tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Reduced Airway Absorption in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: LENNART GREIFF, MORGAN ANDERSSON, CHRISTER SVENSSON, STEFAN LUNDIN, PER WOLLMER, CARL G. A. PERSSON
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1997)

The common notion that increased mucosal absorption characterizes allergic and inflamed airways is poorly supported by physiologic in vivo data. We have now examined whether the airway mucosa of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis develop a change in absorption during their active disease period. Twelve patients with birch pollen rhinitis were examined twice, prior to and late into a Swedish birch pollen season. Ten healthy subjects were examined once. A nasal pool device was used to fill the unilateral nasal cavity with fluid containing 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (desmopressin, 20 μ g/ml) as absorption tracer. The peptide tracer solution was removed after 15 min, and absorption was determined by analysis of the peptide in the 24-h urine sample. Nasal absorption did not differ between healthy subjects and symptom-free patients outside the season. After 3 wk of symptom-producing seasonal allergic rhinitis, absorption of the peptide across the nasal mucosa was less (p < 0.05) than outside the season. These data indicate that hyperresponsiveness and disease progression in seasonal allergic rhinitis are not due to a compromise of the mucosal barrier that would permit increased absorption of mucosally deposited solutes. The reduced absorption may in part reflect the ability of the airway epithelium in vivo to maintain and potentially improve its barrier function by efficient epithelial restitution processes.
MicroRNAs show a wide diversity of expression profiles in the developing and mature central nervous system
Authors: Marika Kapsimali, Wigard P Kloosterman, Ewart de Bruijn, Frederic Rosa, Ronald HA Plasterk, Stephen W Wilson
Journal: Genome biology (2007)

Abstract Background MicroRNA (miRNA) encoding genes are abundant in vertebrate genomes but very few have been studied in any detail. Bioinformatic tools allow prediction of miRNA targets and this information coupled with knowledge of miRNA expression profiles facilitates formulation of hypotheses of miRNA function. Although the central nervous system (CNS) is a prominent site of miRNA expression, virtually nothing is known about the spatial and temporal expression profiles of miRNAs in the brain. To provide an overview of the breadth of miRNA expression in the CNS, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the neuroanatomical expression profiles of 38 abundant conserved miRNAs in developing and adult zebrafish brain. Results Our results show miRNAs have a wide variety of different expression profiles in neural cells, including: expression in neuronal precursors and stem cells (for example, miR-92b ); expression associated with transition from proliferation to differentiation (for example, miR-124 ); constitutive expression in mature neurons ( miR-124 again); expression in both proliferative cells and their differentiated progeny (for example, miR-9 ); regionally restricted expression (for example, miR-222 in telencephalon); and cell-type specific expression (for example, miR-218a in motor neurons). Conclusion The data we present facilitate prediction of likely modes of miRNA function in the CNS and many miRNA expression profiles are consistent with the mutual exclusion mode of function in which there is spatial or temporal exclusion of miRNAs and their targets. However, some miRNAs, such as those with cell-type specific expression, are more likely to be co-expressed with their targets. Our data provide an important resource for future functional studies of miRNAs in the CNS.
Endophthalmitis Caused by the Coagulase-negative Staphylococci
Authors: L. David Ormerod, Lynne E. Becker, Robert J. Cruise, H. Irene Grohar, Barbara G. Paton, Albert R. Frederick, Trexler M. Topping, John J. Weiter, Sheldon M. Buzney, Ann S. Baker
Journal: Ophthalmology (1993)
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of premature ventricular complexes from right ventricular outflow tract improves left ventricular dilation and clinical status in patients without structural heart disease
Authors: Masao Takemoto, Hitoshi Yoshimura, Yurika Ohba, Yasuharu Matsumoto, Umpei Yamamoto, Masahiro Mohri, Hideo Yamamoto, Hideki Origuchi
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2005)
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Receptor Shedding Controls Thresholds of Innate Immune Activation That Balance Opposing TNF Functions in Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Sofia Xanthoulea, Manolis Pasparakis, Stavroula Kousteni, Cord Brakebusch, David Wallach, Jan Bauer, Hans Lassmann, George Kollias
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2004)

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent cytokine exerting critical functions in the activation and regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Due to its pleiotropic activities, the amplitude and duration of TNF function must be tightly regulated. One of the mechanisms that may have evolved to modulate TNF function is the proteolytic cleavage of its cell surface receptors. In humans, mutations affecting shedding of the p55TNF receptor (R) have been linked with the development of the TNFR-associated periodic syndromes, disorders characterized by recurrent fever attacks and localized inflammation. Here we show that knock-in mice expressing a mutated nonsheddable p55TNFR develop Toll-like receptor–dependent innate immune hyperreactivity, which renders their immune system more efficient at controlling intracellular bacterial infections. Notably, gain of function for antibacterial host defenses ensues at the cost of disbalanced inflammatory reactions that lead to pathology. Mutant mice exhibit spontaneous hepatitis, enhanced susceptibility to endotoxic shock, exacerbated TNF-dependent arthritis, and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These results introduce a new concept for receptor shedding as a mechanism setting up thresholds of cytokine function to balance resistance and susceptibility to disease. Assessment of p55TNFR shedding may thus be of prognostic value in infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.
Influence of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Coronary Microvascular Resistance Index
Authors: Bart-Jan Verhoeff, Maria Siebes, Martijn Meuwissen, Bektaş Atasever, Michiel Voskuil, Robbert J. de Winter, Karel T. Koch, Jan G.P. Tijssen, Jos A.E. Spaan, Jan J. Piek
Journal: Circulation (2004)

Background— Coronary microvascular resistance during maximal hyperemia is generally assumed to be unaffected by percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). We assessed a velocity-based index of hyperemic microvascular resistance (h-MR v ) by using prototypes of a novel, dual-sensor (Doppler velocity and pressure)–equipped guidewire before and after PCI to test this hypothesis. Methods and Results— Aortic pressure, flow velocity (h-v), and pressure (h-P d ) distal to 24 coronary lesions were measured simultaneously during maximal hyperemia induced by intracoronary adenosine. Measurements were obtained in the reference vessel before PCI and in the target vessel before and after PCI, stenting, and ultrasound-guided, upsized stenting. h-P d increased from 57.9±17.0 to 85.5±15.6 mm Hg, and h-MR v (ie, h-P d /h-v) decreased from 2.74±1.40 to 1.58±0.61 mm Hg · cm −1 · s after stenting (both P &lt;0.001). The reduction in h-MR v accounted for 34% of the decrease in total coronary resistance achieved by PCI. h-MR v of the target vessel after PCI was lower than that of the corresponding reference vessel despite a higher h-P d in the reference vessel ( P &lt;0.01). Post-PCI baseline MR v was correlated with baseline P d before PCI ( P &lt;0.01). Conclusions— PCI-induced restoration of P d resulted in a reduction of h-MR v in accordance with the pressure dependence of h-MR v . The decrease in h-MR v to a level below that of the corresponding reference vessel in the immediate post-PCI period and a lowered baseline MR v suggest microvascular remodeling induced by long-term exposure to a low-pressure environment.
Willing Victims: The Husbands of Paranoid Women
Authors: ROBERT L. DUPONT, HENRY GRUNEBAUM
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1968)

The authors describe a marital syndrome associated with the diagnosis of paranoid state in nine married women. These women had chosen husbands who were passive, socially isolated, and unable to directly express angry or sexual feelings; they were likely to be active participants in the bizarre behavior of their wives. The authors conclude that this diagnosis in a married woman may relate not only to her psychological state but to specific characteristics of her husband and marriage as well.
Effect of Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Depressive Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Marcus Povitz, Carmelle E. Bolo, Steven J. Heitman, Willis H. Tsai, JianLi Wang, Matthew T. James
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2014)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and decreased quality of life. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or mandibular advancement devices (MADs) is effective for many symptoms of OSA. However, it remains controversial whether treatment with CPAP or MAD also improves depressive symptoms.We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of CPAP or MADs on depressive symptoms in patients with OSA. We searched Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO from the inception of the databases until August 15, 2014, for relevant articles. In a random effects meta-analysis of 19 identified trials, CPAP treatment resulted in an improvement in depressive symptoms compared to control, but with significant heterogeneity between trials (Q statistic, p<0.001; I(2) = 71.3%, 95% CI: 54%, 82%). CPAP treatment resulted in significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms in the two trials with a higher burden of depression at baseline (meta-regression, p<0.001). The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) in depressive symptoms with CPAP treatment in these two trial populations with baseline depression was 2.004 (95% CI: 1.387, 2.621), compared to 0.197 (95% CI: 0.059, 0.334) for 15 trials of populations without depression at baseline. Pooled estimates of the treatment effect of CPAP were greater in parallel arm trials than in crossover trials (meta-regression, p = 0.076). Random effects meta-analysis of five trials of MADs showed a significant improvement in depressive symptoms with MADs versus controls: SMD = 0.214 (95% CI: 0.026, 0.401) without significant heterogeneity (I(2) = 0%, 95% CI: 0%, 79%). Studies were limited by the use of depressive symptom scales that have not been validated specifically in people with OSA.CPAP and MADs may be useful components of treatment of depressive symptoms in individuals with OSA and depression. The efficacy of CPAP and MADs compared to standard therapies for depression is unknown. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
Lies, damned lies, and waiting lists.
Authors: J Yates
Journal: BMJ (1991)

Lies, damned lies, and waiting lists Or lies, damned lies, and politicians If there is one thing that the British distrust more than statistics it is politicians quoting statistics.How can Mrs Bottomley, the Minister for Health, tell the House of Commons on 4 July that "waiting times are tumbling" and yet eight weeks later Mr Cook, the opposition spokesman, announces that Labour's campaign will focus on "soaring waiting lists"?When Mr Waldegrave sat in the Department of Health on 19 September giving journalists the figures up to March 1991 Mr Cook was standing outside on the pavement quoting figures up to June.Later in the day loyal civil servants responded with the data for July.The public was then left to choose between the media's presentation of "tumbling Tories" and "soaring Socialists."Were one or both of them lying or simply being economical with the truth?The NHS has gathered waiting list statistics since 1948, when it inherited half a million people awaiting surgical operations.For 27 years the returns simply counted how many people were waiting and said nothing about how long they waited.It was 1975 before an attempt was made to gather information about waiting time.The picture painted for England over the next 16 years is shown in the figure.There
Development of predictive equations for body density of sumo wrestlers using B-mode ultrasound for the determination of subcutaneous fat thickness
Authors: K Saito, S Nakaji, T Umeda, T Shimoyama, K Sugawara, Y Yamamoto
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2003)

To develop an equation for predicting the body density of sumo wrestlers.The following were measured: subcutaneous fat thickness measured at nine sites using B-mode ultrasound equipment; circumference at seven sites; hand to leg bioelectrical impedance. The subjects consisted of 24 college sumo wrestlers (mean age 19.7 years, mean body weight 111.2 kg) and 24 matched obese controls (mean age 19.1 years and mean body weight 111.2 kg). In addition, body density was measured by the underwater weighing method, and the percentage of fat was calculated from the measured body density.Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the relation between body density and other variables, and a predictive equation for the body density was derived: y = 1.088-0.00036 x (fat thickness at nine sites) (r(2) = 0.90) for the sumo wrestler group and y = 1.083-0.00033 x (fat thickness at nine sites) (r(2) = 0.91) for the control group. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the body density as the objective variable, and other measured items as the explanatory variables. This was used to derive a predictive equation: y = 1.121-0.00038 x (fat thickness of abdomen)-0.00043 x (circumference of hips)-0.00142 x (fat thickness of triceps) (r(2) = 0.94) for the sumo wrestler group, and y = 1.076-0.00070 x (fat thickness of abdomen)-0.00140 x (fat thickness of tibialis) (r(2) = 0.91) for the control group. The difference between the two equations was due to the difference in body fat distribution. Neither of these predictive equations is applicable to non-overweight non-athletes.This is the first predictive equation developed for the body density of sumo wrestlers.
A comparison of lactate concentration in plasma collected from the toe, ear, and fingertip after a simulated rowing exercise
Authors: J J Forsyth, M R Farrally
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2000)

To examine the validity of using blood taken from the toe for the assessment of plasma lactate concentration in rowers. To achieve this, values were compared with those taken from the fingertip and earlobe.Nine subjects exercised at two separate submaximum workloads on the Concept II rowing ergometer. The loads, each lasting four minutes, elicited mean (SD) heart rate responses of 160.1 (8.5) and 180.1 (5.7) beats/min, which corresponded to 76.4 (6.1)% and 91.9 (4.7)% of the estimated heart rate maximum of the subjects. Blood was simultaneously removed after the cessation of exercise by three experimenters and was analysed for plasma lactate concentration.At 76.4% of estimated heart rate maximum, the mean (SD) plasma lactate concentrations sampled from the fingertip, toe, and earlobe were 6.36 (1.58), 5.81 (1.11), and 5.29 (1.24) mmol/l respectively. At 91.9% of estimated heart rate maximum, respective values were 8.81 (2.30), 8.53 (1.37), and 8.41 (2.35) mmol/l. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between any of the sites at either work intensity.The toe may offer a practical alternative for assessing the concentration of lactate during rowing, having the advantage that repeated blood samples can be removed without interruption of the rowing action.
Endothelial function is impaired in fit young adults of low birth weight
Authors: J Goodfellow
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1998)

Objective: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease, with insulin resistance, are associated with low birth weight (the 'Small Baby Syndrome'). Common to these adult clinical conditions is endothelial dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that endothelial dysfunction could precede their development in those of low birth weight. Methods: Endothelial function was measured by ultrasonic 'wall-tracking' of flow-related brachial artery dilatation in fit 19–20 year old subjects randomly selected (blind to the investigators throughout the study) from low (<2.5 kg) and normal (3.0–3.8 kg) birth weight subjects in the 1975–7 cohort of the Cardiff Births Survey and with no known cause for endothelial dysfunction. Results: Flow-related dilatation was impaired in low birth weight relative to normal birth weight subjects (median 0.04 mm [1.5%] [n=22] cf. 0.11 mm [4.1%] [n=17], p<O.05; 0.04 mm [1.5%] [n=15] cf. 0.12 mm [4.4%] [n=12], p<O.05 after exclusion of inadvertently included ever-smokers). Conclusion: The findings suggest that endothelial dysfunction is a consequence of foetal malnutrition, consistent with contributing to the clinical features of the 'Small Baby Syndrome' in later adult life.
CARMA3 is Crucial for EGFR-Induced Activation of NF-κB and Tumor Progression
Authors: Tang Jiang, Brian Grabiner, Yifan Zhu, Changying Jiang, Hongxiu Li, Yun You, Jingyu Lang, Mien-Chie Hung, Xin Lin
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

EGF activates NF-κB, and constitutively activated NF-κB contributes to EGFR mutation-associated tumorigenesis, but it remains unclear precisely how EGFR signaling leads to NF-κB activation. Here we report that CARMA3, a caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing scaffold molecule, is required for EGF-induced NF-κB activation. CARMA3 deficiency impaired the activation of the IKK complex following EGF stimulation, resulting in a defect of EGF-induced IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB activation. We found that CARMA3 and Bcl10 contributed to several characteristics of EGFR-associated malignancy, including proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. Most importantly, CARMA3 contributed to tumor growth in vivo. Our findings elucidate a crucial link between EGFR-proximal signaling components and the downstream IKK complex, and they suggest a new therapeutic target for treatment of EGFR-driven cancers.
Restriction fragment length polymorphism of the gene encoding the alpha chain of the human T cell receptor.
Authors: M L Hoover, J Marks, J Chipman, E Palmer, P Stastny, J D Capra
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1985)

Two allelic forms of the T cell antigen receptor alpha chain gene were discerned by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) employing the T cell antigen receptor alpha chain probe pGA5, and the restriction enzyme Bgl II. Analysis revealed that the polymorphic fragments are detected by a probe specific for the constant region exon of the T cell antigen receptor alpha chain gene. Furthermore, the polymorphic fragments were shown to segregate within families. The two allelic forms yield two homozygous states, 3.2/3.2 and 2.9/2.9, at a frequency of 76.5 and 2.9%, respectively, within the normal population. The heterozygous state was observed in 20.6% of the population. The discovery of allelic forms of both the alpha and beta chains of the T cell antigen receptor genes may provide a unique opportunity to study heritable markers of T cell function in several human diseases.
An Oral Elastic Mandibular Advancement Device for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: KATHE G. HENKE, DONALD E. FRANTZ, SAMUEL T. KUNA
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2000)

Oral mandibular advancement devices are becoming an increasingly important treatment alternative for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The first aim of the study was to determine whether a new oral elastic mandibular advancement device (EMA) prevents pharyngeal airway closure during sleep in patients with OSA. The second aim of the study was to determine if the polysomnographic response to the oral mandibular advancement device was dependent on the site of airway closure. Overnight polysomnograms were performed in 28 untreated OSA subjects with and without EMA. A third polysomnogram was performed in 12 of the subjects to determine the site of airway closure without the device. Site of airway closure above or below the oropharynx was determined by measuring the respective presence or absence of respiratory fluctuations in oropharyngeal pressure during induced occlusions in non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Mean apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was 52.6 ± 28.2 (SD) events/h without the device and 21.2 ± 19.3 events/h with the device. Nineteen subjects (68%) had at least a 50% reduction in AHI with the device. The change in AHI with the device (AHI without device − AHI with device) was directly related to the AHI without the device. All three subjects with airway closure in the lower pharyngeal airway had a greater than 80% reduction in AHI with the device. Two of the nine subjects with airway closure in the velopharynx had a similar therapeutic response. The results show the effectiveness of EMA in the treatment of OSA. The results also indicate that polysomnographic severity of OSA and the site of airway closure should not be used to exclude patients from this oral device treatment. Henke KG, Frantz DE, Kuna ST. An oral elastic mandibular advancement device for obstructive sleep apnea.
Resveratrol modulates murine collagen-induced arthritis by inhibiting Th17 and B-cell function
Authors: Gao Xuzhu, Mousa Komai-Koma, Bernard P Leung, Hwee Siew Howe, Charles McSharry, Iain B McInnes, Damo Xu
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2011)

Background Alcohol intake is inversely related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease incidence and severity. Resveratrol, a safe, well-described plant-derived compound, possesses anti-inflammation and immune-regulatory properties and is present in red wine. As such, it could mediate anti-inflammatory properties of the latter and offer novel therapeutic utility in is own right. Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of resveratrol on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and its putative immune modulation in mice. Methods CIA was induced in DBA1 mice by immunisation with collagen II. Different doses of resveratrol were administered before or after the development of CIA. The levels of antibody and cytokines in serum or in draining lymph node (DLN) lymphocyte culture supernatants were measured by ELISA and Th17 cell development in DLN was monitored by flow cytometry. Results Either prophylactic or therapeutic administration of resveratrol attenuated clinical parameters and bone erosion in CIA mice. The arthritis-protective effects were associated with markedly reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and collagen-specific, but not total, IgG, and with reduced numbers of Th17 cells and the production of IL-17 in DLN. Conclusion Resveratrol modulates inflammatory arthritis in rodents by selectively suppressing key cellular and humoral responses necessary for disease development. This may partly explain the protective effects of red wine but importantly may offer a novel, effective and safe pathway whereby novel agents could be developed to treat RA.