tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in Italian patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Authors: R Meliconi, P Andreone, L Fasano, S Galli, A Pacilli, R Miniero, M Fabbri, L Solforosi, M Bernardi
Journal: Thorax (1996)

BACKGROUND: A viral cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was recently suggested by a Japanese study in which a high prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies was detected. A subsequent British study failed to confirm these results. METHODS: Antibodies to HCV were evaluated in 60 patients with IPF, 130 patients with non-interstitial lung disease, and in 4614 blood donors. HCV-RNA and HCV genotypes were evaluated in the anti-HCV positive patients with IPF. Anti-HCV antibodies were evaluated by ELISA and confirmed by recombinant immunoblotting assay (RIBA). HCV-RNA and genotypes were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Eight patients with IPF had anti-HCV antibodies detected by ELISA (13.3%). In the blood donor control group the prevalence of HCV antibodies was lower (0.3%). In patients with non-interstitial lung disease HCV antibody prevalence was 6.1%. In all eight patients with IPF found to be anti-HCV positive by ELISA, HCV antibodies were also detected by RIBA. Furthermore, all were HCV-RNA positive by PCR assay. HCV genotypes were identified in four of these eight patients. In all four genotype II was present and in two it was associated with genotype III and/or genotype IV. In the remaining four cases the genotype was not identified. CONCLUSION: Italian patients with IPF show an increased prevalence (approximately 13%) of HCV infection and viral replication, but the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies does not differ from other lung diseases.
Autoinflammatory gene mutations in Behcet's disease
Authors: I Kone-Paut, E Sanchez, A Le Quellec, R Manna, I Touitou
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2007)

Behçet's disease (BD) shares clinical features with well-recognised autoinflammatory disorders. In addition, mutations in genes for familial Mediterranean fever and tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome have been reported to have increased in patients with BD.DNA samples from 97 patients with BD and 51 matched healthy controls were analysed for the mevalonate kinase (MVK), cold-induced autoinflammatory syndrome 1 (CIAS1) and proline/serine/threonine phosphatase-interacting protein 1 (PSTPIP1) genes, responsible for mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) and pyogenic sterile arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne (PAPA) syndrome, respectively. Over 90% of known mutations were screened using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and/or sequencing.Two patients had paired mutations in the MVK gene (genotypes V377I/V377I and V377I/S135L) and displayed typical features of BD and MKD. Another was heterozygotic for the V377I genotype. The V198M mutation in the CIAS1 gene was identified in one patient with typical BD but no symptoms of CAPS. No mutations were identified in the control group. PSTPIP1 analysis revealed a new exon 10 insertion variant (c.741+33_741+34insGT) in 2 of 97 patients and in 1 of 51 controls (p>0.05), indicating that it is a polymorphism rather than a true mutation.This study could not demonstrate any significant increases in MVK, CIAS1 or PSTPIP1 mutations in patients with BD as compared with controls.
Clinical Pharmacology of Acute Allergic Disorders
Authors: J C Foreman, L M Lichtenstein
Journal: Annual Review of Medicine (1980)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), emerged in China in December 2019 and quickly spread around the globe, killing more than 4 million people and causing a severe economic crisis. ...Read More
Impact of Types of Lymphocyte Chromosomal Aberrations on Human Cancer Risk
Authors: Lars Hagmar, Ulf Strömberg, Stefano Bonassi, Inger-Lise Hansteen, Lisbeth Ehlert Knudsen, Carita Lindholm, Hannu Norppa
Journal: Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract The frequency of cells with structural chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in peripheral blood lymphocytes is the first genotoxicity biomarker that has shown an association with cancer risk. CAs are usually divided into chromosome-type (CSAs) and chromatid-type aberrations (CTAs), with different mechanisms of formation. From a mechanistic point of view, it is of interest to clarify whether the cancer predictivity of CAs is different with respect to CSAs and CTAs. We report here cancer risk for cytogenetically tested, healthy subjects with respect to frequency of CAs, CSAs, and CTAs in peripheral blood lymphocytes, using Nordic (1981 subjects with CA data, 1871 subjects with CSA/CTA data) and Italian (1573 subjects with CA data, 877 subjects with CTA/CSA data) cohorts, with a median follow-up of 17 years. High levels of CAs at test were clearly associated with increased total cancer incidence in the Nordic cohorts and increased total cancer mortality in the Italian cohort. In the Nordic cohorts, significantly elevated cancer risks were observed for subjects with both high CSAs and high CTAs at test, and these variables showed equally strong cancer predictivity. The results of the Italian cohort did not indicate any clear-cut difference in cancer predictivity between the CSA and CTA biomarkers. There was no significant effect modification by age at test, gender, country, or time since test. The results suggest that both DNA double-strand breaks and other initial DNA lesions responsible for CSAs and CTAs are associated with cancer risk.
19 LIVER PROGENITOR CELL MARKERS CORRELATE WITH LIVER DAMAGE AND PREDICT SHORT-TERM MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS
Authors: P. Sancho-Bru, J. Altamirano, D. Rodrigo-Torres, V. Arroyo, P. Ginès, J. Caballería, R. Bataller
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2011)
Molecular Regulation of Atrioventricular Valvuloseptal Morphogenesis
Authors: Leonard M. Eisenberg, Roger R. Markwald
Journal: Circulation Research (1995)

The majority of congenital heart defects arise from abnormal development of valvuloseptal tissue. The primordia of the valve leaflets and membranous septa of the heart are the cardiac cushions. Remodeling of the cushions is associated with a transitional extracellular matrix that includes sulfated proteoglycans and the microfibrillar proteins fibulin and fibrillin. Cushion formation is restricted to the AV canal and ventricular outflow tract regions of the primary heart tube. The proper placement of the cushions may be the result of the development of the primary heart tube as a segmented organ, as well as the subsequent looping of the heart. Segmentation of the heart tube may be demonstrated by the alternating molecular expression pattern along the longitudinal axis. In support of this hypothesis is the restricted expression of BMP-4 and msx-2 to the AV canal and ventricular outflow tract. The importance of looping for cushion positioning may imply that the iv and inv genes and retinoic acid are important for the proper patterning of the heart. The cells of the cushions evolve from endocardial cells that undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation. This developmental event is regulated by the myocardium and is probably due to the production of protein complexes, present within the cardiac jelly of the cushion-forming regions, that consist of fibronectin and the ES proteins. Both the cushion mesenchyme and its endocardial cell antecedents express JB3, an ECM protein. JB3 expression is also featured within the heart-forming fields of the primary mesoderm, from which the endocardial progenitors of the cushion cells originate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Risk factors for complication following ERCP; results of a large-scale, prospective multicenter study
Authors: E. Williams, S. Taylor, P. Fairclough, A. Hamlyn, R. Logan, D. Martin, S. Riley, P. Veitch, M. Wilkinson, P. Williamson, M. Lombard
Journal: Endoscopy (2007)

Analyses of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complication are often constrained by the number of endpoints observed. This large-scale study aimed to identify the principal risk factors for ERCP complication.This was a prospective multicenter study of ERCP complications, based in five English regions. An exploratory univariable analysis of patients' first recorded procedures identified potentially important patient- and procedure-related factors. For overall complications and pancreatitis, variables significant in univariable analysis were included in multiple regression.A total of 66 centers collected data on 5264 ERCPs, performed on 4561 patients. A therapeutic intervention was attempted in 3447/4561 (76%) of patients as part of their first recorded ERCP. Following first recorded ERCP, 230 patients (5.0%) suffered > or = 1 complication: pancreatitis in 74 (1.6%), cholangitis in 48 (1.0 %), hemorrhage in 40 (0.9%), perforation in 20 (0.4%), and miscellaneous in 54 (1.2%). Significant factors from multiple regression were included in a multi-level analysis, which incorporated variables measured at the level of the endoscopist and hospital. For overall complication, risk factors ( P value, odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]) were: cannulation attempts > 1 ( P = 0.094, OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.95-1.83), precut ( P = 0.033, OR 1.55, 95 % CI 1.04-2.32), and suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction ( P = 0.121, OR 1.97, 95 % CI 0.84-4.64). For pancreatitis, risk factors ( Pvalue, OR, and 95 % CI) were: cannulation attempts > 1 ( P = 0.0001, OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.74-5.67), female sex ( P < 0.001, OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.43-3.45), age ( P < 0.002, OR 1.09 per 5 year decrease, 95% CI 1.03-1.15), and performance in a district (as opposed to university) hospital ( P = 0.034, OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.08-5.41).Careful patient selection combined with skilled cannulation minimizes complications. Higher-risk procedures should be performed in specialist centers.
Comparison of<i>Tripterygium wilfordii</i>Hook F Versus Sulfasalazine in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

Background: Extracts of the medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) have been used in China for centuries to treat a spectrum of inflammatory diseases. Objective: To compare the benefits and side effects of TwHF extract with those of sulfasalazine for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis. Design: Randomized, controlled trial. A computer-generated code with random, permuted blocks was used to assign treatment. Setting: 2 U.S. academic centers (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, and University of Texas, Dallas, Texas) and 9 rheumatology subspecialty clinics (in Dallas and Austin, Texas; Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Arlington, Virginia; Duncanville, Pennsylvania; Wheaton and Greenbelt, Maryland; and Lansing, Michigan). Patients: 121 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and 6 or more painful and swollen joints. Intervention: TwHF extract, 60 mg 3 times daily, or sulfasalazine, 1 g twice daily. Patients could continue stable doses of oral prednisone or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but had to stop taking disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs at least 28 days before randomization. Measurements: The primary outcome was the rate of achievement of 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR 20) at 24 weeks. Secondary end points were safety; radiographic scores of joint damage; and serum levels of interleukin-6, cholesterol, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Results: Outcome data were available for only 62 patients at 24 weeks. In a mixed-model analysis that imputed data for patients who dropped out, 65.0% (95% CI, 51.6% to 76.9%) of the TwHF group and 32.8% (CI, 21.3% to 46.0%) of the sulfasalazine group met the ACR 20 response criteria (P = 0.001). Patients receiving TwHF also had significantly higher response rates for ACR 50 and ACR 70 in mixed-model analyses. Analyses of only completers showed similar significant differences between the treatment groups. Significant improvement was demonstrated in all individual components of the ACR response, including the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability score. Interleukin-6 levels rapidly and significantly decreased in the TwHF group. Although not statistically significant, radiographic progression was lower in the TwHF group. The frequency of adverse events was similar in both groups. Limitations: Only 62% and 41% of patients continued receiving TwHF extract and sulfasalazine, respectively, during the 24 weeks of the study. Long-term outcome data were not collected on participants who discontinued treatment. Conclusion: In patients who continued treatment for 24 weeks and could also use stable oral prednisone and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, attainment of the ACR 20 response criteria was significantly greater with TwHF extract than with sulfasalazine. Primary Funding Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Whole-body hyperthermia (41.8°C) combined with bimonthly oxaliplatin, high-dose leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil 48-hour continuous infusion in pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer:a phase II study
Authors: S. Hegewisch-Becker, Y. Gruber, A. Corovic, U. Pichlmeier, D. Atanackovic, A. Nierhaus, D.K. Hossfeld
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2002)
Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Jose M. Ruiz-Moreno, María I. López-Gálvez, Juan Donate, Francisco Gomez-Ulla, José García-Arumí, Alfredo García-Layana, Inmaculada Sellés, Juan Reche, Javier A. Montero, Belen Pazos, Miguel A. Zapata, José C. Pastor
Journal: Ophthalmology (2011)
Normal and Abnormal Function of the Hypothalamic Pituitary-Adrenocortical System in Man*
Authors: DAVID H. P. STREETEN, GUNNAR H. ANDERSON, THEODORE G. DALAKOS, DAVID SEELEY, JOSEPH S. MALLOV, RAMON EUSEBIO, FREDERICK S. SUNDERLIN, SHAWKY Z. A. BADAWY, ROBERT B. KING
Journal: Endocrine Reviews (1984)

THE hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system has three well known functional attributes in normal human subjects: First, under unstressed conditions of daily life there is a circadian rhythm of activity of the system. These rhythmical fluctuations are manifested by highest plasma cortisol concentrations shortly after awakening and lowest levels when asleep. Normal health is associated not only with such circadian changes but also with appropriate total daily secretion of cortisol, so that daily integrated plasma cortisol concentration, cortisol secretion rate, and excretion of cortisol metabolites all fall within definable normal ranges, below or above which symptoms and signs of ill health often become evident. Second, the prevailing plasma cortisol (or glucocorticoid) concentration at any time of the day influences the activity of the HPA system. Such negative feedback control results in stimulation of the system when the plasma cortisol concentration falls, and inhibition of the system when plasma cortisol or glucocorticoid concentration is raised.
Efficacy of bronchoscopic thermal vapor ablation and lobar fissure completeness
Authors: Daniela Gompelmann, Felix Herth, Ralf Eberhardt, Steven Kesten, Claus Peter Heussel
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Bronchoscopic thermal vapor ablation (BTVA) ablates emphysematous tissue through a localized inflammatory response followed by contractive fibrosis and atelectasis leading to permanent lung volume reduction that should not be influenced by collateral ventilation.   Objectives:  To determine the correlation of clinical data from a trial of BTVA to computed tomography (CT) assessment of fissure integrity.   Methods:  Single arm study (n= 44) of patients with heterogeneous upper lobe predominant emphysema with FEV 1  1  and SGRQ at 6 months. Efficacy: lobar volume reduction (LoVR) from thin section multislice CT, spirometry, body plethysmography, 6MWD and mMRC dyspnea score. The treated lobar fissure was analyzed visually in non-enhanced pre-interventional CT. Incompleteness of small fissure, upper half of right large fissure, and three thirds of left large fissure were estimated in 5% increments and the relative amount of fissure incompleteness calculated. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for the association between fissure incompleteness and change in efficacy outcomes (baseline to 6 months).   Results:  Mean age 62 years, 50% men, FEV 1  0.85 L (31% predicted), SGRQ 59 units, 6MWD 300m. Calculated relevant fissure incompleteness was 13% (median) (range 0-63%). 38/44 patients (86%) had incompleteness in the relevant fissure. Correlation coefficients (r) for the association of incompleteness to outcomes are as follows: FEV 1  0.17, LoVR -0.27, SGRQ -0.10, 6MWD 0, RV -0.18, RV/TLC -0.14.   Conclusion:  BTVA induced LoVR and improvements in clinical outcomes are independent of fissure integrity.
Evaluation of the efficacy of oral rehydration solutions using human whole gut perfusion.
Authors: D D Rolston, S N Zinzuvadia, V I Mathan
Journal: Gut (1990)

Whole gut perfusion in humans was used to compare the effect on intestinal water and electrolyte transport of the World Health Organisation oral rehydration solution (solution II, composition in mmol/l: glucose 111, sodium 90, bicarbonate 30, potassium 20; 308 mOsm/kg); a hypertonic commercial oral rehydration solution (solution III, glucose 188, sodium 50, bicarbonate 20, potassium 20 mmol/l; 335 mOsm/kg); and three experimental bicarbonate free, hypotonic oral rehydration solutions: solution IV (glucose 111, sodium 60, potassium 20 mmol/l; 260 mOsm/kg), solution V (glucose 80, sodium 60, potassium 20 mmol/l; 219 mOsm/kg), and solution VI (glucose 80, sodium 30, potassium 20 mmol/l; 177 mOsm/kg). Perfusion of the intestine with a standard cleansing solution (solution I, sodium 125, potassium 10, bicarbonate 20, sulphate 40, mannitol 80 mmol/l; 275 mOsm/kg) confirmed published data on minimal water and sodium absorption. Experimental solution VI produced maximum water absorption (mean (SE) +1660.0 (29.8) ml/h) significantly greater than solution II (+1195.3 (79.5) ml/h), III (+534.7 (140.3) ml/h), IV (+1498.0 (42.7) ml/h), and V (+1327.7 (24.4) ml/h; p less than 0.05). Sodium absorption was significantly greater with solution II (+97.4 (7.9) mmol/h) compared to VI (+43.3 (7.8) mmol/h; p less than 0.01) but not compared to IV (+67.2 (13.0) mmol/h). A hypotonic oral rehydration solution such as solution VI may provide optimal replacement treatment for patients with acute diarrhoea.
Hepatic hemodynamic features in patients with esophageal or gastric varices
Authors: Yee Chao, Han-Chieh Lin, Fa-Yauh Lee, Sun-Sang Wang, Yang-Te Tsai, Hsiao-Chung Hsia, Wen-Jeh Lin, Shou-Dong Lee, Kwang-Juei Lo
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (1993)
Subclavian venous stenosis. A complication of subclavian dialysis
Authors: D. Davis
Journal: JAMA (1984)

Subclavian hemodialysis catheters are widely employed for temporary hemodialysis access, but there are few reports of serious complications. We report three cases in which the prolonged (&gt;15 days) use of subclavian dialysis catheters ipsilateral to the permanent vascular access was associated with the development of subclavian vein (SCV) stenosis three to six months after the temporary catheter was removed. In one case, the use of the permanent access was severely limited by massive arm edema. We conclude that, in addition to the usual complications of SCV cannulation, long-term use of SCV hemodialysis catheters can be associated with major late obstructive complications that may compromise permanent vascular access. We recommend that, wherever possible, temporary dialysis catheters and other subclavian lines be placed contralateral to the permanent vascular access site in patients undergoing hemodialysis. (<i>JAMA</i>1984;252:3404-3406)
Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors and Human Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A First-Step Comparative Translational Study
Authors: Alfredo Cesario, Alessia Catassi, Luigi Festi, Andrea Imperatori, Andrea Pericelli, Domenico Galetta, Stefano Margaritora, Venanzio Porziella, Vittorio Cardaci, Pierluigi Granone, Lorenzo Dominioni, Patrizia Russo
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2005)

Abstract It is known that the potential clinical use of farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI) could be expanded to include cancers harboring activated receptor tyrosine kinases. Approximately 70% of malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPM) overexpress epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) and a subset express both EGFR and transforming growth factor α (TGF-α), suggesting an autocrine role for EGFR in MPM. We checked on MPM cells (10 human cell lines, 11 primary cultures obtained by human biopsies, and 7 short-term normal mesothelial cell cultures) concerning the following: (a) the relative overexpression of EGFR (Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry), (b) the relative expression of EGFR ligands (EGF, amphiregulin, TGF-α, ELISA), (c) the relative increase of the activated form of Ras (Ras-bound GTP) after EGF stimulation (Ras activation assay), (d) the efficacy of five different FTIs (HDJ2 prenylation, cell cytotoxicity, and apoptosis using ApopTag and gel ladder). EGFR was overexpressed in MPM cells compared with normal pleural mesothelial cells in equivalent levels as in non–small cell lung cancer cells A459. MPM cells constitutively expressed EGFR ligands; however, Ras activation was attenuated at high EGF concentrations (100 ng/mL). Growth of MPM cells was substantially not affected by treatment with different FTIs (SCH66336, BMS-214662, R115777, RPR-115135, and Manumycin). Among these, BMS-214662 was the only one moderately active. BMS-214662 triggered apoptosis in a small fraction of cells (not higher than 30%) that was paralleled by a slight decrease in the levels of TGF-α secreted by treated MPM cells. Our data highlighted the concept that the same signaling pathway can be regulated in different ways and these regulations can differ between different cells of different origin.
Myocyte necrosis underlies progressive myocardial dystrophy in mouse <i>dsg2</i>-related arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kalliopi Pilichou, Carol Ann Remme, Cristina Basso, Maria E. Campian, Stefania Rizzo, Phil Barnett, Brendon P. Scicluna, Barbara Bauce, Maurice J.B. van den Hoff, Jacques M.T. de Bakker, Hanno L. Tan, Marialuisa Valente, Andrea Nava, Arthur A.M. Wilde, Antoon F.M. Moorman, Gaetano Thiene, Connie R. Bezzina
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2009)

Mutations in the cardiac desmosomal protein desmoglein-2 (DSG2) are associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). We studied the explanted heart of a proband carrying the DSG2-N266S mutation as well as transgenic mice (Tg-NS) with cardiac overexpression of the mouse equivalent of this mutation, N271S-dsg2, with the aim of investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms involved. Transgenic mice recapitulated the clinical features of ARVC, including sudden death at young age, spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac dysfunction, and biventricular dilatation and aneurysms. Investigation of transgenic lines with different levels of transgene expression attested to a dose-dependent dominant-negative effect of the mutation. We demonstrate for the first time that myocyte necrosis is the key initiator of myocardial injury, triggering progressive myocardial damage, including an inflammatory response and massive calcification within the myocardium, followed by injury repair with fibrous tissue replacement, and myocardial atrophy. These observations were supported by findings in the explanted heart from the patient. Insight into mechanisms initiating myocardial damage in ARVC is a prerequisite to the future development of new therapies aimed at delaying onset or progression of the disease.