tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Cytokines, autoantibodies and viral antibodies in premorbid and postdiagnostic sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis: case-control study nested in a cohort of Norwegian blood donors
Authors: K T Jorgensen, A Wiik, M Pedersen, C J Hedegaard, B F Vestergaard, R E Gislefoss, T K Kvien, J Wohlfahrt, K Bendtzen, M Frisch
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2007)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To assess the timing of changes in cytokines, cytokine-related markers, autoantibodies and viral antibodies in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). <h3>Methods:</h3> Case–control study nested in a prospective cohort of 31 330 blood donors in Oslo, Norway. Forty-nine donors developed RA up to 23 years after their most recent blood donation. Stored sera from these donors (case sera) and a sex- and age-matched sample of 245 healthy donors (control sera), and postdiagnostic sera from 33 of the 49 RA cases, were analysed for a panel of cytokines and cytokine-related markers, autoantibodies and antibodies against Epstein–Barr virus and parvovirus B19. <h3>Results:</h3> Cytokines and cytokine-related markers were generally negative in case sera from &gt;5 years before the diagnosis of RA. In the 5-year interval immediately before the diagnosis of RA, more case than control sera were positive (odds ratios &gt;2) for interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-4, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-α and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor I. In postdiagnostic sera, however, 11 of 16 examined cytokines and cytokine-related markers were statistically significantly elevated compared with control sera. Seropositivity for IgG antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides and for IgM and IgA rheumatoid factors were seen in case sera from up to 18 years before the diagnosis of RA. IgG antibodies against Epstein–Barr virus and parvovirus B19 did not differ significantly between case and control sera. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Cytokines and cytokine-related markers appear to be upregulated rather late in RA pathogenesis. In contrast, IgM rheumatoid factor and IgG anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibodies may precede the diagnosis of RA by up to two decades.
Abstract 2558: Vascular Healing Following Comparator Drug-Eluting Stents Implantation in an Atherosclerotic Rabbit Iliac Model - A Model of More Predictive in Human Responses to Drug-Eluting Stents
Authors: Gaku Nakazawa, Josiah N Wilcox, Robert Melder, Sean Pruitt, Frank D Kolodgie, Renu Virmani
Journal: Circulation (2008)

Drug eluting stents (DES) induce delayed arterial healing in man, however, the ideal animal model for predicting the vascular response to DES placement in man is lacking. Hypercholesterolemic (1% cholesterol diet for 5 weeks followed by 0.025% for 4 weeks before stent implantation) New Zealand White rabbits (n=21) received bilateral stents implanted in iliac arteries. Animals were randomized to bare metal stent (Driver), zotarolimus- (Endeavor), sirolimus- (Cypher), and everolimus- (Xience V) eluting stents. Stents were harvested 4 weeks after stent implantation. Morphometric/pathologic analysis was performed. Macrophage infiltration was assessed by RAM-11 immunostaining. Blood cholesterol levels peaked at 5 weeks after initiation of the cholesterol diet which ranged from 1400 –2000mg/dL, followed by ideal range of 500 to 800mg/dL at 9 weeks (stent implantation), and were similar among groups. While EEL, and stent area were comparable in all groups, neointimal formation was significantly more suppressed in Xience and Cypher followed by Endeavor. All DES showed significantly less neointimal formation versus Driver by suppressing cell proliferation (reduced BrdU positive cells, in intima and media). Fibrin deposition, the prevalence of uncovered struts, and the number of adherent luminal inflammatory cells were greater in Xience and Cypher as compared to Driver and Endeavor. All DES showed significantly less macrophage infiltration as compared to BMS. An atherosclerotic rabbit model mimics neointimal formation in various DES and BMS similar to man with greater number of uncovered stent struts and luminal inflammation seen in Cypher and Xience as compared to Endeavor and Driver. Therefore, the atherosclerotic model is a more appropriate model for the assessment of DES efficacy as well as safety. Morphometric Analysis
Association of thiazolidinediones with liver cancer and colorectal cancer in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chia-Hsuin Chang, Jou-Wei Lin, Li-Chiu Wu, Mei-Shu Lai, Lee-Ming Chuang, K. Arnold Chan
Journal: Hepatology (2011)

Abstract The objective of this nationwide case-control study was to evaluate the risk of specific malignancy in diabetic patients who received thiazolidinediones (TZDs). A total of 606,583 type 2 diabetic patients, age 30 years and above, without a history of cancer were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance claims database during the period between January 1 2000 and December 31 2000. As of December 31 2007, patients with incident cancer of liver, colorectal, lung, and urinary bladder were included as cases and up to four age- and sex-matched controls were selected by risk-set sampling. Logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between TZDs and cancer incidence. A total of 10,741 liver cancer cases, 7,200 colorectal cancer cases, and 70,559 diabetic controls were included. A significantly lower risk of liver cancer incidence was found for any use of rosiglitazone (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.65-0.81) or pioglitazone (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.72-0.95), respectively. The protective effects were stronger for higher cumulative dosage and longer duration. For colorectal cancer, rosiglitazone, but not pioglitazone, was associated with a significantly reduced risk (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76-0.96). TZDs were not associated with lung and bladder cancer incidence, although a potential increased risk for bladder cancer with pioglitazone use ≥3 years could not be excluded (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 0.51-4.74). Conclusion: The use of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone is associated with a decreased liver cancer incidence in diabetic patients. The effects on occurrence of specific cancer types may be different for pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. (Hepatology 2012;)
Results of thoracotomy in osteogenic sarcoma with pulmonary metastases.
Authors: S R Carter, R J Grimer, R S Sneath, H R Matthews
Journal: Thorax (1991)

BACKGROUND Resection of pulmonary metastases may be followed by long term survival and now that it is an accepted method of treatment for patients with osteogenic sarcoma indicators of favourable prognosis are needed to aid the assessment of suitability for resection. This study compares the survival rates of patients who did and did not undergo resection of their pulmonary metastases and relates them to prognostic indicators. METHODS The study population was the 43 patients with osteosarcoma who developed pulmonary metastases out of the 111 patients with osteosarcoma treated by the Birmingham bone tumour treatment service during 1977-83. All patients who developed metastases confined to the lungs were considered for resection, thoracotomy being advised for all patients (provided that they were fit enough) who had metastases thought to be resectable even if they were multiple. RESULTS Of the 18 patients who did not have a thoracotomy, 15 died of disseminated disease after a mean interval of eight months; one patient died of cardiomyopathy and two are alive after 26 and eight months. Of the 25 patients who underwent thoracotomy in an attempt to resect metastases, three were found to have inoperable disease and died after a mean interval of 5.4 months from thoracotomy. Overall, after thoracotomy (repeated if necessary) there was a 20% survival at five years from the first thoracotomy. When survival was assessed with respect to the disease free interval and the number and bilaterality of the metastases no significant relationships were found. There was, however, a significant relation between survival and the position of metastases, patients with metastases confined to one lobe of the lung having a mean survival of 29.5 months, compared with 13.7 months in patients with disease in more than one lobe. CONCLUSION Thus patients who had a thoracotomy survived longer from the time of diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis than those not undergoing thoracotomy; metastases confined to one lobe predicted a better prognosis.
US health reform bill passes vital vote in Senate
Authors: B. Roehr
Journal: BMJ (2009)

The deadlock on health reform in the United States Senate was broken in the early morning of 21 December with a 60-40 vote to the Democrats to end debate on the legislation. Other procedural votes must take place before a final vote on 24 December, long after the summer passage originally envisioned.

Democratic leader Senator Harry Reid had to mollify his party members and allies (two independents) to reach the 60 votes needed to end the filibuster because of solid opposition from Republicans.

Among the final concessions were those to Connecticut Democrat-turned-independent Joe Lieberman who opposed expansion of the federal Medicare programme for seniors to persons in their …
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Appearing as Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Authors: John E. Hodgkin
Journal: JAMA (1975)

THE VALUE of the differential spectrophotometer in determining hemoglobin values and saturations of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and oxyhemoglobin (O<sub>2</sub>Hb) has been demonstrated.<sup>1</sup>The differential spectrophotometer (IL 182 CO-Oximeter) is used in our pulmonary function laboratory for routine blood-gas analysis. Recently, a comatose patient was first seen in the emergency room with metabolic acidosis. Carbon monoxide poisoning was suspected on the basis of initial arterial blood-gas testing, which showed a markedly increased level of COHb. However, it was subsequently determined that the patient had very high levels of serum lipids resulting in interference with the analyzer's spectrophotometric method for measuring hemoglobin, COHb, and O<sub>2</sub>Hb. Since this problem with the differential spectrophotometer we use has not previously been described, we decided to collect some quantitative data on the effect of serum lipids on the performance of this machine. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> The patient was a 27-year-old woman
Abstract A71: CD146 is a novel target of CD44-signaling mediating breast tumor invasion
Authors: Allal Ouhtit, Mohamed Abdraboh, Andrew D. Hollenbach, Ishita Gupta, Somya Shanmuganathan, Hamad Al Riyami, Youssef Errami, Yahya Al Farsi, Madhwa HG Raj
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Cancer cell metastasis is one of the most critical steps in tumor development and is responsible for more than 80% of cancer related deaths. The cell adhesion molecule CD44 promotes cancer cell motility and metastasis. Despite this knowledge, the molecular mechanism through which CD44 promotes tumor development and cell metastasis is still unclear. The CD146 (MUC 18), another member of the cell adhesion molecules family, first identified in highly metastatic melanomas. The absence of CD146 in normal melanocytes and its high expression in melanomas suggests its tumor promoting actions. However, CD146 appears to suppress breast tumor progression. Furthermore, despite the association between CD146 expression and development of melanoma, the expression patterns and the role of CD146 in normal and metastatic breast tissues are still controversial. In a pilot study, we have identified CD146 as a potential downstream target of CD44-signaling in the MDA-435 breast cancer cell line, using subtractive hybridization and northern blot analyses. In this paper we provide evidence that CD146 is a downstream target for CD44, in a way that CD146 expression is regulated according to tumor microenvironment. Finally, this study demonstrates a new role for CD44 in regulating neovascularization and promoting cancer cell transmigration of blood vessels via CD146. Citation Format: Allal Ouhtit, Mohamed Abdraboh, Andrew D. Hollenbach, Ishita Gupta, Somya Shanmuganathan, Hamad Al Riyami, Youssef Errami, Yahya Al Farsi, Madhwa HG Raj. CD146 is a novel target of CD44-signaling mediating breast tumor invasion. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Invasion and Metastasis; Jan 20-23, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A71.
C-reactive protein-mediated complement activation during acute myocardial infarction in humans
Authors: Wim K. Lagrand, Remco Nijmeijer, Hans W. Niessen, Cees A. Visser, Wim T. Hermens, Yvonne P. Lubbers, Machiel J. van Eenige, Aart J. Karreman, C.Erik Hack
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2002)
Should treatment of (sub)acute low back pain be aimed at psychosocial prognostic factors? Cluster randomised clinical trial in general practice
Authors: Petra Jellema, Daniëlle A W M van der Windt, Henriëtte E van der Horst, Jos W R Twisk, Wim A B Stalman, Lex M Bouter
Journal: BMJ (2005)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective</b> To compare the effects of a minimal intervention strategy aimed at assessment and modification of psychosocial prognostic factors and usual care for treatment of (sub)acute low back pain in general practice. <b>Design</b> Cluster randomised clinical trial. <b>Setting</b> 60 general practitioners in 41 general practices. <b>Participants</b> 314 patients with non-specific low back pain of less than 12 weeks9 duration, recruited by their general practitioner. <b>Interventions</b> In the minimal intervention strategy group the general practitioner explored the presence of psychosocial prognostic factors, discussed these factors, set specific goals for reactivation, and provided an educational booklet. The consultation took about 20 minutes. Usual care was not standardised. <b>Main outcome measures</b> Functional disability (Roland-Morris disability questionnaire), perceived recovery, and sick leave because of low back pain assessed at baseline and after 6, 13, 26, and 52 weeks. <b>Results</b> The dropout rate was 8% in the minimal intervention strategy group and 9% in the usual care group. Multilevel analyses showed no significant differences between the groups on any outcome measure during 12 months of follow-up in the whole group or in relevant subgroups (patients with high scores on psychosocial measures at baseline or a history of frequent or prolonged low back pain). <b>Conclusion</b> This study provides no evidence that (Dutch) general practitioners should adopt our new treatment strategy aimed at psychosocial prognostic factors in patients with (sub)acute low back pain. Further research should examine why our new strategy was not more effective than usual care.
Quantification of major peanut allergens Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 in the peanut varieties Runner, Spanish, Virginia, and Valencia, bred in different parts of the world
Authors: S. J. Koppelman, R. A. A. Vlooswijk, L. M. J. Knippels, M. Hessing, E. F. Knol, F. C. Van Reijsen, C. A. F. M. Bruijnzeel‐Koomen
Journal: Allergy (2001)

The serology of peanut allergy seems to be different in various parts of the world. We analyzed the composition of 13 samples of three varieties of peanut in order to compare their allergenic nature.Peanut cultivars that are commonly processed in the West were analyzed for protein content, protein composition, and Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 content by biochemical methods. IgE-binding properties were analyzed by ELISA using serum from patients with documented peanut allergy.Total protein contents were comparable for all tested samples (24-29%), and proteins were extractable to the same extent. SDS-PAGE patterns differed slightly, but all major bands were visible in all samples (molecular masses of approximately 14100 kDa under reducing conditions). Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 were quantified by SDS PAGE densitometry and were expressed as percentage of the total protein content. Ara h 1 was in the range 12-16%, whereas Ara h 2 was 5.9-9.3%. In view of the analytic uncertainty of this determination, the content of both Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 was not significantly different between the tested samples. In an IgE-binding inhibition ELISA, the affinities of the peanut proteins for peanut-specific IgE were measured. Minor differences were observed between the tested samples, with the most potent IgE-binding sample having a two times higher ability to bind IgE than the weakest IgE-binding sample.The results suggest that peanuts of different varieties and from different parts of the world contain similar proteins, including Ara h I and Ara h 2. Consequently, the IgE-binding properties are similar to a great extent. This indicates that differences in the serology of peanut allergy may not originate from differences in the allergen composition of the peanut.
Sampling-Based Approach to Determining Outcomes of Patients Lost to Follow-Up in Antiretroviral Therapy Scale-Up Programs in Africa
Authors: Elvin H. Geng
Journal: JAMA (2008)

Evaluating outcomes among the millions of HIV-infected patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in settings with limited resources is key to understanding the effect of current treatment programs and guiding future strategies. Accurately assessing survival outcomes has been precluded by substantial numbers of patients not returning for care. One year after starting ART 15% to 30% of patients are lost to follow-up. Only by determining the outcomes of those lost can true survival and program impact be understood. We present a sampling-based strategy to address this. (excerpt)
A Syngeneic Variance Library for Functional Annotation of Human Variation: Application to<i>BRCA2</i>
Authors: Tomas Hucl, Carlo Rago, Eike Gallmeier, Jonathan R. Brody, Myriam Gorospe, Scott E. Kern
Journal: Cancer Research (2008)

Abstract The enormous scope of natural human genetic variation is now becoming defined. To accurately annotate these variants, and to identify those with clinical importance, is often difficult to assess through functional assays. We explored systematic annotation by using homologous recombination to modify a native gene in hemizygous (wt/Δexon) human cancer cells, generating a novel syngeneic variance library (SyVaL). We created a SyVaL of BRCA2 variants: nondeleterious, proposed deleterious, deleterious, and of uncertain significance. We found that the null states BRCA2Δex11/Δex11 and BRCA2Δex11/Y3308X were deleterious as assessed by a loss of RAD51 focus formation on genotoxic damage and by acquisition of toxic hypersensitivity to mitomycin C and etoposide, whereas BRCA2Δex11/Y3308Y, BRCA2Δex11/P3292L, and BRCA2Δex11/P3280H had wild-type function. A proposed phosphorylation site at codon 3291 affecting function was confirmed by substitution of an acidic residue (glutamate, BRCA2Δex11/S3291E) for the native serine, but in contrast to a prior report, phosphorylation was dispensable (alanine, BRCA2Δex11/S3291A) for BRCA2-governed cellular phenotypes. These results show that SyVaLs offer a means to comprehensively annotate gene function, facilitating numerical and unambiguous readouts. SyVaLs may be especially useful for genes in which functional assays using exogenous expression are toxic or otherwise unreliable. They also offer a stable, distributable cellular resource for further research. [Cancer Res 2008;68(13):5023–30]
Taking an 'ethics history'
Authors: Fliss Murtagh, Andrew Thorns
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2005)

Taking an 'ethics history' I agree with Abhay Das (September 2005 JRSM 1 ) that ascertaining patients' views and taking an ethics history increases the likelihood of patients receiving appropriate and acceptable treatment.However, I feel that the suggestion that advanced directives are the best way to extend patients' autonomy in circumstances when they would otherwise be incompetent is perhaps a bit simplistic.Dr Das mentions that there are dangers as well as benefits to advanced directives but he did not expand on this.When the medical team comes to apply the directive there are no clues to the circumstances in which the orders were written.At the time of writing an advanced directive the patient may well have been vulnerable to coercion and undue influence.However, it can be impossible to assess whether this was the case, which makes assessing the validity of the document difficult.The language used in an advanced directive is often vague and ambiguous; therefore to apply the directive to a specific decision can be less than easy.It is impossible for patients to foresee every clinical scenario and to predict how they would feel in these circumstances.Furthermore, patients' preferences may change in light of their illness experience.The individual who wrote the directive may be very different to the patient it is applied to because the conditions which call for the use of advanced directive are the very same conditions that alter personality, identity, intentions and interests.Given these problems with assessing validity and applicability of advanced directives, it is unrealistic to imagine that they can be used in isolation to make clinical decisions at the end of life.They can of course be useful, but need to be regularly reviewed to ensure they express the current wishes of the individual.As the BMA recommends, they should be used as a 'part of a continuing dialogue between the doctor and patient' 2,3 and not as a way of avoiding discussing end-of-life decisions.
Mandatory Premarital HIV Testing: The Illinois Experience
Authors: John R. Dykers
Journal: JAMA (1990)

To the Editor.—  Perhaps Dr Turnock and Mr Kelly 1 should write a sequel entitled I Married an HIV-Positive Mate. Perhaps they would find the human cost of this anguish easier to calculate than the poignant, but transitory, anguish of a false-positive result of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or even the more long-lasting anguish of a false-positive test result confirmed by Western blot testing, repeated (incidence, 1 in 142 000). 2 Perhaps they will confirm that the rate for the next year was 28 positive tests out of 150 000 tests done.  Dr Turnock and Mr Kelly conveniently ignore marriage as an institution sanctioned by the state for monogamous sexuality, identification of parenthood, and the rearing of children. It is a difficult, but not impossible, impulse for people in courtship to require one another to be tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and such an impulse deserves the support of
Energy turnover and mechanical properties of resting and contracting aortas and portal veins from normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Authors: A Arner, P Hellstrand
Journal: Circulation Research (1981)

Aortas and portal veins from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were studied with respect to their energy turnover and mechanical properties. Relaxed aortas fom SHR 16--17 weeks and 20--25 weeks of age were stiffer, had smaller circumference, and greater maximal active wall tension compared to WKY aortas. Active stress (forced/areas) was not different. Passive and active length-force relations of portal veins from 16 to 17-week-old SHR and WKY were not different. O2 consumption (JO2) and lactate production (JLA) were studied in aortas and portal veins from 20- to 25-week-old rats. In relaxed aortas, JO2 was 0.63 +/- 0.03 (n = 1) and 0.54 +/- 0.03 (n = 10) mu mol/min per g dry wt in SHR and WKY, respectively (P less than 0.05). On activation by high-K+ solution, JO2 increased with tension in a similar way in both groups. In contrast, JLA, about 0.85 mu mol/min per g, did not differ, and decreased with tension development. JO2 of relaxed portal veins, about 1.5 mu mol/min per g dry wt, and the increase in JO2 with contraction were not different between SHR and WKY, but the JO2-active stress relation was steeper in spontaneous activity than in Kv+ contractures. JLA was similar in SHR and WKY portal veins, about 1 mu mol/min per g, and unlike behavior of the aortas, it increased with tension. Thus it is evident that SHR show increased arterial metabolism, which is not accounted for by an increased energy demand of the contractile system.