tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B virus X protein is essential for the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hepatoma cells
Authors: Man-Young Cha, Chang-Myeong Kim, Young-Min Park, Wang-Shick Ryu
Journal: Hepatology (2004)

Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributes to diverse cellular functions, such as Drosophila wing development and colon carcinogenesis. Recently, stabilizing mutations of β-catenin, a hallmark of Wnt signaling, were documented in significant numbers of primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). However, whether the β-catenin mutation leads to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hepatoma cells has not been established. We found that Wnt/β-catenin signaling could be activated by ectopic expression of Wnt-1 in some hepatoma cells, such as Hep3B and PLC/PRF/5 cells, but not in others, such as Huh7 and Chang cells. Importantly, we noted that the former were derived from hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected livers, whereas the latter were derived from HBV-negative livers. It was then speculated that HBx, a viral regulatory protein of HBV, is involved in activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hepatoma cells. In agreement with this notion, ectopic expression of HBx along with Wnt-1 activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in Huh7 cells by stabilizing cytoplasmic β-catenin. Further, we showed that such stabilization of β-catenin by HBx was achieved by suppressing glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity via the activation of Src kinase. In conclusion , the data suggest that Wnt-1 is necessary but insufficient to activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hepatoma cells and the enhanced stabilization of β-catenin by HBx, in addition to Wnt-1, is essential for the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hepatoma cells. (Hepatology 2004;39:1683-1693.)
Thyrotoxicosis in the African: Clinical and Immunological Observations
Authors: P. E. McGill
Journal: BMJ (1971)

The clinical manifestations of thyrotoxicosis are described in 20 African patients with toxic diffuse goitre (Graves's disease) and five with toxic nodular goitre. Antibody to thyroglubulin was detected in the serum of one patient and antibody to thyroid microsomes in four patients. Round-cell infiltration of the thyroid gland was present in 27% of 30 African thyrotoxic patients and 73% of appropriately matched Caucasian patients. It is suggested that the low incidence of thyrotoxicosis in the African race is related to an inability to form thyroid autoantibodies.
Four Haemoglobins in One Individual
Authors: A. B. Raper, D. B. Gammack, E. R. Huehns, E. M. Shooter
Journal: BMJ (1960)

MEDICAL JOURNALbile-ducts were found at operation, but subsequently the jaundice cleared and the babies recovered.Otherwise the only course open is a minute examination of the anatomy from the portal fissure down to the duodenum through an adequate incision in the hope that a sufficiently dilated piece of hepatic or common duct may be discovered that can be anastomosed to the intestine.If the block is below the entry of the cystic duct and the end of the common duct is very small, the gall- bladder itself can be used, and this is of course technically much easier.If the ducts appear tiny and fibrous, it is worth trying to distend them by injecting through the gall-bladder, if it is present, either saline or methylene blue.Alternatively, diodone may be used and radiographs taken on the table.Such a procedure would obviously be that of choice in those cases with tiny ducts blocked with solid material which can be washed through.Summary Four cases of congenital atresia of the bile-ducts are described in which operation for relief of obstruction was attempted, with a successful outcome in one.Microscopical examination of the liver before and three years after operation in the successful case showed complete recovery, with regeneration of damaged liver regions, restoration of biliary flow, and removal of fibrous bands that had begun to grow around the liver lobules.The clinical and pathological changes produced by congenital atresia are discussed in terms of embryology, and suggestions are put forward for a rational treatment of the condition.We are grateful to Dr.
Abstract 3844: A novel sorafenib-derivative SC-1 induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells through STAT3 inhibition
Authors: Chun-Yu Liu, Ling-Ming Tseng, Kung-Chi Chang, Chung-Wai Shiau, Jung-Chen Su, Kuen-Feng Chen
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Background: STAT3 has emerged as a novel potential anti-cancer target and its signaling is constitutively activated in various cancers including breast cancer. Our previous study has shown that STAT3 is a major kinase-independent target of sorafenib in HCC. (J Hepatol. 2011). We have designed and synthesized a series of sorafenib analogues devoid of sorafenib's kinase inhibition activity, some of which showed stronger p-STAT3 inhibition and apoptosis-inducing effects than sorafenib in HCC cells (Eur J Med Chem. 2011). Here, we tested the efficacy of our previously published sorafenib derivative, SC-1, in breast cancer cells and examined the drug mechanism. Methods: breast cancer cell lines were used for in vitro studies. Apoptosis was examined by both flow cytometry and Western blot. Signal transduction pathways in cells were assessed by Western Blot. Tyrosine Phosphatase Assay Kit was used for SHP-1 activity assay. Gene silencing was done by small interference RNA (siRNA). In vivo efficacy of Sorafenib, and SC-1 were tested in xenografted nude mice. Results: Sorafenib, and SC-1 induced apoptosis in association with down-regulation of P-STAT3 and its downstream proteins Cyclin D1 and survivin in a dose-dependent manner in breast cancer cell lines (HCC-1937, MDA MB-468, MDA MB-231, MDA MB-453, SKBR-3, MCF-7) and the apoptotic effects induced by SC-1 were more potent than Sorafenib. Over-expression of STAT3 in MDA MB-468 cells protected cells from apoptosis induced by sorafenib and SC-1. Moreover, SC-1 up-regulated higher SHP-1 activity than sorafenib by in vitro phosphatase assays. Knockdown of SHP-1, but not SHP-2 or PTP-1B, by siRNA reduced apoptosis induced by SC-1. Importantly, SC-1 showed in vivo efficacy in MDA-468 xenografted tumor. These data indicated that inhibiton of P-STAT3 by up-regulating SHP-1 activity mediated apoptotic effects of sorafenib and SC-1 in breast cancer cells. Conclusions: novel sorafenib-derivative SC-1 induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells through SHP-1 dependent p-STAT3 inhibition. (Supported by NSC100-2325-B-002-036, NSC98-2320-B-010-005-My3 and NSC-100-2325-B-010-007, VGHTPE V100D-005-4, 101DHA0100318, and 101DHA0100230.) Keyword: Sorafenib, breast cancer, STAT3, SHP-1, apoptosis Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3844. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3844
Systematic comparison of conventional oesophageal manometry with oesophageal motility while eating bread.
Authors: P J Howard, L Maher, A Pryde, R C Heading
Journal: Gut (1991)

Conventional oesophageal manometry is seldom accompanied by symptoms and may indeed be normal in patients with a history of dysphagia. We have recently shown that oesophageal manometry during eating may be helpful in the evaluation of patients with dysphagia but there has been little systematic comparison of fed oesophageal motor patterns with conventional clinical manometry. Oesophageal manometry in response to water swallows and during eating was therefore examined in 58 consecutive patients who had been referred for clinical oesophageal function studies. The patients were divided into three groups according to the percentage of peristaltic activity during conventional manometry: group 1 (n = 21) had 100% peristalsis; group 2 (n = 29) had 1-99% peristalsis and group 3 (n = 8) were aperistaltic. All the patients in group 3 had achalasia and remained aperistaltic during eating, however, was less than with water swallows in both group 1 (53% compared with 100%) and group 2 (49% compared with 82.3%) patients. Synchronous contractions and non-conducted swallows were correspondingly increased during eating. Although there was a significant correlation between the amplitude of peristaltic contractions with water and bread in groups 1 and 2, mean peristaltic amplitudes were less with bread than with water swallows. The data show that there are substantial differences in the distal oesophageal motility patterns produced by water swallows and by eating. Conventional manometry with water swallows does not allow prediction of the fed oesophageal motility pattern, except in patients with achalasia.
Inhibitory effect of inhalation of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor on bronchoconstriction induced by aerosolized leukotriene C<sub>4</sub> and thromboxane A<sub>2</sub> analogue in anesthetized guinea pigs
Authors: M. Fujimura, H. Ogawa, M. Saito, S. Sakamoto, Y. Miyake, T. Matsuda
Journal: Allergy (1991)

Effect of aerosol administration of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (OKY‐046) on bronchoconstriction induced by aerosol leukotriene C 4 , histamine and a thromboxane A 2 analogue (STA 2 ) was studied In anesthetized, artificially ventilated guinea pigs in order to evaluate the effectiveness of inhalation of OKY‐046 on an unfavorable mechanism of secondary release of thromboxane A 2 0.01‐1.0 μg/ml leukotriene C 4 , 25‐400 μg/ml histamine and 0.033‐1.0 μg/ml STA2 inhaled from an ultrasonic nebulizer developed for small animals caused a dose‐dependent increase of pressure at the airway opening (Pao), which is considered to be an index representing bronchial response. Pretreatment of the animals with aerosol OKY‐046 (0.035 and 0.35 mg/animal) significantly reduced the airway responses produced by inhalation of leukotriene C 4 and STA 2 , in a dose‐dependent manner, while the pretreatment did not affect the histamine dose‐response curve. These findings suggest that aerosol leukotriene C 4 and STA 2 activate thromboxane synthesis in the airway, and inhalation of OKY‐046 may be useful for preventing the secondary release of thromboxane A 2 , which is an unfavorable mechanism in asthma.
Thomas comes home
Authors: D. Stevens
Journal: BMJ (1998)

The front door had been left open and we walked straight in. Thomas's mother and father were there with their closest friends and family. A space was left for Thomas. His favourite Thomas the Tank Engine pillow and duvet were laid out on the sofa. We were there to welcome Thomas home and to say goodbye.

Thomas had been taken ill a year ago at the age of 4. His brain tumour was extensive and could not be removed surgically. He underwent a tough chemotherapy regimen, which had some effect on the residual tumour but it bought him only a precious year. That year was one in which there were lots of hospital visits but it was also one in which he continued to play with his friends, had a lot of fun and laughter, enjoyed looking after his pet guinea pig and rabbit, and took the huge leap from age 4 to 5.

When his symptoms recurred the scan showed further extension of the tumour. Faced with no prospect of cure, his parents talked to Thomas's neuro-oncologist and to …
Practice in prescribing emergency contraceptives in A and E departments varies
Authors: B Nathan, G Evans, J McKeever
Journal: BMJ (1998)

Editor—The management of patients who present to accident and emergency departments requiring emergency contraception remains controversial and inconsistent. From a total of 400 consultants in accident and emergency medicine in the United Kingdom we randomly selected 130 and sent a questionnaire about prescription of the emergency contraceptive pill. Altogether 102 consultants …
Interaction of Chronic Daily Warfarin Therapy and Rifampin
Authors: ROBERT A. O'REILLY
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1975)

To evaluate the interaction between the antibiotic rifampin and the anticoagulant warfarin during chronic therapy, eight normal subjects were given daily doses of warfarin for 21 days to achieve therapeutic hypoprothrombinemia. Daily blood samples were analyzed for one-stage prothrombin activity and for warfarin content spectrophotometrically and chromatographically. One month later, the same warfarin dose was repeated plus rifampin, 600 mg a day orally. For the last 10 days of every experiment, there was a highly significant lessening of both the hypoprothrombinemic effect (P < 0.001) and the blood levels of warfarin (P < 0.001). No significant difference in the warfarin levels was found between the spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. It is concluded that rifampin markedly decreases the hypoprothrombinemic effect of warfarin during long-term therapy by enhancing its elimination from plasma. This conclusion was reinforced by finding increased amounts of warfarin metabolites in urine and stool.
BMA issues new guidance on surrogacy
Authors: N. Craft
Journal: BMJ (1996)

<sup>18</sup>F-FDG PET is an important tool for the presurgical assessment of children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Standard assessment is performed visually and is often subjective and highly user-dependent. Voxelwise statistics can be used to remove user-dependent biases by automatically identifying areas of significant hypo- or hypermetabolism associated with the epileptogenic area. In the clinical setting, this analysis is performed using commercially available software. These software packages suffer from two main limitations when applied to pediatric PET data: pediatric scans are spatially normalized to an adult standard template, and statistical comparisons use an adult control dataset. The aim of this work was to provide a reliable observer-independent pipeline for the analysis of pediatric <sup>18</sup>F-FDG PET scans, as part of presurgical planning in epilepsy. <b>Methods:</b> A pseudocontrol dataset (19 subjects 6–9 y old, and 93 subjects 10–20 y old) was used to create two age-specific <sup>18</sup>F-FDG PET pediatric templates in standard pediatric space. The <sup>18</sup>F-FDG PET scans of 46 epilepsy patients (16 patients 6–9 y old, and 30 patients 10–17 y old) were retrospectively collated and analyzed using voxelwise statistics. This procedure was implemented with the standard pipeline available in the commercial software Scenium and an in-house Statistical Parametric Mapping, version 8 (SPM8), pipeline (including age-specific pediatric templates and reference database). A κ-test was used to assess the level of agreement between the findings of voxelwise analyses and the clinical diagnosis of each patient. The SPM8 pipeline was further validated using postsurgical seizure-free patients. <b>Results:</b> Improved agreement with the clinical diagnosis was reported using SPM8, in terms of focus localization, especially for the younger patient group: κ = 0.489 for Scenium versus 0.826 for SPM. The proposed pipeline also showed a sensitivity of about 70% in both age ranges for the localization of hypometabolic areas on pediatric <sup>18</sup>F-FDG PET scans in postsurgical seizure-free patients. <b>Conclusion:</b> We showed that by creating age-specific templates and using pediatric control databases, our pipeline provides an accurate and sensitive semiquantitative method for assessing the <sup>18</sup>F-FDG PET scans of patients under 18 y old.
Protection against atherogenesis with the polymer drag-reducing agent Separan AP-30.
Authors: F I Faruqui, M D Otten, P I Polimeni
Journal: Circulation (1987)

The inhibitory effect of Separan AP-30, an anionic polyacrylamide, on atherosclerotic plaque formation in aortas of rabbits on a high (2%) cholesterol diet was tested over a period extending from 37 to 170 days. Atherogenesis was quantified morphometrically by application of a computer-assisted image analysis of histologic cross sections of the aorta. The area of vessel wall-atheroma interface, fraction of lumen occluded, and other indexes of atherogenesis were measured in each of 26 segments of aorta excised from the animals, half of which were administered injections (intravenous) of Separan three times a week. Regression analysis of the morphometric data indicates that the polyelectrolyte exerts a powerful antiatherogenic effect in all regions of the aorta, inhibiting the formation of plaque mass to less than half in the aortic arch and about one-fifth in the descending aorta as compared with the aortic plaque masses in untreated rabbits. Results are compatible with the suggestion that a novel hemodynamic principle in vivo, polymer drag reduction, might be effectively applied against atherosclerosis.
A Call to Action — Measuring the Quality of Colonoscopy
Authors: David Lieberman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2006)

Several years ago I visited the Ming Tombs near Beijing. The Ming emperors were buried in elaborate structures, hidden away in the hills to prevent looting. Bricks were embedded with the signature of the brick maker. My guide told me that if the brick collapsed during the life of the brick maker, he would be beheaded. Needless to say, the tombs still survive, many centuries later.This variation on pay for performance (i.e., death for poor performance) highlights issues of quality. In medicine, focusing attention on quality improvement has given rise to systems for measuring quality, including the Health Plan . . .
Semiautomated Quantification of Aortic Annulus Dimensions on Cardiac CT for TAVR
Authors: Philipp Blanke, Eva Maria Spira, Razvan Ionasec, Felix G. Meinel, Ullrich Ebersberger, Michael Scheuering, Christian Canstein, Thomas G. Flohr, Mathias Langer, U. Joseph Schoepf
Journal: JACC. Cardiovascular imaging (2014)
Neonatal Meningococcal Meningitis
Authors: Monica J. Schaberg
Journal: JAMA (1977)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> Jones et al reported a case of fatal<i>Neisseria meningitidis</i>meningitis in a 2-week-old female infant associated with colonization of the mother's cervix (at 36 weeks' gestation) and throat (postpartum) with the same organism (236:2652, 1976). There has been a report of a similar association by Sunderland et al,<sup>1</sup>who described the fatal occurrence of group C<i>N meningitidis</i>meningitis in a 2-day-old infant girl born to a mother from whom the same organism was isolated postpartum in the pharynx and lochia. The expression "delayed-onset meningitis" has been used to describe certain cases of later neonatal infection caused by group B<i>Streptococcus</i>(230: 1158, 1974; 230:1177, 1974). This term implies the difficulty in ascertaining the mode of transmission of the organism to the neonate. The age at onset of illness in the patient described by Jones and colleagues leaves open to question which of the sites
Ascitic fluid pH and lactate: Insensitive and nonspecific tests in detecting ascitic fluid infection
Authors: Bruce A. Runyon, Mainor R. Antillon
Journal: Hepatology (1991)

Ascitic fluid pH and lactate concentration have been proposed as useful tests for the detection of ascitic fluid infection. However, past studies involved small numbers of infected patients, and all did not use optimal culture techniques. This large study was performed using highly sensitive culture methods and sought (a) to compare the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of pH and lactate to that of the ascitic fluid neutrophil count and (b) to determine whether evaluation of ascitic fluid pH or lactate (or arterial-ascitic fluid pH or lactate gradient) would result in improved decision-making regarding empirical treatment of suspected ascitic fluid infection. Analysis of 206 ascitic fluid specimens obtained in 175 patients, including 101 infected specimens, revealed that ascitic fluid (or arterial-ascitic fluid) pH and lactate were less than 50% sensitive in detecting bacterial peritonitis and that these tests did not improve clinical decision-making about empirical treatment of suspected ascitic fluid infection. Although statistically significant differences in ascitic fluid pH were detected between infected samples and control samples, these differences did not appear to be clinically helpful. The ascitic fluid pH was 0% sensitive in detecting the presence of bacteria in the absence of neutrophils (i.e., no such specimens had a pH lower than 7.35). Ascitic fluid pH correlated well with neutrophil count and appears to be, at least in part, an indirect measure of the presence of neutrophils in ascitic fluid. Measurement of pH or lactate (or arterial-ascitic fluid gradients) is not helpful in the clinical management of infected ascitic fluid.
HFEA canvasses on whether to increase compensation to egg and sperm donors
Authors: C. Dyer
Journal: BMJ (2011)

Compensation paid to egg and sperm donors in the United Kingdom could be increased to include a payment for inconvenience, in a bid to tackle an acute shortage of donated gametes.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates infertility treatment, raises the possibility in a review of its policies on egg and sperm donation launched on 17 January.

European law bans payment for donated gametes but allows donors to be compensated for expenses, loss of earnings, and inconvenience. Current HFEA rules allow egg donors to be reimbursed for loss of earnings and expenses, such as travel costs, up to a maximum of £250 …
Epidemiology of aortic aneurysm and peripheral vascular disease may show ethnic differences
Authors: G. Y H Lip, D G. Beevers
Journal: BMJ (1996)

Table 1-Number of laboratories (n = 103) making tests for H pyloni available to gastroenterologists, other hospital doctors, and general practitioners (GPs) Other hospital Test Gastroenterologists doctors GPs Urea breath test only (13C or 14C, or both) 7 4 4 Urea breath test and serum assay 14 4 1 Serum assay only 53 57 59* Near patient test only 1 1 1 Total offering service 75 66 65 No service offered 28 37 38 *Two further laboratories offered serum tests to fundholding GPs only.all.Fourteen planned to introduce a noninvasive test within the next 12 months, though six would be restricting this service to hospital doctors.Many of the guidelines on managing dyspepsia that emanate from secondary care advise that the success of eradication treatment should be confirmed by a laboratory test.However, the urea breath test, which is most suitable for this, was provided to gastroenterologists by only 20% ofthe laboratories and to general practitioners by only 8%.Some gastroenterology units have their own facilities for urea breath tests and make these available to general practitioners on an ad hoc basis.Near patient testing kits can also be bought by general practitioners.These alternative sources are unlikely to have an appreciable impact on the overall availability to general prac- titioners of tests for Hpylori.The restricted availability of non-invasive tests for H pylori limits both the effective use of gastroscopy services and the implementation of management guidelines for peptic ulcer disease.These tests, particularly urea breath tests, should be more widely available, and they should be as accessible to general practitioners, who manage 90% of peptic ulcer disease, as they are to gastroenterologists.
FAVUS OF THE GLABROUS SKIN
Authors: NORMAN PAUL
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1936)

Journal Article FAVUS OF THE GLABROUS SKIN Get access NORMAN PAUL NORMAN PAUL Sydney, Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology and Syphilis, Volume 48, Issue 5, 1 May 1936, Pages 247–248, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1936.tb10336.x Published: 01 May 1936
The MRCGP examination and accident and emergency departments
Authors: A. R Potter
Journal: BMJ (1983)

SIR,-We have recently completed a survey of chronic leg ulcers in the Lothian and Forth Valley areas.We have identified 1690 patients with this condition, of whom 68 O were being managed entirely in the community by district nurses and general practitioners.We shall be reporting this study shortly.Our purpose in writing at this early stage is to express our concern that the survey has engendered with regard to serious inadequacies in the Drug