tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Difference in Hepatic Metabolism of Long- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids: the Role of Fatty Acid Chain Length in the Production of the Alcoholic Fatty Liver*
Authors: Charles S. Lieber, André Lefèvre, Norton Spritz, Lawrence Feinman, Leonore M. DeCarli
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1967)

Replacement of dietary triglycerides containing long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) by triglycerides containing medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) markedly reduced the capacity of alcohol to produce fatty liver in rats. After 24 days of ethanol and MCFA, the increase in hepatic triglycerides was only 3 times that of controls, whereas an 8-fold rise was observed after ethanol and LCFA. The triglyceride fatty acids that accumulated in the liver after feeding of ethanol with MCFA contained only a small percentage of the MCFA; their composition also differed strikingly from that of adipose lipids. To study the mechanism of the reduction in steatosis, we compared oxidation to CO(2) and incorporation into esterified lipids of (14)C-labeled chylomicrons or palmitate-(14)C (representing LCFA), and of octanoate-(14)C (as MCFA) in liver slices and isolated perfused livers, in the presence or absence of ethanol. Ethanol depressed the oxidation of all substrates to CO(2); MCFA, however, was much more oxidized and reciprocally much less esterified than LCFA, with a 100-fold difference in the ratio of esterified lipid-(14)C to (14)CO(2). Furthermore, in hepatic microsomal fractions incubated with alpha-glycerophosphate, octanoate was much less esterified than palmitate. This propensity of MCFA to oxidation rather than esterification represents a likely explanation for the reduction in alcoholic steatosis upon replacement of dietary LCFA by MCFA.
Changing Profile of Infective Endocarditis&lt;SUBTITLE&gt;Results of a 1-Year Survey in France&lt;/SUBTITLE&gt;
Authors: Bruno Hoen
Journal: JAMA (2002)

ContextSince the first modern clinical description of infective endocarditis (IE) at the end of the 19th century, the profile of the disease has evolved continuously, as highlighted in epidemiological studies including a French survey performed in 1991.ObjectiveTo update information gained from the 1991 study on the epidemiology of IE in France.Design and SettingPopulation-based survey conducted from January through December 1999 in all hospitals in 6 French regions representing 26% of the population (16 million inhabitants).PatientsThree hundred ninety adult inpatients diagnosed with IE according to Duke criteria.Main Outcome MeasuresIncidence of IE; proportion of patients with underlying heart disease; clinical characteristics; causative microorganisms; surgical and mortality outcomes.ResultsThe annual age- and sex-standardized incidence was 31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 28-35) cases per million, not including the region of New Caledonia, which had 161 (95% CI, 117-216) cases per million. There was no previously known heart disease in 47% of the cases. The proportion of prosthetic-valve IE was 16%. Causative microorganisms were: streptococci, 48% (group D streptococci, 25%; oral streptococci, 17%, pyogenic streptococci, 6%); enterococci, 8%; Abiotrophia species, 2%; staphylococci, 29%; and other or multiple pathogens, 8%. Blood cultures were negative in 9% and no microorganism was identified in 5% of the cases. Early valve surgery was performed in 49% of the patients. In-hospital mortality was 16%. Compared with 1991, this study showed a decreased incidence of IE in patients with previously known underlying heart disease (20.6 cases per million vs 15.1 cases per million; P&lt;.001); a smaller incidence of oral streptococcal IE (7.8 cases per million vs 5.1 cases per million; P&lt;.001), compensated by a larger proportion of IE due to group D streptococci (5.3 cases per million vs 6.2 cases per million; P = .67) and staphylococci (4.9 cases per million vs 5.7 cases per million; P = .97); an increased rate of early valve surgery (31.2% vs 49.7%; P&lt;.001); and a decreased in-hospital mortality rate (21.6% vs 16.6%; P = .08).ConclusionAlthough the incidence of IE has not changed, important changes in disease characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were noted.
Acute and steady-state insulin responses to glucose in nonobese diabetic subjects
Authors: Roger L. Lerner, Daniel Porte
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1972)

Previous observations in normal subjects have suggested that when 5-g glucose pulses (P) were given in the following sequence: before (P1) and 45 min after beginning a 300 mg/min glucose infusion (P2); during the 20th hr (P3) and 1 hr after the infusion was stopped (P4); the insulin responses were consistent with a simple two-pool model. One pool is a readily available small storage pool which is refilled by a second, larger, more slowly responding pool that controls basal and steady-state insulin output. The identical protocol was employed to evaluate the insulin responses in 13 nonobese diabetic subjects.
Abstract 522: The epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related transcription factor ZEB suppresses <i>Claudin</i> expression in breast cancer cells.
Authors: Yoshimi Arima, Mari Hosonaga, Hideyuki Saya
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is classified as a heterogeneous group, because TNBCs are defined as breast cancer negative for the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). We show that TNBC cell lines can be divided into those which express the repressor of transcription Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and the tight junction protein claudin-1. ZEB1 has been identified as a key transcription factor eliciting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer progression. We found that knockdowns of ZEB1 in TNBC cells induce an epithelial-like morphology and induce the mRNA expression of claudin-1.&amp;gt; The claudin family is the principal constituent of tight junctions in epithelial cells. We also found that ZEB1 binds to a claudin-1 promoter sequence by DNA-mediated pull-down assay. Furthermore, in breast cancer specimens, we observed a reciprocal expression of ZEB1 and claudin-1. These findings suggest that ZEB1 represses claudin-1 expressions in TNBCs. We then analyzed the association of clinical outcomes with ZEB1 and claudin-1 expressions by using a publicly available gene expression database of breast cancer patients. The overall survival rates in the category which tested positive for ZEB1 and claudin-1 is poor. To further characterize the effects of ZEB1-positive breast cancer cells on this phenotype of cancer, we investigated tumor formations following the co-inoculation of ZEB1-expressing MDA-MB-231 cells and claudin-1-expressing HCC1937 cells into nude mice. Although HCC1937 cells alone didn't form tumors in our orthotopic xenograft models, tumor formations were observed when the cells were mixed with MDA-MB-231 cells. These data suggest that the ZEB1-expressing breast cancer cells do promote tumorigenicity of claudin-1-positive cancer cells. We hypothesized that the heterogeneity on gene expressions within the tumor tissue is associated with malignancy and therapeutic resistance of breast cancers. Citation Format: Yoshimi Arima, Mari Hosonaga, Hideyuki Saya. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related transcription factor ZEB suppresses Claudin expression in breast cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 522. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-522
Measuring participation in UK medical schools: Social class data are problematic to interpret
Authors: I C McManus
Journal: BMJ (2004)

EDITOR—Seyan et al use the standardised admissions ratio to measure widening participation in medical schools.1 This ratio is difficult to interpret, although it is an interesting concept. The validity of the measure of social class as used by the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is poor.

UCAS uses brief, typically one word, students' descriptions of parental occupation to assign social …
Factors Related to Pleural Effusions After Fontan Procedure in the Era of Fenestration
Authors: Raymond T. Fedderly, Beth N. Whitstone, Stephanie J. Frisbee, James S. Tweddell, S. Bert Litwin
Journal: Circulation (2001)

Significant pleural effusions after the Fontan operation prolong hospital stay, may increase the risk of infection, and may necessitate a pleurodesis procedure.From February 1991 to April 2000, 98 consecutive patients under the age of 18 years underwent the fenestrated Fontan procedure at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Ninety-four patients who survived at least 30 days after surgery were retrospectively evaluated for the following factors: age, ventricular morphology (right single ventricle, left single ventricle [RV/LV]), fenestration open (FO) or closed (FC) at end of operation, intracardiac Fontan (IF) or extracardiac Fontan (EF), days with chest tube output per day >5, 10, and/or 20 mL. kg(-1). d(-1) (CTO5, CTO10, and CTO20, respectively), need for pleurodesis, length of hospital stay (LOS), operation during winter respiratory viral season of November through March (ReVS+, ReVS-), and pre-Fontan mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). In univariate analysis, the ReVS+ patients had prolonged LOS, greater chest tube output, and more pleurodesis (P<0.05), and PAP was related to CTO5 and CTO10 but not to CTO20 or LOS. No significant differences were found in LOS, CTO5, CTO10, CTO20, and need for pleurodesis between patients in RV/LV, FO/FC, IF/EF, or PVR groups. Patients <4 years of age had more instances of CTO20 (P<0.05). When we used ordinary least squares regression analysis with age, FO or FC, RV or LV, PAP, and ReVS+ or ReVS- to predict each of CTO5, CTO10, CTO20, and LOS, only ReVS+ or ReVS- and age were statistically significant in all models.Use of the Fontan procedure during the respiratory viral season appeared to be related to significant, prolonged pleural effusions and longer hospitalizations.
Effect of perioperative β blockade in patients with diabetes undergoing major non-cardiac surgery: randomised placebo controlled, blinded multicentre trial
Authors: Anne Benedicte Juul, J⊘rn Wetterslev, Christian Gluud, Allan Kofoed-Enevoldsen, Gorm Jensen, Torben Callesen, Peter N⊘rgaard, Kim Fruergaard, Morten Bestle, Rune Vedelsdal, André Miran, Jon Jacobsen, Jakob Roed, Maj-Britt Mortensen, Lise J⊘rgensen, J⊘rgen J⊘rgensen, Marie-Louise Rovsing, Pernille Lykke Petersen, Frank Pott, Merete Haas, Rikke Albret, Lise Lotte Nielsen, Gun Johansson, Pia Stjernholm, Yvonne M⊘lgaard, Nikolai Bang Foss, Jeanie Elkjær, Bj⊘rn Dehlie, Klavs Boysen, Dusanka Zaric, Anne Munksgaard, J⊘rn Bo Madsen, Bjarne Øberg, Boris Khanykin, Tine Blemmer, Stig Yndgaard, Grazyna Perko, Lars Peter Wang, Per Winkel, J⊘rgen Hilden, Per Jensen, Nader Salas
Journal: BMJ (2006)

<h3>Abstract</h3> Micro-CT is a powerful tool to analyze and visualize the internal morphology of human permanent teeth. It is increasingly used for investigation of epidemiological questions to provide the dentist with the necessary information required for successful endodontic treatment. The aim of the present paper was to propose an image processing method to automate parts of the work needed to fully describe the internal morphology of human permanent teeth. One hundred and four human teeth were scanned on a high-resolution micro-CT using an automatic specimen changer. Python code in a Jupyter notebook was used to verify and process the scans, prepare the datasets for description of the internal morphology and to measure the apical region of he tooth. The presented method offers an easy, non-destructive, rapid and efficient approach to scan, check and preview micro-computer tomographic datasets of a large number of teeth. It is a helpful tool for the detailed description and characterization of the internal morphology of human permanent teeth using automated segmentation by means of micro-CT with full reproducibility and high standardization.
Cellular Signaling by Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) and Their Receptors (FGFRs) in Male Reproduction
Authors: Leanne M. Cotton, Moira K. O’Bryan, Barry T. Hinton
Journal: Endocrine Reviews (2008)

The major function of the reproductive system is to ensure the survival of the species by passing on hereditary traits from one generation to the next. This is accomplished through the production of gametes and the generation of hormones that function in the maturation and regulation of the reproductive system. It is well established that normal development and function of the male reproductive system is mediated by endocrine and paracrine signaling pathways. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), their receptors (FGFRs), and signaling cascades have been implicated in a diverse range of cellular processes including: proliferation, apoptosis, cell survival, chemotaxis, cell adhesion, motility, and differentiation. The maintenance and regulation of correct FGF signaling is evident from human and mouse genetic studies which demonstrate that mutations leading to disruption of FGF signaling cause a variety of developmental disorders including dominant skeletal diseases, infertility, and cancer. Over the course of this review, we will provide evidence for differential expression of FGFs/FGFRs in the testis, male germ cells, the epididymis, the seminal vesicle, and the prostate. We will show that this signaling cascade has an important role in sperm development and maturation. Furthermore, we will demonstrate that FGF/FGFR signaling is essential for normal epididymal function and prostate development. To this end, we will provide evidence for the involvement of the FGF signaling system in the regulation and maintenance of the male reproductive system.
Of snarks, boojums and national drug charts
Authors: Nick Barber, Bryony Dean Franklin, Ann Jacklin
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2013)

There have been frequent suggestions over the last few years that a national inpatient drug chart is needed for the UK NHS. Here we draw on The Hunting of the Snark,1 Lewis Caroll's nonsense poem, described by Caroll as ‘An Agony, in Eight Fits’, to critique this movement, where Agony is used ‘in the old sense of a struggle that involves great anguish, bodily pain or death.’2
Differences in risk factors for partial and no immunisation in the first year of life: prospective cohort study
Authors: Lamiya Samad, A Rosemary Tate, Carol Dezateux, Catherine Peckham, Neville Butler, Helen Bedford
Journal: BMJ (2006)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective</b> To compare demographic, social, maternal, and infant related factors associated with partial immunisation and no immunisation in the first year of life in the United Kingdom. <b>Design</b> Prospective cohort study. <b>Setting</b> Sample of electoral wards in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, stratified by measures of ethnic composition and social disadvantage. <b>Participants</b> 18 488 infants born between September 2000 and January 2002, resident in the UK and eligible to receive child benefit (a universal benefit available to all families) at age 9 months. <b>Main outcome measure</b> Immunisation status at 9 months of age, defined as fully immunised, partially immunised, or not immunised. <b>Results</b> Overall in the UK, 3.3% of infants were partially immunised and 1.1% were unimmunised; these rates were highest in England (3.6% and 1.3%, respectively; P &lt; 0.01). Residence in ethnic or disadvantaged wards, larger family size, lone or teenaged parenthood, maternal smoking in pregnancy, and admission to hospital by 9 months of age were independently associated with partial immunisation status. In contrast, a higher proportion of mothers of unimmunised infants were educated to degree level or above (1.9%), were older (3.1%), or were of black Caribbean ethnicity (4.7%). <b>Conclusions</b> Mothers of unimmunised infants differ in terms of age and education from those of partially immunised infants. Interventions to reduce incomplete immunisation in infancy need different approaches.
Differential Response to Placebo Among Patients With Social Phobia, Panic Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Jonathan D. Huppert, Luke T. Schultz, Edna B. Foa, David H. Barlow, Jonathan R.T. Davidson, Jack M. Gorman, M. Katherine Shear, H. Blair Simpson, Scott W. Woods
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2004)

OBJECTIVE: Placebo effects in treatment of three anxiety disorders were compared. METHOD: Treatment response and patients’ treatment expectancy were examined by using data from 70 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, or panic disorder who received placebo in three randomized, controlled trials comparing cognitive behavior therapy, medication, and their combination to placebo. RESULTS: Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder were less likely to respond to placebo than patients with generalized social phobia or panic disorder. Differential expectancy did not account for these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Further examination of the placebo effect across the anxiety disorders may elucidate maintenance mechanisms of these disorders and have implications for development of more effective treatments.
Melanoma of the ear: prognostic factors and surgical strategies
Authors: V. Jahn, H. Breuninger, C. Garbe, M. Moehrle
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2006)

Background The ear's specific anatomical and lymphatic characteristics impose special requirements on the treatment of melanoma of the ear. Objectives The aim of this prospective study was to define prognostic factors for melanoma of the ear and to evaluate surgical strategies for excision margins, histological evaluation and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in order to achieve better cosmetic and functional results. Patients and methods One-hundred and sixty-one patients with stage I/II melanoma of the external ear were treated in the Department of Dermatology, University of Tuebingen, from March 1976 to March 2004 (median follow-up 62 months). Malignant melanoma of the external ear represented 3% of the stage I/II cutaneous melanomas and 20% of the stage I/II head and neck melanomas recorded in the Melanoma Registry of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Tuebingen. Twenty of 42 lentigo maligna melanomas (LMM) underwent conventional histological evaluation, 22 underwent complete three-dimensional histology of excision margins (3D histology) in a paraffin-technique, i.e. micrographic surgery. SLNB was performed in 28 patients with melanomas thicker than 1·0 mm. Clinical, histological and surgical risk factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results The median thickness of the tumours in the present study was 1·08 mm (mean 1·51 mm; range 0·18–8·50 mm), and the median excision margins were 11·0 mm (mean 12·61 mm; range 2·0–31·0 mm). The 3-year disease-specific survival rate was 98%, and the 3-year recurrence-free survival rate was 83%. Tumour thickness and invasion level were the only risk factors significant for disease-specific survival. Tumour thickness, location of the tumour and extent of excision margins were independently significant risk factors for recurrence-free survival. LMMs removed surgically with accompanying 3D histology were thicker than those examined by conventional histology (median 0·93 mm vs. 0·83 mm). The use of surgery with 3D histology, i.e. micrographic surgery, made it possible to reduce the excision margins (median 5 mm vs. 10 mm) without an increased risk of recurrence. Two of 29 SLNBs were positive (6·9%). There were six preregional recurrences after negative SLNB and one after positive SLNB. None of the patients who underwent SLNB died of melanoma-related causes during the observation period. Conclusions This is the largest series of ear melanomas reported so far. The overall survival depended only on the tumour thickness and Clark level of invasion. Local recurrence was more frequent with smaller excision margins, but this did not influence the overall survival. Smaller excision margins under 3D-histological control did not carry an increased risk of local recurrence. Our results do not permit conclusions regarding the prognostic impact of SLNB for patients with melanoma of the ear.
Improving outcome through two decades in childhood ALL in the Nordic countries: the impact of high-dose methotrexate in the reduction of CNS irradiation
Authors: G Gustafsson, K Schmiegelow, E Forestier, N Clausen, A Glomstein, G Jonmundsson, L Mellander, A Mäkipernaa, R Nygaard, UM Saarinen-Pihkala
Journal: Leukemia (2000)
Effects of high and low sodium intake on arterial pressure and forearm vasular resistance in borderline hypertension. A preliminary report.
Authors: A L Mark, W J Lawton, F M Abboud, A E Fitz, W E Connor, D D Heistad
Journal: Circulation Research (1975)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of high and low sodium intake on arterial pressure and forearm vascular resistance in subjects with borderline hypertension and to compare responses to sodium excess in these subjects with responses in a recent study in normotensive subjects. Six subjects with borderline hypertension were studied after ten days of high (410 mEq/24hr) and low (10mEq/24hr) sodium intake. Potassium intake was constant. In five of six subjects, high sodium intake decreased forearm blood flow and increased forearm vascular resistance and arterial pressure. During low and high sodium intake forearm blood flow averaged 7.8 plus or minus 1.2 (SE) and 5.9 plus or minus 0.8 ml/min x 100 ml, respectively; forearm vascular resistance averaged 13.5 plus or minus 2.2 and 19.1 plus or minus 3.0 units, respectively; and mean arterial pressure averaged 89 plus or minus 3 and 98 plus or minus 2 mm Hg, respectively. High sodium intake augmented forearm vasoconstrictor responses to lower body negative pressure, a stimulus to neurogenic vasoconstriction. The results contrast with our earlier results in normotensive subjects in whom sodium excess produced forearm vasodilatation and failed to increase arterial pressure significantly. Decreases in renin and aldosterone with high sodium intake were similar in the two groups. The results suggest that excessive sodium intake in subjects with borderline hypertension produces abnormal increases in forearm vascular resistance, neurogenic vasoconstriction, and arterial pressure. The reasons for the contrast between the borderline hypertensives and normotensives are unknown, but they do not seem to be related to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.