tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Body composition in sport: a comparison of a novel ultrasound imaging technique to measure subcutaneous fat tissue compared with skinfold measurement
Authors: Wolfram Müller, Martin Horn, Alfred Fürhapter-Rieger, Philipp Kainz, Julia M Kröpfl, Ronald J Maughan, Helmut Ahammer
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2013)

Background Extremely low weight and rapid changes in weight and body composition have become major concerns in many sports, but sufficiently accurate field methods for body composition assessment in athletes are missing. This study aimed to explore the use of ultrasound methods for assessment of body fat content in athletes. Methods 19 female athletes (stature: 1.67(±0.06) m, weight: 59.6(±7.6) kg; age: 19.5(±3.3) years) were investigated by three observers using a novel ultrasound method for thickness measurement of uncompressed subcutaneous adipose tissue and of embedded structures. Two observers also measured skinfold thickness at eight International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthrometry (ISAK) sites; mean skinfold values were compared to mean subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses measured by ultrasound. Interobserver reliability of imaging and evaluation obtained by this ultrasound technique: intraclass correlation coefficient ICC=0.968 (95% CI 0.957 to 0.977); evaluation of given images: ICC=0.997 (0.993 to 0.999). Results Skinfold compared to ultrasound thickness showed that compressibility of subcutaneous adipose tissue depends largely on the site and the person: regression slopes ranged from 0.61 (biceps) to 1.59 (thigh) and CIs were large. Limits of agreement ranged from 2.6 to 8.6 mm. Regression lines did not intercept the skinfold axis at zero because of the skin thickness being included in the skinfold. The four ISAK trunk sites caused ultrasound imaging problems in 13 of 152 sites (8 ISAK sites, 19 athletes). Conclusions The ultrasound method allows measurement of uncompressed subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness with an accuracy of 0.1–0.5 mm, depending on the probe frequency. Compressibility of the skinfold depends on the anatomical site, and skin thickness varies by a factor of two. This inevitably limits the skinfold methods for body fat estimation. Ultrasound accuracy for subcutaneous adipose tissue measurement is limited by the plasticity of fat and furrowed tissue borders. Comparative US measurements show that skinfold measurements do not allow accurate assessment of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness.
Risk factor assessment of endoscopically removed malignant colorectal polyps
Authors: P Netzer, C Forster, R Biral, C Ruchti, J Neuweiler, E Stauffer, R Schönegg, C Maurer, J Hüsler, F Halter, A Schmassmann
Journal: Gut (1998)

Background —Malignant colorectal polyps are defined as endoscopically removed polyps with cancerous tissue which has invaded the submucosa. Various histological criteria exist for managing these patients. Aims —To determine the significance of histological findings of patients with malignant polyps. Methods —Five pathologists reviewed the specimens of 85 patients initially diagnosed with malignant polyps. High risk malignant polyps were defined as having one of the following: incomplete polypectomy, a margin not clearly cancer-free, lymphatic or venous invasion, or grade III carcinoma. Adverse outcome was defined as residual cancer in a resection specimen and local or metastatic recurrence in the follow up period (mean 67 months). Results —Malignant polyps were confirmed in 70 cases. In the 32 low risk malignant polyps, no adverse outcomes occurred; 16 (42%) of the 38 patients with high risk polyps had adverse outcomes (p&lt;0.001). Independent adverse risk factors were incomplete polypectomy and a resected margin not clearly cancer-free; all other risk factors were only associated with adverse outcome when in combination. Conclusion —As no patients with low risk malignant polyps had adverse outcomes, polypectomy alone seems sufficient for these cases. In the high risk group, surgery is recommended when either of the two independent risk factors, incomplete polypectomy or a resection margin not clearly cancer-free, is present or if there is a combination of other risk factors. As lymphatic or venous invasion or grade III cancer did not have an adverse outcome when the sole risk factor, operations in such cases should be individually assessed on the basis of surgical risk.
Engagement of Platelet Toll-Like Receptor 9 by Novel Endogenous Ligands Promotes Platelet Hyperreactivity and Thrombosis
Authors: Soumya Panigrahi, Yi Ma, Li Hong, Detao Gao, Xiaoxia Z. West, Robert G. Salomon, Tatiana V. Byzova, Eugene A. Podrez
Journal: Circulation Research (2012)

A prothrombotic state and increased platelet reactivity are common in pathophysiological conditions associated with oxidative stress and infections. Such conditions are associated with an appearance of altered-self ligands in circulation that can be recognized by Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Platelets express a number of TLRs, including TLR9; however, the role of TLR in platelet function and thrombosis is poorly understood.To investigate the biological activities of carboxy(alkylpyrrole) protein adducts, an altered-self ligand generated in oxidative stress, on platelet function and thrombosis.In this study we show that carboxy(alkylpyrrole) protein adducts represent novel unconventional ligands for TLR9. Furthermore, using human and murine platelets, we demonstrate that carboxy(alkylpyrrole) protein adducts promote platelet activation, granule secretion, and aggregation in vitro and thrombosis in vivo via the TLR9/MyD88 pathway. Platelet activation by TLR9 ligands induces IRAK1 and AKT phosphorylation, and it is Src kinase-dependent. Physiological platelet agonists act synergistically with TLR9 ligands by inducing TLR9 expression on the platelet surface.Our study demonstrates that platelet TLR9 is a functional platelet receptor that links oxidative stress, innate immunity, and thrombosis.
Total free living energy expenditure in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Authors: E M Baarends, A M Schols, D L Pannemans, K R Westerterp, E F Wouters
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1997)

Resting energy expenditure (REE) is often elevated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but no data are available regarding total energy expenditure in free living conditions. We compared total daily energy expenditure (TDE) in eight COPD patients (FEV1 36 +/- 13%) admitted to a pulmonary rehabilitation center and eight independently living healthy subjects, matched for sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). TDE was measured over a 2-wk interval using doubly labeled water in combination with measurement of REE and body composition. The COPD patients had a significantly higher TDE than the healthy subjects (2,499 +/- 320 kcal/d and 2,107 +/- 88 kcal/d, respectively, p < 0.01). The nonresting component of TDE (TDE-REE: physical activity and diet-induced thermogenesis [DIT]) was significantly higher in the COPD patients than in the healthy subjects, resulting in a ratio between TDE and REE of 1.7 +/- 0.2 and 1.4 +/- 0.1, respectively (p < 0.01). The results indicate that COPD patients exhibit an increased TDE in comparison with healthy subjects. The difference could by attributed to an increase in the nonresting component of TDE, since REE was comparable between the groups.
Pulmonary function in bronchial carcinoma
Authors: J. S. Legge, K. N. V. Palmer
Journal: Thorax (1973)

Legge, J. S., and Palmer, K. N. V. (1973). Thorax , 28 , 588-591. Pulmonary function in bronchial carcinoma. Pulmonary function was measured preoperatively in 330 patients with bronchial carcinoma. Obstructive bronchitis was present in 62%. Of 225 patients considered fit for thoracotomy and lung resection, 13 developed postoperative ventilatory failure and six died of this. Those who developed ventilatory failure had more marked airway obstruction, lung hyperinflation, and higher arterial carbon dioxide tensions, and also increased respiratory frequencies and physiological dead space/tidal volume ratios on exercise.
The Macroglial Cells of the Rat Optic Nerve
Authors: R H Miller, C Ffrench-Constant, M C Raff
Journal: Annual Review of Neuroscience (1989)

The brain's default mode network consists of discrete, bilateral and symmetrical cortical areas, in the medial and lateral parietal, medial prefrontal, and medial and lateral temporal cortices of the human, nonhuman primate, cat, and rodent brains. Its ...Read More
Breast cancer in the family—children's perceptions of their mother's cancer and its initial treatment: qualitative study
Authors: Gillian Forrest, Caroline Plumb, Sue Ziebland, Alan Stein
Journal: BMJ (2006)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objectives</b> To explore how children of mothers newly diagnosed with breast cancer perceive their mother9s illness and its initial treatment; to contrast their accounts with the mothers9 perceptions of their children9s knowledge. <b>Design</b> Qualitative interview study with thematic analysis. <b>Setting</b> Home based interviews with mothers and children in Oxfordshire, England. <b>Participants</b> 37 mothers with early breast cancer and 31 of their children aged between 6 and 18 years. <b>Results</b> Awareness of cancer as a life threatening illness existed even among most of the youngest children interviewed. Children described specific aspects of their mother9s treatment as especially stressful (seeing her immediately postoperatively, chemotherapy, and hair loss). Children suspected that something was wrong even before they were told the diagnosis. Parents sometimes misunderstood their children9s reactions and underestimated the emotional impact or did not recognise the children9s need for more preparation and age appropriate information about the illness and its treatment. <b>Conclusions</b> As part of their care, parents newly diagnosed with a life threatening illness need to be supported to think about how they will talk to their children. General practitioners and hospital specialists, as well as nurses, are well placed to be able to help with these concerns and if necessary to be involved in discussions with the children. The provision of appropriate information, including recommended websites, should be part of this care. More information specifically designed for young children is needed.
Connexin 43 expression and distribution in compensated and decompensated cardiac hypertrophy in patients with aortic stenosis
Authors: S Kostin
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2004)

Gap junctions (GJ) are important determinants of conduction. In advanced heart failure alterations of the major ventricular GJ protein, connexin 43 (Cx43) are found. However, changes in Cx43 expression during the progression from compensated cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure, especially in humans, have not been studied extensively. The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in Cx43 expression and distribution in compensated and decompensated left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in pressure-overloaded human hearts with valvular aortic stenosis (AS).We measured Cx43 levels by Western blot and quantitative immunoconfocal microscopy of LV septum biopsies from three groups of patients with AS (group I (n=9): ejection fraction (EF)>50%; group II (n=12): EF 30-50%; group III (n=9): EF<30%). LV biopsies from six patients with mitral valve stenosis and two donor hearts served as controls.Only the early phase of LV hypertrophy (AS-I) was characterized by extensive Cx43 lateral staining. As compared to controls, the AS-I group showed a 44.3% increase in Cx43 protein, which was reflected in an augmented number of GJs per 100 microm(2) intercalated disc area (control: 62.5+/-6.4 vs. AS-I: 79.8+/-4, p<0.001) and an increased GJ surface density (control: 0.00547 vs. AS-I: 0.00724 microm(2)/microm(3), p<0.01). Decompensated LV hypertrophy (AS-III) was specified by reduced percentage of the Cx43 signal per myocyte area (control: 1.74% vs. AS-III: 1.31%, p<0.01) or per intercalated disc (control: 18.3% vs. AS-III: 11.3%, p<0.005). Mean GJ area and GJ number per intercalated discs in the AS-III group were decreased significantly by, respectively, 42.5% and 36.4% as compared to control. In addition, decompensated LV myocardium showed a markedly heterogeneous spatial distribution of Cx43.The quantity and spatial distribution of Cx43 differs markedly between compensated and decompensated LV hypertrophy in human patients with AS. Upregulation of Cx43 in compensated hypertrophy may represent the immediate adaptive response to increased load, whereas diminished and heterogeneous Cx43 distribution in decompensated hypertrophy may play maladaptive roles culminating in heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias.
Immunologic significance of respirable atmospheric starch granules containing major birch allergen Bet v 1
Authors: GF Schäppi, PE Taylor, IA Staff, JM Rolland, C Suphioglu
Journal: Allergy (1999)

Birch-pollen allergens are an important cause of early spring hay fever and allergic asthma. Recently, we reported a mechanism for the release of respirable allergenic particles from birch pollen containing the major allergen Bet v 1. In this study, we aimed to assess the immunologic significance of the released Bet v 1-containing starch granules in the environment.A two-site monoclonal antibody-based assay (ELISA) was employed to quantitate Bet v 1 in high-volume air sampler filter extracts, and immunogold-labelling was used on sections of these extracts to localize Bet v 1. Immunoblot analyses were performed with pooled sera from patients sensitive to birch pollen.Atmospheric starch granules contained Bet v 1, and the concentration increased upon light rainfall. Sera from patients allergic to birch allergens recognized extracts from isolated starch granules.The clinical implications of these findings are that starch granules released from birch pollen are potentially able to trigger allergic asthmatic reactions to Bet v 1, since the allergen occurs in respirable particles. Thus, clinicians can advise asthma patients to remain indoors on days of light rainfall during the birch-pollen season to avoid high levels of allergen exposure.
Body Iron Stores Are Increased in Overweight and Obese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Héctor F. Escobar-Morreale, Manuel Luque-Ramírez, Francisco Álvarez-Blasco, José I. Botella-Carretero, José Sancho, José L. San Millán
Journal: Diabetes Care (2005)

Increased body iron stores are associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In conceptual agreement, increased serum ferritin levels are positively associated with the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in men and adult pre- and postmenopausal women (1) and with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in both men (2) and women (2, 3). Given that insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes are frequent in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (4, 5), we hypothesize that body iron stores might be especially increased in these women.

We studied 78 patients with PCOS and 43 nonhyperandrogenic control subjects matched for BMI and degree of obesity (6). Women were phenotyped to determine clinical, anthropometrical hormonal and metabolic variables as described previously (7). Serum ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured by automated immunochemiluminescence (Immulite 2000 Ferritin and High Sensitivity CRP; Diagnostic Products, Los Angeles, CA) with lower limits of detection of 0.9 pmol/l and 0.1 mg/l, respectively. None of the women had a history of abnormal glucose tolerance or had taken insulin sensitizers in the previous 6 months. The ethics committee of Hospital Ramon y Cajal approved the study, and informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Data were analyzed by general linear model after ensuring a normal distribution of the variables by logarithmic or square-root transformations, introducing PCOS or control status and …
Routine Opt-Out Rapid HIV Screening and Detection of HIV Infection in Emergency Department Patients
Authors: Jason S. Haukoos, Emily Hopkins, Amy A. Conroy, Morgan Silverman, Richard L. Byyny, Sheri Eisert, Mark W. Thrun, Michael L. Wilson, Angela B. Hutchinson, Jessica Forsyth, Steven C. Johnson, James D. Heffelfinger
Journal: JAMA (2010)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine (nontargeted) opt-out HIV screening in health care settings, including emergency departments (EDs), where the prevalence of undiagnosed infection is 0.1% or greater. The utility of this approach in EDs remains unknown.To determine whether nontargeted opt-out rapid HIV screening in the ED was associated with identification of more patients with newly diagnosed HIV infection than physician-directed diagnostic rapid HIV testing.Quasi-experimental equivalent time-samples design in an urban public safety-net hospital with an approximate annual ED census of 55,000 patient visits. Patients were 16 years or older and capable of providing consent for rapid HIV testing.Nontargeted opt-out rapid HIV screening and physician-directed diagnostic rapid HIV testing alternated in sequential 4-month time intervals between April 15, 2007, and April 15, 2009.Number of patients with newly identified HIV infection and the association between nontargeted opt-out rapid HIV screening and identification of HIV infection.In the opt-out phase, of 28,043 eligible ED patients, 6933 patients (25%) completed HIV testing (6702 patients were screened; 231 patients were diagnostically tested). Ten of 6702 patients (0.15%; 95% CI, 0.07%-0.27%) who did not decline HIV screening in the opt-out phase had new HIV diagnoses, and 5 of 231 patients (2.2%; 95% CI, 0.7%-5.0%) who were diagnostically tested during the opt-out phase had new HIV diagnoses. In the diagnostic phase, of 29,925 eligible patients, 243 (0.8%) completed HIV testing. Of these, 4 patients (1.6%; 95% CI, 0.5%-4.2%) had new diagnoses. The prevalence of new HIV diagnoses in the opt-out phase (including those diagnostically tested) and in the diagnostic phase was 15 in 28,043 (0.05%; 95% CI, 0.03%-0.09%) and 4 in 29,925 (0.01%; 95% CI, 0.004%-0.03%), respectively. Nontargeted opt-out HIV screening was independently associated with new HIV diagnoses (risk ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.2-10.8) when adjusting for patient demographics, insurance status, and whether diagnostic testing was performed in the opt-out phase. The median CD4 cell count for those with new HIV diagnoses in the opt-out phase (including those diagnostically tested) and in the diagnostic phase was 69/microL (IQR, 17-430) and 13/microL (IQR, 11-15) , respectively (P = .02).Nontargeted opt-out rapid HIV screening in the ED, vs diagnostic testing, was associated with identification of a modestly increased number of patients with new HIV diagnoses, most of whom were identified late in the course of disease.
Direct transfer of antigen-specific cytolytic activity to noncytolytic cells upon fusion with liposomes derived from cytolytic T cell clones.
Authors: D T Harris, H R MacDonald, J C Cerottini
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1984)

Murine cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) clones were solubilized in Nonidet P-40 detergent, and the matrix and membrane proteins separated from the nuclear constituents. These proteins, in combination with exogenous lipids and Sendai virus envelope proteins, were used to construct liposomes that were then fused with noncytolytic cloned T cell recipients. The resultant fusion products were found to be highly cytolytic and appeared to express the same specificity as the original donor clone. Further analysis showed that the liposomal transfer process was extremely efficient. Moreover, in addition to noncytolytic T cell clones, three transformed T cell lines and one B cell line were found to express specific cytolytic activity after fusion with appropriate liposomes. Inhibition experiments using monoclonal antibodies against target cell antigens, as well as analysis of the lytic reactivity pattern of the fusion products, confirmed the high degree of specificity conferred to the recipient cells. This study thus indicates that the two characteristics typically associated with CTL, namely antigen-specific recognition and cytolytic activity, can be solubilized from CTL and transferred to recipient cells that do not express these characteristics.
A role for apoptosis-inducing factor in T cell development
Authors: Hridesh Banerjee, Abhishek Das, Smita Srivastava, Hamid R. Mattoo, Krishnamurthy Thyagarajan, Jasneet Kaur Khalsa, Shalini Tanwar, Deepika Sharma Das, Subeer S. Majumdar, Anna George, Vineeta Bal, Jeannine M. Durdik, Satyajit Rath
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2012)

Apoptosis-inducing factor (Aif) is a mitochondrial flavoprotein that regulates cell metabolism and survival in many tissues. We report that aif-hypomorphic harlequin (Hq) mice show thymic hypocellularity and a cell-autonomous thymocyte developmental block associated with apoptosis at the β-selection stage, independent of T cell receptor β recombination. No abnormalities are observed in the B cell lineage. Transgenes encoding wild-type or DNA-binding–deficient mutant Aif rectify the thymic defect, but a transgene encoding oxidoreductase activity–deficient mutant Aif does not. The Hq thymic block is reversed in vivo by antioxidant treatment, and Hq T but not B lineage cells show enhanced oxidative stress. Thus, Aif, a ubiquitous protein, serves a lineage-specific nonredundant antiapoptotic role in the T cell lineage by regulating reactive oxygen species during thymic β-selection.
HIF-1α regulates function and differentiation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Cesar A. Corzo, Thomas Condamine, Lily Lu, Matthew J. Cotter, Je-In Youn, Pingyan Cheng, Hyun-Il Cho, Esteban Celis, David G. Quiceno, Tapan Padhya, Thomas V. McCaffrey, Judith C. McCaffrey, Dmitry I. Gabrilovich
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2010)

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a major component of the immune-suppressive network described in cancer and many other pathological conditions. We demonstrate that although MDSCs from peripheral lymphoid organs and the tumor site share similar phenotype and morphology, these cells display profound functional differences. MDSC from peripheral lymphoid organs suppressed antigen-specific CD8+ T cells but failed to inhibit nonspecific T cell function. In sharp contrast, tumor MDSC suppressed both antigen-specific and nonspecific T cell activity. The tumor microenvironment caused rapid and dramatic up-regulation of arginase I and inducible nitric oxide synthase in MDSC, which was accompanied by down-regulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate–oxidase and reactive oxygen species in these cells. In contrast to MDSC from the spleen, MDSC from the tumor site rapidly differentiated into macrophages. Exposure of spleen MDSC to hypoxia resulted in the conversion of these cells to nonspecific suppressors and their preferential differentiation to macrophages. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α was found to be primarily responsible for the observed effects of the tumor microenvironment on MDSC differentiation and function. Thus, hypoxia via HIF-1α dramatically alters the function of MDSC in the tumor microenvironment and redirects their differentiation toward tumor-associated macrophages, hence providing a mechanistic link between different myeloid suppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment.