tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Supplementation of Conventional Therapy With the Novel Grain Salba (<i>Salvia hispanica L</i>.) Improves Major and Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Vladimir Vuksan, Dana Whitham, John L. Sievenpiper, Alexandra L. Jenkins, Alexander L. Rogovik, Richard P. Bazinet, Edward Vidgen, Amir Hanna
Journal: Diabetes Care (2007)

OBJECTIVE—To determine whether addition of Salba (Salvia hispanica L.), a novel whole grain that is rich in fiber, α-linolenic acid (ALA), and minerals to conventional treatment is associated with improvement in major and emerging cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Using a single-blind cross-over design, subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 37 ± 4 g/day of Salba or wheat bran for 12 weeks while maintaining their conventional diabetes therapies. Twenty well-controlled subjects with type 2 diabetes (11 men and 9 women, aged 64 ± 8 years, BMI 28 ± 4 kg/m2, and A1C 6.8 ± 0.9%) completed the study. This study was set in the outpatient clinic of the Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada. RESULTS—Compared with the control treatment, Salba reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 6.3 ± 4 mmHg (P &amp;lt; 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (mg/l) by 40 ± 1.6% (P = 0.04), and vonWillebrand factor (vWF) by 21 ± 0.3% (P = 0.03), with significant decreases in A1C and fibrinogen in relation to the Salba baseline but not with the control treatment. There were no changes in safety parameters including liver, kidney and hemostatic function, or body weight. Both plasma ALA and eicosapentaenoic polyunsaturated fatty acid levels were increased twofold (P &amp;lt; 0.05) while consuming Salba. CONCLUSIONS—Long-term supplementation with Salba attenuated a major cardiovascular risk factor (SBP) and emerging factors (hs-CRP and vWF) safely beyond conventional therapy, while maintaining good glycemic and lipid control in people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes.
Myocardial angiogenesis and coronary perfusion in left ventricular pressure-overload hypertrophy in the young lamb. Evidence for inhibition with chronic protamine administration.
Authors: M F Flanagan, A M Fujii, S D Colan, R G Flanagan, J E Lock
Journal: Circulation Research (1991)

In contrast to young growing animals, pressure-overload hypertrophy in adults is frequently associated with diminished myocardial capillary density and maximal coronary flow per gram. To determine the role of angiogenesis in maintaining perfusion capacity in the hypertrophying heart, the angiogenesis inhibitor protamine sulfate was administered to young lambs during the development of left ventricular (LV) pressure-overload hypertrophy. Baseline and maximum (adenosine) myocardial perfusion was measured in four groups of chronically instrumented 10-week-old lambs subjected to 1) ascending aortic bands since the age of 4 weeks (LVH group, n = 10), 2) sham operation at the age of 4 weeks (SHAM group, n = 8), 3) aortic bands and twice daily injections of protamine since the age of 4 weeks (LVH + P group, n = 9), 4) sham operation and injection of protamine (SHAM + P group, n = 8). Capillary density was measured postmortem. Peak LV pressure and the LV/body weight ratio were similarly increased in LVH and LVH + P compared with sham-operated lambs (p less than 0.001). In LVH lambs, LV capillary number increased by 32% compared with sham-operated lambs (p less than 0.05), and capillary density, coronary flow reserve, and minimal coronary resistance remained normal. In contrast, LVH + P lambs had no significant increase over SHAM lambs in LV capillaries and total maximum coronary flow. The LVH + P lambs had lower LV subendomyocardial capillary density and higher minimal coronary resistance per gram (p less than 0.05 versus LVH lambs). Right ventricular capillary density and minimal resistance were similar in all groups. These findings support the hypotheses that myocardial angiogenesis with pressure-overload hypertrophy is important in maintaining maximal LV coronary flow in the young and that impairment of angiogenesis results in diminished coronary flow capacity.
Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: J. DUNNING, K. MCNEIL
Journal: Thorax (1999)

Considerable progress has been made in the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) but there are few data about the true incidence, early mortality, and long term progress of this condition. Recurrent PTE or incomplete resolution of the initial event leading to the development of secondary pulmonary hypertension is even less well understood. In the UK the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) remains infrequently considered and even less frequently confirmed. Many physicians remain unaware that the condition is potentially curable by corrective operation and rely on transplantation or palliative medical management.

The incidence of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in the USA has been estimated at between 300 000 and 650 000 symptomatic events per year.1-3 This ranks venous thromboembolism as the third most common cardiovascular disorder after coronary artery disease and stroke.4 Reported mortality rates for PE have varied from 2% to 25% with the net result in the USA being between 50 000 and 200 000 deaths per year.5-7 However, this number may be an underestimate of the actual morbidity and mortality resulting from PE. Routine necropsy studies have found grossly identifiable clot in up to 30% of cases and microscopic evidence of recent or old thromboemboli in over 50%.8 9 Other studies have shown the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism to be unsuspected in 70–80% of patients in whom it was the principal cause of death.10 11 How accurately these data reflect the current position is unclear since modern diagnostic algorithms and approaches to treatment will undoubtedly alter these figures.

For many patients who survive acute PE the natural history is one of total …
Assessment of Abdominal Muscle Contractility, Strength, and Fatigue
Authors: JUNICHI SUZUKI, RYOICHI TANAKA, SHENG YAN, RONCHANG CHEN, PETER T. MACKLEM, BENGT KAYSER
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

We evaluated abdominal muscle contractility and fatigue by measuring twitch gastric pressure (Pgat) after percutaneous supramaximal electrical stimulation of the abdominal wall before and after sit-ups to task failure. Mouth pressures during maximal voluntary expulsive maneuvers (Pemax) at TLC and FRC with superimposed twitches, and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were also assessed. Mean fresh Pgat was 36.1 ± 3.0 cm H2O with a coefficient of variation that ranged between 3.0 to 4.8%. Pgat decreased by 25% (p < 0.001) and 37% (p < 0.001) at 1 and 30 min after sit-ups. During maximal voluntary contraction twitch occlusion never occurred. Pemax at TLC and FRC decreased by 15% (p < 0.001) and 11% (p < 0.017) at 1 min, and 8% (p < 0.036) and 9% (p < 0.030) at 30 min after sit-ups, respectively. Despite the abdominal muscle fatigue, MVV values at 1 and 30 min after sit-ups were not significantly different from the value obtained before the sit-ups. We conclude that (1) Pgat is a useful objective indicator of abdominal muscle contractility and fatigue; (2) during maximal voluntary expulsive maneuvers the abdominal muscles are never fully activated; (3) sit-ups lead to substantial low-frequency fatigue but little high-frequency fatigue of the abdominal muscles, which has little effect on maximal breathing capacity.
Noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure
Authors: L. Brochard, J. Mancebo, M.W. Elliott
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2002)

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has emerged as a significant advance in the management of respiratory failure. There is now a wide body of prospective randomized-controlled trial data to support its use, particularly in the management of patients with acute or respiratory failure due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its successful application results in a more rapid resolution of the physiological derangements, reduces the need for intubation and, in larger studies, improves survival. A reduction in the number of infectious complications is a particular advantage. In patients with acute exacerbations of COPD there is evidence of benefit when NIV is introduced earlier in the course of the illness than would be the case for invasive ventilation and it should now be considered even with mild acidosis (pH&lt;7.35) and tachypnoea (respiratory rate &gt;23 breaths·min −1 ) after initial medical therapy. There is less clinical-trial data in patients with hypoxaemic respiratory failure, but again as with COPD those with less severe physiological disturbance are more likely to benefit. By contrast noninvasive continuous positive airways pressure, while being widely used has not been shown to reduce the need for intubation or to improve survival in patients with hypoxaemic respiratory failure, with the exception of acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Noninvasive ventilation has been a real advance in the treatment of the critically ill. Most of the studies published to date, have excluded patients needing immediate intubation and it should be viewed as a complimentary technique rather than an alternative to invasive ventilation. It is best viewed as a means of preventing the need for endotracheal intubation and as a result should be introduced earlier than would be the case for invasive ventilation.
Regulatory T cells are not a strong predictor of survival for patients with glioblastoma
Authors: A. A. Thomas, J. L. Fisher, G. J. Rahme, T. H. Hampton, U. Baron, S. Olek, T. Schwachula, C. H. Rhodes, J. Gui, L. J. Tafe, G. J. Tsongalis, J. A. Lefferts, H. Wishart, J. Kleen, M. Miller, C. A. Whipple, F. B. de Abreu, M. S. Ernstoff, C. E. Fadul
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2015)

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are potentially prognostic indicators in patients with glioblastoma. If differences in frequency of Tregs in tumor or blood account for substantial variation in patient survival, then reliably measuring Tregs may enhance treatment selection and improve outcomes. We measured Tregs and CD3+ T cells in tumors and blood from 25 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Tumor-infiltrating Tregs and CD3+ T cells, measured by quantitative DNA demethylation analysis (epigenetic qPCR) and by immunohistochemistry, and peripheral blood Treg proportions measured by flow cytometry were correlated with patient survival. Additionally, we analyzed data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to correlate the expression of Treg markers with patient survival and glioblastoma subtypes. Tregs, as measured in tumor tissue and peripheral blood, did not correlate with patient survival. Although there was a correlation between tumor-infiltrating Tregs expression by epigenetic qPCR and immunohistochemistry, epigenetic qPCR was more sensitive and specific. Using data from TCGA, mRNA expression of Forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) and Helios and FoxP3 methylation level did not predict survival. While the classical glioblastoma subtype corresponded to lower expression of Treg markers, these markers did not predict survival in any of the glioblastoma subtypes. Although immunosuppression is a hallmark of glioblastoma, Tregs as measured in tissue by gene expression, immunohistochemistry, or demethylation and Tregs in peripheral blood measured by flow cytometry do not predict survival of patients. Quantitative DNA demethylation analysis provides an objective, sensitive, and specific way of identifying Tregs and CD3+ T cells in glioblastoma.
Depressed baroreflex sensitivity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Authors: J T Carlson, J A Hedner, J Sellgren, M Elam, B G Wallin
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1996)

Muscle nerve sympathetic activity (MSA), the interval between two R-waves in the ECG, or the interbeat interval (RR-interval), and blood pressure (BP) were recorded in 10 awake patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and in nine sex- and age-matched controls. Changes in RR-interval and MSA, evoked by sodium nitroprusside-induced reduction of BP, were used to quantitate baroreflex sensitivity. Both the cardiac (expressed as the RR-interval versus mean arterial BP slope) and the muscle sympathetic (mean MSA area versus diastolic BP slope) baroreflex sensitivity were depressed in patients as compared with controls. Cardiac baroreflex slope sensitivity (expressed as a regression coefficient) was 5.5 +/- 1.2 (mean +/- SEM) in patients and 9.6 +/- 0.96 in controls (p < 0.05). The corresponding figures for the sympathetic slope sensitivity were -4.9 +/- 0.9 and -13.1 +/- 2.3, respectively (p < 0.05). Differences remained after stepwise correction for age, body mass index (BMI), and to some extent BP. Resting MSA correlated with cardiac (r = 0.67, p < 0.003) and sympathetic (r = 0.56, p < 0.025) baroreflex sensitivity in the entire study group. We conclude that OSA patients exhibit an impaired baroreflex sensitivity to a hypotensive stimulus, which may represent an adaptive response to changes in BP or hypoxemia occurring in association with nocturnal apneas. Baroreflex adaptation may also contribute to the augmentation of resting MSA observed in OSA patients in this as well as in a previous study.
Inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinases restores immunocompetence and improves immune-dependent chemotherapy against experimental leishmaniasis in mice
Authors: Jane E. Dalton, Asher Maroof, Benjamin M.J. Owens, Priyanka Narang, Katherine Johnson, Najmeeyah Brown, Lovisa Rosenquist, Lynette Beattie, Mark Coles, Paul M. Kaye
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2010)

Receptor tyrosine kinases are involved in multiple cellular processes, and drugs that inhibit their action are used in the clinic to treat several types of cancer. However, the value of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs) for treating infectious disease has yet to be explored. Here, we have shown in mice that administration of the broad-spectrum RTKI sunitinib maleate (Sm) blocked the vascular remodeling and progressive splenomegaly associated with experimental visceral leishmaniasis. Furthermore, Sm treatment restored the integrity of the splenic microarchitecture. Although restoration of splenic architecture was accompanied by an increase in the frequency of IFN-gamma+CD4+ T cells, Sm treatment alone was insufficient to cause a reduction in tissue parasite burden. However, preconditioning by short-term Sm treatment proved to be successful as an adjunct therapy, increasing the frequency of IFN-gamma+ and IFN-gamma+TNF+CD4+ T cells, enhancing NO production by splenic macrophages, and providing dose-sparing effects when combined with a first-line immune-dependent anti-leishmanial drug. We propose, therefore, that RTKIs may prove clinically useful as agents to restore immune competence before the administration of chemo- or immunotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis or other diseases involving lymphoid tissue remodeling, including cancer.
Thiazolidinedione Use, Fluid Retention, and Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Richard W. Nesto, David Bell, Robert O. Bonow, Vivian Fonseca, Scott M. Grundy, Edward S. Horton, Martin Le Winter, Daniel Porte, Clay F. Semenkovich, Sidney Smith, Lawrence H. Young, Richard Kahn
Journal: Circulation (2003)

HomeCirculationVol. 108, No. 23Thiazolidinedione Use, Fluid Retention, and Congestive Heart Failure
Oral Phosphate Binders in Patients with Kidney Failure
Authors: Marcello Tonelli, Neesh Pannu, Braden Manns
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2010)

Hyperphosphatemia, which is nearly universal in kidney failure, is accompanied by low serum levels of vitamin D and hypocalcemia. Without treatment, severe secondary hyperparathyroidism occurs, which may result in painful fractures, brown tumors, and generalized osteopenia. This article reviews the rationale for treatment with oral phosphate binders, discusses evidence supporting the use of available agents, and suggests an approach for clinical practice.
Subtypes of constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome based on rectal perception
Authors: F Harraf, M Schmulson, L Saba, N Niazi, R Fass, J Munakata, D Diehl, H Mertz, B Naliboff, E A Mayer
Journal: Gut (1998)

Patients who complain of constipation can be divided into those who have lost the natural call to stool, but develop abdominal discomfort after several days without a bowel movement (no urge); and those who experience a constant sensation of incomplete evacuation (urge).To determine whether the two groups differ in symptoms, colonic transit, and perceptual responses to controlled rectal distension.Forty four patients with constipation were evaluated with a bowel symptom questionnaire, colonic transit (radiopaque markers), and rectal balloon distension. Stool (S) and discomfort (D) thresholds to slow ramp (40 ml/min) and rapid phasic distension (870 ml/min) were determined with an electronic distension device. Fifteen healthy controls were also studied.All patients had Rome positive irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); 17 were no urge and 27 urge. Mean D threshold to phasic rectal distensions was 28 (3) mm Hg in no urge, 27 (3) mm Hg in urge (NS), but higher in the control group (46 (2) mm Hg; p < 0.01). Sixty seven per cent of no urge and 69% of urge were hypersensitive for D. Slow ramp distension thresholds were higher in no urge (S: 26 (3); D: 45 (4) mm Hg) compared with urge (S: 16 (2); D: 31 (3) mm Hg; p < 0.01), or with controls (S: 15 (1); D: 30 (3); p < 0.01).Hyposensitivity to slow rectal distension is found in patients with IBS who complain of constipation and have lost the call to stool even though their sensitivity to phasic distension is increased.
A Few Words of Thanks to a Great Many People
Authors: M. THERESE SOUTHGATE
Journal: JAMA (1977)

The relationship among all those who are responsible forThe Journal—from the editorial production staff to the advertisers, from the American Medical Association's Board of Trustees (under whose auspicesThe Journalis published) to the W. A. Krueger Company (who does the printing), and to persons in virtually every division of AMA's staff organization—is so complex, and their efforts so successfully blended, that once a contribution has gone into the common pot, only the final result, not the individual efforts, can be identified. Despite the impossibility of doing so adequately, however, there are some groups that we would single out for special mention; first, they are so seldom thought of in terms of what they contribute toThe Journal's success and second, the work they do, they do quietly, often anonymously, and always without financial remuneration. Paramount among these groups are our authors. True, in a world of
Statin Use and Risk of Primary Liver Cancer in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Authors: K. A. McGlynn, K. Hagberg, J. Chen, B. I. Graubard, W. T. London, S. Jick, V. V. Sahasrabuddhe
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2015)

Background:Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) are widely prescribed to reduce cholesterol levels. Studies have suggested that statins are associated with reduced risk for liver cancer, but much of the evidence is from regions of the world with high liver cancer incidence rates. The current study examined the statins–liver cancer relationship in a low-rate region and examined the effects of preexisting liver disease and diabetes on that association.
Limitations in Anthropometric Calculations of Total Body Water in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: ANN CATHRINE JOHANSSON, OLA SAMUELSSON, PER OLA ATTMAN, INGVAR BOSAEUS, BO[Combining Diaeresis]RJE HARALDSSON
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2001)

Abstract. Having an accurate estimation of total body water (TBW) is essential for the evaluation of dialysis efficacy in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. In this study, TBW volumes were measured by tritium dilution (TBW THO ) in 165 PD patients and compared with TBW calculations according to the Watson formulas. An alternative anthropometric formula based on the present PD population was also developed and validated in an independent sample of 29 PD patients. Furthermore, the relation between TBW THO and body surface area (BSA) according to the formula of Gehan was analyzed. Body composition was assessed by a four-compartment model, based on measurements of TBW THO and total body potassium. Mean values of TBW by the Watson formulas were almost identical to TBW THO , and the correlation coefficient for the relationship of calculated to measured volumes was 0.89 ( P = 0.001). However, both anthropometric formulas—the Watson formulas as well as the new, alternative one—overestimated TBW in obese patients and vice versa in lean patients. Similarly, TBW was underestimated in patients who were overhydrated. The correlation coefficient between TBW THO and BSA was 0.708 for males and 0.797 for females ( P = 0.0001 for both). In obese patients, the relationship was even closer ( r = 0.924 and 0.911, respectively). In conclusion, anthropometric formulas to calculate TBW showed a considerable intraindividual variability compared with measured values. This was related to body composition features, such as degree of obesity and hydration. In contrast, BSA correlated closely to TBW in obese individuals. TBW as estimated by anthropometric formulas must be analyzed with caution, especially in the very obese or very lean patient.
Cross-Hemispheric Functional Connectivity in the Human Fetal Brain
Authors: Moriah E. Thomason, Maya T. Dassanayake, Stephen Shen, Yashwanth Katkuri, Mitchell Alexis, Amy L. Anderson, Lami Yeo, Swati Mody, Edgar Hernandez-Andrade, Sonia S. Hassan, Colin Studholme, Jeong-Won Jeong, Roberto Romero
Journal: Science Translational Medicine (2013)

fMRI enables noninvasive direct quantification of neural network connectivity in the healthy human fetus.
Fibronectin in human bronchopulmonary lavage fluid. Elevation in patients with interstitial lung disease.
Authors: S I Rennard, R G Crystal
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1982)

Fibronectin is a major adhesive and opsonic glycoprotein found in plasma and tissues. Because this molecule appears to mediate a number of interactions between cells and extracellular matrix, and because the interstitial lung disease are characterized by marked derangements of the pulmonary extracellular matrix, we evaluated fibronectin in the lower respiratory tract in patients with these disorders. Fibronectin could be detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of normals (11/11), as well as those with noninterstitial lung diseases (18/18), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (21/21), sarcoidosis (20/20), and other interstitial lung diseases (22/22). Compared with normal and those with noninterstitial lung disease, the levels in bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with interstitial disease were significantly higher (P less than 0.01), all comparisons). This was true only for bronchoalveolar lavage fibronectin; plasma levels were similar in all study groups (P greater than 0.2, all comparisons). The lavage fluid fibronectin was intact antigenically and retained collagen binding capability, although in some cases of interstitial disease, the presence of lower molecular weight fragments suggested some degradation. Thus, fibronectin is a normal constituent of the epithelial fluid of the lower respiratory tract and is present in increased amounts in a significant number of individuals with interstitial lung disease.