tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The role of angiotensin in the canine renal vascular response to barbiturate anesthesia.
Authors: B M Burger, T Hopkins, A Tulloch, N K Hollenberg
Journal: Circulation Research (1976)

The influence of barbiturate anesthesia on renal blood flow was assessed by the xenon washout method in trained dogs with catheters chronically implanted in the renal artery. Anesthesia induced with either thiopental sodium or pentobarbital sodium resulted in a striking reduction in renal blood flow (4.1 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.2 ml/g per min; P less than 0.001) without a change in arterial pressure. The reduction in blood flow was prevented by a high salt intake and partially reversed by agents which interrupt the renin-angiotensin system (BPF 9a; 1-Sar,8-Ala-angiotensin II; propranolol) but not by alpha-adrenergic blocking agents (phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine). Anesthesia blunted the renal vascular response to angiotensin II (P less than 0.0005) whereas responsiveness to norepinephrine was increased (P less than 0.05). We conclude that barbiturate anesthesia induces a major, angiotensin-mediated renal vascular response which must be considered in the interpretation of experiments performed under these conditions.
Malignant mesothelioma in Metsovo, Greece, from domestic use of asbestos: 30 years later
Authors: A. Gogali, C. Manda-Stachouli, E.E. Ntzani, M. Matthaiou, A.K. Konstantinidis, I. Zampira, C. Koubaniou, Y. Dalavanga, D. Stefanou, S.H. Constantopoulos, G. Daskalopoulos
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

An audit of hypoxaemia, hyperoxaemia, hypercapnia and acidosis in blood gas specimens
Sciatica in degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine.
Authors: S Maheshwaran, A M Davies, N Evans, P Broadley, V N Cassar-Pullicino
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1995)

Intraspinal synovial cysts are an uncommon but well recognised cause of backache and sciatica, and should be considered in patients, in particular with degenerative spondylolisthesis, who are symptomatic. MRI is the initial investigation of choice. If there is any doubt as to the diagnosis, CT with or without facet joint arthrography is helpful.
XRCC4 deficiency in human subjects causes a marked neurological phenotype but no overt immunodeficiency
Authors: Chaowan Guo, Yuka Nakazawa, Lisa Woodbine, Andrea Björkman, Mayuko Shimada, Heather Fawcett, Nan Jia, Kaname Ohyama, Tao-Sheng Li, Yuji Nagayama, Norisato Mitsutake, Qiang Pan-Hammarström, Andrew R. Gennery, Alan R. Lehmann, Penny A. Jeggo, Tomoo Ogi
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2015)
Supreme Court Ruling Broadens BRCA Testing Options
Authors: A. Azvolinsky
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2013)

The day after Mother’s Day, actress Angelina Jolie wrote an op-ed in the New York Times revealing her decision to undergo a double mastectomy after learning that she carries a deleterious mutation in the BRCA1 gene. Jolie and women like her who have certain germ-line BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are at higher risk for breast and ovarian cancers. Jolie, whose mother died from ovarian cancer, said she wanted other women who may have a familial history of these cancers to be aware of their genetic testing options. She also highlighted that not all women can afford the $3,000 individual risk assessment the test offers. The predictive genetic test that screens for mutations in both BRCA genes has been available only through Utah-based Myriad Genetics, a molecular diagnostics company that holds patents on the BRCA genes. But the Supreme Court has lifted what was a monopoly on BRCA genetic testing, invalidating five of Myriad’s BRCA patents. In a unanimous ruling on June 13, the high court deemed isolated genes natural phenomena that companies may not patent. Still, both plaintiffs and defendants announced that the ruling was in their favor. “The opinion is clear when it comes to isolated genomic DNA. The decision overturns the patent office’s policy,” said Sandra Park, attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, who was involved in the case. On the other side, Myriad announced that the decision still upholds 24 of its patents, including claims on methods to analyze the genes. “Those claims around BRCA analysis are strong,” said Ron Rogers, spokesperson for Myriad. But Park pointed out that if the company thought the rest of the patents would allow it to maintain a monopoly, Myriad didn’t need to keep fighting the lawsuit. The ACLU filed the initial lawsuit against the validity of Myriad’s BRCA patents in 2009, along with the Public Patent Foundation and medical researchers, clinicians, genetic counselors, patients, and cancer survivors. The case has been argued in several federal courts. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has already issued preliminary guidance on patent filings, stating that the Supreme Court decision would significantly change their policy in reviewing patent claims on naturally occurring DNA sequences.
Familial atrophia maculosa varioliformis cutis: case report and pedigree analysis
Authors: T. Qu, B. Wang, K. Fang
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2005)

Atrophia maculosa varioliformis cutis (AVMC) was first described in 1918, as a rarely reported form of idiopathic macular atrophy on the cheeks. Nineteen patients have been reported in the past 86 years. Recently we diagnosed a 25-year-old woman as AMVC and investigated her family history. We collected the clinical data of the pedigree and presumed that AVMV is in a autosomal dominant inheritance.
Intermittent Androgen Deprivation for Locally Advanced and Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Results from a Randomised Phase 3 Study of the South European Uroncological Group
Authors: Fernando E.C. Calais da Silva, Aldo V. Bono, Peter Whelan, Maurizio Brausi, Anton Marques Queimadelos, Jose A. Portillo Martin, Ziya Kirkali, Fernando M.V. Calais da Silva, Chris Robertson
Journal: European Urology (2009)
THE EFFECT OF ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID ON PLATELET FUNCTION
Authors: Geoffrey Evans, Marian A. Packham, Edward E. Nishizawa, James F. Mustard, Edmund A. Murphy
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1968)

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) and sodium salicylate inhibit platelet aggregation induced by collagen, antigen-antibody complexes, gamma globulin-coated particles or thrombin. These compounds suppress the release of platelet constituents, such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and serotonin, induced by such stimuli. Since ASA and sodium salicylate do not inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation, it appears that their effect on the action of the other stimuli is due to a decrease in the amount of ADP released. The administration of ASA to rabbits (in doses which inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation) impaired hemostasis, prolonged platelet survival, and diminished the amount of deposit formed in an extracorporeal shunt.
EULAR recommendations for patient education for people with inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Heidi A Zangi, Mwidimi Ndosi, Jo Adams, Lena Andersen, Christina Bode, Carina Boström, Yvonne van Eijk-Hustings, Laure Gossec, Jana Korandová, Gabriel Mendes, Karin Niedermann, Jette Primdahl, Michaela Stoffer, Marieke Voshaar, Astrid van Tubergen
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

Objectives The task force aimed to: (1) develop evidence-based recommendations for patient education (PE) for people with inflammatory arthritis, (2) identify the need for further research on PE and (3) determine health professionals’ educational needs in order to provide evidence-based PE. Methods A multidisciplinary task force, representing 10 European countries, formulated a definition for PE and 10 research questions that guided a systematic literature review (SLR). The results from the SLR were discussed and used as a basis for developing the recommendations, a research agenda and an educational agenda. The recommendations were categorised according to level and strength of evidence graded from A (highest) to D (lowest). Task force members rated their agreement with each recommendation from 0 (total disagreement) to 10 (total agreement). Results Based on the SLR and expert opinions, eight recommendations were developed, four with strength A evidence. The recommendations addressed when and by whom PE should be offered, modes and methods of delivery, theoretical framework, outcomes and evaluation. A high level of agreement was achieved for all recommendations (mean range 9.4–9.8). The task force proposed a research agenda and an educational agenda. Conclusions The eight evidence-based and expert opinion-based recommendations for PE for people with inflammatory arthritis are intended to provide a core framework for the delivery of PE and training for health professionals in delivering PE across Europe.
Chemotherapeutic Targeting of Cancer-Induced Immunosuppressive Cells
Authors: Darya Alizadeh, Nicolas Larmonier
Journal: Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract The expansion of immunosuppressive cells represents a cardinal strategy deployed by tumors to escape from detection and elimination by the immune system. Regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), major components of these inhibitory cellular networks, have drawn intense scrutiny in recent years. In patients with cancer and in animal tumor models, these suppressor cells accumulate in the tumor microenvironment, secondary lymphoid tissues, and in the blood. Equipped with the ability to suppress innate and adaptive anticancer immunity, these cells also foster disease development by promoting tumor neoangiogenesis and by enhancing cancer metastasis. They therefore represent major impediments for anticancer therapies, particularly for immune-based interventions. Recent work has provided evidence that beyond their direct cytotoxic or cytostatic effects on cancer cells, several conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and agents used in targeted therapies can promote the elimination or inactivation of suppressive Tregs or MDSCs, resulting in enhanced antitumor immunity. We analyze findings pertinent to this concept, discuss the possible molecular bases underlying the selective targeting of these immunosuppressive cells by antineoplastic agents, and consider current challenges and future prospects related to the integration of these molecules into more efficient anticancer chemoimmunotherapeutic strategies. Cancer Res; 74(10); 2663–8. ©2014 AACR.
Cure is better than prevention
Authors: Jules Schagen van Leeuwen
Journal: BMJ (2004)

Editor—Prevention may not be better than cure.1

Karl Popper, having fled from philistine philosophy, has already said: “In the realm of errors, cure is better than prevention.”2

Overenthusiastic scientists, politicians, and so on, tend to forget that the realm of error in which we live is large. Prevention is permissible only in well understood and controllable conditions.
Effect of lactobacillus in preventing post-antibiotic vulvovaginal candidiasis: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Marie Pirotta, Jane Gunn, Patty Chondros, Sonia Grover, Paula O'Malley, Susan Hurley, Suzanne Garland
Journal: BMJ (2004)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective</b> To test whether oral or vaginal lactobacillus can prevent vulvovaginitis after antibiotic treatment. <b>Design</b> Randomised, placebo controlled, double blind, factorial 2×2 trial. <b>Setting</b> Fifty general practices and 16 pharmacies in Melbourne, Australia. <b>Participants</b> Non-pregnant women aged 18-50 years who required a short course of oral antibiotics for a non-gynaecological infection: 278 were enrolled in the study, and results were available for 235. <b>Interventions</b> Lactobacillus preparations taken orally or vaginally, or both, from enrolment until four days after completion of their antibiotic course. <b>Main outcome measures</b> Participants9 reports of symptoms of post-antibiotic vulvovaginitis, with microbiological evidence of candidiasis provided by a self obtained vaginal swab. <b>Results</b> Overall, 55/235 (23% (95% confidence interval 18% to 29%)) women developed post-antibiotic vulvovaginitis. Compared with placebo, the odds ratio for developing post-antibiotic vulvovaginitis with oral lactobacillus was 1.06 (95% confidence interval 0.58 to 1.94) and with vaginal lactobacillus 1.38 (0.75 to 2.54). Compliance with antibiotics and interventions was high. The trial was terminated after the second interim analysis because of lack of effect of the interventions. Given the data at this time, the chances of detecting a significant reduction in vulvovaginitis with oral or vaginal lactobacillus treatment were less than 0.032 and 0.0006 respectively if the trial proceeded to full enrolment. <b>Conclusions</b> The use of oral or vaginal forms of lactobacillus to prevent post-antibiotic vulvovaginitis is not supported by these results. Further research on this subject is unlikely to be fruitful, unless new understandings about the pathogenesis of post-antibiotic vulvovaginitis indicate a possible role for lactobacillus.
The Spectrum of Vasculitis
Authors: ANTHONY S. FAUCI
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1978)

Vasculitis is a clinicopathologic process characterized by inflammation and necrosis of blood vessels. Certain disorders have vasculitis as the predominant and most obvious manifestation, whereas others have various degrees of vasculitis in association with other primary disorders. Within the entire spectrum of vasculitis virtually any size or type of blood vessel in any organ system can be involved. Most of the vasculitides can be associated directly or indirectly with immunopathogenic mechanisms. In this regard, immune complex mediation is being increasingly recognized as the underlying mechanism in several of the vasculitides. With clinical, pathologic, and immunologic criteria, certain vasculitic disorders can be clearly recognized and categorized as distinct entities, whereas in others there is an overlap of different diseases within a broader category. In recent years, several of the more serious vasculitides, such as Wegener's granulomatosis and the systemic necrotizing vasculitides of the polyarteritis nodosa group, which formerly had extremely poor prognoses, have been shown to be extraordinarily responsive to chronic low-dose cytotoxic therapy, particularly cyclophosphamide.
Aberrant Methylation and Silencing of the<i>BNIP3</i>Gene in Colorectal and Gastric Cancer
Authors: Masafumi Murai, Minoru Toyota, Hiromu Suzuki, Ayumi Satoh, Yasushi Sasaki, Kimishige Akino, Masako Ueno, Fumihiko Takahashi, Masanobu Kusano, Hiroaki Mita, Kazuyoshi Yanagihara, Takao Endo, Yuji Hinoda, Takashi Tokino, Kohzoh Imai
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2005)

BNIP3 protein is a proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family that is expressed in hypoxic regions of tumors. To examine its role in the progression of gastrointestinal cancer, we examined the expression and DNA methylation status of BNIP3 gene in a panel of colorectal and gastric cancer cell lines. BNIP3 was not expressed in 14 of the 24 cell lines tested, and its absence was not caused by gene mutation or by altered expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1, a key transcription factor that regulates BNIP3 expression. On the other hand, methylation of the 5' CpG island of BNIP3 was closely correlated with silencing the gene. Moreover, treating methylated cells with the methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored hypoxia-induced expression of BNIP3 mRNA and protein, which in turn led to cell death. Aberrant methylation of BNIP3 was also detected in 66% of primary colorectal and 49% of primary gastric cancers, but not in normal tissue samples collected from areas adjacent to the tumors. Apparently, epigenetic alteration of BNIP3 is a frequent and cancer-specific event, which suggests that inactivation of BNIP3 likely plays a key role in the progression of some gastrointestinal cancers and that it may be a useful molecular target for therapy.
PULMONARY DIFFUSING CAPACITY AND ITS SUBDIVISIONS IN POLYCYTHEMIA VERA
Authors: J. H. Burgess, J. M. Bishop
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1963)

1Polycythemia vera is characterized by a greatly increased red cell mass, and patients with the disease have an increase of both hemoglobin concentration and total blood volume. The purpose of the present study was to observe the effect of these two variables, and their changes with treatment, on pulmonary diffusion. The rate of chemical reaction with hemoglobin is an important factor in the over-all rate of gas uptake from the lung. Roughton and Forster (1) proposed the equation 1/DL = 1/DE + 1/1Vc (Equation 1) and showed that by its use it was possible to subdivide the total diffusing capacity of the lung. DL is the total pulmonary diffusing capacity for CO from the alveolus to the interior of the red cell. Dm is the membrane diffusing capacity and relates to the movement of gas from the alveolus to the surface of the red cell. 9, often referred to as the rate of uptake of CO by the red cells, is actually the product of the rate at which CO replaces 02 in oxyhemoglobin and the concentration of hemoglobin (2). Vc is the pulmonary capillary blood volume at any instant. McNeill, Rankin, and Forster (3) have related these parameters in terms of resistances. 1/DL may be considered as the total resistance to gas uptake, which is composed of the sum of 1/DM, the mem
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Relation to Maternal Dietary Heme Iron and Nonheme Iron Intake
Authors: Chunfang Qiu, Cuilin Zhang, Bizu Gelaye, Daniel A. Enquobahrie, Ihunnaya O. Frederick, Michelle A. Williams
Journal: Diabetes Care (2011)

OBJECTIVE Higher heme iron intake is associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk. However, no previous study has evaluated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk in relation to heme iron intake during pregnancy. We investigated associations of maternal preconceptional and early pregnancy heme and nonheme iron intake with subsequent GDM risk. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study of 3,158 pregnant women. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess maternal diet. Multivariable generalized linear regression models were used to derive estimates of relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs. RESULTS Approximately 5.0% of the cohort developed GDM (n = 158). Heme iron intake was positively and significantly associated with GDM risk (Ptrend = 0.04). After adjusting for confounders, women reporting the highest heme iron intake levels (≥1.52 vs. &amp;lt;0.48 mg per day) experienced a 3.31-fold–increased GDM risk (95% CI 1.02–10.72). In fully adjusted models, we noted that a 1-mg per day increase in heme iron was associated with a 51% increased GDM risk (RR 1.51 [95% CI 0.99–2.36]). Nonheme iron was inversely, though not statistically significantly, associated with GDM risk, and the corresponding RRs were 1.00, 0.83, 0.62, and 0.61 across quartiles of nonheme iron intake (Ptrend = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS High levels of dietary heme iron intake during the preconceptional and early pregnancy period may be associated with increased GDM risk. Associations of GDM risk with dietary nonheme iron intake are less clear. Confirmation of these findings by future studies is warranted.
Incidence and predictors of angiographic restenosis and reocclusion after primary infarct stenting — core lab analysis from the PAMI stent pilot study
Authors: J. Griffin, B. Brodie, M.-C. Morice, C. Costantini, J. Popma, P.A. Overlie, F. St. Goar, J.G. Kenerson, A. Merritt, S. Theodosiou, J.A. McDonnell, W.W. O'Neill, C.L. Grines, G.W. Stone
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1998)
Molecular hydrogen as a preventive and therapeutic medical gas: initiation, development and potential of hydrogen medicine
Authors: Shigeo Ohta
Journal: Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2014)

Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been accepted to be an inert and nonfunctional molecule in our body. We have turned this concept by demonstrating that H2 reacts with strong oxidants such as hydroxyl radical in cells, and proposed its potential for preventive and therapeutic applications. H2 has a number of advantages exhibiting extensive effects: H2 rapidly diffuses into tissues and cells, and it is mild enough neither to disturb metabolic redox reactions nor to affect signaling reactive oxygen species; therefore, there should be no or little adverse effects of H2. There are several methods to ingest or consume H2; inhaling H2 gas, drinking H2-dissolved water (H2-water), injecting H2-dissolved saline (H2-saline), taking an H2 bath, or dropping H2-saline into the eyes. The numerous publications on its biological and medical benefits revealed that H2 reduces oxidative stress not only by direct reactions with strong oxidants, but also indirectly by regulating various gene expressions. Moreover, by regulating the gene expressions, H2 functions as an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic, and stimulates energy metabolism. In addition to growing evidence obtained by model animal experiments, extensive clinical examinations were performed or are under investigation. Since most drugs specifically act to their targets, H2 seems to differ from conventional pharmaceutical drugs. Owing to its great efficacy and lack of adverse effects, H2 has promising potential for clinical use against many diseases.
Statins Activate AMP-Activated Protein Kinase In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Wei Sun, Tzong-Shyuan Lee, Minjia Zhu, Chunang Gu, Yinsheng Wang, Yi Zhu, John Y-J. Shyy
Journal: Circulation (2006)

Background— Statins exert pleiotropic effects on the cardiovascular system, in part through an increase in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in controlling energy and metabolism homeostasis in various organs. We therefore studied whether statins can activate AMPK, and if so, whether the activated AMPK regulates nitric oxide (NO) production and angiogenesis mediated by endothelial NO synthase, a substrate of AMPK in vascular endothelial cells. Methods and Results— Western blotting of protein extracts from human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with atorvastatin revealed increased phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr-172 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The AMPK activity, assessed by SAMS assay, was also increased accordingly. The phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase at Ser-79 and of endothelial NO synthase at Ser-1177, 2 putative downstream targets of AMPK, was inhibited by an adenovirus that expressed a dominant-negative mutant of AMPK (Ad-AMPK-DN) and compound C, an AMPK antagonist. The positive effects of atorvastatin, including NO production, cGMP accumulation, and in vitro angiogenesis in Matrigel, were all blocked by Ad-AMPK-DN. Mice given atorvastatin through gastric gavage showed increased AMPK, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation in mouse aorta and myocardium. Conclusions— Statins can rapidly activate AMPK via increased Thr-172 phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. Such phosphorylation results in endothelial NO synthase activation, which provides a novel explanation for the pleiotropic effects of statins that benefit the cardiovascular system.