tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Probable person to person transmission of novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in Eastern China, 2013: epidemiological investigation
Authors: X. Qi, Y.-H. Qian, C.-J. Bao, X.-L. Guo, L.-B. Cui, F.-Y. Tang, H. Ji, Y. Huang, P.-Q. Cai, B. Lu, K. Xu, C. Shi, F.-C. Zhu, M.-H. Zhou, H. Wang
Journal: BMJ (2013)

<b>Objective</b> To determine whether the novel avian influenza H7N9 virus can transmit from person to person and its efficiency. <b>Design</b> Epidemiological investigations conducted after a family cluster of two patients with avian H7N9 in March 2013. <b>Setting</b> Wuxi, Eastern China. <b>Participants</b> Two patients, their close contacts, and relevant environments. Samples from the patients and environments were collected and tested by real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), viral culture, and haemagglutination inhibition assay. Any contacts who became ill had samples tested for avian H7N9 by rRT-PCR. Paired serum samples were obtained from contacts for serological testing by haemagglutination inhibition assays. <b>Main outcomes measures</b> Clinical data, history of exposure before the onset of illnesses, and results of laboratory testing of pathogens and further analysis of sequences and phylogenetic tree to isolated strains. <b>Results</b> The index patient became ill five to six days after his last exposure to poultry. The second patient, his daughter aged 32, who provided unprotected bedside care in the hospital, had no known exposure to poultry. She developed symptoms six days after her last contact with her father. Two strains were isolated successfully from the two patients. Genome sequence and analyses of phylogenetic trees showed that both viruses were almost genetically identical. Forty three close contacts of both patients were identified. One had mild illness but had negative results for avian H7N9 by rRT-PCR. All 43 close contacts tested negative for haemagglutination inhibition antibodies specific for avian H7N9. <b>Conclusions</b> The infection of the daughter probably resulted from contact with her father (the index patient) during unprotected exposure, suggesting that in this cluster the virus was able to transmit from person to person. The transmissibility was limited and non-sustainable.
Acute haematogenous prosthetic joint infection: prospective evaluation of medical and surgical management
Authors: D. Rodríguez, C. Pigrau, G. Euba, J. Cobo, J. García-Lechuz, J. Palomino, M. Riera, M.D. del Toro, A. Granados, X. Ariza
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2010)
The Canadian registry of atrial fibrillation: Lack of prognostic differences between atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter
Authors: Paul A. LeLorier, Karin H. Humphries, Andrew Krahn, Stuart Connolly, Mario Talajic, Martin Green, Robert Sheldon, Paul Dorian, David Newman, Charles R. Kerr, Raymond Yee, George J. Klein
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2003)
Role of the endothelium and nitric oxide synthases in modulating superoxide formation induced by endotoxin and cytokines in porcine pulmonary arteries
Authors: S Muzaffar
Journal: Thorax (2003)

The interactive roles of cytokines, endotoxins, superoxide (O(2)(*-) ) and nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have not been fully elucidated. The effects of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the role of NO and the endothelium in mediating O(2)(*-) formation were therefore investigated in intact porcine pulmonary arteries in vitro.Intrapulmonary artery (PA) segments were obtained from White Landrace pigs (25-35 kg) and incubated with LPS, IL-1alpha, and TNF-alpha and O(2)(*-) release was measured by the superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c. The source of O(2)(*-) formation was determined using a number of enzyme inhibitors. The role of NO was explored using NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors and the distribution of NOS isoforms and peroxynitrite (ONOO(-), an index of NO-O(2)(*-) interactions) assessed by immunocytochemistry.LPS, IL-1alpha, and TNF-alpha promoted the formation of O(2)(*-) from PA compared with untreated controls in a time and dose dependent manner, an effect markedly enhanced by removal of the endothelium but completely inhibited by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium chloride (DPI). L-NAME and the eNOS inhibitor N(5)-(1-iminoethyl)-ornithine (L-NIO) enhanced O(2)(*-) formation from PA (with endothelium) in response to IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha but had no effect on LPS mediated O(2)(*-) formation, whereas L-NAME and the iNOS inhibitor L-N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine-HCl (L-NIL) enhanced O(2)(*-) formation only in response to LPS.LPS, IL-1alpha, and TNF-alpha promote O(2)(*-) formation through an upregulation of NADPH oxidase activity which is augmented by removal of the endothelium, as well as the inhibition of eNOS (in the case of cytokines) and iNOS (in the case of LPS). The concomitant expression of NOS isoforms (and NO formation) with that of NADPH oxidase may therefore constitute a protective system designed to remove O(2)(*-) through the formation of ONOO(-). If this is so, the integrity of the endothelium may be axiomatic in the progression and severity of ARDS.
ETA Activation Mediates Angiotensin II-Induced Infiltration of Renal Cortical T Cells
Authors: Erika I. Boesen, Karthik R. Krishnan, Jennifer S. Pollock, David M. Pollock
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2011)

T cells and endothelin (ET-1) both contribute to angiotensin II (AngII)-dependent hypertension. To determine whether ET-1, via the ET(A) receptor, facilitates T cell infiltration in the kidney during AngII-dependent hypertension, we measured T cell infiltration in response to four different treatments: saline, AngII infusion, AngII infusion with an ET(A) receptor antagonist, or AngII infusion with triple-antihypertensive therapy. After 14 days, AngII increased both BP and the numbers of CD3(+) and proliferating cells in the kidney. Mice treated concomitantly with the ET(A) receptor antagonist had lower BP and fewer CD3(+) and proliferating cells in the renal cortex. Mice treated with triple therapy had similar reductions in BP but no change in renal cortical CD3(+) cells compared with kidneys from AngII-infused hypertensive mice. In the outer medulla, both the ET(A) receptor antagonist and triple therapy reduced the number of CD3(+) cells and macrophages. Taken together, these data suggest that ET(A) receptor activation in AngII-mediated hypertension increases CD3(+) cells and proliferation in the renal cortex independent of changes in BP, but changes in the number of inflammatory cells in the renal medulla are BP dependent.
Hydrogen peroxide contrast--enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography: real-time in vivo delineation of regional myocardial perfusion.
Authors: A J Kemper, J E O'Boyle, S Sharma, C A Cohen, R A Kloner, S F Khuri, A F Parisi
Journal: Circulation (1983)

Intravascular injection of hydrogen peroxide (HP) produces oxygen microbubbles suitable for echocardiographic contrast enhancement.This study evaluates HP contrast-enhanced two- dimensional echocardiography (2DE) during acute coronary occlusion in a canine model by compari- son with perfusion indicated by antemortem monastral blue (MB) staining, postmortem triphenyltetra- zolium chloride (TTC) infarct sizing, and abnormal wall motion (AWM).Injections of a fresh mixture of 1 to 2 ml 0.3% HP and 1 ml blood were made in 10 closed-chest dogs 6 hr after coronary ligation and short-axis 2DE images were made at four anatomic levels.Optimal preinjection 2DE settings were determined by interaction with an on-line, color-coded, videodensitometer system.The circumferential extent of 2DE contrast defect (ECD) was strongly predictive of the pathologic extent of malperfusion (MB = 0.94 ECD + 4.7%, SEE = 7.7%, r = .93)and of infarction (TTC-= 0.84 ECD + 5%, SEE = 9.4%, r = .89).Moreover, ECD was superior to wall motion abnormality in predicting the extent of both malperfusion and infarction (MB = 0.85 AWM + 0.5%, SEE = 13.1%,r = .78;TTC = 0.77 AWM -0.2%, SEE = 13.5%,r = .75).No adverse hemodynamic effects were seen after HP injection.This study validates the use of HP contrast-enhanced 2DE as a readily repeatable, accurate, in vivo real-time method of quantifying the extent of abnormal regional myocardial perfusion during acute myocardial infarction.Available data indicate that further study is warranted to determine if myocardial contrast adequate to define regional perfusion can be obtained safely by this method in man.Circulation 68, No. 3 6034611, 1983.
News skews health priorities, study claims
Authors: T. Jackson
Journal: BMJ (2003)

How many people have to die from a disease or condition before it merits a news story on the BBC? The answer, says a new report published this week, is 0.33 people from variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) but 8571 people from smoking. The numbers of alcohol and obesity related deaths necessary to warrant news coverage are equally high–at 4714 and 7500 respectively.

The report, by think-tank the King's Fund, claims that news values are distorting health priorities. Although the deaths-per-news-story analysis is meant as no more than a crude measure designed to provoke debate about media health coverage, it gives some idea of how news reports on relatively small or unproven risks–such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine–vastly outweigh reports on “major killers,” such as obesity.

This deaths-per-news-story analysis reveals a similar pattern in newspaper news. It takes 4444 deaths from smoking, 846 from alcohol, …
Prazosin in the treatment of chronic asthma.
Authors: S V Baudouin, T J Aitman, A J Johnson
Journal: Thorax (1988)

The role of prazosin, an alpha 1 adrenoceptor blocker, was investigated in patients with chronic stable asthma who continued to have symptoms despite conventional treatment. Forty patients were entered into a double blind, placebo controlled, crossover trial to examine the effect of adding oral prazosin (2 mg twice daily) to previous medication for three weeks. Sixteen patients withdrew from the study. The remaining 24 patients showed no significant change in peak expiratory flow, FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, diary card symptom scores, or dose of beta sympathomimetic.
Characterization of Reticulate Networks Based on the Coalescent with Recombination
Authors: M. Arenas, G. Valiente, D. Posada
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2008)

Phylogenetic networks aim to represent the evolutionary history of taxa. Within these, reticulate networks are explicitly able to accommodate evolutionary events like recombination, hybridization, or lateral gene transfer. Although several metrics exist to compare phylogenetic networks, they make several assumptions regarding the nature of the networks that are not likely to be fulfilled by the evolutionary process. In order to characterize the potential disagreement between the algorithms and the biology, we have used the coalescent with recombination to build the type of networks produced by reticulate evolution and classified them as regular, tree sibling, tree child, or galled trees. We show that, as expected, the complexity of these reticulate networks is a function of the population recombination rate. At small recombination rates, most of the networks produced are already more complex than regular or tree sibling networks, whereas with moderate and large recombination rates, no network fit into any of the standard classes. We conclude that new metrics still need to be devised in order to properly compare two phylogenetic networks that have arisen from reticulating evolutionary process.
Activity in fetal bovine serum that stimulates erythroid colony formation in fetal mouse livers is insulinlike growth factor I.
Authors: A Kurtz, W Härtl, W Jelkmann, J Zapf, C Bauer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1985)

In the present study, the erythropoietic activity of fetal serum was characterized. Using fetal bovine serum (FBS) as a source of the erythropoietic activity and serum-free cultures of fetal mouse livers (FMLC assay) as a detection system, we found that FBS stimulated colony formation from late erythroid progenitor cells (CFU-E) in a dose-dependent fashion. The slope of the dose-response curve, however, was significantly different from that for erythropoietin (Ep), the best-characterized erythropoietic activity so far. The erythropoietic activity of FBS was found in the 120-160- and 40-70-kD range at neutral pH. In the presence of 1 M acetic acid, however, the erythropoietic activity had an apparent molecular mass between 3 and 13 kD. From ion exchange experiments with DEAE-cellulose, the isoionic point of the activity was estimated to about pH 5. Furthermore, the erythropoietic activity of FBS was found to be co-eluted on Sephadex G-150 with the binding proteins of insulinlike growth factors (IGF). The IGF I concentration determined by radioimmunoassay was 70 ng IGF I/ml. The Ep activity of FBS was less than 5 mU/ml when determined with the posthypoxic polycythemic mouse assay for Ep. These results suggest that the erythropoietic activity of FBS is related to IGF and not to Ep. The erythropoietic activity of FBS was abolished by an antiserum against IGF I. Furthermore, IGF I was a factor of approximately 40 more potent than IGF II in stimulating erythroid colony formation. All of these findings suggest that the erythropoietic activity of FBS is IGF I.
What's the evidence that NICE guidance has been implemented? Results from a national evaluation using time series analysis, audit of patients' notes, and interviews
Authors: Trevor A Sheldon, Nicky Cullum, Diane Dawson, Annette Lankshear, Karin Lowson, Ian Watt, Peter West, Dianne Wright, John Wright
Journal: BMJ (2004)

To assess the extent and pattern of implementation of guidance issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).Interrupted time series analysis, review of case notes, survey, and interviews.Acute and primary care trusts in England and Wales.All primary care prescribing, hospital pharmacies; a random sample of 20 acute trusts, 17 mental health trusts, and 21 primary care trusts; and senior clinicians and managers from five acute trusts.Rates of prescribing and use of procedures and medical devices relative to evidence based guidance.6308 usable patient audit forms were returned. Implementation of NICE guidance varied by trust and by topic. Prescribing of some taxanes for cancer (P < 0.002) and orlistat for obesity (P < 0.001) significantly increased in line with guidance. Prescribing of drugs for Alzheimer's disease and prophylactic extraction of wisdom teeth showed trends consistent with, but not obviously a consequence of, the guidance. Prescribing practice often did not accord with the details of the guidance. No change was apparent in the use of hearing aids, hip prostheses, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, laparoscopic hernia repair, and laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery after NICE guidance had been issued.Implementation of NICE guidance has been variable. Guidance seems more likely to be adopted when there is strong professional support, a stable and convincing evidence base, and no increased or unfunded costs, in organisations that have established good systems for tracking guidance implementation and where the professionals involved are not isolated. Guidance needs to be clear and reflect the clinical context.
Retinoid Receptors and Their Coregulators
Authors: Li-Na Wei
Journal: The Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology (2003)

Retinoids regulate gene transcription by binding to the nuclear receptors, the retinoic acid (RA) receptors (RARs), and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). RARs and RXRs are ligand-activated transcription factors for the regulation of RA-responsive genes. The actions of RARs and RXRs on gene transcription require a highly coordinated interaction with a large number of coactivators and corepressors. This review focuses on our current understanding of these coregulators known to act in concert with RARs and RXRs. The mechanisms of action of these coregulators are beginning to be uncovered and include the modification of chromatin and the recruitment of basal transcription factors. Challenges remain to understand the specificity of action of RARs and RXRs and the formation of specific transcription complexes consisting of the receptors, coregulators, and other unknown factors.
Line Stimulation Parallel to Myofibers Enhances Regional Uniformity of Transmembrane Voltage Changes in Rabbit Hearts
Authors: Stephen B. Knisley Tamara C. Baynham
Journal: Circulation Research (1997)

The sign of transmembrane voltage (Vm) change (delta Vm) in the heart during unipolar point stimulation is nonuniform, which introduces dispersion of states of Vm-dependent ion channels that depends on fiber orientation. We hypothesized that line stimulation parallel to cardiac fibers increases regional uniformity of the delta Vm sign. To test this, we evaluated electrode current distribution and delta Vm produced by unipolar line stimulation in isolated rabbit hearts. The Vm-sensitive fluorescent dye, di-4-ANEPPS, and a laser scanner provided delta Vm measurements at 63 spots in an 8 x 8-mm epicardial region. Line stimulation was tested at specific angles with respect to the fiber direction. Current peaks occurred at electrode ends. For electrodes parallel to fibers (0 degree), epicardium in regions beyond the ends exhibited a nonuniform delta Vm sign, whereas epicardium between the ends exhibited a uniform delta Vm sign that was essentially negative (hyperpolarized) during anodal pulses and positive (depolarized) during cathodal pulses. The delta Vm sign between the ends became less uniform when the stimulation angle was increased relative to the long axis of the fibers. At 90 degrees, the delta Vm sign between the ends was nonuniform and was frequently opposite, near versus away from the electrode. Spatial distributions of delta Vm during line stimulation were qualitatively predictable from anisotropic effects of point stimulation provided that combined effects of points along the electrode and points with higher current near ends were considered. For biphasic line stimulation, delta Vm during the second phase was weakly correlated with the temporal sum of effects of phases given individually, indicating limited ability of summation to predict delta Vm. Thus, uniformity of the delta Vm sign during stimulation is enhanced in the region between the ends of a line electrode parallel to fibers. This may lessen arrhythmogenic dispersion of Vm-dependent ion channel states in the region.
Effect of Pravastatin in People with Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Marcello Tonelli, Anthony Keech, Jim Shepherd, Frank Sacks, Andrew Tonkin, Chris Packard, Marc Pfeffer, John Simes, Chris Isles, Curt Furberg, Malcolm West, Tim Craven, Gary Curhan
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2005)

Although diabetes is a major cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), limited data describe the cardiovascular benefit of hydroxymethyl glutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) in people with both of these conditions. This study sought to determine whether pravastatin reduced the incidence of first or recurrent cardiovascular events in people with non–dialysis-dependent CKD and concomitant diabetes, using data from three randomized trials of pravastatin 40 mg daily <i>versus</i> placebo. CKD was defined by estimated GFR &lt;60 or 60 to 89.9 ml/min per 1.73 m<sup>2</sup> with proteinuria. Of 19,737 patients, 4099 (20.8%) had CKD but not diabetes at baseline, 873 (4.4%) had diabetes but not CKD, and 571 (2.9%) had both conditions. The primary composite outcome was time to myocardial infarction, coronary death, or percutaneous/surgical coronary revascularization. Median follow-up was 64 mo. After adjustment for trial and random treatment assignment, the incidence of the primary outcome was lowest in individuals with neither CKD nor diabetes (15.2%), intermediate in individuals with only CKD (18.6%) or only diabetes (21.3%), and highest in individuals with both characteristics (27.0%). Pravastatin reduced the relative likelihood of the primary outcome to a similar extent in subgroups defined by the presence or absence of CKD and diabetes. For example, pravastatin was associated with a significant reduction in the relative risk of the primary outcome by 25% in patients with CKD and concomitant diabetes and by 24% in individuals with neither characteristic. However, the absolute reduction in the risk of the primary outcome as a result of pravastatin use was highest in patients with both CKD and diabetes (6.4%) and lowest in individuals with neither characteristic (3.5%). In conclusion, stage 2 or early stage 3 CKD and diabetes both are associated with higher cardiovascular risk, and pravastatin reduces cardiovascular event rates in people with neither, one, or both characteristics. Given the high absolute benefit of pravastatin in patient with diabetes and stage 2 or early stage 3 CKD, this population in particular should be targeted for widespread use of statins. Additional studies are needed to determine whether these benefits apply to patients with more severe CKD, and recruitment to such studies should be given high priority.
Intradialytic granulocyte reactive oxygen species production
Authors: J Himmelfarb, K A Ault, D Holbrook, D A Leeber, R M Hakim
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1993)

By the use of flow cytometric techniques, this prospective, randomized crossover study was designed to analyze intradialytic granulocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in whole blood with complement-activating and noncomplement-activating hollow fiber membranes. Dialysis with a complement-activating membrane resulted in a 6.5-fold increase in granulocyte hydrogen peroxide production 15 min after dialysis initiation and remained significantly elevated (P < 0.01) through the first 30 min with this membrane in comparison to both predialysis values and simultaneous values with a noncomplement-activating membrane. Further studies demonstrated that blood obtained at 15 min with a complement-activating membrane generated significantly less granulocyte ROS production in response to Staphylococcus aureus incubation than blood obtained either predialysis or at the same time in dialysis with a noncomplement-activating membrane. Both complement-activating and noncomplement-activating dialysis membranes caused slightly decreased granulocyte responsiveness to phorbol myristate acetate. It was concluded that hemodialysis with complement-activating membranes results in increased granulocyte ROS production and decreased responsiveness to S. aureus challenge during the dialysis procedure. These results document the potential role of ROS in hemodialysis-associated pathology and susceptibility to infection.
BLOOD CHLORIDES IN CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PNEUMONIA
Authors: Carl A. L. Binger, Ronald V. Christie, John Staige Davis, Alma Hiller
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1929)

Attempts have been made in dogs to lower the serum chlorides by means of various procedures. Of these the withholding of food, anoxemia, tissue destruction, anaphylactic shock, leucocytosis, and fever yielded negative results. Ingestion of large amounts of water lowered the chloride level independently of body temperature. The chloride drop under these circumstances could not be accounted for by excretion and appeared to run parallel with an increase in the serum water content. Experimental pneumococcus infection in two animals reduced the serum chloride concentration.