tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Confirmation of association of <i>IL‐15</i> with pediatric asthma and comparison of different controls
Authors: S. Bierbaum, R. Nickel, S. Zitnik, I. Ahlert, S. Lau, K. A. Deichmann, U. Wahn, A. Heinzmann
Journal: Allergy (2006)

Background: Interleukin (IL)‐15 is an important mediator in chronic inflammatory diseases. Recently, we have described the association of IL‐15 haplotypes with bronchial asthma. Asthma genetics is highly complex – about every second candidate gene is not confirmed in consecutive studies. We were interested in whether association of asthma with IL‐15 holds in a second population. Furthermore, we sought to investigate the effect of different controls. Methods: Five IL‐15 polymorphisms were genotyped on the German Multicenter Allergy Study (MAS) cohort consisting of 886 children who were followed up from birth to 10 years of age. At 10 years of age, 96 were found to be asthmatic. MAS children who never had any wheezing symptoms ( n = 576), who were never diagnosed with asthma ( n = 790) and 129 super controls who had never had any atopic disorder were used as controls. Finally, 270 randomly chosen adults served as controls. Results: Association was confirmed with single polymorphism and haplotypes. The super controls showed the highest difference to the asthmatics regarding haplotype frequencies. However, the effect escaped statistical significance, most likely because of the small sample size. Conclusion: Association of IL‐15 with asthma was confirmed. Although super controls might be the most suitable, more numbers are needed. This might hamper the value of these controls especially when investigating common diseases.
VENEREAL PROPHYLAXIS: WHY IT SOMETIMES FAILS
Authors: R. A. BACHMANN
Journal: JAMA (1913)

Major F. F. Russell and Captain J. H. Nichols, Medical Corps, U.S.Army, recently undertook<sup>1</sup>to demonstrate the value of calomel ointment, alone and in combination with other antiseptics, as a prophylactic against gonorrhea. Their procedure consisted of injecting the ointment to be tested into the urethras of men suffering from acute gonorrhea after the discharges had been diagnosed as positive by stained smears and growths on ascites agar. The ointment was allowed to remain in the urethra, after injection, about fifteen minutes, then the mucous membrane was washed clean by urination and a drop of the residue expressed into the meatus. This drop was streaked over ascites agar, incubated and suspiciouslooking colonies examined with Gram's stain. Their first experiments were with the tube used in the army containing: Calomel... 25 parts Phenol... 3 parts Camphor...... 3 parts Lanolin... 25 parts Lard enough to make... 100 parts It proved effective in
Spinal Manipulation, Medication, or Home Exercise With Advice for Acute and Subacute Neck Pain
Authors: Gert Bronfort, Roni Evans, Alfred V. Anderson, Kenneth H. Svendsen, Yiscah Bracha, Richard H. Grimm
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2012)

Background: Mechanical neck pain is a common condition that affects an estimated 70% of persons at some point in their lives. Little research exists to guide the choice of therapy for acute and subacute neck pain. Objective: To determine the relative efficacy of spinal manipulation therapy (SMT), medication, and home exercise with advice (HEA) for acute and subacute neck pain in both the short and long term. Design: Randomized, controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00029770) Setting: 1 university research center and 1 pain management clinic in Minnesota. Participants: 272 persons aged 18 to 65 years who had nonspecific neck pain for 2 to 12 weeks. Intervention: 12 weeks of SMT, medication, or HEA. Measurements: The primary outcome was participant-rated pain, measured at 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after randomization. Secondary measures were self-reported disability, global improvement, medication use, satisfaction, general health status (Short Form-36 Health Survey physical and mental health scales), and adverse events. Blinded evaluation of neck motion was performed at 4 and 12 weeks. Results: For pain, SMT had a statistically significant advantage over medication after 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks (P ≤ 0.010), and HEA was superior to medication at 26 weeks (P = 0.02). No important differences in pain were found between SMT and HEA at any time point. Results for most of the secondary outcomes were similar to those of the primary outcome. Limitations: Participants and providers could not be blinded. No specific criteria for defining clinically important group differences were prespecified or available from the literature. Conclusion: For participants with acute and subacute neck pain, SMT was more effective than medication in both the short and long term. However, a few instructional sessions of HEA resulted in similar outcomes at most time points. Primary Funding Source: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
Chloracne in seven organic chemists exposed to novel polycyclic halogenated chemical compounds (triazoloquinoxalines)
Authors: D.J. Gawkrodger, G. Harris, R.A. Bojar
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2009)

Journal Article Chloracne in seven organic chemists exposed to novel polycyclic halogenated chemical compounds (triazoloquinoxalines) Get access D.J. Gawkrodger, D.J. Gawkrodger Department of Dermatology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, U.K. Correspondence: David Gawkrodger. E‐mail: david.gawkrodger@sth.nhs.uk Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar G. Harris, G. Harris Premier Occupational Healthcare, Shearway Business Park, Folkestone, Kent CT19 4RJ, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar R.A. Bojar R.A. Bojar Skin Research Centre, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 161, Issue 4, 1 October 2009, Pages 939–943, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09302.x Published: 01 October 2009
Plasma Renin Determination
Authors: Louis C. Johnston
Journal: JAMA (1975)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> I enjoyed the timely note of Victor Vertes that helpfully summarized the current clinical status of plasma renin determinations (230:1279, 1974). I believe a few clarifying or precautionary comments are in order. Minoxidil does not inhibit renin, but stimulates its release.<sup>1</sup> While renin assay has epochally expanded our understanding of hypertensive pathophysiology, its use as a risk marker of premature arteriopathy in human hypertension has been very seriously questioned and is unconfirmed by most recent studies.<sup>2</sup>A cautious and carefully controlled study,<sup>3</sup>based on earlier animal experimentation relating the triad of hyperreninism, hyperaldosteronism, and hypertension to unique severe angiopathy, led to nine clinical subgroupings based on renin vs aldosterone: high, low, or normal, and each with varying amounts of serious vascular disease. Any grouping, however, purporting a specific that is importantly related to hypertensive morbidity but found in a smaller percentage of blacks than
National Survey of Venereal Disease Treated by Physicians in 1968
Authors: William L. Fleming
Journal: JAMA (1970)

Private physicians in the United States were questioned regarding treatment of venereal disease in a three-month period of 1968. Of those queried, 134,633 physicians (65.3%) responded—43,720 (32.5% of responding physicians) indicated treatment of syphilis or gonorrhea in the period; 4,370 (3.2% of responding physicians) indicated treatment of 8,849 cases of infectious syphilis; 10,934 physicians had treated 22,022 cases of "other syphilis"; and 39,392 had treated 185,548 cases of gonorrhea. Comparison of survey indications of cases treated with cases reported in the period showed only 12% (18.7%) of infectious syphilis cases and 10.9% (16.9%) of gonorrhea cases had been reported if estimates for nonresponding physicians are included (or excluded). Syphilis and gonorrhea remain vastly underreported although the reporting of syphilis and gonorrhea has slightly improved since 1962.
MicroRNA-657 promotes tumorigenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting transducin-like enhancer protein 1 through nuclear factor kappa B pathways
Authors: Lisheng Zhang, Lixin Yang, Xiyong Liu, Wei Chen, Lufen Chang, Linling Chen, Sofia Loera, Peiguo Chu, Wei-Chien Huang, Yun-Ru Liu, Yun Yen
Journal: Hepatology (2012)

Growing evidence indicates that deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of miR-657 has been observed in several types of cancers, but its biological function is still largely unknown. Our results showed that miR-657 expression can be induced by hepatitis viral proteins and is significantly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. Moreover, introduction of miR-657 dramatically increases proliferation and colony formation of HCC cells in vitro and induces tumor development in immunodeficient mice. Further studies showed that miR-657 directly targets the transducin-like enhancer protein 1 (TLE1) 3′ untranslated region (UTR) and activates nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways that contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Conclusion : This study identified a mechanism whereby miRNA-657 contributed to HCC through novel cancer pathways and provides new insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of hepatic carcinogenesis.
Biological markers of intermediate outcomes in studies of indoor air and other complex mixtures.
Authors: T C Wilcosky
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1993)

Biological markers of intermediate health outcomes sometimes provide a superior alternative to traditional measures of pollutant-related disease. Some opportunities and methodologic issues associated with using markers are discussed in the context of exposures to four complex mixtures: environmental tobacco smoke and nitrogen dioxide, acid aerosols and oxidant outdoor pollution, environmental tobacco smoke and radon, and volatile organic compounds. For markers of intermediate health outcomes, the most important property is the positive predictive value for clinical outcomes of interest. Unless the marker has a known relationship with disease, a marker response conveys no information about disease risk. Most markers are nonspecific in that various exposures cause the same marker response. Although nonspecificity can be an asset in studies of complex mixtures, it leads to problems with confounding and dilution of exposure-response associations in the presence of other exposures. The timing of a marker's measurement in relation to the occurrence of exposure influences the ability to detect a response; measurements made too early or too late may underestimate the response's magnitude. Noninvasive markers, such as those measured in urine, blood, or nasal lavage fluid, are generally more useful for field studies than are invasive markers. However, invasive markers, such as those measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or lung specimens from autopsies, provide the most direct evidence of pulmonary damage from exposure to air pollutants. Unfortunately, the lack of basic information about marker properties (e.g., sensitivity, variability, statistical link with disease) currently precludes the effective use of most markers in studies of complex mixtures.
Dimerizer regulation of AADC expression and behavioral response in AAV-transduced 6-OHDA lesioned rats
Authors: Laura M. Sanftner, Victor M. Rivera, Brian M. Suzuki, Lan Feng, Lori Berk, Shangzhen Zhou, John R. Forsayeth, Tim Clackson, Janet Cunningham
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2005)

Recombinant AAV vectors containing a dimerizer-inducible system of transcriptional activation provide a strategy for control of therapeutic gene expression in the CNS. Here we explored this system for regulated expression of human aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (hAADC) in a rodent model of Parkinson disease. Expression of hAADC, the enzyme that converts l-dopa to dopamine, was dependent on reconstitution of a functional transcription factor (TF) by the dimerizer rapamycin. Two vectors, AAV-CMV-TF and AAV-Z12-hAADC, were infused into striata of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Rapamycin-induced increases in expression of hAADC repeatedly produced robust rotational behavior in response to low doses of l-dopa. Seven weeks after vector infusion, AADC expression in brain was quantitated by both stereology and Western blot analysis following the final rapamycin treatment. While a low level of hAADC was observed in rats that were not induced with rapamycin, this basal expression was not significant enough to elicit a rotational response to l-dopa. This study demonstrated a robust behavioral response of parkinsonian rats to regulated hAADC expression. Recombinant AAV vectors controlled by rapamycin or its analogs show promise as candidates for CNS therapies in which regulation of the transgene is desired.
RAPID CLINICAL TEST FOR DIPHTHERIA FOUND UNRELIABLE
Authors: David Barr
Journal: JAMA (1941)

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> InThe Journal, Aug. 19, 1939, page 675, appeared a short article by Wayne W. Fox and others on their experience with a rapid clinical test for diphtheria. In this article it was stated that this simple and rapid test, when negative, might offer sufficient reason for withholding therapeutic antitoxin until the cultures could be reported. Recently Dr. Howard Bierman and Dr. Richard Maxwell gathered data at the St. Louis Isolation Hospital which indicated that negative results from this test could not be relied on. Their experience was more extensive than that of Fox and his associates. Since it is well known that the effectiveness of diphtheria antitoxin depends largely on the promptness with which it is given, it seems to me most unfortunate that the experience of Fox and his associates should remain unchallenged if there is any doubt at all about the reliability of the
Residential Tetrachloroethylene Exposure: Response
Authors: H. Kenneth Hudnell, Judith S. Schreiber
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2004)

Are Maternal Thyroid Autoantibodies Generated by PCBs the Missing Link to Impaired Development of the Brain?In her interesting review addressing endocrine disruption and the developing brain, Colborn (2004) asked rightly for special attention to the role of a disruption of thyroid hormones and thyroid hormone metabolism, which negatively influence early development of the fetal brain.As mechanisms of action, chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were discussed in a dose-related way; the higher the exposure level of the mother, the more problems of brain development will be found in the baby (Colborn 2004).However, this is not always true.Patandin et al. (1999) found a four-point decline in IQ at 4 years of age in relation to maternal PCB levels in the Netherlands.In a followup study of Faroese children at 7 years of age, Grandjean et al. (1997) found no relation of PCBs with cognitive impairment; the levels of PCBs were almost 4 times higher in the Faroese population than in the Dutch population (Longnecker et al. 2003).One explanation of the missing link might be that effects of PCBs are not directly toxic but instead are toxic through immunomodulatory mechanisms in the mother.In a comment on the impact of maternal PCB and dioxin exposure on the neonate's thyroid hormone status, Vulsma (2000) noted that PCBs affect the generation of autoantibodies against thyroid tissue [e.g., thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab)].In a study in Slovakia, Langer et al. (1998) described an increase in TPO-Ab in relation to PCB exposure.These antibodies do pass through the placenta.An important risk factor for impaired infant development is a low free thyroxine (fT 4 ) concentration in early pregnancy; particularly at risk are the mothers with low fT 4 and high TPO-Ab titers.These antibodies are found in 10% of (euthyroid) women at 12 weeks' gestation in the Netherlands (Pop et al. 1995(Pop et al. , 1999)).To my knowledge, none of the studies on effects of PCBs in human pregnancy have reported data on maternal TPO-Ab titers.If the findings reported by Colborn (2004) can be explained by autoimmune processes that cause low fT 4 in the mother and negatively affect her developing baby, then it seems more logical that prenatal PCB exposure is related to developmental impairment instead of the amount of PCBs transferred by breast milk after birth.I agree with Colborn ( 2004) that all women who plan to become pregnant should be evaluated for thyroid hormone status.
Human immunodeficiency virus infection of helper T cell clones. Early proliferative defects despite intact antigen-specific recognition and interleukin 4 secretion.
Authors: J Laurence, S M Friedman, E K Chartash, M K Crow, D N Posnett
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1989)

HIV selectively inhibited the proliferative response of clonal CD4+ T lymphocytes to alloantigen while other alloantigen-dependent responses were unperturbed. Specifically, impaired blastogenesis could be dissociated from alloantigen-specific induction of the B cell activation molecule CD23, IL-4 release, and inositol lipid hydrolysis. In addition, membrane expression of pertinent T cell receptor molecules, including CD2, CD3, and T cell antigen receptor (Ti), remained intact. Using two MHC class II-specific human CD4+ helper T cell clones, the proliferative defect was shown to be an early consequence of HIV infection, occurring within 4 d of viral inoculation and preceding increases in mature virion production. It was generalizable to three distinct methods of T cell activation, all independent of antigen-presenting cells: anti-CD3 mediated cross-linking of the CD3/Ti complex; anti-CD2 and phorbol 12-myristic 13-acetate (PMA); and anti-CD28 plus PMA. These abnormalities were not mitigated by addition of exogenous IL-2, even though expression of the IL-2 receptor (CD25) was unaltered. These studies define a selective blockade in T cell function early after HIV exposure that could serve as a model for certain in vivo manifestations of AIDS.
Treatment of Myxedema-Associated Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Larry A. Osborn
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1993)

Letters15 July 1993Treatment of Myxedema-Associated Cardiogenic ShockLarry A. Osborn, MD and R. Phillip Eaton, MDLarry A. Osborn, MDSearch for more papers by this author and R. Phillip Eaton, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-119-2-199307150-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Drs. Mantzoros and Ravi suggest the possibility of a beneficial response to thyroxine rather than to intravenous triiodothyronine. The following observations argue against any significant therapeutic contribution from the thyroxine: After 7 days of thyroxine therapy, the patient had hemodynamic measurements indicating cardiogenic shock; on day 8, both serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels were still abnormally low; and . since T3 (triiodothyronine) has approximately three times the metabolic potency of T4 (thyroxine), virtually all of the metabolic action of T4 can be ascribed to the action of the T3 that it gives rise to [1]. We believe thyroxine ...References1. Wartofsky L, Ingbar SH. Diseases of the thyroid. In: Wilson JD, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Twelfth edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.; 1991:1692. Google Scholar2. Daniels GH, Martin JB. Neuroendocrine regulation and diseases of the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus. In: Wilson JD, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Twelfth edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.; 1991:1655. Google Scholar3. Klein I. Thyroid hormone and high blood pressure. In: Laragh JH, Brenner BM, Kaplan NM, eds. Endocrine Mechanisms in Hypertension. New York: Raven Press; 1989:61. Google Scholar4. MacKinnon R, Gwathmey JK, Allen PD, Briggs GM, Morgan J. Modulation by the thyroid state of intracellular calcium and contractility in ferret ventricular muscle. Circ Res. 1988; 63:1080-9. Google Scholar5. Gustafson TA, Markham BE, Morkin E. Effects of thyroid hormone on -actin and myosin heavy chain gene expression in cardiac and skeletal muscles of the rat: measurement of mRNA content using synthetic oligonucleotide probes. Circ Res. 1986; 59:194-201. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 15 July 1993Volume 119, Issue 2Page: 168-169KeywordsHeart failureHormone replacement therapyHypothyroidismProlactinReflexesShockSystemic vascular resistanceThyroid hormonesThyroxineTriiodothyronine ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 July 1993 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1993 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
233 Increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
Authors: R. Banares, M. Escudero, O. Nunez-Martinez, C. Fernandez, J. Vaquero, I. Beceiro, G. Clemente, L. Santos, A. Echenagusia
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2004)
Antiviral therapy preceding liver transplantation in HCV cirrhosis – Still too many doubts
Authors: Mariusz Niemczyk, Marek Krawczyk, Leszek Pączek
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)

Carrion et al. [[1]Carrion J.A. Martinez-Bauer E. Crespo G. Ramirez S. Perez-del-Pulgar S. Garcia-Valdecasas J.C. et al.Antiviral therapy increases the risk of bacterial infections in HCV-infected cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation: a case-control study.J Hepatol. 2009; 50: 719-728Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (168) Google Scholar] suggested that antiviral therapy in patients with HCV cirrhosis before liver transplantation was quite successful in terms of virological response, and may prevent a recurrence of HCV infection in the graft. However, it should be underlined that the authors used only surrogate endpoints. The main hard endpoint, which is death of the patient, was omitted in the discussion. On the intention-to-treat basis, in the treated group the pre-transplant mortality was fourfold higher compared to the untreated group (4 vs. 1). The lack of statistical significance is secondary to the small number of patients in both groups, but who can state it would still be observed if the groups were more numerous? Additionally, it should be mentioned that 4 other patients in the treated group were excluded from the waiting list, which means that they most probably also died, compared to none in the untreated group. Moreover, antiviral treatment prior to liver transplantation in the HCV-infected patients was previously reported to be connected to more frequent and earlier recurrence in the transplant, and with increased post-transplant mortality, compared to the untreated group [[2]Smallwood G. Fasola C. Stieber A. Heffron T. Does interferon use prior to liver transplant influence hepatitis C outcomes following transplantation?.Transplantation. 2008; 86: S63-S64Crossref PubMed Google Scholar]. Therefore, in our opinion, the risk of pre-transplant anti-HCV therapy in cirrhotic patients is not limited to bacterial infections and myelotoxicity, but is much more complex. In summary, liver transplantation is a life-saving procedure and mortality, as the hard endpoint, should never be omitted in such analyses. The randomized clinical studies including large number of patients and long-term post-transplant follow-up should be performed to enable valuable conclusions concerning efficacy and safety of antiviral therapy preceding liver transplantation in HCV cirrhotic patients.