tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Lung cancer risk of solid fuel smoke: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Om Kurmi, Pallavi Arya, Hubert Lam, Jon Ayres
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  About 70% of people from economically less developed countries are exposed regularly to solid fuel smoke. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified smoke from in-home burning of coal as a Group 1 carcinogen and that from biomass as Group 2A. The aim of this systematic review was to quantify the impact of solid fuel on lung cancer and explore reasons for heterogeneity in the reported effect sizes.   Methods:  A systematic review was carried out of primary studies reporting the relationship between solid fuel use and lung cancer. The review was based on pre-defined criteria and studies that dealt with confounding factors were used in the meta-analysis. Sub-group analyses considered fuel types, smoking, country, cancer cell type and gender. Publication bias and heterogeneity were also estimated.   Results:  The pooled effect size for coal smoke as a lung carcinogen (OR=1.82, 95% CI 1.60 to 2.06) was greater than that from biomass smoke (OR=1.50, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.94). The risk of lung cancer for combined fuel was greater in women (OR=1.81, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.12) compared to men (OR=1.16, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.69). The pooled effect size were 2.33 (95% CI=1.72, 3.17) for adeno-carcinoma, 3.58 (1.58, 8.12) for squamous cell carcinoma, and 1.57 (1.38, 1.80) for tumours of unspecified cell type.   Conclusion:  These findings suggest that burning of both coal and biomass is consistently associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. The review defined inadequate assessment of smoking in many studies (excluded from this review) and makes recommendations for factors which must be included in future studies in this area.
Role of the terminal complement pathway in experimental membranous nephropathy in the rabbit.
Authors: G C Groggel, S Adler, H G Rennke, W G Couser, D J Salant
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1983)

Our recent observations of a complement-mediated, cell-independent mechanism of altered glomerular permeability in rat membranous nephropathy suggested a possible role for the terminal complement pathway in the mediation of proteinuria in certain forms of glomerular disease. To directly determine whether the membranolytic terminal complement components (C5b-C9) are involved in glomerular injury, we studied the development of proteinuria in normal and C6-deficient (C6D) rabbits, in both of which a membranous nephropathy-like lesion develops early in the course of immunization with cationized bovine serum albumin (cBSA) (pI 8.9-9.2). C6 hemolytic activity of C6D was 0.01% that of control rabbits. After 1 wk of daily intravenous injections of cBSA, proteinuria developed in 71% of controls (median 154, range 1-3,010 mg/24 h, n = 24), whereas none of C6D were proteinuric (median 6, range 2-12 mg/24 h, n = 12, P less than 0.01). After 1 wk of cBSA, both groups had qualitatively identical glomerular deposits of BSA, rabbit IgG, and C3 on immunofluorescence microscopy, predominantly subepithelial electron-dense deposits on electron microscopy, and minimal glomerular inflammatory cell infiltration of glomeruli. Glomeruli were isolated from individual animals after 1 wk of cBSA and deposits of rabbit IgG antibody were quantitated by a standardized in vitro assay using anti-rabbit IgG-125I. Rabbit IgG deposits were found to be similar in control (29.8 +/- 13.2, range 12.7-48.6 micrograms anti-IgG/2,000 glomeruli, n = 6) and C6D rabbits (32.6 +/- 13.8, range 16.8-48.8 micrograms anti-IgG/2,000 glomeruli, n = 5, P greater than 0.05). After 2 wk, coincident with a prominent influx of mononuclear cells and neutrophils, proteinuria developed in C6D rabbits. These results document, for the first time, a requirement for a terminal complement component in the development of immunologic glomerular injury. Since the only known action of C6 is in the assembly of the membrane attack complex, these observations suggest that the membranolytic properties of complement may contribute to glomerular damage.
Secular trends in aerobic fitness performance in 13–18-year-old adolescents from 1976 to 2001
Authors: P R T Huotari, H Nupponen, L Laakso, U M Kujala
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2009)

Objective To analyse the secular trends in aerobic fitness performance and some of its determinants (body mass index (BMI) and leisure time physical activity (LTPA)) in adolescents. Design Cross-sectional population-based studies in 1976 and 2001 in Finland. A stratified random sample of Finnish 13–18-year-old adolescents was studied in 1976 (n = 717; 384 boys and 333 girls) and in 2001 (n = 558; 305 boys and 253 girls). The main outcome measure was aerobic fitness, estimated with a 2000 m (for boys) and 1500 m (for girls) running test; the weight and height of participants were also measured. Self-reported weekly frequency of LTPA of at least 30 min duration and regularity of participation in organised sport were obtained by questionnaire. Identical methods were used in 1976 and 2001. Results Running time was longer in 2001 compared to 1976 in boys (56 s, Cohen d = 0.46, medium effect size; p&lt;0.001) and girls (29 s, d = 0.32, small; p&lt;0.01). BMI and participation in LTPA explained more of the variance in aerobic fitness in 2001 than in 1976 in boys and girls. Conclusions Aerobic fitness of school-aged children deteriorated between the measurement points. BMI and organised LTPA were better associated with aerobic fitness in 2001 than in 1976. An increase in overweight and obesity was associated with the decrease in aerobic fitness. Although the importance of organised LTPA to fitness increased, it is possible that the decrease in overall physical activity between 1976 and 2001 contributed most to the decrease in the level of aerobic fitness.
Differences in sole arch indices in various sports
Authors: S T Aydog, O Tetik, H A Demirel, M N Doral
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2005)

There are controversial data about the relation between foot morphology and athletic injuries of the lower extremity. Studies in soldiers have shown some relationship, whereas those involving athletes have not shown any significant relationship. The reason for these differences is not clear.To determine the effect of various sports on sole arch indices (AIs).A total of 116 elite male athletes (24 soccer players, 23 wrestlers, 19 weightlifters, 30 handball players, and 20 gymnasts) and 30 non-athletic men were included in this cross sectional study. Images of both soles were taken in a podoscope and transferred to a computer using a digital still camera. AIs were calculated from the stored images.The AI of the right sole of the gymnasts was significantly lower than that of the soccer players, wrestlers, and non-athletic controls (p<0.01). The AI of the right sole of the wrestlers was significantly higher than that of the soccer players, handball players, weightlifters, gymnasts, and non-athletic controls (p<0.03). The AI of the left sole of the gymnasts was significantly lower than that of the wrestlers and non-athletic controls (p<0.001). The AI of the left sole of the wrestlers was significantly higher than that of the soccer players, handball players, and gymnasts (p<0.007). The AI of both soles in handball players was significantly lower than those of the non-athletic subjects (p = 0.049). The correlation between the AI of the left and right foot was poor in the soccer players, handball players, and wrestlers (r = 0.31, 0.69, and 0.56 respectively), but was high in the gymnasts, weightlifters, and non-athletic controls (r = 0.96, 0.88, and 0.80 respectively).The AIs of the gymnasts and wrestlers were significantly different from those of other sportsmen studied, and those of the gymnasts and handball players were significantly different from those of non-athletic controls.
Cognitive Functioning in Late-Life Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Ariel G Gildengers, Meryl A Butters, Karen Seligman, Mary McShea, Mark D Miller, Benoit H Mulsant, David J Kupfer, Charles F Reynolds
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2004)

OBJECTIVE: This study characterized cognitive functioning in elderly patients with bipolar disorder. METHOD: The cognitive functioning of 18 euthymic patients with a history of bipolar disorder I or II, ages 60 years and older, was tested with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, and the Executive Interview. Cognitive functioning in these subjects was compared with that of an age- and education-matched group of 45 comparison subjects without mood disorders. RESULTS: Approximately half of the bipolar subjects scored one or more standard deviations below the mean of the comparison subjects on the MMSE (N=8, 44%) and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale total (N=10, 56%). On the Executive Interview, three subjects (17%) scored between one and two standard deviations below the mean of the comparison subjects. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of older bipolar subjects exhibited neuropsychological deficits when they were clinically euthymic.
Eptifibatide and low-dose tissue plasminogen activator in acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Sorin J Brener, Nadine Juran, Stephen G Ellis, Thomas B Ivanc, Eric J Topol, Uwe Zeymer, A.A.Jennifer Adgey, Thomas R Vrobel, Karl-Ludwig Neuhaus, E.Magnus Ohman, John Strony, Michael Kitt
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2002)
Suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats after elimination of macrophages.
Authors: I Huitinga, N van Rooijen, C J de Groot, B M Uitdehaag, C D Dijkstra
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1990)

Almost 50% of the cells infiltrating the central nervous system (CNS) of animals with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) are macrophages (M psi). To investigate the role of the M psi in the pathogenesis of EAE, we eliminated M psi by means of mannosylated liposomes containing dichloromethylene diphosphonate (Cl2MDP). Cl2MDP-containing liposomes injected intravenously eliminate M psi in spleen and liver. Incorporation of mannose into the lipid layers enables the liposomes to pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Injections of Cl2MDP-containing mannose liposomes intravenously shortly before the appearance of clinical signs, markedly suppressed the expression of clinical signs of EAE. This suppression was accompanied by a marked reduction of infiltrated M psi in the CNS. Cl2MDP-containing liposomes without mannose incorporated had no effect. Cl2MDP-containing mannosylated liposomes had no effect on plasma corticosterone levels compared with injections of saline; thus, the suppression of expression of EAE was not corticosterone mediated. These results show that the M psi within the CNS play an important role in the pathogenesis of EAE.
The eVALuate study: two parallel randomised trials, one comparing laparoscopic with abdominal hysterectomy, the other comparing laparoscopic with vaginal hysterectomy
Authors: Ray Garry, Jayne Fountain, Su Mason, Jeremy Hawe, Vicky Napp, Jason Abbott, Richard Clayton, Graham Phillips, Mark Whittaker, Richard Lilford, Stephen Bridgman, Julia Brown
Journal: BMJ (2004)

<b>Objective</b> To compare the effects of laparoscopic hysterectomy and abdominal hysterectomy in the abdominal trial, and laparoscopic hysterectomy and vaginal hysterectomy in the vaginal trial. <b>Design</b> Two parallel, multicentre, randomised trials. <b>Setting</b> 28 UK centres and two South African centres. <b>Participants</b> 1380 women were recruited; 1346 had surgery; 937 were followed up at one year. <b>Primary outcome</b> Rate of major complications. <b>Results</b> In the abdominal trial laparoscopic hysterectomy was associated with a higher rate of major complications than abdominal hysterectomy (11.1% <i>v</i> 6.2%, P = 0.02; difference 4.9%, 95% confidence interval 0.9% to 9.1%) and the number needed to treat to harm was 20. Laparoscopic hysterectomy also took longer to perform (84 minutes <i>v</i> 50 minutes) but was less painful (visual analogue scale 3.51 <i>v</i> 3.88, P = 0.01) and resulted in a shorter stay in hospital after the operation (3 days <i>v</i> 4 days). Six weeks after the operation, laparoscopic hysterectomy was associated with less pain and better quality of life than abdominal hysterectomy (SF-12, body image scale, and sexual activity questionnaires). In the vaginal trial we found no evidence of a difference in major complication rates between laparoscopic hysterectomy and vaginal hysterectomy (9.8% <i>v</i> 9.5%, P = 0.92; difference 0.3%, -5.2% to 5.8%), and the number needed to treat to harm was 333. We found no evidence of other differences between laparoscopic hysterectomy and vaginal hysterectomy except that laparoscopic hysterectomy took longer to perform (72 minutes <i>v</i> 39 minutes) and was associated with a higher rate of detecting unexpected pathology (16.4% <i>v</i> 4.8%, P = &lt; 0.01). However, this trial was underpowered. <b>Conclusions</b> Laparoscopic hysterectomy was associated with a significantly higher rate of major complications than abdominal hysterectomy. It also took longer to perform but was associated with less pain, quicker recovery, and better short term quality of life. The trial comparing vaginal hysterectomy with laparoscopic hysterectomy was underpowered and is inconclusive on the rate of major complications; however, vaginal hysterectomy took less time.
Natural history of bone metastasis in colorectal cancer: final results of a large Italian bone metastases study
Authors: D. Santini, M. Tampellini, B. Vincenzi, T. Ibrahim, C. Ortega, V. Virzi, N. Silvestris, R. Berardi, C. Masini, N. Calipari, D. Ottaviani, V. Catalano, G. Badalamenti, R. Giannicola, F. Fabbri, O. Venditti, M.E. Fratto, C. Mazzara, T.P. Latiano, F. Bertolini, F. Petrelli, A. Ottone, C. Caroti, L. Salvatore, A. Falcone, P. Giordani, R. Addeo, M. Aglietta, S. Cascinu, S. Barni, E. Maiello, G. Tonini
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2012)
A tumor escape variant that has lost one major histocompatibility complex class I restriction element induces specific CD8+ T cells to an antigen that no longer serves as a target.
Authors: S Seung, J L Urban, H Schreiber
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1993)

After loss of expression of a major histocompatibility complex class I Kk allele, the escape variant of an immunogenic tumor grows progressively in normal mice. This progressor variant is resistant to killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) directed against the A and B antigens presented by Kk. Although the variant retains the expression of the Dk allele and is sensitive to CTLs directed against the C antigen presented by Dk, the variant failed to induce CTLs to this antigen in vivo. Instead, the variant induced CD8+ T cells directed to the A antigen. This was shown at the molecular level by T cell receptor beta chain sequence analysis of the responding cells. Further evidence for the presence of A antigen in the variant came from the finding that spleen cells of mice injected intraperitoneally with the variant tumor cells were primed for an anti-A CD8+ CTL response in vivo. Thus, in contrast to other variants that lost a target antigen and induced a CTL response to remaining target antigens, the Kk loss variant continued to induce an immune response to a tumor antigen that is no longer presented on the tumor cell surface. Even though the variant escapes in a single step because an effective CTL response to secondary antigens is prevented, these secondary antigens remain as potential targets of immunotherapy on the variant's cell surface.
Twenty eight joint count disease activity score in recent onset rheumatoid arthritis using C reactive protein instead of erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Authors: T Skogh
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2003)

AIMS--Immunostaining of chromogranin identifies gastrointestinal mucosal endocrine cells. The detailed distribution and significance of chromogranin positive cells in colorectal carcinomas and in transitional mucosa remain unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify these aspects. METHODS--The distribution of chromogranin positive cells was studied by immunohistochemical methods in normal epithelium remote from carcinoma, in transitional mucosa, and in carcinomas of the colorectum. In selected cases northern or western blot analyses were performed. RESULTS--Chromogranin positive cells were seen in the lower third of the normal crypts and less frequently in transitional mucosa. Thirty five per cent (n = 38) of colorectal carcinomas showed immunohistochemically positive carcinoma cells in the tumour tissue. Northern and western blot analyses showed similar results. There was no difference in clinicopathological factors, including prognosis, between chromogranin positive cases of colorectal carcinoma (n = 38) and chromogranin negative cases (n = 70). CONCLUSIONS--Neuroendocrine cell differentiation is controlled in transitional mucosa and the presence of chromogranin positive cells in carcinoma tissue does not influence the patient9s prognosis.
Identification of a new susceptibility locus for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus by ancestral haplotype congenic mapping.
Authors: H Ikegami, S Makino, E Yamato, Y Kawaguchi, H Ueda, T Sakamoto, K Takekawa, T Ogihara
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1995)

The number and exact locations of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-linked diabetogenic genes (Idd-1) are unknown because of strong linkage disequilibrium within the MHC. By using a congenic NOD mouse strain that possesses a recombinant MHC from a diabetes-resistant sister strain, we have now shown that Idd-1 consists of at least two components, one in and one outside the class II A and E regions. A new susceptibility gene (Idd-16) was mapped to the < 11-centiMorgan segment of chromosome 17 adjacent to, but distinct from, previously known Idd-1 candidates, class II A, E, and Tap genes. The coding sequences and splicing donor and acceptor sequences of the Tnfa gene, a candidate gene for Idd-16, were identical in the NOD, CTS, and BALB/c alleles, ruling out amino acid changes in the TNF molecule as a determinant of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus susceptibility. Our results not only map a new MHC-linked diabetogenic gene(s) but also suggest a new way to fine map disease susceptibility genes within a region where strong linkage disequilibrium exists.
Thioredoxin Interacting Protein Promotes Endothelial Cell Inflammation in Response to Disturbed Flow by Increasing Leukocyte Adhesion and Repressing Kruppel-Like Factor 2
Authors: Xiao-Qun Wang, Patrizia Nigro, Cameron World, Keigi Fujiwara, Chen Yan, Bradford C. Berk
Journal: Circulation Research (2012)

Endothelial cells (EC) at regions exposed to disturbed flow (d-flow) are predisposed to inflammation and the subsequent development of atherosclerosis. We previously showed that thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) was required for tumor necrosis factor-mediated expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.We sought to investigate the role of TXNIP in d-flow-induced cell adhesion molecule expression and leukocyte interaction with vessels, and the mechanisms by which TXNIP suppresses athero-protective gene expression.Using en face staining of mouse aorta, we found a dramatic increase of TXNIP in EC at sites exposed to d-flow as compared to steady flow. EC-specific TXNIP (EC-TXNIP) knockout mice showed significant decreases in vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA expression in the d-flow regions of mouse aorta. Intravital microscopy of mesenteric venules showed that leukocyte rolling time was decreased, whereas rolling velocity was increased significantly in EC-TXNIP knockout mice. In vitro experiments using a cutout flow chamber to generate varying flow patterns showed that increased TXNIP was required for d-flow-induced EC-monocyte adhesion. Furthermore, we found that the expression of Kruppel-like factor 2, a key anti-inflammatory transcription factor in EC, was inhibited by TXNIP. Luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that TXNIP was present within a repressing complex on the Kruppel-like factor 2 promoter.These data demonstrate the essential role for TXNIP in mediating EC-leukocyte adhesion under d-flow, as well as define a novel mechanism by which TXNIP acts as a transcriptional corepressor to regulate Kruppel-like factor 2-dependent gene expression.
Antibodies attenuate the capacity of dendritic cells to stimulate HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes
Authors: Wilfried Posch, Sylvain Cardinaud, Chiraz Hamimi, Adam Fletcher, Annelies Mühlbacher, Klaus Loacker, Paul Eichberger, Manfred P. Dierich, Gianfranco Pancino, Cornelia Lass-Flörl, Arnaud Moris, Asier Saez-Cirion, Doris Wilflingseder
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2012)
Evaluation of Helicobacter pylori in reflux oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus.
Authors: M Newton, R Bryan, W R Burnham, M A Kamm
Journal: Gut (1997)

BACKGROUND: One of the major pathophysiological abnormalities in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is thought to involve transient lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) relaxations. One component of the neural mechanism controlling the LOS appears to be a reflex are whose afferent limb originates in the gastric fundus. As inflammation is known to be associated with neural activation an investigation was made to determine whether gastric infection with H pylori is altered in prevalence or distribution in patients with reflux disease. METHODS: Five groups of subjects referred for endoscopy-group 1: 25 controls (asymptomatic individuals with anaemia and normal endoscopy); group 2: 36 subjects with erosive oesophagitis alone (Savary-Millar grades I-III); group 3: 16 subjects with duodenal ulcer alone; group 4: 15 subjects with oesophagitis with duodenal ulcer; group 5: 16 subjects with Barrett9s oesophagus. No patients were receiving acid suppressants or antibiotics. An antral biopsy specimen was taken for a rapid urease test, and two biopsy specimens were taken from the antrum, fundus, and oesophagus (inflamed and non-inflamed) for histological evidence of inflammation and presence of H pylori using a Giemsa stain. RESULTS: Nine (36%) controls had H pylori. Patients with duodenal ulcer alone had a significantly higher incidence of colonisation by H pylori than other groups (duodenal ulcer 15 (94%); oesophagitis 13 (36%); oesophagitis+duodenal ulcer 6 (40%); Barrett9s oesophagus 4 (25%)). H pylori was not more common in oesophagitis. When H pylori colonised the gastric antrum it was usually found in the gastric fundus. There was no difference in anatomical distribution of H pylori in the different patient groups. In Barrett9s oesophagus H pylori was found in two of 16 in the metaplastic epithelium. CONCLUSION: H pylori is not more common and its distribution does not differ in those with oesophagitis compared with control subjects, and is therefore unlikely to be aetiologically important in these patients. H pylori, however, can colonise Barrett9s epithelium.