tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Detection of mycobacterial DNA in pleural fluid from patients with tuberculous pleurisy by means of the polymerase chain reaction: comparison of two protocols.
Authors: A de Lassence, D Lecossier, C Pierre, J Cadranel, M Stern, A J Hance
Journal: Thorax (1992)

BACKGROUND: The detection of mycobacterial DNA in clinical samples on the basis of the polymerase chain reaction is a promising approach for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous infections. No consensus exists, however, about which protocols are most sensitive, and the usefulness of this approach in the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions has been assessed in few patients. METHODS: The sensitivity of two protocols was compared for the detection of DNA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in samples containing known amounts of mycobacterial DNA and in DNA extracted from 15 tuberculous pleural effusions. The results obtained for pleural fluid have been compared with cytological findings and with results obtained by standard microbiological techniques. RESULTS: Mycobacteria could be detected by acid fast staining in none and by culture in three of the 15 pleural fluid samples. A protocol based on the detection of the IS6110 insertion element (which could detect one mycobacterial genome/sample reproducibly) gave a positive result in nine of the 15 tuberculous effusions, though some samples were only intermittently positive (p less than 0.05 compared with culture). In contrast, a protocol based on the detection of the gene coding for the 65 kD mycobacterial antigen (which could detect mycobacterial genomes only if there were at least 10/sample) gave a positive result in three of the 15 tuberculous effusions. Pleural fluid that was always positive with the amplification procedure detecting the IS6110 sequence contained more neutrophils (30% (SD 27%)) than samples that were intermittently positive or always negative (3% (3%)); mycobacterial DNA was never detected in the four samples containing less than 1% neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: The amplification of the IS6110 insertion element represents a rapid and sensitive means of detecting M tuberculosis in tuberculous effusions. The enrichment of cells containing mycobacteria (possibly neutrophils) before DNA extraction may be required to improve the sensitivity of this approach.
A Tubal Pregnancy of Some Years' (?) Duration: Sac containing Macerated Fetus: Fistulae between Sac and Bowel and between Sac and Bladder: Laparotomy: Death
Authors: E. H. Fenwick
Journal: BMJ (1904)

the normal course of pregnancy.So, too, when the tumour occupies such a position that delivery cannot be effected per
Dr Watson: a regular reader of the British Medical Journal
Authors: C. R. Philpot
Journal: BMJ (2010)

For the first time in the histories of the <i>British Medical Journal </i>and the canon of Sherlock Holmes adventures, the two icons have been brought together in a special Holmes and Watson adventure facilitated by the new <i>BMJ</i> online archive. Dr Watson describes how he and his esteemed colleague Sherlock Holmes collaborated to track down clues to the <i>BMJ</i> in the canon of Sherlock Holmes adventures and Sherlock Holmes in the <i>BMJ</i>
Upregulated SUMO-2/3 expression is involved in the regulation of apoptosis and matrix metalloproteinase expression in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts
Authors: S Frank, S Strietholt, C Wunrau, T Pap, M A Peters
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2010)

129619h SUMO-2/3 belongs to the small ubiquitin-related modifi er family of proteins that have been implicated in many biological functions such as intracellular protein transport, control of gene expression and stability of proteins.The authors have previously shown that elevated expression of SUMO-1 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fi broblasts (RASF) confers the resistance against Fas-induced apoptosis through SUMO-1/SENP1-dependent mechanisms.Based on these fi ndings, the authors set out to analyse the expression of SUMO-2/3 in human RA and in a tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα)-dependent animal model of the disease and to study the regulation of apoptosis and disease-specifi c matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression by SUMO-2/3.Synovial tissue samples were obtained from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA) and used for histological analysis as well as for the isolation of synovial fi broblasts.The expression of SUMO-2/3 in RASF versus OA synovial fi broblasts (OASF) and in fi broblasts from hTNFtg and wild-type mice was compared by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry using specifi c antibodies.RASF/OASF were transfected with siRNA against SUMO-2/3 by lipofectamine.Apoptosis was induced by stimulation with 100 ng/ml Fas ligand over 13 h and the apoptotic response was measured using the Apo-ONE Homogenous Caspase-3/7 assay.MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression in synovial fi broblasts was measured using MMP ELISAs.The authors found a clear upregulation of SUMO-2/3 protein expression in all RA synovial tissue samples compared with OA control samples.SUMO-2/3 expression was most prominent in the superfi cial lining layer and in the sublining.Knockdown of SUMO-2/3 by specifi c siRNA for both proteins sensitised RASF to Fas-induced apoptosis compared with mock siRNA.In addition, the TNFα and interleukin 1β (IL1β)-induced MMP-3 upregulation was further elevated after knockdown of SUMO-2/3.Interestingly, the authors found no effect on MMP-1 expression.Using tissue sections of hTNFtg mice, a clear upregulation of SUMO-2/3 protein expression compared with wild-type mice was observed.Analysing synovial fi broblasts of these mice, the authors could show that the protein levels of free SUMO-2/3 was increased in hTNFtg compared with wild-type synovial fi broblasts.Our data suggest that post-translational modifi cations of target proteins by SUMO-2/3 in RASF contribute to the resistance of these cells against Fas-induced apoptosis.Furthermore, our data indicate that SUMO-2/3 is involved in the regulation of TNFα-and IL1β-induced MMP-3 production.The authors therefore hypothesise that SUMO-2/3 are novel players contributing to specifi c features in the stable activation of RASF and, thus, to the disease process of RA.on August 20,
Plasma oxalate levels rise in hemodialysis patients despite increased oxalate removal.
Authors: J F Costello, M J Sadovnic, E M Cottington
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1991)

The cause of secondary hyperoxalemia and oxalosis in patients on maintenance dialysis is unknown. The oxalate removal rate was determined in 26 patients on maintenance hemodialysis and 6 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis by measuring oxalate removed by dialysis and urinary excretion. The role of vitamin B6 deficiency and ascorbate in the raised plasma oxalate concentrations of these patients was evaluated. Plasma oxalate in hemodialysis patients, 442 +/- 41 micrograms/100 mL (mean +/- SE), and peritoneal patients, 394 +/- 115 micrograms/100 mL, were significantly higher than that in normal subjects, 11 +/- 1 microgram/100 mL (P less than 0.001). Average daily oxalate removal in subjects on hemodialysis, based on dialysis losses and urinary excretion, 35 +/- 3 mg/24 h, was significantly greater than urinary excretion of normal subjects, 26 +/- 1 (P less than 0.01). Oxalate removal from peritoneal dialysis patients, 28 +/- 2 mg/24 h, was not significantly different from that of hemodialysis patients or urinary excretion of normal subjects. Plasma ascorbate and B6 status were not correlated with plasma oxalate. A positive correlation between B6 deficiency and oxalate removal rate was not found. Plasma oxalate was correlated with time on dialysis (all patients) (P = 0.02). In a separate study of 15 hemodialysis patients followed over 2.3 +/- 0.2 yr, both plasma oxalate and oxalate removal rate significantly increased, P less than 0.001 and 0.05, respectively. It was concluded that oxalate removal rate is increased in hemodialysis patients and that the increased total body oxalate burden in these patients is not due to decreased removal. Although the increase may result from increased oxalate synthesis or gastrointestinal absorption, B6 deficiency and increased plasma ascorbate do not play a role.
THE MECHANISM OF BACTERIOSTASIS
Authors: John W. Churchman
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1923)

1. Between Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms gentian violet exhibits the same type of selective activity whether the dye be added to the media on which the bacteria are planted unstained (extrinsic bacteriostasis), or the organisms be stained with it before being planted on plain agar (intrinsic bacteriostasis). In both instances the Gram-positives are inhibited and the Gram-negatives unaffected. 2. Between Gram-positive spore-bearing aerobes and the commoner Gram-negative bacteria, acid fuchsin, related sulfonic substances, and the flavines exhibit one type of selective activity when the dye is added to the media (extrinsic bacteriostasis) and the opposite type when it is added directly to the bacteria (intrinsic bacteriostasis). In the former case, the Gram-positive spore bearers are inhibited and the Gram-negatives unaffected; in the latter case the Gram-negatives are inhibited and the Gram-positive spore bearers unaffected. 3. Selective bacteriostasis is not necessarily conditioned by selective penetrability. Stained organism may grow, and dyes which do not stain well may inhibit reproduction. 4. There is evidence that the phenomena of bacteriostasis may be due to changes effected by the dye at the surface of the organisms.
Expression of miR-124 inhibits growth of medulloblastoma cells
Authors: Joachim Silber, Rintaro Hashizume, Tristan Felix, Sujatmi Hariono, Mamie Yu, Mitchel S. Berger, Jason T. Huse, Scott R. VandenBerg, C. David James, J. Graeme Hodgson, Nalin Gupta
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2012)

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, and a substantial number of patients die as a result of tumor progression. Overexpression of CDK6 is present in approximately one-third of medulloblastomas and is an independent poor prognostic marker for this disease. MicroRNA (miR)-124 inhibits expression of CDK6 and prevents proliferation of glioblastoma and medulloblastoma cells in vitro. We examined the effects of miR-124 overexpression on medulloblastoma cells both in vitro and in vivo and compared cell lines that have low and high CDK6 expression. MiR-124 overexpression inhibits the proliferation of medulloblastoma cells, and this effect is mediated mostly through the action of miR-124 upon CDK6. We further show that induced expression of miR-124 potently inhibits growth of medulloblastoma xenograft tumors in rodents. Further testing of miR-124 will help define the ultimate therapeutic potential of preclinical models of medulloblastoma in conjunction with various delivery strategies for treatment.
Transfer of rheumatoid arthritis into severe combined immunodeficient mice. The pathogenetic implications of T cell populations oligoclonally expanding in the rheumatoid joints.
Authors: T Mima, Y Saeki, S Ohshima, N Nishimoto, M Matsushita, M Shimizu, Y Kobayashi, T Nomura, T Kishimoto
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1995)

To investigate the pathogenicity of T cells infiltrating in the rheumatoid joints, mononuclear cells (MNC), predominantly T cells, isolated from either synovial fluid or synovial tissues of the patients with RA were transferred into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice by intraarticular injections. According to our observations in this experimental system, patients with RA could be classified into at least two groups. In one group of patients, the infiltrating MNC induced synovial hyperplasia in the recipient SCID mice (the positive group). Whereas, in the other group no synovial hyperplasia was observed (the negative group). The induction of synovial hyperplasia observed in the positive group was prevented by an anti-human CD3 antibody (OKT3), indicating T cell mediation. Analysis of T cell receptor (TCR) V beta usage by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in the infiltrating MNC transferred into SCID mice revealed a marked skew towards the preferential use of certain V beta genes, which was not seen in the peripheral blood MNC, in only the positive group. The patterns of TCR/V beta skew were not uniform among the patients. The analysis of the PCR-amplified genes of such skewed TCR/ V beta by single strand conformational polymorphism showed distinct bands, indicating that the T cell populations expanding in rheumatoid joints of the positive group were oligoclonal. Furthermore, the enrichment of the T cell populations expressing such skewed TCR/V beta by in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood MNC of the patients with the relevant superantigen enabled the induction of synovial hyperplasia in the SCID mice. These results suggest that the pathogenic T cells could be activated locally in rheumatoid joints by certain antigens in some, but not in all patients with RA.
Molecular Evolution of Minisatellites in Hemiascomycetous Yeasts
Authors: Guy-Franck Richard, Bernard Dujon
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2005)

Minisatellites are DNA tandem repeats exhibiting size polymorphism among individuals of a population. This polymorphism is generated by two different mechanisms, both in human and yeast cells, “replication slippage” during S-phase DNA synthesis and “repair slippage” associated to meiotic gene conversion. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome contains numerous natural minisatellites. They are located on all chromosomes without any obvious distribution bias. Minisatellites found in protein-coding genes have longer repeat units and on the average more repeat units than minisatellites in noncoding regions. They show an excess of cytosines on the coding strand, as compared to guanines (negative GC skew). They are always multiples of three, encode serine- and threonine-rich amino acid repeats, and are found preferably within genes encoding cell wall proteins, suggesting that they are positively selected in this particular class of genes. Genome-wide, there is no statistically significant association between minisatellites and meiotic recombination hot spots. In addition, minisatellites that are located in the vicinity of a meiotic hot spot are not more polymorphic than minisatellites located far from any hot spot. This suggests that minisatellites, in S. cerevisiae, evolve probably by strand slippage during replication or mitotic recombination. Finally, evolution of minisatellites among hemiascomycetous yeasts shows that even though many minisatellite-containing genes are conserved, most of the time the minisatellite itself is not conserved. The diversity of minisatellite sequences found in orthologous genes of different species suggests that minisatellites are differentially acquired and lost during evolution of hemiascomycetous yeasts at a pace faster than the genes containing them.
The Molecular Biology and Regulation of 5-Lipoxygenase
Authors: OLOF P. RÅDMARK
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2000)

5-Lipoxygenase (5LO) catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to 5(S)-hydroperoxy-6-trans-8,11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE), and further to the allylic epoxide 5(S)-trans-7,9-trans-11,14-cis-eicosatetrenoic acid (leukotriene A 4 , LTA 4 ). Thus, 5LO has a central role in leukotriene biosynthesis. This article covers some basic properties of 5LO. Studies regarding the 5LO gene and targeted gene disruption, and 5LO intracellular compartmentalization, are described in other parts of this supplement.
Indomethacin decreases arterial blood pressure and plasma renin activity in rats with aortic ligation.
Authors: E K Jackson, J A Oates, R A Branch
Journal: Circulation Research (1981)

Severe renovascular hypertension was produced in rats by complete aortic ligation between the origin of the renal arteries. Six days after coarctation, a carotid cannula was implanted and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and plasma renin activity (PRA) were determined. Subsequently, indomethacin (5 mg/kg in oil) or vehicle was administered subcutaneously three times in the following 24-hour period. On day 7, MABP and PRA were again determined. Indomethacin reduced MABP from 179.0 +/- 6.7 to 156.5 +/- 8.8 mm Hg (P less than 0.002, n = 11) and PRA from 21.2 +/- 7.3 to 9.3 +/- 2.9 ng AI/ml per hr (P less than 0.045, n = 10), whereas vehicle treatment did not alter either MABP or PRA (n = 6). There was a significant association between the decrease in MABP and the percentage decrease in PRA following indomethacin treatment (r = 0.766, P less than 0.016). A similar study was performed in aortic ligated rats in which the left kidney was removed at the time of ligation. In these animals, 6 days after surgery, MABP and PRA were 128.0 +/- 5.9 mm Hg and 0.11 +/- 0.06 ng AI/ml per hr (n = 6), respectively, and indomethacin had no effect on either MABP or PRA. These data provide evidence that the prostaglandin system is involved in the release of renin and in the pathogenesis of elevated blood pressure in this model of renin-dependent hypertension.
Glaucoma Risk Alleles at CDKN2B-AS1 Are Associated with Lower Intraocular Pressure, Normal-Tension Glaucoma, and Advanced Glaucoma
Authors: Kathryn P. Burdon, April Crawford, Robert J. Casson, Alex W. Hewitt, John Landers, Patrick Danoy, David A. Mackey, Paul Mitchell, Paul R. Healey, Jamie E. Craig
Journal: Ophthalmology (2012)
Diagnosing XLP1 in patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Raffaella Meazza, Claudia Tuberosa, Valentina Cetica, Michela Falco, Silvia Parolini, Sam Grieve, Gillian M. Griffiths, Elena Sieni, Stefania Marcenaro, Concetta Micalizzi, Davide Montin, Franca Fagioli, Alessandro Moretta, Maria C. Mingari, Lorenzo Moretta, Luigi D. Notarangelo, Cristina Bottino, Maurizio Aricò, Daniela Pende
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2014)
Expression pattern of osteopontin splice variants and its functions on cell apoptosis and invasion in glioma cells
Authors: W. Yan, C. Qian, P. Zhao, J. Zhang, L. Shi, J. Qian, N. Liu, Z. Fu, C. Kang, P. Pu, Y. You
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2010)

Osteopontin (OPN) is widely overexpressed in various cancers, including gliomas, and plays an important role in tumorigenesis. However, the expression pattern and functions of OPN splice variants expressed in gliomas remain unclear. The aims of our current study were to examine the expression pattern and functions of OPN splice variants in gliomas. In present study, the mRNA levels of OPN splice variants are markedly increased in gliomas tissues, and all OPN splice variants were also found in U251 and U87 cells. Furthermore, knock-down and regain of function experiments were designed to explore the functions of OPN splice variants in U251 and U87 cells. Lentiviral vectors of OPN small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting all three endogenous mRNAs of OPN and OPN splice variants synonymous mutant that were not silenced by OPN siRNA were constructed. Our results showed that all OPN splice variants synonymous mutant-protected glioma cells from apoptosis induced by OPN siRNA through alteration of the levels of Bcl-2 family proteins and OPN-b Mu elicted a significant effect. Both OPN-a Mu and -c Mu promoted glioma cell invasion through alteration of the levels of uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expressions and the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 via activation PI-3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, OPN-c Mu showed the strongest effect on glioma cell invasion, while OPN-b Mu showed no effect on the invasion of U251 and U87 cells. Thus, different splice variants of OPN have divergent functions in regulating apoptosis and invasion of glioma cells, which broadens their importance in glioma biotherapy.
Meeting Expectations of Patients With Cancer: Relationship Between Patient Satisfaction, Depression, and Coping
Authors: Gil Goldzweig, Amichai Meirowitz, Ayala Hubert, Baruch Brenner, Natalio Walach, Shlomit Perry, Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon, Lea Baider
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

This study assessed satisfaction of patients with cancer and the correlation between patient levels of satisfaction and the sociodemographic, medical, and psychological variables. Satisfaction measures were based on patient expectations for emotional and cognitive support by the oncologists.A total of 1,027 patients with cancer were recruited from the outpatient departments and daycare treatment centers of four oncology institutes in Israel. Patient levels of expectations and satisfaction were assessed by using measures developed for this study. Patient psychological variables were assessed by using the Brief Symptoms Inventory, Impact of Events Scale, and Mental Adjustment to Cancer. chi(2) and Student t tests were used to assess differences between the highly satisfied group and the less satisfied group.Lower values of satisfaction were reported on the dimensions that included the patient in the treatment plan and that included explanations to the family. Higher percentages of women, single patients, younger patients, and patients in stages II to III were found in the less satisfied group. This group reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress, anxious preoccupation, and helplessness and lower levels of fighting spirit.Given the importance of patient satisfaction to treatment compliance, oncologists should consider evaluating patient expectations for support, especially in issues concerning planning the treatment and involving the family in medical decisions. Oncologists should take into account the possible interdependence between psychological variables and medical-care satisfaction.
Recreational football is effective in the treatment of non-communicable diseases
Authors: Peter Krustrup, Jens Bangsbo
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2015)

A decade ago, it was established that physical activity is a cornerstone in the non-pharmacological prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases,1 and there is increasing evidence that sports participation has the potential to improve the health of nations.2 In recent years, more than 60 scientific articles have shown that recreational football training conducted as small-sided games (3v3 to 7v7) has substantial fitness and health benefits for untrained individuals.3–6 Such easy-to-do training has resulted in reduced blood pressure and resting heart rate, reduced fat mass and lipid profile, and favourably changed cardiac function and size, muscle mass, bone mineralisation and functional capacity. This applied for participants across the lifespan—irrespective of gender, social status and prior football experience.

Among healthy individuals, the effects of recreational football training are more broad-spectred (more systems benefitted) and more pronounced than training modalities such as cycling, swimming, jogging, walking and strength training, suggesting that football may be a more powerful stimulus for health.3 ,5 ,7 A very recent systematic review on the health benefits of different sport disciplines for adults, published last month in BJSM …
Improvement of Asthma After Administration of Pioglitazone
Authors: Yoshiaki Hashimoto, Kazuhiko Nakahara
Journal: Diabetes Care (2002)

We describe the case of a 71-year-old man who was being followed as an outpatient for type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and asthma. He was a past smoker with a BMI of 25.6 kg/m2. Because he had only mild wheezing at night, he was not under medical treatment for asthma. As his level of HbA1c remained between 6.6 and 6.8% under treatment with 2.5 mg glibenclamide, 30 mg pioglitazone (an insulin-sensitizing drug) was added to his treatment. Several days later, he noticed that his wheezing had disappeared. The pulmonary function tests showed improvement of forced vital capacity from 2.33 to 3.02 l and forced expiratory volume in …