tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Expression of insulin-like growth factor II, α-fetoprotein and hepatitis B virus transcripts in human primary liver cancer
Authors: Elisabetta Cariani, Chantal Lasserre, François Kemeny, Dominique Franco, Christian Brechot
Journal: Hepatology (1991)

Insulin-like growth factor II is a fetal growth factor structurally and functionally related to insulin and insulin-like growth factor I. Its mRNA expression is developmentally regulated in human liver, the reexpression of insulin-like growth factor II fetal transcripts being often observed in primary liver cancer. Insulin-like growth factor II and alpha-fetoprotein mRNAs were studied in 16 human primary liver cancers, most of which were highly differentiated. Hepatitis B virus transcripts were also analyzed in the tumors from hepatitis B virus chronic carriers. alpha-Fetoprotein mRNA was detected in only four tumors and in one nontumorous cirrhotic tissue; all these samples also displayed insulin-like growth factor II fetal transcripts. Furthermore, fetal insulin-like growth factor II mRNAs were observed in five tumors and six nontumorous cirrhotic areas not expressing alpha-fetoprotein mRNA. The presence of hepatitis B virus RNA was only observed in tissues not expressing alpha-fetoprotein or fetal insulin-like growth factor II mRNA. In conclusion, fetal insulin-like growth factor II transcripts are more frequently observed than alpha-fetoprotein mRNA in highly differentiated liver cancers and in surrounding cirrhotic areas. The reexpression of fetal insulin-like growth factor II transcripts might then be a marker of early steps of liver cell transformation.
Effect of age and coronary heart disease on the circulatory responses to graded lower body negative pressure
Authors: T. J EBERT, C V. HUGHES, F. E TRISTANI, J. A BARNEY, J. J SMITH
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1982)

Previous reports have demonstrated that haemodynamic responses to various autonomic stresses such as head-up tilt, Valsalva's manoeuvre, face immersion, cold pressor, and static exercise are altered with increasing age and cardiac disease. In the present investigation, we compared the responses of 20 to 27 year old and 50 to 59 year old healthy men and 50 to 59 year old ambulatory coronary heart disease patients to graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Noninvasive methods including transthoracic impedance cardiography and venous occlusion plethysmography were used to monitor changes in stroke index, thoracic blood volume and vascular resistance. The tachycardia and stroke index decline of the older men and cardiac patients at higher levels of LBNP were similar but less than those of the younger men; we also noted greater increases in forearm and total peripheral resistance during LBNP in the two older groups than in the younger group. However, the decreases in thoracic blood volume were less in the two older groups at the higher levels of LBNP indicating that older subjects had been subjected to a lesser stress. These differences in thoracic blood volume displacement may be due to a decreased peripheral venous compliance in older subjects. When we compared responses to similar decreases in thoracic blood volume, the heart rate and stroke index changes were similar in the three groups but the exaggerated forearm vascular resistance and total peripheral resistance index increases in the older groups persisted. Our data suggest: (1) the decreased haemodynamic response to postural stress previously reported in older subjects and cardiac patients is due at least in part to a lesser peripheral sequestration of blood in the older individuals; (2) the lesser heart rate and stroke index responses in coronary heart disease patients to diminished preload stress may be due primarily to normal aging; and (3) the greater increases in peripheral vascular resistance in the two older groups during LBNP may be a function of the higher baseline resistance levels in these older subjects.
Oral calcium tolerance test in the early diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 in patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Groupe de Recherche et d'Etude du Syndrome de Zollinger-Ellison.
Authors: G Cadiot, P Houillier, A Allouch, M Paillard, M Mignon
Journal: Gut (1996)

BACKGROUND: In patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, the exclusion of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is of important clinical relevance. Its diagnosis often relies on the existence of primary hyperparathyroidism. AIM AND METHODS: To investigate the parathyroid function of patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome by use of an oral calcium tolerance test to identify both hypercalcaemic and normocalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism, and, accordingly, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. PATIENTS: Among 51 consecutive patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome referred to us between 1988 and 1994, 28 had not been investigated for parathyroid function and were prospectively studied. RESULTS: The investigation of calcium metabolism was abnormal in nine patients. One displayed characteristic features of humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy. The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism was biologically established in eight patients (29%) and subsequently confirmed by the presence of hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands in the seven patients who underwent neck exploration. Three patients with primary hyperparathyroidism had fasting hyper-calcaemia but the other five had normal fasting serum total calcium concentration and the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism was established by means of the oral calcium tolerance test. Primary hyperparathyroidism was demonstrated in the five patients in whom the diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 had been previously established on other criteria than primary hyperparathyroidism. By contrast, in three patients, primary hyperparathyroidism, either hypercalcaemic (one patient) or normocalcaemic (two patients) was the sole criteria for the diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. These results also suggest that primary hyperparathyroidism is present before or close to the time of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Complete investigation of the parathyroid function with calcium calcium and parathyroid hormone concentrations.
The Impact of Labor Policies on the Health of Young Children in the Context of Economic Globalization
Authors: Jody Heymann, Alison Earle, Kristen McNeill
Journal: Annual Review of Public Health (2013)

Globalization has transformed the workplace at the same time that increasing numbers of children live in families in which all adults work for pay outside the home. Extensive research evidence demonstrates the importance of parental involvement in the early years of a child's life. Yet, parents caring for young children may face challenges in fulfilling both work and family responsibilities under current labor force conditions. In this article, we review the evidence on the importance of parental care for meeting young children's routine care needs, preventive health care needs, and curative medical treatment requirements. We examine the evidence regarding the impact of four policies in particular on young children's health and development: parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, early childhood care and education, and leave for children's health needs. Last, we examine the availability of these policies worldwide and discuss the potential economic implications.
Comparison of the 308-nm excimer laser and a 308-nm excimer lamp with 311-nm narrowband ultraviolet B in the treatment of psoriasis
Authors: K. Kollner, M.B. Wimmershoff, C. Hintz, M. Landthaler, U. Hohenleutner
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2005)

Background Psoriasis is a chronic, genetically determined inflammatory disease, characterized by an immunomediated pathogenesis, which affects approximately 1–3% of the population. Various modalities have been used for psoriasis treatment, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Narrowband UVB (311 nm) phototherapy is a well-established, widely used and highly efficient treatment for psoriasis, but a big disadvantage is that large areas of unaffected skin are irradiated along with the psoriatic lesions. Objectives This investigation evaluates a 308-nm excimer laser and a 308-nm excimer lamp in comparison with 311-nm narrowband UVB in the treatment of patch psoriasis by using two different dose-increase schemes. Materials and methods Fifteen patients with plaque psoriasis were enrolled in the study (first regime). Three different psoriatic lesions were treated with the 308-nm excimer laser, the 308-nm excimer lamp or 311-nm narrowband UVB three times per week. UVB doses were increased slowly and stepwise (1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, …multiple MEDs). Sixteen patients were enrolled in the second regime. Two plaques were treated with the 308-nm excimer laser or with the 308-nm lamp with an accelerated scheme (2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 6, …multiple MEDs) three times per week. We increased the UVB doses every second treatment (first and second regime) during the whole treatment. If blistering occurred, the blistered plaque was not treated on the next scheduled treatment. At every third visit and 1, 2 and 4 months after the last treatment a Psoriasis Severity Index (PSI) score was assigned in both regimes. Results Using Friedman analysis, the PSI scores did not show a statistically significant difference (P > 0·05) comparing 308-nm laser therapy, 308-nm lamp therapy and 311-nm narrowband therapy after 10 weeks in the first regime. The mean number of treatments to achieve clearance was 24. With the accelerated scheme, clearance could be achieved with fewer treatments and with half the cumulative dose of the first regime. Nevertheless, the side-effects such as blistering and crusting were also increased. Conclusions Both 308-nm light sources can clear patch psoriasis in a similar manner to standard phototherapy, with the advantage of the ability to treat exclusively the affected skin and with a reduced cumulative dose, thus perhaps reducing the long-term risk of carcinogenicity.
Impaired healing in factor XIII KO mice after myocardial infarction assessed by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Matthias Nahrendorf, Kai Hu, Karl-Heinz Hiller, Christiane Waller, Stefan Gattenlöhner, Gerhard Dickneite, Axel Haase, Wolfgang R. Bauer, Georg Ertl
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2002)
Sustained hippocampal IL-1β overexpression mediates chronic neuroinflammation and ameliorates Alzheimer plaque pathology
Authors: Solomon S. Shaftel, Stephanos Kyrkanides, John A. Olschowka, Jen-nie H. Miller, Renee E. Johnson, M. Kerry O’Banion
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2007)

Neuroinflammation is a conspicuous feature of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology and is thought to contribute to the ultimate neurodegeneration that ensues. IL-1β has emerged as a prime candidate underlying this response. Here we describe a transgenic mouse model of sustained IL-1β overexpression that was capable of driving robust neuroinflammation lasting months after transgene activation. This response was characterized by astrocytic and microglial activation in addition to induction of proinflammatory cytokines. Surprisingly, when triggered in the hippocampus of the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of AD, 4 weeks of IL-1β overexpression led to a reduction in amyloid pathology. Congophilic plaque area fraction and frequency as well as insoluble amyloid beta 40 (Aβ40) and Aβ42 decreased significantly. These results demonstrate a possible adaptive role for IL-1β–driven neuroinflammation in AD and may help explain recent failures of antiinflammatory therapeutics for this disease.
T<scp>HE</scp>H<scp>EALTH</scp>B<scp>ENEFITS OF</scp>W<scp>INE</scp>
Authors: J. Bruce German, Rosemary L. Walzem
Journal: Annual Review of Nutrition (2000)

▪ Abstract Epidemiologic studies from numerous disparate populations reveal that individuals with the habit of daily moderate wine consumption enjoy significant reductions in all-cause and particularly cardiovascular mortality when compared with individuals who abstain or who drink alcohol to excess. Researchers are working to explain this observation in molecular and nutritional terms. Moderate ethanol intake from any type of beverage improves lipoprotein metabolism and lowers cardiovascular mortality risk. The question now is whether wine, particularly red wine with its abundant content of phenolic acids and polyphenols, confers additional health benefits. Discovering the nutritional properties of wine is a challenging task, which requires that the biological actions and bioavailability of the &gt;200 individual phenolic compounds be documented and interpreted within the societal factors that stratify wine consumption and the myriad effects of alcohol alone. Further challenge arises because the health benefits of wine address the prevention of slowly developing diseases for which validated biomarkers are rare. Thus, although the benefits of the polyphenols from fruits and vegetables are increasingly accepted, consensus on wine is developing more slowly. Scientific research has demonstrated that the molecules present in grapes and in wine alter cellular metabolism and signaling, which is consistent mechanistically with reducing arterial disease. Future research must address specific mechanisms both of alcohol and of polyphenolic action and develop biomarkers of their role in disease prevention in individuals.
Cancer-Specific Mortality After Surgery or Radiation for Patients With Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Managed During the Prostate-Specific Antigen Era
Authors: Anthony V. D’Amico, Judd Moul, Peter R. Carroll, Leon Sun, Deborah Lubeck, Ming-Hui Chen
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2003)

To determine whether pretreatment risk groups shown to predict time to prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) after treatment at a single institution retained that ability in a multi-institutional setting.From 1988 to 2002, 7,316 patients treated in the United States at 44 institutions with either surgery (n = 4,946) or radiation (n = 2,370) for clinical stage T1c-2, N0 or NX, M0 prostate cancer made up the study cohort. A Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the ability of pretreatment risk groups to predict time to PCSM after treatment. The relative risk (RR) of PCSM and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the intermediate- and high-risk groups relative to the low-risk group.Estimates of non-PCSM 8 years after prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure were 4% v 15% (surgery versus radiation; Plog rank =.002) compared with 13% v 18% (surgery versus radiation; Plog rank =.35) for patients whose age at the time of PSA failure was less than 70 as compared with >or= 70 years, respectively. The RR of PCSM after treatment for surgery-managed patients with high- or intermediate-risk disease was 14.2 (95% CI, 5.0 to 23.4; PCox <.0001) and 4.9 (95% CI, 1.7 to 8.1; PCox =.0037), respectively. These values were 14.3 (95% CI, 5.2 to 24.0; PCox <.0001) and 5.6 (95% CI, 2.0 to 9.3; PCox =.0012) for radiation-managed patients.This study provided evidence to support the prediction of time to PCSM after surgery or radiation on the basis of pretreatment risk groups for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer managed during the PSA era.
Moderate protection of renal function and reduction of fibrosis by colchicine in a model of anti-GBM disease in the rabbit.
Authors: C McClurkin, S H Phan, C H Hsu, S R Patel, J K Spicker, A M Kshirsagar, W Y Yuan, R C Wiggins
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1990)

A rabbit model of renal glomerulosclerosis induced by anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody was used to determine whether colchicine would protect renal function and reduce fibrosis. Initial studies established the time course of renal function changes and fibrosis. Colchicine at a dose of 0.02 to 0.04 mg/kg per day injected ip was begun at day 4 when injury had been initiated, and the experiment was ended at day 21 when fibrotic changes were established. Colchicine significantly reduced the rise in serum creatinine (serum creatinine = 2.7 +/- 0.3 mg% in vehicle-treated animals versus 1.8 +/- 0.1 mg% in colchicine-treated animals) and interstitial fibrosis (fibrosis score = 2.6 +/- 0.2 in vehicle-treated versus 1.5 +/- 0.2 in colchicine-treated animals). Colchicine treatment did not significantly affect weight, anti-guinea pig immunoglobulin level, % fibrocellular crescents formed, hydroxyproline per gram (dry weight) in tissue, or urine protein: creatine ratio. Regression analysis was performed to examine the interrelationships between variables for all animals and the effect of colchicine on pairs of variables. No clear-cut site of colchicine action could be identified. These data show that colchicine, in doses that could be used in humans, protected renal function by about 25% and reduced interstitial fibrosis in a model of severe crescentic nephritis.
Multiple Adaptive Losses of Alanine-Glyoxylate Aminotransferase Mitochondrial Targeting in Fruit-Eating Bats
Authors: Yang Liu, Huihui Xu, Xinpu Yuan, Stephen J. Rossiter, Shuyi Zhang
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2012)

The enzyme alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase 1 (AGT) functions to detoxify glyoxylate before it is converted into harmful oxalate. In mammals, mitochondrial targeting of AGT in carnivorous species versus peroxisomal targeting in herbivores is controlled by two signal peptides that correspond to these respective organelles. Differential expression of the mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) is considered an adaptation to diet-specific subcellular localization of glyoxylate precursors. Bats are an excellent group in which to study adaptive changes in dietary enzymes; they show unparalleled mammalian dietary diversification as well as independent origins of carnivory, frugivory, and nectarivory. We studied the AGT gene in bats and other mammals with diverse diets and found that the MTS has been lost in unrelated lineages of frugivorous bats. Conversely, species exhibiting piscivory, carnivory, insectivory, and sanguinivory possessed intact MTSs. Detected positive selection in the AGT of ancestral fruit bats further supports adaptations related to evolutionary changes in diet.
Role of Gastrointestinal Hormones in the Proliferation of Normal and Neoplastic Tissues
Authors: Robert P. Thomas, Mark R. Hellmich, Courtney M. Townsend, B. Mark Evers
Journal: Endocrine Reviews (2003)

Abstract Gastrointestinal (GI) hormones are chemical messengers that regulate the physiological functions of the intestine and pancreas, including secretion, motility, absorption, and digestion. In addition to these well-defined physiological effects, GI hormones can stimulate proliferation of the nonneoplastic intestinal mucosa and pancreas. Furthermore, in an analogous fashion to breast and prostate cancer, certain GI cancers possess receptors for GI hormones; growth can be altered by administration of these hormones or by blocking their respective receptors. The GI hormones that affect proliferation, either stimulatory or inhibitory, include gastrin, cholecystokinin, gastrin-releasing peptide, neurotensin, peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide-2, and somatostatin. The effects of these peptides on normal and neoplastic GI tissues will be described. Also, future perspectives and potential therapeutic implications will be discussed.
Antioxidant Therapy in Acute Central Nervous System Injury: Current State
Authors: Y. Gilgun-Sherki
Journal: Pharmacological Reviews (2002)

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules generated predominantly during cellular respiration and normal metabolism. Imbalance between cellular production of free radicals and the ability of cells to defend against them is referred to as oxidative stress (OS). OS has been implicated as a potential contributor to the pathogenesis of acute central nervous system (CNS) injury. After brain injury by ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or trauma, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may increase, sometimes drastically, leading to tissue damage via several different cellular molecular pathways. Radicals can cause damage to cardinal cellular components such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (e.g., DNA), leading to subsequent cell death by modes of necrosis or apoptosis. The damage can become more widespread due to weakened cellular antioxidant defense systems. Moreover, acute brain injury increases the levels of excitotoxic amino acids (such as glutamate), which also produce ROS, thereby promoting parenchymatous destruction. Therefore, treatment with antioxidants may theoretically act to prevent propagation of tissue damage and improve both the survival and neurological outcome. Several such agents of widely varying chemical structures have been investigated as therapeutic agents for acute CNS injury. Although a few of the antioxidants showed some efficacy in animal models or in small clinical studies, these findings have not been supported in comprehensive, controlled trials in patients. Reasons for these equivocal results may include, in part, inappropriate timing of administration or suboptimal drug levels at the target site in CNS. Better understanding of the pathological mechanisms of acute CNS injury would characterize the exact primary targets for drug intervention. Improved antioxidant design should take into consideration the relevant and specific harmful free radical, blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability, dose, and time administration. Novel combinations of drugs providing protection against various types injuries will probably exploit the potential synergistic effects of antioxidants in stroke.
Cultural Competence — Marginal or Mainstream Movement?
Authors: Joseph R Betancourt
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2004)

As the United States becomes increasingly diverse, physicians will see patients from a variety of sociocultural backgrounds on a daily basis. Culture plays a large role in shaping health-related values, beliefs, and behavior. With the aim of providing physicians with the knowledge and skills to address “cross-cultural” challenges in clinical encounters, educational efforts in “cultural competence” have emerged. This field is not new, but it has been reenergized during the past decade as a result of pronouncements by the Institute of Medicine and the American Medical Association, among other organizations, that cultural competence is necessary for the effective practice of . . .