tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Physiological Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
Authors: Morton J. Kern, Amir Lerman, Jan-Willen Bech, Bernard De Bruyne, Eric Eeckhout, William F. Fearon, Stuart T. Higano, Michael J. Lim, Martijn Meuwissen, Jan J. Piek, Nico H.J. Pijls, Maria Siebes, Jos A.E. Spaan
Journal: Circulation (2006)

With advances in technology, the physiological assessment of coronary artery disease in patients in the catheterization laboratory has become increasingly important in both clinical and research applications, but this assessment has evolved without standard nomenclature or techniques of data acquisition and measurement. Some questions regarding the interpretation, application, and outcome related to the results also remain unanswered. Accordingly, this consensus statement was designed to provide the background and evidence about physiological measurements and to describe standard methods for data acquisition and interpretation. The most common uses and support data from numerous clinical studies for the physiological assessment of coronary artery disease in the cardiac catheterization laboratory are reviewed. The goal of this statement is to provide a logical approach to the use of coronary physiological measurements in the catheterization lab to assist both clinicians and investigators in improving patient care.
Serum copper levels in rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: D H Brown, A El Ghonarey, W E Smith, J Teape
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1978)

junction (Resnick and Niwayama, 1978). Such trauma may predispose to intravertebral herniation of portions of the disc producing cartilaginous or Schmorl's nodes.In rheumatoid arthritis, apophyseal joint instability and vertebral body osteoporosis may contribute to the incidence of such cartilaginous node formation.The similarity of radiographically evident rheumatoid disco- vertebral alterations (such as disc space loss, subchondral radiolucent vertebral lesions, and reactive bone sclerosis), to changes accompanying other disorders characterised by cartilaginous node formation is noteworthy.These latter disorders include any process which weakens either the cartilaginous end-plate of the vertebral body or the subchondral bone such as trauma, degenerative disease of the nucleus pulposus (intervertebral osteochondrosis) (Fig. 1), metabolic and endocrine disorders (Resnick and Niwayama, 1976).Furthermore, direct inspection of thoracic and lumbar spine specimens in some rheumatoid cadavers has documented the presence of cartilaginous nodes within sclerotic vertebral bodies, about narrowed intervertebral discs (Fig. 2).The resulting radiological picture in these cadavers simulates infection, although the vertebral outline is generally better defined than in patients with infective spondylitis.In any case, the observation that thoracolumbar spine changes occur in rheumatic arthritis is certainly im- portant and should stimulate further investigation in order to outline the pathogenesis of these lesions, investigation that requires close radiological-pathological correlation.
Complement Activation Products in the Urine from Proteinuric Patients
Authors: YOSHIKI MORITA, HIROSHI IKEGUCHI, JIRO NAKAMURA, NIGISHI HOTTA, YUKIO YUZAWA, SEIICHI MATSUO
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2000)

Abstract. The presence of plasma proteins in the tubular lumen has variety of adverse effects on the tubular cells. Among various plasma proteins filtered through glomerular barrier, complement has been proven as the possible candidate inducing tubulointerstitial injury. To study the role of intratubular complement activation in proteinuric patients, complement activation products (CAP) at C3 level (iC3b and Bb) and C9 level (membrane attack complex) were measured in both plasma and urine of patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), focal glomerular sclerosis, IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. For evaluation of the effect of metabolic acidosis on the intratubular complement activation, urinary CAP were measured before and after sodium bicarbonate administration in patients with renal insufficiency. The following results were obtained: ( 1 ) Patients with focal glomerular sclerosis and diabetic nephropathy showed the highest level of urinary CAP excretion rate (unit/creatinine), while MCNS revealed no increase. ( 2 ) Patients with membranous nephropathy showed a unique finding, i.e. , isolated increase of membrane attack complex excretion. ( 3 ) There was no significant correlation between urine and plasma levels of CAP. ( 4 ) Except for MCNS patients, the urinary excretion rate of CAP significantly increased when the level of proteinuria exceeded the nephrotic range, and it was significantly correlated with the serum creatinine level. ( 5 ) Urinary CAP excretion rate significantly decreased 2 wk after sodium bicarbonate administration without affecting the level of proteinuria or plasma CAP. These results suggest that the degree of intratubular complement activation correlates with the level of proteinuria, type of glomerular disease, impairment of renal function, and metabolic acidosis.
Interferon- release assays in tuberculosis contacts: is there a window period?
Authors: L. Anibarro, M. Trigo, C. Villaverde, A. Pena, S. Cortizo, D. Sande, R.A. Pazos, Á. González-Fernández
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2010)

The tuberculin skin test (TST) is the established procedure for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the contacts of an infectious tuberculosis (TB) case. TST may convert to positive ≤8 weeks after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, an interval that is usually referred to as the “window period”. A negative TST obtained <8 weeks before does not exclude infection, and a second test is recommended 1, 2. However, TST has some limitations, such as cross-reactivity with Bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG) and with nontubercular mycobacterial infections.

T-cell interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) are emerging as new screening tools for LTBI diagnosis. IGRAs incorporate specific antigens of M. tuberculosis that are absent in BCG strains and in the majority of nontubercular mycobacteria, offering enhanced specificity for detecting M. tuberculosis infection 3. In addition, their use has been approved for screening of infection in contacts 1, 4. Most TB contact studies have shown a better correlation of IGRA with the intensity of M. tuberculosis exposure than that obtained using TST, particularly in patients previously vaccinated with BCG 5. Yet, to our knowledge, no study has considered carefully the window period after M. tuberculosis exposure while simultaneously evaluating responses for TST and IGRA. The aim of this study was to find out which of the two tests converts earlier to positive in persons with recent infection after contact with an infectious TB case.

We used a longitudinal prospective analysis to study 184 healthy adults, all having had recent contact with a microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB index patient. The setting was a specialized TB clinic in Pontevedra, Spain, where the incidence of TB has historically been among the highest in Western …
Biosimilars to treat inflammatory arthritis: the challenge of proving identity
Authors: Jonathan Kay, Josef S Smolen
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

The introduction of targeted biological therapies has revolutionised the treatment of patients with inflammatory joint diseases. These medications are highly effective in reducing disease activity, improving physical function, and retarding or arresting the progression of structural damage. Their relative benefits and risks have been ascertained and contraindications to their use are well known. However, the high price of these drugs has limited their widespread application. The potential availability of biosimilar versions of these targeted therapeutics promises accessibility to biopharmaceuticals with similar efficacy and safety but at a lower cost.1 ,2 In this issue of Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases , the results of the first randomised, prospective clinical trials comparing a biosimilar to an original (or ‘innovator’) biopharmaceutical for a rheumatic disease indication, are published.3 ,4

A biosimilar is defined as a ‘biotherapeutic product which is similar in terms of quality, safety and efficacy to an already licensed reference biotherapeutic product’, in which similarity is defined as the ‘absence of a relevant difference in the parameter of interest’.5 In this context, it is important to note that there are complexities inherent in producing large proteins. A biosimilar must ensure similarity to the reference product with respect to many attributes, such as amino acid sequence, conformation, post-translational modifications, immunogenicity, affinity for its ligand or receptor, and function. However, it must be recognised that subtle process changes in the production of an innovator product inevitably occur over time and have resulted in variations between commercial lots, such as changes in the glycosylation profile of rituximab that resulted in more potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in vitro .6 Many of the commercially available innovator biopharmaceuticals that are used now to treat patients could thus be considered to be biosimilars of the originally produced lots of those products, all …
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Concerns About Current and Future Medications Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Elbert S. Huang, Sydney E.S. Brown, Nidhi Thakur, Lisabeth Carlisle, Edward Foley, Bernard Ewigman, David O. Meltzer
Journal: Diabetes Care (2008)

To evaluate ethnic differences in medication concerns (e.g., side effects and costs) that may contribute to ethnic differences in the adoption of and adherence to type 2 diabetes treatments.
Relevance of sexual dimorphism to regulatory T cells: estradiol promotes IFN-γ production by invariant natural killer T cells
Authors: Pierre Gourdy, Luiza M. Araujo, Ren Zhu, Barbara Garmy-Susini, Séverine Diem, Henrik Laurell, Maria Leite-de-Moraes, Michel Dy, Jean François Arnal, Francis Bayard, André Herbelin
Journal: Blood (2004)
Bromocriptine for the Treatment of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Uri Elkayam, Sorel Goland
Journal: Circulation (2010)

P eripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a pregnancy- associated idiopathic cardiomyopathy presenting during pregnancy or within few months after delivery 1,2 with signs and symptoms of heart failure caused by marked depression of left ventricular (LV) systolic function.Although the disease is uncommon, it is increasing in frequency 3 and represents an important cause of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. 1,2,4The incidence of PPCM has recently been estimated to be 1 in 2000 to 4000 deliveries, 1,3,5 thus affecting Ϸ1000 to 2000 women per year in the United States alone.Data from South Africa and Haiti suggest a significantly higher incidence of PPCM in these countries, affecting 1 in 1000 (Africa) and 1 in 300 (Haiti) pregnant women.
Evolutionary history, structural features and biochemical diversity of the NlpC/P60 superfamily of enzymes
Authors: Vivek Anantharaman, L Aravind
Journal: Genome biology (2003)

Peptidoglycan is hydrolyzed by a diverse set of enzymes during bacterial growth, development and cell division. The N1pC/P60 proteins define a family of cell-wall peptidases that are widely represented in various bacterial lineages. Currently characterized members are known to hydrolyze D-gamma-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelate or N-acetylmuramate-L-alanine linkages.Detailed analysis of the N1pC/P60 peptidases showed that these proteins define a large superfamily encompassing several diverse groups of proteins. In addition to the well characterized P60-like proteins, this superfamily includes the AcmB/LytN and YaeF/YiiX families of bacterial proteins, the amidase domain of bacterial and kinetoplastid glutathionylspermidine synthases (GSPSs), and several proteins from eukaryotes, phages, poxviruses, positive-strand RNA viruses, and certain archaea. The eukaryotic members include lecithin retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), nematode developmental regulator Egl-26, and candidate tumor suppressor H-rev107. These eukaryotic proteins, along with the bacterial YaeF/poxviral G6R family, show a circular permutation of the catalytic domain. We identified three conserved residues, namely a cysteine, a histidine and a polar residue, that are involved in the catalytic activities of this superfamily. Evolutionary analysis of this superfamily shows that it comprises four major families, with diverse domain architectures in each of them.Several related, but distinct, catalytic activities, such as murein degradation, acyl transfer and amide hydrolysis, have emerged in the N1pC/P60 superfamily. The three conserved catalytic residues of this superfamily are shown to be equivalent to the catalytic triad of the papain-like thiol peptidases. The predicted structural features indicate that the N1pC/P60 enzymes contain a fold similar to the papain-like peptidases, transglutaminases and arylamine acetyltransferases.
Human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) protein is associated with short survival in resected ampullary cancer
Authors: D. Santini, G. Perrone, B. Vincenzi, R. Lai, C. Cass, R. Alloni, C. Rabitti, A. Antinori, F. Vecchio, S. Morini, P. Magistrelli, R. Coppola, J.R. Mackey, G. Tonini
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2008)

Gemcitabine is an acceptable alternative to best supportive care in the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancers. The human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) is a ubiquitous protein and is the major means by which gemcitabine enters human cells. Moreover, recent reports indicate a significant correlation between immunohistochemical variations of hENT1 in tumor samples and survival after gemcitabine therapy in patients with solid tumors.We used immunohistochemistry to assess the abundance and distribution of hENT1 in tumor samples from radically resected cancer of the ampulla, and sought correlations between immunohistochemical results and clinical parameters including disease outcomes.In the 41 individual tumors studied, 12 (29.3%) had uniformly high hENT1 immunostaining. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between hENT1 and Ki-67 (P = 0.04). No statistical significant differences were found between immunohistochemical findings and patient characteristics (sex, age, and tumor-node-metastasis). On univariate analysis, hENT1 and Ki-67 expression were associated with overall survival (OS). Specifically, those patients with overexpression of hENT1 showed a shorter OS (P = 0.022) and those with high Ki-67 staining showed a shorter survival (P = 0.05).hENT1 expression is a molecular prognostic marker for patients with resected ampullary cancer and holds promise as a predictive factor to assist in chemotherapy decisions.
Third generation oral contraceptives and risk of venous thrombosis: meta-analysis
Authors: J. M Kemmeren, A. Algra, D. E Grobbee
Journal: BMJ (2001)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective:</b> To evaluate quantitatively articles that compared effects of second and third generation oral contraceptives on risk of venous thrombosis. <b>Design:</b> Meta-analysis. <b>Studies:</b> Cohort and case-control studies assessing risk of venous thromboembolism among women using oral contraceptives before October 1995. <b>Main outcome measures:</b> Pooled adjusted odds ratios calculated by a general variance based random effects method. When possible, two by two tables were extracted and combined by the Mantel-Haenszel method. <b>Results:</b> The overall adjusted odds ratio for third versus second generation oral contraceptives was 1.7 (95% confidence interval 1.4 to 2.0; seven studies). Similar risks were found when oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene were compared with those containing levonorgestrel. Among first time users, the odds ratio for third versus second generation preparations was 3.1 (2.0 to 4.6; four studies). The odds ratio was 2.5 (1.6 to 4.1; five studies) for short term users compared with 2.0 (1.4 to 2.7; five studies) for longer term users. The odds ratio was 1.3 (1.0 to 1.7) in studies funded by the pharmaceutical industry and 2.3 (1.7 to 3.2) in other studies. Differences in age and certainty of diagnosis of venous thrombosis did not affect the results. <b>Conclusions:</b> This meta-analysis supports the view that third generation oral contraceptives are associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis compared with second generation oral contraceptives. The increase cannot be explained by several potential biases. <h3>What is already known on this topic</h3> Third generation oral contraceptives have been reported to increase the risk of venous thrombosis compared with second generation oral contraceptives The findings have been vigorously debated, with suggestions that the results can be explained by confounding or bias, or both. <h3>What this study adds</h3> Women taking third generation oral contraceptives have a 1.7-fold increased risk of venous thrombosis compared with those taking second generation oral contraceptives Risk is highest in first time users The biases were not large enough to account for the observed results
Mechanism by which high-dose aspirin improves glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ripudaman S. Hundal, Kitt F. Petersen, Adam B. Mayerson, Pritpal S. Randhawa, Silvio Inzucchi, Steven E. Shoelson, Gerald I. Shulman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2002)

Recent studies have implicated fatty acid-dependent activation of the serine kinase IKKβ, which plays a key role in tissue inflammation, in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. High doses of salicylates have recently been shown to inhibit IKKβ activity and might therefore ameliorate insulin resistance and improve glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes. To test this hypothesis, we studied nine type 2 diabetic subjects before and after 2 weeks of treatment with aspirin (∼7 g/d). Subjects underwent mixed-meal tolerance tests and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps with [6,6-2H2]glucose to assess glucose turnover before and after treatment. High-dose aspirin treatment resulted in a ∼25% reduction in fasting plasma glucose, associated with a ∼15% reduction in total cholesterol and C-reactive protein, a ∼50% reduction in triglycerides, and a ∼30% reduction in insulin clearance, despite no change in body weight. During a mixed-meal tolerance test, the areas under the curve for plasma glucose and fatty acid levels decreased by ∼20% and ∼50%, respectively. Aspirin treatment also resulted in a ∼20% reduction in basal rates of hepatic glucose production and a ∼20% improvement in insulin-stimulated peripheral glucose uptake under matched plasma insulin concentrations during the clamp. In conclusion, these data support the hypothesis that IKKβ represents a new target for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.
In erosive hand osteoarthritis more inflammatory signs on ultrasound are found than in the rest of hand osteoarthritis
Authors: Marion C Kortekaas, Wing-Yee Kwok, Monique Reijnierse, Tom W J Huizinga, Margreet Kloppenburg
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2012)

Objective To compare inflammation as assessed by ultrasound between patients with the subset erosive hand osteoarthritis (EOA) versus non-EOA. Methods Consecutive hand osteoarthritis (HOA) patients (fulfilling ACR criteria) were included. Eighteen interphalangeal joints were scored on radiographs using the Verbruggen–Veys anatomical phase score; E and R phases were defined as erosive. Patients were assigned to EOA when at least one joint was erosive. Effusion, synovial thickening and power Doppler signal (PDS) were scored with ultrasound on a 4-point scale. Generalised estimated equation analyses were used to compare ultrasound features between EOA and HOA, and to associate ultrasound features with.anatomical phases; OR with 95% CI were calculated with adjustments for patient effects and confounders. Results Of 55 HOA patients (mean age 61 years, 86% women) 51% had EOA. In 94 erosive joints, synovial thickening, effusion and PDS were found in 13%, 50% and 15%, respectively; in 896 non-erosive joints in 10%, 26% and 8%, respectively. In summated scores of PDS, effusion was higher in EOA than in non-EOA. Effusion and synovial thickening were more frequent in S, J, E and R phases compared to N phase. PDS was only associated with E phase (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 20.5) not with other phases. Non-erosive joints in EOA demonstrated more PDS (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6 to 6.4) and effusion (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.8) in comparison to joints in non-EOA. Conclusions Inflammatory signs are more frequent in EOA than in non-EOA, not only in erosive joints but also in non-erosive joints, suggesting an underlying systemic cause for erosive evolution.
THE IMPORTANCE OF INJURY AND ILLNESS SURVEILLANCE IN PARALYMPIC ATHLETES
Authors: P van de Vliet
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2014)

Background Injury and illness surveillance plays an integral role in the prevention of injury and the protection of athletes' health, and there are few epidemiological studies documenting injury and illness in Paralympic athletes. Objective A prospective cohort study to report incidence and characteristics of injuries and illnesses in Paralympic athletes. Design Daily injury and illness data were obtained from team physicians and through the London 2012 Medical services medical encounters over the full period of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Setting London 2012 Paralympic Games. Participants 3 565 athletes (85%) that participated in any of the 20 sports of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Risk factor assessment Data collection was carried out on a daily basis through the Games' Medical Encounter System and through a web-based Injury and Illness survey populated by the team physicians. Main outcome measurements Incidence rates and incidence proportion have been recorded, as well as sport-specific analysis. Results The incidence rate of injury during competiton was 12.1/1000 athlete-days, with and incidence proportion of 11.6%. Upper limb injuries (35%), particularly of the shoulder (17%) were most common. Higer injury rates were found in older athletes and certain sports like Football-5-a-side (22.4/1000). Most commonly injured region was the shoulder, followed by wrist/hand, elbow and knee. The incidence rate of illness was 12.8/1000 athlete-days with an incidence proportion of 10.2%. The incidence proportion was highest in the respiratory system, skin, gastrointestinal and genitourinary system. Athletes in the sports of cycling, table tennis, swimming and athletes reported most frequently for medical care. Conclusions Injury and illness rates in Paralympic Games are similar to those in other events in able-bodied sports, but patterns of injuries and illness are different. Athletes, team physicians, International Federations and event organizers can plan different prevention and intervention strategies based on this information.
Association between Guillain-Barré syndrome and influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent inactivated vaccines in the USA: a meta-analysis
Authors: Daniel A Salmon, Michael Proschan, Richard Forshee, Paul Gargiullo, William Bleser, Dale R Burwen, Francesca Cunningham, Patrick Garman, Sharon K Greene, Grace M Lee, Claudia Vellozzi, W Katherine Yih, Bruce Gellin, Nicole Lurie
Journal: The Lancet (2013)