tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
In vitro effect of cyclosporin A on immunoglobulin production and concanavalin A induced suppression in primary biliary cirrhosis.
Authors: M N Al-Aghbar, G J Alexander, K T Nouri-Aria, J Neuberger, A L Eddleston, R Williams
Journal: Gut (1986)

The in vitro effect of Cyclosporin A on the regulation of immunoglobulin production was investigated in 16 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. A significant improvement in concanavalin A induced suppression of IgG and IgM producing cells was observed after prior incubation of mononuclear cells with 300 ng/ml Cyclosporin A for 30 minutes. No effect was seen on spontaneous or pokeweed mitogen induced immunoglobulin production, nor on con A induced suppression if Cyclosporin A was added after 24 hours. Incubation of mononuclear cells with a variable dose of Cyclosporin A showed an effect only at 250-500 ng/ml. Higher and lower doses had no effect. This dose dependent effect of Cyclosporin A is likely to be related to a differential inhibitory effect on T helper and T suppressor cells and may underlie the clinical benefit being observed in current clinical trials.
Soluble angiogenic factors: Implications for chronic myeloproliferative disorders
Authors: C. Musolino, L. Calabro', G. Bellomo, F. Martello, B. Loteta, C. Pezzano, V. Rizzo, A. Alonci
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2002)

The role of angiogenesis for the progressive growth and metastatic process of tumours is well established. What is not clear, though, is the clinical prognostic significance of the angiogenic factors in malignant haematological diseases. In this study, we have assessed the plasma and serum levels of two major angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) in 55 patients affected by chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMD). This series included 25 patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET), 10 patients with chronic myelocytic leukaemia (CML), 14 patients with polycythemia vera (PV), and 6 patients with primary myelofibrosis (MF), and they were compared to 20 healthy control subjects. In all patients the plasma VEGF concentration was significantly increased to the healthy control group (P < 0.004). The highest concentrations were found in the patients with ET (178.25 +/- 125.22 pg/ml). The VEGF levels were significantly higher in CMD patients with vascular complications than those in CMD patients without complications (P < 0.01). The b-FGF serum levels also appeared to be significantly higher in almost all the CMD patients compared to the control group (P < 0.07). A significant correlation was found between the VEGF levels and the platelet count in the ET patients and the spleen index in the CML patients. VEGF level, in this study, is associated with increased risk of thrombotic complications. There is evidence of increased levels of soluble angiogenic factors in malignant haematological disorders, but their contribution to the progression of diseases is yet unclear.
A NOVEL FRAILTY BASED VASCULAR RISK SCORE FOR PREDICTION OF POOR OUTCOMES IN PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INTERVENTION
Authors: Yaser Saeed Nemshah, Richard Amdur, Bernard Ashby, Bao-Ngoc Nguyen, Ramesh Mazhari, Richard Neville, Anton Sidawy, Gurusher Panjrath
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2014)
Twelve to Seventeen-Year Follow-up of Patients with Poststreptococcal Acute Glomerulonephritis in Trinidad
Authors: Elizabeth V. Potter, Stephen A. Lipschultz, Stella Abidh, Theo Poon-King, David P. Earle
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1982)

ONCE poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis is clinically healed and the urine is normal, the prognosis for these patients has been thought to be good, although occasionally an adult with progressive renal failure may recall having had "nephritis" as a child. Recently, however, Gallo1 and Schacht2 and their colleagues studied patients with poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis in New York City and found evidence of progressive renal disease in several patients, some of whom initially appeared to have healed. Thus, they question the previously accepted good prognosis for patients with this disease.We have had the opportunity to study large numbers of patients with . . .
Ticlopidine-induced aplastic anemia: Development of chromosomal abnormalities and response to immunosuppressive therapy
Authors: Vinod A. Pullarkat, Hyan Rho, Joyce L. Murata-Collins, Howard A. Liebman
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2000)

Severe aplastic anemia is a well-recognized complication of ticlopidine therapy that carries a high mortality. Therapy with colony-stimulating factors or corticosteroids has been largely ineffective in this disorder. We report a case of ticlopidine-induced aplastic anemia that was successfully treated with cyclosporine and high-dose dexamethasone. The patient rapidly responded to immunosuppressive therapy and had a normal hemogram after cessation of immunosuppression. On long-term follow-up, the patient developed a progressive macrocytic anemia. Repeat bone marrow evaluation demonstrated myelodysplasia with erythroid hypoplasia. An associated chromosomal abnormality consisting of a t(3;16) (q21; p13.3) translocation was detected. This is the first report of a chromosomal abnormality associated with ticlopidine induced marrow aplastic anemia.
Abstract 4513: Predicting response of non-small cell lung cancer to the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat
Authors: Robin E. Frink, Luc Girard, Woodring E. Wright, Jerry W. Shay, John D. Minna
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract Telomerase is active in more than 80% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) but is not active in most somatic cells, making it an attractive target for cancer therapy. Furthermore, telomerase is required for cancer stem cell maintenance so targeting telomerase could affect this chemo-resistant subpopulation. Imetelstat, a 13-mer N3’ P5′-thio-phosphoramidate, inhibits telomerase by binding to the RNA template component leading to shortened telomeres and associated cell death. Because imetelstat is currently in clinical trials for NSCLC, it is important to determine the spectrum of activity of imetelstat in a variety of NSCLCs. To accomplish this, we examined the in vitro effect of short-term imetelstat treatment in both the colony formation assay and a 5 day MTS assay using a panel of NSCLC cell lines. For the colony formation assay, cells were plated at clonal density, treated with 3 μM imetelstat 24 hours later, and allowed to grow into colonies for 2-4 weeks. The end point was determined by untreated control cells in colony formation and was dependent on inherent population doubling time. We found an array of responses ranging up to 96% inhibition of colony formation. The panel can be divided into 3 groups: responders (&amp;gt;70% inhibition), intermediate (20%-70% inhibition), and non-responders (&amp;lt;20% inhibition). These groups may be used to develop a biomarker signature predictive of which patients will be most sensitive to imetelstat. With the 5 day MTS assay, cells were treated with imetelstat concentrations ranging from 2.6 nM to 42.5 μM and allowed to incubate for 5 days. Cell viability was determined by a colorimetric readout using MTS. Because of expected delayed response time due to the mechanism of action of imetelstat, we were surprised to find a cell line sensitive to 1 μM imetelstat in the short-term assay. Only 50% of the cells remained after 5 days of treatment. Although this cell line is not sensitive to the imetelstat mismatch control, further studies are needed to determine if this effect is telomere specific. Our studies indicate a wide range of response of NSCLC to imetelstat emphasizing the importance of predicting which patients are most likely to respond to imetelstat therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4513. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4513
Peripartum myocarditis and cardiomyopathy.
Authors: M G Midei, S H DeMent, A M Feldman, G M Hutchins, K L Baughman
Journal: Circulation (1990)

The clinical and pathologic features of 18 consecutive patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy at The Johns Hopkins Hospital were examined in an attempt to define the incidence of myocarditis and to determine its response to immunosuppressive agents. In addition to routine studies, patients were evaluated with echocardiography, nuclear ventriculography, right heart catheterization, and myocardial biopsy. Fourteen of the 18 patients (78%) showed evidence of myocarditis. Of these, 10 were treated with immunosuppressive therapy. Nine of the 10 treated patients with myocarditis had subjective and objective improvement. Follow-up endomyocardial biopsies in these patients showed resolution or substantial improvement in myocarditis. Four patients with myocarditis not treated with immunosuppressives also improved. All patients improving spontaneously presented with congestive heart failure within 1 month of delivery and improved dramatically within days of presentation. Four of the 18 patients showed no evidence of myocarditis. Of these, two improved, and two deteriorated (both requiring cardiac transplantation). None of these four patients were treated with immunosuppressive therapy. We conclude that in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy, 1) the etiology remains unclear although myocarditis was present in 78% of those with this condition, 2) resolution of myocarditis is associated with significant improvement in left ventricular function, 3) myocarditis may resolve spontaneously without detectable loss of cardiac function, and 4) immunosuppressive therapy in patients with myocarditis and persistent left ventricular dysfunction may improve left ventricular function and prognosis.
Chronic Liver Disease in Asymptomatic Narcotic Addicts
Authors: CHARLES E. CHERUBIN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1972)

Liver sections from 44 consecutive autopsies of addicts (none died of liver disease) were compared with 28 age-matched nonaddict controls and 28 controls with gross liver abnormalities. Former addicts in a rehabilitation program were followed with liver function and SH/Australia antigen tests; 16 liver biopsies were obtained. Of active addicts, 12 had chronic aggressive hepatitis, 10 chronic persistent hepatitis, and 14 had nonspecific reactive hepatitis. In both control groups, most had normal livers, fatty change, or cirrhosis. In the 16 former addicts, with persistently elevated serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase values or SH/Au antigenemia for 8 months or more after the cessation of drug use, only 3 liver biopsies were normal; the rest showed abnormalities similar to those of the autopsied addicts. The data suggest that a minority of addicts develop histologically severe chronic hepatitis. Most, however, have a moderate histological abnormality that probably continues for a long time, even after cessation of drug use.
What Type of Urinary Incontinence Does This Woman Have?
Authors: Jayna M. Holroyd-Leduc
Journal: JAMA (2008)

<h3>Context</h3>Urinary incontinence is a prevalent condition and treatment options can depend on what type of incontinence is present.<h3>Objective</h3>To systematically review the evidence about the most accurate way to determine the type of urinary incontinence during an office assessment.<h3>Data Sources</h3>A search of MEDLINE using Ovid (1966-July 2007) and EMBASE (1980-July 2007), and the bibliographies of retrieved articles to identify relevant studies. Search terms included urinary incontinence, diagnostic tests, medical history taking, physical examination, cough stress test, and urodynamics.<h3>Study Selection</h3>English-language articles were identified that addressed the office diagnosis of urinary incontinence in adults, in which data was not limited to case reports. Cohort studies of patients undergoing history, physical examination, and/or office procedures (excluding urodynamics) for diagnosing the type of urinary incontinence were included. Case-control studies were considered when there was insufficient data available from cohort studies. The accepted reference standard for categorization of incontinence type was diagnosis confirmed by an expert, urodynamic studies, or both.<h3>Data Extraction</h3>Two investigators independently appraised study quality and extracted relevant data. Minimum inclusion criteria were completion of an appropriate reference standard in all patients and the ability to extract relevant data.<h3>Data Synthesis</h3>Forty articles were identified for inclusion. A random-effects model was used for quantitative synthesis. Minimal data was available for men. In women, simple questions modestly helped diagnose stress urinary incontinence (summary positive likelihood ratio [LR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-3.2; summary negative LR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.25-0.61) but are more helpful in diagnosing urge urinary incontinence (summary positive LR, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.3-7.6; summary negative LR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.36-0.62). A positive bladder stress test may help diagnose stress urinary incontinence (summary LR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.7-5.5); however, a negative test is not as useful (summary LR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.21-0.60). A systematic assessment combining the history, physical examination, and results of bedside tests to establish a clinical diagnosis appears to be of modest value in diagnosing stress urinary incontinence (summary positive LR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.6-5.2; summary negative LR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.08-0.51). The systematic assessment is less helpful in diagnosing urge urinary incontinence (summary positive LR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.55-8.7; summary negative LR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.34-1.17).<h3>Conclusions</h3>The most helpful component for diagnosing urge urinary incontinence is a history of urine loss associated with urgency. A bladder stress test may be helpful for diagnosing stress urinary incontinence.
Infectious Complications in Heart Transplant Recipients Receiving Cyclosporine and Corticosteroids
Authors: JESSE M. HOFFLIN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1987)

The rate of infectious complications differed significantly in two groups of heart transplant recipients who received different immunosuppressive regimens. Compared with patients who received conventional immunosuppression, patients treated with cyclosporine had a lower rate of infectious complications, and the contribution of infection to observed mortality was lower. Herpes simplex virus caused less morbidity and there were fewer active cytomegalovirus infections in seropositive recipients treated with cyclosporine. The incidence of bacterial pulmonary infections and associated bacteremia also decreased impressively. A decrease in nocardial infections was offset by a rise in those due to Legionella species. The frequency of aspergillosis was decreased by 54% in the cyclosporine-treated group, but half of these infections disseminated beyond the lung and such dissemination was always fatal. Infections with Pneumocystis carinii were significantly less common with cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. Screening serologic tests for toxoplasma should be done routinely and consideration given to prophylaxis in heart transplant recipients at high risk.
Temporary Character of "Fastness" of Staphylococci to Penicillin
Authors: E. W. Todd, G. S. Turner, L. G. W. Drew
Journal: BMJ (1945)

At this stage it was considered unjustifiable to withhold routine treatment with arsenic and bismuth.This was started on Oct. 5, and it was interesting to note that after the first 0.3 g. of N.A.B. there was mild general malaise and the temperature rose to 99°F.Further treatment has been uneventful.Kahn tests on Oct. 9 and 18 were both negative.Comnmiient.-Although the date of exposure to infection is not absolutely definite the expectation in this case would be that blood W.R. and Kahn tests would have been positive before routine treat- ment was instituted.A weak positivewas obtained in one labora- tory, but repeated controls at this and the other laboratory were all negative.Depending on the sensitivity of the antigen, this probably indicates that the penicillin had pr-evented an impending positive serum reaction.Case II Gnr.Y. was admitted to hospital on Aug. 28, 1944, with the following history: exposure to infection two weeks and three months previously; treated for fresh gonorrhoea with 27 g. of sulphapyridine in M.I. room from Aug. 21 to 28: urethral discharge persisted.On admission he had a purulent urethral discharge with some oedema and induration in the region of the fraenum.Clinically this latter condition was suggestive of an intra-urethral chancre.A blood Kahn test on Aug. 28 was negative.A further course of sulphapyridine was given from Sept. 2 to 6.A urethral smear on Sept. 11 and succeeding days still showed intracellular gonococci, and the urine was hazy in both glasses.Perifraenal oedema and induration persisted, but over the period Sept. 2 to 14 nine dark- ground examinations of the urethral discharge were negative to T. pallidum despite the clinical appearances.In view of the sulphapyridine-resistant gonorrhoea 100,000 units of penicillin were given on Sept. 18.A urethral smear on Sept. 20 showed no gonococci, but a slight watery discharge persisted until Oct. 2. Daily dark-ground examination of this was negative to T. pallidunm.He was discharged from hospital on Oct. 5.There was no urethral discharge, and the urine was clear in both glasses.The oedema and induration around the fraenal region had slowly subsided after penicillin therapy and had disappeared by the time the patient left the hospital.Comment.-Although oedema as described above is occasionally
Sharpening Ockham's razor
Authors: Anne Cutler, Dennis Norris
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (1999)

Language production and comprehension are intimately interrelated; and models of production and comprehension should, we argue, be constrained by common architectural guidelines. Levelt et al.'s target article adopts as guiding principle Ockham's razor: the best model of production is the simplest one. We recommend adoption of the same principle in comprehension, with consequent simplification of some well-known types of models.
Systemic prostaglandin E1 infusion and hepatic aminonitrogen to urea nitrogen conversion in patients with type 2 diabetes in poor metabolic control
Authors: Giulio Marchesini, Valeria Zaccheroni, Mara Brizi, Stefania Natale, Gabriele Forlani, Giampaolo Bianchi, Luisa Baraldi, Nazario Melchionda
Journal: Metabolism (2001)
Interleukin-7 receptor alpha is essential for the development of gamma delta + T cells, but not natural killer cells.
Authors: Y W He, T R Malek
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1996)

Mice that lack a functional gamma c subunit of the receptors for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 display profound defects in lymphoid development. The IL-7/IL-7R system represents a critical interaction for conventional T and B cell development. In this report, the role of IL-7R alpha in the development of lymphoid lineages other than conventional T and B cells was examined. We demonstrate that gamma delta + T cells were absent in IL-7R alpha-deficient mice, whereas the development and function of natural killer cells were normal. Thus, IL-7R alpha function is required for the development of gamma delta + T cells but not natural killer cells.
Lurigancho prison: Lima's "high school" for criminality
Authors: H. Veeken
Journal: BMJ (2000)

“It is the largest prison in Lima.” Juan, the coordinator of my visit to Lurigancho, says. “There is room for 1600 prisoners, but much more people are being kept inside.”

“How many?” I ask.

“Well, the authorities do not even know. Let us assume that there are 6000 people, which at least is the number given by the prisoners themselves—who are accurately keeping count of the number. You shall see that the prison is overcrowded and the prisoners themselves are the boss.”

My visit to Lurigancho prison in Lima is on behalf of Medecins Sans Frontieres to see if it can help the prisoners. It sounds strange: prisoners running a prison their way. Once inside the gates I see a prisoner leave his cell, lock the door, and nonchalantly pocket the key. He is going out for lunch within the prison. In Lurigancho the prisoner is indeed the boss.

#### Summary points

Around 6000 prisoners are interned in Lurigancho, which should only accommodate 1600 prisoners

Inside, the prisoners are “in charge”

HIV is a time bomb for the prison and local community

The prisoners are a core transmission group for HIV

Prostitution, tattooing, and drug misuse are rife in Lurigancho

Lurigancho is located on the outskirts of Lima and comprises around 20 pavilions surrounded by a carefully guarded wall. With its watchtowers the prison looks like a fortress in a western. The prison operates on a simple informal agreement between the prison authorities and the prisoners: the prisoners are not allowed to leave the closely watched precincts, but when inside the prison walls they can do whatever they like. In this way the prison authorities do not have to bother about the prison's organisation. Inside, about 20 unarmed warders oversee the prisoners. The prisoners take care of everything—law and order, cleaning, food, education, …
Toxicity of mefloquine is similar to that of other chemoprophylaxis
Authors: A. Croft
Journal: BMJ (1995)

EDITOR,--The revised guidelines on chemoprophylaxis against malaria perpetuate the notion that mefloquine is relatively innocuous when used for this purpose.1 This view has been challenged by some authorities,2 who argue that the side effects of mefloquine have been greatly underreported. As White recognised in an editorial on mefloquine, this tendency to understate the toxicity of the durg has followed from the poor scientific quality of almost all of the early studies on use of mefloquine.3

View this table:

Incidence of adverse events to malaria chemoprophylaxis of …
Immunohistochemical demonstration of myoepithelial cells in sweat gland carcinomas
Authors: F. WACH, R. HEIN, A. KUHN, M. LANDTHALER, T. KRIEG, F. ECKERT
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1994)

Although myoepithelial cells are detectable in many benign sweat gland tumours, little is known about their role in sweat gland carcinomas. To specifically demonstrate myoepithelial cells, paraffin sections from 46 sweat gland carcinomas were stained, using a standard avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method, with the monoclonal alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody 1A4. Myoepithelial cells were not found in adenoid cystic eccrine carcinoma (n = 2), malignant nodular hidradenoma (n = 2), porocarcinoma (n = 4), extramammary Paget's disease (n = 12), sclerosing sweat duct carcinoma (n = 4) or in adenosquamous-mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 1). In contrast, myoepithelial cells were demonstrated in two of eight apocrine adenocarcinomas, one of six mucinous eccrine carcinomas and two of seven eccrine adenocarcinomas. In all these tumours myoepithelial differentiation was found in peripheral cells of solid tumour islands, or in basal cells of tubular structures. However, in most areas of the tumours, myoepithelial layers were discontinuous. Cells in the centre of solid tumour nodules, and luminal cells of tubular structures, were negative for alpha-smooth muscle actin. In analogy to breast tumours, in which malignancy and invasiveness correlate with scattered or absent myoepithelial cells, we suggest that disrupted myoepithelial layers in sweat gland carcinomas may be interpreted as a loss of the invasion barrier.
Pulmonary failure after peripheral injury.
Authors: J. A. O'Garra
Journal: BMJ (1970)

Case 2.-Female aged 23 years.Iprindole prescribed for postinfluenzal depression.Hb and E.S.R. normal.Eight days after first taking the drug suddenly developed pain in the right hypo- chondrium and right posterior chest with transient fever (temperature taken by the patient and found to be 101 'F.(38-3'C.)).When seen on the tenth day, apyrexial, marked tenderness present in the right hypochondrium, definite clinical jaundice.Urine strongly positive for bile.