tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts Compared with Endoscopic Sclerotherapy for the Prevention of Recurrent Variceal Hemorrhage
Authors: Arun J. Sanyal
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1997)

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) have widened the use of portal decompression as therapy for variceal hemorrhage. However, no controlled studies have examined the efficacy of TIPS compared with that of other treatments.To compare the efficacy and safety of TIPS with those of endoscopic sclerotherapy for the prevention of recurrent variceal hemorrhage.Randomized, controlled trial.Tertiary-care academic medical center.100 patients with cirrhosis were evaluated a mean of approximately 10 days after an episode of acute variceal bleeding; 20 patients were excluded because of portal venous thrombosis (n = 6), hepatoma (n = 3), florid alcoholic hepatitis (n = 6), and refusal to give consent (n = 5).TIPS (n = 41) or sclerotherapy (n = 39). The latter was performed by freehand injections of 5% Na morrhuate at 2- to 3-week intervals. Recurrent variceal hemorrhage was managed by sclerotherapy followed by angiographic assessment of TIPS and dilatation of the stents (TIPS group) or crossover to TIPS (sclerotherapy group).Rebleeding and survival were the primary end points. Complications and rates of rehospitalization were secondary end points.During a mean follow-up of approximately 1000 days, recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding resulted from variceal hemorrhage (9 patients in the TIPS group and 8 in the sclerotherapy group), portal gastropathy (1 patient in each group), and gastric lipoma (0 and 1 patients, respectively). A higher mortality rate was seen with TIPS (P = 0.03). Death resulted from variceal bleeding (5 patients in the TIPS group and 3 in the sclerotherapy group), sepsis (3 and 2 patients, respectively), liver failure (2 patients in each group), hepatoma (1 and 0 patients, respectively), and hemoperitoneum (1 and 0 patients, respectively). Encephalopathy was the most common complication in the TIPS group (n = 12), and pain developing after sclerotherapy was the most common in the sclerotherapy group (n = 10). The two groups had similar rates of rehospitalization.Endoscopic sclerotherapy and TIPS are equivalent with respect to rebleeding developing over the long term. However, sclerotherapy may be superior to TIPS with respect to survival.
Cleavage and inactivation of Factor IX by granulocyte elastase.
Authors: A Takaki, D L Enfield, A R Thompson
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1983)

Radioiodinated Factor IX was cleaved by a crude sonicate from leukocytes. In the absence of calcium, fragments of less than 15,000 mol wt were seen from reduced samples on gel electrophoresis. After digestion in 2 mM calcium, however, electrophoresis of reduced samples showed, in addition to low molecular weight fragments, protein bands corresponding in size to heavy and light chains of Factor XIa-activated Factor IX. The cleaving activity in leukocyte sonicates was inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, but only to a small extent by aprotinin. Granulocyte elastase was isolated from purified polymorphonuclear leukocyte granules by affinity chromatography on soybean trypsin inhibitor-agarose and further chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose. The purified fraction contained two isozymes on acidic gels which cleaved both an ester sensitive to elastase and radiolabeled Factor IX. These two activities were inhibited by elastase-specific chloromethyl ketone. The isolated protease fraction rapidly inactivated apparent Factor IX activity in a coagulant assay system. The degree of inactivation correlated with the amount of intact, radiolabeled Factor IX cleaved. As with the crude sonicate, generation of the larger heavy and light chain-sized fragments was dependent upon calcium. To assess directly the effect of elastase on Factor IX, an immunospecific, active site-directed assay was developed. In this assay, the sample was incubated with solid-phase antibody to Factor IX and the amount of activated product was detected as that which had complexed with radioiodinated antithrombin III. In this system, exposure of Factor IX to Factor XIa showed progressive increase in the ability to bind antithrombin III, whereas after elastase, Factor XIa was unable to generate antithrombin III binding. The elastase-degraded Factor IX did not inhibit activation of additional Factor IX in clotting assays. When Factor IXa was incubated with elastase, binding of antithrombin III was decreased, corresponding to appearance of low molecular weight fragments on parallel samples that were reduced and electrophoresed. These data are consistent with elastase inactivating Factor IX by cleaving bonds near, but distinct from, bonds cleaved by Factor XIa.
Myocardial Protection Conferred by Electromagnetic Fields
Authors: A. L. DiCarlo, J. M. Farrell, T. A. Litovitz
Journal: Circulation (1999)

Background —It has been reported that electromagnetic (EM) fields induce stress proteins in vitro. These proteins have been shown to be important in recovery from ischemia/reperfusion. It was, therefore, hypothesized that EM fields could activate stress responses in vivo and protect myocardial tissue during anoxia. Methods and Results —Chick embryos were exposed to 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-μT and 60-Hz EM fields for 20 minutes followed by a 1-hour rest period before placement in an anoxic chamber. Embryos were reoxygenated when survival of controls dropped to &lt;40%, and final observations were made 30 minutes later. Data from 80 experiments (&gt;500 EM field-exposed embryos) indicated that EM field protection was extremely significant ( P &lt;0.0001). Survival rates were 39.6% in controls and 68.7% in field-exposed embryos. In a second set of experiments, embryos were exposed for 20 minutes to several pretreatments: (1) hyperthermia (43°C), (2) 60-Hz, 8-μT EM fields, or (3) 60-Hz, 8-μT EM fields plus a random EM noise field (8 μT). Embryo survival was 37.7% (control), 57.6% (heated), 69% (60-Hz EM field only), and 41.5% (60-Hz EM field plus EM noise). To confirm that heating resulting from field exposures did not occur, thermocouples were placed into several eggs at the site of the embryo during exposure; no increase in temperature was noted. Conclusions —We conclude that athermal EM field exposures induce stress responses that protect chick embryo myocardium from anoxia damage. These results suggest that EM field exposures may be a useful, noninvasive means of minimizing myocardial damage during surgery, transplantation, or heart attack in humans.
Surgical Treatment of Carotid and Vertebral Artery Disease
Authors: ALAN B. GRINDAL
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1974)

With the recent advances in aortocranial angiography and surgical treatment of extracranial vascular disease, as well as the publication of sometimes conflicting reports concerning indications and results of treatment, we have compiled an updated assessment of the role of surgery in the treatment of cerebrovascular ischemia. Indications for the repair of asymptomatic carotid stenosis, kinks of the carotid artery, bilateral carotid stenosis, carotid occlusion and subclavian vertebral lesions are considered. New surgical techniques such as superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis are discussed.
Cellular Responses to Interferons and Other Cytokines: The JAK–STAT Paradigm
Authors: R M Ransohoff
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1998)

Recently, two rare genetic disorders have been linked to abnormalities in a novel cytokine-signaling mechanism, and the growth of leukemia cells was shown to be inhibited by selective blockade of this mechanism.13 The details of this signaling mechanism have emerged only within the past five years, yet it has already been the subject of more than 1000 scientific reports and promises to have many clinical applications. The discovery of this pathway was a serendipitous outcome of research on interferon.Twenty years ago interferon was the avatar of the biotechnology revolution, but interest in this cytokine dimmed when its promise . . .
Saline Injection Needle-Knife Sphincterotomy: A Preliminary Report
Authors: K. P. Etzkorn, R. P. Venu, R. D. Brown, D. E. McGuire, A. Abu-Hammour
Journal: Endoscopy (1996)

Needle-knife sphincterotomy is an established technique in the management of some patients with biliary tract obstruction. However, the technique can be technically difficult in patients with very small papillae, specially when associated with distorted ampullary and duodenal anatomy. We present here a technique that may enhance successful needle-knife sphincterotomy in this situation.Eight patients with biliary tract obstruction who had small papillae and distorted ampullary or duodenal anatomy were evaluated. All patients had undergone one or more unsuccessful cannulations prior to referral. All eight patients underwent saline injection of their papillae, creating a bulging papilla, prior to needle-knife sphincterotomy.Seven of the eight patients had successful needle-knife sphincterotomy following saline injection, and endoscopic therapy during the first attempt. In one patient, the procedure was successful at a second attempt 48 hours later. There were no instances of significant complications.Saline injection into the papilla prior to needle-knife sphincterotomy may improve success rates in patients with unusually small papillae and distorted ampullary or duodenal anatomy. However, at present this technique should only be attempted by experienced endoscopists. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are required before the safety of this technique can be fully evaluated.
Clinicopathologic Study of the Effect of Radial Tears and Loop Fixation on Intraocular Lens Decentration
Authors: Ehud I. Assia, Ulrich F.C. Legler, Craig Merrill, Jonathan C. Hicklin, Victoria E. Castaneda, Judy P. Hoggatt, Daniel Wasserman, David J. Apple
Journal: Ophthalmology (1993)
Gene Therapy Coming of Age in Latin America
Authors: Osvaldo Podhajcer, Fernando Pitossi, Estuardo Aguilar-Cordova
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2002)

"Gene Therapy in Latin America: From the Bench to the Clinic," a meeting sponsored by the Wellcome Trust and the United Nations University through the Biotechnology Program for Latin America and the Caribbean, took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina from May 20 to 22. This symposium, which was hosted by Osvaldo Podhajcer and Fernando Pitossi,had more than 150 basic scientists and physician-scientists from academia, government and industry in Latin America, similar to the first meeting of the Asociacion Iberoamericana de Terapia Génica (Iberoamerican Society of Gene Therapy, AITG) held in Guadalajara, México, two years ago. Participants represented Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guatemala, with guests from the United States and Europe. All came together to discuss the latest developments in this field in the region. A primary objective of this gathering was to bring together Latin American scientists involved in gene therapy to strengthen continental collaborations and to further disseminate the scientific expertise available in Latin America. The symposium was followed by a 10-day practical course for 25 students from all over Latin America.
Natural history of cirrhosis
Authors: G. D'Amico, L. Pasta, G.B. Vizzini, F. Politi, M. Traina, M. Caltagirone, S. Madonia, L. Montalbano, A. Luca, L. Barresi, D. Guerrera, L. Pagliaro
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (1991)
Nickel-induced alterations in human renal epithelial cells.
Authors: A Haugen, L Maehle, S Mollerup, E Rivedal, D Ryberg
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1994)

Cellular progression to malignancy appears to require a number of distinct steps in which genetic damage in key regulatory genes accumulates. Immortalization, or escape from senescence, is considered to be one of the first phenotypic changes. Ni2+ treatment of normal human kidney epithelial (NHKE) cells in vitro resulted in immortalization of the cells IHKE cells). The combined action of Ni2+ and v-Ha-ras oncogene fully transformed the cells to tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. Sequence analysis of DNA from IHKE cells revealed point mutation in the p53 gene at codon 238 with T-->C transition. These findings suggest that Ni-induced mutation in the p53 gene can be involved in the immortalization of the NHKE cells. The results also show that changes in the responses to EGF and TGF beta and in the expression of their receptors occur during malignant progression in vitro.
Thrombocythemia and Neurologic Effects
Authors: JACK LEVIN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1984)

Letters and Corrections1 January 1984Thrombocythemia and Neurologic EffectsJACK LEVIN, M.D.JACK LEVIN, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-100-1-161 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: Jabaily and colleagues have (1) attributed neurologic manifestations in patients with essential thrombocythemia to elevated platelet levels. However, their conclusion is not justified by their data. The commonest neurologic symptom was headache, a nonspecific complaint. One wonders how frequently headache would be reported by age-matched controls who were similarly questioned about neurologic symptoms. Because the authors acknowledge that the needed comparison with a control group was not done, despite the fact that essential thrombocythemia usually occurs in an age group likely to have some signs and symptoms reported in Table 1 of their article, there is no...Reference1. JABAILYILANDLASZLO JHJ. Neurologic manifestations of essential thrombocythemia. Ann Intern Med. 1983;99:513-8. LinkGoogle Scholar1. CASTRO-MALASPINAMOORE HM. Pathophysiological mechanisms operating in the development of myelofibrosis: role of megakaryocytes. Nouv Rev Fr Hematol. 1982;24:221-6. MedlineGoogle Scholar2. BESSMAN J. Evaluation of automated whole-blood platelet counts and particle-sizing. Am J Clin Pathol. 1980;74:157-62. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. LEVINBESSMAN JJ. The inverse relation between platelet volume and platelet number: abnormalities in hematologic disease and evidence that platelet size does not correlate with platelet age. J Lab Clin Med. 1983;101:295-307. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: JACK LEVIN, M.D.Affiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byClinical manifestations of essential thrombocythemia in young adultsControlled and uncontrolled thrombocytosis.Its clinical role in essential thrombocythemia 1 January 1984Volume 100, Issue 1Page: 161-162KeywordsAge groupsHeadachesPlateletsSigns and symptomsThrombocytosis ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 January 1984 PDF downloadLoading ...
The human SCGB2A2 (Mammaglobin-1) promoter/enhancer in a helper-dependent adenovirus vector directs high levels of transgene expression in mammary carcinoma cells but not in normal nonmammary cells
Authors: Chang-Xin Shi, Michael A. Long, Limin Liu, Frank L. Graham, Jack Gauldie, Mary M. Hitt
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2004)

Expression of secretoglobin family 2A member 2 (SCGB2A2, also known as mammaglobin-1) has been detected in a high percentage of primary and metastatic breast tumors, to a lesser extent in normal breast, but not in other normal tissues. Plasmid transfection studies in our lab and others, however, were unable to identify the genetic elements regulating this specificity. Here we demonstrate that a 25-kb DNA fragment derived from the human SCGB2A2 gene upstream of the protein coding sequence was highly active and preferentially expressed in breast cancer cells when introduced via a helper-dependent adenoviral (HDAd) vector. HDAd delivery was selected for its high cloning capacity, its high efficiency of gene transfer, and the absence of cis-acting viral sequences that can potentially interfere with specificity of the inserted promoters. A series of vectors with deletions in the 25-kb fragment was constructed to identify important regulatory regions of the SCGB2A2 promoter. We have determined that elements controlling the specificity of expression reside within the first 345 bp upstream of the coding sequence. In addition, we identified a strong enhancer several kilobases upstream of this minimal promoter. We suggest that the SCGB2A2 promoter/enhancer should be particularly advantageous for gene therapy protocols involving oncolytic viruses or toxic gene transfer via adenovectors to mammary tumors.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy for HIV-Related Wasting
Authors: Douglas T. Dieterich
Journal: JAMA (1998)

Background: Development of successful anabolic strategies to reverse the loss of lean body mass is of critical importance to increase survival in men with the AIDS wasting syndrome. Hypogonadism, an acquired endocrine deficiency state characterized by loss of testosterone, occurs in more than half of all men with advanced HIV disease. It is unknown whether testosterone deficiency contributes to the profound catabolic state and loss of lean body mass associated with the AIDS wasting syndrome.Objective: To investigate the effects of physiologic testosterone administration on body composition, exercise functional capacity, and quality of life in androgen-deficient men with the AIDS wasting syndrome.Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Setting: University medical center.Patients: 51 HIV-positive men (age 42±8 years) with wasting (body weight &lt;90% of ideal body weight or weight loss &gt;10% of baseline weight) and a free testosterone level less than 42 pmol/L (normal range for men 18 to 49 years of age, 42 to 121 pmol/L [12.0 to 35.0 pg/mL]).Intervention: Patients were randomly assigned to receive testosterone enanthate, 300 mg, or placebo intramuscularly every 3 weeks for 6 months.Measurements: Change in fat-free mass was the primary end point. Secondary clinical end points were weight, lean body mass, muscle mass, exercise functional capacity, and change in perceived quality of life. Virologic variables were assessed by CD4 count and viral load.Results: Compared with patients who received placebo, testosterone-treated patients gained fat-free mass (−0.6 kg and 2.0 kg; P=0.036), lean body mass (0.0 kg and 1.9 kg; P=0.041), and muscle mass (−0.8 kg and 2.4 kg; P=0.005). The changes in weight, fat mass, total-body water content, and exercise functional capacity did not significantly differ between the groups. Patients who received testosterone reported benefit from the treatment (P=0.036), feeling better (P=0.033), improved quality of life (P=0.040), and improved appearance (P=0.021). Testosterone was well tolerated in all patients.Conclusions: Physiologic testosterone administration increases lean body mass and improves quality of life among androgen-deficient men with the AIDS wasting syndrome.
PCB-95 Promotes Dendritic Growth via Ryanodine Receptor–Dependent Mechanisms
Authors: Gary A. Wayman, Dongren Yang, Diptiman D. Bose, Adam Lesiak, Veronica Ledoux, Donald Bruun, Isaac N. Pessah, Pamela J. Lein
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2012)

Background: Aroclor 1254 (A1254) interferes with normal dendritic growth and plasticity in the developing rodent brain, but the mechanism(s) mediating this effect have yet to be established. Non-dioxin-like (NDL) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) enhance the activity of ryanodine receptor (RyR) calcium ion (Ca2+) channels, which play a central role in regulating the spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Ca2+ signaling is a predominant factor in shaping dendritic arbors, but whether PCB potentiation of RyR activity influences dendritic growth is not known.Objective: We determined whether RyR activity is required for PCB effects on dendritic growth.Methods and Results: Golgi analysis of hippocampi from weanling rats confirmed that developmental exposure via the maternal diet to NDL PCB-95 (2,2´,3,5´6-pentachlorobiphenyl), a potent RyR potentiator, phenocopies the dendrite-promoting effects of A1254. Dendritic growth in dissociated cultures of primary hippocampal neurons and in hippocampal slice cultures is similarly enhanced by PCB-95 but not by PCB-66 (2,3,4´,4-tetrachlorobiphenyl), a congener with negligible effects on RyR activity. The dendrite-promoting effects of PCB-95 are evident at concentrations as low as 2 pM and are inhibited by either pharmacologic blockade or siRNA knockdown of RyRs.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that environmentally relevant levels of NDL PCBs modulate neuronal connectivity via RyR-dependent effects on dendritic arborization. In addition, these findings identify RyR channel dysregulation as a novel mechanism contributing to dysmorphic dendritogenesis associated with heritable and environmentally triggered neurodevelopmental disorders.
Preparation of low‐affinity red cells with dimethylsulfoxide‐mediated inositol hexaphosphate incorporation: Hemoglobin and ATP recovery using a continuous‐flow method
Authors: R. S. Franco, K. Wagner, M. Weiner, O. J. Martelo
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1984)

Incorporation of IHP into red cells decreases oxygen affinity as a result of the binding of this compound to the 2,3-DPG site of hemoglobin. This investigation describes a continuous-flow method which utilizes the osmotic pulse technique to transport IHP into RBC. Using this procedure, it is possible to obtain a significant increase in P50 while maintaining in vitro cellular integrity. For example, IHP incorporation sufficient to cause an increase in the P50 of 20 mm Hg may be achieved with recovery of approximately 75% of the hemoglobin and with maintenance of ATP levels compatible with good viability. The continuous-flow method allows uniform treatment of large, unit-size volumes of red cells with a relatively small quantity of reagents. The final cell product is macrocytic/hypochromic with an increased number of stomatocytes.
Successful management of Ph chromosome chronic myelogenous leukemia with leukapheresis during pregnancy
Authors: M. Shouki Bazarbashi, Mitchell R. Smith, Chatchada Karanes, Irene Zielinski, Carter R. Bishop
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1991)

Abstract We report the successful management of a 25 year‐old woman diagnosed in the second trimester of her pregnancy with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). She was treated with leukapheresis until her delivery at 38 weeks of gestation. The procedure was without significant adverse effects on the patient or the fetus. Following induced vaginal delivery, the patient underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from her HLA‐matched brother and is presently disease free 13 months following her transplant.
Mental Abnormality as a Specialty
Authors: J. S. Bland
Journal: BMJ (1967)

expectant mother from the benefit of such a drive ?Dr. P. E. Dipple (p.360) is at pains to defend the Clinistix test ; he may have over- looked my reference to it as a " useful screening test " (p.206).Nevertheless, being an enzyme test, it is subject to the influence of anti-enzymes such as uric acid.I have found urines with 40 mg./l00 ml.glucose or more negative to Clinistix, and in this way some cases of diabetes might pass undetected;
Resection of Bronchial Chondroma through the Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscope
Authors: Rune Lundgren, Bengt Winblad
Journal: Endoscopy (1980)

Bronchial chondromas are usually treated by thoracotomy and resection of a lung segment or lung lobe. This case report describes the endobronchial resection of a bronchial chondroma by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in a 61-year-old man.