tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Right Heart Pressure Increases after Acute Increases in Ambient Particulate Concentration
Authors: David Q. Rich, Ronald S. Freudenberger, Pamela Ohman-Strickland, Yong Cho, Howard M. Kipen
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2008)

We explored the association between acute changes in daily mean pulmonary artery (PA) and right ventricular (RV) pressures and concentrations of ambient fine particulate matter [PM with aerodynamic diameter < or = 2.5 microm (PM(2.5))] as an explanation for previous associations between congestive heart failure (HF) hospital admissions and PM.In the Chronicle Offers Management to Patients with Advanced Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure (COMPASS-HF) trial, to see whether management of ambulatory HF could be improved by providing continuous right heart pressure monitoring to physicians, the Chronicle Implantable Hemodynamic Monitor (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) continuously measured multiple right heart hemodynamic parameters, heart rate, and activity trends in subjects with moderate/severe HF. Using these trial data, we calculated daily mean pressures, using only those time intervals where the subject was not physically active (n = 5,807 person-days; n = 11 subjects). We then studied the association between mean daily PA/RV pressures and mean ambient PM(2.5) concentrations on the same day and previous 6 days.Each 11.62-microg/m(3) increase in same-day mean PM(2.5) concentration was associated with small but significant increases in estimated PA diastolic pressure [0.19 mmHg; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.05-0.33] and RV diastolic pressure (0.23 mmHg; 95% CI, 0.11-0.34). Although we saw considerable differences in the magnitude of response by COMPASS-HF randomization group (total data access for physicians vs. blocked clinician access), season, left ventricular ejection fraction, and obesity, these effects were not significantly different.These pilot study findings provide a potential mechanism for previous findings of increased risk of HF associated with ambient PM. However, because of the small number of subjects, a larger study is needed for confirmation.
Internal Mammary Artery Versus Autogenous Vein for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Authors: STEPHEN J. ROSSITER, WILLIAM R. BRODY, JON C. KOSEK, MARTIN J. LIPTON, WILLIAM W. ANGELL
Journal: Circulation (1974)

Aortocoronary venous graft (ACVG) and internal mammary artery graft (IMAG) are currently the two most popular choices for coronary artery bypass. The morphologic alteration and susceptibility to atheromatous degeneration of the IMAG were compared with the ACVG. Six of 12 surviving dogs with IMAGs were fed a hyperlipidemic diet and six were placed on a regular diet. All dogs were sacrificed 3-15 months after surgery. Twelve of 28 long-term surviving dogs with ACVGs were also on hyperlipidemic diets, and all were sacrificed 3-18 months after surgery. Arteriography and electron microscopy were performed in selected cases, and histology was performed in all cases. All long-term IMAGs remained patent; 83 percent (5/6) "regular" diet arteries were normal, with no intimal proliferation, while 33 percent (2/6) "hyperlipidemic" IMAGs had diffuse atheroma. Eighty-two percent of ACVGs revealed significant atherosclerosis. Severity of arteriosclerotic involvement of the ACVG was far greater than that of the native coronary circulation; this was not true for the IMAG. It may be concluded that (1) in the normolipidemic condition the IMAG undergoes significantly less severe histologic change than the ACVG, (2) both the IMAG and the ACVG are more susceptible to atheromatous change than the native coronary circulation. In these series, patency was not influenced by severity of histologic changes, and no grafts were occluded by virtue of the arteriosclerotic process.
Fear spreads as number of Ebola cases in Guinea rises
Authors: A. Gulland
Journal: BMJ (2014)

The charity Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) has been forced to withdraw staff from a clinic in Guinea that was treating patients infected with the Ebola virus, after an angry crowd gathered.

The clinic, in the rural area of Macenta, is now being run by the ministry of health after people accused MSF staff of bringing the disease to the town.

Sam Taylor, MSF’s emergency coordinator in Guinea, said that the charity’s head of mission in the country was negotiating the staff’s return.

“The health centre is not shut—patients are still in there and being cared for by ministry of health staff but without the support of the MSF team,” he said.

He added that a lot of rumours were circulating among the local population about the spread of the …
TRANSVENOUS VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION: A POTENTIAL HEART FAILURE THERAPY IS FEASIBLE IN HUMANS
Authors: Katherine Fan, Raymond Yee, Lorna Gula, Cathy Bentley, Avram Scheiner, Sum Lam, Macrina Wong, Maria Parke, Ruth Nicholson Klepfer, Allan Skanes
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Diastolic Dysfunction in Hypertensive Heart Disease Is Associated With Altered Myocardial Metabolism
Authors: Hildo J. Lamb, Hugo P. Beyerbacht, Arnoud van der Laarse, Berend C. Stoel, Joost Doornbos, Ernst E. van der Wall, Albert de Roos
Journal: Circulation (1999)

Hypertension is an important clinical problem and is often accompanied by left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and dysfunction. Whether the myocardial high-energy phosphate (HEP) metabolism is altered in human hypertensive heart disease and whether this is associated with LV dysfunction is not known.Eleven patients with hypertension and 13 age-matched healthy subjects were studied with magnetic resonance imaging at rest and with phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy at rest and during high-dose atropine-dobutamine stress. Hypertensive patients showed higher LV mass (98+/-28 g/m2) than healthy control subjects (73+/-13 g/m2, P<0.01). LV filling was impaired in patients, reflected by a decreased peak rate of wall thinning (PRWThn), E/A ratio, early peak filling rate, and early deceleration peak (all P<0. 05), whereas systolic function was still normal. The myocardial phosphocreatine (PCr)/ATP ratio determined in patients at rest (1. 20+/-0.18) and during stress (0.95+/-0.25) was lower than corresponding values obtained from healthy control subjects at rest (1.39+/-0.17, P<0.05) and during stress (1.16+/-0.18, P<0.05). The PCr/ATP ratio correlated significantly with PRWThn (r=-0.55, P<0.01), early deceleration peak (r=-0.56, P<0.01), and with the rate-pressure product (r=-0.53, P<0.001).Myocardial HEP metabolism is altered in patients with hypertensive heart disease. In addition, there is an association between impaired LV diastolic function and altered myocardial HEP metabolism in humans. The level of myocardial PCr/ATP is most likely determined by the level of cardiac work load.
Meta-analyses II
Authors: P. Sedgwick
Journal: BMJ (2011)

Last week’s question described a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of parenteral corticosteroids for the relief of acute severe migraine headache in adults.1 Seven randomised controlled trials were identified in which single dose parenteral dexamethasone, administered alone or in combination with standard abortive therapy, was compared with placebo or any other standard treatment for acute migraine in adults. For each trial, the relative risk for recurrence of headache within 72 hours was obtained for the dexamethasone treatment arm compared with the placebo arm.2 The results of the meta-analysis were presented in a forest plot (figure⇓). When combined with standard abortive therapy, single dose parenteral dexamethasone was more effective than placebo in reducing the recurrence of acute severe migraine headache in adults within 72 hours (relative risk 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.90). Forest plot of the effectiveness of dexamethasone in preventing the recurrence of acute severe migraine headache in adults compared with placebo Which of the following statements, if any, are true?
Diabetic Retinopathy Is Associated With Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence
Authors: Manon V. van Hecke, Jacqueline M. Dekker, Coen D.A. Stehouwer, Bettine C.P. Polak, John H. Fuller, Anne Katrin Sjolie, Athanasios Kofinis, Raoul Rottiers, Massimo Porta, Nish Chaturvedi
Journal: Diabetes Care (2005)

OBJECTIVE—To study the relationship of nonproliferative and proliferative retinopathy with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence in type 1 diabetic patients and, additionally, the role of cardiovascular risk factors in these associations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This prospective study included 2,237 type 1 diabetic patients from 31 centers in 16 European countries at baseline, aged 15–60 years, who were examined for retinopathy by taking two-field 45° fundus photographs, which were centrally graded. Mortality and cardiovascular morbidity follow-up was assessed 6–8 years after baseline examination according to a standardized protocol. RESULTS—After 7.9 years of follow-up, 64 patients had died and 128 patients had incident CVD. The age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality were 1.45 (95% CI 0.71–2.96) and 4.16 (1.96–8.84) in patients with nonproliferative and proliferative retinopathy at baseline, respectively. Adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors completely obliterated the association with nonproliferative retinopathy, whereas the association with proliferative retinopathy remained twofold increased, although nonsignificant. The age- and sex-adjusted HRs of incident CVD were 1.73 (1.15–2.60) and 2.05 (1.22–3.45) in patients with nonproliferative and proliferative retinopathy, respectively. After adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors, both associations were attenuated and lost statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS—This study shows that type 1 diabetic patients with nonproliferative or proliferative retinopathy have an increased risk for all-cause mortality and incident CVD. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors explained the associations to a large extent, except for the associations with proliferative retinopathy, which suggests that other shared mechanisms may be involved.
Quantitative syndesmophyte measurement in ankylosing spondylitis using CT: longitudinal validity and sensitivity to change over 2 years
Authors: Sovira Tan, Jianhua Yao, John A Flynn, Lawrence Yao, Michael M Ward
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

Accurate measurement of syndesmophyte development and growth in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is needed for studies of biomarkers and of treatments to slow spinal fusion. We tested the longitudinal validity and sensitivity to change of quantitative measurement of syndesmophytes using CT.We performed lumbar spine CT scans on 33 patients with AS at baseline, 1 year and 2 years. Volumes and heights of syndesmophytes were computed in four intervertebral disk spaces. We compared the computed changes to a physician's ratings of change based on CT scan inspection. Sensitivity to change of the computed measures was compared with that of the modified Stoke AS Spinal Score (radiography) and a scoring method based on MRI.At years 1 and 2, respectively 24 (73%) and 26 (79%) patients had syndesmophyte volume increases by CT. At years 1 and 2, the mean (SD) computed volume increases per patient were, respectively 87 (186) and 201 (366) mm(3). Computed volume changes were strongly associated with the physician's visual ratings of change (p<0.0002 and p<0.0001 for changes at years 1 and 2, respectively). The sensitivity to change over 1 year was higher for the CT volume measure (1.84) and the CT height measure (1.22) than either the MRI measure (0.50) or radiography (0.29).CT-based syndesmophytes measurements had very good longitudinal validity and better sensitivity to change than radiography or MRI. This method shows promise for longitudinal clinical studies of syndesmophyte development and growth.
KrasG12D and Nkx2-1 haploinsufficiency induce mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung
Authors: Yutaka Maeda, Tomoshi Tsuchiya, Haiping Hao, David H. Tompkins, Yan Xu, Michael L. Mucenski, Lingling Du, Angela R. Keiser, Takuya Fukazawa, Yoshio Naomoto, Takeshi Nagayasu, Jeffrey A. Whitsett
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2012)

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung is a subtype of highly invasive pulmonary tumors and is associated with decreased or absent expression of the transcription factor NK2 homeobox 1 (NKX2-1; also known as TTF-1). Here, we show that haploinsufficiency of Nkx2-1 in combination with oncogenic KrasG12D, but not with oncogenic EGFRL858R, caused pulmonary tumors in transgenic mice that were phenotypically similar to human mucinous adenocarcinomas. Gene expression patterns distinguished tumor goblet (mucous) cells from nontumorigenic airway and intestinal goblet cells. Expression of NKX2-1 inhibited urethane and oncogenic KrasG12D-induced tumorigenesis in vivo. Haploinsufficiency of Nkx2-1 enhanced KrasG12D-mediated tumor progression, but reduced EGFRL858R-mediated progression. Genome-wide analysis of gene expression demonstrated that a set of genes induced in mucinous tumors was shared with genes induced in a nontumorigenic chronic lung disease, while a distinct subset of genes was specific to mucinous tumors. ChIP with massively parallel DNA sequencing identified a direct association of NKX2-1 with the genes induced in mucinous tumors. NKX2-1 associated with the AP-1 binding element as well as the canonical NKX2-1 binding element. NKX2-1 inhibited both AP-1 activity and tumor colony formation in vitro. These data demonstrate that NKX2-1 functions in a context-dependent manner in lung tumorigenesis and inhibits KrasG12D-driven mucinous pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
Airline Travel and Infection
Authors: Richard P. Wenzel
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1996)

Our fascination with the misadventures of travel dates back to the dawn of recorded history. Homer's epic tale of the 10-year wanderings of Odysseus returning home to Ithaca after the fall of Troy remains the classic account of journey-related hazards. Real-life challenges increased as civilization grew, and life imitated art as medieval pilgrims and later seafaring travelers fell victim to cholera, smallpox, typhus, and other deadly infections while en route. By contrast, modern travel is remarkably safe. Even in close quarters, hygiene, sanitation, the quality of food and water, and general comfort are reasonably good.Now that space-age technology has . . .
Coupled transcription-splicing regulation of mutually exclusive splicing events at the 5′ exons of protein 4.1R gene
Authors: Shu-Ching Huang, Aeri Cho, Stephanie Norton, Eva S. Liu, Jennie Park, Anyu Zhou, Indira D. Munagala, Alexander C. Ou, Guang Yang, Amittha Wickrema, Tang K. Tang, Edward J. Benz
Journal: Blood (2009)
Thermoresponsive polymers as gene delivery vectors: Cell viability, DNA transport and transfection studies
Authors: Beverley R. Twaites, Carolina de las Heras Alarcón, Matthieu Lavigne, Annabelle Saulnier, Sivanand S. Pennadam, David Cunliffe, Dariusz C. Górecki, Cameron Alexander
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release (2005)
Serum levels of advanced glycation end products are associated with left ventricular diastolic function in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Authors: T J Berg, O Snorgaard, J Faber, P A Torjesen, P Hildebrandt, J Mehlsen, K F Hanssen
Journal: Diabetes Care (1999)

OBJECTIVE: Impairment of left ventricular diastolic function, possibly caused by increased collagen cross-linking of the cardiac muscle, is common in patients with type 1 diabetes even without coronary artery disease. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) cross-link tissue collagen and are found within myocardial fibers. The aim of this study was to examine for a possible association between circulating AGEs and left ventricular cardiac function. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Left ventricular diastolic and systolic function were assessed by M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in 52 patients with type 1 diabetes, age 40 +/- 13 (mean +/- SD) years, diabetes duration 17 +/- 13 years, and HbA1c 8.3 +/- 1.1%. Serum levels of AGEs and N epsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) were measured by newly developed competitive immunoassays. RESULTS: A positive correlation was found between serum levels of AGEs and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), r = 0.46 (P &amp;lt; 0.0008), and left ventricular diameter during diastole, r = 0.37 (P &amp;lt; 0.008). The systolic parameters did not correlate with serum levels of AGEs. Stepwise regression analysis showed that 21% of the IVRT variation could be explained by serum levels of AGEs (F = 11.4, P &amp;lt; 0.002), whereas serum levels of CML, HbA1c, albumin excretion rate, diabetes duration, and mean arterial blood pressure were of no importance. AGE levels were significantly increased in men compared with women (P &amp;lt; 0.03) and present or former smokers (P &amp;lt; 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum levels of AGEs, unlike serum levels of CML, are associated with heart stiffness in patients with type 1 diabetes, possibly mediated by the cross-linking properties of AGEs.
Abstract 5284: A microRNA downregulated in human cholangiocarcinoma induces G2/M arrest through multiple targets.
Authors: Sumitaka Yamanaka, Nathaniel R. Campbell, Scot C. Kuo, Esteban Mezey, Anirban Maitra, Florin Selaru
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Background: Cholangiocarcinomas (CCA) are cancers with dismal prognosis, thought to arise from epithelial cells lining the biliary tree. An improved understanding of the pathogenesis of CCA, as well as novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are direly needed. MicroRNAs (miRs) are short, single-stranded sequences of RNA, that were recently demonstrated to play a major role in the regulation of virtually all cellular processes. Several previous studies identified miRs that are dysregulated in CCA as well as distinct roles played by miRs in CCA genesis or progression. Methods: We performed microRNA-arrays on 5 normal biliary duct epithelias and 5 CCAs that had been obtained at surgery. After data analysis, we selected mir-494 for all subsequent analysis among top 5 miRs. To confirm the initial miR array data, quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis was performed using 12 human CCA as well as 5 normal cholangiocyte specimens. And then, we transfected 2 CCA cell lines with miR-494 and a non-specific mimic, respectively, and performed mRNA arrays to identify in an unbiased fashion the genes whose expression is downregulated by miR-494. Furthermore, we performed fluorescence activated cell sorting, as well as differential interference contrast microscopy. Results: miR-494 is significantly downregulated in human CCA specimens. Cells transfected with miR-494 showed a significant decrease in growth in the cell proliferation assay. As for the results of mRNA array, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis also indicated that miR-494 appears to coordinately affect several genes involved in the Mitotic Roles of Polo-like Kinase and Cell cycle: G2/M Checkpoint Regulation canonical pathways. We verified that miR-494 modulates the protein level of six genes involved in the G2/M transition. Next, we identified direct binding of miR-494 to the open reading frame (ORF), and downregulation of PTTG1 and TOP2A. Conclusions: our findings suggest that miR-494 has a global regulatory role in cell cycle progression. Therefore, it appears that the simultaneous effects of a single miR species on multiple targets along the same canonical pathway is advantageous for the usage of miRs as therapeutics. Citation Format: Sumitaka Yamanaka, Nathaniel R. Campbell, Scot C. Kuo, Esteban Mezey, Anirban Maitra, Florin Selaru. A microRNA downregulated in human cholangiocarcinoma induces G2/M arrest through multiple targets. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5284. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5284
TCTAP C-224 Hybrid Surgical and Endovascular Intervention for Acute Limb Ischemia Due to Tumor Embolism of the Abdominal Aorta Originated from the Lung Tumor (Pleomorphic Carcinoma) Which Extended to the Left Atrium via the Pulmonary Vein
Authors: Nobuhito Yagi
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2014)
Comparison of intestinal mast cell and basophil histamine release in children with food allergic reactions
Authors: H. NOLTE, P. O. SCHIØTZ, A. KRUSE, P. STAHL SKOV
Journal: Allergy (1989)

The in vitro histamine release response of human intestinal mast cells and basophils challenged with anti‐IgE, Concanavalin A, ionophore A23187 and food extracts was compared with skin prick test, RAST analysis and open food challenge. It was not possible to perform food challenge in all patients; however, seven children underwent open food challenge and in five the clinical diagnosis of “true” food allergy was confirmed. The intestinal mast cells were pooled from enzymatically dispersed duodenal biopsies obtained by duodenoscopy from 15 selected children suspected of food allergy, and five age‐matched controls. In nine of 10 patients classified as “food allergic” intestinal mast cells released histamine to various food extracts in a dose‐dependent fashion. From the mast cells of the nine food‐allergic patients compared with non‐allergics, the anti‐IgE mediated mast cell histamine release was increased. Additionally, at 1000 U/ml anti‐IgE the mast cell histamine release was increased compared with their corresponding basophils. However, in non‐allergic subjects the histamine release of basophils was increased compared with their corresponding mast cells. Histamine release from basophils was positively correlated to the test scores of the RAST analysis, skin prick test, and food challenge. No apparent correlation between tests scores obtained from histamine release of intestinal mast cell and the other tests was demonstrated, except in children with diarrhoea as only symptom. However, the study gives evidence that duodenal mast cells actually are sensitized with specific IgE and thus may play a pathophysiological role in food hypersensitivity. In addition, the study shows that the ability of different stimuli, including food extracts, to trigger basophil histamine release does not correlate with their potency to induce histamine release from mast cells.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Patients with Electric Sensitivity – a Multidisciplinary Approach in a Controlled Study
Authors: Lena Hillert, Birgitta Kolmodin Hedman, Barbro F. Dölling, Bengt B. Arnetz
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (1998)

&lt;b&gt;Background: &lt;/b&gt;Electric sensitivity is a syndrome that still lacks diagnostic criteria and proven aetiology. The suffering of afflicted persons motivates development and evaluation of effective handling and treatments. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy in patients with electric sensitivity. &lt;b&gt;Methods: &lt;/b&gt;Cognitive behavioural treatment, as part of a multidisciplinary treatment package for patients with electric sensitivity, was evaluated in a controlled trial. Ten patients who received treatment were compared to 12 controls. Outcome measures included different dimensions such as symptoms, beliefs, behaviour, and biochemical measurements of stress-related variables. All outcome measures were collected prior to the study, post-treatment, and after an additional 6-month follow-up. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The therapy group rated their electric sensitivity as significantly lower than did the control group at the 6-month follow-up, and reduction of self-rated discomforts from triggering factors was significant in the therapy group. There were no systematic changes in the biochemical variables. The symptom indices were significantly reduced over time, and ability to work continued to be good in both groups. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/b&gt;The prognosis for this syndrome is good with early intervention and cognitive therapy may further reduce the perceived hypersensitivity. This may have important implications on handling of patients with electric sensitivity.