tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Effects of hemodialysis on activation of lymphocytes
Authors: D Donati, D Degiannis, N Combates, J Raskova, K Raska
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1992)

Patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis have impaired immune responsiveness, which appears to deteriorate progressively with the duration of the replacement treatment. It has been suggested that it is caused by a chronic preactivation state of T cells caused by hemodialysis. Each treatment session has been compared with a recurring "acute-phase" inflammatory reaction. In this study, the acute effects of hemodialysis on the activation state and functional responsiveness of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells have been evaluated by use of an in vitro dialysis model. The dialysis was carried out with either cuprophan or polysulfone membranes, with or without sodium acetate in the dialysis fluid. It was observed that a single session of in vitro dialysis did not induce production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and did not alter the expression of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) on the cytoplasmic membrane and the secretion of soluble IL-2R, whereas it induced transcription of mRNA for IL-2R. The proliferative response of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin or IL-2 in vitro also did not change after a single dialysis session. There was only a slight decrease of the release of soluble IL-2 receptor by phytohemagglutinin-stimulated cells after dialysis. Dialysis induced an active synthesis of IL-1 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, even in the absence of sodium acetate in the dialysate bath, but there was no release of IL-1 to the circulating medium. The results show that a single dialysis encounter can acutely prime the activation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Measurement of patient dose in ultraviolet therapy using a phantom
Authors: C.A. Fulljames, A.D. Welsh
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2000)

A phantom was developed as a reproducible means of measuring the irradiance in an occupied ultraviolet cabin, by placing the phantom, or replica person, in the cabin, obviating the need for human exposure. The contributions to the patient irradiance measured in the cabin were investigated, looking in particular at the effect of the reflectors. Radiation undergoing single reflection was seen to contribute to a greater extent than multiple reflections. Placing an object in the cabin reduces the measured irradiance due to the blocking of multiple reflections, but variation in the exact shape and size of the object has less effect, which is useful as patients are of all shapes and sizes and a representative phantom was to be developed. The phantom was made of expanded polystyrene blocks with an embedded probe. Measurements were made to verify the equivalence of human and phantom cabin occupancy. It was found that the irradiance measured with the phantom in the cabin lies within the values measured with human occupancy.
Recycling of hard-core smokers with nicotine nasal spray
Authors: P Tonnesen, K Mikkelsen, J Norregaard, S Jorgensen
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1996)

The primary aim of this smoking cessation study was to evaluate the effect of long-term treatment with nicotine nasal spray in a group of hard-core smokers. A further aim was to compare the effect of ad libitum with fixed dosage of nasal nicotine spray. Eighty nine smokers, failures from two earlier studies with nicotine patches, were enrolled in an open smoking cessation study with nicotine nasal sprays, to be used ad libitum (n=45) or on a fixed schedule of 1 mg x h-1 during the day (n= 44). Carbon monoxide-verified continuous abstinence from smoking beyond Week 2, was 39% at 3 weeks, 12% at 3 months, 10% at 6 months and 6% after 1 yr, with no significant difference in success rate between ad libitum and fixed dosing. Mean daily nicotine dose was 15-16 mg during the first 3 months (range 2-65 mg). Tolerance to local irritating side-effects of nicotine developed during the first weeks of use. Although short-term outcome was promising, the long-term success rate in this group of hardcore smokers was low. Other recycling set-ups are warranted, which might include more aggressive nicotine dosing.
The Intestinal Chemokine Thymus-expressed Chemokine (CCL25) Attracts IgA Antibody-secreting Cells
Authors: Edward P. Bowman, Nelly A. Kuklin, Kenneth R. Youngman, Nicole H. Lazarus, Eric J. Kunkel, Junliang Pan, Harry B. Greenberg, Eugene C. Butcher
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2002)

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) provides protection against pathogens at mucosal surfaces. Chemotactic responses have been hypothesized to target IgA plasma cells involved in mucosal immune responses. We show here that thymus-expressed chemokine (TECK, CCL25) is a potent and selective chemoattractant for IgA antibody-secreting cells (ASC), efficiently recruiting IgA-producing cells from spleen, Peyer's patches, and mesenteric lymph node. Cells secreting IgA antibody in response to rotavirus, an intestinal pathogen, also respond well. In contrast, IgG– and IgM–ASC respond poorly. Epithelial cells in the small intestines, a principal site of IgA–ASC localization and IgA production in the body, highly and selectively express TECK. The migration of IgA–ASC to the intestinal epithelial cell chemokine TECK may help target IgA-producing cells to the gut wall, thus helping define and segregate the intestinal immune response.
Patient-derived Xenografts Reveal that Intraductal Carcinoma of the Prostate Is a Prominent Pathology in BRCA2 Mutation Carriers with Prostate Cancer and Correlates with Poor Prognosis
Authors: Gail P. Risbridger, Renea A. Taylor, David Clouston, Ania Sliwinski, Heather Thorne, Sally Hunter, Jason Li, Gillian Mitchell, Declan Murphy, Mark Frydenberg, David Pook, John Pedersen, Roxanne Toivanen, Hong Wang, Melissa Papargiris, Mitchell G. Lawrence, Damien M. Bolton
Journal: European Urology (2014)
Evoked potential studies in the antiphospholipid syndrome: differential diagnosis from multiple sclerosis
Authors: D Paran
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2005)

The CNS manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) can mimic multiple sclerosis both clinically and radiologically.To compare evoked potential studies in APS patients and patients with multiple sclerosis with similar neurological disability.30 APS patients with CNS manifestations and 33 patients with definite multiple sclerosis and similar neurological disability underwent studies of visual evoked potentials (VEP), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) in the upper and lower limbs (UL, LL), and sympathetic skin responses (SSR) in the upper and lower limbs.The neurological manifestations in the APS patients included stroke (n = 17), transient ischaemic attacks (n = 10), and severe headache with multiple white matter lesions on brain MRI (n = 3). Abnormal SSEP (LL), and SSR (UL; LL) were seen in APS patients (37%, 27%, and 30%, respectively) but VEP and UL SSEP were rarely abnormal (10% and 6%, respectively in APS v 58% and 33% in multiple sclerosis; p = 0.0005, p = 0.008). Mean VEP latencies were more prolonged in multiple sclerosis (116 ms v 101 ms, p<0.001). Only one APS patient had abnormal findings in all three evoked potential studies, compared with seven patients in the multiple sclerosis group (p = 0.04)Abnormal VEPs are uncommon in APS in contrast to multiple sclerosis. Coexisting abnormalities in all other evoked potentials were similarly rare in APS. In patients with brain MRI findings compatible either with multiple sclerosis or APS, normal evoked potential tests, and especially a normal VEP, may support the diagnosis of APS.
Molecular Cloning and Biological Characterization of a Novel Murine Lymphoid Growth Factor
Authors: John E. Sims, Douglas E. Williams, Philip J. Morrissey, Kirsten Garka, Diane Foxworthe, Virginia Price, Sherree L. Friend, Andrew Farr, Mary A. Bedell, Nancy A. Jenkins, Neal G. Copeland, Kenneth Grabstein, Raymond J. Paxton
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2000)

Using a bioassay consisting of the proliferation of a murine B cell line, a cDNA of a gene whose product supports the growth of that cell line was isolated from a thymic stromal cell line. This factor, termed thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), is a protein of 140 amino acids. The gene encoding TSLP was mapped to murine chromosome 18. Purified recombinant TSLP supported the growth of pre-B cell colonies in vitro, but had no myelopoietic activity. TSLP had comitogenic activity for fetal thymocytes, but was not as potent as interleukin 7 in lobe submersion cultures. Injection of TSLP into neonatal mice induced the expansion of B220(+)BP-1(+) pre-B cells.
Role of 15-lipoxygenase in the polarization of human lung macrophages
Authors: Charlotte Abrial, Stanislas Grassin-Delyle, Hélène Salvator, Marion Brollo, Emmanuel Naline, Philippe Devillier
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction: Metabolites from the 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) pathway have been involved in the pathogenesis of airway allergic inflammation. 15-LO expression is up-regulated by IL-4/IL-13 in human monocytes-derived macrophages and overexpression of 15-LO increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines by human lung epithelial cells or murine macrophages. Our aims were to investigate the role of 15-LO in the M1/M2 polarization of human lung macrophages (LM).  Methods: LM were isolated from patients undergoing surgery for carcinoma and challenged with LPS (to obtain M1 LM), IL-13 or IL-4 (to obtain M2 LM), treated or not with the dual 12-/15- or the specific 15-LO inhibitors (nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA (10µM)) and PD146171 (10 µM), respectively). Expression of 15-LO, type 2 cyclooxygenase (COX2), and prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) was determined with RT-qPCR; M1-(TNF-α, CCL2, 3, CXCL8) and M2-(CCL13, 18 and 22) cytokines were quantified with ELISA; 15(S)-HETE and PGE2 with EIA.  Results: LPS induced an increase in the expression of COX2 and PGES transcripts and in the production of 15(S)-HETE (15-LO metabolite) and PGE2. LPS also induced the production of TNF-α, CCL2, 3 and CXCL8 which was inhibited by the 15-LO inhibitors. IL-13/IL-4 induced an increase of 15-LO transcript and the production of M2-cytokines, which was inhibited by the 15-LO inhibitors. In contrast, the non selective COX inhibitor indomethacin did not alter either the LPS- or the IL-4/IL-13-induced production of M1/M2 cytokines.  Conclusion: The 15-LO pathway appears to be involved in the regulation of the in vitro M1/M2 polarization of human lung macrophages. The eicosanoids involved in this pathway remain to be identified.
Fractional Excretion of Phosphorus Modifies the Association between Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 and Outcomes
Authors: Julie R. Dominguez, Michael G. Shlipak, Mary A. Whooley, Joachim H. Ix
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2013)

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) induces phosphaturia through its effects on renal tubules. Higher levels of FGF23 associate with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and all-cause mortality, but it is unknown whether these associations differ by the degree of phosphaturia. Here, we measured serum FGF23 and 24-hour urine fractional excretion of phosphorus (FePi) in 872 outpatients with stable CVD and a mean estimated GFR of 71 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). During an average 7.5 years of follow-up, there were 337 deaths and 199 CVD events. Urinary FePi significantly modified the association of FGF23 with each outcome (P interaction<0.001 for all-cause mortality and P interaction<0.05 for CVD events). In models adjusted for CVD risk factors, kidney function, and PTH, those patients who had FGF23 above the median (≥ 42.3 relative units [RU]/ml) but FePi below the median (<15.7%) had the highest risks of both all-cause mortality (HR=1.98, 95% CI=1.42-2.77) and CVD events (HR=1.92, 95% CI=1.25-2.94) compared with those patients who had low concentrations of FGF23 and low FePi. In summary, associations of FGF23 with mortality and CVD events are stronger in persons with lower FePi independent of PTH and kidney function. In such individuals, the renal tubular response to FGF23 may be suboptimal.
Efficacy and safety of loratadine suspension in the treatment of children with allergic rhinitis
Authors: A. L. BONER, P. MIGLIORANZI, C. RICHELLI, E. MARCHESI, A. ANDREOLI
Journal: Allergy (1989)

The safety and efficacy of loratadine was compared with that of dexchlorpheniramine in children with allergic rhinitis. Twenty‐one children received loratadine 0.11–0.24 mg/kg ideal body weight once daily and 19 dexchlorpheniramine 0.10–0.23 mg/kg every 8 h (0.30–0.69 mg/24 h) for 14 consecutive days. Both loratadine and dexchlorpheniramine were effective in reducing nasal and ocular symptoms in allergic children. Substantial improvement in allergy symptoms was observed at the first evaluation (day 3 of treatment) and was maintained for the study duration. No significant trend of abnormality in laboratory parameters was observed. Drowsiness was present only in the dexchlorpheniramine‐treated group. Loratadine appears to be a simple, effective and safe therapy for seasonal allergic rhinitis.
MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD FLOW AND VOLUME IN THE FOREARM OF MAN; WITH NOTES ON THE THEORY OF INDICATOR-DILUTION AND ON PRODUCTION OF TURBULENCE, HEMOLYSIS, AND VASODILATATION BY INTRA-VASCULAR INJECTION 1
Authors: R. Andres, K. L. Zierler, H. M. Anderson, W. N. Stainsby, G. Cader, A. S. Ghrayyib, J. L. Lilienthal
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1954)

In the course of a series of studies on neuromus- cular function it became desirable to investigate in man the metabolism of skeletal muscle in situ.For this purpose it was decided to apply the Zuntz-Fick principle to determine the exchange of metabolites between muscle and blood in the forearm with circulation occluded at the wrist.The selection of this segment was guided by the following considerations: (a) Convenience; (b) the large muscular volume relative to the volume of skin (1); (c) the predominance of blood flow through muscle relative to skin (2, 3); and (d) the relative avascularity of other structures sug- gesting that no less than 80 per cent of total fore- arm blood flow is muscular in distribution.In addition to the estimation of arterio-venous concentration differences in substances of interest, the principle requires a measurement of blood flow through the segment under study.Of methods in current use, only venous-occlusion plethysmog- raphy provides an absolute numerical value for blood flow through a human extremity.Despite the wealth of observations recorded by this method it was deemed desirable to develop another ap- proach which might yield continuous recording of blood flow as well as serial samples of arterial and venous blood.Furthermore, the sources of error of the plethysmographic method have been studied carefully but not overcome completely (4), and, to our knowledge, no verification of the method by an independent technic has been made in man.
Quality-Based Financial Incentives in Health Care: Can We Improve Quality by Paying for It?
Authors: Douglas A. Conrad, Lisa Perry
Journal: Annual Review of Public Health (2009)

This article asks whether financial incentives can improve the quality of health care. A conceptual framework drawn from microeconomics, agency theory, behavioral economics, and cognitive psychology motivates a set of propositions about incentive effects on clinical quality. These propositions are evaluated through a synthesis of extant peer-reviewed empirical evidence. Comprehensive financial incentives—balancing rewards and penalties; blending structure, process, and outcome measures; emphasizing continuous, absolute performance standards; tailoring the size of incremental rewards to increasing marginal costs of quality improvement; and assuring certainty, frequency, and sustainability of incentive payoffs—offer the prospect of significantly enhancing quality beyond the modest impacts of prevailing pay-for-performance (P4P) programs. Such organizational innovations as the primary care medical home and accountable health care organizations are expected to catalyze more powerful quality incentive models: risk- and quality-adjusted capitation, episode of care payments, and enhanced fee-for-service payments for quality dimensions (e.g., prevention) most amenable to piece-rate delivery.
Low frequency of HLA-DRB1*11 in hepatitis C virus induced end stage liver disease
Authors: H L Tillmann, D-F Chen, C Trautwein, V Kliem, A Grundey, A Berning-Haag, K Böker, S Kubicka, L Pastucha, W Stangel, M P Manns
Journal: Gut (2001)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection becomes chronic in more than 70% of patients, leading to end stage liver disease in about 20–30% of these patients. Apart from the virus itself, host factors that modulate the immune response are likely to be involved in determining the outcome of HCV infection. Studies on the association of human leucocyte antigens (HLAs) and HCV infection have shown inconsistent results. Selection of patient subgroups may be crucial. However, any association relevant to HCV disease progression will become evident, especially in those patients with end stage liver disease. Therefore, we analysed the phenotype frequencies of HLA antigens in two groups of 69 and 39 patients with HCV induced liver cirrhosis who had received a transplant or were awaiting liver transplantation. The first group was typed serologically and compared with 331 blood and liver donors. The second group, prospectively HLA typed by a polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO) procedure for HLA-DRB and DQB alleles, was compared with another 170 PCR-SSO typed and randomly selected blood donors. Decreased frequencies for HLA-DR5 and HLA-DQ3 were found in one group of patients with HCV induced liver cirrhosis compared with the control groups. In the second analysis comparing 39 patients with end stage liver cirrhosis with blood donors, we confirmed the significant decrease in HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DQB1*03, which corresponded to serological HLA-DR5 and HLA-DQ3 antigens, respectively. Our results show that the presence of HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DQB1*03 alleles is associated with a reduced risk for the development of HCV induced end stage liver disease.
On a Case of Sebaceous Tumour in the External Auditory Meatus
Authors: J. St. S. Wilders
Journal: BMJ (1873)

once brought together by the suture.By this means, not more than sixty or eighty seconds passed between the separation of the tumour and its inoculation.The diagnosis of epitbelioma was in all cases con- firmed by the microscope.I do not speak here of observations upon other malignant growths which I have made.EXPERIMENT I.-July Ist, I87I.A black and white guinea-pig was inoculated with epithelioma of the penis into the left flank, and also a black tan and white guinea-pig with the same material into the peritoneum.These animals were killed at Christmas I87I ; but nothing unnatural could be discovered on examining their bodies.No tuberculosis was found.EXPERIMENT II.August gth, I87I.I inoculated a black and tan guinea-pig with epithelioma of the scrotum.It was found dead on October igth.It was examined; but no new growths were discovered, or, indeed, any cause of death.EXPERIMENT iII.-Novembr 8th, 1871I.A guinea-pig was inocu-
Sleep can be related to memory, even if REM sleep is not
Authors: Giuliana Mazzoni
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2000)

As reported by Vertes &amp; Eastman, convincing evidence rules out any role for REM sleep in memory consolidation. However, they do not provide convincing evidence for their claim that sleep in generaI – as opposed to REM sleep per se – has no influence on memory consolidation. Recent correlational data suggest that the number of NREM/REM cycles is associated with performance on a verbal recall task. [Vertes &amp; Eastman]
Diagnosis of myocardial infarction following hospitalisation for exacerbation of COPD
Authors: David A. McAllister, John D. Maclay, Nicholas L. Mills, Andrew Leitch, Philip Reid, Ross Carruthers, Jennifer O’Connor, Lawrence McAlpine, George Chalmers, David E. Newby, Elaine Clark, Peter W. Macfarlane, William MacNee
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Cardiovascular disease is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and raised troponin is common in exacerbations. However, the prevalence of myocardial infarction following hospitalisation for exacerbation of COPD is unknown. Patients aged ≥40 yrs hospitalised with acute exacerbation of COPD (n=242) with ≥10 pack-yrs of cigarette smoking were included in a prospective case series conducted in four hospitals. Patients whose primary presenting complaint was chest pain or who had an alternative diagnosis were excluded. Chest pain histories, serial ECGs and troponin levels were obtained. The mean±sd age was 69±9 yrs; 108 (45%) patients were male and almost half were current smokers. 124 (51%; 95% CI 48–58%) patients had chest pain, which was exertional in 62 (26%). 24 (10%) had raised troponin, among whom, 20 (8.3%; 95% CI 5.1–12.5%) had chest pain and/or serial ECG changes, fulfilling the 2007 Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction. Neither chest pain (p=0.77) nor serial ECG changes (p=0.39) were associated with raised troponin. Raised troponin, chest pain and serial ECG changes are common in patients admitted to hospital with exacerbation of COPD. Overall, one in 12 patients met the criteria for myocardial infarction. Whether these patients would benefit from further cardiac investigation is unknown.
Pulmonary Complications of Transplantation
Authors: Richard A. Robbins, Anthony A. Floreani, Scott E. Buchalter, John R. Spurzem, Joseph H. Sisson, Stephen I. Rennard
Journal: Annual Review of Medicine (1992)

Improved immunosuppressive regimens, advances in surgical proficiency and techniques, and improved supportive medical care have translated into dramatic increases in graft survival in organ transplantation and in patient outcome in bone marrow transplantation. Though effective immunosuppression has also led to an increase in infectious complications, several recent advances, including the development of effective surveillance protocols and antiviral therapy and the use of prophylactic antibiotics, appear to have made a significant positive impact on the management of infections and survival of transplant recipients. In addition, a clearer understanding of noninfectious pulmonary complications, such as bronchiolitis obliterans, and continued improvement in techniques for evaluating a host of posttransplant pulmonary disorders will likely further enhance posttransplant therapy and survival.