tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The State of American Science — A Touch of Anemia?
Authors: Daniel S. Greenberg
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1976)

Lacking political strength to enforce its claims for government financial support, the postwar scientific community originally prospered on Cold War anxieties, good will, and high, often exaggerated, expectations about the value of research. Long use of these ingredients eventually generated immunities that in the late 1960's contributed to a tapering off in the growth of federal money for science. With inflation compounding the difficulties, the scientific community then turned to persuasion, which it embodied in various reports that were intended to delineate the relation between investment in scientific research and desirable consequences.The genre is relatively new and full of . . .
Evolution of microRNA expression during human bronchial squamous carcinogenesis
Authors: C. Mascaux, J. F. Laes, G. Anthoine, A. Haller, V. Ninane, A. Burny, J. P. Sculier
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2008)

MicroRNAs, negative post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, are involved in cancer. Their role in early bronchial carcinogenesis was analysed in 60 biopsies obtained by fluorescence bronchoscopy (six per stage: normal tissue of nonsmokers, normal normofluorescent and hypofluorescent bronchial tissue of smokers, hyperplasia, metaplasia, mild, moderate and severe dysplasia, in situ carcinoma and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC)). In total, 69 microRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in the course of bronchial carcinogenesis. Among them, some microRNAs showed a linear evolution of their expression level, such as miR-32 and miR-34c, whose expression progressively decreased from normal bronchial tissues of nonsmokers to SQCC. Others behaved differently at successive stages, such as miR-142-3p or miR-9, or are only altered from a specific stage, such as miR-199a or miR-139. MicroRNAs globally followed a two-step evolution, first decreasing (a reverse of their increase during embryogenesis) during the earliest morphological modifications of bronchial epithelium, and thereafter increasing at later stages of lung carcinogenesis. Moreover, microRNA expression was very efficient for the prediction of the histological classification between low- and high-grade lesions and between in situ and invasive carcinoma. The present data show, for the first time, that microRNAs are involved in bronchial carcinogenesis from the very early steps of this process and, thus, could provide tools for early detection of lung cancer.
Bronchoalveolar Cell Profiles in Children with Asthma, Infantile Wheeze, Chronic Cough, or Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: C. MARGUET, F. JOUEN-BOEDES, T. P. DEAN, J. O. WARNER
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

Differential cell counts of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) have been reported in normal children but few data on cellular profiles in bronchial diseases in childhood are available. We determined the BAL cell profiles of 72 children divided into 5 groups: asthma (n = 14), chronic cough (n = 12), infantile wheeze (n = 26), cystic fibrosis (n = 10), and control (n = 10). The highest total cell, eosinophil, and neutrophil counts were found in children with cystic fibrosis. The cell profile of children with chronic cough was similar to that of control children. Asthma and infantile wheeze were characterized by a high median ratio of eosinophils (3%) and neutrophils (12%), respectively. In both diseases, epithelial shedding was suggested by an elevated epithelial cell count, 13.5 and 12%, respectively. Lymphocyte subset analysis showed a higher proportion of CD8 cells (58 versus 40%) and therefore a lower CD4/CD8 ratio (0.266 versus 0. 455) in children with asthma compared with infantile wheezers (p = 0. 02). Irrespective of the presence or absence of radiological abnormalities, a proportion of neutrophils > 10%, was found in one-third of the children with asthma and in half of the infantile wheezers, and was related to symptom severity. We suggest that neutrophil-mediated inflammation, with or without bacterial infection, may contribute to symptoms of asthma in childhood. Chronic cough, however, is not associated with the cell profiles suggestive of asthma and in isolation should not be treated with prophylactic antiasthma drugs.
FDG PET/CT Reveals the Primary Tumor in a Patient With Occult Breast Carcinoma Undetected by Other Modalities
Authors: Min Liu, Bailong Liu, Yuzhe Song, Lijuan Ding, Lihua Dong
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2014)

A 54-year-old woman presented with left axillary adenopathy for 6 months. Biopsy result was consistent with nodal metastases of breast carcinoma: estrogen receptor (negative), progesterone receptor (negative), and Her-2 (negative). The primary breast tumor, however, could not be detected on breast ultrasound, mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging. F-FDG PET/CT revealed a mildly FDG-avid nodule in her left breast, consistent with primary tumor. She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by modified radical mastectomy. The case demonstrates the usefulness of FDG PET/CT in evaluating patients with breast cancer, even when the primary tumor remains undetected by other modalities.
Nocturnal atrial fibrillation in a patient with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: R Schulz
Journal: Thorax (2005)

Nocturnal atrial fibrillation in a patient with obstructive sleep apnoea A 75 year old woman was referred to our hospital for suspected sleep apnoea.Her medical history mentioned arterial hypertension and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).Polysomnography revealed obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).During one phase of OSA the heart rate, determined by signals derived from pulse oximetry, showed a sharp rise in frequency (fig 1, left).Simultaneously recorded electrocardiography (ECG) indicated AF (fig 2A).The onset of AF was preceded by a long apnoeic event (48 s) with marked oxygen desaturation (SaO 2 67%).After a period without apnoeas, spontaneous reversal to sinus rhythm occurred (fig 1, right; fig 2B).OSA has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of recurrence of AF after primarily successful electrical cardioversion, 1 and sleep disordered breathing has been found to be very common in patients with AF. 2 The present report gives the first direct evidence that OSA might trigger episodes of AF.Although we cannot definitively exclude the possibility that our observations are coincidental, we suggest a causal association between OSA and the onset of AF.Since AF occurred immediately after a long lasting apnoea with severe oxygen desaturation, its most likely trigger was OSA associated hypoxaemia.Other pathogenetic mechanisms include intrathoracic pressure swings and sympathetic activation.The fact that the AF stopped after a phase of undisturbed breathing also suggests that the heart rhythm disorder was induced by OSA.We presume that the absence of these stimuli led to atrial electrical stabilisation and the return to sinus rhythm.
Inhibition by atrial and brain natriuretic peptides of endothelin-1 secretion after stimulation with angiotensin II and thrombin of cultured human endothelial cells.
Authors: M Kohno, K Yasunari, K Yokokawa, K Murakawa, T Horio, T Takeda
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1991)

We examined the inhibition by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) of endothelin-1 secretion stimulated by angiotensin II (ANGII) and thrombin using cultured human umbilical-vein endothelial cells. ANGII and thrombin dose-dependently stimulated immunoreactive (ir) endothelin-1 secretion. Human ANP(1-28) and human BNP-32 both inhibited such secretion in a dose-dependent way. Inhibition of this secretion by ANP and BNP was paralleled by an increase in the level of cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate (GMP). The addition of a cyclic GMP analogue, 8-bromo cyclic GMP, reduced this stimulated secretion. Rat ANP(5-25) was weaker than human ANP(1-28) at inhibiting ir-endothelin-1 secretion and increasing cyclic GMP in the cells. ir-Endothelin-1 in the medium consisted of two components separated by high pressure liquid chromatography; the major one corresponded to endothelin-1(1-21) and the minor one corresponded to big endothelin-1(1-38). Treatment with ANP and BNP did not affect this profile. These findings suggest that human ANP and BNP inhibit endothelin-1 secretion stimulated by ANGII and thrombin in these cells through a cyclic GMP-dependent process. Taken together with endothelin stimulation of ANP and BNP secretion from the heart, our results suggest the existence of a cardiac-endothelium feedback.
Slow Breathing Increases Arterial Baroreflex Sensitivity in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Luciano Bernardi, Cesare Porta, Lucia Spicuzza, Jerzy Bellwon, Giammario Spadacini, Axel W. Frey, Leata Y.C. Yeung, John E. Sanderson, Roberto Pedretti, Roberto Tramarin
Journal: Circulation (2002)

Background — It is well established that a depressed baroreflex sensitivity may adversely influence the prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and in those with previous myocardial infarction. Methods and Results — We tested whether a slow breathing rate (6 breaths/min) could modify the baroreflex sensitivity in 81 patients with stable (2 weeks) CHF (age, 58±1 years; NYHA classes I [6 patients], II [33], III [27], and IV [15]) and in 21 controls. Slow breathing induced highly significant increases in baroreflex sensitivity, both in controls (from 9.4±0.7 to 13.8±1.0 ms/mm Hg, P &lt;0.0025) and in CHF patients (from 5.0±0.3 to 6.1±0.5 ms/mm Hg, P &lt;0.0025), which correlated with the value obtained during spontaneous breathing ( r =+0.202, P =0.047). In addition, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in CHF patients (systolic, from 117±3 to 110±4 mm Hg, P =0.009; diastolic, from 62±1 to 59±1 mm Hg, P =0.02). Conclusions — These data suggest that in patients with CHF, slow breathing, in addition to improving oxygen saturation and exercise tolerance as has been previously shown, may be beneficial by increasing baroreflex sensitivity.
Palliation or Cure in Hypertension
Authors: Geza deTakats
Journal: JAMA (1972)

To the Editor.—  The EDITORIAL on Palliation or Cure in Hypertension ( 218 :1695, 1971) comments on a number of recent studies documenting the value of hypotensive drugs not only in severe but in mild to moderate grades of primary hypertension. The studies from the Veterans Administration are clear cut. The studies, however, urge an early aggressive approach on a community level. When screening is done by the general practitioner ( Lancet  2 :223, 1970), a surprising number of asymptomatic hypertensives are being found.  No attempt has been made, however, to establish a severity index ( Surgery  43 :113, 1958) before hypotensive medication is started. The index gives numerical values to diastolic pressure, cardiac function, renal function, peripheral involvement, and eye grounds. It can be readily estimated on a community level with little equipment, and has definite bearing on the results of hypotensive therapy whether medical or surgical.  When hypotension is produced experimentally
The Effect of Rosiglitazone on Overweight Subjects With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Trevor J. Orchard
Journal: Diabetes Care (2006)

The recent report by Strowig and Raskin (1) raises the intriguing issue as to whether some type 1 diabetic patients may benefit from a supplementary insulin sensitization approach to their management. As our and other studies have shown that an estimate of insulin sensitivity (eGDR) is strongly predictive of mortality (2), coronary artery disease events …
Is Waist Circumference an Essential Component of the Metabolic Syndrome?
Authors: Carlos Lorenzo, Manuel Serrano-Ríos, María T. Martínez-Larrad, Clicerio González-Villalpando, José L. González-Sánchez, María J. Martínez-Calatrava, Rafael Gabriel, Steven M. Haffner
Journal: Diabetes Care (2007)

The role of obesity for the metabolic syndrome definition is controversial (1,2) even though obesity is strongly related to insulin resistance (fasting insulin levels) (3), chronic inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] levels) (4), and coronary heart disease (CHD) (5). Obesity is considered an essential criterion by the International Diabetes Federation definition (1). However, the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III definition accepts any three of five criteria (2). If obesity were essential, significant insulin and hsCRP levels and CHD risk would not be present in lean subjects. We examined this hypothesis in populations from Mexico City and Spain because of their distinct risk factor profile (more cases of type 2 diabetes, low HDL cholesterol, and hypertriglyceridemia in Mexico City vs. more cases of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in Spain) (6).

The Mexico City Diabetes Study (7,8) from Mexico City and the Spanish Insulin Resistance Study (6) and Segovia Study (9) from Spain were designed as population-based studies. The two studies from Spain were fused in a single dataset because protocols and one of the principal investigators (M.S.-R.) were the same …
Fragmented QRS and Cardio Ankle Vascular Index in Asymptomatic Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Levent Korkmaz, Engin Hatem, Mustafa Tarık Agac, Hakan Erkan, Huseyin Bektas, Zeydin Acar, Ömer Faruk Cirakoglu, Şükrü Çelik
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2013)
Constitutively expressed Oct-2 prevents immunoglobulin gene silencing in myeloma × T cell hybrids
Authors: Hanna S. Radomska, Chun-Pyn Shen, Tom Kadesch, Laurel A. Eckhardt
Journal: Immunity (1994)

Recent experiments involving disruption of the Oct-2 gene have shown that this largely B cell-restricted transcription factor is not required in the early stages of B cell development. However, B cells that lack Oct-2 may be blocked from differentiation past the surface immunoglobulin-positive stage. To identify a possible function for Oct-2 in the late stage Immunoglobulin-secreting cell, we have used the method of somatic cell fusion. When the immunoglobulin-producing myeloma MPC11 is fused to a T lymphoma, Oct-2 production ceases, as does the expression of immunoglobulin, J chain, and several other B cell-specific gene products. In the present study, we show that by preventing the loss of Oct-2 in the hybrid cells, we can preserve expression of all other tested B cell-specific genes. These results establish a central role for Oct-2 in maintaining the genetic program of the immunoglobulin-secreting plasmacyte.
Contemporary-use pesticides in personal air samples during pregnancy and blood samples at delivery among urban minority mothers and newborns.
Authors: Robin M Whyatt, Dana B Barr, David E Camann, Patrick L Kinney, John R Barr, Howard F Andrews, Lori A Hoepner, Robin Garfinkel, Yair Hazi, Andria Reyes, Judyth Ramirez, Yesenia Cosme, Frederica P Perera
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2002)

We have measured 29 pesticides in plasma samples collected at birth between 1998 and 2001 from 230 mother and newborn pairs enrolled in the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health prospective cohort study. Our prior research has shown widespread pesticide use during pregnancy among this urban minority cohort from New York City. We also measured eight pesticides in 48-hr personal air samples collected from the mothers during pregnancy. The following seven pesticides were detected in 48-83% of plasma samples (range, 1-270 pg/g): the organophosphates chlorpyrifos and diazinon, the carbamates bendiocarb and 2-isopropoxyphenol (metabolite of propoxur), and the fungicides dicloran, phthalimide (metabolite of folpet and captan), and tetrahydrophthalimide (metabolite of captan and captafol). Maternal and cord plasma levels were similar and, except for phthalimide, were highly correlated (p < 0.001). Chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and propoxur were detected in 100% of personal air samples (range, 0.7-6,010 ng/m(3)). Diazinon and propoxur levels were significantly higher in the personal air of women reporting use of an exterminator, can sprays, and/or pest bombs during pregnancy compared with women reporting no pesticide use or use of lower toxicity methods only. A significant correlation was seen between personal air level of chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and propoxur and levels of these insecticides or their metabolites in plasma samples (maternal and/or cord, p < 0.05). The fungicide ortho-phenylphenol was also detected in 100% of air samples but was not measured in plasma. The remaining 22 pesticides were detected in 0-45% of air or plasma samples. Chlorpyrifos, diazinon, propoxur, and bendiocarb levels in air and/or plasma decreased significantly between 1998 and 2001. Findings indicate that pesticide exposures are frequent but decreasing and that the pesticides are readily transferred to the developing fetus during pregnancy.
A novel culturing and grafting system for the treatment of leg ulcers
Authors: None Villeneuve, None Hafner, None Prenosil, None Elsner, None Burg
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1998)

The purpose of this study was to develop and test an efficient culturing and grafting system for the treatment of leg ulcers. The culturing system consisted of a Petriperm® culture vessel (20 cm2) aseptically placed in a larger standard Petri dish (60 cm2). Skin cultures were established and cultivated in the Petriperm® dish. The cells grew on the bottom of the Petriperm® dish, which was made of a gas-permeable 25-μm thick transparent Teflon® film. Grafts were produced simply by cutting the film from the bottom of the Petriperm® dish with a scalpel. The system was used to produce subconfluent epidermal autografts which were used to heal a 32 cm2 chronic rheumatoid arthritis leg ulcer. The cultured autografts were transferred cell side down on to the cleaned wound bed without an enzymatic digestion. The grafts consisted of autologous keratinocytes, melanocytes and fibroblasts. Caution was taken not to disturb the wound bed for 7–9 days at which time the Teflon film was removed. The wound closed 2 weeks after the last grafting and has remained closed for more than a year post-treatment. The culturing and grafting system presented here will make it possible to develop cellular-based therapies that were previously not possible.
Spinal Cord Tumors Simulating Protruded Intervertebral Disks
Authors: J. Grafton Love
Journal: JAMA (1962)

In a study of 514 surgically treated cases of intraspinal tumor, 29 patients had an initial diagnosis of protruded intervertebral disk. Of these 29 patients, 10 gave a history of trauma with which they associated the onset of their symptoms. Only 4 presented with the major complaint of night pain. The most common type of tumor simulating a protruded intervertebral disk was the extramedullary intradural neurofibroma (11 of 29) and the most common location was the lumbar region, but it was found that thoracic intraspinal tumors could simulate protruded lumbar intervertebral disks.
Effects of Glutamine Deamination on Glutamine Deamidation in Rat Kidney Slices
Authors: Harry G. Preuss, Olympia Vivatsi-Manos, Leonard L. Vertuno
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1973)

Glutamate is known to inhibit the activity of isolated glutaminase I; however, its actual physiologic importance in regulating renal ammoniagenesis has not been established. To determine the regulatory role of glutamate on the metabolism of glutamine by rat kidney slices, we followed the effects on glutamine (2 mM) deamidation of increased removal of glutamate via augmented deamination. Three agents (malonate, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and methylene blue) were known to and shown here to hasten exogenous glutamate deamination. In slices from 10 control rats, 21.5+/-1.7 (SEM) mumol/g of ammonia were formed from amide nitrogen and 9.3+/-0.5 (SEM) mumol/g from the amino nitrogen of glutamine in vitro. Over 90% of the glutamine deamidated formed glutamate at one point in its catabolism. After addition of malonate (10 mM), 2,4-dinitrophenol (0.1 mM), or methylene blue (0.5 mM), the production of ammonia from the amino group rose to 29.3+/-6.0 (SEM) mumol/g, 20.0+/-1.8 (SEM) mumol/g, and 15.5+/-4.2 (SEM) mumol/g, respectively; ammonia production from the amide nitrogen rose also, 45.1+/-7.3 (SEM) mumol/g, 39.7+/-2.6 (SEM) mumol/g, and 41.9+/-3.7 (SEM) mumol/g. In the case of the former two, a minimum of 99% and 75% of the glutamine catabolized formed glutamate. Despite increased glutamine catabolism, there was no build up of glutamate in the media. A correlation between the formation of ammonia from the amino and amide nitrogen was apparent. Since none of the three agents selected affected phosphate activated glutaminase I activity directly or appeared to affect glutamine transport, we interpret the increase in deamidation as an expression of deinhibition of glutaminase I activity secondary to lowered glutamate concentrations at the deamidating sites through more rapid removal of glutamate via hastened deamination. Interestingly, slices removed from acidotic rats produced more ammonia from both the amino 29.1+/-3.8 (SEM) and amide nitrogens 45.9+/-4.3 (SEM) of glutamine, without a buildup of glutamate in the medium. At least 90% of the glutamine deamidated formed glutamate. A common mechanism is proposed to explain these results and the previous ones.
Long-Term Results and Prognostic Factors in the Treatment of Achalasia with Botulinum Toxin
Authors: M. Neubrand, C. Scheurlen, M. Schepke, T. Sauerbruch
Journal: Endoscopy (2002)

Endoscopic therapy of achalasia by injection of botulinum toxin into the lower esophageal sphincter has very limited adverse effects and is initially successful in 70 % of patients. However, this result only lasts for 6 - 9 months on average in most patients and only half of them benefit for more than 1 year. The aim of this study was to find out which factors are predictive for a good long-term success.We retrospectively studied 25 patients with achalasia. The diagnosis had been proven by barium swallow and esophageal manometry. Therapy was carried out endoscopically between June 1996 and December 1998 by injection of 25 mouse units (MU) botulinum toxin into each of the four quadrants of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) was measured prior to and 1 week after endoscopic therapy. A standardized questionnaire was used for symptom assessment, at the initial presentation, at 1 week and at 2.5 +/- 0.8 years after treatment.The LESP was significantly reduced (pre-treatment 62.1 +/- 15.2 mmHg vs. post-treatment 43.1 +/- 12.5 mmHg; P < 0.01). Symptoms improved in 16 patients (pre-treatment symptom score 9.5 +/- 2.9 vs. post-treatment symptom score 4.7 +/- 1.8; P < 0.01). Nine patients showed no relevant improvement. From the 16 patients with a good initial response, two were lost to follow-up. In nine patients the outcome was still satisfactory after a mean of 2.5 years (1.5 - 4 years) (pre-treatment symptom score 9.5 +/- 2.9 vs. symptom score at 2.5 years after Botox 5.1 +/- 1.5; P < 0.05). These patients were on average 67.7 +/- 12.5 years old. The remaining five patients received a second or third injection of botulinum toxin, but none improved substantially for more than 6 months. One of them eventually underwent pneumatic dilation, and three laparoscopic myotomy. Thus, botulinum toxin treatment was unsuccessful in 14 patients in all. These 14 patients were, on average, significantly younger than the nine successfully treated patients (46.1 +/- 12.6 years vs. 67.7 +/- 12.5 years; P < 0.01) and had significantly higher LESP values prior to botulinum toxin therapy (72.8 +/- 8.9 mmHg vs. 47.8 +/- 9.2 mmHg; P < 0.01).The long-term success of botulinum toxin injection into the LES in patients with achalasia is highest in elderly patients and in patients with an LESP not exceeding the upper normal level prior to treatment by 50 % or more. On the basis of our results, younger patients (< 55 years) with a severe increase in LESP do not seem to benefit from botulinum toxin injection and pneumatic dilation or myotomy may be more advantageous to them.