tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The impact of ischemic heart disease on main pulmonary artery blood flow patterns: a comparison between magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping and transesophageal color Doppler
Authors: Erik Sloth, Mary Kruse, Kim C Houlind, Erik M Pedersen, J.Michael Hasenkam
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1997)

Objective: To give a detailed evaluation on main pulmonary artery blood velocity patterns, in patients with ischemic heart disease and to provide recommendations for pulsed Doppler sample volume placement, in order to optimize cardiac output estimation. Methods: Using magnetic resonance phase and esophageal color Doppler velocity mapping in 12 patients with ischemic heart disease and undergoing coronary artery by-pass grafting, very similar data on pulmonary artery blood velocity patterns were provided for comparison with each other. Results: Peak blood velocities were located in the inferior half of the main pulmonary artery cross-sectional area. Early after peak systole the highest velocities shifted towards the superior/left (major curvature) with a simultaneous decrease in velocities inferiorly. The velocity decrease further evolved into retrograde flow to the inferior/right (minor curvature). This feature was significantly enhanced compared to earlier findings in healthy volunteers. The mean temporal blood velocity profiles were asymmetrically skewed, thereby giving unreliable cardiac output estimates based on single point Doppler blood velocity recordings. The error incurred may amount to more than 100% in extreme cases. According to our data, optimal assessment of cardiac output should be based on multiple sample volumes placed along the inferior/right to superior/left diameter. Conclusions: MR-phase velocity mapping and multiplane transesophageal color Doppler recordings provided similar blood velocity patterns in patients with ischemic heart disease. The skewness of the mean temporal blood velocity profile is enhanced compared with healthy subjects, resulting in error in the assessment of CO by means of pulsed Doppler echocardiography. By using multiple Doppler sample volumes, the error can be minimized.
SEROLOGICAL REACTIONS WITH SIMPLE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS (PRECIPITIN REACTIONS)
Authors: K. Landsteiner, J. van der Scheer
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1932)

Experiments are described demonstrating the precipitation of azodyes by immune sera prepared by the injection of azoproteins containing the same azo component. These precipitin reactions prove conclusively the view already advanced on the basis of inhibition reactions that antibodies combine specifically with substances of small molecular weight. Although in this respect both phenomena have the same significance, the precipitin reactions with dyes are simpler in that the aid of a protein antigen is eliminated. That specific serological precipitin reactions can take place with substances other than proteins has been amply demonstrated by studies on bacterial antigens (14) (polysaccharides (15)). The present findings show that for the precipitation with immune sera not even a high molecular weight of the reactive substance is required. Factors determining the tendency to separate out from the liquid upon combination with antibody seem to be the colloidal state of the solution and the chemical composition of the substance. With regard to the influence of chemical composition, a striking example is provided by the suberic acid dye which gives particularly strong precipitin reactions, most probably on account of its long aliphatic side chains. The results reported may be of use for studies on the mechanism of serological precipitation.
A common environmental pollutant, 4‐nonylphenol, promotes allergic lung inflammation in a murine model of asthma
Authors: J. L. Suen, S. H. Hsu, C. H. Hung, Y. S. Chao, C. L. Lee, C. Y. Lin, T. H. Weng, H. S. Yu, S. K. Huang
Journal: Allergy (2013)

Exposure to environmental hormones, such as alkylphenols, has been suggested to be associated with the development of asthma, but the mechanism of action remains unclear.This study examined the effect of 4-nonylphenol (NP), one of the most important alkylphenols, on conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and adaptive T-cell responses. It also explored the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in NP's effect.NP-conditioned bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) and splenic CD11c(+) cDCs were assessed regarding function in a murine model under conditions relevant to route and level of exposure in humans.Our results showed that splenic cDCs from NP-exposed mice have potent Th2-skewing ability and secrete increased levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, but not IL-10 and IL-12, at baseline and after stimulation with LPS. Further, bone marrow-derived DCs were cultured in the presence of NP and showed similar cytokine pattern and influenced the antigen-specific T cells secreting significantly less IFN-γ. Importantly, NP-exposed mice developed more severe OVA-induced allergic lung inflammation compared with control group. Interestingly, in a congenic strain of mice carrying low-affinity, ligand-binding mutant AhR (AhR(d) ), NP's effect on DC functions and lung inflammation was not observed in vitro and in vivo.These results suggested that NP may disturb physiologic function of DCs through, in part, AhR-dependent mechanisms, supporting the importance of NP exposure on the regulation of DC functions and allergic inflammation.
CARCINOMA OF THE JEJUNUM AND OF THE ILEUM
Authors: J. SHELTON HORSLEY
Journal: JAMA (1941)

Carcinoma of the small bowel is often considered extremely rare. Though it is not common it is more frequent than is usually supposed. Sarcoma, however, is found more often in the lower part of the ileum than in the large bowel. Cancer of the ampulla of Vater and its adjoining tissue increases the incidence of carcinoma of the duodenum.  Three types of carcinoma of the jejunum and of the ileum may be considered: (1) the most common, adenocarcinoma; (2) carcinoid, or argentaffin tumor, and (3) melanocarcinoma.  The paper by Rankin and Mayo 1 in 1930, a later paper by Rankin and Newell 2 in 1933 and Raiford's 3 articles on tumors of the small intestine in 1931 and 1932 were thorough and interesting. They included reports on tumors of the small bowel occurring almost to the time of publication of the reports. Few cases have been added to the literature
Impact of Prosthesis–Patient Size on Functional Recovery After Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Colleen Gorman Koch, Farah Khandwala, Fawzy G. Estafanous, Floyd D. Loop, Eugene H. Blackstone
Journal: Circulation (2005)

Background— Prosthesis–patient size mismatch results when an implanted prosthetic aortic valve is of insufficient size for a patient’s body surface area. The relation between prosthesis–patient size and functional capacity and adverse postoperative outcome is inconsistent. Our objectives were to examine the impact of valve replacement, continuous prosthesis–patient size, and other factors on functional recovery after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI). Methods and Results— From June 15, 1995, through May 14, 1998, 1108 patients underwent AVR after completing a DASI survey. Of these, 1014 completed a postoperative DASI survey at an average of 8.3 months postoperatively. Logistic ordinal regression was used to examine the influence of demographic variables, comorbidities, baseline DASI scores, indexed valve orifice area, standardized orifice size, and postoperative morbid events on postoperative DASI. There was overall improvement in postoperative functional recovery reflected by median preoperative and postoperative DASI scores of 29 and 46, P &lt;0.001, respectively. Neither indexed orifice area, P =0.94, nor standardized orifice size, P =0.96, was associated with functional recovery. Female sex, increasing age, elevated serum creatinine, increased central venous pressure, and red blood cell transfusion were factors associated with poor postoperative functional recovery. Conclusions— A majority of patients report improvement in functional quality of life early after AVR. Similar functional recovery was demonstrated for patients along the full spectrum of valve sizes indexed to body size, even for values considered to represent severe mismatch for patient size. Factors other than prosthesis–patient size influence functional quality of life early after AVR.
Invariants of human emotion
Authors: Paul E. Smaldino, Jeffrey C. Schank
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2012)

Abstract Because of the complexity of human emotional responses, invariants must be sought not in the responses themselves, but in their generating mechanisms. Lindquist et al. show that functional locationism is a theoretical dead end; their proposed mechanistic framework is a first step toward better models of emotional behavior. We caution, however, that emotions may still be quasi-natural perceptual types.
Controversial disease dropped from Prozac product information
Authors: Ray Moynihan
Journal: BMJ (2004)

The drug manufacturer Lilly has been forced to drop one of the disorders it had previously listed for its antidepressant drug fluoxetine (Prozac), following a finding by the European drug regulator that the condition was not a well-established disease entity.

Some health researchers welcomed the regulator's decision, saying premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which was only recently described, was an invented illness and a strong example of the medicalisation of ordinary life.

“I think it's a wonderful decision” says Paula Caplan, a psychologist adjunct and professor at Brown University, Rhode Island. “This kind of scrutiny of the science or …
Campaigners hope a vote for a complete smoking ban in Bavaria will spread to other German states
Authors: N. Stafford
Journal: BMJ (2010)

<h3>Objective</h3> Limitations of existing impedance-pH thresholds include small sample size of normative studies, inclusion of artefactual pH drops and incorrect identification of impedance reflux events. We aimed to obtain new impedance-pH thresholds from expert consensus analysis of tracings from a large number of healthy subjects. <h3>Design</h3> Of 541 studies performed worldwide using two different systems (Diversatek, USA, and Laborie, Netherlands), 150 tracings with oesophageal diagnoses, behavioural disorders and study-related artefacts were excluded. The remainder studies were subject to two reviewer consensus analysis, in-person or through video conference, consisting of editing meals and pH drops, identification of impedance reflux and postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) using strict pre-established criteria and measurement of distal mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI). <h3>Results</h3> Consensus analysis was performed in 391 tracings (age 32.7 years, range 18–71, 54.2% female). Normative thresholds were significantly different between Diversatek and Laborie (total acid exposure time: 2.8% and 5%; reflux episodes: 55 and 78; MNBI at 3 cm: 1400 and 1500 ohms, at 5 cm: 1400 and 1800 ohms). Males had higher acid exposure, more reflux episodes and lower MNBI. Significant regional differences were identified, including higher PSPW scores in Western countries, and higher MNBI in Asia using Diversatek, and higher acid exposure in the Netherlands, higher MNBI in Asia and South Africa, and lower MNBI in Turkey using Laborie. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Normal impedance-pH monitoring thresholds have regional and system-related differences. Clinical interpretation needs to use normal thresholds valid for the system used and world region, following careful editing of the tracings.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Children
Authors: Jeremiah Kelleher
Journal: JAMA (1991)

In the decade since the first magnetic resonance examinations were performed in children, the role of this exciting imaging modality in the pediatric radiologist's practice has constantly beenreviewed and upgraded. Shorter scan times, surface coils, and optimized pulse sequences have all contributed to an explosive growth in the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pediatrics. It is, therefore, timely to find a single-volume, multiauthor book devoted exclusively to pediatric MRI.
NONCANONICAL WNT SIGNALING AND NEURAL POLARITY
Authors: Mireille Montcouquiol, E. Bryan Crenshaw, Matthew W. Kelley
Journal: Annual Review of Neuroscience (2006)

The Wnt signaling pathway regulates multiple events in development and disease in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Recently, the noncanonical Wnt signaling cascades, those that do not signal through beta-catenin, have gained prominence for their role in the regulation of cellular polarity. It is not surprising that cellular polarization influences a number of different developmental events within the nervous system, including neurulation and neural tube closure, cellular migration, and uniform orientation of cells within an epithelial plane (planar cell polarity). In this review, we describe the differences between the canonical and noncanonical pathways, summarize recent data illustrating the roles of the noncanonical Wnt pathway in different polarizing events during neural development, and discuss the potential molecular mechanisms that underlie the generation of cellular asymmetry and polarity.
Infectious Mononucleosis: Epidemic in an E.M.S. Hospital
Authors: J. P. A. Halcrow, L. M. Owen, N. O. Rodger
Journal: BMJ (1943)

In August, 1942, an epidemic of infectious mononucleosis, presenting some unusual features, was discovered in an E.M.S. hospital, and was also apparently widespread in surrounding districts.Duiing the past few years interest in infectious mononucleosis has increased and many articles have been published.The condition was reviewed in a most comprehensive manner by Bernstein in 1940 and again by Smeall in 1942.Paul and Bunnell, by their discovery in 1932 that the serum of patients with this dis- ease contains an antibody which agglutinates sheep's red cells in high dilution, did much to establish it as a separate entity.The disease may vary in severity from cases with symptoms so mild as to pass unrecognized to an acute ill- ness with severe sore throat, glandular enlargement, and pyrexia, followed by a long period of debility and frequent exacerbations.Diagnosis
Glucose and collagen regulate human platelet activity through aldose reductase induction of thromboxane
Authors: Wai Ho Tang, Jeremiah Stitham, Scott Gleim, Concetta Di Febbo, Ettore Porreca, Cristiano Fava, Stefania Tacconelli, Marta Capone, Virgilio Evangelista, Giacomo Levantesi, Li Wen, Kathleen Martin, Pietro Minuz, Jeffrey Rade, Paola Patrignani, John Hwa
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2011)

Diabetes mellitus is associated with platelet hyperactivity, which leads to increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. This is coupled with enhanced levels of thromboxane (TX), an eicosanoid that facilitates platelet aggregation. Although intensely studied, the mechanism underlying the relationship among hyperglycemia, TX generation, and platelet hyperactivity remains unclear. We sought to identify key signaling components that connect high levels of glucose to TX generation and to examine their clinical relevance. In human platelets, aldose reductase synergistically modulated platelet response to both hyperglycemia and collagen exposure through a pathway involving ROS/PLCγ2/PKC/p38α MAPK. In clinical patients with platelet activation (deep vein thrombosis; saphenous vein graft occlusion after coronary bypass surgery), and particularly those with diabetes, urinary levels of a major enzymatic metabolite of TX (11-dehydro-TXB2 [TX-M]) were substantially increased. Elevated TX-M persisted in diabetic patients taking low-dose aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), suggesting that such patients may have underlying endothelial damage, collagen exposure, and thrombovascular disease. Thus, our study has identified multiple potential signaling targets for designing combination chemotherapies that could inhibit the synergistic activation of platelets by hyperglycemia and collagen exposure.
Asthma and regular beta agonist treatment.
Authors: B Richter
Journal: BMJ (1991)

The questionnaire showed that a wide range of alternative opioids had been used to replace papaveretum, of which morphine sulphate was the most common.A second postal questionnaire to 15 district hospital pharmacies in the Wessex region confirmed this.The recommendations have received almost uniform acceptance, as befits guidelines from a national body regulating drug safety.As the guidelines have necessitated a change in clinical practice, however, many anaesthetists considered that wider dissemination of the evidence that had been valuated was needed.
New Variant of Human Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) With Enhanced Efficacy and Lower Incidence of Bleeding Compared With Recombinant Human TPA
Authors: Claude R. Benedict, Canio J. Refino, Bruce A. Keyt, Rajbabu Pakala, Nicholas F. Paoni, G. Rodger Thomas, William F. Bennett
Journal: Circulation (1995)

Background The thrombolytic properties of a new variant of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) (T103N, N117Q, KHRR 296-299 AAAA, or TNK-TPA) with longer plasma half-life, greater fibrin specificity, and increased resistance to inhibition by plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) were investigated in a rabbit thrombosed carotid artery model. Methods and Results After 60 minutes of arterial occlusion, TPA (1.5, 3.0, 6.0, or 9.0 mg/kg as a front-loaded IV infusion for 90 minutes; n=22) or TNK-TPA (0.38, 0.75, or 1.5 mg/kg as IV bolus; n=16) was administered. Blood flow through the artery was monitored for an additional 120 minutes. Bleeding was assessed by weighing the amount of blood absorbed in a gauze pad placed in a subcutaneous muscular incision. Recanalization rates and duration of recanalization were dose dependent. The doses that produced &gt;80% recanalization rates with the longest duration of recanalization were 9.0 mg/kg for TPA and 1.5 mg/kg for TNK-TPA. At these doses, time to reperfusion (mean±SEM) was significantly faster (11±2 versus 23±7 minutes) and duration of recanalization longer (77±9 versus 51±18 minutes) for TNK-TPA compared with TPA ( P &lt;.025). Weights of the residual thrombi of the TPA group were greater than those of the TNK-TPA group ( P =.004). Concentrations of fibrinogen, plasminogen, and α 2 -antiplasmin at 120 minutes were significantly higher for TNK-TPA–treated animals compared with TPA-treated animals ( P &lt;.001). ANOVA of the blood loss data determined that there were significant differences between thrombolytic agents but not between doses. After correction for saline controls, total blood loss for pooled doses of TPA and TNK-TPA was 82±6 mg and 40±4 mg, respectively ( P &lt;.01). Conclusions From these data, we conclude that TNK-TPA, given as a bolus, produces faster and more complete recanalization of occluded arteries in a rabbit experimental model compared with TPA, without increasing systemic plasmin generation or peripheral bleeding. In addition, we observed that TNK-TPA, unlike TPA, did not potentiate collagen-induced aggregation of platelets obtained from human plasma. This lack of effect on platelet aggregation by TNK-TPA potentially could be associated with a decreased risk of reocclusion after successful thrombolysis.
Maintenance of asthma control by once‐daily inhaled ciclesonide in adults with persistent asthma
Authors: K. R. Chapman, P. Patel, A. D. D'Urzo, M. Alexander, S. Mehra, C. Oedekoven, R. Engelstätter, L.‐P. Boulet
Journal: Allergy (2004)

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are recommended therapy for persistent asthma, although side effects can limit appropriate use. Ciclesonide, a novel ICS, is activated in the lung, thereby reducing systemic activity and side effects. This 12‐week, double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ciclesonide in adults with persistent asthma. Methods: After a 2‐week baseline period in which current ICS treatment was continued, 329 patients were randomized to receive ciclesonide 160 μ g ( n = 107) or 640 μ g ( n = 112) (ex‐actuator doses, equivalent to 200 and 800 μ g ex‐valve, respectively), or placebo ( n = 110) once daily in the morning. Efficacy was monitored by asthma symptom scores, rescue medication use, morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements, spirometry, and probability of study completion without experiencing lack of efficacy. Results: Morning PEF remained stable with either ciclesonide dose but decreased with placebo; the differences were significant ( P &lt; 0.0001) for both ciclesonide doses vs placebo. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity decreased significantly with placebo ( P &lt; 0.005), but were unchanged with ciclesonide. Lack of efficacy was significantly greater for patients switched to placebo (63%) than it was for those treated with ciclesonide 160 μ g (30%) ( P &lt; 0.0001 vs placebo) or ciclesonide 640 μ g (31%) ( P &lt; 0.0001 vs placebo). There were no significant differences between the two tested doses of ciclesonide with respect to efficacy and safety. Serum and 24‐h urine cortisol were unaffected by ciclesonide treatment. Both doses of ciclesonide were well tolerated with no cases of oral candidiasis. Conclusion: Ciclesonide (160 or 640 μ g) once daily in the morning effectively maintains asthma control, does not affect cortisol levels, and has an adverse event profile comparable with placebo in adults with primarily mild to moderate asthma.
Pulmonary Neovascularity
Authors: Ramon Sheehan, Joseph K. Perloff, Michael C. Fishbein, David Gjertson, Denise R. Aberle
Journal: Circulation (2005)

We sought to characterize the distinctive pulmonary vascular abnormalities seen on chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans in Eisenmenger syndrome.Thoracic CT scans, chest radiographs, and clinical data were reviewed for 24 Eisenmenger syndrome patients subdivided into those with interatrial (pretricuspid) versus interventricular or great arterial (posttricuspid) communications and in 14 acyanotic patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and no congenital heart disease. CT scans were scored blindly by 2 thoracic radiologists for the presence and severity of small, tortuous, intrapulmonary vessels, termed "neovascularity," lobular ground-glass opacification, and systemic perihilar and intercostal vessels. Histopathologic lung sections from 5 patients with Eisenmenger syndrome and from 3 patients with acyanotic PAH were reviewed. Associations between clinical and imaging features were tested by ANOVA and chi2 tests. Kendall's rank-order coefficient and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to test for significant differences in imaging features between Eisenmenger syndrome and acyanotic PAH. Neovascularity on chest radiographs was more common in Eisenmenger syndrome than acyanotic PAH, but differences were not significant. On CT, neovascularity, lobular ground-glass opacification, and hilar and intercostal systemic collaterals were more prevalent in Eisenmenger syndrome, with severity greater in posttricuspid communications. Three previously undescribed vascular lesions were identified histologically in Eisenmenger syndrome: malformed, dilated, muscular arteries within alveolar septa; congested capillaries within alveolar walls; and congested capillaries within the walls of medium-size, muscular pulmonary arteries. These lesions may correspond to the distinctive vascular abnormalities observed on chest radiographs and CT scans.Distinctive vascular lesions on chest radiographs and CT scans in Eisenmenger syndrome appear to be correlated histologically with collateral vessels that develop more extensively with posttricuspid communications.
PEGylated polycyanoacrylate nanoparticles as tumor necrosis factor-α carriers
Authors: Ya-Ping Li, Yuan-Ying Pei, Zhao-Hui Zhou, Xian-Ying Zhang, Zhou-Hui Gu, Jian Ding, Jian-Jun Zhou, Xiu-Jian Gao
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release (2001)