tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Pneumococcal Vaccination and Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Stroke in Men
Authors: Hung Fu Tseng
Journal: JAMA (2010)

Context Multiple studies have shown that preventing influenza by vaccination reduces the risk of vascular events.However, the effect of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine on vascular events remains controversial.Objective To examine the association between pneumococcal vaccination and risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke among men. Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA prospective cohort study of Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern California health plans with 84 170 participants aged 45 to 69 years from the California Men's Health Study who were recruited between January 2002 and December 2003, and followed up until December 31, 2007.The cohort was similar to the population of health plan members and men who responded to a general health survey in California on important demographic and clinical characteristics.Demographic and detailed lifestyle characteristics were collected from surveys.Vaccination records were obtained from the Kaiser Immunization Tracking System.Main Outcome Measure Incidence of acute MI and stroke during the follow-up period in men who had no history of such conditions. ResultsDuring follow-up, there were 1211 first MIs in 112 837 vaccinated personyears (10.73 per 1000 person-years) compared with 1494 first MI events in 246 170 unvaccinated person-years (6.07 per 1000 person-years).For stroke, there were 651 events in 122 821 vaccinated person-years (5.30 per 1000 person-years) compared with 483 events in 254 541 unvaccinated person-years (1.90 per 1000 person-years).With propensity score adjustment, we found no evidence for an association between pneumococcal vaccination and reduced risk of acute MI (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.21)or stroke (adjusted HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.00-1.31).An inverse association was also not found in men of different age and risk groups.The results appeared to be consistent, because using more specific International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for the outcome definition did not change the estimations.Conclusion Among a cohort of men aged 45 years or older, receipt of pneumococcal vaccine was not associated with subsequent reduced risk of acute MI and stroke.
Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in Primary Ovarian Cancer Staging
Authors: Sabine Schmidt, Reto Antoine Meuli, Chahin Achtari, John Olivier Prior
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2015)

The aim of this study was to compare multidetector CT (MDCT), MRI, and FDG PET/CT imaging for the detection of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in ovarian cancer.Fifteen women with ovarian cancer and suspected PC underwent MDCT, MRI, and FDG PET/CT, shortly before surgery. Nine abdominopelvic regions were defined according to the peritoneal cancer index. We applied lesion size scores on MDCT and MR and measured FDG PET/CT standard uptake. We blindly read MDCT, MR, and PET/CT before joint review and comparison with histopathology. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was performed.Ten women had PC (67%). Altogether, 135 abdominopelvic sites were compared. Multidetector CT, MRI, and FDG PET/CT had a sensitivity of 96%, 98%, and 95%, and specificity was 92%, 84%, and 96%, respectively. Corresponding receiver operating characteristics area was 0.94, 0.90, and 0.96, respectively, without any significant differences between them (P = 0.12). FDG PET/CT detected supradiaphragmatic disease in 3 women (20%) not seen by MDCT or MRI.Although MRI had the highest sensitivity and FDG PET/CT had the highest specificity, no significant differences were found between the 3 techniques. Thus, MDCT, as the fastest, most economical, and most widely available modality, is the examination of choice, if a stand-alone technique is required. If inconclusive, PET/CT or MRI may offer additional insights. Whole-body FDG PET/CT may be more accurate for supradiaphragmatic metastatic extension.
Does aflatoxin exposure in the United Kingdom constitute a cancer risk?
Authors: J C Harrison, M Carvajal, R C Garner
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1993)

Although the aflatoxins were discovered more than 30 years ago, there is still considerable controversy surrounding their human health effects. Most countries have introduced legislation to control the level of aflatoxins in food, but it is not known if these permitted levels still pose a significant cancer risk. Furthermore, it is unlikely that all the sources of human aflatoxin exposure have been discovered, nor if the liver is the only, or indeed, major target organ for aflatoxin-induced cancer in man. In our laboratory we have used both immunological and HPLC methods to examine human DNA from a variety of tissues and organs to identify and quantify aflatoxin DNA-adducts. We have already detected aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-DNA adducts in formalin-fixed tissue from an acute poisoning incident in Southeast Asia. Here we have examined human colon and rectum DNA from normal and tumorous tissue obtained from cancer patients and colon, liver, pancreas, breast, and cervix DNA from autopsy specimens. AFB1-DNA adducts were detected in all tissue types examined and ranged from 0-60 adducts/10(6) nucleotides. Where sample size allowed, the adduct levels were confirmed by HPLC analysis. Tumor tissues tended to have higher adduct levels than normal tissue from the same individual, and levels generally increased with patient age. In samples analyzed by HPLC, the adducts present had the chromatographic properties of [8,9-dihydro-8-(N5-formyl)-2',5',6'-triamino-4'-oxo-(N5-pyramidyl) -9- hydroxy-aflatoxin B1, the ring-opened form of the AFB1-guanine adduct.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Immunogenicity of Adenovirus Vectors Limits the Multispecificity of CD8 T-cell Responses to Vector-encoded Transgenic Antigens
Authors: Reinhold Schirmbeck, Jörg Reimann, Stefan Kochanek, Florian Kreppel
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2008)

We investigated whether the immunogenicity of antigens delivered by recombinant E1-deleted adenovirus (Ad) is impaired by the concomitant priming of specific immunity to protein antigens of the vector. A comparative evaluation of the immunogenicity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg or S) or ovalbumin (OVA) was carried out in mice injected with either the antigen-encoding Ad vector or a corresponding plasmid DNA vaccine. Recombinant Ad, but not the plasmid DNA vaccine, induced long lasting, specific CD8 T-cell immunity to immunodominant epitopes of the two antigens. In contrast, the HBsAg-encoding pCI/S DNA, but not the Ad/S vaccine, was shown to prime CD8 T-cell responses to subdominant HBsAg epitopes. Ad/S-primed CD8 T-cell responses to immunodominant epitopes of vector-encoded or capsid-delivered Ad proteins apparently suppressed CD8 T-cell priming to subdominant HBsAg epitopes. In B-cell-deficient mice, the established, Ad-specific T-cell immunity induced by vaccination with an irrelevant Ad vector impaired the priming of HBsAg-specific CD8 T-cell responses by Ad/S. It is clear, therefore, that a T-cell immunity specific for Ad proteins (either delivered with the Ad capsid or transcribed from the Ad genome) is efficiently primed by vaccination with Ad vectors, and can limit the immunogenicity (particularly of subdominant epitopes) of Ad vector–encoded transgenic antigens. We investigated whether the immunogenicity of antigens delivered by recombinant E1-deleted adenovirus (Ad) is impaired by the concomitant priming of specific immunity to protein antigens of the vector. A comparative evaluation of the immunogenicity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg or S) or ovalbumin (OVA) was carried out in mice injected with either the antigen-encoding Ad vector or a corresponding plasmid DNA vaccine. Recombinant Ad, but not the plasmid DNA vaccine, induced long lasting, specific CD8 T-cell immunity to immunodominant epitopes of the two antigens. In contrast, the HBsAg-encoding pCI/S DNA, but not the Ad/S vaccine, was shown to prime CD8 T-cell responses to subdominant HBsAg epitopes. Ad/S-primed CD8 T-cell responses to immunodominant epitopes of vector-encoded or capsid-delivered Ad proteins apparently suppressed CD8 T-cell priming to subdominant HBsAg epitopes. In B-cell-deficient mice, the established, Ad-specific T-cell immunity induced by vaccination with an irrelevant Ad vector impaired the priming of HBsAg-specific CD8 T-cell responses by Ad/S. It is clear, therefore, that a T-cell immunity specific for Ad proteins (either delivered with the Ad capsid or transcribed from the Ad genome) is efficiently primed by vaccination with Ad vectors, and can limit the immunogenicity (particularly of subdominant epitopes) of Ad vector–encoded transgenic antigens.
1001-25 Combined Intralesional Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Intracoronary Heparin in Patients with Unstable Angina and Coronary Thrombus Undergoing PTCA
Authors: Paul A. Gurbel, Frank I. Navetta, Brent Muhlstein, Alan N. Tenaglia, David W. Muller, Eric R. Bates, Charles J. Davidson, Michael J. Miller, Frank V. Aquirre, James B. Hermiller, Carl Tommaso, Lisa Berdan, Paul Owens, Glenn J. Beauman, Jeffrey D. Lelmberger, Edwin Bovill, E. Magnus Ohman
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1995)
Site-restricted persistent cytomegalovirus infection after selective long-term depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes.
Authors: S Jonjić, W Mutter, F Weiland, M J Reddehase, U H Koszinowski
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1989)

We have established a murine model system for exploring the ability of a CD4 subset-deficient host to cope with cytomegalovirus infection, and reported three findings. First, an antiviral response of the CD8 subset of T lymphocytes could be not only initiated but also maintained for a long period of time despite a continued absence of the CD4 subset, whereas the production of antiviral antibody proved strictly dependent upon help provided by the CD4 subset. Second, no function in the defense against infection could be ascribed as yet to CD4-CD8- T lymphocytes, which were seen to accumulate to a new subset as a result of depletion of the CD4 subset. This newly arising subset did not substitute for CD4+ T lymphocytes in providing help to B lymphocytes, and was also not effective in controlling the spread of virus in host tissues. As long as a function of these cells in the generation and maintenance of a CD8 subset-mediated response is not disproved, caution is indicated with concern to an autonomy of the CD8 subset. Third, even though with delay, the CD8+ effector cells raised in the CD4 subset-deficient host were able of clear vital tissues from productive infection and to restrict asymptomatic, persistent infection to acinar glandular epithelial cells in salivary gland tissue.
The Fate of SCHIP — Surrogate Marker for Health Care Ideology?
Authors: John K. Iglehart
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2007)

Interview with Senator Charles Grassley on President Bush’s veto of the SCHIP reauthorization bill and its implications. (06:43)Download To appreciate the power of the U.S. presidency — even when its current occupant's approval rating is only 31% — one need look no further than the political brawl over the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). On October 3, 2007, President George W. Bush vetoed legislation that would have reauthorized SCHIP for 5 years, asserting that it was too expensive and would lead down a path to socialized medicine. On October 18, despite pleas by Democrats and some senior Republican legislators, the House failed to garner the necessary two-thirds vote to override Bush's veto; the vote count was 273 . . .
Molecular and Phylogenetic Analyses of the MADS-Box Gene Family in Tomato
Authors: Lena C. Hileman, Jens F. Sundstrom, Amy Litt, Meiqin Chen, Takudzwa Shumba, Vivian F. Irish
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2006)

MIKCc-type MADS-box genes encode key transcriptional regulators of a variety of developmental processes in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, there has been relatively little effort to systematically carry out comparative genomic or functional analyses of these genes across flowering plants. Here we describe a strategy to identify members of the MIKCc-type MADS-box gene family from any angiosperm species of interest. Using this approach, we have identified 24 MIKCc-type MADS-box genes in tomato, including 17 that have not previously been characterized. Using these sequences, we have performed phylogenetic analyses that indicate that there have been a number of gene duplication and loss events in tomato relative to Arabidopsis. We also describe the expression domains of these genes and compare these results with their cognates in Arabidopsis. These analyses demonstrate the utility of this approach for characterizing a large number of MIKCc-type MADS-box genes from any flowering plant species of interest and provide a framework for evolutionary comparisons of this important gene family across angiosperms.
Natural History of Glucose Tolerance in Relatives of Diabetic Patients: Low Prognostic Value of the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Authors: J KÖbberling, D Berninger
Journal: Diabetes Care (1980)

Seven hundred and fifty-one initially nondiabetic relatives of diabetic persons, in whom oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) have been performed, were followed for over 10 yr. Of these, 11.6% have died and no information was available from 13.7%. All other subjects were either retested (N = 369) or answered by questionnaire whether they are being treated for diabetes (N = 32) or not (N = 155). For test evaluation the sum of the 1- and the 2-h values during OGTT was used. The diagnosis of “diabetes” after 10 yr was made if the sum exceeded 500 mg/dl, which in 88% of cases coincides with fasting blood glucose values above 120 mg/dl. Among the retested individuals the results of OGTT showed a high degree of variation in both directions, which seems to represent just random variance rather than improvement or deterioration of biologic significance. These random changes in glucose tolerance do not correlate with changes in body weight. Sixty-three individuals have developed overt diabetes within the 10 yr. To optimize the discriminating value of the initial tests, the criteria dividing impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) from “normal” have been varied by a computer program. Sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis IGT with respect to later development of diabetes depend on the criteria used and are inversely related. At the point where sensitivity and specificity are equal, both amount to 45%, and their sum never exceeds 90%. Using the criteria for IGT and diabetes recently proposed by members of an expert committee at the NIH, which are mainly based on the 2-h value and the fasting value, a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 19% are found. Thus, although a higher tendency toward the development of overt diabetes can be observed in the group of subjects with IGT compared with normal subjects, the prognostic value of the OGTT is very low when applied to individuals.
Potential relationship between herpes viruses and rheumatoid arthritis: analysis with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction
Authors: R Alvarez-Lafuente
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2005)

<b>Objective:</b> To determine whether the human herpes viruses, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), are detectable in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). <b>Methods:</b> 133 PBMC samples (61 RA, 72 healthy donors) and 136 serum samples (59 RA, 77 healthy donors) were analysed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction for DNA prevalence and viral load of HHV-6, EBV, and CMV. <b>Results:</b> For PBMC samples significant differences were found for EBV in DNA prevalence (56% in RA <i>v</i> 33% in controls, p = 0.009) and viral load (copies/μg DNA 0–592.3 for RA <i>v</i> 0–40.4 for controls, p = 0.001). For serum samples a significant difference was found for HHV-6 DNA prevalence (10% in RA <i>v</i> 0% in controls, p = 0.006) and viral load (copies/μg DNA 0–529.1 for RA <i>v</i> 0 for controls, p = 0.007). <b>Conclusions:</b> Herpes viruses may have a role in RA, although alternative explanations are possible: (<i>a</i>) defects in cellular immunity in patients with RA may result in a relatively high viral load; (<i>b</i>) patients with RA may be more prone to infection/reactivation. The usefulness of monitoring the DNA viral load in patients with RA is questioned by these data.
TCT-134 Transvenous Phrenic Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Central Sleep Apnea in Patients with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Report from the remede(r) System Pilot Study
Authors: Piotr Ponikowski, Piotr Ponikowski, Dariusz Jagielski, Olaf Oldenburg, Ralph Augostini, Steven Krueger, Adam Kolodziej, Klaus-Jurgen Gutleben, Rami Khayat, Andrew Merliss, Shahrokh Javaheri, William Abraham
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2013)
GLOMERULAR LESIONS OF SUBACUTE BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS
Authors: George Baehr
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1912)

1. In most cases of chronic or subacute bacterial endocarditis due to the endocarditis coccus (Streptococcus viridans), there exists a distinctive pathological lesion in some of the glomeruli due to bacterial emboli. 2. The salient features of the pathological picture are first, the involvement of one or more loops of a variable number of glomeruli; secondly, the absence of any visible disease in the uninvolved glomeruli and in the uninvolved portions of affected glomeruli; and thirdly, the association in most of the bacterial cases of all the various stages of the glomerular process often seen in a single microscopical section. 3. The lesion does not occur in cases of acute endocarditis, and up to the present time it has been absent in cases of subacute bacterial endocarditis due to organisms other than the endocarditis coccus. 4. In a group of cases having vegetations that are typical of those in the active stage of subacute endocarditis (except that they are free from bacteria and healing or healed), the healed stage of this distinctive glomerular lesion is present, although it is less extensive than in the active bacterial cases. 5. These cases, therefore, are most probably examples of subacute bacterial endocarditis due originally to the endocarditis coccus, but in which the endocardial vegetations have become free from bacteria rather early in their course and are now healing or healed, as claimed by Harbitz and Libman. 6. During the active bacterial stage of the disease, if the glomerular lesions are not too numerous, the only symptoms produced will be an almost constant hematuria, usually demonstrable only microscopically. If the glomerular lesions are very numerous, symptoms resembling those of subacute hemorrhagic nephritis may occur and may even cause a fatal issue. If the glomerular lesions are very numerous but not sufficient to cause death, and the cardiac lesion should go on to healing, a contracted kidney, secondary to the glomerular lesion, may subsequently ensue and produce the typical symptoms and death. In such a case, the finding of the healed or healing lesion of subacute bacterial endocarditis will be accidental.
Distribution Patterns of 18F-Labelled Fluoromethylcholine in Normal Structures and Tumors of the Head
Authors: Koen Mertens, Hamphrey Ham, Karel Deblaere, Jean-Pierre Okito Kalala, Caroline Van den Broecke, Dominique Slaets, Filip De Vos, Ingeborg Goethals
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2012)

To evaluate the distribution of 18F-labelled fluoromethylcholine (FCho) in normal structures and tumors of the head region using positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging.We retrospectively reviewed the positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and the coregistered images obtained in 17 patients with suspected high-grade gliomas. The accumulation of 18F-FCho in the normal structures and in brain lesions was visually and semiquantitatively assessed. A 4-point grading system was used for the visual analysis. A standardized uptake value (SUV) was used to quantify uptake.In the normal brain parenchyma, 18F-FCho uptake was faint (SUVmean, 0.15 ± 0.03 (SD)). Uptake was generally moderate in the choroid plexus (SUVmean, 0.82 ± 0.16), cavernous sinus (SUVmean, 0.87 ± 0.19), extraocular eye muscles (SUVmean, 1.10 ± 0.27), masticatory muscles (SUVmean, 0.99 ± 0.22), and bone marrow (SUVmean, 1.06 ± 0.26), whereas uptake was usually moderately intense in the pituitary gland (SUVmean, 1.90 ± 0.21). Uptake was variable in the lacrimal glands and the mucosa of the nasal cavity (for SUVmean of subgroups see text). Intense uptake was observed in the parotid glands (SUVmean, 3.27 ± 0.73). (Moderately) intense 18F-FCho uptake was observed in glioblastomas (range SUVmax, 2.26-6.37) and typical meningiomas (range SUVmax, 3.75-5.81). Uptake was globally faint in grade II and III gliomas (range SUVmax, 0.33-0.78). 18F-FCho uptake was also demonstrated in benign lesions, such as a tumefactive demyelinating brain lesion.18F-FCho uptake was faint in the normal brain parenchyma and usually moderate in the choroid plexus, cavernous sinus, extraocular eye muscles, masticatory muscles, and bone marrow. Uptake in the pituitary gland was generally moderately intense, whereas uptake in the lacrimal glands and the mucosa of the nasal cavity was variable. Parotid glands had intense uptake. Also, uptake in glioblastomas and meningiomas was usually (moderately) intense, whereas uptake in grade II and III gliomas was globally faint. However, 18F-FCho uptake was not tumor specific.
Potential Antagonism of Tubulin-Binding Anticancer Agents in Combination Therapies
Authors: Giulia Taraboletti, Gianluca Micheletti, Romina Dossi, Patrizia Borsotti, Michele Martinelli, Fabio Fiordaliso, Anderson J. Ryan, Raffaella Giavazzi
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2005)

ZD6126 is a vascular targeting agent, developed for the treatment of solid tumors. In vivo, ZD6126 is rapidly converted into the tubulin-binding agent N-acetylcolchinol. We have previously reported that in vitro N-acetylcolchinol disrupts microtubules and induces rapid changes in endothelial cell morphology, which in a tumor would lead to a rapid loss of tumor vessel integrity and subsequent extensive tumor necrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cytotoxic antineoplastic drugs-cisplatin, doxorubicin, vincristine, paclitaxel, and docetaxel-on endothelial cell response to N-acetylcolchinol. We found that cisplatin and doxorubicin did not interfere with the ability of N-acetylcolchinol to cause morphologic changes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, whereas vincristine showed additive effects. In contrast, the microtubule-stabilizing agents paclitaxel (1-10 micromol/L) and docetaxel (0.1-1 micromol/L) prevented the morphologic changes induced by N-acetylcolchinol in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The effect was observed when cells were exposed to paclitaxel and N-acetylcolchinol together or when paclitaxel was given shortly before N-acetylcolchinol. Paclitaxel and N-acetylcolchinol interacted at the level of microtubule organization, as shown in immunofluorescence analysis of the cytoskeleton. The protective effect was reversible because 4 hours after paclitaxel wash out, cells recovered the sensitivity to N-acetylcolchinol. In vivo, pretreatment of mice with paclitaxel inhibited the vascular targeting activity of ZD6126 on newly formed vessels in the Matrigel plug assay and ZD6126-induced necrosis in tumors. These findings indicate that paclitaxel, depending on the timing and schedule of administration, can affect the vascular targeting activity of ZD6126, which may have an effect on the optimal scheduling of therapies based on the combined use of microtubule-stabilizing and microtubule-destabilizing agents.