tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Fractional excretion of trace lithium and uric acid in acute renal failure.
Authors: F Steinhäuslin, M Burnier, J L Magnin, A Munafo, T Buclin, J Diezi, J Biollaz
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1994)

The early distinction between prerenal azotemia, characterized by an avid proximal tubular sodium reabsorption, and ATN, in which proximal tubule function is depressed, remains an important but difficult clinical task. Indices of acute renal failure based on urinary sodium excretion may be helpful but have several limitations, among which is the use of diuretics. The effectiveness of the fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA) and that of endogenous lithium (FELi) in the diagnosis of acute renal failure has been evaluated in an unselected group of 46 patients, 28 with prerenal azotemia and 18 with ATN. In the entire group, FELi concurred with the clinical diagnosis in 78% of the patients, whereas the fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and FEUA were in agreement in only 63 and 50%, respectively. FELi was more sensitive to identify hemodynamic renal failure, because 93% of prerenal failure patients had a low FELi, contrasting with a low FEUA in only 68% and a low FENa in 75%. The major reason for the discrepancy between FENa and FELi was the administration of diuretics. In both acute renal failure groups, FENa was higher in the subgroups receiving diuretics. In contrast, diuretic therapy had no effect on FELi in either group. These results suggest that FELi is more accurate than either FENa or FEUA for distinguishing prerenal azotemia from ATN. The superiority of FELi appears especially relevant in patients treated with the usual diuretics.
Relation between vasa recta blood flow and renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure during pressure natriuresis.
Authors: E Farrugia, J C Lockhart, T S Larson
Journal: Circulation Research (1992)

Pressure natriuresis may be mediated through increases in inner medullary vasa recta blood flow (QVR). By means of acute renal decapsulation to prevent increases in renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP), the effect of increases in QVR in the presence and absence of changes in RIHP in the natriuretic and diuretic responses to increases in renal perfusion pressure (RPP) was evaluated. Blood flow in descending (QDVR) and ascending (QAVR) vasa recta was determined in the exposed papilla by fluorescence videomicroscopy in anesthetized euvolemic Munich Wistar rats. In rats with intact renal capsules (n = 12), increases in RPP from 101 +/- 0.5 to 132 +/- 2.9 mm Hg caused significant increases in QDVR (from 4.7 +/- 0.9 to 5.5 +/- 0.9 nl/min, p &lt; 0.001) and QAVR (from 2.8 +/- 0.2 to 3.5 +/- 0.2 nl/min, p &lt; 0.001) in association with increases in RIHP (from 4.6 +/- 1.3 to 7.6 +/- 1.3 mm Hg, p &lt; 0.001), urine flow (from 16.2 +/- 2.6 to 20.2 +/- 3.2 microliters.min-1 x g kidney wt-1, p &lt; 0.01), and urinary sodium excretion (from 2.10 +/- 0.38 to 3.36 +/- 0.62 mu eq.min-1 x g kidney wt-1, p &lt; 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Association between altered expression of adipogenic factor SREBP1 in lipoatrophic adipose tissue from HIV-1-infected patients and abnormal adipocyte differentiation and insulin resistance
Authors: Jean-Philippe Bastard, Martine Caron, Hubert Vidal, Véronique Jan, Martine Auclair, Corinne Vigouroux, Jacqueline Luboinski, Martine Laville, Mustapha Maachi, Pierre-Marie Girard, Willy Rozenbaum, Philippe Levan, Jacqueline Capeau
Journal: The Lancet (2002)
AKI after Conditional and Kidney-Specific Knockdown of Stanniocalcin-1
Authors: Luping Huang, Tatiana Belousova, Jenny Szu-Chin Pan, Jie Du, Huiming Ju, Lianghao Lu, Pumin Zhang, Luan D. Truong, Alli Nuotio-Antar, David Sheikh-Hamad
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2014)

Stanniocalcin-1 is an intracrine protein; it binds to the cell surface, is internalized to the mitochondria, and diminishes superoxide generation through induction of uncoupling proteins. In vitro, stanniocalcin-1 inhibits macrophages and preserves endothelial barrier function, and transgenic overexpression of stanniocalcin-1 in mice protects against ischemia-reperfusion kidney injury. We sought to determine the kidney phenotype after kidney endothelium-specific expression of stanniocalcin-1 small hairpin RNA (shRNA). We generated transgenic mice that express stanniocalcin-1 shRNA or scrambled shRNA upon removal of a floxed reporter (phosphoglycerate kinase-driven enhanced green fluorescent protein) and used ultrasound microbubbles to deliver tyrosine kinase receptor-2 promoter-driven Cre to the kidney to permit kidney endothelium-specific shRNA expression. Stanniocalcin-1 mRNA and protein were expressed throughout the kidney in wild-type mice. Delivery of tyrosine kinase receptor-2 promoter-driven Cre to stanniocalcin-1 shRNA transgenic kidneys diminished the expression of stanniocalcin-1 mRNA and protein throughout the kidneys. Stanniocalcin-1 mRNA and protein expression did not change in similarly treated scrambled shRNA transgenic kidneys, and we observed no Cre protein expression in cultured and tyrosine kinase receptor-2 promoter-driven Cre-transfected proximal tubule cells, suggesting that knockdown of stanniocalcin-1 in epithelial cells in vivo may result from stanniocalcin-1 shRNA transfer from endothelial cells to epithelial cells. Kidney-specific knockdown of stanniocalcin-1 led to severe proximal tubule injury characterized by vacuolization, decreased uncoupling of protein-2 expression, greater generation of superoxide, activation of the unfolded protein response, initiation of autophagy, cell apoptosis, and kidney failure. Our observations suggest that stanniocalcin-1 is critical for tubular epithelial survival under physiologic conditions.
18F-FDG PET scans demonstrate strong correlation between spleen metabolism and serum IL-2R levels in patients with untreated sarcoidosis under surveillance
Authors: Alexandros Kalkanis, Dimitrios Kalkanis, Dimitrios Drougas, Napoleon Karagiannidis, Marios Panagiotou, Dimitrios Exarhos, Ioannis Datseris, Vlassios Polychronopoulos
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction:  F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose used in positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has been shown to be a sensitive molecular imaging marker of inflammation.   Aims:  To use FDG PET/CT to assess splenic hypermetabolism in therapy-naive sarcoidosis patients and to examine possible correlation between splenic FDG uptake and biochemical markers.   Methods:  All patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis were identified from a local database in our hospital. Therapy-naive patients under routine surveillance were enrolled in this study and after informed consent they prospectively underwent whole-body FDG PET/CT and same-day biochemical lab tests, including interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum angiotensin-I converting enzyme (SACE), serum calcium and urine calcium levels.   Results:  Thirty patients (10 male, 48.2 ±11.7 years) were included. Spleen SUVmax was 4.6 ±2.4 (range: 2.5-15.7) and SUVmean was 2.5 ±1.4 (range: 1.5-9). Serum IL-2R was 1417 ±1164 (range: 417-4992). Significant correlation was found between serum IL-2R levels and splenic SUVmax (Pearson9s r=0.7, p   Conclusions:  There is strong correlation between serum IL-2R levels and spleen metabolism and size, while no correlation is identified between spleen metabolism and CRP, SACE, serum or urine calcium levels in patients with untreated sarcoidosis.
Archaeology and cognitive evolution
Authors: Thomas Wynn
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2002)

Archaeology can provide two bodies of information relevant to the understanding of the evolution of human cognition – the timing of developments, and the evolutionary context of these developments. The challenge is methodological. Archaeology must document attributes that have direct implications for underlying cognitive mechanisms. One example of such a cognitive archaeology is found in spatial cognition. The archaeological record documents an evolutionary sequence that begins with ape-equivalent spatial abilities 2.5 million years ago and ends with the appearance of modern abilities in the still remote past of 400,000 years ago. The timing of these developments reveals two major episodes in the evolution in spatial ability, one, 1.5 million years ago and the other, one million years later. The two episodes of development in spatial cognition had very different evolutionary contexts. The first was associated with the shift to an open country adaptive niche that occurred early in the time range of Homo erectus. The second was associated with no clear adaptive shift, though it does appear to have coincided with the invasion of more hostile environments and the appearance of systematic hunting of large mammals. Neither, however, occurred in a context of modern hunting and gathering.
Prevention and reversal of cholera enterotoxin-induced intestinal secretion by methylprednisolone induction of Na+-K+-ATPase.
Authors: A N Charney, M Donowitz
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1976)

The relationship of the mucosal enzyme systems Na+-K+-activated adenosine triphophatase (Na-K-ATPase) and adenylate cyclase and their associated intestinal transport processes was studied in the rat ileum. Two ileal loops were constructed in each anesthetized rat; one loop was inoculated with saline, the other loop with choleragen. Net transport of water and electrolytes was measured in vivo after which enzyme activity was measured in the mucosa of the perfused loops. All doses of choleragen between 5 and 150 mug decreased water movement as early as 3 1/2 h after inoculation. A linear relationship between the dose of choleragen and the level of net water and electrolyte secretion was observed when choleragen doses between 5 and 150 mug were incubated in ileal loops for 4 h. Adenylate cyclase activity was always increased in secreting intestinal loops, whereas Na-K-ATPase was unaffected by choleragen. In animals pretreated with methylprednisolone acetate, 3 mg/100 g per day for 3 days before loop inoculation, saline loops had enhanced mucosal Na-K-ATPase activity had increased net water and electrolyte absorption; choleragen-exposed loops had increased adenylate cyclase and Na-K-ATPase activities, and net absorption of water and electrolytes 4 h after inoculation. These effects of methylprednisolone acetate were still present 19 1/2 h after inoculation. When a single injection of methylprednisolone acetate was given 3 1/2 h after choleragen inoculation, both adenylate cyclase and Na-K-ATPase were activated, and net intestinal absorption of water and electrolytes was observed 19 1/2 h after inoculation. These results suggest that methylprednisolone can prevent and reverse the secretory effects of choleragen by selectively stimulating a coexisting absorptive process.
Altitude illness is related to low hypoxic chemoresponse and low oxygenation during sleep
Authors: Hugo Nespoulet, Bernard Wuyam, Renaud Tamisier, Carole Saunier, Denis Monneret, Judith Remy, Olivier Chabre, Jean-Louis Pépin, Patrick Lévy
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Altitude illness remains a major cause of mortality. Reduced chemosensitivity, irregular breathing leading to central apnoeas/hypopnoeas, and exaggerated pulmonary vasoconstriction may compromise oxygenation. All factors could enhance susceptibility to acute mountain sickness (AMS). We compared 12 AMS-susceptible individuals with recurrent and severe symptoms (AMS+) with 12 “AMS-nonsusceptible” subjects (AMS-), assessing sleep-breathing disorders in simulated altitude as well as chemoresponsive and pulmonary vasoconstrictive responses to hypoxia. During exposure to simulated altitude, mean blood oxygen saturation during sleep was lower in AMS+ subjects (81.6±2.6 versus 86.0±2.4%, p&lt;0.01), associated with a lower central apnoea/hypopnoea index (18.2±18.1 versus 33.4±24.8 events·h −1 in AMS+ and AMS- subjects, respectively; p=0.038). A lower hypoxic (isocapnic) chemoresponsiveness was observed in AMS+ subjects (0.40±0.49 versus 0.97±0.46 L·min −1 ·%; p&lt;0.001). This represented the only significant and independent predictive factor for altitude intolerance, despite a higher increase in pulmonary artery systolic pressure in response to hypoxia, a lower lung diffusing capacity and a higher endothelin-1 level at baseline in AMS+ subjects (p&lt;0.05). AMS+ subjects were more hypoxaemic whilst exhibiting fewer respiratory events during sleep owing to lower hypoxic (isocapnic) chemoresponsiveness. In conclusion, the reduction in peripheral hypoxic chemosensitivity appears to be a major causative factor for altitude intolerance.
Protein Kinase C β Enhances Growth and Expression of Cyclin D1 in Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Haiyang Li, I. Bernard Weinstein
Journal: Cancer Research (2006)

Although alterations in the expressions of protein kinase C (PKC) have been implicated in breast carcinogenesis, the roles of specific isoforms in this process remain elusive. In the present study, we examined the specific roles of PKCbeta1 and beta2 in growth control in human breast cancer cell lines. The PKCbeta-specific inhibitor LY379196 significantly inhibited growth of the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and BT474, but not the normal mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10F. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with LY379196 caused an increase in the fraction of cells in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle. To explore the roles of PKCbeta1 and beta2, we used cDNA expression vectors that encode wild-type and constitutively activated or dominant negative mutants of these two proteins. When compared with vector controls, derivatives of MCF-7 cells that stably overexpress wild-type PKCbeta1 or PKCbeta2 displayed a slight increase in growth rate; derivatives that stably express the constitutively active mutants of PKCbeta1 or PKCbeta2 displayed a marked increase in growth rate; and derivatives that stably express a dominant negative mutant of PKCbeta1 or beta2 displayed inhibition of growth. The derivatives of MCF-7 cells that stably express the constitutively activated mutants of PKCbeta1 or beta2 were more resistant to growth inhibition by LY379196 than the vector control MCF-7 cells. Immunoblot analysis indicated that MCF-7 cells that stably overexpress wild-type or constitutively activated mutants of PKCbeta1 or beta2 had higher cellular levels of cyclin D1 than vector control cells, whereas cells that express a dominant negative mutant had decreased levels of cyclin D1. The derivatives that stably express the constitutively activated mutants of PKCbeta1 or beta2 also displayed increased cyclin D1 promoter activity in transient transfection luciferase reporter assays, and this induction of activity requires activator protein 1. Constitutively activated PKCbeta1 and beta2 also enhanced the transcription of c-fos in transient transfection luciferase reporter assays. Thus, PKCbeta1 and beta2 may play important positive roles in the growth of at least a subset of human breast cancers. Therefore, inhibitors of these isoforms may be useful in breast cancer chemoprevention or therapy.
Systems Approaches and the Delivery of Health Services
Authors: Robert S. Thompson
Journal: JAMA (1997)

In this issue of THE JOURNAL, LeBaron et al<sub>1</sub>review a decade of work by the Georgia Department of Public Health to improve immunization levels in Georgia's public health clinics (more than 200) across the state. The primary outcome of this very important work was a dramatic overall increase in immunization completion rates for 2-year-olds (the 4-3-1 series, where children receive 4 doses of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, 3 doses of oral poliovirus vaccine, and 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine) over a 7-year period, from 53% in 1988 to 89% in 1994. Incremental improvement in rates progressed in a moderately steady fashion, averaging about 6% per year. In addition, process measures also improved. These included fewer missed opportunities for immunization, fewer lost contacts with the children, and fewer late initiations of immunizations. See also p 631. The interventions in this study at the state level were to measure the immunization
Modulation by pH <sub>o</sub> and Intracellular Ca <sup>2+</sup> of Na <sup>+</sup> -H <sup>+</sup> Exchange in Diabetic Rat Isolated Ventricular Myocytes
Authors: Karine Le Prigent, Dominique Lagadic-Gossmann, Danielle Feuvray
Journal: Circulation Research (1997)

We have previously shown that diabetes is associated with a decrease in Na + -H + exchange activity in rat cardiac papillary muscle. The present work has been carried out in order to elucidate the factors responsible for such an alteration. Thus, we have studied the effects of pH o and intracellular Ca 2+ on Na + -H + exchange in ventricular myocytes isolated from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat hearts. pH i was recorded using carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor (SNARF-1). The NH 4 + (10 mmol/L) prepulse method was used to induce an acid load in order to activate Na + -H + exchange in HEPES-buffered Tyrode's solution. Whereas diabetes did not change intracellular buffering power, it significantly decreased acid efflux through Na + -H + exchange (acid efflux, 4.32±0.4 [n=32, normal cells] versus 2.5±0.2 [n=43, diabetic cells] meq/L per minute at pH i 6.9; P &lt;.02). Upon changes of pH o (at a range of 8.0 to 6.8), acid efflux similarly varied in normal and diabetic cells, thus pointing to an unchanged pH o sensitivity of Na + -H + exchange. Buffering of intracellular Ca 2+ by pretreatment of the cells with BAPTA-AM (25 μmol/L, Ca 2+ -chelator) resulted in a decrease by ≈58% of acid efflux in the diabetic group. This decrease was even more marked in normal cells (by ≈74%). Interestingly, the pH i dependence of the acid efflux carried by Na + -H + exchange then became identical in both groups of cells, thus pointing to a role for intracellular Ca 2+ in the diabetes-related alterations of the exchange. Inhibition of calmodulin (by 1.5 μmol/L calmidazolium) and of Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (by 2 μmol/L 1-[ N , O -bis(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)- N -methyl- l -tyrosyl]-4-phenylpiperazine [KN-62]) significantly slowed down pH i recovery in both normal and diabetic cells. However, the effect of KN-62 was significantly lower in diabetic cells (efflux decreased by ≈17%) compared with normal cells (decrease by 45%). In conclusion, these data, in light of recent observations showing a decreased [Ca 2+ ] i associated with diabetes in isolated ventricular myocytes, suggest that changes in intracellular Ca 2+ may play an important role in altering Na + -H + exchange activity in diabetic ventricular myocytes. They also point to diabetes-related alterations in the Ca 2+ /calmodulin protein kinase II–dependent phosphorylation of Na + -H + exchange.
THE OCCURRENCE OF POLYGLYCEROPHOSPHATE AS AN ANTIGENIC COMPONENT OF VARIOUS GRAM-POSITIVE BACTERIAL SPECIES
Authors: Maclyn McCarty
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1959)

A bacterial substance has been described which gives a precipitin reaction with certain antisera to Group A streptococci. The precipitating antigen is present in various Gram-positive bacteria, including most hemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, and aerobic sporulating bacilli. It is not present in any of the Gram-negative species examined or in pneumococci, clostridia, or corynebacteria. Analysis of purified preparations obtained from Group A streptococci indicates that the antigen is a simple polymer of glycerophosphate. The identification has been confirmed by immunochemical studies, including precipitin tests and specific inhibition with synthetic polyglycerophosphates. In addition, the infrared spectra of bacterial and synthetic polyglycerophosphate are shown to be closely similar. Immunochemical analysis suggests that the amount of polyglycerophosphate present in Group A streptococci and staphylococci is approximately 1 per cent of the dry weight of the cells. The cellular localization and function of the polyglycerophosphate have not been established.
Increased left atrial size as a risk factor for ischemic stroke in a multiethnic population
Authors: M.R. Di Tullio, R.L. Sacco, R.R. Sciacca, B. Boden-Albala, D.R. Zwas, A.K. Fard, I. Titova, L.M. Mendoza, S. Homma
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1998)
Longitudinal Assessment of an ELISPOT Test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Philip C Hill, Roger H Brookes, Annette Fox, Dolly Jackson-Sillah, David J Jeffries, Moses D Lugos, Simon A Donkor, Ifedayo M Adetifa, Bouke C de Jong, Alex M Aiken, Richard A Adegbola, Keith P McAdam
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2007)

Background Very little longitudinal information is available regarding the performance of T cell-based tests for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. To address this deficiency, we conducted a longitudinal assessment of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot test (ELISPOT) test in comparison to the standard tuberculin skin test (TST). Methods and Findings In tuberculosis (TB) contacts we repeated ELISPOT tests 3 mo (n = 341) and 18 mo (n = 210) after recruitment and TSTs at 18 mo (n = 130). We evaluated factors for association with conversion and reversion and investigated suspected cases of TB. Of 207 ELISPOT-negative contacts, 51 (24.6%) had 3-mo ELISPOT conversion, which was associated with a positive recruitment TST (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–5.0, p = 0.048) and negatively associated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2–1.0, p = 0.06). Of 134 contacts, 54 (40.2%) underwent 3-mo ELISPOT reversion, which was less likely in those with a positive recruitment TST (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.8, p = 0.014). Between 3 and 18 mo, 35/132 (26.5%) contacts underwent ELISPOT conversion and 28/78 (35.9%) underwent ELISPOT reversion. Of the 210 contacts with complete results, 73 (34.8%) were ELISPOT negative at all three time points; 36 (17.1%) were positive at all three time points. Between recruitment and 18 mo, 20 (27%) contacts had ELISPOT conversion; 37 (50%) had TST conversion, which was associated with a positive recruitment ELISPOT (OR 7.2, 95% CI 1.4–37.1, p = 0.019); 18 (32.7%) underwent ELISPOT reversion; and five (8.9%) underwent TST reversion. Results in 13 contacts diagnosed as having TB were mixed, but suggested higher TST sensitivity. Conclusions Both ELISPOT conversion and reversion occur after M. tuberculosis exposure. Rapid ELISPOT reversion may reflect M. tuberculosis clearance or transition into dormancy and may contribute to the relatively low reported ELISPOT conversion rate. Therefore, a negative ELISPOT test for M. tuberculosis infection should be interpreted with caution.