tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Linear IgA disease: successful treatment with cyclosporin
Authors: H.S. Young, I.H. Coulson
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2000)

Sir, A 38‐year‐old man presented to the dermatology department with a blistering eruption over his trunk and limbs. He had been otherwise well and had no personal or family history of note. On examination he had clusters of annular urticated plaques with tense peripheral blisters giving a 'string of pearls' appearance over his trunk, limbs and genitalia (Fig. 1). He had no mucous membrane involvement. On investigation, full blood count, urea, electrolytes and liver function tests were normal. A skin biopsy demonstrated subepidermal vesicles containing some eosinophils with a dense perivascular infiltrate of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils in the subjacent dermis. Direct immunofluorescence demonstrated bright linear basement membrane zone staining with IgA. Artificial splitting of the skin with sodium chloride demonstrated IgA deposition on the epidermal aspect of the blister. Indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated circulating antibasement membrane zone antibodies of IgA class present to a titre of 1/20 and negative for IgG. These findings confirmed the clinical diagnosis of linear IgA disease (LAD).
Allergic airway diseases in a tropical urban environment are driven by dominant mono‐specific sensitization against house dust mites
Authors: A. K. Andiappan, K. J. Puan, B. Lee, A. Nardin, M. Poidinger, J. Connolly, F. T. Chew, D. Y. Wang, O. Rotzschke
Journal: Allergy (2014)

Abstract Background Southeast Asian populations are increasingly affected by allergic airway diseases. Etiology and specific causes, however, are still unknown. The aim of this study is therefore to identify allergens and risk factors for the high prevalence of allergic airway disease in the tropical urban environment. Methods Symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, and allergic dermatitis were recorded in two independent cohorts of 576 and 7373 ethnic Chinese individuals living in Singapore. Reactivity against common allergens was determined by skin prick tests (SPT); specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) titers against 12 common allergens, as well as total serum IgE (tIgE), were measured in the smaller cohort. Results Immunoglobulin E sensitization was almost exclusively directed against house dust mite (HDM) allergens. More than 80% of individuals were HDM‐sIgE positive. Of these, less than 30% also had sIgE for other allergens, and similarly, few of the HDM‐sIgE‐negative individuals reacted to other allergens. Titers for HDM‐sIgE were 8–30 times higher than other non‐HDM allergen titers and correlated directly with total serum tIgE levels. Migrants from nontropical countries typically arrived with low or undetectable HDM‐sIgE but developed substantial titers in a time‐dependent fashion. Importantly, prolonged stay in Singapore also resulted in the manifestation of AR and asthma symptoms, contributing to some of the highest national prevalence rates worldwide. Conclusion In a tropical urban environment, the allergic response is dominated by a single allergen class. The mono‐specific IgE sensitization against HDM translates into increased prevalence of allergic airway diseases, which now impact a large proportion of the population in Singapore.
Electrodiagnostic Testing In Neuromuscular Disease
Authors: Aaron M. Rosenthal
Journal: JAMA (1961)

Electrodiagnostic testing in neuromuscular disease has been described. The chronaxy determination is a stimulating test which should be done routinely in neuromuscular testing. It is a gross test, but it is very useful in determining the presence of denervation. Electromyography is a recording test and is more sensitive than a chronaxy determination. Electromyography can help in the diagnosis of lower motor neurone disease and in myopathic disease, because the findings in these are characteristic. Nerve conduction velocity determination is a stimulating and recording test. With it one can differentiate anterior horn cell disease from disease of the axone. One can also localize nerve compression when this condition is present.
Cross-Antagonism of a T Cell Clone Expressing Two Distinct T Cell Receptors
Authors: Bonnie N Dittel, None IrenaŠtefanova, Ronald N Germain, Charles A Janeway
Journal: Immunity (1999)

Inhibition of T cell activation can be mediated by analogs of the original antigenic peptide (TCR antagonists). Here, a T cell clone expressing two distinct TCR was used to investigate whether such inhibition involves an active mechanism by examining whether an antagonist for one TCR could influence responses stimulated by the other TCR engaging its agonist. Our results demonstrate functional cross-inhibition under these conditions involving the ability of antagonist:TCR interactions to diminish Lck enzymatic activity associated with the agonist-recognizing second TCR, apparently through enhancement of SHP-1 association with these receptors. Our findings reveal that inhibition of cellular responses by antagonists arises at least in part from active negative regulation of proximal TCR signaling and identify elements of the biochemical process.
Multidrug resistance P-glycoproteins (MDR) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP) are not overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC)
Authors: G. Zollner, P. Fickert, A. Fuchsbichler, C. Stumptner, H. Denk, K. Zatloukal, M. Trauner
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2001)
Trauma and PTSD Symptoms in Rwanda
Authors: Phuong N. Pham, Harvey M. Weinstein, Timothy Longman
Journal: JAMA (2004)

The 1994 genocide in Rwanda led to the loss of at least 10% of the country's 7.7 million inhabitants, the destruction of much of the country's infrastructure, and the displacement of nearly 4 million people. In seeking to rebuild societies such as Rwanda, it is important to understand how traumatic experience may shape the ability of individuals and groups to respond to judicial and other reconciliation initiatives.To assess the level of trauma exposure and the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and their predictors among Rwandans and to determine how trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms are associated with Rwandans' attitudes toward justice and reconciliation.Multistage, stratified cluster random survey of 2091 eligible adults in selected households in 4 communes in Rwanda in February 2002.Rates of exposure to trauma and symptom criteria for PTSD using the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version; attitudes toward judicial responses (Rwandan national and gacaca local trials and International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda [ICTR]) and reconciliation (belief in community, nonviolence, social justice, and interdependence with other ethnic groups).Of 2074 respondents with data on exposure to trauma, 1563 (75.4%) were forced to flee their homes, 1526 (73.0%) had a close member of their family killed, and 1472 (70.9%) had property destroyed or lost. Among the 2091 total participants, 518 (24.8%) met symptom criteria for PTSD. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of meeting PTSD symptom criteria for each additional traumatic event was 1.43 (95% CI, 1.33-1.55). More respondents supported the local judicial responses (90.8% supported gacaca trials and 67.8% the Rwanda national trials) than the ICTR (42.1% in support). Respondents who met PTSD symptom criteria were less likely to have positive attitudes toward the Rwandan national trials (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61-0.98), belief in community (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60-0.97), and interdependence with other ethnic groups (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56-0.90). Respondents with exposure to multiple trauma events were more likely to have positive attitudes toward the ICTR (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04-1.17) and less likely to support the Rwandan national trials (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84-0.96), the local gacaca trials (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.89), and 3 factors of openness to reconciliation: belief in nonviolence (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87-0.97), belief in community (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87-0.98), and interdependence with other ethnic groups (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.81-0.92). Other variables that were associated with attitudes toward judicial processes and openness to reconciliation were educational level, ethnicity, perception of change in poverty level and access to security compared with 1994, and ethnic distance.This study demonstrates that traumatic exposure, PTSD symptoms, and other factors are associated with attitudes toward justice and reconciliation. Societal interventions following mass violence should consider the effects of trauma if reconciliation is to be realized.
Abstract 3425: Expression and functional role of erbB2 in human hepatoblastoma
Authors: Barbara Steiger, Ivo Leuschner, Dorota Denkhaus, Dietrich von Schweinitz, Torsten Pietsch
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Background: The receptor tyrosine kinase erbB2 is known to play a role in the development of hepatic progenitor cells and is often found to be expressed and mutated in different solid tumors. Activated erbB2 is a marker of poor prognosis in several malignancies and to date, successful strategies have been developed to target erbb2 receptor. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of erbb2 in human hepatoblastoma, the most common primary hepatic malignancy in early childhood, and its functional role in hepatoblastoma cell biology. Methods: Expression of erbB2 on the protein level was analyzed by Western Blot, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR of lysates of primary tumors and cell lines HuH6, HepT1, HepT3 and HepG2. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine phosphorylated erbB2 and subsequent kinases. Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to scan known hotspots for mutations (exons 6, 8, 18-23 of erbB2) in a panel of 56 tumor samples. Cells were stimulated with rhHRG1-β. Activation of subsequent kinases was determined via Western Blot and MTT assay was used to determine proliferation after stimulation and overexpression of erbb2 via transient transfection. The influence of rhHRG1-β on the activity of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway was measured by transfection with the TOP-/FOP-Flash reporter assay. The effects of erbB2 kinase knockdown by transient transfection with siRNA against erbB2 on apoptosis and proliferation were also evaluated. Results: Expression of erbB2 was detected in all four cell lines and most of the primary tumors. Immunohistochemistry indicated expression of phosphorylated (activated) erbb2 proteins in 90% and activation of subsequent kinases, which are downstream targets of erbb2. Mutations were not present in the erbB2 gene. Stimulation with HRG1-β induced phosphorylation of Akt, Erk1/2 and p70S6K and resulted in increased cell proliferation. This effect was not mediated by an increase in activity of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway because TOP-Flash reporter activity was not further increased in the presence of rhHRG1-β. Overexpression of erbB2 resulted in enhanced proliferation after stimulation with HRG1-β in all four cell lines, whereas knockdown of erbB2 decreased the proliferative effect of HRG1-β on hepatoblastoma cell lines. Knockdown of erbB2 did not induce apoptosis in hepatoblastoma cell lines. Conclusion: These results indicate that erbB2 might play an important functional role in hepatoblastoma cell biology. Further experiments are needed to evaluate the clinical significance. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3425.
Histologically normal human mammary epithelia with silenced p16INK4a overexpress COX-2, promoting a premalignant program
Authors: Yongping G Crawford, Mona L Gauthier, Anita Joubel, Kristin Mantei, Krystyna Kozakiewicz, Cynthia A Afshari, Thea D Tlsty
Journal: Cancer Cell (2004)
Effects of Vitamin A or Beta Carotene Supplementation on Pregnancy-Related Mortality and Infant Mortality in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Keith P. West, Parul Christian, Alain B. Labrique, Mahbubur Rashid, Abu Ahmed Shamim, Rolf D. W. Klemm, Allan B. Massie, Sucheta Mehra, Kerry J. Schulze, Hasmot Ali, Barkat Ullah, Lee S. F. Wu, Joanne Katz, Hashina Banu, Halida H. Akhter, Alfred Sommer
Journal: JAMA (2011)

Maternal vitamin A deficiency is a public health concern in the developing world. Its prevention may improve maternal and infant survival.To assess efficacy of maternal vitamin A or beta carotene supplementation in reducing pregnancy-related and infant mortality.Cluster randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial among pregnant women 13 to 45 years of age and their live-born infants to 12 weeks (84 days) postpartum in rural northern Bangladesh between 2001 and 2007. Interventions Five hundred ninety-six community clusters (study sectors) were randomized for pregnant women to receive weekly, from the first trimester through 12 weeks postpartum, 7000 μg of retinol equivalents as retinyl palmitate, 42 mg of all-trans beta carotene, or placebo. Married women (n = 125,257) underwent 5-week surveillance for pregnancy, ascertained by a history of amenorrhea and confirmed by urine test. Blood samples were obtained from participants in 32 sectors (5%) for biochemical studies.All-cause mortality of women related to pregnancy, stillbirth, and infant mortality to 12 weeks (84 days) following pregnancy outcome.Groups were comparable across risk factors. For the mortality outcomes, neither of the supplement group outcomes was significantly different from the placebo group outcomes. The numbers of deaths and all-cause, pregnancy-related mortality rates (per 100,000 pregnancies) were 41 and 206 (95% confidence interval [CI], 140-273) in the placebo group, 47 and 237 (95% CI, 166-309) in the vitamin A group, and 50 and 250 (95% CI, 177-323) in the beta carotene group. Relative risks for mortality in the vitamin A and beta carotene groups were 1.15 (95% CI, 0.75-1.76) and 1.21 (95% CI, 0.81-1.81), respectively. In the placebo, vitamin A, and beta carotene groups the rates of stillbirth and infant mortality were 47.9 (95% CI, 44.3-51.5), 45.6 (95% CI, 42.1-49.2), and 51.8 (95% CI, 48.0-55.6) per 1000 births and 68.1 (95% CI, 63.7-72.5), 65.0 (95% CI, 60.7-69.4), and 69.8 (95% CI, 65.4-72.3) per 1000 live births, respectively. Vitamin A compared with either placebo or beta carotene supplementation increased plasma retinol concentrations by end of study (1.46 [95% CI, 1.42-1.50] μmol/L vs 1.13 [95% CI, 1.09-1.17] μmol/L and 1.18 [95% CI, 1.14-1.22] μmol/L, respectively; P < .001) and reduced, but did not eliminate, gestational night blindness (7.1% for vitamin A vs 9.2% for placebo and 8.9% for beta carotene [P < .001 for both]).Use of weekly vitamin A or beta carotene in pregnant women in Bangladesh, compared with placebo, did not reduce all-cause maternal, fetal, or infant mortality.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00198822.
Normal human dermis contains distinct populations of CD11c+BDCA-1+ dendritic cells and CD163+FXIIIA+ macrophages
Authors: Lisa C. Zaba, Judilyn Fuentes-Duculan, Ralph M. Steinman, James G. Krueger, Michelle A. Lowes
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2007)

We used a panel of monoclonal antibodies to characterize DCs in the dermis of normal human skin. Staining for the CD11c integrin, which is abundant on many kinds of DCs, revealed cells in the upper dermis. These cells were positive for blood DC antigen–1 (BDCA-1; also known as CD1c), HLA-DR, and CD45, markers that are also expressed by circulating myeloid DCs. A small subset of CD11c+ dermal cells expressed DEC-205/CD205 and DC-lysosomal–associated membrane glycoprotein/CD208 (DC-LAMP/CD208), suggesting some differentiation or maturation. When BDCA-1+ cells were selected from collagenase digests of normal dermis, they proved to be strong stimulators for T cells in a mixed leukocyte reaction. A second major population of cells located throughout the dermis was positive for factor XIIIA (FXIIIA), but lacked CD11c and BDCA-1. They expressed the macrophage scavenger receptor CD163 and stained weakly for HLA-DR and CD45. Isolated CD163+ dermal cells were inactive in stimulating T cell proliferation, but in biopsies of tattoos, these cells were selectively laden with granular pigments. Plasmacytoid DCs were also present in the dermis, marked by CD123 and BDCA-2. In summary, the normal dermis contains typical immunostimulatory myeloid DCs identified by CD11c and BDCA-1, as well as an additional population of poorly stimulatory macrophages marked by CD163 and FXIIIA.
Abstract 2181: Association of sleep duration, daytime napping, and night shift work with breast cancer risk
Authors: Zefang Ren
Journal: Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract Sleep habit is closely related to melatonin which protect against breast cancer (BC). Sleep duration, nap habit, and shift work have been separately investigated to associate with BC risk, but the combination has not been reported. In this study, we collected all the sleep habits data from 712 women with incident invasive BC before their treatments and 742 age-matched female controls between July 2010 and January 2012 in Guangzhou, China. We found that the women with either shorter or longer sleep duration had increased BC risk compared to the women with normal sleep time of 6.1-8.9h/day [OR (95%CI: 1.62 (1.18-2.24) and 1.55 (1.14-2.10), respectively]. Night shift work also increased the risk of BC [1.36 (1.07-1.73)] and nap habits marginally associated a decreased risk [0.83 (0.66-1.04)]. Women with night shift work and longer sleep duration had an increased risk of BC [3.80 (1.99-7.26)] compared to the women with normal sleep time and no night shift work. The interaction on BC risk was significant (P for interaction=0.009). We conclude that abnormal sleep increases BC risk and longer sleep duration may not compensate the effect of night shift work on risk of BC. Table 1.Age-adjusted and multivariate-adjusted odds rations for the associations between sleep habits and breast cancer riskVariablesCases Controls OR#(95%CI)OR* (95%CI)OR^ (95%CI)(n=712) (%)(n=742)(%) Shift worknever443 (67.0)527 (73.8)1.00 (reference)1.00 (reference)1.00 (reference)ever218 (33.0)187 (26.2)1.39 (1.10-1.75)1.36 (1.07-1.73)1.34 (1.04-1.71)Napping statusnever293 (44.5)254 (37.7)1.00 (reference)1.00 (reference)1.00 (reference)ever365 (55.5)420 (62.3)0.75 (0.61-0.94)0.83 (0.66-1.04)0.83 (0.66-1.06)24-hour sleep duration≤6.0116 (17.7)85 (12.8)1.62 (1.18-2.21)1.62 (1.18-2.24)1.52 (1.10-2.11)6.1-8.9409 (62.6)485 (72.7)1.00 (reference)1.00 (reference)1.00 (reference)≥9.0129 (19.7)97 (14.5)1.58 (1.18-2.12)1.55 (1.14-2.10)1.59 (1.17-2.17)P-continuous0.6460.8830.451P-trend0.9090.9960.661OR#: Adjusted for age.OR*: Adjusted for age, education, BMI, marital status, age at menarche, menopausal status, parity, activity, breastfeeding and family history of breast cancer.OR^: Adjusted for age, education, BMI, marital status, age at menarche, menopausal status, parity, activity, breastfeeding, family history of breast cancer, and other sleep factors. Citation Format: Zefang Ren. Association of sleep duration, daytime napping, and night shift work with breast cancer risk. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2181. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2181
Beyond the Mean: Quantile Regression to Explore the Association of Air Pollution with Gene-Specific Methylation in the Normative Aging Study
Authors: Marie-Abele C. Bind, Brent A. Coull, Annette Peters, Andrea A. Baccarelli, Letizia Tarantini, Laura Cantone, Pantel S. Vokonas, Petros Koutrakis, Joel D. Schwartz
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2015)

BackgroundAir pollution has been related to mean changes in outcomes, including DNA methylation. However, mean regression analyses may not capture associations that occur primarily in the tails of the outcome distribution.ObjectivesIn this study, we examined whether the association between particulate air pollution and DNA methylation differs across quantiles of the methylation distribution. We focused on methylation of candidate genes related to coagulation and inflammation: coagulation factor III (F3), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and toll-like receptor 2 (TRL-2).MethodsWe measured gene-specific blood DNA methylation repeatedly in 777 elderly men participating in the Normative Aging Study (1999–2010). We fit quantile regressions for longitudinal data to investigate whether the associations of particle number, PM2.5 (diameter ≤ 2.5 μm)black carbon, and PM2.5 mass concentrations (4-week moving average) with DNA methylation [expressed as the percentage of methylated cytosines over the sum of methylated and unmethylated cytosines at position 5 (%5mC)] varied across deciles of the methylation distribution. We reported the quantile regression coefficients that corresponded to absolute differences in DNA methylation (expressed in %5mC) associated with an interquartile range increase in air pollution concentration.ResultsInterquartile range increases in particle number, PM2.5 black carbon, and PM2.5 mass concentrations were associated with significantly lower methylation in the lower tails of the IFN-γ and ICAM-1 methylation distributions. For instance, a 3.4-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 mass concentration was associated with a 0.18%5mC (95% CI: –0.30, –0.06) decrease on the 20th percentile of ICAM-1 methylation, but was not significantly related to the 80th percentile (estimate: 0.07%5mC, 95% CI: –0.09, 0.24).ConclusionsIn our study population of older men, air pollution exposures were associated with a left shift in the lower tails of the IFN-γ and ICAM-1 methylation distributions.CitationBind MA, Coull BA, Peters A, Baccarelli AA, Tarantini L, Cantone L, Vokonas PS, Koutrakis P, Schwartz JD. 2015. Beyond the mean: quantile regression to explore the association of air pollution with gene-specific methylation in the Normative Aging Study. Environ Health Perspect 123:759–765; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307824
TWO CASES OF ACUTE PERFORATED GASTRIC ULCER: OPERATION: RECOVERY
Authors: E. Huntley
Journal: BMJ (1919)

In the former cases the best hearing was 7/17 watch, whilst in the latter the hearing was practically normal (15/17).These cases had not been operated upon by any one surgeon, but were drawn from all over England.Of the 44 unhealed cases, 33 had widely patent Eustachian tubes.This is interesting, as one very seldom, if ever, gets trouble from the tubes after Heath's operation; and the reason is, I tlhink, because in it the drum lheals up and so prevents what may be called a draught from the throat via the tu-bes through the ear.This draught, owi-ng to the loss of the druim, and the inefficient closure of the tym- panic orifice of the Eustahian tube in the radical opera- tion, keeps on reimfeeting the ear with micro-organisms from the throat.Ten of the 53 cases had had more than one operation performed, and another six had well marked facial paralysis.In all except 5 cases the radical operation had been performed so that the statistics read: 48 operations, 5 healed, 10 operated upon more than once, 6 cases of facial paralysis, and 43 of the 48 in the same condition,
Factors affecting antibody levels after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Jan Storek, Federico Viganego, Monja A. Dawson, M. M. P. Tineke Herremans, Michael Boeckh, Mary E. D. Flowers, Barry Storer, William I. Bensinger, Robert P. Witherspoon, David G. Maloney
Journal: Blood (2003)
Improving Noninvasive Methods of Assessing Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-infection
Authors: Norah J. Shire, Marepalli B. Rao, Paul Succop, C. Ralph Buncher, Janet A. Andersen, Adeel A. Butt, Raymond T. Chung, Kenneth E. Sherman
Journal: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2008)