tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
An oscillatory current in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibers.
Authors: M Vassalle, A Mugelli
Journal: Circulation Research (1981)

The inward current ("oscillatory current") which may be present after the end of a depolarizing clamp was studied in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibers by means of a voltage-clamp method. The following results were obtained. In order to appear, the oscillatory current (Ios) requires a previous depolarization to approximately or equal to -20 mV or beyond and a repolarization to approximately or equal to -40 mV or to more negative potentials. The Ios requires a minimum duration of the depolarizing clamp and becomes larger with longer clamps. With repolarization to more negative potentials (approximately or equal to 90 mV), Ios becomes smaller and may disappear. Also Ios can be triggered twice if the potential is clamped to two different levels in succession. By several procedures which modify the other known currents (fast Na+ current, slow inward current, early outward current, plateau current Ix1 and pacemaker current), it can be demonstrated that Ios is not due to their oscillatory behavior and can occur in the absence of any one of them. Interventions which increase the contractile force presumably by increasing intracellular calcium stores enhance the Ios or may make it appear. In fact, these interventions may extend the voltage range over which Ios appears. These interventions include lowering potassium, increasing calcium, trains of depolarizing clamps, and administration of norepinephrine and of strophanthidin. It is concluded that Ios is a physiological event which is enhanced by certain procedures, and it appears to be of much importance in drive-induced arrhythmias under different conditions.
Test Variability of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Assay in Clinical Practice
Authors: John Z. Metcalfe, Adithya Cattamanchi, Charles E. McCulloch, Justin D. Lew, Ngan P. Ha, Edward A. Graviss
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2013)

Rationale: Although IFN-γ release assays (IGRAs) are widely used to screen for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in high-income countries, published data on repeatability are limited.Objectives: To determine IGRA repeatability.Methods: The study population included consecutive patients referred to The Methodist Hospital (Houston, TX) between August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011 for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection screening with an IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube; Cellestis, Carnegie, Australia). We performed multiple IGRA tests using leftover stimulated plasma according to a prospectively formulated quality control protocol. We analyzed agreement in interpretation of test results classified according to manufacturer-recommended criteria and repeatability of quantitative TB response.Measurements and Main Results: During the study period, 1,086 test results were obtained from 543 subjects. Per the manufacturer's cut-point, the result of the second test was discordant from that of the first in 28 (8%) of 366 patients with valid test results, including 13 with an initial negative result and 15 with an initial positive result. Although agreement between repeat test results was high (κ = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–0.90), the normal expected range of within-subject variability in TB response on retesting included differences of ± 0.60 IU/ml for all individuals (coefficient of variation, 14%), and ± 0.24 IU/ml (coefficient of variation, 27%) for individuals whose initial TB response was between 0.25 and 0.80 IU/ml.Conclusions: There is substantial variability in TB response when IGRAs are repeated using the same patient sample. IGRA results should be interpreted cautiously when TB response is near interpretation cut-points.
At Clinical High Risk for Psychosis: Outcome for Nonconverters
Authors: Jean Addington, Barbara A. Cornblatt, Kristin S. Cadenhead, Tyrone D. Cannon, Thomas H. McGlashan, Diana O. Perkins, Larry J. Seidman, Ming T. Tsuang, Elaine F. Walker, Scott W. Woods, Robert Heinssen
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2011)

Objective: A major focus of early intervention research is determining the risk of conversion to psychosis and developing optimal algorithms of prediction. Although reported rates of nonconversion vary in the literature, the nonconversion rate always encompasses a majority (50%–85%) of the sample participants. Less is known about the outcome among this group, referred to as false positive individuals. Method: A longitudinal study was conducted of more than 300 prospectively identified treatment-seeking individuals meeting criteria for a psychosis-risk syndrome. Participants were recruited and evaluated across eight clinical research centers as part of the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study. Over a 2.5-year follow-up assessment period, 214 (71%) participants had not made the transition to psychosis. Results: The sample examined included 111 individuals who had at least 1 year of follow-up data available and did not transition to psychosis within the study duration. In year 1, there was significant improvement in ratings for attenuated positive and negative symptoms. However, at least one attenuated positive symptom was still present for 43% of the sample at 1 year and for 41% at 2 years. At the follow-up timepoints, social and role functioning were significantly poorer in the clinical sample relative to nonpsychiatric comparison subjects. Conclusions: Help-seeking individuals who meet prodromal criteria appear to represent those who are truly at risk for psychosis and are showing the first signs of illness, those who remit in terms of the symptoms used to index clinical high-risk status, and those who continue to have attenuated positive symptoms.
The COOH-Terminal Globular Domain of Fibrinogen γ Chain Suppresses Angiogenesis and Tumor Growth
Authors: Nobuaki Akakura, Case Hoogland, Yoko K. Takada, Jun Saegusa, Xiaojing Ye, Fu-Tong Liu, Anthony Tze-Wai Cheung, Yoshikazu Takada
Journal: Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract Fibrinogen is a major plasma protein (350 kDa) that induces proliferative signals by serving as a scaffold to support the binding of growth factors and to promote the cellular responses of adhesion, proliferation, and migration during wound healing, angiogenesis, and tumor growth. Fibrin(ogen) degradation products generated during fibrinolysis are implicated in tissue injury. The fibrinogen γ chain has a COOH-terminal globular domain (γC, residues 151-411 of the γ chain, 30 kDa) to which several integrin cell adhesion receptors (e.g., platelet αIIbβ3, endothelial αvβ3, and leukocyte αMβ2) bind. Integrins play a critical role in signal transduction from fibrin(ogen). We found that γC and its truncation mutant (designated γC399tr), with a deletion of the COOH-terminal 12 residues, induced apoptosis of endothelial cells and blocked tube formation of endothelial cells. DLD-1 human colon cancer cells that secrete γC or γC399tr grew at similar levels in vitro but grew much slower in vivo than mock-transfected cells. The recombinant purified γC399tr fragment markedly suppressed tumor growth, development of intratumoral vasculature, and tumor metastasis in vivo in the highly metastatic Met-1 breast cancer model. The determinant responsible for binding to endothelial cells is cryptic in native fibrinogen but is exposed in γC and γC399tr. These results suggest that fibrinogen has a novel cryptic determinant, which can exert apoptosis-inducing activity on endothelial cells when exposed, and polypeptides containing this determinant have therapeutic potential. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(19): 9691-7)
Incidence of Diabetes in Middle-Aged Men Is Related to Sleep Disturbances
Authors: Peter M. Nilsson, Mattias Rööst, Gunnar Engström, Bo Hedblad, Göran Berglund
Journal: Diabetes Care (2004)

Sleep deprivation in healthy men has been experimentally found to result in disturbances in glucose metabolism and in sympathovagal imbalance. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether sleep disturbances and elevated resting heart rate are associated with increased risk of developing diabetes.A group of 6,599 initially healthy, nondiabetic men aged 44.5 +/- 4.0 years took part in a prospective, population-based study in Malmö, Sweden. The incidence of diabetes during a mean follow-up of 14.8 +/- 2.4 years was examined in relation to self-reported difficulties in falling asleep and resting heart rate at baseline. Diabetes was assessed at follow-up in all subjects by questionnaire and in a subgroup of 1,551 men by blood glucose measurement.A total of 615 (9.3%) subjects reported either difficulties in falling asleep or regular use of hypnotics (seen as markers of sleep disturbances), and 158 (2.4%) subjects reported both of these. Altogether, 281 (4.3%) of the men developed diabetes during the follow-up period. Logistic regression models showed difficulties in falling asleep or regular use of hypnotics (odds ratio [OR] 1.52 [95% CI 1.05-2.20]) and resting heart rate (OR per 10 bpm 1.13 [0.99-1.30]) to be associated with development of diabetes when full adjustments were made for baseline age, biological risk factors, lifestyle, family history of diabetes, and social class.The results suggest that sleep disturbances and, possibly, elevated resting heart rate, in middle-aged men, are associated with an increased risk of diabetes.
Balloon Occlusion of Segmental Hepatic Arteries
Authors: N. Reed Dunnick
Journal: JAMA (1977)

LIVER biopsy, both percutaneous and during laparotomy or laparoscopy, has become a widely used diagnostic technique. The complications include bile peritonitis, bleeding, and communications between the vascular and biliary systems, which may result in hemobilia. Therapy for hemobilia usually requires hepatic artery ligation or hepatic lobe resection; the attendant risks are high. Walter et al<sup>1</sup>recently reported angiographic control of biopsy-induced hemobilia using absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) emboli. Two additional reports<sup>2,3</sup>were made in which this same technique was used. We present an alternate technique using a balloon catheter to temporarily occlude a hepatic artery branch and control biopsy-induced hemobilia. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> A 50-year-old woman had abdominal pain and epigastric fullness. A biopsy specimen of an axillary lymph node showed poorly differentiated nodular lymphocytic lymphoma. Her condition was staged IVA with an abnormal lymphangiogram; bone marrow and percutaneous liver biopsy specimens also showed lymphoma. She received
Laparoscopic fundoplication compared with medical management for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: cost effectiveness study
Authors: D. Epstein, L. Bojke, M. J Sculpher
Journal: BMJ (2009)

<b>Objective</b> To describe the long term costs, health benefits, and cost effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery compared with those of continued medical management for patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). <b>Design</b> We estimated resource use and costs for the first year on the basis of data from the REFLUX trial. A Markov model was used to extrapolate cost and health benefit over a lifetime using data collected in the REFLUX trial and other sources. <b>Participants</b> The model compared laparoscopic surgery and continued proton pump inhibitors in male patients aged 45 and stable on GORD medication. <b>Intervention</b> Laparoscopic surgery versus continued medical management. <b>Main outcome measures</b> We estimated quality adjusted life years and GORD related costs to the health service over a lifetime. Sensitivity analyses considered other plausible scenarios, in particular size and duration of treatment effect and the GORD symptoms of patients in whom surgery is unsuccessful. <b>Main results</b> The base case model indicated that surgery is likely to be considered cost effective on average with an incremental cost effectiveness ratio of £2648 (€3110; US$4385) per quality adjusted life year and that the probability that surgery is cost effective is 0.94 at a threshold incremental cost effectiveness ratio of £20 000. The results were sensitive to some assumptions within the extrapolation modelling. <b>Conclusion</b> Surgery seems to be more cost effective on average than medical management in many of the scenarios examined in this study. Surgery might not be cost effective if the treatment effect does not persist over the long term, if patients who return to medical management have poor health related quality of life, or if proton pump inhibitors were cheaper. Further follow-up of patients from the REFLUX trial may be valuable. <b>Trial registration</b>ISRCTN15517081.
S1P and the birth of platelets
Authors: Timothy Hla, Sylvain Galvani, Shahin Rafii, Ralph Nachman
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2012)

Recent work has highlighted the multitude of biological functions of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), which include roles in hematopoietic cell trafficking, organization of immune organs, vascular development, and neuroinflammation. Indeed, a functional antagonist of S1P1 receptor, FTY720/Gilenya, has entered the clinic as a novel therapeutic for multiple sclerosis. In this issue of the JEM, Zhang et al. highlight yet another function of this lipid mediator: thrombopoiesis. The S1P1 receptor is required for the growth of proplatelet strings in the bloodstream and the shedding of platelets into the circulation. Notably, the sharp gradient of S1P between blood and the interstitial fluids seems to be essential to ensure the production of platelets, and S1P appears to cooperate with the CXCL12–CXCR4 axis. Pharmacologic modulation of the S1P1 receptor altered circulating platelet numbers acutely, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for controlling thrombocytopenic states. However, the S1P4 receptor may also regulate thrombopoiesis during stress-induced accelerated platelet production. This work reveals a novel physiological action of the S1P/S1P1 duet that could potentially be harnessed for clinical translation.
Placebo Effects in Oncology
Authors: Gisèle Chvetzoff, Ian F Tannock
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2003)

Background: Previous studies have suggested that placebo treatment can have positive effects on a variety of disorders and disease-related symptoms. However, the methodology used to collect and interpret the data may not have been ideal, because the studies were not double-blinded or the endpoints were not properly validated. The purpose of the present study was to determine the probability of improvement in symptoms or quality of life and tumor response in cancer patients treated with placebos in randomized controlled trials. We hypothesized that administration of placebos would improve symptom control and quality of life but would not lead to tumor response. Methods: We reviewed reports of randomized controlled trials in which there was a placebo arm (37 trials) or a best supportive care (BSC) arm (10 trials). Results: In trials that assessed average responses for patients in the placebo arm, improvements in average levels of pain were reported in two of six trials and in appetite, in one of seven trials. No improvements in average levels of weight gain (six trials), in quality of life (as assessed by patients; 10 trials), or in performance status (as assessed by physicians; nine trials) were reported. In trials that assessed response to a placebo in individual patients, 0%–21% of patients showed reduced pain or decreased analgesic intake, 8%–27% of patients showed appetite improvement, 7%–17% of patients showed weight gain, and 6%–14% of patients showed improvement in performance status. Quality of life for individual patients was not reported in any trial. Tumor response assessed by World Health Organization criteria was observed in 10 (2.7%) of 375 patients (seven trials total). Response as assessed by a serum marker was observed in 1 (1.7%) of 60 patients (two trials total). The probability of symptom improvement in patients receiving BSC was generally similar to that in patients receiving placebo, although no improvement in pain and only one tumor response among 191 patients (five trials) were reported. Conclusion: In randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials, presumably with minimum sources of bias, placebos are sometimes associated with improved control of symptoms such as pain and appetite but rarely with positive tumor response. Substantial improvements in symptoms and quality of life are unlikely to be due to placebo effects.
Tough and flexible CNT–polymeric hybrid scaffolds for engineering cardiac constructs
Authors: Mahshid Kharaziha, Su Ryon Shin, Mehdi Nikkhah, Seda Nur Topkaya, Nafiseh Masoumi, Nasim Annabi, Mehmet R. Dokmeci, Ali Khademhosseini
Journal: Biomaterials (2014)
Purinergic P2Y14 receptor modulates stress-induced hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell senescence
Authors: Joonseok Cho, Rushdia Yusuf, Sungho Kook, Eyal Attar, Dongjun Lee, Baehang Park, Tao Cheng, David T. Scadden, Byeong Chel Lee
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2014)

Purinergic receptors of the P2Y family are G protein–coupled surface receptors that respond to extracellular nucleotides and can mediate responses to local cell damage. P2Y-dependent signaling contributes to thrombotic and/or inflammatory consequences of tissue injury by altering platelet and endothelial activation and immune cell phagocytosis. Here, we have demonstrated that P2Y14 modifies cell senescence and cell death in response to tissue stress, thereby enabling preservation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell function. In mice, P2Y14 deficiency had no demonstrable effect under homeostatic conditions; however, radiation stress, aging, sequential exposure to chemotherapy, and serial bone marrow transplantation increased senescence in animals lacking P2Y14. Enhanced senescence coincided with increased ROS, elevated p16INK4a expression, and hypophosphorylated Rb and was inhibited by treatment with a ROS scavenger or inhibition of p38/MAPK and JNK. Treatment of WT cells with pertussis toxin recapitulated the P2Y14 phenotype, suggesting that P2Y14 mediates antisenescence effects through Gi/o protein–dependent pathways. Primitive hematopoietic cells lacking P2Y14 were compromised in their ability to restore hematopoiesis in irradiated mice. Together, these data indicate that P2Y14 on stem/progenitor cells of the hematopoietic system inhibits cell senescence by monitoring and responding to the extracellular manifestations of tissue stress and suggest that P2Y14-mediated responses prevent the premature decline of regenerative capacity after injury.
Myocardial micronecrosis produced by microsphere embolization. Role of an alpha-adrenergic tonic influence on the coronary microcirculation.
Authors: C Eng, S Cho, S M Factor, E H Sonnenblick, E S Kirk
Journal: Circulation Research (1984)

Microspheres approximately 25 or 50 micrometers in diameter were systemically embolized from the left ventricular cavity. The number of microspheres given was empirically chosen to minimize the possibility of more than one microsphere lodging in an arteriole (3 mg/kg), yet was sufficient to allow for adequate histological assessment. The dogs were sacrificed after 24 hours, and focal areas of myocytolytic necrosis were noted in the myocardium. Groups of dogs were given pretreatment with drugs 10 minutes before embolization. Dogs pretreated with phentolamine (n = 8) and prazosin (n = 2) did not reveal any areas of myocardial necrosis after embolization with 25-micrometers microspheres. Cardiac lesions were also prevented in four of five dogs pretreated with verapamil. In contrast, cardiac lesions were not prevented by pretreatment with yohimbine (n = 2), dipyridamole (n = 3), propranolol (n = 2), or atropine (n = 2). Drug pretreatment with phentolamine or verapamil was not able to prevent cardiac lesions after embolization with 50-micrometers microspheres. Furthermore, despite a greater number of microspheres physically present in the subendocardial layer, the necrotic lesions were more frequent in the mid-wall and epicardial layers. Lesions produced by 25- or 50-micrometers emboli were also significantly smaller in the endocardium. Systemic embolization with microspheres excluding the coronary circulation did not produce cardiac lesions. We conclude that mechanical interruption of the coronary circulation with a 25-micrometers microsphere may be a necessary but not sufficient condition to produce cardiac necrosis. An alpha 1-adrenergic mechanism is also involved in the production of these lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mastocytosis associated with severe wasp sting anaphylaxis detected by elevated serum mast cell tryptase levels
Authors: T. Biedermann, F. Rueff, C.A. Sander, B. Przybilla
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1999)

Journal Article Mastocytosis associated with severe wasp sting anaphylaxis detected by elevated serum mast cell tryptase levels Get access T. Biedermann, T. Biedermann Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München, Frauenlobstraße 9–11, D‐80337 Munich, Germany Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar F. Ruëff, F. Ruëff Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München, Frauenlobstraße 9–11, D‐80337 Munich, Germany Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar C.A. Sander, C.A. Sander Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München, Frauenlobstraße 9–11, D‐80337 Munich, Germany Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar B. Przybilla B. Przybilla Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München, Frauenlobstraße 9–11, D‐80337 Munich, Germany Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 141, Issue 6, 1 December 1999, Pages 1110–1112, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.1999.03214.x Published: 01 December 1999
No effect of the Trp64Arg variant of the β3-adrenergic receptor gene on weight loss by diet and exercise intervention among Japanese adults
Authors: Shinichi Kuriyama, Taichi Shimazu, Atsushi Hozawa, Shigeo Kure, Naoyuki Kurokawa, Masako Kakizaki, Toshimasa Sone, Kaori Matsuda-Ohmori, Naoki Nakaya, Hiroshi Satoh, Ichiro Tsuji
Journal: Metabolism (2008)
Demise of nursing in the UK: ODPs are not the cause
Authors: M. C. Clarke
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2007)

I am truly aghast and disappointed at the recent article published by the JRSM titled ‘The demise of nursing’, authored by Professors Shields and Watson (JRSM 2007;100:70-74).

I myself am an Operating Department Practitioner. I qualified some years ago in the UK and am now working within New Zealand under the role of an anaesthetic technician, and can without a shadow of a doubt state that the authors are clearly ignorant of the role of an ODP, and most probably should retire as their comments are made on laughable and at best dodgy references which are clearly from an era when anaesthetists smoked cigars whilst manually pumping the gases and the surgeons didn't wash their hands between patients.

I am also astounded—given that the authors are of professorial standing, and more importantly of the standing that they are within teaching programmes—that they should be so clearly ignorant of the other professions out there, without which the morbidity and mortality rate of the nation would drastically increase.

Where would we be without sonographers when diagnosing unborn fetal abnormalities, or the MRT who treats for cancer with radiation therapies, or HCAs who provide psychological and physiological support for patients but don't have a degree? You cannot tell me that these professions don't care.

I feel for these professions, and if nothing else comes from the said article, you have united many professions together to further outcast this antiquated way of thinking and evoke change.

I would like a full retraction of the article and an apology from the journal and the authors.