tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Biallelic Expression of the H19 and IGF2 Genes in Human Testicular Germ Cell Tumors
Authors: R. J. H. L. M. van Gurp, J. W. Oosterhuis, V. Kalscheuer, E. C. M. Mariman, L. H. J. Looijenga
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1994)

Genomic imprinting, resulting in the nonequivalence of expression of homologue genes depending on their parental origin, is an important determinant of the developmental potential of embryonic cells. The expression of two genes, one termed H19 and the other IGF2, has been found to be necessary for proper embryonal development in humans. Both the murine and human H19 and IGF2 genes are normally characterized by monoallelic expression.Because testicular germ cell tumors of adults originate from an early germ cell and, to a certain extent, mimic normal embryonal development, we investigated the patterns of allelic expression of the H19 and IGF2 genes in these tumors to determine if genomic imprinting, or a disturbance of it, is involved in their pathogenesis.Specimens of normal tissue and tumor tissue were obtained from 20 patients with testicular germ cell tumors; 10 of the patients had seminomas and 10 had nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. To determine if there was heterozygosity of the Alu I and Apa I restriction site polymorphism in the H19 and IGF2 genes, respectively, DNA was isolated from cells of the peripheral blood of these patients, then subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, restriction enzyme digestion, and electrophoresis in agarose gels. If heterozygosity was determined, a similar analysis was performed on complementary DNA (cDNA) obtained from matched tumor RNA by reverse transcription and subsequent PCR amplification (RT-PCR). If monoallelic expression was found, matched tumor DNA was studied for possible deletions.Tumor samples from 14 of 20 and 11 of 20 patients were informative for allelic expression patterns of the H19 and IGF2 genes, respectively. Analysis of the products of RT-PCR showed biallelic expression of the H19 gene in 12 testicular germ cell tumors (patients numbered 6, 8-13, 15, 16, and 18-20) and of the IGF2 gene in 10 testicular germ cell tumors (patients numbered 1, 3, 6, 8-13, and 15-20). The three remaining tumors (patients numbered 2, 4, and 5) had lost the nonexpressed allele.In contrast to normally developing embryos, testicular germ cell tumors show a consistent expression of both parental alleles of the H19 and IGF2 genes.Testicular germ cell tumors of adults may develop from precursor cells in which the imprinting has been either erased or subjected to a consistent relaxation of its effect.
<i>PPAR</i>γ Variant Influences Angiographic Outcome and 10-Year Cardiovascular Risk in Male Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease Patients
Authors: Jochen G. Schneider, Stephan Schiekofer, Maximilian von Eynatten, Klaus A. Dugi
Journal: Diabetes Care (2009)

Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)γ is a nuclear transcription factor modulating the transcriptional regulation of many genes involved in metabolism and energyhomeostasis. Although several studies have addressed the metabolic profile of carriers of a common polymorphism in PPAR γ 2 (Pro12Ala), there is no clear consensuson whetherthe metabolic benefits thataccompany12Ala carriers would translate into a protection from cardiovascular disorders. The study of a potential association between the Pro12Ala polymorphism and angiographic and cardiovascular outcome in the REGRESS (Regression Growth Evaluation Statin Study) cohort by Regieli et al. (1) has concluded that carriers of the 12Ala allele in PPAR γ …
Good Estrogen Bad Estrogen
Authors: JR Barrett
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2000)

Estrogen is a term used for a variety of natural and synthetic hormones that influence the growth and function of many tissues, particularly those of the male and female reproductive systems.Estrogen plays a role in several cancers, especially breast and endometrial cancers and possibly prostate and colon cancers.The human diet contains estrogenic compounds that can bind to estrogen receptors in the body, and much research has focused on whether dietary estrogens can influence the development of cancer.Phytoestrogens-estrogen-like compounds produced by plants-have received attention owing to epidemiologic and experimental evidence that they prevent cancer, guard against bone loss, and reduce menopausal symptoms.Mycoestrogens (mold-produced estrogens) have have deleterious effects on livestock health and reproduction.In this month's issue, Georgi N. Nikov of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and colleagues examine the activity of dietary estrogens in humans [EHP 108: 867-872].They confirm that dietary estrogens have different affinities for human estrogen receptors.They also found that, once bound, each estrogen can also alter a receptor's shape and size.When estrogen binds to a receptor, the resulting complex interacts with a site within a target gene's regulatory region.That interaction may either promote or inhibit gene transcription.Alterations in the
Human satellite cells have regenerative capacity and are genetically manipulable
Authors: Andreas Marg, Helena Escobar, Sina Gloy, Markus Kufeld, Joseph Zacher, Andreas Spuler, Carmen Birchmeier, Zsuzsanna Izsvák, Simone Spuler
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2014)

Muscle satellite cells promote regeneration and could potentially improve gene delivery for treating muscular dystrophies. Human satellite cells are scarce; therefore, clinical investigation has been limited. We obtained muscle fiber fragments from skeletal muscle biopsy specimens from adult donors aged 20 to 80 years. Fiber fragments were manually dissected, cultured, and evaluated for expression of myogenesis regulator PAX7. PAX7+ satellite cells were activated and proliferated efficiently in culture. Independent of donor age, as few as 2 to 4 PAX7+ satellite cells gave rise to several thousand myoblasts. Transplantation of human muscle fiber fragments into irradiated muscle of immunodeficient mice resulted in robust engraftment, muscle regeneration, and proper homing of human PAX7+ satellite cells to the stem cell niche. Further, we determined that subjecting the human muscle fiber fragments to hypothermic treatment successfully enriches the cultures for PAX7+ cells and improves the efficacy of the transplantation and muscle regeneration. Finally, we successfully altered gene expression in cultured human PAX7+ satellite cells with Sleeping Beauty transposon-mediated nonviral gene transfer, highlighting the potential of this system for use in gene therapy. Together, these results demonstrate the ability to culture and manipulate a rare population of human tissue-specific stem cells and suggest that these PAX7+ satellite cells have potential to restore gene function in muscular dystrophies.
Relationship between transpulmonary artery distance and pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with chronic bronchitis
Authors: P. Hicken, I. D. Green, J. M. Bishop
Journal: Thorax (1968)

Measurements were made of the distance between the bifurcation of the right and left main pulmonary arteries (the transpulmonary artery distance) on plain chest radiographs in healthy subjects, patients with chronic bronchitis, and patients with polycythaemia rubra vera. The following figures for transpulmonary artery distance were obtained—healthy subjects: range 7·0-10·5 cm., mean 8·76 cm., S.D. 0·81 cm.; patients with chronic bronchitis: range 7·3-12·4 cm., mean 10·26 cm., S.D. 1·08 cm.; patients with polycythaemia rubra vera: range 8·3-10·7 cm., mean 9·20 cm., S.D. 0·57 cm. The transpulmonary artery distance was related to height but not to age or sex in the healthy subjects. It did not appear to be influenced by variations in the central blood volume. There was a linear relation between transpulmonary artery distance and mean pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with chronic bronchitis. In 21 of 29 patients whose transpulmonary artery distance was greater than 9·5 cm., the mean pulmonary arterial pressure exceeded 30 mm. Hg. In only one of the 13 patients whose transpulmonary artery distance was less than 9·5 cm. did the mean pulmonary arterial pressure exceed 30 mm. Hg. These results suggest that the measurement of transpulmonary artery distance may be useful in following the progression of pulmonary hypertension and detecting its presence in epidemiological and other studies.
Pulmonary Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy-Reply
Authors: H. Edward Holling
Journal: JAMA (1962)

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> My suggestion that idiopathic osteoarthropathy may be associated with an abnormality of sexual differentiation is made unlikely by the cases to which Dr. Alpert refers, and also by the fact that Camp and Scanlan's first case subsequently married and had one child. I am grateful to him for pointing out these references.
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration cytology in pancreatic cancer.
Authors: N Hovdenak, W R Lees, J Pereira, J O Beilby, P B Cotton
Journal: BMJ (1982)

Fifty-five patients underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration from the pancreas. Adequate material was obtained from 33 of the 41 patients with pancreatic malignancy. A cytological diagnosis of cancer was made in 31 (94%) of these; the overall clinical success rate was 75.6%. There were no false-positive results or complications. The sensitivity of the procedure may be increased by repeating the punctures.
Dental and other health care visits among U.S. adults with diabetes.
Authors: S L Tomar, A Lester
Journal: Diabetes Care (2000)

This study compared yearly dental visits of diabetic adults with those of nondiabetic adults. For adults with diabetes, we compared the frequency of past-year dental visits with past-year visits for diabetes care, dilated eye examinations, and foot examinations.We conducted a cross-sectional study using a sample of 105,718 dentate individuals aged > or =25 years, including 4,605 individuals with diabetes who participated in the 1995-1998 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 38 states.Dentate adults (i.e., those with at least some natural teeth) with diabetes were less likely than those without diabetes to have seen a dentist within the preceding 12 months (65.8 vs. 73.1%, P = 0.0000). Adults with diabetes were less likely to have seen a dentist than to have seen a health care provider for diabetes care (86.3%); the percentage who saw a dentist was comparable with the percentage who had their feet examined (67.7%) or had a dilated eye examination (62.3%). The disparity in dental visits among racial or ethnic groups and among socioeconomic groups was greater than that for any other type of health care visit for subjects with diabetes.Promotion of oral health among diabetic patients may be necessary, particularly in Hispanic and African-American communities. Information on oral health complications should be included in clinical training programs. Oral and diabetes control programs in state health departments should collaborate to promote preventive dental services, and the oral examination should be listed as a component of continuous care in the American Diabetes Association's standards of medical care for diabetic patients.
Emergency Bilateral Renal Artery Reconstruction
Authors: Bruce Farrell
Journal: JAMA (1978)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> A 65-year-old man with chronic stable angina was admitted to the hospital with hypertension of ten years' duration and right frontotemporal headaches of seven months' duration. An ECG showed left ventricular hypertrophy and an old anterior wall infarction. The BUN level was 28 mg/dl and the creatinine level was 1.4 mg/dl. Abdominal aortogram showed abundant clot in an abdominal aortic aneurysm and 99% stenosis at the origin of both renal arteries, which came off the aorta above the aneurysm. While receiving propranolol hydrochloride, 620 mg/day, methyldopa, 1 g/day, and a combination of spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide (Aldactazide), two tablets twice a day, his blood pressure (BP) remained at 200/120 mm Hg. One week after admission, the patient showed depression of mental acuity, slurring of speech, and diplopia. Arteriography showed no conspicuous extracranial lesions; brain scan and computerized axial tomographic scan of the brain were normal. Progressive hypertensive encephalopathy
Neuralgic amyotrophy: a clinical and electromyographic study.
Authors: J. L. James, D. W. Miles
Journal: BMJ (1966)

The clinical syndrome of neuralgic amyotrophy is strikingly stereotyped. It consists of severe burning pain of sudden onset fn the outer aspect of the arm accompanied by wasting and weakness of the muscles of the upper limb. Affected muscles may be completely paralysed. The pain is occasionally transient, but usually lasts up to six weeks, and sometimes even longer. Weakness or paralysis follows its onset in the space of one to four days in 80% of cases. The motor symptoms are usually maximal at the outset, but progression over a period of seven days may be observed. The site of the pain and the muscles affected are not necessarily correlated. Paralysed muscles are flaccid and waste rapidly, but fasciculation is not obtrusive. Sensory changes occur most commonly when the circumflex nerve is affected. In the majority of patients sys temic disturbances?for example, malaise, fever?are minimal (Turner, 1944 ; Parsonage and Turner, 1948). Muscles affected are usually serratus anterior (Richardson, 1942), spinati, deltoid, and trapezius (Spillane, 1943), but any muscle of the arm may be deranged and bilateral involvement is quite common. Wyburn-Mason (1941) encountered 42 cases in a period of nine months, chiefly during the summer. Spillane (1943) described 46 cases in Service men, 26 of whom developed the disorder while they were in hospital for some other reason. Other authors have noticed a close association with hospital (Parsonage and Turner, 1948)* and French workers have often considered injections of serum?with brisk serum reactions?to be responsible (Pollet, 1924). This is not by any means an invariable experience (Richardson, 1942). Both sexes are affected ; in the earlier papers males preponderate in the ratio of 12:1, but Turner and Parsonage (1957) included nearly as many women as men. Age ranges of 30-79 (Wyburn Mason, 1941) and 16-54 years (Turner, 1944) have been quoted. Prognosis has been said to be poor where there is much muscle-wasting (Spillane, 1943 ; Turner, 1944), but Dixon and Dick (1945) described recovery taking up to two years in 13 out of 16 patients who had been severely affected. Turner and Parsonage (1957) agreed that return of power was the rule, the time needed for recovery varying with the nerves affected. Recurrent attacks have been described (Dixon and Dick, 1945). The site of the lesion responsible for the disorder has been variously suggested as the anterior primary rami of lower cervical and upper thoracic roots (Wyburn-Mason, 1941), with trunks of peripheral nerves affected in addition to or in isolation from the roots (Turner, 1944) and sometimes the spinal cord itself (Parsonage and Turner, 1948). No specific evidence for these conclusions has been offered. Necropsy evidence is lacking. The cause of the neuronal damage has been thought to be an inflammatory reaction of infectious or allergic origin. Electromyography may give some information regarding the site if not the aetiology of the lesion, and a group of patients with neuralgic amyotrophy have been examined in this way.
The role of inosine pranobex in the treatment of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia
Authors: C.M.E. Rowland Payne, A. Oakley, V. Meurisse, N. Byrom, T. Rogers, J.R. Hobbs, P.W.M. Copeman, R.C.D. Staughton
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1985)

The severity of herpes zoster worsens with age and postherpetic neuralgia is almost limited to the elderly (Wildenhoff et al., 1979, 1981). Acyclovir speeds healing and lessens pain, but has no effect on postherpetic neuralgia (Peterslund et al., 1981; Bean, Braun & Balfour, 1982). Inosine pranobex (or isoprinosine, inosiplex: trade name Imunovir), an immuno-modulator with low toxicity, is effective in herpes simplex (Lancet, 1985). Uncontrolled observations indicate a beneficial effect in herpes zoster (Sternberg & Ruiz, 1972). We report the first double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of inosine pranobex in the treatment of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in the elderly. Forty-two consecutive patients (19 males, 23 females) over 60-years old and in the first 96 h of symptoms were stratified by sex, duration of pain (up to and/or over 48 h) and localization (trigeminal/other) and were randomly allocated 6 days of placebo or of inosine pranobex tablets. Five clinical and five photographic variables were monitored daily for 7–9 days (Peterslund et al., 1981). Pain was assessed monthly for a further 3 months. Investigations at entry, 1 and 4 weeks, comprised haematology, biochemistry, viral culture, immunology, including circulating T-cell subsets, and serology, including ELISA and complement fixation tests. Results, statistically analysed by multiple regression analysis (Peterslund et al., 1981) and life-table techniques, will be presented.
Penetrating Wounds of the Abdomen
Authors: Robert J. Freeark
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1974)

THE rising tide of urban violence has made penetrating wounds one of the more frequent surgical emergencies. In recent years, hand guns have replaced knives as the most commonly employed weapon, with a resulting rise in the number, complexity and mortality rates from these injuries. The small caliber and low muzzle velocity that once characterized civilian firearms is less predictable. In addition, an awesome array of wounds resulting from knives, instruments, ice picks, explosion fragments and impalement injuries are being encountered.Once confined largely to the criminal element in society, the modern "victim" may be an innocent bystander, woman, small . . .
Platelet survival time and thromboembolism in patients with mitral valve prolapse.
Authors: P Steele, H Weily, J Rainwater, R Vogel
Journal: Circulation (1979)

Thromboembolism (TE) occurs in about 20% of patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease, and platelet survival time in these patients has correlated with TE. In patients with mitral valve prolapse, TE appears to occur very infrequently. Platelet survival (autologous labeling with chromium-51) was performed in 26 patients with mitral prolapse. Five patients had a history of stroke, as well as normal cerebrovascular arteriography and shortened platelet survival (average half-time +/- SEM 2.3 +/- 0.18 days; normal half-time 3.7 +/- 0.03 days; n = 26; p less than 0.01). Platelet survival was shortened in seven of 21 patients without TE (33%) (3.3 +/- 0.06 days; p less than 0.01 vs patients with TE). In 138 patients with rheumatic heart disease, platelet survival was shortened in 40 of 41 (98%) with a history of TE (2.3 +/- 0.08 days) and in 76 of 97 (78%) without TE (2.9 +/- 0.07 days; p less than 0.001 vs patients with TE). In patients with mitral prolapse, sulfinpyrazone increased platelet survival (2.4 +/- 0.16 to 2.7 +/- 0.19 days; n = 7; p less than 0.05). Our results suggest that platelet survival time is shortened in patients with mitral prolapse and rheumatic heart disease who have had TE. Of those without TE there is an increased frequency of shortened platelet survival in patients with rheumatic heart disease (78%) compared with those with mitral prolapse (33%), consistent with the infrequency of TE in mitral prolapse.
Selective Tumor Targeting by the Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug AQ4N Blocks Tumor Growth and Metastasis in Preclinical Models of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Alshad S. Lalani, Susan E. Alters, Alvin Wong, Mark R. Albertella, Jeffrey L. Cleland, William David Henner
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2007)

Abstract Purpose: The antitumor activities and pharmacokinetics of the hypoxia-activated cytotoxin AQ4N and its metabolites were assessed in several preclinical models of pancreatic cancers. Experimental Design: The cytotoxic effects of AQ4N prodrug and its bioreduced form, AQ4, were tested against multiple human tumor cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Nude mice bearing s.c. or orthotopically implanted human BxPC-3 or Panc-1 tumor cells were treated with AQ4N. Tumor growth inhibition, time to progression/end point, and liver metastasis were evaluated in treatment versus control groups. Plasma and tumor levels of AQ4N and its metabolites were quantitated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: In contrast to AQ4N, the bioreduced AQ4 metabolite displayed potent cytotoxicity in many human tumor lines, including those derived from human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Single-agent administration of AQ4N significantly delayed tumor growth, progression, and survival in a manner comparable with gemcitabine in multiple pancreatic tumor models in vivo. Survival increases were accompanied by a reduction in incidence and spread of liver metastasis. Quantitation of AQ4N and its metabolites in tumor-bearing mice showed that the prodrug is rapidly cleared from the circulation by 24 h and neither of the bioreduced metabolites was detected in plasma. In contrast, AQ4N readily penetrated BxPC-3 tumors and the cytotoxic AQ4 metabolite rapidly accumulated in tumor tissues at high levels in a dose-dependent fashion. Conclusion: AQ4N undergoes rapid and selective conversion into the potent antineoplastic metabolite AQ4 in tumors in vivo and provides proof of principle for the use of hypoxia-activated prodrugs in the treatment against pancreatic cancers.
Regional streptokinase in myocardial infarction.
Authors: R C Leinbach, H K Gold
Journal: Circulation (1981)

ISSUE of Circulation, Mathey and co- workers report on a large group of patients who had transmural myocardial infarction with early coronary angiography and intracoronary streptokinase.The authors are to be complimented for their skill and for the effort required to maintain emergency angio- graphic teams and facilities.This work adds evidence' that intracoronary throm- bosis is a part of the occlusive coronary process in the early hours of infarction.It confirms that lysis of this thrombus can reestablish angiographically obvious antegrade coronary flow.2This work also supports the recent experience that intracoronary nitroglycerin given in large doses seldom reverses complete cor- onary occlusion,3 contrary to the report of Oliva and Breckinridge.4The size of a myocardial infarction must be deter- mined by the size of the myocardial zone supplied by an occluded coronary artery and by the availability of collateral circulation.It must secondarily be deter- mined by many other factors, delineated by Maroko et al.5 Clinical trials of pharmacologic agents for in- farct reduction are concentrating on these secondary factors.Propranolol,6 7 hyaluronidase,8 steroids9 and glucose, insulin and potassium'0 have been or are be- ing studied.*None of these agents has produced consistent and easily demonstrable myocardial salvage.Other interventions have been designed to reduce the coronary flow deficit.Nitroglycerin has produced mixed results."' 12Calcium antagonists, which affect both coronary flow and myocardial oxygen demand, have not undergone conclusive trials in man.Even attempts to augment collateral flow with the intraaortic balloon pump have not been uniformly successful.'3Acute coronary occlusion with thrombosis produces a distal flow deficit of graded intensity, depending on immediately available collateral circulation.This problem is different from the chronic situation where the significance of collateral circulation has been both challenged and confirmed.14 1 ' The acute problem can *MILIS (Multicenter Investigation of Limitation of Infarct Size).