tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Novel Rearrangements of Arthropod Mitochondrial DNA Detected with Long-PCR: Applications to Arthropod Phylogeny and Evolution
Authors: R. L. Roehrdanz, M. E. Degrugillier, W. C. Black
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2002)

Rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA gene order have been suggested as a tool for defining the pattern of evolutionary divergence in arthropod taxa. We have employed a combination of highly conserved insect-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers with long-PCR to survey 14 noninsect arthropods for mitochondrial gene rearrangements. The size of the amplified fragments was used to order the primer containing genes. Five chelicerates exhibit amplicons that are consistent with the presumptive ancestral arthropod mtDNA gene order. These five species comprise two soft ticks, two prostriate hard ticks, and an opilionid. Six other chelicerates, all metastriate hard ticks, have a different arrangement that was originally discovered by this procedure and has been previously detailed in a complete mtDNA sequence. Three new arthropod mtDNA gene arrangements are described here. They were discovered in a terrestrial crustacean (Isopoda) and two myriapods (Chilopoda, centipede; Diplopoda, millipede). These rearrangements include major realignments of some of the large coding regions and two possible new positions for the tRNA(Met) (M) gene in arthropods. The long-PCR approach affords an opportunity to quickly screen divergent taxa for major rearrangements. Taxa exhibiting rearrangements can be targeted for DNA sequencing of gene boundaries to establish the details of the mtDNA organization.
Chronic non‐asthmatic cough is not affected by inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate
Authors: T. EVALD, E. P. MUNCH, A. KOK‐JENSEN
Journal: Allergy (1989)

Thirty‐one patients with a dry cough for at least 1 h duration in more than half of the last 30 days and with no recent respiratory infection participated in a clinical trial to evaluate the effect of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP). Lung function was normal and reversibility was excluded by spirometry before and after bronchodilator and by no diurnal variation in home peak flow monitoring. Only one had significant eosinophilia and only three were mildly hyperreactive by bronchial provocation with histamine. After a 1‐week run‐in period the patients were randomly allocated to receive either BDP 4 puffs of 50 μg b.i.d., or placebo. After 2 weeks the patients were crossed over and received the alternative treatment for another 2‐week period. The degree of cough, disturbance of night sleep and peak expiratory flow morning and evening were recorded daily in a diary. Spirometry was performed at each control visit. A significant period effect from run‐in to period 1 and/or from period 1 to period 2 was demonstrated for cough and disturbance at night but not for peak flow or spirometry. However, no significant treatment effect was found for any of the measured variables.
The Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale: Reliability and Validity
Authors: Jane L. Eisen, Katharine A. Phillips, Lee Baer, Douglas A. Beer, Katherine D. Atala, Steven A. Rasmussen
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1998)

OBJECTIVE: The authors developed and evaluated the reliability and validity of the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale, a clinician-administered seven-item scale designed to assess delusions across a wide range of psychiatric disorders. METHOD: The authors developed the scale after reviewing the literature on the assessment of delusions. Four raters administered the scale to 20 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 20 patients with body dysmorphic disorder, and 10 patients with mood disorder with psychotic features. Audiotaped interviews of scale administration conducted by one rater were independently scored by the other raters to evaluate interrater reliability. The scale was administered to 27 patients twice to determine test-retest reliability. Other insight instruments as well as scales that assess symptom severity were administered to assess convergent and discriminant validity. Sensitivity to change was assessed in a multicenter treatment study of sertraline for OCD. RESULTS: Interrater and test-retest reliability for the total score and individual item scores was excellent, with a high degree of internal consistency. One factor was obtained that accounted for 56% of the variance. Scores on the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale were not correlated with symptom severity but were correlated with other measures of insight. The scale was sensitive to change in insight in OCD but was not identical to improvement in severity. CONCLUSIONS: The Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing delusionality in a number of psychiatric disorders. This scale may help clarify whether delusional and nondelusional variants of disorders constitute the same disorder as well as whether delusionality affects treatment outcome and prognosis. (Am J Psychiatry 1998; 155:102–108)
Modulation of Monocyte Functions by Muramyl Triptide Phosphatidylethanolamine in a Phase II Study in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: L. Liebes, C. M. Walsh, A. Chachoua, R. Oratz, D. Richards, H. Hochster, D. Peace, D. Marino, S. Alba, D. L. Sher, R. H. Blum, J. Vilcek
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1992)

Muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine (MTP-PE) is a synthetic analogue of muramyl dipeptide (MDP), a component of bacterial cell walls that has potent in vitro monocyte-activating properties. We conducted a phase II clinical trial of MTP-PE in 30 patients with metastatic melanoma.Our purpose was to define a clinical response rate for this agent in patients with advanced melanoma and to evaluate the agent's immunomodulatory properties.Patients were randomly assigned to 1- or 4-mg dose levels of MTP-PE and received the drug intravenously once a week for 12-24 weeks. Immunological monitoring consisted of measurement of plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), neopterin, interleukin-1-beta, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and beta 2-microglobulin levels; phenotyping analysis of expression of human HLA-DR, CD-14 on mononuclear cells; and measurement of in vitro monocyte cytotoxicity against SKMel28 targets cells.MTP-PE was well tolerated; fever and chills were the major toxic effects. Plasma TNF-alpha levels increased 16-fold 2 hours after the first MTP-PE treatment. Increases in TNF-alpha levels after MTP-PE administration continued through week 12, but changes were of a lower magnitude after week 1. Plasma neopterin levels were significantly increased 24 hours after treatment at weeks 1, 6, and 12. A marked increase in IL-6 and a modest rise in beta 2-microglobulin levels were also seen at week 1. No significant changes from baseline IL-1 beta were observed. In the cytotoxicity assay, monocyte cytotoxic activity was significantly increased at weeks 4 and 6. Surface immuno-phenotyping revealed a consistent transient reduction in the number of circulating monocytes 2 hours after MTP-PE was administered. In addition, we observed a down-regulation (i.e., a decrease) in the expression of Leu M3 and HLA-DR on monocytes, 2 hours after MTP-PE treatment, followed by a recovery 24 hours after treatment. No objective clinical responses were seen in this advanced disease population.We conclude that MTP-PE has pleiotropic and potentially beneficial biologic effects and that further clinical investigations of MTP-PE are justified.In view of the clear immunomodulatory actions seen in our study and in earlier clinical trials, we believe that MTP-PE deserves further study in the adjuvant setting.
Polymorphism in the <i>CYP2D6</i> Tamoxifen-Metabolizing Gene Influences Clinical Effect but Not Hot Flashes: Data From the Italian Tamoxifen Trial
Authors: Bernardo Bonanni, Debora Macis, Patrick Maisonneuve, Harriet A. Johansson, Giacomo Gucciardo, Pasquale Oliviero, Roberto Travaglini, Maria G. Muraca, Nicole Rotmensz, Umberto Veronesi, Andrea U. Decensi
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)
MEDICINE AND THE PEOPLE: A REVIEW OF SOME LATTER-DAY TRACTS
Authors: T. C. Allbutt
Journal: BMJ (1919)

THE. Report of Mr. Flexuer upon Medical Education in Jurove, 1912, a remnarkable document for a while eclipsed by the Great War, and the two impressive Reports of Sir George Newman1' not only mark a cardinal period in the listary of Medicine but also, by.showing us where-we-stand,.contribute no little to its advance.Aswe issue from tlhe mist these observers take- our bearings on a new-hori4n, reveal to us our new positions and scenes, and.detenmine.our future course.Happily wer are not far out of our reckoning, and are well on:tlhe way .toour more immediate ends.Far indeed, it is true,, from the summit of our climb,, a summit after the manner of peaks, continually receding as we rise, we have reached, nevertheless a shoulder of the hill whence the landscape .issprad.out before our eyes.We have journeyed thus far by hialf-conscious instincts, now henceforth tor a while we.can go -forwadiin thle light and direction of
Comparison of oxygen uptake during a conventional treadmill test and the shuttle walking test in chronic airflow limitation
Authors: SJ Singh, MD Morgan, AE Hardman, C Rowe, PA Bardsley
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1994)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between performance on the shuttle walking test and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during a conventional treadmill test in patients with chronic airflow limitation. Two different techniques were used to measure oxygen consumption, i.e. conventional Douglas bag techniques (treadmill test) and a portable oxygen consumption meter (shuttle test). Initially, 19 patients performed a shuttle walking test (after one practice walk) and a maximal treadmill walking test, in a randomized, balanced design. Subsequently, 10 patients, (after one practice) completed an unencumbered shuttle walking test and one supporting the portable oxygen consumption meter, in random order. The results of the first experiment revealed a strong relationship between performance during the shuttle walking test and VO2max during the treadmill walking test (r = 0.88). The results of the second experiment consistently demonstrated an incremental increase in oxygen consumption and ventilation in response to the increasing intensity of the shuttle walking test. Again, a strong relationship between VO2max and performance on the shuttle test was demonstrated (r = 0.81). We concluded that the shuttle walking test is a valid field exercise test of functional capacity. Performance on the test relates strongly to VO2max, the traditional indicator of cardiorespiratory capacity.
Hematologic Data of Healthy Very Old People
Authors: N. Peter Zauber
Journal: JAMA (1987)

Hematologic values were analyzed for 44 people who were 84 years of age or older. Individuals were selected based on extensive long-term records confirming their excellent health. Mean hemoglobin values were 14.8 +/- 1.1 g/dL (148 +/- 11 g/L) for men and 13.6 +/- 1.0 g/dL (136 +/- 10 g/L) for women. Mean values were also computed for red blood cell indexes, red and white blood cell counts, sedimentation rate, and serum iron, and all values were compared with those of a concurrent control group of healthy young adults. Results are discussed in the context of previous reports on hematologic data of the elderly.
Muir-Torre syndrome in several members of a family with a variant of the Cancer Family Syndrome
Authors: H.T. LYNCH, R.M. FUSARO, L. ROBERTS, G.J. VOORHEES, JANE F. LYNCH
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1985)

Distinguishing cutaneous signs which are associated with hereditary cancer-prone syndromes are known as cancer-associated genodermatoses. Muir-Torre syndrome (M-T) is characterized by the occurrence of sebaceous hyperplasia, adenoma and carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma with sebaceous differentiation, and/or keratoacanthoma in association with visceral cancer (often multiple), and improved survival. Family studies of M-T have been either wholly lacking or too incomplete to elucidate hereditary aetiology. We describe the cutaneous phenotype of M-T in an extended kindred with a possible variant of the Cancer Family Syndrome. We emphasize the need for more thorough documentation of family histories and cancer association in this cancer-associated genodermatosis in order to clarify hereditary syndrome identification, and to improve cancer control through employment of cutaneous signs as a beacon for highly targeted forms of visceral cancer.
Nonoliguric Acute Renal Failure
Authors: Robert M. Vertel
Journal: JAMA (1967)

Eleven cases of nonoliguric acute renal failure, all but one following burns, as well as 14 cases of postburn oliguric acute renal failure, have been treated at the US Army Surgical Research Unit since 1960. Mild azotemia not attributed to parenchymal renal failure occurred in an additional ten burned patients. The urine sodium concentration exceeded 20 mEq/liter in eight of 11 patients with oliguric acute renal failure, whereas only one of nine nonoliguric patients had a urine sodium concentration above 20 mEq/liter. Thus, a low urine sodium concentration is not helpful in distinguishing functional renal insufficiency from parenchymal renal failure unless oliguria is present.
Nicorandil: do the dermatological and gastrointestinal risks outweigh the benefits?
Authors: V.M. Smith, C.C. Lyon
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Nicorandil has been available in the U.K. since 1994 for the prophylaxis and treatment of angina. Since the first reported case of nicorandil-associated oral ulceration in 1997 complications elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract have been reported.Our case series highlights this serious drug complication.We reviewed the records of all patients referred to our specialist stoma dermatology clinic who had stoma surgery for diverticular disease and all patients referred with persistent parastomal or perianal ulceration that was not attributable to Crohn's disease or pyoderma gangrenosum. Patient demographics, nicorandil ingestion, bowel involvement, stoma type, cutaneous ulceration and outcome were recorded.A total of 36 patients had stoma surgery performed as a consequence of diverticular disease. The proportion of patients taking nicorandil (in all cases at a dose of 40 mg or more daily) was one third, higher than expected. There was a higher incidence of enteric fistula formation and bowel perforation among those taking nicorandil, 92% (11/12) and 50% (6/12), respectively, compared with those not on the drug, 0% and 21% (5/24), respectively. In addition, parastomal ulceration was seen more often in those taking nicorandil, 100% (12/12), compared with those not, 8% (2/24). Even without a history of diverticular disease we observed a high incidence of bowel perforation and parastomal and/or perianal ulceration among patients taking nicorandil. In the vast majority of cases ulceration healed upon cessation of nicorandil.For those with diverticular disease taking nicorandil is strongly associated with fistula formation or bowel perforation; as such the risk-benefit equation for nicorandil needs careful consideration given that other nitrates are available.
STUDIES ON THE PATHOGENESIS OF FEVER
Authors: S. Fai Cheuk, Helmut H. Hahn, Douglas M. Moore, Donald N. Krause, Peter A. Tomasulo, W. Barry Wood
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1970)

Suppression of the pyrogen-producing capacity of exudate granulocytes results from incubation of the cells in plasma, serum, or Ringer's solution. When transferred in this state and incubated in isotonic NaCl, the cells release much less pyrogen than untreated exudate cells. The suppressive effect is reversible and appears to involve the cellular uptake of calcium ions. In contrast, regeneration of pyrogen-producing capacity in depleted exudate cells occurs only when the cells are incubated in serum. The process resembles activation and requires the cellular synthesis of protein.
Vitamin C metabolomic mapping in experimental diabetes with 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-ascorbic acid and high resolution 19F-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Yoko Nishikawa, Barbara Dmochowska, Janusz Madaj, Jie Xue, Zhongwu Guo, Makoto Satake, D.Venkat Reddy, Peter L. Rinaldi, Vincent M. Monnier
Journal: Metabolism (2003)
Natural History of Male Psychological Health, XV: Retirement Satisfaction
Authors: George Vaillant
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2006)

Objective: Although previous studies of shorter duration have identified numerous risks and protective factors that powerfully influence outcomes in young adulthood and midlife, this long-term prospective study examines the effect of these prognostic factors on age at retirement and satisfaction with retirement. Method: In this prospective study, a cohort of socially disadvantaged men (N=151) were followed from adolescence until a mean age of 75 years (SD=2). Periodic interviews, biennial administration of questionnaires, and physical examinations every 5 years were conducted to determine biopsychosocial risk variables, age at retirement, and satisfaction with retirement. Results: Early age of retirement was found to be a function of preexisting mental and physical health and later age of retirement a function of occupational status. A surprising finding was that risk factors such as poor objective physical health, low income, and depression, which are commonly associated with poor outcomes in young adulthood and in midlife, were largely unrelated to satisfaction with retirement. Conclusions: A relatively high level of satisfaction with retirement was often attained by men who had reported many risk factors for poor child and midlife development (e.g., low IQ, dropping out of school, poor mental health, and being part of a multiproblem family) but who in later life had some positive resources (e.g., a good marriage, a low level neuroticism, enjoyment of vacations, and a capacity for play). In short, retirement may offer some men a fresh lease on life.
Management of Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization
Authors: Glenn N. Levine, Morton J. Kern, Peter B. Berger, David L. Brown, Lloyd W. Klein, Dean J. Kereiakes, Timothy A. Sanborn, Alice K. Jacobs
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2003)

While performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains the domain of specialized cardiologists, patients undergoing PCI are cared for by noninvasive cardiologists, internists, and primary care physicians. Therefore, patient care is optimized when the entire patient care team understands procedural risks and complications as well as optimum patient management before, during, and after PCI. Before PCI, patients with contrast dye allergies should be identified and pretreated with steroids and an H1-blocker. Hydration should be initiated and maintained before and after the procedure to minimize the risks for contrast nephropathy. Periprocedure, patients should be monitored clinically for evidence of ischemia. In patients with significant groin, flank, abdominal, or back pain, as well as those with decrease in hematocrit or unexplained hypotension, the diagnosis of groin or retroperitoneal hematoma should be considered and promptly evaluated. Groin tenderness, pulsatile mass, or bruit should prompt evaluation for possible femoral pseudoaneurysm or arteriovenous fistulae. After the procedure, all patients treated with coronary stents should receive aspirin plus clopidogrel. Patients who develop typical anginal symptoms between the 1st and 6th to 8th months after PCI are likely to have restenosis and can be evaluated by an imaging study or repeated catheterization.
Comparison of ciliary activity and inflammatory mediator release from bronchial epithelial cells of nonatopic nonasthmatic subjects and atopic asthmatic patients and the effect of diesel exhaust particles in vitro☆☆☆★★★
Authors: Hasan Bayram, Jagdish L. Devalia, Omar A. Khair, Muntasir M. Abdelaziz, Raymond J. Sapsford, Masaru Sagai, Robert J. Davies
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (1998)
Circumvention of defective neutral amino acid transport in Hartnup disease using tryptophan ethyl ester.
Authors: A J Jonas, I J Butler
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1989)

Tryptophan ethyl ester, a lipid-soluble tryptophan derivative, was used to bypass defective gastrointestinal neutral amino acid transport in a child with Hartnup disease. The child's baseline tryptophan concentrations in serum (20 +/- 6 microM) and cerebrospinal fluid (1.0 +/- 0.2 microM) were persistently less than 50% of normal values. Cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), a serotonin metabolite, was also less than 50% of normal (21 +/- 2 ng/ml). Serum tryptophan concentrations increased only modestly and briefly after an oral challenge with 200 mg/kg of oral L-tryptophan, reflecting the absorptive defect. An oral challenge with 200 mg/kg of tryptophan ethyl ester resulted in a prompt increase in serum tryptophan to a peak of 555 microM. Sustained treatment with 20 mg/kg q6h resulted in normalization of serum (66 +/- 15 microM) and cerebrospinal fluid tryptophan concentrations (mean = 2.3 microM). Cerebrospinal fluid 5-HIAA increased to more normal concentrations (mean = 33 ng/ml). No toxicity was observed over an 8-mo period of treatment, chronic diarrhea resolved, and body weight, which had remained unchanged for 7 mo before ester therapy, increased by approximately 26%. We concluded that tryptophan ethyl ester is effective at circumventing defective gastrointestinal neutral amino acid transport and may be useful in the treatment of Hartnup disease.
Ralph Steinman: Dendritic cells bring home the Lasker
Authors: Hema Bashyam
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2007)

Ralph Steinman is perhaps best known as a codiscoverer of dendritic cells (DCs) and as a founding father of the research area that these cells have spawned. For his discovery, Steinman was recently awarded the 2007 Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research. Yet the man behind the research holds his praise for the many other scientists—in the U.S. and abroad—who have further advanced the therapeutic promise of DCs.
Effect of L-carnitine administration on the modulated rat brain protein concentration, acetylcholinesterase, Na<sup>+</sup>K<sup>+</sup>-ATPase and Mg<sup>2+</sup>-ATPase activities induced by forced swimming
Authors: T Tsakiris, P Angelogianni, C Tesseromatis, S Tsakiris, K H Schulpis
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2007)

Background: Forced exercise produces free radicals and L-carnitine (L-C) administration reduces oxidative stress. Aim: To investigate whether short (2 hours) or prolonged (3 hours) forced swimming could modulate total antioxidant status (TAS), protein concentration and activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Na + K + -ATPase and Mg 2+ -ATPase in rat brain following intraperitonal administration of L-C (300 mg/kg). Methods: TAS, protein and enzyme activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Results: TAS, protein concentration and AChE activity were reduced, whereas Na + K + -ATPase and Mg 2+ -ATPase were significantly increased after either 2 or 3 hours of training. L-C administration resulted in a profound restoration of TAS and protein concentration whereas AChE and Na + K + -ATPase were increased before exercise, followed by AChE restoration and Na + K + -ATPase reduction after exercise. Mg 2+ -ATPase remained unchanged. An in vitro study using L-C incubation of brain homogenates previously treated with L-C resulted in complete restoration of the modulated enzymes, whereas the enzyme activities from untreated animals remained unaltered. Conclusions: Short or prolonged swimming in rats may result in a reduction of brain TAS, protein concentration and AChE activity, and an activation of Na + K + -ATPase and Mg 2+ -ATPase. L-C administration may prevent reduction in TAS and protein concentration, and a decrease in AChE and Na + K + -ATPase activity; the latter reached pre-exercise values after L-C incubation.