tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Airways Inflammation and Glucan in a Rowhouse Area
Authors: JÖRGEN THORN, RAGNAR RYLANDER
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1998)

A study was undertaken in a number of rowhouses, some of which had had previous problems related to dampness and water leakage. The aim of the study was to assess the relation between exposure to airborne (1 → 3)- β -d-glucan, a cell-wall substance in molds, and airways inflammation. The study involved 75 houses with indoor (1 → 3)- β -d-glucan levels ranging from 0 to 19 ng/m3. Of 170 invited tenants, 129 (76%) participated in the study. A questionnaire relating to symptoms was used, and measurements were made of lung function and airway responsiveness. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in serum. Atopy was determined with the Phadiatop test. The major findings were a relation between exposure to (1 → 3)- β -d-glucan and an increased prevalence of atopy, a slightly increased amount of MPO, and a decrease in FEV1 over the number of years lived in the house. The results suggests the hypothesis that exposure to (1 → 3)- β -d-glucan or molds indoors could be associated with signs of a non-specific inflammation.
Alterations in the Determinants of Diastolic Suction During Pacing Tachycardia
Authors: Stephen P. Bell, Lori Nyland, Marc D. Tischler, Mark McNabb, Henk Granzier, Martin M. LeWinter
Journal: Circulation Research (2000)

Abstract —In cardiomyocytes, generation of restoring forces (RFs) responsible for elastic recoil involves deformation of the sarcomeric protein titin in conjunction with shortening below slack length. At the left ventricular (LV) level, recoil and filling by suction require contraction to an end-systolic volume (ESV) below equilibrium volume (Veq) as well as large-scale deformations, for example, torsion or twist. Little is known about RFs and suction in the failing ventricle. We undertook a comparison of determinants of suction in open-chest dogs previously subjected to 2 weeks of pacing tachycardia (PT) and controls. To assess the ability of the LV to contract below Veq, we used a servomotor to clamp left atrial pressure and produce nonfilling diastoles, allowing measurement of fully relaxed pressure at varying volumes. We quantified twist with sonomicrometry. We also assessed transmural ratios of N2B to N2BA titin isoforms and total titin to myosin heavy chain (MHC) protein. In PT, the LV did not contract below Veq, even with marked reduction of volume (end-diastolic pressure [EDP], 1 to 2 mm Hg), whereas in controls ESV was less than Veq when EDP was less than ≈5 mm Hg. In PT, both systolic twist and diastolic untwisting rate were reduced, and there was exaggerated transmural variation in titin isoform and titin-to-MHC ratios, consistent with the more extensible N2BA being present in larger amounts in the subendocardium. Thus, in PT, determinants of suction at the level of the LV are markedly impaired. The altered transmural titin isoform gradient is consistent with a decrease in RFs and may contribute to these findings.
Abstract 14759: Prognostic Significance of Late Gadolinium Enhancement Pattern by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Cardiac Amyloidosis
Authors: Grace Lin, James Glockner, Angela Dispenzieri, Peter A Brady
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Background: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) may identify early cardiac amyloidosis (CA) in patients (Pts) with minimal or normal echocardiographic findings. However, whether severity of LGE predicts worse survival in CA is unclear. Methods: To determine this, we reviewed all consecutive Pts with amyloidosis who underwent CMR due to suspicion of CA between October 2001 and September 2008. Pts without echo or LGE criteria for CA were excluded. Global severity of LGE in the left and right ventricles (LV and RV) was graded visually (LGE grade 1= minimal focal LV; 2= mild focal LV; 3= mild diffuse LV; 4= moderate diffuse LV and RV, 5= severe LV and RV), and septal LGE ratio (septal LGE signal intensity post- pre/ pre) was calculated. Results: Amongst 154 Pts who underwent CMR, 39 had no echo or CMR findings of CA and were excluded. Of the 115 (91 AL, 11 senile,13 familial) remaining Pts, CA was confirmed by RV biopsy in 44. Demographics, echo and CMR data are shown...
The risk of progression of lentigo maligna to lentigo maligna melanoma
Authors: M.A. WEINSTOCK, A.J. SOBER
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1987)

An analysis is presented which estimates the risk of progression of lentigo maligna (LM) to lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) in U.S. whites using three data sources: (i) the Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I for estimation of the age‐specific prevalence of LM; (ii) the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program for estimation of the age‐specific incidence of melanoma; and (iii) the data from three melanoma registries for estimation of the age‐specific case fraction of LMM among all invasive melanomas. The risk varies with age and is likely to be greater than estimated here for patients who present themselves for evaluation of changes in a lesion of LM. Our analysis suggests that the risk of progression from LM to LMM is substantially lower than is commonly believed.
Staging of metastatic melanoma by whole-body positron emission tomography using 2-fluorine-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose
Authors: R. BONI, R.A.HUCH BÖNI, H. STEINERT, G. BURG, A. BUCK, B. MARINCEK, T. BERTHOLD, R. DUMMER, D. VOELLMY, B. BALLMER, G.K. SCHULTHESS
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2006)

Metastatic melanoma was staged in 15 patients using whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) and the radiopharmaceutical 2-fluorine-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG). PET correctly demonstrated 30 metastases in lung, brain, pancreas, nasal cavity, skin and subcutaneous tissue, and lymph nodes. It detected 97% of all metastases exceeding its spatial resolution (> 5 mm). Two cutaneous metastases (approximately 3 mm) did not show increased FDG uptake; the overall detection sensitivity was 91%. Two false-positive lesions in one patient were due to severe wound infection. PET correctly excluded malignancy in four cases where suspicious lesions were found with conventional cross-sectional imaging modalities but later ruled out by fine-needle biopsy. PET therefore proved to be an excellent method for staging of metastatic melanoma. Due to its high sensitivity for malignant lesions and the possibility of covering the whole body in one examination, it can replace staging techniques employing multiple imaging modalities: chest X-ray, ultrasonography and computed tomography. Furthermore, it provides information on the malignant potential of the detected lesion.
Randomized Phase III Trial of Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin Compared With Gemcitabine Alone in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Volker Heinemann, Detlef Quietzsch, Frank Gieseler, Michael Gonnermann, Herbert Schönekäs, Andreas Rost, Horst Neuhaus, Caroline Haag, Michael Clemens, Bernard Heinrich, Ursula Vehling-Kaiser, Martin Fuchs, Doris Fleckenstein, Wolfgang Gesierich, Dirk Uthgenannt, Hermann Einsele, Axel Holstege, Axel Hinke, Andreas Schalhorn, Ralf Wilkowski
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

Purpose To compare the effectiveness and tolerability of gemcitabine plus cisplatin with single-agent gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Patients and Methods Patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were randomly assigned to receive either gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m 2 and cisplatin 50 mg/m 2 given on days 1 and 15 of a 4-week cycle (GemCis arm) or gemcitabine alone at a dose of 1,000 mg/m 2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 4-week regimen (Gem arm). The primary end point was overall survival; secondary end points were progression-free survival, response rate, safety, and quality of life. Results One hundred ninety-five patients were enrolled and showed baseline characteristics well balanced between treatment arms. Combination treatment in the GemCis arm was associated with a prolonged median progression-free survival (5.3 months v 3.1 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.75; P = .053). Also, median overall survival was superior for patients treated in the GemCis arm as compared with the Gem arm (7.5 v 6.0 months), an advantage which did not, however, reach statistical significance (HR = 0.80; P = .15). Tumor response rates were comparable between treatment arms (10.2% v 8.2%). The rate of stable disease was, however, greater in the combination arm (60.2% v 40.2%; P &lt; .001). Grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicity did not exceed 15% in both treatment arms. Conclusion These results support the efficacy and safety of an every-2-weeks treatment with gemcitabine plus cisplatin. Median overall survival and progression-free survival were more favorable in the combination arm as compared with gemcitabine alone, although the difference did not attain statistical significance.
High-throughput, pooled sequencing identifies mutations in NUBPL and FOXRED1 in human complex I deficiency
Authors: Sarah E Calvo, Elena J Tucker, Alison G Compton, Denise M Kirby, Gabriel Crawford, Noel P Burtt, Manuel A Rivas, Candace Guiducci, Damien L Bruno, Olga A Goldberger, Michelle C Redman, Esko Wiltshire, Callum J Wilson, David Altshuler, Stacey B Gabriel, Mark J Daly, David R Thorburn, Vamsi K Mootha
Journal: Nature Genetics (2010)
Streamlining and Large Ancestral Genomes in Archaea Inferred with a Phylogenetic Birth-and-Death Model
Authors: M. Csuros, I. Miklos
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2009)

Homologous genes originate from a common ancestor through vertical inheritance, duplication, or horizontal gene transfer. Entire homolog families spawned by a single ancestral gene can be identified across multiple genomes based on protein sequence similarity. The sequences, however, do not always reveal conclusively the history of large families. To study the evolution of complete gene repertoires, we propose here a mathematical framework that does not rely on resolved gene family histories. We show that so-called phylogenetic profiles, formed by family sizes across multiple genomes, are sufficient to infer principal evolutionary trends. The main novelty in our approach is an efficient algorithm to compute the likelihood of a phylogenetic profile in a model of birth-and-death processes acting on a phylogeny.
Plasma Lysophosphatidylcholine Levels: Potential Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhenwen Zhao, Yijin Xiao, Paul Elson, Haiyan Tan, Sarah J. Plummer, Michael Berk, Phyu P. Aung, Ian C. Lavery, Jean P. Achkar, Li Li, Graham Casey, Yan Xu
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

Plasma levels of lysophospholipids were evaluated as potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC), where a highly reliable and minimally invasive blood test is lacking.Patients with CRC (n = 133) and control subjects (n = 125) were recruited through the Cleveland Clinic. Preoperative plasma samples were analyzed for lysophospholipid levels using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in a blinded fashion. Participants were randomly divided in a 2:1 ratio into a "training set" (TS) and a "validation set" (VS). Logistic regression models were used in the TS to identify markers that best discriminated between CRC and controls. A cutoff point for the final discriminating model was developed using the receiver operating characteristic curve to achieve 95% specificity. All analyses were then independently validated in the VS.Plasma levels of several lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), including 18:1- and 18:2-LPC, were significantly decreased in CRC patients compared with controls (P < .001). A model based on total saturated LPC and the difference between the proportional amounts of 18:2-LPC and 18:1-LPC in the unsaturated LPC fraction was derived from the TS. This model achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 82% and 93%, respectively, in the VS. Overall, 118 (94%) of 125 control subjects and 113 (85%) of 133 CRC cases were correctly identified, including eight (89%) of nine CRC cases with stage T1 disease.Percentage of 18:1-LPC or 18:2-LPC plasma levels compared with total saturated LPC levels, either individually or in combination, may represent potential biomarkers for CRC.
Comparison of video-assisted thoracoscopic talcage for recurrent primary versus persistent secondary spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: M Noppen, M Meysman, J d'Haese, I Monsieur, W Verhaeghe, M Schlesser, W Vincken
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1997)

Thoracoscopic talcage (TT) is a safe and effective prophylactic treatment for patients suffering from recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). Empirically, TT is considered equally effective in the treatment of persistent secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP), although this has not yet been proved. In this study, the efficacy and safety of TT was prospectively evaluated in 28 patients (17 males and 11 females, mean age 27 +/- 8 yrs), with 31 episodes of recurrent PSP, and in 20 patients (13 males and 7 females, mean age 43 +/- 21 yrs) with persistent SSP. TT proved to be equally effective in achieving pleurodesis in both groups; there were 6.5% recurrences in the PSP group and 8.7% in the SSP group during a mean follow-up period of 18 months (p &gt; 0.05). In the SSP group, there were significantly more prolonged postoperative air leaks (26 vs 0%; p = 0.004) and a longer postoperative chest tube drainage time (35.5 +/- 18 vs 24.9 +/- 3.2 hrs; p = 0.002) was necessary. All air leaks, however, ceased spontaneously during drainage. Duration of hospitalization was significantly longer in the SSP group (4.7 +/- 2 vs 3.2 +/- 0.5 days; p &lt; 0.0001). Postoperative pain (90 vs 43%; p &lt; 0.0001) and fever (65 vs 17%; p = 0.001) were more frequent in the PSP group than in the SSP group. There were no major peri- or postoperative complications in either group. We conclude that thoracoscopic talcage is as efficient and safe in achieving pleurodesis in persistent spontaneous pnuemothorax as in recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in TGF-β1-Induced Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells
Authors: Dong Young Rhyu, Yanqiang Yang, Hunjoo Ha, Geun Taek Lee, Jae Sook Song, Soo-taek Uh, Hi Bahl Lee
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2005)

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and TGF-beta1 is the key inducer of EMT. Phosphorylation of Smad proteins and/or mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) is required for TGF-beta1-induced EMT. Because reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in TGF-beta1 signaling and are upstream signaling molecules to MAPK, this study examined the role of ROS in TGF-beta1-induced MAPK activation and EMT in rat proximal tubular epithelial cells. Growth-arrested and synchronized NRK-52E cells were stimulated with TGF-beta1 (0.2 to 20 ng/ml) or H(2)O(2) (1 to 500 microM) in the presence or absence of antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine or catalase), inhibitors of NADPH oxidase (diphenyleneiodonium and apocynin), mitochondrial electron transfer chain subunit I (rotenone), and MAPK (PD 98059, an MEK [MAP kinase/ERK kinase] inhibitor, or p38 MAPK inhibitor) for up to 96 h. TGF-beta1 increased dichlorofluorescein-sensitive cellular ROS, phosphorylated Smad 2, p38 MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression, and fibronectin secretion and decreased E-cadherin expression. Antioxidants effectively inhibited TGF-beta1-induced cellular ROS, phosphorylation of Smad 2, p38 MAPK, and ERK, and EMT. H(2)O(2) reproduced all of the effects of TGF-beta1 with the exception of Smad 2 phosphorylation. Chemical inhibition of ERK but not p38 MAPK inhibited TGF-beta1-induced Smad 2 phosphorylation, and both MAPK inhibitors inhibited TGF-beta1- and H(2)O(2)-induced EMT. Diphenyleneiodonium, apocynin, and rotenone also significantly inhibited TGF-beta1-induced ROS. Thus, this data suggest that ROS play an important role in TGF-beta1-induced EMT primarily through activation of MAPK and subsequently through ERK-directed activation of Smad pathway in proximal tubular epithelial cells.
Effect of Intra-amniotic Oestriol Sulphate on Uterine Contractions
Authors: A. I. Klopper, K. J. Dennis, V. Farr
Journal: BMJ (1969)

The effects of oestriol sulphate on myometrial activity in a group of young primigravidae, who were at 41 or more weeks9 gestation, are compared with those of a placebo in a double-blind trial. Both compounds were administered over a period of six hours directly into the uterine cavity following artificial rupture of membranes. Intra-amniotic pressure recordings demonstrated a peak in the mean intensity in uterine contractions in the oestriol-treated and placebo-treated groups at six and four hours, respectively. The length of labour tended to be shorter in those patients having greater uterine activity.
Resistance of G Mice to Murine Leukemia Virus Infection: Apparent Disparity in In Vivo and In Vitro Resistances
Authors: H. Yoshikura, T. Odaka
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1978)

We observed a marked discordance between in vivo and in vitro sensitivities to Friend murine leukemia virus in G mice. In vivo resistance of G mice was more than 10(5)-fold relative to sensitive DDD mice, whereas in vitro resistance was only 50 to 100-fold. In vivo sensitivity to N- and NB-tropic Friend murine leukemia virus was recessive in (G X DDD)F1 mice, whereas in vitro sensitivity was dominant in the heterozygotes. The resistance of mouse fibroblasts was different from the resistance of fibroblasts of a certain NZB mouse strain.
Annotating genomes with massive-scale RNA sequencing
Authors: France Denoeud, Jean-Marc Aury, Corinne Da Silva, Benjamin Noel, Odile Rogier, Massimo Delledonne, Michele Morgante, Giorgio Valle, Patrick Wincker, Claude Scarpelli, Olivier Jaillon, François Artiguenave
Journal: Genome biology (2008)

Abstract Next generation technologies enable massive-scale cDNA sequencing (so-called RNA-Seq). Mainly because of the difficulty of aligning short reads on exon-exon junctions, no attempts have been made so far to use RNA-Seq for building gene models de novo , that is, in the absence of a set of known genes and/or splicing events. We present G-Mo.R-Se (Gene Modelling using RNA-Seq), an approach aimed at building gene models directly from RNA-Seq and demonstrate its utility on the grapevine genome.
The usefulness of ventilatory gas analysis during low intensity exercise to define pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Paul Woods, Robert Frantz, Bryan Taylor, Thomas Olson, Bruce Johnson
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

The 6-minute walk test is widely utilized to characterize activity tolerance and response to therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but provides little information about cardiopulmonary pathophysiology. Previous studies employing maximal exercise testing suggest that ventilatory gas analysis may be a useful tool to help determine the presence and severity of PAH. The aim of the present study was to determine whether measures of pulmonary gas exchange during a simplified low intensity step test can be used to differentiate between PAH patients and healthy individuals, and also stratify disease severity. Forty PAH patients and 25 matched controls completed a novel submaximal exercise test that consisted of 2-min rest, 3-min step exercise and 1-min recovery. Ventilation, pulmonary gas exchange, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) and heart rate were measured throughout using a simplified gas analysis system. A number of gas exchange variables separated PAH patients from controls. End-tidal CO 2  (P ET CO 2 ) and SaO 2  were lower in PAH vs. controls (31±7 vs 39±3 mmHg and 89±5 vs 95±2%, respectively, p E /VCO 2  ratio) was higher in PAH vs. controls (42±10 vs 33±5, p ET CO 2  and V E /VCO 2  also discriminated between different severities of PAH. Gas exchange variables obtained during light exercise clearly discriminated PAH patients from healthy controls and also between different severities of PAH. A simplified submaximal step test incorporating non invasive gas exchange may be a useful measure to help quantify and track disease severity in PAH. This study was supported by Gilead and NIH HL71478.
Are laboratory tests useful for monitoring the activity of lupus nephritis? A 6-year prospective study in a cohort of 228 patients with lupus nephritis
Authors: G Moroni, A Radice, G Giammarresi, S Quaglini, B Gallelli, A Leoni, M L Vecchi, P Messa, R A Sinico
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2008)

Objectives: To evaluate the role of immunological tests for monitoring lupus nephritis (LN) activity. Methods: C3, C4, anti-dsDNA and anti-C1q antibodies were prospectively performed over 6 years in 228 patients with LN. Results: In membranous LN only anti-C1q antibodies differentiated proteinuric flares from quiescent disease (p = 0.02). However, in this group 46% of flares occurred with a normal value of anti-C1q antibodies versus 20% in proliferative LN (p = 0.02). In patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (APL), 33% of flares occurred with normal levels of anti-C1q antibodies versus 14.5% in patients that were APL-negative (p = 0.02). In proliferative LN, anti-C1q antibodies showed a slightly better sensitivity and specificity (80.5 and 71% respectively) than other tests for the diagnosis of renal flares. All four tests had good negative predictive value (NPV). At univariate analysis anti-C1q was the best renal flare predictor (p&lt;0.0005). At multivariate analysis, the association of anti-C1q with C3 and C4 provided the best performance (p&lt;0.0005, p&lt;0.005, p&lt;0.005 respectively). Conclusions: Anti-C1q is slightly better than the other tests to confirm the clinical activity of LN, particularly in patients with proliferative LN and in the absence of APL. All four “specific” tests had a good NPV, suggesting that, in the presence of normal values of each, active LN is unlikely.
Potential therapeutic uses of interleukin 1 receptor antagonists in human diseases
Authors: D S Hallegua
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2002)

<b>Objective:</b> To review publications relating to the blocking of interleukin 1 (IL1) as a strategy for treating human disease, ranging from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to Alzheimer's disease. <b>Methods:</b> The National Library of Medicine's PubMed database was searched for articles about pharmaceutical agents that reduce the biological actions of IL1. <b>Results:</b> Fish oils and corticosteroids were identified as non-selective pharmacological interventions that reduce the activity of IL1, whereas a recombinant human IL1 receptor antagonist (anakinra) and a soluble recombinant type I IL1 receptor act selectively. To date, anakinra is the only selective intervention that has been shown in controlled clinical trials to be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of a specific human disorder, RA. In controlled clinical trials, anakinra provided significant clinical improvement and slowed radiographic disease progression in patients with active RA. Moreover, addition of anakinra to existing methotrexate treatment significantly reduced signs and symptoms of active disease. <b>Conclusions:</b> The clinical use of anakinra has been demonstrated in the management of RA, but blocking of IL1 in other human disorders, as well as the safety of the use of these blocking agents in chronic diseases, still needs to be defined by controlled clinical investigations.