tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The Peritoneal Membrane in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: AVRY CHAGNAC, PEARL HERSKOVITZ, TALIA WEINSTEIN, SIMCHA ELYASHIV, JUDITH HIRSH, ILAN HAMMEL, UZI GAFTER
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1999)

Abstract. The surface area of the peritoneal membrane in contact with dialysate is an important determinant of solute transport across the peritoneum. Yet there is no method for its estimation in peritoneal dialysis patients. In this study, stereologic methods were applied to computerized tomography (CT) imaging of the peritoneal membrane to estimate the peritoneal membrane surface area. The method was first validated by implementing stereologic methods on a phantom of known surface area. The phantom was a distorted bottle filled with contrast media. Series of thin helical CT sections were performed, and random sections were obtained after reconstruction. A transparent counting grid was placed over the random sections. The surface area was estimated using 9, 18, and 36 random sections. To calculate the coefficient of variation (CV) of the method, 20 different combinations of 9, 18, and 36 random sections were used. With 36 random sections, the error in estimation of the bottle's surface area was - 9.4% to + 8.8%. The CV was 5.0%. Decreasing the number of sections used to 18 and 9 yielded a CV of 7.8 and 12.3%, respectively. This method was then applied to the peritoneal membrane, which was visualized by instilling dialysate containing contrast media into the peritoneal cavity of peritoneal dialysis patients. The estimated peritoneal membrane surface area of six patients was 0.55 ± 0.04 m 2 . This novel method permits the measurement of the peritoneal membrane surface area with a high degree of accuracy.
Treatment results and prognostic factors in primary thyroid lymphoma patients: a Rare Cancer Network study
Authors: C. Onal, Y.X. Li, R.C. Miller, P. Poortmans, N. Constantinou, D.C. Weber, B.M. Atasoy, S. Igdem, M. Ozsahin, E. Ozyar
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2010)
The ethics of fetal tissue grafting should be considered along with the science
Authors: Keith A. Crutcher
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (1995)

Abstract In addition to the scientific and medical issues surrounding the use of fetal tissue transplants, the ethical implications should be considered. Two major ethical issues are relevant. The first of these is whether this experimental procedure can be justified on the basis of potential benefit to the patient. The second is whether the use of tissue obtained from intentionally aborted fetuses can be justified in the context of historical and existing guidelines for the protection of human subjects. The separation of ethical decisions from medical practice and scientific research is necessary to prevent the exploitation of innocent human life.
Altered innate and adaptive immune responses in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: E.J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis, A. Antonopoulou, C. Petropoulou, M. Mouktaroudi, E. Spyridaki, F. Baziaka, A. Pelekanou, H. Giamarellou, N.G. Stavrianeas
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2006)

The clinical improvement of hidradenitis suppurativa reported in a small number of patients with antitumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-alpha therapies supports the hypothesis for an altered immune response in these patients.To evaluate the state of the innate and adaptive immune responses in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.Fifty-three patients and six healthy controls were studied. Blood was sampled and subpopulations of lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry; monocytes were isolated and their function was evaluated from the concentrations of TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 in supernatants of cell cultures after triggering with endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides). TNF-alpha and IL-6 were estimated by an enzyme immunoassay.CD3/CD8 lymphocytes were lower in patients with involvement of the perineum than in controls; patients with involvement of the breast had higher levels of natural killer (NK) cells than controls. A negative correlation was found between years lapsing since initial presentation of lesions of hidradenitis and the percentage of NK cells. Monocytes isolated from healthy volunteers were more active for the secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-6 than those of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.A reduction in the percentage of NK cells over time and a lower monocyte response to triggering by bacterial components is observed in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Further research is needed to clarify if these changes are connected to an autoimmune mechanism in the pathogenesis of hidradenitis suppurativa.
Preanalytical, Analytical, and Computational Factors Affect Homeostasis Model Assessment Estimates
Authors: Susan E. Manley, Stephen D. Luzio, Irene M. Stratton, Tara M. Wallace, Penelope M.S. Clark
Journal: Diabetes Care (2008)

OBJECTIVE—We investigated how β-cell function and insulin sensitivity or resistance are affected by the type of blood sample collected or choice of insulin assay and homeostatis model assessment (HOMA) calculator (http://www.dtu.ox.ac.uk). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Insulin was measured using 11 different assays in serum and 1 assay in heparinized plasma. Fasting subjects with normoglycemia (n = 12), pre-diabetes, i.e., impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance (n = 18), or type 2 diabetes (n = 67) were recruited. Patients treated with insulin or those who were insulin antibody–positive were excluded. HOMA estimates were calculated using specific insulin (SI) or radioimmunoassay (RIA) calculators (version 2.2). RESULTS—All glucose values were within model (HOMA) limits but not all insulin results, as 4.3% were &amp;lt;20 pmol/l and 1% were &amp;gt;300 pmol/l. β-Cell function derived from different insulin assays ranged from 67 to 122% (median) for those with normoglycemia (P = 0.026), from 89 to 138% for those with pre-diabetes (P = 0.990), and from 50 to 81% for those with type 2 diabetes (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Furthermore, insulin resistance ranged from 0.8 to 2.0 (P = 0.0007), from 1.9 to 3.2 (P = 0.842), and from 1.5 to 2.9 (P &amp;lt; 0.0001), respectively. This twofold variation in HOMA estimates from the various insulin assays studied in serum may be significant metabolically. Insulin was 15% lower in heparinized plasma (used in the original HOMA study) compared with serum, which is now more commonly used. β-Cell function differed by 11% and insulin resistance by 15% when estimates derived from specific insulin were calculated using the RIA rather than the SI calculator. CONCLUSIONS—To enable comparison of HOMA estimates among individuals and different research studies, preanalytical factors and calculator selection should be standardized with insulin assays traceable to an insulin reference method procedure.
Fluid and electrolyte transport by cultured human airway epithelia.
Authors: J J Smith, M J Welsh
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1993)

An understanding of the fluid and electrolyte transport properties of any epithelium requires knowledge of the direction, rate, and regulation of fluid transport and the composition of the fluid. Although human airway epithelial likely play a key role in controlling the quantity and composition of the respiratory tract fluid, evidence for such a role is not available. To obtain such knowledge, we measured fluid and electrolyte transport by cultured human nasal epithelia. Under basal conditions we found that epithelia absorbed Na+ and fluid; both processes were inhibited by addition of amiloride to the mucosal surface. These data suggest that active Na+ absorption is responsible for fluid absorption. Interestingly, Na+ absorption was not accompanied by the net absorption of Cl-; some other anion accompanied Na+. The combination of cAMP agonists and mucosal amiloride stimulated the secretion of NaCl-rich fluid. But surprisingly, the response to cAMP agonists in the absence of amiloride showed substantial intersubject variability: cAMP stimulated fluid secretion across some epithelia, for others, cAMP stimulated fluid absorption. The explanation for the differences in response is uncertain, but we speculate that the magnitude of apical membrane Na+ conductance may modulate the direction of fluid transport in response to cAMP. We also found that airway epithelial secrete H+ and absorb K+ under basal conditions; both processes were inhibited by cAMP agonists. Because the H+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, SCH 28080, inhibited K+ absorption, an apical membrane H+/K(+)-ATPase may be at least partly responsible for K+ and H+ transport. However, H+/K+ exchange could not entirely account for the luminal acidification. The finding that cAMP agonists inhibited luminal acidification may be explained by the recent finding that cAMP increases apical HCO3- conductance. These results provide new insights into how the intact airway epithelium may modify the composition of the respiratory tract fluid.
Adjuvant whole-brain radiation therapy after surgical resection of single brain metastases
Authors: C. M. McPherson, D. Suki, I. Feiz-Erfan, A. Mahajan, E. Chang, R. Sawaya, F. F. Lang
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2010)

Adjuvant whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) after resection of single brain metastases remains controversial. Despite a phase III trial to the contrary, clinicians often withhold WBRT after resection of single brain metastases based on the argument that available evidence does not inform regarding treatment of all patients, such as those with radioresistant tumors. However, there is limited information about whether subpopulations benefit equally from WBRT after resection. Therefore, we undertook a retrospective study to determine the clinical, radiographic, and histologic features that influenced the effectiveness of adjuvant WBRT. We reviewed 358 patients with newly diagnosed, single brain metastases, who underwent resection, of which 142 (40%) received adjuvant WBRT and 216 (60%) did not. Median follow-up was 60.1 months. There were multiple tumor histologies, including 197 (55%) "radiosensitive" and 161 (45%) "radioresistant" tumors. Compared with observation, WBRT significantly reduced recurrence both locally (HR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.35–0.98, P = .04) and at distant brain sites (HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.30–0.61, P < .001). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that withholding WBRT was an independent predictor of local and distant recurrence. For local recurrence, tumors with a maximum diameter of ≥3 cm that did not receive adjuvant WBRT had an increased risk of recurring locally (HR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.02–9.69, P = .05). For distant recurrence, patients whose primary disease was progressing and who did not receive WBRT had an increased risk of distant recurrence (HR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.01–4.66, P = .05). There was no effect of WBRT based on tumor type. Adjuvant WBRT significantly reduces local and distant recurrences in subsets of patients, particularly those with metastases >3 cm or with active systemic disease.
Propofol versus propofol plus hydrocodone for flexible bronchoscopy: a randomised study
Authors: L. Schlatter, E. Pflimlin, B. Fehrke, A. Meyer, M. Tamm, D. Stolz
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Propofol and the combination of a benzodiazepine and an opiate have been established for sedation in flexible bronchoscopy. It is as yet unknown whether propofol in combination with an opiate is superior to propofol alone to suppress cough during the procedure. 300 consecutive patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy at a tertiary care university hospital were randomly allocated to receive either the combination propofol and hydrocodone or propofol alone in a double-blind fashion. The primary end-point was the cough score during the procedure as estimated by the physician using a visual analogue scale. Demographics were similar in both groups. Compared with propofol alone, median (interquartile range) cough scores assessed by physicians, nurses and patients were significantly lower in the group randomised to the combination propofol and hydrocodone (2.5 (1.5–4.0) <i>versus</i> 2.0 (1.0–3.0), respectively, p=0.011). Additionally, patients receiving the combination required significantly lower doses of propofol than those receiving propofol alone (200 mg (140–280) <i>versus</i> 260 mg (180–350), p&lt;0.0001). Complex examinations, including bronchoalveolar lavage or transbronchial biopsy, benefited more from additional opiate. The duration of the procedure, time to discharge and complication rate were similar in both groups. The combination of propofol and hydrocodone is safe and superior to propofol alone for cough suppression in flexible bronchoscopy.
AXIN1 mutations in hepatocellular carcinomas, and growth suppression in cancer cells by virus-mediated transfer of AXIN1
Authors: Seiji Satoh, Yataro Daigo, Yoichi Furukawa, Tatsushi Kato, Nobutomo Miwa, Tadashi Nishiwaki, Teru Kawasoe, Hideyuki Ishiguro, Manabu Fujita, Takashi Tokino, Yo Sasaki, Shingi Imaoka, Masaru Murata, Takashi Shimano, Yoshio Yamaoka, Yusuke Nakamura
Journal: Nature Genetics (2000)
Modulation of the formation of the amplification convertase of complement, C3b, Bb, by native and commercial heparin.
Authors: J M Weiler, R W Yurt, D T Fearon, K F Austen
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1978)

Native rat mast cell macromolecular heparin proteoglycan and commercial hog heparin glycosaminoglycan chains inhibit generation of the amplification convertase, C3b, Bb. The inhibitory action of heparin is not due to chelation of magnesium. Heparin is most active in inhibiting convertase formation on cellular intermediates formed with the lowest C3b input and developed with the highest B concentration, thereby suggesting the receptor site for B on C3b as the point of heparin action. This interpretation is consistent with the demonstration that heparin prevents B utilization during the fluid phase interaction of C3b, B, and D. Inhibition is observed also when C3b,Bb generation takes place on cellular intermediates in the presence of P or C3NeF, which yield stabilized forms of the convertase. 50 times the concentration of heparin required to inhibit convertase generation does not accelerate the decay of the unstabilized or the C3NeF-stabilized convertases and has only a modest effect on the P-stabilized convertase. An additional effect of heparin is to impair beta1H-mediated decay-dissociation of C3b,Bb. The concentration of native or commercial heparin which prevents convertase formation is in the same range as that required for the demonstration of its anti-coagulant and anti-thrombin III cofactor activities. The additional finding that this inhibitory action of heparin can be expressed by the isolated mast cell granule suggests that native heparin may contribute to the modulation of the amplification pathway of complement.
New arenavirus isolated in Brazil
Authors: T.L.M Coimbra, E.S Nassar, L.T.M de Souza, I.B Ferreira, I.M Rocco, M.N Burattini, A.P.A Travassos da Rosa, P.F.C Vasconcelos, F.P Pinheiro, J.W LeDuc, R Rico-Hesse, J-P Gonzalez, R.B Tesh, P.B Jahrling
Journal: The Lancet (1994)

A new arenavirus, called Sabiá, was isolated in Brazil from a fatal case of haemorrhagic fever initially thought to be yellow fever. Antigenic and molecular characterisation indicated that Sabiá virus is a new member of the Tacaribe complex. A laboratory technician working with the agent was also infected and developed a prolonged, non-fatal influenza-like illness. Sabiá virus is yet another arenavirus causing human disease in South America.
A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Augmentation and Switch Strategies for Refractory Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Mark H. Pollack, Michael Van Ameringen, Naomi M. Simon, John W. Worthington, Elizabeth A. Hoge, Aparna Keshaviah, Murray B. Stein
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2014)

Adding clonazepam increases the likelihood of response in patients with social anxiety disorder who remain symptomatic after a trial with an SSRI, supporting the common clinical practice of combining a benzodiazepine with an SSRI. Among 181 nonresponders to sertraline alone, those who had up to 3 mg/day of clonazepam added to sertraline had a response rate of 56% after 12 weeks, compared with 36% for those who continued to take sertraline alone and 46% for patients switched to venlafaxine. Remission rates were 27%, 17%, and 19%, respectively, but did not show a statistical difference.
Sarcolemmal phosphatidylethanolamine N-methylation in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Authors: P K Ganguly, K M Rice, V Panagia, N S Dhalla
Journal: Circulation Research (1984)

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methylation was studied in cardiac sarcolemma 8 weeks after the induction of chronic experimental diabetes in rats by a streptozotocin injection (65 mg/kg, iv). Incorporation of radiolabeled methyl groups from S-adenosyl-L-methionine into intramembranal phosphatidylethanolamine, assayed under optimal conditions, confirmed the existence of three catalytic sites involved in the sequential methyl transfer reactions. Total methyl group incorporation at all three sites was significantly depressed in diabetic myocardium, but this change was reversible by a 14-day insulin therapy to the diabetic animals. Measurements of phospholipid N-methylation activity at different times indicated that the depression was evident at 6 weeks after the induction of diabetes. This defect was also seen for the individual methylated lipid products (monomethyl-, dimethylphosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine) specifically formed at each catalytic site. Experiments with different concentrations of S-adenosyl-L-methionine revealed that, for all three sites, the apparent affinity for the methyl donor did not change, whereas the apparent Vmax values were significantly lowered in diabetes. The results of this study identify a defect in the sarcolemmal phosphatidylethanolamine N-methylation in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Automatic detection of subsolid pulmonary nodules in thoracic computed tomography images
Authors: Colin Jacobs, Eva M. van Rikxoort, Thorsten Twellmann, Ernst Th. Scholten, Pim A. de Jong, Jan-Martin Kuhnigk, Matthijs Oudkerk, Harry J. de Koning, Mathias Prokop, Cornelia Schaefer-Prokop, Bram van Ginneken
Journal: Medical Image Analysis (2013)
Carcinoid tumours of the thymus.
Authors: D Y Wang, D B Chang, S H Kuo, P C Yang, Y C Lee, H C Hsu, K T Luh
Journal: Thorax (1994)

Carcinoid tumours of the thymus are rare. The clinical manifestations, radiographic findings, and cytological features of eight histopathologically verified thymic carcinoid tumours have been assessed.One hundred and sixty two patients of mean age 52 (range 31-68) years with malignant mediastinal tumours were reviewed retrospectively and eight cases of thymic carcinoid were identified. Four of the eight patients were diagnosed by percutaneous ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy via a parasternal approach.Two patients had Cushing's syndrome at presentation and four had symptoms and signs secondary to mediastinal compression. Two were asymptomatic. Local extension of the tumour to pleura, pericardium, great vessels, phrenic nerve or regional lymph nodes, or both, were found in seven patients. Only one had the tumour confined to the thymus at diagnosis. Distant metastases were found in two patients, one to both lungs and the other in the iliac bone. Local recurrence or distant metastases developed 15-60 months after surgery in four of the five patients who underwent radical resection of the thymic tumour. Three patients died at 17 months, 34 months, and 10 years after diagnosis. The other five patients are alive at 9-51 months.Thymic carcinoid is a slow growing tumour with a poor prognosis because of its tendency to local and distant spread. Cytological examination of samples obtained by ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration may provide a useful method for diagnosis in selected patients.
A systematic review of antistreptococcal interventions for guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis
Authors: C.M. Owen, R.J.G. Chalmers, T. O'Sullivan, C.E.M. Griffiths
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2001)

Background Guttate psoriasis is closely associated with preceding or concurrent streptococcal infection. Some authorities have claimed that chronic plaque psoriasis may also be made worse by infection. In view of this many dermatologists have recommended using antibiotics for psoriasis, particularly guttate type. Some dermatologists have also recommended tonsillectomy for psoriasis in patients with recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis. Objectives This review aims to assess the evidence for the effectiveness of antistreptococcal interventions, including antibiotics and tonsillectomy in the management of acute guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis. Methods Studies were identified by searching the Cochrane Clinical Trials Register (Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 1999), Medline® (1966–September 1999), Embase® (1988–September 1999), the Salford Database of Psoriasis Trials (to November 1999) and the European Dermato–Epidemiology Network (EDEN) Psoriasis Trials Database (to November 1999) for terms (STREPTOCOCC* or ANTIBIOTIC* or TONSIL*) and PSORIASIS using the Cochrane Skin Group search strategy. Results Only one trial met the selection criteria. This compared the use of two oral antibiotic schedules in 20 psoriasis patients, predominantly of guttate type, who had evidence of β-haemolytic streptococcal colonization. Either rifampicin or placebo was added to the end of a standard course of phenoxymethylpenicillin or erythromycin. No patient in either arm of the study improved during the observation period. No randomized trials of tonsillectomy for psoriasis were identified. Conclusions Although both antibiotics and tonsillectomy have frequently been advocated both for patients with guttate psoriasis and for selected patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, there is to date no good evidence that either intervention is beneficial.
Constitutive Cytokine mRNAs Mark Natural Killer (NK) and NK T Cells Poised for Rapid Effector Function
Authors: Daniel B. Stetson, Markus Mohrs, R. Lee Reinhardt, Jody L. Baron, Zhi-En Wang, Laurent Gapin, Mitchell Kronenberg, Richard M. Locksley
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2003)

Natural killer (NK) and NK T cells are tissue lymphocytes that secrete cytokines rapidly upon stimulation. Here, we show that these cells maintain distinct patterns of constitutive cytokine mRNAs. Unlike conventional T cells, NK T cells activate interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ transcription during thymic development and populate the periphery with both cytokine loci previously modified by histone acetylation. Similarly, NK cells transcribe and modify the IFN-γ gene, but not IL-4, during developmental maturation in the bone marrow. Lineage-specific patterns of cytokine transcripts predate infection and suggest evolutionary selection for invariant but distinct types of effector responses among the earliest responding lymphocytes.