tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Effect of Blinding and Unmasking on the Quality of Peer Review
Authors: Susan van Rooyen, Fiona Godlee, Stephen Evans, Richard Smith, Nick Black
Journal: JAMA (1998)

Context.—Little research has been conducted into the quality of peer review and, in particular, the effects of blinding peer reviewers to authors' identities or masking peer reviewers' identities.Objective.—To determine whether concealing authors' identities from reviewers (blinding) and/or revealing the reviewer's identity to a coreviewer (unmasking) affects the quality of reviews, the time taken to carry out reviews, and the recommendation regarding publication.Design and Setting.—Randomized trial of 527 consecutive manuscripts submitted to BMJ, which were randomized and each sent to 2 peer reviewers.Interventions.—Manuscripts were randomized as to whether the reviewers were unmasked, masked, or uninformed that a study was taking place. Two reviewers for each manuscript were randomized to receive either a blinded or an unblinded version.Main Outcome Measures.—Mean total quality score, time taken to carry out the review, and recommendation regarding publication.Results.—Of the 527 manuscripts entered into the study, 467 (89%) were successfully randomized and followed up. The mean total quality score was 2.87. There was little or no difference in review quality between the masked and unmasked groups (scores of 2.82 and 2.96, respectively) and between the blinded and unblinded groups (scores of 2.87 and 2.90, respectively). There was no apparent Hawthorne effect. There was also no significant difference between groups in the recommendations regarding publication or time taken to review.Conclusions.—Blinding and unmasking made no editorially significant difference to review quality, reviewers' recommendations, or time taken to review. Other considerations should guide decisions as to the form of peer review adopted by a journal, and improvements in the quality of peer review should be sought via other means.
OC-047 Correlation of Caecal Intubation Rate to Volume – Colonoscopists should Undertake at least 120 Procedures per Year
Authors: A M Verma, A Dixon, A Chilton
Journal: Gut (2013)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Quality assurance of colonoscopy is a central theme in endoscopic provision. In the UK the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal endoscopy (JAG), has issued guidance for caecal intubation rates (CIR) of 90% or higher on an intention-to-colonoscope basis. They also advise that practitioners should undertake at least 100 colonoscopies per annum. We looked at the correlation between volume per annum and CIR to test JAG's standard. <h3>Methods</h3> We analysed 129 operator records who undertook between 20–399 colonoscopies per annum. This amounted to 12 594 colonoscopies undertaken over a two year period (2008–9) across 6 hospitals in 3 regions. Each operator's volume per annum was plotted against CIR. This was done as individual operators and also when individuals were grouped with others performing a similar volume of colonoscopy per annum (groups of 50). An additional analysis of operators undertaking 20–199 colonoscopies per annum looked at groups of 20 and groups of 10. <h3>Results</h3> Figure A shows a scatter plot of individuals' volume (per annum) against CIR, the trend-line crosses the 90% CIR standard at 125 procedures per annum. The 3 other scatter plots of individuals grouped with others undertaking a similar volume per annum (groups of 50, 20 and 10) plotted against CIR, the trend-line crosses the 90% CIR standard at 110–120 procedures per annum. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The analysis of 12 594 colonoscopies, performed by 129 operators, carrying out between 20–399 colonoscopies per annum, suggest that to meet a minimum CIR standard of 90% at least 120 colonoscopies should be performed per annum. This is equivalent to performing 3 colonoscopies per week. We recommend advisory bodies on quality standards adopt this minimum activity threshold into their guidance. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
The effects of an exercise intervention on forward head and rounded shoulder postures in elite swimmers
Authors: Stephanie S Lynch, Charles A Thigpen, Jason P Mihalik, William E Prentice, Darin Padua
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2010)

Objectives To examine the correction of posture, increase in strength and decrease in shoulder pain and dysfunction in varsity swimmers. Design and Setting Randomised clinical trial. Participants Twenty-eight National Collegiate Athletic Association division I varsity swimmers. Measurements Two testing sessions were conducted before and after an 8-week time period. Posture, strength and shoulder pain and function were assessed. Forward head angle was measured using a digital inclinometer, forward head translation was measured using a ruler and total scapular distance was measured with unmarked string. Average and peak values (N) of strength were measured with the hand-held dynamometer. The intervention subjects then participated in an 8-week exercise training programme to correct posture. The procedures were then repeated in the post-test. Results Significant group by time interactions (p&lt;0.05) were found in forward head angle and forward shoulder translation indicating a decrease in forward head angle and forward shoulder translation. Significant main effects for time (p&lt;0.05) were found in strength measures for all muscle groups indicating increased strength for shoulder girdle muscles tested. Conclusions The exercise intervention was successful at decreasing forward head and rounded shoulder postures in elite swimmers. This study supports the theoretical basis for clinical rehabilitation of posture and the shoulder.
Respiratory tract infections and pneumonia
Authors: Susan Mc Chlery, Gordon Ramage, Jeremy Bagg
Journal: Periodontology 2000 (2008)

Many organisms cause respiratory tract infections, and not all can be discussed in this review.Although many respiratory tract infections are nonlife-threatening, they are associated with a significant level of morbidity.The oral cavity acts as a portal of entry and as a reservoir for many bacterial, viral and fungal species.Here these microorganisms gain access to interlinked airways, composed of mucosal epithelia, which collectively comprise the respiratory tract.This large mucosal surface area acts as a reservoir for infectious particles that are inhaled.There is good evidence to show that improved oral hygiene and frequent professional healthcare can reduce the progression or occurrence of respiratory diseases, especially amongst high-risk patient groups (4).A formidable host defence system protects the lower respiratory tract.Organisms must first negotiate the nonspecific mechanisms in the upper respiratory tract, which include a mechanical washing mechanism, the cough response, anatomic barriers and the mucociliary tree.Additional barriers in the lower respiratory tract include the frequent branching of the pulmonary tree (to effect aerodynamic filtration) and the restrictive size (0.3-5.0 lm) of the alveolus opening.Once microorganisms reach the alveolus they must resist the activity of phagocytes, immune response cells and other antimicrobial defence factors.If these microorganisms can overcome or subvert the innate host defences, such as the mucociliary system, bronchoconstriction, cough reflex or acquired immunity (mucosal immunoglobulin A), then the infectious process can begin.Infections may be acute or chronic, and lower respiratory tract infections may be limited to the bronchial tree (bronchitis) or the lung alveoli (pneumonia), or involve both (broncho-pneumonia).
Perisinusoidal lipocytes and fibrogenesis.
Authors: A M Gressner
Journal: Gut (1994)

Perisinusoidal lipocytes and fibrogenesisFibrosis of the liver results from a distortion of the rates of synthesis (fibrogenesis) and degradation (fibrolysis) of extracellular matrix molecules.' 2 It is now generally accepted that the disturbance of homeostasis of extra- cellular matrix metabolism in response to tissue injury is primarily caused by exaggerated matrix production but inhibition of the catabolic pathways of matrix components may provide additional mechanisms of extracellular matrix accumulation.3The liver has a high regenerative capacity of parenchymal cells4 and normally only a small fraction (less than 0O6% of liver wet weight) of connective tissue, so a highly stimulated matrix production in response to injury seems to be an almost superfluous, functionally insuffi- cient way of tissue repair.
Abstract A17: A blood test for early detection of lung cancer using a mixed panel of tumor proteins and autoantibodies.
Authors: Victoria Doseeva, Juliana Woodcock, James Freedy, William James, Vladimir Knezevic
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract Lung cancer is the second most common non-cutaneous cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortalities worldwide, resulting in over 156,000 deaths per year in the United States alone (1). Tobacco use has been identified as the primary causal factor for lung cancer and is thought to account for some 90% of cases. Thus, individuals over 50 years of age with a smoking history of greater than 20 pack-years have a 1 in 7 lifetime risk of developing the disease. 20/20 GeneSystem's PAULA test (Protein Assays Utilizing Lung Cancer Analytes), a multiplex immunoassay clinical blood test that detects four tumor proteins and autoantibodies, determines the risk that lung cancer is present in asymptomatic individuals from the high risk population described above. The test has been developed and tested using over 1,500 patient samples, including patients from 6 different regional cancer centers as well as age- and smoking history-matched controls. Here we report a new retrospective study of PAULA test using a total of 380 patients from 3 different cohorts, consisting of 190 confirmed diagnoses of lung cancer and 190 age- and smoking history matched controls. The PAULA test demonstrated 74% clinical sensitivity and 80% specificity, with an AUC value of 0.85 using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. This study confirms the value of using both tumor proteins and autoantibodies in the early detection of lung cancer, and is the first demonstration of a diagnostic multiplex immunoassay using this kind of mixed panel. We believe that the clinical performance of the PAULA test makes it suitable for use as an aid to determine which high-risk patients need to be directed to appropriate non-invasive diagnostic follow-up, especially chest CT scan for patients at high-risk for lung cancer. Citation Format: Victoria Doseeva, Juliana Woodcock, James Freedy, William James, Vladimir Knezevic. A blood test for early detection of lung cancer using a mixed panel of tumor proteins and autoantibodies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer; 2014 Jan 6-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2014;20(2Suppl):Abstract nr A17.
The Thyroid Gland
Authors: Milton W. Hamolsky, A. Stone Freedberg
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1960)

AN extensive literature pertaining to studies of the thyroid gland has accumulated since the last Medical Progress report1 on this subject. The widespread experimental and clinical use of radioactive iodide (I131) and other isotopically labeled thyroid-hormone components, the growing experience with pharmacologic modifiers of thyroid activity, the continuing development and application of sensitive and accurate chemical, Chromatographic and electrophoretic methods of analysis and the availability of an increasing number of active thyroid-hormone analogues have combined to yield significant advances in knowledge of normal and abnormal thyroid function. It would not be practicable to treat exhaustively this large body of . . .
Performance Measures and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Susan D. Horn
Journal: JAMA (2006)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry (1919-1959) Podcasts Clinical Reviews Editors' Summary Medical News Author Interviews More JN Learning / CMESubscribeJobsInstitutions / LibrariansReprints & Permissions Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved Search All JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Forum Archive JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry Input Search Term Sign In Individual Sign In Sign inCreate an Account Access through your institution Sign In Purchase Options: Buy this article Rent this article Subscribe to the JAMA journal
Movement artefact suppressor during ECG monitoring
Authors: J. A. J. KLIJN, M. J. G. M. KLOPROGGE
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1974)

A combined electrode-amplifier is described which effectively suppresses movement artefacts during ECG monitoring. The electrode-amplifier can be used with existing monitoring systems without affecting the specifications. Additional circuitry for improvement of the blocking inherent to AC inputs is also presented. A sophisticated active myogram filter is incorporated in this amplifier.
Carotenaemia in Alzheimer's disease.
Authors: S. Singh, G. P. Mulley, M. S. Losowsky
Journal: BMJ (1988)

Alzheimer's disease is the commonest type of dementia, during which patients may lose a considerable amount of weight.'Anorexia nervosa is a disease of the young in which there is also appreciable weight loss.Patients who have anorexia nervosa have hyper- carotenaemia.There is no blood test for Alzheimer's disease.If plasma carotene concentrations were increased in this condition this would be of consider- able interest.
How Did Social Medicine Evolve, and Where Is It Heading?
Authors: Dorothy Porter
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2006)

The academic discipline of social medicine has struggled to find a precise definition for over a century. This struggle is exemplified by the classic social medicine course book, The Social Medicine Reader, edited by faculty from the Department of Social Medicine at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, which offers an expansive view of social medicine's concerns [1–4]. These concerns range from early visions of the discipline, focusing on topics such as the social and economic structure of health-care provision, health policy, and clinical holism, through to evolving concepts of the field, such as concerns with doctor/patient relations in culturally diverse societies. The evolution of social medicine as an academic subject has been internationally diverse and a coherent definition of the discipline has remained elusive.

In this essay, I briefly examine some of the diverse developments of social medicine as an academic discipline and its links to political conceptualizations of the role of medicine in society. I then analyze the possible future directions open to the discipline in the Anglo-American context. A better understanding of the evolution of social medicine could help to focus its role in responding to the health needs of a post-industrial, globalizing world.
Coronary Arteriography Following Cardiac Transplantation
Authors: Randall B. Griepp
Journal: JAMA (1972)

Coronary arteriography in conjunction with cardiac catheterization has been performed one year following heart transplantation in three patients. The coronary vessels were normal and left ventricular contractility as assessed by ventriculography was also normal. No technical problems were encountered during the performance of the procedures. The normal vessels in these patients contrast markedly with the severe coronary artery narrowing seen at autopsy in three of our patients who died of complications of myocardial ischemia 5 to 21 months following heart transplantation. It is suggested that satisfactory management of acute rejection in the immediate postoperative period, reduction of dietary cholesterol, and treatment with agents which interfere with fibrin and platelet deposition may retard or inhibit the formation of lesions within the coronary arteries of transplanted hearts.
On the Value of Early and Repeated Paracentesis in the Ascites Due to Cirrhosis of the Liver
Authors: W. A. Duncan
Journal: BMJ (1881)

THE following case appears to me of sufficient interest to bring before your notice, especially as the treatment of the ascites due to cirrhosis of the liver, by early and repeated tapping, does not (I imagine) receive the attention it deserves from the general practitioner; nor is it advo- cated in our standard medical works on the subject-with, however (as I shall point out later on), two notable exceptions.The patient was Mr. M., aged 46, a retired naval officer.Family Histor-y.His father died of cancer of the stomach, aged 49; his mother died from bronchitis, aged 7I; one sister died of paralysis, aged 48, and another of consumption, aged I8.Pr-evious Histoiy.He had had measles, scarlet fever, and whooping- cough.He went to sea when ten years old.In 1852-3, he served in the Burmese war, where he received seven wounds; besides which, he suffered from cholera, dysentery, and slight sunstroke.In 1854, he went to the Crimea, and served all through the war, having ague and Crimean fever.In 1857, he had another attack of sunstroke whilst in Bombay.In I862, he had a sharp attack of fever and ague.In I874, he had another sunstroke; after which, he left the sea.He had always been a very moderate drinker, taking, on an average, one or two glasses of rum daily.Ie never had jaundice, piles, or morning sickness.In I875, he had an attack of pleurisy on the left side.During 1876 and 1877, he suffered intensely from neuralgia and sciatica, during which time he took from half a pint to one pint of brandy daily, to enable him to bear the pain.His presenzt illnzess began, in the early part of IS79, with a cough, morning sickness, anorexia, and general debility.About the end of Mlarch, he noticed that his belly began to swell; and, on making an examination, fluid was detected in his peritoneal cavity.The liver- dulness extended from the sixth rib to a little below the margin of the ribs.On the left side, the spleen extended down to the level of the umbilicus, and anteriorly to within an inch of the median line.The patient said his spleen had been large since the last attack of ague in I862.The ascitic fluid gradually accumulated untiI May 3rd, when paracen- tesis was performed with the usual trocar and cannula, and seventeen pints of straw-coloured serum were removed.Previously to the opera- tion, there had been no dyspncea nor cedema of the legs, and but little discomfort.No bad result followed.
Mutant small heat-shock protein 27 causes axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and distal hereditary motor neuropathy
Authors: Oleg V Evgrafov, Irena Mersiyanova, Joy Irobi, Ludo Van Den Bosch, Ines Dierick, Conrad L Leung, Olga Schagina, Nathalie Verpoorten, Katrien Van Impe, Valeriy Fedotov, Elena Dadali, Michaela Auer-Grumbach, Christian Windpassinger, Klaus Wagner, Zoran Mitrovic, David Hilton-Jones, Kevin Talbot, Jean-Jacques Martin, Natalia Vasserman, Svetlana Tverskaya, Alexander Polyakov, Ronald K H Liem, Jan Gettemans, Wim Robberecht, Peter De Jonghe, Vincent Timmerman
Journal: Nature Genetics (2004)
Sipple's Syndrome: Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, Pheochromocytoma, and Parathyroid Disease
Authors: Keiser Hr, Beaven Ma, Doppman J, Wells S, Buja Lm
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1973)

Sipple's syndrome is medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, pheochromocytoma, and parathyroid disease. It is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with a high degree of penetrance. Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid can be accurately diagnosed early by measuring serum calcitonin, often when all other diagnostic tests are negative. This carcinoma has a unique radiographic appearance, is usually bilateral, and requires total thyroidectomy; the enzyme histaminase serves as a sensitive biochemical marker of the tumor in tissues and is useful for detecting metastatic lesions postoperatively. The pheochromocytomas are similar to those occurring sporadically, except that they are more often bilateral and often unresponsive to provocative diagnostic tests. Parathyroid hyperplasia is a definite part of this syndrome, although often physiologically inconsequential and therefore diagnosed only at surgery for the thyroid carcinoma. The parathyroid hyperplasia is probably a genetic phenomenon rather than a reactive one. Recent biochemical findings support the hypothesis that the diverse features of Sipple's syndrome are caused by a dysplasia of neural crest cells.
On the Vaginal or Deep Bursae Mucosae
Authors: W. Coulson
Journal: BMJ (1851)

MY former paper' had for its object an examination into the nature of the superficial or subcutaneous burswr, to show in what respect they differ from all other structures, and more especially from the deep or profound bursa.Mv present object is to consider the nature of the deep bursx.By deep bursa, mucosa, I mean the synovial membranes, usually vaginiform, interposed between two or more ten- dons, between tendon and bone, or between tendon and ligament, for the manifest purposes of protecting the structuires from the injurious effects of friction, and of facilitating motion.In the upper extremity, where we have chiefly to (leal with morbid conditions of these bursa, the synoTial membrane extends downwardls as far as the distal insertion of the tendons, and upwards for some distance beyond the fibrous sheath.Each tendon is covered by a re- flexion of this vascular membrane, and is loosely attached in the whole, or in part, of its course, to the walls of the canal, by a fold similar to the mesentery, and called meso-tendon.These folds limit the move- ments of the tendons in a slight degree: they may be torn by some violent movement, and are occasionally the seat of disease.ANATOMICAL ARRANGEMENT.Upon the dorsal surface of the wrist, there are distinct sheaths,-1.For the extensor carpi ulnaris; 2. For the extensor minimi digiti; 3.For the extensor communis digitorum and the indicator; 4. For the extensor secundi internodii polli.cis; 5.For the two radial extensors; and, 6.For the extensores ossis metacarpi et primi internodii pollicis.Any one or more of these sheaths may become distended, and assume the characters of a bursal swelling.There are also five or six thecal sheaths on the palmar surface, and these are the most frequent seat of enlargement.Enlarge- ment of the bursa in this situation is a most formidable disease.
Novel insights into mechanisms of food allergy and allergic airway inflammation using experimental mouse models
Authors: N. Corazza, T. Kaufmann
Journal: Allergy (2012)

Abstract Over the last decades, considerable efforts have been undertaken in the development of animal models mimicking the pathogenesis of allergic diseases occurring in humans. The mouse has rapidly emerged as the animal model of choice, due to considerations of handling and costs and, importantly, due to the availability of a large and increasing arsenal of genetically modified mouse strains and molecular tools facilitating the analysis of complex disease models. Here, we review latest developments in allergy research that have arisen from in vivo experimentation in the mouse, with a focus on models of food allergy and allergic asthma, which constitute major health problems with increasing incidence in industrialized countries. We highlight recent novel findings and controversies in the field, most of which were obtained through the use of gene‐deficient or germ‐free mice, and discuss new potential therapeutic approaches that have emerged from animal studies and that aim at attenuating allergic reactions in human patients.