tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma from skin or soft tissue: suggestion of treatment from multinational retrospective analysis
Authors: H.K. Ahn, C. Suh, S.S. Chuang, J. Suzumiya, Y.H. Ko, S.J. Kim, J.R. Huh, D.H. Yoon, S.Y. Oh, J.S. Kim, S.I. Lee, K.W. Park, P.P. Hsieh, S. Nakamura, T. Yoshino, K. Ito, T. Nagatani, K. Oshimi, R. Suzuki, W.S. Kim
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2012)

Clinical features and outcomes of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKL) arising from extranasal sites are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to study the prognosis and treatment outcome of skin/soft tissue primary ENKL.This multicenter retrospective study included 48 patients with skin/soft tissue primary ENKL diagnosed from 1993 to 2010.Patients with Ann Arbor stage I, T1-2N0M0 by International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas-European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer TNM (tumour-node-metastasis) stage, International prognostic index score of 0-1, and a Korean prognostic index (KPI) score of 0-1 were associated with better survival. Four of five patients with T1-2N0M0 disease achieved complete response with radiation alone. In disseminated disease, only 6 of 13 patients responded to anthracycline-containing chemotherapy, and all the two patients receiving SMILE showed response.In conclusion, we identified the prognostic value of KPI, and we suggest a treatment recommendation according to the TNM (tumour-node-metastasis) stage. Radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy seemed to be optimal in localized disease. In advanced stages, a more aggressive treatment regimen with newer agents should be sought.
Combination Therapy with an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor and a Vitamin D Analog Suppresses the Progression of Renal Insufficiency in Uremic Rats
Authors: Masahide Mizobuchi, Jeremiah Morrissey, Jane L. Finch, Daniel R. Martin, Helen Liapis, Tadao Akizawa, Eduardo Slatopolsky
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2007)

Monotherapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors has been shown to be beneficial in suppressing the progression of experimentally induced kidney diseases. Whether such therapy provides additional benefits when combined with vitamin D or an analog of vitamin D has not been established. Rats were made uremic by 5/6 nephrectomy and treated as follows: Uremic + vehicle (UC), uremic + enalapril (30 mg/L in drinking water; E), uremic + paricalcitol (19-nor; 0.8 microg/kg, three times a week), and uremic + enalapril + paricalcitol (E + 19-nor). A group of normal rats served as control (NC). BP was significantly elevated in the UC and 19-nor groups compared with the NC group but was indistinguishable from normal in the E and E + 19-nor groups. The decrease in creatinine clearance and the increase in the excretion of urinary protein that were observed in the UC group were ameliorated by the use of E alone or by E + 19-nor (P < 0.05 versus UC). The glomerulosclerotic index was significantly decreased in both the 19-nor (P < 0.01) and E + 19-nor groups (P < 0.01) compared with the UC group. Tubulointerstitial volume was significantly decreased in both the E (P < 0.05) and E + 19-nor groups (P < 0.01) compared with the UC group. Both macrophage infiltration (ED-1-positive cells) and production of the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were significantly blunted in E + 19-nor compared with E group. TGF-beta1 mRNA and protein expression were increased in the UC group (mRNA: 23.7-fold; protein: 29.1-fold versus NC). These increases were significantly blunted in the 19-nor group (mRNA: 7.1-fold; protein: 8.0-fold versus NC) and virtually normalized in the E + 19-nor group (protein: 0.8-fold versus NC). Phosphorylation of Smad2 was also elevated in the UC group (7.6-fold versus NC) but less so in the 19-nor-treated rats (5.5-fold versus NC). When rats were treated with E + 19-nor, the phosphorylation of Smad2 was normal (1.1-fold versus NC). Thus, 19-nor can suppress the progression of renal insufficiency via mediation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway, and this effect is amplified when BP is controlled via renin-angiotensin system blockade.
Physical functioning in pediatric survivors of childhood posterior fossa brain tumors
Authors: P. J. Piscione, E. Bouffet, D. J. Mabbott, I. Shams, A. V. Kulkarni
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2013)

Survival rates for children diagnosed with posterior fossa brain tumors (PFBTs) have improved significantly over the past several decades, and long-term functioning assessments have become priorities. These evaluations have occurred frequently in adults but only rarely in children. This study describes a cross-sectional assessment of physical functioning in pediatric survivors of PFBTs using the Bruininks-Osteretsky Test of Motor Performance, Second Edition (BOT-2). Primary analyses compared BOT-2 scores to normative data using 1-sample t tests for each gross motor subscale (Bilateral Coordination, Balance, Running Speed/Agility, Strength) and motor-area composite (Body Coordination and Strength and Agility). Second, the cohort was stratified by diagnostic or treatment variables. Group differences and groups vs norms were evaluated using independent 2-sample and 1-sample t tests, respectively. Primary analyses compared BOT-2 scores with normative data using 1-sample t tests for each gross motor subscale (Bilateral Coordinationcoordination, Balance, Running Speed/Agility, Strength) and motor-area composite (Body Coordination and Strength and Agility). Second, the cohort was stratified by diagnostic or treatment variables. Group differences and groups vs norms were evaluated using independent 2-sample and 1-sample t tests, respectively. Mean age of 30 participants was 11.4 years (range, 4.9y–18.2y), and mean time from diagnosis was 6.1 years (range, 1.1y–16.7y). Cerebellar astrocytoma (43.3%) and medulloblastoma (40%) were the most common diagnoses. As a group, significantly decreased functioning, compared with norms, was observed in Balance (P < .001) and Running Speed/Agility (P = .005). Specifically in Balance, 21 (70%) participants performed below or well-below average. Participants with a non-astrocytoma performed significantly lower than norms in all areas, independent of age at diagnosis. Survivors with tumors infiltrating the vermis demonstrated significantly lower Body Coordination than norms (P < .001). Pediatric survivors of PFBTs demonstrated decreased physical functioning, most notably in Balance. These data underscore the need for further research and implementation of physical activity programs aimed specifically at approaches to minimize physical limitations.
FoxO3 induces reversible cardiac atrophy and autophagy in a transgenic mouse model
Authors: Tobias G. Schips, Astrid Wietelmann, Katharina Höhn, Silvia Schimanski, Paul Walther, Thomas Braun, Thomas Wirth, Harald J. Maier
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2011)

AimsThe transcription factor FoxO3 contributes to anti-hypertrophic signalling in the heart presumably by regulating autophagic-lysosomal and ubiquitin-proteasomal pathways. We wanted to study FoxO3 function in the adult heart in vivo by expressing a constitutively active mutant of FoxO3 in transgenic mice.
Nitric Oxide Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Replication in the Livers of Transgenic Mice
Authors: Luca G. Guidotti, Heike McClary, Jacquelyn Moorhead Loudis, Francis V. Chisari
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2000)

We have previously identified two antiviral cytokines (interferon [IFN]-γ and IFN-α/β) that downregulate hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in the liver of transgenic mice. The cytokine-inducible downstream events that inhibit HBV replication have not been identified. One possible factor is nitric oxide (NO), a pleiotropic free radical with antiviral activity that is produced in the liver by the inducible NO synthase (iNOS). To examine the role of NO in our model, we crossed transgenic mice that replicate HBV with mice that lack a functional iNOS. Importantly, iNOS-deficient mice were almost completely resistant to the noncytopathic inhibitory effect of HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes on viral replication, an effect that we have shown previously to depend on the intrahepatic induction of IFN-γ. Conversely, iNOS-deficient mice were not resistant to the antiviral effect of IFN-α/β induced by either polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid complex or by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. These results indicate that NO mediates the antiviral activity of IFN-γ, whereas the antiviral activity of IFN-α/β is NO independent. We also compared the relative sensitivity of LCMV to control by NO in these animals. Interestingly, LCMV replicated to higher levels in the liver of iNOS-deficient mice than control mice, indicating that NO controls LCMV replication in the liver, as well as HBV.
Evaluation of a new electronic spirometer: the vitalograph "Escort" spirometer.
Authors: N Wiltshire, A H Kendrick
Journal: Thorax (1994)

BACKGROUND--The "Escort" spirometer is a lightweight, hand held spirometer employing a Fleisch pneumotachograph. Measurements of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) are obtained from a single FVC manoeuvre. Results are displayed on a small liquid crystal display, but there is no graphical display. The performance of the Escort spirometer has been compared with that of a wedge bellows spirometer (Vitalograph S model) and a Wright PEF meter. METHODS--One hundred and thirteen subjects performed three FVC manoeuvres on the wedge bellows and Escort spirometers and three PEF manoeuvres on the Wright meter. The best reading for each index was recorded. In 21 of the subjects comparison of a Wright manoeuvre with an FVC manoeuvre on the Escort spirometer was performed, whilst in three subjects the effect of repeated blows was studied. RESULTS--The FEV1 ranged from 0.5 to 5.4 litres, FVC from 1.05 to 6.2 litres, and PEF from 100 to 725 l/min. The mean (SD) difference for the FEV1 was -0.05 (0.15) (95% confidence interval (95% CI) -0.07 to -0.02) litres, for FVC 0.03 (0.28) (95% CI -0.02 to +0.08) litres, and for PEF 1.68 (50.6) (95% CI -7.7 to +11.1) l/min. The differences were positively correlated with the mean reading for PEF and FVC but not for FEV1. The Wright PEF manoeuvre performed on the Escort produced significantly higher PEF readings (mean difference -22.9 litres). There was no significant effect of repeated FVC manoeuvres on any of the indices. CONCLUSIONS--The Escort spirometer compares extremely well with a wedge bellows spirometer for measurement of FEV1 and FVC, whilst yielding results of PEF from an FVC manoeuvre which are comparable to those obtained from a Wright meter. It can be recommended for use as a portable hand held spirometer.
The effects of 8 weeks plyometric training on knee proprioception
Authors: Jaber Zamani, Nader Rahnama, Khali Khayambashi, Sharam Lenjannezhad
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2010)

The incidence of sports injuries is particularly great in athletes, with sprains and strains of the knee being the most frequent injurers. Proprioceptive system plays a critical role in maintenance of joint stability, including sensation of both position and movements of joint, under dynamic conditions. Muscle and joint receptors are main source for proprioception. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of plyometric training on knee proprioception. Thirty male college students without injury history in lower extremities and head participated in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups (N= 15 experimental group, N= 15 control group). All subjects' knee proprioception was assessed at the baseline and then the experimental group took part in 8 weeks plyometric training programme but control group did not receive any exercise. Knee proprioception measurements were done for both groups after 8 weeks. In this test, first subject is asked to repeat the first angle position actively or passively. Biodex System 3 Pro Isokinetic Dynamometer was used for the calculation of knee proprioception sense. Subjects were asked to reproduce the fixed knee angle (30°, 45°, 60°) that was actively positioned. Absolute angular error values were obtained for every angle. A significant difference (p&lt;0.05) was found between active absolute angle error values between before and after 8 weeks training for experimental group at 30° (4.02±1.58 vs 3.33±1.12), 45° (4.68±2.21 vs 4.06±1.56) and 60° (4.16±1.18 vs 3.47±0.84) angles. For the control group, no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) were observed at 30° (4.2±1.36 vs 3.99±1.44), 45° (4.77±1.59 vs 4.72±1.70) and 60° (3.96±1.24 vs 3.71±1.31) angles. In conclusion, significant improvement was detected in knee proprioception following plyometric training. Since proprioception is very important for preventing undesired joints, it plays a protective role in injuries.
Nucleosome deposition and DNA methylation at coding region boundaries
Authors: Jung Kyoon Choi, Jae-Bum Bae, Jaemyun Lyu, Tae-Yoon Kim, Young-Joon Kim
Journal: Genome biology (2009)

Abstract Background Nucleosome deposition downstream of transcription initiation and DNA methylation in the gene body suggest that control of transcription elongation is a key aspect of epigenetic regulation. Results Here we report a genome-wide observation of distinct peaks of nucleosomes and methylation at both ends of a protein coding unit. Elongating polymerases tend to pause near both coding ends immediately upstream of the epigenetic peaks, causing a significant reduction in elongation efficiency. Conserved features in underlying protein coding sequences seem to dictate their evolutionary conservation across multiple species. The nucleosomal and methylation marks are commonly associated with high sequence-encoded DNA-bending propensity but differentially with CpG density. As the gene grows longer, the epigenetic codes seem to be shifted from variable inner sequences toward boundary regions, rendering the peaks more prominent in higher organisms. Conclusions Recent studies suggest that epigenetic inhibition of transcription elongation facilitates the inclusion of constitutive exons during RNA splicing. The epigenetic marks we identified here seem to secure the first and last coding exons from exon skipping as they are indispensable for accurate translation.
Detection of Silent Myocardial Ischemia in Asymptomatic Diabetic Subjects
Authors: Frans J.Th. Wackers, Lawrence H. Young, Silvio E. Inzucchi, Deborah A. Chyun
Journal: Diabetes Care (2005)

The DIAD study was designed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of silent ischemia, specifically in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes (1), who often present with advanced coronary artery disease (CAD) without prior angina. The DIAD study did not compare the prevalence of asymptomatic CAD in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Although the relative prevalence of asymptomatic CAD in nondiabetic patients otherwise well-matched for cardiac risk factors is of interest, it will require a much larger study.

Bhalodkar and Blum (2) express concern that the prevalence of silent ischemia in DIAD might be overestimated. We believe this to be unlikely. All single-photon emission–computed tomography …
Age-Specific Incidence of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in U.S. Children: In Utero Initiation Model
Authors: M. A. Smith, T. Chen, R. Simon
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1997)

A large body of evidence supports the hypothesis that an infectious agent is involved in the etiology of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children, particularly those cases occurring in children between 2 and 5 years of age (1–4). Recently, a specific virus has been posited as a candidate etiologic agent for childhood ALL, with leukemia occurring as a consequence of primary infections of women during pregnancy that lead to in utero infection and to subsequent increased risk of developing ALL in early childhood (5). Since a critical component of this proposal is that in utero infection by a leukemiainducing agent is the first step in development of many cases of childhood ALL, we were interested to see if a mathematical model with clinically reasonable parameters in which the critical leukemogenic event occurred in utero could be developed to explain the observed incidence of ALL among young children in the United States. We examined models that represented the age at diagnosis of ALL as the sum of two time intervals. The first is the time from birth until the occurrence of an event that completes the neoplastic transformation in infants that was initiated in utero. The second time is the latent time from neoplastic transformation to clinical detection. Let the probability density function of the first time be denoted by f1( ) and the probability density function of the latent time to clinical detection be denoted by f2( ). We assume that these two time intervals are independent. Hence, the probability that leukemia is detected at time t in a child who experienced an initiating event prior to birth can be represented as
Response of growth and myogenic factors in human skeletal muscle to strength training
Authors: Y Liu, M Heinichen, K Wirth, D Schmidtbleicher, J M Steinacker
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2008)

To investigate the response to different strength training techniques of growth and myogenic factors in human skeletal muscle, with particular emphasis on satellite cell (SC) activation.24 volunteers were divided into two groups and performed a 6-week strength training (group A trained with maximum contraction and group B had training combined with maximum contractions, ballistic movement and stretching-shortening cycles). Muscle biopsies were obtained from triceps brachii 3 days before and 7 days after training. For estimating gene expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), mechano growth factor (MGF), MyoD and myogenin, real-time RT-PCR was performed.In group A, there was an increase in the 1 repeat maximum (1RM), but no change in V(max) (maximum movement velocity) and an increase in MHC (myosin heavy chain) IIa and a decrease in MHC IIx; in group B both 1RM and V(max) increased significantly along with an increase in MHC IIa and a decrease in MHC I. The MGF gene expression increased significantly in both groups (by 1160% and 59%, respectively), and IGF-1 increased only in group A (by 335%). MyoD and myogenin gene expression increased in group A (by 107% and 94%, respectively) but did not change in group B.Response of growth and myogenic factors occurs during muscular adaptation to a prolonged training, and strength training with different strategies caused different responses with respect to gene expression of these factors. These results suggest that SC activation is involved in the muscular adaptation process to training and might be attributed to MHC isoform transition.
Analysis of Genetic Alterations and Clonal Proliferation in Children Treated for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Heather E. Kendall, Pamela M. Vacek, Jami L. Rivers, Sederick C. Rice, Terri L. Messier, Barry A. Finette
Journal: Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract The development of risk-directed treatment protocols over the last 25 years has resulted in an increase in the survival rates of children treated for cancer. As a consequence, there is a growing population of pediatric cancer survivors in which the long-term genotoxic effects of chemotherapy is unknown. We previously reported that children treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia have significantly elevated somatic mutant frequencies at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene in their peripheral T cells. To understand the molecular etiology of the increase in mutant frequencies following chemotherapy, we investigated the HPRT mutation spectra and the extent of clonal proliferation in 562 HPRT T cell mutant isolates of 87 blood samples from 47 subjects at diagnosis, during chemotherapy, and postchemotherapy. We observed a significant increase in the proportion of CpG transitions following treatment (13.6-23.3%) compared with healthy controls (4.0%) and a significant decrease in V(D)J-mediated deletions following treatment (0-6.8%) compared with healthy controls (17.0%). There was also a significant change in the class type percentage of V(D)J-mediated HPRT deletions following treatment. In addition, there was a &amp;gt;5-fold increase in T cell receptor gene usage–defined mean clonal proliferation from diagnosis compared with the completion of chemotherapeutic intervention. These data indicate that unique genetic alterations and extensive clonal proliferation are occurring in children following treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia that may influence long-term risks for multifactorial diseases, including secondary cancers. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(17): 8455-61)
Properties of the fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum from fast twitch and slow twitch muscles
Authors: W. Fiehn, J. B. Peter
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1971)

Skeletal muscle of guinea pigs is composed of at least three types of fibers which are distinguishable by their kinetic and histochemical properties. Fast twitch muscles may be histochemically red or white; fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum (FSR) prepared from both types of fast twitch muscles has identical calcium-accumulating capacity (maximal calcium uptake) and calcium-concentrating ability. FSR from slow twitch muscles accumulates less total calcium, but the calcium-concentrating ability is equal to that of fast twitch muscles. The slower rate of calcium accumulation by FSR of slow twitch muscles correlates with a prolonged relaxation time.
An Association Between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Sight-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Jin-Kui Yang, Wei Liu, Jing Shi, Yi-Bing Li
Journal: Diabetes Care (2010)

OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 1,170 type 2 diabetic patients were screened for thyroid function. There were 127 type 2 diabetic patients with SCH and 200 randomly selected euthyroid type 2 diabetic patients selected. Those with more severe than moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were classified as having sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR). RESULTS The trend for severe retinopathy was significantly higher in the SCH group than in the euthyroid group (χ2 = 20.43, P = 0.000). SCH was associated with greater prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, especially STDR [odds ratio (95% CI): 4.15 (2.17–7.96), P = 0.000] after an adjustment for age, sex, duration of diabetes, A1C, BMI, hypertension, and LDL cholesterol. Even euthyroid patients with thyroid-stimulating hormone levels between 2.0 and &amp;lt;4.0 μIU/ml had a higher rate of STDR then those between 0.4 and &amp;lt;2.0 μIU/ml (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS Type 2 diabetic patients with SCH are associated with an increased risk of STDR.