tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Relationship between passive tissue strain and collagen uncoiling during healing of infarcted myocardium
Authors: Jeffrey H Omens, Timothy R Miller, James W Covell
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1997)

Objective: The structure of the collagen scar during healing of a myocardial infarction is a determinant of the function of the remodeled tissue. We hypothesize that the passive deformations of both scar and normal tissue are related to the underlying collagen uncoiling as the tissue stretches, and that the unloaded tortuosity of the collagen may be a determinant of tissue stiffness at low ventricular pressure. Hence collagen uncoiling and tissue strain were measured during passive loading in normal tissue, and in healing infarct tissue. Methods: Left ventricles of rats were infarcted by ligation of the left anterior descending artery for 2 weeks. Surface strains were measured during passive inflation in the scar region in one set of excised hearts, and other arrested hearts were fixed at different ventricular pressures, after which collagen tortuosity was measured in the infarcted and normal tissue. Results: Passive loading strains were smaller in the scar in both the fiber and cross-fiber directions. Tortuosity decreased with load in normal and infarcted tissue, with fibrils tending to straighten more in the scar tissue at higher pressures (1.056±0.009 vs. 1.024±0.009 at P=20 mmHg) with similar tortuosities at zero pressure (1.110±0.012 vs. 1.098±0.019). The decrease in tortuosity with strain was greater for the infarcted tissue. Conclusions: The greater stiffness of infarcted tissue at low pressure is not due to 'straightened' collagen fibers, and there may be a different three-dimensional structure of infarct vs. normal coiled collagen fibers which can affect the material properties of these tissues.
Postsplenectomy Infection in Cooley's Anemia
Authors: C. H. Smith, M. E. Erlandson, G. Stern, M. W. Hilgartner
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1962)

IN an earlier paper1 19 cases of severe and fulminating infections, 6 terminating fatally, were reported in children after splenectomy for hematologic disorders. These observations confirmed previous experience2 3 4 that splenectomy in childhood appeared to influence susceptibility to infection. It was emphasized, however, that the incidence was small in comparison with the large number of splenectomies in children. The clinical types of infection were usually meningitis and sepsis. In a recent review Finland5 reached similar conclusions — namely, that infants and children splenectomized for serious hematologic disorders experienced a higher incidence and severity of bacterial infections than normal persons in at . . .
413 Bayesian coalescent inference of hepatitis C virus introduction from molecular sequences: The camporeale model
Authors: C. Argentini, D. Genovese, D. Ferraro, V. Giordano, M. Giglio, S. Taffon, A. Craxi, T. Stroffolini, R. Di Stefano, M. Ranicetta
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2006)
FORMULA FOR SULFATHIAZOLE OINTMENT
Authors: Edmund L. Keeney
Journal: JAMA (1941)

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> In the article "Sulfathiazole Ointment in the Treatment of Cutaneous Infections," which appeared inThe Journal, October 25, we suggested as an ointment base for the sulfathiazole equal parts of hydrous wool fat and vanishing cream. We recently have been preparing the ointment as follows: sulfathiazole 5 per cent, aquaphor (cholesterinated petrolatum) 25 per cent and cold cream 70 per cent. We believe that the ointment base prepared with aquaphor and cold cream is more satisfactory than the ointment base prepared with hydrous wool fat and vanishing cream.
Extracellular field required for excitation in three-dimensional anisotropic canine myocardium.
Authors: D W Frazier, W Krassowska, P S Chen, P D Wolf, E G Dixon, W M Smith, R E Ideker
Journal: Circulation Research (1988)

It is not known how well potential gradient, current density, and energy correlate with excitation by extracellular stimulation in the in situ heart. Additionally, the influence of fiber orientation and stimulus polarity on the extracellular thresholds for stimulation expressed in terms of these factors has not been assessed. To answer these questions for myocardium in electrical diastole, extracellular excitation thresholds were determined from measurements of stimulus potentials and activation patterns recorded from 120 transmural electrodes in a 35 X 20 X 5-mm region of the right ventricular outflow tract in six open-chest dogs. Extracellular potential gradients, current densities, energies, and their components longitudinal and transverse to the local fiber orientation at each recording site were calculated from the stimulus potentials produced by 3-msec constant-current stimuli. The resulting values in regions directly excited by the stimulus field were compared with the values in regions not directly excited but activated by the spread of wavefronts conducting away from the directly excited region. Magnitudes of 3.66 mA/cm2 for current density, 9.7 microJ/cm3 for energy, and 804 mV/cm for potential gradient yielded minimum misclassifications of 8%, 13%, and 17%, respectively, of sites directly and not directly excited. A linear bivariate combination of the longitudinal (l) and transverse (t) components of the potential gradient yielded 7% misclassification (threshold ratio t/l of 2.88), and linear combination of corresponding current density components yielded 8% misclassification (threshold ratio t/l of 1.04). Anodal and cathodal thresholds were not significantly different (p = 0.39). Potential gradient, current density, and energy strength-duration curves were constructed for pulse durations (D) of 0.2-20 msec. The best fit hyperbolic curve for current density magnitude (Jm) was Jm = 3.97/D + 3.15, where Jm is in mA/cm2, and D is in msec. Thus, for stimulation during electrical diastole 1) both current density magnitude and longitudinal and transverse components of the potential gradient are closely correlated with excitation, 2) the extracellular potential gradient along cardiac cells has a lower threshold than across cells, while current density thresholds along and across cells are similar, 3) anodal and cathodal thresholds are approximately equal for stimuli greater than or equal to 5 mA, and 4) the extracellular potential gradient, current density, and energy excitation thresholds can be expressed by strength-duration equations.
Intrapleural streptokinase in the management of empyema.
Authors: R F Taylor, M B Rubens, M C Pearson, N C Barnes
Journal: Thorax (1994)

BACKGROUND--Significant morbidity and mortality result from the ineffective evacuation of empyema. Failure of conventional first line treatment with closed intercostal tube drainage and antibiotic therapy may result in fibrin deposition and loculated empyema. Enzymatic debridement using intrapleural instillation of streptokinase is a non-invasive therapeutic option which may obviate the need for surgical intervention. METHODS--Eleven adults with multiloculated post-pneumonic empyemas who had failed to respond satisfactorily to intercostal tube drainage and antibiotic therapy were treated with intrapleural streptokinase between November 1992 and January 1994. A small catheter was inserted under ultrasound guidance into a loculation within the pleural space. Aliquots of 250,000 units of streptokinase in 100 ml normal saline were instilled into the pleural cavity and the tube clamped for four hours. Response was assessed by clinical outcome, measurement of drain output after unclamping, and subsequent pleural ultrasound, chest radiography, or both. RESULTS--Streptokinase enhanced drainage in all patients. Complete resolution of the empyema with re-expansion of the underlying lung was effected in eight patients, all of whom remain well. Further resolution of minimal pleural thickening was shown on subsequent chest radiographs. Two patients with considerably thickened visceral pleura following empyema drainage underwent successful decortication. The other, with myocarditis and a pyopneumothorax, underwent surgery for non-resolution of the pneumothorax but died perioperatively from cardiac failure. The number of streptokinase instillations per patient ranged from two to six (median three), and the volume of empyema fluid drained per patient ranged from 100 ml to 4870 ml (median 900 ml). Streptokinase was well tolerated in all patients. CONCLUSIONS--Intrapleural streptokinase is an effective adjunct in the management of complicated empyema and may reduce the need for surgery.
Peripheral Increased Activity Surrounding Metastatic Adenocarcinoma to the Liver on Hepatobiliary Imaging
Authors: ROBERT W. CIFERS, MOHAN MAKHIJA
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1989)

A 78-year-old woman was status-post colon resection for poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the sigmold colon with lymph nodes positive for metastatic disease. Three months following surgery, her CEA levels were found to be markedly elevated. In addition to the radionuclide studies, ultrasound of the liver confirmed the presence of multiple lobulated, solid lesions in the right lobe of the liver. These lesions corresponded to the areas of decreased activity in the liver on liver-spleen and hepatobiliary images. In view of known adenocarcinoma, these lesions presumably represent metastatic disease to the liver. Peripheral increased activity surrounding these metastatic lesions to the liver on Tc-99m dllsopropyl iminodiacetic acid images represented an unusual presentation.
Interpreting the Medical Literature: Practical Epidemiology for Clinicians
Authors: Charles Radey
Journal: JAMA (1989)

Any practitioner of medicine who daily watches the pile of unread journals grow on the desk, spill over to the coffee table, and invade bookshelves will find solace in Dr Gehlbach's second edition of<i>Interpreting the Medical Literature</i>. Designed as a "practical aid to the beleaguered clinician," the book not only delivers on its primary promise, but abolishes the feelings of guilt and inadequacy that burgeoning stacks of journals tend to engender in physicians. Following the admonition of Francis Bacon, the author assures the reader that, as regards books and articles, only some few need "to be chewed and digested." Gehlbach counsels readers to extract the core of an article and quotes Mortimer Adler, philosopher and proponent of the Great Books program, who advises reading a book "with x-ray eyes, for it is an essential part of your first apprehension of any book to grasp its structure." It is evident
NHSnet in Scottish primary care: lessons for the future
Authors: M. Willmot
Journal: BMJ (2000)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective:</b> To evaluate the primary care communications initiative, which introduced NHSnet to primary care in Scotland. <b>Design:</b> Semi-structured telephone interviews, postal questionnaire. <b>Setting:</b> All 15 Scottish health boards, random sample of 1 in 3 of all Scottish general practices. <b>Participants:</b> Information management and technology managers of health boards, 355 practice managers in the general practices. <b>Main outcome measures:</b> Variations between health boards in styles of project management, means of connection to NHSnet, costs to general practices, and training provided. Practices9 levels of participation in initiative, initial use of NHSnet, and factors acting as incentives and disincentives to use of NHSnet. <b>Results:</b> 99% of Scottish general practices agreed to participate in initiative. Health boards varied significantly in project management styles (from minimal to total control), the nature of the networks they established (intranets or direct connections), costs to practices (from nothing to £125 per general practitioner per year), and training provided (from none to an extensive programme). In 56% of practices someone accessed NHSnet at least once a week. Practices varied considerably in amount of internet training received and staff groups targeted and in the intention to provide desktop access to NHSnet through a practice network. <b>Conclusion:</b> The initiative has successfully introduced a network that links Scottish general practices, health boards, and hospital trusts. However local variation in this “national” initiative may affect its use in primary care. Health authorities and general practices in England and Wales may wish to note these findings in order to avoid unhelpful variation.
Abstract P6-11-09: Pilot Study of Irinotecan and S-1 for Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: M Tanaka, H Furusawa, Y Kamada, Y Sagara, K Anan, K Miyara, Y Kai, S Wakamatsu, T Uga, K Tamura, S Mitsuyama
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are often treated with multiple regimens, and viable options may soon be exhausted. Irinotecan (CPT-11), a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor, is rarely used in this setting, however. Approved for advanced breast cancer in Japan, S-1 is a pyrimidine derivative comprising the combination of tegafur, gimeracil and oteracil. Irinotecan is combined with S-1 (IRIS) to obtain an additive effect, even in the presence of high thymidylate synthase in breast cancer cells. This combination has also been successfully used for gastro-intestinal malignancies in Japan. Method: This study was divided into two steps: step 1, in which the safety profile of the regimen was determined; and step 2, in which tumor response was evaluated if the safety profile was considered acceptable. Irinotecan was given intravenously at a dose of 80 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and S-1 orally at 80-120 mg/day depending on body surface area for 2 weeks. The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. Results: A total of 21 patients were registered in the study. Median age was 50 years (range, 26 -69 years). Performance status was 0 and 1 in 20 and 1 patients, respectively. Six patients were enrolled in step 1. Grade (G) 3 fatigue and vomiting were observed in 1 patients, G 3-4 neutropenia in 4 and G 3 anemia in 1. The toxicity profile in step 1 was determined acceptable to move on to step 2. Step 2 included 15 patients treated with IRIS. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 7 out of these 15 patients, fatigue in 1, diarrhea in 3 and anorexia in 1. All patients had previously received anthracyclines and taxanes. Eighteen patients, including 3 patients in step 1, were evaluable for response. A partial response was obtained in 5 patients (27.8%), including in 1 patient who had a history of 4 previous treatments. Progression-free survival in these patients was 137+, 147, 168+, 304+ and 364+ days; no progressive disease was observed in 4 of them. In addition, stable disease was obtained in 5 patients (27.8%) in whom 2 patients experienced SD for longer than 6 months. Conclusion: These results indicate that the IRIS regimen has an acceptable safety profile and modest activity against breast cancer in patients who have been heavily treated with chemotherapy for MBC. We believe the patients responded to the IRIS regimen because irinotecan has a different mechanism of action as compared to other drugs commonly used for breast cancer and complete cross-resistance may not exist between S-1 and capecitabine. This regimen is commonly used for gastric or colorectal cancer in Japan and is considered to be highly tolerable. Therefore, we conclude that this regimen has potential as an option to treat advanced and metastatic breast cancer, although attention must be paid to diarrhea, the dose-limiting toxicity of irinotecan and S-1. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-11-09.
Critical Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Differences in Health in Late Life
Authors: Said A. Ibrahim
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2005)

Medical Writings: Book Notes4 January 2005Critical Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Differences in Health in Late LifeSaid A. Ibrahim, MD, MPHSaid A. Ibrahim, MD, MPHFrom Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-142-1-200501040-00023 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Anderson NB, Bulatao RA, Cohen B. 752 pages. Washington, DC: National Academies Pr; 2004. $69.00. ISBN 0309092116. Order at www.nap.edu.Field of medicine: Geriatrics and health equity.Format: Softcover book.Audience: Gerontologists, health services research, and public health investigators.Purpose: To provide current evidence and critical overview of research on racial and ethnic differences in health in late life.Content: The 5 main sections of this book cover topics such as the nature of racial and ethnic differences in health in late life; conceptual and methodologic challenges in this area of research; and the search for causal pathways among economic, ... Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 4 January 2005Volume 142, Issue 1Page: 80KeywordsGeriatricsHealth careHealth disparitiesHealth economicsPopulation statisticsPrevention, policy, and public healthSoftware toolsVeteran care ePublished: 4 January 2005 Issue Published: 4 January 2005 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2005 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
Ribonuclease 7, an antimicrobial peptide upregulated during infection, contributes to microbial defense of the human urinary tract
Authors: John David Spencer, Andrew L. Schwaderer, Huanyu Wang, Julianne Bartz, Jennifer Kline, Tad Eichler, Kristin R. DeSouza, Sunder Sims-Lucas, Peter Baker, David S. Hains
Journal: Kidney International (2013)
P240Use of IL-10 overexpressing macrophages for targeted anti-inflammatory therapy in humans - benefit of the M2 polarization?
Authors: O Zimmermann, J Homann, A Bangert, W Rottbauer, J Torzewski, H Katus, HM Lorenz, Z Kaya
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2014)

Purpose: Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or myocarditis represent therapeutic challenges. Systemic and non-directional immunosuppressive therapy is related with side effects. Macrophages specifically target inflammatory tissues. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine. Thus, overexpression of IL-10 in macrophages could result in a targeted and highly efficient therapeutic effect. We already could apply this therapy successfully in a murine model of autoimmune myocarditis. Now this approach should be transferred to human macrophages. Methods: Human macrophages were isolated from buffy coats. Using magnetically labelled antibodies against CD3, CD7, CD16, CD19, CD56, CD123 and Glycophorin A finally CD14-positive cells were negative selected. FACS against CD14 and CD16 characterized the target cells. After 7 days in culture (RPMI 1640, 20% FCS; M1: 200 U/ml GM-CSF; M2: 100 ng/ml M-CSF) cells differentiated to macrophages. M1 polarization was induced by culture in RPMI 1640, 5% FCS, 100 ng/ml LPS and 20 ng/ml interferon-gamma. M2 polarization was induced by RPMI 1640, 5% FCS and 20 ng/ml IL-4. mRNA-nucleofection was used for overexpression of IL-10. Production of IL-10, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were detected in the supernatant by ELISA. Results: Isolated cells were identified as human macrophages. After IL-10 overexpression a significant increase of IL-10 was detected compared with the control (50 pg/ml vs. 220 pg/ml). IL-6 (14 pg/ml vs. 26 pg/ml) and TNF-alpha (18 pg/ml vs. 26 pg/ml) showed a low concentration without relevant differences to the control. The M1 population was characterized by a spontaneous IL-10 concentration of 183 pg/ml. mRNA-nucleofection could not increase this amount significantly (215 pg/ml). Spontaneous expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha was high with 630 pg/ml and 1000 pg/ml, respectively. The M2 population presented with a low spontaneous production of IL-10 (51 pg/ml), but concentrations for IL-6 (15 pg/ml) and TNF-alpha (10 pg/ml) were even lower. After overexpression of IL-10 a nearly 10-fold increase of IL-10 was detected (472 pg/ml). Conclusions: M2 polarization of human macrophages is characterized by low inflammatory markers. Here the highest overexpression of IL-10 could be achieved. In contrast the M1 population presents pro-inflammatory with high IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. Here only a low overexpression of IL-10 is possible. As nucleofection is according to the GMP guidelines an in vivo application of this therapeutic approach in humans seems feasible. By use of the M2 polarization anti-inflammatory effects could be increased.
Intellectual Property and Access to ART: Authors' Reply
Authors: Arachu Castro, Michael Westerhaus
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2006)

We would like to thank Richard Stallman [1] for emphasizing the distinction between intellectual property law and patent law, which was not fully elucidated in our article (“How Do Intellectual Property Law and International Trade Agreements Affect Access to Antiretroviral Therapy?”) [2]. However, we don't feel that this distinction detracts from our overall argument that restrictions placed on medicines in the name of protecting “intellectual property” hurt efforts to expand access to essential medicines throughout the world. It is not so much the specific distinctions between patenting and intellectual property that interest us, but general acceptance of the principle that life-saving medicines can be “owned” and kept from those most afflicted by disease—often living in poverty—based on this concept of ownership.
Anger Proneness Predicts Coronary Heart Disease Risk
Authors: Janice E. Williams, Catherine C. Paton, Ilene C. Siegler, Marsha L. Eigenbrodt, F. Javier Nieto, Herman A. Tyroler
Journal: Circulation (2000)

Background —Increased research attention is being paid to the negative impact of anger on coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods and Results —This study examined prospectively the association between trait anger and the risk of combined CHD (acute myocardial infarction [MI]/fatal CHD, silent MI, or cardiac revascularization procedures) and of “hard” events (acute MI/fatal CHD). Participants were 12 986 black and white men and women enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities study. In the entire cohort, individuals with high trait anger, compared with their low anger counterparts, were at increased risk of CHD in both event categories. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) was 1.54 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.16) for combined CHD and 1.75 (95% CI 1.17 to 2.64) for “hard” events. Heterogeneity of effect was observed by hypertensive status. Among normotensive individuals, the risk of combined CHD and of “hard” events increased monotonically with increasing levels of trait anger. The multivariate-adjusted HR of CHD for high versus low anger was 2.20 (95% CI 1.36 to 3.55) and for moderate versus low anger was 1.32 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.84). For “hard” events, the multivariate-adjusted HRs were 2.69 (95% CI 1.48 to 4.90) and 1.35 (95% CI 0.87 to 2.10), respectively. No statistically significant association between trait anger and incident CHD risk was observed among hypertensive individuals. Conclusions —Proneness to anger places normotensive middle-aged men and women at significant risk for CHD morbidity and death independent of the established biological risk factors.