tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Body Composition in Renal Transplant Patients
Authors: EUGÉNIE C.H. VAN DEN HAM, JEROEN P. KOOMAN, MAARTEN H.L. CHRISTIAANS, FRED H.M. NIEMAN, BERNHARD K. VAN KREEL, GUIDO A.K. HEIDENDAL, JOHANNES P. VAN HOOFF
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1999)

Whether multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA), a relatively new method for measuring body composition, is also applicable for accurate body composition measurements in renal transplant (RTx) patients is not known. Therefore, the use of MF-BIA is validated in 77 RTx patients with a stable renal function at least 2 yr posttransplantation. MF-BIA is compared to isotope dilution techniques for measurement of body water compartments, and to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and anthropometry for measurement of fat and fat free mass. Finally, DEXA and anthropometry are compared to each other. Method agreement is assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and plotted by Bland and Altman analysis. MF-BIA significantly underestimates total body water (TBW, 0.7+/-2.1 L) and overestimates the extracellular water (ECW, 3.3+/-1.8 L) compared to isotope dilution; the ICC between both techniques is 0.943 for TBW and 0.846 for ECW. The percentage body fat (BF) measured by MF-BIA is significantly higher than both BF measured by DEXA (3.4+/-4.7%) or by anthropometry (5.5+/-5.2%). The ICC between MF-BIA and DEXA is 0.887 and between MF-BIA and anthropometry 0.856. BF measured by DEXA is significantly higher than BF measured by anthropometry (2.1+/-4.4%); their ICC is 0.913. In conclusion, MF-BIA seems to be suitable for measurement of TBW in RTx patients; however, method agreement between isotope dilution and MF-BIA for the measurement of ECW is not satisfactory. In the assessment of fat and fat free mass, the reliability of MF-BIA appears to be questionable. Method agreement between DEXA and anthropometry seems to be slightly better.
Comparative Effectiveness of Exercise Electrocardiography With or Without Myocardial Perfusion Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Women With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Leslee J. Shaw, Jennifer H. Mieres, Robert H. Hendel, William E. Boden, Martha Gulati, Emir Veledar, Rory Hachamovitch, James A. Arrighi, C. Noel Bairey Merz, Raymond J. Gibbons, Nanette K. Wenger, Gary V. Heller
Journal: Circulation (2011)

Background— There is a paucity of randomized trials regarding diagnostic testing in women with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). It remains unclear whether the addition of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to the standard ECG exercise treadmill test (ETT) provides incremental information to improve clinical decision making in women with suspected CAD. Methods and Results— We randomized symptomatic women with suspected CAD, an interpretable ECG, and ≥5 metabolic equivalents on the Duke Activity Status Index to 1 of 2 diagnostic strategies: ETT or exercise MPI. The primary end point was 2-year incidence of major adverse cardiac events, defined as CAD death or hospitalization for an acute coronary syndrome or heart failure. A total of 824 women were randomized to ETT or exercise MPI. For women randomized to ETT, ECG results were normal in 64%, indeterminate in 16%, and abnormal in 20%. By comparison, the exercise MPI results were normal in 91%, mildly abnormal in 3%, and moderate to severely abnormal in 6%. At 2 years, there was no difference in major adverse cardiac events (98.0% for ETT and 97.7% for MPI; P =0.59). Compared with ETT, index testing costs were higher for exercise MPI ( P &lt;0.001), whereas downstream procedural costs were slightly lower ( P =0.0008). Overall, the cumulative diagnostic cost savings was 48% for ETT compared with exercise MPI ( P &lt;0.001). Conclusions— In low-risk, exercising women, a diagnostic strategy that uses ETT versus exercise MPI yields similar 2-year posttest outcomes while providing significant diagnostic cost savings. The ETT with selective follow-up testing should be considered as the initial diagnostic strategy in symptomatic women with suspected CAD. Clinical Trial Registration— http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00282711.
Diminished neutrophil function in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis identified by decreased oxidative metabolism and low superoxide dismutase content.
Authors: H W Verspaget, A S Pena, I T Weterman, C B Lamers
Journal: Gut (1988)

Features of the neutrophil oxidative metabolism and enzyme activity in peripheral blood neutrophils were studied in 43 patients with Crohn9s disease, 13 with ulcerative colitis and 33 healthy controls. The production of superoxide anion (O2-.) by phorbol-myristate-acetate stimulated neutrophils from patients with Crohn9s disease and ulcerative colitis was significantly diminished compared with controls mean (SE) = 47.1 (3.6) and 38.0 (3.8) v 67.4 (7.5) nmol/10(7) cells/min, p less than or equal to 0.02, respectively, while the production of hydrogen peroxide was normal. The neutrophil content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a cytoprotective enzyme, was also markedly diminished in Crohn9s disease mean (SE) = 7.11 (0.23) ng SOD/micrograms DNA, p less than 0.05, and ulcerative colitis mean (SE) = 5.74 (0.42) compared with controls 7.84 (0.27), p less than 0.001. In contrast, the concentration of neutrophil elastase, a neutral protease, was found to be normal when compared with neutrophils from controls. The neutrophil O2-. production and the SOD concentrations were significantly and negatively correlated with the disease activity in Crohn9s disease and ulcerative colitis. The results indicate diminished neutrophil function in peripheral blood of patients with Crohn9s disease and ulcerative colitis as illustrated by a diminished oxidative system, which correlates with the disease activity.
GENETIC ENGINEERING OF PLANT LIPIDS
Authors: Pierre Broun, Sharmeen Gettner, Chris Somerville
Journal: Annual Review of Nutrition (1999)

▪ Abstract Vegetable oils are a major component of human diets, comprising as much as 25% of average caloric intake. Until recently, it was not possible to exert significant control over the chemical composition of vegetable oils derived from different plants. However, the advent of genetic engineering has provided novel opportunities to tailor the composition of plant-derived lipids so that they are optimized with respect to food functionality and human dietary needs. In order to exploit this new capability, it is essential for food scientists and nutritionists to define the lipid compositions that would be most desirable for various purposes.
MicroRNAs Are Independent Predictors of Outcome in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated with R-CHOP
Authors: Alvaro J. Alencar, Raquel Malumbres, Goldi A. Kozloski, Ranjana Advani, Neha Talreja, Shideh Chinichian, Javier Briones, Yasodha Natkunam, Laurie H. Sehn, Randy D. Gascoyne, Rob Tibshirani, Izidore S. Lossos
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract Purpose: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) heterogeneity has prompted investigations for new biomarkers that can accurately predict survival. A previously reported 6-gene model combined with the International Prognostic Index (IPI) could predict patients' outcome. However, even these predictors are not capable of unambiguously identifying outcome, suggesting that additional biomarkers might improve their predictive power. Experimental Design: We studied expression of 11 microRNAs (miRNA) that had previously been reported to have variable expression in DLBCL tumors. We measured the expression of each miRNA by quantitative real-time PCR analyses in 176 samples from uniformly treated DLBCL patients and correlated the results to survival. Results: In a univariate analysis, the expression of miR-18a correlated with overall survival (OS), whereas the expression of miR-181a and miR-222 correlated with progression-free survival (PFS). A multivariate Cox regression analysis including the IPI, the 6-gene model–derived mortality predictor score and expression of the miR-18a, miR-181a, and miR-222, revealed that all variables were independent predictors of survival except the expression of miR-222 for OS and the expression of miR-18a for PFS. Conclusion: The expression of specific miRNAs may be useful for DLBCL survival prediction and their role in the pathogenesis of this disease should be examined further. Clin Cancer Res; 17(12); 4125–35. ©2011 AACR.
Reduced Amygdala Response to Fearful Expressions in Children and Adolescents With Callous-Unemotional Traits and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Authors: Abigail A Marsh, Elizabeth C Finger, Derek G V Mitchell, Marguerite E Reid, Courtney Sims, David S Kosson, Kenneth E Towbin, Ellen Leibenluft, Daniel S Pine, R J R Blair
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2008)

Objective: Extensive work implicates abnormal amygdala activation in emotional facial expression processing in adults with callous-unemotional traits. However, no research has examined amygdala response to emotional facial expressions in adolescents with disruptive behavior and callous-unemotional traits. Moreover, despite high comorbidity of callous-unemotional traits and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), no research has attempted to distinguish neural correlates of pediatric callous-unemotional traits and ADHD. Method: Participants were 36 children and adolescents (ages 10–17 years); 12 had callous-unemotional traits and either conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, 12 had ADHD, and 12 were healthy comparison subjects. Functional MRI was used to assess amygdala activation patterns during processing of fearful facial expressions. Patterns in the callous-unemotional traits group were compared with those in the ADHD and comparison groups. Results: In youths with callous-unemotional traits, amygdala activation was reduced relative to healthy comparison subjects and youths with ADHD while processing fearful expressions, but not neutral or angry expressions. Functional connectivity analyses demonstrated greater correlations between the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in comparison subjects and youths with ADHD relative to those with callous-unemotional traits. Symptom severity in the callous-unemotional traits groups was negatively correlated with connectivity between amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate reduced amygdala responsiveness in youths with callous-unemotional traits. These findings support the contention that callous and unemotional personality traits are associated with reduced amygdala response to distress-based social cues.
Reflex Effects of Left Ventricular Distention
Authors: PETER F. SALISBURY, CECIL E. CROSS, P. ANDRE RIEBEN
Journal: Circulation Research (1960)

In open-chest dogs, the peripheral circulation was carried on a heart-lung machine. The pulmonary artery was obstructed and the left atrium and the right ventricle were drained into the venous reservoir of the machine. A balloon in the bloodless left ventricle permitted its distention. Pressures were recorded in the left ventricle and the aortic arch or a femoral artery. After distention of the left ventricle, the left ventricular diastolic pressure rose, the systemic arterial pressure fell, and bradycardia occurred. Distention of the left ventricle also caused reflex dilation of systemic veins. These effects were reversible and were abolished by section of the vagi. They are attributed to receptors in the myocardium of the left ventricle. It is considered likely that these reflex effects of left ventricular distention contribute to the mechanism of cardiogenic shock.
Pneumonitis during interferon and/or herbal drug therapy in patients with chronic active hepatitis
Authors: T Ishizaki, F Sasaki, S Ameshima, K Shiozaki, H Takahashi, Y Abe, S Ito, M Kuriyama, T Nakai, M Kitagawa
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1996)

We report four cases of acute pneumonitis due either to interferon, or a herbal drug, "Sho-saiko-to", or both in combination, in patients with chronic active hepatitis, focusing on its pathogenesis and response to prednisolone therapy. These cases shared common clinical features: fever, dry cough, dyspnoea, hypoxaemia, diffuse infiltrates both on chest radiography and chest computed tomography, restrictive pulmonary functional impairment, and alveolitis on examination of transbronchial lung biopsy, all of which suggest acute interstitial pneumonia. Furthermore, lymphocytosis was observed in association with the dominant CD8+ T-cell subset in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A lymphocyte stimulation test using peripheral blood was positive to interferon in one case and to Sho-saiko-to in another. All patients responded to oral prednisolone therapy. Peripheral soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels decreased in parallel with improvement in the clinical course. All patients were free of symptoms with a follow-up of 1-3 yrs. We conclude that interferon- and/or Sho-saiko-to-induced acute pneumonitis may be due to allergic-immunological mechanisms rather than toxicity, and that peripheral levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor appear to be good markers of disease activity.
Establish the Level of Blood Alcohol Concentration at 0.05% by 'Per Se' Statute
Authors: Ralph F. Hudson
Journal: JAMA (1986)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> An earlier MEDICAL NEWS article<sup>1</sup>gave an excellent presentation of problems and confusion surrounding blood and/or breath alcohol concentration (BAC). The article serves as a springboard for physicians to reconsider our role in the treatment of the alcohol-driving problem. Actually, BAC is an accurate measurement and is the cornerstone of prosecution efforts following the adoption of implied consent laws. Physicians, many of whom do not fully understand BAC concepts, may experience confusion in evaluating countermeasures to the alcohol-driving problem. They may be content to console families, patch up the victims, and rehabilitate both victims and offenders. However, our heritage is to be involved in prevention as well as treatment. Fifteen million injuries and 600,000 deaths in this nation during the past 25 years due to the alcohol-impaired driver certainly constitute a major public health problem. Isn't it strange that public health principles have not been used in
Control of Mitochondrial Membrane Permeabilization by Adenine Nucleotide Translocator Interacting with HIV-1 Viral Protein R and Bcl-2
Authors: Etienne Jacotot, Karine F. Ferri, Chahrazed El Hamel, Catherine Brenner, Sabine Druillennec, Johan Hoebeke, Pierre Rustin, Didier Métivier, Christine Lenoir, Maurice Geuskens, Helena L.A. Vieira, Markus Loeffler, Anne-Sophie Belzacq, Jean-Paul Briand, Naoufal Zamzami, Lena Edelman, Zhi Hua Xie, John C. Reed, Bernard P. Roques, Guido Kroemer
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2001)

Viral protein R (Vpr), an apoptogenic accessory protein encoded by HIV-1, induces mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) via a specific interaction with the permeability transition pore complex, which comprises the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) in the outer membrane (OM) and the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) in the inner membrane. Here, we demonstrate that a synthetic Vpr-derived peptide (Vpr52-96) specifically binds to the intermembrane face of the ANT with an affinity in the nanomolar range. Taking advantage of this specific interaction, we determined the role of ANT in the control of MMP. In planar lipid bilayers, Vpr52-96 and purified ANT cooperatively form large conductance channels. This cooperative channel formation relies on a direct protein–protein interaction since it is abolished by the addition of a peptide corresponding to the Vpr binding site of ANT. When added to isolated mitochondria, Vpr52-96 uncouples the respiratory chain and induces a rapid inner MMP to protons and NADH. This inner MMP precedes outer MMP to cytochrome c. Vpr52-96–induced matrix swelling and inner MMP both are prevented by preincubation of purified mitochondria with recombinant Bcl-2 protein. In contrast to König's polyanion (PA10), a specific inhibitor of the VDAC, Bcl-2 fails to prevent Vpr52-96 from crossing the mitochondrial OM. Rather, Bcl-2 reduces the ANT–Vpr interaction, as determined by affinity purification and plasmon resonance studies. Concomitantly, Bcl-2 suppresses channel formation by the ANT–Vpr complex in synthetic membranes. In conclusion, both Vpr and Bcl-2 modulate MMP through a direct interaction with ANT.
Fcγ Receptors and Cross-Presentation in Dendritic Cells
Authors: Sebastian Amigorena
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2002)

M. Bevan showed in the mid-seventies that cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses may be initiated by antigen-presenting cells that do not express the antigens themselves (1). He called this process cross-priming. The antigen-presenting cells involved in cross-priming must therefore internalize and present antigens to CD8+ T cells in the context of MHC class I molecules. This process is often referred to as “cross-presentation.” Cross-presentation by antigen-presenting cells in vivo results in either cross-priming (initiation of CD8+ T cell responses) or in cross-tolerance (induction of CD8+ T cell unresponsiveness; reference 2). These results raised the question of the nature of the “cross-presenting cells.” In vitro, dendritic cells cross-present antigens more efficiently than any other antigen-presenting cell (3). They are also the only antigen-presenting cells that activate naive T lymphocytes (4). Dendritic cells, indeed, are sufficient for cross-presentation in vivo (5).
The RAGE against the storm
Authors: L. Di Candia, R. Saunders, C.E. Brightling
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Among the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) has been shown to bind many damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs, also known as alarmins). DAMPs are released following tissue damage due to both infectious and non-infectious trauma whereby necrotic cells lose membrane integrity, causing their intracellular contents to leak into the surrounding space. In addition, activated immune cells and stressed structural cells ( e.g. those under oxidative stress [1]) can actively secrete alarmins. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a nuclear protein that regulates transcription, is the prototypical DAMP. Uric acid, DNA, heat-shock proteins (HSPs) and members of the calcium-binding S100 proteins also function as DAMPs [2]. Ultimately, alarmins restore homeostasis with the promotion of tissue repair by: stimulating cell proliferation and migration; recruiting progenitors from the stem cell compartment; and exerting pro-angiogenic effects [3]. By recruiting and activating PRR-expressing cells of the innate immune system, including dendritic cells, DAMPs also promote adaptive immunity [2, 3]. Indeed, danger signalling might have been the evolutionary force that shaped the immune system [4].

RAGE is a transmembrane multi-ligand receptor belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily [5]. RAGE binds several ligands, including HMGB1, S100A8/9 and S100A12 (calgranulins), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and serum amyloid A (SAA). RAGE is highly expressed in the lung, where it is believed to serve a homeostatic function [6]. Indeed, RAGE is considered a marker of alveolar type I (ATI) epithelial cells and, by mediating adherence to collagen-rich surfaces like the basal lamina, it appears to determine the ATI epithelial cell flattened and spread morphology that is important for ensuring effective alveolar gas exchange [7]. RAGE is likely to play a crucial role in lung tissue organisation, …
Evolution of Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Sleepy Snorers
Authors: EVA LINDBERG, AHMED ELMASRY, THORARINN GISLASON, CHRISTER JANSON, HARRIET BENGTSSON, JERKER HETTA, MARIKA NETTELBLADT, GUNNAR BOMAN
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

This study followed a small number of men previously studied polysomnographically 10 yr earlier to investigate the relationship between the development of sleep-disordered breathing and age, weight gain, and smoking. In 1984, 3,201 men answered a questionnaire including questions about snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Of those reporting symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), a random sample of 61 men was investigated using whole-night polysomnography in 1985. Ten years later, 38 men participated in the present follow-up, which included a structured interview and polysomnography. During the 10-yr period, nine men had been treated for OSAS. Of the 29 untreated subjects, the number of men with OSAS, defined as an apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) of ⩾ 5/h, increased from four in 1985 to 13 in 1995 (p < 0.01). In this small sample, no significant associations were found between Δ AHI (i.e., AHI 1995 − AHI 1985) and age, weight gain, or smoking. We conclude that, among this small group of individuals who were selected for original polysomnographic study and follow-up because they were thought to have symptoms of sleep apnea, sleep-disordered breathing became significantly worse over time.
Longitudinal Assessment of Cognitive Changes Associated With Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer: Impact of Age and Cognitive Reserve
Authors: Tim A. Ahles, Andrew J. Saykin, Brenna C. McDonald, Yuelin Li, Charlotte T. Furstenberg, Brett S. Hanscom, Tamsin J. Mulrooney, Gary N. Schwartz, Peter A. Kaufman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

To examine the impact of age and cognitive reserve on cognitive functioning in patients with breast cancer who are receiving adjuvant treatments.Patients with breast cancer exposed to chemotherapy (n = 60; mean age, 51.7 years) were evaluated with a battery of neuropsychological and psychological tests before treatment and at 1, 6, and 18 months after treatment. Patients not exposed to chemotherapy (n = 72; mean age, 56.6 years) and healthy controls (n = 45; mean age, 52.9 years) were assessed at matched intervals.Mixed-effects modeling revealed significant effects for the Processing Speed and Verbal Ability domains. For Processing Speed, a three-way interaction among treatment group, age, and baseline cognitive reserve (P < .001) revealed that older patients with lower baseline cognitive reserve who were exposed to chemotherapy had lower performance on Processing Speed compared with patients not exposed to chemotherapy (P = .003) and controls (P < .001). A significant group by time interaction for Verbal Ability (P = .01) suggested that the healthy controls and no chemotherapy groups improved over time. The chemotherapy group failed to improve at 1 month after treatment but improved during the last two follow-up assessments. Exploratory analyses suggested a negative effect of tamoxifen on Processing Speed (P = .036) and Verbal Memory (P = .05) in the no-chemotherapy group.These data demonstrated that age and pretreatment cognitive reserve were related to post-treatment decline in Processing Speed in women exposed to chemotherapy and that chemotherapy had a short-term impact on Verbal Ability. Exploratory analysis of the impact of tamoxifen suggests that this pattern of results may be due to a combination of chemotherapy and tamoxifen.