tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Dendritic cells and the intestinal bacterial flora: a role for localized mucosal immune responses
Authors: Holm H. Uhlig, Fiona Powrie
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2003)

Mammals coexist in an overall symbiotic relationship with a complex array of commensal bacterial flora that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract. These intestinal bacteria interface with cells of the mucosal immune system, including DCs. Here we discuss mechanisms of interaction between intestinal bacteria and DCs and the role of localized gastrointestinal immune responses.
Cardiac Sympathetic Dysfunction Correlates With Abnormal Myocardial Contractile Reserve in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients
Authors: Satoru Ohshima, Satoshi Isobe, Hideo Izawa, Mamoru Nanasato, Akitada Ando, Akira Yamada, Kiyoyasu Yamada, Tomoko S. Kato, Koji Obata, Akiko Noda, Takao Nishizawa, Katsuhiko Kato, Kohzo Nagata, Kenji Okumura, Toyoaki Murohara, Mitsuhiro Yokota
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2005)
Clinical Ecology-Reply
Authors: Steven J. Smith
Journal: JAMA (1993)

<h3>In Reply.</h3> —The American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs agrees with Dr McLellan that many patients with symptoms and a medical history suggestive of a multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)—related syndrome are not helped by traditional medicine. We dispute his assertion that the clinical ecology report is insensitive to the suffering of patients with CFS, SBS, or any other MCS-related illnesses. The large body of anecdotal evidence supporting the validity of various hypotheses as the cause of MCS-related syndromes, or the value of suggested therapies, is impressive. However, the history of medicine is filled with numerous examples in which anecdotal evidence was widely accepted as proof of hypotheses for the cause of disease or as support for the value of therapies for a specific disease; when it became possible to carry out controlled studies, the validity of these hypotheses or therapies could not be demonstrated. The Council on Scientific Affairs
Cancer and developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors.
Authors: Linda S Birnbaum, Suzanne E Fenton
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2002)

Developing organisms have increased susceptibility to cancer if they are exposed to environmental toxicants during rapid growth and differentiation. Human studies have demonstrated clear increases in cancer after prenatal exposure to ionizing radiation, and there is suggestive evidence that brain tumors and leukemia are associated with parental exposures to chemicals. Animal experiments have demonstrated increased tumor formation induced by prenatal or neonatal exposure to a variety of chemicals, including direct-acting carcinogens and drugs. Recently, natural estrogens have been classified as known human carcinogens. Prenatal exposure to natural and synthetic estrogens is associated with increases in breast and vaginal tumors in humans as well as uterine tumors in animals. Synthetic halogenated chemicals increase liver tumors after early life-stage exposure. Recently, a prototypical endocrine-disrupting compound, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, has been shown to be a developmental toxicant of the mammary gland in rodents. Dioxin alters multiple endocrine systems, and its effects on the developing breast involve delayed proliferation and differentiation of the mammary gland, as well as an elongation of the window of sensitivity to potential carcinogens. Implications of these new findings suggest that causes of endocrine-related cancers or susceptibility to cancer may be a result of developmental exposures rather than exposures existing at or near the time of tumor detection.
Variations in Length of Stay and Outcomes for Six Medical and Surgical Conditions in Massachusetts and California
Authors: Paul D. Cleary
Journal: JAMA (1991)

--To determine the extent to which interinstitutional variations in length of stay are explained by differences in patient characteristics and to determine whether patients in hospitals with shorter lengths of stay had worse outcomes.--We reviewed patients' medical records and surveyed patients between 3 and 12 months after hospital discharge using a questionnaire.--Six teaching hospitals in California and Massachusetts.--A cohort of 2484 selected patients who had been hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction or to rule out acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, total hip replacement, cholecystectomy, or transurethral prostatectomy. Between 73% and 84% of the patients with each condition completed a follow-up questionnaire.--In-hospital complications, deaths, length of stay, functional status after hospital discharge, readmission, and patient satisfaction with hospital care were analyzed.--Significant interinstitutional differences in length of stay were noted for all conditions except rule-out acute myocardial infarction. Statistical adjustment for case-mix differences accounted for most of the interinstitutional differences in length of stay for total hip replacement but explained little of the differences in the other conditions. When we controlled statistically for other predictors, length of stay did not have a significant impact on deaths, functional status after hospital discharge, the probability of readmission, or patient satisfaction with hospital care.--More research is needed to determine the medical practices that are related to variations in lengths of stay. Routinely available outcome data may help preserve quality in the face of efforts to decrease costs by effecting more standardized practices of care.
Ciprofloxacin-induced photosensitivity: in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: J. FERGUSON, B.E. JOHNSON
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1990)

Ciprofloxacin is one of the new series of broad-spectrum antibiotic quinolones, chemically related to nalidixic acid and which may, therefore, induce photosensitization of human skin. Three in vitro tests for phototoxicity: the destruction of histidine, killing of mouse peritoneal macrophages and inhibition of PHA-stimulated DNA synthesis in human lymphocytes have demonstrated this photosensitizing potential with UVA irradiation at an order of magnitude lower than that for nalidixic acid. The Candida albicans test and photohaemolysis were negative. Controlled irradiation monochromator phototesting of 12 subjects, before, during and after taking ciprofloxacin showed subclinical photosensitivity with significantly lowered minimal 24 h erythema doses at 335±30 nm, 365±30 nm and 400±30nm but not at 305±5 nm or above 400±30 nm.
Case-control study of sudden infant death syndrome in Scotland, 1992-5
Authors: H. Brooke, A. Gibson, D. Tappin, H. Brown
Journal: BMJ (1997)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective:</b> To investigate the relation between routine infant care practices and the sudden infant death syndrome in Scotland. <b>Methods:</b> National study of 201 infants dying of the sudden infant death syndrome (cases) and 276 controls by means of home interviews comparing methods of infant care and socioeconomic factors. <b>Results:</b> Sleeping prone (odds ratio 6.96 (95% confidence interval 1.51 to 31.97)) and drug treatment in the previous week (odds ratio 2.33 (1.10 to 4.94)) were more common in the cases than controls on multivariate analysis. Smoking was confirmed as a significant risk factor (odds ratio for mother and father both smoking 5.19 (2.26 to 11.91)). The risk increased with the number of parents smoking (P&lt;0.0001), with the number of cigarettes smoked by mother or father (P=0.0001), and with bed sharing (P&lt;0.005). A new finding was an increased risk of dying of the syndrome for infants who slept at night on a mattress previously used by another infant or adult (odds ratio 2.51 (1.39 to 4.52)). However, this increased risk was not established for mattresses totally covered by polyvinyl chloride. <b>Conclusions:</b> Sleeping prone and parental smoking are confirmed as modifiable risk factors for the sudden infant death syndrome. Sleeping on an old mattress may be important but needs confirmation before recommendations can be made. <h3>Key messages</h3> Parental smoking is currently the most important modifiable risk factor in the sudden infant death syndrome In this study sleeping prone and, to a lesser extent, sleeping on the side increased the risk of the syndrome, so babies should be put down to sleep only on their back Bed sharing with an infant should be discouraged if the mother smokes Sleeping on an old mattress may carry an increased risk
Constrictor and dilator responses to intracoronary acetylcholine in adjacent segments of the same coronary artery in patients with coronary artery disease. Endothelial function revisited.
Authors: H el-Tamimi, M Mansour, T J Wargovich, J A Hill, R A Kerensky, C R Conti, C J Pepine
Journal: Circulation (1994)

In patients with angiographically detectable atherosclerosis or in those with risk factors for coronary artery disease, intracoronary acetylcholine causes coronary constriction instead of endothelium-derived relaxing factor-mediated dilation. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that diffuse endothelial dysfunction precedes development of coronary atherosclerosis. We tested this hypothesis in a systematic investigation of the effects of ascending doses of acetylcholine on the diameters of nonstenotic segments of the left coronary artery in patients with advanced atherosclerosis and coronary risk factors.Effects of intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine (10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/L) on diameters of proximal, middle, and distal nonstenotic segments of the left coronary artery were studied in 28 consecutive patients with chronic stable angina, positive exercise tests, and angiographic evidence of obstructive atherosclerosis (> or = 50% reduction in lumen diameter in at least one vessel). Two patterns of response to the maximal acetylcholine dose (10(-4) mol/L) were observed. In 21 patients (group 1), only constriction was observed in all left anterior descending and circumflex artery segments studied (16 +/- 3%, 19 +/- 4%, and 23 +/- 4%, respectively; P < .01 compared with control). In 7 other patients (group 2), both constriction and dilation were observed in adjacent segments of the same vessel; maximal acetylcholine dose caused constriction in 14 left anterior descending artery segments from a control diameter of 1.94 +/- 0.19 to 1.33 +/- 0.26 mm (37% reduction, P < .01) and dilation in 16 other segments from 1.63 +/- 0.22 to 1.93 +/- 0.21 mm (25% increase, P < .01). In the circumflex artery, this dose caused constriction in 16 segments from a control diameter of 1.88 +/- 0.14 to 1.33 +/- 0.17 mm (31% reduction, P < .01) and dilation in 12 segments from 1.37 +/- 0.12 to 1.71 +/- 0.09 mm (34% increase, P < .01).In 25% of patients studied with advanced angiographic coronary atherosclerosis and coronary risk factors, coronary segments with acetylcholine-inducible dilatation are present. In these patients, the endothelium is not diffusely dysfunctional as currently believed but rather shows marked segmental heterogeneity in the response to acetylcholine reflecting degrees of endothelial dysfunction.
THE TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL TUMORS WITH BACTERIAL TOXINS.
Authors: S. P. BEEBE
Journal: JAMA (1907)

The use of injections of the combined sterilized cultures of<i>Streptococcus</i>and the<i>Bacillus prodigiosus</i>in the treatment of inoperable sarcoma has acquired considerable prominence since its introduction by W. B. Coley of New York some fifteen years ago. It is well known that intercurrent attacks of erysipelas have been observed in a number of cases to exert a restraining and even curative influence on the course of malignant tumors, and investigators have endeavored by inoculation with streptococcus cultures to bring about artificially equally beneficent results. Roger of Paris, in experimenting on rabbits, believed that by an admixture of the<i>B. prodigiosus</i>with his streptococcus he could enhance the virulence of the latter cultures, and Coley<sup>1</sup>applied this idea to the treatment of sarcoma, beginning in 1892 a systematic clinical study of the therapeutic effect of such mixed toxins. The striking results attained in an increasing number of cases
Unusual Abdominal Gas Collection
Authors: Thomas G. Goergen
Journal: JAMA (1978)

<h3>History</h3> A 54-year-old diabetic man had a fever for five days, decreasing mental status, and ketoacidosis. Pertinent laboratory data included the following values: WBC, 17,000/cu mm; blood glucose, 800 mg/dl; BUN, 49 mg/dl; and creatinine, 2.3 mg/dl. A spinal tap yielded purulent fluid from which<i>Escherichia coli</i>was cultured. Treatment with chloramphenicol was begun, but a temperature of 39 °C persisted. A urogram was performed two days later. Roentgenograms shown include a preliminary film of the abdomen (Fig 1) and a tomogram coned over the right renal area obtained immediately following injection of 100 ml of diatrizoate sodium and meglumine (Fig 2). There was normal excretion by the nonobstructed left kidney. Delayed films showed no excretion on the right. <h3>Diagnosis</h3> Emphysematous pyelonephritis with perinephric gas. <h3>Comment</h3> The preliminary film (Fig 1) shows a large reniform collection of gas distending the perirenal (Gerota) fascia. The tomogram (Fig 2) shows several smaller
Profiling Environmental Chemicals for Activity in the Antioxidant Response Element Signaling Pathway Using a High Throughput Screening Approach
Authors: Sunita J Shukla, Ruili Huang, Steven O Simmons, Raymond R Tice, Kristine L Witt, Danielle VanLeer, Ram Ramabhadran, Christopher P Austin, Menghang Xia
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2012)

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases ranging from cancer to neurodegeneration, highlighting the need to identify chemicals that can induce this effect. The antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway plays an important role in the amelioration of oxidative stress. Thus, assays that detect the up-regulation of this pathway could be useful for identifying chemicals that induce oxidative stress.We used cell-based reporter methods and informatics tools to efficiently screen a large collection of environmental chemicals and identify compounds that induce oxidative stress.We utilized two cell-based ARE assay reporters, β-lactamase and luciferase, to screen a U.S. National Toxicology Program 1,408-compound library (NTP 1408, which contains 1,340 unique compounds) for their ability to induce oxidative stress in HepG2 cells using quantitative high throughput screening (qHTS).Roughly 3% (34 of 1,340) of the unique compounds demonstrated activity across both cell-based assays. Based on biological activity and structure-activity relationship profiles, we selected 50 compounds for retesting in the two ARE assays and in an additional follow-up assay that employed a mutated ARE linked to β-lactamase. Using this strategy, we identified 30 compounds that demonstrated activity in the ARE-bla and ARE-luc assays and were able to determine structural features conferring compound activity across assays.Our results support the robustness of using two different cell-based approaches for identifying compounds that induce ARE signaling. Together, these methods are useful for prioritizing chemicals for further in-depth mechanism-based toxicity testing.
Proteolysis of Myosin during Platelet Storage
Authors: Joel Abramowitz, Alfred Stracher, Thomas C. Detwiler
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1974)

Physical properties of actomyosin from either fresh or stored platelets have been compared. Actomyosin obtained from platelets after 3 days of storage contained myosin that was 60-80% degraded to myosin rod. No myosin rod was detected in fresh platelets. The platelet myosin rod is similar to the rod produced by limited proteolysis of skeletal muscle myosin.
Effect of Hematocrit Value upon Electromagnetic Flowmeter Sensitivity
Authors: JENNIFER DENNIS, D. G. WYATT
Journal: Circulation Research (1969)

An electromagnetic flowmeter system that has an accuracy of 0.1% and is insensitive to fluid conductivity was used to study the sensitivity to steady flow of a 6-mm cannular transducer. All measurements were carried out at 37°C. Sensitivity decreased with increasing hematocrit value whether flow was laminar or otherwise. With laminar flow and a given hematocrit value, the sensitivity also decreased with increasing flow rate. Sensitivity started to rise when increasing flow rate caused departure from the laminar regime. At the lowest flow used in the laminar regime (250 ml/min), the sensitivity fell 4% when the hematocrit value was changed from 0 to 66% at 39.5% the reduction in sensitivity was 2%. With laminar flow at hematocrit 39.5% the sensitivity fell 1% as flow increased from 250 to 1500 ml/min. At hematocrit 29.5% the sensitivity rose 1.2% when the flow regime changed from laminar to turbulent. The changes may be explained in terms of a radial distribution of cells, of which a cell-free boundary layer is a particular example. Theoretical calculations show that the thickness of an apparent cell-free boundary layer must be tens of microns to explain the observations with laminar flow and that the apparent thickness is greatly reduced with onset of turbulence. A possible mechanism is described by which the results could be explained in terms of cell orientation.
Mutual organisation takes over ailing NHS hospital
Authors: N. Timmins
Journal: BMJ (2010)

A private hospital operator, Circle, has been given a 10 year franchise to run the ailing Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The most complete takeover to date of a district general hospital by the private sector in the NHS’s 62 year history has provoked strong reactions. The BMA branded it an “untested and worrying experiment,” while Unison, the large trade union that represents many healthcare workers, condemned it as a move that would “put profits before patients” and “devastate the community,” given that Circle has no experience of running a district hospital.

By contrast the employers’ organisation the Confederation of British Industry praised the deal, which is still subject to formal ratification by the Treasury, as a “trailblazing” new form …
Platelets and Prostaglandins in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Jawahar Mehta
Journal: JAMA (1983)

THE ROLE of platelets in the genesis of atherosclerosis and its manifestations has received considerable attention. Based on the recognition of platelet "hyperactivity" in patients with coronary artery disease, several platelet-suppressive drugs have been used in a large number of patients. The purpose of this article is to review the role of platelets, the mechanisms of platelet activation, and the results of platelet-inhibitory drug trials in patients with coronary artery disease. <h3>PLATELETS AND HEMOSTASIS</h3> Platelets, small disklike cells circulating in the blood, have a primary role in hemostasis. With stress to the endothelium and its subsequent disruption, platelets adhere to the subendothelial collagen. Circulating platelets are attracted to the adhering platelets, resulting in platelet aggregation and formation of a platelet thrombus. In this thrombus, RBCs, WBCs, and other components of blood are incorporated, resulting in an occlusive clot. On activation, platelets also release potent hormones, prostaglandins, polypeptides, and other vasoactive
Leptin treatment: Facts and expectations
Authors: Gilberto Paz-Filho, Claudio A. Mastronardi, Julio Licinio
Journal: Metabolism (2014)

Leptin has key roles in the regulation of energy balance, body weight, metabolism, and endocrine function. Leptin levels are undetectable or very low in patients with lipodystrophy, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and congenital leptin deficiency (CLD) due to mutations in the leptin gene. For these patients, leptin replacement therapy with metreleptin (a recombinant leptin analog) has improved or normalized most of their phenotypes, including normalization of endocrine axes, decrease in insulin resistance, and improvement of lipid profile and hepatic steatosis. Remarkable weight loss has been observed in patients with CLD. Due to its effects, leptin therapy has also been evaluated in conditions where leptin levels are normal or high, such as common obesity, diabetes (types 1 and 2), and Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome. A better understanding of the physiological roles of leptin may lead to the development of leptin-based therapies for other prevalent disorders such as obesity-associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, depression and dementia.
THE RELATION TO THE BLOOD OF THE VIRUS OF EPIDEMIC POLIOMYELITIS
Authors: Paul F. Clark, Francis R. Fraser, Harold L. Amoss
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1914)

Specimens of human blood taken during the paralytic stage of poliomyelitis and post mortem have proved not to be capable of infecting Macacus monkeys. Specimens of monkey blood taken at various stages of experimental poliomyelitis have not proved as a rule to be capable of infecting monkeys. In a single instance, among ten tests, infection was secured with a specimen of blood removed at the beginning of the paralysis on the seventh day following an intracerebral inoculation. When suspensions of the spinal cord from a paralyzed monkey have been injected into the brain or simultaneously into the brain and spinal canal, the blood removed from one to forty-eight hours later failed to cause paralysis after intracerebral injection. When large volumes of active filtrate are injected into the circulation the blood remains infective for seventy-two hours at least, but may be no longer infective after ten days when the paralytic symptoms first appear. When, however, the filtrate is injected in smaller amount or when a filtrate of a less active virus is employed in large quantity, the blood either fails to convey infection or conveys it irregularly. It is only when overwhelming quantities of an active virus are injected into the blood that paralysis results. The injection of moderate doses is not followed by paralysis, although the virus may still be detected in a blood sample twenty-four hours after the injection. The existence of a mechanism capable of excluding the virus within the blood from the central nervous organs is therefore inferred. Infection is accomplished far less readily through the circulation than by means of the more direct lymphatic and nervous channels of communication with the central nervous system. Several series of feeding experiments conducted with the biting stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) resulted negatively.
Massive Bleeding From Jejunal Varices in a Patient With Thalassemia Major Detected by Tc-99m Red Blood Cell Scintigraphy
Authors: Sergey Bykov, Alexander Becker, Lev Koltun, Elena Yudko, Izak Garty
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2005)

Massive hemorrhage from the small intestine is uncommon and often difficult to access. Accordingly, the localization and treatment of bleeding originating in the jejunum or ileum can become a major challenge. A rare case of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding from jejunal varices in a thalassemia major patient, successfully diagnosed by Tc-99m red blood cell scintigraphy, is described and illustrated in this article.