tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Smooth Muscle Cells, But Not Myocytes, of Host Origin in Transplanted Human Hearts
Authors: Ruchira Glaser, Min Min Lu, Navneet Narula, Jonathan A. Epstein
Journal: Circulation (2002)

Background — There is increasing evidence to support a role for stem cells in the regeneration and repair of the human cardiovascular system. However, significant controversy still remains about the extent of chimerism present in blood vessels and myocytes of transplanted human hearts. Methods and Results — We investigated the contribution of infiltrating host cells to human cardiac allografts by evaluating the origin of vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiac myocytes in hearts after orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Smooth muscle cells were identified in pathological human coronary artery specimens with antibodies against smooth muscle α-actin. DNA in situ hybridization for the human Y chromosome was then performed on the same samples to identify cells of male origin. Both myocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells were examined for the presence of the Y chromosome in sex-mismatched specimens. In positive control samples, 34.7% of nuclei contained a detectable Y chromosome; in sex-mismatched samples, 2.6% of the smooth muscle cells examined were of host origin. The Y chromosome in myocyte nuclei in male positive controls was detected; however, despite examination of &gt;6000 myocyte nuclei in sex-mismatched specimens, we were unable to detect any nuclei with the clear presence of the Y chromosome. Conclusions — Vascular smooth muscle cells of infiltrating host cell origin can be found in human cardiac allografts. However, unlike prior reports, we found no evidence that chimerism is present in cardiac myocytes.
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Authors: Robert Steffen, David R. Hill, Herbert L. DuPont
Journal: JAMA (2015)

<h3>Importance</h3> Acute diarrhea is the most common illness that affects travelers to low-income regions of the world. Although improved hygiene has reduced the risk of traveler's diarrhea in many destinations, the risk remains high in others. <h3>Objective</h3> To review the current state of knowledge on the etiology, risk factors, prevention, and management of traveler's diarrhea. <h3>Evidence Review</h3> A search of the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases for the period 2012–April 2014 was performed for articles on traveler's diarrhea. The database search yielded 2976 articles, of which 37 were included in this review. These were added to 85 articles previously identified by the authors. <h3>Findings</h3> Improved hygiene has reduced the risk of traveler's diarrhea from 20% or more (for a 2-week stay) to between 8% and 20% in some parts of the world. Acquiring traveler's diarrhea causes 12% to 46% of travelers to change their travel plans. Returning travelers seeking medical care have a diagnosis of gastrointestinal disturbance in approximately one-third of all cases. Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome may occur in 3% to 17% of patients who have had traveler's diarrhea. Prevention of traveler's diarrhea by dietary avoidance measures is often not successful. Chemoprophylaxis should be restricted to travelers who are at risk of severe complications of diarrhea. Ciprofloxacin is the standard treatment in self-therapy of traveler's diarrhea except when patients are in South or Southeast Asia, where azithromycin is preferred. <h3>Conclusions and Relevance</h3> Diarrhea remains a common problem for international travelers. Persons intending to travel to at-risk countries should be counseled regarding prevention measures and may be given a travel pack that includes medications for self-treatment should they become ill.
Etoposide compared with the combination of vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of small cell lung cancer.
Authors: M B McIllmurray, R J Bibby, B E Taylor, L P Ormerod, J R Edge, R J Wolstenholme, R F Willey, J F O'Reilly, N Horsfield, C E Johnson
Journal: Thorax (1989)

<b>Introduction:</b> Physical activity of children with asthma is reduced compared to healthy age groups. Reduced exercise capacity results in limitation of function and participation in recreational activities. Therefore, it is important to determine the predictors of functional exercise capacity. <b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to determine the predictors of functional exercise capacity in asthmatic children and adolescents. <b>Methods:</b> A total of fifty complete and partially controlled asthmatic children and adolescents between 7 and 16 years of age were included in the cross-sectional study. Demographic and spirometric values were recorded. The levels of asthma control (ACT), functional exercise capacity (six-minute walking test-6MWT), peripheral muscle strength (hand grip and knee strength), functional mobility (the timed up &amp; go test-TUG) and self efficacy level in asthma management skills (a self efficacy scale for asthmatic children and adolescents- SESACA) were assessed. <b>Results:</b> The average age of children participating in the study was 10.50 years. There was a correlation between the 6MWT distance and hand grip strength (r=0.486, p&lt;0.001), TUG time (r =-0.599, p&lt;0.001) and the SESACA score (r =0.498, p&lt;0.001). The multiple regression analysis revealed that TUG time and SESACA score were independent predictors of 6MWT distance, accounted for 43.3% of the variance. <b>Conclusions:</b> Functional mobility and self-efficacy level in asthma management skills were found as predictors of functional exercise capacity in asthmatic children and adolescents. Functional exercise capacity can be increased by improving functional mobility and self-efficacy in asthma management skills in asthmatic children and adolescents.
MATERNAL DEATH DUE TO DISSEMINATED VARICELLA
Authors: Stewart A. Fish
Journal: JAMA (1960)

Four fatal cases of chickenpox occurring during pregnancy are reported. Each patient died of characteristic diffuse interstitial pneumonitis. This complication of varicella has been described previously and, from the data available, it does not appear that there is any special susceptibility to disseminated chickenpox during pregnancy. At present, there is no drug therapy available which will cure the disease or modify its course once the lungs and other viscera are involved. Treatment is directed toward maintaining adequate pulmonary exchange and water balance until the disease resolves spontaneously. In none of these four cases did the infant survive.
Can 111indium autologous mixed leucocyte scanning accurately assess disease extent and activity in Crohn's disease?
Authors: R H Park, J H McKillop, A Duncan, J F MacKenzie, R I Russell
Journal: Gut (1988)

111Indium autologous mixed leucocyte scanning has recently been used for the investigation of Crohn9s disease. Nineteen patients had indium scans to assess disease extent and activity. The scans were compared with conventional imaging techniques and indices of disease activity including clinical scores, ESR, CRP, and GI protein loss. In five patients with active disease the scans were negative and overall there was poor correlation between the scan scores and the other indices of disease activity. Indium scanning correctly located extent of disease in only 58% of patients. 111Indium mixed leucocyte scanning may be more suited for the assessment of disease extent and activity in severely ill patients with Crohn9s disease.
Respiratory illness in asbestos contaminated sites: the role of environmental exposure
Authors: P. Comba, L. Fazzo, A. Zona
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Over the last few years, advances in the assessment of the burden of disease caused by asbestos have taken place, even though the health impact of this agent has been investigated for about a century. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently concluded that there is a causal role of asbestos in laryngeal and ovarian cancer, in addition to the previously assessed links with lung cancer and mesothelioma [1]. A European Respiratory Society position paper [2] endorsed the notion of an ongoing mesothelioma epidemic that is expected to peak around 2020 in Western European countries, where asbestos consumption reached its maximum in the mid-1970s and subsequently decreased until its final ban. Currently, Asia and parts of Eastern Europe use ∼70% of the world’s production of this mineral, which is also extracted and employed with varying degrees of control and restrictions in Canada, and in parts of Africa and Latin America. Globally, mesothelioma occurrence in the years 1994–2008 was ∼174,000 cases reported in 56 countries and ∼40,000 more cases estimated in countries with the presence of asbestos in the absence of mesothelioma reporting [3].

The health effects of environmental exposure caused by residence in neighbourhoods with asbestos quarries and factories are one of the priority topics for scientific research in this domain. This problem was originally reported by Wagner et al. [4] in 1960. The issue has since been extensively investigated, bringing to light a range of outcomes and exposure circumstances that have …
Crucial Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 Expression on Nonhematopoietic Cells for B Cell Localization within the Splenic White Pulp
Authors: Maria Tkachuk, Stephan Bolliger, Bernhard Ryffel, Gerd Pluschke, Theresa A. Banks, Suzanne Herren, Roland H. Gisler, Marie H. Kosco-Vilbois
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1998)

During immune responses the initial activation of B cells takes place in T cell zones of periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths (PALS) of the splenic white pulp. After initial activation, B cells migrate into the primary follicles and, in association with follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), undergo clonal expansion and differentiation giving rise to germinal centers (GCs). Peanut agglutinin binding (PNA+) cells of the GC differentiate further into memory or plasma cells. Here we report that in tumor necrosis factor receptor 1–deficient mice (TNFR1−/−), the location of B cells was altered and that plasma cells were abnormally distributed in the splenic PALS. In contrast to lymphotoxin α–deficient mice (LTα−/−), bone marrow or fetal liver transplantation did not correct the abnormal organization of the spleen, location of B cells, the lack of an FDC network, nor the antibody response in TNFR1−/− mice. These results argue for a crucial role of TNFR1 expression on nonhematopoietic cells for the maintenance of the splenic architecture and proper B cell location. In addition, the lack in development of an FDC network after adoptive transfer suggests that either FDCs are not of bone marrow origin or that they depend on signals from nonhematopoietic cells for maturation.
European Survey on Campylobacter surveillance and diagnosis 2001
Authors: J Takkinen, A Ammon, O Robstad, T Breuer
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2003)

Two surveys have been conducted on behalf of the Campylobacter Working Group with the aim of assessing the feasibility of a European network on human Campylobacter infections. The first survey, conducted in 18 countries, collected information about diagnostic methods used for surveillance purpose while the second one, conducted among 10 European countries, gathered data on diagnostic methods and procedures in primary laboratories. Seventeen of the 18 countries had a surveillance system for Campylobacter infections and 13 a national reference laboratory. The case definition used for the surveillance in all these countries included laboratory confirmation. No commonly applicable subtyping methods were applied. Concerning primary laboratories dealing with Campylobacter infections, only a few of them reported directly to the national level, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by about half of the laboratories. These surveys indicated that a basic infrastructure for a wide European Campylobacter surveillance exists.
The Role of Peroxiredoxin II in Radiation-Resistant MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Tieli Wang, Daniel Tamae, Thomas LeBon, John E. Shively, Yun Yen, Jian Jian Li
Journal: Cancer Research (2005)

Although several signaling pathways have been suggested to be involved in the cellular response to ionizing radiation, the molecular basis of tumor resistance to radiation remains elusive. We have developed a unique model system based upon the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line that became resistant to radiation treatment (MCF+FIR30) after exposure to chronic ionizing radiation. By proteomics analysis, we found that peroxiredoxin II (PrxII), a member of a family of peroxidases, is up-regulated in the radiation-derived MCF+FIR3 cells but not in the MCF+FIS4 cells that are relatively sensitive to radiation. Both MCF+FIR3 and MCF+FIS4 cell lines are from MCF+FIR30 populations. Furthermore, the resistance to ionizing radiation can be partially reversed by silencing the expression of PrxII by PrxII/small interfering RNA treatment of MCF+FIR3 resistant cells, suggesting that PrxII is not the sole factor responsible for the resistant phenotype. The relevance of this mechanism was further confirmed by the increased radioresistance in PrxII-overexpressing MCF+FIS4 cells when compared with vector control cells. The up-regulation of the PrxII protein in radioresistant cancer cells suggested that human peroxiredoxin plays an important role in eliminating the generation of reactive oxygen species by ionizing radiation. The present finding, together with the observation that PrxII is also up-regulated in response to ionizing radiation in other cell systems, strengthens the hypothesis that the PrxII antioxidant protein is involved in the cellular response to ionizing radiation and functions to reduce the intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, resulting in increased resistance of breast cancer cells to ionizing radiation.
Quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis and their parents: what is important besides disease severity?
Authors: D Staab, K Wenninger, N Gebert, K Rupprath, S Bisson, M Trettin, K D Paul, K M Keller, U Wahn
Journal: Thorax (1998)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited disease with a fatal outcome in industrialised nations. With the improvement in life expectancy, supporting patients and their families in adapting to life with this chronic progressive disease has become increasingly important. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between health related quality of life (HRQOL) in this population, severity of disease, and cognitive/behavioural factors such as subjective health perception and ways of coping. <h3>METHODS</h3> A sample of 89 adolescent and adult patients with cystic fibrosis and 125 parents of younger patients with cystic fibrosis completed questionnaires on health related quality of life and on ways of coping with the illness. Parents were asked to fill out the questionnaires regarding their own quality of life and coping. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between different predictor variables and quality of life. <h3>RESULTS</h3> After accounting for the impact of disease severity and hours of treatment per day, the subjective health perception of patients significantly explained variance in their quality of life. Ways of coping were also significantly correlated with HRQOL. In parents the most important factor in explaining variance of HRQOL seems to be the coping style, whereas disease severity of the child and subjective health perception did not show any influence. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> The findings support the important role of cognitive and behavioural factors in specific subjective health perception and ways of coping in the adaptation to this severe chronic disease, both in patients themselves and in parents. The results call for a careful assessment of issues of coping and professional support for families of patients with cystic fibrosis in the early course of disease.
Education of Physicians-in-Training Can Decrease the Risk for Vascular Catheter Infection
Authors: Robert J. Sherertz, E. Wesley Ely, Debi M. Westbrook, Kate S. Gledhill, Stephen A. Streed, Betty Kiger, Lenora Flynn, Stewart Hayes, Sallie Strong, Julia Cruz, David L. Bowton, Todd Hulgan, Edward F. Haponik
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2000)

Procedure instruction for physicians-in-training is usually nonstandardized. The authors observed that during insertion of central venous catheters (CVCs), few physicians used full-size sterile drapes (an intervention proven to reduce the risk for CVC-related infection).To improve standardization of infection control practices and techniques during invasive procedures.Nonrandomized pre-post observational trial.Six intensive care units and one step-down unit at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.Third-year medical students and physicians completing their first postgraduate year.A 1-day course on infection control practices and procedures given in June 1996 and June 1997.Surveys assessing physician attitudes toward use of sterile techniques during insertion of CVCs were administered during the baseline year and just before, immediately after, and 6 months after the first course. Preintervention and postintervention use of full-size sterile drapes was measured, and surveillance for vascular catheter-related infection was performed.The perceived need for full-size sterile drapes was 22% in the year before the course and 73% 6 months after the course (P < 0.001). The perceived need for small sterile towels at the insertion site decreased reciprocally (P < 0.001). Documented use of full-size sterile drapes increased from 44% to 65% (P < 0.001). The rate of catheter-related infection decreased from 4.51 infections per 1000 patient-days before the first course to 2.92 infections per 1000 patient-days 18 months after the first course (average decrease, 3.23 infections per 1000 patient-days; P < 0.01). The estimated cost savings of this 28% decrease was at least $63000 and may have exceeded $800000.Standardization of infection control practices through a course is a cost-effective way to decrease related adverse outcomes. If these findings can be reproduced, this approach may serve as a model for physicians-in-training.
Soluble TNF receptor treatment does not affect raised TGFbeta levels in RA
Authors: R Cuchacovich
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2002)

Soluble TNF receptor treatment does not affect raised TGFβ levels in RAWe read with interest the report by Drynda et al demonstrating that treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with anti-tumour necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) induces subtle changes in the cytokine network such as down regulation of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL6), but does not affect the persistently high plasma levels of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). 1 Furthermore, they suggest that the latter finding indicates the existence of as yet unknown mechanisms for TGFβ overexpression in RA that may predispose a patient to severe infections and altered tumour defence.Complementary to the observations noted above are our findings using DNA microarray in patients with RA treated with TNF antagonists as compared with patients with RA treated with methotrexate and healthy controls. 2A total of 12 000 genes were analysed (human genome U 95 A Array-Affimetrix) and a variety of gene functions, including apoptosis, transcription factors, cell survival, antigen presentation, cartilage degradation, B and T cell function, intracellular signals, transcription genes, adhesion molecules, inflammatory mediators, clotting factors, HLA class II molecules, oncogenes, cytokine production, and cytokine receptor expression, were altered (up or down regulated) in the group receiving TNF antagonists.Of interest, several proinflammatory cytokine receptors including interferon γ, TNF, IL10, and TGFβ were found to be down regulated.Therefore, pathway signalling of these cytokines including TGFβ may be impaired if their receptors are down regulated.Altered expression of these genes' function, alone or in combination, may have an impact on the predisposition to infection and tumour defence.Such is the case for the induced TNFα inhibitor down regulation in the expression of C9, B and T cell functions, signalling cascade (↓ Jun B), adhesion molecules, heat shock proteins, and antigen presentation, and the predisposition to infection.Likewise, TNF antagonists also regulate the expression of oncogenes, such as Jun B, c-myc, fos and ras, which may have an impact on tumour defence.Therefore, our study with DNA microarray confirms and expands the immunomodulatory functions of TNF antagonists.Data, however, seem to suggest that the increased predisposition to develop infection and altered tumour defence may not be related to increased plasma levels of TGFβ because its receptors are down regulated, but rather to dysregulation of gene expression of other molecules induced by, the TNF antagonists.
PRL-3 promotes the motility, invasion, and metastasis of LoVo colon cancer cells through PRL-3-integrin β1-ERK1/2 and-MMP2 signaling
Authors: Lirong Peng, Xiaofang Xing, Weijun Li, Like Qu, Lin Meng, Shenyi Lian, Beihai Jiang, Jian Wu, Chengchao Shou
Journal: Molecular Cancer (2009)

Abstract Background Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) plays a causative role in tumor metastasis, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In our previous study, we observed that PRL-3 could decrease tyrosine phosphorylation of integrin β1 and enhance activation of ERK1/2 in HEK293 cells. Herein we aim to explore the association of PRL-3 with integrin β1 signaling and its functional implications in motility, invasion, and metastasis of colon cancer cell LoVo. Methods Transwell chamber assay and nude mouse model were used to study motility and invasion, and metastsis of LoVo colon cancer cells, respectively. Knockdown of integrin β1 by siRNA or lentivirus were detected with Western blot and RT-PCR. The effect of PRL-3 on integrin β1, ERK1/2, and MMPs that mediate motility, invasion, and metastasis were measured by Western blot, immunofluorencence, co-immunoprecipitation and zymographic assays. Results We demonstrated that PRL-3 associated with integrin β1 and its expression was positively correlated with ERK1/2 phosphorylation in colon cancer tissues. Depletion of integrin β1 with siRNA, not only abrogated the activation of ERK1/2 stimulated by PRL-3, but also abolished PRL-3-induced motility and invasion of LoVo cells in vitro. Similarly, inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with U0126 or MMP activity with GM6001 also impaired PRL-3-induced invasion. In addition, PRL-3 promoted gelatinolytic activity of MMP2, and this stimulation correlated with decreased TIMP2 expression. Moreover, PRL-3-stimulated lung metastasis of LoVo cells in a nude mouse model was inhibited when integrin β1 expression was interfered with shRNA. Conclusion Our results suggest that PRL-3's roles in motility, invasion, and metastasis in colon cancer are critically controlled by the integrin β1-ERK1/2-MMP2 signaling.
The Hazards of Science
Authors: Lewis Thomas
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1977)

The codeword for criticism of science and scientists these days is hubris. Once you've said that word, you've said it all; it sums up, in a word, all of today's apprehensions and misgivings in the public mind — not just about what is perceived as the insufferable attitude of the scientists themselves but, enclosed in the same word, what science and technology are perceived to be doing to make this century, this near to its ending, turn out so wrong.Hubris is a powerful word, containing layers of powerful meaning, which is a peculiar thing when you consider its . . .