tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
False positive complement fixation tests with respiratory virus preparations in bird fanciers with allergic alveolitis.
Authors: A J Taylor, P Taylor, D H Bryant, J L Longbottom, J Pepys
Journal: Thorax (1977)

False positive raised complement fixation titres to egg-grown virus preparations were found in six pigeon fanciers suffering from extrinsic allergic alveolitis but not in six similar budgerigar fanciers. The raised titres in the pigeon fanciers fell fourfold over a short interval in the absence of avian exposure and were attributable to antibodies directed against antigens from hen's egg in which the test virus preparations were grown. Such antigens were shown to be present in the virus preparations. In view of the clinical similarities between influenza and acute extrinsic allergic alveolitis, it is essential that a diagnosis of influenza in bird fanciers is not based on either a single raised titre or a fourfold fall in complement fixation titre without appropriate control tests with avian antigens.
Proton pump inhibitors and the risk of hospitalisation for community-acquired pneumonia: replicated cohort studies with meta-analysis
Authors: Kristian B Filion, Dan Chateau, Laura E Targownik, Andrea Gershon, Madeleine Durand, Hala Tamim, Gary F Teare, Pietro Ravani, Pierre Ernst, Colin R Dormuth
Journal: Gut (2013)

<h3>Objective</h3> Previous observational studies suggest that the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the risk of hospitalisation for community-acquired pneumonia (HCAP). However, the potential presence of confounding and protopathic biases limits the conclusions that can be drawn from these studies. Our objective was, therefore, to examine the risk of HCAP with PPIs prescribed prophylactically in new users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). <h3>Design</h3> We formed eight restricted cohorts of new users of NSAIDs, aged ≥40 years, using a common protocol in eight databases (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, US MarketScan and the UK9s General Practice Research Database (GPRD)). This specific patient population was studied to minimise bias due to unmeasured confounders. High-dimensional propensity scores were used to estimate site-specific adjusted ORs (aORs) for HCAP at 6 months in PPI patients compared with unexposed patients. Fixed-effects meta-analytic models were used to estimate overall effects across databases. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 4 238 504 new users of NSAIDs, 2.3% also started a PPI. The cumulative 6-month incidence of HCAP was 0.17% among patients prescribed PPIs and 0.12% in unexposed patients. After adjustment, PPIs were not associated with an increased risk of HCAP (aOR=1.05; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.25). Histamine-2 receptor antagonists yielded similar results (aOR=0.95, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.21). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our study does not support the proposition of a pharmacological effect of gastric acid suppressors on the risk of HCAP.
Protective Effect of β-Carotene Against Colon Tumors in Mice&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Norman J. Temple, Tapan K. Basu
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1987)

The effect of dietary β-carotene on colon carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine [(DMH) CAS: 540-73-8] was studied in female inbred Swiss Webster (ICR) mice. At age 10 weeks and continuing throughout the experiment, mice received diets consisting mainly of natural foods (laboratory chow) and containing 2 or 22 mg β-carotene/kg. At age 15 weeks they received 7 weekly sc injections of DMH (total dose: 196 mg DMH·diHCI/kg body wt). When autopsied 31 weeks after the first DMH injection, the incidence (percent of mice with tumors) and multiplicity (number of tumors/tumor-bearing mouse) of colon tumors were reduced by half in the mice supplemented with β-carotene. There was a much greater decrease in adenocarcinomas than in adenomas. Mice observed for 13 additional weeks revealed that the mortality rate, due largely or wholly to colon cancer, was only about half in supplemented mice. Mice sacrificed 12 weeks after the first dose of DMH (i.e., well before tumors appeared) showed mild colon mucosal hyperplasia. β-Carotene supplementation, however, did not alter this, indicating that the protective effect against colon cancer may have occurred at a late stage of carcinogenesis.
A Functional Isopenicillin N Synthase in an Animal Genome
Authors: Dick Roelofs, Martijn J.T.N. Timmermans, Paul Hensbergen, Hans van Leeuwen, Jessica Koopman, Anna Faddeeva, Wouter Suring, Tjalf E. de Boer, Janine Mariën, Remon Boer, Roel Bovenberg, Nico M. van Straalen
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2012)

Horizontal transfer of genes is widespread among prokaryotes, but is less common between microorganisms and animals. Here, we present evidence for the presence of a gene encoding functional isopenicillin N synthase, an enzyme in the β-lactam antibiotics biosynthesis pathway, in the genome of the soil-living collembolan species, Folsomia candida (FcIPNS). At present, this gene is only known from bacteria and fungi, as is the capacity to produce β-lactam antibiotics. The FcIPNS gene was located on two genomic contigs, was physically linked to a predicted insect ATP-binding cassette transporter gene, and contained three introns each flanked by eukaryotic splicing recognition sites (GT/AG). Homology searches revealed no similarity between these introns and the FcIPNS regions of bacteria or fungi. All amino acids conserved across bacteria and fungi were also conserved in F. candida. Recombinant FcIPNS was able to convert its substrate amino δ-(l-α-aminoadipyl)–l-cysteinyl–d-valine into isopenicillin N, providing strong evidence that FcIPNS is functional. Phylogenetic analysis clustered FcIPNS outside the bacterial IPNS clade, and also outside the fungal IPNS clade, suggesting an ancient gene transfer followed by divergence in the F. candida genome. In conclusion, the data suggest that the soil-living collembolan F. candida has assimilated the capacity for antibacterial activity by horizontal gene transfer, which may be an important adaptive trait in the microbe-dominated soil ecosystem.
Making sense of oesophageal contents
Authors: M. Fox, W. Schwizer
Journal: Gut (2007)

<h3>BACKGROUND/AIMS</h3> For pretherapeutic staging of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is considered the most profitable modality because it can provide cross sectional imaging of the tumour. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between prognosis and EUS findings, especially tumour area, in squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. <h3>PATIENTS/METHODS</h3> A total of 113 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus underwent EUS for pretherapeutic examination at Nagoya University Hospital. We compared EUS findings, histological results, and outcome. In addition, we measured the area of the tumour on EUS images (n=113) and evaluated if EUS area correlated with volume of the tumour on histological findings (n=50). <h3>RESULTS</h3> The overall accuracy rate of EUS was 83.2% (94/113) for depth of tumour invasion and 67.6% (69/102) for perioesophageal lymph node metastasis. The EUS area increased in proportion to the development of tumour infiltration, and patients with lymph node metastasis had a larger EUS area than patients without lymph node metastasis. There was a close correlation between EUS area and volume of the tumour on histological findings. If EUS area of the tumour was less than 50 mm<sup>2</sup>, the five year survival rate was 100%. As EUS area increased, the survival rate decreased. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> Measurement of EUS area of the tumour is reliable for quantification of the tumour and prediction of prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.
Obstetrical Use of the Ultrasonic Doppler Instrument
Authors: T. Stacy Lloyd
Journal: JAMA (1968)

Doppler ultrasonics provides the first positive sign of pregnancy. Fetal cardiovascular activity can usually be detected shortly after the second missed menses. At 11 weeks of pregnancy, fetal life can be proven in 90% of patients, and after 17 weeks, in 100%. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic instrument is of great value in threatened abortion, missed abortion, and in amenorrhea in patients with marked obesity or fibroid uteri. It is also valuable in determining fetal position in diagnosing twins, and in finding the placental site.
Cancer Cell-Specific Oligopeptides Selected by an Integrated Microfluidic System from a Phage Display Library for Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Chih-Hung Wang, Chen-Hsun Weng, Yu-Jui Che, Kuan Wang, Gwo-Bin Lee
Journal: Theranostics (2015)

Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of female mortality worldwide.Unfortunately, there are currently few high-specificity candidate oligopeptide targeting agents that can be used for early diagnosis of this cancer.It has been suggested that cancer-specific oligopeptides could be screened from a phage display library.However, conventional methods are tedious, labor-intensive, and time consuming.Therefore, a novel, integrated microfluidic system was developed to automate the entire screening process for ovarian cancer cell-specific oligopeptides.An oligopeptide screened with microfluidic chip-based technique was demonstrated to have high affinity to ovarian cancer cells and demonstrated relatively low binding to other cancer cells, indicating a high specificity.Furthermore, the developed method consumed relatively low volumes of samples and reagents; only 70 μL of reactant was used within the whole experimental process.Each panning process was also significantly shortened to only 7.5 hours.Therefore, the screened oligopeptide could be used to isolate ovarian cancer cells in a rapid manner, thus greatly expediting the diagnosis and its application as oligopeptide targeting agent for theranostics of this cancer.
Effects of Individualized Breast Cancer Risk Counseling: a Randomized Trial
Authors: C. Lerman, E. Lustbader, B. Rimer, M. Daly, S. Miller, C. Sands, A. Balshem
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1995)

Studies have shown that a majority of women with a family history of breast cancer have exaggerated perceptions of their own risk of this disease and experience excessive anxiety. In response to the need to communicate more accurate risk information to these women, specialized programs for breast cancer risk counseling have been initiated in medical centers across the United States.Our purpose was 1) to evaluate the impact of a standardized protocol for individualized breast cancer risk counseling on comprehension of personal risk among first-degree relatives of index breast cancer patients and 2) to identify women most and least likely to benefit from such counseling.This study is a prospective randomized trial comparing individualized breast cancer risk counseling to general health counseling (control). We studied 200 women aged 35 years and older who had a family history of breast cancer in a first-degree relative. Women with a personal history of cancer were excluded. Risk comprehension was assessed as the concordance between perceived "subjective" lifetime breast cancer risk and estimated "objective" lifetime risk.The results of logistic regression analysis showed that women who received risk counseling were significantly more likely to improve their risk comprehension, compared with women in the control condition (odds ratio [OR] = 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3-9.5; P = .01). However, in both groups, about two thirds of women continued to overestimate their lifetime risks substantially following counseling. Examination of subjects by treatment interaction effects indicated that risk counseling did not produce improved comprehension among the large proportion of women who had high levels of anxious preoccupation with breast cancer at base line (P = .02). In addition, white women were less likely to benefit than African-American women (OR = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.11-0.99; P = .05).Efforts to counsel women about their breast cancer risks are not likely to be effective unless their breast cancer anxieties are also addressed.Attention to the psychological aspects of breast cancer risk will be critical in the development of risk-counseling programs that incorporate testing for the recently cloned breast cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA1 (and BRCA2 when that gene has also been cloned).
Flow-Dependent Remodeling of Small Arteries in Mice Deficient for Tissue-Type Transglutaminase
Authors: Erik N.T.P. Bakker, Adrian Pistea, Jos A.E. Spaan, Titia Rolf, Carlie J. de Vries, Nico van Rooijen, Eleonara Candi, Ed VanBavel
Journal: Circulation Research (2006)

Chronic changes in blood flow induce an adaptation of vascular caliber. Thus, arteries show inward remodeling after a reduction in blood flow. We hypothesized that this remodeling depends on the crosslinking enzyme tissue-type transglutaminase (tTG). Flow-dependent remodeling was studied in wild-type (WT) and tTG-null mice using a surgically imposed change in blood flow in small mesenteric arteries. WT mice showed inward remodeling after 2 days of low blood flow, which was absent in arteries from tTG-null mice. Yet, after continued low blood flow for 7 days, inward remodeling was similar in arteries from WT and tTG-null mice. Studying the alternative pathways of remodeling, we identified a relatively high expression of the plasma transglutaminase factor XIII in arteries of WT and tTG-null mice. In addition, vessels from both WT and tTG-null mice showed the presence of transglutaminase-specific crosslinks. An accumulation of adventitial monocytes/macrophages was found in vessels exposed to low blood flow in tTG-null mice. Because monocytes/macrophages may represent a source of factor XIII, tTG-null mice were treated with liposome-encapsulated clodronate. Elimination of monocytes/macrophages with liposome-encapsulated clodronate reduced both the expression of factor XIII and inward remodeling in tTG-null mice. In conclusion, tTG plays an important role in the inward remodeling of small arteries associated with decreased blood flow. Adventitial monocytes/macrophages are a source of factor XIII in tTG-null mice and contribute to an alternative, delayed mechanism of inward remodeling when tTG is absent.
Detection of enterovirus RNA in myocardial biopsies from patients with myocarditis and cardiomyopathy using gene amplification by polymerase chain reaction.
Authors: O Jin, M J Sole, J W Butany, W K Chia, P R McLaughlin, P Liu, C C Liew
Journal: Circulation (1990)

Recent molecular studies have suggested that viral myocarditis frequently underlies human congestive cardiomyopathy; however, only moderately sensitive and specific techniques were used. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) gene amplification is a sensitive, specific technique ideally suited for the diagnosis of viral disease in small tissue samples where low copy numbers of the viral genome may be present. Using PCR and high stringency condition, we screened biopsies taken from 48 patients with clinically suspected myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy. Five patients demonstrated positive enteroviral signals by PCR; two of them had myocarditis by pathology, whereas the other three had changes consistent with cardiomyopathy. Four other patients had myocarditis diagnosed by pathology from 3 months to 1 year earlier but were now negative by both PCR and pathology. Both pathology and PCR were negative for active myocarditis in all other patients. Ventricular samples taken from left ventricular myectomy in four additional patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, normal human ventricle samples, and uninfected monkey kidney cells were also negative by PCR. This study supports a link between viral infection and dilated cardiomyopathy in some patients. PCR gene amplification provides a new diagnostic approach to patients with suspected myocarditis.
Fast Evolution of Core Promoters in Primate Genomes
Authors: H. Liang, Y.-S. Lin, W.-H. Li
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2008)

Despite much interest in regulatory evolution, how promoters have evolved remains poorly studied, mainly owing to paucity of data on promoter regions. Using a new set of high-quality experimentally determined core promoters of the human genome, we conducted a comparative analysis of 2,492 human and rhesus macaque promoters and their neighboring nearly neutral regions. We found that the core promoters have an average rate of nucleotide substitution substantially higher than that at 4-fold degenerate sites and only slightly lower than that for the assumed neutral controls of neighboring noncoding regions, suggesting that core promoters are subject to very weak selective constraints. Interestingly, we identified 24 core promoters (at false discovery rate = 50%) that have evolved at an accelerated rate compared with the neutral controls, suggesting that they may have undergone positive selection. The inferred positively selected genes show strong bias in molecular function. We also used population genetic approaches to examine the evolution of core promoters in human populations and found evidence of positive selection at some loci. Taken together, our results suggest that positive selection has played a substantial role in the evolution of transcriptional regulation in primates.
Effects of physical training on heart rate variability in diabetic patients with various degrees of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy
Authors: Kinga Howorka, Jiri Pumprla, Paul Haber, Jeanette Koller-Strametz, Jerzy Mondrzyk, Alfred Schabmann
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1997)

Objective: To investigate the effects of regularly performed endurance training on heart rate variability in diabetic patients with different degrees of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN). Methods: Bicycle ergometer training (12 weeks, 2×30 min/week, with 65% of maximal performance) was performed by 22 insulin-requiring diabetic patients (age 49.5±8.7 years; diabetes duration 18.6±10.6 years; BMI 25.1±3.4 kg/m2): i.e., by 8 subjects with no CAN, 8 with early CAN and by 6 patients with definite/severe CAN. A standard battery of cardiovascular reflex tests was used for grading of CAN, a short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability for follow-up monitoring of training-induced effects. Results: While the training-free interval induced no changes in spectral indices, the 12-week training period increased the cumulative spectral power of the total frequency band (P=0.04) but to a different extent (P=0.039) in different degrees of neuropathy. In patients with no CAN the spectral power in the high-frequency (HF) band (0.15–0.50 Hz) increased from 6.2±0.3 to 6.6±0.4 ln [ms2]; P=0.016, and in the low-frequency (LF) band (0.06–0.15 Hz) from 7.1±0.1 to 7.6±0.3 ln [ms2]; P=0.08, which resulted in an increase of total spectral power (0.06–0.50 Hz) from 7.5±0.1 to 8.0±0.3 ln [ms2] (P=0.05). Patients with the early form of CAN showed an increase of spectral power in HF (5.1±0.2 to 5.8±0.1 ln [ms2], P=0.05) and LF bands (5.6±0.1 to 6.3±0.1 ln [ms2], P=0.008), resulting in an increase of total power from 6.1±0.1 to 6.6±0.1 ln [ms2] (P=0.04), whereas those with definite/severe CAN showed no changes after the training period. Training improved fitness in the whole patient cohort. The increased autonomic tone as assessed by spectral indices disappeared after a training withdrawal period of 6 weeks. Conclusions: In diabetic patients with no or early CAN, regularly performed endurance training increased heart rate variability due to improved sympathetic and parasympathetic supply, whereas in subjects with definite/severe CAN no effect on heart rate variability could be demonstrated after this kind of training.
Does Helicobacter pylori infection increase gastric sensitivity in functional dyspepsia?
Authors: F Mearin, X de Ribot, A Balboa, A Salas, M J Varas, M Cucala, R Bartolome, J R Armengol, J R Malagelada
Journal: Gut (1995)

The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia is debated. It is known that a substantial fraction of dyspeptic patients manifest a low discomfort threshold to gastric distension. This study investigated the symptomatic pattern in 27 H pylori positive and 23 H pylori negative patients with chronic functional dyspepsia, and potential relations between infection and gastric hyperalgesia. Specific symptoms (pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating/fullness, early satiety) were scored from 0 to 3 for severity and frequency (global symptom scores: 0-15). The mechanical and perceptive responses to gastric accommodation were evaluated with an electronic barostat that produced graded isobaric distensions from 0 to 20 mm Hg in 2 mm Hg steps up to 600 ml. Gastric compliance (volume/pressure relation) and perception (rating scale: 0-10) were quantified. Standard gastrointestinal manometry and recorded phasic pressure activity at eight separate sites during fasting and postprandially were also assessed. H pylori positive and H pylori negative patients manifested similar severity and frequency of specific symptoms and global symptom scores (mean (SEM)) (severity: 9.5 (2.0) v 9.0 (2.1); frequency: 10.8 (2.0) v 9.7 (2.2)). No differences were seen either in gastric compliance (53 (4) ml/mm Hg v 43 (3) ml/mm Hg) or in gastric perception of distension (slope: 0.50 (0.05) v 0.53 (0.06)). Postprandial antral motility was significantly decreased in H pylori positive patients (two hours motility index: 10.4 (0.6) v 12.6 (0.5); p &lt; 0.05). It is concluded that H pylori infected patients with functional dyspepsia present no distinctive symptoms by comparison with H pylori negative counterparts and H pylori infection is associated with diminished postprandial antral motility but it does not increase perception of gastric distension.
A Study of Tobacco Carcinogenesis. XIII. Tumor-Promoting Subfractions of the Weakly Acidic Fraction 2
Authors: Stephen S. Hecht, Robert L. Thorne, Robert R. Maronpot, Dietrich Hoffmann
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1975)

The weakly acidic fraction (WAF) of cigarette smoke particulate matter was fractioned by silica get chromatography. We assayed the various primary subfractions for potential tumor-promoting activity by measuring the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into mouse epidermal DNA as induced by these subfractions. Based on these results and on chemical composition, the primary subfractions, were then combined into four major subfractions and tested on initiated mouse skin for tumor-promoting activity by long-term application. Two of these subfractions (40% of WAF) were inactive, whereas the other two (18 and 35% of WAF) showed tumor-promoting activity. The two active portions were then further chromatographed and tested by the short-term bioassay. Some major components of the resulting active fractions included alkyl-2-cyclopenten-2-ol-1-ones, catechols, hydroquinone, fatty acids, and 3-hydroxypyridines. Among these components, catechol, hydroquinone, 3-hydroxypyridine, 6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine, linolenic acid, and linoleic acid were inactive as tumor promoters in the experimental animal. The activity of the alkyl-2-cyclopenten-2-ol-1-ones is unknown. Other components remain to be identified.