tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The response of atrial stretch receptors to increases in heart rate in dogs.
Authors: I H Zucker, J P Gilmore
Journal: Circulation Research (1976)

The discharge characteristics of type B left atrial receptors were analyzed during alterations in heart rate. Recordings were made from single-fiber preparations of the left cervical vagus of pentobarbital-anesthetized, open-chest dogs. The heart was paced following a sinoatrial crush at frequencies ranging from 60 to 240 beats/min. Left atrial transmural pressure was varied at each heart rate by the intravenous infusion of warm isotonic NaCl. As heart rate was increased there was a progressive decrease in the level of peak "v" wave left atrial pressure. Concomitantly with the decrease in left atrial pressure, the number of spikes per cardiac cycle decreased as did the maximal instantaneous frequency of discharge. A significant positive relationship could be demonstrated with either the discharge per minute [(spikes per cycle) X heart rate] or discharge per cycle vs. the peak "v" wave of the left atrial pressure, regardless of heart rate. The number of impulses that entered the central nervous system per unit of time remained relatively constant at heart rates between 90 and 240/min. It is concluded from these data that the reflex effects which have been attributed in the past to atrial stretch receptor stimulation during clinical episodes of atrial tachyarrhythmias may be better correlated with some aspect of receptor discharge other than frequency or the number of discharges per cycle.
Maternal-Fetal Conflict: Rapidly Evolving Proteins in the Rodent Placenta
Authors: E. B. Chuong, W. Tong, H. E. Hoekstra
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2010)

Conflicting evolutionary interests between mother and offspring are hypothesized to drive an evolutionary arms race during mammalian pregnancy, and thus, positive selection may cause the rapid divergence of placental proteins that affect maternal or fetal fitness. We investigated the genomic consequences of placental expression in rodents and report that a substantial proportion (20.5%) of genes specifically expressed in the mature placenta are rapidly evolving. Moreover, we found that most rapidly evolving genes belong to just three pregnancy-related gene families: placental cathepsins, prolactins, and placental carcinoembryonic antigens. We then sequenced the most rapidly evolving gene, trophoblast-specific protein alpha (Tpbpa), in nine different Mus species/subspecies and found evidence of positive selection within the Mus lineage, with an excess of nonsynonymous changes clustering near a functionally important interaction site. Together, these results suggest that placental proteins, which mediate interactions between mother and offspring, often may be the targets of evolutionary conflict.
Human metapneumovirus: a new cause of respiratory tract infections in children?
Authors: S J Fowler
Journal: Thorax (2004)

▴ Williams JV, Harris PA, Tollefson SJ, et al . Human metapneumovirus and lower respiratory tract disease in otherwise healthy infants and children. N Engl J Med2004;350:443–50 [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Human metapneumovirus was first isolated from humans with respiratory tract infections in 2001 and is closely related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This paper examines its prevalence in a large cohort of otherwise healthy children followed from birth to 5 years of age. Children attending a primary care clinic in Tennessee between 1976 … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DNew%2BEngland%2BJournal%2Bof%2BMedicine%26rft.stitle%253DNEJM%26rft.issn%253D0028-4793%26rft.aulast%253DWilliams%26rft.auinit1%253DJ.%2BV.%26rft.volume%253D350%26rft.issue%253D5%26rft.spage%253D443%26rft.epage%253D450%26rft.atitle%253DHuman%2BMetapneumovirus%2Band%2BLower%2BRespiratory%2BTract%2BDisease%2Bin%2BOtherwise%2BHealthy%2BInfants%2Band%2BChildren%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa025472%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F14749452%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa025472&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=14749452&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fthoraxjnl%2F59%2F4%2F359.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000188463900006&link_type=ISI
Long-term versus intrabeat history of ejection as determinants of canine ventricular end-systolic pressure.
Authors: S Sugiura, W C Hunter, K Sagawa
Journal: Circulation Research (1989)

We studied the effect of ejection on end-systolic pressure in isolated heart preparations. Ejecting beats were compared with isovolumic beats having the same volume as at end systole. While holding end-systolic volume constant, various stroke volumes, including negative stroke volumes (volume injected during systole), were imposed using a predetermined volume command. After switching contraction mode between ejecting and isovolumic, we measured the immediate and steady changes in end-systolic pressure. In the first isovolumic beat after switching from steady-state ejecting beats, the change in end-systolic pressure was variable, depending on the stroke volume. The end-systolic pressure of the ejecting beat exceeded that of the isovolumic beat on average by up to 18 mm Hg with small stroke volume, but the ejecting end-systolic pressure became lower than isovolumic with either large stroke volume (stroke volume/end-systolic volume less than 0.96) or with negative stroke volume. During the transient phase following a switch from ejecting to isovolumic, the end-systolic pressure gradually decreased to a steady state. Consequently, even in steady state, ejecting end-systolic pressure exceeded isovolumic pressure over a significant range of stroke volume (stroke volume/end-systolic volume less than 1.18). After returning contraction mode from isovolumic back to ejecting, we observed responses that were a mirror image. These results indicated that in addition to negative uncoupling effect, ejection exerts positive effects on ventricular end-systolic pressure that are manifest both quickly and gradually. We hypothesized that the mechanism responsible for the positive effect is length-dependent activation via the larger volume (both at the initiation of contraction and averaged over a cardiac cycle) of a beat that ejects compared to one held isovolumic at end-systolic volume. The results with volume injection were consonant with this concept.
Labour promises bold action on five "giants of modern living"
Authors: M. Limb
Journal: BMJ (2014)

Labour’s new policy on public health is aimed at five 21st century “giants”—ageing, addiction, obesity, inequality, and insecurity, the shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, has said.

He said that the policy, still being worked on, would have a clear moral purpose and a strong role for legislation, where necessary, to fill the “vacuum of leadership” on public health in recent years. A Labour government, if elected in 2015, would set a “new national ambition” to get people more physically active and to “enshrine” the independent status of directors of public health within local government.

The policy would draw a distinction between measures to protect children and general public health measures for the rest of the population and restore the cabinet subcommittee on public health.

“We would argue unapologetically that the state has a moral obligation to intervene to protect children from harm …
Youth With Obesity and Obesity-Related Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Demonstrate Abnormalities in Carotid Structure and Function
Authors: Elaine M. Urbina, Thomas R. Kimball, Connie E. McCoy, Philip R. Khoury, Stephen R. Daniels, Lawrence M. Dolan
Journal: Circulation (2009)

Adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at higher risk for stroke and myocardial infarction. Increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and stiffness are associated with these adverse outcomes. We compared carotid arteries in youth who were lean, were obese, or had T2DM.Carotid ultrasound for cIMT measurement was performed, the Young elastic modulus and beta stiffness index were calculated, and anthropometric and laboratory values and blood pressure were measured in 182 lean, 136 obese, and 128 T2DM youth (aged 10 to 24 years). Mean differences were evaluated by ANOVA. Independent determinants of cIMT, Young elastic modulus, and beta stiffness index were determined with general linear models. Cardiovascular risk factors worsened from lean to obese to T2DM groups. T2DM subjects had greater cIMT than that in lean and obese subjects for the common carotid artery and bulb. For the internal carotid artery, cIMT measurements in both obese and T2DM groups were thicker than in the lean group. The carotid arteries were stiffer in obese and T2DM groups than in the lean group. Determinants of cIMT were group, group x age interaction, sex, and systolic blood pressure for the common carotid artery (r2=0.17); age, race, and systolic blood pressure for the bulb (r2=0.16); and age, race, sex, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol for the internal carotid artery (r2=0.21). Age, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were determinants of all measures of carotid stiffness, with sex adding to the Young elastic modulus (r2=0.23), and body mass index Z score, group, and group x age interaction contributing to the beta stiffness index (r2=0.31; all P<0.0001).Youth with obesity and T2DM have abnormalities in carotid thickness and stiffness that are only partially explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. These vascular changes should alert healthcare practitioners to address cardiovascular risk factors early to prevent an increase in the incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction.
Lack of Renoprotective Effects of Dopamine and Furosemide during Cardiac Surgery
Authors: ANDREA LASSNIGG, EVA DONNER, GEORG GRUBHOFER, ELISABETH PRESTERL, WILFRED DRUML, MICHAEL HIESMAYR
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2000)

Abstract. Because development of acute renal failure is one of the most potent predictors of outcome in cardiac surgery patients, the prevention of renal dysfunction is of utmost importance in perioperative care. In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of dopamine or furosemide in prevention of renal impairment after cardiac surgery was evaluated. A total of 126 patients with preoperatively normal renal function undergoing elective cardiac surgery received a continuous infusion of either “renal-dose” dopamine (2 μg/kg per min) (group D), furosemide (0.5 μg/kg per min) (group F), or isotonic sodium chloride as placebo (group P), starting at the beginning of surgery and continuing for 48 h or until discharge from the intensive care unit, whichever came first. Renal function parameters and the maximal increase of serum creatinine above baseline value within 48 h (▵Crea max ) were determined. The increase in plasma creatinine was twice as high in group F as in groups D and P ( P &lt; 0.01). Acute renal injury (defined as ▵Crea max &gt;0.5 mg/dl) occurred more frequently in group F (six of 41 patients) than in group D (one of 42) and group P (zero of 40) ( P &lt; 0.01). (The difference between group D and group P was not significant.) Creatinine clearance was lower in group F ( P &lt; 0.05). Two patients in group F required renal replacement therapy. The mean volume of infused fluids, blood urea nitrogen, serum sodium, serum potassium, and osmolar- and free-water clearance was similar in all groups. It was shown that continuous infusion of dopamine for renal protection was ineffective and was not superior to placebo in preventing postoperative dysfunction after cardiac surgery. In contrast, continuous infusion of furosemide was associated with the highest rate of renal impairment. Thus, renal-dose dopamine is ineffective and furosemide is even detrimental in the protection of renal dysfunction after cardiac surgery.
Synthesis of IgM, IgG and IgA in rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: K Poikonen, M Oka, T Mottonen, I Jokinen, H Arvilommi
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1982)

We studied the production of immunoglobulins by lymphocytes separated from the blood of 15 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, of 12 patients suffering from other connective tissue diseases (CTD), and of 18 healthy controls. The production of IgM, IgG and IgA in pokeweed-mitogen-stimulated cultures was measured by counting the number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) and by determining the concentration of secreted immunoglobulins by means of an enzyme immunoassay. Synthesis of immunoglobulins, particularly IgM and IgG, was lower than in other CTD patients or controls. The IgM response of RA patients was 20% and 29% (PFC and Ig concentrations) that of the controls. The respective figures for IgG were 33% and 53% and for IgA 61% and 72%.
Mineral Metabolism and Arterial Functions in End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Gérard M. London, Alain P. Guérin, Francis H. Verbeke, Bruno Pannier, Pierre Boutouyrie, Sylvain J. Marchais, Fabien Mëtivier
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2007)

In ESRD, arterial function is abnormal, characterized by decreased capacitive function (arterial stiffening) and reduced conduit function, shown by diminished flow-mediated dilation (FMD). The pathophysiology of these abnormalities is not clear, and this cross-sectional study analyzed possible relationships among arterial alterations and cardiovascular risk factors, including mineral metabolism parameters, such as serum parathormone, and vitamin D "nutritional" and "hormonal" status by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D(3)] and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] levels. Aortic stiffness (pulse wave velocity), brachial artery (BA) distensibility (echotracking; n = 42), BA FMD (hand-warming; n = 37), and arterial calcification scores (echography and plain x-rays) were measured in 52 stable and uncomplicated patients who were on hemodialysis. 25(OH)D(3) and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) serum levels were low and weakly correlated (r = 0.365, P < 0.05). After adjustment for BP and age, multivariate analyses indicated that 25(OH)D(3) and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) were negatively correlated with aortic pulse wave velocity (P < 0.001) and positively correlated with BA distensibility (P < 0.01) and FMD (P < 0.001). Arterial calcification scores were not independently associated with 25(OH)D(3) and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) serum concentrations. These results suggest that nutritional vitamin D deficiency and low 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) could be associated with arteriosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in patients who have ESRD and are on hemodialysis.
Impact of diabetes on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with arterial hypertension
Authors: Rolf Wachter, Claus Lüers, Sibylle Kleta, Kerstin Griebel, Christoph Herrmann‐Lingen, Lutz Binder, Nico Janicke, Dirk Wetzel, Michael M. Kochen, Burkert Pieske
Journal: European Journal of Heart Failure (2007)
Effect of Physical Training on the Mechanical and Metabolic Response of the Rat Heart to Hypoxia
Authors: JAMES SCHEUER, S. William STEZOSKI
Journal: Circulation Research (1972)

To study the effects of physical conditioning on cardiac function and metabolism during hypoxia, rats were conditioned by swimming. Their isolated hearts and hearts of sedentary rats were studied under isovolumic conditions and also while performing external work. During isovolumic performance only minimal improvement in hypoxic cardiac performance was observed because of conditioning. While performing external work during hypoxia cardiac output and cardiac work were approximately twice as great in hearts from conditioned rats as in those from sedentary rats. There were also slightly higher peak systolic pressures and mean left ventricular systolic pressures during hypoxia. Oxygen delivery and lactate production during hypoxia were the same in hearts from conditioned and sedentary rats as were myocardial NADH fluorescence, residual high-energy phosphate stores, and myocardial glycogen levels. External efficiency in experiments on working rat hearts was twice as great during hypoxia in hearts from conditioned rats as in those fromsedentary rats. The data suggest that hearts of conditioned rats have enhanced pumping capacity when subjected to hypoxia compared with hearts of sedentary rats. Oxygen delivery and energy formation during hypoxia are not improved in hearts of conditioned animals. The major reason for improved performance appears to be more efficient energy utilization for external cardiac work.
Late-breaking abstract: Correlation of serum free light chain immunoglobulins with total IgE and food- and respiratory allergen-specific IgE in serum of allergic subjects
Authors: Esmaeil Mortaz, Dina Soroush, Sohila Khalilzadeh, Ali akbar Velayati, Johan Garssen, Frank Redegeld
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction: Tetrameric Ig are produced and secreted by plasma cells. However, it is well documented that plasma cells also produce and secrete Ig-free light chains (FLC; and ). Recent studies in animal models for allergy suggest the existence of an IgE-independent hypersensitivity response involving antigen-induced mast cell activation, mediated by FLCs. In this study we aimed to explore the relation between serum FLC and IgE in various patients with high levels of specific IgE for food and respiratory allergens. Materials and Methods: 20 subjects with food allergy, 21 subjecs with respiratory allergy and 15 controls were selected and serum was collected for determination of kappa and lambda FLCs, total IgE and specific IgE. Total IgE, FLCs were determined by ELISA. Specific food and respiratory allergens was determined by Improvio C Blotting Methods. Results: The results show that FLC are significantly increased in patients with high allergen-specific IgE as detected by immunoblotting (for 30 food and 30 respiratory allergens). Among the food allergens, the highest specific IgE was detected for celery, carrot, cheese mix, and milk and spelt flour, Derm.farinae, Acarus siro, cockroach, mixed grasses and rye pollen for the respiratory allergens. Milk allergic subjects show significant higher increases in than FLCs, while in others -for example celery allergics- this augmentation was reverse. No significant association between and FLCs with others was seen. Conclusion: FLC subunits may be considered as unique markers for allergic sensitization. λκλκλκ
Changes in the site distribution of common melanoma subtypes in Queensland, Australia over time: implications for public health campaigns
Authors: P.H. Youl, D.R. Youlden, P.D. Baade
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

An examination of melanoma incidence according to anatomical region may be one method of monitoring the impact of public health initiatives. To examine melanoma incidence trends by body site, sex and age at diagnosis or body site and morphology in a population at high risk. Population-based data on invasive melanoma cases (n = 51473) diagnosed between 1982 and 2008 were extracted from the Queensland Cancer Registry. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated using the direct method (2000 world standard population) and joinpoint regression models were used to fit trend lines. Significantly decreasing trends for melanomas on the trunk and upper limbs/shoulders were observed during recent years for both sexes under the age of 40 years and among males aged 40-59years. However, in the 60 and over age group, the incidence of melanoma is continuing to increase at all sites (apart from the trunk) for males and on the scalp/neck and upper limbs/shoulders for females. Rates of nodular melanoma are currently decreasing on the trunk and lower limbs. In contrast, superficial spreading melanoma is significantly increasing on the scalp/neck and lower limbs, along with substantial increases in lentigo maligna melanoma since the late 1990s at all sites apart from the lower limbs. In this large study we have observed significant decreases in rates of invasive melanoma in the younger age groups on less frequently exposed body sites. These results may provide some indirect evidence of the impact of long-running primary prevention campaigns.
Effects of Dobutamine at Maximally Tolerated Dose on Myocardial Blood Flow in Humans With Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Hal A. Skopicki, Stephen A. Abraham, Michael H. Picard, Nathaniel M. Alpert, Alan J. Fischman, Henry Gewirtz
Journal: Circulation (1997)

This study tests the hypothesis in humans with ischemic heart disease that myocardial blood flow response to dobutamine is linearly correlated with blood flow response to adenosine.PET with [13N]ammonia was used to measure myocardial blood flow at rest and during adenosine and dobutamine at the maximally tolerated dose. Myocardial segments were defined physiologically on the basis of blood flow response to adenosine: normal, > or = 2 mL x min(-1) x g(-1); abnormal, < 2 mL x min(-1) x g(-1); and "steal," decline versus baseline > or = 0.15 mL x min(-1) x g(-1). The patient population consisted of 11 men and 2 women. Dobutamine increased heart rate (79+/-22 to 115+/-28 bpm) and rate-pressure product (9748+/-2862 to 15,157+/-3433 mm Hg/min) significantly (both P<.01). Myocardial blood flow at rest in abnormal segments (0.50+/-0.23 mL x min(-1) x g(-1)) was reduced (P<.001) versus normal (0.90+/-0.45) and steal (0.92+/-0.60). Nevertheless, in abnormal segments, blood flow increased versus rest (P<.001) with dobutamine (0.83+/-0.43) and adenosine (0.90+/-0.49). In steal segments, myocardial blood flow declined versus baseline (P<.001) with dobutamine (0.68+/-0.46) and adenosine (0.50+/-0.45). In normal segments, myocardial blood flow increased (P<.001) with dobutamine (2.16+/-0.99) and adenosine (3.10+/-0.90). Over the range of flows, the correlation between adenosine and dobutamine was good (r=.78, P<.0001). Although flow with dobutamine in normal segments correlated with rate-pressure product (r=.81, P<.05), the slope of the line was 2.7+/-0.8 (P<.02), and normalized blood flow (3.3+/-2.5 x rest) exceeded normalized rate-pressure product (1.9+/-0.8 x rest; P<.05).In humans with ischemic heart disease, myocardial blood flow responses to dobutamine and adenosine are linearly correlated over a wide range. The hyperemic response to dobutamine is in excess of that predicted by rate-pressure product and reflects the unmeasured inotropic, oxygen-wasting, and beta2-agonist effects of the drug. Dobutamine induces coronary steal with a frequency approaching that of adenosine.