tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Reduction of sympathetic inotropic response after ischemia in dogs. Contributor to stunned myocardium.
Authors: A A Ciuffo, P Ouyang, L C Becker, L Levin, M L Weisfeldt
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1985)

Eight open chest dogs underwent 25 min of coronary occlusion to determine whether brief myocardial ischemia disrupts the normal myocardial inotropic response to sympathetic nervous stimulation. If so, this could represent a mechanism contributing to postischemic myocardial dysfunction. Myocardial segment shortening was measured using ultrasonic dimension crystals before and after coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. Left ansa subclavia stimulation and systemic norepinephrine (NE) infusion were used to test the myocardial inotropic response to neural stimulation and direct exposure to the sympathetic mediator, respectively. Before coronary artery occlusion, base-line preischemic segment shortening (12.5 +/- 1.6%) (SEM) increased during both sympathetic stimulation (20.2 +/- 1.4%) and NE infusion (19.7 +/- 1.1%). The control segment responded similarly. After ischemia and reperfusion there was no significant change in heart rate, aortic or left ventricular pressures, nor changes in control segment shortening. In contrast, shortening in the postischemic segment was markedly reduced compared to baseline (4.1 +/- 2.4%), and no longer responded to sympathetic stimulation (2.4 +/- 2.8%), while responsiveness to systemic NE was maintained (12.9 +/- 2.0%), P less than 0.001, which suggested injury to the sympathetic-neural axis during the period of ischemia. This reduced response to neural stimulation was persistent for up to 2 h after reperfusion. Left atrial or intracoronary infusion of bretylium tosylate, which releases norepinephrine from nerve terminals, resulted in an immediate inotropic response in the postischemic segment, which indicated that total depletion of NE from nerve terminals during the ischemic period had not occurred. Disruption of sympathetic neural responsiveness is likely a component of the mechanism of postischemic myocardial dysfunction whenever there is appreciable sympathetic drive to the heart.
Spermicides, HIV, and the Vaginal Sponge
Authors: Katherine M. Stone
Journal: JAMA (1992)

Despite the current epidemic of sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), prevention measures known to be effective are underutilized. Most prevention guidelines have appropriately emphasized abstinence, monogamy between uninfected partners, or condom use. Condoms are highly effective if used consistently and correctly.<sup>1</sup>These strategies, however, are not acceptable to some persons at high risk for HIV infection. Furthermore, women at risk for HIV infection must depend on male partners to use condoms. In recent years, the desire to protect women from HIV infection and the sense of desperate need for strategies less dependent on male cooperation have ignited sparks of enthusiasm for vaginal spermicides as a preventive measure. Data to support use of vaginal spermicides, including the nonoxynol 9 sponge, to prevent HIV infection include (1) laboratory studies that showed that nonoxynol 9 and other spermicides inactivate HIV See also p 477.
Predictive performance of telenursing complaints in influenza surveillance: a prospective cohort study in Sweden
Authors: T Timpka, A Spreco, O Eriksson, Ö Dahlström, E A Gursky, M Strömgren, E Holm, J Ekberg, J Hinkula, J M Nyce, H Eriksson
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2014)

Syndromic data sources have been sought to improve the timely detection of increased influenza transmission. This study set out to examine the prospective performance of telenursing chief complaints in predicting influenza activity. Data from two influenza seasons (2007/08 and 2008/09) were collected in a Swedish county (population 427,000) to retrospectively determine which grouping of telenursing chief complaints had the largest correlation with influenza case rates. This grouping was prospectively evaluated in the three subsequent seasons. The best performing telenursing complaint grouping in the retrospective algorithm calibration was fever (child, adult) and syncope (r=0.66; p&lt;0.001). In the prospective evaluation, the performance of 14-day predictions was acceptable for the part of the evaluation period including the 2009 influenza pandemic (area under the curve (AUC)=0.84; positive predictive value (PPV)=0.58), while it was strong (AUC=0.89; PPV=0.93) for the remaining evaluation period including only influenza winter seasons. We recommend the use of telenursing complaints for predicting winter influenza seasons. The method requires adjustments when used during pandemics.
Transgastric endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage: results of a pilot study
Authors: E. Bories, C. Pesenti, F. Caillol, C. Lopes, M. Giovannini
Journal: Endoscopy (2007)

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) access to the biliary tract is sometimes impossible and percutaneous access has the disadvantages of increased morbidity and patient discomfort. We present our first results with an alternative technique: endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided transgastric biliary drainage.11 patients (7 men, mean age 64 years) were referred for failed ERCP and biliary obstruction (malignancy n = 8, benign conditions n = 3). The retrograde approach via the papilla had been impossible due to surgical anatomy, duodenal stenosis, and hilar stricture with occlusion of the left side. EUS-guided drainage was done with endoscopic and fluoroscopic monitoring. After puncture of the left biliary duct a guide wire was inserted into it followed by tract dilation using a cystostome. A plastic or a metallic stent was placed through this gastrobiliary fistula for bile drainage.EUS-guided left hepaticogastrostomy was successfully performed in 10/11 cases, with one failure of guide wire insertion after puncture. Plastic and covered metal stents were inserted in seven and three patients, respectively. Complications in the plastic stent group included one early occlusion requiring stent replacement, and one transient ileus. In the metallic stent group there was one bilioma and one cholangitis, due to stent shortening. Clinically, the stent was efficacious in all 10 cases; during a mean follow-up of 213 days (range 3-610), two patients presented with stent occlusion and one with stent migration, with successful endoscopic treatment in all.EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy is an efficient technique and could be a future alternative to percutaneous biliary drainage or palliative surgical drainage.
461 US DOPPLER COULD PREDICT VARICES PROGRESSION AND REBLEEDING AFTER PORTAL HYPERTENSION'S SURGERY: LESSONS FROM 146 ESOPHAGOGASTRIC DEVASCULARIZATION PLUS SPLENECTOMY AND 10 YEARS FOLLOW-UP
Authors: F. Ferreira, M. Ribeiro, M.D.F. Santos, L.A. Szutan
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)
Primary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Michael J. Domanski
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2007)

The development and progression of atherosclerosis is an intricate inflammatory process dependent on intimal entry of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Although myriad genetic and environmental factors modulate this process, the centrality of LDL cholesterol to the physiology of plaque genesis, progression, and instability leads to the notion that reducing serum LDL cholesterol might be an effective way to mitigate or even prevent the disease.A number of clinical trials have unequivocally demonstrated the clinical utility of lowering LDL cholesterol levels. The three major cholesterol-lowering trials carried out in people without a history of coronary events (primary prevention trials) include the . . .
Abstract B40: Paracrine interactions through CXCL1/2 chemokines promote breast cancer metastasis and chemoresistance
Authors: Swarnali Acharyya, Thordur Oskarsson, Sakari Vanharanta, Srinivas Malladi, Juliet Kim, Edi Brogi, Larry Norton, Joan Massague
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Cancer progression is a complex process that involves tumor growth at the primary site coupled with metastatic colonization and outgrowth at a distant organ site. In the case of solid tumors, 90% of deaths are known to occur from metastasis. Searching for mediators of breast cancer progression and metastasis, we identified a signature of 18 genes, the expression of which in primary tumors could predict the risk of lung metastasis recurrence in over 700 breast cancer patients. The sole chemokine in the lung metastasis signature is CXCL1, a member of the C-X-C family of chemokines. We find that increased expression of CXC family members could be explained in part by amplification of 4q21, a locus that harbors CXCL1-8 in breast tumors and metastases that we examined. Investigating the functional role of the C-X-C family in breast cancer metastasis led us to uncover a series of paracrine interactions mediated by CXCL1 and CXCL2 with components of the tumor microenvironment. Using breast cancer cell lines, primary patient derived cells and transgenic mouse models of mammary cancer and lung metastasis, we show that CXCL1/2 serve dual functions promoting both primary tumor growth and lung metastasis. We also demonstrate that CXCL1/2 recruits myeloid subpopulations that are essential in mediating cancer cell survival. Using small molecule inhibitors targeting CXCL1/2 signaling, we elucidate that this chemokine axis is critical in mediating breast cancer metastasis to lung and can be pharmacologically targeted. The standard treatment for metastatic breast cancer is a combination of chemotherapeutic drugs. Disappointingly, these therapies only provide limited benefit and almost always result in relapse with acquired resistance and deadly consequences. We found that CXCL1, CXCL2 and other related family members were frequently upregulated in breast cancer models exposed to a variety of cytotoxic agents such as doxorubicin and taxanes. Moreover, our study revealed previously unknown tumor-stroma interactions that are initiated by CXCL1/2 in response to chemotherapy. Additionally, our functional studies in animal models and clinical evidence from patient samples demonstrated a function of CXCL1/2 in mediating chemoresistance. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of the CXCL1/2 paracrine axis in combination of chemotherapy significantly sensitized breast tumors to the therapy. In particular, combined treatment dramatically reduced the outgrowth of cancer cells at the lung metastatic site. Together, our findings reveal a network of tumor-microenvironment interactions mediated by the CXC chemokine axis that promotes tumor growth and metastasis on one hand and chemoresistance on the other.
Aspirin for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis
Authors: Andreas Creutzig
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1996)

Letters1 September 1996Aspirin for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery StenosisAndreas Creutzig, MD and Carsten Ranke, MDAndreas Creutzig, MDMedizinische Hochschule, 30623 Hannover, GermanySearch for more papers by this author and Carsten Ranke, MDMedizinische Hochschule, 30623 Hannover, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-125-5-199609010-00016 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Cote and colleagues [1] present strong evidence that aspirin, 325 mg/d, does not effectively prevent ischemic events in asymptomatic patients with high-grade (≥ 50%) carotid artery stenosis [1].In a prospective, double-blind trial [2], we showed that aspirin treatment slows the growth of carotid plaque in a dose-dependent fashion; a dose of 900 mg/d was more efficient than 50 mg/d [2]. Twenty-seven asymptomatic patients with 104 small carotid atheroma (<50% lumen narrowing) received aspirin for 1 year; during that period they were examined with a high-resolution ultrasound duplex system. The change in plaque area was significantly different ...References1. Cote R, Battista RN, Abrahamowicz M, Langlois Y, Bourque F, Mackey A, et al. Lack of effect of aspirin in asymptomatic patients with carotid bruits and substantial carotid narrowing. Ann Intern Med. 1995; 123:649-55. Google Scholar2. Ranke C, Hecker H, Creutzig A, Alexander K. Dose-dependent effect of aspirin on carotid atherosclerosis. Circulation. 1993; 87:1873-9. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Andreas Creutzig, MD; Carsten Ranke, MDAffiliations: Medizinische Hochschule, 30623 Hannover, Germany PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 September 1996Volume 125, Issue 5Page: 420KeywordsAspirinAtheromasCarotid arteriesLesionsStenosisUltrasound imaging ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 September 1996 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1996 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
Alcohol infusion to measure hepatic blood flow: Vanquishing the běte noire?
Authors: Samuel S. Lee
Journal: Hepatology (1989)

Experiments were carried out to determine the accuracy and validity of estimations of hepatic blood flow from systemic clearances of ethanol during very low dose (8 μmol. min. -1 · kg -1 ) infusions of ethanol in anesthetized cats. Systemic clearances were compared with directly measured hepatic blood flow using a hepatic venous longcircuit technique. This technique allowed direct measurement and alteration of hepatic blood flow and collection of arterial, portal, and hepatic venous blood samples without depletion of the animal's blood volume. In 18 cats, V max for ethanol was 93 ± 7 μmol·min -1 per 100 g liver or 21 ± 2 μmol·min -1 · kg body weight -1 and K m was 144 ± 19 μM in terms of logarithmic mean sinusoidal concentration. At the dose of 8 μmol·min -1 · kg body weight -1 used for estimation of hepatic blood flow, extraction was 0.95 ± 0.07 (mean ± SD). Systemic clearance of ethanol overestimated directly measured hepatic blood flow by 15 ± 16%. Hepatic blood flow changes expressed as percentages of the control level were accurately estimated from systemic ethanol clearance (100 ± 10%). Since 73 ± 12% of the infused ethanol was eliminated by the liver and 83 ± 11% was eliminated by the splanchnic bed, an extraslanchnic uptake of 17% accounted for the overestimation of hepatic blood flow. Estimation of hepatic blood flow from systemic clearances of ethanol during very low dose infusions may have advantages over other clearance methods. Its use in cats was illustrated in a separate series of experiments and it was shown that surgery significantly reduced hepatic blood flow. The method may merit trial for estimation of hepatic blood flow in humans.
Beekeepers show way to allergen tolerance
Authors: Nicole LeBrasseur
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2008)

Beekeepers are the new, improved mouse model for immune responses to allergens, according to a study from Meiler et al. (page 2887). The fleeting tolerance of these intrepid honey lovers to bee antigens is now revealed to require a Jekyll-and-Hyde set of T cells that go from attack to suppressive mode and back again.






Figure 1

T cells specific for a bee toxin make mostly IFN-γ and IL-4 before beekeeping season (blue) but mostly IL-10 after the season begins (red).




It's an immunologist's dream. By the very nature of their jobs, unprotected beekeepers are voluntarily and repeatedly injected with high doses of bee antigen—an average of 13 antigen-loaded stings in the first week of honey-harvesting season alone, according to the study. And in just these seven days, the beekeepers developed an immune tolerance that was noticeable in both skin reactions and T cell responses.

T cells that started out proliferation-happy in response to bee antigen became much more subdued soon after the season began. The authors traced this change to cytokine alterations: within a week, T cells that had made mostly IFN-γ started making more IL-10, which tempers immune reactions. IL-10–producing cells curbed the in vitro proliferation of other T cells in response to bee antigen.

The cytokine switch, the authors found, was initiated through the histamine pathway. As with many allergens, bee venom induces mast cells to unload histamine. In vitro experiments with the beekeepers' T cells revealed that histamine induced IL-10 production and T cell lethargy, both of which required the H2 histamine receptor.

The beekeepers' tolerance was lost within two months of season's end, unveiling a relatively short lifespan of T cell suppression. The cycle repeated at the onset of the next season, so beekeepers have little to worry about. But allergy sufferers, who may be defective in this IL-10 response, might be less enthused, because the findings suggest that successful therapies involving allergen-specific immunotherapy probably require considerable perseverance. NL
468 UNIQUE PATTERN OF VIROLOGIC RESPONSE IN PATIENTS WITH GENOTYPE-1 HCV: A PHASE II STUDY OF CTS-1027 IN COMBINATION WITH PEGINTERFERON/RIBAVIRIN (SOC) IN NULL RESPONDERS
Authors: M. Rodriguez-Torres, B. Bacon, S. Gordon, R. Rubin, T. Box, M. Kugelmas, J. Vierling, B. Yoffe, P. Pockros, G. Everson, M. Jonas, L. Balart, O. Bohm, E. Castelloe, M.R. Huyghe, S. Mento, A. Spada, A.W. Fox, M. Chojkier
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2011)
Double Gallbladder With Double Cholelithiasis
Authors: Earl A. Simendinger
Journal: JAMA (1971)

To the Editor.—  The presence of two gallbladders in man is not uncommon. However, we have been unable to find mention in the literature of a double gallbladder with cholecystitis, a stone in each gallbladder, diagnosed preoperatively and treated surgically. Duplication of the gallbladder was known to Pliny the Elder, according to Palmisano, and there have been 42 operative cases.1Others have been found in autopsy material. Duplication of the gallbladder may be complete or incomplete.3Incomplete varieties are quite rare in man and are due to division of the gallbladder by a septum or by a diverticulum arising from one part of the gallbladder. Boyden, in 19,000 patients and cadavers, found only five cases of double gallbladder.3The condition is much more common in animals, where infection and stones have been described.3The case presented here (Fig 1) showed a double gallbladder with a common
Effect of exemestane on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer.
Authors: J Eng-Wong, JC Reynolds, D Venzon, S Wedam, S Prindiville, J Zujewski, L Korde
Journal: Cancer Research (2009)

Abstract Abstract #5086 Background: The aromatase inhibitors (AIs) show promise for breast cancer prevention in postmenopausal women. However these agents have been shown to decrease bone mineral density in women with breast cancer. Exemestane, a steroidal aromatase inhibitor, may be more bone sparing than the non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors.&amp;#x2028; Methods: We conducted a phase II trial of exemestane in postmenopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer to assess the effect on anterior-posterior (AP) spine and total hip bone mineral density (BMD). Eligible participants are at increased risk for breast cancer by virtue of: Gail model risk &amp;gt; 1.7% over 5 years; high risk pathological lesion (e.g. lobular neoplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ); known BRCA1/2 deleterious mutation or prior stage I/II breast cancer at least 2 years from breast cancer treatment and not treated with AIs. Women were required to undergo DEXA scan of the AP spine and hip at baseline and were excluded if AP spine T-score was ≤-2.5. AP spine measurements were done twice at each time point and the results averaged. Study participants receive exemestane 25 mg, calcium carbonate 1200 mg and vitamin D 400 IU daily for two years. We report the results of a planned interim safety analysis assessing one year change in bone density in the first 18 subjects. Student's t-test was used to determine relative change from baseline in AP spine and total hip BMD.&amp;#x2028; Results: To date, 30 women have enrolled in the trial and 21 have completed 1 year of exemestane. Three women discontinued agent after an average of 3 months due to joint pain. For the 21 included in this analysis 15 were eligible due to a high risk pathological lesion, 4 by Gail Model and 2 by prior breast cancers. The average change in AP spine BMD from baseline to 1 year (N= 21) is –1.3 %, range -10.0 to +7.0% (p=0.20 for the null hypothesis of zero overall change; 95% C.I. for the mean -3.2% to +0.7%). Average AP spine T score is -0.28 at baseline and -0.45 at one year. Change in total hip BMD is -1.4%, range -7.5% to 5.9% (p=0.058, 95% C.I. -2.8% to +0.1%). Average total hip T score is -0.05 at baseline and -0.17 at one year.&amp;#x2028; Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that exemestane 25 mg/day for one year with concurrent calcium and vitamin D has acceptable effects on bone density in postmenopausal high risk women, although there were wide ranges in effects. The observed average reduction in BMD is less than the reported effect in treatment studies of women with invasive breast cancer. Studies are in progress to determine whether exemestane use by postmenopausal women is effective in reducing the risk of invasive breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5086.
“Einstein's baby” could infer intentionality
Authors: John S. Watson
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2005)

Some implications of Tomasello et al.'s theory derive from incorporating a variant of a common assumption that humans are biologically adapted to take an intentional stance in relation to conspecifics. I argue that, rather than being cued, intentions and other dispositional states may be inferred logically from an evolved commitment to determinism and evidence of state-dependent behavior.
Electrodiagnosis and Electromyography
Authors: H. Richard Tyler
Journal: JAMA (1962)

The use of electrodiagnostic techniques in neurology and physical medicine is rapidly expanding. Technological advances have made certain procedures not only feasible but desirable in the routine evaluation of many patients. This excellent book uniquely fulfills the demand for a single comprehensive and authoritarian monograph on the various procedures, i. e., strength duration curves, electromyography, nerve conduction, etc. The material is up to date, well presented, and in very usable form. A book like this was greatly needed (unlike many books written today ) and this need has been most satisfactorily answered. This book is recommended without reservation and it should be in every laboratory where electrical testing is done. It is also an excellent reference for those physicians in neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and physical medicine who need to be aware of the potentialities of these methods.