tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Unique properties of Cd-binding peptides induced in fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
Authors: Y Hayashi, C W Nakagawa, A Murasugi
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1986)

Metallothioneins, a class of low molecular weight cysteine-rich proteins that bind heavy metal ions, have been found in various eucaryotic organisms. When fission yeasts are grown in the presence of high concentration of CdCl2, large amounts of Cd-binding peptides (Cd-BP1 and Cd-BP2) are synthesized. Cd-BP1 (MW 4000) contains 4 mole of small unit peptide (cadystin, MW 771), 6 mole of Cd2+, and 1 mole of the labile sulfide; on the other hand, Cd-BP2 (MW 1800) contains 2 mole of cadystin and 2 mole of Cd2+. While Cd-BP2 shows similarities to mammalian Cd-thioneins in UV and CD spectra, Cd-BP1 has a characteristic shoulder at 265 nm in the UV absorption spectrum and shows two marked Cotton bands at 257 nm (negative) and 275 nm (positive). These characteristics of Cd-BP1 are not found in the other Cd-thioneins. When Cd-BP1 is acidified (pH 2.0) and successively neutralized, a shoulder of 265 nm in the UV spectrum and a Cotton band at 275 nm disappear, and the molecular weight changes from 4000 to 1800, with simultaneous loss of the labile sulfide. While the reconstituted complex without labile sulfide showed the characteristics of Cd-BP2, the reconstituted complex in the presence of labile sulfide indicated partial reconstitution of Cd-BP1. The UV and CD spectra differences between reconstituted and native Cd-BP1 suggest the requirement for some additional molecular architecture including another peptide-Cd2+ interaction. Induction of cadystin synthesis is almost exclusive for Cd, but an exception is a small amount of cadystin also induced by the higher concentration of CuCl2 (2.5 mM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
PATIENT WHO CHANGED MY PRACTICE
Authors: J. Bowen
Journal: BMJ (1995)

Towards the end of my house jobs my consultants puzzled about my decision to start training in psychiatry when I had declared my intention of becoming a general practitioner. Eight years on I want to share what it was about a patient who left abruptly and apparently unhealed which moved me to psychiatry.

The young man came alone to the casualty department with symptoms and signs of an acute abdomen. A history of recent operations abroad for similar episodes led the surgical team to think about the possible reasons for a surgical emergency. With …
Effects of calcium on shortening velocity in frog chemically skinned atrial myocytes and in mechanically disrupted ventricular myocardium from rat.
Authors: P A Hofmann, R L Moss
Journal: Circulation Research (1992)

Effects of [Ca2+] on isometric tension and unloaded shortening velocity were characterized in single chemically skinned myocytes from frog atrium and in mechanically disrupted myocardium from rat ventricle. The preparations were attached to a force transducer and piezoelectric translator and were viewed with an inverted microscope to allow continuous monitoring of sarcomere length during mechanical measurements. Unloaded shortening velocity was determined by measuring the time required to take up various amounts of slack imposed at one end of each preparation. Ca2+ sensitivity of isometric tension was assessed as pCa50, i.e., the Ca2+ concentration at which tension was 50% maximal, and was greater for frog atrial myocytes (pCa50 6.17) than for rat ventricular myocytes (pCa50 6.06). This difference in Ca2+ sensitivity may be due to variations in myofibrillar protein isoform composition in the two preparations. Inclusion of caffeine in the activating solutions substantially increased the Ca2+ sensitivity of tension, which may be a manifestation of a direct effect of caffeine on the myofibrillar proteins. Unloaded shortening velocity during maximal activation averaged 4.32 muscle lengths per second in frog atrial myocytes and 4.46 muscle lengths per second in rat ventricular myocytes. When [Ca2+] was reduced, unloaded shortening velocity decreased substantially in both preparations. Possible mechanisms for the effect of Ca2+ on shortening velocity in myocardium include Ca2+ dependence of the rate of ADP dissociation from actomyosin complexes or a shortening-dependent internal load involving structures such as C protein or long-lived myosin cross-bridges.
An Introduction to Frontiers in Nephrology
Authors: Allison A. Eddy, William G. Couser
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2002)

Welcome to Frontiers in Nephrology . In this issue of JASN , Frontiers in Nephrology is inaugurated as a new regular feature that will appear every three to four months in future issues. As the new editorial team reviewed the mission of the journal, something became abundantly clear. In many areas
Testicular relapse after chemotherapy for malignant teratoma.
Authors: S Chan, K Sikora
Journal: BMJ (1987)

She was followed up regularly for almost two years and showed no signs of relapse.She stopped taking antithyroid drugs several times and suffered brief relapses of hyperthyroidism, but without any psychosis. CommentHyperthyroidism commonly presents with mental changes such as irritability and anxiety, but psychotic symptoms like hallucination and delusion are rare.The review by Ellis and Mellsop shows that de C1erambault's syndrome is also rare.Our case satisfied all the criteria of the syndrome, but it did not run a chronic course.The prognosis of the primary disorder is generally poor,23 but in this case of secondary erotomania the outcome was good. 1
New Models of Human Disease in Syrian Hamsters
Authors: Freddy Homburger
Journal: JAMA (1970)

The resemblance of five new constitutional (hereditary) diseases in inbred Syrian hamsters (muscular dystrophy, cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, obesity, adrenal adenomatosis, and progressive hind-leg paralysis) to human disease entities makes these animals useful for systematic experimental study. The hamsters have also demonstrated peculiar inherited susceptibilities to teratogenic agents (thalidomide), poisoning by cyclamates through coronary and systemic calcinosis, and the carcinogenic activity of polycyclic hydrocarbons.
Geophagia Diagnosed by Roentgenograms
Authors: Charles E. Mengel, William A. Carter
Journal: JAMA (1964)

THE FEATURES OF geophagia (pica),<sup>1,2</sup>receive sporadic attention in the medical and sociologic literature. Geophagia is most common in the South, remains prevalent in the Negro population, occurs almost exclusively in females, and is usually exaggerated during pregnancy. During the course of an investigation of the nutritional and hematological effects of clay and starch ingestion, x-rays of the abdomen established the diagnosis in several patients and in others served as a useful index of the amount of dirt ingested. In addition, the radiographic findings have provided clues useful in establishing massive clay ingestion in certain cases of iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin. The purpose of this report is (1) to illustrate the radiographic changes, and (2) to recall attention briefly to this practice which may result in anemia, severe illness, and even death.<sup>3-8</sup> <h3>Report of Cases</h3><h3>Case 1.—</h3> This 17-year-old Negro female came to the hospital with
Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in the United States
Authors: Sanjay Saint, M. Todd Greene, Christine P. Kowalski, Sam R. Watson, Timothy P. Hofer, Sarah L. Krein
Journal: JAMA Internal Medicine (2013)

Despite the national goal to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) by 25% by 2013, limited data exist describing prevention practices for CAUTI in US hospitals and none associate national practice use to CAUTI-specific standardized infection ratios (SIRs).To identify practices currently used to prevent CAUTI and to compare use and SIRs for a national sample of US hospitals with hospitals in the state of Michigan, which launched a CAUTI prevention initiative in 2007 ("Keystone Bladder Bundle Initiative").In 2009, we surveyed infection preventionists at a sample of US hospitals and all Michigan hospitals. CAUTI rate differences between Michigan and non-Michigan hospitals were assessed using SIRs.A total of 470 infection preventionists.Reported regular use of CAUTI prevention practices and CAUTI-specific SIR data.Michigan hospitals, compared with hospitals in the rest of the United States, more frequently participated in collaboratives to reduce health care-associated infection (94% vs 67%, P < .001) and used bladder scanners (53% vs 39%, P = .04), as well as catheter reminders or stop orders and/or nurse-initiated discontinuation (44% vs 23%, P < .001). More frequent use of preventive practices coincided with a 25% reduction in CAUTI rates in the state of Michigan, a significantly greater reduction than the 6% overall decrease observed in the rest of the United States.We observed more frequent use of key prevention practices and a lower rate of CAUTI in Michigan hospitals relative to non-Michigan hospitals. This may be related to Michigan's significantly higher use of practices aimed at timely removal of urinary catheters, the key focus area of Michigan's Keystone Bladder Bundle Initiative.
IDDM Incidence in a Multiracial Population: The Hawaii IDDM Registry, 1980–1990
Authors: Sarah L Patrick, Jane K Kadohiro, Sorrell H Waxman, J David Curb, Trevor J Orchard, Janice S Dorman, Lewis H Kuller, Ronald E LaPorte
Journal: Diabetes Care (1997)

OBJECTIVE The Hawaii IDDM Registry was created to determine the incidence rate of IDDM among children aged &amp;lt; 15 years of Oahu between 1980 and 1990. Because of the multiracial population living in Hawaii, it is an ideal state in which to study the effect of migration on IDDM incidence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data were collected by a retrospective hospital chart review and physician survey. Registry criteria included 0–14 years of age at IDDM diagnosis and primary residence on Oahu. Children who were military dependents were excluded. Denominator data were compared from two sources. RESULTS A total of 113 new-onset IDDM cases were identified. Case ascertainment was 97%. The unadjusted annual incidence rate was 7.04–7.61 per 100,000 (95% CI 5.83–9.19), depending on which denominator source was used. Race- and ethnicity-specific rates varied greatly (all rates per 100,000): part Hawaiian, 15.34–16.58; Caucasian, 6.21–6.71; Filipino, 3.66–3.96; and Japanese, 2.85–3.08. Temporally, the incidence fluctuated between a low of 2.96 per 100,000 in 1981 to highs of 11.11 and 11.85 per 100,000 in 1985 and 1989, respectively. Ascertainment-corrected rates for these years (3.70, 11.76, and 13.48 per 100,000, respectively) show that the fourfold incidence increase between 1980 and 1989 was not due to ascertainment differences. CONCLUSIONS IDDM incidence among children &amp;lt; 15 years of age in Hawaii was the lowest documented in the U.S. The incidence among part-Hawaiian children was 2.5 times &amp;gt; that of Caucasian children in Hawaii. IDDM incidence rates among Japanese children in Hawaii were comparable with rates in Japan. The temporal variation in IDDM incidence corresponded with a mid-1980s pandemic of IDDM documented elsewhere.
Cutaneous insulin allergy responsive to oral desensitisation and aspirin.
Authors: I M Holdaway, J D Wilson
Journal: BMJ (1984)

A diabetic man with no previous history of allergy began to suffer itchy, painful swelling at the sites of injection after three months' treatment with bovine insulin. Insulin specific IgE concentrations (1.2-2.0 U/ml) were higher than in non-allergic diabetics (mean 0.4 (SD 0.06) U/ml) but lower than in most other patients allergic to insulin (1.0-19.0 U/ml). Standard approaches failed to overcome the allergic reaction, and four separate attempts at desensitisation were unsuccessful. The patient was then given oral insulin 800 U thrice daily together with enteric coated aspirin 1300 mg thrice daily for one week, and subsequent desensitisation with neutral insulin injection was carried out successfully. On stopping the aspirin the original reactions returned, and aspirin was therefore reinstituted as a permanent part of treatment. Whatever the mechanism in this patient, oral desensitisation and aspirin provided a simple method for treating a difficult condition.
Noninvasive evaluation of liver repopulation by transplanted hepatocytes using31P MRS imaging in mice
Authors: Charles S. Landis, Kosho Yamanouchi, Hongchao Zhou, Sankar Mohan, Namita Roy-Chowdhury, David A. Shafritz, Alan Koretsky, Jayanta Roy-Chowdhury, Hoby P. Hetherington, Chandan Guha
Journal: Hepatology (2006)

Hepatocyte transplantation (HT) is being explored as a substitute for liver transplantation for the treatment of liver diseases. For the clinical application of HT, a preparative regimen that allows preferential proliferation of transplanted cells in the host liver and a noninvasive method to monitor donor cell engraftment, proliferation, and immune rejection would be useful. We describe an imaging method that employs the creatine kinase (CK) gene as a marker of donor hepatocytes. Creatine kinase is unique among marker genes, because it is normally expressed in brain and muscle tissues and is therefore not immunogenic. Preferential proliferation of transplanted CK-expressing hepatocytes was induced by preparative hepatic irradiation and expression of hepatocyte growth factor using a recombinant adenoviral vector. CK is normally not expressed in mouse liver and its expression by the donor cells led to the production of phosphocreatine in the host liver, permitting 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of liver repopulation by engrafted hepatocytes. In conclusion , this study combined a noninvasive imaging technique to assess donor hepatocyte proliferation with a preparative regimen of partial liver irradiation that allowed regional repopulation of the host liver. Our results provide groundwork for future development of clinical protocols for HT.
The nurture of nature: Social, developmental, and environmental controls of aggression
Authors: Charles T. Snowdon
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (1998)

Evidence from many species suggests that social, developmental, and cognitive variables are important influences on aggression. Few direct activational or organizational effects of hormones on aggression and dominance are found in nonhuman primates. Female aggression and dominance are relatively frequent and occur with low testosterone levels. Social, cultural, and developmental mechanisms have more important influences on dominance and aggression than hormones.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGENS OF THE HUMAN DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Authors: John Krupey, Phil Gold, Samuel O. Freedman
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1968)

A procedure has been described for the purification of the carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA) of the human digestive system. Tumor tissue extraction in 0.6 M perchloric acid followed by paper block electrophoresis and column chromatography on Sephadex G-200 resulted in highly purified CEA preparations as determined by both immunological and physicochemical criteria. The properties and composition of five different purified CEA preparations derived from digestive system cancer metastases were examined. The findings demonstrated a high degree of uniformity amongst these samples. Sedimentation coefficients ranged from 6.9 to 8S. Each sample showed the presence of 14 different amino acid residues and six different carbohydrate constituents (four of which could be quantitated with the amount of material available for analyis). Studies of a purified CEA preparation from a primary hepatoma yielded results which, in some respects, differed from those obtained with the CEA samples of metastatic tumor origin. The implications of these variations were discussed with regard to the probable presence of non-CEA components in the hepatoma preparation. Of primary importance was the observation that the few normal adult digestive system tissues tested failed to show the presence of constituents similar to the CEA. This finding would seem to indicate that, in the adult, the carcinoembryonic antigens of the human digestive system are qualitatively tumor-specific and are not dectectable in comparable normal tissues.
Osteoporosis Associated with Neutralizing Autoantibodies against Osteoprotegerin
Authors: Philip L. Riches, Euan McRorie, William D. Fraser, Catherine Determann, Rob van't Hof, Stuart H. Ralston
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2009)

Autoantibodies against osteoprotegerin, which block the inhibitory effect of osteoprotegerin on signaling by the receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB (RANK), were identified in a man with celiac disease who presented with severe osteoporosis and high bone turnover. The osteoporosis did not respond to the treatment of his celiac disease but was completely reversed by bisphosphonate therapy. Autoantibodies against osteoprotegerin were detected in three additional patients with celiac disease. Such autoantibodies may be associated with the development of high-turnover osteoporosis, but whether autoantibodies against osteoprotegerin commonly contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in patients with celiac disease remains to be determined.
Effect of Statin Therapy on C-Reactive Protein Levels
Authors: Michelle A. Albert, Ellie Danielson, Nader Rifai, Paul M Ridker, None for the PRINCE Investigators
Journal: JAMA (2001)

ContextPlasma levels of the inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP) predict cardiovascular risk, and retrospective studies suggest that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) may lower CRP in a manner largely independent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, prospective trial data directly evaluating this anti-inflammatory effect of statins are not available.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that pravastatin has anti-inflammatory effects as evidenced by CRP reduction.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsCommunity-based, prospective, randomized, double-blind trial including 1702 men and women with no prior history of cardiovascular disease (primary prevention cohort) and open-label study including 1182 patients with known cardiovascular disease (secondary prevention cohort) who provided at least baseline and 12-week blood samples. The study was conducted in US office-based practices from February to December 2000.InterventionsParticipants in the double-blind primary prevention trial were randomly assigned to receive 40 mg/d of pravastatin (n = 865) or placebo (n = 837) for 24 weeks. Participants in the secondary prevention cohort received 40 mg/d of open-label pravastatin for 24 weeks.Main Outcome MeasureChange in CRP levels from baseline to 24 weeks.ResultsIn the primary prevention trial, compared with placebo, pravastatin reduced median CRP levels by 16.9% (P&lt;.001) at 24 weeks, reflecting a decrease of 0.02 mg/dL in the pravastatin group while no change in CRP levels was observed in the placebo group. This effect was seen as early as 12 weeks (median reduction in CRP with pravastatin, 14.7%; P&lt;.001) and was present among all prespecified subgroups according to sex, age, smoking status, body mass index, baseline lipid levels, presence of diabetes, and use of aspirin or hormone replacement therapy. No significant association was observed between baseline CRP and baseline LDL-C levels, end-of-study CRP and end-of-study LDL-C levels, or change in CRP and change in LDL-C levels over time. In linear regression analyses, the only significant predictors of change in CRP on a log scale were randomized pravastatin allocation and baseline CRP levels (P&lt;.001 for both). Similar reductions in CRP levels were observed at 12 weeks (−14.3%) and 24 weeks (−13.1%) in the secondary prevention cohort treated with pravastatin (P&lt;.005 for both).ConclusionsIn this prospective trial, pravastatin reduced CRP levels at both 12 and 24 weeks in a largely LDL-C–independent manner. These data provide evidence that statins may have anti-inflammatory effects in addition to lipid-lowering effects.
O01 * A META-ANALYSIS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC ABILITY, EFFICACY, SAFETY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF 5-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID GUIDED RESECTION OF HIGH GRADE GLIOMAS.
Authors: S. J. Price
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2014)

INTRODUCTION: It is well appreciated that maximal resection of glioblastomas improves outcome but is difficult to achieve due to the invasive nature of gliomas. 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) improves tumour detection by selective conversion to a fluorophore in tumour tissue that is detected by fluorescence under blue light. This meta-analysis aims to assess the ability of 5-ALA as a tool for identifying tumour as well as the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of 5-ALA resections. METHOD: A systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE was was supplemented with review of the trials registry and expert opinion. Case reports and reviews were excluded. Studies reporting diagnostic accuracy, clinical efficacy (extent of resection or progression free survival [PFS]), safety or cost effectiveness in adults with resected high grade gliomas were included. RESULTS: 52 studies were identified of which 21 fulfilled the search criteria. The diagnostic accuracy of fluorescence identifying tumour had 87% sensitivity, 93% specificity, 98% positive predictive value and 58% negative predictive value. 72.3% of patients had a complete resection of the enhancing tumour. Two studies demonstrated a prolonged PFS compared to a white light group. There were no increases in morbidity in patients without deficits pre-operatively. 5-ALA costs £1,241.56 more per patient and this is largely due to patients receiving more cycles of chemotherapy. The cost per QALY was £7,424.46 - well below the NICE threshold. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis shows that 5-ALA is an accurate diagnostic tool, improves progression free survival but does not increase morbidity and is cost effective. This should now be considered as a standard of care.