tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
DETECTION OF SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS BY OFFICE-BASED CAROTID ULTRASOUND INCREASES PRESCRIPTION OF PREVENTIVE THERAPIES
Authors: Heather Johnson, Terry L. Turke, Mark Grossklaus, Tara Dall, Sanford Carimi, Laura M. Koenig, Susan E. Aeschlimann, Claudia E. Korcarz, James H. Stein
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
CPAP can be considered as an alternative to intubation and surfactant treatment in extremely preterm infants
Authors: J. L. Bacon
Journal: Thorax (2010)

In this study of 1316 infants born 24–27 weeks and 6 days gestation, extremely low weight infants were randomised to receive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in the delivery room or intubation and surfactant treatment <1 h after …
Failing a re-treatment regimen does not predict MDR/XDR tuberculosis: is "blind" treatment dangerous?
Authors: G. Badoum, N. Saleri, M.S. Dembélé, M. Ouedraogo, G. Pinsi, K. Boncoungou, V. Bonkoungou, E. Birba, P. Miotto, G.B. Migliori, D.M. Cirillo, A. Matteelli
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

is ''blind'' treatment dangerous?
Validity and interpretation of mortality, health service and survey data on COPD and asthma in England
Authors: A. Hansell, J. Hollowell, R. McNiece, T. Nichols, D. Strachan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2003)

The comparability of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) epidemiology in different English routine data sources was examined to explore their use and validity in investigating environmental influences on respiratory health. National data were obtained for mortality, emergency hospital admissions, general practitioner contacts and symptoms in the early 1990s. Age/sex patterns, seasonal variations and regional and urban/rural age/sex standardised event ratios were examined. Spearman rank correlations were used to describe consistency of regional rankings across data sets. Asthma showed inconsistent disease patterns in different data sources and weak correlations for regional rankings but COPD was notably consistent. Unmeasured confounders may partly explain the findings, but individual level adjustment for social class and smoking (possible for symptoms) only partially attenuated the higher COPD rates in northern and urban areas and did not affect findings for asthma. When epidemiological patterns are consistent across data sources as with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in England, healthcare use is likely to reflect the underlying prevalence and severity of disease and can be used to study environmental influences. When patterns vary, as with asthma, the validity of the data in relation to its intended use must be carefully considered.
Sports injuries in adolescent boarding school boys.
Authors: J H Briscoe
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (1985)

A survey is presented of 346 sports injuries admitted to the Eton College Sanatorium between 1971 and 1982. The incidence of injury was lowest in 13 year olds perhaps because of their lighter weight. The injuries were classified into four groups--minor head injury, soft tissue injury, fractures and dislocations, and eye injury. Football caused 75 per cent of all injuries except eye injury where it accounted for only a third. Comparison of the incidence of injury at the three types of football played at Eton--Rugby, Association and Eton--showed Rugby football to be the most dangerous and Eton football the safest game. Advice on the management and prevention of injury is given.
Immunohistochemistry of carcinoembryonic antigen: characterisation of cross-reactions with other glycoproteins.
Authors: P Isaacson, M A Judd
Journal: Gut (1977)

In the course of demonstrating carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in normal human small intestine cross-reactivity of specific antiserum against red blood cells, vascular endothelium, and Paneth cell granules was noted. Pretreatment of sections with periodic acid eliminated these cross-reactions without affecting the staining of CEA, indicating that the antigenic determinants shared between CEA and other glycoproteins are in the carbohydrate portion of the molecules. These findings emphasise the caution with which immunohistochemical results should be regarded even when they are apparently well controlled.
Face Recognition Memory Deficits and Visual Object Memory Performance in Patients With Schizophrenia and Their Relatives
Authors: Monica E. Calkins, Ruben C. Gur, J. Daniel Ragland, Raquel E. Gur
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2005)

OBJECTIVE: Face recognition memory deficits in schizophrenia are attributed to frontotemporal dysfunction. Biological relatives of patients have similar deficits, suggesting genetic susceptibility. Because the impairment may reflect generalized object memory deficits, the authors evaluated both face and visual object recognition. METHOD: The Penn Face Memory Test and Visual Object Learning Test were given to 102 patients with schizophrenia, 60 of their biological relatives, and 135 healthy comparison subjects. RESULTS: Significant immediate and delayed face recognition deficits were observed in patients and their relatives. Although patients were more impaired in visual object memory than comparison subjects, relatives were not. CONCLUSIONS: Face recognition deficits in patients with schizophrenia and their families are not secondary to generalized object memory deficits and may be an endophenotype reflecting frontotemporal impairment.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease
Authors: Maxime W. C. Rousseaux, Huda Y. Zoghbi
Journal: JAMA Neurology (2015)

The viewpoint reports on the 2014 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award honoring Mahlon R. DeLong, MD, and Alim-Louis Benabid, MD, PhD, for their development of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus for patients with advanced Parkinson disease.
F-18 FDG PET/CT Detecting Thyroid Plasmacytoma After the Successful Treatment of Gastric Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Sadeka Shahani, Anbar Ahmad, Fareed H. Barakat, Hubert H. Chuang, Nathan H. Fowler, Jeffrey N. Myers, Charles Stava, Mouhammed Amir Habra
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2011)

Thyroid plasmacytoma is a rare form of extramedullary plasmacytoma. We describe an 82-year-old man with gastric large B-cell lymphoma who had complete response after receiving chemotherapy and rituximab, an anti-CD20 chimeric monoclonal antibody. Thyroid uptake was seen on follow-up F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computerized tomography scan (FDG PET/CT) imaging. The left thyroid lobe uptake proved to be plasmacytic neoplasm, whereas the right lobe uptake represented thyroiditis. FDG PET scan is a useful tool for monitoring disease activity in lymphoma patients; however, other benign processes could lead to false positive findings.
Genomic Patterns of Adaptive Divergence between Chromosomally Differentiated Sunflower Species
Authors: J. L. Strasburg, C. Scotti-Saintagne, I. Scotti, Z. Lai, L. H. Rieseberg
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2009)

Understanding the genetic mechanisms of speciation and basis of species differences is among the most important challenges in evolutionary biology. Two questions of particular interest are what roles divergent selection and chromosomal differentiation play in these processes. A number of recently proposed theories argue that chromosomal rearrangements can facilitate the development and maintenance of reproductive isolation and species differences by suppressing recombination within rearranged regions. Reduced recombination permits the accumulation of alleles contributing to isolation and adaptive differentiation and protects existing differences from the homogenizing effects of introgression between incipient species. Here, we examine patterns of genetic diversity and divergence in rearranged versus collinear regions in two widespread, extensively hybridizing sunflower species, Helianthus annuus and Helianthus petiolaris, using sequence data from 77 loci distributed throughout the genomes of the two species. We find weak evidence for increased genetic divergence near chromosomal break points but not within rearranged regions overall. We find no evidence for increased rates of adaptive divergence on rearranged chromosomes; in fact, collinear chromosomes show a far greater excess of fixed amino acid differences between the two species. A comparison with a third sunflower species indicates that much of the nonsynonymous divergence between H. annuus and H. petiolaris probably occurred during or soon after their formation. Our results suggest a limited role for chromosomal rearrangements in genetic divergence, but they do document substantial adaptive divergence and provide further evidence of how species integrity and genetic identity can be maintained at many loci in the face of extensive hybridization and gene flow.
A Phase I Clinical and Pharmacokinetic Study of Ro 31-7453 Given as a 7- or 14-Day Oral Twice Daily Schedule Every 4 Weeks in Patients with Solid Tumors
Authors: Ramon Salazar, Donald Bissett, Chris Twelves, Lars Breimer, Mark DeMario, Sophia Campbell, Jay Zhi, Steve Ritland, Jim Cassidy
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Purpose: This is a dose-finding Phase I study of oral Ro 31-7453, a new class of antimitotic drug with promising preclinical activity in several chemoresistant models. Experimental Design: Two schedules of oral Ro 31-7453 (every 12 h) given for either 7 or 14 consecutive days repeated every 4 weeks were explored consecutively. Results: Thirty-seven patients with refractory cancer entered the study (14 on the 7-day schedule and 23 on the 14-day schedule). Median age was 63 years (range, 40–77 years), and median Karnofsky performance status was 80 (range, 60–100); the most frequent diagnosis was colorectal carcinoma (16 patients). Dose levels of 100, 200, 240, and 280 mg/m2 twice daily (bid) for 7 days and 70, 100, 125, and 150 mg/m2 bid for 14 days were explored. A total of 110 cycles were administered, the median number of cycles received was 3 (range, 1–7); six patients completed 6 or more cycles. Myelosuppression and mucositis were dose-limiting with both schedules. Fatigue and gastrointestinal toxicities other than mucositis were frequent but generally mild. The maximum tolerated doses were 200 mg/m2 bid and 125 mg/m2 bid for the 7- and 14-day schedules, respectively. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed rapid absorption and metabolism. The area under the concentration-time curve and trough concentrations of Ro 31-7453 and two active metabolites appeared dose proportional with a t1/2 of ∼9 h and a tmax of ∼4 h. One patient with pretreated lung cancer had a partial response. Conclusions: Both Ro 31-7453 regimens were feasible, but the 14-day schedule at the recommended dose of 125 mg/m2 bid was selected for further monotherapy Phase II evaluation because of its higher preclinical activity. This regimen is convenient, well tolerated, and has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile.
Palliative care checklist: A documentation improvement tool.
Authors: Maxine De la Cruz, Akhila Sunkepally Reddy, Kimberson Tanco, Marieberta Vidal, Ahsan Azhar, Julio Silvestre, Gary B. Chisholm, Janet L. Williams, Eduardo Bruera
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2013)

142 Background: Palliative care (PC) encompasses medical, psychosocial and spiritual domains. Checklists are utilized for standardization and improvement in care, service, and safety. We implemented a PC checklist for patient encounters with the aim of improving clinical documentation. Methods: A PC checklist was drafted based on a consensus of 12 palliative care specialists. Dictations from 25 encounters for 13 clinical staff 3 months prior and 3 months post implementation of the checklist were compared using 10 items on the checklist. Improvement in documentation is not considered as a change in the delivery of care as all physicians followed the same practice patterns reinforced by academic activities like conferences, grand rounds, and interdisciplinary team meetings. Results: There were improvements in the documentation before and after the checklist for scores on Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener (CAGE) questionnaire: 38% vs. 81% (p=0.0014), psychosocial history: 69% vs. 95% (p=&lt;.0001) and overall documentation (defined as 6 out of 10 items on the checklist): 78% vs. 95% (p=&lt;.0001). There is a trend for improvement in documentation of ECOG (p=0.009) and Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) (p=0.07). There was no significant improvement in the documentation for advance care planning (ACP) (p=0.328). Conclusions: The implementation of the checklist has shown improvement in overall documentation. Serial reminders to the clinical staff may be needed to further improve documentation practices. [Table: see text]
Down-Regulation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Expression Using Vector-Based Small Interfering RNAs Suppresses Growth of Human Prostate Tumor <i>In vivo</i>
Authors: Lifang Gao, Ling Zhang, Jiadi Hu, Feng Li, Yueting Shao, Dan Zhao, Dhananjaya V. Kalvakolanu, Dennis J. Kopecko, Xuejian Zhao, De-Qi Xu
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2005)

Abstract Purpose: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is constitutively activated in a variety of cancers and it is a common feature of prostate cancer. Thus, Stat3 represents a promising molecular target for tumor therapy. We applied a DNA vector–based Stat3-specific RNA interference approach to block Stat3 signaling and to evaluate the biological consequences of Stat3 down-modulation on tumor growth using a mouse model. Experimental Design: To investigate the therapeutic potential of blocking Stat3 in cancer cells, three small interfering RNAs (siRNA; Stat3-1, Stat3-2, and Stat3-3) specific for different target sites on Stat3 mRNA were designed and used with a DNA vector–based RNA interference approach expressing short hairpin RNAs to knockdown Stat3 expression in human prostate cancer cells in vitro as well as in vivo. Results: Of the three equivalently expressed siRNAs, only Stat3-3 and Stat3-2, which target the region coding for the SH2 domain and the coiled-coil domain, respectively, strongly suppressed the expression of Stat3 in PC3 and LNCaP cells. The Stat3-1 siRNA, which targeted the DNA-binding domain, exerted no effect on Stat3 expression, indicating that the gene silencing efficiency of siRNA may be dependent on the local structure of Stat3 mRNA. The Stat3 siRNAs down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 (an antiapoptotic protein), and cyclin D1 and c-Myc (cell growth activators) in prostate cancer cells. Inhibition of Stat3 and its related genes was accompanied by growth suppression and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells in vitro and in tumors implanted in nude mice. Conclusions: These data indicate that Stat3 signaling is a promising molecular target for prostate cancer therapy and that vector-based Stat3 siRNA may be useful as a therapeutic agent for treatment of prostate cancer.
Changes of Cell Volume and Nitric Oxide Concentration in Macula Densa Cells Caused by Changes in Luminal NaCl Concentration
Authors: Ruisheng Liu, Ja[Combining Acute Accent]nos Pittner, A. Erik G. Persson
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2002)

ABSTRACT. The luminal NaCl concentration ([NaCl]) at the macula densa (MD) controls both tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) and renin release. Nitric oxide (NO) inhibits TGF sensitivity to a great extent. The NO concentration in the MD cells is not known. This study measured this concentration in MD cells with confocal microscopy in the isolated perfused thick ascending limb using a NO-sensitive fluorophore 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2). Calcein was used to measure cell volume changes. The loop perfusion fluid was a modified Ringer solution containing 10, 35, or 135 mM NaCl with a constant total osmolarity (290 mOsm), and the bath was perfused with the 135 mM NaCl solution. The results show that MD cell volume and NO concentration measured with DAF-2 DA increased considerably with increasing luminal [NaCl] and with calcium-free solutions in the lumen and bath. L-arginine (5 mM) increased NO concentration in the MD cells by 30%. 7-nitroindazole could totally inhibit the NO production caused by L-arginine and by increased luminal [NaCl]. In conclusion, the MD cell volume changes caused by the changes of luminal [NaCl] were quantitatively measured, and it was found that increasing the luminal [NaCl] resulted in an increase in cell volume. It was also found that NO formation in MD cells could be measured with DAF-2 and that NO production was increased through neuronal NO synthase activation with an increased luminal [NaCl]. An increased NO production will inhibit the vasoconstriction induced by the TGF and at the same time will reduce TGF sensitivity.
Gene Flow in the Face of Countervailing Selection: Adaptation to High-Altitude Hypoxia in the A Hemoglobin Subunit of Yellow-Billed Pintails in the Andes
Authors: K. G. McCracken, M. Bulgarella, K. P. Johnson, M. K. Kuhner, J. Trucco, T. H. Valqui, R. E. Wilson, J. L. Peters
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2009)

When populations become locally adapted to contrasting environments, alleles that have high fitness in only one environment may be quickly eliminated in populations adapted to other environments, such that gene flow is partly restricted. The stronger the selection, the more rapidly immigrant alleles of lower fitness will be eliminated from the population. However, gene flow may continue to occur at unlinked loci, and adaptive divergence can proceed in the face of countervailing gene flow if selection is strong relative to migration (s > m). We studied the population genetics of the major hemoglobin genes in yellow-billed pintails (Anas georgica) experiencing contrasting partial pressures of oxygen in the Andes of South America. High gene flow and weak population subdivision were evident at seven putatively neutral loci in different chromosomal linkage groups. In contrast, amino acid replacements (Ser-β13, Ser-β116, and Met-β133) in the βA hemoglobin subunit segregated by elevation between lowland and highland populations with significantly elevated FST. Migration rates for the βA subunit alleles were approximately 17–24 times smaller than for five unlinked reference loci, the αA hemoglobin subunit (which lacks amino acid replacements) and the mitochondrial DNA control region. The βA subunit alleles of yellow-billed pintails were half as likely to be transferred downslope, from the highlands to the lowlands, than in the opposite direction upslope. We hypothesize that migration between the lowlands and highlands is restricted by local adaptation, and the βA hemoglobin subunit is a likely target of selection related to high-altitude hypoxia; however, gene flow may be sufficiently high to retard divergence at most unlinked loci. Individuals homozygous for lowland alleles may have relatively little difficulty dispersing to the highlands initially but may experience long-term fitness reduction. Individuals homozygous for highland genotypes, in contrast, would be predicted to have difficulty dispersing to the lowlands if their hemoglobin alleles confer high oxygen affinity, predicted to result in chronic erythrocytosis at low elevation. Heterozygous individuals may have a dispersal advantage if their hemoglobin has a wider range of function due to the presence of multiple protein isoforms with a mixture of different oxygen affinities.
Molecular species of hepadnavirus core and envelope polypeptides in hepatocyte plasma membrane of woodchucks with acute and chronic viral hepatitis
Authors: Tomasz I. Michalak, Bo Lin
Journal: Hepatology (1994)

Hepadnaviral antigens exposed on hepatocytes serve as targets and as possible modulators of immunopathogenic reactions causing liver damage. To identify molecular species of viral proteins at the liver cell surface and the relationship between their expression and the persistence and severity of virus-induced liver injury, we examined woodchuck hepatitis virus core and envelope polypeptides in host hepatocyte plasma membranes from acute and chronic hepatitis. Western blot analysis revealed that two virus core polypeptides with a molecular mass of 22 kD and 43 kD occur in the membranes of infected animals. The molecular profiles and the membrane levels of the core antigen were not related to the duration or histological severity of liver damage. In contrast, quantities of the virus surface antigen were significantly greater in hepatocyte membranes of animals with chronic hepatitis. The envelope preS1, preS2 and S polypeptides, with or without molecular mass equivalents in the subviral surface antigen particles and virions, were detected in all infected membranes, although the preS2 polypeptides were always dominant. Our findings indicate that hepadnavirus core and envelope polypeptides are integral constituents of hepatocyte membranes in the course of hepatitis. They demonstrate that the accumulation of viral envelope proteins, predominantly the S-domain sequences, in hepatocyte membranes is a prominent characteristic of chronic hepatitis. This event might contribute to promotion of development and maintenance of hepadnavirus-related chronic liver disease.
Changes in Respiratory Effort Sensation Over Time Are Linked to the Frequency Content of Diaphragm Electrical Activity
Authors: CHRISTER SINDERBY, JADRANKA SPAHIJA, JENNIFER BECK
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2001)

This study evaluated whether respiratory effort sensation (RES) changes over time when breathing is performed with constant contraction pattern, fixed diaphragm activation, and maintained pressure generation. Another aim was to assess whether there was any association between RES and the power spectrum center frequency of the diaphragm (CFdi) electrical activity. Six healthy subjects performed two 10-min periods targeting diaphragm electrical activation (EAdi) to 40% of maximum using (1) expulsive or Mueller maneuvers at FRC generating a mean transdiaphragmatic (Pdi) pressure of 55.0 ± 22.7 cm H2O ( ± SD) and (2) inspiration to 71.2 ± 14.1% of inspiratory capacity (IC) generating a Pdi of 21.4 ± 5.2 cm H2O. The Pdi did not decrease over time during either maneuver. During both periods RES increased (p < 0.001) and CFdi decreased (p < 0.001) over time with higher Pdi levels producing larger decreases in CFdi (p = 0.003) and greater increases in RES (p = 0.008). Changes in CFdi and RES were related, and identical slopes were obtained during the two maneuvers. In conclusion, while breathing with a fixed pattern, constant diaphragm activation, and maintained pressure generation, RES increases over time and is associated with CFdi independent of the level of diaphragm pressure generated.