tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Human infections associated with wild birds
Authors: Sotirios Tsiodras, Theodoros Kelesidis, Iosif Kelesidis, Ulf Bauchinger, Matthew E. Falagas
Journal: Journal of Infection (2007)

IntroductionWild birds and especially migratory species can become long-distance vectors for a wide range of microorganisms. The objective of the current paper is to summarize available literature on pathogens causing human disease that have been associated with wild bird species.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed to identify specific pathogens known to be associated with wild and migratory birds. The evidence for direct transmission of an avian borne pathogen to a human was assessed. Transmission to humans was classified as direct if there is published evidence for such transmission from the avian species to a person or indirect if the transmission requires a vector other than the avian species.ResultsSeveral wild and migratory birds serve as reservoirs and/or mechanical vectors (simply carrying a pathogen or dispersing infected arthropod vectors) for numerous infectious agents. An association with transmission from birds to humans was identified for 10 pathogens. Wild birds including migratory species may play a significant role in the epidemiology of influenza A virus, arboviruses such as West Nile virus and enteric bacterial pathogens. Nevertheless only one case of direct transmission from wild birds to humans was found.ConclusionThe available evidence suggests wild birds play a limited role in human infectious diseases. Direct transmission of an infectious agent from wild birds to humans is rarely identified. Potential factors and mechanisms involved in the transmission of infectious agents from birds to humans need further elucidation.
Erythroid progenitors differentiate and mature in response to endogenous erythropoietin
Authors: Takeshi Sato, Taira Maekawa, Sumiko Watanabe, Kohichiro Tsuji, Tatsutoshi Nakahata
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2000)

We reported previously that stimulation of glycoprotein 130 (gp130) by a combination of human IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) could support proliferation, differentiation, and terminal maturation of erythroid cells in the absence of erythropoietin (EPO) from human CD34+ cells in culture with stem cell factor (SCF). This observation suggested that differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells to erythroid cells progressed according to an intrinsic program and that EPO receptor (EPOR) could be replaced by other cytokine receptors. In other words, EPOR appeared to be dispensable for erythropoiesis. Here we examined the role of EPOR in erythropoiesis stimulated by SCF, sIL-6R, and IL-6. Surprisingly, reduction of EPOR expression using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides suppressed erythropoiesis stimulated not only by SCF and EPO, but also by SCF, sIL-6R, and IL-6. EPO mRNA was detected in erythroid cells but not myeloid cells cultured in the presence of SCF, sIL-6R, and IL-6. Furthermore, high concentrations of anti–EPO-neutralizing antibody abrogated erythropoiesis in cultures without exogenous EPO. Based on these results, we suggest that erythroid progenitors themselves secrete EPO and that they have the potential to differentiate and mature in response to this endogenous EPO.
Impact of Membership in an Enrolled, Prepaid Population on Utilization of Health Services in a Group Practice
Authors: Joel H. Broida, Monroe Lerner, Francis N. Lohrenz, Frederick J. Wenzel
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1975)

Members of prepaid group-practice medical-care plans are believed to use more ambulatory, but fewer inpatient, services than populations served by fee-for-service practitioners. It is not known whether these differences are attributable to the prepayment aspects of the plan or to other circumstances. We studied the impact on use of services of only one factor-prepayment at the Marshfield Clinic, Wisconsin--with all other factors, including group practice, held constant. The findings were derived from the experience one year before, and two years after, the initiation of the prepaid program. Results showed that prepayment alone resulted in significant increases in both inpatient and ambulatory care (about 100 per cent in ambulatory-care visits, 75 per cent in hospital discharges, and 60 per cent in hospital days). These increases were far greater than comparable increases in the fee-for-service population served by the Clinic.
Micafungin (FK463), alone or in combination with other systemic antifungal agents, for the treatment of acute invasive aspergillosis
Authors: David W. Denning, Kieren A. Marr, Wendi M. Lau, David P. Facklam, Voravit Ratanatharathorn, Cornelia Becker, Andrew J. Ullmann, Nita L. Seibel, Patricia M. Flynn, Jo-Anne H. van Burik, Donald N. Buell, Thomas F. Patterson
Journal: Journal of Infection (2006)

BackgroundMicafungin (FK463) is a new lipopeptide compound (echinocandin) with activity against Aspergillus and Candida species. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of micafungin in patients with proven or probable invasive aspergillosis (IA).MethodsA multinational, non-comparative study was conducted to examine proven or probable (pulmonary only) Aspergillus species infection in a wide variety of patient populations. The study employed an open-label design utilizing micafungin alone or in combination with another systemic antifungal agent. Criteria for IA and therapeutic responses were judged by an independent panel.ResultsOf the 331 patients enrolled, only 225 met diagnostic criteria for IA as determined by the independent panel and received at least one dose of micafungin. Patients included 98/225 who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (88/98 allogeneic), 48 with graft versus host disease (GVHD), and 83/225 who had received chemotherapy for hematologic malignancy. A favorable response rate at the end of therapy was seen in 35.6% (80/225) of patients. Of those only treated with micafungin, favorable responses were seen in 6/12 (50%) of the primary and 9/22 (40.9%) of the salvage therapy group, with corresponding numbers in the combination treatment groups of 5/17 (29.4%) and 60/174 (34.5%) of the primary and salvage treatment groups, respectively. Of the 326 micafungin-treated patients, 183 (56.1%) died during therapy or in the 6-week follow-up phase; 107 (58.5%) deaths were attributable to IA.ConclusionsMicafungin as primary or salvage therapy proved efficacious and safe in high-risk patients with IA, although patient numbers are small in the micafungin-only groups.
Successful Resection of Carotid and Abdominal Aneurysm in Two Related Patients with Marfan's Syndrome
Authors: Creighton A. Hardin
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1962)

IN a previous paper the literature was reviewed, and an unsuccessful attempt at surgical repair of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm occurring in a patient with Marfan's syndrome was reported.†The cases presented below are considered interesting because of the ages of the patients and their uncomplicated course after successful surgical removal of the aneurysms. The known familial antecedents of these 2 patients showed the signs of Marfan's syndrome (Table 1).Case ReportsCase 1. A 46-year-old man was admitted to the hospital on May 19, 1961, complaining of a painful, pulsating abdominal mass that had increased in size over an . . .
Topical NSAIDs in osteoarthritis
Authors: Cyrus Cooper, Kelsey M Jordan
Journal: BMJ (2004)

Best used for short periods during flare-ups in the disease 

Worldwide, osteoarthritis is the most common disease of synovial joints and also a major cause of locomotor pain and disability.1 Worldwide, symptomatic osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee and hip, has been estimated by the World Health Organization to be the fourth most important cause of disability among women and the eighth most important among men.

Osteoarthritis is a disorder whose time has come. Epidemiological and clinical research have suggested a range of preventive and therapeutic strategies over the past three decades. Preventive approaches are focused on modifying risk factors in the general population.2–4

Much energy has also been spent on developing non-surgical interventions to alleviate the pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis, once the disease has become established. Non-pharmacological therapeutic options include education programmes and social support; a host of physical treatments (aerobic exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, and patella strapping); the provision of aids and appliances through occupational therapists; and advice on weight loss.5

Pharmacological modalities that have a place in the management of patients with …
Prevention of clinical events and restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with trapidil: results of the STARC II study
Authors: Aleardo Maresta, Marco Balducelli, Spencer B. King, Roberto Latini, Tiziano Moccetti, Alessandro Monici-Preti, Elisabetta Varani, Aldo P. Maggioni
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2002)
THE PRESENCE OF A PACEMAKER IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED 1 YEAR MORTALITY AND REHOSPITALIZATION IN THE PARTNER TRIAL
Authors: Jose Dizon, Tamim Nazif, Angelo Biviano, Samir Kapadia, Vasilis Babaliaros, Howard Herrmann, Wilson Szeto, Hasan Jilaihawi, William Fearon, E. Murat Tuzcu, Augusto Pichard, Raj Makkar, Mathew Williams, Rebecca Hahn, Ke Xu, Craig Smith, Martin Leon, Susheel Kodali
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2014)
FOOD PRODUCTS FROM DISEASED ANIMALS.
Authors: D. E. SALMON
Journal: JAMA (1901)

What effect may the food products from diseased animals have in disturbing the digestion and in causing more serious diseases in the human consumer? It is a question easily asked, and dismissed by many with the same facility, but who can supply the data that will convince the mind of the earnest student of dietetics? From my point of view the subject is one which has been sadly neglected. There are few who stop to consider the millions of cattle and sheep, the tens of millions of swine and the hundreds of millions of birds consumed as food in this country every year. To watch the arrival of such animals at one of our great packing centers for a single day, fills one with a feeling of amazement at the enormous development of the stock-raising industry, and at the tremendous amount of animal food which our people require. But what
Medical ethics, the Israeli Medical Association, and the state of the World Medical Association: IMA president's response to open letter to the BMA
Authors: Y. Blachar
Journal: BMJ (2003)

EDITOR–On reading Summerfield's recent open letter I was astounded by the lengths to which he will go in besmirching Israel and the Israel Medical Association (IMA).1

Summerfield begins by discussing a “collusion of doctors with torture” that does not exist and about which he has yet to make more than a blanket accusation. I repeat, for the hundredth time, that the IMA and I as its president oppose torture in any form.

As to Summerfield's accusations regarding medical neutrality: rather than showing “blatant and systematic disregard,” IDF soldiers do the best they can to uphold human rights under very difficult conditions of constant terror attacks (including numerous “near attacks”) on Israeli civilians. None the less, when specific incidents …
Prophylactic digitalisation in pulmonary surgery.
Authors: A J Ritchie, M Danton, J R Gibbons
Journal: Thorax (1992)

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic digoxin is widely used in patients undergoing pulmonary surgery to prevent or control cardiac arrhythmias, but whether it is helpful or not is uncertain. METHODS: An open, controlled randomised prospective clinical study of 111 patients was undertaken to compare the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in the 58 patients who received preoperative digoxin and the 53 who did not. RESULTS: Cardiac arrhythmia occurred in half (29/58) of those given prophylactic digoxin and in 36% (19/53) of those who were not. The overall incidence of arrhythmia was 43%, with no statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Cardiac arrhythmias remain an important complication of pulmonary surgery and the incidence is not reduced by prophylactic digoxin.
Pain, evolution, and the placebo response
Authors: Dylan Evans
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2002)

Williams argues that humans have evolved special purpose adaptations for eliciting medical attention from others, such as a specific facial expression of pain. She also recognises that such adaptations would almost certainly have coevolved with adaptations for providing and responding to medical care. The placebo response may be one such adaptation, and any evolutionary account of pain must also address this important phenomenon.
Global loss of DNA methylation uncovers intronic enhancers in genes showing expression changes
Authors: Adam Blattler, Lijing Yao, Heather Witt, Yu Guo, Charles M Nicolet, Benjamin P Berman, Peggy J Farnham
Journal: Genome biology (2014)

Gene expression is epigenetically regulated by a combination of histone modifications and methylation of CpG dinucleotides in promoters. In normal cells, CpG-rich promoters are typically unmethylated, marked with histone modifications such as H3K4me3, and are highly active. During neoplastic transformation, CpG dinucleotides of CG-rich promoters become aberrantly methylated, corresponding with the removal of active histone modifications and transcriptional silencing. Outside of promoter regions, distal enhancers play a major role in the cell type-specific regulation of gene expression. Enhancers, which function by bringing activating complexes to promoters through chromosomal looping, are also modulated by a combination of DNA methylation and histone modifications. Here we use HCT116 colorectal cancer cells with and without mutations in DNA methyltransferases, the latter of which results in a 95% reduction in global DNA methylation levels. These cells are used to study the relationship between DNA methylation, histone modifications, and gene expression. We find that the loss of DNA methylation is not sufficient to reactivate most of the silenced promoters. In contrast, the removal of DNA methylation results in the activation of a large number of enhancer regions as determined by the acquisition of active histone marks. Although the transcriptome is largely unaffected by the loss of DNA methylation, we identify two distinct mechanisms resulting in the upregulation of distinct sets of genes. One is a direct result of DNA methylation loss at a set of promoter regions and the other is due to the presence of new intragenic enhancers.
Cost Effectiveness of Vaccination Against Pneumococcal Pneumonia: An Update
Authors: JANE E. SISK
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

We updated a 1978 cost-effectiveness analysis of vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia in light of the introduction in 1983 of a 23-valent vaccine, recent medical literature, and different relative prices of medical services. Although other base-case assumptions have remained reasonable, the low estimates of 10% of pneumonia as pneumococcal and a 3-year duration of immunity now appear more likely. Vaccination of a person age 65 or older could gain a year of healthy life for about $6000 in 1983 dollars. Medicare has covered pneumococcal vaccination since 1981. With the revised assumptions, net Medicare expenditures ranged from about $5.50 to $10.50 per vaccination, or from $4400 to $8300 per year of healthy life gained. Vaccination of an elderly person would almost break even, if duration of immunity were 8 years and would be cost saving if the vaccine were administered under a public program. Current levels of vaccination appear too low considering the potential health benefits and cost-effectiveness.
Response of bovine alveolar macrophages in vitro to welding fume particles.
Authors: L R White, A B Marthinsen, K Jakobsen, K B Eik-Nes
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1983)

Alveolar macrophages (AM) from bovine lungs were exposed in culture to manual metal are (MMA) welding fume particles, chromium (Cr), UICC chrysotile A or anatase for 17-20 hr. All the welding particle samples were more cytotoxic to AM than to anatase. Particles from the welding of mild steel with a rutile-coated electrode were less cytotoxic than those produced with a basic-coated electrode. Particles from the welding of stainless steel were slightly more cytotoxic, and much of this activity was probably due to CrVI. Selective release of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (beta-NAG) was only detected after exposure of AM to chrysotile. Supplementation of the incubation medium with 10% serum increased the viability of all exposed AM cultures, an effect not produced by serum albumin alone. Incubation of particle samples with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) prior to addition to AM reduced the cytotoxicity of the "rutile" welding particles and of chrysotile.
Steely Hair, Mottled Mice and Copper Metabolism
Authors: David M. Danks
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1975)

Copper, an extremely important trace element in animal and human metabolism,1 2 3 is necessary for the normal function of many enzymes. The effects of nutritional deficiency have been studied in sheep, rats, mice, pigs, chickens and turkeys and include changes in integument, bone, arteries, pigmentation and brain.1 2 3 Copper deficiency in human infants has been studied extensively in Peru4 and has recently been reported in a few babies fed on synthetic diets,5 , 6 or nourished intravenously.7 The disturbance of nutrition has always been complex, and assignment of particular effects to copper deficiency has depended upon serial replacement of other nutrients — a rather . . .
P1302 THE OPTIMAL IMMUNOSUPPRESSION REGIMEN FOR DELAYING FIBROSIS PROGRESSION IN HCV AFTER LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
Authors: P. Manousou, E. Tsochatzis, D. Samonakis, I. Parisi, F. Saffioti, D. Patch, J. O'Beirne, D. Thorburn, T.V. Luong, A.P. Dhillon, M. Pinzani, A.K. Burroughs
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2014)
A USEFUL SIGN IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF URETERAL STRICTURE AND ITS SEQUELAE
Authors: John E. Legge
Journal: JAMA (1926)

<h3>To the Editor:</h3> —During the last three years I have found that a useful sign in the diagnosis of ureteral stricture and its sequelae is the presence of a point of tendernes, elicited on pressure with the index or middle finger in a definitely localized and circumscribed area about 2 cm. to the side of the umbilicus. This "point" has been present in about 200 patients, each being subsequently investigated by a competent urologist, and in the majority pyelograms were made. Five in this series were found to have normal ureters and no evident pathologic condition in the urogenital tract. In making this examination, gentle pressure should be used and the finger nails should be trimmed. The end of the finger should be used in making pressure. Occasionally the reaction is slightly delayed, but if a pathologic condition is present the tenderness will be felt. In an article by Harvey
Effects of <i>in Utero</i> Exposure of C57BL/6J Mice to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- <i>p</i> -dioxin on Epidermal Permeability Barrier Development and Function
Authors: Clarisse S. Muenyi, Sandra Leon Carrion, Lynn A. Jones, Lawrence H. Kennedy, Andrzej T. Slominski, Carrie H. Sutter, Thomas R. Sutter
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2014)

Development of the epidermal permeability barrier (EPB) is essential for neonatal life. Defects in this barrier are found in many skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis.We investigated the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the development and function of the EPB.Timed-pregnant C57BL/6J mice were gavaged with corn oil or TCDD (10 μg/kg body weight) on gestation day 12. Embryos were harvested on embryonic day (E) 15, E16, E17, and postnatal day (PND) 1.A skin permeability assay showed that TCDD accelerated the development of the EPB, beginning at E15. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), enhanced stratification, and formation of the stratum corneum (SC). The levels of several ceramides were significantly increased at E15 and E16. PND1 histology revealed TCDD-induced acanthosis and epidermal hyperkeratosis. This was accompanied by disrupted epidermal tight junction (TJ) function, with increased dye leakage at the terminal claudin-1-staining TJs of the stratum granulosum. Because the animals did not have enhanced rates of TEWL, a commonly observed phenotype in animals with TJ defects, we performed tape-stripping. Removal of most of the SC resulted in a significant increase in TEWL in TCDD-exposed PND1 pups compared with their control group.These findings demonstrate that in utero exposure to TCDD accelerates the formation of an abnormal EPB with leaky TJs, warranting further study of environmental exposures, epithelial TJ integrity, and atopic disease.
Bronchial Epithelium as a Key Regulator of Airway Allergen Sensitization and Remodeling in Asthma
Authors: STEPHEN T. HOLGATE, PETER LACKIE, SUSAN WILSON, WILLIAM ROCHE, DONNA DAVIES
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2000)

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways manifesting as intermittent airflow limitation, which over time may become progressive (1). Both in the allergic and nonallergic forms of the disease there is evidence of an altered local T cell response in favor of Th2 cytokine release resulting in B cell isotype switching to IgE; mast cell, eosinophil, and basophil recruitment; and activation and release of a wide range of inflammatory mediators (2). However, it has become clear that, by itself, inflammation is not able to explain many of the features characteristic of chronic asthma and that restructuring of the airway wall is also required (3). This “remodeling” response presumably accounts for the incomplete therapeutic efficacy of corticosteroids, with persistence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and the progressive decline in pulmonary function over time that occurs in those asthmatic individuals with more chronic and severe disease (1). Although atopy, the propensity to generate allergen-specific IgE, is one of the strongest risk factors for asthma, especially in children and young adults, only 10% of atopics develop chronic asthma and, as adults, asthma occurs in the absence of atopy, most notably in those with more severe and chronic disease. It seems plausible that, rather than IgE-mediated inflammation being the initiator of disordered airway function, the epithelium itself is abnormal and it is this that predisposes the individual with asthma toward local allergen sensitization, and the injurious effects of respiratory viruses and air pollutants (including tobacco smoke). A disordered epithelium could also provide a basis for airway remodeling in asthma.