tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Nail-Patella Syndrome
Authors: NINE V.A.M. KNOERS, ERNIE M.H.F. BONGERS, SYLVIA E.C. VAN BEERSUM, ED J.P. LOMMEN, HANS VAN BOKHOVEN, FRANS A. HOL
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2000)

Abstract. Nail-patella syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by dyplasia of finger nails, skeletal anomalies, and, frequently, renal disease. It has recently been shown that this disorder is caused by putative loss-of-function mutations in a transcription factor ( LMX1B ) belonging to the LIM-homeodomain family, members of which are known to be important for pattern formation during development. A cohort of eight Dutch NPS families were screened for mutations in the LMX1B gene; seven different mutations, including one novel variant, were identified. Three of the mutations are very likely to result in truncated LMX1B proteins, three are predicted to influence sequence-specific DNA binding, and one is presumed to prevent the formation of a stable protein by abolishing the Zn(II) binding site of the protein. Although there was a remarkable high incidence of renal disease in one of the families, the nephropathy was not seen in all affected family members and the severity of renal impairment varied significantly among the patients. This indicates that the incidence and severity of nephropathy within this family cannot be attributed to the LMX1B genotype. In addition, evidence of a correlation between other characteristics of the NPS phenotype and specific mutations has not been found.
Subunit dissociation of certain abnormal human hemoglobins
Authors: H. Franklin Bunn
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1969)

The extent of dissociation of various hemoglobins into subunits was estimated from their elution volumes (V(e)) on G-100 Sephadex. Under the same controlled conditions carboxyhemoglobins A, A3 (A(1)), F, S, and C all had the same elution volumes. The carboxy and cyanmet derivatives of hemoglobin Kansas (a variant with very low oxygen affinity) had a relatively high V(e), indicating a decreased mean molecular weight and therefore an increased tendency to form dimers and even monomers. Conversely, the liganded derivatives of hemoglobin Chesapeake (a variant with high oxygen affinity) had a relatively low V(e), suggestive of an impaired degree of subunit dissociation. Deoxyhemoglobin Chesapeake had a V(e) identical with that of deoxyhemoglobin A. Cat hemoglobin, known to have an unusually low oxygen affinity, was found to have a higher V(e) than human, dog, rabbit, rat, or guinea pig hemoglobins. Haptoglobin is thought to bind alphabeta dimers in preference to the alpha(2)beta(2)-tetramer. The comparative haptoglobin affinities of the human hemoglobins were measured by competition between the test hemoglobin and radioactive reference hemoglobin for haptoglobin binding sites. Hemoglobins A, F, S, and C all seemed to bind equally readily, but hemoglobin Kansas and cat hemoglobin showed a higher affinity, and hemoglobin Chesapeake a lower affinity. These results are in accord with recently proposed models which predict that hemoglobins which have an increased degree of subunit dissociation will have a low oxygen affinity, and vice versa.
Aprotinin during Coronary-Artery Bypass Grafting and Risk of Death
Authors: Sebastian Schneeweiss, John D. Seeger, Joan Landon, Alexander M. Walker
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2008)

Aprotinin (Trasylol) is used to mitigate bleeding during coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG). Accumulating evidence suggests that this practice increases mortality.Using electronic administrative records of the Premier Perspective Comparative Database, we studied hospitalized patients with operating-room charges for the use of aprotinin (33,517 patients) or aminocaproic acid (44,682 patients) on the day CABG was performed. We tabulated the numbers of patients with a hospital-discharge status of death and performed three types of analyses: a multivariable logistic-regression analysis (primary analysis); propensity-score matching in the highly selected subcohort of patients who received full amounts of the study drug, who underwent CABG by surgeons who performed 50 or more CABG surgeries during the study period, and for whom information on 10 additional covariates was available because the surgery occurred on hospital day 3 or later; and an instrumental-variable analysis of data from patients whose surgeons showed a strong preference for one of the two study drugs.In all, 1512 of the 33,517 aprotinin recipients (4.5%) and 1101 of the 44,682 aminocaproic acid recipients (2.5%) died. After adjustment for 41 characteristics of patients and hospitals, the estimated risk of death was 64% higher in the aprotinin group than in the aminocaproic acid group (relative risk, 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50 to 1.78). In the first 7 days after surgery, the adjusted relative risk of in-hospital death in the aprotinin group was 1.78 (95% CI, 1.56 to 2.02). The relative risk in a propensity-score-matched analysis was 1.32 (95% CI, 1.08 to 1.63). In the instrumental-variable analysis, the use of aprotinin was found to be associated with an excess risk of death of 1.59 per 100 patients (95% CI, 0.14 to 3.04). Postoperative revascularization and dialysis were more frequent among recipients of aprotinin than among recipients of aminocaproic acid.Patients who received aprotinin alone on the day of CABG surgery had a higher mortality than patients who received aminocaproic acid alone. Characteristics of neither the patients nor the surgeons explain the difference, which persisted through several approaches to control confounding.
Demonstration of Preferential Flow of Blood From Inferior Vena Cava and From Right Pulmonary Veins Through Experimental Atrial Septal Defects in Dogs
Authors: ARTHUR W. SILVER, JOHN W. KIRKLIN, EARL H. WOOD
Journal: Circulation Research (1956)

Preferential right-to-left shunting of inferior vena caval blood and left-to-right shunting of right-lung blood has been demonstrated to occur in experimental atrial septal defects in dogs as in the congenital defects in human beings. Existence of these preferential shunts proves that uniform mixing of blood does not occur in either atrium.
Antihypertensive Medication in the Elderly
Authors: C. Venkata S. Ram
Journal: JAMA (1982)

To the Editor.—  The article by Ray Gifford, Jr, MD, Isolated Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly: Some Controversial Issues (1982;247:781) describes various aspects of systolic hypertension in sufficient detail, but  contains unrealistically simple conclusions, particularly with reference to the therapy.  Few would agree with Dr Gifford's assertion that it is a misconception that elderly patients are not able to tolerate antihypertensive medication. Indeed, many physicians would attest that the opposite is true. It is less difficult to talk and write about hypertension in the elderly, but in the real world, clinical circumstances and experiences are a different story. Many hypertension experts would no doubt agree on the potential harm of systolic hypertension and the possible benefits of therapy, but, as Dr Gifford points out, we do not know what the goal should be when the treatment is planned.  Both methyldopa and clonidine hydrochloride, particularly the latter drug, can cause
Regulation of Gastric Carcinogenesis by <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Virulence Factors
Authors: Aime T. Franco, Elizabeth Johnston, Uma Krishna, Yoshio Yamaoka, Dawn A. Israel, Toni A. Nagy, Lydia E. Wroblewski, Maria Blanca Piazuelo, Pelayo Correa, Richard M. Peek
Journal: Cancer Research (2008)

Abstract Helicobacter pylori is the strongest known risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma, and strains that possess the cag secretion system, which translocates the bacterial effector CagA into host cells, augment cancer risk. H. pylori strains that express the vacuolating cytotoxin or the outer membrane protein OipA are similarly associated with severe pathologic outcomes. We previously reported that an in vivo adapted H. pylori strain, 7.13, induces gastric adenocarcinoma in rodent models of gastritis. In the current study, we used carcinogenic strain 7.13 as a prototype to define the role of virulence constituents in H. pylori–mediated carcinogenesis. Mongolian gerbils were infected with wild-type strain 7.13 or cagA−, vacA−, or oipA− mutants for 12 to 52 weeks. All infected gerbils developed gastritis; however, inflammation was significantly attenuated in animals infected with the cagA− but not the vacA− or oipA− strains. Gastric dysplasia and cancer developed in &amp;gt;50% of gerbils infected with either the wild-type or vacA− strain but in none of the animals infected with the cagA− strain. Inactivation of oipA decreased β-catenin nuclear localization in vitro and reduced the incidence of cancer in gerbils. OipA expression was detected significantly more frequently among H. pylori strains isolated from human subjects with gastric cancer precursor lesions versus persons with gastritis alone. These results indicate that loss of CagA prevents the development of cancer in this model. Inactivation of oipA attenuates β-catenin nuclear translocation and also decreases the incidence of carcinoma. In addition to defining factors that mediate H. pylori–induced cancer, these results provide insight into mechanisms that may regulate the development of other malignancies arising within the context of inflammatory states. [Cancer Res 2008;68(2):379–87]
Evolution of RNA-Binding Proteins in Animals: Insights from Genome-Wide Analysis in the Sponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Authors: P. Kerner, S. M. Degnan, L. Marchand, B. M. Degnan, M. Vervoort
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2011)

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key players in various biological processes, most notably regulation of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Although many RBPs have been carefully studied in model organisms, very few studies have addressed the evolution of these proteins at the scale of the animal kingdom. We identified a large set of putative RBPs encoded by the genome of the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica, a species representing a basal animal lineage. We compared the Amphimedon RBPs with those encoded by the genomes of two bilaterians (human and Drosophila), representatives of two other basal metazoan lineages (a placozoan and a cnidarian), a choanoflagellate (probable sister group of animals), and two fungi. We established the evolutionary history of 32 families of RBPs and found that most of the diversity of RBPs present in contemporary metazoans, including humans, was already established in the last common ancestor (LCA) of animals. This includes RBPs known to be involved in key processes in bilaterians, such as development, stem and/or germ cells properties, and noncoding RNA pathways. From this analysis, we infer that a complex toolkit of RBPs was present in the LCA of animals and that it has been recruited to perform new functions during early animal evolution, in particular in relation to the acquisition of multicellularity.
Multiphoton Microscopy of Endogenous Fluorescence Differentiates Normal, Precancerous, and Cancerous Squamous Epithelial Tissues
Authors: Melissa C. Skala, Jayne M. Squirrell, Kristin M. Vrotsos, Jens C. Eickhoff, Annette Gendron-Fitzpatrick, Kevin W. Eliceiri, Nirmala Ramanujam
Journal: Cancer Research (2005)

Abstract This study characterizes the morphologic features and the endogenous fluorescence in the stratified squamous epithelia of the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-treated hamster cheek pouch model of carcinogenesis using multiphoton laser scanning microscopy (MPLSM). MPLSM allows high-resolution, three-dimensional image data to be collected deeper within thick tissue samples with reduced phototoxicity compared with single-photon imaging. Three-dimensional image stacks of normal (n = 13), precancerous (dysplasia, n = 12; carcinoma in situ, n = 9) and cancerous tissue [nonpapillary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), n = 10, and papillary SCC, n = 7] sites in the hamster cheek pouch were collected in viable, unsectioned tissue biopsies at a two-photon excitation wavelength of 780 nm. Five features were quantified from the MPLSM images. These included nuclear density versus depth, keratin layer thickness, epithelial thickness, and the fluorescence per voxel in the keratin and epithelial layers. Statistically significant differences in all five features were found between normal and both precancerous and cancerous tissues. The only exception to this was a lack of statistically significant differences in the keratin fluorescence between normal tissues and papillary SCCs. Statistically significant differences were also observed in the epithelial thickness of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, and in the keratin layer thickness of dysplasia and SCCs (both nonpapillary and papillary). This work clearly shows that three-dimensional images from MPLSM of endogenous tissue fluorescence can effectively distinguish between normal, precancerous, and cancerous epithelial tissues. This study provides the groundwork for further exploration into the application of multiphoton fluorescence endoscopy in a clinical setting.
A role for the RNA pol II–associated PAF complex in AID-induced immune diversification
Authors: Katharina L. Willmann, Sara Milosevic, Siim Pauklin, Kerstin-Maike Schmitz, Gopinath Rangam, Maria T. Simon, Sarah Maslen, Mark Skehel, Isabelle Robert, Vincent Heyer, Ebe Schiavo, Bernardo Reina-San-Martin, Svend K. Petersen-Mahrt
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2012)

Antibody diversification requires the DNA deaminase AID to induce DNA instability at immunoglobulin (Ig) loci upon B cell stimulation. For efficient cytosine deamination, AID requires single-stranded DNA and needs to gain access to Ig loci, with RNA pol II transcription possibly providing both aspects. To understand these mechanisms, we isolated and characterized endogenous AID-containing protein complexes from the chromatin of diversifying B cells. The majority of proteins associated with AID belonged to RNA polymerase II elongation and chromatin modification complexes. Besides the two core polymerase subunits, members of the PAF complex, SUPT5H, SUPT6H, and FACT complex associated with AID. We show that AID associates with RNA polymerase-associated factor 1 (PAF1) through its N-terminal domain, that depletion of PAF complex members inhibits AID-induced immune diversification, and that the PAF complex can serve as a binding platform for AID on chromatin. A model is emerging of how RNA polymerase II elongation and pausing induce and resolve AID lesions.
A Study of Twelve Southern California Communities with Differing Levels and Types of Air Pollution
Authors: JOHN M. PETERS, EDWARD AVOL, W. JAMES GAUDERMAN, WILLIAM S. LINN, WILLIAM NAVIDI, STEPHANIE J. LONDON, HELENE MARGOLIS, EDWARD RAPPAPORT, HITA VORA, HENRY GONG, DUNCAN C. THOMAS
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

To study the possible chronic respiratory effects of air pollutants, we designed and initiated a 10-yr prospective study of Southern California public schoolchildren living in 12 communities with different levels and profiles of air pollution. The design of the study, exposure assessment methods, and survey methods and results related to respiratory symptoms and conditions are described in the accompanying paper. Pulmonary function tests were completed on 3,293 subjects. We evaluated cross-sectionally the effects of air pollution exposures based on data collected in 1986-1990 by existing monitoring stations and data collected by our study team in 1994. Expected relationships were seen between demographic, physical, and other environmental factors and pulmonary function values. When the data were stratified by sex, an association was seen between pollution levels and lower pulmonary function in female subjects, with the associations being stronger for the 1994 exposure data than the 1986-1990 data. After adjustment, PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 were each significantly associated with lower FVC, FEV1, and maximal midexpiratory flow (MMEF); acid vapor with lower FVC, FEV1, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and MMEF; and O3 with lower PEFR and MMEF. Effects were generally larger in those girls spending more time outdoors. Stepwise regression of adjusted pulmonary function values for girls in the 12 communities showed that NO2 was most strongly associated with lower FVC (r = -0.74, p < 0.01), PM2.5 with FEV1 (r = -0.72, p < 0.01), O3 with PEFR (r = -0.75, p < 0.005), and PM2.5 with MMEF (r = -0.80, p < 0.005). There was a statistically significant association between ozone exposure and decreased FVC and FEV1 in girls with asthma. For boys, significant associations were seen between peak O3 exposures and lower FVC and FEV1, but only in those spending more time outdoors. These findings underline the importance of follow-up of this cohort.
Ultrasonographic scan in knee pain in athletes.
Authors: N Maffulli, R Regine, F Carrillo, S Minelli, T Beaconsfield
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (1992)

Fifty-two knees were examined using real-time high-definition ultrasonography with a 7.5 MHz probe. The extra-articular structures were easily visualized and diagnosis of patellar tendon lesions and Baker's cysts formulated. While the meniscal cartilages were shown as a homogeneous triangular structure between the femoral condyle and the tibial plateau, no lesions were detected. Deeper intra-articular structures, such as the cruciate ligaments, were not shown by the scan, thus their evaluation was not possible. Given its low cost, wide availability, non-invasiveness and patients' acceptability of the technique, ultrasonography may play an important role in the diagnosis of soft tissue lesions in and around the knee joint.
Involvement of Foxo transcription factors in angiogenesis and postnatal neovascularization
Authors: Michael Potente, Carmen Urbich, Ken-ichiro Sasaki, Wolf K. Hofmann, Christopher Heeschen, Alexandra Aicher, Ramya Kollipara, Ronald A. DePinho, Andreas M. Zeiher, Stefanie Dimmeler
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2005)

Forkhead box O (Foxo) transcription factors are emerging as critical transcriptional integrators among pathways regulating differentiation, proliferation, and survival, yet the role of the distinct Foxo family members in angiogenic activity of endothelial cells and postnatal vessel formation has not been studied. Here, we show that Foxo1 and Foxo3a are the most abundant Foxo isoforms in mature endothelial cells and that overexpression of constitutively active Foxo1 or Foxo3a, but not Foxo4, significantly inhibits endothelial cell migration and tube formation in vitro. Silencing of either Foxo1 or Foxo3a gene expression led to a profound increase in the migratory and sprout-forming capacity of endothelial cells. Gene expression profiling showed that Foxo1 and Foxo3a specifically regulate a nonredundant but overlapping set of angiogenesis- and vascular remodeling-related genes. Whereas angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) was exclusively regulated by Foxo1, eNOS, which is essential for postnatal neovascularization, was regulated by Foxo1 and Foxo3a. Consistent with these findings, constitutively active Foxo1 and Foxo3a repressed eNOS protein expression and bound to the eNOS promoter. In vivo, Foxo3a deficiency increased eNOS expression and enhanced postnatal vessel formation and maturation. Thus, our data suggest an important role for Foxo transcription factors in the regulation of vessel formation in the adult.
Immunoglobulin Light Chains Generate Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Pei-Xuan Wang, Paul W. Sanders
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2007)

As low molecular weight proteins, restriction from glomerular filtration is minimized, permitting significant amounts of Ig light chains to be endocytosed into the proximal tubule epithelium, particularly in plasma cell dyscrasias. Recent studies have shown that this effect of concentrating light chains within the proximal tubule alters cell function. This study demonstrated that light chains belonged to a class of proteins that are capable of catalyzing the formation of hydrogen peroxide. Sufficient amounts of hydrogen peroxide were produced in HK-2 cells to stimulate the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a key chemokine involved in monocyte/macrophage migration and activation of the proximal tubule, and to increase lactate dehydrogenase release into the medium. The light chain–mediated effect on MCP-1 production was inhibited by co-incubation with 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea, which also inhibited lactate dehydrogenase release, and by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of NF-κB. The amount of light chain that stimulated an intracellular redox-signaling pathway in the proximal tubule cells was well within levels that are seen in patients who have plasma cell dyscrasias. The conclusion is that light chains possess a unique property that permits the development of intracellular oxidative stress that in turn promotes activation of the proximal tubule and elaboration of MCP-1.
Embolic Protection With Filtering or Occlusion Balloons During Saphenous Vein Graft Stenting Retrieves Identical Volumes and Sizes of Particulate Debris
Authors: Campbell Rogers, Rany Huynh, Philip A. Seifert, Bernard Chevalier, Joachim Schofer, Elazer R. Edelman, Gregory Toegel, Arun Kuchela, Amy Woupio, Richard E. Kuntz, Natalie D. Macon
Journal: Circulation (2004)

Distal embolization of plaque particulate liberated during stenting may cause periprocedural complications. The number, size, and volume of debris released during stenting, however, have not been quantified, rendering embolic protection approaches empiric. We used a novel method of microparticle size assessment to measure volume and characterize individual sizes of particles captured by the PercuSurge GuardWire balloon or a vascular filter during saphenous vein graft stenting.Braided nitinol filters (average distal pore size 100 microns) were used in 47 saphenous vein grafts in 44 patients. The PercuSurge GuardWire was used in 17 saphenous vein grafts in 16 patients. Particulate debris was subjected to microparticle size analysis (RapidVue, Beckman Coulter). All samples contained particulate debris. For both filter and GuardWire populations, most particles were <100 microm in longest dimension (87% and 90% of particles, respectively), and the distribution of particle sizes was identical. Total embolic load per lesion for both filters and GuardWire aspirates was also similar: median embolic load per filter was 16 mm3 (range 2 to 84 mm3). Median embolic load per GuardWire was also 16 mm3 (range 7 to 42 mm3). Histopathologic analysis demonstrated that most samples contained plaque elements and platelet-rich thrombus.During saphenous vein graft interventions, particulate retrieved with a vascular filtering device or an occlusion balloon was similar in amount and character. This supports the notion that unless soluble mediators play an important role in adverse acute clinical events after stenting, the clinical efficacy of filtering devices may be equal to that of occlusion devices.