tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Nerve guides manufactured from photocurable polymers to aid peripheral nerve repair
Authors: Christopher J. Pateman, Adam J. Harding, Adam Glen, Caroline S. Taylor, Claire R. Christmas, Peter P. Robinson, Steve Rimmer, Fiona M. Boissonade, Frederik Claeyssens, John W. Haycock
Journal: Biomaterials (2015)

The peripheral nervous system has a limited innate capacity for self-repair following injury, and surgical intervention is often required. For injuries greater than a few millimeters autografting is standard practice although it is associated with donor site morbidity and is limited in its availability. Because of this, nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) can be viewed as an advantageous alternative, but currently have limited efficacy for short and large injury gaps in comparison to autograft. Current commercially available NGC designs rely on existing regulatory approved materials and traditional production methods, limiting improvement of their design. The aim of this study was to establish a novel method for NGC manufacture using a custom built laser-based microstereolithography (μSL) setup that incorporated a 405 nm laser source to produce 3D constructs with ∼50 μm resolution from a photocurable poly(ethylene glycol) resin. These were evaluated by SEM, in vitro neuronal, Schwann and dorsal root ganglion culture and in vivo using a thy-1-YFP-H mouse common fibular nerve injury model. NGCs with dimensions of 1 mm internal diameter × 5 mm length with a wall thickness of 250 μm were fabricated and capable of supporting re-innervation across a 3 mm injury gap after 21 days, with results close to that of an autograft control. The study provides a technology platform for the rapid microfabrication of biocompatible materials, a novel method for in vivo evaluation, and a benchmark for future development in more advanced NGC designs, biodegradable and larger device sizes, and longer-term implantation studies.
Interleukin 2 induces the expression of CD45RO and the memory phenotype by CD45RA+ peripheral blood lymphocytes.
Authors: M D Roth
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1994)

The CD45RA and CD45RO isoforms of the leukocyte common antigen identify functionally distinct "naive" and "memory" T cell subsets. While antigenic and mitogenic stimuli are known to initiate transition from the naive to memory state, little is known about the role of cytokines in this process. This report demonstrates that in vitro exposure of purified CD45RA+/CD45RO- peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to interleukin 2 (IL-2) promotes their conversion to the CD45RA-/CD45RO+ phenotype. Conversion to CD45RO occurs for both the CD3+ and CD3-/CD56+ lymphocyte subsets, but occurs more rapidly, and at lower IL-2 concentrations, in the CD3-/CD56+ population. Expression of CD45RO was observed only in response to IL-2 and was not observed during long-term culture in IL-4, IL-6, or IL-7. We also examined the effect of IL-2 on the expression of adhesion molecules by T cells. The expression of CD2, CD11a, and CDw29 increased, and expression of Leu-8 (LAM-1) decreased, on cultured CD45RA+/CD45RO- cells after they converted to expression of CD45RO. In contrast, lymphocytes that remained CD45RA+/CD45RO- after 10 d in culture exhibited no change from their baseline adhesion molecule profile. Finally, to test the role of endogenous IL-2 during T cell activation we stimulated CD45RA+/CD45RO- PBL with immobilized anti-CD3 in the presence of neutralizing anti-IL-2 antibody and/or cyclosporin A. Both agents significantly reduced the expression of CD45RO and the effect of cyclosporin A was reversed by exogenous IL-2. We conclude that IL-2 promotes CD45RA+ cells to express the memory phenotype and is a mediator of CD45RO expression after stimulation of the T cell receptor/CD3 complex.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Clinical T1 Grade 3 Urothelial Carcinoma Treated with Radical Cystectomy: Results from an International Cohort
Authors: Hans-Martin Fritsche, Maximilian Burger, Robert S. Svatek, Claudio Jeldres, Pierre I. Karakiewicz, Giacomo Novara, Eila Skinner, Stefan Denzinger, Yves Fradet, Hendrik Isbarn, Patrick J. Bastian, Bjoern G. Volkmer, Francesco Montorsi, Wassim Kassouf, Derya Tilki, Wolfgang Otto, Umberto Capitanio, Jonathan I. Izawa, Vincenzo Ficarra, Seth Lerner, Arthur I. Sagalowsky, Mark Schoenberg, Ashish Kamat, Colin P. Dinney, Yair Lotan, Shahrokh F. Shariat
Journal: European Urology (2009)
Contribution of Intrarenal Generation of Prostaglandin to Autoregulation of Renal Blood Flow in the Dog
Authors: KRYSTYNA HERBOCZYNSKA-CEDRO, JOHN R. VANE
Journal: Circulation Research (1973)

The mechanism of autoregulation of renal blood flow was investigated in anesthetized dogs, using either constant-flow or constant-pressure perfusion of the kidney. Prostaglandinlike material in the renal venous blood was assayed by the blood-bathed organ technique. Compensatory renal vasodilation, induced either by lowering the blood flow or the perfusion pressure, was accompanied by increased output of prostaglandinlike material into the renal venous blood. The prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, indomethacin, abolished this output, and, at the same time, autoregulation of renal blood flow was abolished. A converting enzyme inhibitor, however, had no effect on renal autoregulation. The results support the hypothesis that autoregulation in the kidney is mediated by release of a vasodilator, prostaglandin, rather than by formation of a vasoconstrictor substance such as angiotensin II.
Interferon Enhances Tumor Necrosis Factor–induced Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CD106) Expression in Human Endothelial Cells by an Interferon-related Factor 1–dependent Pathway
Authors: Sonja Lechleitner, Jens Gille, David R. Johnson, Peter Petzelbauer
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1998)

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 are known to initiate endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 transcription primarily by activating nuclear factor (NF)-κB, which translocates to the nucleus. In addition to two NF-κB elements found within the minimal cytokine-inducible VCAM-1 promoter, an interferon-related factor (IRF) element (IRF-1) has been identified close to the transcription initiation site, suggesting that cytokines that induce IRF-1 might affect VCAM-1 expression levels. We therefore investigated the effects of interferons (IFNs), which strongly induce IRF-1, on VCAM-1 transcription and expression. We show that IFN-α and -γ enhance TNF-induced VCAM-1 mRNA transcription and protein expression in human endothelial cells. IFN enhancement of TNF-induced expression is also seen using chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter genes linked to the minimal cytokine inducible VCAM-1 promoter. Nuclear IRF-1 is the molecular basis of IFN enhancement, because (a) IFN plus TNF–treated cells displayed increased nuclear IRF-1 levels and increased IRF-1 binding to the VCAM-1 promoter, compared with cells treated with TNF alone; (b) kinetics of nuclear IRF-1 levels correlated with VCAM-1 mRNA levels; (c) transfection with an IRF-1 construct substituted for IFN treatment; and (d) transfection with an expression construct encoding IRF-2, a competitive inhibitor of IRF-1, reduced TNF-induced VCAM-1 expression. Our experiments show that IFN amplifies TNF-induced VCAM-1 expression at the transcriptional level by an IRF-1–dependent pathway.
Efficacy of standard rehabilitation in COPD outpatients with comorbidities
Authors: E. Crisafulli, P. Gorgone, B. Vagaggini, M. Pagani, G. Rossi, F. Costa, V. Guarriello, P. Paggiaro, A. Chetta, F. de Blasio, D. Olivieri, L.M. Fabbri, E.M. Clini
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2010)

A prospective study was performed to confirm the prevalence pattern of the most frequent co-morbidities and to evaluate whether characteristics of patients, specific comorbidities and increasing number of comorbidities are independently associated with poorer outcomes in a population with complex chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) submitted for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). 316 outpatients (mean ± SD age 68 ± 7 yrs) were studied. The outcomes recorded were comorbidities and proportion of patients with a pre-defined minimally significant change in exercise tolerance (6-min walk distance (6MWD) +54 m), breathlessness (Medical Research Council (MRC) score -1 point) and quality of life (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire -4 points). 62% of patients reported comorbidities; systemic hypertension (35%), dyslipidaemia (13%), diabetes (12%) and coronary disease (11%) were the most frequent. Of these patients, >45% improved over the minimum clinically important difference in all the outcomes. In a logistic regression model, baseline 6MWD (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99; p = 0.001), MRC score (OR 12.88, 95% CI 6.89-24.00; p = 0.001) and arterial carbon dioxide tension (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.00-1.15; p = 0.034) correlated with the proportion of patients who improved 6MWD and MRC, respectively. Presence of osteoporosis reduced the success rate in 6MWD (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11-0.70; p = 0.006). A substantial prevalence of comorbidities in COPD outpatients referred for PR was confirmed. Only the individual's disability and the presence of osteoporosis were independently associated with poorer rehabilitation outcomes.
Suramin inhibits death receptor–induced apoptosis in vitro and fulminant apoptotic liver damage in mice
Authors: Sören T Eichhorst, Andreas Krueger, Susanne Müerköster, Stefanie C Fas, Alexander Golks, Uwe Gruetzner, Louise Schubert, Christine Opelz, Manfred Bilzer, Alexander L Gerbes, Peter H Krammer
Journal: Nature Medicine (2004)
Rapid Proliferation of Repetitive Palindromic Elements in mtDNA of the Endemic Baikalian Sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis
Authors: Dennis V. Lavrov
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2009)

Animal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a remarkably compact molecule largely because of the scarcity of noncoding "selfish" DNA. Recently, however, we found that mitochondrial genomes of several phylogenetically diverse species of demosponges contain small repetitive palindromic sequences, interspersed within intergenic regions and fused in protein and ribosomal RNA genes. Here, I report and analyze the proliferation of such elements in the mitochondrial genome of the endemic sponge of Lake Baikal Lubomirskia baicalensis. Because Baikal sponges are closely related to the circumglobally distributed freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri with which they shared a common ancestor approximately 3-10 Ma, both the rate of single nucleotide substitutions and the rate of palindromic repeat insertions can be calculated in this system. I found the rate of nucleotide substitutions in mtDNA of freshwater sponges to be extremely low (0.5-1.6 x 10(-9) per site per year), more similar to that in plants than bilaterian animals. By contrast, the per/nucleotide rate of insertions of repetitive elements is at least four times higher. This rapid rate of proliferation combined with the broad phylogenetic distribution of hairpin elements can make them a defining force in the evolution of mitochondrial genomes of demosponges.
A pilot comparison study of four clinician‐rated atopic dermatitis severity scales
Authors: C.Y. Zhao, A.Q.T. Tran, J.P. Lazo‐Dizon, J. Kim, B.S. Daniel, S.S. Venugopal, L.M. Rhodes, M.G. Law, D.F. Murrell
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2015)

Background There are multiple severity outcome measures for atopic dermatitis (AD). There is a need to compare the reliability of these measures. Objectives To compare the inter-rater and intrarater reliability of the objective Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (oSCORAD), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Six Area, Six Sign Atopic Dermatitis (SASSAD) and Three Item Severity index (TIS); and to analyse the correlation between these outcome measures and the quality-of-life instruments Patient-Orientated Eczema Measurement, Dermatology Life Quality Index and Skindex-29. Methods Twelve patients with AD attended a 1-day scoring exercise by five trained dermatology clinicians. Inter-rater and intrarater reliability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlation between clinician-rated and patient-reported measures was analysed using Spearman's rho. Results Regarding inter-rater reliability, EASI and SASSAD showed good reliabilities, with ICCs of 0·730 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·500–0·900] and 0·680 (95% CI 0·440–0·880), respectively. However, the ICCs were poor for TIS and oSCORAD, with 0·497 (95% CI 0·233–0·785) and 0·498 (95% CI 0·234–0·785), respectively. Separate body surface area (BSA) component analyses showed that the oSCORAD BSA component contributed to its inter-rater variations. Regarding intrarater reliability, EASI and TIS showed excellent ICCs of 0·886 (95% CI 0·744–0·952) and 0·820 (0·614–0·923), respectively, while SASSAD showed a good reliability with an ICC of 0·720 (95% CI 0·424–0·878). However, the intrarater ICC was poor for oSCORAD, with 0·446 (95% CI 0·037–0·730). Regarding correlation with patient-reported measures, only SASSAD demonstrated moderate correlation with Skindex-29 (ρ = 0·611, P = 0·035). Conclusions EASI demonstrated the highest inter-rater and intrarater reliability, supporting it as the optimal AD severity outcome measure.
The effect of combining plant sterols, soy protein, viscous fibers, and almonds in treating hypercholesterolemia
Authors: David J.A Jenkins, Cyril W.C Kendall, Augustine Marchie, Dorothea Faulkner, Edward Vidgen, Karen G Lapsley, Elke A Trautwein, Tina L Parker, Robert G Josse, Lawrence A Leiter, Philip W Connelly
Journal: Metabolism (2003)
RNA processing in the minimal organism Nanoarchaeum equitans
Authors: Lennart Randau
Journal: Genome biology (2012)

The minimal genome of the tiny, hyperthermophilic archaeon Nanoarchaeum equitans contains several fragmented genes and revealed unusual RNA processing pathways. These include the maturation of tRNA molecules via the trans-splicing of tRNA halves and genomic rearrangements to compensate for the absence of RNase P.Here, the RNA processing events in the N. equitans cell are analyzed using RNA-Seq deep sequencing methodology. All tRNA half precursor and tRNA termini were determined and support the tRNA trans-splicing model. The processing of CRISPR RNAs from two CRISPR clusters was verified. Twenty-seven C/D box small RNAs (sRNAs) and a H/ACA box sRNA were identified. The C/D box sRNAs were found to flank split genes, to form dicistronic tRNA-sRNA precursors and to be encoded within the tRNAMet intron.The presented data provide an overview of the production and usage of small RNAs in a cell that has to survive with a highly reduced genome. N. equitans lost many essential metabolic pathways but maintains highly active CRISPR/Cas and rRNA modification systems that appear to play an important role in genome fragmentation.
Validity and reproducibility of a physical activity questionnaire for elderly
Authors: Lara Siebeling, Sarah Wiebers, Leo Beem, Milo Puhan, Gerben ter Riet
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Physical activity is important for elderly to maintain their health and functional ability. It helps predict the course of chronic diseases. Many existing questionnaires have not been compared to activity monitors. We examined validity and reproducibility of the LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire (Lapaq) against an accelerometer in Dutch elderly (65+).   Methods:  Participants wore the accelerometer for two weeks and filled in Lapaq twice. We examined validity using correlation coefficients, histograms and modified Bland-Altman plots. We used logistic regression to assess how well Lapaq discriminates between persons whose activity level is or is not in accordance with recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to examine reproducibility.   Results:  89 persons were included, 48% men, median age 73 and median BMI 25. 36%, 43%, and 22% had no, one, or 2+ chronic diseases. As a reference, two full weeks contain 20160 minutes (336h). The total duration of activity in two weeks was 2439 (Lapaq T1), 1994 (Lapaq T2) and 2788 minutes (accelerometer). The difference between Lapaq T1 and accelerometer was 510 minutes (8.5 hours). The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.34 (95% CI 0.13-0.51). The I.C.C. was 0.68 (95% CI 0.56-0.79). The area under the curve is 0.73 (95% CI 0.59 - 0.86).   Conclusions:  Due to moderate reproducibility and low validity, Lapaq seems unsuitable for exact measurement of physical activity in elderly. If the more modest aim is to determine if a person9s activity level is above the recommendation level, Lapaq classifies around 73% correctly.
Mid-Adulthood Risk Factor Profiles for CKD
Authors: Gearoid M. McMahon, Sarah R. Preis, Shih-Jen Hwang, Caroline S. Fox
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2014)

Early identification of CKD risk factors may allow risk factor modification and prevention of CKD progression. We investigated the hypothesis that risk factors are present ≥30 years before the diagnosis of CKD in a case-control study using data from the Framingham Offspring Study. Patients with incident CKD (eGFR≤60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) at examination cycles 6, 7, and 8 were age- and sex-matched 1:2 to patients without CKD at baseline (examination 5). CKD risk factors were measured at each examination cycle. Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, and time period, were constructed to compare risk factor profiles at each time point between cases and controls. During follow-up, 441 new cases of CKD were identified and matched to 882 controls (mean age 69.2 years, 52.4% women). Those who ultimately developed CKD were more likely to have hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 2.51), obesity (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.59), and higher triglyceride levels (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.83) 30 years before CKD diagnosis, and were more likely to have hypertension (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.79), higher triglyceride levels (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.64), lower HDLc (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.97), and diabetes (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.59 to 5.29) 20 years before CKD diagnosis. These findings demonstrate that risk factors for CKD are identifiable ≥30 years before diagnosis and suggest the importance of early risk factor identification in patients at risk for CKD.
AN ATYPICAL FORM OF TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS: REPORT OF A CASE
Authors: R. M. Stewart
Journal: BMJ (1935)

With Special Plate) Multiple tumours in the skin, epileptiform seizures, and retarded mental development form a triad of signs suffi- ciently arresting to make the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis a comparatively easy task for the clinician, but in the so-called formes frustes, in whicl; one or more of the cardinal features are absent, the underlying pathological process may easily escape recognition, and in those cases in which epilepsy is the sole manifestation a correct diagnosis may be impossible.The following case is of interest, not only because the patient was a married woman of normal intell nce, but also by reason of the strict limitation of the pathological process to the central nervous system, the skin and visceral organs being entirely free from tumour formation.Both for the clinical notes and for the opportunity of examining the nervous system I am indebted to Dr. T. W. S. Hills of Watford. History of CaseIn May, 1932, a married woman, aged 21, whose previous history and upbringing, save for the usual ailments of child- hood, had been in every way normal, fell suddenly while in the act of advancing to the pay desk of a hairdresser's shop.At the inquest it was disclosed that the hair wave she had received had involved nothing more than the application of an ordinary gas-heated iron to the hair.The witness who described the seizure stated that her client suddenly looked up in a surprised way as though something had happened, and immediately afterwards fell on the floor, " making a terrible noise in the throat as if she were trying to breathe."The pulse, after being fluttering, became imperceptible, and artificial respiration was tried without result.At thepost-mortem examination made by Dr. Hills a persistent and enlarged thymus gland was found; the heart, kidneys, and other organs were entirely normal, but the brain
Irregularities in the use of regular aerosol inhalers.
Authors: J T Macfarlane, D J Lane
Journal: Thorax (1980)

<h3>Summary</h3> Regular surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals for SARS-CoV-2 has played a vital role in SARS-CoV-2 outbreak prevention on college and university campuses. Here we describe the voluntary saliva testing program instituted at the University of California, Berkeley during an early period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020. The program was administered as a research study ahead of clinical implementation, enabling us to launch surveillance testing while continuing to optimize the assay. Results of both the testing protocol itself and the study participants’ experience show how the program succeeded in providing routine, robust testing capable of contributing to outbreak prevention within a campus community and offer strategies for encouraging participation and a sense of civic responsibility.
miR-124a as a key regulator of proliferation and MCP-1 secretion in synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: S. Kawano, Y. Nakamachi
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2011)

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small endogenous non-coding RNAs that influence the stability and translation of messenger RNA. Synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were analysed for their miRNA expression profile, and it was found that miR-124a levels significantly decreased in RA synoviocytes as compared with osteoarthritis synoviocytes. Transfection of miR-124a into RA synoviocytes significantly suppressed their proliferation and arrested the cell cycle at the G1 phase. miR-124a directly binds to the 3′-untranslated region of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK-2) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) mRNA, and the induction of miR-124a in RA synoviocytes significantly suppressed the production of the CDK-2 and MCP-1 proteins. It is proposed that miR-124a is a key miRNA in the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of RA synoviocytes, and has a therapeutic potential.
T Cell Allorecognition via Molecular Mimicry
Authors: Whitney A. Macdonald, Zhenjun Chen, Stephanie Gras, Julia K. Archbold, Fleur E. Tynan, Craig S. Clements, Mandvi Bharadwaj, Lars Kjer-Nielsen, Philippa M. Saunders, Matthew C.J. Wilce, Fran Crawford, Brian Stadinsky, David Jackson, Andrew G. Brooks, Anthony W. Purcell, John W. Kappler, Scott R. Burrows, Jamie Rossjohn, James McCluskey
Journal: Immunity (2009)