tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Potassium status of patients with cirrhosis.
Authors: N G Soler, S Jain, H James, A Paton
Journal: Gut (1976)

Whole body potassium measurements were performed on 55 cirrhotic patients in different stages of the disease. They included 34 with alcoholic cirrhosis, 10 with cryptogenic cirrhosis, eight with chronic active hepatitis, and three with haemochromatosis. Serial measurements were carried out in 21 patients. The findings of this study indicate that: (1) the aetiology of the cirrhosis is important in determining the potassium status of cirrhotics, most alcoholics being depleted; (2) ascites and decompensation are usually associated with potassium depletion but compensated cirrhotics may also be depleted even when not receiving diuretics; (3) the initial potassium status, whether a cirrhotic be decompensated or not, is difficult to alter in the short term (six months). Marked changes in potassium status can occur in alcoholic patients studied over longer periods.
Increased resistance to ischaemic injury in the isolated perfused atherosclerotic heart of the cholesterol-fed rabbit
Authors: B Le Grand
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1995)

In isolated, Langendorff-perfused hearts in the early stages of atherosclerosis from rabbits exposed to hypercholesterolaemia induced by 2% cholesterol feeding for 6 weeks (n = 23), and age-matched normal controls fed standard chow (n = 12), we studied baseline cardiac haemodynamics and the susceptibility of these hearts to 30 min global, normothermic ischaemia and 90 min reperfusion.Spontaneously beating hearts were perfused with oxygenated Krebs buffer (pH 7.4) at constant pressure, and were enclosed in a thermostated water jacket at 37 degrees C. Isovolumetric left ventricular (LV) pressure was measured by means of a balloon placed in the LV cavity. An electromagnetic flow probe placed around the perfusion cannula determined coronary flow. At the end of an initial 30 min stabilisation period, several baseline cardiodynamic variables were measured, just before subjecting the hearts to 30 min ischaemia. Recovery of mechanical function and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities in the coronary effluent were recorded throughout 90 min reperfusion.Baseline spontaneous heart rate, LV developed pressure (LVDP), coronary flow and pressure-rate index (PRI) were all significantly lower in hearts from cholesterol-fed rabbits (CFR) than in age-matched controls (P < 0.01). Although large differences in several baseline haemodynamic parameters in hearts from CFR and controls were evident before ischaemia, no statistically significant differences were discernible in these parameters between the two groups from 60 min reperfusion onwards (p = NS). Furthermore, CPK and, to a lesser extent, LDH release during reperfusion was attenuated in hearts from CFR compared to controls.Hearts from CFR exhibited markedly improved recovery upon reperfusion compared to age-matched controls, strongly suggesting increased myocardial resistance to ischaemic injury.
The value of pre trial rehabilitation before endoscopic lung volume reduction – Analysis of the VENT trial
Authors: Konstantina Kontogianni, Ralf Eberhardt, Daniela Gompelmann, Maren Schuhmann, Arschang Valipour, Felix J.F. Herth
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Objective:  Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) prior to randomization in endoscopic lung volume reduction (LVR) trials is recommended in order to maximize function prior to intervention. The VENT compared the safety and efficacy of Zephyr valve in heterogeneous emphysema to medical treatment. The enrolled population underwent a detailed rehabilitation programme before the official trial enrolment  Methods:  As recommended in the GOLD standards, each patient enrolled in the study underwent optimal medical management which included 6-8 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation with 2 visits to the rehabilitation center per week. The rehabilitation programme included lower limb and upper limb endurance training as well as a lower and upper limb strength training.  Results:  521 subjects were enrolled into the program. IC/TLC and the 6MWD showed modest but significant improvements after the PR programme. There were no significant changes in the other functional outcomes  .  Conclusion:  Supervised pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with emphysematous type of COPD resulted in modest improvements in exercise capacity. The value of rehabilitation prior to LVR procedures needs to be revisited.
Adaptations to Climate-Mediated Selective Pressures in Sheep
Authors: Feng-Hua Lv, Saif Agha, Juha Kantanen, Licia Colli, Sylvie Stucki, James W. Kijas, Stéphane Joost, Meng-Hua Li, Paolo Ajmone Marsan
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2014)

Following domestication, sheep (Ovis aries) have become essential farmed animals across the world through adaptation to a diverse range of environments and varied production systems. Climate-mediated selective pressure has shaped phenotypic variation and has left genetic "footprints" in the genome of breeds raised in different agroecological zones. Unlike numerous studies that have searched for evidence of selection using only population genetics data, here, we conducted an integrated coanalysis of environmental data with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation. By examining 49,034 SNPs from 32 old, autochthonous sheep breeds that are adapted to a spectrum of different regional climates, we identified 230 SNPs with evidence for selection that is likely due to climate-mediated pressure. Among them, 189 (82%) showed significant correlation (P ≤ 0.05) between allele frequency and climatic variables in a larger set of native populations from a worldwide range of geographic areas and climates. Gene ontology analysis of genes colocated with significant SNPs identified 17 candidates related to GTPase regulator and peptide receptor activities in the biological processes of energy metabolism and endocrine and autoimmune regulation. We also observed high linkage disequilibrium and significant extended haplotype homozygosity for the core haplotype TBC1D12-CH1 of TBC1D12. The global frequency distribution of the core haplotype and allele OAR22_18929579-A showed an apparent geographic pattern and significant (P ≤ 0.05) correlations with climatic variation. Our results imply that adaptations to local climates have shaped the spatial distribution of some variants that are candidates to underpin adaptive variation in sheep.
Simulation of Genome-Wide Evolution under Heterogeneous Substitution Models and Complex Multispecies Coalescent Histories
Authors: Miguel Arenas, David Posada
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2014)

Genomic evolution can be highly heterogeneous. Here, we introduce a new framework to simulate genome-wide sequence evolution under a variety of substitution models that may change along the genome and the phylogeny, following complex multispecies coalescent histories that can include recombination, demographics, longitudinal sampling, population subdivision/species history, and migration. A key aspect of our simulation strategy is that the heterogeneity of the whole evolutionary process can be parameterized according to statistical prior distributions specified by the user. We used this framework to carry out a study of the impact of variable codon frequencies across genomic regions on the estimation of the genome-wide nonsynonymous/synonymous ratio. We found that both variable codon frequencies across genes and rate variation among sites and regions can lead to severe underestimation of the global dN/dS values. The program SGWE—Simulation of Genome-Wide Evolution—is freely available from http://code.google.com/p/sgwe-project/, including extensive documentation and detailed examples.
5-Fluorouracil and folinic acid with or without CPT-11 in advanced colorectal cancer patients: A multicenter randomised phase II study of the Southern Italy Oncology Group
Authors: E. Maiello, V. Gebbia, F. Giuliani, G. Paoletti, N. Gebbia, S. Cigolari, S. Fortunato, T. Pedicini, N. Borsellino, M. Lopez, G. Colucci
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2000)
Role of endocrine responsiveness and adjuvant therapy in very young women (below 35 years) with operable breast cancer and node negative disease
Authors: M. Colleoni, N. Rotmensz, G. Peruzzotti, P. Maisonneuve, L. Orlando, R. Ghisini, G. Viale, G. Pruneri, P. Veronesi, A. Luini, M. Intra, A. Cardillo, R. Torrisi, A. Rocca, A. Goldhirsch
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2006)
High glucose condition increases NADPH oxidase activity in endothelial microparticles that promote vascular inflammation
Authors: Felix Jansen, Xiaoyan Yang, Bernardo S. Franklin, Marion Hoelscher, Theresa Schmitz, Jörg Bedorf, Georg Nickenig, Nikos Werner
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2013)

Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMP) are increased in diabetic patients, but their potential contribution in atherogenesis is unclear. We sought to determine the role of EMP derived under high glucose conditions in the development of atherosclerosis.EMP were generated from human coronary endothelial cells (HCAEC) exposed to high glucose concentrations in order to mimic diabetic conditions. These EMP were defined as 'injured' EMP (iEMP) and their effects were compared with EMP generated from 'healthy' untreated HCAEC. iEMP injection significantly impaired endothelial function in ApoE(-/-) mice compared with EMP and vehicle treatment. Immunofluorescent experiments showed increased macrophage infiltration and adhesion protein expression in atherosclerotic lesions of iEMP-treated ApoE(-/-) mice compared with controls. To further investigate the underlying mechanism of iEMP-induced vascular inflammation, additional in vitro experiments were performed. iEMP, but not EMP, induced activation of HCAEC in a time- and dose-dependent manner and increased monocyte adhesion. Further experiments demonstrated that iEMP induced activation of HCAEC by phosphorylation of p38 into its biologically active form phospho-p38. Inhibition of p38 activation abrogated iEMP-dependent induction of adhesion proteins and monocyte adhesion on HCAEC. Moreover, we could demonstrate that iEMP show increased NADPH oxidase activity and contain significantly higher level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than EMP. iEMP triggered ROS production in HCAEC and thereby activate p38 in an ROS-dependent manner.High glucose condition increases NADPH oxidase activity in endothelial microparticles that amplify endothelial inflammation and impair endothelial function by promoting activation of the endothelium. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of diabetes-associated atherosclerosis.
<i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i> tick bites are a possible cause of red meat allergy in Japan
Authors: Y. Chinuki, K. Ishiwata, K. Yamaji, H. Takahashi, E. Morita
Journal: Allergy (2015)

Abstract Recent studies revealed that Amblyomma or Ixodes tick bites may cause red meat allergy, in which galactose‐α‐1,3‐galactose (α‐Gal) is a major IgE‐binding epitope. The incidence of red meat allergy is high in Shimane Prefecture, as is tick‐transmitted Japanese spotted fever. Therefore, we speculated that tick bites may cause these meat allergies. The carbohydrate α‐Gal was detected in the salivary gland protein of Haemaphysalis longicornis (H. longicornis), the vector for Japanese spotted fever, by immunoblotting using anti‐α‐Gal antibody. H. longicornis salivary gland protein‐specific IgE was detected in the sera of 24 of 30 patients with red meat allergies. Sensitization to tick salivary gland protein containing α‐Gal is possibly a major etiology of red meat allergy; the carbohydrate plays a crucial role in its allergenicity. These results further indicate that the α‐Gal epitope is present not only in Amblyomma or Ixodes , but also in Haemaphysalis .
Subsequent COPD and lung cancer in patients with autoimmune disease
Authors: K. Hemminki, X. Liu, J. Ji, K. Sundquist, J. Sundquist
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

To the Editors:

Autoimmune diseases can be defined as clinical syndromes caused by the activation of T-cells or B-cells, or both, in the absence of an ongoing infection or other discernible cause 1. These cells recognise specific foreign antigens but even in healthy individuals they possess a low-level of autoreactivity towards own antigens. Autoreactivity is increased in autoimmune diseases either systemically (as in rheumatoid arthritis) or organ-specifically (Graves’ disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus). These diseases are diagnosed by clinical symptoms and by specific types of autoantibodies. The prevalence of autoimmune diseases ranges from 5–10% of the population in Western countries, including common diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroiditis, and many rare ones 2. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that genetic factors are crucial determinants of susceptibility to autoimmune disease 1. For many of these diseases a familial clustering is reported. However, even in a genetically predisposed person, some trigger, an environmental exposure or a change in the internal environment, is usually required to precipitate autoreactivity 3. Smoking is an environmental risk factor for some autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Graves’ disease and primary biliary cirrhosis, but for many other autoimmune diseases data on smoking are either lacking or controversial.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a slowly progressive disease characterised by irreversible airflow limitation, which is caused by chronic inflammatory immune response to inhaled gases and particles 4. It may affect up to 10% of the population. In the early phase, the inflammatory process is located in central airways but in progressive disease the distal airspaces are enlarged because of …
Causal Effects in Clinical and Epidemiological Studies Via Potential Outcomes: Concepts and Analytical Approaches
Authors: Roderick J. Little, Donald B. Rubin
Journal: Annual Review of Public Health (2000)

A central problem in public health studies is how to make inferences about the causal effects of treatments or agents. In this article we review an approach to making such inferences via potential outcomes. In this approach, the causal effect is defined as a comparison of results from two or more alternative treatments, with only one of the results actually observed. We discuss the application of this approach to a number of data collection designs and associated problems commonly encountered in clinical research and epidemiology. Topics considered include the fundamental role of the assignment mechanism, in particular the importance of randomization as an unconfounded method of assignment; randomization-based and model-based methods of statistical inference for causal effects; methods for handling noncompliance and missing data; and methods for limiting bias in the analysis of observational data, including propensity score matching and sensitivity analysis.
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography for Early Triage of Patients With Acute Chest Pain
Authors: Udo Hoffmann, Fabian Bamberg, Claudia U. Chae, John H. Nichols, Ian S. Rogers, Sujith K. Seneviratne, Quynh A. Truong, Ricardo C. Cury, Suhny Abbara, Michael D. Shapiro, Jamaluddin Moloo, Javed Butler, Maros Ferencik, Hang Lee, Ik-Kyung Jang, Blair A. Parry, David F. Brown, James E. Udelson, Stephan Achenbach, Thomas J. Brady, John T. Nagurney
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2009)
Radioimmunotherapy of Prostate Cancer Using 90Y- and 177Lu-Labeled J591 Monoclonal Antibodies: Effect of Multiple Treatments on Myelotoxicity
Authors: Shankar Vallabhajosula, Stanley J. Goldsmith, Lale Kostakoglu, Mathew I. Milowsky, David M. Nanus, Neil H. Bander
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2005)

Abstract Purpose: Bone marrow is the dose-limiting organ in radioimmunotherapy. Fractionated dose regimens may decrease myelotoxicity and increase greater total administered dose. We have studied the effect of two or three treatments of 177Lu-J591 and 90Y-J591 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) on myelotoxicity. Experimental Design: J591 is a deimmunized anti-PSMA mAb. Seven groups of patients with prostate cancer (n = 35) received 10 to 75 mCi/m2 of 177Lu-J591 and five additional groups (n = 28) received 5 to 20 mCi/m2 of 90Y-J591. Fifteen patients received two to three treatments of 177Lu-J591 (30, 45, or 60 mCi/m2) and four patients received two or three doses of 90Y-J591 (17.5 or 20 mCi/m2). Re-treatment consisted of patients receiving the same 177Lu or 90Y dose as their initial cycle. Time between treatments was 2 to 4 months. Results: The single dose maximum tolerated dose was 70 mCi/m2 with 177Lu-J591 and 17.5 mCi/m2 with 90Y-J591. With a single dose of 177Lu, no severe toxicity was observed below 60 mCi/m2. With 177Lu, two doses of 45 or 60 mCi/m2, totaling 90 to 120 mCi/m2, proved to be quite toxic. Three doses of 30 mCi/m2 (total 90 mCi/m2), however, were well tolerated. With 90Y, four patients tolerated two to three doses of 17.5 or 20 mCi/m2. Thrombocytopenia increased at higher doses and after repeat treatments. At higher doses, the nadir was lower and the time to reach nadir was longer. Time for recovery of platelets seems related to the total dose. Conclusions: Multiple (two or three) administrations of 177Lu-J591 (30-60 mCi/m2) or 90Y-J591 (17.5 mCi/m2) over a 4- to 6-month period were tolerated by the patients with manageable thrombocytopenia. Although a single large dose may deliver optimal radiation dose to kill a larger fraction of tumor cells, fractionated therapy offers the advantage of lower myelotoxicity and prolonged tumor response. With 177Lu-J591, dose fractionation in combination with taxanes should be considered as an alternative approach to achieve optimal therapeutic efficacy in patients with prostate cancer.
RETRACTED: The Cancer-Associated FGFR4-G388R Polymorphism Enhances Pancreatic Insulin Secretion and Modifies the Risk of Diabetes
Authors: Shereen Ezzat, Lei Zheng, Jose C. Florez, Norbert Stefan, Thomas Mayr, Maw Maw Hliang, Kathleen Jablonski, Maegan Harden, Alena Stančáková, Markku Laakso, Hans-Ulrich Haring, Axel Ullrich, Sylvia L. Asa
Journal: Cell Metabolism (2013)
Learning and memory difficulties after environmental exposure to waterways containing toxin-producing Pfiesteria or Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates
Authors: Lynn M Grattan, David Oldach, Trish M Perl, Mark H Lowitt, Diane L Matuszak, Curtis Dickson, Colleen Parrott, Ritchie C Shoemaker, C Lisa Kauffman, Martin P Wasserman, J Richard Hebel, Patricia Charache, J Glenn Morris
Journal: The Lancet (1998)

BackgroundAt the beginning of autumn, 1996, fish with "punched-out" skin lesions and erratic behaviour associated with exposure to toxins produced by Pfiesteria piscicida or Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellate species were seen in the Pocomoke River and adjacent waterways on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, USA. In August, 1997, fish kills associated with Pfiesteria occurred in these same areas. People who had had contact with affected waterways reported symptoms, including memory difficulties, which raises questions about the human-health impact of environmental exposure to Pfiesteria toxins.MethodsWe assessed 24 people who had been exposed. We collected data on exposure history and symptoms, did a complete medical and laboratory assessment (13 people), and carried out a neuropsychological screening battery. Performance on neuropsychological measures was compared with a matched control group.ResultsPeople with high exposure were significantly more likely than occupationally matched controls to complain of neuropsychological symptoms (including new or increased forgetfulness); headache; and skin lesions or a burning sensation of skin on contact with water. No consistent physical or laboratory abnormalities were found. However, exposed people had significantly reduced scores on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning and Stroop Color-Word tests (indicative of difficulties with learning and higher cognitive function), and the Grooved Pegboard task. There was a dose-response effect with the lowest scores among people with the highest exposure. By 3–6 months after cessation of exposure, all those assessed had test scores that had returned to within normal ranges.InterpretationPeople with environmental exposure to waterways in which Pfiesteria toxins are present are at risk of developing a reversible clinical syndrome characterised by difficulties with learning and higher cognitive functions. Risk of illness is directly related to degree of exposure, with the most prominent symptoms and signs occurring among people with chronic daily exposure to affected waterways.
“Trying to Be a Good Parent” As Defined By Interviews With Parents Who Made Phase I, Terminal Care, and Resuscitation Decisions for Their Children
Authors: Pamela S. Hinds, Linda L. Oakes, Judy Hicks, Brent Powell, Deo Kumar Srivastava, Sheri L. Spunt, JoAnn Harper, Justin N. Baker, Nancy K. West, Wayne L. Furman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

When a child's cancer progresses beyond current treatment capability, the parents are likely to participate in noncurative treatment decision making. One factor that helps parents to make these decisions and remain satisfied with them afterward is deciding as they believe a good parent would decide. Because being a good parent to a child with incurable cancer has not been formally defined, we conducted a descriptive study to develop such a definition.In face-to-face interviews, 62 parents who had made one of three decisions (enrollment on a phase I study, do not resuscitate status, or terminal care) for 58 patients responded to two open-ended questions about the definition of a good parent and about how clinicians could help them fulfill this role. For semantic content analysis of the interviews, a rater panel trained in this method independently coded all responses. Inter-rater reliability was excellent.Among the aspects of the definition qualitatively identified were making informed, unselfish decisions in the child's best interest, remaining at the child's side, showing the child that he is cherished, teaching the child to make good decisions, advocating for the child with the staff, and promoting the child's health. We also identified 15 clinician strategies that help parents be a part of making these decisions on behalf of a child with advanced cancer.The definition and the strategies may be used to guide clinicians in helping parents fulfill the good parent role and take comfort afterward in having acted as a good parent.
Individual differences in relational motives interact with the political context to produce terrorism and terrorism-support
Authors: Lotte Thomsen, Milan Obaidi, Jennifer Sheehy-Skeffington, Nour Kteily, Jim Sidanius
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2014)

Abstract The psychology of suicide terrorism involves more than simply the psychology of suicide. Individual differences in social dominance orientation (SDO) interact with the socio-structural, political context to produce support for group-based dominance among members of both dominant and subordinate groups. This may help explain why, in one specific context, some people commit and endorse terrorism, whereas others do not.