tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Can a Low–Glycemic Index Diet Reduce the Need for Insulin in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus?
Authors: Robert G. Moses, Megan Barker, Meagan Winter, Peter Petocz, Jennie C. Brand-Miller
Journal: Diabetes Care (2009)

OBJECTIVE A low–glycemic index diet is effective as a treatment for individuals with diabetes and has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes when used from the first trimester. A low–glycemic index diet is commonly advised as treatment for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the efficacy of this advice and associated pregnancy outcomes have not been systematically examined. The purpose of this study was to determine whether prescribing a low–glycemic index diet for women with GDM could reduce the number of women requiring insulin without compromise of pregnancy outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS All women with GDM seen over a 12-month period were considered for inclusion in the study. Women (n = 63) were randomly assigned to receive either a low–glycemic index diet or a conventional high-fiber (and higher glycemic index) diet. RESULTS Of the 31 women randomly assigned to a low–glycemic index diet, 9 (29%) required insulin. Of the women randomly assigned to a higher–glycemic index diet, a significantly higher proportion, 19 of 32 (59%), met the criteria to commence insulin treatment (P = 0.023). However, 9 of these 19 women were able to avoid insulin use by changing to a low–glycemic index diet. Key obstetric and fetal outcomes were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Using a low–glycemic index diet for women with GDM effectively halved the number needing to use insulin, with no compromise of obstetric or fetal outcomes.
The therapeutic use of topical contact sensitizers in benign dermatoses
Authors: D.A. Buckley, A.W.P. Du Vivier
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2001)

Topical therapy using contact sensitizers has been practised since the 1960s to treat conditions associated with an altered immunological state. Dinitrochlorobenzene, squaric acid dibutyl ester and diphencyprone are most commonly employed in the therapy of alopecia areata and viral warts. Few dermatology departments in the U.K. provide such treatment. This systematic review discusses the various contact sensitizers used for topical immunotherapy, the methodology of treatment, factors influencing efficacy and likely adverse effects.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Prediction Tool for White Men and Women Without Known Susceptibility
Authors: Andrew N. Freedman, Martha L. Slattery, Rachel Ballard-Barbash, Gordon Willis, Bette J. Cann, David Pee, Mitchell H. Gail, Ruth M. Pfeiffer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

Given the high incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), and the availability of procedures that can detect disease and remove precancerous lesions, there is a need for a model that estimates the probability of developing CRC across various age intervals and risk factor profiles.The development of separate CRC absolute risk models for men and women included estimating relative risks and attributable risk parameters from population-based case-control data separately for proximal, distal, and rectal cancer and combining these estimates with baseline age-specific cancer hazard rates based on Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) incidence rates and competing mortality risks.For men, the model included a cancer-negative sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy in the last 10 years, polyp history in the last 10 years, history of CRC in first-degree relatives, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, cigarette smoking, body mass index (BMI), current leisure-time vigorous activity, and vegetable consumption. For women, the model included sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy, polyp history, history of CRC in first-degree relatives, aspirin and NSAID use, BMI, leisure-time vigorous activity, vegetable consumption, hormone-replacement therapy (HRT), and estrogen exposure on the basis of menopausal status. For men and women, relative risks differed slightly by tumor site. A validation study in independent data indicates that the models for men and women are well calibrated.We developed absolute risk prediction models for CRC from population-based data, and a simple questionnaire suitable for self-administration. This model is potentially useful for counseling, for designing research intervention studies, and for other applications.
Molecular Classifiers for Gastric Cancer and Nonmalignant Diseases of the Gastric Mucosa
Authors: Sibele I. Meireles, Elier B. Cristo, Alex F. Carvalho, Roberto Hirata, Adriane Pelosof, Luciana I. Gomes, Waleska K. Martins, Maria D. Begnami, Cláudia Zitron, André L. Montagnini, Fernando A. Soares, E. Jordão Neves, Luiz F. L. Reis
Journal: Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract High incidence of gastric cancer-related death is mainly due to diagnosis at an advanced stage in addition to the lack of adequate neoadjuvant therapy. Hence, new tools aimed at early diagnosis would have a positive impact in the outcome of the disease. Using cDNA arrays having 376 genes either identified previously as altered in gastric tumors or known to be altered in human cancer, we determined expression signature of 99 tissue fragments representing normal gastric mucosa, gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and adenocarcinomas. We first validated the array by identifying molecular markers that are associated with intestinal metaplasia, considered as a transition stage of gastric adenocarcinomas of the intestinal type as well as markers that are associated with diffuse type of gastric adenocarcinomas. Next, we applied Fisher’s linear discriminant analysis in an exhaustive search of trios of genes that could be used to build classifiers for class distinction. Many classifiers could distinguish between normal and tumor samples, whereas, for the distinction of gastritis from tumor and for metaplasia from tumor, fewer classifiers were identified. Statistical validations showed that trios that discriminate between normal and tumor samples are powerful classifiers to distinguish between tumor and nontumor samples. More relevant, it was possible to identify samples of intestinal metaplasia that have expression signature resembling that of an adenocarcinoma and can now be used for follow-up of patients to determine their potential as a prognostic test for malignant transformation.
Efficacy of nebulised colomycin in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis colonised with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: R. Dhar, G. A. Anwar, S. C. Bourke, L. Doherty, P. Middleton, C. Ward, R. M. Rutherford
Journal: Thorax (2010)

Colonisation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a feature of bronchiectasis and is associated with more severe disease and lower quality of life.1 Nebulised colomycin, a polymixin, bactericidal antibiotic with potent activity against most Gram-negative organisms, including P aeruginosa , is frequently employed in these patients, but evidence is lacking for this approach.

We have retrospectively assessed the efficacy of nebulised colomycin in P aeruginosa -colonised patients receiving a minimum of 6 months treatment. Patients who received concomitant prophylactic macrolide treatment for >4 weeks were excluded. Bronchiectasis was confirmed in all patients by standard high-resolution CT criteria, and all received nebulised colomycin 1–2 megaunits twice daily through a standard jet nebuliser …
Iron deficiency is common in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: G. Ruiter, S. Lankhorst, A. Boonstra, P.E. Postmus, S. Zweegman, N. Westerhof, W.J. van der Laarse, A. Vonk-Noordegraaf
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2010)

The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of iron deficiency in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and investigate whether oral iron supplementation has effects in iron-deficient patients. Iron parameters were measure for all IPAH patients attending our centre (VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) between May 2009 and February 2010. Iron data were related to clinical parameters, including 6-min walking distance (6MWD), and haemodynamic parameters measured during right heart catheterisation. In a subset of iron-deficient patients, the uptake of iron from the bowel was studied after administering oral iron for 4 weeks. Iron deficiency was found in 30 (43%) out of 70 patients. 6MWD was reduced in iron-deficient patients compared with iron-sufficient patients (mean± sd 390±138 versus 460±143 m; p&lt;0.05) irrespective of the existence of anaemia. In a subset of 18 patients that received oral iron, ferritin levels were significantly increased, although eight patients only slightly increased their iron storage. This study shows that iron deficiency is frequently present in IPAH and is associated with a lower exercise capacity. The small response to oral iron in 44% of the treated patients suggests impaired iron absorption in these patients.
Effect of Atrial and Ventricular Fibrillation and Ventricular Tachycardia on Carbohydrate Metabolism of the Heart
Authors: MICHAEL KLARWEIN, KYOHEI KAKO, ATHANASIOS CHRYSOHOU, RICHARD J. BING
Journal: Circulation Research (1961)

Changes in the ratio phosphorylase a/total phosphorylase in heart muscle, as well as the myocardial concentrations of glycogen, glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P), lactate, pyruvate, fructose-l,6-diphosphate (FDP), dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), were followed during artificially induced ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation, and atrial fibrillation.These experiments were carried out with and without support of the coronary circulation. When coronary circulation was not maintained, active phosphorylase increased, then diminished in heart muscle during ventricular and atrial fibrillation and during ventricular tachycardia. The myocardial concentration of lactate and glucose-6-phosphate rose, while that of glycogen dim inished. No appreciable changes occurred in the concentration of fructose-1,6-diphosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, and pyruvate. These changes were similar to those reported on skeletal muscle. When coronary circulation was maintained, no changes in carbohydrate intermediates or in phosphorylase a activity were recorded. These results demonstrate that the metabolic changes encountered in heart muscle during these arrhythrnias are the result of anoxia.
Heavy ion radiation up-regulates Cx43 and ameliorates arrhythmogenic substrates in hearts after myocardial infarction
Authors: M AMINO, K YOSHIOKA, T TANABE, E TANAKA, H MORI, Y FURUSAWA, W ZAREBA, M YAMAZAKI, H NAKAGAWA, H HONJO
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2006)

Radiation has been shown to enhance intercellular communication in the skin and lungs through an increase of connexin43 (Cx43) expression. If analogous Cx43 up-regulation is induced in the diseased heart, it would provide a new perspective in radiation therapy for arrhythmias. The aim of the present study is to test this hypothesis.Non-transmural myocardial infarction (MI) was created in 24 rabbits by microsphere injection into the coronary arteries. Twenty-four rabbits without MI were used as controls. Targeted external heavy ion beam irradiation (THIR; 15 Gy) was applied 2 weeks after MI with an accelerator (HIMAC, Chiba, Japan).The THIR was associated with an increase of Cx43 mRNA and protein levels in the left ventricle in control as well as in MI rabbits. THIR also increased lateralization of Cx43, which was no longer colocalized with cadherins. In MI hearts, immunoreactive Cx43 signals were reduced in the peri-infarct zone, and the reduction was reversed by THIR. In-vivo epicardial potential mapping on the free wall (64 unipolar electrodes to cover 7 x 7 mm) in MI hearts revealed reduced conduction velocity, whereas dispersion of the activation-recovery interval (ARI) was increased compared with controls, and these changes were reversed by THIR. The vulnerability for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT/VF), which was estimated by programmed stimulation, was increased in MI hearts, and this increased vulnerability to arrhythmias was reversed by THIR.THIR increases Cx43 expression, improves the conductivity, decreases the spatial heterogeneity of repolarization, and reduces the vulnerability of rabbit hearts to ventricular arrhythmias after MI. THIR could have an antiarrhythmic potential through an improvement of electrical coupling.
Staging of cutaneous melanoma
Authors: P. Mohr, A.M.M. Eggermont, A. Hauschild, A. Buzaid
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2009)

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging of cutaneous melanoma is a continuously evolving system. The identification of increasingly more accurate prognostic factors has led to major changes in melanoma staging over the years, and the current system described in this review will likely be modified in the near future. Likewise, application of new imaging techniques has also changed the staging work-up of patients with cutaneous melanoma. Chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning is most commonly used for evaluation of potential metastatic sites in the lungs, lymph nodes and liver, and is indicated in patients with new symptoms, anaemia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase or a chest X-ray abnormality. CT scans should be restricted to patients with high-risk melanoma (stage IIC, IIIB, IIIC and stage IIIA with a macroscopic sentinel lymph node). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is a mandatory test in patients with stage IV, optional in stage III and not used in patients with stage I and II disease. Positron emission tomography (PET)/CT is more accurate than CT or MRI alone in the diagnosis of metastases and should complement conventional CT/MRI imaging in the staging work-up of patients who have solitary or oligometastatic disease where surgical resection is most relevant.
Parathyroid hormone increases the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-I and transforming growth factor beta 1 in rat bone.
Authors: J Pfeilschifter, F Laukhuf, B Müller-Beckmann, W F Blum, T Pfister, R Ziegler
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1995)

Intermittent treatment with parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases bone mass in experimental animals and humans. In vitro studies have suggested that the anabolic effect of PTH may be mediated by local growth factors. However, the relevance of these findings to in vivo situations remains unclear. In this study, we examined a time course of daily s.c. injections of hPTH (1-34) on the skeletal concentration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in the proximal tail vertebrae of male rats. PTH caused a time and dose-dependent increase in the bone mineral density of the lumbar spine. This anabolic effect on bone mass was accompanied by progressive increases in bone matrix-associated IGF-I and TGF-beta 1. Increases in IGF-I and TGF-beta 1 became apparent after four and eight weeks of PTH treatment respectively and persisted through week 12. PTH had no effect on circulating IGF-I, suggesting that the increase of bone matrix IGF-I was due to the local effect of PTH on bone tissue directly rather than to an increase of circulating IGF-I. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that IGF-I and TGF-beta 1 may play a role as local mediators of the anabolic effects of PTH on bone metabolism.
Association of Renal Insufficiency with Treatment and Outcomes after Myocardial Infarction in Elderly Patients
Authors: Michael G. Shlipak, Paul A. Heidenreich, Haruko Noguchi, Glenn M. Chertow, Warren S. Browner, Mark B. McClellan
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2002)

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease are known to have decreased survival after myocardial infarction, but the association of less severe renal dysfunction with survival after myocardial infarction is unknown. Objectives: To determine how patients with renal insufficiency are treated during hospitalization for myocardial infarction and to determine the association of renal insufficiency with survival after myocardial infarction. Design: Cohort study. Setting: All nongovernment hospitals in the United States. Patients: 130 099 elderly patients with myocardial infarction hospitalized between April 1994 and July 1995. Measurements: Patients were categorized according to initial serum creatinine level: no renal insufficiency (creatinine level < 1.5 mg/dL [<132 µmol/L]; n = 82 455), mild renal insufficiency (creatinine level, 1.5 to 2.4 mg/dL [132 to 212 µmol/L]; n = 36 756), or moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine level, 2.5 to 3.9 mg/dL [221 to 345 µmol/L]; n = 10 888). Vital status up to 1 year after discharge was obtained from Social Security records. Results: Compared with patients with no renal insufficiency, patients with moderate renal insufficiency were less likely to receive aspirin, β-blockers, thrombolytic therapy, angiography, and angioplasty during hospitalization. One-year mortality was 24% in patients with no renal insufficiency, 46% in patients with mild renal insufficiency, and 66% in patients with moderate renal insufficiency (P < 0.001). After adjustment for patient and treatment characteristics, mild (hazard ratio, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.63 to 1.73]) and moderate (hazard ratio, 2.35 [CI, 2.26 to 2.45]) renal insufficiency were associated with substantially elevated risk for death during the first month of follow-up. This increased mortality risk continued until 6 months after myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Renal insufficiency was an independent risk factor for death in elderly patients after myocardial infarction. Targeted interventions may be needed to improve treatment for this high-risk population.
Cellular mechanisms for synthesis and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide in cultured rat atrial cells.
Authors: E Suzuki, Y Hirata, O Kohmoto, T Sugimoto, H Hayakawa, H Matsuoka, T Sugimoto, M Kojima, K Kangawa, N Minamino
Journal: Circulation Research (1992)

To investigate the cellular mechanism for the synthesis and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), we examined the effects of vasoactive agents on the secretion rates and gene expression of ANP and BNP in cultured rat atrial cells. Endothelin (10(-7) M, +61%), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 10(-6) M, +62%), the calcium ionophore A23187 (10(-6) M, +95%), and Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M, +34%) (p &lt; 0.05 each) all increased the secretion of ANP into the culture media in a dose-dependent fashion. On the other hand, endothelin (10(-7) M, +57%) and TPA (10(-6) M, +55%) (p &lt; 0.01 each) increased the secretion of BNP in a dose-dependent manner, whereas A23187 (10(-6) M, -45%, p &lt; 0.001) suppressed the secretion of BNP in a dose-dependent manner, and Bay K 8644 caused no significant effects on BNP secretion. The molecular forms of intracellular ANP were exclusively gamma-ANP, whereas those of BNP were gamma-BNP and its carboxy terminal 45-amino-acid peptide, BNP-45. The ratio of media to cell contents was much higher in BNP than in ANP. Northern blot analysis revealed that both ANP mRNA and BNP mRNA levels were significantly increased by 10(-7) M endothelin (ANP mRNA, +52%; BNP mRNA, +36%; p &lt; 0.05 each) and 5 x 10(-5) M 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (ANP mRNA, +296%; BNP mRNA, +133%; p &lt; 0.01 each) but not by 10(-6) M A23187. Thus, the secretion of ANP is stimulated by both the elevation of [Ca2+]i and the activation of protein kinase C, whereas its synthesis is increased mainly by the activation of protein kinase C. The synthesis and secretion of BNP are augmented by the activation of protein kinase C rather than the elevation of [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, the processing and secretion of ANP and BNP may be regulated in different manners.
Corrigendum to “The role of serial measurement of serum HBV DNA levels in patients with chronic HBeAg(−) hepatitis B infection: Association with liver disease progression. A prospective cohort study” [J Hepatol 49 (2008) 884–891]
Authors: George Zacharakis, John Koskinas, Stamatia Kotsiou, Fevronia Tzara, Nikolaos Vafeiadis, Menelaos Papoutselis, Eustratios Maltezos, Eleftherios Sivridis, Kostantinos Papoutselis
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)
Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the pathophysiologic alterations after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat.
Authors: L M Colletti, D G Remick, G D Burtch, S L Kunkel, R M Strieter, D A Campbell
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1990)

Cytokines are recognized as critical early mediators of organ injury. We attempted to determine whether or not severe hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury results in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release with subsequent local and systemic tissue injury. After 90 min of lobar hepatic ischemia, TNF was measurable during the reperfusion period in the plasma of all 14 experimental animals, with levels peaking between 9 and 352 pg/ml. Endotoxin was undetectable in the plasma of these animals. Pulmonary injury, as evidenced by a neutrophilic infiltrate, edema and intra-alveolar hemorrhage developed after hepatic reperfusion. The neutrophilic infiltrate was quantitated using a myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay; this demonstrated a significant increase in MPO after only 1 h of reperfusion. Anti-TNF antiserum pretreatment significantly reduced the pulmonary MPO after hepatic reperfusion. After a 12-h reperfusion period, there was histologic evidence of intra-alveolar hemorrhage and pulmonary edema. Morphometric assessment showed that pretreatment with anti-TNF antiserum was able to completely inhibit the development of pulmonary edema. Liver injury was quantitated by measuring serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase which showed peaks at 3 and 24 h. Anti-TNF antiserum pretreatment was able to significantly reduce both of these peak elevations. These data show that hepatic ischemia/reperfusion results in TNF production, and that this TNF is intimately associated with pulmonary and hepatic injury.
Arterial hypoxaemia: A side-effect of intravenous isoprenaline used after cardiac surgery
Authors: R. M. M. Fordham, L. Resnekov
Journal: Thorax (1968)

Intravenous administration of isoprenaline following cardiac surgery has been shown to cause an increase in existing arterial hypoxaemia. This is considered to be due to an increase in venous admixture following interference with the normal compensatory mechanism which in the presence of alveolar hypoxia tends to maintain normal ventilation-perfusion relationships.