tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Reliability of Tissue Doppler Wall Motion Monitoring After Heart Transplantation for Replacement of Invasive Routine Screenings by Optimally Timed Cardiac Biopsies and Catheterizations
Authors: M Dandel, M Hummel, J Müller, E Wellnhofer, R Meyer, N Solowjowa, R Ewert, R Hetzer
Journal: Circulation (2001)

Invasive screenings at predefined time intervals for acute rejection and transplant coronary artery disease (TxCAD) are standard procedures. However, cardiac biopsies and catheterizations are distressing and risky for the patients and are also costly. We assessed the reliability of pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging (PW-TDI) for the timing of invasive examinations in heart recipients in an attempt to avoid unnecessary endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) and catheterizations.PW-TDI obtained at the basal left ventricular posterior wall before 408 EMBs and 293 catheterizations was tested for its diagnostic value regarding rejection and TxCAD with the use of International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation biopsy grading, coronary angiography, and intravascular ultrasound as standards. Early diastolic peak wall motion velocity and relaxation time showed high sensitivities for clinically relevant rejection diagnosis (90.0% and 93.3%, respectively). The negative and positive predictive values for rejection of diastolic parameter changes appeared high enough (up to 96% and 92%, respectively) to allow a reliable noninvasive PW-TDI monitoring with efficiently timed, instead of routinely scheduled, EMBs. At definite cutoff values for systolic parameters, the probability for TxCAD reached 92% to 97%. The Fisher classification functions allowed TxCAD exclusion with 80% probability.Without diastolic parameter changes, acute rejection can be practically excluded, and serial PW-TDI can save patients from routine EMBs. The high specificity and negative predictive value for TxCAD of reduced systolic peak velocities and extended systolic time allow optimized timed catheterizations. Peak systolic velocity and systolic time allow diagnostic classifications that enable patients without known TxCAD but with high risk for catheterization to be spared routine angiographies.
The Treatment of Caries of the Spine
Authors: E. N. Smith
Journal: BMJ (1882)

this may be avoided by the continued use of mechanical means.But why should a treatment be commenced which must be continued perhaps for a lifetime, where, but for the surgeon's interference at first, the patient would have gone on happily through life unaided and in.dependent?f.As Class e., but with oppressedBreathing and Circulation: Anamia: Intercostal Neuralgia.Thorough Invalids, and useless in society.-Temperament and social surroundings being considered first, the gradual use of Sayre's exercise should be ordered; then a support, either of plaster-of-Paris or of felt.Outdoor exercise should be tried and encouraged, the patient being thus supported.This treatment should *be persevered in till a cessation in improvement appears: the patient will be left better than she was found.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) improves survival in HIV-associated Hodgkin's disease: results of a multicenter study
Authors: M. Hentrich, L. Maretta, K.U. Chow, J.R. Bogner, D. Schürmann, P. Neuhoff, H. Jäger, D. Reichelt, M. Vogel, M. Ruhnke, M. Oette, R. Weiß, J. Rockstroh, K. Arasteh, P. Mitrou
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2006)
EFFECTS OF ACUTE INCREASES IN THE EXCRETION OF SOLUTE AND WATER ON RENAL ACID EXCRETION IN MAN*
Authors: Philip R. Steinmetz, Norman Bank
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1963)

cretion, even though urine pH rose in upright subjects elaborating an acid urine.These obser- vations suggest that the rate at which solute is excreted may be a determinant of renal acid excre- tion in man. METHODSNineteen experiments were carried out in thirteen nor- mal subjects.In order to ensure a comparable state of hydropenia, no food or fluid was taken for 12 to 14 hours before each study.The effects of solute diuresis were studied in eight series of observations on six subjects.Control urine collections were begun approximately 30 min- utes after the subject had assumed the recumbent position and had received 10 U of aqueous vasopressin 1 intramuscularly.After the control periods, either 20% manni-
Paclitaxel plus vinorelbine: An active regimen in metastatic breast cancer patients with prior anthracycline exposure
Authors: M. Martin, A. Lluch, A. Casado, I. Garcia Carbonero, L. de Paz, C. Esteban, A. Insa, R. Alfonso, J. Garcia-Conde, E. Diaz-Rubio
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2000)
An Osteopontin–NADPH Oxidase Signaling Cascade Promotes Pro–Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Activation in Aortic Mesenchymal Cells
Authors: Chung-Fang Lai, Venkat Seshadri, Kane Huang, Jian-Su Shao, Jun Cai, Radhika Vattikuti, Arwyn Schumacher, Arleen P. Loewy, David T. Denhardt, Susan R. Rittling, Dwight A. Towler
Journal: Circulation Research (2006)

Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine upregulated in diabetic vascular disease. To better understand its role in vascular remodeling, we assessed how OPN controls metalloproteinase (MMP) activation in aortic adventitial myofibroblasts (AMFs) and A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). By zymography, OPN and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α preferentially upregulate pro–matrix metalloproteinase 9 (pro-MMP9) activity. TNF-α upregulated pro-MMP9 in AMFs isolated from wild-type (OPN +/+ ) mice, but pro-MMP9 induction was abrogated in AMFs from OPN −/− mice. OPN treatment of VSMCs enhanced pro-MMP9 activity, and TNF-α induction of pro-MMP9 was inhibited by anti-OPN antibody and apocynin. Superoxide and the oxylipid product 8-isoprostaglandin F 2 α-isoprostane (8-IsoP) were increased by OPN treatment, and anti-OPN antibody suppressed 8-IsoP production. Like OPN and TNF-α, 8-IsoP preferentially activated pro-MMP9. Superoxide, 8-IsoP, and NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) subunits were reduced in OPN −/− AMFs. Treatment of A7r5 VSMCs with OPN upregulated NADPH oxidase subunit accumulation. OPN structure/function studies mapped these activities to the SVVYGLR heptapeptide motif in the thrombin-liberated human OPN N-terminal domain (SLAYGLR in mouse OPN). Treatment of aortic VSMCs with SVVYGLR upregulated pro-MMP9 activity and restored TNF-α activation of pro-MMP9 in OPN −/− AMFs. Injection of OPN-deficient OPN +/− mice with SVVYGLR peptide upregulated pro-MMP9 activity, 8-IsoP levels, and Nox2 protein levels in aorta and increased panmural superoxide production (dihydroethidium staining). At equivalent hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, 8-IsoP levels and aortic pro-MMP9 were reduced with complete OPN deficiency in a model of diet-induced diabetes, achieved by comparing OPN −/− /LDLR −/− versus OPN +/− /LDLR −/− siblings. Thus, OPN provides a paracrine signal that augments vascular pro-MMP9 activity, mediated in part via superoxide generation and oxylipid formation.
The human endometrium as a fertility-determining factor
Authors: Thomas Strowitzki, A. Germeyer, R. Popovici, M. von Wolff
Journal: Human Reproduction Update (2006)

Intensive research work has been performed to better understand the regulation of the endometrium and its clinical implications to improve implantation. Although many proteins and molecules may influence endometrial development, their co-ordinated contribution to the implantation process is still poorly understood and a translation into clinical use has not sufficiently been performed. Clinical evaluation of the endometrium by ultrasound and other techniques, like endometrial biopsy and analysis of uterine secretions, has been intensively studied and therapeutic options to improve endometrial function have been suggested and tested. Systemic treatment with heparin, aspirin or corticosteroids did not result in improved implantation rates. Gene therapy and cervical treatment, e.g. with seminal plasma, are still in the phase of clinical research. Therefore, this review focuses on different aspects of endometrial research, which all contribute to the diagnosis, evaluation and therapy of endometrial function and dysfunction. First, the endometrial development towards a receptive milieu is described. Second, the actual clinical evaluation of endometrial receptivity, possible therapeutic strategies and in particular, the evaluation of endometrial function in the non-natural situation of hormonal stimulation is critically evaluated. In conclusion, the endometrium shall be considered as an important fertility-determining factor and therapeutic options should be developed in near future.
Continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration versus intermittent haemodialysis for acute renal failure in patients with multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome: a multicentre randomised trial
Authors: Christophe Vinsonneau, Christophe Camus, Alain Combes, Marie Alyette Costa de Beauregard, Kada Klouche, Thierry Boulain, Jean-Louis Pallot, Jean-Daniel Chiche, Pierre Taupin, Paul Landais, Jean-François Dhainaut
Journal: The Lancet (2006)
Distinct Genomic Alterations in Prostate Cancers in Chinese and Western Populations Suggest Alternative Pathways of Prostate Carcinogenesis
Authors: Xueying Mao, Yongwei Yu, Lara K. Boyd, Guoping Ren, Dongmei Lin, Tracy Chaplin, Sakunthala C. Kudahetti, Elzbieta Stankiewicz, Liyan Xue, Luis Beltran, Manu Gupta, R. Tim D. Oliver, Nick R. Lemoine, Daniel M. Berney, Bryan D. Young, Yong-Jie Lu
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Prostate cancer is significantly more common in Western men than in Asian men, but the basis for this difference remains unknown. Because genomic studies of Asian prostate cancer are very limited, we used a genome-wide approach to reveal the genomic alterations in Chinese prostate cancers. We found a significant reduction in the frequency of certain somatic genomic changes that are commonly found in Western prostate cancers, including the 21q22.2-22.3 deletion, which involves the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene, and 10q deletion, which causes PTEN inactivation. Array results were confirmed by PCR-based molecular copy-number counting in selected samples. The different frequencies of these genomic changes were further evaluated by fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analyses of tissue microarray samples. These alterations might be key genetic changes underlying the regional/ethnic difference in clinical incidence and might be induced by specific environmental and/or genetic risk factors that Western men are exposed to. Our findings suggest that tumors arise in Western and Chinese populations by alternative pathogenetic mechanisms.
Tracing the History of an Enzyme Polymorphism: The Case of Alcohol Dehydrogenase-2 (Adh-2) of the Olive Fruit Fly Bactrocera oleae
Authors: George N Goulielmos, Nickolaos Cosmidis, Marianna E Theodorakopoulou, Michael Loukas, Eleftherios Zouros
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2003)

In the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae, previous studies have described a one-locus three-allele electrophoretic polymorphism of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase and provided evidence that the polymorphism is under the influence of selection. A recent study has shown that this species carries a two-locus duplication for alcohol dehydrogenase. Here, we show that the polymorphism maps at one of the duplicated loci, Adh2, and identify the nucleotide and, therefore, the inferred amino acid differences among the three allozymes. At the amino acid level, the polymorphism is of the simplest possible form: there is no intra-allozyme variation, and interallozyme differences are restricted to one amino acid for two pairs of alleles and to two amino acids for the third pair. Consideration of the amino acid residues at the sites that segregate in B. oleae in four congeneric species and the phylogenetic trees produced from the nucleotide sequences of the Adh2 gene of these species point to the same allozyme as the ancestral form of the polymorphism. Interestingly, this allozyme comprises less than 1% of the gene pool of present-day natural populations of B. oleae, where the other two allozymes appear to form a stable polymorphism. Previous studies have shown that the frequency of the rare allozyme rises rapidly in laboratory colonies maintained on artificial diet and declines again when the artificial diet is replaced with olive fruit, the natural substrate of B. oleae. The geographical distribution of several congeneric species suggests that B. oleae originated in the Indian subcontinent, where the olive tree is practically absent. The poor performance of the ancestral allele on the olive fruit suggests the possibility that the decline of this allele and the concomitant rise of the presently common alleles might be associated with the expansion of the insect's geographical distribution to areas where the olive tree has become its main and perhaps sole host. The estimated age of the polymorphism is compatible with this hypothesis, but firmer support could be difficult to obtain.
ABC of the upper gastrointestinal tract: Management of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: A Harris, J J Misiewicz
Journal: BMJ (2001)

This article discusses the current management of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with dyspepsia with or without endoscopic abnormalities. We take an evidence based approach when possible and consider recent guidelines from national and international bodies pertaining to primary and secondary care.



Microanatomy of gastric mucosa indicating the pH gradient



In patients who are not taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) duodenal ulcer will be due to H pylori infection in 95% of cases, and eradication treatment can be prescribed without testing for H pylori. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, such as a possible ulcer crater on a barium meal, endoscopic confirmation of duodenal ulcer and H pylori infection should be sought before prescribing treatment.



Management plan for uncomplicated duodenal ulcer in patients not taking NSAIDs



H pylori eradication treatment, if successful, will be effective in curing the ulcer diathesis regardless of whether a patient is seen at the initial presentation of the disease or at a recurrence. Patients taking long term (maintenance) treatment with H2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors should also be offered H pylori eradication treatment regardless of whether they are free of symptoms or still experiencing indigestion. In most cases eradication of H pylori cures the duodenal ulcer disease, and maintenance treatment can be stopped.

### After eradication treatment

Uncomplicated duodenal ulcers heal quickly and completely after eradication of H pylori . Further antisecretory treatment, repeat endoscopy, or formal assessment of eradication is not necessary, and one can await the clinical outcome.

Recurrent symptoms indicate either eradication failure or the presence of some other disease. Subsequent management will not be clear unless the outcome of eradication treatment is known, and this is best assessed by a 13C-urea breath test performed more than four weeks after the antimicrobial treatment. Recurrent symptoms after documented H pylori eradication …
Assessment of Quality of Life in MA.17: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Letrozole After 5 Years of Tamoxifen in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Timothy J. Whelan, Paul E. Goss, James N. Ingle, Joseph L. Pater, Dongsheng Tu, Kathleen Pritchard, Shifang Liu, Lois E. Shepherd, Michael Palmer, Nicholas J. Robert, Silvana Martino, Hyman B. Muss
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

To evaluate the impact of letrozole compared with placebo after adjuvant tamoxifen on quality of life (QOL) in the MA.17 trial.Patients completed the Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36) and the Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) at baseline, 6 months, and annually. Mean change scores from baseline were compared between groups for summary measures and domains. A response analysis compared the proportion of patients who demonstrated an important change in QOL.Of 5,187 randomly assigned women in the trial, 3,612 (69.9%) participated in the QOL substudy: 1,799 were allocated to placebo and 1,813 were allocated to letrozole. No differences were seen between groups in mean change scores from baseline for the SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Small (< 0.2 standard deviations) but statistically significant differences in mean change scores from baseline were seen for the SF-36 domains of physical functioning (12 months), bodily pain (6 months) and vitality (6 and 12 months), and the MENQOL vasomotor (6, 12, and 24 months) and sexual domains (12 and 24 months). On the response analysis, a significant difference was seen between groups for the bodily pain domain (percentage of patients reporting a worsening of QOL, 47% placebo v 51% letrozole; P = .009) and the vasomotor domain (22% placebo v 29% letrozole; P = .001).Letrozole did not have an adverse impact on overall QOL. Small effects were seen in some domains consistent with a minority of patients experiencing changes in QOL compatible with a reduction in estrogen synthesis.
Spotted fever rickettsiae, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma, in ticks from peridomestic environments in Panama
Authors: M.E. Eremeeva, S.E. Karpathy, M.L. Levin, C.M. Caballero, S. Bermudez, G.A. Dasch, J.A. Motta
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2009)
Real-time PCR analysis of mechanical strain and BMPs in human periosteal cells: an in vitro model of entheseal stress
Authors: S. Carter, J. Eyckmans, R. J. Lories
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2011)

<h3>Background and objectives</h3> Enthesitis with new cartilage and bone formation, which leads to joint ankylosis, is a hallmark of spondyloarthritis (SpA). Ankylosis is thought to occur initially in entheseal sites, however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate this process. Previously, the authors proposed the 'entheseal stress' hypothesis, defining entheseal microdamage as a starting point for AS. Mechanical strain has been shown to be osteogenic in other cell types and given that BMPs are increased in models of AS, the authors aimed to study changes in gene expression resulting from the application of acute and chronic mechanical strain to primary human periosteal cells (hPDCs) in the presence and absence of BMP2. <h3>Methods</h3> Mechanical strain was applied using a custom made bioreactor. Cells were seeded in a Uniflex six-well plate, grown for 48 h and serum-starved prior to mechanical stimulation. Cells were subjected to cyclic, uniaxial stretch (1 Hz, 20 kPa, 3.5% strain) while sham controls were placed in a control bioreactor without mechanical stimuli. Both sham and stretch samples were also treated with BMP2 for 5 h prior to stretch. Acute stretch experiments involved a single bout of 1800 cycles, while chronic experiments involved application of 1800 cycles once per day for 3 days. RNA samples were collected at 1 and 18 h poststretch for acute and chronic regimes respectively. Gene expression was measured using Taqman PCR assays. <h3>Results</h3> Acute stretch induced large increases in <i>c-fos</i>, a target validation gene for mechanical strain, but there was no significant stretch induction of <i>BMP2</i> or the BMP target gene, <i>Id1</i>. As expected, <i>Id1</i> was induced by BMP2, indicating that BMP2 treatments were effective, however, 6 h of BMP2 exposure was not sufficient to induce <i>CXCL6</i>. Despite increasing trends in both <i>Sox9</i> and <i>Runx2</i>, high experimental variation determined that these increases were not statistically significant. Chronic stretch induced small, but statistically significant increases in <i>c-fos</i>, yet <i>BMP2</i> and <i>Id1</i> required both stretch and BMP2 to be moderately increased (p&lt;0.05, analysis of variance). Stretch alone produced a significant increase in <i>Sox9</i> expression and BMP2 treatment alone increased <i>CXCL6</i>. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Data suggests that the application of a chronic stretch regime results in a gene expression profile that is likely to induce chondro- and osteogenic changes in hPDCs. The amplification of gene expression in the presence of BMP2 and stretch indicates that BMPs play a role not only in the progression of ankylosis, but also in biomechanical aspects of SpA.
Immunodeficient Mouse Strains Display Marked Variability in Growth of Human Melanoma Lung Metastases
Authors: Beatriz M. Carreno, Joel R. Garbow, Grant R. Kolar, Erin N. Jackson, John A. Engelbach, Michelle Becker-Hapak, Leonidas N. Carayannopoulos, David Piwnica-Worms, Gerald P. Linette
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2009)

Immunodeficient mice serve as critical hosts for transplantation of xenogeneic cells for in vivo analysis of various biological processes. Because investigators typically select one or two immunodeficient mouse strains as recipients, no comprehensive study has been published documenting differences in human tumor engraftment. Taking advantage of the increased metastatic potential of RhoC-expressing human (A375) melanoma cells, we evaluate four immunodeficient mouse strains: severe combined immunodeficiency (scid), nonobese diabetic (NOD)-scid, NOD-scid beta2m(null), and NOD-scid IL2Rgamma(null) as xenograft tumor recipients.Bioluminescence, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology were used to monitor serial tumor growth. Natural killer (NK) cell function was examined in each mouse strain using standard (51)Chromium release assays.Melanoma metastases growth is delayed and variable in scid and NOD-scid mice. In contrast, NOD-scid beta2m(null) and NOD-scid IL2Rgamma(null) mice show rapid tumor engraftment, although tumor growth is variable in NOD-scid beta2m(null) mice. NK cells were detected in all strains except NOD-scid IL2Rgamma(null), and in vitro activated scid, NOD-scid, and NOD-scid beta2m(null) NK cells kill human melanoma lines and primary melanoma cells. Expression of human NKG2D ligands MHC class I chain-related A and B molecules renders melanoma susceptible to murine NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and killing is inhibited by antibody blockade of murine NKG2D.Murine NKG2D recognition of MICA/B is an important receptor-ligand interaction used by NK cells in immunodeficient strains to limit engraftment of human tumors. The absolute NK deficiency in NOD-scid IL2Rgamma(null) animals makes this strain an excellent recipient of melanoma and potentially other human malignancies.
Intensity of training and physiologic and clinical changes after pulmonary rehabilitation programme in patients chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Barbara Vagaggini, Francesco Costa, Laura Malagrinò, Laura Pazzaglia, Sandra Antonelli, Giovanna Decusatis, Claudia De Simone, Sabrina Santerini, Pierluigi Paggiaro
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme (PRP) in relation to the intensity of exercise training achieved during PRP in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). We performed a retrospective analysis on 92 COPD patients (FEV1% 54) who participated in a PRP between 2007 and 2009. All subjects did an outpatient training exercise programme lasted 2 months. The training sessions were 20 and each session consisted in 30 min of cyclergometer exercise associated with 30 min of upper limb exercise. Before and after the PRP the following measurements were done: the exercise tolerance by 6MWT and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), upper and lower limb endurance (ULE;LLE), MRC, MIP and MEP, quality of life by SGRQ. Patients were divided into two groups based on the achievement (Group 1) or not (Group 2) of high intensity training, meaning the intensity of 75% of Wmax reached in CPET pre PRP, sustained for as long as 25 - 30 minutes for 8 final sessions of the PRP.  After PRP,changes from baseline were signiicant for all measurements in Group 1, but not in Group 2. Therefore, reaching and maintaining high intensity of exercise training is associated with better results obtained by PRP in COPD patients.