tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Personality and performance during a medical degree
Authors: W. Caan
Journal: BMJ (2003)

Editor—Pit bull terriers and other hard to accommodate fighting dogs can be bred selectively in a remarkably few generations. Across the diversity of human individual differences, neither early evolution nor the social norms of civilisation favoured the selection of many people with extreme personality types. The study of Ferguson et al on admissions to medical school found that the dimension of personality labelled “conscientiousness” predicted better performance during pre-registration studies.1

A degree of conscientiousness, in the right occupational context, can bring advantages to individual performance in many activities.2 However, this does not mean that the medical profession or its patients will necessarily benefit by selecting for ever more and more “conscientious” applicants.

At the extreme, this could mean more and more colleagues who exhibit either an obsessive narrowness in their worldview or a perfectionism that prevents them letting go of work in progress.

Idealising conscientiousness could make for unhappiness in both individuals and the medical profession. In general, higher education and the professions seem to benefit from taking in a rich diversity of people, including some with “ordinary” traits—like those of the public we serve.

There has been at least one natural experiment in this area. Germany's wartime SS “baby farms” in areas such as the Sudetenland selected their prospective parents on three criteria: physical robustness, a pale complexion, and (especially) a sense of duty. Have any of their “dutiful” children since become outstanding doctors?
Epidemiological link between exposure to poultry and all influenza A(H7N9) confirmed cases in Huzhou city, China, March to May 2013
Authors: J Han, M Jin, P Zhang, J Liu, L Wang, D Wen, X Wu, G Liu, Y Zou, X Lv, X Dong, B Shao, S Gu, D Zhou, Q Leng, C Zhang, K Lan
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2013)

We analysed the association between influenza A(H7N9) confirmed cases and exposure to poultry in Huzhou city, China. All cases (n=12) had a history of direct exposure to poultry or live poultry markets. We detected A(H7N9)-positive poultry samples from each site that was epidemiologically associated with cases. None of the cases’ close contacts tested positive. After closure of the markets, no new cases were identified, suggesting an epidemiological link between poultry exposure and A(H7N9) virus infection.
Abstract 5396: The Role of the Myeloid-Related Protein 8/14 Complex in Postischemic Heart Failure
Authors: Christian Volz, Felix Lasitschka, Sebastian N Eichberger, Ziya Kaya, Frank Autschbach, Sven Pleger, Angelika Bierhaus, Andrew Remppis, Hugo A Katus, Martin Andrassy
Journal: Circulation (2008)

The complex formed by two members of the S100 calcium binding protein family, myeloid-related protein complex 8/14 (MRP8/14) exerts pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic activity against various cells. Since enhanced MRP8/14 serum levels have recently been associated with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) this study sought to identify the pathophysiological relevance of MRP8/14 in the development and progression of postischemic heart failure (HF). Here we demonstrate that MRP8/14 acts as an early mediator of inflammation and organ damage in I/R injury of the heart via the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Wildtype (WT) and RAGE −/− mice were subjected to myocardial infarction by transient ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and survival, infarction size, cardiac function and remodeling were analyzed up to 4 weeks. Both cardiac RNA and protein levels of MRP8/14 were already elevated 30 minutes after hypoxia in vitro and in ischemic heart with sustained activation up to 28 after ischemic injury. Treatment of mice with recombinant MRP8/14 resulted in increased infarction sizes (70.5±4.5% vs. 57.0±4.3%, n=10, p&lt;0.001) determined after 7 days and reduced cardiac performance in echocardiography after 28 days following I/R injury (18.4±2.1% vs30.6%±3.6, n=10, p&lt;0.001). Moreover treatment with MRP8/14 resulted in an accelerated transition to HF, rapid onset of remodelling and excessive mortality compared to untreated WT-mice with ischemic injury. Signaling studies in isolated ventricles point to the involvement of the MAP kinases JNK, ERK1/2 as well as the nuclear transcription factor NF-κB in ischemic heart failure. Interestingly, infarct size, markers of tissue damage and remodelling were not affected by administration of MRP8/14 in RAGE −/− mice which demonstrated significantly reduced cardiac tissue damage and improved cardiac recovery compared to WT mice. Our novel proof-of- concept study provides evidence that the sustained activation of S100A8/9 critically contributes to the development of postischemic heart failure via RAGE potentially driving the progressive course of patients with HF.
Phase II induction therapy with docetaxel and carboplatin in NSCLC IIIA/IIIB: FDG-PET response predicts overall and disease free survival
Authors: F. Griesinger, T. Overbeck, H. Dörge, H. Schmidberger, J. Meller, S. Andreas, U. Keppler, J. Schirren, B. Hemmerlein, R. P. Baum
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

7184 Background: Pathologic response after induction therapy (ITx) assessed from surgical specimens as been shown to have a major impact on outcome and to identify potential candidates for cure in locally advanced NSCLC. The non-invasive prediction of pathologic tumor response would represent a major advance in the management allowing risk adapted post-induction therapy. FDG-PET holds the promise to be a non-invasive tool to predict tumor response in NSCLC. Thus, the aim of the study was to correlate metabolic response be FDG-PET with outcome and histologic response in NSCLC IIIA/IIIB after ITx with D/C/Epo. Methods: 60 patients (pts) with pathologically staged or in some cases PET-staged NSCLC IIIA/B were enrolled in the study from 08–99 to 12–02. 56 pts. (median age 62y, 11 IIIA, 49 IIIB, received treatment with D 100 mg/m2 d1 and C AUC 7.5 d2 q21 days for 4 cycles, Epo at 10,000 IU s.c. 3x/week. 24 to 28 days after d 1 of the 4th cycle of ITx, PET scan was repeated and pts were evaluated for surgery. All pts received adjuvant radiotherapy. For each tumor, MTI was calculated (mean tumor diameterxSUV), metabolic response was given as MTI-ratio (MTI-R), i.e. MTI post/MTI pre ITx. Morphometric responses were evaluated independently by two pathologists. Results: 37/60 pts (62%) achieved ORR by CT. 47 pts received a repeat PET. 18 pts were in metabolic (m) CR (MTI-R 15%). The R0 resection rate was 48% (29/60 evaluable pts.). Regression grades III (no vital tumor cells) or IIB (< 10% vital tumor cells and induced apoptosis) have been histologically proven in 14 of 18 patients with metabolic CR. Median OS for all patients is estimated at 22,7 mo, DFS at 19,2 mo with a median follow-up period of 21 and 16 mo, respectively. R0 resection was predictive of superior survival (R0: median survival not reached, R1/2: median survival 14.5 mo, p=0.0054). In the 47 pts receiving repeat PET, 4 year OS is estimated at 68% and 14% (p=0.002) and PFI at 64%% and 9% (p=0.00047) for mCR and m-non-CR pts, respectively. Conclusions: Morphometric tumor response after ITx correlates strongly with metabolic remission by FDG-PET. Metabolic response is a strong non-invasive predictor of PFS and OS in NSCLC III. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Aventis, Janssen-Cilag Aventis, Janssen Cilag Aventis
Atopic dermatitis is associated with an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and a decreased risk for type 1 diabetes
Authors: Jochen Schmitt, Kristin Schwarz, Hansjörg Baurecht, Melanie Hotze, Regina Fölster-Holst, Elke Rodríguez, Young A.E. Lee, Andre Franke, Frauke Degenhardt, Wolfgang Lieb, Christian Gieger, Michael Kabesch, Markus M. Nöthen, Alan D. Irvine, W.H. Irwin McLean, Stefanie Deckert, Victoria Stephan, Peter Schwarz, Martin Aringer, Natalija Novak, Stephan Weidinger
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2015)
Nosocomial and non-nosocomial Clostridium difficile infections in hospitalised patients in Belgium - compulsory surveillance data from 2008 to 2010
Authors: N Viseur, M L Lambert, M Delmée, J Van Broeck, B Catry
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2011)

Surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is compulsory in Belgian hospitals. Our objectives were to compare incidence and case characteristics of nosocomial infections (Nc-CDI) with onset of diarrhoea more than two days after hospital admission, with non-nosocomial cases (Nnc-CDI). The database included inpatients from 2008 to 2010. Of 8,351 cases reported by 150 hospitals, 3,102 (37%) were classified as Nnc-CDI and 5,249 (63%) as Nc-CDI. In 2010, the mean incidence per 1,000 admissions was 0.95 for Nc-CDI and 0.56 for Nnc-CDI. Both incidences were relatively stable over the three years, with a slight decrease in 2010 (p<0.01). Onset of symptoms in Nnc- CDI cases took place in the community (57.1%), nursing homes (14.2%) or hospitals (17.5%); data for 11.2%were missing. Nnc-CDI cases were younger than Nc-CDI (median age 75 vs. 79 years, p<0.001), and more likely to be women (62% vs. 57%, p<0.001) and to have pseudomembranous colitis (5.3% vs. 1.6%, p<0.001). In 2009, C. difficile ribotype 027 was found in 32 of 70 reporting hospitals compared with 19 of 69 in 2010 (p<0.03). Although our study population only included hospitalised patients, the results do not support the hypothesis of an increase in the incidence of severe community-associated CDI.
Prognostic Value and Kinetics of Soluble Neprilysin in Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Antoni Bayés-Genís, Jaume Barallat, Domingo Pascual-Figal, Julio Nuñez, Gema Miñana, Jesús Sánchez-Mas, Amparo Galan, Juan Sanchis, Elisabet Zamora, María Teresa Pérez-Martínez, Josep Lupón
Journal: JACC Heart Failure (2015)
Abstract P35: Real-time Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography in Rat: Infusion vs. Bolus Administration
Authors: Hai Li Su, Yun Qiu Qian, Zhang Rui Wei, Jian Guo He, Guo Quan Li, Jun Zhang, Xiao Dong Zhou, Jing Wang
Journal: Circulation (2008)

AIM: To compare the feasibility of real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) in rats with infusion and bolus administration of BR1. Methods: RTMCE was performed in 12 Sprague-Dawley rats using B-mode RTMCE following the BR1 infusion or bolus injection. The myocardium signal intensity (SI) was plotted against time and was fitted to exponential functions. The plateau SI (A) and rate of SI increase (â) for the infusion study and peak signal intensity (PSI) for the bolus study were obtained. 99m Tc-Sestamibi and Evans blue were used to assess myocardial blood perfusion and to calculate the myocardium perfusion defect area ex vivo . Results: High-quality RTMCE images were successfully obtained using each method. At baseline, all LV segments showed even contrast distribution (Figure A ). Following left anterior descending (LAD) aorta ligation, significant perfusion defect was observed in LAD beds (Figure B , arrows) with a significantly decreased A*â and PSI values compared to LCx beds (Infusion: A* â LAD : 5.42 ± 1.57dB, A* â LCx : 46.52 ± 5.32dB, p± 0.05; Bolus: PSI LAD : 2.11 ± 0.67dB, PSI LCx : 20.68 ± 0.72 dB, p&lt;0.05), which was consistent with 99m Tc-Sestamibi distribution findings. Myocardial perfusion defect areas assessed by both methods showed no differences and showed good correlation with Evans blue staining. ED frames were more favorable for imaging analysis. Conclusions: Both infusion and bolus administration of the contrast agent combined with RTMCE technique can provide a reliable and non-invasive approaches for myocardial perfusion assessment in rats, and the infusion method was more suitable for quantitative analysis of myocardial blood flow.
Prevention of Disease Progression by Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients With Asymptomatic or Mildly Symptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Claude Daubert, Michael R. Gold, William T. Abraham, Stefano Ghio, Christian Hassager, Grahame Goode, Tamás Szili-Török, Cecilia Linde
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2009)
Magnificus in distress
Authors: George Dunea
Journal: BMJ (2000)

When Professor Magnificus does ward rounds followed by his extensive retinue, everybody admires his exquisite bedside manner. If he detects a murmur that nobody has heard, or feels a spleen that nobody has felt, the students think that he is the very incarnation of Sir William Osler. Brilliant are the comments that he makes after each case presentation, as he draws from his extensive clinical experience and brings in relevant or irrelevant facts …
Abstract 1568: Mef2c Downstream Targets Direct Cardiac Morphogenesis
Authors: Shuaib Latif, Elizabeth Keohane, Anwarul Ferdous, Eric N Olson, Daniel J Garry
Journal: Circulation (2006)

Mef 2c is an essential MADS-box transcriptional regulator that directs cardiac morphogenesis. Embryos lacking Mef2c are nonviable and have perturbed cardiac morphogenesis. While gene disruption str...
Abstract 5807: First Demonstration that Coronary CT Angiography Reveals Coronary Arterial Vessel Wall Thickening in Patients with Intermediate and High Framingham Risk Score
Authors: Sarah Rinehart, Idean Marvasty, Hunt Anderson, Szilard Voros
Journal: Circulation (2008)

Introduction. Early atherosclerosis is characterized by vessel-wall thickening with preserved lumen size. Contrast-enhanced coronary artery computed tomography (CTA) has been validated for stenosis detection and characterization of atherosclerotic plaques but vessel wall thickening in patients with high Framingham risk score (FRS) has not been shown. We hypothesized that increased mean percent vessel wall area (PVWA) and remodeling index (RI) reflect early vessel wall thickening in subjects with higher FRS, with preservation of luminal size. Methods. We assessed 25 patients with coronary CTA using a validated, highly standardized approach on a commercial post processing workstation (Vitrea; SurePlaque 4.0). FRS was calculated by standard criteria. We evaluated 153 segments in patients with low FRS (&lt;10%) and 35 segments in patients with intermediate-high FRS (&gt;10%). Mean minimal lumen diameter (MLD), minimal lumen area (MLA), remodeling index (RI), and PVWA were compared with unpaired t-test in patients with low versus &gt;10% FRS. Mean PVWA was calculated as follows: (total vessel area-lumen area)/total vessel area. p-value &lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results. In all patients, mean FRS was 7%; 20 patients had FRS&lt;10% and 5 had FRS&gt;10%. PVWA and RI were significantly higher in the intermediate-high FRS group compared to low FRS (0.46±0.07 vs 0.42±0.07; p=0.04 and 0.97±0.15 vs 0.92±0.13; p=0.004, respectively), while MLD/MLA were similar (Figure 1 ). Conclusions. This is the first demonstration that coronary CTA can detect vessel wall thickening with preserved lumen size in patients with FRS&gt;10%. Figure 1. Cross sectional image demonstrating normal wall thickness (A). Cross sectional image demonstrating increased wall thickness (B). Bar graph demonstrating significant difference in PVWA between low and intermediate-high Framingham risk groups (C). Bar graph demonstrating significant difference in RI between low and intermediate-high Framingham risk groups (D).
Abstract 220: Analysis of Actual CPR Through a Review of YouTube Video: Poor Performance Is Common in Professional and Lay Rescuers
Authors: Jenny S Mendelson, Emily Grover, Marc D Berg
Journal: Circulation (2011)

INTRODUCTION: Numerous studies have shown the performance of CPR in both prehospital and hospital settings often fails to meet recommended standards. We sought to analyze the quality of lay rescuer (LR) and professional rescuer (PR) CPR performance in real resuscitation events captured on video on the website YouTube.com. METHODS: We searched YouTube for videos of actual adult CPR recorded by bystanders. Videos which were staged for teaching, commercial use or entertainment were excluded. A convenience sample of 50 videos of CPR (in and out-of-hospital) was analyzed. Demographics and CPR quality parameters were collected. Compression depth was subjectively evaluated as adequate or inadequate (ie. not forceful enough). RESULTS: The 50 videos collected were uploaded between 12/2009 and 2/2011. They ranged from :07 to 9:57 minutes in length. Forty-two of 50 (84%) were of out-of-hospital arrests. CPR was done by LR in 17 and PR in 43. The mean chest compression (CC) rate was 110/m (SD 30, range 49-200) for all rescuers, 101/m (SD 29, range 46-166) for LR and 113/m (SD 28, range 49-200) for PR. In both groups, 40% of CC were slower than the recommended rate of 100/m. Inadequate release or leaning was seen in 66% of the time overall (11/17 (65%) of LR and 23/43 (53%) of PR). CC depth was adequate in 18/50 (36%) for both groups (3/17 for LR and 17/43 for PR). Depth was inadequate in 31/50 (62%) for both groups (14/17 for LR and 25/43 for PR). Compression depth adequacy was indeterminate in 1 video where the chest could not be seen. The mean time for rescue breath delivery was 7.8s (SD 4.4, range 3.4-25) overall, 6.3s (SD 3.1) for LR, 14.7s (SD 5.2) for PR. For PR, the mean ventilation rate by BVM alone or after intubation was 31/m (SD 17, range 3-66). 88% of ventilations were faster than the recommended 8-10/m. CONCLUSIONS: In actual bystander-recorded CPR, typical measures of CPR quality are often poor. Slow compression rates, excessive ventilation and significant periods of ‘leaning’ are common, in lay as well as professional rescuers. Mean CC rate is close to recommended rates, but with a very wide range making overall compliance poor. Poor compression depth was more common in LR CPR.
Abstract 20626: The Fastest Progression of Carotid Intima Media Thickness is Associated with Increased Vascular Events in the IMPROVE Study
Authors: Damiano Baldassarre, Fabrizio Veglia, Elena Tremoli
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Background: Progression of Carotid Intima Media Thickness (IMT) has been proposed as a potential biomarker of cardiovascular risk. However, this association remains controversial and has not been e...
London's mayoral candidates agree over health
Authors: Linda Beecham
Journal: BMJ (2000)

The four candidates who all hope to be elected London's mayor on 4 May might disagree on many topics, but on health they are united: it must be improved.

The mayor and the London assembly will not be responsible for health, but Frank Dobson (Labour), Steven Norris (Conservative), and Susan Kramer (Liberal Democrat) will all appoint a medical officer of health to lead the work.

It is not known what Ken Livingstone (Independent) will do; he arrived an hour and a half after the debate on …
Musicians helped by team approach
Authors: I M James, C B W Parry
Journal: BMJ (1994)

EDITOR, - Peter Brooks's editorial on the recent decision in a British court that repetitive strain injury does not exist as a separate medical condition is important.1 Musicians are prone to aches and pains that are specific to their profession; they may also suffer from the health problems to which everyone is prone. If these problems are not recognised and tackled quickly the resultant inability to work for even quite short periods may lead to the loss of a career. The epidemic of repetitive strain injury …
Abstract 11379: Supervised Exercise Training Has No Effect on Inflammation and Platelet Activation in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Oliver Schlager, Aura Giurgea, Othmar Schuhfried, Daniela Seidinger, Michael E Gschwandtner, Veronika Fialka-Moser, Renate Koppensteiner, Sabine Steiner
Journal: Circulation (2011)

BACKGROUND. Supervised exercise training (SET) improves walking capacity in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Various mechanisms were postulated, by which SET might exert its benefic...
Delayed Engraftment of Nonobese Diabetic/Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mice Transplanted With Ex Vivo–Expanded Human CD34+ Cord Blood Cells
Authors: G. Güenechea, J.C. Segovia, B. Albella, M. Lamana, M. Ramı́rez, C. Regidor, M.N. Fernández, J.A. Bueren
Journal: Blood (1999)
Long-term follow-up of minimal residual disease in leukemia patients by monitoring WT1 (Wilms tumor gene) expression levels
Authors: K Inoue, H Ogawa, T Yamagami, T Soma, Y Tani, T Tatekawa, Y Oji, H Tamaki, T Kyo, H Dohy, A Hiraoka, T Masaoka, T Kishimoto, H Sugiyama
Journal: Blood (1996)
Treating type 2 diabetes
Authors: K M V. Narayan, G. L A Beckles, E. W Gregg, D. F Williamson, J Saaddine, M. M Engelgau, F. Vinicor, E. H Christiansen, S. M Groetsch, J. T LaVan, J. W Epling, J. Richards, R. Turner, R. Holman
Journal: BMJ (1999)

Carriage of meningococci in contacts of patients with meningococcal disease"Kissing contacts" need to be defined Editor-In their study Kristiansen et al show high carriage rates of pathogenic strains of Neisseria menigitidis in household and kissing contacts of patients with invasive meningococcal disease. 1 While it is easy to define a household contact it may be more difficult to define a kissing contact.There are many types of kiss, ranging from a "peck on the cheek" to much more!In some cultures kissing is as common as shaking hands.In such situations widespread chemoprophylaxis to "kissing contacts" may not be appropriate.It would be valuable to know whether Kristiansen et al placed any restrictions on who was defined as a kissing contact.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony in Patients With Conduction Delay and Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Jos J.M. Westenberg, Hildo J. Lamb, Rob J. van der Geest, Gabe B. Bleeker, Eduard R. Holman, Martin J. Schalij, Albert de Roos, Ernst E. van der Wall, Johan H.C. Reiber, Jeroen J. Bax
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2006)
Use and Outcomes of Triple Therapy Among Older Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Connie N. Hess, Eric D. Peterson, S. Andrew Peng, James A. de Lemos, Emil L. Fosbol, Laine Thomas, Deepak L. Bhatt, Jorge F. Saucedo, Tracy Y. Wang
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
Frontline Intensive Chemotherapy Brings Survival Benefit In Young, Risky Patients With Follicular Lymphoma: Pair-Matched Analysis From The Czech Lymphoma Study Group (CLSG) Database
Authors: Vit Prochazka, Marek Trneny, Andrea Janikova, David Belada, Tomas Kozak, Tomas Papajik, Vit Campr, David Salek, Robert Pytlik, Alice Sykorova, Milada Jankovska, Jitka Dlouha
Journal: Blood (2013)
Case report: Tick-borne encephalitis in two Dutch travellers returning from Austria, Netherlands, July and August 2011
Authors: C Reusken, J Reimerink, C Verduin, L Sabbe, N Cleton, M Koopmans
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2011)

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is not endemic in the Netherlands and diagnostics are seldom requested. Here, we report about the rare event of TBE in two Dutch travellers returning from Austria in July and August 2011. This report serves to create awareness among physicians to consider travel-related TBE in their differential diagnosis of patients with neurological disease returning from TBE virus endemic regions and to promote awareness among professionals advising travellers.