tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Is Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Friend or Foe for Chronic Heart Failure?
Authors: Masatsugu Hori, Osamu Yamaguchi
Journal: Circulation Research (2013)

Although detrimental effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been reported in failing myocardium, clinical trials using TNF-α antagonists did not show the benefit of TNF-α inhibition in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The double-edged effects of TNF-α/Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-related proinflammatory cytokines and downstream signal transduction, nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation on failing myocardium are discussed.
Anti-Borrelia burgdorferi immunoglobulin seroprevalence in pulmonary sarcoidosis: a negative report
Authors: H Martens, B Zollner, G Zissel, D Burdon, M Schlaak, J Muller-Quernheim
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1997)

The aetiology of sarcoidosis is still unknown. An infectious microorganism as causal agent for this disease could not be identified, but high titres of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi were detected in Chinese studies implying a causality with this disease. These findings, however, could not be reproduced by other researchers. The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the possible role of these spirochetes in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis by serological examinations. Sixty sera of patients suffering from sarcoidosis were examined for anti-B. burgdorferi immunoglobulin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISAs for these antibodies show a high sensitivity, but a low specificity; therefore, a specific immunoblot was used to confirm positive results. Initially, 8% of the patients were reactive in the ELISA, and 20% of these could be confirmed by immunoblot. Therefore, the prevalence for B. burgdorferi antibodies in sarcoidosis patients was 1.6%. This result did not differ significantly from the prevalence of B. burgdorferi antibodies in 1,000 regular blood donors of the city of Hamburg (7% reactive in the ELISA, 38% confirmed via immunoblot, prevalence 2.7%). The hypothesis of causality between a B. burgdorferi infection and sarcoidosis cannot be confirmed by this data.
Aberrant methylation within RUNX3 CpG island associated with the nuclear and mitochondrial microsatellite instability in sporadic gastric cancers. Results of a GOIM (Gruppo Oncologico dell'Italia Meridionale) prospective study
Authors: G. Gargano, D. Calcara, S. Corsale, V. Agnese, C. Intrivici, F. Fulfaro, G. Pantuso, M. Cajozzo, V. Morello, R.M. Tomasino, L. Ottini, G. Colucci, V. Bazan, A. Russo
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2007)
Chronic liver disease in the primary care practices of waterbury, connecticut
Authors: Victor J. Navarro, Thomas St. Louis, Beth Z. Bell, André N. Sofair
Journal: Hepatology (2003)

Chronic liver Disease in the Primary Care Practices of Waterbury, ConnecticutTo The Editor:We aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic liver disease (CLD) in primary care practices and the distribution of potential etiologies.Therefore, in 2000, we conducted a retrospective chart review on a weighted random sample of patients seeing community-based primary care physicians (PCPs) in Waterbury, CT, which had an adult population of 78,817 (age 218) in the year 2000.Thirty-one of 46 (67%) PCPs agreed to participate in the study; participants did not differ from nonparticipants, nor from PCPs in the United States, in terms of number of years in practice, board certification status, or percentage in solo versus group practice.W e reviewed 1,610 patient charts, a sample size determined apriori based on assumptions of the expected frequency of CLD, and assigned a diagnosis of probable or possible CLD to each case, representing decreasing levels of confidence
Breaking bad news
Authors: M. Patterson
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2002)

As a member of the Court of Examiners of the Royal College of Surgeons of England I take issue with Dr Mandy Barnett's statement (July 2002 JRSM1) that there is little or no assessment of performance in communication during surgical training. Since MRCS was introduced (replacing FRCS) there has been a communication skills section which tests this exact situation—breaking bad news. If the candidates are unable to satisfy the examiners that they are competent in this field then they will fail this component of the exam and have to retake it. Whilst I accept that as a surgical consultant trained under the ‘old rules’ I may not have been given formal communication skills training, I am sure this aspect of my surgical work will be addressed in my annual appraisal.
Activation of Platelet Function Through G Protein–Coupled Receptors
Authors: Stefan Offermanns
Journal: Circulation Research (2006)

Because of their ability to become rapidly activated at places of vascular injury, platelets are important players in primary hemostasis as well as in arterial thrombosis. In addition, they are also involved in chronic pathological processes including the atherosclerotic remodeling of the vascular system. Although primary adhesion of platelets to the vessel wall is largely independent of G protein-mediated signaling, the subsequent recruitment of additional platelets into a growing platelet thrombus requires mediators such as ADP, thromboxane A(2), or thrombin, which act through G protein-coupled receptors. Platelet activation via G protein-coupled receptors involves 3 major G protein-mediated signaling pathways that are initiated by the activation of the G proteins G(q), G(13), and G(i). This review summarizes recent progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying platelet activation and thrombus extension via G protein-mediated signaling pathways.
Psychosocial problems among survivors of Hodgkin's disease.
Authors: P Fobair, R T Hoppe, J Bloom, R Cox, A Varghese, D Spiegel
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1986)

The psychosocial problems that develop in long-term survivors of Hodgkin's disease were examined in a cross-sectional survey of 403 patients. The average age at treatment was 27 years and at interview was 36 years. The median time since treatment was 9 years. Sixty percent of the patients were treated for stage I or II disease and 40% for stage III or IV. Eighty-two percent of the patients had never relapsed, and 98% were free of disease at the time of interview. The study investigated the type and frequency of problems by means of a self-administered questionnaire using standard survey items to assess disruption in three areas of life: sense of well-being, family relationships, and employment. Results indicate that energy had not returned to patients' satisfaction in 37% of the cases. This was influenced by age, time since therapy, stage of disease, and type of treatment. Patients with self-reported energy loss were more likely to be depressed. Moderately high divorce rates (32%), problems with infertility (18%), and less interest in sexual activity (20%) were reported. Employment patterns favored men returning to work, and number of hours worked was highly correlated with less depression, younger age, and return of energy. Difficulties at work were reported by 42% of the cases. The interaction of treatment, biologic, psychosocial, and functional variables is described.
Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Novel Genetic Determinants of DNA Repair Capacity in Lung Cancer
Authors: Li-E Wang, Olga Y. Gorlova, Jun Ying, Yawei Qiao, Shih-Feng Weng, Annette T. Lee, Peter K. Gregersen, Margaret R. Spitz, Christopher I. Amos, Qingyi Wei
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Suboptimal cellular DNA repair capacity (DRC) has been shown to be associated with enhanced cancer risk, but genetic variants affecting the DRC phenotype have not been comprehensively investigated. In this study, with the available DRC phenotype data, we analyzed correlations between the DRC phenotype and genotypes detected by the Illumina 317K platform in 1,774 individuals of European ancestry from a Texas lung cancer genome-wide association study. The discovery phase was followed by a replication in an independent set of 1,374 cases and controls of European ancestry. We applied a generalized linear model with single nucleotide polymorphisms as predictors and DRC (a continuous variable) as the outcome. Covariates of age, sex, pack-years of smoking, DRC assay-related variables, and case-control status of the study participants were adjusted in the model. We validated that reduced DRC was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in both independent datasets. Several suggestive loci that contributed to the DRC phenotype were defined in ERCC2/XPD, PHACTR2, and DUSP1. In summary, we determined that DRC is an independent risk factor for lung cancer, and we defined several genetic loci contributing to DRC phenotype.
Role for Major Vault Protein in the innate immunity of respiratory epithelium
Authors: D Jenkins
Journal: Thorax (2008)

Major Vault Protein (MVP) is thought to be important for innate immunity and is found in antigen-presenting cells and epithelia throughout the respiratory system. This study investigated the role of MVP in human respiratory epithelium, particularly in response to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa .

As P aeruginosa initiates an innate immune response by forming lipid rafts on contact with …
Improved survival in cystic fibrosis patients with severely impaired lung function
Authors: Vishal Narwani
Journal: Thorax (2011)

A forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) less than 30% predicted has been accepted as the threshold at which 50% of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) survive 2 years or less. However, this estimate, made in the early 1990s, does not take into account recent developments in treatment. This cohort study aimed to …
Persistent Human Papillomavirus Infection as a Predictor of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Authors: N F Schlecht, S Kulaga, J Robitaille, S Ferreira, M Santos, R A Miyamura, E Duarte-Franco, T E Rohan, A Ferenczy, L L Villa, E L Franco
Journal: JAMA (2001)

ContextHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is believed to be the central cause of cervical cancer, although most of the epidemiological evidence has come from retrospective, case-control studies, which do not provide information on the dynamics of cumulative or persistent exposure to HPV infection.ObjectiveTo assess the risks of cervical neoplasia related to prior persistent HPV infections.Design and SettingLongitudinal study of the natural history of HPV infection and cervical neoplasia in women residing in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, which was conducted between November 1993 and March 1997 and involved repeated measurements of HPV and lesions with follow-up until June 2000.ParticipantsA total of 1611 women with no cytological lesions at enrollment and HPV test results available from the first 2 visits.Main Outcome MeasureCervical specimens taken for Papanicolaou cytology and HPV testing every 4 months in the first year and twice yearly thereafter. Incident cervical cancer precursor lesions ascertained by expert review of all cytology smears.ResultsThe incidence rate of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) was 0.73 per 1000 women-months (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-0.9) among women free of HPV at the 2 initial visits and 8.68 (95% CI, 2.3-15.1) among women with HPV type 16 or 18 infections persisting over both visits. Relative to those negative for HPV oncogenic types at both initial visits, the relative risk (RR) of incident SIL was 10.19 (95% CI, 5.9-17.6) for persistent infections with any known oncogenic HPV types. The equivalent RR of incident high-grade SIL was 11.67 (95% CI, 4.1-33.3). The RRs of lesions were considerably higher for persistent infections with HPV type 16 or 18.ConclusionA strong relationship exists between persistent HPV infections and SIL incidence, particularly for HPV types 16 and 18.
Urinary polypeptides related to collagen synthesis
Authors: Stephen M. Krane, Alberto J. Muñoz, Edward D. Harris
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1970)

Of the total urinary hydroxyproline in normal subjects and those with skeletal disorders, between 4 and 20% was nondialyzable. In some patients with Paget's disease of bone, hyperparathyroidism with osteitis fibrosa, hyperphosphatasia, and extensive fibrous dysplasia the total urinary hydroxyproline was sufficiently high to permit purification of this polypeptide hydroxyproline by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The partially purified polypeptides had molecular weights between 4500 and 10,000 and amino acid compositions and physical properties resembling those of gelatin. The polypeptide fractions also contained neutral sugar and glucosamine. These fragments had been shown to be susceptible to cleavage by purified bacterial collagenase suggesting the presence of the sequence-Pro-X-Gly-Pro-Y-. After administration of proline-(14)C to patients with Paget's disease hydroxyproline-(14)C was excreted in the urine. The hydroxyproline-(14)C specific activity reached a peak in 2-4 hr and declined rapidly. The specific activity of the polypeptide (retentate) portion was severalfold greater than that of the raw urine and diffusate. When the labeled urines were subjected to gel filtration the hydroxyproline-(14)C fractions of highest molecular weight which were eluted first from the columns had the highest specific activities. Exposure of the hydroxyproline-(14)C-containing polypeptides to bacterial collagenase rendered them dialyzable. Four patients with hyperparathyroidism and osteitis fibrosa were studied before and after removal of a parathyroid adenoma, a period of transition from a predominance of bone collagen resorption to one of relatively increased bone collagen synthesis. The total urinary hydroxyproline fell rapidly after operation whereas the ratio of the polypeptide fraction to the total rose three- to fourfold. The results of these studies suggest that the urinary polypeptides represent fragments of collagen related to collagen synthesis. Changes in the ratio of these peptides to total hydroxyproline in the urine may serve as an index of new bone formation in patients with skeletal disorders.
Evaluation of hand function in patients undergoing long term haemodialysis
Authors: V Limaye
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2001)

Haemodialysis is associated with the deposition of beta(2) microglobulin in musculoskeletal structures, leading to the syndrome of dialysis related amyloidosis and impairment of hand function. This study aimed at assessing hand function using the Sollerman test in a cross section of patients undergoing haemodialysis.Recipients of haemodialysis underwent the Sollerman test of hand grip function, which assesses 20 activities of daily living using eight grip types, and the JAMAR grip strength test, visual analogue scales (VAS) for pain (VAS-P) and function (VAS-F), and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were determined. Results-Thirty five subjects (26 male), with mean age 53.2 years, participated. The average duration of haemodialysis was 6.2 years (range one month to 25 years). The median Sollerman score was 77, with 19/35 (54%) patients receiving haemodialysis having a score below the lower normal value of 78-80. The log Sollerman score correlated poorly with age (rs=0.16, p=0.35), and significantly with the HAQ score (r(s)=-0.66, p<0.00005), duration of haemodialysis (rs=-0.39, p<0.05), VAS-F (rs=-0.41, p<0.05), VAS-P (rs=-0.34, p<0.05), and JAMAR score (rs=0.57, p<0.05). Sollerman scores were highly correlated between dominant and non-dominant hands (rs=0.69, p<000005).Hand dysfunction is a common finding among patients undergoing long term haemodialysis. The Sollerman test accurately reflects patient function as measured by HAQ, VAS-F, and grip strength, but less so pain. Its use for the early detection of dialysis related amyloidosis and in the serial monitoring of the effects of hand treatment programmes is encouraged.
Molecular Neurobiology and Genetics of Circadian Rhythms in Mammals
Authors: J S Takahashi
Journal: Annual Review of Neuroscience (1995)

The brain's default mode network consists of discrete, bilateral and symmetrical cortical areas, in the medial and lateral parietal, medial prefrontal, and medial and lateral temporal cortices of the human, nonhuman primate, cat, and rodent brains. Its ...Read More
Sex, Cadavers, and Histocompatibility Matching in Renal Transplantation
Authors: W. THOMAS LONDON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1978)

Editorial Notes1 February 1978Sex, Cadavers, and Histocompatibility Matching in Renal TransplantationW. THOMAS LONDON, M.D., F.A.C.P., JEAN S. DREW, A.B.W. THOMAS LONDON, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this author, JEAN S. DREW, A.B.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-88-2-264 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptAt the first International Transplantation Conference held in New York in 1954, Peter Gorer presented evidence of an antibody response to skin allografts in mice. He thought that these antibodies were directed against H-2 antigens and stated that "if homografts are to be used in clinical practice . . . it will be desirable to type people in order to prolong the life of the graft" (1). The identification of HLA antigens in humans made Gorer's prediction possible, and the principles of allografting, learned from experiments with inbred strains of mice, were applied to humans. Humans, however, are an outbred...References1. GORER P: The antibody response to skin homografts in mice. Ann NY Acad Sci 59:365-370, 373, 1955 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. : The 13th report of the Human Renal Transplant Registry. Transplant Proc 9:9-26, 1977 Google Scholar3. OPELZ G and TERASAKI P: Influence of sex of histocompatibility matching in renal transplantation. Lancet 2:419-421, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. OLIVER R: Are there Y-linked histocompatibility antigens in man? Eur J Immunol 4:519-520, 1974 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. LONDON W, DREW J, BLUMBERG B, GROSSMAN R, and LYONS P: Association of graft survival with host response to hepatitis B infection in patients with kidney transplants. N Engl J Med 296:241-244, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. OPELZ G, SENGAR D, MICKEY M, and TERASAKI P: Effect of blood transfusions on subsequent kidney transplants. Transplant Proc 5:253-259, 1973 MedlineGoogle Scholar7. GORCZYNSKI R: Auto reactivity developing spontaneously in cultured mouse spleen cells. II. Comparison of cytotoxicity of cultured male and female spleen cells. Immunology 31:615-623, 1976 MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: W. THOMAS LONDON, M.D., F.A.C.P.; JEAN S. DREW, A.B.Affiliations: Institute for Cancer Research Fox Chase Cancer Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 February 1978Volume 88, Issue 2Page: 264-265KeywordsAntibody productionAntigensHistocompatibilityHomograftsHuman leukocyte antigenRenal transplantationTransplantation ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 February 1978 PDF downloadLoading ...
Effects of Leptin Replacement Therapy on Pancreatic β-Cell Function in Patients With Lipodystrophy
Authors: Ranganath Muniyappa, Rebecca J. Brown, Andrea Mari, Jalaja Joseph, Mary A. Warren, Elaine K. Cochran, Monica C. Skarulis, Phillip Gorden
Journal: Diabetes Care (2014)

OBJECTIVE Leptin administration is known to directly modulate pancreatic β-cell function in leptin-deficient rodent models. However, human studies examining the effects of leptin administration on β-cell function are lacking. In this study, we examined the effects (16–20 weeks) of leptin replacement on β-cell function in patients with lipodystrophy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a prospective, open-label, currently ongoing study, we studied the effects of leptin replacement on β-cell function in 13 patients with congenital or acquired lipodystrophy. Insulin secretory rate (ISR) was calculated by C-peptide deconvolution from plasma glucose and C-peptide levels measured during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) performed at baseline and after 16–20 weeks of leptin replacement. β-Cell glucose sensitivity and rate sensitivity were assessed by mathematical modeling of OGTT. RESULTS There was a significant decrease in triglycerides, free fatty acids, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (A1C) after leptin therapy. Patients with lipodystrophy have high fasting and glucose-stimulated ISR. However, leptin therapy had no significant effect on fasting ISR, total insulin secretion during OGTT, β-cell glucose sensitivity, rate sensitivity, or insulin clearance. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to the suppressive effects of leptin on β-cell function in rodents, 16–20-week treatment with leptin in lipodystrophy patients did not significantly affect insulin secretion or β-cell function in leptin-deficient individuals with lipodystrophy.
Lipoprotein Uptake and Metabolism by Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells in Tissue Culture
Authors: EDWIN L. BIERMAN, OLGA STEIN, YECHEZKIEL STEIN
Journal: Circulation Research (1974)

Aortic smooth muscle cells from the rat were successfully grown in tissue culture and shown to have characteristic morphology. 125 I-labeled homologous very low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins were taken up by these smooth muscle cells during incubation for 48 hours at the stationary phase. Despite multiple washings, a large proportion of the lipoprotein radioactivity associated with the cells was apparently surface bound and trypsin releasable. With both lipoprotein fractions, lipid and protein uptake by the cells measured after trypsinization was related to time and to the amount of lipoprotein protein added to the medium. Compared with protein, there was a disproportionately greater entry of lipid radioactivity into the cells. Light and electron microscope autoradiography localized the label intracellularly over the cell cytoplasm, cell boundaries, and, in some cells, over lysosomes. On the basis of either protein uptake or whole particle uptake, approximately four times as much high density lipoprotein as very low density lipoprotein was taken up by the smooth muscle cells. To assess metabolism and degradation of high density lipoproteins, aortic smooth muscle cells were incubated in fresh unlabeled medium for 48 hours after exposure to 125 I-labeled high density lipoproteins. A large proportion of radioactivity released was trichloroacetic acid precipitable, suggesting some release of whole lipoprotein protein; however, these lipoproteins appeared to be modified when they were tested with anti-high density lipoprotein antiserum. Also, water-soluble radioactivity (presumably protein breakdown products) was released in amounts that averaged 3% of the protein label in the cells. These results indicate that although aortic smooth muscle cells growing in tissue culture can rapidly take up lipids and lipoproteins, catabolism of lipoprotein protein is slow. Correlative biochemical and ultrastructural analysis suggests the possibility of regurgitation of noncatabolized lipoprotein protein by reverse endocytosis.