tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The polymorphism of telomerase RNA component gene in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: T. Ohtsuka, A. Yamakage, S. Yamazaki
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2002)

The molecular basis of senescence and immortalization is not still understood, but one hypothesis for which there has recently been much evidence involves the shortening of telomeres. It can be hypothesized that abnormalities of telomerase contribute to the emergence of abnormal fibroblast clones in systemic sclerosis (SSc).To study possible telomere abnormalities with respect to polymorphism of the telomerase RNA component gene.Fifty-three patients with SSc and 98 normal controls were studied. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify 598 bp of the telomerase RNA component gene. Amplified fragments were digested with restriction enzyme BsrDI.The frequency of the A allele in SSc (41.5%) showed no significant difference from that in the normal controls (32.1%). The frequency of the A/A alleles in SSc (18.9%) was significantly higher than in normal controls (5.1%), compared with G/G (35.8% and 40.8%, respectively; P < 0.02), G/A (45.3% and 54.1%, respectively; P < 0.01) and G/G plus G/A (81.1% and 94.9%, respectively; P < 0.01).These results showed the possible involvement of a telomerase abnormality in the emergence of abnormal fibroblast clones in SSc skin-derived fibroblasts.
A pilot study on the effects of prednisone withdrawal on serum hepatitis B virus DNA and HBeAg in chronic active hepatitis B
Authors: Prem V. Nair, Myron J. Tong, Douglas Stevenson, Deborah Roskamp, Cissy Boone
Journal: Hepatology (1986)

We investigated the efficacy of a short course of prednisone therapy in 20 patients with histologic evidence of chronic active hepatitis B. Sixteen of 20 prednisone-treated patients who were initially serum hepatitis B virus DNA-positive had a transient elevation of their serum ALT activity on withdrawal of prednisone. Subsequently, 14 of these 16 patients (87.5%) became persistently negative for serum hepatitis B virus DNA, and 10 also lost their HBeAg. In addition, there was a significant fall in serum ALT levels and HBsAg titers up to 12 months of follow-up in the prednisone-treated group. Five of 20 (25%) prednisone-treated patients experienced a transient episode of hepatic decompensation coinciding with the peak of enzyme elevation. To contrast, only 3 of 15 (20%) initially hepatitis B virus DNA-positive matched untreated patients followed during the same time period became negative for serum hepatitis B virus DNA, and no significant changes in serum ALT values or HBsAg titers were noted over the 12-month study period. Thus, patients with chronic active hepatitis B appear to be responsive to immunologic manipulation with prednisone as indicated by a pronounced rebound immune response and clearance of hepatitis B virus DNA with improvement in liver disease activity.
Beta endorphin selectively stimulates aldosterone secretion in hypophysectomized, nephrectomized dogs.
Authors: H G Güllner, J R Gill
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1983)

We examined the effects of synthetic human beta-endorphin (beta END) and a stable methionine (Met)-enkephalin analogue on aldosterone and cortisol secretion rates in anesthetized, hypophysectomized, and nephrectomized dogs and compared them to those of (1-39) ACTH. The circulation of the adrenal glands was completely isolated on the arterial and venous sides (Hilton Pouch). The peptides were infused to deliver 3 pmol/min into the aortic "pouch." Blood was collected from the vena caval pouch, which received blood only from the adrenal gland. Secretion rates of aldosterone and cortisol were calculated as the product of adrenal blood flow and venous steroid concentration. Duplicate steroid measurements were obtained during a control period, at 10, 30, and 50 min of peptide infusion and during a postcontrol period. BetaEND increased aldosterone secretion rate from 2.4 +/- 0.5 ng/min (mean +/- SEM) to 3.2 +/- 0.9 ng/ min at 10 min (N.S.), 8.2 +/- 2.5 ng/min (P less than 0.05) at 30 min and 11.0 +/- 3.7 ng/ min (P less than 0.05) at 50 min of infusion. Cortisol secretion rate was not affected by infusion of betaEND. Infusion of the stable Met-enkephalin analogue D-alanine2; Metphenylalanine4, Met(O)-enkephalin-ol or saline alone had no effect on aldosterone or cortisol secretion rates. ACTH infusion increased mean aldosterone secretion rate by approximately 215% and significantly stimulated cortisol secretion rate. These results indicate that beta END selectively stimulates aldosterone secretion with a potency similar to that of an equimolar dose of ACTH.
DOM (STP), a New Hallucinogenic Drug, and DOET: Effects in Normal Subjects
Authors: SOLOMON H. SNYDER, LOUIS A. FAILLACE, HERBERT WEINGARTNER
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1968)

DOM, a hallucinogen related to mescaline and amphetamine and designated "STP" by hippies, along with DOET, the ethyl homologue of DOM, were given in small doses to normal subjects in a double-blind study. Both drugs increased self-awareness and produced mild euphoria but no hallucinogenic or psychotomimetic effects. The two drugs "freed up" subjects' word associations without impairing memory or concentration; in fact, DOM enhanced performance on serial learning tasks. Although DOM did not affect visual discrimination, it altered the perception of tachistoscopically presented TAT cards.
Does changing the configuration of a motor racing circuit make it safer?
Authors: L Leonard, A Lim, T J S Chesser, S A Norton, J P Nolan
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2005)

To assess the pattern of injuries presenting to a racing circuit medical centre in two three-year periods before and after two chicanes were built into the track.Medical centre records were used to identify all patients assessed during the two time periods. Those referred to hospital were categorised by injury severity into three groups.The proportions of those attending the medical centre that were referred and admitted to hospital were the same in both periods (12-13% and 3% respectively). During the two study periods, the risk of a severe injury for a car driver decreased from 0.1% to 0.03% (p<0.05). For a motorcyclist, similar values were 0% and 0.2% (not significant).Chicanes have improved the safety of the racing circuit for car drivers, reducing the risk of injury.
Desialylation of lysosomal membrane glycoproteins by Trypanosoma cruzi: a role for the surface neuraminidase in facilitating parasite entry into the host cell cytoplasm.
Authors: B F Hall, P Webster, A K Ma, K A Joiner, N W Andrews
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1992)

Trypanosoma cruzi enters host cells via formation of an acidic vacuole which is subsequently disrupted, allowing the parasite access to the cytoplasm. We show that in an acid environment, release of the parasite surface neuraminidase is enhanced, and this release is likely mediated by a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC), since antibodies to a carbohydrate epitope (CRD) revealed in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins after PIPLC cleavage remove the great majority of the soluble neuraminidase activity from culture supernatants. The neuraminidase is active at acidic pH, and is capable of desialylating known vacuolar constituents, i.e., lysosomal membrane glycoproteins. Parasite escape into the cytoplasm is significantly facilitated in terminal sialylation-defective mutant Lec 2 cells, and enzymatically desialylated membranes are more susceptible to lysis by a parasite hemolysin previously implicated in vacuole membrane rupture. These findings provide evidence that terminal sialylation on carbohydrate moieties contributes to maintaining lysosomal membrane integrity, and indicate a role for a protozoan-derived neuraminidase in facilitating parasite entry into host cells. These observations raise the possibility that other microbial neuraminidases may serve a similar function in acidic intracellular compartments.
Pull-Push Neuromodulation of LTP and LTD Enables Bidirectional Experience-Induced Synaptic Scaling in Visual Cortex
Authors: ShiYong Huang, Mario Treviño, Kaiwen He, Alvaro Ardiles, Roberto de Pasquale, Yatu Guo, Adrian Palacios, Richard Huganir, Alfredo Kirkwood
Journal: Neuron (2012)
Use of Tanning Beds and Incidence of Skin Cancer
Authors: Mingfeng Zhang, Abrar A. Qureshi, Alan C. Geller, Lindsay Frazier, David J. Hunter, Jiali Han
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2012)

Purpose We sought to evaluate the risk effect of tanning bed use on skin cancers among teenage and young adults. We also expected to determine whether a dose-response relationship was evident. Patients and Methods We observed 73,494 female nurses for 20 years (from 1989 to 2009) in a large and well-characterized cohort in the United States and investigated whether frequency of tanning bed use during high school/college and at ages 25 to 35 years were associated with a risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. We used Cox proportional hazards models and carefully adjusted for host risk factors, ultraviolet index of residence, and sun exposure behaviors at a young age. Results During follow-up, 5,506 nurses were diagnosed with BCC, 403 with SCC, and 349 with melanoma. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of skin cancer for an incremental increase in use of tanning beds of four times per year during both periods was 1.15 (95% CI, 1.11 to 1.19; P &lt; .001) for BCC, 1.15 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.31; P = .03) for SCC, and 1.11 (95% CI, 0.97 to 1.27; P = .13) for melanoma. Compared with tanning bed use at ages 25 to 35 years, we found a significantly higher risk of BCC for use during high school/college (multivariable-adjusted HR for use more than six times per year compared with no use was 1.73 during high school/college v 1.28 at ages 25 to 35 years; P for heterogeneity &lt; .001). Conclusion Our data provide evidence for a dose-response relationship between tanning bed use and the risk of skin cancers, especially BCC, and the association is stronger for patients with a younger age at exposure.
Prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: S.J. Cohen, C.J.A. Punt, N. Iannotti, B.H. Saidman, K.D. Sabbath, N.Y. Gabrail, J. Picus, M.A. Morse, E. Mitchell, M.C. Miller, G.V. Doyle, H. Tissing, L.W.M.M. Terstappen, N.J. Meropol
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2009)
Pulmonary capillary blood volume in patients with probable pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma.
Authors: F. Camus, C. de Picciotto, J. Gerbe, S. Roy, O. Bouchaud, E. Casalino, C. Perronne
Journal: Thorax (1996)

BACKGROUND: An increase in pulmonary capillary blood volume secondary to angiogenesis has been described in Kaposi9s sarcoma. The value of the pulmonary capillary blood volume as an early marker of pulmonary Kaposi9s sarcoma was evaluated. METHODS: In a prospective study 45 HIV positive patients (nine asymptomatic for Kaposi9s sarcoma, 29 with cutaneous or mucocutaneous Kaposi9s sarcoma, and seven with pulmonary Kaposi9s sarcoma), underwent pulmonary function tests and determination of transfer capacity for carbon monoxide (TLCO) with its components, pulmonary capillary volume and membrane factor. RESULTS: Total lung capacity (TLC), TLCO, and its components were similar in the three groups. TLCO was normal in patients with pulmonary Kaposi9s sarcoma and no changes in membrane factor or pulmonary capillary volume were observed. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary function tests and pulmonary capillary volume alone are not useful for identifying patients with pulmonary Kaposi9s sarcoma.
Antigen-specific T lymphocyte clones. I. Characterization of a T lymphocyte clone expressing antigen-specific suppressive activity.
Authors: M Fresno, G Nabel, L McVay-Boudreau, H Furthmayer, H Cantor
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1981)

We have generated continuously propagatable T lymphocyte clones to study antigen-specific T cell functions. All Ly-2+ clones mediate suppressive activity and secrete a characteristic pattern of polypeptides that differs from Ly-2- T cell clones. Cells of one clone, Cl.Ly23/4, specifically bind glycophorin from sheep erythrocytes (SRBC). After incubation with [35S]methionine, supernate material from this clone also contains biosynthetically labeled 70,000-mol wt proteins that specifically bind to SRBC and this binding is inhibited by glycophorin from sheep but not other erythrocytes. These antigen-binding 70,000-mol wt peptides specifically and completely suppress primary anti-SRBC responses generated by mixtures of primed Ly-1+2- cells and B cells. Suppression by these antigen-binding peptides reflects direct inhibition of T-helper activity.
Phototherapy, photodynamic therapy and photophoresis in the treatment of connective-tissue diseases: a review
Authors: E.A. Gordon Spratt, L.V. Gorcey, N.A. Soter, J.A. Brauer
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2014)

Connective-tissue disorders, which include lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and dermatomyositis, are characterized by cutaneous manifestations that are sometimes resistant to conventional therapy. Light treatments, which include phototherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photopheresis, are routinely utilized in the treatment of dermatological conditions and may provide unique mechanisms of action in the treatment of these connective-tissue disorders. The objective of this study is to conduct a review of the literature that describes the use of phototherapy, PDT and photopheresis in the treatment of lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and dermatomyositis. A MEDLINE search was conducted to find articles that discuss treatment of connective-tissue diseases with light therapies and more than 30 publications that discuss light therapy for these diseases were identified. These range in design from case reports to randomized, prospective trials. Study outcomes and details were summarized and presented within each connective-tissue disease by light therapy modality, which includes phototherapy, PDT and photopheresis. Although there is a known association between photosensitivity and connective-tissue diseases, light therapies, when used appropriately, may be legitimate therapeutic options for recalcitrant cutaneous manifestations in lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and dermatomyositis.
Impaired Baroreceptor Control of Renal Sympathetic Activity in Human Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Abdul Al-Hesayen, John D. Parker
Journal: Circulation (2004)

Background— The regulation of renal sympathetic activity in the setting of heart failure is largely unexplored. We used the norepinephrine spillover method to address the hypothesis that baroreflex control of renal sympathetic activity is blunted in heart failure. Methods and Results— Twenty-two patients were studied, 11 in a group with heart failure and 11 in a group with normal ventricular function. In both groups, renal norepinephrine spillover was assessed in response to sodium nitroprusside infused to steady-state conditions. Sodium nitroprusside resulted in significant reductions in mean systemic arterial pressure (normal group, −13±1% [mean±SEM]; heart failure group, −12±1%). In response to nitroprusside, there was an 85±34% increase in renal norepinephrine spillover in the normal group (from 537±84 to 840±140 pmol/min, P &lt;0.05). Despite similar hemodynamic responses to nitroprusside in the heart failure group, renal norepinephrine spillover was unchanged (from 1420±153 to 1387±161 pmol/min, P =NS), a response that was significantly different from that seen in the normal group. Conclusions— In patients with heart failure, compared with those with normal ventricular function, renal sympathetic activity did not change in response to a steady-state infusion of sodium nitroprusside. This result provides evidence for reduced baroreflex control of renal sympathetic activity in heart failure.
Cytokine profiles in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis suggest an important role for TGF‐β and IL-10
Authors: A. Bergeron, P. Soler, M. Kambouchner, P. Loiseau, B. Milleron, D. Valeyre, A.J. Hance, A. Tazi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2003)

Modulation of cytokine expression represents a potentially useful approach for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). To identify potential targets for such intervention, semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to compare the expression of messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) coding for 17 cytokines in lung tissue obtained from patients with IPF at the time of diagnosis and control subjects. Some cytokines were also studied at the protein level by immunohistochemical techniques. mRNAs coding for all of the cytokines evaluated were detected in both control and fibrotic lung samples. Only transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and interleukin (IL)-10 mRNAs were quantitatively increased in lung biopsies from patients with IPF compared with those of controls, results confirmed at the protein level by immunohistochemistry. Although mRNAs for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) were expressed in similar amounts in lungs from patients with IPF and controls, localised accumulation of both factors was also observed in IPF. Hyperplastic alveolar epithelial cells were a prominent source of cytokines, where IL-10, PDGF-BB and KGF were present in increased amounts, although increased accumulation in fibroblasts, smooth-muscle cells and matrix components was also observed (PDGF-BB, TGF-beta). These results offer new insights into the cytokines produced in the lung in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and suggest that modulation of the production of transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-10 may represent a potentially useful therapeutic strategy for this disabling disease.
Signatures of MicroRNAs and Selected MicroRNA Target Genes in Human Melanoma
Authors: Demetra Philippidou, Martina Schmitt, Dirk Moser, Christiane Margue, Petr V. Nazarov, Arnaud Muller, Laurent Vallar, Dorothee Nashan, Iris Behrmann, Stephanie Kreis
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Small noncoding microRNAs (miRNA) regulate the expression of target mRNAs by repressing their translation or orchestrating their sequence-specific degradation. In this study, we investigated miRNA and miRNA target gene expression patterns in melanoma to identify candidate biomarkers for early and progressive disease. Because data presently available on miRNA expression in melanoma are inconsistent thus far, we applied several different miRNA detection and profiling techniques on a panel of 10 cell lines and 20 patient samples representing nevi and primary or metastatic melanoma. Expression of selected miRNAs was inconsistent when comparing cell line-derived and patient-derived data. Moreover, as expected, some discrepancies were also detected when miRNA microarray data were correlated with qPCR-measured expression levels. Nevertheless, we identified miRNA-200c to be consistently downregulated in melanocytes, melanoma cell lines, and patient samples, whereas miRNA-205 and miRNA-23b were markedly reduced only in patient samples. In contrast, miR-146a and miR-155 were upregulated in all analyzed patients but none of the cell lines. Whole-genome microarrays were performed for analysis of selected melanoma cell lines to identify potential transcriptionally regulated miRNA target genes. Using Ingenuity pathway analysis, we identified a deregulated gene network centered around microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, a transcription factor known to play a key role in melanoma development. Our findings define miRNAs and miRNA target genes that offer candidate biomarkers in human melanoma.
Clinical applications of colour Doppler energy imaging in the female reproductive tract and pregnancy
Authors: S Guerriero
Journal: Human Reproduction Update (1999)

This review describes the usefulness of colour Doppler energy (CDE) (or power Doppler) imaging to measure vascularization in the female reproductive tract. CDE imaging is characterized by an increased sensitivity to flow, and thus may be useful in low-flow states and when optimal Doppler angles cannot be obtained. In addition, longer segments of vessels and more individual vessels can be visualized with CDE imaging. The role of CDE imaging in the evaluation of stromal vasculature in normal and in polycystic ovaries is described, and the relationship between follicular vascularity and outcome following in-vitro fertilization are discussed, together with the findings obtained from the evaluation of thecal arteriole of corpus luteum in early pregnancy. The fundamental role of CDE imaging in differentiation among ovarian masses is also reviewed. We summarize the role of CDE imaging in pregnancy, and describe two new applications of three-dimensional power Doppler sonography and the use of ultrasound contrast media. In conclusion, CDE imaging can replace conventional colour Doppler when the information on the direction of flow is not useful. Moreover, the technique appears superior to others for describing microvascular architecture and determining the presence or absence of flow.
Antiangiogenic Gene Therapy With Soluble VEGFR-1, -2, and -3 Reduces the Growth of Solid Human Ovarian Carcinoma in Mice
Authors: Hanna Sallinen, Maarit Anttila, Johanna Narvainen, Jonna Koponen, Kirsi Hamalainen, Ivana Kholova, Tommi Heikura, Pyry Toivanen, Veli-Matti Kosma, Seppo Heinonen, Kari Alitalo, Seppo Yla-Herttuala
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2008)

We studied antiangiogenic and antilymphangiogenic effects of sVEGFR-1 (sFlt-1), sVEGFR-2 (sFlk-1/KDR), and sVEGFR-3 (sFlt-4) gene transfers and their combinations in intraperitoneal ovarian cancer xenograft mice (Balb/c-Anu, n = 55). Gene therapy was initiated when the presence of sizable tumors was confirmed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer was performed intravenously via tail vein as follows: AdLacZ as a control (group I), AdsFlt-1 (group II), AdsKDR (group III), AdsFlt-4 (group IV) and two combination groups of AdsFlt-1 and AdsFlt-4 (group V) and AdsFlt-1, AdsKDR, and AdsFlt-4 (group VI). Antitumor effectiveness was assessed by sequential MRI, immunohistochemistry, microvessel density, overall tumor growth, and survival time. In combination group VI, intraperitoneal tumors were significantly smaller than in the control group at the end of the follow-up (P < 0.001). Furthermore, in group VI the microvessel density (microvessels/mm(2)) in tumor tissue and the total area of tumors covered by microvessels were significantly smaller than in the controls. One mouse in group V was cured. The combined antiangiogenic gene therapy with soluble VEGFRs reduced tumor growth, tumor vascularity, and ascites formation in ovarian cancer xenografts. The results suggest that the combined antiangiogenic gene therapy is a potential approach for the treatment of ovarian cancer patients.