tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Transepidermal water loss, serum IgE and<i>β</i>-endorphin as important and independent biological markers for development of itch intensity in atopic dermatitis
Authors: C-H. Lee, H-Y. Chuang, C-C. Shih, S-B. Jong, C-H. Chang, H-S. Yu
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2006)

Although itch is the predominant symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD), it is poorly characterized and subjective. The objective assessment of itch intensity is important for treatment and follow-up in patients with AD.To determine what objective clinical parameter(s) could be used as biomarker(s) for itch intensity in patients with AD.This is a retrospective and cross-sectional study. Seventy-five patients, aged 7 months-49 years with equal sex ratio, were enrolled in 2000 according to criteria proposed by Hanifin and Rajka. Thirty-five age- and sex-matched subjects who visited the dermatological clinic but were otherwise healthy served as controls. Subjective itch intensity was divided into four grades of severity. Disease severity was measured by SCORAD index, which also includes itch intensity as part of the measurement. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin surface pH were measured by noninvasive methods in clinically normal skin on the forearm. Serum beta-endorphin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were determined by radioimmunoassay. Ordinal logistic regression was used to assess the trend of the subjective itch intensity and SCORAD index by serum IgE, beta-endorphin, VIP, TEWL and skin pH.There were significant trends for itch intensity with IgE, beta-endorphin and TEWL. After adjustment for sex, age and other variables, the odds ratio (OR) for itch intensity by log IgE, beta-endorphin and TEWL was 2.103 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.222-3.618], 1.100 (95% CI 1.005-1.203) and 1.081 (95% CI 1.009-1.158), respectively. The OR for disease severity by log IgE, beta-endorphin and TEWL was 2.250 (95% CI 1.149-4.407), 1.156 (95% CI 1.086-1.231) and 1.071 (95% CI 0.971-1.182), respectively. In contrast, there was no association between serum VIP concentration and itch intensity.Beta-endorphin and IgE are both useful biomarkers for itch and disease severity in patients with AD, while TEWL is a good biomarker for itch intensity. These biomarkers provide a way to assess the itch intensity in patients with AD.
Effects of calcium channel blockade on renal vascular resistance responses to changes in perfusion pressure and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in dogs.
Authors: L G Navar, W J Champion, C E Thomas
Journal: Circulation Research (1986)

We conducted these experiments to evaluate the selectivity of calcium channel blockade on the renal autoregulatory mechanism and on angiotensin II-mediated renal vasoconstriction. Experiments were performed in anesthetized dogs in which renal arterial pressure, renal blood flow, and glomerular filtration rate were measured at normal and reduced renal arterial pressure. At control arterial pressures, renal arterial infusions of verapamil increased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate significantly. The decreases in renal vascular resistance elicited with verapamil (n = 13) and nifedipine (n = 4) occurred only at renal arterial pressure levels within the normal autoregulatory range. Renal blood flow autoregulatory efficiency was markedly attenuated, and the pressure-flow relationship obtained during calcium channel blockade approached that of a passive system. Systemic infusions of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) during continued verapamil infusion caused further vasodilation at all renal arterial pressure values, as evidenced by an increase in slope of 27% of the pressure-blood flow relationship. This response was reversed by angiotensin II infusions. This shift indicates a reduction in minimal vascular resistance elicited by captopril, not obtainable with verapamil alone, and sensitive to angiotensin II. The effects of verapamil and nifedipine on renal blood flow autoregulation suggest a specific effect at preglomerular sites of potential operated membrane calcium channels in the autoregulatory phenomenon. The additional vasodilation elicited with captopril and reversed by angiotensin II indicates the presence of an angiotensin-sensitive postglomerular resistance component which is not influenced by calcium entry blockers.
Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between HIV Infection and Risk for Depressive Disorders
Authors: Jeffrey A. Ciesla, John E. Roberts
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2001)

OBJECTIVE: Each of 10 published studies investigating the relationship between HIV infection and risk for depressive disorders concluded that HIV-positive individuals are at no greater risk for depression than comparable HIV-negative individuals. This study used meta-analytic techniques to further examine the relationship between depressive disorders and HIV infection. METHOD: Meta-analytic techniques were used to aggregate and reanalyze the data from 10 studies that compared HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals for rates of major depressive disorder (N=2,596) or dysthymic disorder (N=1,822). RESULTS: The frequency of major depressive disorder was nearly two times higher in HIV-positive subjects than in HIV-negative comparison subjects. On the other hand, findings were inconclusive with regard to dysthymic disorder. Rates of depression do not appear to be related to the sexual orientation or disease stage of infected individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of HIV-positive individuals appear to be psychologically resilient, this meta-analysis provides strong evidence that HIV infection is associated with a greater risk for major depressive disorder. Future research should focus on identifying pathways of risk and resilience for depression within this population.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with multiple brain metastases (JLGK0901): a multi-institutional prospective observational study
Authors: Masaaki Yamamoto, Toru Serizawa, Takashi Shuto, Atsuya Akabane, Yoshinori Higuchi, Jun Kawagishi, Kazuhiro Yamanaka, Yasunori Sato, Hidefumi Jokura, Shoji Yomo, Osamu Nagano, Hiroyuki Kenai, Akihito Moriki, Satoshi Suzuki, Yoshihisa Kida, Yoshiyasu Iwai, Motohiro Hayashi, Hiroaki Onishi, Masazumi Gondo, Mitsuya Sato, Tomohide Akimitsu, Kenji Kubo, Yasuhiro Kikuchi, Toru Shibasaki, Tomoaki Goto, Masami Takanashi, Yoshimasa Mori, Kintomo Takakura, Naokatsu Saeki, Etsuo Kunieda, Hidefumi Aoyama, Suketaka Momoshima, Kazuhiro Tsuchiya
Journal: The Lancet Oncology (2014)
Cancer Chemoprevention and Cancer Preventive Vaccines—A Call to Action: Leaders of Diverse Stakeholder Groups Present Strategies for Overcoming Multiple Barriers to Meet an Urgent Need
Authors: Ronald B. Herberman, Homer L. Pearce, Scott M. Lippman, Bruce S. Pyenson, David S. Alberts
Journal: Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract The emerging field of cancer prevention through chemoprevention agents and cancer vaccines offers significant promise for reducing suffering and death from cancer. However, that promise may not be kept unless major barriers to progress are lowered or eliminated. Among the most significant barriers are the relatively small investment from government and industry in research and development of cancer preventive agents; a predominant emphasis of translational cancer research on therapeutic interventions for metastatic or advanced cancer; complexities of prevention trial design; a relatively uncharted Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process for preventive agents; insufficient public and patient understanding of the importance and potential for cancer preventive measures, with consequent unpredictable public and patient willingness to take preventive agents; an uncertain reimbursement from payors; and limitations in patent law, liability protection, and data package exclusivity that undermine the opportunity for recouping investment. Viewed individually or collectively, each of these barriers serves as a substantial deterrent to intellectual and financial investment by all sectors of the cancer community. In an effort to ultimately overcome these barriers, a Cancer Prevention Research Summit was assembled June 12–13, 2006 in Bethesda, Maryland, organized by C-Change with support from the AACR. The Summit brought together some 120 leaders from private, public, and not-for-profit entities, including cancer researchers and clinicians; federal health officials; regulatory agency representatives; pharmaceutical, biotech, and food industry leaders; patent attorneys; economists; public and private provider group executives; and advocates. Participants engaged in a detailed process to more carefully define the major barriers, identify potential solutions, and formulate initial priorities and recommendations for action. At the conclusion of this dialogue among experts, the following recommended actions were outlined: define policy solutions to patent, intellectual property, and liability law barriers; create an advisory document about the approval process for cancer chemopreventive agents and vaccines for the FDA; develop new design models for cancer chemopreventive clinical trials; outline the business case for chemopreventive agents and vaccines for federal research agencies, payors and investors; and implement a communications strategy to increase public awareness about the importance of chemoprevention and cancer preventive vaccines. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(24): 11540-9)
Interaction of the<i>ADRB2</i>Gene Polymorphism With Childhood Trauma in Predicting Adult Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Israel Liberzon, Anthony P. King, Kerry J. Ressler, Lynn M. Almli, Peng Zhang, Sean T. Ma, Gregory H. Cohen, Marijo B. Tamburrino, Joseph R. Calabrese, Sandro Galea
Journal: JAMA Psychiatry (2014)

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while highly prevalent (7.6% over a lifetime), develops only in a subset of trauma-exposed individuals. Genetic risk factors in interaction with trauma exposure have been implicated in PTSD vulnerability.To examine the association of 3755 candidate gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms with PTSD development in interaction with a history of childhood trauma.Genetic association study in an Ohio National Guard longitudinal cohort (n = 810) of predominantly male soldiers of European ancestry, with replication in an independent Grady Trauma Project (Atlanta, Georgia) cohort (n = 2083) of predominantly female African American civilians.Continuous measures of PTSD severity, with a modified (interview) PTSD checklist in the discovery cohort and the PTSD Symptom Scale in the replication cohort.Controlling for the level of lifetime adult trauma exposure, we identified the novel association of a single-nucleotide polymorphism within the promoter region of the ADRB2 (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man 109690) gene with PTSD symptoms in interaction with childhood trauma (rs2400707, P = 1.02 × 10-5, significant after correction for multiple comparisons). The rs2400707 A allele was associated with relative resilience to childhood adversity. An rs2400707 × childhood trauma interaction predicting adult PTSD symptoms was replicated in the independent predominantly female African American cohort.Altered adrenergic and noradrenergic function has been long believed to have a key etiologic role in PTSD development; however, direct evidence of this link has been missing. The rs2400707 polymorphism has been linked to function of the adrenergic system, but, to our knowledge, this is the first study to date linking the ADRB2 gene to PTSD or any psychiatric disorders. These findings have important implications for PTSD etiology, chronic pain, and stress-related comorbidity, as well as for both primary prevention and treatment strategies.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in sport: a systematic review
Authors: Andrew Gardner, Grant L Iverson, Paul McCrory
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2013)

Objective To provide a critical review of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) by considering the range of clinical presentations, neuropathology and the strength of evidence for CTE as a distinct syndrome. Data sources Seven electronic databases were searched using a combination of MeSH terms and key words to identify relevant articles. Review methods Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to select studies for review. Data extracted where present included study population, exposure/outcome measures, clinical data, neurological examination findings, cognitive assessment, investigation results and neuropathology results. Results The data from 158 published case studies were reviewed. Critical differences between the older descriptions of CTE (the ‘classic’ syndrome) and the recent descriptions (the ‘modern’ syndrome) exist in the age of onset, natural history, clinical features, pathological findings and diagnostic criteria, which suggests that modern CTE is a different syndrome. The methodology of the current studies does not allow determination of aetiology or risk factors. Conclusions The clinicopathological differences between the ‘classic’ CTE syndrome and the ‘modern’ syndrome suggest that the new syndrome needs a different nomenclature. Further research is required to clearly define the clinical phenotype of the modern CTE syndrome and establish the underlying aetiology. Future research needs to address these issues through large-scale, prospective clinicopathological studies.
Descriptive study of cough, wheeze and school absence in childhood.
Authors: I J Doull, A A Williams, N J Freezer, S T Holgate
Journal: Thorax (1996)

Respiratory symptoms such as cough and wheeze are associated with significant morbidity, including school absenteeism.A respiratory questionnaire was sent to the parents of all 5727 children aged 7-9 years of age registered with 95 general practitioners in the Southampton area to determine (a) the prevalence of asthma, cough and wheeze, (b) the effects of respiratory symptoms on school absenteeism, and (c) the use of anti-asthma medication.A total of 4830 parents replied (response rate 86%). The 12 month prevalence of wheeze in the absence of cough was 5.5%, cough in the absence of wheeze was 10.0%, and 7.6% reported cough and wheeze; 15.2% of children had been diagnosed. Of the 4830 who replied, 12.7% were receiving bronchodilators, 0.6% xanthine derivatives, 1.7% sodium cromoglycate, and 4.1% inhaled corticosteroids. In all, 348 (7.2%) children had missed more than five days of schooling in the preceding year for respiratory symptoms, while 43 children (0.9%) had missed more than 20 days of schooling in the preceding year. Of the children who had missed more than five days of schooling, 43% reported cough and wheeze, 33% cough alone, and 16% wheeze alone in the preceding year. Compared with children who coughed, those who wheezed were significantly more likely to be diagnosed as asthmatic and to be receiving bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroids.In this study, cough was the most frequently reported symptom amongst children missing more than five days of schooling per year.
Molecular determinants of cardiac fibroblast electrical function and therapeutic implications for atrial fibrillation
Authors: L. Yue, J. Xie, S. Nattel
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2010)

Cardiac fibroblasts account for about 75% of all cardiac cells, but because of their small size contribute only ∼10–15% of total cardiac cell volume. They play a crucial role in cardiac pathophysiology. For a long time, it has been recognized that fibroblasts and related cell types are the principal sources of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which organize cardiac cellular architecture. In disease states, fibroblast production of increased quantities of ECM proteins leads to tissue fibrosis, which can impair both mechanical and electrical function of the heart, contributing to heart failure and arrhythmogenesis. Atrial fibrosis is known to play a particularly important role in atrial fibrillation (AF). This review article focuses on recent advances in understanding the molecular electrophysiology of cardiac fibroblasts. Cardiac fibroblasts express a variety of ion channels, in particular voltage-gated K+ channels and non-selective cation channels of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family. Both K+ and TRP channels are important determinants of fibroblast function, with TRP channels acting as Ca2+-entry pathways that stimulate fibroblast differentiation into secretory myofibroblast phenotypes producing ECM proteins. Fibroblasts can couple to cardiomyocytes and substantially affect their cellular electrical properties, including conduction, resting potential, repolarization, and excitability. Co-cultured preparations of cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts generate arrhythmias by a variety of mechanisms, including spontaneous impulse formation and rotor-driven reentry. In addition, the excess ECM proteins produced by fibroblasts can interrupt cardiomyocyte-bundle continuity, leading to local conduction disturbances and reentrant arrhythmias. A better understanding of the electrical properties of fibroblasts should lead to an improved comprehension of AF pathophysiology and a variety of novel targets for antiarrhythmic intervention.
Cigarette smoking is associated with high prevalence of chronic rhinitis and low prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men
Authors: J. Eriksson, L. Ekerljung, B.‐M. Sundblad, J. Lötvall, K. Torén, E. Rönmark, K. Larsson, B. Lundbäck
Journal: Allergy (2013)

Abstract Background The harmful effects of tobacco smoke on human health, including respiratory health, are extensive and well documented. Previous data on the effect of smoking on rhinitis and allergic sensitization are inconsistent. We sought to investigate how smoking correlates with prevalence of allergic and chronic rhinitis among adults in S weden. Methods The study population comprised 27 879 subjects derived from three large randomly selected cross‐sectional population surveys conducted in S weden between 2006 and 2008. The same postal questionnaire on respiratory health was used in the three surveys, containing questions about obstructive respiratory diseases, rhinitis, respiratory symptoms and possible determinants of disease, including smoking habits. A random sample from one of the cohorts underwent a clinical examination including skin prick testing. Results Smoking was associated with a high prevalence of chronic rhinitis in both men and women and a low prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. These associations were dose dependent and remained when adjusted for a number of possible confounders in multiple logistic regression analysis. Prevalence of chronic rhinitis was lowest in nonsmokers and highest in very heavy smokers (18.5% vs 34.5%, P &lt; 0.001). Prevalence of sensitization to common airborne allergens was lower in current smokers (25.9%, P = 0.008) and ex‐smokers (28.2%, P = 0.022) than in nonsmokers (38.5%). Conclusion We found that smoking was associated with a high prevalence of chronic rhinitis in both sexes and a low prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. The associations were dose dependent and remained when adjusting for several possible confounders.
Identification and Cloning of a Secreted Protein Related to the Cysteine-Rich Domain of Frizzled
Authors: Cécile Duplàa, Béatrice Jaspard, Catherine Moreau, Patricia A. D’Amore
Journal: Circulation Research (1999)

Abstract —We report the isolation of a cDNA, FrzA ( frizzled in aorta ; GenBank accession No. U85945 ), from bovine aortic endothelium. It is the bovine counterpart of the mouse sFRP1 , which encodes for a secreted protein that is homologous to the cysteine-rich domain of frizzled. Members of the frizzled family of genes have been shown to be required for tissue polarity and to act as receptors for Wnt. The predicted protein product of this gene includes the cysteine-rich extracellular domain, but not the 7 putative transmembrane domains that are highly conserved among members of the frizzled family. Visualization of FrzA mRNA and protein revealed that it was widely distributed among adult tissues. FrzA is expressed by highly differentiated or polarized cells, eg, neurons, cardiocytes, or various epithelia. Analysis of its expression in endothelium revealed that FrzA mRNA levels were high in endothelial cells scraped from freshly obtained bovine aortas , decreased when cells were placed in culture and began to proliferate, but increased at confluence. Transient transfection assays and an assay using addition of purified protein indicate that FrzA reduces the proliferation of endothelial cells. These data demonstrate the existence of a secreted protein homologous to the extracellular domain of the fz receptor, which we speculate plays a role in controlling cell growth and differentiation, possibly by regulating accessibility to Wnt family members.
Structure and Function of Natural Killer Cell Receptors: Multiple Molecular Solutions to Self, Nonself Discrimination
Authors: Kannan Natarajan, Nazzareno Dimasi, Jian Wang, Roy A. Mariuzza, David H. Margulies
Journal: Annual Review of Immunology (2002)

In contrast to T cell receptors, signal transducing cell surface membrane molecules involved in the regulation of responses by cells of the innate immune system employ structures that are encoded in the genome rather than generated by somatic recombination and that recognize either classical MHC-I molecules or their structural relatives (such as MICA, RAE-1, or H-60). Considerable progress has recently been made in our understanding of molecular recognition by such molecules based on the determination of their three-dimensional structure, either in isolation or in complex with their MHC-I ligands. Those best studied are the receptors that are expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, but others are found on populations of T cells and other hematopoietic cells. These molecules fall into two major structural classes, those of the immunoglobulin superfamily (KIRs and LIRs) and of the C-type lectin-like family (Ly49, NKG2D, and CD94/NKG2). Here we summarize, in a functional context, the structures of the murine and human molecules that have recently been determined, with emphasis on how they bind different regions of their MHC-I ligands, and how this allows the discrimination of tumor or virus-infected cells from normal cells of the host.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces remodeling and enhances TH2-mediated sensitization and inflammation in the lung
Authors: Chun Geun Lee, Holger Link, Peter Baluk, Robert J Homer, Svetlana Chapoval, Vineet Bhandari, Min Jong Kang, Lauren Cohn, Yoon Keun Kim, Donald M McDonald, Jack A Elias
Journal: Nature Medicine (2004)
Right Aortic Arch
Authors: MURRAY G. BARON
Journal: Circulation (1971)

A right aortic arch usually produces several abnormal shadows on a standard frontal film of the chest. The aortic knob protrudes from the right side of the mediastinum, the trachea is deviated to the left, and the descending aorta can be identified along the right side of the spine. A more conclusive diagnosis can be made from the indentation produced by the arch on the barium-filled esophagus. This also serves to distinguish the two types of right aortic arch. The presence of a large indentation on the posterior aspect of the esophagus is characteristic of the type of arch most frequently associated with a vascular ring. A right arch without a posterior component is commonly associated with significant congenital heart disease.