tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Increased risk and case fatality rate of pyogenic liver abscess in patients with liver cirrhosis: a nationwide study in Denmark
Authors: I Molle
Journal: Gut (2001)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Patients with liver cirrhosis are at increased risk of serious bacterial infections carrying a high case fatality rate. Case reports have suggested an association between liver cirrhosis and pyogenic liver abscess. <h3>AIMS</h3> To estimate the risk and case fatality rate of pyogenic liver abscess in Danish patients with liver cirrhosis compared with the background population. <h3>METHODS</h3> Identification of all patients with liver cirrhosis and pyogenic liver abscess over a 17 year period in the National Registry of Patients. Information on death was obtained from the Danish Central Person Registry. <h3>RESULTS</h3> We identified 22 764 patients with liver cirrhosis and 665 patients with pyogenic liver abscess, of whom 21 were cirrhotics and 644 were non-cirrhotics. The crude incidence rate of liver abscess in cirrhotics was 23.3 (95% CI 14.4–35.6) per 100 000 person years. The age adjusted risk of liver abscess was increased 15-fold in patients with cirrhosis compared with the background population. The 30 day case fatality rates in patients with liver abscess and cirrhosis were 38.5% (13.9–68.4) in alcoholic cirrhosis and 62.5% (24.5–91.5) in non-alcoholic cirrhosis compared with 26.9% (23.5–30.5) in liver abscess patients from the background population. After adjustment for sex, age, and comorbidity, the relative risk of death was increased more than fourfold in alcoholic cirrhosis and non-alcoholic cirrhosis compared with the background population. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> Liver cirrhosis is a strong risk factor for pyogenic liver abscess associated with a poor prognosis.
Chronic Pericardial Effusion Complicating Endomyocardial Fibrosis
Authors: D. GORDON ABRAHAMS, E. H. O. PARRY
Journal: Circulation (1963)

Six patients are described in whom right ventricular endomyocardial fibrosis was accompanied by a large pericardial effusion. This effusion did not appear to modify either the course of the disease or the physical signs, which included gross elevation of the venous pressure, tricuspid incompetence, and massive ascites with complete absence of dependent edema. Atrial fibrillation was a very common finding. Cardiac catheterization confirmed the presence of tricuspid incompetence and showed a "dip-and-plateau" contour in the right ventricular tracing. In addition the mean pressures recorded from the pulmonary artery and all parts of the right heart were virtually the same. Two patients died and were examined postmortem. The findings included gross enlargement of the right atrium, complete disorganization of the tricuspid valve, and progressive obliteration of the right ventricular cavity. It is suggested that death may be due to gradual occlusion of the right atrium by antemortem thrombosis. The condition must be distinguished from tuberculous pericarditis. Important factors in the differential diagnosis are the presence of tricuspid incompetence with systolic expansion of the neck veins, atrial fibrillation, and the demonstration of cardiac enlargement, due to aneurysmal dilatation of the right atrium.
Wnt Signaling in Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Thomas Benzing, Matias Simons, Gerd Walz
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2007)

Wnt signaling cascades activate morphogenetic programs that range from cell migration and proliferation to cell fate determination and stem cell renewal. These pathways enable cells to translate environmental cues into the complex cellular programs that are needed to organize tissues and build organs. Wnt signaling is essential for renal development; however, the specific molecular underpinnings involved are poorly understood. Recent research has revealed an unexpected intersection between Wnt signaling and polycystic kidney disease. Some polycystic kidney disease proteins, such as Inversin and Bardet-Biedl syndrome family members, were found to use components of the Wnt signaling cascade to orient cells along a secondary polarity axis within the plane of the epithelium. These spatial cues may be needed to position nascent tubules with a defined geometry.
Assessment of letrozole and tamoxifen alone and in sequence for postmenopausal women with steroid hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: the BIG 1-98 randomised clinical trial at 8·1 years median follow-up
Authors: Meredith M Regan, Patrick Neven, Anita Giobbie-Hurder, Aron Goldhirsch, Bent Ejlertsen, Louis Mauriac, John F Forbes, Ian Smith, István Láng, Andrew Wardley, Manuela Rabaglio, Karen N Price, Richard D Gelber, Alan S Coates, Beat Thürlimann
Journal: The Lancet Oncology (2011)
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for acute radiation syndrome: innovative medical approaches in military medicine
Authors: Erik B Eaton, Timothy R Varney
Journal: Military Medical Research (2015)

After a radiological or nuclear event, acute radiation syndrome (ARS) will present complex medical challenges that could involve the treatment of hundreds to thousands of patients. Current medical doctrine is based on limited clinical data and remains inadequate. Efforts to develop medical innovations that address ARS complications are unlikely to be generated by industry because of market uncertainties specific to this type of injury. A prospective strategy could be the integration of cellular therapy to meet the medical demands of ARS. The most clinically advanced cellular therapy to date is the administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Results of currently published investigations describing MSC safety and efficacy in a variety of injury and disease models demonstrate the unique qualities of this reparative cell population in adapting to the specific requirements of the damaged tissue in which the cells integrate. This report puts forward a rationale for the further evaluation of MSC therapy to address the current unmet medical needs of ARS. We propose that the exploration of this novel therapy for the treatment of the multivariate complications of ARS could be of invaluable benefit to military medicine.
Risk Factors for Childhood Overweight in Offspring of Type 1 Diabetic Women With Adequate Glycemic Control During Pregnancy
Authors: Maarten Rijpert, Inge M. Evers, Monique A.M.J. de Vroede, Harold W. de Valk, Cobi J. Heijnen, Gerard H.A. Visser
Journal: Diabetes Care (2009)

OBJECTIVE Pregnancy in type 1 diabetic women remains a high-risk situation for both mother and child. In this study, we investigated long-term effects on body composition, prevalence of overweight, and insulin resistance in children of type 1 diabetic women who had had adequate glycemic control during pregnancy (mean A1C 6.2%), and we related their outcome to perinatal factors, including macrosomia (birth weight &amp;gt;90th percentile). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Anthropometric measurements were performed at 6–8 years of age in 213 offspring of type 1 diabetic mothers who participated in a previous nationwide study. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined from a fasting blood sample in 155 of these children. In addition, we studied BMI standard deviation score (SDS) growth trajectories. Results were compared with national reference data. RESULTS The prevalence of overweight in the study population was not different from that in the reference population. However, children who were born macrosomic showed twice as much overweight as nonmacrosomic children. Macrosomia and maternal overweight were independent predictors of childhood overweight. Overweight children showed an increase in BMI SDS starting already after 6 months of age and had a significantly increased HOMA-IR. CONCLUSIONS In type 1 diabetic women with adequate glycemic control during pregnancy, long-term effects on body composition and overweight in their offspring at school age are limited and related mainly to macrosomia at birth. Possible targets for prevention of childhood overweight are fetal macrosomia, maternal overweight, and an increase in BMI SDS during the first years of life.
Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Inhibits Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor–Induced Migration and In Vitro Tube Formation of Human Endothelial Cells
Authors: Ralf Benndorf, Rainer H. Böger, Süleyman Ergün, Anna Steenpass, Thomas Wieland
Journal: Circulation Research (2003)

Endothelial cell migration and tube formation in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play an important role in the process of angiogenesis. Recent data indicate that angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor stimulation is antiangiogenic. Therefore, we studied the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on VEGF-induced migration and in vitro tube formation of human endothelial cells. Ang II inhibited VEGF-induced migration of EA.hy926 cells, human coronary artery (HCA) and human dermal microvascular (HDM) endothelial cells (ECs) as well as tube formation by HDMECs. The AT2 receptor antagonist PD123,319 but not the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan blocked the inhibitory effect of Ang II. The inhibitory effect of Ang II on VEGF-induced migration of endothelial cells was mimicked by the specific AT2 receptor agonist CGP-42112A. The phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream effector endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is pivotal to VEGF-induced angiogenesis. We therefore investigated the effect of Ang II on VEGF-induced Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. Ang II diminished the VEGF-induced phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in endothelial cells, whereas the autophosphorylation of VEGF receptors was unaffected. CGP-42112A again mimicked and PD123,319 but not losartan blocked the inhibitory effect of Ang II. Treatment of endothelial cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) totally abolished the AT2 receptor-mediated inhibition of VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration and blocked the inhibition of Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. In conclusion, this study indicates that AT2 receptor stimulation inhibits VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration and tube formation via activation of a PTX-sensitive G protein. These findings may explain the reported antiangiogenic properties of the AT2 receptor.
IS THE LOCAL VASODILATATION AFTER DIFFERENT TISSUE INJURIES REFERABLE TO A SINGLE CAUSE?
Authors: Peyton Rous, H. P. Gilding
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1930)

Experiment shows that the vascular contraction responsible for Bier's spotting prevails over the local vasodilatation due to mechanical injury of the skin, and causes the local reddening to blanch. It is without effect, however, upon the local vasodilatation caused by histamine pricked into the skin. The results raise doubts concerning the validity of the hypothesis referring all local vasodilatations to the action of a single chemical substance or set of substances ("H substance"), liberated within the tissues.
Early Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation Versus Conventional Chemotherapy as Front-Line Therapy in High-Risk, Aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: An Italian Multicenter Randomized Trial
Authors: Maurizio Martelli, Filippo Gherlinzoni, Amalia De Renzo, Pier Luigi Zinzani, Antonio De Vivo, Maria Cantonetti, Brunangelo Falini, Sergio Storti, Giovanna Meloni, Manuela Rizzo, Anna Lia Molinari, Francesco Lauria, Luciano Moretti, Vito Michele Lauta, Patrizio Mazza, Luciano Guardigni, E. Pescarmona, S.A. Pileri, Franco Mandelli, Sante Tura
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2003)

Purpose: To evaluate the role of early intensification with high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) as front-line chemotherapy for patients with high-risk, histologically aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Patients and Methods: We planned a multicenter, randomized trial to compare a conventional chemotherapy regimen of methotrexate with leucovorin rescue, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin (MACOP-B; arm A) with an abbreviated regimen of MACOP-B (8 weeks) followed by HDT and ASCT (arm B) for intermediate-high-risk/high-risk patients (according to the age-adjusted International Prognostic Index). From September 1994 to April 1998, 150 patients with aggressive lymphoma were enrolled onto the trial. Seventy-five patients were randomly assigned to arm A and 75 patients were randomly assigned to arm B. In both arms, involved-field radiation therapy (36 Gy) was delivered to the site of bulky disease. Results: The rate of complete response was 68% in arm A and 76% in arm B (P = not significant [NS]). Three toxic deaths (4%) occurred in arm B and one (1%) occurred in arm A (P = NS). In arm B, 30 patients (40%) did not undergo HDT and ASCT. According to the intention-to-treat analysis at a median follow-up of 24 months, 5-year overall survival probability in arms A and B was 65% and 64% (P = .95), 5-year progression-free survival was 49% and 61% (P = .21), and 5-year relapse-free survival was 65% and 77% (P = .22), respectively. Conclusion: Abbreviated chemotherapy followed by intensification with HDT-ASCT is not superior to conventional chemotherapy in patients with high-risk, aggressive NHL. Additional randomized trials will clarify whether HDT-ASCT as front-line therapy after a complete course of conventional chemotherapy improves survival in this group of patients.
The effects of left ventricular stretch versus cavity pressure on intramyocardial pressure
Authors: F Yin
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1997)

Since muscles, vessels and interstitial spaces are in close physical proximity in the heart wall, interstitial (i.e., intramyocardial) pressure (IMP) should be affected by the stresses of the vessels and/or the muscular tissue surrounding the interstitial spaces. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that increasing the stresses (or stiffness) of the surrounding tissues by muscle contraction or stretching--produced externally by stretching the LV cavity or internally by increasing coronary perfusion pressure--has a greater effect than LV cavity pressure per se on IMP.In isolated rabbit hearts we measured IMP with small (< 10 microns diam) glass micropipettes while stretching the vessels (by changing coronary perfusion pressure) and the wall (by inflating a balloon in the left ventricle) during the passive state as well as during barium contracture.With LV cavity pressure equal to 0 (balloon open to air) or equal to 30 mmHg, a 20 mmHg increase in perfusion pressure increased IMP by 3.6 and 5 mmHg, respectively, in the passive state and by 7.6 and 7.9 mmHg, respectively, in the contracted state. This 30 mmHg increase in LV pressure produced a significant but small (3-5 mmHg) increase in IMP in the passive state but no effect in the contracture state.These results can be explained by a unifying concept in which stretching of the tissues surrounding the intestinal spaces--produced externally by increasing ventricular cavity size or internally by pressurizing vessels--but not LV cavity pressure per se is the major determinant of IMP.
Channel noise in neurons
Authors: John A. White, Jay T. Rubinstein, Alan R. Kay
Journal: Trends in Neurosciences (2000)

The probabilistic gating of voltage-dependent ion channels is a source of electrical 'channel noise' in neurons. This noise has long been implicated in limiting the reliability (repeatability) of neuronal responses to repeated presentations of identical stimuli. More recently, it has been shown to increase the range of spiking behaviors exhibited in some neural populations. Channel numbers are tied to metabolic efficiency and the stability of resting potential, and channel noise might be exploited by future cochlear implants in order to improve the temporal representation of sound.
Expression of CD95 ligand in melanocytic lesions as a diagnostic marker
Authors: None Maeda, None Aragane, None Tezuka
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1998)

CD95 ligand (CD95L) potently induces apoptosis by activating CD95 on target cells. It has recently been reported that melanoma cells in vivo express a significant amount of CD95L, thereby being immediately able to kill CD95-bearing immunocompetent cells specific for cancer antigens, which infiltrate the lesions. In this study, we employed immunohistochemistry using an antibody directed against CD95L to investigate at which stage the melanoma CD95L expression is turned on. Skin biopsies of 49 lesions from 46 patients were assessed. These included benign and dysplastic naevi, melanoma in situ, stage I melanomas (Clark's level 2 or 3), advance-phase melanomas (Clark's level 4 or 5) and lymph node metastases. CD95L was expressed in all of the advance-phase melanomas as well as lymph node metastases of cutaneous origin, whereas neither melanoma in situ, benign naevi nor dysplastic naevi reacted positively with the antibody. To investigate a link between positivity and tumour size, the data were analysed on the basis of Breslow thickness, and indicated that expression was observed only when tumours were thicker than 0.75 mm. We next compared expression of CD95L and HMB-45. CD95L was positive only in melanomas in a more advanced phase than stage I, whereas HMB-45 was not only expressed in melanoma cells but also in benign pigmented naevi. This indicated the advantage of CD95L staining to diagnose melanoma. The present study indicates the significant correlation between tumorigenicity and expression of CD95L, and thereby raises the possibility that CD95L may be a useful diagnostic marker for malignant melanomas.
IL-23R gene confers susceptibility to Behcet's disease in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Z. Jiang, P. Yang, S. Hou, L. Du, L. Xie, H. Zhou, A. Kijlstra
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2010)

<h3>Purpose</h3> IL-23 has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of Behcet9s disease (BD) through promoting IL-17 production. This study examined whether <i>IL-23R</i> polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to this disease in a Chinese Han population. <h3>Methods</h3> Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), rs7517847, rs11209032, rs 1343151 and rs17375018 were genotyped in 338 BD patients and 407 age, sex and ethnically matched healthy controls using a PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. <h3>Results</h3> A significantly increased prevalence of the homozygous rs17375018 GG genotype and G allele was found in BD patients compared with controls (corrected p (p<sub>c</sub>)&lt;0.001,odds ratio (OR) 1.86, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.49; p<sub>c</sub>&lt;0.001, OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.98, respectively). The frequencies of the AA genotype and A allele of the SNP rs11209032 were significantly higher in BD patients compared with controls (p<sub>c</sub>=0.024, OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.35; p<sub>c</sub>&lt;0.001, OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.82, respectively). In addition, the results showed a significantly decreased frequency of the AGCG haplotype in BD patients compared with controls (p<sub>c</sub>=0.0016, OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.77). <h3>Conclusions</h3> This study, for the first time, identified a strong association of an SNP of <i>IL-23R</i>, rs17375018, with BD. The results also suggested that both rs11209032 AA and rs17375018 GG of <i>IL-23R</i> are predisposing genotypes for BD and that the AGCG haplotype may provide protection against BD.
Differential Diagnosis of Azoospermia with Proteomic Biomarkers ECM1 and TEX101 Quantified in Seminal Plasma
Authors: Andrei P. Drabovich, Apostolos Dimitromanolakis, Punit Saraon, Antoninus Soosaipillai, Ihor Batruch, Brendan Mullen, Keith Jarvi, Eleftherios P. Diamandis
Journal: Science Translational Medicine (2013)

Measurements of seminal plasma proteins ECM1 and TEX101 facilitate the differential diagnosis of azoospermia.
Bronchial response to methacholine and histamine in monkeys with beta adrenergic blockade
Authors: Suetsugu Mue, Shigeki Shibahara, Shunsuke Suzuki, Makoto Takahashi, Wataru Hida, Kohei Yamauchi, Tetsuhiro Ohmi, Takao Sasaki, Tamotsu Takishima
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (1980)
Modification of Radiation Response of Murine Tumors by Misonidazole (Ro 07-0582), Host Immune Capability, and Corynebacterium parvum2
Authors: Helen B. Stone, Luka Milas
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1978)

The hypoxic cell sensitizer misonldazole (Ro 07-0582), 1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3-methoxy-2-propanol, significantly enhanced the local control of the weakly immunogenic C3H mouse mammary carcinoma MDAH-MCa-4 (8-mm diameter) by single doses of radiation. The dose modification factor (DMF) was 2.33 when the drug was given ip to inbred C3Hf/Bu mice in a dose of 1 mg/g body weight 30 minutes before irradiation of the tumor. The DMF in a highly immunogenic 3-methylcholanthrene-induced C3H fibrosarcoma (FSa) was 1.65 in normal mice and 1.86 in mice immunosuppressed by 600 rads whole-body irradiation 1 day before tumor transplantation. In mice treated iv with 0.25 mg Corynebacterium parvum when tumors were 6 mm in diameter and irradiated at 8 mm, local control of FSa was enhanced at low doses of radiation but was similar to that in normal mice at higher doses. In mice treated with both misonidazole and C. parvum, local control at lower doses of radiation was similar to that in mice treated with C. parvum alone but was enhanced at higher doses in mice that failed to respond to C. parvum. Cytotoxicity of misonidazole, as reflected in tumor growth, was not detected.
Outcome-Based Workforce Development and Education in Public Health
Authors: Denise Koo, Kathleen Miner
Journal: Annual Review of Public Health (2009)

The broad scope of the public health mission leads to an increasingly diverse workforce. Given the range of feeder disciplines and the reality that much of the workforce does not have formal training in public health science and practice, a pressing need exists for training and education throughout the workforce. Just as we in public health take a rigorous approach to our science, so too should we take a rigorous, evidence-driven approach to workforce development. In this review, we recommend a framework for workforce education in public health, integrating three critical conceptual approaches: (a) adult learning theory; (b) competency-based education; and (c) the expanded Dreyfus model in public health, an addition to the Dreyfus model of professional skills progression. We illustrate the application of this framework in practice, using the field of applied epidemiology. This framework provides a context for designing and developing high-quality, outcome-based workforce development efforts and evaluating their impact, with implications for academic and public health practice efforts to educate the public health workforce.
Prooxidant activity of transferrin and lactoferrin.
Authors: S J Klebanoff, A M Waltersdorph
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1990)

Acceleration of the autoxidation of Fe2+ by apotransferrin or apolactoferrin at acid pH is indicated by the disappearance of Fe2+, the uptake of oxygen, and the binding of iron to transferrin or lactoferrin. The product(s) formed oxidize iodide to an iodinating species and are bactericidal to Escherichia coli. Toxicity to E. coli by FeSO4 (10(-5) M) and human apotransferrin (100 micrograms/ml) or human apolactoferrin (25 micrograms/ml) was optimal at acid pH (4.5-5.0) and with logarithmic phase organisms. Both the iodinating and bactericidal activities were inhibited by catalase and the hydroxyl radical (OH.) scavenger mannitol, whereas superoxide dismutase was ineffective. NaCl at 0.1 M inhibited bactericidal activity, but had little or no effect on iodination. Iodide increased the bactericidal activity of Fe2+ and apotransferrin or apolactoferrin. The formation of OH.was suggested by the formation of the OH.spin-trap adduct (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyroline N-oxide [DMPO]/OH)., with the spin trap DMPO and the formation of the methyl radical adduct on the further addition of dimethyl sulfoxide. (DMPO/OH).formation was inhibited by catalase, whereas superoxide dismutase had little or no effect. These findings suggest that Fe2+ and apotransferrin or apolactoferrin can generate OH.via an H2O2 intermediate with toxicity to microorganisms, and raise the possibility that such a mechanism may contribute to the microbicidal activity of phagocytes.