tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Vitiligo Potential Repigmentation Index: a simple clinical score that might predict the ability of vitiligo lesions to repigment under therapy
Authors: L. Benzekri, K. Ezzedine, Y. Gauthier
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2013)

Journal Article Vitiligo Potential Repigmentation Index: a simple clinical score that might predict the ability of vitiligo lesions to repigment under therapy Get access L. Benzekri, L. Benzekri UFR of Dermatology, Mohammed V Souissi University, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Dermatology, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco E‐mail: benzekrilaila@yahoo.fr Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar K. Ezzedine, K. Ezzedine Department of Dermatology and Pediatric Dermatology, National Centre for Rare Skin Disorders, Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux, FranceUniversity of Bordeaux and Inserm U1035, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceDepartment of Pathology, Hôpital Haut‐Lévêque, Pessac, France Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Y. Gauthier Y. Gauthier Department of Dermatology and Pediatric Dermatology, National Centre for Rare Skin Disorders, Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux, FranceUniversity of Bordeaux and Inserm U1035, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceDepartment of Pathology, Hôpital Haut‐Lévêque, Pessac, France Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 168, Issue 5, 1 May 2013, Pages 1143–1146, https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12147 Published: 01 May 2013
Low-Threshold Mechanoreceptor Subtypes Selectively Express MafA and Are Specified by Ret Signaling
Authors: Steeve Bourane, Alain Garces, Stephanie Venteo, Alexandre Pattyn, Thomas Hubert, Agnes Fichard, Sylvie Puech, Hassan Boukhaddaoui, Christel Baudet, Satoru Takahashi, Jean Valmier, Patrick Carroll
Journal: Neuron (2009)
Targeting of phospholamban by peroxynitrite decreases β-adrenergic stimulation in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Mark J. Kohr, Honglan Wang, Debra G. Wheeler, Murugesan Velayutham, Jay L. Zweier, Mark T. Ziolo
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2007)

Peroxynitrite production increases during the pathogenesis of numerous cardiac disorders (e.g. heart failure). However, limited studies have investigated the mechanism through which peroxynitrite exerts anti-adrenergic effects. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of phospholamban (PLB), a critical excitation–contraction coupling protein, to the peroxynitrite-induced dysfunction. Isolated myocytes from wild-type (WT, CF-1) and PLB knockout (PLB−/−) mice were stimulated at 1 Hz, and myocyte shortening and Ca2+ transients were simultaneously recorded. PLB phosphorylation was measured via western blot. Myocytes were superfused with isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic agonist, and SIN-1, a peroxynitrite donor. SIN-1 superfusion dramatically decreased isoproterenol-stimulated Ca2+ transients and myocyte shortening in WT myocytes. These effects were inhibited upon addition of the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, FeTPPS. Surprisingly, SIN-1 had no functional effect on β-adrenergic-stimulated PLB−/− myocytes. Western blot analyses revealed that SIN-1 significantly decreased isoproterenol-stimulated PLBSer16 phosphorylation. Experiments with the protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, alleviated the SIN-1-induced functional effects and the decrease in PLB phosphorylation. The peroxynitrite donor SIN-1 decreases β-adrenergic stimulation by reducing PLBSer16 phosphorylation via protein phosphatase activation. This peroxynitrite-induced decrease in PLB phosphorylation may be a key mechanism in the β-adrenergic dysfunction observed in many cardiomyopathies.
Vascular wall–produced prostaglandin E2 exacerbates arterial thrombosis and atherothrombosis through platelet EP3 receptors
Authors: Sabrina Gross, Peggy Tilly, Didier Hentsch, Jean-Luc Vonesch, Jean-Etienne Fabre
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2007)

Prostanoids, bioactive lipids derived from arachidonic acid (AA), are important for vascular homeostasis. Among them, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) enhances aggregation of platelets submaximally stimulated in vitro. This results from activation of EP3, one of the four PGE2 receptors, which decreases the threshold at which agonists activate platelets to aggregate. Although PGE2 altered venous thrombosis induced by administration of AA, its role in pathophysiopathological conditions has remained speculative. We report that arterial walls subjected to inflammatory stimuli produce PGE2. In several models, we show that PGE2 produced by the arterial wall facilitates arterial thrombosis. Next, we detected PGE2 in mouse atherosclerotic plaques. We demonstrate that this plaque-produced PGE2 is not altered and is still able to activate EP3. In addition, we present evidence that PGE2 can leave the plaque and activate EP3 on blood platelets. Consistent with these findings, we observed that atherothrombosis induced in vivo by mechanical rupture of the plaque was drastically decreased when platelets lacked EP3. In conclusion, PGE2 facilitates the initiation of arterial thrombosis and, hence, contributes to atherothrombosis. Inhibition of the platelet EP3 receptor should improve prevention of atherothrombosis.
Thrombolysis versus surgery for the treatment of thrombosed dialysis access grafts.
Authors: G A Beathard
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1995)

Thrombolysis offers several advantages over surgery in the treatment of thrombosed dialysis access grafts. This study was undertaken to compare the results obtained when thrombolysis was used as the preferred treatment (Thrombolysis Period) for this problem in comparison with the results that had been obtained when surgical therapy had been the preferred treatment (Surgery Period). Each period of study lasted 12 months and the two periods ran consecutively. All data were collected prospectively. No significant problems were encountered when thrombolysis was substituted for surgical therapy as the preferred treatment of thrombosed dialysis access grafts. During the Surgical Period there were 580 thrombotic episodes, a rate of 0.86 per patient. During the Thrombolysis Period there were 568 episodes, a rate of 0.76. These differences were not statistically significant. During the Thrombolysis Period, thrombolysis was found to be as effective as surgery had been during the Surgical Period in the initial treatment of thrombosed grafts. The rate of surgical revision was decreased by two-thirds during the Thrombolysis Period, but the rate of graft replacement was not altered. Long-term patency after therapy by thrombolysis during the Thrombolysis Period was superior to that for surgical thrombectomy performed during the Surgical Period, and was equal to that for revision and graft replacement. The complication rate for thrombolysis was low and complications were managed easily without sequelae. It is concluded that thrombolysis is safe and, when used as the preferred treatment for thrombosed dialysis access grafts, is as effective as surgical therapy. Since it preserves potential vascular access sites and yields long-term patency rates superior to those for surgical thrombectomy, it should be regarded as the treatment of choice for this problem.
Clinical Experience With U-500 Regular Insulin in Obese, Markedly Insulin-Resistant Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Piya Ballani, Michael T. Tran, Maria D. Navar, Mayer B. Davidson
Journal: Diabetes Care (2006)

On a clinical basis, severe insulin resistance is defined as a situation in which a patient requires >200 units of insulin daily for >2 days (1). This definition was determined >50 years ago, when it was erroneously believed that the human pancreas secreted ∼200 units of insulin a day. Although it is now known that the normal pancreas secretes only 20–40 units of insulin a day, this clinical definition is helpful because it delineates a very small group of patients, many with a number of unusual underlying problems.

In adults, the conditions associated with clinical insulin resistance are gross obesity, severe infection, Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly, hemochromatosis, lipodystrophic diabetes, genetic insulin receptor abnormalities, insulin receptor antibodies, Werner’s syndrome (adult form of progeria), insulin degradation at the injection site, and high titers of IgG insulin binding antibodies (immune mediated). Gross obesity is by far the most common condition. Although a recent review (2) discussed the use of U-500 regular insulin in states of severe insulin resistance, no detailed description of how to start and adjust doses of this concentrated form of insulin was given. This article provides a treatment algorithm for the use of U-500 regular insulin and summarizes our experience with obese, markedly insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic patients. …
Green tea catechins inhibit neointimal hyperplasia in a rat carotid arterial injury model by TIMP-2 overexpression
Authors: X CHENG
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2004)

Objective: Although it has been demonstrated that the antioxidant properties of tea catechins reduce athrosclerotic lesions in various animal models of hyperlipidemia, it is not yet clear whether these catechins prevent hyperlipidemia-independent arterial remodeling induced by balloon angioplasty. We evaluated the influence of the administration of the tea extract on vascular remodeling in a rat carotid artery balloon-injury model. Methods and results: Male Wistar rats were supplied drinking water with or without green tea extract (1 mg/ml) supplement. Administration of the tea extract reduced the area of the intima (30%) and the ratio of the intimal area to the medial area (36.2%) in injured arteries compared with those of control rats at 14 days after the injury. Real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and gelatin zymography revealed a significant increase in tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 (TIMP-2) expression as well as a significant reduction of gelatinolytic net activity and activated MMP-2 levels in the injured arteries as a result of the administration of the tea extract compared with those of control group. Similarly, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a major constituent of green tea catechins, significantly upregulated TIMP-2 expression in cultured smooth muscle cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the increase of TIMP-2 protein occurred preferentially in the developing neointima. Conclusion: These results indicate that catechins inhibit intimal hyperplasia in a rat balloon-injury model through the upregulation of TIMP-2 expression to modulate MMP activity.
Cardiac-Specific IGF-1 Expression Attenuates Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Tropomodulin-Overexpressing Transgenic Mice
Authors: Sara Welch, David Plank, Sandra Witt, Betty Glascock, Erik Schaefer, Stefano Chimenti, Anna Maria Andreoli, Federica Limana, Annarosa Leri, Jan Kajstura, Piero Anversa, Mark A. Sussman
Journal: Circulation Research (2002)

To test the hypothesis that early interventional treatment with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) alleviates subsequent development of dilated cardiomyopathy, cardiac-specific IGF-1 expression was introduced by selective cross-breeding into a transgenic mouse model of heart failure that displays phenotypic characteristics of severe dilation. Hemodynamic, structural, and cellular parameters of the heart were compared between nontransgenic, tropomodulin-overexpressing cardiomyopathic, and the hybrid tropomodulin/IGF-1-overexpressing mice. Beneficial effects of IGF-1 were apparent by multiple indices of cardiac structure and function, including normalization of heart mass, anatomy, hemodynamics, and apoptosis. IGF-1 expression also acted as a proliferative stimulus as evidenced by calculated increases in myocyte number as well as expression of Ki67, a nuclear marker of cellular replication. Cellular analyses revealed that IGF-1 inhibited characteristic cardiomyocyte elongation in dilated hearts and restored calcium dynamics comparable to that observed in normal cells. Collectively, these results provide novel information regarding the ability of IGF-1 to inhibit progression of cardiomyopathic disease in a defined model system and suggest that heart failure may benefit from early interventional IGF-1 treatment.
Glycosylation is not essential for vasopressin-dependent routing of aquaporin-2 in transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.
Authors: R Baumgarten, M H Van De Pol, J F Wetzels, C H Van Os, P M Deen
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1998)

Glycosylation has been shown to be important for proper routing and membrane insertion of a number of proteins. In the collecting duct, aquaporin-2 (AQP2) is inserted into the apical membrane after stimulation of vasopressin type-2 receptors and retrieved into an endosomal compartment after withdrawal of vasopressin. The extent of glycosylation of AQP2 in human kidney and urine and the effects of deglycoylation on routing of AQP2 in an AQP2-transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line (clone WT10) were investigated. Semiquantitative immunoblotting of human kidney membranes and urine showed an AQP2 glycosylation of 35 to 45% for medulla, papilla, and urine, with low variation among individuals. The 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin-induced transcellular osmotic water permeability (Pf) of WT10 cells by a factor of 2.6 +/- 0.2 was reduced to 1.5 +/- 0.1 after pretreatment with the glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin. However, when WT10 cells were incubated with 8-br-cAMP, the Pf increased by a factor 2.8 +/- 0.2 and by 2.9 +/- 0.2 after prior incubation with tunicamycin. Immunoblot analyses revealed that in WT10 cells, 34% of AQP2 is glycosylated, which was reduced to 2% after tunicamycin treatment. Surface biotinylation and subsequent semiquantitative immunoblotting revealed that stimulation by cAMP increased the level of AQP2 in the apical membrane of WT10 cells 1.5-fold. independent of the presence of tunicamycin. However, in tunicamycin-treated WT10 cells, all AQP2 in the apical membrane was unglycosylated, whereas in untreated cells 30% of AQP2 in the apical membrane was glycosylated. These results prove that glycosylation has no function in the routing of AQP2 in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.
Increased serum pancreatitis associated protein (PAP) concentration after longterm alcohol consumption: further evidence for regular subclinical pancreatic damage after heavy drinking?
Authors: I Nordback, M Jaakkola, J L Iovanna, J C Dagorn
Journal: Gut (1995)

It has been shown recently that longterm but not short term heavy drinking of alcohol frequently results in increased serum activities of pancreatic enzymes suggesting subclinical pancreatic injury. Serum pancreatitis associated protein (PAP) is a novel protein, whose synthesis in the acinar cells and release into serum is specifically induced by acute pancreatic damage. This study was performed to further characterise the alcohol induced subclinical pancreatic injury by using serum PAP measurements. Three groups were studied: (1) control group (n = 25), (2) short term drinking group (n = 20), who consumed 2.0 g of ethanol per kg body weight during four hours, and (3) longterm drinking group (n = 32), who were admitted to withdrawal clinic after a median 30 months heavy drinking period. Serum PAP concentration was low in the control group (8 (5 to 12) micrograms/l, geometric mean (95% confidence intervals)). In the short term drinking group serum PAP was in the range of the control group values during 56 hours after drinking. Longterm drinking induced at least a 10-fold increase in serum PAP, the highest concentrations being seen on day 2 after drinking had ended (106 (61 to 184) micrograms/l). The patients did not develop abdominal symptoms, increased blood white cell count, or increased serum C reactive protein concentration. These results further support the suggestion that heavy longterm drinking often induces subclinical pancreatic damage, but not clinical pancreatitis.
Variability of sputum inflammatory cells in asthmatic patients receiving corticosteroid therapy: A prospective study using multiple samples
Authors: Mohammed T. Al-Samri, Andrea Benedetti, David Préfontaine, Ron Olivenstein, Catherine Lemière, Parameswaran Nair, James G. Martin, Qutayba Hamid
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2010)
Physical training has several benefits for people with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Narelle S Cox, Mark R Elkins
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2011)

Bradley JM, Moran F. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011;5. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002768.pub2.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetically inherited disease characterised by impaired mucus clearance leading to chronic infective and inflammatory lung disease, nutritional malabsorption due to pancreatic insufficiency, and excessively salty sweat.1 The median predicted survival age is now over 37 years.2

Regular exercise may combat the respiratory manifestations of the disease by improving mucus clearance by increasing ventilation and peak expiratory flow, and perhaps by altering some physical properties of the mucus so that expectoration is easier.3 However, regulation of salt, fluid and heat may be disrupted by exercise.

Bradley and Moran aimed to identify and pool the best available evidence on the effects of physical training versus no physical training on exercise capacity, strength and respiratory function in people with CF.

Three key biomedical databases and relevant conference proceedings were searched. To be eligible for inclusion in the review, studies were required to have used a randomised or quasi-randomised design to compare a prescribed regimen of physical training with no training. However, studies were excluded if the physical training consisted of respiratory muscle training only or if the participants did not have …
Autonomic Tone Variations Before the Onset of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Marco Bettoni, Marc Zimmermann
Journal: Circulation (2002)

Mechanisms favoring the occurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) are complex and poorly defined. This study was designed to analyze dynamic changes in autonomic tone preceding the onset of PAF in a large group of patients.Holter tapes from 77 unselected consecutive patients (63 men and 14 women aged 58+/-12 years) with PAF were analyzed. A total of 147 episodes of sustained AF (>30 minutes) were recorded and submitted to time-domain and frequency-domain heart rate variability analyses; 6 periods were studied using repeated measures ANOVA: the 24-hour period, the hour preceding PAF, and the 20 minutes before PAF divided into four 5-minute periods. In the time-domain analyses, a linear decrease in mean RR interval from 925+/-16 to 906+/-16 ms (P<0.0002) was observed before the onset of PAF, together with a significant increase in the standard deviation of NN intervals from 65+/-4 to 70+/-4 ms (P<0.02). In the frequency-domain analyses, a significant increase in high-frequency (HF, HF-NU) components was observed before PAF (P<0.001 and P<0.0001, respectively), together with a progressive decrease in low-frequency components (LF, LF-NU) (P<0.0001 and P<0.004, respectively). The low/high frequency ratio showed a linear increase until 10 minutes before PAF, followed by a sharp decrease immediately before PAF, suggesting a primary increase in adrenergic tone followed by a marked modulation toward vagal predominance. No difference was observed in these heart rate variability changes between patients with "lone" PAF and patients with structural heart disease.The occurrence of PAF greatly depends on variations of the autonomic tone, with a primary increase in adrenergic tone followed by an abrupt shift toward vagal predominance.
Olanzapine Versus Divalproex in the Treatment of Acute Mania
Authors: Mauricio Tohen, Robert W. Baker, Lori L. Altshuler, Carlos A. Zarate, Trisha Suppes, Terrence A. Ketter, Denai R. Milton, Richard Risser, Julie A. Gilmore, Alan Breier, Gary A. Tollefson
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2002)

OBJECTIVE: The effects of olanzapine and divalproex for the treatment of mania were compared in a large randomized clinical trial. METHOD: A 3-week, randomized, double-blind trial compared flexibly dosed olanzapine (5–20 mg/day) to divalproex (500–2500 mg/day in divided doses) for the treatment of patients hospitalized for acute bipolar manic or mixed episodes. The Young Mania Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used to quantify manic and depressive symptoms, respectively. Safety was assessed with several measures. RESULTS: The protocol defined baseline-to-endpoint improvement in the mean total score on the Young Mania Rating Scale as the primary outcome variable. The mean Young Mania Rating Scale score decreased by 13.4 for patients treated with olanzapine (N=125) and 10.4 for those treated with divalproex (N=123). A priori categorizations defined response and remission rates: 54.4% of olanzapine-treated patients responded (≥50% reduction in Young Mania Rating Scale score), compared to 42.3% of divalproex-treated patients; 47.2% of olanzapine-treated patients had remission of mania symptoms (endpoint Young Mania Rating Scale ≤12), compared to 34.1% of divalproex-treated patients. The decrease in Hamilton depression scale score was similar in the two treatment groups. Completion rates for the 3-week study were similar in both groups. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (incidence >10%) occurring more frequently during treatment with olanzapine were dry mouth, increased appetite, and somnolence. For divalproex, nausea was more frequently observed. The average weight gain with olanzapine treatment was 2.5 kg, compared to 0.9 kg with divalproex treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The olanzapine treatment group had significantly greater mean improvement of mania ratings and a significantly greater proportion of patients achieving protocol-defined remission, compared with the divalproex treatment group. Significantly more weight gain and cases of dry mouth, increased appetite, and somnolence were reported with olanzapine, while more cases of nausea were reported with divalproex.
B-Cell Clones as Early Markers for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Ola Landgren, Maher Albitar, Wanlong Ma, Fatima Abbasi, Richard B. Hayes, Paolo Ghia, Gerald E. Marti, Neil E. Caporaso
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2009)

Otherwise healthy persons with a small number of B-cell clones circulating in the peripheral blood have been designated as having monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL). Hospital-based series indicate an excess risk of progression from MBL to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In this prospective cohort study, we tested the hypothesis that CLL is always preceded by MBL.
Simple control measures could substantially reduce predicted spread of XDR TB
Authors: Shazia Khan
Journal: Thorax (2008)

Extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) is TB with resistance to isoniazid, rifampicin, any fluoroquinolone, and at least one of the three injectable sideline drugs. Cases have been reported in 37 countries worldwide since March 2006, with South Africa having the largest cluster of patients. Nosocomial transmission of XDR has been suggested as the driver of this epidemic, …