tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents for Non-invasive Stem Cell Labeling and Tracking
Authors: Li Li, Wen Jiang, Kui Luo, Hongmei Song, Fang Lan, Yao Wu, Zhongwei Gu
Journal: Theranostics (2013)

Stem cells hold great promise for the treatment of multiple human diseases and disorders.Tracking and monitoring of stem cells in vivo after transplantation can supply important information for determining the efficacy of stem cell therapy.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with contrast agents is believed to be the most effective and safest non-invasive technique for stem cell tracking in living bodies.Commercial superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) in the aid of transfection agents (TAs) have been applied to labeling stem cells.However, owing to the potential toxicity of TAs, more attentions have been paid to develop novel SPIONs with specific surface coating or functional moieties which facilitate effective cell internalization in the absence of TAs.This review aims to summarize the recent progress in the design and preparation of SPIONs as cellular MRI probes, to discuss their applications and current problems facing in stem cell labeling and tracking, and to offer perspectives and solutions for the future development of SPIONs in this field.
Anti-serum amyloid component P antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus correlate with disease activity
Authors: G Zandman-Goddard
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2005)

<b>Objective:</b> To determine the presence of raised titres of anti-serum amyloid P component (SAP) antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate their correlation with clinical disease by the SLEDAI and clinical manifestations. <b>Methods:</b> 452 samples were screened for raised anti-SAP antibody titres by an ELISA. Clinical measures and SLEDAI scores were independently reviewed from medical records. 21 serial samples from 7 patients with SLE were assessed for a change in anti-SAP antibody titres after treatment. <b>Results:</b> Raised anti-SAP antibody titres were detected in 145/328 (44%) SLE samples. In 112 randomly selected samples, 69/112 (62%) patients had raised anti-SAP antibodies and anti-dsDNA antibody titres, whereas only 32/112 (28%) had raised anti-dsDNA antibody titres without raised anti-SAP antibody titres. The mean titre of anti-SAP antibodies in patients with active disease was higher than in patients with inactive disease and controls. SLEDAI scores, assessed in 54 patients, were raised in 26/31 (84%) patients with raised anti-SAP antibody titres. A SLEDAI score ⩾8 was found in 16/31 (52%) patients with raised anti-SAP antibody titres but in only 5/23 (22%) patients without raised titres. No specific pattern of disease was detected in patients with or without raised titres of anti-SAP antibodies. Serial sampling from patients with active SLE and raised anti-SAP antibody titres showed that anti-SAP antibody titres decreased after treatment and correlated with clinical improvement. <b>Conclusion:</b> Raised anti-SAP antibody titres detected in patients with SLE correlate with disease activity and decrease with improvement of clinical disease, and thus may serve as an additional prognostic marker.
Effect of contraction frequency on energy expenditure and substrate utilisation during upper and lower body exercise
Authors: J Kang, J R Hoffman, M Wendell, H Walker, M Hebert
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2004)

To examine the effect of contraction frequency on energy expenditure and substrate utilisation during upper (UE) and lower (LE) body exercise.Twenty four college students were recruited: 12 were tested on an arm ergometer, and the other 12 were tested on a leg ergometer. Each subject underwent three experimental trials on three separate days, and the three trials were presented in a randomised order. Each trial consisted of 10 minutes of arm cranking or leg cycling at 40, 60, or 80 rev/min, with power output being kept constant at 50 W. Steady state oxygen uptake (VO(2)) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured during each exercise. Energy expenditure was calculated from the steady state VO(2) adjusted for substrate metabolism using RER. Carbohydrate and fat oxidation were calculated from VO(2) and RER based on the assumption that protein breakdown contributes little to energy metabolism during exercise.Energy expenditure was greater (p<0.05) at 80 rev/min than at 40 rev/min. No difference was found between 40 and 60 rev/min and between 60 and 80 rev/min during both UE and LE. During LE, carbohydrate oxidation was also higher at 80 rev/min than at 40 rev/min, whereas no difference in fat oxidation was found among all three pedal rates. During UE, no speed related differences in either carbohydrate or fat utilisation were observed.Pedalling at a greater frequency helped to maximise energy expenditure during exercise using UE or LE despite an unchanging power output. Whereas contraction frequency affects energy expenditure similarly during both UE and LE, its impact on carbohydrate utilisation appears to be influenced by exercise modality or relative exercise intensity.
Gemcitabine in advanced angiosarcoma: a retrospective case series analysis from the Italian Rare Cancer Network
Authors: S. Stacchiotti, E. Palassini, R. Sanfilippo, B. Vincenzi, M.G. Arena, A.M. Bochicchio, P. De Rosa, A. Nuzzo, S. Turano, C. Morosi, A.P. Dei Tos, S. Pilotti, P.G. Casali
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2011)

BackgroundAngiosarcoma is a highly aggressive soft tissue sarcoma. Responses to anthracyclines plus/minus ifosfamide, and taxanes alone or in combination with gemcitabine are well documented. Very few data are available on gemcitabine as a single agent.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed all cases of advanced progressive angiosarcoma treated with gemcitabine as a single agent (1000 mg/m2 i.v. every week for 3 weeks every 4 weeks), at Istituto Nazionale Tumori and within the Italian Rare Cancers Network from January 2008 to November 2010.ResultsTwenty-five patients [mean age: 52 years; radiation therapy (RT)-related: 8] received gemcitabine. Best tumor response by RECIST was as follows: complete response = 2, partial response = 14, stable disease = 2, progressive disease = 7 cases, for an overall response rate (PR + CR) of 68%. Six of eight post-RT angiosarcomas responded to treatment. Median overall survival (OS) was 17 months. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7 months (range 1–40 months). One patient with a locally advanced thyroid angiosarcoma became resectable after 5 months of gemcitabine, with <10% residual viable tumor cells seen on surgical specimen. Overall, gemcitabine was well tolerated.ConclusionsGemcitabine is active in both RT- and non-RT-related angiosarcoma, with dimensional and possibly long-lasting responses. A formal phase II study on gemcitabine as a single agent is warranted.
On the interaction of IgG subclasses with the low affinity Fc gamma RIIa (CD32) on human monocytes, neutrophils, and platelets. Analysis of a functional polymorphism to human IgG2.
Authors: P W Parren, P A Warmerdam, L C Boeije, J Arts, N A Westerdaal, A Vlug, P J Capel, L A Aarden, J G van de Winkel
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1992)

An allotypic form of the low affinity IgG Fc receptor Fc gamma RIIa (CD32), termed low responder (LR) because of its weak reactivity with mouse (m) IgG1, interacts efficiently with human (h) IgG2. Fc gamma RIIaLR is the first known human FcR that binds this IgG subclass. In this study, we analyzed the role of Fc gamma RIIa in binding of stable hIgG-subclass dimers, and in induction of T cell mitogenesis using chimeric anti-CD3 mAb. We demonstrate that the functional polymorphism to hIgG2 is expressed on the majority of Fc gamma R-bearing peripheral blood cells: monocytes, neutrophils, and platelets. We were able to assess Fc gamma RII-mediated IgG-binding without interference of other Fc gamma R-classes, by blockade of Fc gamma RI on monocytes, and by using neutrophils of an individual deficient for the Fc gamma RIIIB gene. This study indicates as subclass specificity: hIgG3 >hIgG1,hIgG2 >> hIgG4 for Fc gamma RIIaLR and hIgG3,hIgG1 >> hIgG2 > hIgG4 for Fc gamma RIIaHR. Comparing the serum hIgG levels of individuals homozygous for the two fc gamma RIIa allotypic forms, we observed significantly lower hIgG2 serum levels in individuals expressing the hIgG2-binding LR allotypic form. This observation may implicate that Fc gamma RIIa regulates hIgG subclass production or turnover in man.
Somatostatin Therapy in the Management of Resistant Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Authors: Mehmet Bosnak, Bunyamin Dikici, Omer Dogru, Mehmet Davutoglu, Kenan Haspolat
Journal: Diabetes Care (2002)

In the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes, not only insulin hormone deficiency but also inappropriate secretion of counterregulatory hormones are thought to play a part. From this point of view, inhibition of counterregulatory hormones should also be evaluated in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The cyclic tetradecapeptide hormone somatostatin was first characterized as the major physiological inhibitor of growth hormone release from the pituitary, but it has subsequently been shown to inhibit the release of many other physiologically important compounds, including insulin, glucagon, gastrin, and secretin. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complication of type 1 diabetes, and its management includes insulin, fluid, and electrolyte therapy. Alternative treatments have been investigated in unresponsive patients. As a inhibiting hormone of counterregulatory hormones, somatostatin may be used in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidotic coma. In this study, two diabetic ketoacidotic children who were unresponsive to standard insulin and fluid therapy are discussed; despite appropriate management of fluid and electrolytes, the patients’ blood glucose levels could not be lowered, and they had no clinical improvement. We tried somatostatin infusion therapy in both of these children.

The first patient is an 8-year-old girl who was admitted to our emergency room with a history of polyuria and polydipsia during the last week. She had deep and rapid breathing, loss of consciousness, and acidosis at the time of admission. There was no particular disease in …
Anti hepatitis G E2 antibody detection and its relation to serum HGV-RNA in patients with clotting disorders
Authors: L. Sheng, A. Soumillion, K. Peerlinck, C. Verslype, R. Schelstraete, F. Gyselinck, M-P. Emonds, G. Hess, J. Vermylen, J. Desmyter, S.H. Yap
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (1998)
162 MOLECULAR ADSORBENT RECIRCULATING SYSTEM IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY NON-FUNCTION AND OTHER CAUSES OF GRAFT DYSFUNCTION AFTER LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
Authors: L. Zileri Dal Verme, R. Gaspari, A.W. Avolio, G. Merra, M. Santoro, M. Castagneto, R. Proietti, A. Gasbarrini
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2008)
Pathogenicity of individual rhinovirus species during exacerbations of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Amna Shah, Michael Connelly, Paul Whitaker, Chloe McIntyre, Christine Etherington, Miles Denton, Anthony Hale, Heli Harvala, Peter Simmonds, Daniel G. Peckham
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2015)

Pulmonary exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) accelerate deterioration of lung function and cause increased morbidity and mortality [1]. Viruses have been identified in up to 60% of CF related pulmonary exacerbations with a higher prevalence in children [2–5]. Flight et al. [4] identified viruses in 40% of exacerbations in adult patients with CF; viral PCR was performed on nasal, throat, and sputum specimens. We routinely undertake viral throat swabs in all adult patients receiving intravenous antibiotics as part of prospective clinical surveillance, with data automatically uploaded to the electronic patient record (EPR). Patients with self-limiting exacerbations are not screened. In our selected cohort, viral PCR was positive in 9.2% of cases and a positive result is associated with longer duration of treatment, increased inflammatory response, and less recovery of lung volumes [3]. Rhinovirus associated pulmonary exacerbations: no differences in clinical outcomes between individual species <http://ow.ly/KJatw>
Prospective Study of Fertility Concerns and Preservation Strategies in Young Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Kathryn J. Ruddy, Shari I. Gelber, Rulla M. Tamimi, Elizabeth S. Ginsburg, Lidia Schapira, Steven E. Come, Virginia F. Borges, Meghan E. Meyer, Ann H. Partridge
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2014)

Most research regarding fertility in young women with breast cancer has focused on long-term survivors. Little is known about how fertility concerns affect treatment decisions or fertility preservation strategies at the time of initial cancer diagnosis.As part of an ongoing prospective multicenter cohort study, we surveyed women with newly diagnosed early-stage breast cancer at age ≤ 40 years. The baseline survey included sociodemographic, medical, and treatment data as well as a modified Fertility Issues Survey, including fertility concern and preservation items. Univariable and multivariable modeling were used to investigate predictors of greater fertility concern.Among the first 620 eligible respondents included in this analysis, median age was 37 years (range, 17 to 40 years); 425 women (68%) discussed fertility issues with their physicians before starting therapy, and 319 (51%) were concerned about becoming infertile after treatment. Because of concerns about fertility, four women (1%) chose not to receive chemotherapy, 12 (2%) chose one chemotherapy regimen over another, six (1%) considered not receiving endocrine therapy, 19 (3%) decided not to receive endocrine therapy, and 71 (11%) considered receiving endocrine therapy for < 5 years; 65 (10%) used fertility preservation strategies. Greater concern about fertility was associated with younger age, nonwhite race, not having children, and receipt of chemotherapy.Many young women with newly diagnosed breast cancer have concerns about fertility, and for some, these substantially affect their treatment decisions. Only a minority of women currently pursue available fertility preservation strategies in this setting.
Periodic treatment regimens with inhaled steroids in asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Is it possible?
Authors: C. P. van Schayck
Journal: JAMA (1995)

<h3>Objective.</h3> —To determine whether inhaled corticosteroids can be discontinued in the stable phase of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or if this therapy should be continued. <h3>Design.</h3> —Nonrandomized open uncontrolled 5-year trial. <h3>Setting.</h3> —Prospective study in general practice. <h3>Patients.</h3> —Forty-eight patients with steroid-dependent asthma or COPD who had shown a decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV<sub>1</sub>) of at least 80 mL per year and at least one exacerbation per year during the first 2 years of bronchodilator treatment. Subjects were treated additionally with inhaled steroids for another 2 years and were finally given the option to stop using steroids. Sixteen patients were willing to stop using beclomethasone and were studied for another year. No recruitment bias took place in this consecutive sample in the fifth year of follow-up. Two of 16 patients developed carcinomas and dropped out. <h3>Interventions.</h3> —Two years of bronchodilator treatment alone (400 μg of salbutamol or 40 μg of ipratropium bromide four times daily), followed by 2 years of additional inhaled corticosteroid treatment (400 μg of beclomethasone two times daily), and finally 1 year of bronchodilator treatment alone. <h3>Main Outcome Measures.</h3> —Decline in lung function (FEV<sub>1</sub>), change in bronchial hyperresponsiveness, indicated by a provocative concentration of histamine causing a 20% fall in FEV<sub>1</sub>(PC<sub>20</sub>), morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), diurnal PEFR, week-to-week variation of PEFR, bronchial symptoms, and exacerbations. <h3>Results.</h3> —The course of FEV<sub>1</sub>during the year in which beclomethasone was discontinued was not significantly different when compared with the 2-year period of beclomethasone treatment. Neither did the course of PC<sub>20</sub>, morning PEFR, diurnal PEFR, symptom score, and exacerbation rate change. Only the week-to-week variation of the PEFR increased after discontinuing steroids. <h3>Conclusions.</h3> —Discontinuing inhaled steroids is possible in some patients with asthma or COPD after 2 years of regular treatment. This might indicate that for certain groups of patients with mild asthma or COPD, periodic treatment schedules with inhaled steroids is the treatment policy for the future. (<i>JAMA</i>. 1995;274:161-164)
Effects of different bile salts on steady-state mRNA levels and transcriptional activity of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase
Authors: William M. Pandak, Reno Z. Vlahcevic, Douglas M. Heuman, Kaye S. Redford, John Y. L. Chiang, Philip B. Hylemon
Journal: Hepatology (1994)

Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the bile acid synthesis pathway, is down-regulated by taurocholate by way of negative feedback control at the level of gene transcription. The molecular basis of regulation of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase by other hydrophobic bile salts and under more physiological conditions is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular basis of regulation of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase by several naturally occurring bile salts in rats with intact enterohepatic circulation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pair-fed for 14 days normal chow (control), cholestyramine (5% of diet), cholic acid (1%), chenodeoxycholic acid (1%) or deoxycholic acid (0.25%). When rats were killed, livers were harvested and HMG-CoA reductase specific activity and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase specific activities, steady-state mRNA levels and transcriptional activity were determined and compared with those of control rats fed normal chow. Compared with results in paired controls, cholestyramine feeding led to an approximate threefold increase in HMG-CoA reductase specific activity. Feeding of hydrophobic bile salts profoundly decreased the specific activity of HMG-CoA reductase. Cholestyramine led to a three-fold increase in cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase specific activity, steady-state mRNA levels and gene transcriptional activity. The feeding of cholic (1%), chenodeoxycholic (1%) and deoxycholic acid (0.25%) led to significant decreases in cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase specific activities (62%, 84% and 97%, respectively), steady-state mRNA levels (72%, 29% and 61%, respectively) and transcriptional activities (44%, 43% and 54%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Hepatocyte Growth Factor Regulatory Factors in Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Christian Parr, Gareth Watkins, Robert E. Mansel, Wen G. Jiang
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Purpose: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulates tumor cell-cell interactions, matrix adhesion, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. This factor is produced as an inactive precursor called pro-HGF, which requires proteolytic conversion, by HGF activator (HGFA) and matriptase, to evoke a biological response. Two new HGFA inhibitors, HAI-1 and HAI-2, inhibit the generation of biologically active HGF, through their interaction with HGFA. This study determined the expression of this HGF regulatory system in breast cancer. We examined HGF, the HGF receptor (c-Met), HGFA, matriptase, and the activation inhibitors (HAI-1 and HAI-2), tissues from patients with breast cancer. Experimental Design: Breast cancer tissue (n = 100) and normal background tissue (n = 20) was obtained immediately after surgery. The median follow-up for the patients was 72 months. HGF, c-Met, HGFA, matriptase-1, HAI-1, and HAI-2 expression was quantified using real-time quantitative PCR. The distribution of these factors in mammary tissues was also examined through immunohistochemistry. Results: The breast cancer specimens expressed a significantly higher level of HGF, c-Met, HGFA, HAI-1, and HAI-2, but not matriptase, compared with the normal background tissues. Tumor tissues from node-positive patients expressed a higher level of HGFA than from the patients without nodal involvement. Interestingly, HAI-2 was expressed to a lower degree in positive nodes than that of the node-negative breast cancer tissues. HAI-1 and HAI-2 were both significantly reduced in grade 3 tumors compared with the well-differentiated tumors. In addition, on comparison of Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) classification groups, HAI-2 was also found to be statistically lower in the TNM 3 breast cancer group when compared with TNM groups 1 and 2, thus associated with a poor prognosis. Conclusions: This study shows that there are aberrant levels of HGF, c-Met, HGFA, HAI-1, and HAI-2 expressed in breast cancer tissues compared with background breast tissue. HAI-1 and HAI-2 are expressed to a significantly lower level in poorly differentiated breast tumors, and HAI-2 is also inversely correlated with nodal involvement and tumor spread. Overall a low level of HAI-2 in the breast cancer tissues was associated with an overall poor outlook. Therefore, the HGF regulatory system may have an important role in the progression of breast cancer.
A Novel Therapeutic Combination Approach for Treating Multiple Vemurafenib-Induced Keratoacanthomas
Authors: Lindsay LaPresto, Lee Cranmer, Lynne Morrison, Christof P. Erickson, Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski
Journal: JAMA Dermatology (2013)

Lindsay LaPresto, BS; Lee Cranmer, MD, PhD; Lynne Morrison, RN; Christof P. Erickson, MD; Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski, MD; Sections of Hematology and Oncology (Dr Cranmer) and Dermatology (Ms Morrison and Dr Curiel-Lewandrowski), College of Medicine, and The University of Arizona Cancer Center (Drs Cranmer and Curiel-Lewandrowski and Ms Morrison), University of Arizona, Tucson; and Dermpath Diagnostics, Tucson (Dr Erickson). Ms LaPresto is a medical student at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson.