tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Rapid diagnosis of pulmonary TB by BAL enzyme-linked immunospot assay in an immunocompromised host
Authors: A. Strassburg, C. Jafari, M. Ernst, W. Lotz, C. Lange
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2008)

Immunocompromised patients with acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear-negative active pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) often present with nonspecific clinical symptoms and findings. T-cell interferon-γ release assays (TIGRA) performed on whole blood (using ELISA) or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (using enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT)) are more sensitive for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection than the tuberculin skin test (TST), but cannot distinguish active from latent MTB infection. The present authors report a 38-yr-old female presenting with a 3-week history of malaise, dyspnoea, fevers and coughing, who had received immunosuppressive therapies over 8 months for mixed connective tissue disease. Chest radiograph and thoracic computed tomography showed ground glass opacities in both lower lobes. The TST-induration was 0 mm and AFBs or MTB nucleic acid was not detected on sputum and bronchial secretions. However, TIGRAs performed on peripheral blood cells were reactive. A high frequency of MTB-specific T-cells compatible with the immunodiagnosis of active pTB was detected among bronchoalveolar lavage cells using ELISPOT. Antituberculous therapy was initiated 18 days before MTB was discovered on sputum cultures. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis -specific T-cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage using enzyme-linked immunospot assay is a promising tool for the diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients with negative acid-fast bacilli smears.
Solitary plasmacytoma of the carina.
Authors: S J Kober
Journal: Thorax (1979)

Extramedullary plasmacytomas are rare tumours that have been described in various sites in the body, the most usual being the nasopharynx and upper respiratory tract.A patient who had received several courses of radiotherapy for plasmacytomas of the oro- and naso-pharynx was found to have a solitary plasma- ::E r _ cytoma at the carina. Case reportA 69-year-old woman was admitted with a three-week ;ih istory of shortness of breath and wheezing accom- panied by infrequent small haemoptyses.She had been treated at home for asthma with bronchodilators, and steroids, but had shown no improvement.She had stridor but no other added sounds in the chest.Systematic examination was normal.A blood
Effects of anti-Ia sera on mitogenic responses. III. Mapping the genes controlling the expression of Ia determinants on concanavalin A-reactive cells to the I-J subregion of the H-2 gene complex.
Authors: J A Frelinger, J E Niederhuber, D C Shreffler
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1976)

We have shown that the Ia determinants expressed on nylon wool-purified T lymphocytes reactive to concanavalin A (Con A) in serum-free media are coded in a single I subregion of the H-2 gene complex. This region, I-J, is defined by two pairs of intra-H-2 recombinant haplotypes: H-2t3, H-2t4 and H-2i3, H-2i5, carried by B10.HTT, B10.S(9R), B10.A(3R), AND B10.A(5R), respectively. No activity against Con A-reactive T cells has been detected in any antiserum that was produced in strain combinations which shared a common I-J region. This suggests that Ia antigens expressed on Con A-reactive T cells are restricted to the I-J subregion.
Donald Barrie Case Reginald ("Rex") Frank Robert Gardner Evan Griffiths Alfred Gordon Heppleston Theodore David Lambert Margaret Joyce Poole Isaac ("Sakkie") Rachman Thomas Rutherford Alexander Marshall Short Jean Margaret Vickers Matthew Westwood John Christopher Wharton
Authors: M R Wharton, G. Mackay, L. LeDune, E. Gardner, N. Griffiths, P. Heppleston, G. Conn, C. Cameron, D. Logie, G. Boss, A P. Walker, W A. Johnstone, C. Vickers, A. Chapel, W. McKee, C. Wharton
Journal: BMJ (1998)

q Manchester 1958; FRCS), died from rapidly recurrent metastatic carcinoma of the oesophagus, four months after diagnosis, on 3 August 1998.In Preston he organised separate facilities for trauma and elective patients, producing a smooth running unit which was widely acclaimed.His special interest was paediatric orthopaedics.He retired early but continued his established medicolegal practice.Outside medicine he was twice president of the Rotary Club and spent time with the Jubilee Sailing Trust for disabled youngsters.He took great pride in restoring a classic Armstrong-Siddley.He leaves a wife, Ros; and two sons.
Abstract 4811: Transient telomere dysfunction induces chromosomal instability and promotes carcinogenesis in telomerase-proficient mice
Authors: Daniel Hartmann, Yvonne Begus-Nahrmann, Parisa Eshraghi, Volker Rasche, Peter Schirmacher, Han-Woong Lee, André Lechel, K. Lenhard Rudolph
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Introduction: A current concept of carcinogenesis indicates that telomere dysfunction can increase tumor initiation by induction of chromosomal instability, but initiated tumor cells need to reactivate telomerase for genome stabilization and tumor progression. So far, this concept has not been proven in vivo since appropriate mouse models were lacking. Methods: Here, we analyzed hepatocarcinogenesis (i) in a novel mouse model of inducible telomere dysfunction on a telomerase-proficient background, (ii) in telomerase knockout mice with chronic telomere dysfunction (G3 mTerc-/-), and (iii) in wild-type mice with functional telomeres and telomerase. Results: Transient or chronic telomere dysfunction enhanced the rates of chromosomal aberrations during hepatocarcinogenesis, but only telomerase-proficient mice exhibited significantly increased rates of macroscopic tumor formation and cancer cell proliferation in response to telomere dysfunction. In contrast, telomere dysfunction resulted in pronounced accumulation of DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in telomerase-deficient liver tumors. Conclusion: Together, these data provide the first in vivo evidence that telomere dysfunction can promote chromosomal instability and carcinogenesis in telomerase-proficient mice in the absence of additional, genetic checkpoint defects at germline level. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4811. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4811
Reimbursement of Dialysis
Authors: Raymond Vanholder, Andrew Davenport, Thierry Hannedouche, Jeroen Kooman, Andreas Kribben, Norbert Lameire, Gerhard Lonnemann, Peter Magner, David Mendelssohn, Subodh J. Saggi, Rachel N. Shaffer, Sharon M. Moe, Wim Van Biesen, Frank van der Sande, Rajnish Mehrotra
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2012)

Reimbursement for chronic dialysis consumes a substantial portion of healthcare costs for a relatively small proportion of the total population. Each country has a unique reimbursement system that attempts to control rising costs. Thus, comparing the reimbursement systems between countries might be helpful to find solutions to minimize costs to society without jeopardizing quality of treatment and outcomes. We conducted a survey of seven countries to compare crude reimbursement for various dialysis modalities and evaluated additional factors, such as inclusion of drugs or physician payments in the reimbursement package, adjustment in rates for specific patient subgroups, and pay for performance therapeutic thresholds. The comparison examines the United States, the province of Ontario in Canada, and five European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom). Important differences between countries exist, resulting in as much as a 3.3-fold difference between highest and lowest reimbursement rates for chronic hemodialysis. Differences persist even when our data were adjusted for per capita gross domestic product. Reimbursement for peritoneal dialysis is lower in most countries except Germany and the United States. The United Kingdom is the only country that has implemented an incentive if patients use an arteriovenous fistula. Although home hemodialysis (prolonged or daily dialysis) allows greater flexibility and better patient outcomes, reimbursement is only incentivized in The Netherlands. Unfortunately, it is not yet clear that such differences save money or improve quality of care. Future research should focus on directly testing both outcomes.
Addition of Bevacizumab to Chemotherapy for Treatment of Solid Tumors: Similar Results but Different Conclusions
Authors: Alberto Ocaña, Eitan Amir, Francisco Vera, Elizabeth A. Eisenhauer, Ian F. Tannock
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

Alberto Ocana and Eitan Amir, Princess Margaret Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Francisco Vera, Centro Universitario Contra el Cancer, Hospital Universitario Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico Elizabeth A. Eisenhauer, National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada Ian F. Tannock, Princess Margaret Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Genomic Haplotype Blocks May Not Accurately Reflect Spatial Variation in Historic Recombination Intensity
Authors: Koen J F Verhoeven, Katy L Simonsen
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2004)

Recently, genomic data have revealed a “block-like” structure of haplotype diversity on human chromosomes. This structure is anticipated to facilitate gene mapping studies, because strong associations among loci within a block may allow haplotype variation to be tagged with a limited number of markers. But its usefulness to mapping efforts depends on the consistency of the block structure within and among populations, which in turn depends on how the block structure arises. Recombination hot spots are generally thought to underlie the block structure, but haplotype blocks can also develop stochastically under random recombination, in which case the block structure will show limited consistency among populations. Using coalescent models, which we upscaled to simulate the evolution of haplotypes with many markers at fixed distances, we show that the relationship between block boundaries and historic recombination intensity may be surprisingly weak. The majority of historic recombinations do not leave a footprint in present-day linkage disequilibrium patterns, and the block structure is sensitive to factors that affect the timing of recombination relative to marker mutation events in the genealogy, such as marker frequency bias and historic population size changes. Our results give insight into the potential of stochastic events to affect haplotype block structure, which can limit the usefulness of the block structure to mapping studies.
Fibroids and female reproduction: a critical analysis of the evidence
Authors: E. Somigliana, P. Vercellini, R. Daguati, R. Pasin, O. De Giorgi, P.G. Crosignani
Journal: Human Reproduction Update (2007)

Observational epidemiological studies aimed at elucidating the relationship between fibroids and infertility are inconclusive due to methodological limitations. However, two main pieces of clinical evidence support the opinion that the fibroids interfere with fertility. First, in IVF cycles, the delivery rate is reduced in patients with fibroids but is not affected in patients who have undergone myomectomy. Second, even if randomized studies are lacking, surgical treatment appears to increase the pregnancy rate: ∼50% women who undergo myomectomy for infertility, subsequently conceive. Available evidence also suggests that submucosal, intramural and subserosal fibroids interfere with fertility in decreasing order of importance. Although more limited, some data supports an impact of the number and dimension of the lesions. Drawing clear guidelines for the management of fibroids in infertile women is difficult due to the lack of large randomized trials aimed at elucidating which patients may benefit from surgery. At present, physicians should pursue a comprehensive and personalized approach clearly exposing the pros and cons of myomectomy to the patient, including the risks associated with fibroids during pregnancy on one hand, and those associated with surgery on the other hand.
A MIRACLE REMEMBERED
Authors: I K. O. Azuonye
Journal: BMJ (1996)

<h3>Abstract</h3> The polychaete <i>Alvinella pompejana</i> lives exclusively on the walls of deep-sea hydrothermal chimneys along the East Pacific Rise and, display specific adaptations to withstand high temperature and hypoxia associated with this highly variable habitat. Previous studies revealed the existence of a balanced polymorphism on the enzyme phosphoglucomutase associated with thermal variations where allozymes 90 and 100 exhibited different optimal activities and thermostabilities. The exploration of the mutational landscape of the phosphoglucomutase1 revealed the maintenance of four highly divergent allelic lineages encoding the three most frequent electromorphs over the worm’s geographic range. This polymorphism is only governed by two linked amino-acid replacements located in exon 3 (E155Q and E190Q). A two-niches model of selection with ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ conditions represents the most likely way for the long-term persistence of these isoforms. Using directed mutagenesis, overexpression of the three recombinant variants allowed us to test the additive effect of these two mutations on the biochemical properties of this enzyme. Results are coherent with those previously obtained from native proteins and reveal a thermodynamic trade-off between the protein thermostability and catalysis, which is likely to have maintained these functional phenotypes prior to the geographic separation of populations across the Equator, about 1.2 Mya.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: S G O’Neill, S Woldman, F Bailliard, W Norman, J McEwan, D A Isenberg, A M Taylor, A Rahman
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2008)

Objectives: To delineate the cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) appearances of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in comparison with transthoracic echocardiographs. Methods: Cardiac MR was performed on 22 patients with SLE—11 with previous CVD and 11 matched controls—using late gadolinium contrast enhancement (LGE) to identify areas of myocardial scarring; Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed on the same day. Results: Twenty female and two male patients participated. LGE was seen in 5/11 subjects in the CVD group (4/5 with previous myocardial infarction) and 1/11 in the control group. TTE detected myocardial abnormalities in 2/6 patients with LGE. Conclusion: The cardiac MR appearance of CVD in these patients with SLE was suggestive of coronary disease, rather than cumulative inflammatory muscle damage. Cardiac MR detected more abnormalities than TTE. Further studies of cardiac MR in patients with SLE are warranted to investigate these preliminary findings.
To assist or not to assist embryo hatching
Authors: M. van Wely, F. van der Veen
Journal: Human Reproduction Update (2011)

At early stages of development, the human embryo is protected by a surrounding two-layer coating-the zona pellucida.As the embryo develops further, this coating becomes thinner and, at the blastocyst stage, the thin coating is broken off and the embryo 'hatches' such that it can implant into the uterine wall.Following in vitro fertilization and in vitro growth, many embryos do not implant after embryo transfer.Cultured embryos are known to hatch and implant at a lower rate than naturally developed embryos in vivo.This lower hatching rate could be attributed to a thicker zona pellucida.A thicker zona has, for instance, been seen in older women and women with high basal FSH levels.It was therefore suggested that making a hole in or thinning of this outer layer may help embryos to 'hatch', thus increasing the implantation rates.In 1990 such an assisted hatching procedure was developed (Cohen, 1991).In 2009 a Cochrane review was published on assisted hatching in ART cycles (Das et al., 2009).This Cochrane review reported 28 trials that were described in 25 publications (16 full papers and 9 abstracts), including 3646 couples.There was no evidence for a difference in live birth rate (7 trials; OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.83-1.55).Only the clinical pregnancy rate was higher after assisted hatching versus no assisted hatching (28 trials, OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.12 -1.49).A new systematic review and meta-analysis on assisted hatching is published in this edition of Human Reproduction Update (Martins et al., 2011).This review reports on 33 trials that were described in 28 full publications, including 5507 couples.The reviewers did not find any evidence for a difference in ongoing pregnancy or live birth [risk rate (RR): 1.03, 95% CI: 0.91 -1.16], but, again, they did find borderline evidence for a difference in clinical pregnancy in favor of assisted hatching (RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.00 -1.24).There are some differences between the Cochrane review and the Martins review.Recently, several new randomized trials on assisted hatching have been published and therefore more full papers could be included in the Martins review.The Cochrane review, on the other hand, included several abstracts, while no abstracts were included in the present review.The Cochrane review summarized data using a fixed effects odds ratio, while the Martins et al. calculated a random effect RR. Recalculating the clinical pregnancy data of the 18
Effects of Cholera Enterotoxin on Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate and Neutrophil Function. COMPARISON WITH OTHER COMPOUNDS WHICH STIMULATE LEUKOCYTE ADENYL CYCLASE
Authors: Henry R. Bourne, Robert I. Lehrer, Lawrence M. Lichtenstein, Gerald Weissmann, Robert Zurier
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1973)

Cholera enterotoxin caused a delayed accumulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in human leukocytes, associated with an increase in leukocyte adenyl cyclase activity. The action of cholera enterotoxin contrasted with that of other agents which stimulate adenyl cyclase: (a) the effects of the toxin were delayed in onset, while prostaglandin-E(1) (PGE(1)) and isoproterenol acted rapidly; (b) removal of the soluble toxin from the extracellular medium did not abolish its effects on cyclic AMP and inhibition of antigenic histamine release, while removal of PGE(1) did prevent its effects; (c) PGE(1), but not cholera enterotoxin, stimulated adenyl cyclase activity when added directly to broken cell preparations. Binding of the toxin to leukocytes was rapid and irreversible, and was followed by a gradual increase in cyclic AMP which was not prevented by cycloheximide. Cholera enterotoxin caused accumulation of cyclic AMP in purified human neutrophils as well as mono-nuclear cells, but did not prevent the extrusion of lysosomal hydrolases from phagocytic cells. The toxin only slightly inhibited the ability of human neutrophils to kill Candida albicans. Thus these results with the toxin cast doubt on previous proposals that cyclic AMP regulates these two functions of neutrophils. The unique action of cholera enterotoxin on cyclic AMP production provides a potentially useful pharmacologic tool, in addition to methylxanthines and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, for testing hypotheses relating cyclic AMP to altered function of leukocytes and, perhaps, of other mammalian cells.
Immunohistochemical analysis of the distribution of measles related antigen in the intestinal mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: M Iizuka
Journal: Gut (2000)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Measles virus is implicated in the aetiology of Crohn9s disease. This measles hypothesis is mainly supported by immunohistochemical findings that the measles related antigen is present in the intestine of patients with Crohn9s disease. Recently we isolated this antigen from the intestine of a patient with Crohn9s disease using a molecular cloning technique and produced the monoclonal antibody against it (designated 4F12). <h3>AIM</h3> To discover whether the measles related antigen is uniquely present in Crohn9s disease. <h3>SUBJECTS/METHODS</h3> Colonic mucosa samples from 20 patients with Crohn9s disease, 20 with ulcerative colitis, 11 with non-inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) colitis, and nine controls were immunohistochemically stained with the anti-measles monoclonal antibody 4F12. The numbers of positive cells, the ratio of positive cells to nucleated cells, and the staining intensity of the positive cells were compared. Furthermore, the distribution of the measles antigen in other human organs was examined. <h3>RESULTS</h3> Both the number of positive cells and the ratio of positive cells to nucleated cells were significantly increased in Crohn9s disease, ulcerative colitis, and non-IBD colitis compared with controls (p&lt;0.05) but were similar among the three disease groups. The staining intensity of the positive cells was also similar among the three disease groups. Small numbers of positive cells were observed in the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and lung. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> The presence of the measles related antigen in the colonic mucosa was not unique to Crohn9s disease. These results, together with the observation that such a measles related antigen was derived from host protein, do not support the hypothesis that measles virus causes Crohn9s disease.
Nonallelic behavior of rabbit variable-region allotypes.
Authors: M Mudgett, B A Fraser, T J Kindt
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1975)

Group a allotypes not detected by qualitative typing or anticipated from breeding data (latent allotypes) were detected at low levels in 50% of normal rabbit sera tested. The latent allotypes, which were serologically identical to allotypes of pooled IgG, were detected in sera from rabbits with all possible combinations of group a allotypes and their occurrence in individual rabbits was transitory and sporadic. These findings give reason to question the assumption that the synthesis of immunoglobulin allotypes is directed by allelic structural genes.
A beta polymorphic residues responsible for class II molecule recognition by alloreactive T cells.
Authors: J M Buerstedde, A E Nilson, C G Chase, M P Bell, B N Beck, L R Pease, D J McKean
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1989)

In an effort to characterize the ligand that is bound by T helper lymphocyte antigen receptors, we have begun to identify class II polymorphic residues that comprise part of the allospecific TCR binding sites. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to construct mutant Ak beta (Ak beta*) genes that encode polypeptides into which single or multiple residues of the Ad beta polypeptide have been substituted in the beta 1 domain. A panel of cloned cell lines expressing the mutant Ak beta* Ak alpha or Ak beta* Ad alpha molecules was analyzed for the ability to stimulate Ak or Ad alloreactive T cell hybridomas. Substitution of d for k residues at specific positions in the beta 1 domain resulted not only in the loss of epitopes recognized by Ak-reactive T cells but, more importantly, in the gain of epitopes recognized by Ad-reactive T cells. Some of the polymorphic residues identified as contributing to the T cell epitopes are the same residues that contribute to the serologically immunodominant epitope. Other T cell epitopes map to positions predicted to be located either in an alpha-helix forming one side, or in a beta-pleated sheet forming the bottom of the putative antigen binding site. Thus, unlike serologic epitopes, TCR epitopes can be determined by A beta polymorphic residues in many different regions of the beta 1 domain and frequently depend upon contributions of A alpha polymorphic residues.