tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
THE RACES THAT CONSTITUTE THE GROUP OF COMMON FIBROBLASTS
Authors: Raymond C. Parker
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1933)

1. Races of fibroblasts that are functionally distinct have been isolated from the various tissues and organs of a single chick embryo. 2. Functionally distinct races of fibroblasts have also been isolated from corresponding parts of embryos of different ages. 3. Under the conditions of the experiments, and for the particular races of fibroblasts that have been studied, it has not been possible to demonstrate a gradual decrease, or a gradual increase, in the rate of multiplication of fibroblasts obtained from corresponding parts of embryos of gradually increasing ages. 4. Experiments made on strains of fibroblasts derived from the mesonephros and metanephros of a 16 day chick embryo have indicated that the rate of multiplication of these cells in a given medium reflects the physiological state, at the moment of isolation, of the particular part of the embryo from which they are obtained. 5. The rate of multiplication of a given race of fibroblasts in a particular medium does not serve, necessarily, as an index of the age of the individual from which the race is derived. 6. The functional differences that distinguish the various races of fibroblasts are permanent; they are retained by the cells from passage to passage indefinitely, despite such attempts as have thus far been made to change them.
Deleterious effects of purulent sputum sol on human ciliary function in vitro: at least two factors identified.
Authors: D A Sykes, R Wilson, M Greenstone, D C Currie, C Steinfort, P J Cole
Journal: Thorax (1987)

Patients with chronic bronchial sepsis have impaired mucociliary clearance. A study was carried out on the effect of sputum sol (obtained by rapid centrifugation of purulent sputum) from 20 patients with chronic bronchial sepsis on the beating of human nasal cilia in vitro by a photometric technique. Thirteen sols caused significant (p less than 0.001) ciliary slowing. Two patterns of slowing were observed: firstly, a gradual onset associated with epithelial disruption (inhibited by alpha 1 antiprotease) and, secondly, an immediate onset associated with ciliary dyskinesia and ciliostasis (inhibited by chloroform extraction). The ciliary slowing activity of sputum sols was associated with the isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (p less than 0.01). It is concluded that purulent sputum contains at least two factors that impair ciliary beating--one a serine protease, which is probably a product released by the host9s phagocytic defences, and the other, which is chloroform extractable and probably a bacterial product.
Relationship between pulmonary function and lung cancer surgical outcome
Authors: T. Win, A. Jackson, L. Sharples, A. M. Groves, F. C. Wells, A. J. Ritchie, C. M. Laroche
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2005)

The British Thoracic Society and American College of Chest Physician guidelines outline criteria for investigating patients for lung cancer surgery. However, the guidelines are based on relatively old studies. Therefore, the relationship between pulmonary function test results and surgical outcome were studied prospectively in a large cohort of lung cancer patients. From January 2001 to December 2003, 110 patients underwent surgery for lung cancer. All underwent full lung function testing in order to predict post-operative lung function. The hospital mortality rate was 3% and major complication rate 22%. There was poor overall outcome in 13%. Mean pre-operative lung function values were: forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ) 2.0 L (79.4% of the predicted value), and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung ( D L,CO ) 73.6% pred. The mean post-operative lung function values were: FEV 1 1.4 L (55.6% pred), and D L,CO 51.3% pred. All lung function values were better predictors of poor surgical outcome when expressed as a percentage of the predicted value. Using a threshold of pre-operative FEV 1 of 47% pred resulted in the most useful positive and negative predictive probabilities, 0.90 and 0.67, respectively. Lung function values expressed as a percentage of the predicted value are more useful predictors of post-operative outcome than absolute values. The threshold of predicted forced expiratory volume in one second for surgical intervention could be lower (45–50% pred) than is currently accepted without increased mortality.
Tubulovascular Nitric Oxide Crosstalk
Authors: Jeffrey G. Dickhout, Takefumi Mori, Allen W. Cowley
Journal: Circulation Research (2002)

Studies were designed to determine the source of NO responsible for buffering of the angiotensin II (Ang II)–mediated decrease of blood flow in the renal medulla. Intracellular Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) and NO production ([NO] i ) of pericytes and endothelium of the vasa recta were independently measured with the use of fura 2-AM and 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2DA), respectively, in microtissue strips of the vascular bundles of the outer medullary vasa recta. Disruption of the endothelium of the vasa recta by perfusion with latex microspheres enabled imaging of the pericytes. Ang II (1 μmol/L) produced an increase of [NO] i of 19±6 U in pericytes of the vasa recta when the vessels were adjacent to medullary thick ascending limbs (mTALs). Pericytes of isolated vasa recta without surrounding mTALs showed a rapid peak increase in [Ca 2+ ] i of 248±107 nmol/L, with a sustained elevation of 107±75 nmol/L, but did not show an increase in [NO] i to either Ang II (1 μmol/L) or the Ca 2+ ionophore 4-bromo-A23187 (5 μmol/L). These observations indicated the lack of Ang II and Ca 2+ -sensitive NO production in pericytes of the vasa recta. In isolated vasa recta with intact endothelium, Ang II reduced [Ca 2+ ] i from 128±28 to 62±13 nmol/L and failed to increase [NO] i . However, the Ca 2+ ionophore did increase [NO] i in the endothelium (47±8 U), indicating the presence of Ca 2+ -sensitive NO production. Significant increases of [NO] i were observed in single isolated mTALs in response to both Ang II (33±6 U) and the Ca 2+ ionophore (51±18 U). We conclude that Ang II increases [Ca 2+ ] i in pericytes of the descending vasa recta as part of its constrictor action and that this vasoconstriction is buffered by the NO from the surrounding tubular elements, such as mTALs.
The Newmarket pump: a new suction pump for external negative pressure ventilation.
Authors: W J Kinnear, J M Shneerson
Journal: Thorax (1985)

A new electronically controlled pump has been developed for use with a cuirass in providing external negative pressure ventilation. It is smaller, lighter, and more versatile than currently available pumps and operates on a servo principle. A rotary valve between the pump and the cuirass varies the rate of extraction of air from the cuirass. The pressure within the cuirass is sensed by a pressure transducer, and the output of this is used to control the position of the rotary valve by means of a motor so that the pressure within the cuirass follows a predetermined half sine wave pattern. The respiratory rate varies from 10 to 30 per minute and the inspiratory to expiratory time (I/E) ratio from 3:2 to 2:3. Inspiratory pressure varies from 0 to -50 cm H2O and an expiratory pressure of 0 to +50 cm H2O can be imposed. The performance of the new pump was assessed in 21 patients with nocturnal hypoxaemia who were accustomed to external negative pressure ventilation. The mean tidal volume achieved increased with increase in cuirass suction pressure, and changing the I/E ratio from 1:1 to 3:2 produced a small increase at a cuirass negative pressure at 20 cm water. Comparison of the Newmarket pump with the Cape pump in 14 patients showed that similar tidal volumes were achieved. Overnight monitoring of cuirass pressure in one patient showed more even control of peak negative pressure with the Newmarket pump than with the Cape pump. Ten pumps are in use in patients9 homes; five have been in service for more than six months and no important problems have been encountered. The new pump seems to offer advantages that make external negative pressure ventilation more acceptable.
Disposition of orally administered 2,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (Bisphenol A) in pregnant rats and the placental transfer to fetuses.
Authors: O Takahashi, S Oishi
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2000)

We studied the disposition of bisphenol A (BPA) in pregnant female F344/DuCrj(Fischer) rats and its placental transfer to fetuses after a single oral administration of 1 g/kg BPA dissolved in propylene glycol. BPA in maternal blood, liver, and kidney reached maximal concentrations (14.7, 171, and 36 microg/g) 20 min after the administration and gradually decreased. The levels were 2-5% of the maximum 6 hr after the administration. The maximal concentration of BPA in fetuses (9 microg/g) was also attained 20 min after the administration. BPA levels then gradually reduced in a similar manner to maternal blood. These results suggest that the absorption and distribution of BPA in maternal organs and fetuses are extremely rapid and that the placenta does not act as a barrier to BPA.
Impact of Admission Glycemic Variability, Glucose, and Glycosylated Hemoglobin on Major Adverse Cardiac Events After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Gong Su, Shu-hua Mi, Hong Tao, Zhao Li, Hong-Xia Yang, Hong Zheng, Yun Zhou, Lei Tian
Journal: Diabetes Care (2013)

Dysglycemia is associated with poorer prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Whether admission glycemic variability (GV) has important value in prognosis of AMI patients is still unknown. The aim of the study is to investigate the prognostic value of admission GV, glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) in AMI patients.We measured blood glucose, HbA(1c), and GV on admission in 222 consecutive patients with diagnosed AMI. GV, indicated as the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), was determined by a continuous glucose monitoring system. MAGE was categorized as ≥3.9 or <3.9 mmol/L, admission glucose as ≥8.61 or <8.61 mmol/L, and HbA(1c) as ≥6.5 or <6.5%. Participants were followed up prospectively for 12 months. The relationship of admission MAGE, glucose, and HbA(1c) to the major adverse cardiac event (MACE) of AMI patients was analyzed.In 222 enrolled patients with AMI, the rate of MACE by MAGE category (<3.9 or ≥3.9 mmol/L) was 8.4 and 24.1%, respectively (P = 0.001), by admission glucose category (<8.61 or ≥8.61 mmol/L) was 10.1 and 21.6%, respectively (P = 0.020), and by HbA(1c) category (<6.5 vs. ≥6.5%) was 10.7 versus 18.7%, respectively (P = 0.091). In multivariate analysis, high MAGE level was significantly associated with incidence of MACE (hazard ratio 2.419 [95% CI 1.273-9.100]; P = 0.017) even after adjusting for Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score, but admission glucose and HbA(1c) was not.Elevated admission GV appears more important than admission glucose and prior long-term abnormal glycometabolic status in predicting 1-year MACE in patients with AMI.
Daily Hassles Reported by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Patients in Tertiary Care: A Controlled Quantitative and Qualitative Study
Authors: Boudewijn van Houdenhove, Eddy Neerinckx, Patrick Onghena, Ad Vingerhoets, Roeland Lysens, Hans Vertommen
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (2002)

This study aimed at providing insight in the frequency, emotional impact and nature of daily hassles, experienced by patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and/or fibromyalgia (FM), compared with patients with a chronic organic disease.One hundred and seventy-seven CFS/FM patients, 26 multiple sclerosis (MS) and 26 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were investigated within 2-6 months after diagnosis. All patients completed a self-report questionnaire assessing daily hassles and associated distress, a visual analogue scale assessing fatigue and pain and a depression and anxiety questionnaire.CFS/FM patients show a higher frequency of hassles, higher emotional impact and higher fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety levels compared with MS/RA patients. Three hassle themes dominate in the CFS/FM group: dissatisfaction with oneself, insecurity and a lack of social recognition. In contrast, hassles reported by MS/RA patients show a much larger diversity and are not focused on person-dependent problems.Patients recently diagnosed as suffering from CFS and/or FM are highly preoccupied and distressed by daily hassles that have a severe impact on their self-image, as well as their personal, social and professional functioning. An optimal therapeutic approach of CFS and FM should take account of this heavy psychosocial burden, which might refer to core themes of these patients' illness experience.
Expression of immunological molecules by cardiomyocytes and inflammatory and interstitial cells in rat autoimmune myocarditis
Authors: T YOSHIDA, H HANAWA, K TOBA, H WATANABE, R WATANABE, K YOSHIDA, S ABE, K KATO, M KODAMA, Y AIZAWA
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2005)

Background: In a heart with myocarditis, there are cardiomyocytes, inflammatory cells, and non-inflammatory interstitial cells. Immunological molecules are thought to influence not only inflammatory cells but also cardiac function and remodeling. Whatever their origin, the cells they target and the intercellular crosstalk they mediate remain unclear. Here, we examined native gene expression of immunological molecules in normal and rat experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) 18 and 90 days after immunization, using real time RT-PCR in cardiomyocytes, CD11b+ cells, αβT cells and non-cardiomyocytic non-inflammatory (NCNI) cells.
In the Spotlight: Biomedical Signal Processing
Authors: Sergio Cerutti
Journal: IEEE Reviews in Biomedical Engineering (2010)

BSP is a well established discipline and constitutes the corner stone for the training of Biomedical Engineers both at undergraduate and at graduate levels. No basic curriculum on Biomedical Engineering could even exist without one or more BSP courses. All the advanced methods of signal processing (from traditional linear digital filtering up to non linear higher-order approaches) have been applied to BSP. The EEG signal, which is basically pseudo-stochastic, is a good example: the information contained in the original tracings, which are generally used for physiological or clinical interpretation, is hardly directly interpretable unless a more or less complicate pre-processing is done. This reasoning is obviously applicable, in different contexts, to other biomedical signals.
Orthotopic liver transplantation and the cytosolic estrogen-androgen receptor status of the liver: The influence of the sex of the donor
Authors: Delawir Kahn, Qihua Zeng, Leonard Makowka, Noriko Murase, Yasuaki Nakajima, Patricia K. Eagon, Antonio Francavilla, Thomas E. Starzl, David H. van Thiel
Journal: Hepatology (1989)

Mammalian liver is known to contain cytosolic receptors for both estrogens and androgens. Furthermore, certain mammalian hepatic functions are known to display a sexual dimorphism. However, in clinical liver transplantation, the sex of the donor is not taken into consideration in selection of the donor. In this study, the effect of liver transplantation on the estrogen and androgen receptor content of the liver was determined. Adult male and female rats were subjected to orthotopic liver transplantation, using donors form both the same and the opposite sex as the recipient. The animals were killed on the tenth postoperative day, and the livers were assayed to determine their cytosolic estrogen and androgen receptor content. Transplantation of a liver from a male donor into a male recipient, from a male donor into female recipient and from a female donor into a male recipient produced similar changes in the number of cytosolic estrogen and androgen receptors in hepatic cytosol. In all three situations, the estrogen receptor content in the cytosol of the transplanted liver was the same as that found in an unoperated male liver, and the cytosolic content of the androgen receptor was the same as that of an unoperated female liver. After transplantation of the liver from a female donor into a female recipient, the estrogen and androgen receptor content in the cytosol of the transplanted liver was the same as that of an unoperated female. A consistent finding in this study was a reduction in the cytosolic androgen receptor activity of the transplanted liver when a male was either the recipient or donor. This reduction was maximal at 10 days posttransplantation. At 40 days following transplantation, a partial recovery in the androgen receptor acitivy of hepatic cytosol had occurred. These studies demonstrate that orthotopic liver transplantation changes the cytosolic content of both the estrogen and androgen receptors of the liver, and their ratios may have important effects during the immediate postoperative period and profound long-term consequences relative to gender differences in hepatic function.
The AAV Vector Toolkit: Poised at the Clinical Crossroads
Authors: Aravind Asokan, David V Schaffer, R Jude Samulski
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2012)

The discovery of naturally occurring adeno-associated virus (AAV) isolates in different animal species and the generation of engineered AAV strains using molecular genetics tools have yielded a versatile AAV vector toolkit. Promising results in preclinical animal models of human disease spurred the much awaited transition toward clinical application, and early successes in phase I/II clinical trials for a broad spectrum of genetic diseases have recently been reported. As the gene therapy community forges ahead with cautious optimism, both preclinical and clinical studies using first generation AAV vectors have highlighted potential challenges. These include cross-species variation in vector tissue tropism and gene transfer efficiency, pre-existing humoral immunity to AAV capsids and vector dose-dependent toxicity in patients. A battery of second generation AAV vectors, engineered through rational and combinatorial approaches to address the aforementioned concerns, are now available. This review will provide an overview of preclinical studies with the ever-expanding AAV vector portfolio in large animal models and an update on new lead AAV vector candidates poised for clinical translation.
Genetic Adaptation to Levels of Dietary Selenium in Recent Human History
Authors: Louise White, Frédéric Romagné, Elias Müller, Eva Erlebach, Antje Weihmann, Genís Parra, Aida M. Andrés, Sergi Castellano
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2015)

As humans migrated around the world, they came to inhabit environments that differ widely in the soil levels of certain micronutrients, including selenium (Se). Coupled with cultural variation in dietary practices, these migrations have led to a wide range of Se intake levels in populations around the world. Both excess and deficiency of Se in the diet can have adverse health consequences in humans, with severe Se deficiency resulting in diseases of the bone and heart. Se is required by humans mainly due to its function in selenoproteins, which contain the amino acid selenocysteine as one of their constituent residues. To understand the evolution of the use of this micronutrient in humans, we surveyed the patterns of polymorphism in all selenoprotein genes and genes involved in their regulation in 50 human populations. We find that single nucleotide polymorphisms from populations in Asia, particularly in populations living in the extreme Se-deficient regions of China, have experienced concerted shifts in their allele frequencies. Such differentiation in allele frequencies across genes is not observed in other regions of the world and is not expected under neutral evolution, being better explained by the action of recent positive selection. Thus, recent changes in the use and regulation of Se may harbor the genetic adaptations that helped humans inhabit environments that do not provide adequate levels of Se in the diet.
Pulmonary alveolar type II epithelial cells synthesize and secrete proteins of the classical and alternative complement pathways.
Authors: R C Strunk, D M Eidlen, R J Mason
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1988)

The serum complement system is a major mediator of inflammation reactions. Two of the complement proteins, the third (C3) and fifth (C5) components, are precursors of potent phlogistic molecules, C3a and C5a. C5a has potent chemotactic activity and plays an active role in pulmonary inflammation. We present evidence suggesting that several complement proteins, including C5, are synthesized locally in the lung in alveolar type II epithelial cells. Lung tissue from normal mice synthesized and secreted C5 protein similar to the C5 protein in mouse serum, whereas lung tissue from C5-deficient mice did not. Lung tissues from both normal and C5-deficient mice synthesized C3. Rat lung tissue synthesized and secreted C5, as well as C2, C4, C3, and factor B. Cultures of type II cells (95% type II cells, 5% macrophages) regularly synthesized all these proteins. In contrast, cultures of macrophages alone synthesized large amounts of C2 and factor B, and in some experiments C3 and C4, but never C5. The C5 synthesized by the rat cells was slightly larger than serum C5 (200 kD compared with 180 kD) and was not processed to the two-chain molecule seen in serum. Rat lung tissue and purified type II cells contained C5 mRNA with the same molecular mass as the C5 mRNA in rat liver and in mouse lung and liver. Human type II cells also synthesized C5, as well as C2, C4, C3, and factor B. Human pulmonary macrophages synthesized only C2, factor B, and, in some experiments, C3. Synthesis of complement proteins in cells that line the alveolar wall may provide a local source of these proteins for inflammatory responses in the lung. Local synthesis of complement proteins could be regulated independently of the synthesis in the liver.
ROS and CHOP Are Critical for Dibenzylideneacetone to Sensitize Tumor Cells to TRAIL through Induction of Death Receptors and Downregulation of Cell Survival Proteins
Authors: Sahdeo Prasad, Vivek R. Yadav, Jayaraj Ravindran, Bharat B. Aggarwal
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Because tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively kills tumor cells, it is being tested in cancer patients. Unfortunately, patients develop resistance to the cytokine, therefore, agents that can sensitize cells to TRAIL are urgently needed. In this study, we investigated whether dibenzylideneacetone (DBA) can sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL and potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis. As indicated by accumulation of the membrane phospholipid phosphatidylserine, DNA breaks, intracellular esterase activity, and activation of caspase-8, -9, and -3, we concluded that DBA potentiated TRAIL-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells. DBA also converted TRAIL resistant-cells to TRAIL-sensitive. When examined for the mechanism, we found that DBA decreased the expression of antiapoptotic proteins and decoy receptor-2 and increased proapoptotic proteins. DBA also induced both death receptor (DR)-5 and DR4. Knockdown of DR5 and DR4 by small interfering RNA (SiRNA) reduced the sensitizing effect of DBA on TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In addition, DBA increased the expression of CHOP proteins. Knockdown of CHOP by siRNA decreased the induction of DBA-induced DR5 expression and apoptosis. Induction of receptors by DBA, however, was p53-independent, as deletion of p53 had no effect on receptor induction. We observed that DBA-induced induction of DR5 and DR4 was mediated through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as N-acetylcysteine blocked the induction of death receptors and suppression of cell survival proteins by DBA. Overall, our results show that DBA potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis through downregulation of cell survival proteins and upregulation of death receptors via activation of ROS and CHOP mediated pathways.