, A N DeMaria
Journal: Circulation (1989)

This study was performed to examine the transmural (endocardial vs. epicardial) heterogeneity of myocardial blood flow during the cardiac cycle (systole vs. diastole). Twenty-four contrast echocardiographic injections were performed in seven open-chest anesthetized dogs either into left anterior descending or circumflex coronary artery or into the aortic root. Two-dimensional echocardiography in short-axis view was performed and was digitized off-line into a 256 x 256 pixel matrix with 256 gray levels/pixel. All end-diastolic and end-systolic frames before and to peak contrast were analyzed. A region of interest corresponding to the most intensely opacified myocardial segment was traced, the mean videodensity measured, and the frame of initial contrast appearance detected. The region of interest was divided into three equal parallel layers corresponding to the endocardial, midcardial, and epicardial myocardium. When the echocardiographic contrast effect initially appeared in diastole, the increment in videodensity was greater for the endocardium (131 +/- 48%) than for the epicardium (71 +/- 37% of the increment in videodensity of the entire wall) (p less than 0.05). This inhomogeneity subsequently disappeared in the following end-systolic frame. When the initial echocardiographic contrast effect appeared in systole, intensity was higher in epicardium (136 +/- 83%) than in endocardium (60 +/- 60%) (p less than 0.05). However, in the following diastole, intensity was not significantly different for the two layers. Thus, myocardial contrast echocardiography demonstrates that coronary blood flow is primarily subendocardial in distribution during diastole and subepicardial during systole.
The Broad Scope of Health Effects from Chronic Arsenic Exposure: Update on a Worldwide Public Health Problem
Authors: Marisa F. Naujokas, Beth Anderson, Habibul Ahsan, H. Vasken Aposhian, Joseph H. Graziano, Claudia Thompson, William A. Suk
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2013)

Concerns for arsenic exposure are not limited to toxic waste sites and massive poisoning events. Chronic exposure continues to be a major public health problem worldwide, affecting hundreds of millions of persons.
Disparate clinical outcomes of diabetic and nondiabetic patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: is diabetes mellitus an independent predictor of poor outcome?
Authors: Kishore J. Hariai, Cindy L. Grines, Tuan Pham, Gregg W. Stone, Harish Chandra, Judith Boura, Luiz Mattos, David Cox, Lorelei L. Grines, William W. O'Neill
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2002)
Re: Niels J. van Casteren, Hans Stoop, Gert R. Dohle, Ronald de Wit, J. Wolter Oosterhuis, Leendert H.J. Looijenga. Noninvasive Detection of Testicular Carcinoma In Situ in Semen Using OCT3/4. Eur Urol 2008;54:153–60
Authors: Christina E. Hoei-Hansen, Kristian Almstrup, Niels Erik Skakkebaek, Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
Journal: European Urology (2008)
Association of <i>in Utero</i> Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure and Fetal Growth and Length of Gestation in an Agricultural Population
Authors: Brenda Eskenazi, Kim Harley, Asa Bradman, Erin Weltzien, Nicholas P. Jewell, Dana B. Barr, Clement E. Furlong, Nina T. Holland
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2004)

Although pesticide use is widespread, little is known about potential adverse health effects of in utero exposure. We investigated the effects of organophosphate pesticide exposure during pregnancy on fetal growth and gestational duration in a cohort of low-income, Latina women living in an agricultural community in the Salinas Valley, California. We measured nonspecific metabolites of organophosphate pesticides (dimethyl and diethyl phosphates) and metabolites specific to malathion (malathion dicarboxylic acid), chlorpyrifos [O,O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl) phosphoro-thioate], and parathion (4-nitrophenol) in maternal urine collected twice during pregnancy. We also measured levels of cholinesterase in whole blood and butyryl cholinesterase in plasma in maternal and umbilical cord blood. We failed to demonstrate an adverse relationship between fetal growth and any measure of in utero organophosphate pesticide exposure. In fact, we found increases in body length and head circumference associated with some exposure measures. However, we did find decreases in gestational duration associated with two measures of in utero pesticide exposure: urinary dimethyl phosphate metabolites [beta(adjusted) = -0.41 weeks per log10 unit increase; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.75 -- -0.02; p = 0.02], which reflect exposure to dimethyl organophosphate compounds such as malathion, and umbilical cord cholinesterase (beta(adjusted) = 0.34 weeks per unit increase; 95% CI, 0.13-0.55; p = 0.001). Shortened gestational duration was most clearly related to increasing exposure levels in the latter part of pregnancy. These associations with gestational age may be biologically plausible given that organophosphate pesticides depress cholinesterase and acetylcholine stimulates contraction of the uterus. However, despite these observed associations, the rate of preterm delivery in this population (6.4%) was lower than in a U.S. reference population.
Deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in France, 1979-2002: a multiple cause analysis
Authors: C Fuhrman, E Jougla, J Nicolau, D Eilstein, M-C Delmas
Journal: Thorax (2006)

A study was undertaken of deaths with an underlying or associated cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and trends in COPD mortality from 1979 to 2002 in France were analysed.Data were obtained from the Centre of Epidemiology on the Medical Causes of Death (CépiDc) for individuals aged 45 years and over. Owing to implementation of ICD-10 in 2000 for recording causes of death, two separate periods were analysed (1979-99 and 2000-2).In 2000-2, COPD was the underlying cause of 1.4% of deaths (deaths from COPD) and was mentioned on the death certificate in 3.0% (deaths with COPD). The other main underlying causes in these cases were cardiovascular diseases (32.0%) and cancers (24.5%). In 1979-99, age standardised rates of death with COPD remained stable in men (-0.01%/year) and increased in women (+1.7%/year). The mean annual rates of death with COPD per 100 000 were 84 for men and 19 for women in 2000-2.Multiple cause analysis improved the estimate of COPD related mortality. In 1979-99, COPD related mortality rates in France were stable in men but increased in women. Implementation of ICD-10 in 2000 introduced substantial discontinuities in mortality trends.
DNA Repeats -- A Treasury of Human Variation
Authors: Grant R. Sutherland, Robert I. Richards
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1994)

Human DNA contains many sequences of nucleotides that occur repeatedly from a few to many thousand times within the genome. Nonrepeated, or unique, sequences are, of course, each represented twice -- once on each of a pair of chromosomes. Repeated sequences vary in complexity, from the full complement of an intact gene down to isolated sequences of only one or two base pairs. For example, the α-globin gene is normally present as two copies on each chromosome 16; thus, most people have four copies of this gene. There are about 200 copies of genes for ribosomal RNA in our genomes. . . .
Persistent Low Back Pain and Ischiogluteal Bursitis
Authors: Charles A. Weber
Journal: JAMA (1986)

To the Editor.—  In the QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS section of the Jan 24/31, 1986, issue ofJAMA,1regarding the patient with persistent low back pain, we agree with Drs Taub and Crue that surgery is not indicated. Regarding the diagnosis in this 62-year-old woman, spinal stenosis is unlikely. In fact, the physical examination, roentgenograms, computed tomography, and electromyography revealed no evidence of neurologic dysfunction.  Several diagnoses were suggested by Dr Taub; we would like to add ischiogluteal bursitis. The finding of tenderness in the distribution of the sciatic nerve was dismissed by Dr Crue as merely subjective. However, this finding is compatible with ischiogluteal bursitis, since this bursa overlies the sciatic nerve.2Other evidence for ischiogluteal bursitis in this woman is exacerbation of pain after sitting, the fact that low back pain is constant, and the fact that partial relief was achieved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.  At this
Modification of Viral Myocarditis in Mice by Interleukin-6
Authors: Tsugiyasu Kanda, Janet E. Wilson McManus, Ryozo Nagai, Susumu Imai, Tadashi Suzuki, DeCheng Yang, Bruce M. McManus, Isao Kobayashi
Journal: Circulation Research (1996)

Abstract Inflammatory cytokines play a key role in the myocardial injury produced by viral myocarditis. Although interleukin-6 (IL-6) reportedly possesses antiviral properties, its effect in viral myocarditis is unclear. To investigate the role of IL-6 in viral myocarditis induced by encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) in mice, we evaluated (1) the survival rate following IL-6 administration, (2) the viral titer in the heart, (3) viral replication in the heart by in situ hybridization, (4) histopathological changes using immunohistochemical staining, (5) neutralizing antibody against EMCV, (6) circulating interferon and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), (7) viral suppression in vitro by IL-6, and (8) natural killer (NK)–cell activity. Eight-week-old C3H/HeJ mice were injected intraperitoneally with EMCV (day 0) and were also injected subcutaneously twice daily for 4 consecutive days with 10 μg/0.1 mL of human IL-6 on day −4 (group A), day 0 (group B), or day +4 (group D) for 4 days. As a control, 0.1 mL PBS instead of IL-6 was injected on day 0 for 4 days (group C). Certain mice were killed on day 4. The myocardial virus titers, viral replication in situ, and NK-cell activity in the spleen were determined. Decreased viral titer and viral replication in the heart reduced the titer of circulating TNF-α, and lower NK-cell activity was observed in group B versus group C (control group). The titer of neutralizing antibodies against EMCV was significantly ( P &lt;.05) increased in group B compared with group C. The remaining mice were killed on days 10 and 30 after infection. The ratio of heart weight (HW) to body weight (BW) and myocardial injury in group B were reduced versus group C on days 10 and 30. The HW of group B on day 30 did not differ from the normal control group. The ratio of splenic weight to BW and the ratio of thymic weight to BW of group B increased on day 10, with expanded follicles observed in the spleen and enlargement of the medulla observed in the thymus. Immunohistochemical study revealed an increased percentage of macrophages in the heart and spleen of group B. In summary, IL-6 reduces myocardial damage in mice with viral myocarditis. Modification of immune responses together with reduction in viral replication appears to be the mechanism of the IL-6 effect. Although IL-6 is likely important in the process of viral antigen presentation, early activation of immune responses and attenuation of viral replication appear most significant, as reflected in the limited time window during which IL-6 is effective in myocarditis.