tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Immune Response to Glycated and Oxidized LDL in IDDM Patients With and Without Renal Disease
Authors: Eija Korpinen, Per-Henrik Groop, Hans K Åkerblom, Outi Vaarala
Journal: Diabetes Care (1997)

OBJECTIVE To study autoantibodies to oxidized and glycated LDL in IDDM patients with and without diabetic nephropathy and in nephropathy-related macroangiopathy RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The study included 101 IDDM patients with a long duration of diabetes and 54 healthy subjects. Patients were divided into two groups according to their median urinary albumin excretion rate (AER); the normoalbuminuric group had AER &amp;lt;20 μg/min and the albuminuric group &amp;gt;200 μg/min. The groups were matched for age and BMI, and the two diabetic groups were matched for duration of diabetes and glycemic control. Antibodies against oxidized LDL (using malondialdehyde-modified LDL as the antigen) and against glycated LDL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS The mean antibody levels against glycated LDL were higher in IDDM patients (0.305 ± 0.399) than in healthy subjects (0.166 ± 0.22 optical density [OD]; P = 0.019), but levels did not differ significantly between normoalbuminuric and albuminuric IDDM patients (0.258 ± 0.354 vs. 0.388 ± 0.459, respectively). Among the three groups, antibody levels to oxidized LDL did not differ. IDDM patients showed an inverse correlation between antibodies to oxidized LDL and HbA1 (r = −0.211, P = 0.04). The antibody levels to glycated and oxidized LDL did not differ among albuminuric IDDM patients with or without clinical macroangiopathy. CONCLUSIONS Antibodies to glycated and oxidized LDL do not seem to associate with diabetic nephropathy or nephropathy-related macroangiopathy.
Abstract 1577: Lactobacilli secreting a tumor antigen and IL15 activates neutrophils and dendritic cells and generates cytotoxic T lymphocytes against cancer cells
Authors: Kesavan Esuvaranathan, Matheswaran Kandasamy, Boon Huat Bay, Yuan Kun Lee, Ratha Mahendran
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Introduction and Objective Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) are lactic acid bacteria, which were found to be better than BCG at inducing cell death in human bladder cancer cell lines. This study compares both LGG and BCG in vivo in an orthopic model and further evaluates the potential of recombinant LGG to induce a directed anti-tumor response. Methods MB49-PSA (murine bladder cancer cells secreting human PSA) cells were implanted orthotopically in C57BL/6 mice and either LGG or BCG was instilled weekly for 6 weeks. Tumor cure rates were noted and an immnohistochemical examination was performed on the tumors. The human prostate specific antigen (PSA) PSA was cloned into pLP500-slpAp vector under the control of S-layer promoter of L. acidophilus. The murine IL-15 cDNA minus its termination codon was cloned upstream of the PSA protein sequence. Lactobacilli were transformed with the plasmids to generate LGG-IL15-PSA, LGG-PSA and LGG-S (pLP500-slpAp) respectively. PSA and IL15 secretion was 16-19 ng/2x109 CFU/ml. Bone marrow cells were isolated from the tibia and femur of 8-10 weeks old female C57BL/6 mice. Neutrophils were isolated by positive selection with anti-Ly6G microbead kit (Miltenyi Biotech, Germany). To generate DCs, bone marrow derived cells were cultured for 9 days in media with 40ng/ml of GM-CSF (BD Bioscience) which was replaced every other day. Neutrophils and DC were exposed to the recombinant LGG for 2h and used to stimulate T cells to generate CTL against the murine bladder cancer cell lines expressing PSA (MB49-PSA). Results LGG was as effective as BCG in the mice. Analysis of tumors after repeated weekly LGG instillations showed increased infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages into the tumor mass after therapy. In vitro, recombinant LGG activated neutrophils (elevated MHC class I expression) induced DC maturation (increased expression of CD86, CD80, CD40, MHC II and CD83), T cell proliferation and PSA specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) activity. Activated DC were more efficient than activated neutrophils in inducing T cell IL2 and IFNα production. DC activated with LGG for 2 h or with LGG treated neutrophils were re-isolated and plated with naïve T cells for 5 days to generate PSA specific T cells. Then PSA secreting or control MB49 cells were added to the wells. IL15 enhanced DC generation of CTL. Conclusions Intravesical instillation of LGG cured mice of tumors. LGG secreting tumor antigens and cytokines could be used to activate DC in vitro for DC therapy in patients or used as intravesical therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1577. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1577
A DRESSING AFTER HARE-LIP OPERATION.
Authors: ALFRED S. TAYLOR
Journal: JAMA (1906)

After a hare-lip operation the two things desired are prevention of tension on the sutures and continuous cleanliness of the wound, both of which conduce to primary union with the minimum of scar tissue and, therefore, the best cosmetic result. Most of the dressings published have the disadvantage that the devices for relieving tension lie directly across the wound and not only cause undesirable pressure on it, but also interfere with its proper and frequent cleansing. Moreover, if the tension device is removed for a dressing, its support is lost just at the time when the child is sure to cry and struggle hardest. The dressing described below is very simple and obviates all the disadvantages mentioned. I first used it on a patient at the Vanderbilt Clinic in 1901, and, so far as I know, it was an original idea. The dressing consists of two narrow strips of adhesive
Accuracy of Positron Emission Tomography for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Nodules and Mass Lesions
Authors: Michael K. Gould, Courtney C. Maclean, Ware G. Kuschner, Chara E. Rydzak, Douglas K. Owens
Journal: JAMA (2001)

ContextFocal pulmonary lesions are commonly encountered in clinical practice, and positron emission tomography (PET) with the glucose analog 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) may be an accurate test for identifying malignant lesions.ObjectiveTo estimate the diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET for malignant focal pulmonary lesions.Data SourcesStudies published between January 1966 and September 2000 in the MEDLINE and CANCERLIT databases; reference lists of identified studies; abstracts from recent conference proceedings; and direct contact with investigators.Study SelectionStudies that examined FDG-PET or FDG with a modified gamma camera in coincidence mode for diagnosis of focal pulmonary lesions; enrolled at least 10 participants with pulmonary nodules or masses, including at least 5 participants with malignant lesions; and presented sufficient data to permit calculation of sensitivity and specificity were included in the anaylsis.Data ExtractionTwo reviewers independently assessed study quality and abstracted data regarding prevalence of malignancy and sensitivity and specificity of the imaging test. Disagreements were resolved by discussion.Data SynthesisWe used a meta-analytic method to construct summary receiver operating characteristic curves. Forty studies met inclusion criteria. Study methodological quality was fair. Sample sizes were small and blinding was often incomplete. For 1474 focal pulmonary lesions of any size, the maximum joint sensitivity and specificity (the upper left point on the receiver operating characteristic curve at which sensitivity and specificity are equal) of FDG-PET was 91.2% (95% confidence interval, 89.1%-92.9%). In current practice, FDG-PET operates at a point on the summary receiver operating characteristic curve that corresponds approximately to a sensitivity and specificity of 96.8% and 77.8%, respectively. There was no difference in diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary nodules compared with lesions of any size (P = .43), for semiquantitative methods of image interpretation compared with qualitative methods (P = .52), or for FDG-PET compared with FDG imaging with a modified gamma camera in coincidence mode (P = .19).ConclusionsPositron emission tomography with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose is an accurate noninvasive imaging test for diagnosis of pulmonary nodules and larger mass lesions, although few data exist for nodules smaller than 1 cm in diameter. In current practice, FDG-PET has high sensitivity and intermediate specificity for malignancy.
Is Pancreas Transplantation for Insulin-Dependent Diabetics Worthwhile?
Authors: Robert Tattersall
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1989)

Insulin-dependent diabetes is an unpleasant chronic illness in which patients must steer a course between opposing evils. In the short term, moderate hyperglycemia causes little discomfort, but after 20 or more years it may result in blindness, renal failure, neuropathy, and arterial disease. By contrast, those who aim for normoglycemia are at constant risk of hypoglycemia, and the strain of their regimen may disrupt their lives.Some patients do relatively well and have few complications after 50 years, whereas others have devastating disabilities in early adult life. Predicting the course of an individual patient is an inexact business; epidemiologists know . . .
Bacteriological Aspects of Mycobacterial Infections
Authors: F. J. Wright
Journal: BMJ (1972)

colleagues they should estimate the require- ments for the next 12 months, and based on this assessment and the antici- pated fractionation yields collect the neces- sary raw material within their region for the patients for whom they are directly responsible.This done, the ball is firmly in the court of the central fractionation units to make the necessary capacity available to pre- pare and deliver high quality products to the regional transfusion centres in the quantity requested.This principle should hold for all plasma fractionation products and would thus throw the burden of responsibility for patient care where it belongs-to the regional transfusion centres.-Weare, etc.,
25 years' experience of a gluten-free diet in the treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis
Authors: J.J. GARIOCH, H.M. LEWIS, S.A. SARGENT, J.N. LEONARD, L. FRY
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2006)

Gluten-free diets have been used in the treatment of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis in our department since 1967. Of the 212 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis attending between 1967 and 1992, 133 managed to take the diet, and 78 of these achieved complete control of their rash by diet alone. Of the remaining 55 patients taking a gluten-free diet, all but three were taking partial diets; over half of these patients managed to substantially reduce the dose of medication required. Of the 77 patients taking a normal diet, eight entered spontaneous remission, giving a remission rate of 10%; a further two patients who had been taking gluten-free diets were found to have remitted when they resumed normal diets. Loss of IgA from the skin was observed in 10 of 41 (24%) patients taking strict gluten-free diets. These patients had been taking their diets for an average of 13 years (range 5-24 years), and their rash had been controlled by diet alone for an average of 10 years (range 3-16 years). The advantages of a gluten-free diet in the management of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis are: (i) the need for medication is reduced or abolished; (ii) there is resolution of the enteropathy, and (iii) patients experience a feeling of well-being after commencing the diet. Thus, we propose that a gluten-free diet is the most appropriate treatment for patients with dermatitis herpetiformis.
Anatomy teaching in United Kingdom is in crisis, new report says
Authors: Roger Dobson
Journal: BMJ (2007)

Changes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels are needed to reverse a decline in the teaching of anatomy in the United Kingdom, says a leading article in Surgery . 

The article, which was published online on 14 December (www.sciencedirect.com, doi: 10.1016/j.mpsur.2006.11.002), cautions that the number of claims submitted to the Medical Defence Union associated with a lack of anatomical knowledge has increased hugely. “A large proportion of these relate to damage to underlying structures,” it says. 

The article, by Andrew Raftery, …
Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene and the Androgen Receptor Gene and the Risk of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: J. Teun Bousema, Marion J.G. Bussemakers, Kjeld P. van Houwelingen, Frans M.J. Debruyne, Andr&eacute; L.M. Verbeek, Jean J.M.C.H. de la Rosette, Lambertus A. Kiemeney
Journal: European Urology (2000)
Laboratory preparedness for detection and monitoring of Shiga toxin 2-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 in Europe and response to the 2011 outbreak
Authors: P Rosin, T Niskanen, D Palm, M Struelens, J Takkinen
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2013)

A hybrid strain of enteroaggregative and Shiga toxin 2-producing Escherichia coli (EAEC-STEC) serotype O104:H4 strain caused a large outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and bloody diarrhoea in 2011 in Europe. Two surveys were performed in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries to assess their laboratory capabilities to detect and characterise this previously uncommon STEC strain. Prior to the outbreak, 11 of the 32 countries in this survey had capacity at national reference laboratory (NRL) level for epidemic case confirmation according to the EU definition. During the outbreak, at primary diagnostic level, nine countries reported that clinical microbiology laboratories routinely used Shiga toxin detection assays suitable for diagnosis of infections with EAEC-STEC O104:H4, while 14 countries had NRL capacity to confirm epidemic cases. Six months after the outbreak, 22 countries reported NRL capacity to confirm such cases following initiatives taken by NRLs and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Food- and Waterborne Disease and Zoonoses laboratory network. These data highlight the challenge of detection and confirmation of epidemic infections caused by atypical STEC strains and the benefits of coordinated EU laboratory networks to strengthen capabilities in response to a major outbreak.
Pathogenesis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused by myozenin 2 mutations is independent of calcineurin activity
Authors: Alessandra Ruggiero, Suet Nee Chen, Raffaella Lombardi, Gabriela Rodriguez, Ali J. Marian
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2012)

AimsThe role of calcineurin protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B) in the pathogenesis of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains unsettled. We determined potential involvement of calcineurin in the pathogenesis of HCM caused by mutations in myozenin 2 (MYOZ2), an inhibitor of calcineurin.
LEFT ATRIAL AREA STRAIN MEASURED BY THREE DIMENSIONAL SPECKLE TRACKING ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY REPRESENTS GLOBAL AND REGIONAL LEFT ATRIAL FUNCTION AT ONCE
Authors: Mio Ebato, Hideyuki Maezawa, Ayaka Tanabe, Sayaka Yamaya, Hiroshi Suzuki, Youichi Takeyama
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2012)
Genetic ancestry and the relationship of cigarette smoking to lung function and per cent emphysema in four race/ethnic groups: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rhea Powell, Duncan Davidson, Jasmin Divers, Ani Manichaikul, J Jeffrey Carr, Robert Detrano, Eric A Hoffman, Rui Jiang, Richard A Kronmal, Kiang Liu, Naresh M Punjabi, Eyal Shahar, Karol E Watson, Jerome I Rotter, Kent D Taylor, Stephen S Rich, R Graham Barr
Journal: Thorax (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Cigarette smoking is the major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. Recent studies suggest that susceptibility to cigarette smoke may vary by race/ethnicity; however, they were generally small and relied on self-reported race/ethnicity. <h3>Objective</h3> To test the hypothesis that relationships of smoking to lung function and per cent emphysema differ by genetic ancestry and self-reported race/ethnicity among Caucasians, African-Americans, Hispanics and Chinese-Americans. <h3>Design</h3> Cross-sectional population-based study of adults age 45–84 years in the USA. <h3>Measurements</h3> Principal components of genetic ancestry and continental ancestry estimated from one million genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms; pack-years of smoking; spirometry measured for 3344 participants; and per cent emphysema on computed tomography for 8224 participants. <h3>Results</h3> The prevalence of ever-smoking was: Caucasians, 57.6%; African-Americans, 56.4%; Hispanics, 46.7%; and Chinese-Americans, 26.8%. Every 10 pack-years was associated with −0.73% (95% CI −0.90% to −0.56%) decrement in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (FEV<sub>1</sub> to FVC) and a 0.23% (95% CI 0.08% to 0.38%) increase in per cent emphysema. There was no evidence that relationships of pack-years to the FEV<sub>1</sub> to FVC, airflow obstruction and per cent emphysema varied by genetic ancestry (all p&gt;0.10), self-reported race/ethnicity (all p&gt;0.10) or, among African-Americans, African ancestry. There were small differences in relationships of pack-years to the FEV<sub>1</sub> among male Chinese-Americans and to the FEV<sub>1</sub> to FVC ratio with African and Native American ancestry among male Hispanics only. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In this large cohort, there was little to no evidence that the associations of smoking to lung function and per cent emphysema differed by genetic ancestry or self-reported race/ethnicity.
Terminal care at home for children with cancer.
Authors: E. J. Chambers, A. Oakhill, J. M. Cornish, S. Curnick
Journal: BMJ (1989)

BrMedJ 1989;298:937-40 The paediatric oncology unit at this hospital provides an oncology service to the south west of England. Patients from the region come to Bristol for diagnosis and evaluation and to begin treatment. When it is appropriate care is shared between the referring unit and the unit in Bristol. When a diagnosis is made an information pack is sent to the child's general practitioner giving the diagnosis, describing the unit, and giving details of treatment and probable side effects, thus ensuring a firm link between the specialist unit and the primary care team.1 The ensuing period of intense treatment, however, requires close supervision by the hospital, which creates strong links between the families and the specialist unit. We try to keep the general practitioner informed of any important events that occur during treatment. A family support nurse gets to know the family while the child is being treated and as needed visits the child's home to give psychological support, provide family education, and carry out blood tests and physical assessment. In the event that treatment fails the doctors and the
The Feasibility of Intensive Insulin Management in Non-Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus: Implications of the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study on Glycemic Control and Complications in NIDDM
Authors: John A. Colwell
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1996)

Objective: To review the results from the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study on Glycemic Control and Complications in NIDDM (VACSDM) and to discuss the implications of the results from this feasibility trial. Design: A randomized clinical trial comprising 153 men with non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) who remained hyperglycemic on usual pharmacologic therapy. Patients were randomized into two groups receiving either standard or intensive insulin therapy and were followed for 27 months. Setting: Five Veterans Affairs medical centers. Patients: 153 men with NIDDM, aged 40 to 69 years, who had hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels of greater than 6.55% while receiving sulfonylurea or insulin therapy. Intervention: Standard insulin therapy was one or two insulin injections daily. Intensive insulin therapy was done using a stepwise approach: 1) evening intermediate or long-acting insulin; 2) addition of daytime glipizide; 3) insulin twice daily, with no glipizide; and 4) insulin three to four times daily, with no glipizide. Measurements: Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, retinopathy, lipid and urinary albumin levels, cardiovascular events, hypoglycemia, and body mass index. Results: In the intensive group, the HbA1c level fell 2.07 percentage points; the mean HbA1c level was 7.3% from 6 months onward. The standard group experienced little change. These changes occurred without significant weight gain and with a very low rate of severe hypoglycemia. Sixteen patients (20.5%) in the standard group and 24 patients (32%) in the intensive group had cardiovascular events (P = 0.1). Conclusions: It is feasible to achieve excellent glycemic control in men with NIDDM in whom standard pharmacologic therapy has failed. The benefit/risk ratio of intensive insulin management in this patient group is not established and has been made the subject of a long-term prospective clinical trial.
Second World No-Tobacco Day Is Next Week
Authors: Phil Gunby
Journal: JAMA (1989)

WORLD NO-TOBACCO DAY is May 31. This is the second year in a row that the World Health Organization, an autonomous unit within the United Nations system, has called upon its 166 member nations to urge tobacco users to abstain for at least a day and perhaps for good. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was among nations joining in the effort last year (<i>JAMA</i>. 1989;261:13). Soviet officials praised that First World No-Tobacco Day for attracting "much public attention to a very serious issue" (<i>Arch Environ Health</i>. 1988;43:374-375). <h3>Focus on Women</h3> This year's Second World No-Tobacco Day has the theme of "The Female Smoker: At Added Risk." Hiroshi Nakajima, MD, PhD, director-general of the World Health Organization, says the theme reflects concern over "the rapidly increasing use of tobacco among women in most developed and developing countries, with specific consequences for their own and their children's health." Epidemiologists at the
Identification of carriers of a variant plasma prealbumin (transthyretin) associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy type I.
Authors: M D Benson, F E Dwulet
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1985)

A method is described for detecting carriers of a variant plasma prealbumin that is associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) type I. It is based on the finding of an extra methionine in the variant prealbumin, at position 30 from the amino terminals. Since normal prealbumin has only one methionine (position 13), treatment with cyanogen bromide (CNBr), which cleaves only at methionines, results in two peptides. CNBr treatment of the variant prealbumin gives three peptides. The extra can then be detected in two ways: by HPLC using a reverse phase C18 column, and by sequential Edman degradation. Each method can detect as little as 1% variant prealbumin in isolated plasma prealbumin, and therefore, can identify carriers of the gene for the variant protein. Since FAP type I usually is not manifest until after the childbearing years, this method to identify carriers of the gene offers a new approach for genetic counseling of families with this disease. To date, kindreds with hereditary amyloidosis that could benefit from these studies include those with FAP type I of Swedish, Japanese, and Portuguese origins.