tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Ascorbic acid improves the intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension
Authors: Manuel Hernández-Guerra, Juan C. García-Pagán, Juan Turnes, Pablo Bellot, Ramón Deulofeu, Juan G. Abraldes, Jaime Bosch
Journal: Hepatology (2006)

Patients with cirrhosis show intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction, characterized by an impaired flow-dependent vasorelaxation. This alteration is responsible for the marked postprandial increase in portal pressure and is attributed to an insufficient release of nitric oxide (NO). Ascorbic acid reverts endothelial dysfunction in other vascular disorders, via the increase of NO bioavailability through the neutralization of superoxide anions, thus preventing the scavenging of NO by superoxide. This study examined whether acute ascorbic acid administration might improve endothelial dysfunction in cirrhosis. Thirty-seven portal hypertensive patients with cirrhosis had measurements of hepatic and systemic hemodynamics, ascorbic acid, and malondialdehyde (MDA). Patients were randomly allocated to receive ascorbic acid (3 g, intravenously, n = 15) or placebo (n = 12) followed by a liquid meal. A third group received ascorbic acid followed by a sham meal (n = 10). Measurements were repeated after 30 minutes (hepatic venous pressure gradient at 15 and 30 minutes). Patients with cirrhosis had significantly lower ascorbic acid levels and higher MDA than healthy controls. Ascorbic acid significantly reduced MDA levels and markedly attenuated the postprandial increase in the hepatic venous pressure gradient (4% ± 7% vs. 18% ± 10% in placebo at 30 minutes, P &lt; .001). Ascorbic acid followed by sham meal did not modify hepatic or systemic hemodynamics. In conclusion , patients with cirrhosis exhibited intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction, associated with decreased levels of ascorbic acid and increased levels of MDA. Ascorbic acid improved intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction, blunting the postprandial increase in portal pressure. These results encourage the performance of further studies testing antioxidants as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of portal hypertension. (Hepatology 2006;43:485–491.)
Abstract 5223: Prognostic value of microRNA signature in non-small-cell lung cancer: A microRNA expression analysis
Authors: Heng-Ying Pu, Da Fu, Mei-Yin Zhang, Yin-Lian Cha, Hai-Shan Peng, Lan-Jun Zhang, Wei-Hua Jia, Yi-Xin Zeng, Wan-Qing Liu, Steven X.F. Zheng, Guo-Hong Hu, Hui-Yun Wang
Journal: Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract Purpose: MicroRNA (miRNA) plays significant role in the development and progression of cancer. We aimed to identify miRNA signatures to be used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Experimental Design: Patients with NSCLC who underwent surgical resection and didn't receive any therapy before surgery were randomly divided into training set (198 patients) and test set (199 patients). The miRNA expression levels were detected by microarray and selected miRNAs were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The other 302 patients from another center were used as an independent set to verify the miRNA signature. Results: A 37-miRNA signature consisting of 15 downregulated miRNAs and 22 upregulated miRNAs was established for distinguishing NSCLC specimens from noncancerous lung tissues in the training set with 98.2% accuracy. In the test set, the classification accuracy of the signature was 98.5%. Then three miRNAs were chosen to construct prognostic signature in the training set. A formula based on the 3 miRNAs was built to calculate prognostic index. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with a high prognostic index had a significant poorer survival than those with a low index. The 3-miRNA signature was validated in test set with the same formula for computing the prognostic index. The expression levels of 4 miRNAs including the 3 miRNA in the prognostic signature were verified by RT-PCR in 33 paired NSCLC and corresponding noncancerous lung tissues. The expression level of the 3 miRNA was detected by qRT-PCR in the independent set. Survival analysis showed that the 3-miRNA signature was associated with survival in the independent set. Multivariate analysis indicated that the 3-miRNA signature was an independent prognostic biomarker. A combination of the 3-miRNA signature and TNM stage had much better prognostic ability than did TNM stage alone in the training, test and independent sets. Conclusions: The 37-miRNA and 3-miRNA signatures identified in our study may be useful biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC patients. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Heng-Ying Pu, Da Fu, Mei-Yin Zhang, Yin-Lian Cha, Hai-Shan Peng, Lan-Jun Zhang, Wei-Hua Jia, Yi-Xin Zeng, Wan-Qing Liu, Steven X.F. Zheng, Guo-Hong Hu, Hui-Yun Wang. Prognostic value of microRNA signature in non-small-cell lung cancer: A microRNA expression analysis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5223. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5223
Radiation and Risk for Thyroid Cancer Atypical Findings of a Community Thyroid Recall Program
Authors: WILLIAM STRAUB, MICHAEL MILLER, CHARLES SANISLOW, WILLIAM FISHBECK
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1982)

Screening of 553 persons for thyroid disease by scan and physical exam was performed. Group I (245) had documented irradiation, with most (85%) receiving 300 R for lymphoid hyperplasia. Group II (308) had only a history of prior irradiation. Abnormal glands were found in 17 of 245 (7%) of Group I with 7 of 245 (3%) having nodular disease. No cancers were found in six of eight (75%) persons with nodular disease having surgery. Abnormal glands were found in 45/308 (14.6%) of Group II with 16/308 (5.2%) having nodular disease. Twelve of 16 (75%) with nodular disease from Group II had surgery and three thyroid cancers were found; in addition, one person from this group had a history of prior surgery for thyroid cancer. The incidence of thyroid cancer in Group I was 0%, Group II was 1.3%, and the combined incidence was 0.7%. The relatively low incidence of thyroid cancer observed is attributed to the relatively late average age at time of irradiation; 22 years for Group 1, 13 years for Group II.
ASTIGMATISM AFTER CATARACT EXTRACTION.
Authors: C. F. CLARK
Journal: JAMA (1899)

eye with very imperfect vision may resent the change in the size of its retinal images, as the following illus¬ trates :Case 3.-Mrs.A., aged 23, had been successfully operated on when 5 years of age, for convergent squint.Binocular vision could not be demonstrated by any of the ordinary tests.She came for eye-strain.She was wearing, R.+4 sph.and L.+3.75 sph.^l eyl., ax.horizontal.The full correction and vision obtained were: R.=-4 sph., V= counting fingers at 8 feet.L.=+4.25~+2 eyl., ax.165°.V=4/4.mostly.Without lenses the right eye could only count fingers at three feet.It had no central scotoma.but vision seemed rela¬ tively better in the periphery of .thefield.I ordered correcting lenses.She returned in a week saying that she could not wear them.I reduced the lenses before the right eye to -0.75 sph.She tried these three weeks and returned with the statement that she "could not stand them."She still saw outlines of large objects doubled.I now gave her +4 sph.for the right eye, the left remaining unchanged throughout, and the glasses were perfectly satisfactory.In contrast with the above is the following:Case 4.-Mrs.K., aged 33, had known that the left eye was defective for many years, and lately the right had started to ache.Her correcting lenses and vision were:R.=+l sphC+0.25 eyl., ax.85°=4/3, partly.L.=+6 sphC+3.50eyl., ax.180°=4/30.This patient had been wearing right and left +0.25 sph.for several months.She had binocular fusion with right hyperphoria, 2 centrads, and exophoria of about the same amount.A short trial of the two correcting lenses seemed to cause no marked inconvenience from distortion of objects.I ordered the full correction for each eye for constant use.Four months later she said: "At first T feared they would not suit.
Influence of Preexistent Donor Coronary Artery Disease on the Progression of Transplant Vasculopathy
Authors: Javier Botas, Fausto J. Pinto, Adrian Chenzbraun, David Liang, John S. Schroeder, Stephen N. Oesterle, Edwin L. Alderman, Richard L. Popp, Alan C. Yeung
Journal: Circulation (1995)

Background Transplant vasculopathy (TxCAD) limits long-term survival of allograft recipients. The possibility that preexistent donor coronary disease (PEDD) might accelerate this process is of concern. The serial progression of sites with and without PEDD as assessed by intravascular ultrasonic imaging is explored in this study. Methods and Results Thirty patients with baseline intravascular imaging within 3 weeks of cardiac transplantation who had at least one annual follow-up study were included in this study. Vessel luminal area (LA), total area (TA), intimal index (II=TA−LA/TA), mean intimal thickness (MIT), and Stanford classification were expressed for each image site and for each patient at each study. Progression of sites and of patients with and without PEDD on the baseline study was compared. Patients with PEDD (n=9) still had significantly more intimal disease than those without PEDD (n=21) at the first follow-up study (MIT=0.35±0.13 versus 0.13±0.11 mm; II=0.29±0.11 versus 0.11±0.1; class=3.7±0.5 versus 2.2±0.94; P &lt;.001 for all comparisons). However, the increase in intimal thickness during the 1- year interval was not significantly different between the two groups. In 4 patients in whom both types of sites were present, no difference in progression was found. Data were similar for patients and sites studied over &gt;1 year. Conclusions PEDD does not accelerate the progression of TxCAD within the first few years after cardiac transplantation. The pathophysiology of TxCAD is most likely immune mediated and does not seem to be accelerated by native coronary artery disease.
Down the liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) hole. Is there a role for lipid rafts in LSEC fenestration?
Authors: Juan Rodriguez-Vita, Manuel Morales-Ruiz
Journal: Hepatology (2013)

Fenestrations are transcellular pores in endothelial cells that facilitate transfer of substrates between blood and the extravascular compartment. In order to understand the regulation and formation of fenestrations, the relationship between membrane rafts and fenestrations was investigated in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells where fenestrations are grouped into sieve plates. Three dimensional structured illumination microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, internal reflectance fluorescence microscopy and two-photon fluorescence microscopy were used to study liver sinusoidal endothelial cells isolated from mice. There was an inverse distribution between sieve plates and membrane rafts visualized by structured illumination microscopy and the fluorescent raft stain, Bodipy FL C5 ganglioside GM1. 7-ketocholesterol and/or cytochalasin D increased both fenestrations and lipid-disordered membrane, while Triton X-100 decreased both fenestrations and lipid-disordered membrane. The effects of cytochalasin D on fenestrations were abrogated by co-administration of Triton X-100, suggesting that actin disruption increases fenestrations by its effects on membrane rafts. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) depleted lipid-ordered membrane and increased fenestrations. The results are consistent with a sieve-raft interaction, where fenestrations form in non-raft lipid-disordered regions of endothelial cells once the membrane-stabilizing effects of actin cytoskeleton and membrane rafts are diminished.
MicroRNA-34a Inhibits Glioblastoma Growth by Targeting Multiple Oncogenes
Authors: Yunqing Li, Fadila Guessous, Ying Zhang, Charles DiPierro, Benjamin Kefas, Elizabeth Johnson, Lukasz Marcinkiewicz, Jinmai Jiang, Yanzhi Yang, Thomas D. Schmittgen, Beatriz Lopes, David Schiff, Benjamin Purow, Roger Abounader
Journal: Cancer Research (2009)

Abstract MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is a transcriptional target of p53 that is down-regulated in some cancer cell lines. We studied the expression, targets, and functional effects of miR-34a in brain tumor cells and human gliomas. Transfection of miR-34a down-regulated c-Met in human glioma and medulloblastoma cells and Notch-1, Notch-2, and CDK6 protein expressions in glioma cells. miR-34a expression inhibited c-Met reporter activities in glioma and medulloblastoma cells and Notch-1 and Notch-2 3′-untranslated region reporter activities in glioma cells and stem cells. Analysis of human specimens showed that miR-34a expression is down-regulated in glioblastoma tissues as compared with normal brain and in mutant p53 gliomas as compared with wild-type p53 gliomas. miR-34a levels in human gliomas inversely correlated to c-Met levels measured in the same tumors. Transient transfection of miR-34a into glioma and medulloblastoma cell lines strongly inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell survival, and cell invasion, but transfection of miR-34a into human astrocytes did not affect cell survival and cell cycle status. Forced expression of c-Met or Notch-1/Notch-2 transcripts lacking the 3′-untranslated region sequences partially reversed the effects of miR-34a on cell cycle arrest and cell death in glioma cells and stem cells, respectively. Also, transient expression of miR-34a in glioblastoma cells strongly inhibited in vivo glioma xenograft growth. Together, these findings represent the first comprehensive analysis of the role of miR-34a in gliomas. They show that miR-34a suppresses brain tumor growth by targeting c-Met and Notch. The results also suggest that miR-34a could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for brain tumors. [Cancer Res 2009;69(19):7569–76]
European Commission proposes moves to increase tax on cigarettes and reduce influence of tobacco industry
Authors: R. Watson
Journal: BMJ (2008)

The European Commission has proposed increasing the minimum rate of excise duty on cigarettes by 50% as part of its wider public health strategy of discouraging smoking in the 27 member bloc.

Announcing the initiative this week, Laszlo Kovacs, the Taxation Commissioner, said: “Today’s proposal supports the EU policy to reduce tobacco consumption and narrow the differences in price levels of tobacco products within the EU.”

He quoted the World Bank, which maintains that price increases in tobacco products are the most effective way of preventing smoking, especially among young people who are generally more responsive to higher prices than …
Penicillin in the Treatment of Influenzal Meningitis
Authors: F. Braid, R. B. Meyer
Journal: BMJ (1949)

Yearly incidence of cases of suppurative meriingitis in the Children's Hospital, Birmingham amides, Pittman type b specific rabbit antiserum, penic'illin, and streptomycin.There is, however, at present no absolute answer to what is the best line of treatment to adopt.
Artificial respiration; theory and applications.
Authors: A. T. Gordon
Journal: JAMA (1963)

<i>Artificial Respiration, Theory and Applications</i>, as edited by James L. Whittenberger, MD, from the works of 15 authors, is well written and makes for fast, clear, and easy reading and understanding. The theories and mechanics of respiration are described well and the different phases are fully covered. There are many illustrations to clarify any questions the reader may have about theory or mechanics. Part One deals with the physiology of respiration, in which the exchange of gases is explained definitely and briefly. The pulmonary and systemic circulations and their functions in respiration are well presented. Part Two deals with the different techniques of artificial respiration and discusses their good and bad features. Methods of manual artificial respiration are explained by word and picture, the mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose seemingly preferred. The open airway is stressed as being absolutely essential, in this as in all other techniques. The different mechanical methods are
The Anatomy of Bright's Disease: The "Arterio-Capillary Fibrosis" of Sir Wm. Gull and Dr. Sutton
Authors: G. Johnson
Journal: BMJ (1872)

about an hour.In this case, at all events, the mode of death was evidently predisposed to by the poisoned state of the blood.III.We come at last to that part of the subject to which I wish more particularly to direct your attention -the death from Cardiac Syncope, as it is called.This is to me a very puzzling mode of death, as difficult to account for as it is to guard against.I presume that by the term " cardiac syncope" is meant atony and failure of the heart's action.This is an easy explanation, but not altogether a satisfactory one.Amongst the numerous experiments which have been made with chlo- roform, I do not know of any which prove that it has any direct syn- copal action on the heart, or even any indirect toxic action on that organ through its nerves.Still there is no doubt of the fact, that people do die without much disturbance of respiration, without becom- ing distinctly livid in the face ; the pulse fails ; that is the first thing noticed, and they are dead.Now my own idea is, that these are really cases of asphyxia ; that the heart is secondarily, not primarily, affected; and my explanation would be as follows.After death we find in these cases a weak, fatty heart; the valves, indeed, healthy, but the walls thin, and the muscular tissue pale and degenerated.Now chloroform has always, especially at first, a slight asphyxial tendency; the patient calls out that he is choking, tries to pull away the inhaler, and breathes deeply, then struggles and holds his 'breath for a few seconds.In a healthy man this soon passes off, the inconvenience is merely temporary ; but with a fatty, enfeebled heart, it is different-the patient holds his breath for a few seconds, the right side of the heart is soon filled, there is weak propulsive power, the organ cannot recover itself, and the result is fatal.* For a more detailed explanation of the physiology-of the cardio-ateritl.hypertrophy, reference may be made to my paper in the zisat volume of the Medio-Clirurgical Traxsactiem; and to .
ABO Blood Group and the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: B. M. Wolpin, A. T. Chan, P. Hartge, S. J. Chanock, P. Kraft, D. J. Hunter, E. L. Giovannucci, C. S. Fuchs
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2009)

BackgroundOther than several rare, highly penetrant familial syndromes, genetic risk factors for sporadic pancreatic cancer are largely unknown. ABO blood type is an inherited characteristic that in previous small studies has been associated with the risk of gastrointestinal malignancies.
Selenium Supplementation and Cancer Rates-Reply
Authors: Gerald F. Combs
Journal: JAMA (1997)

<h3>In Reply.</h3> —We share Dr Herbert's concern regarding the safety of using 200 μg of selenium in a high-selenium brewer's yeast and have been concerned about documenting both adverse and beneficial health effects of selenium supplementation, especially those that could only be identified in a doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial. The choice of a nutritional dose diminished the safety issues in the trial and was based on the upper limit of the US Estimated Safe and Adequate Intake of selenium.<sup>1</sup> The trial's Safety Monitoring Committee reviewed the incidence of patient-reported disease and did not identify any significant adverse health events associated with selenium supplementation. The trial eligibility criteria excluded patients with active liver and kidney disease; however, we have not identified any additional groups of patients in the trial who were at particular risk of adverse health events. For safety reasons, pregnant women were also excluded from active participation. While there may be
Development of Renal Cysts after Crizotinib Treatment in Advanced ALK-Positive Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Yen-Ting Lin, Yu-Fen Wang, James Chih-Hsin Yang, Chong-Jen Yu, Shang-Gin Wu, Jin-Yuan Shih, Pan-Chyr Yang
Journal: Journal of Thoracic Oncology (2014)
Hyperventilation in Carbon-monoxide Poisoning
Authors: G. L. Leathart
Journal: BMJ (1962)

The recent revival of interest in the use of 5% or 7% carbogen in the treatment of carbon-monoxide poisoning has prompted the description of four unusual cases in which gross hyperventilation occurred. The investiga tion of these cases was not very thorough, but such cases are seen so seldom that it is felt that even this incomplete report may be of value in stimulating further research. Hyperventilation in carbon-monoxide poisoning was noted by Haldane (1895) in experiments performed upon himself, but Drinker (1938) concluded that  increased breathing is not a prominent feature. He felt that those patients in whom it occurred would receive especial benefit from inhalation of carbon-dioxide mixtures because Haggard and Henderson (1921) had demonstrated a falling carbon-dioxide content of arterial blood in dogs poisoned with carbon monoxide. A low blood carbon-dioxide content may, however, be due to either respiratory alkalosis (as suggested by Drinker) or to non-respiratory acidosis, and the latter condition would be less likely to benefit from inhalation of carbon dioxide. The pH of the blood would distinguish between these two conditions, but this does not appear to have been measured either in animals or in man.
Surfer's Nodules and Other Complications of Surfboarding
Authors: J. G. Erickson, G. R. von Gemmingen
Journal: JAMA (1967)

THE BEACHES of southern California have become the homesite of the most exciting aquatic sport reintroduced in this century. More than 250,000 surfboards were sold in the world in 1966, with an estimate of more than 300,000 surfers on the Pacific coast of southern Califorina, as noted by R. Van Cleve (oral communication, February 1967). In addition to frequent lacerations, with occasional fatal outcome, surfboard trauma has produced an unusual collection of nodules, knots, and indolent skin ulcers, as well as osseous changes, of particular interest to the physicians of the West Coast. Personal observations of 500 veteran California surfers, who enjoy the sport once to twice weekly, indicate that nodules develop in 80%. Minor ulcerations occur in 75% of these surfers at one time or another, with 10% of the ulcers becoming chronic and indolent. It is estimated that more than 20,000 injuries occurred on the 12 major surfing
BMA annual meeting: Doctors call for ban on using e-cigarettes in public places
Authors: T. Moberly
Journal: BMJ (2014)

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) should be banned from use in public places and restrictions placed on their advertising, doctors at the BMA’s annual representative meeting have said.

Delegates at the meeting in Harrogate voted in support of a motion stating that “e-cigarettes may be entry portals to nicotine addiction.” The motion called on governments to “prohibit ‘vaping’ on e-cigarettes in public places where smoking is prohibited,” and it urged the BMA to “lobby for the restriction of e-cigarette advertising in the UK.”

The motion was proposed by Theo Nugent of the BMA’s Northern Ireland …