tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Gastric emptying rate and perceived hunger after rest and exercise in man
Authors: G H Evans, S M Shirreffs, P Watson, R J Maughan
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2010)

The rate at which ingested fluid is emptied from the stomach is influenced by a number of factors. Exercise at intensities greater than 70% VO 2max has been shown to reduce gastric emptying rates in healthy individuals,1 but to date, no studies have reported the effects of differing exercise intensities on gastric emptying characteristics after the cessation of exercise. Five males and three females participated in this investigation following prior ethical approval. Each subject undertook a measurement of VO 2max and a familiarisation trial before participating in three randomly assigned experimental trials. These included 30 min of rest, continuous cycling at 33% of peak power obtained during the VO 2max test (LI) and ten 1-min sprints at peak power separated by rest periods of 2 min (HI). 30 min after completion of rest or exercise, a gastric tube was inserted and the stomach emptied before ingestion of 595 ml of a 5% glucose solution. Stomach volumes were determined at 10-min intervals for 1 h using the double sampling technique.2 3 Subjective feelings of hunger were determined before and after rest or exercise, before drinking and at 10-min intervals after drink ingestion. No differences (p&gt;0.05) in subjective feelings of hunger were observed from pre-exercise or pre-ingestion values at any time during the rest or LI trial. Subjective feelings of hunger were significantly reduced (p=0.005) from pre-exercise values during the HI trial but returned to pre-exercise values before fluid ingestion. Mean±SD half emptying times for the test drink were similar (p=0.999) during the three trials: rest 22±10 min; LI 22±8 min HI 22±7 min. Subjective feelings of hunger in the hour after fluid ingestion were negatively correlated with total stomach volume (R 2 (rest) −0.655, p=0.110, LI:−0.897, p=0.006, HI−0.833, p=0.02). Previous investigations have observed that gastrointestinal function appears to be affected during high intensity exercise, but the results of the present study show that gastric emptying was not impaired 30 min after high intensity exercise. Perceived feelings of hunger and gastrointestinal function appear to be closely linked.
The reasons of higher NT-proBNP depend on very different conditions
Authors: Mehmet Aydogan, Sevket Balta, Omer Kurt, Hakan Sarlak, Seyfettin Gumus, Sait Demirkol
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

We read the article ‘'N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and mortality risk in early inflammatory polyarthritis (IP): results from the Norfolk Arthritis Registry (NOAR)’’ by Mirjafari et al 1 with interest. The authors aimed to measure serum NT-pro-BNP levels in a large, well-characterised inception cohort of patients with early IP and examine baseline association of NT-pro-BNP levels with IP disease phenotype, clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk markers and subclinical atherosclerosis surrogates. They concluded that in early IP patients, elevated NT-pro-BNP is related to Health Assessment Questionnaire …
Administration of group A streptococcal cell walls to rats induces an interleukin 2 deficiency.
Authors: S C Ridge, J B Zabriskie, H Osawa, T Diamantstein, A L Oronsky, S S Kerwar
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1986)

Intraperitoneal administration of group A streptococcal cell walls to Lewis rats induces a chronic arthritis, whereas the Fischer strain is resistant to the development of the lesion. Spleen cells from cell wall-treated rats (Lewis and Fischer) are deficient in the synthesis of IL-2. Using an mAb directed against the rat IL-2-R, the present studies indicate that the expression of IL-2-R on spleens of cell wall-treated rats is normal. However, the addition of exogenous IL-2 to spleen cells cultured with Con A does not stimulate the mitogenic response.
Distinct Genetic Signatures among Pilocytic Astrocytomas Relate to Their Brain Region Origin
Authors: Mukesh K. Sharma, David B. Mansur, Guido Reifenberger, Arie Perry, Jeffrey R. Leonard, Kenneth D. Aldape, Meredith G. Albin, Ryan J. Emnett, Simon Loeser, Mark A. Watson, Rakesh Nagarajan, David H. Gutmann
Journal: Cancer Research (2007)

Abstract Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are the most common glioma in children. Whereas many PAs are slow-growing or clinically indolent, others exhibit more aggressive features with tumor recurrence and death. To identify genetic signatures that might predict PA clinical behavior, we did gene expression profiling on 41 primary PAs arising sporadically and in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Whereas no expression signature was found that could discriminate clinically aggressive or recurrent tumors from more indolent cases, PAs arising in patients with NF1 did exhibit a unique gene expression pattern. In addition, we identified a gene expression signature that stratified PAs by location (supratentorial versus infratentorial). Lastly, we also identified a gene expression pattern common to PAs and normal mouse astrocytes and neural stem cells from these distinct brain regions as well as a gene expression pattern shared between PAs and another human glial tumor (ependymoma) arising supratentorially compared with those originating in the posterior fossa. These results suggest that glial tumors share an intrinsic, lineage-specific molecular signature that reflects the brain region in which their nonmalignant predecessors originated. [Cancer Res 2007;67(3):890–900]
Gastric leptin and Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: T Azuma, H Suto, Y Ito, M Ohtani, M Dojo, M Kuriyama, T Kato
Journal: Gut (2001)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Leptin regulates feeding behaviour and therefore may be a mediator of anorexia associated with acute and chronic inflammation. Recently, leptin mRNA and leptin protein were found in the gastric epithelium. <h3>AIM</h3> The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of<i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection on gastric leptin expression to investigate the pathophysiological role of gastric leptin. <h3>METHODS</h3> Surgically resected human stomach tissues were subjected to immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to check for the presence of leptin in the human gastric epithelium. A total of 201 <i>H pylori</i>positive patients with chronic gastritis underwent eradication therapy for <i>H pylori</i> and were examined for the effect of infection cure in terms of body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin levels. Biopsy specimens from the gastric fundic mucosa were obtained from 40 of the 201 patients before and three months after eradication therapy. These samples were subjected to quantitative RT-PCR to examine the effect of eradication therapy on leptin expression in the gastric fundic mucosa. <h3>RESULTS</h3> Leptin immunoreactive cells were detected in the lower half of the gastric fundic glands and a leptin PCR product was also found in the gastric fundic mucosa. <i>H pylori</i> infection significantly increased gastric leptin expression. In addition, cure of<i>H pylori</i> infection significantly reduced gastric leptin expression, with a concomitant increase in BMI. In contrast, serum leptin levels did not change significantly after cure of <i>H pylori </i>infection. <h3>CONCLUSION</h3> Leptin is present in the human gastric mucosa. Gastric leptin may play a role in weight gain after eradication of <i>H pylori</i>infection. Gastric leptin may have a local rather than systemic action.
Pericryptal fibroblast sheath in intestinal metaplasia and gastric carcinoma
Authors: H Mutoh
Journal: Gut (2004)

<b>Background and aims:</b> In the progression of chronic gastritis, gastric mucosal cells deviate from the normal pathway of gastric differentiation to an intestinal phenotype which is closely related to gastric carcinoma. However, to date, it has not been elucidated whether the intestinal metaplasia is merely a change in the epithelium or whether the underlying mesenchyme also changes from gastric type to intestinal type. We have investigated the relationship between intestinal metaplasia and the pericryptal fibroblast sheath (PCFS) in the mesenchyme. In addition, we also examined PCFS in gastric carcinoma. <b>Methods:</b> We determined the existence of PCFS in the intestinal metaplastic mucosa and carcinoma of both human and Cdx2 transgenic mouse stomach. PCFS was determined using the antibody against α-smooth muscle actin and electron microscopic observations. <b>Results:</b> PCFS formed an almost complete layer around the small and large intestinal crypts while it did not exist around the normal gastric glands in both mice and humans. PCFS was seen around the glands of intestinal metaplastic mucosa in both Cdx2 transgenic mouse and human stomachs. However, PCFS was virtually absent in the intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma area. <b>Conclusion:</b> We successfully demonstrated that the epithelium as well as the mesenchyme changed from the gastric type to the intestinal type in intestinal metaplasia and that PCFS disappeared in intestinal-type gastric carcinoma.
Occupational argyria; light and electron microscopic studies and X-ray microanalysis
Authors: S.S. BLEEHEN, D.J. GOULD, CHRISTINE I. HARRINGTON, T.E. DURRANT, D.N. SLATER, J.C.E. UNDERWOOD
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1981)

Microscopic studies have been performed on skin biopsies from five patients with occupational argyria. Small brown-black granules were present in the dermis on light microscopy and were intensely refractile with dark-field illumination. Electron microscopy showed that the granules were electron-dense, round or oval in shape and varied in size from 30 nm to 100 nm. They were most numerous in relation to the basal lamina of the eccrine sweat glands, but were also present in relation to the basal lamina of the epidermis and dermal elastic fibres. X-ray microanalysis confirmed that many of the granules contained silver and sulphur. However, selenium, mercury, titanium and iron were also identified and it is probable that these elements were deposited in the skin also as a result of occupational exposure.
Prospective study of effect of switching from cigarettes to pipes or cigars on mortality from three smoking related diseases
Authors: N J Wald, H C Watt
Journal: BMJ (1997)

To estimate the extent to which cigarette smokers who switch to cigars or pipes alter their risk of dying of three-smoking related diseases-lung cancer, ischaemic heart disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease.A prospective study of 21520 men aged 35-64 years when recruited in 1975-82 with detailed history of smoking and measurement of carboxyhaemoglobin.Notification of deaths (to 1993) classified by cause.Pipe and cigar smokers who had switched from cigarettes over 20 years before entry to the study smoked less tobacco than cigarette smokers (8.1 g/day v 20 g/day), but they had the same consumption as pipe and cigar smokers who had never smoked cigarettes (8.1 g) and had higher carboxyhaemoglobin saturations (1.2% v 1.0%, P < 0.001), indicating that they inhaled tobacco smoke to a greater extent. They had a 51% higher risk of dying of the three smoking related diseases than pipe or cigar smokers who had never smoked cigarettes (relative risk 1.51; 95% confidence interval 0.96 to 2.38), a 68% higher risk than lifelong non-smokers (1.68; 1.16 to 2.45), a 57% higher risk than former cigarette smokers who gave up smoking over 20 years before entry (1.57; 1.04 to 2.38), and a 46% lower risk than continuing cigarette smokers (0.54; 0.38 to 0.77).Cigarette smokers who have difficulty in giving up smoking altogether are better off changing to cigars or pipes than continuing to smoke cigarettes. Much of the effect is due to the reduction in the quantity of tobacco smoked, and some is due to inhaling less. Men who switch do not, however, achieve the lower risk of pipe and cigar smokers who have never smoked cigarettes. All pipe and cigar smokers have a greater risk of lung cancer than lifelong non-smokers or former smokers.
Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses
Authors: Julian P T Higgins, Simon G Thompson, Jonathan J Deeks, Douglas G Altman
Journal: BMJ (2003)

Cochrane Reviews have recently started including the quantity I 2 to help readers assess the consistency of the results of studies in meta-analyses. What does this new quantity mean, and why is assessment of heterogeneity so important to clinical practice? 

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses can provide convincing and reliable evidence relevant to many aspects of medicine and health care.1 Their value is especially clear when the results of the studies they include show clinically important effects of similar magnitude. However, the conclusions are less clear when the included studies have differing results. In an attempt to establish whether studies are consistent, reports of meta-analyses commonly present a statistical test of heterogeneity. The test seeks to determine whether there are genuine differences underlying the results of the studies (heterogeneity), or whether the variation in findings is compatible with chance alone (homogeneity). However, the test is susceptible to the number of trials included in the meta-analysis. We have developed a new quantity, I 2, which we believe gives a better measure of the consistency between trials in a meta-analysis.

Assessment of the consistency of effects across studies is an essential part of meta-analysis. Unless we know how consistent the results of studies are, we cannot determine the generalisability of the findings of the meta-analysis. Indeed, several hierarchical systems for grading evidence state that the results of studies must be consistent or homogeneous to obtain the highest grading.2–4

Tests for heterogeneity are commonly used to decide on methods for combining studies and for concluding consistency or inconsistency of findings.5 6 But what does the test achieve in practice, and how should the resulting P values be interpreted?

A test for heterogeneity examines the null hypothesis that all studies are evaluating the same effect. The usual test statistic …
Alcohol accounts for 6% of all admissions to English hospitals
Authors: A. O'Dowd
Journal: BMJ (2008)

The number of admissions to hospitals in England for reasons related to alcohol consumption each year is now more than 800 000, according to new data that are based on a wider definition of alcohol related illness than that previously used.

The figures, released by the Department of Health this week, show that 811 443 people were admitted in 2006-7 for reasons related to alcohol (accounting for 6% of all admissions), 71% higher than the 2002-3 figure of 473 529.

The rise is one of several sources of information that have prompted the government to take action on alcohol misuse.

The health department has published a consultation on England’s drinking culture that proposes mandatory regulation and labelling for …
Global Sodium Consumption and Death from Cardiovascular Causes
Authors: Dariush Mozaffarian, Saman Fahimi, Gitanjali M. Singh, Renata Micha, Shahab Khatibzadeh, Rebecca E. Engell, Stephen Lim, Goodarz Danaei, Majid Ezzati, John Powles
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2014)

High sodium intake increases blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but the effects of sodium intake on global cardiovascular mortality are uncertain.
MMP11: A Novel Target Antigen for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Daniela Peruzzi, Federica Mori, Antonella Conforti, Domenico Lazzaro, Emanuele De Rinaldis, Gennaro Ciliberto, Nicola La Monica, Luigi Aurisicchio
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2009)

Abstract Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that mediate numerous physiologic and pathologic processes, including matrix degradation, tissue remodeling, inflammation, and tumor metastasis. To develop a vaccine targeting stromal antigens expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts, we focused on MMP11 (or stromelysin 3). MMP11 expression correlates with aggressive profile and invasiveness of different types of carcinoma. Experimental Design: To show the efficacy of a vaccine targeting MMP11, we constructed a series of plasmid DNA vectors expressing murine MMP11. Mice were vaccinated by i.m. injection followed by in vivo DNA electroporation. A chemically induced, MMP11-overexpressing colon cancer model was established and characterized. Antibody and T-cell responses were determined, and immunoreactive epitopes were characterized. To analyze the possible use of MMP11 as tumor-associated antigen in cancer patients, HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice (HHD) were used to identify reactive epitopes as tools to assess immunogenicity in humans. Results: Using microarray, we confirmed the overexpression of MMP11 mRNA in a large panel of human tumor samples. MMP11 vaccine induced cell mediated and antibody immune response and exerted significant antitumoral protection in mice with colon cancer in prophylactic and therapeutic settings. HHD transgenic mice were vaccinated with a plasmid encoding human MMP11, and a HLA-A2.1–restricted epitope (hMMP237) was identified. hMMP237 was shown to be immunogenic in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by in vitro priming. Conclusion: Our study describes the identification of MMP11 as a novel broadly expressed tumor associated antigen as target candidate for cancer immunotherapy.
Low Androgen Levels Induce the Development of Androgen-Hypersensitive Cell Clones in Shionogi Mouse Mammary Carcinoma Cells in Culture
Authors: F. Labrie, R. Veilleux, A. Fournier
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1988)

The influence of the concentration of androgen present on the development of hetergeneous growth responsiveness ro androgens was studied in an androgen-sensitive clone (SEM-1) of the Shionogi mammary carcinoma cell line incubated for up to 6 months in the presence of 0, 0.01, 0.3, or 100 nM dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In the absence of added androgen, there was a rapid increase in spontaneous cell growth, the increase being delayed by 2, 4, and 6 months when the cells were incubated with less than maximal concentrations of DHT. The most significant finding was the clones obtained after incubation for 2 months in the presence of less than maximal concentrations of DHT. In cells exposed to a maximal concentration of DHT (100 nM), only 2 of 22 clones were more sensitive to DHT (lower Km value) than the original clone, while 8 subclones were hyposensitive to DHT. On the other hand, when the cells were incubated for 2 months with a low (0.3 nM) concentration of DHt, 29% (7 of 24) of the clones were hypersensitive to DHT. Clones derived from cells treated with 0 or 0.1 nM DHT lost most of their responsiveness to DHT during the same time interval, with a simultaneous increase in spontaneous growth rate. The present data show that incubation of a clone of androgen-hypersensitive cell clones that are able to grow on minute amounts of androgens. Such androgen-hypersensitive cells are likely to be unresponsive or resistant to antihormonal therapy. The present data emphasize the major importance of the hormonal environment on the maintenance, loss and increase of tumour cell responsiveness to androgens. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1988;80:1138–1147]
Patterns of Care for Adults With Newly Diagnosed Malignant Glioma
Authors: Susan M. Chang, Ian F. Parney, Wei Huang, Frederick A. Anderson, Anthony L. Asher, Mark Bernstein, Kevin O. Lillehei, Henry Brem, Mitchel S. Berger, Edward R. Laws
Journal: JAMA (2005)

Patients with malignant glioma (grade III or IV) face a poor prognosis, and few evidence-based treatment guidelines are available. There is a dearth of prospective data on patterns of care for these patients.To provide benchmark data to enable comparison of individual practice patterns and outcomes.The Glioma Outcomes (GO) Project enrolled 788 patients at 52 clinical sites, both academic and community practices, between December 1997 and July 2000. The enrollment criteria included adult patients with primary grade III or IV glioma undergoing a first or second operation for diagnosis or treatment. The data collection instruments included questionnaire forms given at enrollment, during the perioperative period, and at follow-up intervals of 3 months until death or a maximum of 24 months. Of the patients recorded in the GO database, 565 patients with newly diagnosed tumors were used for this analysis.Patterns of care (surgical management, perioperative care, postoperative management).Most patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (n = 518; 92%) and an attempt at tumor resection (n = 425; 75%). Cortical mapping (n = 107; 19%) and intraoperative image guidance (n = 161; 29%) were uncommon. Most received perioperative corticosteroids (n = 535; 99%) and antiepileptic medications (n = 497; 88%), but few received antidepressants (n = 38; 8%) or prophylactic heparin (n = 42; 7%). Most received adjuvant radiation therapy (n = 479; 87%), but fewer received chemotherapy (n = 300; 54%). Practice patterns varied significantly between academic and community settings.Reliance on magnetic resonance imaging, surgery, and radiation is generally accepted; however, relatively infrequent chemotherapy use may conflict with published literature, and frequent use of prophylactic antiepileptic medications contradicts established practice guidelines. Other practice patterns involving surgical adjuncts, prophylactic heparin, and antidepressants require further investigation to clarify appropriateness. Establishing further clinical guidelines may help reduce variability in practice patterns.
Distribution of water soluble antigens and allergens of <i>Candida albicans</i> in blastospore cell extract fractions
Authors: J. Savolainen, M. Vianderl, A. Koivikko
Journal: Allergy (1990)

Watersoluble antigens of Candida albicans were sequentially extracted from intact and disrupted yeast cells grown on protein‐free agar, and analysed on immunoblots after SDS‐PAGE. Washing of the cells in saline before proper extraction resulted in loss of 47.2% of the total carbohydrate and 1.5% of the total protein. The protein fraction contained 14 antigenic bands when analysed with hyperimmune rabbit antisera. Four of these bound IgE when probed with a RAST‐positive serum pool and beta‐galactosidase‐labelled anti‐IgE, Extraction of the disrupted cells resulted in 15% of the total carbohydrate and 94% of the total protein. The cytoplasmic protein fraction showed 69 antigenic bands, 13 of which bound IgE. The carbohydrate fraction contained mannan, which was found in the washing solutions and in the surface extract as well as in the cytoplasmic extract. Allergens found in washing solutions were also present in cytoplasmic fraction. This study suggests that the rapid release of allergens from saprophytic C. atbicans cells on mucous membranes of the body may cause continuous exposure and result in sensitization.