tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Tuberculosis status in Minoufiya Governorate, Egypt
Authors: Rabab El Wahsh, Ramadan Bakr, Mohamad Zamzam, Amany Farag
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction:  TB is still the most common infectious disease worldwide. In terms of incidence, Egypt is ranked among the mid-level incidence countries.   Aim:  To provide baseline information for assessment of the epidemiological trends and the impact of TB control interventions.   Patients & methods:  This was a retrospective epidemiological study including pulmonary TB patients who were diagnosed in Minoufiya Governorate, Egypt from January 2003 to December 2008. Epidemiological data, clinical presentation and examination, radiological examination, laboratory investigations, contact investigations were acquired for all patients.   Results:  Incidence of pulmonary TB in Minoufiya Governorate in the studied years was 5.1 per 100,000 populations. A higher percentage of pulmonary TB cases was found in males (68.3%), in rural areas (83.7%), and in middle aged persons (25–54 years) 53.8%. The majority of patients were new cases (91.9%) and most patients received CAT I drugs. There was a good response to anti-tuberculous therapy with rapid DSM conversion in most cases. The cure rate at the end of treatment reached about 80%. Treatment outcome was significantly higher with ages (15–54 year), (p   Conclusion:  Minoufiya Governorate is one of the moderately affected governorates with pulmonary TB in Egypt, with good control measures done by the health authorities. Middle aged males and rural residents are the most affected groups. Most cases are new with a minority of drug resistant or chronic cases.
Apomediation and the Significance of Online Social Networking
Authors: Dan O'Connor
Journal: The American Journal of Bioethics (2009)

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Notes 1. The phrase "Web 2.0" was coined in 2004 by Tim O'Reilly (O'Reilly Media, Inc. 2008). A full definition is available at: http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2006/12/web-20-compact.html
Radiotherapy or chemotherapy for clinical stage IIA and IIB seminoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of patient outcomes
Authors: P. Giannatempo, T. Greco, L. Mariani, N. Nicolai, S. Tana, E. Farè, D. Raggi, L. Piva, M. Catanzaro, D. Biasoni, T. Torelli, S. Stagni, B. Avuzzi, M. Maffezzini, G. Landoni, F. De Braud, A.M. Gianni, G. Sonpavde, R. Salvioni, A. Necchi
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Repolarization Reserve
Authors: Dan M. Roden
Journal: Circulation (2008)

C linicians are well aware that responses to QT-prolonging drugs vary among individuals. 1A drug dose (and concentration) that produces minimal QT prolongation in one patient may, in an apparently indistinguishable subject, produce marked QT prolongation and torsade de pointes.This variability in response to an exogenous stressor is paralleled by variability in the extent to which a given mutation in the congenital long-QT syndrome prolongs QT interval and causes arrhythmias. 2Indeed, it is depressingly common to identify an affected family after an individual subject has died, only to find many other mutation carriers within the kindred, often with normal QT intervals.
FCGR2C polymorphisms associate with HIV-1 vaccine protection in RV144 trial
Authors: Shuying S. Li, Peter B. Gilbert, Georgia D. Tomaras, Gustavo Kijak, Guido Ferrari, Rasmi Thomas, Chul-Woo Pyo, Susan Zolla-Pazner, David Montefiori, Hua-Xin Liao, Gary Nabel, Abraham Pinter, David T. Evans, Raphael Gottardo, James Y. Dai, Holly Janes, Daryl Morris, Youyi Fong, Paul T. Edlefsen, Fusheng Li, Nicole Frahm, Michael D. Alpert, Heather Prentice, Supachai Rerks-Ngarm, Punnee Pitisuttithum, Jaranit Kaewkungwal, Sorachai Nitayaphan, Merlin L. Robb, Robert J. O’Connell, Barton F. Haynes, Nelson L. Michael, Jerome H. Kim, M. Juliana McElrath, Daniel E. Geraghty
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2014)

The phase III RV144 HIV-1 vaccine trial estimated vaccine efficacy (VE) to be 31.2%. This trial demonstrated that the presence of HIV-1-specific IgG-binding Abs to envelope (Env) V1V2 inversely correlated with infection risk, while the presence of Env-specific plasma IgA Abs directly correlated with risk of HIV-1 infection. Moreover, Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity responses inversely correlated with risk of infection in vaccine recipients with low IgA; therefore, we hypothesized that vaccine-induced Fc receptor-mediated (FcR-mediated) Ab function is indicative of vaccine protection. We sequenced exons and surrounding areas of FcR-encoding genes and found one FCGR2C tag SNP (rs114945036) that associated with VE against HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE, with lysine at position 169 (169K) in the V2 loop (CRF01_AE 169K). Individuals carrying CC in this SNP had an estimated VE of 15%, while individuals carrying CT or TT exhibited a VE of 91%. Furthermore, the rs114945036 SNP was highly associated with 3 other FCGR2C SNPs (rs138747765, rs78603008, and rs373013207). Env-specific IgG and IgG3 Abs, IgG avidity, and neutralizing Abs inversely correlated with CRF01_AE 169K HIV-1 infection risk in the CT- or TT-carrying vaccine recipients only. These data suggest a potent role of Fc-γ receptors and Fc-mediated Ab function in conferring protection from transmission risk in the RV144 VE trial.
Patient-triggered ventilation decreases the work of breathing in neonates.
Authors: P H Jarreau, G Moriette, P Mussat, C Mariette, A Mohanna, A Harf, H Lorino
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1996)

During conventional intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) in neonates, asynchrony between mechanical and spontaneous breaths is frequent. We tested the hypothesis that patient-triggered ventilation (PTV) reduces the work of breathing (WOB) by providing synchronized assistance for each breath. Accordingly, six intubated preterm infants were studied at the median postnatal age of 34 days while they were being weaned from mechanical ventilation (MV). Patients were ventilated using the Draeger Babylog 8000 (software #3) and studied in four successive modes of MV with a constant level of positive end-expiratory pressure. They were randomly assigned to IMV, PTV with peak inspiratory pressure of either 10 cm H2O (PTV10) or 15 cm H2O (PTV15), and spontaneous ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure. PTV was achieved in the assist/control mode. During PTV, infants adapted their pattern of breathing in response to an increase in tidal volume (median 7.5 ml/kg in IMV versus 8.2 in PTV10 and 8.5 in PTV15, p<0.05) by decreasing their respiratory rate, thus maintaining minute ventilation (439 ml/min/kg in IMV versus 422 in PTV10 and 455 in PTV15, NS) and transcutaneous CO2. WOB fell significantly during PTV compared with its level during IMV (0.81 J/L in IMV versus 0.48 and 0.47 during PTV10 and PTV15, respectively, p<0.05). Power of breathing decreased in the same proportions. These results demonstrate that PTV mode allows reduction of the workload imposed on the respiratory muscles.
Randomized Phase II Study of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel With Either Linifanib or Placebo for Advanced Nonsquamous Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Suresh S. Ramalingam, Mikhail Shtivelband, Ross A. Soo, Carlos H. Barrios, Anatoly Makhson, José G.M. Segalla, Kenneth B. Pittman, Petr Kolman, Jose R. Pereira, Gordan Srkalovic, Chandra P. Belani, Rita Axelrod, Taofeek K. Owonikoko, Qin Qin, Jiang Qian, Evelyn M. McKeegan, Viswanath Devanarayan, Mark D. McKee, Justin L. Ricker, Dawn M. Carlson, Vera A. Gorbunova
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2015)

Linifanib, a potent, selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors, has single-agent activity in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated linifanib with carboplatin and paclitaxel as first-line therapy of advanced nonsquamous NSCLC.
Molecular behavior adapts to context: heparanase functions as an extracellular matrix-degrading enzyme or as a T cell adhesion molecule, depending on the local pH.
Authors: D Gilat, R Hershkoviz, I Goldkorn, L Cahalon, G Korner, I Vlodavsky, O Lider
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1995)

Migration of lymphocytes into inflammatory sites requires their adhesion to the vascular endothelium and subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM). The ensuing penetration of the ECM is associated with the expression of ECM-degrading enzymes, such as endo-beta-D glucuronidase (heparanase), which cleaves heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans. We now report that, depending on the local pH, a mammalian heparanase can function either as an enzyme or as an adhesion molecule. At relatively acidified pH conditions, heparanase performs as an enzyme, degrading HS. In contrast, at the hydrogen ion concentration of a quiescent tissue, heparanase binds specifically to HS molecules without degrading them, and thereby anchors CD4+ human T lymphocytes. Thus, the local state of a tissue can regulate the activities of heparanase and can determine whether the molecule will function as an enzyme or as a proadhesive molecule.
Isolated extragenital HPV-thirties-group-positive bowenoid papulosis in an AIDS patient
Authors: D.J. FADER, M.H. STOLER, T.F. ANDERSON
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2006)

We report a case of extragenital bowenoid papulosis in a man with AIDS. The lesions occurred on the anterolateral aspects of the neck, and were not associated with clinical genital or periungual involvement. In situ hybridization demonstrated abundant HPV DNA within the thirties group (31/33/35), in the absence of HPV-16 or -18.
Aerobic Exercise Training Can Reverse Age-Related Peripheral Circulatory Changes in Healthy Older Men
Authors: Polly A. Beere, Stuart D. Russell, Miriam C. Morey, Dalane W. Kitzman, Michael B. Higginbotham
Journal: Circulation (1999)

Background —The age-related decline in maximal oxygen consumption is attenuated by habitual aerobic exercise. However, the relative effects of training on central and peripheral responses to exercise in older subjects are not known. The present study assessed the contribution of central and peripheral responses to the age-associated decline in peak oxygen consumption and compared the effect of exercise training in healthy older and younger subjects. Methods and Results —Ten older and 13 younger men underwent invasive measurement of central and peripheral cardiovascular responses during an upright, staged cycle exercise test before and after a 3-month period of exercise training with cycle ergometry. At baseline, cardiac output and AV oxygen difference during exercise were significantly lower in older subjects. With training, the older and younger groups increased maximal oxygen consumption by 17.8% and 20.2%, respectively. Peak cardiac output was unchanged in both groups. Systemic AV oxygen difference increased 14.4% in the older group and 14.3% in the younger group and accounted for changes in peak oxygen consumption. Peak leg blood flow increased by 50% in older subjects, whereas the younger group showed no significant change. There was no change in peak leg oxygen extraction in the older group, but in the younger group, leg AV oxygen difference increased by 15.4%. Conclusions —These findings suggest that the age-related decline in maximal oxygen consumption results from a reversible deconditioning effect on the distribution of cardiac output to exercising muscle and an age-related reduction in cardiac output reserve.
Inhaled iloprost is a potent acute pulmonary vasodilator in HIV‐related severe pulmonary hypertension
Authors: H.A. Ghofrani, G. Friese, T. Discher, H. Olschewski, R.T. Schermuly, N. Weissmann, W. Seeger, F. Grimminger, J. Lohmeyer
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2004)

As antiretroviral therapy has improved life expectancy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the life-limiting complication of HIV‐related pulmonary hypertension has come into focus. Inhalation of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost is an effective treatment for various forms of precapillary pulmonary hypertension. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of inhaled iloprost in HIV‐related pulmonary hypertension. In eight patients with severe pulmonary hypertension related to HIV infection, right heart and femoral artery catheterisation were performed. The acute effect of oxygen, inhaled nitric oxide and aerosolised iloprost was investigated. Four patients underwent long-term treatment with inhaled iloprost. The rank order of pulmonary vasodilatory potency was iloprost&gt;NO&gt;O 2 , with a maximum reduction (mean±sem) in pulmonary vascular resistance of 30.6±3.1% (p&lt;0.001), 5.9±3.9% and −0.6±3.9%, respectively. Concomitantly, inhaled iloprost significantly increased the cardiac index and central venous oxygen saturation. Chronic treatment with inhaled iloprost tended to improve the 6 min walking distance and decreased pulmonary vascular resistance in all patients (although not significantly). No serious adverse events and no major interactions with the ongoing antiretroviral therapy were noted. In conclusion, inhaled iloprost is a potent pulmonary vasodilator in human immune deficiency virus-related pulmonary hypertension. Future studies are warranted to confirm the encouraging long-term beneficial results observed in the present limited number of patients.
ENDOCANNABINOID-MEDIATED SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY IN THE CNS
Authors: Vivien Chevaleyre, Kanji A. Takahashi, Pablo E. Castillo
Journal: Annual Review of Neuroscience (2006)

Changes in synaptic efficacy are thought to be crucial to experience-dependent modifications of neural function. The diversity of mechanisms underlying these changes is far greater than previously expected. In the last five years, a new class of use-dependent synaptic plasticity that requires retrograde signaling by endocannabinoids (eCB) and presynaptic CB1 receptor activation has been identified in several brain structures. eCB-mediated plasticity encompasses many forms of transient and long-lasting synaptic depression and is found at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. In addition, eCBs can modify the inducibility of non-eCB-mediated forms of plasticity. Thus, the eCB system is emerging as a major player in synaptic plasticity. Given the wide distribution of CB1 receptors in the CNS, the list of brain structures and synapses expressing eCB-mediated plasticity is likely to expand.
GE-02 * PARADOXICAL GENETIC AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CANCER AND AUTISM
Authors: R. Singh, B. Darbro, A. Bassuk
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2015)

BACKGROUND: Specific hereditary cancer syndromes and syndromic neurodevelopmental disorders are known to have overlap in causative genes. Well known examples include mutations within PTEN, TSC1/2, and NF1, which can lead to either hereditary cancer syndromes and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. With the advent of next generation sequencing, thousands of genomes have been sequenced from patients with cancer or neurodevelopmental disorders. Anecdotal reports have suggested there may be greater overlap than previously appreciated between genes involved in cancer development and neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our observations from exome sequencing of both patients with autism, as well as various tumors, suggest several of the same genes may be contributing to both conditions. HYPOTHESIS: There is a statistically significant association between neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer at the genetic and phenotypic level. METHODS: We examined for enrichment of rare, functional DNA variants in established cancer genes within exome sequencing data of patients with ASD as well as the Exome Variant Server (EVS) database. We also conducted an EMR-based epidemiologic analysis of patients with autistic disorder and rates of cancer, comparing them to 5x the control patients matched by age and gender. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences in the enrichment of variants in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes of patients with ASD. Paradoxically, we found a significantly lower rate of neoplasms in patients with autistic disorder compared to controls. Furthermore, almost half of the neoplasms in ASD patients were benign. CONCLUSIONS: The discovery of an underlying genetic relationship between cancer and neurodevelopmental conditions such as ASD can be tremendously impactful. Targeted therapeutics previously developed for neoplastic conditions could benefit patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. Further study of patients with ASD who do not develop cancer may provide important clues about compensatory anti-tumor cellular mechanisms that could lead to new cancer therapies for all patients.
Violence-Related Mortality in Iraq from 2002 to 2006
Authors: Amir H Alkhuzai, Ihsan J Ahmad, Mohammed J Hweel, Thakir W Ismail, Hanan H Hasan, Abdul Rahman Younis, Osman Shawani, Vian M Al-Jaf, Mahdi M Al-Alak, Louay H Rasheed, Suham M Hamid, Naeema Al-Gasseer, Fazia A Majeed, Naira A Al Awqati, Mohamed M Ali, J Ties Boerma, Colin Mathers
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2008)

Estimates of the death toll in Iraq from the time of the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 until June 2006 have ranged from 47,668 (from the Iraq Body Count) to 601,027 (from a national survey). Results from the Iraq Family Health Survey (IFHS), which was conducted in 2006 and 2007, provide new evidence on mortality in Iraq.The IFHS is a nationally representative survey of 9345 households that collected information on deaths in the household since June 2001. We used multiple methods for estimating the level of underreporting and compared reported rates of death with those from other sources.Interviewers visited 89.4% of 1086 household clusters during the study period; the household response rate was 96.2%. From January 2002 through June 2006, there were 1325 reported deaths. After adjustment for missing clusters, the overall rate of death per 1000 person-years was 5.31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.89 to 5.77); the estimated rate of violence-related death was 1.09 (95% CI, 0.81 to 1.50). When underreporting was taken into account, the rate of violence-related death was estimated to be 1.67 (95% uncertainty range, 1.24 to 2.30). This rate translates into an estimated number of violent deaths of 151,000 (95% uncertainty range, 104,000 to 223,000) from March 2003 through June 2006.Violence is a leading cause of death for Iraqi adults and was the main cause of death in men between the ages of 15 and 59 years during the first 3 years after the 2003 invasion. Although the estimated range is substantially lower than a recent survey-based estimate, it nonetheless points to a massive death toll, only one of the many health and human consequences of an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Transfusion of autologous late-outgrowth endothelial cells reduces arterial neointima formation after injury
Authors: Shu-Qin Liu, Zeng-Li Li, Yong-Xiao Cao, Le Li, Xin Ma, Xiao-Ge Zhao, Ai-Qun Kang, Chuan-Hao Liu, Bing-Xiang Yuan
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2010)

Late-outgrowth endothelial cells (OECs) exist in blood and other organs. We aimed to explore whether and how OECs participate in re-endothelialization and prevent vascular neointima formation after injury. Rabbit bone marrow OECs were cultured for 4 weeks to increase their numbers. Transfusion of autologous OECs (2 × 106–1 × 107/kg) soon after rabbit ear central artery injury reduced the increase in intima area and the decrease in lumen area observed at days 14 and 28. Transfusion of autologous OECs (1 × 107/kg) ameliorated some early (days 2 and 7) inflammatory and angiogenic responses (local and systemic) to the injury. Red fluorescence was seen within 7 days after transfusion of 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine-labelled acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Dil-acLDL)-incorporated OECs, and 1 h after perfusion of the isolated rabbit ear with Ringer–Locke solution containing Dil-acLDL-incorporated OECs, in the injured rabbit ear central artery. After transfusion of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporated autologous OECs, BrdU-positive cells appeared in the injured artery intima at day 3 and were present in the rescued artery endothelium at day 28. The OECs, ranging from 5%–15% of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and the OEC-conditioned medium (5–15%) both inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro and regulated the arrangement of VSMCs. The VSMCs were helpful for OECs to form tubes in vitro. Circulating OECs participate in re-endothelialization directly and inhibit VSMC migration and proliferation by a paracrine pathway; transfusion of large numbers of autologous OECs soon after vascular injury may prevent neointima formation.
Expression of SV40 virus large T antigen by recombinant adenoviruses activates proliferation of corneal endothelium in vitro.
Authors: S T Feldman, R Gjerset, D Gately, K R Chien, J R Feramisco
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1993)

Infection with the Ad5-SVR4 virus was used to introduce the large T antigen encoding region of the SV40 virus into bovine and human corneal endothelial cells. Expression of large T antigen occurred in 40% of bovine corneal endothelial cells after a 24-h incubation time versus 12% after 8 h of incubation. By 48 h after infection, almost all (92.8%) bovine corneal endothelial cells expressed large T antigen. Bovine and human corneal endothelial cells which expressed large T antigen proliferated and the characteristic morphologic features of corneal endothelium were maintained. This method may enable growth of enough corneal endothelium to perform studies to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms involved in regulating endothelial cell function.
Genetic epidemiology of diabetes
Authors: M. A. Permutt
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2005)

Conventional genetic analysis focuses on the genes that account for specific phenotypes, while traditional epidemiology is more concerned with the environmental causes and risk factors related to traits. Genetic epidemiology is an alliance of the 2 fields that focuses on both genetics, including allelic variants in different populations, and environment, in order to explain exactly how genes convey effects in different environmental contexts and to arrive at a more complete comprehension of the etiology of complex traits. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology of diabetes and the current understanding of the genetic bases of obesity and diabetes and provide suggestions for accelerated accumulation of clinically useful genetic information.