tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Severe Thyrotoxicosis Caused by an Ectopic Intrathoracic Goiter
Authors: LEON FOGELFELD, URI RUBINSTEIN, JACK BAR-ON, DAN FEIGL
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1986)

The case of a 71-year-old woman with severe thyrotoxicosis due to an ectopic multinodular intrathoracic goiter is described. Previously reported cases with intrathoracic ectopic thyroid tissue were either nontoxic, or, if thyrotoxic, were a direct continuation of the tissue of the normally located gland. This mass was proved to be of thyroid origin using Tc-99m sodium pertechnetate scanning.
Skin ulcers in systemic sclerosis: Determinants of presence and predictive factors of healing
Authors: Stefano Alivernini, Maria De Santis, Barbara Tolusso, Alice Mannocci, Silvia Laura Bosello, Giusy Peluso, Michela Pinnelli, Graziella D'Antona, Giuseppe LaTorre, Gianfranco Ferraccioli
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2009)
Aspirin Improves Endothelial Dysfunction in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Syed Husain, Neil P. Andrews, David Mulcahy, Julio A. Panza, Arshed A. Quyyumi
Journal: Circulation (1998)

Background —The beneficial effects of aspirin in atherosclerosis are generally attributed to its antiplatelet activities, but its influence on endothelial function remains uncertain. We hypothesized that a cyclooxygenase-dependent constricting factor contributes to the endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis and that its action can be reversed by aspirin. Methods and Results —In 14 patients with coronary atherosclerosis and 5 with risk factors, we tested femoral vascular endothelial function with acetylcholine and substance P and endothelium-independent function with sodium nitroprusside before and after intravenous aspirin. Drugs were infused into the femoral artery, and Doppler flow velocity was measured. Acetylcholine-induced but not substance P–or sodium nitroprusside–induced vasodilation was lower in patients with atherosclerosis than in those with only risk factors. Aspirin had no baseline effect but improved acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation only in patients with atherosclerosis; at the peak dose, acetylcholine-mediated femoral vascular resistance index was 19±5%, P =.002 lower. There was a correlation between the baseline response to acetylcholine and the magnitude of improvement with aspirin ( r =.5, P =.05). Thus, patients with a depressed response to acetylcholine had greater improvement with aspirin, and vice versa. The presence of atherosclerosis was an independent determinant of improvement with aspirin. Aspirin had no effect on the responses to either substance P or sodium nitroprusside. Conclusions —Cyclooxygenase-dependent, endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor release modulates acetylcholine-induced peripheral vasodilation in patients with atherosclerosis. Improvement of endothelial dysfunction with aspirin may improve vasodilation, reduce thrombosis, and inhibit progression of atherosclerosis and provides a pathophysiological basis for the beneficial effects of aspirin in atherosclerosis.
Evaluation of Residual Functional Lung Volume on Tc-99m DTPA Aerosol Ventilation and Tc-99m MAA Perfusion Scintigraphy in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (Kartagener Syndrome)
Authors: Yu-Wen Chen, Chin-Chuan Chang, Yung-Chuang Lai, Chia-Ying Lu, Zen-Kong Dai
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2008)

Kartagener syndrome is diagnosed as sinusitis, bronchitis (bronchiectasis), and situs inversus by the clinical features. It is a subclass of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) disease. A 12-year-old girl who had frequent upper and lower airway infections since birth, which was confirmed as Kartagener syndrome by HRCT imaging. We present the residual functional lung volume and mucociliary clearance findings seen on Tc-99m DTPA aerosol ventilation and Tc-99m MAA perfusion scintigraphy.
Unbalanced translocation (1;7) in childhood myelodysplasia
Authors: D. E. Horsman, B. G. Massing, K. W. Chan, D. K. Kalousek
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1988)

Abstract We have identified an unusual pediatric patient among twelve patients with myelodysplasia and an unbalanced translocation involving chromosomes 1 and 7: −7, + der(1)t(1;7)(p11; p11). This 16‐year‐old male patient developed myelodysplasia and evolving acute leukemia, which were preceded by a 7‐year history of marrow hypoplasia. The remaining patients were adults with clinical and hematologic findings similar to other reported cases with this chromosomal abnormality. The late appearance of this unbalanced clonal abnormality in this patient with marrow hypoplasia documents the importance of close cytogenetic follow‐up of all patients with suspected bone marrow injury.
Natural course of penicillamine nephropathy: a long term study of 33 patients
Authors: C L Hall, S Jawad, P R Harrison, J C MacKenzie, P A Bacon, P T Klouda, A G MacIver
Journal: BMJ (1988)

To elucidate the natural course of the nephropathy associated with penicillamine and thereby facilitate its clinical management 33 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who developed proteinuria during treatment with oral penicillamine were studied in detail throughout their renal illness. Renal biopsies were performed, and creatinine clearance and proteinuria were measured serially for 74 months (range 16-148 months). Fourteen patients developed proteinuria within six months after the start of treatment and 27 within 12 months. When treatment was stopped the proteinuria reached a median peak of 4.2 g/24 h (range 0.3-15.0 g/24 h) at one month (range 0-7 months) before resolving spontaneously by six months (12 patients), 12 months (21), or 18 months (29). In all patients but one, who developed carcinoma of the renal pelvis, proteinuria resolved by 21 months and its median duration was eight months. The median first and last measurements of creatinine clearance showed no appreciable change (80 ml/min and 78 ml/min), and no patient died from or needed treatment for renal failure. The HLA-B8 or HLA-DR3 alloantigen, or both, were identified in 10 patients. Renal biopsy specimens showed membranous glomerulonephritis in 29 patients, minimal change nephropathy in two, and electron dense deposits in the mesangial regions in two. In all the patients whose nephropathy was due solely to treatment with penicillamine the proteinuria resolved completely when the drug was withdrawn; renal function did not deteriorate, and corticosteroids were unnecessary.
CROSS INFECTION WITH TYPE I PNEUMOCOCCUS
Authors: SYDNEY S. GELLIS
Journal: JAMA (1941)

That pneumococcic pneumonia is a contagious disease and that isolation procedures are necessary in the care of patients suffering from it have been emphasized by certain clinicians.<sup>1</sup>Smillie and Leeder<sup>2</sup>observed that 2 per cent of patients in contact with patients with pneumonia contracted pneumonia. In the report by Benjamin, Ruegsegger and Senior<sup>3</sup>it was stated that 13 cases of pneumococcic pneumonia which were obviously due to cross infection occurred in the years 1936 and 1937 at the Cincinnati General Hospital and that during the following winter when isolation technic was enforced only two such instances of cross infection occurred. Smillie<sup>4</sup>has shown that type I pneumococcus is twenty times more prevalent in persons exposed to this strain than in the population at large. He stated, furthermore, that economic status and overcrowding play no role in increasing the number of positive contacts. The study of Benjamin,
Plans of the main political parties for the NHS
Authors: N. Edwards
Journal: BMJ (2015)

What they deliver is likely to be substantially more painful

The 2010 election failed to tease out where the parties stood on the NHS, which led to some unpleasant surprises. This time the parties have been telling their story in more detail. As it is likely that the result of the election will be a coalition or minority government, what is implemented may be quite different from what is advertised. Nonetheless, the manifestos do set the starting position for any negotiation.1 2 3

On spending, both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have committed to meeting the £8bn (€11bn; $12bn) real terms increase that NHS England’s Five Year Forward View implies is the minimum needed to meet rising demand and costs over the next five years, assuming huge efficiency savings.4 However, the Liberal Democrat promise would not materialise until half way through the parliament, and there is uncertainty about when the full Conservative pledge would come on-stream. Labour has, so far, not matched this— perhaps because of its desire to appear fiscally prudent. It does identify £2.5bn to fund additional staff, but how credible this is in the absence …
Phosphoinositide-Phospholipase C β1 Mono-Allelic Deletion Is Associated With Myelodysplastic Syndromes Evolution Into Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Matilde Y. Follo, Carlo Finelli, Cristina Clissa, Sara Mongiorgi, Costanza Bosi, Giovanni Martinelli, Michele Baccarani, Lucia Manzoli, Alberto M. Martelli, Lucio Cocco
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

To evaluate the association between the presence of phosphoinositide-phospholipase C beta1 (PI-PLCbeta1) mono-allelic deletion with the clinical outcome of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients.PI-PLCbeta1, PI-PLCbeta4, and PI-PLCgamma1 cytogenetic investigations were performed on 80 newly diagnosed MDS patients (18 low risk, 26 intermediate 1, 18 intermediate 2, 18 high risk) comparing the results with the clinical outcome of the patients. Moreover, fluorescent in situ hybridization results were validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Finally, PI-PLCbeta1 gene and protein expression were assessed by both real-time PCR and immunocytochemical experiments.Collectively, 35 (43.75%) of 80 of the MDS patients showed a specific mono-allelic deletion of PI-PLCbeta1. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant association (P < .0001) between the PI-PLCbeta1 mono-allelic deletion and a higher risk of evolution into acute myeloid leukemia (AML), since 23 of 35 MDS patients (65.7%) bearing the PI-PLCbeta1 mono-allelic deletion evolved into AML. Even in multivariate analysis, the PI-PLCbeta1 mono-allelic deletion retained a higher significance, with a P < .001, as a prognostic factor of evolution into AML (odds ratio [OR] 1.83; 95% CI, 2.26 to 17.24; P = .00045). Finally, PI-PLCbeta1 deletion was related to an altered gene and protein expression.PI-PLCbeta1 mono-allelic deletion is associated with a worse clinical outcome in MDS patients, hinting at the identification of a new group at higher risk of AML evolution and representing a reliable prognostic tool. Moreover, targeting PI-PLCbeta1 pathways might emerge as a new therapeutic strategy for MDS.
Analgesic Effect of the Synthetic Cannabinoid CT-3 on Chronic Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Matthias Karst, Kahlid Salim, Sumner Burstein, Ingomar Conrad, Ludwig Hoy, Udo Schneider
Journal: JAMA (2003)

1',1'dimethylheptyl-Delta8-tetrahydrocannabinol-11-oic acid (CT-3), a potent analog of THC-11-oic acid, produces marked antiallodynic and analgesic effects in animals without evoking the typical effects described in models of cannabinoids. Therefore, CT-3 may be an effective analgesic for poorly controlled resistant neuropathic pain.To examine the analgesic efficacy and safety of CT-3 in chronic neuropathic pain in humans.Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial conducted in Germany from May-September 2002.Twenty-one patients (8 women and 13 men) aged 29 to 65 years (mean, 51 years) who had a clinical presentation and examination consistent with chronic neuropathic pain (for at least 6 months) with hyperalgesia (n = 21) and allodynia (n = 7).Patients were randomized to two 7-day treatment orders in a crossover design. Two daily doses of CT-3 (four 10-mg capsules per day) or identical placebo capsules were given during the first 4 days and 8 capsules per day were given in 2 daily doses in the following 3 days. After a washout and baseline period of 1 week each, patients crossed over to the second 7-day treatment period.Visual analog scale (VAS) and verbal rating scale scores for pain; vital sign, hematologic and blood chemistry, and electrocardiogram measurements; scores on the Trail-Making Test and the Addiction Research Center Inventory-Marijuana scale; and adverse effects.The mean differences over time for the VAS values in the CT-3-placebo sequence measured 3 hours after intake of study drug differed significantly from those in the placebo-CT-3 sequence (mean [SD], -11.54 [14.16] vs 9.86 [21.43]; P =.02). Eight hours after intake of the drug, the pain scale differences between groups were less marked. No dose response was observed. Adverse effects, mainly transient dry mouth and tiredness, were reported significantly more often during CT-3 treatment (mean [SD] difference, -0.67 [0.50] for CT-3-placebo sequence vs 0.10 [0.74] for placebo-CT-3 sequence; P =.02). There were no significant differences with respect to vital signs, blood tests, electrocardiogram, Trail-Making Test, and Addiction Research Center Inventory-Marijuana scale. No carryover or period effects were observed except on the Trail-Making Test.In this preliminary study, CT-3 was effective in reducing chronic neuropathic pain compared with placebo. No major adverse effects were observed.
Effect of cholecystokinin and the octapeptide of cholecystokinin on the feline sphincter of Oddi and gallbladder. Mechanisms of action.
Authors: J Behar, P Biancani
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1980)

We studied the effect of cholecystokinin (CCK) and the octapeptide of cholecystokinin (OP-CCK) on the feline gallbladder and sphinecter of Oddi. Both CCK caused a dose-dependent gallbladder contraction and sphincter of Oddi relaxation. The half-maximal responses of the sphincter of Oddi were 6 ng/kg for OP-CCK and 0.15 Ivy-dog U/kg for CCK, which were lower than those of the gallbladder with 28 ng/kg and 0.32 Ivy-dog U/kg, respectively. The effect of OP-CCK on the gallbladder was partially blocked by tetrodotoxin (P < 0.02), hexamethonium alone (P < 0.05), or a combination of hexamethonium and atropine (P < 0.01). The gallbladder response to CCK was not blocked by either atropine alone (P < 0.60) or adrenergic antagonists (P > 0.40). The sphincter of Oddi response to OP-CCK was blocked by tetrodotoxin (P < 0.001) but it was not blocked by cholinergic (P < 0.20) or adrenergic antagonists (P < 0.60). After complete denervation with tetrodotoxin, OP-CCK caused sphincter of Oddi contraction. These findings indicate that there are two excitatory receptors for CCK in the gallbladder, one at the cholinergic neurons and the other at the level of the gallbladder muscle. There are also two receptors for CCK in the sphincter of Oddi, one that is inhibitory, and present at the noncholinergic, nonadrenergic neurons, and the other, excitatory, at the circular muscle.
Associations across time: The hippocampus as a temporary memory store
Authors: J. N. P. Rawlins
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (1985)

Abstract All recent memory theories of hippocampal function have incorporated the idea that the hippocampus is required to process items only of some qualitatively specifiahle kind, and is not required to process items of some complementary set. In contrast, it is now proposed that the hippocampus is needed to process stimuli of all kinds, but only when there is a need to associate those stimuli with other events that are temporally discontiguous. In order to form or use temporally discontiguous associations, it is essential to maintain some memory of the first component until the second component has occurred. When the temporal gap to he spanned is small, and the number of items to be temporarily retained is low, a limited-capacity, short-term store is sufficient to allow associations to be formed. Such a store is presumed to operate in parallel with the hippocampus in normal animals. Hippocampal damage disrupts a much higher-capacity store that has a slower decay rate, and so leaves animals with only a very limited ability to form temporally discontiguous associations. Hippocampal damage, however, is not held to affect the long-term storage of associations of any kind, if they can be formed. Analyses of both new and existing data are presented to show that by classifying tasks in terms of the need to use a temporary memory store to retain temporally discontiguous information one can cut right across existing classifications as well as achieve a better fit to the data. The hippocampus thus seems best described as a high-capacity, intermediate-term memory store.
Complex mixtures of air pollutants: characterizing the cancer risk of polycyclic organic matter.
Authors: J Lewtas
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1993)

Complex mixtures of polycyclic organic matter (POM) are used to illustrate the scientific problems and issues associated with characterizing the comparative risk of related complex mixtures. The complexity of mixtures in which the active components are not well characterized present special challenges, which include identifying the critical components of mixtures, their sources, and the appropriate biomarker(s) of exposure and dose; developing the appropriate experimental models for dose-response assessment; species extrapolation; and developing a scientific basis for predicting from one mixture to another. Strategies for addressing these issues include bioassay-directed chemical characterization of bioactive components of complex mixtures, apportionment methods to determine the source of biological activity and risk, DNA adduct methods to determine tissue exposure and target dose of mixtures, and comparative approaches to determining the relative similarity, potency, and risk of complex mixtures. Epidemiological data are available for humans exposed to POM from coke ovens, coal roofing tar, coal smoke, aluminum smelters, and cigarette smoke. These emissions are characterized and compared to POM from automotive emissions (diesel and gasoline), woodstove emissions, residential oil furnace emissions, and ambient air particles. The tumor potency and estimated cancer risks for these POM mixtures ranges over nearly three orders of magnitude.
GW25-e1584 COL4A1 gene polymorphism is related to arterial pulse wave velocity in healthy Han Chinese subjects
Authors: Dilare Adi, Xang Xie, Yang Xiang, Yi-Ning Yang, Zhen-Yan Fu, Xiao-Mei Li, Xiang Ma, Fen Liu, Bang-Dang Chen, Ying Huang, Yi-Tong Ma
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2014)
A Method of Self-Directed Learning in Continuing Medical Education with Implications for Recertification
Authors: PHIL R. MANNING
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1987)

A method of self-directed learning for physicians that can be used to satisfy a portion of specialty board recertification requirements integrates contract learning (self-formulated learning plans), information brokering (linking physicians with consultants and community resources), and collegial networking (discussion groups). The method encourages physicians to focus on educational objectives, supplies learning resources, and promotes interactions with colleagues in study groups. Fifty-nine (53%) of the 102 learning goals update physicians' knowledge. Print sources and discussions with experts were the commonest resources used. Forty-five (49%) of 91 participants completed their learning plans. Forty-nine (74%) completed projects were judged successful in achieving their goals. Twenty-five (45%) of 56 physicians responding to a questionnaire stated that the method was superior to traditional continuing medical education. Fifty-two percent of the participants found the method as effective as traditional continuing medical education. Proof of accomplishment allows the method to be used as part of a specialty board recertification process.
Rotavirus vaccine: a welcome addition to the immunisation schedule in the UK
Authors: M. Iturriza-Gomara, N. Cunliffe
Journal: BMJ (2013)

Change in policy promises substantial benefits 

In November 2012, the Department of Health announced that rotavirus vaccine will be introduced into the United Kingdom’s childhood immunisation programme (www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/11/rotavirus). The live, attenuated, two dose, oral monovalent vaccine (Rotarix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) will be given with other routine vaccines to children by the age of 4 months. Clinical trials in Europe and the Americas with both currently licensed rotavirus vaccines (Rotarix and a pentavalent vaccine Rotateq developed by Merck) led to a recommendation by the World Health Organization in 2006 to vaccinate children in these regions. Subsequent trials in Africa and Asia led to an extension of the recommendation to include all children worldwide.1 The Department of Health’s joint committee on vaccination and immunisation recognised as early as 2008 that rotavirus vaccination would reduce the burden of rotavirus disease in the UK population. However, at that time, the cost effectiveness analysis indicated that at market prices universal vaccination of UK infants significantly exceeded the accepted threshold for intervention,2 and that universal rotavirus vaccination would become cost effective only if vaccine prices were reduced. Economic aspects remain a barrier to vaccine introduction in western Europe, with only Austria, Belgium, Finland, and Luxemburg having rolled out universal programmes. Currently, more …
Uncanny Animals: Thinking Differently About Ethics and the Animal–Human Relationship
Authors: Rob Irvine, Chris Degeling, Ian Kerridge
Journal: The American Journal of Bioethics (2012)

Maintaining the attention to bodily difference human and animal ontology has long been constructed on rigid physical characterizations seemingly untouched by culture. In “Reframing the Ethical Issues in Part-Human Animal Research,” Haber and Benham (2012) call into question most of the formal elements of essentialism that an earlier mode of thought took for granted. Two views on the nature of human and interspecies animal bodies are in contention here. The first offers an argument grounded in the essential developmental properties of human and animal material and biological systems such that giving life to “animals with human derived material,” exemplified by animal–human hybrids and chimeras, effaces physical distinctions between animal and human. Dualism is invoked as an interpretive aid, structuring thought and shaping understanding. Against nonhuman animals, human life, in all its stages and forms, uniquely requires some fundamental form of moral consideration. Because of this presumptive obligation, an “inexorable moral confusion” is an inevitable by-product of scientific change, since fixed constructions of animal and human bodies as unified and separate wholes are lost in any clear-cut sense (Robert and Baylis 2003). The uncanniness of animals with human parts is not, therefore, simply a product of the tension between the familiarity and foreignness of their appearance and nature. Rather, their very existence disrupts a priori assumptions about how the world is and ought to be ordered; belief systems that are central to understandings of what it means to be human and humanity's sense of distinctiveness...
Iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine images reflect intense myocardial adrenergic nervous activity in congestive heart failure independent of underlying cause
Authors: Yoshihiro Imamura, Hiroshi Ando, Wataru Mitsuoka, Shougo Egashira, Hiroyuki Masaki, Toshiaki Ashihara, Takaya Fukuyama
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1995)