tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Control of acute, chronic, and constitutive hyperammonemia by wild-type and genetically engineered Lactobacillus plantarum in rodents
Authors: Charles Nicaise, Deborah Prozzi, Eric Viaene, Christophe Moreno, Thierry Gustot, Eric Quertinmont, Pieter Demetter, Valérie Suain, Philippe Goffin, Jacques Devière, Pascal Hols
Journal: Hepatology (2008)

Hyperammonemia is a common complication of acute and chronic liver diseases. Often accompanied with side effects, therapeutic interventions such as antibiotics or lactulose are generally targeted to decrease the intestinal production and absorption of ammonia. In this study, we aimed to modulate hyperammonemia in three rodent models by administration of wild-type Lactobacillus plantarum, a genetically engineered ammonia hyperconsuming strain, and a strain deficient for the ammonia transporter. Wild-type and metabolically engineered L. plantarum strains were administered in ornithine transcarbamoylase-deficient Sparse-fur mice, a model of constitutive hyperammonemia, in a carbon tetrachloride rat model of chronic liver insufficiency and in a thioacetamide-induced acute liver failure mice model. Constitutive hyperammonemia in Sparse-fur mice and hyperammonemia in a rat model of chronic hepatic insufficiency were efficiently decreased by Lactobacillus administration. In a murine thioacetamide-induced model of acute liver failure, administration of probiotics significantly increased survival and decreased blood and fecal ammonia. The ammonia hyperconsuming strain exhibited a beneficial effect at a lower dose than its wild-type counterpart. Improved survival in the acute liver failure mice model was associated with lower blood ammonia levels but also with a decrease of astrocyte swelling in the brain cortex. Modulation of ammonia was abolished after administration of the strain deficient in the ammonium transporter. Intestinal pH was clearly lowered for all strains and no changes in gut flora were observed. Conclusion: Hyperammonemia in constitutive model or after acute or chronic induced liver failure can be controlled by the administration of L. plantarum with a significant effect on survival. The mechanism involved in this ammonia decrease implicates direct ammonia consumption in the gut. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Polybrominated biphenyl toxicosis in rats fed an iodine-deficient, iodine-adequate, or iodine-excess diet.
Authors: S D Sleight, S Mangkoewidjojo, B T Akoso, V L Sanger
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1978)

Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 0, 1, 10, or 100 ppm of polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) in iodine-deficient, iodine-adequate (0.2 ppm), or iodine-excess (1000 ppm) diets. Six rats in each of the 12 groups were killed at 30 days and the remaining six in each group at 60 days. Growth rates were similar in all rats fed diets containing 0, 1, or 10 ppm PBB but were slower from 30 to 60 days in rats given 100 ppm PBB. Results of routine hematologic examinations and urinalyses were essentially normal. Although liver weights were substantially increased by PBB, the smallest increases were in rats fed an iodine-deficient diet. Thyroid weights were increased by iodine deficiency and by 10 and 100 ppm PBB. Electropherograms of serum proteins, serum lipoproteins, and LDH isozymes at 60 days from rats given PBB indicated hepatic alterations, but changes were least dramatic in rats fed an iodine-deficient diet plus PBB and most severe in rats fed iodine-excess diets plus PBB. Hepatic lesions were basically similar to those previously described except that bile duct proliferation was seen at 60 days only in rats fed an iodine-deficient diet and 100 ppm PBB. Histologic changes in thyroid glands were associated with iodine deficiency and with PBB. The iodine-excess diet plus 100 ppm PBB induced squamous metaplasia of respiratory bronchiolar epithelium. These results indicate interrelationships between PBB and iodine which may affect the toxicosis caused by PBB.
962-61 Late Redistribution T1-201/Stress Tc-99m Sestamibi Separate Acquisition Dual Isotope Myocardial Perfusion SPECT: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Hosen Kiat, Cyndi Williams, Fan Ping Wang, Guido Germano, Kenneth Van Train, John D. Friedman, Mark Hyun, Daniel S. Berman
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1995)
Effect of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Platelet Activation and Reactivity Induced by Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Alessandra Stazi, Giancarla Scalone, Marianna Laurito, Maria Milo, Gemma Pelargonio, Maria Lucia Narducci, Rossella Parrinello, Stefano Figliozzi, Gianluigi Bencardino, Francesco Perna, Gaetano A. Lanza, Filippo Crea
Journal: Circulation (2013)

Radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation has been associated with some risk of thromboembolic events. Previous studies showed that preventive short episodes of forearm ischemia (remote ischemic preconditioning [IPC]) reduce exercise-induced platelet reactivity. In this study, we assessed whether remote IPC has any effect on platelet activation induced by radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation.We randomized 19 patients (age, 54.7±11 years; 17 male) undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to receive remote IPC or sham intermittent forearm ischemia (control subjects) before the procedure. Blood venous samples were collected before and after remote IPC/sham ischemia, at the end of the ablation procedure, and 24 hours later. Platelet activation and reactivity were assessed by flow cytometry by measuring monocyte-platelet aggregate formation, platelet CD41 in the monocyte-platelet aggregate gate, and platelet CD41 and CD62 in the platelet gate in the absence and presence of ADP stimulation. At baseline, there were no differences between groups in platelet variables. Radiofrequency ablation induced platelet activation in both groups, which persisted after 24 hours. However, compared with control subjects, remote IPC patients showed a lower increase in all platelet variables, including monocyte-platelet aggregate formation (P<0.0001), CD41 in the monocyte-platelet aggregate gate (P=0.002), and CD41 (P<0.0001) and CD62 (P=0.002) in the platelet gate. Compared with control subjects, remote IPC was also associated with a significantly lower ADP-induced increase in all platelet markers.Our data show that remote IPC before radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation significantly reduces the increased platelet activation and reactivity associated with the procedure.
Medical Malpractice Claims Filed by Medicaid and Non-Medicaid Recipients in Maryland
Authors: Mary G. Mussman
Journal: JAMA (1991)

Several databases available in Maryland are used to investigate whether Medicaid recipients are more likely than other persons to engage in medical malpractice litigation. All malpractice claims filed during 1985 and 1986 (N = 1037) were updated for outcomes through 1989 and described with regard to the payer status of claimants. The proportion of claims filed by persons enrolled in Medicaid before and/or during the alleged malpractice incident was lower than the proportion of state residents enrolled in Medicaid. In addition, the proportion of obstetric claims filed by Medicaid recipients was identical to their proportion of hospital discharges for obstetric services during the period in which the incidents occurred. (<i>JAMA</i>. 1991;265:2992-2994)
Seldom-Encountered Agents of Bacterial Meningitis
Authors: Charles D. Graber
Journal: JAMA (1965)

In five cases of bacterial meningitis (one associated with a brain abscess) four seldom-encountered bacteria were identified as causative agents:<i>Mima polymorpha, Listeria monocytogenes, Corynebacterium acnes</i>, and<i>Serratia marcescens</i>. Circumspection is required of the bacteriologist and physician concerning "contaminants" introduced nosocomially or iatrogenically. Various methods for culture of certain recalcitrant "problem bacteria" are suggested.
Carcinoma of the Corneoscleral Limbus in a Patient Treated with Cyclosporine after Heart Transplantation
Authors: Olivier Touzeau, Vincent M. Borderie, Laurent Laroche
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1999)

To the Editor: In their study of the prevention of delirium in hospitalized older patients (March 4 issue), 1 Inouye et al. provide data on the cumulative incidence of delirium as a function of the length of hospitalization that suggest that prolonged exposure to the hospital environment itself is a significant risk factor for delirium.These data support the need for effective plans for early discharge of older patients and suggest the need to assess whether providing hospital-level care to older persons in more hospitable environments than acute care hospitals, such as home hospitals, 2,3 could reduce the incidence of hospital-related complications such as delirium.
THE ROENTGEN RAYS IN OPHTHALMIC SURGERY.
Authors: WILLIAM M. SWEET
Journal: JAMA (1898)

The value of the Roentgen rays as a means of determining the presence of pieces of metal in the eyeball has been conclusively shown by the experiments of a number of investigators, the earliest workers in this field being Dr. Clark of Columbus, Dr. Williams of Boston and Dr. Max J. Stern of this city. The knowledge that a foreign body is in the eye, however, is not all the information required by the surgeon who operates with the electromagnet for its removal. Without some indication of the position of the body, it is not possible to reduce the percentage of failures of the magnet operation. The ordinary radiograph does not accurately indicate the position of the shadow of the foreign body on the plate in relation to the shadows of the bones of the head. Hence it is desirable to state the exact spot at which to insert the
Stress, deformation, and atelectasis of the lung.
Authors: Y C Fung
Journal: Circulation Research (1975)

The lung parenchyma as a tissue has a rather unusual stress-strain relationship. A theoretical derivation of this relationship is presented which connects the surface tension and the tissue elastic stress in the alveolar septa with the alveolar geometry. The mathematical expression contains a few meaningful physical constants which can be determined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. With this stress-strain relationship, the general equations of lung mechanics are formulated, and solutions to some simpler problems are presented. First, the equilibrium of a lung subjected to a uniform inflation pressure (definition: alveolar air pressure - intrapleural pressure - pleural tension X mean curvature of pleura) is analyzed, and the stability of the equilibrium states with respect to small perturbations is examined. Second, an exact solution for a lung in a chest under the influence of gravity is presented; the solution is "exact," of course, for only a particular lung, but it can serve as a standard to check numerical procedures being developed in many laboratories. Finally, three types of possible atelectasis-planar, axial, and focal-are analyzed. The planar type can exist in a normally inflated lung, provided the layers of alveoli are forced to collapse toward a plane by some external agent. But axial atelectasis (alveoli collapse into a cylinder) can occur only if the dimension (at which the elastic tension in the alveolar septa vanishes). Similarly, focal atelectasis can occur only if the entire lung is smaller than the resting volume.
Is Alcoholism Hereditary?
Authors: Jack H. Mendelson
Journal: JAMA (1976)

Concise, readable, modestly priced books about alcoholism are as difficult to find as inexpensive premium vintage wines. Dr Goodwin has here written a modestly priced text that is not only equal to the high-priced volumes currently available but is superior to most. His 171-page book presents an up-to-date, enlightened discussion of issues and, in my opinion, is destined to become a classic. The title of the volume does not convey the wide scope of materials presented to the physician and lay reader. Although Dr Goodwin presents a careful and succinct analysis of his own research and that of others concerning heritability of risk for developing alcohol-related disorders, he achieves far more than a good description of this important area of inquiry. The book carefully traces the effects of alcohol on biological and behavioral function and highlights new information derived from many disciplines, including biology, psychology, and sociology, indicating the beneficial
Women's experiences of and preferences for services after rape in South Africa: interview study
Authors: N J Christofides, D Muirhead, R K Jewkes, L Penn-Kekana, D N Conco
Journal: BMJ (2005)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objectives</b> To describe aspects of delivery of health services after rape, including trade-offs, that would most influence choice of service, and to compare views of patients who had used such services with views of members of the community who may be future users or may have experienced barriers to service use. <b>Design</b> Discrete choice analysis of stated preferences with interviews. Attributes included travel time to the service, availability of HIV prophylaxis, number of returns to the hospital, medical examination, and counselling skills and attitude of the provider. <b>Setting</b> One rural and one urban site in South Africa. <b>Participants</b> 319 women: 155 who had been raped and four carers recruited through health facilities and 160 comparable women recruited from the community. Of these, 156 were from an urban site and 163 from a rural site. <b>Main outcome measures</b> Strength of preferences over a range of attributes through the estimation of a benefit function through random effects probit modelling. <b>Results</b> Factors such as the availability of prophylactic treatment for HIV infection and having a sensitive healthcare provider who could provide counselling are more important in women9s decisions to seek care after rape than the travel time necessary to access those services. <b>Conclusion</b> Our findings support the need for holistic rape services.
356. Sonoporation Increases Non-Viral Gene Transfer to the Murine Lung
Authors: Stefania Xenariou, Haidong Liang, Uta Griesenbach, Ray Farley, Luci Somerton, Charanjit Singh, Po-Wah So, Amy Herlihy, Stefano Ferrari, Duncan Geddes, Martin Blomley, Eric Alton
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2005)

Related to our programme of cystic fibrosis gene therapy, we assessed whether ultrasound (U/S) can increase non-viral lung transfection. U/S penetration in the air-filled lung is limited due to significant energy losses at the air/tissue interfaces. Thus, using an ex vivo rat lung model, we have shown that more than 99% of the U/S energy is lost. Here, we assessed, whether the remaining energy that penetrates the tissue is sufficient to increase non-viral gene transfer. Naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) and polyethylenimine (PEI)/pDNA complexes (100 |[mu]|g pDNA and 10 |[mu]|g pDNA, respectively) were administered to Balb/c mice via intranasal instillation, in conjunction with Optison (1:1 v:v), an U/S contrast agent shown to improve sonoporation (formation of transient pores). U/S (1 MHz, 20% duty cycle, 3 W/cm2) was then applied externally onto the chest and the back. For naked pDNA, a 2-min U/S exposure, led to a significant 6-fold increase in luciferase (Lux) expression (no U/S: 1.0|[plusmn]|0.2 RLU/mg protein, 2-min U/S: 6.3|[plusmn]|0.8 RLU/mg protein; p<0.001; n=8). This was further enhanced (4-fold) after a 20-min U/S exposure (28.0|[plusmn]|7.8 RLU/mg protein; p<0.05, compared to 2-min U/S; n=8). The positive U/S effect on naked pDNA is, however, dependent on the presence of Optison. Without it even a 20-min U/S exposure has no effect (naked pDNA: 4.1|[plusmn]|0.8 RLU/mg protein, pDNA + 20-min U/S: 6.1|[plusmn]|0.8 RLU/mg protein; n=6-10). U/S exposure did not increase PEI/pDNA transfection efficiency, suggesting that U/S has a vector-specific effect (no U/S: 3.1|[plusmn]|0.9 RLU/mg protein, 20-min U/S: 3.0|[plusmn]|0.5 RLU/mg protein; n=8). While the use of Optison was not detrimental to naked pDNA gene transfer in the absence of U/S (pDNA alone: 0.9|[plusmn]|0.3 RLU/mg protein, pDNA+Optison: 1.0|[plusmn]|0.2 RLU/mg protein; n=8), when added to PEI/pDNA complexes it resulted in an 8-fold decrease in gene expression (PEI/pDNA: 24.7|[plusmn]|10.4 RLU/mg protein, PEI/pDNA+Optison: 3.1|[plusmn]|0.9 RLU/mg protein; p<0.01; n=8), again emphasising vector-specific effects. To reduce U/S energy losses and thus attempt to enhance transfection efficiency further, we are also investigating the use of perfluorocarbon (PFC) liquid. Ex vivo measurements in rat lungs showed that PFC allows 20-30% of U/S energy to penetrate the lung tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging is currently being used to determine the distribution, and the attenuation time of PFC in the lung of spontaneously breathing mice, to indicate the optimal conditions for U/S application for future gene transfer studies.
Effect of intravenous streptokinase on the relation between initial ST-predicted size and final QRS-estimated size of acute myocardial infarcts
Authors: Peter Clemmensen, Peer Grande, Kari Saunamäki, Flemming Pedersen, Jesper H. Svendsen, Nancy B. Wagner, Jorgen Granborg, Jan K. Madsen, Carsten Haedersdal, Galen S. Wagner
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1990)
Abstract 5018: Adherence to free breast cancer screening among uninsured black and Hispanic women
Authors: Nneoma O. Okoronkwo, Gladys Onojobi, Clinton Burnside, Carla Williams, Shelly McDonald-Pinkett, Wayne A.I. Frederick, Adeyinka O. Laiyemo
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract Background: Studies have shown that blacks have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer. However, it is unclear if this can be mainly attributed to their different biological susceptibilities or lower health care access or lack of adherence to scheduled procedures such as screenings and treatments or a combination of everything. Aim: We sought to examine the extent to which uninsured black and Hispanic women adhere to free breast cancer screening appointments. Methods: This study included a cohort of 410 participants from a monthly program in Howard University Cancer Center that offers free breast cancer screening (clinical breast examination and mammogram) for uninsured women who are aged 40 and older in the Washington DC area. These participants were referred from community health organizations in Maryland, District of Columbia and Maryland. Data was extracted from July 2009 to June 2010. The participants were categorized as non-adherent (no shows) if they did not cancel their appointments and did not show up for the breast cancer screening. We used Poisson regression models to evaluate the association of race with adherence to the scheduled breast cancer screening and adjusted for potential confounders. We calculated Relative Risks (RR) for no shows and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results: There were 195 (47.6%) Hispanic and 215 (52.4%) black women. A total of 314 (76.6%) women showed up for screening but 96 (23.4%) were non-adherent. When compared with Hispanic women, black women were older (mean age = 50.7 years vs 48.4 years; P = 0.0005), and more likely to be born in the United States (29% vs 2%; P &amp;lt; 0.0001) but were less likely to be married (31% vs 49%; P &amp;lt; 0.0001). A total of 42 (21.6%) Hispanic and 54 (25.1%) black women did not show up for the breast cancer screening, adjusted RR = 1.06: 95% CI: 0.71 – 1.57; P = 0.788. Conclusions: There is a high rate of non-adherence to scheduled free breast cancer screening among underserved black and Hispanic women. Increased outreach effort and community education about this potentially preventable cancer is needed. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5018. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5018
Trusts to be graded by finances as well as quality of care
Authors: Andrew Cole
Journal: BMJ (2006)

NHS trusts that overspend, even by only a few hundred pounds, will be heavily penalised under the annual “health check” that replaces the old star rating system this autumn. The Healthcare Commission, the NHS's inspection body, announced this week that trusts will receive two separate ratings, one for quality of care and one for financial management. And, the commission made clear, overspending will not be tolerated. The tough new approach follows growing concerns about the current state of the NHS's finances, with a record overspend predicted by the end of the financial year.

Under …
Genetic Variation in the Glutathione Synthesis Pathway, Air Pollution, and Children's Lung Function Growth
Authors: Carrie V. Breton, Muhammad T. Salam, Hita Vora, W. James Gauderman, Frank D. Gilliland
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2010)

Section:ChooseTop of pageAbstract <<METHODSRESULTSDISCUSSIONCONCLUSIONSReferencesCITING ARTICLES
The impact of response to the results of diagnostic tests for malaria: cost-benefit analysis
Authors: Yoel Lubell, Hugh Reyburn, Hilda Mbakilwa, Rose Mwangi, Semkini Chonya, Christopher J M Whitty, Anne Mills
Journal: BMJ (2008)

Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria seem cost effective in standard analyses, but these do not take account of clinicians' response to test results. This study tested the impact of clinicians' response to rapid diagnostic test or microscopy results on the costs and benefits of testing at different levels of malaria transmission and in different age groups.Cost-benefit analysis using a decision tree model and clinical data on the effectiveness of diagnostic tests for malaria, their costs, and clinicians' response to test results.Tanzania.Data were obtained from a clinical trial of 2425 patients carried out in three settings of varying transmission.At moderate and low levels of malaria transmission, rapid diagnostic tests were more cost beneficial than microscopy, and both more so than presumptive treatment, but only where response was consistent with test results. At the levels of prescription of antimalarial drugs to patients with negative tests that have been found in observational studies and trials, neither test methodis likely to be cost beneficial, incurring costs 10-250% higher, depending on transmission rate, than would have been the case with fully consistent responses to all test results. Microscopy becomes more cost beneficial than rapid diagnostic tests when its sensitivity under operational conditions approaches that of rapid diagnostic tests.Improving diagnostic methods, including rapid diagnostic tests, can reduce costs and enhance the benefits of effective antimalarial drugs, but only if the consistency of response to test results is also improved. Investing in methods to improve rational response to tests is essential. Economic evaluations of diagnostic tests should take into account whether clinicians' response is consistent with test results.