tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Expression of Erythropoietin and Erythropoietin Receptor in Cervical Cancer and Relationship to Survival, Hypoxia, and Apoptosis
Authors: Cornelia Leo, Lars-Christian Horn, Cora Rauscher, Bettina Hentschel, Andre Liebmann, Guido Hildebrandt, Michael Höckel
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract Purpose: Physiologically, hypoxia induces the expression of erythropoietin (Epo) in adult kidney cells. Epo, in turn, acts on the Epo receptor (EpoR) in RBC precursors to stimulate growth and prevent apoptosis. Because hypoxia plays a major role in the malignant progression of tumors and Epo and its receptors have also been detected in malignant tumors, we investigated the expression of Epo and EpoR and their relationship with hypoxia, proliferation, apoptosis, and clinicopathologic variables in cervical cancer. Experimental Design: Intratumoral oxygen measurement and needle biopsies of the tumors were done in 48 patients with cervical cancer. The obtained tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry with antibodies against Epo, EpoR, and Ki-67 as well as by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuracil triphosphate nick-end labeling assays. Results: Epo and EpoR were expressed in 88% and 92% of samples, respectively. Cervical cancers with higher Epo expression showed a significantly reduced overall survival (3 years, 50.0% versus 80.6%; P = 0.0084). Epo and EpoR expression correlated significantly with apoptosis (r = 0.49, P = 0.001 and r = 0.36, P = 0.021). Furthermore, EpoR expression correlated significantly with tumor size (r = 0.32, P = 0.032) and was significantly associated with the presence of lymphovascular space involvement (P = 0.037). However, we observed no correlation between Epo or EpoR expression and intratumoral hypoxia, although in well-oxygenated tumors, EpoR localized significantly more often to the invasion front (P = 0.047). Conclusions: This study analyzes Epo/EpoR expression and their relationship with intratumoral pO2 levels as well as with survival in patients with cervical cancer. The data suggest a critical role of the endogenous Epo/EpoR system in cervical cancer.
Cultural and Psychosocial Determinants of Weight Concerns
Authors: Judith Rodin
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1993)

Several sociocultural and psychological factors underlie Western society's intense preoccupation with the body. These factors include the social value of attractiveness, the strong correlation between attractiveness and perceived fitness, the interrelation among attractiveness, a good body image, and feelings of self-worth, and the relation between pressures to succeed in both the appearance- and work-related domains. The strong societal emphasis on appearance and slimness has translated to both intense body preoccupation and a willingness to try almost any weight-loss strategy. Thus, dieting occurs across all weight categories in response to these powerful social and psychological motivators.
Response to fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma versus conventional hepatocellular carcinoma: better 5-year survival or artefactual result of research methodology?
Authors: Tobias Eggert, Katherine McGlynn, Tim F Greten, Sean Altekruse
Journal: Gut (2013)

We are grateful for the opportunity to reply to Dr Njei's letter, which raised the question of whether a better 5-year survival for patients with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (fHCC) versus patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (that we recently reported), was real or an artefact of research methodology.1 In the letter, results of a meta-analysis were presented which were interpreted to show that the survival of fHCC and HCC do not differ in non-cirrhotic patients. We disagree …
Primary Care Physician Compensation Method in Medical Groups
Authors: Douglas A. Conrad, Charles Maynard, Allen Cheadle, Scott Ramsey, Miriam Marcus-Smith, Howard Kirz, Carolyn A. Madden, Diane Martin, Edward B. Perrin, Thomas Wickizer, Brenda Zierler, Austin Ross, Jay Noren, Su-Ying Liang
Journal: JAMA (1998)

Context.-Growth of at-risk managed care contracts between health plans and medical groups has been well documented, but less is known about the nature of financial incentives within those medical groups or their effects on health care utilization.Objective.-Totest whether utilization and cost of health services per enrollee were influenced independently by the compensation method of the enrollee's primary care physician.Design.-Survey of medical groups contracting with selected managed care health plans, linked to 1994 plan enrollment and utilization data for adult enrollees.Setting.-Medical groups, major managed care health plans, and their patients/ enrollees in the state of Washington.Study Participants.-Sixtymedical groups in Washington, 865 primary care physicians (internal medicine, pediatrics, family practice, or general practice) from those groups and affiliated with 1 or more of 4 managed care health plans, and 200 931 adult plan enrollees.Intervention.-Theeffect of method of primary care physician's compensation on the utilization and cost of health services was analyzed by weighted least squares and random effects regression.Main Outcome Measures.-Totalvisits, hospital days, and per member per year estimated costs.Results.-Compensation method was not significantly (PϾ.30) related to utilization and cost in any multivariate analyses.Patient age (PϽ.001), female gender (PϽ.001), and plan benefit level (PϽ.001) were significantly positively related to visits, hospital days, and per member per year costs.The primary care physician's age was significantly negatively related (PϽ.001) to all 3 dependent measures.Conclusions.-Compensationmethod was not significantly related to use and cost of health services per person.Enrollee, physician, and health plan benefit factors were the prime determinants of utilization and cost of health services.
Nuclear Receptor Signaling in the Control of Cholesterol Homeostasis
Authors: Daniel S. Ory
Journal: Circulation Research (2004)

Cholesterol is essential for all mammalian cells. Cellular cholesterol requirements are met through de novo synthesis and uptake of plasma lipoproteins, homeostatic responses that are transcriptionally regulated by the sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs). To prevent cytotoxicity attributable to accumulation of excess cholesterol, liver X receptors (LXRs) and the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), together with other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, promote the storage, transport, and catabolism of sterols and their metabolites. Members of this metabolic nuclear receptor family include receptors for oxysterols (LXRs), bile acids (CAR, FXR, and PXR), and fatty acids (PPARs). Through coordinated regulation of transcriptional programs, these nuclear receptors regulate key aspects of cellular and whole-body sterol homeostasis, including cholesterol absorption, lipoprotein synthesis and remodeling, lipoprotein uptake by peripheral tissues, reverse cholesterol transport, and bile acid synthesis and absorption. This review focuses on the nuclear receptors that are central to the lipid metabolic signaling cascades, communication between lipid metabolites and their receptors, and the role of nuclear receptors in orchestrating the complex transcriptional programs that govern cholesterol and bile acid metabolism.
THE USE OF ADJUVANTS IN STUDIES ON INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION
Authors: Jonas E. Salk, Angela M. Laurent
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1952)

Untoward reactions at the site of inoculation were not observed in monkeys vaccinated with influenza virus incorporated in a water-in-oil emulsion without acid-fast bacilli. Studies were then made to measure some of the dimensions of antigenicity of these emulsions to evaluate the extent of the immunologic adjuvant effect. This included measurements of height and persistence of the antibody response to inoculation and measurements of the extent to which the vaccine could be diluted and still induce antibody formation; i.e., antigenic extinction. In addition, comparisons were made of the rates of development of hemagglutination-inhibiting, virus-neutralizing, and complement-fixing antibody activities to determine the relationship among these three properties of the serum of immunized animals. It was found that levels of antibody many fold higher were induced by the virus-adjuvant mixtures as compared with virus in an aqueous menstruum, and that the level of antibody induced was related to the quantity of antigen incorporated in the emulsion. The stock vaccine when emulsified could be diluted 100,000-fold and was still active in antibody formation whereas a 100-fold dilution of the antigen without emulsification was essentially ineffective. Equivalent quantities of virus in 0.1 ml. or 1.0 ml. of emulsion induced antibody responses that were indistinguishable with respect to level or persistence. In comparing the course of antibody development it was found that hemagglutination-inhibiting, virus-neutralizing, and complement-fixing antibodies develop at different rates; careful analysis of the data derived from the present study together with other observations warrant the conclusion that these antibody activities are not present in constant proportion and are independent of one another. The implications of this observation and of the others mentioned above are discussed.
Medicare and Mental Illness
Authors: ARTHUR E. HESS
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1966)

Although limitations on psychiatric care under Medicare provisions are significant, the 1965 legislation represents an extension beyond expected coverage and toward broad insurance-type benefits for the treatment of mental illness among the elderly. Furthermore, as a departure from the traditional federal policy of viewing the care of the mentally ill as a state and local responsibility, the Medicare legislation constitutes a decisive innovation and a good omen for the future.
Is there a rationale for rationing chronic dialysis? A hospital based cohort study of factors affecting survival and morbidity
Authors: S. M Chandna, J. Schulz, C. Lawrence, R. N Greenwood, K. Farrington
Journal: BMJ (1999)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objectives</b>: To determine factors influencing survival and need for hospitalisation in patients needing dialysis, and to define the potential basis for rationing access to renal replacement therapy. <b>Design</b>: Hospital based cohort study of all patients starting dialysis over a 4year recruitment period (follow up 15-63months). Groups were defined on the basis of age, comorbidity, functional status, and whether dialysis initiation was planned or unplanned. <b>Setting</b>: Renal unit in a district general hospital, which acts as the main renal referral centre for four other such hospitals and serves a population of about 1.15million people. <b>Subjects</b>: 292 patients, mean age 61.3years (18-92years, SD 15.8), of whom 193(66%) were male, and 59(20%) were patients with diabetes. Dialysis initiation was planned in 163(56%) patients and unplanned in 129(44%). <b>Main outcome measures</b>: Overall survival, 1year survival, and hospitalisation rate. <b>Results</b>: Factors affecting survival in the Cox9s proportional hazard model were Karnofsky performance score at presentation (hazard ratio 0.979,95% confidence interval 0.972to 0.986), comorbidity severity score (1.240,1.131to 1.340), age (1.036,1.018to 1.054), and myeloma (2.15,1.140to 4.042). The Karnofsky performance score used 3months before presentation was significant (0.970,0.956to 0.981), as was unplanned presentation in this model (1.796,1.233to 2.617). Using these factors, a high risk group of 26patients was defined, with 19.2% 1year survival. Denying dialysis to this group would save 3.2% of the total cost of the chronic programme but would sacrifice five long term survivors. Less rigorous definition of the high risk group would save more money but lose more long term survivors. <b>Conclusions</b>: Severity of comorbid conditions and functional capacity are more important than age in predicting survival and morbidity of patients on dialysis. Late referral for dialysis affects survival adversely. Denial of dialysis to patients in an extremely high risk group, defined by a new stratification based on logistic regression, would be of debatable benefit.
New Phosphate Binding Agents
Authors: CHEN H. HSU, SANJEEVKUMAR R. PATEL, ERIC W. YOUNG
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1999)

Abstract. Several prior studies suggest that ferric compounds bind dietary phosphate and possess clinical potential as phosphate binding agents. Therefore, this study was conducted to measure the effect of several ferric compounds on intestinal phosphate binding and absorption. Balance studies lasting 2 to 4 wk were performed in normal and azotemic (achieved by subtotal nephrectomy) rats maintained on a 1.02% phosphorus diet supplemented with ferric salts (formulated to 0.95% Fe) or no ferric salt (control). In rats with normal renal function (average creatinine clearance, 4.0 ml/min per kg), the average net intestinal absorption of phosphate over all balance periods was 103.3 mg/d for the control group versus 84.7 mg/d for the ferric citrate group ( P &lt; 0.005). In the azotemic rats (average creatinine clearance, 3.3 ml/min per kg), the average net intestinal absorption of phosphate over all balance periods was significantly lower for the three ferric groups than the control groups ( P ≤ 0.02): 95.3 mg/d for the control group versus 75.6 mg/d for the ferric ammonium citrate-treated group ( P = 0.058), 77.0 mg/d for the ferric citrate-treated group ( P = 0.057), and 62.5 mg/d for the ferric chloride-treated group ( P &lt; 0.002). Urinary phosphate excretion fell, sometimes to an even greater extent than did intestinal absorption, yielding no net reduction in phosphate balance in these growing, young animals with relatively preserved renal function. Calcium balance was largely unaffected by the ferric compounds. There were trends toward decreased serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone concentrations and increased iron and hematocrit in the ferric-treated azotemic groups. All tested ferric compounds were well tolerated, but animal growth was stunted in the ferric chloride animals compared with the control group. Phosphate binding was estimated at 85 to 180 mg per gram of elemental iron, which is comparable to other phosphate binding agents. Ferric salts decrease net intestinal phosphate absorption and hold promise for the treatment of phosphate retention in patients with renal failure.
Real-Time Magnetic Resonance-Guided Endovascular Repair of Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Swine
Authors: Venkatesh K. Raman, Parag V. Karmarkar, Michael A. Guttman, Alexander J. Dick, Dana C. Peters, Cengizhan Ozturk, Breno S.S. Pessanha, Richard B. Thompson, Amish N. Raval, Ranil DeSilva, Ronnier J. Aviles, Ergin Atalar, Elliot R. McVeigh, Robert J. Lederman
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2005)
Immune Stimulatory Receptor CD40 Is Required for T-Cell Suppression and T Regulatory Cell Activation Mediated by Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer
Authors: Ping-Ying Pan, Ge Ma, Kaare J. Weber, Junko Ozao-Choy, George Wang, Bingjiao Yin, Celia M. Divino, Shu-Hsia Chen
Journal: Cancer Research (2009)

Immune tolerance to tumors is often associated with accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and an increase in the number of T-regulatory cells (Treg). In tumor-bearing mice, MDSCs can themselves facilitate the generation of tumor-specific Tregs. In this study, we demonstrate that expression of the immune stimulatory receptor CD40 on MDSCs is required to induce T-cell tolerance and Treg accumulation. In an immune reconstitution model, adoptive transfer of Gr-1+CD115+ monocytic MDSCs derived from CD40-deficient mice failed to recapitulate the ability of wild-type MDSCs to induce tolerance and Treg development in vivo. Agonistic anti-CD40 antibodies phenocopied the effect of CD40 deficiency and also improved the therapeutic efficacy of IL-12 and 4-1BB immunotherapy in the treatment of advanced tumors. Our findings suggest that CD40 is essential not only for MDSC-mediated immune suppression but also for tumor-specific Treg expansion. Blockade of CD40-CD40L interaction between MDSC and Treg may provide a new strategy to ablate tumoral immune suppression and thereby heighten responses to immunotherapy.
Body mass index associated with onset and progression of osteoarthritis of the knee but not of the hip: The Rotterdam Study
Authors: M Reijman, H A P Pols, A P Bergink, J M W Hazes, J N Belo, A M Lievense, S M A Bierma-Zeinstra
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2006)

<b>Objective:</b> To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the incidence and progression of radiological knee as well as of radiological hip osteoarthritis. <b>Design:</b> Cohort study. <b>Setting:</b> Population based. <b>Participants:</b> 3585 people aged ⩾55 years were selected from the Rotterdam Study, on the basis of the availability of radiographs of baseline and follow-up. <b>Main outcome measures:</b> Incidence of knee or hip osteoarthritis was defined as minimally grade 2 at follow-up and grade 0 or 1 at baseline. The progression of osteoarthritis was defined as a decrease in joint space width. <b>Methods:</b><i>x</i> Rays of the knee and hip at baseline and follow-up (mean follow-up of 6.6 years) were evaluated. BMI was measured at baseline. <b>Results:</b> A high BMI (&gt;27 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) at baseline was associated with incident knee osteoarthritis (odds ratio (OR) 3.3), but not with incident hip osteoarthritis. A high BMI was also associated with progression of knee osteoarthritis (OR 3.2). For the hip, a significant association between progression of osteoarthritis and BMI was not found. <b>Conclusion:</b> On the basis of these results, we conclude that BMI is associated with the incidence and progression of knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, it seems that BMI is not associated with the incidence and progression of hip osteoarthritis.
Neighboring-Nucleotide Effects on the Mutation Patterns of the Rice Genome
Authors: Hui Zhao, Qi-Zhai Li, Chang-Qing Zeng, Huan-Ming Yang, Jun Yu
Journal: Genomics Proteomics & Bioinformatics (2005)

Abstract DNA composition dynamics across genomes of diverse taxonomy is a major subject of genome analyses. DNA composition changes are characteristics of both replication and repair machineries. We investigated 3,611,007 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated by comparing two sequenced rice genomes from distant inbred lines (subspecies), including those from 242,811 introns and 45,462 protein-coding sequences (CDSs). Neighboring-nucleotide effects (NNEs) of these SNPs are diverse, depending on structural content-based classifications (genome-wide, intronic, and CDS) and sequence context-based categories (A/C, A/G, A/T, C/G, C/T, and G/T substitutions) of the analyzed SNPs. Strong and evident NNEs and nucleotide proportion biases surrounding the analyzed SNPs were observed in 1−3 bp sequences on both sides of an SNP. Strong biases were observed around neighboring nucleotides of protein-coding SNPs, which exhibit a periodicity of three in nucleotide content, constrained by a combined effect of codon-related rules and DNA repair mechanisms. Unlike a previous finding in the human genome, we found negative correlation between GC contents of chromosomes and the magnitude of corresponding bias of nucleotide C at −1 site and G at +1 site. These results will further our understanding of the mutation mechanism in rice as well as its evolutionary implications.
Exclusive breastfeeding promotion by peer counsellors in sub-Saharan Africa (PROMISE-EBF): a cluster-randomised trial
Authors: Thorkild Tylleskär, Debra Jackson, Nicolas Meda, Ingunn Marie S Engebretsen, Mickey Chopra, Abdoulaye Hama Diallo, Tanya Doherty, Eva-Charlotte Ekström, Lars T Fadnes, Ameena Goga, Chipepo Kankasa, Jørn I Klungsøyr, Carl Lombard, Victoria Nankabirwa, Jolly K Nankunda, Philippe Van de Perre, David Sanders, Rebecca Shanmugam, Halvor Sommerfelt, Henry Wamani, James K Tumwine
Journal: The Lancet (2011)
From the Museum: the Art of Thinking. Part Five: Seeing
Authors: Tom Kotsimbos
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Ulysses deriding Polyphemus is an experiential painting that brilliantly illuminates the canvas using multiple focal points to simultaneously disperse original darkness and shine light on a deeper, multi-layered narrative. As the pioneering "painter of light", Turner manages to both shine a reverent light on the old masters and provide a complete break from the past. His fundamental insight into the operations of light and colour as registers of cosmic meaning in combination with a scientifically enlightened and inquiring mind, superb technical skill and uncompromising sophistication with poetic leanings allowed him to interweave "many pictures within one picture". The classical account of Ulysses escaping the Cyclops is therefore embellished with specific natural observations and symbolic connotations. Different sources of illumination are examined and details are infused with chromatic intensity: from the subterranean glow of volcanic fires breaking up the darkness on the far left, to the chemical light of surface phosphorescence allowing bow-wave frolicking Nereids to be visible at night (science rationalising the supernatural), to the all-encompassing celestial light of the rising sun on the right (Apollo and his horse-drawn chariot).
Molecular Epidemiologic Evidence for Diabetogenic Effects of Dioxin Exposure in U.S. Air Force Veterans of the Vietnam War
Authors: Phillip Thomas Fujiyoshi, Joel Edmund Michalek, Fumio Matsumura
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2006)

One of the outcomes positively associated with dioxin exposure in humans is type 2 diabetes.This study was conducted in order to find the molecular biological evidence for the diabetogenic action of dioxin in adipose samples from Vietnam veterans.We obtained 313 adipose tissue samples both from Vietnam veterans who were exposed to dioxin (Operation Ranch Hand) and from comparison veterans who served in Southeast Asia with no record of dioxin exposure. We conducted quantitative reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction studies on selected marker mRNAs from these samples.We found the most sensitive and reliable molecular indicator of dioxin-induced diabetes to be the ratio of mRNA of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NFkappaB), a marker of inflammation. This ratio showed significant correlations to serum dioxin residues and to fasting glucose among those in the Ranch Hand group and, surprisingly, even in the comparison group, who have low levels of dioxin comparable to the general public. Such a correlation in the comparison group was particularly significant among those with known risk factors such as obesity and family history of diabetes.These results show that the GLUT4:NFkappaB ratio is a reliable marker for the diabetogenic action of dioxin, particularly at very low exposure levels that are not much higher than those found in the general public, implying a need to address current exposure levels.