tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Impact of Glycemic Control on Survival of Diabetic Patients on Chronic Regular Hemodialysis
Authors: Takeshi Oomichi, Masanori Emoto, Tsutomu Tabata, Tomoaki Morioka, Yoshihiro Tsujimoto, Hideki Tahara, Tetsuo Shoji, Yoshiki Nishizawa
Journal: Diabetes Care (2006)

To investigate the impact of glycemic control during regular hemodialysis on the survival of diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a longitudinal observational study.A total of 114 diabetic CKD patients on hemodialysis at Inoue Hospital (Suita, Japan) were surveyed from May 1995 to December 2002 (survey period 45.5 +/- 29.3 [means +/- SD] months). All subjects were categorized into three groups by mean HbA(1c) (A1C) level during the 3-month period on hemodialysis preceding entry, as follows: good (A1C <6.5%, 5.7 +/- 0.4%, n = 34), fair (6.5 <or= A1C < 8.0%, 7.2 +/- 0.4%, n = 39), and poor (A1C >or=8.0%, 9.2 +/- 0.9%, n = 41) A1C groups.There were no significant differences in age at entry, initiation of hemodialysis, duration of hemodialysis, blood pressure, cardiothoracic ratio, serum creatinine level, or hemoglobin level among the three groups. The cumulative survival of the poor A1C group during the survey was significantly lower than that of the fair and good A1C groups as determined by Kaplan-Meier estimation (P = 0.041, log-rank test). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, both poor A1C group (hazard ratio 2.889, P = 0.010) and mean A1C (1.260 per 1.0%, P = 0.003) were significant predictors of survival.In diabetic CKD patients on regular hemodialysis, poor glycemic control is an independent predictor of prognosis. This finding indicates the importance of careful management of glycemic control even after initiation of hemodialysis.
Immunotherapy with dog and cat extracts in children
Authors: A. Bertelsen, J. B. Andersen, J. Christensen, L. Ingemann, T. Kristensen, P. Aa. øStergaard
Journal: Allergy (1989)

Hypersensitivity to dogs and cats causes asthma in many children. In this open controlled clinical study we wanted to establish whether immnunotherapy can be recommended as a supplement to conventional medical therapy in dog‐ and cat‐induced asthma in children. Twenty‐seven children with mean age 10 7/12 years and with allergy to dog or cat according to anamnesis, skin prick test (SPT), specific IgE (RAST) and bronchial provocation test (BPT) entered the study. On the basis of age and bronchial sensitivity they were randomly allocated to either immunotherapy with dog or cat extract (active group, n = 14) or conventional medical therapy (control group, n = 13). Immunotherapy comprised subcutaneous injections with an alum‐adsorbed depot extract (Alutard‐SQ), and a maintenance dose of 100,000 SQ‐U or the maximum tolerated dose. Before entering the study and after 9 months' therapy the patients were evaluated by BPT, SPT, RAST ‐ and IgG 4 analyses. The active group showed statistically significant change in bronchial tolerance ( P &lt; 0.02), whereas no such change was found in the control group ( P &gt;0.05) The change in skin sensitivity was significantly greater in the active group than in the control group ( P &lt; 0.05), whereas no significant differences were found in RAST and IgG 4 . However, a significant ( P =0.05) increase in IgG 4 was seen in the active but not in the control group. Frequency and degree of side effects in this study were acceptable.
Checks and balances in membrane phospholipid class and acyl chain homeostasis, the yeast perspective
Authors: Anton I.P.M. de Kroon, Pieter J. Rijken, Cedric H. De Smet
Journal: Progress in Lipid Research (2013)

Glycerophospholipids are the most abundant membrane lipid constituents in most eukaryotic cells. As a consequence, phospholipid class and acyl chain homeostasis are crucial for maintaining optimal physical properties of membranes that in turn are crucial for membrane function. The topic of this review is our current understanding of membrane phospholipid homeostasis in the reference eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After introducing the physical parameters of the membrane that are kept in optimal range, the properties of the major membrane phospholipids and their contributions to membrane structure and dynamics are summarized. Phospholipid metabolism and known mechanisms of regulation are discussed, including potential sensors for monitoring membrane physical properties. Special attention is paid to processes that maintain the phospholipid class specific molecular species profiles, and to the interplay between phospholipid class and acyl chain composition when yeast membrane lipid homeostasis is challenged. Based on the reviewed studies, molecular species selectivity of the lipid metabolic enzymes, and mass action in acyl-CoA metabolism are put forward as important intrinsic contributors to membrane lipid homeostasis.
Effect of intravenous dextran 70 and pneumatic leg compression on incidence of postoperative pulmonary embolism.
Authors: N L Browse, G Clemenson, N T Bateman, J I Gaunt, D N Croft
Journal: BMJ (1976)

The incidence of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis was measured in 50 matched pairs of patients undergoing common surgical procedures with preoperative and postoperative ventilation-perfusion lung scans and the fibrinogen uptake test. One patient in each pair was treated with intravenous dextran 70 and pneumatic leggings. The incidence of pulmonary embolism among the treated patients was significantly reduced from 24% to 8%, but the incidence of deep vein thrombosis was not significantly reduced (34% to 24%).
Computational approaches to interpreting genomic sequence variation
Authors: Graham RS Ritchie, Paul Flicek
Journal: Genome Medicine (2014)

Abstract Identifying sequence variants that play a mechanistic role in human disease and other phenotypes is a fundamental goal in human genetics and will be important in translating the results of variation studies. Experimental validation to confirm that a variant causes the biochemical changes responsible for a given disease or phenotype is considered the gold standard, but this cannot currently be applied to the 3 million or so variants expected in an individual genome. This has prompted the development of a wide variety of computational approaches that use several different sources of information to identify functional variation. Here, we review and assess the limitations of computational techniques for categorizing variants according to functional classes, prioritizing variants for experimental follow-up and generating hypotheses about the possible molecular mechanisms to inform downstream experiments. We discuss the main current bioinformatics approaches to identifying functional variation, including widely used algorithms for coding variation such as SIFT and PolyPhen and also novel techniques for interpreting variation across the genome.
Cardiac Arrhythmias Treated by Catheter Ablation Methods
Authors: G. FONTAINE
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1985)

Letters and Corrections1 November 1985Cardiac Arrhythmias Treated by Catheter Ablation MethodsG. FONTAINE, M.D., J. L. TONET, M.D., R. FRANK, M.D.G. FONTAINE, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, J. L. TONET, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, R. FRANK, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-103-5-803_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: The excellent recent review by Josephson (1) stresses new approaches in the nonpharmacologic and nonsurgical treatment of cardiac arrhythmias by catheter ablation techniques. However, the reported results are, in our opinion, not consistent because of technical problems that have been overlooked in previous reports.As indicated by Josephson, most catheters used for these ablation techniques show breaks of insulation due to arcing within the catheter. Shocks given through a catheter that has not been appropriately checked for current and voltage could lead to electrical failure, as indicated by studies done in saline (2). Our impression is that...References1. JOSEPHSON M. Catheter ablation of arrhythmias. Ann Intern Med. 1984;101:234-7. LinkGoogle Scholar2. FISHER J, BRODMAN R, and JOHNSTON D. Nonsurgical electrical ablation of tachycardias: importance or prior in vitro testing of catheter leads. PACE. 1984;7:74-81. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. FONTAINE G, CANSELL A, LECHAT P, FRANK R, TONET J, and GROSGOGEAT Y. Les chocs électriques endocavitaires: problèmes liés au matériel. Arch Mal Coeur. 1984;77:1307-14. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. LERMAN B, WEISS J, BULKLEY B, BECKER L, and WEISFELDT M. Induction of persistent ventricular arrhythmias by endocardial catheter DC shocks in dogs [Abstract]. Circulation. 1983;68(4 pt 2):287. Google Scholar5. KEMPF F, FALCONE R, WAXMAN H, MARCHLINSKI F, and JOSEPHSON M. Anatomic and hemodynamic effects of electrical discharges in the ventricle [Abstract]. Circulation. 1983;68(4 pt 2):174. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: G. FONTAINE, M.D.; J. L. TONET, M.D.; R. FRANK, M.D.Affiliations: Hôpital Jean Rostand 94200 Ivry France PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 November 1985Volume 103, Issue 5 Page: 803-803 Keywords Arrhythmia Cardiac ablation Catheters Shock ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1985 PDF downloadLoading ...
Hepatitis B virus genotype: A missing link in transmission risk and disease progression?
Authors: Stevan A. Gonzalez, Emmet B. Keeffe
Journal: Hepatology (2008)

Background & Aims: Persistence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in chronic hepatitis B has been associated with increased risk for development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Five hepatitis B virus genotypes were identified in Alaska Native persons; we analyzed clearance of HBeAg by age and genotype. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 1158 Alaska Native persons throughout Alaska were tested serially for HBeAg for a median of 20.5 years and were genotyped. Initial and final HBeAg-positive specimens, time to clearance, age at clearance, and subsequent HBeAg results were analyzed for persons initially HBeAg-positive. Subsequent HBeAg results were analyzed for persons initially negative. Results: Genotypes A, B, C, D, and F were identified. Genotype C persons initially HBeAg-positive were more likely than those with other genotypes to be positive on initial and final specimens (P < .001 for each) and time to HBeAg clearance was longer (P < .001). Age at which 50% of persons cleared HBeAg was <20 years for those infected with genotypes A, B, D, and F and 47.8 years in genotype C (P < .001). After losing HBeAg, those with genotypes C and F were more likely to revert to the HBeAg-positive state (P < .001). Conclusions: Genotype may have a strong effect on mode of transmission and outcome. Genotype C may have been responsible for most perinatal transmission, given that seroconversion from HBeAg occurs decades later than in other genotypes.
REstenosis STent (REST)-study: Randomized trial comparing stenting and balloon angioplasty for treatment of restenosis after balloon angioplasty
Authors: Raimund Erbel, Michael Haude, Hans W. Höpp, Carlos Macaya, Masakiyo Nobuyoshi, Peter Probst, Martin Sigmund, Hakan Emanuelsson, Bernd Heublein, Wolfgang Rutsch, Gunhild Herrmann
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1996)
Re: Hervé Baumert, Andrew Ballaro, Carlos Arroyo, Amir V. Kaisary, Peter F.A. Mulders and Ben C. Knipscheer. The Use of Polymer (Hem-o-lok) Clips for Management of the Renal Hilum During Laparoscopic Nephrectomy. Eur Urol 2006;49:816–9
Authors: Fredrik Liedberg
Journal: European Urology (2006)
Differential expression of human metallothionein isoform I mRNA in human proximal tubule cells exposed to metals.
Authors: S H Garrett, S Somji, J H Todd, M A Sens, D A Sens
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1998)

In contrast to the single metallothionein (MT)-1 gene of the mouse, the human MT-1 gene family is composed of seven active genes and six pseudogenes. In this study, the expression of mRNA representing the seven active human MT-1 genes was determined in cultured human proximal tubule (HPT) cells under basal conditions and after exposure to the metals Cd2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Ag2+, and Pb2+. Basal expression of MT-1X and MT-1E mRNA in HPT cells was similar to expression of the housekeeping gene glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. In contrast, mRNAs representing the basal expression of MT-1A and MT-1F were a minor transcript in HPT cells. Treatment of HPT cells with Cd2+, Zn2+, or Cu2+ increased the levels of MT-1E and MT-1A mRNA, but not the levels of MT-1X or MT-1F mRNA. The increase in MT-1E mRNA appeared to be influenced mainly by exposure to the various metals, whereas the increase in MT-1A mRNA was influenced more by exposure to a metal concentration eliciting a loss of cell viability. Treatment of HPT cells with the metals Hg2+, Ag2+, and Pb2+ was found to have no effect on the level of MT-1 mRNA at either sublethal or lethal concentrations. Using HPT cells as a model, these results suggest that new features of MT gene expression have been acquired in the human due to the duplication of the MT-1 gene.
Letter: Danger of instant adhesives.
Authors: W G Strawbridge
Journal: BMJ (1976)

about 1 cm without discoloration or tenderness.The remainder of the physical examination, including visual field and ophthalmoscopic examination, was normal.Laboratory investigations, including complete blood count, differential white cell count, serum electrolytes, chest x-ray, urine analysis, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glucose, examination for antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor, and serum protein electrophoresis, were normal and serological test for syphilis was negative.The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Westergren) was 4 mm in 1 h on three determinations.After the third day in hospital the swelling decreased by about half and, since the patient remained free from other symptoms, she was discharged home.Diagnoses entertained included cranial arteritis, trauma, autoerythro- cyte sensitivity, and allergic reaction, but none was established.
PCB levels in breast milk: data from the UNEP/WHO pilot project on biological monitoring and some other recent studies.
Authors: S A Slorach, R Vaz
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1985)

The levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human milk provide an index of exposure of the mother to these compounds and enable the intake by the breast-fed child to be estimated. For valid comparisons between different studies, concentrations should be expressed on a milk fat basis. In a recently completed UNEP/WHO pilot project on monitoring of organochlorine compounds in human milk in ten countries, great emphasis was placed on analytical quality assurance. To obtain comparable data, a common procedure, that of Sawyer, was adopted for quantitation of PCBs, using Aroclor 1260 as standard. In addition, certain criteria (e.g., age and parity) were established for selection of the mothers to be sampled. In contrast to the situation with p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE, the levels of PCBs in human milk fat were higher in the European countries and Japan than in China, India and Mexico. In fact, PCBs were not detected in human milk in the latter three countries. Although PCBs were detected in some samples in the USA, the median level was below the limit of detection of the method used there (1 mg/kg fat). The median PCB levels reported from Belgium, Israel, Japan and Yugoslavia were 0.81, 0.45, 0.35 and 0.63 mg/kg fat, respectively. Higher median levels were reported from Sweden and the Federal Republic of Germany (0.97 and 2.1 mg/kg fat, respectively). The German samples were not analyzed by the Sawyer method.
Parallel Functional Changes in Independent Testis-Specific Duplicates of Aldehyde dehydrogenase in Drosophila
Authors: Mahul Chakraborty, James D. Fry
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2015)

A large proportion of duplicates, originating from ubiquitously expressed genes, acquire testis-biased expression. Identifying the underlying cause of this observation requires determining whether the duplicates have altered functions relative to the parental genes. Typically, statistical methods are used to test for positive selection, signature of which in protein sequence of duplicates implies functional divergence. When assumptions are violated, however, such tests can lead to false inference of positive selection. More convincing evidence for naturally selected functional changes would be the occurrence of structural changes with similar functional consequences in independent duplicates of the same gene. We investigated two testis-specific duplicates of the broadly expressed enzyme gene Aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldh) that arose in different Drosophila lineages. The duplicates show a typical pattern of accelerated amino acid substitutions relative to their broadly expressed paralogs, with statistical evidence for positive selection in both cases. Importantly, in both duplicates, width of the entrance to the substrate binding site, known a priori to influence substrate specificity, and otherwise conserved throughout the genus Drosophila, has been reduced, resulting in narrowing of the entrance. Protein structure modeling suggests that the reduction of the size of the enzyme's substrate entry channel, which is likely to shift substrate specificity toward smaller aldehydes, is accounted for by the positively selected parallel substitutions in one duplicate but not the other. Evolution of the testis-specific duplicates was accompanied by reduction in expression of the ancestral Aldh in males, supporting the hypothesis that the duplicates may have helped resolve intralocus sexual conflict over Aldh function.
Sequential FDG-PET/CT as a Biomarker of Response to Sunitinib in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cancer
Authors: Irfan Kayani, Norbert Avril, Jamshed Bomanji, Simon Chowdhury, Andrea Rockall, Anju Sahdev, Paul Nathan, Peter Wilson, Jonathan Shamash, Kevin Sharpe, Louise Lim, John Dickson, Peter Ell, Andrew Reynolds, Thomas Powles
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2011)

To test the hypothesis that sequential (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is a correlative marker in metastatic clear cell renal cancer (mRCC), patients were treated with sunitinib. Three sequential scans were conducted to determine whether the timing of the investigation was relevant.Forty-four untreated mRCC patients were enrolled into this prospective phase II study. (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scans were conducted before (n = 44) and after 4 weeks (n = 43) and 16 weeks (n = 40) of sunitinib given at standard doses. The primary endpoint was to correlate FDG-PET/CT response (20% reduction in SUV(max)) at 4 and 16 weeks with overall survival (OS).Forty-three (98%) patients had FDG-PET/CT avid lesions at diagnosis (median SUV(max) = 6.8, range: <2.5-18.4). In multivariate analysis, a high SUV(max) and an increased number of PET-positive lesions correlated with shorter OS [HR: 3.30 (95% CI: 1.36-8.45) and 3.67 (95% CI: 1.43-9.39), respectively]. After 4 weeks of sunitinib, a metabolic response occurred in 24 (57%) patients, but this did not correlate with progression-free survival (HR for responders = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.40-1.99) or OS (HR for responders = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.34-1.85). After 16 weeks of treatment, disease progression on FDG-PET/CT occurred in 28% (n = 12) patients which correlated with a decreased OS and PFS [HR = 5.96 (95% CI: 2.43-19.02) and HR = 12.13 (95% CI: 3.72-46.45), respectively].Baseline FDG-PET/CT yields prognostic significant data. FDG-PET/CT responses occur in the majority of patients after 4 weeks of therapy; however, it is not until 16 weeks when the results become prognostically significant.
HLA types in patients with rheumatoid arthritis developing leucopenia after both gold and sulphasalazine treatment.
Authors: H Bliddal, B Eiberg, P Helin, A Svejgaard
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1989)

HLA types, especially HLA-DR3, are associated with the development of toxic reactions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with gold or D-penicillamine. In this study, after treatment with sulphasalazine, leucopenia was observed in three patients, who all had a history of leucopenia after previous gold treatment. The HLA types of these patients did not include HLA-DR3; the two patients developing mild leucopenia had HLA-DR2 and the one developing agranulocytosis had HLA-DR4.
Chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells using a thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and water-soluble chitosan copolymer
Authors: Jae Ho Cho, Su-Hyang Kim, Ki Dong Park, Myung Chul Jung, Woo Ick Yang, Sang Won Han, Ji Yeun Noh, Jin Woo Lee
Journal: Biomaterials (2004)
Mucosa of the Small Intestine in Folate-Deficient Alcoholics
Authors: JOHN A. HERMOS
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1972)

Peroral mucosal biopsy specimens from the duodenojejunal junction were obtained from alcoholics with marrow megaloblastosis caused by folate deficiency. Three patients with severe megaloblastosis had striking histological lesions of the intestinal mucosa that included decreased mitoses in the crypts, enlarged crypt and villous epithelial cells, increased cellularity of the lamina propria, and, in two of three patients, marked shortening of villi. Quantitation of mitoses, epithelial surface length, and epithelial-cell nuclear size confirmed the histologic observation. Five of eight patients with mild megaloblastosis had similar but less severe intestinal mucosal lesions. Six patients with intestinal lesions, who were rebiopsied after folate replacement therapy, showed reversion of the intestinal lesion to normal. Administration of large quantities of alcohol to two alcoholic volunteers induced histologic changes in the intestinal mucosa only when folate deficiency developed.
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition in patients with congestive heart failure.
Authors: H Gavras, D P Faxon, J Berkoben, H R Brunner, T J Ryan
Journal: Circulation (1978)

The etiology of afterload elevation in congestive cardiac failure is unclear, but experimental evidence suggests a role for the renin-angiotensin system in maintaining elevated peripheral vascular resistance. The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor SQ20,881 was administered to eight patients with congestive cardiac failure (four hypertensives, four normotensives) during or one day after diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Various hemodynamic measurements performed before and during blockade indicate that this agent caused improvement in cardiac function in all patients by decreasing afterload. This improvement correlated with the decrease in total vascular resistance but was independent of the baseline blood pressure and plasma renin activity. These results suggest that inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme is a worthwhile approach to the treatment of congestive heart failure, although its exact mechanism of action remains unclear.