tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Plasma-activated factor VII level in patients positive for lupus anticoagulant
Authors: Tutomu Nakase, Hideo Wada, Yoshihiro Wakita, Toshihiro Kaneko, Hiroshi Deguchi, Katuyo Hiyoyama, Minori Shimura, Yositaka Mori, Hiroshi Shiku
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1997)

We examined plasma levels of activated factor VII (F VIIa) in 50 patients positive for lupus anticoagulant (LA), in 83 patients negative for LA, and in 10 healthy volunteers as controls. Plasma F VIIa was present in healthy volunteers; its level was significantly increased, compared to the level in the controls, in patients with thrombosis, collagen diseases, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), suggesting that it reflected a thrombotic state. Plasma F VIIa was correlated with thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) in patients negative for LA but showed no such correlation in those positive for LA. Plasma F VIIa was negatively correlated with activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in patients positive for LA, but not in those negative for LA, suggesting that LA could inhibit the F VIIa assay system. Plasma F VIIa level was significantly increased in patients with thrombotic diseases; however, in patients positive for LA, it is possible that increased plasma F VIIa level may not be correlated with thrombogenicity. Am. J. Hematol. 55:9-14, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Variable gene expression within human tyrosinemia type 1 liver may reflect region-specific dysplasia
Authors: B A Haber, E Chuang, W Lee, R Taub
Journal: Hepatology (1996)

Patients with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 have a deficiency of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) and develop progressive hepatocellular dysfunction with a high risk of malignant transformation. Serum alpha–fetoprotein levels are frequently elevated in these patients; therefore, this commonly used marker of tumorigenesis is inadequate. To date, no literature exists describing the hepatic gene alterations in patients with this disease. We analyzed the expression of a panel of proliferation associated and liver–specific genes in the liver of a 33 month–old girl at the time of orthotopic liver transplantation. This study provides information that may be useful in developing markers for malignancy and understanding the pathogenesis of this disease. Gene expression patterns of two regenerating nodules and total liver from the patient with FAH deficiency were compared with control donor liver. Liver–specific and growth–induced genes with altered expression in the tyrosinemic liver included several functional classes: structural proteins ( actin, thrombospondin ), transcription factors ( c–fos, egr–1, C/EBPalpha ), liver–specific enzymes glucose–6–phosphatase [G6Phase], and secreted factors insulin–like growth factor binding protein 1 [GFBP–1] . Isolated macronodules demonstrated varied patterns of expression, suggesting that they do not form a homogeneous cellular environment. In the tyrosinemic liver, IGFBP–1 messenger RNA expression was high and G6Phase messenger RNA was not detectable. Although G6Phase and IGFBP–1 are coexpressed in regenerating liver, immunohistochemistry in the tyrosinemic liver demonstrated a mutually exclusive distribution for the two proteins in a tissue section with features of dysplasia. We propose that cells in these areas may have an aberrant transcription factor and growth factor “milieu” that leads to altered gene and protein expression. These molecular alterations are reflected in dysplastic histologic changes and may ultimately predispose to the development of malignancy.
Diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis by measurement of lactoferrin in duodenal juice.
Authors: L Multigner, C Figarella, H Sarles
Journal: Gut (1981)

Lactoferrin is a non-enzymatic secretory protein of human pancreas and is specifically increased in pancreatic juice of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Duodenal contents being easier to obtain than pure pancreatic juice, the possibility of using lactoferrin measurement in duodenal juice as a diagnosis test for chronic pancreatitis was explored. Forty-eight patients were studied. Duodenal juice was obtained devoid of salivary contamination by a special double lumen tube. Under these conditions lactoferrin secretion (concentration and output) is increased in patients with chronic pancreatitis. When expressed as the ratio of lactoferrin to lipase units, there was no overlap between chronic pancreatitis and other pancreatic disease or controls. The simplicity and the reproducibility of the technique on a material as readily available as duodenal juice confirms the diagnostic value of lactoferrin measurement in the assessment of patients with suspected pancreatic disease.
Influence of Hospital Procedural Volume on Care Process and Mortality for Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery for Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: James S. Gammie, Sean M. O’Brien, Bartley P. Griffith, T. Bruce Ferguson, Eric D. Peterson
Journal: Circulation (2007)

Background— Few studies have examined the procedural volume–outcome relationship for heart valve surgery. None have examined process of care factors that may be mediators of this association. Methods and Results— This was a retrospective review of outcomes for 13 614 patients having elective surgery for mitral regurgitation between 2000 and 2003 in 575 North American centers participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Database. Hospital annual mitral valve volume varied widely from 22 cases per year in the lowest-volume quartile to 394 in the highest. Unadjusted mortality rates decreased from 3.08% in the lowest-volume category to 1.11% in the highest-volume category. The risk-adjusted odds ratio for mortality in the highest-volume category compared with the lowest was 0.48 (95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.82). The rates of mitral valve repair increased from 47.7% in the lowest-volume quartile to 77.4% in high-volume hospitals ( P &lt;0.0001). Similarly, the rates of bioprosthetic valve use for patients aged &gt;65 years rose from 59% in the lowest-volume quartile to 75% in the highest-volume quartile ( P =0.0002). The association between volume and mortality was still significant but attenuated when the risk adjustment was modified to adjust for mitral valve repair versus replacement. Conclusions— Hospital procedural volume was associated with higher frequency of valve repair, higher frequency of prosthetic valve usage in elderly patients, and lower adjusted operative mortality. Differences in care process may contribute to improved outcomes in higher-volume centers.
Calcinosis Associated with Renal Failure
Authors: Robert A Cohen, Samir M Parikh
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2007)

A 36-year-old woman presented with painless, subcutaneous nodules that had developed during the previous 5 months on her buttocks, shoulders, and left wrist (Panel A). Her medical history was notable for glomerulonephritis leading to dialysis at 14 years of age. She later underwent transplantation of a kidney from a deceased donor; the transplant failed, and for the 3 years since, the patient has been undergoing peritoneal dialysis. A plain film of her left wrist showed numerous lobulated, septated calcific masses (Panel B). Laboratory tests revealed severe secondary hyperparathyroidism, with a calcium level of 10.5 mg per deciliter (2.6 mmol per . . .
Dietary Guidelines for Healthy American Adults
Authors: Ronald M. Krauss, Richard J. Deckelbaum, Nancy Ernst, Edward Fisher, Barbara V. Howard, Robert H. Knopp, Theodore Kotchen, Alice H. Lichtenstein, Henry C. McGill, Thomas A. Pearson, T. Elaine Prewitt, Neil J. Stone, Linda Van Horn, Richard Weinberg
Journal: Circulation (1996)
Maintaining Low HIV Seroprevalence Among Injecting Drug Users
Authors: Ka-hing Wong
Journal: JAMA (1996)

<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —Dr Des Jarlais and colleagues<sup>1</sup>gave an excellent analysis of factors crucial in maintaining a stable, low human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence in injecting drug users (IDUs) in five cities. We describe here our situation and experiences in Hong Kong for comparison. In 1994, the number of active drug users in Hong Kong was estimated to be approximately 40 000,<sup>2</sup>a majority of whom have used heroin. The first case of HIV infection was reported in 1984. As of the end of September 1995, only 2% (12/602) of the cumulative reported cases were IDUs with a history of needle sharing. Other epidemiological studies have confirmed the low prevalence of HIV infection in the drug-taking community. In the past 10 years, only two positive samples were detected out of 8706 voluntary tests done at methadone clinics and other drug rehabilitation services. Unlinked anonymous screening of 11775
Historical Background in Children with Affective Disorders
Authors: DONALD H. McKNEW, LEON CYTRYN
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1973)

A study of the histories of 50 children with affective disorders revealed that certain environmental factors were present either singly or in combination in every case. When these environmental factors were related to the three types of childhood depression previously outlined by the authors, each category of depression could be linked with a characteristic cluster of environmental factors; for two of the categories, a specific environmental factor was present in every case studied.
Fish consumption may limit the damage of smoking on the lung.
Authors: D S Sharp, B L Rodriguez, E Shahar, L J Hwang, C M Burchfiel
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1994)

High fish consumption is characteristic of Japanese-American men of the Honolulu Heart Program (HHP). Analyses of data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study suggest high fish intake protects the lung against smoking damage. Measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and smoking status in the HHP cohort were done at the first examination in 1965-68. Among 8,006 men, 45 to 68 yr, 6,346 had acceptable spirograms. Within current smokers, 1,545 men consumed fish less than twice a week, and 1,264 ate fish twice a week or more. Controlling for cigarettes/d, age, height, and daily calories, separate regression models indicated an average decrease of -10.1 ml for each additional yr of smoking (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -13.6, -6.5) at low levels of fish intake, and a decrease of -4.4 ml (95% CI: -8.2, -0.6) at high levels. The coefficients were significantly different (p = 0.03). These differences reflect a predicted FEV1 144 ml (95% CI: 62, 227) higher in the high fish group at > or = 40 yr of smoking, but no difference at < or = 35 yr. Similar analyses were conducted for cigarettes/d. On average, the FEV1 decline for each additional cigarette/d was not significantly different among subjects with low versus high fish intake. However, the predicted FEV1 at < or = 30 cigarettes/d was 52 ml (95% CI: 17, 87) higher in the high fish consumption group. No significant difference in FEV1 was noted between groups at > 30 cigarettes/d. These findings suggest that the protective role of fish is "saturated" at higher "doses" of cigarette smoking.
THE TREATMENT OF DIABETICS AS HOSPITAL OUT-PATIENTS
Authors: C. J. C. Earl
Journal: BMJ (1927)

DI&BEWICS AS HOSPITAL OUT-PATIENTS.MTEDABRLTItR 81 ,1!1II EIA ORA 3 c.cm. for the tentlh and 2 c.cm. for the eleventh injection.Shle had no asthma all ihis tile, though previously she was confined to bed every two or three weeks.She has remainied well, except for two slight attacks in about tlhr ee months.In vliew-of the fact that slhe bad tried everythlinlg pre- viouislv with no benefit, this case was very striking, and sho-w'1ed the rapidity with which the peptoned serulmi agar acted J.A mriani, aged 27, was sent to me by Dr. Randall of Wimibledon onl 'November 2$tlh, 1926.He had had asthmua since he was 17.It v, in his family.He went to Shanklin one year and was so bad Lhiat lhe had to leave.Then he went another year and was never lbetter.T'1it is a cuIrious fact.I asked Dr. Randall to give hiin peptone, which he did intramusculaxly, with but little
Heteroplasmy and Evidence for Recombination in the Mitochondrial Control Region of the Flatfish Platichthys flesus
Authors: Galice Hoarau, Suzanne Holla, Rachel Lescasse, Wytze T. Stam, Jeanine L. Olsen
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2002)

The general assumption that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) does not undergo recombination has been challenged recently in invertebrates. Here we present the first direct evidence for recombination in the mtDNA of a vertebrate, the flounder Platichthys flesus. The control region in the mtDNA of this flatfish is characterized by the presence of a variable number of tandem repeats and a high level of heteroplasmy. Two types of repeats were recognized, differing by two C-T point mutations. Most individuals carry a pure "C" or a pure "T" array, but one individual showed a compound "CT" array. Such a compound array is evidence for recombination in the mtDNA control region from the flounder.
Health insurance and gene testing
Authors: Omar A Khan
Journal: The Lancet (1999)

Amo Motulsky (July, suppl I, p 35)1Motulsky AG If I had a gene test, what would I have and who would I tell?.Lancet. 1999; 354: 35-37Summary Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar raises many interesting points on gene testing. One particular point that has been the object of controversy and debate has been the role and confidentiality of genetic testing results, especially with respect to their falling into the hands of health insurers who may ostensibly use them to discriminate against patients with certain conditions. Insurance companies are not our well-wishers; they explicitly enter into a gamble with us, that we will either remain healthy or die before we take advantage of the insurance benefits to be paid out. Further, the amount of benefits paid out are commonly less than the premium collected from the insured (or proxy such as employer). There has never been any intention to make this a public service; if enough people started claiming health benefits, there would be no insurance company. The healthy therefore subsidise the unhealthy. One can understand the desire to keep information either completely or selectively private, so that it cannot be used for discriminatory purposes. However, is the latter case fair? We now have access to information that insurers can use to make their policies less of a gamble. They would know with greater certainty who is predisposed to an illness. The healthier among us would experience a drop in rates, and the unhealthy an increase. We could argue about the rights of those insured, and construct regulatory means to force insurers to keep a certain number of “dead losses” on their beneficiary list, while charging the healthy more than they should. Once again, the healthy subsidise the unhealthy. Genetic testing may well make insurance less of a gamble. Individual governments could set up a quasi-commercial unit, one that works directly with the employer, and provide health insurance for all in exchange for an increase in tax. But aren't the healthy subsidising the unhealthy again? Not at all; this plan would also provide long-term care benefits; and as the population ages, those less prone to disease will be living longer and requiring old-age care. The healthy would claim more long-term care benefits and the unhealthy would claim more acute care benefits. Can insurance companies follow this model? Possibly, but they may need help from the government. Rather than state regulation, let the government provide this service, which employers would be free to choose and would therefore take their business away from commercial insurers. This may provide incentive to the commercial insurers to come up with their own innovations. Some may complain that the government plan has an inherent advantage in that it does not require cost recovery and could run at a loss. However, the government-run US postal service has not put Federal Express and DHL out of business. Although this proposal relies on a state-led catalytic intervention, the principles of the invisible hand of the state will make the overall system a viable one.
Clinical Application of a New Mechanical Lithotripter for Smashing Common Bile Duct Stones
Authors: J.F. Riemann, K. Seuberth, L. Demling
Journal: Endoscopy (1982)

After endoscopic papillotomy, the extraction of large stones is often very difficult. In numerous cases, it proves impossible to remove large concretions using conventional methods. On account of technical problems, electro-hydraulic lithotripsy was unable to fulfill all the hopes placed in it. A possible alternative method is that of mechanical lithotripsy. Initial clinical experience gained in 8 patients with large stones in the common bile duct, has shown that, with the aid of the technically simple procedure, it is possible to extract such large concretions, too.
Improving the Security and Privacy of Implantable Medical Devices
Authors: William H. Maisel, Tadayoshi Kohno
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2010)

In 1982, the threat to the security of the world's drug supply was recognized when seven people died from taking Tylenol that had purposely been contaminated with cyanide. The scare spawned federal laws, regulatory modifications, and a revolution in drug packaging. These interventions greatly secured the billions of pills, capsules, tablets, and liquids that have since been consumed. Today, medical devices, like the drug supply of a generation ago, face a security vulnerability that must be addressed through regulatory and scientific actions.Most people are familiar with common types of computer-security breaches — those caused by computer viruses, Internet hackers, . . .
The independent value of exercise thallium scintigraphy to physicians.
Authors: M Hlatky, E Botvinick, B Brundage
Journal: Circulation (1982)

To determine the effect of exercise myocardial scintigraphy with thallium-201 on diagnostic accuracy and the need for coronary angiography, consecutive patients with a variety of clinical presentations were identified. Clinical summaries, including a detailed history, physical examination, and complete data from a standard treadmill exercise test, were presented to 91 cardiologists. The cardiologists assessed the probability of coronary disease and the need for coronary angiography. They were then presented the results of thallium scintigraphy and revised their assessments if warranted. Scintigraphy significantly increased the cardiologists' diagnostic accuracy beyond that attained with other clinical information (p less than 0.0001). The change in accuracy varied from + 4% to + 20% in different patient groups, and was greatest in patients with atypical angina and a positive exercise ECG. Ratings of the need for coronary angiography changed from -13% to +21% in different patient groups. We conclude that exercise thallium scintigraphy can provide independent diagnostic information and influence the need for coronary angiography.
Circumventing Multidrug Resistance in Cancer by β-Galactoside Binding Protein, an Antiproliferative Cytokine
Authors: Roald Ravatn, Valerie Wells, Leigh Nelson, David Vettori, Livio Mallucci, Khew-Voon Chin
Journal: Cancer Research (2005)

Abstract We report here that β-galactoside binding protein (βGBP), an antiproliferative cytokine which can program cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, exhibits equal therapeutic efficacy against cancer cells that display diverse mechanisms of drug resistance and against their parental cells. The mechanisms of drug resistance in the cancer cells that we have examined include overexpression of P-glycoprotein, increased efficiency of DNA repair, and altered expression and mutation in the topoisomerase I and II enzymes. We also report that βGBP exerted its effect by arresting the cells in S phase prior to the activation of programmed cell death. The uniquely similar profile of response to βGBP by these drug-resistant cells and their parental cells extends the therapeutic potential of this cytokine in the treatment of cancers and offers a promising alternative to patients whose tumors are refractory to the currently available cadre of chemotherapeutic agents.
Topical treatment of basal cell carcinoma with tazarotene: a clinicopathological study on a large series of cases
Authors: L. Bianchi, A. Orlandi, E. Campione, C. Angeloni, A. Costanzo, L.G. Spagnoli, S. Chimenti
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2004)

Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in humans. Medical treatment modalities offer cost reductions and clinical advantages in selected cases such as low‐risk areas, surgically inaccessible sites, patients with multiple neoplasms, and older, infirm or anticoagulated subjects. Tazarotene has been proposed for the treatment of BCC; however, data on its efficacy are lacking. Objectives To investigate the efficacy of tazarotene in a large series of BCCs, better to define the clinical advantages and the mechanisms of action in vivo. Methods Tazarotene 0·1% gel was applied daily for 24 weeks to 154 small superficial and nodular BBCs. Clinicopathological changes were followed during the therapy by dermoscopic and histological examination. Proliferation, retinoic acid receptors and apoptosis were investigated by immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate‐biotin nick‐end labelling on biopsies. Results At 24 weeks of therapy, 70·8% of the BCCs showed > 50% clinical and dermoscopic regression, and 30·5% healed without recurrences after 3 years of follow‐up. At 12 weeks, biopsies showed that regression was associated with reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis of basaliomatous cells. Most unresponsive tumours displayed a keratotic differentiation. Conclusions Tazarotene was effective in the majority of superficial and nodular undifferentiated BCCs treated, possibly by antiproliferative and proapoptotic actions in vivo. Keratotic BCCs were the major type among the unresponsive tumours, and were characterized by overexpression of p53 and cellular retinol binding protein‐1 in comparison with undifferentiated tumours. Topical tazarotene represents an alternative medical choice for selected cases of BCC.
Polyneuritis Caused by Antirabic Vaccination
Authors: P. N. Laha
Journal: BMJ (1957)

a heart murmur at this stage the blood was examined for sulphhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin, with negative results.However, a systolic murmur was again heard at the age of 10 weeks, and soon after a precordial thrill also developed and the.child became increasingly dyspnoeic.E.C.G. was within normal limits except for the presence of slight left axis deviation and a suggestion of left ventri- cular hypertrophy in the precordial leads.Radiological examination of the chest showed some widening of the upper mediastinum with a slightly globular heart shadow.The lung fields were clear.The diarrhoea, which had persisted throughout, now became profuse, and death occurred from uncontrollable dehydration at the age of 13 weeks.At the post-mortem examination a bilocular heart was found with the aorta and pulmonary artery arising in the correct relationship from the common ventricle.The aortic arch was right-sided and the pulmonary artery was hypoplastic.On each side a superior vena cava and two pulmonary veins entered the common auricle.Each lung possessed three lobes.There was a complete absence of spleen and splenic tissue.The stomach was represented by a thick-walled widening of the gut embedded in the liver.The pancreas consisted of a small round mass of tissue. COMMENTIn such cases as this the diagnosis of splenic agenesis might be suspected during life from the unusual blood picture and the presence of cyanotic heart disease.I am indebted to Dr. G. M.