tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Unequal Evolutionary Rates Between Annual and Perennial Lineages of Checker Mallows (Sidalcea, Malvaceae): Evidence from 18S–26S rDNA Internal and External Transcribed Spacers
Authors: K Andreasen, B G Baldwin
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2001)

Heterogeneous DNA substitution rates were found in the 18S-26S nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and external transcribed spacer (ETS) regions of Sidalcea (Malvaceae), a putatively young genus of annuals and perennials. The majority of comparisons revealed that the annual species had significantly higher molecular evolutionary rates than the perennials, whereas rates were consistently homogenous between obligate annual species. These findings led us to conclude that generation time or possibly another biological factor distinguishing annuals and perennials has influenced rates of molecular evolution in SIDALCEA: The congruence of relative-rate test results across both spacer regions reinforced the association between life history and rate of rDNA evolution across lineages of checker mallows. Evolutionary rate variation within perennials mainly involved three basally divergent lineages. The faster rate in one lineage, Sidalcea stipularis, compared with other perennials may be the result of genetic drift in the only known, small, population. The other two basally divergent lineages had slower evolutionary rates compared with the remaining perennials; possible explanations for these differences include rate-reducing effects of a suffrutescent (rather than herbaceous) habit and seed dormancy.
Interventions for smoking cessation in hospitalised patients: a systematic review
Authors: M Munafo
Journal: Thorax (2001)

Background-An admission to hospital provides an opportunity to help people stop smoking.Individuals may be more open to help at a time of perceived vulnerability, and may find it easier to quit in an environment where smoking is restricted or prohibited.Providing smoking cessation services during hospitalisation may help more people to attempt and sustain an attempt to quit.The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the eVectiveness of interventions for smoking cessation in hospitalised patients.Methods-We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group register, CINAHL, and the Smoking and Health database for studies of interventions for smoking cessation in hospitalised patients.Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of behavioural, pharmacological, or multicomponent interventions to help patients stop smoking conducted with hospitalised patients who were current smokers or recent quitters were included.Studies of patients admitted for psychiatric disorders or substance abuse, those that did not report abstinence rates, and those with follow up of less than 6 months were excluded.Two of the authors extracted data independently for each paper, with assistance from others.Results-Intensive intervention (inpatient contact plus follow up for at least 1 month) was associated with a significantly higher cessation rate compared with controls (Peto odds ratio (OR) 1.82, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.22).Any contact during hospitalisation followed by minimal follow up failed to detect a statistically significant eVect on cessation rate, but did not rule out a 30% increase in smoking cessation (Peto OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.31).There was insuYcient evidence to judge the eVect of interventions delivered only during the hospital stay.Although the interventions increased quit rates irrespective of whether nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was used, the results for NRT were compatible with other data indicating that it increases quit rates.There was no strong evidence that clinical diagnosis aVected the likelihood of quitting.Conclusions-High intensity behavioural interventions that include at least 1 month of follow up contact are eVective in promoting smoking cessation in hospitalised patients.
Thirdhand Tobacco Smoke: Emerging Evidence and Arguments for a Multidisciplinary Research Agenda
Authors: Georg E. Matt, Penelope J. E. Quintana, Hugo Destaillats, Lara A. Gundel, Mohamad Sleiman, Brett C. Singer, Peyton Jacob, Neal Benowitz, Jonathan P. Winickoff, Virender Rehan, Prue Talbot, Suzaynn Schick, Jonathan Samet, Yinsheng Wang, Bo Hang, Manuela Martins-Green, James F. Pankow, Melbourne F. Hovell
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2011)

There is broad consensus regarding the health impact of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, yet considerable ambiguity exists about the nature and consequences of thirdhand smoke (THS).We introduce definitions of THS and THS exposure and review recent findings about constituents, indoor sorption-desorption dynamics, and transformations of THS; distribution and persistence of THS in residential settings; implications for pathways of exposure; potential clinical significance and health effects; and behavioral and policy issues that affect and are affected by THS.Physical and chemical transformations of tobacco smoke pollutants take place over time scales ranging from seconds to months and include the creation of secondary pollutants that in some cases are more toxic (e.g., tobacco-specific nitrosamines). THS persists in real-world residential settings in the air, dust, and surfaces and is associated with elevated levels of nicotine on hands and cotinine in urine of nonsmokers residing in homes previously occupied by smokers. Much still needs to be learned about the chemistry, exposure, toxicology, health risks, and policy implications of THS.The existing evidence on THS provides strong support for pursuing a programmatic research agenda to close gaps in our current understanding of the chemistry, exposure, toxicology, and health effects of THS, as well as its behavioral, economic, and sociocultural considerations and consequences. Such a research agenda is necessary to illuminate the role of THS in existing and future tobacco control efforts to decrease smoking initiation and smoking levels, to increase cessation attempts and sustained cessation, and to reduce the cumulative effects of tobacco use on morbidity and mortality.
Domino paired kidney donation: a strategy to make best use of live non-directed donation
Authors: Robert A Montgomery, Sommer E Gentry, William H Marks, Daniel S Warren, Janet Hiller, Julie Houp, Andrea A Zachary, J Keith Melancon, Warren R Maley, Hamid Rabb, Christopher Simpkins, Dorry L Segev
Journal: The Lancet (2006)
Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Moutih Rafei, Elena Birman, Kathy Forner, Jacques Galipeau
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2009)

The use of allogeneic "universal donor" mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may be a substantial clinical convenience for treatment of autoimmune ailments such as multiple sclerosis. We therefore tested whether allogeneic MSCs can be exploited for treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice with otherwise intact immune system. Administration of allogeneic Balb/c-derived MSCs to C57Bl/6 mice with pre-established EAE led to a significant decrease in disease score over time comparable to that achieved with syngeneic MSCs, and was correlated with a significant blunting of immune cell infiltration to the spinal cord and reduced circulating levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17. Pretreatment of allogeneic MSCs with IFN-γ increased the expression levels of CCL2 as well as major histocompatibility complex I (MHCI) and MHCII, but also led to complete loss of suppressive activity in vivo that correlated with immune rejection. In conclusion, allogeneic MSCs can suppress the manifestations of EAE, yet retain the potential for alloimmunization. The use of allogeneic "universal donor" mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may be a substantial clinical convenience for treatment of autoimmune ailments such as multiple sclerosis. We therefore tested whether allogeneic MSCs can be exploited for treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice with otherwise intact immune system. Administration of allogeneic Balb/c-derived MSCs to C57Bl/6 mice with pre-established EAE led to a significant decrease in disease score over time comparable to that achieved with syngeneic MSCs, and was correlated with a significant blunting of immune cell infiltration to the spinal cord and reduced circulating levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17. Pretreatment of allogeneic MSCs with IFN-γ increased the expression levels of CCL2 as well as major histocompatibility complex I (MHCI) and MHCII, but also led to complete loss of suppressive activity in vivo that correlated with immune rejection. In conclusion, allogeneic MSCs can suppress the manifestations of EAE, yet retain the potential for alloimmunization.
Use of sputum eosinophil counts to guide management in children with severe asthma
Authors: Louise Fleming, Nicola Wilson, Nicolas Regamey, Andrew Bush
Journal: Thorax (2011)

<h3>Background</h3> Previous studies in adults with asthma incorporating the control of sputum eosinophils into management strategies have shown significant reductions in exacerbations. A study was undertaken to investigate whether this strategy would be successful in children with severe asthma. <h3>Methods</h3> 55 children (7–17 years) with severe asthma were randomised to either a conventional symptom-based management strategy or to an inflammation-based strategy (principally sputum eosinophils). Children were seen 3-monthly over a 1-year period. <h3>Results</h3> The annual rate of total and major exacerbations (courses of oral corticosteroids) was non-significantly lower in the inflammatory management group compared with the symptom management group (3.6 vs 4.8, incident rate ratio (IRR) 0.75, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.04, p=0.082; and 1.9 vs 2.7 IRR 0.73, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.28, p=0.274 for total and major exacerbations, respectively). Significantly fewer subjects in the inflammatory management group experienced an exacerbation within 28 days of a study visit. There were small non-significant differences in measures of asthma control (symptom-free days and short-acting β agonist use) favouring the inflammatory management group. There was no significant difference in the inhaled corticosteroid dose prescribed over the course of the study. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Incorporating the control of sputum eosinophils into the management algorithm did not significantly reduce overall exacerbations or improve asthma control. Exacerbations were reduced in the short term, suggesting that more frequent measurements would be needed for a clinically useful effect and that controlling inflammation may have a role to play in subgroups of children with severe asthma.
THE ANEMIA OF INFECTION. XIV. RESPONSE TO MASSIVE DOSES OF INTRAVENOUSLY ADMINISTERED SACCHARATED OXIDE OF IRON 1
Authors: W. J. Kuhns, C. J. Gubler, G. E. Cartwright, M. M. Wintrobe
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1950)

The anemia of infection is associated with a number of alterations in iron metabolism. Previous studies (1-4) have shown that, with the development of inflammation, hypoferremia occurs and a decrease takes place in the concentration of the metal binding protein in the plasma. When iron is given by mouth, there is little change in the level of plasma iron and, following the intravenous injection of iron, only a transient rise in the plasma iron develops. These findings have suggested that diversion of iron from the plasma takes place in inflammation and infection. Studies in experimental animals have shown that iron is diverted primarily to the liver and spleen. Whether this iron is simply stored, since less can be used in the face of diminished hemoglobin production, or performs a special function in connection with the presence of inflammation, is unknown. These findings contrast with those associated
Exercise-induced asthma and late phase reactions
Authors: T H Lee, S P O'Hickey
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1989)

The hypothesis that respiratory heat loss was an initiating event in EIA was first proposed by CHEN and HoRTON [1) and later supported by McFADDEN et al. [2], who suggested that the severity of EIA is dependent upon the rapidity and magnitude of airway rewarming after exercise. It has been suggested that the airway cooling which results from hyperpnoea during exercise is followed by a rapid re-supply of heat to the airway mucosa when exercise ceases. This may cause an exaggerated rebound hyperaemia and airway oedema, thereby causing asthma. However, HAHN et al. [3] exercised asthmatic subjects under varying conditions of temperature and humidity and demonstrated that the severity of EIA did not differ even when the inspired air temperature varied by 26·c as long as the humidity was kept constant. This suggests that the response to exercise depends on the degree of respiratory water loss rather than on cooling of the airways. ANDERSON [4] has suggested that the rate of respiratory water loss caused by the hyperpnoea of exertion induces a transient hyperosmolarity of the airway epithelium and that this is the stimulus for EIA. This hypothesis is supported by several lines of evidence. Inhalation of hypertonic aerosols will induce bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects which is attenuated by the prior administration of sodium cromoglycate [5] and specific histamine H 1 antagonists [6] in a similar manner to that seen for inhibition of EIA [7, 8]. In the previous issue of this Journal, BELCHER and eo-workers [9] have demonstrated a correlation between airways responsiveness to inhaled hypertonic saline aerosol and to exercise in a group of ten asthmatic subjects. Asthmatic subjects demonstrate cross-refractoriness between hypertonic saline-induced bronchoconstriction and EIA [10], sug-
Intrauterine growth retardation.
Authors: M L Chiswick
Journal: BMJ (1985)

The recognition that some low birthweight babies (<2500 g) were the victims of intrauterine growth retardation rather than premature birth was a milestone in perinatal medicine.13 Up to 10% of all liveborn babies and at least 30% of those of low birth weight suffer from intrauterine growth retardation; their perinatal mortality is four to 10 times higher than that of normally grown babies?both stillbirth and neonatal deaths contributing. Poor growth also exposes the fetus and the newborn to perinatal complications, which leave their scars in the form of later neurodevelopmental disability.4 No widely accepted, reliable definition of intrauterine growth retardation is applicable before birth. Instead, those babies who are small for dates?who weigh, for example, less than the 10th centile for their gestational age at birth?have, by inference, suffered intrauterine growth retardation. This approach may cause problems: the precise gestational age may be uncertain, especially in those pregnancies vulnerable to intrauterine growth retardation; the lower limit of  birth weight for gestational age is variously defined as the 3rd, 5th, 10th, or 25th centile, or less than two standard deviations; intrauterine growth and  standards of birth weight for gestational age are influenced by ethnic and geographical factors56; small for dates babies may be the result of  genetic constraint rather than pathological growth retardation; and, finally, birth weight is only one index of growth failure, and babies of normal weight may none the less have failed to achieve their genetic growth potential.
Ear pain, vesicular rash, and facial palsy
Authors: A. Al-Hussaini, F. Latif, S. Berry
Journal: BMJ (2014)

A 76 year old man presented to the emergency department with a three day history of a painful rash on his right cheek, associated with right sided otalgia and sore throat. He had noticed a right sided facial droop over the past 24 hours. He had no history of other neurological disturbances, otological symptoms, or head trauma.

Ten years earlier he had received a right cochlear implant, which was still functioning, and he also had benign prostatic hypertrophy. He was on aspirin 75 mg once daily and tamsulosin 400 µg once daily and had no known allergies.

He was afebrile and had partial right facial nerve palsy with incomplete eye closure; his forehead muscles were also affected. Neurological examination was otherwise normal. Examination of the right ear identified vesicles on the external auditory canal; the right tympanic membrane was normal. The left ear was normal. A rash comprising lentil sized vesicles, in part confluent and pustular with surrounding erythema, was noted in the dermatomal distribution of the maxillary branch of the right trigeminal nerve. A vesicular rash was noted on the right side of the hard palate (figure⇓); the oropharynx was normal. Examination of the neck showed no parotid swelling or cervical lymphadenopathy.



Vesicular rash on the right side of the hard palate





### 1. On the basis of the history and examination findings, what is the likely diagnosis?

#### Short answer

Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which is caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. Clinically, it usually comprises a painful vesicular rash on the external ear (herpes zoster oticus) associated with ipsilateral lower motor neurone facial nerve palsy. Because it is a cranial polyneuritis, other cranial …
Essential Role of Lung Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Preventing Asthmatic Reactions to Harmless Inhaled Antigen
Authors: Hendrik Jan de Heer, Hamida Hammad, Thomas Soullié, Daniëlle Hijdra, Nanda Vos, Monique A.M. Willart, Henk C. Hoogsteden, Bart N. Lambrecht
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2004)

Tolerance is the usual outcome of inhalation of harmless antigen, yet T helper (Th) type 2 cell sensitization to inhaled allergens induced by dendritic cells (DCs) is common in atopic asthma. Here, we show that both myeloid (m) and plasmacytoid (p) DCs take up inhaled antigen in the lung and present it in an immunogenic or tolerogenic form to draining node T cells. Strikingly, depletion of pDCs during inhalation of normally inert antigen led to immunoglobulin E sensitization, airway eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia, and Th2 cell cytokine production, cardinal features of asthma. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of pDCs before sensitization prevented disease in a mouse asthma model. On a functional level, pDCs did not induce T cell division but suppressed the generation of effector T cells induced by mDCs. These studies show that pDCs provide intrinsic protection against inflammatory responses to harmless antigen. Therapies exploiting pDC function might be clinically effective in preventing the development of asthma.
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Uta G Hill, R Andres Floto, Charles S Haworth
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2012)

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental organisms found in soil and water throughout the world that can cause chronic lung infection, usually in the context of structural lung disease or immunodeficiency.1 There is considerable evidence that rates of NTM infection are increasing in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).2 In contrast to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, NTM do not seem to be transmissible from person to person nor re-activate following latent infection.3 Observed increases in NTM infection in CF patients are therefore likely to reflect increased exposure and/or increased susceptibility to infection.

This review aims to summarize the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of NTM infection in CF patients focusing on the two most common mycobacterial groups causing disease: the M. avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) and the M. abscessus complex (MABSC).
Psoriasis and occlusive vascular disease
Authors: CHARLES J. MCDONALD, PAUL CALABRESI
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1978)

To test the hypothesis that psoriasis is associated with an increased incidence of occlusive vascular disease (thrombophlebitis, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolization, and cerebrovascular accident), the clinical records of 323 psoriatic and 325 non‐psoriatic patients admitted to the dermatology service of the Roger Williams General Hospital were examined. The data obtained in this study suggest that (1) the occurrence rate of occlusive vascular disease is significantly greater in the psoriatic than in the non‐psoriatic dermatological patient. This is particularly true in the male population; (2) psoriasis predisposes to occlusive vascular disease; and (3) the psoriatic patient with certain predisposing factors is at greater risk of experiencing an occlusive vascular episode than both the non‐predisposed psoriatic and the non‐psoriatic dermatological patient.
Musings on genome medicine: genome wide association studies
Authors: David G Nathan, Stuart H Orkin
Journal: Genome Medicine (2009)

We are grateful to the editors of Genome Medicine who have rather incautiously invited us to write a monthly commentary on the exciting events that have occurred in this burgeoning field. We have decided to write the column together because one of us (DGN) is a clinical investigator and the other (SHO) is a basic geneticist and developmental biologist. Together we believe we can do justice to the field and eschew cant. We begin with a discussion of the controversial role of genome wide association studies in clinical medicine.
Cytoreduction surgery reduces systemic myeloid suppressor cell populations and restores intratumoral immunotherapy effectiveness
Authors: Jarrod D Predina, Veena Kapoor, Brendan F Judy, Guanjun Cheng, Zvi Gregory Fridlender, Steven M Albelda, Sunil Singhal
Journal: Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2012)

Abstract Background Multiple immunotherapy approaches have improved adaptive anti-tumor immune responses in patients with early stage disease; however, results have been less dramatic when treating patients with late stage disease. These blunted responses are likely due to a host of factors, including changes in the tumor microenvironment and systemic immunosuppressive features, which accompany advanced tumor states. We hypothesized that cytoreductive surgery could control these immunosuppressive networks and restore the potency of immunotherapy in advanced disease scenarios. Methods To test these hypotheses, two representative intratumoral immunotherapies (an adenoviral vector encoding a suicide gene, AdV-tk, or a type-I interferon, Ad.IFNα) were tested in murine models of lung cancer. Cytoreductive surgery was performed following treatment of advanced tumors. Mechanistic underpinnings were investigated using flow cytometry, in vivo leukocyte depletion methods and in vivo tumor neutralization assays. Results AdV-tk and Ad.IFNα were effective in treating early lung cancers, but had little anti-tumor effects in late stage cancers. Interestingly, in late stage scenarios, surgical cytoreduction unmasked the anti-tumor potency of both immunotherapeutic approaches. Immune mechanisms that explained restoration in anti-tumor immune responses included increased CD8 T-cell trafficking and reduced myeloid derived suppressor cell populations. Conclusion This study demonstrates that surgical resection combined with immunotherapy may be a rational therapeutic option for patients with advanced stage cancer.