tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Maternal Serum Ferritin and Gestational Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Terence T Lao, Kar-Fai F Tam
Journal: Diabetes Care (1997)

OBJECTIVE To determine if the reported features of decreased iron store in the infant of diabetic mother are related to underlying maternal iron deficiency, a prospective case-control study was performed on a group of low-risk antenatal patients without preexisting anemia or thalassemia trait and before the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the last trimester. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS At the time of routine screening for anemia and GDM at 28–30 weeks of gestation, an additional blood sample was collected for the assay of serum ferritin, iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Patients with elevated random sugar underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), interpreted by the World Health Organization criteria. For each person diagnosed with GDM, a control subject matched in maternal age and parity was identified, and their iron status and hematological indexes were compared. RESULTS There were 60 patients with gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT), and none had frank GDM. There was no difference in the hematological indexes or serum iron and TIBC values, but serum ferritin level was significantly increased in the GIGT group, when compared with control subjects. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that there was no evidence of preexisting iron deficiency in the third trimester before the diagnosis of GIGT, while serum ferritin was even increased in the GIGT patients, a phenomenon that could have reflected the glucose intolerance. Serum ferritin is probably an unreliable index for maternal iron therapy in these patients, and the role of iron therapy in GIGT patients remains to be established.
Two Cases of Endoscopically Identified Esophageal Cancer of the Superficial-Slightly Depressed Type
Authors: K. Takechi, J. Shiroko, E. Tomita, T. Takai, Y. Muto, Y. Ozeki, A. Onitsuka, K. Shimokawa
Journal: Endoscopy (1991)

We experienced two cases of superficial type esophageal cancer. Case 1 was a 72-year-old man in whom endoscopic examination revealed a slightly protruded, partially reddened and faded area of irregular shape corresponding to 0-IIa + IIc (slightly depressed type) of the endoscopic classification of esophageal cancers. Macroscopically, it was a superficial, ill-defined and non-cicatrized solitary tumor measuring 2.5 × 2.4 cm in size. Histologically it was a monofocal semidifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma of a swelling type of stage 0. Case 2 was 55-year-old man. Endoscopic examination disclosed an almost roundish, smooth-surfaced, flat and dull red area corresponding to IIc (slightly depressed type). Macroscopically it was a superficial, semidefined and non-cicatrized solitary tumor measuring 1.0 × 1.0 cm in size. Histologically it was a monofocal, semidifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma of stage 0.
Changes in Collagen Turnover in Early Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: LYNNE ARMSTRONG, DAVID R. THICKETT, JASON P. MANSELL, MIRELA IONESCU, EMMA HOYLE, R. CLARK BILLINGHURST, A. ROBIN POOLE, ANN B. MILLAR
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

Pulmonary fibrosis is a well-recognized feature of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Using immunoassays of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), fluid we investigated the synthesis of type I procollagen (PICP) and type I/II collagen degradation products (COL2-3/4Cshort neoepitope) in patients with ARDS, acute lung injury (ALI), subjects with risk factors for ARDS (At Risk), and healthy/ventilated control subjects. PICP was measured by ELISA as a marker of type I procollagen synthesis. COL2-3/4Cshort neoepitope was measured by an inhibition ELISA as a marker of collagenase degradation of type I/II collagen. BAL was performed initially within 48 h of ventilation (Day 1) and then subsequently on Day 4. Dilution of epithelial lining fluid (ELF) was corrected for by plasma urea comparison. Increased PICP levels were observed in the ELF from ARDS and ALI subjects on Day 1 compared with subjects At Risk (median values, 124.9 and 95.0 ng/ml versus 38.0 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.0005). By contrast, the levels of COL2-3/4Cshort neoepitope were significantly reduced in the subjects with ARDS versus the At Risk subjects (13.22 ng/ml versus 32.33 ng/ml, p < 0.0005). This translated into a greatly increased PICP:COL2-3/4Cshort ratio in the subjects with ARDS (p < 0.0001). There was a significant decline in the PICP level in the subjects with ARDS between Days 1 and 4 (n = 15, p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed a significant association between PICP and lung injury score in the subjects with ARDS (p = 0.01). Our data suggests an early shift in balance between type I collagen synthesis and degradation by collagenase. The resultant increase in type I collagen would favor matrix deposition and the development of pulmonary fibrosis in the lungs of subjects with ARDS. Armstrong L, Thickett DR, Mansell JP, Ionescu M, Hoyle E, Billinghurst RC, Poole AR, Millar AB. Changes in collagen turnover in early acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Moving the preterm infant
Authors: Peter W Fowlie, Philip Booth, Charles H Skeoch
Journal: BMJ (2004)

Many different health service models for providing neonatal intensive care have been established over the past 30 years, and much of the developed world is moving towards a centralised model of care. At least initially, preterm infants often require specialised care in an intensive care setting. As a result, newborn infants and pregnant mothers may have to move between hospitals for appropriate care because of prematurity or the threat of preterm delivery. Sometimes this move means that the infant and family have to travel hundreds of miles.

This article focuses on the postnatal transfer of preterm infants between hospitals. Antenatal transfer of pregnant women is not considered here, although in utero transfer has better clinical outcomes for mother and infant than transfer after birth. Many of the issues discussed are applicable to transfers within hospitals.

In utero transfer is not always possible—for example, if labour is too advanced. Of the several models for transporting newborn infants, the most sophisticated are regional transport services that carry out all neonatal moves in a defined area using dedicated staff and equipment. These teams are responsible for neonatal transport only and are often “independent,” not being affiliated to a particular maternity or neonatal unit. A medical director usually runs such regional services, and the staff carrying out the transports may be medical or nursing staff with other professionals sometimes contributing. Referring hospitals and receiving hospitals do not have to provide staff or equipment, and each transport is undertaken by dedicated staff who have training and experience in transporting sick neonates.

View this table:

Reasons for transferring preterm infants between hospitals



When no regional transport service is available, medical and nursing staff from either referring or receiving units undertake the transport on an ad hoc …
Effectiveness of Hyposensitization Therapy in Ragweed Hay-Fever in Children
Authors: Vincent J. Fontana
Journal: JAMA (1966)

A five-year study has been done on children sensitive to ragweed in which a comparison was made between specific hyposensitization injections and placebo injections. Even though the allergen injections may have had some beneficial effect on some children, the amount of benefit was indistinguishable from differences likely to occur in pure randomization experiments. No justification was found for promising any greater benefit to children treated with allergens than they would obtain from placebo injections.
Ga-67 Citrate in Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Unsuspected Metastatic Bronchogenic Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Michael F. Hartshorne, Michael A. Cawthon, Robert D. Karl, John M. Bauman, William H. Howard, Stephen R. Bunker
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1984)

HARTSHORNE, MICHAEL F. M.D., MAJ, MC; CAWTHON, MICHAEL A. D.O., CPT, MC; KARL, ROBERT D. Jr. M.D., LTC, MC; BAUMAN, JOHN M. M.D., CPT, MC; HOWARD, WILLIAM H. III M.D., MAJ, MC; BUNKER, STEPHEN R. M.D., MAJ, MC Author Information
Natural Resources in American Medicine
Authors: Robert A. Wilson
Journal: JAMA (1966)

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> The interesting article "American Medicine and the Inevitables in its Future" by Ward Darley, MD (<b>196</b>:267, 1966) neglects an important inevitability. Continued population growth combined with depletion of natural resources will eventually affect medical care. The huge quantities of copper, mercury, silver, lead, barium, and other minerals required for computers, medical instruments, radiographic materials, and other medical purposes will be increasingly difficult to obtain.<sup>1</sup>Even sulfur, vital for the manufacture of many medicines, is not present in unlimited quantity. There is a need for research to define and solve such problems.
New diagnostic test for vaginal infection
Authors: S C Arya
Journal: BMJ (1994)

EDITOR, - The rapid visual test for bacterial vaginosis developed by Thomas C O'Dowd and Nick Bourne is based on diamine oxidases and is targeted to react with diamines, cadaverine, and putrescine, which are responsible for the fishy odour associated with bacterial vaginosis.1 The authors succinctly outline …
Atrial Fibrillation Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Steven S. Khan
Journal: JAMA (1996)

<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —I read with concern the report of the McSPI investigators on AF after cardiac surgery.<sup>1</sup>There is a clear incongruity in their conclusions about the effects of β-blockers on AF. The authors demonstrate that, given preoperatively, β-blockers reduce the incidence of AF, but, given postoperatively, β-blockers increase the incidence of AF. Not only does this finding not make sense, it is contrary to the results of multiple randomized, placebo-controlled trials that have consistently demonstrated a reduction in the incidence of postoperative AF with prophylactic administration of β-blockers after surgery.<sup>2</sup> The answer may lie in the fact that the McSPI investigators have no information on whether β-blockers were started prophylactically or as treatment for AF. Many cardiologists now use βblockers<sup>3</sup>in preference to digoxin<sup>4</sup>for rate control of AF. If patients who developed AF were begun on β-blockers as treatment, the authors' results would be explained as
Percutaneous Absorption of Corticosteroids
Authors: Robert B. Scoggins, Bernard Kliman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1965)

SINCE 19521 the corticosteroids have held an unrivaled position among medications used for the topical treatment of various skin diseases and have come to be employed extensively for clinical purposes with little fear of the sequelae that follow systemic administration of the steroids. The possibility that these substances could be percutaneously absorbed was considered soon after they came into use,2 but in several investigations3 4 5 6 7 8 no definitive evidence of such absorption was found. Gradually, however, data have accumulated indicating that the steroids can be absorbed through the skin. In one early investigation9 application of hydrocortisone to the skin surface slightly increased . . .
Transcriptional Control of GH Expression and Anterior Pituitary Development*
Authors: LARS EYDE THEILL, MICHAEL KARIN
Journal: Endocrine Reviews (1993)

CASCADES of interacting regulatory genes controlling developmental pathways have been defined in organisms such as Drosophila (1–9) and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (10–12). The developmental regulators include transcription factors, kinases, phosphatases, growth factors,receptors, and cell-adhesion molecules. In Drosophila, products of maternally expressed genes control expression of zygotic segmentation genes, the products of which regulate homeotic gene expression; regulation is also exerted between genes of the same class. As a result, the embryo is divided into a meshwork of metameric units, each expressing a unique combination of homeotic genes. These genes contain a conserved homeobox, encoding a 60-amino acid homeodomain which functions in DNA binding. By acting as transcription factors, the homeodomain proteins orchestrate activation of a unique combination of target genes which makes the cells enter a specific morphogenetic pathway. The molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of target gene expression are poorly understood but include competition among homeo-proteins for binding to recognition elements, posttranslational modifications affecting DNA-binding and transactivation properties, and cooperation with specific cofactors. Further elucidation of regulatory mechanisms has been hampered because only a few target genes in Drosophila regulated by homeogenes have so far been identified (13, 14). Defining developmental pathways in mammalian systems has proven even more difficult. Cloning by similarity has been used to identify genes that are potentially mammalian counterparts of well characterized Drosophila transcriptional regulators (15–19). Mammalian HOX genes are homologous to the antennapedia class of homeotic genes in Drosophila and appear to be involved in determination of regional identity along the anterior-posterior axis (20, 21). The drawback of cloning by the similarity method is the difficulty in identifying physiological target genes. In a different approach, cell type-specific regulatory elements identified in well characterized genes have been the key entry point for purification and cloning (22, 23) or direct cloning (24) of transcriptional regulators.
Mechanism of Autophagy to Apoptosis Switch Triggered in Prostate Cancer Cells by Antitumor Cytokine Melanoma Differentiation-Associated Gene 7/Interleukin-24
Authors: Sujit K. Bhutia, Rupesh Dash, Swadesh K. Das, Belal Azab, Zhao-zhong Su, Seok-Geun Lee, Steven Grant, Adly Yacoub, Paul Dent, David T. Curiel, Devanand Sarkar, Paul B. Fisher
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 7 (mda-7)/interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a unique member of the IL-10 gene family, which displays a broad range of antitumor properties, including induction of cancer-specific apoptosis. Adenoviral-mediated delivery by Ad.mda-7 invokes an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response that is associated with ceramide production and autophagy in some cancer cells. Here, we report that Ad.mda-7–induced ER stress and ceramide production trigger autophagy in human prostate cancer cells, but not in normal prostate epithelial cells, through a canonical signaling pathway that involves Beclin-1, atg5, and hVps34. Autophagy occurs in cancer cells at early times after Ad.mda-7 infection, but a switch to apoptosis occurs by 48 hours after infection. Inhibiting autophagy with 3-methyladenosine increases Ad.mda-7–induced apoptosis, suggesting that autophagy may be initiated first as a cytoprotective mechanism. Inhibiting apoptosis by overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL increased autophagy after Ad.mda-7 infection. During the apoptotic phase, the MDA-7/IL-24 protein physically interacted with Beclin-1 in a manner that could inhibit Beclin-1 function culminating in apoptosis. Conversely, Ad.mda-7 infection elicited calpain-mediated cleavage of the autophagic protein ATG5 in a manner that could facilitate switch to apoptosis. Our findings reveal novel aspects of the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells that underlie the cytotoxic action of mda-7/IL-24, possibly providing new insights in the development of combinatorial therapies for prostate cancer. Cancer Res; 70(9); 3667–76. ©2010 AACR.
TCTAP A-036 Two-Stent Strategies for Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: Main Vessel First Versus Side Branch First
Authors: Taek Kyu Park, Young Bin Song, Joo-Yong Hahn, Seung Hyuk Choi, Jin-Ho Choi, Sang Hoon Lee, Hyeon-Cheol Gwon
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
316. Dendritic Cell-Based Genetic Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Briana J. Williams, Nikolay Korokhov, Susan Boling, Linda Li, Michael Mathis, David T. Curiel
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2005)

Top of pageAbstract
Human prostate tumor vaccine and gene therapy trials using ex vivo methods to prime dendritic cells (DCs) with prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have been somewhat successful, but heretofore the lengthy ex vivo manipulation of DCs has limited the utility of this approach. Our goal was to improve upon DC vaccination with tumor antigens by delivering PSMA via a CD40-targeted adenoviral (Ad) vector expressing PSMA directly to DCs in situ as an efficient means for activation and antigen presentation to T-cells. We initially developed a mouse model of prostate cancer by generating several clonal derivatives of the mouse RM-1 prostate cancer cell line that express high levels of human PSMA (RM-1-PSMA). We then tested the efficacy of the CD40-targeted Ad-PSMA vector to stimulate a cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) response in vivo. In order to maximize antigen presentation in target cells, we induced both MHC class I and Tap protein expression in RM-1 cells by treatment with interferon-gamma (IFN-g). Using RM-1-PSMA cells pretreated with IFN-g as target cells, we demonstrated that DCs infected ex vivo with Ad-PSMA, as well as those infected by direct intraperitoneal injection of the CD40-targeted Ad-PSMA resulted in high levels of tumor-specific CTL responses, compared to responses with a control adenovirus (Ad-luc1). Thus, we have demonstrated that direct immunization of DCs in situ with a CD40-targeted Ad together with IFN-g treatment of target cells is effective in inducing an antigen-specific CTL response to PSMA. We have initiated animal studies to test the efficacy of the CD40-targeted PSMA vector versus a non-targeted vector with and without stimulation by IFN-g in protecting against a lethal RM-1-PSMA tumor challenge. At day 14 post-tumor inoculation, only those animals treated with the CD40-targeted adenovirus and IFN-g were resistant to challenge with RM-1-PSMA tumor cells. Our next aim is to determine the lowest effective dosage of targeted vector and the optimal combination of cytokine/chemokine stimulation to protect against tumor challenge as well as test the efficacy of the targeted vector strategy in a minimal residual disease model. The in vitro studies coupled with the syngeneic tumor survival model will allow us to systematically analyze this approach and generate data directly applicable for a human Phase I clinical trial.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and low alcohol or alcohol free drinks: Author's reply
Authors: P. Tyrer
Journal: BMJ (1990)

had genital herpes and are thus at risk of a primary infection in pregnancy.6What useful advice or reassurance can be given on the basis of knowing a woman's antibody state?Doctors should not refuse to test women who are concerned about particular infections.Never- theless, the implications of any test, including difficulties in interpretation, must be discussed beforehand.But screening is not an appropriate description of tests undertaken in these circum- stances -screening is a service offered routinely to all women in which the advantages of testing are not outweighed by the disadvantages.It is unreasonable to offer screening tests for conditions simply because the tests are available, and it is extremely unwise to pursue the piecemeal intro- duction of screening tests before proper evaluation using recognised criteria.
Baroreflex Sensitivity in Patients With Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: Helen L. Thomson, Karen Wright, Michael Frenneaux
Journal: Circulation (1997)

Background In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that baroreflex sensitivity is reduced in patients with vasovagal syncope compared with normal control subjects. Methods and Results We investigated 30 patients with vasovagal syncope (mean age, 43.6±16.7 years; 14 men and 16 women) and 32 normal control subjects (mean age, 41.8±17.0 years; 24 men and 8 women). Cardiopulmonary baroreceptor sensitivity was assessed by measuring the change in forearm vascular resistance during subhypotensive lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Carotid baroreflex sensitivity was assessed by measuring the change in RR interval during the manipulation of carotid transmural pressure. Phenylephrine baroreceptor sensitivity was assessed on the basis of the linear regression slope of the RR interval versus systolic arterial blood pressure during the increment in blood pressure after intravenous administration of phenylephrine. In patients with vasovagal syncope, during the application of −10 mm Hg LBNP, forearm vascular resistance decreased by 0.7±11.6 U versus an increase of 8.3±6.2 U in control subjects ( P =.002). Phenylephrine baroreceptor sensitivity was 11±7 ms/mm Hg in patients versus 14±6 ms/mm Hg in control subjects ( P =NS). Carotid baroreflex sensitivity was 4±6 versus 4±2 ms/mm Hg in patients and control subjects, respectively ( P =NS). Conclusions In patients with vasovagal syncope, during the application of subhypotensive LBNP, there is impaired forearm vasoconstriction or paradoxical forearm vasodilation. This suggests impaired cardiopulmonary baroreceptor inactivation or paradoxical activation of these receptors and is consistent with reduced cardiopulmonary baroreceptor sensitivity.
Response to Comment on Doyle et al. Closed-Loop Artificial Pancreas Systems: Engineering the Algorithms. Diabetes Care 2014;37:1191–1197
Authors: Francis J. Doyle, Lauren M. Huyett, Joon Bok Lee, Howard C. Zisser, David Kerr, Eyal Dassau
Journal: Diabetes Care (2014)

Oliver et al. (1) raise an interesting point regarding the need to include patient-centered outcomes to guide the development of an artificial pancreas (AP). We agree completely that patient acceptance will be the final outcome measure that decides whether or not the AP will be adopted and thus achieve its full potential for health improvements in people with diabetes. In our review article (2), we focused on describing the technological advancements that have been …