tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Management of alopecia areata
Authors: M. J. Harries, J. Sun, R. Paus, L. E. King
Journal: BMJ (2010)

#### Summary points

Alopecia areata is a common condition characterised by sudden onset of patchy hair loss without signs of skin inflammation or scarring. It accounts for about 2% of new referrals for dermatology in the UK and United States and has an estimated lifetime risk of 1.7%.1 Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicated a prevalence of 0.15% in the population of the United States.w1 The extent of hair loss can vary greatly, ranging from a single coin sized patch to very extensive alopecia involving the entire scalp and the rest of the body. The condition is unpredictable; spontaneous regrowth of hair can occur at any time during its course with the possibility of subsequent relapse. Alopecia areata is particularly difficult to manage and most of the available therapeutic options are unsatisfactory. It is a psychologically distressing disease and doctors should provide patients with realistic advice about treatments and their effectiveness.

Although several medical treatments have been reported for the condition, the evidence is quite difficult to interpret because of differing study methods, non-homogeneous patient populations, variability in outcome measures, and failure to control for spontaneous regrowth. A recent Cochrane …
Lung abscess in childhood
Authors: P. H. Mark, J. A. P. Turner
Journal: Thorax (1968)

Lung abscess continues to be a significant problem in childhood. Eighty-three cases of this condition have been reviewed. From the available data these have been found to fall into two groups which have been classified as primary and secondary. Consideration of the aetiology has revealed that the commonly quoted predisposing features, namely tonsillectomy and foreign body aspiration, are no longer of such paramount importance. The causative organism is a staphylococcus in the majority of cases. This is at variance with other published findings. The more general use of antibiotics in all respiratory diseases is responsible for some of the changing patterns noted. The management of lung abscess in childhood also presents a changing picture. Bronchoscopy is being supplanted by more conservative measures.
Effect of women's groups and volunteer peer counselling on rates of mortality, morbidity, and health behaviours in mothers and children in rural Malawi (MaiMwana): a factorial, cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sonia Lewycka, Charles Mwansambo, Mikey Rosato, Peter Kazembe, Tambosi Phiri, Andrew Mganga, Hilda Chapota, Florida Malamba, Esther Kainja, Marie-Louise Newell, Giulia Greco, Anni-Maria Pulkki-Brännström, Jolene Skordis-Worrall, Stefania Vergnano, David Osrin, Anthony Costello
Journal: The Lancet (2013)
Targeting oncogenic miR-335 inhibits growth and invasion of malignant astrocytoma cells
Authors: Minfeng Shu, Xiaoke Zheng, Sihan Wu, Huimin Lu, Tiandong Leng, Wenbo Zhu, Yuehan Zhou, Yanqiu Ou, Xi Lin, Yuan Lin, Dong Xu, Yuxi Zhou, Guangmei Yan
Journal: Molecular Cancer (2011)

Abstract Background Astrocytomas are the most common and aggressive brain tumors characterized by their highly invasive growth. Gain of chromosome 7 with a hot spot at 7q32 appears to be the most prominent aberration in astrocytoma. Previously reports have shown that microRNA-335 (miR-335) resided on chromosome 7q32 is deregulated in many cancers; however, the biological function of miR-335 in astrocytoma has yet to be elucidated. Results We report that miR-335 acts as a tumor promoter in conferring tumorigenic features such as growth and invasion on malignant astrocytoma. The miR-335 level is highly elevated in C6 astrocytoma cells and human malignant astrocytomas. Ectopic expression of miR-335 in C6 cells dramatically enhances cell viability, colony-forming ability and invasiveness. Conversely, delivery of antagonist specific for miR-335 (antagomir-335) to C6 cells results in growth arrest, cell apoptosis, invasion repression and marked regression of astrocytoma xenografts. Further investigation reveals that miR-335 targets disheveled-associated activator of morphogenesis 1(Daam1) at posttranscriptional level. Moreover, silencing of endogenous Daam1 (siDaam1) could mimic the oncogenic effects of miR-335 and reverse the growth arrest, proapoptotic and invasion repression effects induced by antagomir-335. Notably, the oncogenic effects of miR-335 and siDAAM1 together with anti-tumor effects of antagomir-335 are also confirmed in human astrocytoma U87-MG cells. Conclusion These findings suggest an oncogenic role of miR-335 and shed new lights on the therapy of malignant astrocytomas by targeting miR-335.
Inhibition of human lung H460 cell proliferation by siRNA-mediated macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) blocking
Authors: Weiping Tan, Yifeng Luo, Junnan Hou, Huiling Yang, Yubiao Guo
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Objective: To investigate the effect of Inhibition of human lung H460 cell proliferation by siRNA-mediated MIF silencing and try to find a New Target for cancer therapy, and provide experimental evidence for new anti-cancer drugs.

Mwthiods: The transfection efficiency was assessed by immunofluorescence technique. The effect of siRNA was assessed by western blot.The viability and proliferation of H460 cancer cells were determined by MTT assay and Colony formation assay respectively. The cell apoptosis and morphological changes were detected using flow cytometry and electron microscope respectively.

Results: siRNA significantly inhibited MIF expression in H460 cells. And it can decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis significantly.

Conclusion: MIF might play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of large cell lung cancer. MIF might be used as a potential therapeutic target in lung cancer.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Food Addiction in Women by Timing and Type of Trauma Exposure
Authors: Susan M. Mason, Alan J. Flint, Andrea L. Roberts, Jessica Agnew-Blais, Karestan C. Koenen, Janet W. Rich-Edwards
Journal: JAMA Psychiatry (2014)

<h3>Importance</h3> Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears to increase obesity risk but the pathways by which PTSD leads to weight gain are not known. Identification of the links between PTSD and obesogenic eating behaviors is necessary to clarify this pathway and inform development of obesity prevention strategies in PTSD-affected populations. <h3>Objective</h3> To determine whether women with PTSD symptoms are more likely to report food addiction, a measure of perceived dependence on food, than women without PTSD symptoms. Also, to determine whether age at PTSD symptom onset and type of trauma influence the PTSD–food addiction association. <h3>Design, Setting, and Participants</h3> Cross-sectional analysis of 49 408 participants in the Nurses' Health Study II, a cohort comprising women nurses who were aged 25 to 42 years at the 1989 recruitment from 14 US states. <h3>Main Outcomes and Measures</h3> The Nurses' Health Study II ascertained lifetime trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms in 2008 and current food addiction in 2009. Food addiction was defined as 3 or more clinically significant symptoms on a modified version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale. Confounder-adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% CIs were estimated using modified Poisson regression. <h3>Results</h3> Approximately 80% of the study sample reported some type of trauma exposure, with 66% of the trauma-exposed participants reporting at least 1 lifetime PTSD symptom. Eight percent of the cohort met the criteria for food addiction. The prevalence of food addiction increased with the number of lifetime PTSD symptoms, and women with the greatest number of PTSD symptoms (6-7 symptoms) had more than twice the prevalence of food addiction as women with neither PTSD symptoms nor trauma histories (prevalence ratio, 2.68; 95% CI, 2.41-2.97). Symptoms of PTSD were more strongly related to food addiction when symptom onset occurred at an earlier age. The PTSD–food addiction association did not differ substantially by trauma type. <h3>Conclusions and Relevance</h3> Symptoms of PTSD were associated with increased food addiction prevalence in this cohort of women. Strategies to reduce obesity associated with PTSD may require psychological and behavioral interventions that address dependence on food and/or use of food to cope with distress.
Tumor Infiltration by T Lymphocytes Expressing Chemokine Receptor 7 (CCR7) Is Predictive of Favorable Outcome in Patients with Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Pierpaolo Correale, Maria Saveria Rotundo, Cirino Botta, Maria Teresa Del Vecchio, Chiara Ginanneschi, Antonella Licchetta, Raffaele Conca, Serena Apollinari, Fabio De Luca, Pierfrancesco Tassone, Pierosandro Tagliaferri
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2011)

An efficient adaptive immunity is critical for a longer survival in cancer. We investigated the prognostic value of tumor infiltration by CD8(+) T cells expressing the chemokine-receptor-7 (T(ccr7)) and the correlation between tumor infiltration by T(ccr7) and regulatory CD4(+)FoxP3(+) T cells (T(reg)) in 76 metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients enrolled in a phase III trial.T(ccr7) and T(reg) cell infiltration in tumor samples was quantified by immunohistochemistry. The correlation among T(ccr7), T(reg) tumor infiltration, and patients' outcome was evaluated.High T(ccr7) tumor infiltration was predictive of prolonged OS [high vs. low T(ccr7) score: median 38 months (95% CI: 24.5-51.4) vs. 20 months (95% CI: 11.4-28.5); HR = 0.48 (95% CI: 0.24-0.96); P = 0.03] and prolonged progression-free survival [PFS; high vs. low T(ccr7) score: median 12 months (95% CI: 7.7-16.2) vs. 7 months (95% CI: 5.2-8.7); HR = 0.54 (95% CI: 0.28-1.01); P = 0.01] after front-line chemotherapy. Regression analysis did not show correlation between T(ccr7) and T(reg) infiltration levels. However, the cluster of patients showing concomitant high infiltration by both T(ccr7) and T(reg) disclosed a favorable outcome [double high vs. double low tumor infiltration score: median OS = 35 months (95% CI: 20.8-49.1) vs. 17 months (95% CI: 4.6-29.3); HR = 0.32 (95% CI: 0.12-0.87); P = 0.02 and median PFS = 11 months (95% CI: 9.4-12.5) vs. 5 months (95% CI: 2.2-7.7); HR = 0.43 (95% CI: 0.17-1.06); P = 0.01].High T(ccr7) tumor infiltration score is a favorable prognostic factor for mCRC. Our findings underline the relevance of microenvironment-related immunologic events for patient outcome.
Brachial Artery Vasodilator Function and Systemic Inflammation in the Framingham Offspring Study
Authors: Joseph A. Vita, John F. Keaney, Martin G. Larson, Michelle J. Keyes, Joseph M. Massaro, Izabella Lipinska, Birgitta T. Lehman, Shuxia Fan, Ewa Osypiuk, Peter W.F. Wilson, Ramachandran S. Vasan, Gary F. Mitchell, Emelia J. Benjamin
Journal: Circulation (2004)

In experimental studies, traditional risk factors and proinflammatory processes alter the regulatory functions of the vascular endothelium to promote atherosclerosis. These alterations include expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules and decreased bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, an important regulator of vascular homeostasis and tone. The precise relations among risk factors, inflammation, and nitric oxide bioavailability remain uncertain.To test the hypothesis that inflammation impairs endothelial function in humans, we measured brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, reactive hyperemia, and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in 2701 participants from the Framingham Study (mean age 61 years, 53% women). There were modest unadjusted inverse correlations between flow-mediated dilation and CRP, IL-6, and sICAM-1 (P<0.001 for all) that were rendered nonsignificant after accounting for traditional coronary risk factors. For reactive hyperemia, we observed inverse correlations with markers of inflammation in unadjusted models that were attenuated 57% to 74% after accounting for risk factors. However, partial correlations of CRP, IL-6, and sICAM-1 with reactive hyperemia remained significant.Our observations are consistent with the hypothesis that risk factors induce a state of inflammation that impairs vascular function. For flow-mediated dilation, we found no evidence that inflammation has additional effects beyond those attributable to traditional risk factors. The incremental contribution of CRP, IL-6, and sICAM-1 to reactive hyperemia above and beyond known risk factors suggests that systemic inflammation may contribute to impaired vasomotor function in forearm microvessels.
Dissociations between changes in myocardial cyclic adenosine monophosphate and contractility.
Authors: P D Henry, J G Dobson, B E Sobel
Journal: Circulation Research (1975)

The relationship between changes in the myocardial concentration of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and cardiac contractility was studied in guinea pig and rat myocardium. When isolated perfused guinea pig heart were perfused with 10-5-M papaverine, a potent inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity, myocardial cyclic AMP concentration increased significantly from 1.7 plus and minus 0.2 (SE) pmoles/mg protein (N equal 12) to 3.3 plus and minus 0.2 pmoles/mg protein (N equal 12), and the percent of phosphorylase aual 6) (P less than 0.01). However, perfusion with papaverine had no effect on contractility in the absence or the presence of exogenous epinephrine. In perfused rat hearts, 10-5 M glucagon increased myocardial cyclic AMP concentration from 1.5 plus and minus 0.1 pmoles/mg protein (N equal 12) to 2.6 plus and minus 0.1 pmoles/mg protein (N equal 12) (P less than 0.001). In contrast, cyclic AMP levels did not increase detectably in guinea pig heart perfused with glucagon. Glucagon increased adenylate cyclase activity more than twofold in rat myocardial broken cell preparations but failed to stimulate the enzyme in preparations from guinea pigs. Despite these differences, the positive inotropic effects of glucagon on rat and guinea pig hearts were very similar over a wide dose range. Thus, with both papaverine and glucagon, changes in cardiac contractility were dissociated from stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity, increases in myocardial cyclic AMP levels, and conversion of phosphorylase b to phosphorylase a in perfused hearts.
The CALF (Congenital Heart Disease in Adults Lower Extremity Systemic Venous Health in Fontan Patients) Study
Authors: Anne Marie Valente, Ami B. Bhatt, Stephen Cook, Michael G. Earing, Deborah R. Gersony, Jamil Aboulhosn, Alexander R. Opotowsky, George Lui, Michelle Gurvitz, Dionne Graham, Susan M. Fernandes, Paul Khairy, Gary Webb, Marie Gerhard-Herman, Michael J. Landzberg
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Barriers Against Psychosocial Communication: Oncologists' Perceptions
Authors: Hanna Fagerlind, Åsa Kettis, Bengt Glimelius, Lena Ring
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2013)

Purpose To explore oncologists' psychosocial attitudes and beliefs and their perceptions regarding barriers against psychosocial communication. Methods A questionnaire was distributed to oncologists in Sweden (n = 537). Questions covered demography, the Physician Psychosocial Beliefs Scale (PPBS), and barriers against psychosocial communication. Stepwise multiple regression was used to determine what factors contribute the most to the PPBS score and the total number of barriers and barriers affecting clinical practice, respectively. Spearman rank-order correlation was used to determine correlation between PPBS score and number of barriers. Results Questionnaire response rate was 64%. Mean PPBS value was 85.5 (range, 49 to 123; SD, 13.0). Most oncologists (93%) perceived one or more barriers in communicating psychosocial aspects with patients. On average, five different communication barriers were perceived, of which most were perceived to affect clinical practice. These barriers included insufficient consultation time, lack of resources for taking care of problems discovered, and lack of methods to evaluate patients' psychosocial health in clinical practice. There was a positive correlation (r s = 0.490; P &lt; .001) between the PPBS score and the number of perceived barriers (ie, less psychosocially oriented oncologists perceived more barriers). Oncologists with supplementary education with a psychosocial focus perceived fewer barriers/barriers affecting clinical practice (P &lt; .001 and P = .001, respectively) and were more psychosocially oriented (P = .001). Conclusion Oncologists perceive many different barriers affecting psychosocial communication in clinical practice. Interventions aiming to improve psychosocial communication must therefore be multifaceted and individualized to clinics and individual oncologists. It is important to minimize barriers to facilitate optimal care and treatment of patients with cancer.
A Paper on PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN PAEDIATRICS
Authors: A. D. Fordyce
Journal: BMJ (1933)

Iri medical practice every age has had its own peculiar difficulties, and its particular problems to be solved, in the advancement of science and the furtherance of the well-being of society.In no department of medicine are the problems of to-day more conspicuous than in paediatrics.Consequent upon the founding of special hospitals for children about seventy years ago a vast amount of new knowledge has been gained concerning the diseases peculiar to children, their prevention, and their treatment.Many recent discoveries of prophylactic promise in general medicine have their greatest value in practice wheni utilized in infancy and in childhood.The dictum that prevention is better than cure is being forced on the nation as a practical proposition, largely by the authority of members of our profession in official positions.The evolution of democracy in our country has beeii powerfully influenced of late by financial and economic conditions.This evolution has, on the one hand, altered, and to some degree levelled, social status, while greatly limiting financial resource, and, on the other, has been associated with important fundamental changes in our hospital systems, both voluntary and controlled.Both types of hospital are at the opening of a new page in their history, and by combined work will have oppor- tunities of benefiting children such as never before existed.Finally, with such development of conditions and of opportunities, evidence has accumulated pointing to the need for alterations in the training of medical students so as adequately to fit practitioners to carry out paediatric, and more particularly prophylactic paediatric, work.These are important considerations for our attention.
Antigen-specific T-cell factors in the genetic control of the immune response to poly(Tyr,Glu)-polyDLAla--polyLys. Evidence for T- and B-cell defects in SJL mice.
Authors: E Mozes, R Isac, M J Taussig
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1975)

The cellular basis of the genetic control of the immune response to poly(LTyr, LGlu)-polyDLAla--polyLLys [(T,G)-A--L] in SJL (H-2s, low responder) mice has been investigated using T-cell factors. Thymocytes of SJL origin were educated to (T,G)-A--L and tested for their ability to produce an antigen-specific factor capable of cooperating in vivo with bone marrow cells of either SJL or C3H.SW (high responder) origin. SJL T cells were found to be incapable of producing such a cooperative factor, in contrast with results previously obtained with C3H/HeJ (low responders) and C3H.SW strains. Moreover, SJL bone marrow cells did not produce an antibody response to (T,G)-A--L, even when combined with factor produced by high responder (C3H.SW) mice. Thus, both T and B cells appear to be defective in the SJL strain in the response to (T,G)-A--L.
CD34 <sup>−</sup> /CD133 <sup>+</sup> /VEGFR-2 <sup>+</sup> Endothelial Progenitor Cell Subpopulation With Potent Vasoregenerative Capacities
Authors: Erik B. Friedrich, Katrin Walenta, John Scharlau, Georg Nickenig, Nikos Werner
Journal: Circulation Research (2006)

Our goal was to identify functionally important subpopulations within the heterogenous group of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis of CD133+ progenitor cells revealed the presence of CD34+ and CD34- subpopulations. CD34-/133+ progenitors differentiate into CD34+/133+ EPC, adhere more potently than these in response to SDF-1, and rapidly home to sites of limb ischemia in human volunteers. In human coronary atherectomy samples, fewer CD34-/133+ than CD34+/133+ EPC are present in stable plaques, whereas cell numbers increase with a reversion of the ratio in unstable lesions. In CD34-/133+ EPC-injected nude mice, more transplanted cells coexpressing endothelial markers home to carotid artery lesion endothelium than in CD34+/133+-injected mice. In the former, lesions were smaller and reendothelialization higher than in the latter. We identified a new CD34-/133+ EPC subpopulation, which is apparently a precursor of "classical" CD34+/133+ EPC, and functionally more potent than these with respect to homing and vascular repair.
Endocardial Carbon-Braid Electrodes
Authors: Eckhard U. Alt, Parwis C. Fotuhi, Richard L. Callihan, Edgar Mestre, William M. Smith, Raymond E. Ideker
Journal: Circulation (1995)

Background In the treatment of patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia, transvenous implantable cardioverter/defibrillators provide significant advantages over devices requiring a thoracotomy. This study tested the hypothesis that a new carbon-fiber electrode, designed at the Technische Universität in Munich, Germany, has a lower defibrillation threshold (DFT) than standard transvenous defibrillation electrodes. Methods and Results In 8 mongrel dogs (weight, 25.2±0.8 kg; heart weight, 192±19 g), we examined the efficacy and electrical characteristics of a right ventricular endocardial carbon prototype defibrillation electrode (9.5F, 4.4-cm 2 surface) compared with a standard CPI 0062 Endotak electrode and a Medtronic 6966 Transvene endocardial right ventricular defibrillation electrode. The new electrode consists of 24 braided, tubular carbon filaments, each containing 1000 highly isotropic carbon fibers of 7-μm diameter, yielding a theoretical electrical surface of 480 cm 2 . The DFTs were determined in random order between each of the three right ventricular electrodes and a subcutaneous wire array anode placed on the left thorax. A standard step-down/-up DFT protocol of 20-V shock steps was applied. Two different biphasic waveforms with a 1-ms delay between phases were tested: 3.2-ms first phase/2.0-ms second phase, and 6.0-ms first phase/6.0-ms second phase. For the 3.2/2.0-ms waveform, we found a significantly lower DFT for the carbon lead (4.96±1.58 J) compared with the CPI 0062 (6.93±1.67 J) and the Medtronic 6966 (7.49±0.99 J) leads. For the 6.0/6.0-ms waveform, the DFT for the carbon electrode (5.97±2.09 J) was significantly lower than for the Medtronic 6966 lead (8.55±1.93 J) but not for the CPI 0062 lead (6.30±1.41 J). The impedance with carbon was lower than with the other two leads for the 6.0/6.0-ms waveform but not for the 3.2/2.0-ms waveform. For the carbon electrode, the 3.2/2.0-ms waveform had a lower DFT than the 6.0/6.0-ms waveform. Conclusions The present canine study found a lower DFT for a new carbon electrode compared with DFTs for endocardial defibrillation electrodes made of standard metal. Further long-term animal studies and clinical studies are needed to determine whether carbon materials and braided-lead technology are practical and beneficial in patients.