tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 332: Loss of beta-catenin Leads to Induction of a Chondrogenic Phenotype in Adult Mouse Heart Aortic Valves
Authors: Ming Fang, Simon J Conway, Katherine E Yutzey
Journal: Circulation Research (2014)

Objectives: Altered Wnt/beta-catenin signaling has been implicated in human heart valve disease; however, a causal relation has not been established. This study is aimed at determining the role of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in adult valve homeostasis and disease. In endochondral bone development, Wnt/beta-catenin signaling inhibits early chondrogenesis and promotes osteogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesize that loss of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling promotes chondrogenic differentiation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) resembling myxomatous valve disease. Methods &amp; Results: Periostin (Postn)Cre was used for conditional loss of beta-catenin (Ctnnb1) specifically in VICs in mice. PostnCre is active in valve mesenchymal progenitors by embryonic day (E)13.5, therefore bypassing requirements for beta-catenin in endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and endocardial cushion formation. Histology of adult heart valves was analyzed by Masson’s Trichrome and Movat’s Pentachrome staining, and the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes was examined at both mRNA and protein level. Heart valve development appears normal at both fetal and neonatal stages with loss of beta-catenin. However proteoglycan-rich nodules form in adult aortic valves (AoVs) lacking beta-catenin at 3 months with 100% penetrance. These nodular cells are enlarged and express nuclear Sox9 and chondrogenic ECM genes, including Aggrecan, Collagen type 2 (Col1) and Col10, reminiscent of hypertrophic cartilage. Fibrillar collagens 1 and 3, as well as Versican, are excluded from the nodules, accompanied by abnormal ECM deposition throughout the AoV leaflets. Likewise, treatment of cultured porcine aortic VICs with the Wnt pathway inhibitor XAV also induces Aggrecan and Col2 gene expression in vitro. This work demonstrates that beta-catenin is required for the maintenance of normal ECM deposition and composition in adult mice, and, therefore, is indispensible for adult heart valve homeostasis. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that beta-catenin is a key factor in maintaining normal valve ECM organization in adult AoV. In the absence of beta-catenin, VICs are susceptible to chondrogenic differentiation related to myxomatous valve disease.
Relation of stressors and depressive symptoms to clinical progression of viral illness
Authors: E P Zorrilla, J R McKay, L Luborsky, K Schmidt
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1996)

The aim of this research was to determine whether and in whom stressors and depressive symptoms facilitate clinical recurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and progression of HIV.Meta-analytic techniques were used to review the relations of stressors and depressive symptoms to clinical recurrence of HSV in 16 published studies and to indicators of HIV progression in 19 published studies. The authors calculated average effect sizes, performed fixed effect and random effect inferential analyses, tested for heterogeneous findings, and identified potential moderating variables.Depressive symptoms were associated with a slightly increased risk of HSV recurrence and increased reports of HIV-related symptoms, whereas stressors were not. However, depressive symptoms were not associated with objective indicators of accelerated HIV progression. Stressor studies, especially those that ascertained population-specific life events, found numerical and functional decrements in circulating natural killer cell populations. The candidate moderators identified include, for HSV recurrence, age, sex, and medication status, and for HIV-related symptoms, age, race, disease stage, and co-infection with HSV.Depressive symptoms, but not stressors, increase the risk of HSV recurrence generally. Depressive symptoms do not appear to accelerate HIV progression ubiquitously, although they are associated with increased reporting of HIV-related symptoms. Future studies that ascertain population-specific stressors should determine whether reductions in cytotoxic lymphocytes influence HIV disease progression. Moreover, researcher should investigate the role of the identified moderators and recognize psychoimmune moderators in existing and novel study groups. These analyses could confirm that certain individuals are especially susceptible to the effects on disease progression of stressors, depressive symptoms, or both.
Abstract 4310: Chronic Effects of Surgical Ventricular Restoration on Left Ventricular Function: 6 Months Follow-Up by Pressure-Volume Loops
Authors: Ellen A ten Brinke, Robert J Klautz, Sven A Tulner, Frank H Engbers, Hariette F Verwey, Douwe E Atsma, Martin J Schalij, Ernst E van der Wall, Jeroen J Bax, Hein Putter, Robert A Dion, Paul Steendijk
Journal: Circulation (2008)

Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial acute effects of surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) on mechanical dyssynchrony and left ventricular (LV) function, and improved mid- and long-term clinical parameters. However, chronic effects on systolic and diastolic LV function are still largely unknown. We studied 9 patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy who underwent SVR. In all patients, invasive hemodynamic measurements by the conductance catheter (pressure-volume loops) were obtained during catheterization before and 6 months after surgery. In addition, NYHA classification, Minnesota Quality of Life (QoL)-score and 6-minute-hall-walk-test (6min-HWT) were assessed. At 6 months follow-up, all patients were alive and clinically significantly improved: NYHA class from 3.3±0.5 to 1.4±0.7, QoL-score from 46±22 to 15±15 and 6min-HWT from 302±123 to 444±78 m (all p&lt;0.01). Hemodynamic data at fixed paced heart rate (80 bpm), showed improved cardiac output (4.8±1.4 to 5.6±1.1 L/min) (p =0.09), stroke work (6.5±1.9 to 7.1±1.4 mmHg.L) (p =0.05) and LV ejection fraction (36±10 to 46±10%) (p &lt;0.001). LV surgical remodeling was sustained at 6 months: end-diastolic volume decreased from 246±70 to 180±48 mL and end-systolic volume from 173±77 to 103±40 mL (both p&lt;0.001). LV mechanical dyssynchrony decreased from 29±6 to 26 ±3% (p&lt;0.001) and ineffective internal LV flow fraction decreased from 58±30 to 42±18% (p&lt;0.005). Early relaxation (tau, −dP/dt MIN ) was unchanged, but diastolic stiffness constant (K ED ) increased from 0.012±0.003 to 0.023±0.007 mL −1 (p&lt;0.001) at 6 months follow-up. SVR leads to maintained LV volume reduction at 6 months follow-up. In addition, we observed improved systolic function and unchanged early diastolic function, but impaired passive diastolic properties. Clinical improvement, supported by decreased NYHA class, improved QoL-score and improved 6-min-HWT may be related to improved systolic function and reduced mechanical dyssynchrony.
Recurrent pyelonephritis due to NDM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a patient returning from Serbia, France, 2012
Authors: C Flateau, F Janvier, H Delacour, S Males, C Ficko, D Andriamanantena, K Jeannot, A Mérens, C Rapp
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2012)

We describe the first isolation in France of a New-Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In March 2012, a patient with history of prior hospitalisation in Serbia was diagnosed in France with acute pyelonephritis due to NDM-1 producing P. aeruginosa. Clinical and microbiological cure was obtained under appropriate antibiotic treatment. Two months later, she presented with a recurrence due to the same bacteria, with a favourable evolution. During both hospitalisations, contact isolation precautions were implemented and no cross-transmission was observed.
Early-morning administration of short-acting beta blockers for treatment of winter depression
Authors: D S Schlager
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1994)

Propranolol, 60 mg or less, was administered daily between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. to 33 patients with winter depression. After open treatment with a mean dose of 33 mg/day, 24 patients (73%) met the remission criteria; 23 completed double-blind continuation or placebo substitution. Subjects who continued to receive propranolol had a mean increase in Hamilton depression score of 3.5, whereas patients switched to placebo had an increase of 11.2; the difference was statistically significant. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that duration of nocturnal melatonin secretion is the critical seasonal time cue in humans.
Survival and treatment morbidity with therapeutic lymphadenectomy for regional nodal metastases from melanoma
Authors: S. Agrawal, W. G. Kraybill, P. Albini, W. Tan, G. E. Wilding, J. Kane
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

8571 Background: Therapeutic lymphadenectomy (TL) is potentially curative therapy for clinically palpable nodal metastatic melanoma. However, TL is associated with significant morbidity and a dismal prognosis. Methods: Review of the melanoma database identified 275 patients who underwent TL. Patient, tumor, and treatment-related variables associated with recurrence and overall survival were analyzed. Results: The study group comprised of 63% males with a nodal basin distribution of 47% axilla, 35% groin and 18% neck. Median age, number of positive lymph nodes and size of the largest lymph node were 51 years 2 nodes and 2.5 cm respectively. Median survival was 27.4 months (77%, 55% and 34% at 1, 2 and 5-years respectively). Regional recurrence at the lymphadenectomy site occurred in 76 (28%) patients. Distant metastases developed in 67 (88%) patients with and 126 (63%) without regional recurrence. On multivariate analysis, the most powerful predictor of both survival and regional recurrence was lymph node ratio (LNR- number of positive nodes/total dissected nodes). Median survival for LNR &lt;0.13 was 39 months versus 19 months for ≥0.13 (p = 0.005). Older age and male sex were also predictive of a decreased survival. Treatment-related morbidity was rare and included lymphedema (12%), wound complications (3%) and nerve injury (1%). Conclusion: The overall survival and acceptable morbidity justifies TL for clinically positive nodal metastatic melanoma. LNR is predictive of survival and regional recurrence following TL. Due to significant distant and regional failure rates, in addition to systemic adjuvant therapy these patients may benefit from radiation therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Novel Evidence That Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Purified CD133+ cells Secrete Several Soluble Factors and Microvesicles/Exosomes That Mediate Paracrine, Pro-Angiopoietic Effects Of These Cells – Implications For and Important Role Of Paracrine Effects in stem Cell Therapies In Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Janina Ratajczak, Kasia Mierzejewska, Sylwia Borkowska, Magdalena Kucia, Mariusz Z Ratajczak
Journal: Blood (2013)
Antidepressant-associated mania: a controlled comparison with spontaneous mania
Authors: A L Stoll, P V Mayer, M Kolbrener, E Goldstein, B Suplit, J Lucier, B M Cohen, M Tohen
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1994)

Antidepressants have been associated with the induction of mania and rapid cycling. This study examined whether antidepressant-associated manic states differ in any way from spontaneous mania.Forty-nine consecutive inpatients with antidepressant-associated manic states were compared with 49 matched inpatients with spontaneous mania in a blind, retrospective chart review.Across virtually every clinical measure examined, the patients with antidepressant-associated manic states experienced milder and more time-limited manic episodes than the patients with spontaneous mania. The patients with antidepressant-associated manic states were subject to frequent checking by nurses and hall restriction for a significantly shorter period of time than the patients with spontaneous mania. The patients with antidepressant-associated manic states also had significantly less severe levels of delusions, hallucinations, psychomotor agitation, and bizarre behavior, according to a standard rating instrument, than the patients with spontaneous mania. For further study the patients with antidepressant-associated mania were divided into subgroups taking four individual classes of antidepressant drugs: tricyclics (N = 19), fluoxetine (N = 13), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (N = 8), and bupropion (N = 6); three patients taking combinations of drugs were not included in these analyses. The patients with MAOI- and bupropion-associated mania had a slightly lower overall rating of severity of psychopathology at admission than the subgroups with fluoxetine- and tricyclic-associated mania.Antidepressant-associated mania appears to be a milder and more time-limited syndrome than spontaneous mania and may represent a distinct clinical entity. MAOIs and bupropion may be associated with milder manic states than either tricyclic drugs or fluoxetine.
High Dose Modified-release Nicotinic Acid Reduces Carotid Atherosclerosis: a Randomized, Placebo-controlled Magnetic Resonance Study
Authors: J M Lee, Robson, Yu L-M., C C Shirodaria, C Cunnington, I Kylintireas, T Bannister, F Wiesmann, A Handa, K M Channon, S E Neubauer, R P Choudhury
Journal: Circulation (2008)

Background: Large clinical outcome studies (AIM-HIGH and HPS-2THRIVE) are underway testing the strategy of adding high dose nicotinic acid (NA) to statin treatment. However, the effect of this on a...
Impact of an Automated Multimodality Point-of-Order Decision Support Tool on Rates of Appropriate Testing and Clinical Decision Making for Individuals With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Fay Y. Lin, Allison M. Dunning, Jagat Narula, Leslee J. Shaw, Heidi Gransar, Daniel S. Berman, James K. Min
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2013)
Sertad1 Antagonizes iASPP Function By Hindering Its Entrance into Nuclei to Interact with P53 in Leukemic Cells
Authors: Shaowei Qiu, Jing Yu, Tengteng Yu, Haiyan Xing, Na An, Yujiao Jia, Shuang Liu, Kejing Tang, Zheng Tian, Qing Rao, Yingchang Mi, Min Wang, Jianxiang Wang
Journal: Blood (2014)
Abstract 570: Heart Failure Imaging in the Rat With LMI1195: A New PET Cardiac Neuronal Imaging Agent
Authors: Jody Bozek, Paula Silva, Melanie Lamoy, Michael Azure, Heike Radeke, Simon Robinson, Ming Yu
Journal: Circulation (2009)

LMI1195 is a new 18F-benzylguanidine analog being developed to assess cardiac neuronal function by targeting the norepinephrine transporter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognost...
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage using a lumen-apposing self-expanding metal stent: a case series
Authors: Stefan Brückner, Alexander Arlt, Jochen Hampe
Journal: Endoscopy (2015)

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) might be an alternative to percutaneous or transpapillary biliary drainage in unresectable pancreatic or biliary cancer. A lumen-apposing, fully covered, self-expanding metal stent, which creates a sealed transluminal conduit between the biliary and gastrointestinal tract may offer advantages over conventional plastic and metal stents. In this retrospective, observational, open-label case study, five patients underwent EUS-BD for obstructive jaundice in pancreatic cancer (n = 4) or distal cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1). Technical and functional success was achieved in all patients without complications. The development of specialized stent and delivery systems may render EUS-BD an effective and safe alternative to percutaneous or transpapillary approaches.
Vascular Complications After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Philippe Généreux, John G. Webb, Lars G. Svensson, Susheel K. Kodali, Lowell F. Satler, William F. Fearon, Charles J. Davidson, Andrew C. Eisenhauer, Raj R. Makkar, Geoffrey W. Bergman, Vasilis Babaliaros, Joseph E. Bavaria, Omaida C. Velazquez, Mathew R. Williams, Irene Hueter, Ke Xu, Martin B. Leon
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2012)
Cancer registries fear collapse
Authors: Tim Helliwell
Journal: BMJ (2001)

EDITOR—The guidance from the General Medical Council saying that patients' consent is required before cancers can be registered will lead to chaos.1

The UK Association of Cancer Registries has achieved a remarkable record of cancer incidence and mortality that allows health planning for the future. The registries have found that the most reliable and consistent data on cancers are obtained at the time of diagnosis from histopathology departments.

Diagnosis occurs at an unpredictable time and may often be a surprise to both patient and clinician. To obtain the consent of all patients for registration of the details of their cancer in this situation, and to feed back that information to the pathology department, is unlikely to be possible with a paper based system. The electronic patient record, with a prompt for clinicians and immediate connection to the pathology record, may provide one solution.

Patients must be given clear details …
Abstract 20332: Oxidative Inactivation of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases Underlies Aging-associated Increases in Inflammation in VSMC and Atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− Mice
Authors: Xi-Lin Niu, Kimberly Molnar, Igor Tchivilev, Aleksandr E Vendrov, Nageswara R Madamanchi, Marschall S Runge
Journal: Circulation (2010)

The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) increases with age. Numerous studies have implicated oxidative stress induced activation of receptor and cytosolic tyrosine kinases in the pathogenesi...
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in 710 patients for operable breast cancer: Variation changing in hormonal receptors (HR) status
Authors: O. Tacca, F. Penault-Llorca, C. Abrial, I. Raoelfils, M. A. Mouret-Reynier, P. Bougnoux, J. L. Achard, J. Dauplat, P. Chollet, H. Curé
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

673 Background: Positive HR constitutes by their presence a favourable prognosis factor and predicts response to an adjuvant hormonal therapy. In breast cancer treated by NCT, HR expression has been shown to be modified in residual disease after induction chemotherapy ( Miyoshi Y and al., Clin Cancer Res. 2004 ). Methods: A second centralized comparative lecture of oestrogenic and progestative receptors was realized by IHC. HR status was evaluated in a blinded fashion by two pathologists, on 414 out of 710 patients from several prospective phase II trials. Cut off value for positivity was 10% tumor cells (Amat et al, Breast Cancer Res Treat 2005) . Median age of patients was 49.5 years. 555 (78%) patients had a ductal, 90 (13%) a lobular and 65 (9%) other type carcinoma, with a median size of 40 mm. Response was evaluated before, during and after a median number of 6 courses (1–9) of NCT. Study is curently ongoing. Results: Among these414 tumors, 157 (38%) were HR negative and 257 (62%) positive before NCT. HR status was changed in 105 patients (25%): 75 patients (48%) initially HR negative became HR positive. This HR positive switch was significantly correlated with a better overall survival (OS), compared with the unchanged HR negative tumors (p=0.032). However, HR positive switch had no effect on the disease free survival (p=0.085). More details concerning RH status and effect on hormonal adjuvant treatment will be presented.Conversely, Among the 257 HR positive tumors, 30 (12%) became negative after NCT, without effect on OS (p=0.28). Conclusions: We have previously shown that residual disease after NCT, rather than parameters evaluated on initial biopsy, must be considered for patients’ prognosis. NCT induced variations in HR status in 25% of patients; a positive switch was a strong prognostic indicator for patients outcome. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Impaired exercise capacity in early stage liver cirrhosis - a prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Philipp Douschan, Gabor Kovacs, Rudolf Stauber, Vasile Foris, Andrea Olschewski, Horst Olschewski
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background: Liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension may affect the cardiopulmonary system and may be associated with decreased exercise capacity. However, this has not been systematically addressed in clinical studies in patients with compensated stages of liver cirrhosis. Therefore we aimed to investigate the cardiovascular response to exercise in patients with cirrhosis and well-preserved liver function.

Methods: Patients with liver cirrhosis from our outpatient liver clinic and inpatients without severe cardiopulmonary co-morbidities were invited to take part in a cardiopulmonary screening program including pulmonary function testing, blood gas analysis, echocardiography and symptom limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Results: Sixty-one consecutive patients were prospectively included (Child-Pugh A: 59%, Child-Pugh B: 39%, Child-Pugh C: 2%). Overall peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) was 65±23%, suggesting an altered cardiopulmonary response during exercise. Forty-eight out of sixty-one patients had a decreased exercise capacity (peak VO2 ≤ 85% predicted). Subgroup analysis revealed that Child-Pugh B patients had lower peak VO2 compared to Child-Pugh A patients (58±19% vs. 71±24%, p=0.029). In addition, Child-Pugh B patients tended to have a lower diffusion capacity (DLCOcVA: 83±13% vs. 92±20%, p=0.098).

Conclusion: Our preliminary data suggest that impairment of exercise capacity and alteration of gas exchange parameters are common findings in patients suffering from early stages of hepatic cirrhosis. These alterations are related to the severity of the underlying liver disease.
Abstract 42: Effects Of Intracerebroventricular Application Of Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor On Cerebral Recovery After Cardiac Arrest In Rats
Authors: Tobias Rabsahl, Erik Popp, Peter Vogel, Peter Teschendorf, Bernd W Boettiger
Journal: Circulation (2007)

Introduction: After transient global cerebral ischemia, selective vulnerable brain areas show delayed neuronal degeneration with characteristic signs of apoptosis. Recent data demonstrated potent neuroprotective effects of the application of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) after focal cerebral ischemia. In order to assess possible effects of intracerebroventricular application of G-CSF on cerebral recovery after global cerebral ischemia due to cardiac arrest (CA) neurological testing according to a tape removal test as well as histological analysis of the hippocampal CA-1 sector were performed. Methods: Global cerebral ischemia was initiated by ventricular fibrillation in rats during general anesthesia. After 6 min of CA cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated. After restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) the animals were divided into two groups (G-CSF vs. placebo; n=16 per group). G-CSF (4μl=3.84μg) or placebo was applied in single shot technique 30 min after ROSC. During CA, CPR and for the first 24 h after ROSC all animals were kept normothermic using a feedback control system with intraperitoneal implanted telemetric probes. The tape removal test was applied pre-CA, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d, 10 d and 14 d after ROSC. After 14 days histological analysis was done by counting TUNEL positive neurons in the hippocampal CA-1 sector. All experiments were performed in a randomized and blinded setting. Results: All animals were kept normothermic within the first 24 h after ROSC (G-CSF: 37.3 ± 0.3 °C; placebo: 37.5 ± 0.5 °C). Pre-CA all animals removed the adhesive tapes promptly. After ROSC in both treatment groups a clear neurological damage was shown that improved within the first 14 days, without reaching baseline values. No statistically significant differences between the group could be seen. With regard to TUNEL-positive neurons in the hippocampal CA-1 sector no significant differences could be observed between the groups (G-CSF: 47 ± 22; placebo: 51 ± 24). Conclusions: Regarding neurological recovery and neurohistopathological outcome 14 d after global cerebral ischemia, the present study was not able to show any beneficial effects of G-CSF, despite the well known effects of G-CSF in non global cerebral ischemia models.