tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Acute Anti-Ischemic Effect of Testosterone in Men With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Giuseppe M. C. Rosano, Filippo Leonardo, Paolo Pagnotta, Francesco Pelliccia, Gaia Panina, Elena Cerquetani, Paola Lilla della Monica, Bruno Bonfigli, Massimo Volpe, Sergio L. Chierchia
Journal: Circulation (1999)

Background —The role of testosterone on the development of coronary artery disease in men is controversial. The evidence that men have a greater incidence of coronary artery disease than women of a similar age suggests a possible causal role of testosterone. Conversely, recent studies have shown that the hormone improves endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary arteries in men. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acute administration of testosterone on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in men. Methods and Results —After withdrawal of antianginal therapy, 14 men (mean age, 58±4 years) with coronary artery disease underwent 3 exercise tests according to the modified Bruce protocol on 3 different days (baseline and either testosterone or placebo given in a random order). The exercise tests were performed 30 minutes after administration of testosterone (2.5 mg IV in 5 minutes) or placebo. All patients showed at least 1-mm ST-segment depression during the baseline exercise test and after placebo, whereas only 10 patients had a positive exercise test after testosterone. Chest pain during exercise was reported by 12 patients during baseline and placebo exercise tests and by 8 patients after testosterone. Compared with placebo, testosterone increased time to 1-mm ST-segment depression (579±204 versus 471±210 seconds; P &lt;0.01) and total exercise time (631±180 versus 541±204 seconds; P &lt;0.01). Testosterone significantly increased heart rate at the onset of 1-mm ST-segment depression (135±12 versus 123±14 bpm; P &lt;0.01) and at peak exercise (140±12 versus 132±12 bpm; P &lt;0.01) and the rate-pressure product at the onset of 1-mm ST-segment depression (24 213±3750 versus 21 619±3542 mm Hg×bpm; P &lt;0.05) and at peak exercise (26 746±3109 versus 22 527±5443 mm Hg×bpm; P &lt;0.05). Conclusions —Short-term administration of testosterone induces a beneficial effect on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in men with coronary artery disease. This effect may be related to a direct coronary-relaxing effect.
BLOOD VOLUME ALTERATIONS IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Authors: Sidney S. Schreiber, Arthur Bauman, Rosalyn S. Yalow, Solomon A. Berson
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1954)

A considerable body of data indicates that the plasma volume, as measured by dye dilution meth- ods, is generally increased in congestive heart fail- ure (1-4).However, recent investigations, utiliz- ing p82 (5, 6) or Cr51 (7) tagged red cells, indicate that there is little or no increase in total blood vol- ume, plasma volume, or red cell volume in most cases of heart failure.
Pretreatment serum hepatitis C virus RNA levels and hepatitis C virus genotype are the main and independent prognostic factors of sustained response to interferon alfa therapy in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Michele Martinot-Peignoux, Patrick Marcellin, Mièle Pouteau, Corinne Castelnau, Nathalie Boyer, Marc Poliquin, Claude Degott, Isabelle Descombes, Véronique Le Breton, Véronica Milotova, Jean Pierre Benhamou, Serge Erlinger
Journal: Hepatology (1995)

The aim of the study was to determine the respective influence of pretreatment serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels and HCV genotype on the response to interferon (IFN) alfa in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We retrospectively studied 141 patients with chronic hepatitis C included in two consecutive controlled trials of IFN alfa. A sustained response was observed in 28, a response followed by relapse in 43, and no response in 70 patients. Pretreatment serum HCV RNA quantitation with the branched DNA (bDNA) assay and HCV genotyping with reverse hybridization assay (LiPA) were performed in all patients. Seventy-four percent of the patients had detectable serum HCV RNA (43%, 77% and 84%) in the three groups of patients with sustained response, relapse, and no response, respectively (P = .005). Mean serum HCV RNA level were 1.4 +/- 6 x 10(6), 4.8 +/- 6 x 10(6), and 3.9 +/- 5 x 10(6) genomes/mL in patients with sustained response, response and relapse, and no response, respectively (P < .01). Genotype 1b was found in 7%, 47%, and 46% of the patients in the three response groups, respectively. By univariate analysis, age, source, and duration of HCV infection, serum HCV RNA levels, and HCV genotypes were significantly different in the three response groups. By multivariate analysis, the only independent factors associated with sustained response were low serum HCV RNA levels and HCV genotype other than 1b. Pretreatment serum HCV RNA levels and HCV genotype are the main and independent factors associated with sustained response to IFN therapy.
Diabetes Risk Calculator
Authors: Kenneth E. Heikes, David M. Eddy, Bhakti Arondekar, Leonard Schlessinger
Journal: Diabetes Care (2008)

The objective of this study was to develop a simple tool for the U.S. population to calculate the probability that an individual has either undiagnosed diabetes or pre-diabetes.We used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and two methods (logistic regression and classification tree analysis) to build two models. We selected the classification tree model on the basis of its equivalent accuracy but greater ease of use.The resulting tool, called the Diabetes Risk Calculator, includes questions on age, waist circumference, gestational diabetes, height, race/ethnicity, hypertension, family history, and exercise. Each terminal node specifies an individual's probability of pre-diabetes or of undiagnosed diabetes. Terminal nodes can also be used categorically to designate an individual as having a high risk for 1) undiagnosed diabetes or pre-diabetes, 2) pre-diabetes, or 3) neither undiagnosed diabetes or pre-diabetes. With these classifications, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and receiver operating characteristic area for detecting undiagnosed diabetes are 88%, 75%, 14%, 99.3%, and 0.85, respectively. For pre-diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes, the results are 75%, 65%, 49%, 85%, and 0.75, respectively. We validated the tool using v-fold cross-validation and performed an independent validation against NHANES 1999-2004 data.The Diabetes Risk Calculator is the only currently available noninvasive screening tool designed and validated to detect both pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes in the U.S. population.
PSC: Protect and Serve with Colitis: does it help the liver to have severe ulcerative colitis?
Authors: C. Rust, S. Brand
Journal: Gut (2011)

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare chronic cholestatic disease of unknown aetiology affecting the biliary tree. It is characterised by bile duct inflammation and fibrosis, and in many patients it progresses to biliary cirrhosis and hepatic failure necessitating liver transplantation. A unique feature of PSC is its strong association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In fact, at least 70% of patients with PSC also suffer from IBD, most commonly ulcerative colitis (UC). Conversely, only 2.5–7.5% of patients with IBD will develop PSC. Although this association has been known since 1965,1 the underlying pathophysiology is still unknown. Despite this lack of fundamental information, hepatologists in clinical day-to-day business often note that patients with PSC are seldom troubled by severe UC. Are these just individual observations or does a common scheme exist?

Surprisingly, there are only a few studies addressing this issue. Patients with PSC with IBD seem to have a higher prevalence of pancolitis with rectal sparing and back-wash ileitis.2 In this study, a lower rate of colectomies was noted in patients with PSC/UC as compared with patients with UC, suggesting a milder course of colitis in the PSC/UC group. Indeed, UC may have a long subclinical course in patients with PSC, as shown in a small Swedish …
Sport-related hyperhomocysteinaemia: a putative marker of muscular demand to be noted for cardiovascular risk
Authors: P Borrione, M Rizzo, A Spaccamiglio, R A Salvo, A Dovio, A Termine, A Parisi, F Fagnani, A Angeli, F Pigozzi
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2008)

Objective: Regular physical activity is associated with a reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; however, evidence of unfortunate cardiovascular events accompanying elite sport involvement continues to accumulate. To date, no information is available on possible peculiarities of the cardiovascular risk profile in athletes. Design: The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma homocysteine levels in a group of athletes and to search for relationship with vitamin status and other metabolic variables in order to confirm the existence of a “sport-related hyperhomocysteinaemia” and to explain its clinical significance. The study population was composed of 82 athletes (59 male and 23 female) practising different sports and 70 healthy age-matched subjects (40 male and 30 female) as a control group. Besides the general clinical and analytical determinations, the assessed variables included homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CPK) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results: The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia (&gt;15 μmol/l) in athletes and controls was 47% and 15%, respectively. No correlation was found between homocysteine and any of the other investigated variables, in particular plasma folate, blood pressure, LDH, CPK, total and HDL cholesterol and IL-6. Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the existence of a sport-related hyperhomocysteinaemia which appears linked neither to the same variables found in the general population, nor to specific training-related variables. We suggest that it would represent an adaptation to training but the possibility of a secondary vascular damage cannot be excluded.
The multiple coagulopathies of biliary atresia
Authors: R. A. Yanofsky, V. G. Jackson, J. R. Lilly, G. Stellin, W. C. Klingensmith, W. E. Hathaway
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1984)

Detailed coagulation studies were done prospectively on 43 patients with biliary atresia who had undergone Kasai operation (hepatic portoenterostomy). Patients were divided into three groups based on levels of factor V, factor II, and Echis II and/or response to vitamin K: no coagulopathy (46.5% of patients); coagulopathy of liver disease (30.2% of patients); and coagulopathy of vitamin K deficiency (23.3% of patients). Patients with the coagulopathy of liver disease had significantly lower levels of factors XII, V, and antithrombin III as well as longer thrombin times than patients with no coagulopathy or vitamin K deficiency. Factor V levels were decreased only in patients with more advanced liver disease; normal levels of factor V were not usually helpful in differentiating liver disease and vitamin K deficiency. The prothrombin time, factor VII-X levels, and factor II levels were significantly different for all three groups; the most abnormal values occurred in the vitamin K-deficient group. Comparison of the Echis II level to factor II coagulant activity was helpful in deciding whether a coagulopathy was due to liver disease, vitamin K deficiency, or both. Factor VIII levels were elevated in all groups. Factor VIII coagulant activity was significantly higher by the two-stage (TGT) method than by the one-stage (PTT) method. Hypersplenism causing neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was commonly seen after the age of 5 years. Vitamin E deficiency was more common than vitamin K deficiency; however, all vitamin K-deficient patients were vitamin E deficient. Coagulation status correlated well with hepatobiliary scan data, but not serum bilirubin levels. Recommendations for treatment of patients with vitamin K deficiency and/or liver disease are discussed.
Stimulation of Different Subtypes of Angiotensin II Receptors, AT <sub>1</sub> and AT <sub>2</sub> Receptors, Regulates STAT Activation by Negative Crosstalk
Authors: Masatsugu Horiuchi, Wataru Hayashida, Masahiro Akishita, Kouichi Tamura, Laurent Daviet, Jukka Y. A. Lehtonen, Victor J. Dzau
Journal: Circulation Research (1999)

Abstract —Angiotensin II type 2 (AT 2 ) receptor exerts an inhibitory action on cell growth. In the present study, we report that the stimulation of AT 2 receptor in AT 2 receptor cDNA–transfected rat adult vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) inhibited angiotensin II type 1 (AT 1 ) receptor–mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) 1α/β, STAT2, and STAT3 without influence on Janus kinase. AT 2 receptor activation also inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1α/β induced by interferon-γ, epidermal growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor. Similar effects of AT 2 receptor were observed in R3T3 fibroblast and mouse fetal VSMCs, which express endogenous AT 2 receptor. Moreover, AT 2 receptor inhibited serine phosphorylation of STAT1α and STAT3 via the inhibition of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) activation. Stimulation of AT 2 receptor inhibited the binding of STATs with sis -inducing element in c- fos promoter, resulting in decreased c- fos expression. Taken together, our results suggest that AT 2 receptor can crosstalk negatively with multiple families of growth receptors by inhibiting ERK and STAT activation.
Naproxen in juvenile chronic polyarthritis.
Authors: H Moran, D B Hanna, B M Ansell, M Hall, C Engler
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1979)

Naproxen at 10 mg per kg body weight was compared with aspirin at 80 mg per kg body weight in children suffering from juvenile chronic polyarthritis. It was found to be as effective as aspirin, with certainly no more and possibly fewer gastrointestinal side effects. A long-term tolerance study up to 12 months confirmed that naproxed was a satisfactory nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug in the management of various types of juvenile chronic arthritis.
Proposals for a trial marriage between primary and secondary health care in one or two districts in Inner London.
Authors: C J Dickinson
Journal: BMJ (1981)

A plea is made for an experiment in unified health care in one or two of the new district health authorities in Inner London. The essence of the proposal is that district health authorities should hold the contracts of independent contractors, that the independence and entitlements of the contractors should be preserved, but that the district health authorities should manage a unified budget. This could bring many potential and actual advantages. Administrative problems would not be insuperable. If the scheme was successful it could be gradually extended; if unsuccessful it could be wound up without serious consequences.
Neutrophilic urticaria: clinical features, histological changes and possible mechanisms
Authors: None Toppe, None Haas, None Henz
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1998)

Neutrophilic urticaria (NU) is a histologically defined entity, but its clinical and pathogenetic aspects are poorly understood. We investigated 22 NU patients whom we identified by examining 118 biopsies of weals. The patients comprised 11 of 20 with acute urticaria, nine of 49 with chronic urticaria, one of 10 with cold urticaria and one of 10 controls undergoing prick tests. Clinically, NU patients had a shorter mean duration of disease than other urticaria patients and significantly increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and leucocytosis. Histologically, not only neutrophil counts, but to a lesser extent also eosinophil counts and mononuclear cell infiltrates were significantly increased in lesional skin of NU, and there was more marked vasodilatation and endothelial swelling. On immunohistochemistry, increased tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin (IL)‐3 expression was noted, compared with other urticarias, whereas IL‐8 expression was only minor. These data characterize NU as an acute phase urticarial reaction associated with an intense inflammatory infiltrate and marked upregulation of some mast cell‐derived cytokines.
Development of Cell-Mediated Immunity to Marek's Disease Tumor Cells in Chickens Inoculated With Marek's Disease Vaccines2
Authors: J. M. Sharma, R. L. Witter, B. D. Coulson
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1978)

Chickens inoculated with herpesvirus of turkeys or with apathogenic or attenuated vaccine strains of Marek's disease virus (MDV) developed a T-cell-mediated immune response to Marek's disease (MD) tumor cells. This immune response was detected in a 4-hour 51Cr-release assay in which effector cells obtained from spleens of vaccinated chickens were reacted with 51Cr-labeled target cells of an MD lymphoblastoid cell line (MSB-1). The cytotoxic effector cells generated by the vaccine viruses had characteristics similar to those noted previously for anti-MSB-1 effector cells generated by MDV. The immune response was specific to MSB-1 cells, because another target cell line (TLT) antigenically unrelated to MSB-1 cells was not lysed by the effector cells nor did the unrelated target cells inhibit the cytotoxicity of effector cells against MSB-1 target in a cold-target inhibition assay. Because MSB-1 cells contain MD tumor-associated surface antigen, we postulated that the immune response detected in the vaccinated chickens may be directed against this antigen and that the antitumor antigen immunity may play a role in the mechanism of vaccine protection against lymphoma development by pathogenic MDV.
Detection of Intracellular Bacterial Communities in Human Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: David A Rosen, Thomas M Hooton, Walter E Stamm, Peter A Humphrey, Scott J Hultgren
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2007)

Background Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections and are predominantly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). While UTIs are typically considered extracellular infections, it has been recently demonstrated that UPEC bind to, invade, and replicate within the murine bladder urothelium to form intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs). These IBCs dissociate and bacteria flux out of bladder facet cells, some with filamentous morphology, and ultimately establish quiescent intracellular reservoirs that can seed recurrent infection. This IBC pathogenic cycle has not yet been investigated in humans. In this study we sought to determine whether evidence of an IBC pathway could be found in urine specimens from women with acute UTI. Methods and Findings We collected midstream, clean-catch urine specimens from 80 young healthy women with acute uncomplicated cystitis and 20 asymptomatic women with a history of UTI. Investigators were blinded to culture results and clinical history. Samples were analyzed by light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy for evidence of exfoliated IBCs and filamentous bacteria. Evidence of IBCs was found in 14 of 80 (18%) urines from women with UTI. Filamentous bacteria were found in 33 of 80 (41%) urines from women with UTI. None of the 20 urines from the asymptomatic comparative group showed evidence of IBCs or filaments. Filamentous bacteria were present in all 14 of the urines with IBCs compared to 19 (29%) of 66 samples with no evidence of IBCs (p < 0.001). Of 65 urines from patients with E. coli infections, 14 (22%) had evidence of IBCs and 29 (45%) had filamentous bacteria, while none of the gram-positive infections had IBCs or filamentous bacteria. Conclusions The presence of exfoliated IBCs and filamentous bacteria in the urines of women with acute cystitis suggests that the IBC pathogenic pathway characterized in the murine model may occur in humans. The findings support the occurrence of an intracellular bacterial niche in some women with cystitis that may have important implications for UTI recurrence and treatment.
Comparison of the diagnostic yields of disposable and reusable cytology brushes in fibreoptic bronchoscopy.
Authors: W J Kinnear, M J Wilkinson, P D James, I D Johnston
Journal: Thorax (1991)

Disposable rake and reusable bristle type cytology brushes have been compared in 50 patients undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy for suspected malignancy. Forty seven patients were eventually found to have carcinoma of the bronchus. A diagnosis of malignancy was made from the specimens taken with one or other brush in 34 patients, from the reusable brush in 28, and from the disposable brush in 31. The specimens taken with the two types of brush were of similar quality. The reusable brush is about five times less expensive per procedure but carries a risk of cross contamination and cross infection, and time is needed to clean the brush after each bronchoscopy. The diagnostic yield appears to be at least as good with the disposable brush.
Predicting survival in malignant pleural effusion: development and validation of the LENT prognostic score
Authors: Amelia O Clive, Brennan C Kahan, Clare E Hooper, Rahul Bhatnagar, Anna J Morley, Natalie Zahan-Evans, Oliver J Bintcliffe, Rogier C Boshuizen, Edward T H Fysh, Claire L Tobin, Andrew R L Medford, John E Harvey, Michel M van den Heuvel, Y C Gary Lee, Nick A Maskell
Journal: Thorax (2014)

<h3>Background</h3> Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) causes debilitating breathlessness and predicting survival is challenging. This study aimed to obtain contemporary data on survival by underlying tumour type in patients with MPE, identify prognostic indicators of overall survival and develop and validate a prognostic scoring system. <h3>Methods</h3> Three large international cohorts of patients with MPE were used to calculate survival by cell type (univariable Cox model). The prognostic value of 14 predefined variables was evaluated in the most complete data set (multivariable Cox model). A clinical prognostic scoring system was then developed and validated. <h3>Results</h3> Based on the results of the international data and the multivariable survival analysis, the LENT prognostic score (pleural fluid <b>l</b>actate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (<b>E</b>COG) performance score (PS), <b>n</b>eutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and <b>t</b>umour type) was developed and subsequently validated using an independent data set. Risk stratifying patients into low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups gave median (IQR) survivals of 319 days (228–549; n=43), 130 days (47–467; n=129) and 44 days (22–77; n=31), respectively. Only 65% (20/31) of patients with a high-risk LENT score survived 1 month from diagnosis and just 3% (1/31) survived 6 months. Analysis of the area under the receiver operating curve revealed the LENT score to be superior at predicting survival compared with ECOG PS at 1 month (0.77 vs 0.66, p&lt;0.01), 3 months (0.84 vs 0.75, p&lt;0.01) and 6 months (0.85 vs 0.76, p&lt;0.01). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The LENT scoring system is the first validated prognostic score in MPE, which predicts survival with significantly better accuracy than ECOG PS alone. This may aid clinical decision making in this diverse patient population.
The difference between pre and post operative regional wall motion for LITA graft patients and their relation to post operative myocardial contrast opacification
Authors: H. Kihara, H. Terai, Y. Kihara, T. Kihara, H. Takahashi, A. Kosuda, M. Shimomoto, M. Fukunishi, M. Shirai, M. Taniguchi, K. Nakayama, N. Kajiwara
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1998)