tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effects of Qili Qiangxin Capsules in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Xinli Li, Jian Zhang, Jun Huang, Aiqun Ma, Jiefu Yang, Weimin Li, Zonggui Wu, Chen Yao, Yuhui Zhang, Wenming Yao, Boli Zhang, Runlin Gao
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2013)

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of qili qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).Qili qiangxin capsules are a traditional Chinese medicine that has been approved in China for the treatment of CHF, but the evidence supporting its efficacy remains unclear.A total of 512 patients with CHF were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive the placebo or qili qiangxin capsules in addition to their standard medications for the treatment of CHF. The primary endpoint was the reduction or percent change in the plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level during 12 weeks of treatment.At the 12-week follow-up, a significant reduction in the NT-proBNP level from baseline was observed in both groups, but the qili qiangxin capsule group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction than the placebo group (p = 0.002); 47.95% of patients in the qili qiangxin capsule group demonstrated reductions in NT-proBNP levels of at least 30% compared with 31.98% of patients in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Treatment with qili qiangxin capsules also demonstrated superior performance in comparison to the placebo with respect to New York Heart Association functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction, 6-min walking distance, and quality of life.On a background of standard treatment, qili qiangxin capsules further reduced the levels of NT-proBNP. Together, our data suggest that qili qiangxin capsules could be used in combination therapy for CHF.
Why ritualized behavior? Precaution Systems and action parsing in developmental, pathological and cultural rituals
Authors: Pascal Boyer, Pierre Liénard
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2006)

Ritualized behavior, intuitively recognizable by its stereotypy, rigidity, repetition, and apparent lack of rational motivation, is found in a variety of life conditions, customs, and everyday practices: in cultural rituals, whether religious or non-religious; in many children's complicated routines; in the pathology of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD); in normal adults around certain stages of the life-cycle, birthing in particular. Combining evidence from evolutionary anthropology, neuropsychology and neuroimaging, we propose an explanation of ritualized behavior in terms of an evolved Precaution System geared to the detection of and reaction to inferred threats to fitness. This system, distinct from fear-systems geared to respond to manifest danger, includes a repertoire of clues for potential danger as well as a repertoire of species-typical precautions. In OCD pathology, this system does not supply a negative feedback to the appraisal of potential threats, resulting in doubts about the proper performance of precautions, and repetition of action. Also, anxiety levels focus the attention on low-level gestural units of behavior rather than on the goal-related higher-level units normally used in parsing the action-flow. Normally automatized actions are submitted to cognitive control. This "swamps" working memory, an effect of which is a temporary relief from intrusions but also their long-term strengthening. Normal activation of this Precaution System explains intrusions and ritual behaviors in normal adults. Gradual calibration of the system occurs through childhood rituals. Cultural mimicry of this system's normal input makes cultural rituals attention-grabbing and compelling. A number of empirical predictions follow from this synthetic model.
THE IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO INFLUENZA VIRUS INFECTION AS MEASURED BY THE COMPLEMENT FIXATION TEST
Authors: William F. Friedewald
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1943)

A quantitative complement fixation test with influenza immune sera and virus antigens obtained from allantoic fluid is described. The method utilizes a photoelectric densitometer which provides a simple, objective, and accurate determination of the hemolytic reaction. The enhancement of the hemolytic activity of complement in the presence of serum or allantoic fluid necessitates a preliminary titration of complement in the presence of these agents. An accurate appraisal of the activity of the complement under the conditions of the actual test permits the selection of an optimal amount of complement and greatly increases the sensitivity of the test. The substance (or substances) responsible for the enhanced hemolytic activity of complement has been found in human and many animal sera and in allantoic fluids obtained from the developing chick embryo. It requires the presence of both complement and hemolysin, resists heating at 100°C. for 2 hours, and is dialyzable. Allantoic fluid or mouse lung preparations of influenza virus contain a complement-fixing antigen which is intimately associated with the virus particle. It sediments in the high speed centrifuge at the same rate as the hemagglutinin and infective particle and, like the latter, is adsorbed by fowl red blood cells and eluted from the cells on standing at room temperature or 37°C. It cannot be separated from the virus particle by repeated washings in the centrifuge or repeated adsorptions with red blood cells; the hemagglutinin and complement-fixing antigen titers remain roughly proportional. This antigen shows a high degree of strain specificity in cross complement fixation tests with PR8, W.S., and swine ferret antisera, and, as found with the neutralization test, it shows little or no strain specificity with human sera. A soluble antigen is also present in influenza virus preparations which can be readily separated from the virus particle by centrifugation. It is not adsorbed by red blood cells. Furthermore, it reacts in lower titer with ferret antisera and usually shows less strain specificity in cross complement fixation tests. In general, allantoic fluid virus preparations contain much less of the soluble antigen than mouse lung extracts.
Colony-stimulating factor-1–induced oscillations in phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT are required for caspase activation in monocytes undergoing differentiation into macrophages
Authors: Arnaud Jacquel, Naïma Benikhlef, Jérôme Paggetti, Najoua Lalaoui, Leslie Guery, Erick K. Dufour, Marion Ciudad, Cindy Racoeur, Olivier Micheau, Laurent Delva, Nathalie Droin, Eric Solary
Journal: Blood (2009)
Targeting‐Triggered Porphysome Nanostructure Disruption for Activatable Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Cheng S. Jin, Liyang Cui, Fan Wang, Juan Chen, Gang Zheng
Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials (2014)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) possess advantages over the conventional therapies with additional treatment selectivity achieved with local laser irradiation. Comparing to PTT that ablates target tissue via thermal necrosis, PDT induces target cell death via singlet oxygen without damaging the underling connective tissue, thus preserving its biological function. Activatable photosensitizers provide an additional level of treatment selectivity via the disease‐associated activation mechanism. In this study, folate‐conjugated porphysomes are introduced as targeting‐triggered activatable nano‐sized beacons for PDT. Porphysomes are reported previously as the most stable and efficient delivery system of porphyrin, but their nanostructure converts the singlet oxygen generation mechanism to thermal ablation mechanism. By folate‐receptor‐mediated endocytosis, folate‐porphysomes are internalized into cells rapidly and resulted in efficient disruption of nanostructures, thus switching back on the photodynamic activity of the densely packed porphyrins for effective PDT. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, folate‐porphysomes can achieve folate receptor‐selective PDT efficacy, which proves the robustness of targeting‐triggered PDT activation of porphysome nanostructure for highly selective tumor ablation. The formulation of porphysomes can be modified with other targeting ligands as activatable photosensitizers for personalized treatment in future.
Ultrastructure of mouse intestinal mucosa and changes observed after long term anthraquinone administration.
Authors: P Dufour, P Gendre
Journal: Gut (1984)

In an attempt to study the relative toxicity of anthraquinonic laxatives on intestinal mucosa, we compared in mice the effects of fruit pulp containing sennosides A and B with those of a free anthraquinone, 1-8 dihydroxyanthraquinone. Observations have been made with transmission electron microscopy (EM) after 16 weeks of treatment with the two drugs. Although the doses used in this study were equipotent in terms of laxative activity, no damage to the intestinal tissue was observed with the sennosides. A number of changes, however, were detected in intestinal nervous tissues of all the animals treated with 1-8 dihydroxyanthraquinone, mainly in the form of vacuolisation of the axons, formation of lysosomal structures and in some cases appearances of fibrillar degeneration.
The Role of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in the Management of Hepatic Hydatid Disease
Authors: R. Dumas, P. Le Gall, P. Hastier, M. J. M. Buckley, M. Conio, J. P. Delmont
Journal: Endoscopy (1999)

Band and Study Aims: Hydatid disease of the liver, and its complications, causes serious morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the management of hepatic hydatid disease.
Liver Resection and Transplantation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: J. Belghiti, D. Fuks
Journal: Liver Cancer (2012)

Liver resection is the most available, efficient treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Better liver function assessment, increased understanding of segmental liver anatomy using more accurate imaging studies, and surgical technical progress are the most important factors that have led to reduced mortality, with an expected 5 year survival of 70%. Impairment of liver function and the risk of tumor recurrence lead to consideration of liver transplantation (LT) as the ideal treatment for removal of the existing tumor and the preneoplastic underlying liver tissue. However, LT, which is not available in many countries, is restricted to patients with minimum risk of tumor recurrence under immunosuppression. Limited availability of grafts as well as the risk and the cost of the LT procedure has led to considerable interest in combined treatment involving resection and LT. An increasing amount of evidence has shown that initial liver resection in transplantable patients with a single limited tumor and good liver function is a valid indication. Histological analysis of specimens allows identification of the subgroup of patients who could benefit from follow-up with LT in case of recurrence.
Maternal antibody against pertussis.
Authors: N W Preston
Journal: BMJ (1977)

Oncolytic viruses are an emerging class of immunotherapy agents for cancer treatment. In this issue of JITC, Machiels et al. reports early phase data from an oncolytic adenovirus given by intravenous (IV) administration. While this may allow easy access to metastatic lesions, there is limited data supporting the therapeutic effectiveness of this approach. Further studies should include assessment of viral replication in tumor tissue and consider comparative trials using IV and intratumoral delivery to fully optimize oncolytic immunotherapy.
Control of Experimental Ascites by Hepatopexy
Authors: Andrew A. Gage
Journal: JAMA (1965)

Ascites due to cirrhosis has been treated by producing adhesions about the liver and other viscera, as first described by Drummond and Morison in 1896<sup>1</sup>and by Talma in 1898.<sup>2</sup>This type of operation came to be used widely, but then was abandoned because of the unpredictable results. More recently, Madden et al<sup>3</sup>described a method of hepatopexy, in which magnesium trisilicate powder was applied to abraded adjacent surfaces of the liver and the diaphragm. The technique, coupled with renewed emphasis on lymph exudation from the surface of the liver as a factor in the pathogenesis of ascites,<sup>4</sup>suggested a new evaluation of Morison's operation. In a previous report,<sup>5</sup>we demonstrated that experimental ascites can be prevented by enclosing the entire liver in dense adhesions created by abrasion and application of magnesium trisilicate powder. However, the technique produced perihepatic adhesions of variable extent and density, often
The Origins of Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Expression Profiles
Authors: Luanne Lukes, Nigel P.S. Crawford, Renard Walker, Kent W. Hunter
Journal: Cancer Research (2008)

Abstract Recent high profile clinical trials show that microarray-based gene expression profiling has the potential to become an important tool for predicting prognosis in breast cancer. Earlier work in our laboratory using mouse models and human breast cancer populations has enabled us to show that metastasis susceptibility is an inherited trait. This same combined approach facilitated the identification of a number of candidate genes that, when dysregulated, have the potential to induce prognostic gene expression profiles in human data sets. To investigate if these gene expression signatures were of somatic or germline origin and to assess the contribution of different cell types to the induction of these signatures, we have performed a series of expression profiling experiments in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. These results show that both the tumor epithelium and invading stromal tissues contribute to the development of prognostic gene signatures. Furthermore, analysis of normal tissues and tumor transplants suggests that prognostic signatures result from both somatic and inherited components, with the inherited components being more consistently predictive. [Cancer Res 2009;69(1):310–8]
Increased production of inflammatory cytokines in patients with silent myocardial ischemia
Authors: Antonino Mazzone, Chiara Cusa, Iolanda Mazzucchelli, Monia Vezzoli, Elena Ottini, Roberta Pacifici, Piergiorgio Zuccaro, Colomba Falcone
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2001)
MMR vaccine: the continuing saga
Authors: D. Elliman
Journal: BMJ (2001)

The current low uptake of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in some parts of the United Kingdom has led to well publicised concerns about the potential for measles outbreaks among primary school entrants. This has coincided with prepublication publicity last week of a paper casting doubts on the adequacy of the evidence which secured the licence for MMR vaccine.1 Understandably some parents and health professionals are confused and anxious and, in an effort to protect their children against measles, have sought single antigen vaccines. We have reviewed the latest developments in this saga and are convinced that such confusion and anxiety about MMR vaccine are unfounded.

The authors of the paper, Wakefield and Montgomery, imply that they have examined all the safety data relating to the licensing of the vaccine1 in the early 1970s (1971 in US and 1972 in UK, not 1975 and 1988 as they say). Although this is their aim, in support of their concerns they also cite studies that postdate the award of licences. Therefore it is surprising that they do not mention the classical Finnish double blind placebo controlled trial among twins.2 This was a rigorous study which reported a low incidence of side effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms. The omission of this important study casts doubt on the completeness and impartiality of their review.

The authors pay …
A Clinical Evaluation of the Rygg-Kyvsgaard III and the Mark III Pump Oxygenators
Authors: E. Arnfred, I. H. Rygg, T. Frederiksen, H. C. Engell, T. Poulsen, J. Rosen
Journal: Thorax (1961)

In the Departments of Surgery D and R of the University Hospital of Copenhagen (Rigshospitalet) two pump oxygenators of different types, namely, the Rygg-Kyvsgaard III bubble oxygen- ator and the mark III screen oxygenator, have during the last two years been used in two parallel series of perfusions.An opportunity has thus been provided for comparing the efficacies of the two oxygenators.Since only a few such investigations have been made previously (Gerbode, Osborn, Melrose, Perkins, Norman, and Baer, 1958), and there has been some doubt about the applicability of the bubble oxygenators (Maloney, Longmire, Schmutzer, Marable, Raschke, Watanabe, Lobpreis, and Arzouman, 1958), we have thought it of interest to publish our results.The work comprises only human perfu- sions, and the series were concluded in September, 1960 (Engell, Rygg, Arnfred, Frederiksen, and Thue Poulsen, 1961).TECHNICAL AccIDENT.-Inthe Rygg-Kyvsgaard 111 series no technical accidents influencing the course of the perfusion were reported.During the tenth perfusion with the mark III apparatus, in which a case of Steno-Fallot's disease was being operatzd on, an increasing leakage in the tube in the recirculation pump occurred after 26 minutes' perfusion.During the indispensable replace- copyright.
Diffuse Renal Parenchyma Uptake With Bone Scintigraphy in a Patient With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria and Normal Kidney Function
Authors: Hans Balink, Mels Hoogendoorn, Marc Hemmelder
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2014)

A 41-year-old woman with a Harrington spondylodesis presented with lower back pain. Bone scintigraphy showed diffusely increased parenchymal uptake in both kidneys. She reported 2 previous periods of dark, almost black, urine. Additional flow cytometric analysis confirmed the diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. The increased renal parenchyma uptake is very probably due to paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria–related renal hemosiderosis. Remarkably, the patient did not develop any abnormality of renal function.
THE USE OF THORIUM DIOXIDE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LIVER ABSCESS
Authors: ROBERT J. REEVES
Journal: JAMA (1933)

During the last three years, numerous articles have appeared in the literature on the use of colloidal thorium dioxide in roentgenologic diagnosis. Most of this work has been experimental and, because of the questionable sequelae, it has not been widely used in clinical diagnosis. The Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry of the American Medical Association1recently gave a comprehensive report on the general use of the drug; it considered it still in the experimental stage.  According to available literature, thorium dioxide was first used clinically by Radt.2Since that time, many reports concerning its use in small series of cases have been recorded.  Stewart, Einhorn and Illick3have used thorium in the diagnosis of patients with varied clinical complications.  McDonald4used the drug as an aid in the clinical diagnosis in eighteen patients. At the time of his report, none of these cases had come to
Stromal LRP1 in Lung Adenocarcinoma Predicts Clinical Outcome
Authors: He Meng, Guoan Chen, Xiaojie Zhang, Zhuwen Wang, Dafydd G. Thomas, Thomas J. Giordano, David G. Beer, Michael M. Wang
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract Purpose: LRP1 (low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1) is a broadly expressed receptor that binds multiple extracellular ligands and participates in protein clearance. It is expressed in numerous cancers, but its role in lung cancer has not been characterized. Here, we investigate the relationship between LRP1 and lung cancer. Experimental Design: LRP1 mRNA levels were determined in lung tumors from several large, multicenter studies. LRP1 protein localization was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of lung tumor microarrays. Normal fibroblasts, fibroblasts treated with the LRP1 inhibitor RAP (receptor-associated protein), and Lrp1 null fibroblasts were cocultured with 3 independent lung cancer cell lines to investigate the role of LRP1 on tumor cell proliferation. Results: LRP1 mRNA levels are significantly decreased in lung tumors relative to nontumorous lung tissue. Lower expression of LRP1 in lung adenocarcinomas correlates with less favorable clinical outcome in a cohort of 439 patients. Immunohistochemical analysis shows that LRP1 is primarily expressed in stromal cells in 94/111 lung cancers, with very little protein found in cancer cells. A growth-suppressive function of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells was observed in 3 lung cancer cell lines tested (H460, H2347, and HCC4006 cells); growth suppression was blocked by the LRP1 inhibitor RAP. Lrp1 deletion in fibroblasts reduced the ability of MEF cells to suppress tumor cell mitosis. In a validation set of adenocarcinomas, we confirmed a significant, positive correlation between both LRP1 mRNA and protein levels and favorable clinical outcomes. Conclusions: LRP1 expression is associated with improved lung cancer outcomes. Mechanistically, stromal LRP1 may non–cell autonomously suppress lung tumor cell proliferation. Clin Cancer Res; 17(8); 2426–33. ©2011 AACR.
Atrial natriuretic peptide and water and electrolyte transport in the human jejunum.
Authors: J Brunner, R Lubcke, G O Barbezat, T G Yandle, E A Espiner
Journal: Gut (1991)

The effects of atrial natriuretic peptide were investigated on water and electrolyte transport in the human jejunum. Six healthy male volunteers (aged 21-33 years) were studied using a triple lumen perfusion technique. A plasma like electrolyte solution containing polyethylene glycol (5 milligrams) as a non-absorbable marker was perfused into the jejunum at 10 ml/min, and net water and electrolyte transport and transepithelial potential difference were measured. Subjects were studied single blind on two occasions with either intravenous atrial natriuretic peptide (6 pmol/min/kg for 90 minutes) or placebo (saline), both after controlled sodium intake over three days. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations rose from (mean (SD)) 10.3 (3.6) pmol/l to a peak of 96.0 (61.8) pmol/l. Jejunal net water and electrolyte fluxes and potential difference were identical in both the atrial natriuretic peptide and the control studies. Compared with placebo atrial natriuretic peptide induced a significantly greater diuresis (peak 10.2 (6.0) v 1.8 (1.0) ml/min, p less than 0.05) and natriuresis (peak 1069 (351) v 376 (208) mumol/min, p less than 0.01) and haemoconcentration (haematocrit 0.405 (0.040) v 0.368 (0.018), p less than 0.01). There was no difference in blood pressure, pulse rate, plasma electrolytes, and plasma osmolality between the two studies. There was no evidence to suggest an effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on jejunal water and electrolyte transport in healthy human subjects.