tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract B25: Porous silicon microparticles exhibit immunomodulatory effects leading to suppression of tumor growth.
Authors: Ismail M. Meraz, Laura Williams, Marie Yang, Edward C. Lavelle, Rita E. Serda
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Nanoparticles, such as polymeric delivery platforms, can exhibit intrinsic immunostimulant properties, dependent on size, charge, surface modification, and composition. To function as effective adjuvants, a balance between immunostimulatory properties and biocompatibility is essential. We have demonstrated that porous silicon (pSi) microparticles are effective delivery vehicles, with uptake by target cell populations. A peritonitis mouse model was used to access early innate immune responses 24 hours following administration of pSi microparticles. C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with microparticles of various shapes and sizes and cytokine production and cell infiltration were assessed. pSi microparticles were found to have proinflammatory effects. The microparticles induced significant leukocyte infiltration into the site of injection and elevated IL-1β levels in lavage fluid. As cancer progresses, immune responses become more tolerant and cancer cells become more refractory to chemotherapies. Select chemotherapeutics, including cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel, have immunodulatory effects. Based on the immunopotentiating effects of pSi microparticles, and the ability of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) adsorbed pSi microparticles to activate antigen presenting cells, we sought to potentiate the doxorubicin-mediated immune response through co-delivery of MPL-pSi microparticles. When tumors in mice bearing intramammary 4T1-luc breast tumors reached a volume of 100 mm3, mice were injected with doxorubicin loaded liposomes (5 mg/kg) and MPL-pSi microparticles (5x108 microparticles; 10 µg MPL equivalent) by means of tail vein injection. Tumor growth was monitored by calipher measurements and luciferase expression using the IVIS Imaging System 200. While MPL-pSi microparticle-treated mice exhibited reduced tumor growth, mice receiving MPL-pSi microparticles and doxorubicin-loaded liposomes exhibited arrest of tumor growth. Thus pSi microparticles are an attractive immunopotentiating platform, with applications for both drug and antigen delivery. Citation Format: Ismail M. Meraz, Laura Williams, Marie Yang, Edward C. Lavelle, Rita E. Serda. Porous silicon microparticles exhibit immunomodulatory effects leading to suppression of tumor growth. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B25.
Gain-of-function mutations in TRPV4 cause autosomal dominant brachyolmia
Authors: Matthew J Rock, Jean Prenen, Vincent A Funari, Tara L Funari, Barry Merriman, Stanley F Nelson, Ralph S Lachman, William R Wilcox, Soraya Reyno, Roberto Quadrelli, Alicia Vaglio, Grzegorz Owsianik, Annelies Janssens, Thomas Voets, Shiro Ikegawa, Toshiro Nagai, David L Rimoin, Bernd Nilius, Daniel H Cohn
Journal: Nature Genetics (2008)
The 1040C/T polymorphism influencing thermal stability and activity of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor is associated with risk for oral cancer
Authors: Eleftherios Vairaktaris, Christos Yapijakis, Emeka Nkenke, Stavros Vassiliou, Antonis Vylliotis, Alexander Michael Nixon, Spyridoula Derka, Vasilis Ragos, Sofia Spyridonidou, Christos Tsigris, Friedrich W. Neukam, Efstratios Patsouris
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2007)

Abstract No studies thus far have investigated the contribution of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) to oral oncogenesis. We studied the activity‐related 1040C/T polymorphism in 150 patients with oral cancer and 138 healthy controls matched by age, gender, and ethnicity. The increased‐activity T allele frequency was significantly reduced in patients compared with controls (28.7% vs. 37.0%, P &lt; 0.05). T/T homozygotes had about half the probability of developing oral cancer (O.R. 0.39, 95%C.I. 0.13–1.14), while no significant difference was observed in C/T heterozygotes. The observed prophylactic effect of increased TAFI activity might result from reduction of plasmin and inhibition of extracellular matrix dissolution. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Medical wastes found on coastline are increasing
Authors: R Philipp, K Pond, G Rees
Journal: BMJ (1994)

Medical wastes found on coastline are increasingEDrroR,-Last year we reported, on the basis of data from Norwich Union Coastwatch UK, that in 1991 one item of medical waste was found per 5-4 km of coastline surveyed in England and Wales.'In 1992 the findings were similar,2 but in both studies unspecified medical items accounted for more than 48% of the waste.Injuries are being sustained-for example, 40 needlestick accidents on bathing beaches were reported between 1988 and 1991 to the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre.At 1992 prices the cost of hepatitis B immunoglobulin used in the management of these incidents was
Surgeons claim independent centres produce poor results
Authors: Adrian O'Dowd
Journal: BMJ (2006)

The NHS is acting as a safety net for patients who receive inferior treatment at independent sector treatment centres that have yet to prove themselves, MPs have been told. Worries about the quality of independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs) were voiced by various doctors' representatives to the health parliamentary select committee last week at the first session of oral evidence in the committee's inquiry into these centres.

England has 20 independent sector treatment centres, with 10 more planned. The first centre opened in October 2003 under a partnership agreement between the NHS and the private sector to carry out specific procedures to help …
Changes in platelet kinetics after a partial splenic arterial embolization in cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism
Authors: Hideya Noguchi, Kenji Hirai, Yoshinori Aoki, Kenji Sakata, Kyuichi Tanikawa
Journal: Hepatology (1995)

We performed a partial splenic arterial embolization in 22 patients with cirrhosis associated with thrombocytopenia and then evaluated the changes in platelet kinetics after undergoing the procedure using 111In-tropolone-labeled platelets. The controls consisted of eight chronic hepatitis patients who showed a normal platelet count and normal spleen size. The mean splenic infarction ratio after the procedure was 54.9%. A platelet kinetics study was performed before and 2 months after the procedure. Before the procedure, the cirrhotic patients showed increases in the splenic volume and the spleen/liver uptake ratio of the 111In-labeled platelets on both the third and seventh days, and a decrease in the platelet recovery compared with the controls, which suggested an increased platelet pool in the spleen. In addition, the platelet survival time in cirrhotic patients was shortened, whereas the platelet-associated immunoglobulin G (PA-IgG) was higher than that of the controls, which suggested the involvement of immunologic mechanisms in the thrombocytopenia. With an increase of the platelet count after a partial splenic arterial embolization, the spleen/liver uptake ratio of the 111In-labeled platelets decreased, whereas the platelet recovery increased. Furthermore, the platelet survival time was prolonged, whereas the PA-IgG decreased. The platelet count showed a positive correlation with the platelet survival time and a negative correlation with PA-IgG before and after the procedure. These results suggest that a transcatheter splenic arterial embolization not only may reduce the increased platelet pool in the spleen but also may improve the thrombocytopenia induced by immunologic mechanisms in patients with cirrhosis.
Bacterial Endocarditis as a Possible Complication of Chronic Hemodialysis
Authors: Jay S. Goodman, H. Denniston Crews, H. Earl Ginn, M. Glenn Koenig
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1969)

THE management of chronic renal failure by intermittent hemodialysis entails a definite risk of bacteremic infection.1 , 2 However, an association of bacterial endocarditis with periodic hemodialysis has not previously been stressed. The occurrence of two cases of bacterial endocarditis among 47 patients participating in an intermittent-hemodialysis program prompts the present report.Case 1. A 32-year-old man with progressive symptoms of uremia from chronic glomerulonephritis was begun on biweekly hemodialysis through a surgically created subcutaneous arteriovenous shunt. Two months later his teeth were cleaned by a dentist. On the following day, he became febrile, and a blood culture taken at that time . . .
Importance of Central Vasomotor Effects in Angiotensin-induced Hypertension
Authors: G. C. Scroop, F. Katic, M. D. Joy, R. D. Lowe
Journal: BMJ (1971)

Ablation of the areas postrema in 10 dogs caused a highly significant reduction in the pressor response to intravenous infusions of angiotensin yet was without significant effect on the pressor response to intravenous infusions of noradrenaline. The reduction in the pressor response to angiotensin is almost certainly due to abolition of the specific central autonomic effects of the hormone which are dependent on the integrity of the areas postrema. It is suggested that this central effect also contributes to the cardiovascular response to endogenous angiotensin.
Vasculitis in Eskimos Living in an Area Hyperendemic for Hepatitis B
Authors: Brian J. McMahon
Journal: JAMA (1980)

Six cases of hepatitis B—associated vasculitis occurred during a four-year period in Eskimos living in southwest Alaska, an area hyperendemic for hepatitis B. All showed positive results in tests for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and all five patients tested for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) showed positive values. Two patients died of the disease. Of three who recovered, two had positive values for HBsAg and HBeAg when tested two years later. In the villages of four patients, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection ranged from 18.2% to 73.1%. Serological evidence of HBsAg was found in 22% and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) in 30% of close relatives of the patients. Two patients had no previous serological evidence of infection with HBV, indicating that vasculitis followed recent infection. The results provide epidemiologic evidence of the clinical association between HBV infection and vasculitis. (<i>JAMA</i>244:2180-2182, 1980)
Review: Insufficient evidence exists to determine the benefits and risks of statins for acute ischemic stroke or TIA
Authors: Robert L. Trowbridge
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2011)

ACP Journal Club20 December 2011Review: Insufficient evidence exists to determine the benefits and risks of statins for acute ischemic stroke or TIARobert L. Trowbridge, MDRobert L. Trowbridge, MDMaine Medical Center, Portland, Maine USA (R.L.T.)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-12-201112200-02006 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Source CitationSquizzato A, Romualdi E, Dentali F, Ageno W. Statins for acute ischemic stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(8):CD007551. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21833959Clinical Impact RatingsGIM/FP/GP: Hospitalists: Neurology: References1 Lees KR, Bluhmki E, von Kummer R, et al. Time to treatment with intravenous alteplase and outcome in stroke: an updated pooled analysis of ECASS, ATLANTIS, NINDS, and EPITHET trials. Lancet. 2010;375:1695-703. [PMID: 20472172] Google Scholar2 Gladstone DJ, Black SE, Hakim AM; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Centre of Excellence in Stroke Recovery. Toward wisdom from failure: lessons from neuroprotective stroke trials and new therapeutic directions. Stroke. 2002;33:2123-36. [PMID: 12154275] Google Scholar3 Goldstein LB. Statins and ischemic stroke severity: cytoprotection. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2009;11:296-300. [PMID: 19500493] Google Scholar4 Amarenco P, Labreuche J. Lipid management in the prevention of stroke: review and updated meta-analysis of statins for stroke prevention. Lancet Neurol. 2009;8:453-63. [PMID: 19375663] Google Scholar5 Blanco M, Nombela F, Castellanos M, et al. Statin treatment withdrawal in ischemic stroke: a controlled randomized study. Neurology. 2007;69:904-10. [PMID: 17724294] Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Robert L. Trowbridge, MDAffiliations: Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine USA (R.L.T.)This article was published at Annals.org on 6 December 2011. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byThe neurovascular unit and combination treatment strategies for stroke 20 December 2011Volume 155, Issue 12Page: JC6-6KeywordsClinical trialsDatabasesDrugsHemorrhageIschemic strokeMortalitySafetyStatinsStrokeTransient ischemic attacks ePublished: 20 December 2011 Issue Published: 20 December 2011 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2011 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
Sensorineural Hearing Loss After Radiotherapy and Chemoradiotherapy: A Single, Blinded, Randomized Study
Authors: Wong Kein Low, Song Tar Toh, Joseph Wee, Stephanie M.C. Fook-Chong, De Yun Wang
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

The synergistic ototoxicity of radiation and cisplatin (CDDP) has not been adequately studied. This study investigated whether the use of concurrent and postradiotherapy CDDP in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) resulted in a difference in postradiotherapy sensorineural hearing when compared with the use of radiotherapy alone.Newly diagnosed patients were randomly assigned to the radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy groups. Bone conduction hearing thresholds were performed before treatment and at 1 week, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after completion of radiotherapy. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test.Hearing thresholds averaged over 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz were found to be poorer in the chemoradiotherapy group (58 patients) compared with the radiotherapy group (57 patients) at 1 year (P = .001) and 2 years (P = .03) after radiotherapy. Hearing thresholds at 4 kHz were significantly worse for patients in the chemoradiotherapy arm at all of the postradiotherapy time points studied and were more severely affected than the thresholds at lower speech frequencies. In the radiotherapy group, deterioration of median hearing thresholds, which occurred in the immediate post-treatment period, improved within the first year but deteriorated again at 2 years. In the chemoradiotherapy group, median hearing threshold deterioration, which started immediately after radiotherapy, stabilized by 1 year.Patients with NPC who received radiotherapy and concurrent/adjuvant chemotherapy using CDDP experienced greater sensorineural hearing loss compared with patients treated with radiotherapy alone, especially to high-frequency sounds in the speech range. Normal inner ear tissue tolerance, which was once defined only for radiotherapy patients alone, should be redefined in chemoradiotherapy patients.
Abstract 5601: Efficient tumor therapy by anthrax toxin fusion proteins that contain cytolethal distending toxin B.
Authors: Christopher Bachran, Suzanne Abdelazim, Radka Hasikova, Shihui Liu, Stephen H. Leppla
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) is produced by several Gram-negative bacterial species. It is composed of three subunits, CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC, with CdtB being the catalytic subunit. We fused CdtB from Haemophilus ducreyi with the N-terminal 254 amino acids of Bacillus anthracis toxin lethal factor (LFn) to produce a novel, potent anti-tumor drug. CdtB is transported into the cytosol of targeted cells via the efficient delivery mechanism of anthrax toxin. The fusion protein efficiently killed various human tumor cell lines by inducing a complete cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and subsequently inducing apoptosis. Despite the described role of CdtB as a DNase, we detected a prominent phosphatase activity of CdtB, similar to phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) activity. Animal studies showed very low toxicity of a systemically-applied tumor-specific treatment and impressive anti-tumor effects, resulting in a 90% cure rate. This study demonstrates the great potential of a combination of efficient drug delivery by a modified anthrax toxin system and the enzymatic activity of CdtB, and argues for the continued development of this novel anti-cancer drug. Citation Format: Christopher Bachran, Suzanne Abdelazim, Radka Hasikova, Shihui Liu, Stephen H. Leppla. Efficient tumor therapy by anthrax toxin fusion proteins that contain cytolethal distending toxin B. [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 5601. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5601
Isotope Encephalography: Experience with 100 Cases
Authors: J. W. D. Bull, J. Marryat
Journal: BMJ (1965)

Isotopes have been used for the detection and location of intra cranial lesions since 1948 (Moore, 1948). In 1947 Moore demonstrated that fluorescein injected intravenously was selec tively absorbed by gliomas (astrocytomas) and other tumours. When an ultraviolet light was shone on the exposed brain, a glioma reaching the surface reflected a different colour?yellow ?from the remainder of the brain. Moore argued that if sodium diiodofluorescein tagged with 131I was injected intra venously it should be possible with the aid of a Geiger-M?ller counter to detect brain tumours through the intact skull. In this he was successful. Since then a large number of isotopes have been used for this purpose, and the apparatus designed for the detection of the emitted radiation has become more and more sensitive and sophisticated. Many neurological centres, particularly in the United States, are now using isotopes routinely for establishing the detection of brain tumours. Until recently the method has been applied relatively little in Europe, with the notable exception of the work of Planiol (1963), of Paris, whose experience spans about a decade. Most Europeans, with the above outstanding excep tion, have largely relied on the well-established techniques of pneumography and angiography, which for the most part have proved so satisfactory. Furthermore, until lately, visits to centres in the U.S.A. did not suggest that the results warranted the installation of the then very expensive equipment which was necessary to carry out isotope encephalography. However, the work of such men as Di Chiro (1961), Blau and Bender (1962), Brinkman et al. (1962), Pitlyk et al. (1963), and others has been so striking that further delay in attempting to confirm their results did not seem justified. Besides this, the economic picture has changed radically in that several commercial firms now market apparatus capable of detecting isotopes. Not only has the price of equipment become much more reasonable, but it has been sufficiently simplified to allow scanning to be easily undertaken in the x-ray department without the aid of a physicist. The work to be described was carried out with a Picker Magnascanner and the isotope used in the first 100 cases (May 1963 to January 1964) was 2,,3Hg chlormerodrin (Neo hydrin). Patients were selected only to the extent that those under the age of 18 years were excluded on the grounds of possible radiation damage to the kidneys. All the cases examined were suspected clinically of harbouring an intracranial mass.
Defense Mechanisms and Coping Behavior in Terminal Illness
Authors: Edgar Heim, Alex Moser, Rolf Adler
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (1978)

Psychosomatic medicine is increasingly concerned with illness behavior, a concept which includes defense mechanisms and coping styles. An attempt was made to compare defensive processes and social adaptation in a group of 31 patients suffering from a probable terminal illness of iatrogenic origin. The surprising degree of conformity between the defense profiles towards the illness and those towards general life stress was found. Reaction-formation and stoicism were the defense mechanisms most often associated with successful defense. Interdependence of several ego measures such as defense against general life stress, defense against illness and social adaptation could be shown in various evaluations. Surprisingly, however, aggravators of illness turned out to be psychologically more stable than minimizers, a result which is in contrast to behavior in nonterminal illness. Theoretical implications of the results are discussed.
Genetic Polymorphism of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase and Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Christian Schmitz, Klaus Lindpaintner, Petra Verhoef, J. Michael Gaziano, Julie Buring
Journal: Circulation (1996)

Background Elevated total plasma homocyst(e)ine (tHcy; the composite of homocysteine-derived moieties in their oxidized and reduced forms) levels are a risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and venous thrombosis. tHcy plasma levels are influenced by folate, vitamins B 6 and B 12 , as well as by hereditary factors. A point mutation ( C677T ) in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, an enzyme involved in homocysteine remethylation, has been reported to render the enzyme thermolabile and less active and has been associated with elevated tHcy in homozygous carriers (+/+ genotype) as well as with increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results We investigated whether this mutation influences risk for myocardial infarction (MI) and plasma levels of tHcy and whether this effect may be modified by dietary folate intake in 190 MI cases and 188 control subjects from the Boston Area Health Study. Genotype frequencies were 37.8% for −/−, 47.8% for +/−, and 14.4% for +/+ in the control group and 50.0% for −/−, 34.7% for +/−, and 15.3% for +/+ in the case group. The relative risk for MI associated with the +/+ genotype (compared with +/− and −/−) was 1.1 (95% CI, 0.6 to 1.9; P =.8). Stratification by folate intake values above and below the median did not significantly alter these results. Plasma tHcy levels were 9.9±2.7 μmol/L in −/− individuals, 10.6±3.8 μmol/L in +/− individuals, and 9.1±2.3 μmol/L in +/+ individuals ( P trend =NS; determined in 68 cases and 59 control subjects). Conclusions Our data show that homozygosity for the C677T mutation in this largely white, middle-class US population is not associated with increased risk for MI, irrespective of folate intake. This suggests that this mutation does not represent a useful marker for increased cardiovascular risk in this and in similar populations.
Blood Pressure Measurement in Shock
Authors: Jay N. Cohn
Journal: JAMA (1967)

Arterial pressure was considerably higher than the cuff pressure obtained by auscultation or palpation of the brachial artery in 18 patients with shock and high total peripheral vascular resistance. Pulse pressure was also greatly underestimated by indirect measurement. This discrepancy was not observed in 21 hypotensive patients with low or normal resistance. Infusion of vasoconstrictor drugs into the arm circulation of normal subjects reproduced the clinical situation of normal arterial pressure with absent Korotkoff sounds and diminished radial pulses. High vascular resistance in the upper extremity prevents the hemodynamic events which normally produce the Korotkoff sounds. Disappearance of peripheral pulses is probably the result of reduced stroke volume and increased arterial wall stiffness.