tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
A Murine Wilms' Tumor as a Model for Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy 2 3
Authors: Philip Tomashefsky, Yves L. Homsy, John K. Lattimer, Myron Tannenbaum
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1976)

We studied the effect on tumor volumes and host survival of twenty-four chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic regimens in rats bearing the Furth/Columbia murine Wilms' tumor. After 5 years and some 100 transfers, this tumor retained its sensitivity to suitable combinations of actinomycin D, vincristine, and X-ray, regimens in current use in the treatment of human Wilms' tumor. Cytoxan alone was highly inhibitory; adriamycin was modestly inhibitory; and lethal doses of methotrexate followed by leucovorin "rescue" were slightly inhibitory to the growth of the rat tumor. No other chemotherapeutic agent tested was effective by our criteria. Cytoxan, with or without adriamycin, and X-irradiation, were the most useful combinations studied. The chemotherapeutic agents given 3 days before irradiation were significantly more carcinostatic than they were when given after radiotherapy.
On-line Preparation of Solutions for Dialysis
Authors: Ingrid Ledebo
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2002)

On-line preparation, i.e., continuous mixing and immediate use, was introduced for dialysis fluid in 1964, and it contributed significantly to the expansion of dialysis therapy through simplified handling, improved microbiology, and enhanced efficiency. On-line prepared replacement solution for hemofiltration was shown to be clinically safe as early as 1978, but the implementation was delayed for 20 yr because of regulatory conservatism. On-line preparation of sterile and pyrogen-free solutions for infusion is based on the use of water and concentrates that contribute a minimum of microorganisms and are mixed and distributed in a hygienically designed and maintained flow path. Ultrafilters with known retention capacity are placed in strategic positions and dimensioned to remove bacteria and endotoxins, which gives a sterility assurance level of at least six magnitudes, as required by the Pharmacopoeia for sterile products. Microbiologic testing of the fluid should be applied when designing, validating, and troubleshooting on-line systems but not for routine quality control, because it only gives retrospective information. Quality assurance has to be built into a system and the way it is operated. On-line fluid preparation, when properly performed, is safe, simple, and cost-effective and enhances the efficiency as well as the biocompatibility of dialysis therapy.
Amputations at the London Hospital 1852–1857
Authors: E J Chaloner, H S Flora, R J Ham
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2001)

Between 1852 and 1857 at the London Hospital, 142 amputations were performed in 136 patients. The most common indication was an injury sustained at work. Overall mortality was 46% and the death rate was especially high for lower-limb amputations. Most deaths were due to postoperative sepsis. Those who received chloroform anaesthesia did worse than those who received ether.
Questionnaire Study of Cancer Etiology in 503 Children
Authors: F P Li, D S Jamison, A T Meadows
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1986)

Usefulness of an etiologic questionnaire was examined in an interview study of 503 children with cancer. The medical records of the children were abstracted, and their parents responded to a questionnaire-interview to identify genetic and environmental causes of cancer. Among 1,123 siblings of the index patients, 10 developed cancer as compared with 2 expected on the basis of cancer rates for the general population. Cancer risk factors were identified in individual patients with predisposing genetic and congenital disorders: neurofibromatosis (brain tumor), hereditary immunodeficiency (lymphoma), Down's syndrome (leukemia), XY gonadal dysgenesis (germ cell tumor), giant nevus (melanoma), and meningocele (sacral teratocarcinoma). Environmental causes of childhood cancer were difficult to discern because prior exposures were numerous, diverse, and usually ill defined. The questionnaire yielded more data than the medical record on gestational and family history and helped identify patients with exceptionally high cancer risk for additional investigation. Although the findings provide anecdotal confirmation of several associations, few original etiologic hypotheses were generated for formal testing with conventional epidemiologic techniques.
Right ventricular output in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during expiration is impaired by reduced venous return
Authors: Bart Boerrigter, Pia Trip, Harm-Jan Bogaard, Herman Groepenhoff, Frank Oosterveer, Nico Westerhof, Anton Vonk Noordegraaf
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  High positive airway pressure impedes venous return and right ventricular (RV) output in mechanically ventilated patients. Whether this is also the case in normally breathing COPD-patients, where the expiratory intrathoracic pressure is increased due to airway obstruction, is unknown. We investigated the effects of intrathoracic pressure on venous return and how this perturbs RV output during expiration at rest and during exercise.   Methods:  Fourteen COPD-patients (GOLD II-IV) underwent simultaneous measurements of intrathoracic, right atrial (RA) and pulmonary artery pressures at rest and during exercise. Intrathoracic and RA pressure were used to calculate RA filling pressure. Dynamic changes in pulmonary artery pulse pressure during expiration were examined to evaluate changes in RV output.   Results:  Pulmonary artery pulse pressure decreased up to 40% during expiration (figure 1). This decline was associated with a low RA filling pressure (r 2 = 0.64). During exercise, a similar decline in pulmonary artery pressure was observed. Intrathoracic pressure and RA pressure increased similar, resulting in an unchanged RA filling pressure.   Conclusions:  We show that in COPD, pulmonary artery pulse pressure declines during expiration; most prominent in patients with a low RA filling pressure. This implies that, spontaneous breathing already impairs venous return and by that RV output in COPD.
Systemic treatment of locally advanced nonmetastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a review of the literature
Authors: R. Behshad, J. Garcia-Zuazaga, J.S. Bordeaux
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2011)

There is a small subset of locally advanced nonmetastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) for which local therapy is not curative or feasible, making systemic therapy a possible treatment option.To calculate overall response rates (ORR), median time to response (TTR) and median duration of response (DOR) of locally advanced nonmetastatic cSCC to systemic therapy [targeted agents, biological response modifiers (BRM) and chemotherapy].Medline and PubMed were searched for reports of nonmetastatic locally advanced cSCC treated with systemic therapy from 1970 to 2011. No limits were placed on study design. ORR, TTR and DOR were calculated for systemic therapy overall and for each treatment category.Twenty-eight observational studies yielded 119 patients for analysis. The ORR for systemic therapy was 72% (TTR 9 weeks, DOR 42 weeks). Targeted therapy and BRM achieved ORR of 100% (TTR 12 weeks, DOR 20 weeks) and 86% (TTR 10 weeks, DOR 20 weeks), respectively, and oral chemotherapy, intravenous chemotherapy and intra-arterial chemotherapy achieved ORR of 20% (TTR 10 weeks, DOR 24 weeks), 68% (TTR 3 weeks, DOR 44 weeks) and 100% (TTR 15 weeks, DOR 112 weeks), respectively. A limitation of this study was that no controlled data were identified and sample sizes were small.Systemic treatment leads to objective responses in locally advanced cutaneous SCC that are not amenable to local cure.
Community institutional care for frail elderly people
Authors: W. R Primrose, D Mukherjee, H. Newton, D. Howard
Journal: BMJ (1998)

Editor—Black and Bowman rightly emphasise the importance of preadmission assessment and ongoing medical supervision in caring for frail elderly people.1 Current practice in many areas does not provide for formal specialist input at the time of admission and undoubtedly some older people are moving into homes prematurely. The pressure to clear beds leads to inadequate opportunities for rehabilitation and the possibility of missing remediable disease. Furthermore, the balance of local provision between residential and nursing homes may encourage misplacement in both directions. A recent survey of new admissions to nursing homes noted that 23% of residents funded by the local authority, when independently assessed, were not dependent on nursing.2 These people seemed more suited to a residential environment, and some could possibly have stayed in their own homes given sufficient time, rehabilitation, and community support. 

A more radical suggestion about the overlapping nature of residential and nursing institutional provision would be to move towards a “unitary care” home, with a dependency matched scale of charges. Closer integration of health and social work provision has long been advocated and would allow many anomalies to be resolved. Joint ownership of the issues would lead to responsible and responsive organisation of services rather than the present buckpassing and lack of coordination, which often reflects funding shortfalls and the absence of realistic resource transfers. 

With regard to the provision of continuing care for most frail elderly people, the lack of mention of ongoing NHS responsibility for those requiring specialist care was surprising. Some health authorities have not clearly recognised their obligation to provide continuing NHS care for those too complex for the primary care and nursing home sector. Recent guidance is definitive, though the scale of such provision is not specified. However, the need for increased support for both nursing homes and primary care is long overdue. Black and Bowman’s third and fourth options may be similar in practical terms, and both should be explored further as a matter of urgency. To provide good care for this complex population requires investment by both primary and secondary care and the development of closer working relationships. More doctors should be encouraged to take the diploma of geriatric medicine, and the training programmes for specialist registrars must cover the competencies relating to continuing care of elderly people. The speciality risks having to rediscover itself if these issues are not addressed soon.
Allergic manifestation 15 years after early intervention with hydrolyzed formulas – the<scp>GINI</scp>Study
Authors: A. von Berg, B. Filipiak‐Pittroff, H. Schulz, U. Hoffmann, E. Link, M. Sußmann, M. Schnappinger, I. Brüske, M. Standl, U. Krämer, B. Hoffmann, J. Heinrich, C.‐P. Bauer, S. Koletzko, D. Berdel
Journal: Allergy (2015)

Data on the long-term impact of hydrolyzed formulas on allergies are scarce.To assess the association between early intervention with hydrolyzed formulas in high-risk children and allergic outcomes in adolescence.GINI trial participants (n = 2252) received one of four formulas in the first four months of life as breastmilk substitute if necessary: partial or extensive whey hydrolyzate (pHF-W, eHF-W), extensive casein hydrolyzate (eHF-C) or standard cow's milk formula (CMF) as reference. Associations between these formulas and the cumulative incidence and prevalence of parent-reported physician-diagnosed asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and eczema, as well as spirometric indices and sensitization, were examined using generalized linear models.Between 11 and 15 years, the prevalence of asthma was reduced in the eHF-C group compared to CMF (odds ratio (OR) 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26-0.89), which is consistent with the spirometric results. The cumulative incidence of AR was lower in eHF-C (risk ratio (RR) 0.77, 95% CI 0.59-0.99]) and the AR prevalence in pHF-W (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.95) and eHF-C (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41-0.84). The cumulative incidence of eczema was reduced in pHF-W (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59-0.96) and eHF-C (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46-0.77), as was the eczema prevalence between 11 and 15 years in eHF-C (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23-0.79). No significant effects were found in the eHF-W group on any manifestation,nor was there an effect on sensitization with any formula.In high-risk children, early intervention using different hydrolyzed formulas has variable preventative effects on asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema up to adolescence.
“Black henna” tattoos can cause blistering and scarring, doctors warn
Authors: Zosia Kmietowicz
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Dermatologists have warned that tattoos based on “black henna,” which are often offered at funfairs and festivals, can cause blistering, painful skin burns, and scarring.

So called black henna temporary tattoos do not use henna at all but a substance called paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which is found in hair dyes. …
Interleukin-1 regulates cytokine gene expression in human mesangial cells through the interleukin-1 receptor type 1.
Authors: C Zoja, S Bettoni, M Morigi, G Remuzzi, A Rambaldi
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1992)

We have recently shown that interleukin-1 is a potent stimulus of gene expression and production of leukocyte chemotactic factors, colony-stimulating factors, and interleukin-6 in human mesangial cells in culture. Here, we sought to determine whether interleukin-1 induces its own gene expression in human mesangial cells. Interleukin-1 mRNA levels were quantitated by Northern blot analysis with total cellular RNAs isolated from human mesangial cells exposed for 6 h to medium alone or in the presence of human recombinant interleukin-1 beta (1 to 100 ng/mL). Interleukin-1 induced interleukin-1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. An additional finding of this study was that human mesangial cells constitutively express the 80 kd interleukin-1 receptor type 1 gene. When human mesangial cells were exposed to interleukin-1, interleukin-1 receptor expression was not modified. Similarly, other stimuli like tumor necrosis factor, transforming growth factor beta, or interleukin-6 did not modulate interleukin-1 receptor expression. Recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist blocked the interleukin-1 mRNA as well as interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 mRNA accumulation induced by interleukin-1 beta. Lipopolysaccharide, which is a known stimulus for interleukin-1 transcription in several cell types, also induced interleukin-1 mRNA accumulation, thus indicating that lipopolysaccharide mediates interleukin-1 gene activation in human mesangial cells through an interleukin-1-independent pathway. These data support the pivotal role of interleukin-1 in regulating mesangial cell cytokine genes and may be taken to indicate the existence of an interleukin-1-mediated positive feedback loop that might control the secretion of active cytokines within the glomeruli when an immunological or inflammatory injury takes place.
Do not resuscitate decisions: flogging dead horses or a dignified death?
Authors: S. Ebrahim
Journal: BMJ (2000)

An elderly woman died in hospital and her family, investigating her care, found “NFR” (not for resuscitation) on her notes. There had been no discussion about this with either her or them. An independent review upheld the family's complaints and noted, “It was hard to avoid the conclusion that the treatment plan … was to do little more than allow the patient's life to ebb away.” This is just one of a dossier of over 50 case histories assembled by Age Concern England that have been publicised in newspapers in the United Kingdom, and it is part of the charity's wider campaign to eradicate ageism in the health service.1 2

Last year the British Medical Association, the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the Royal College of Nursing jointly said that do not resuscitate orders could be considered only after …
Abstract 232: Studies of Cardiac transcriptome and Dilated Cardiomyopathy-causative genes in zebrafish
Authors: Yu-Huan Shih, Yuji Zhang, Tim Olson, Xiaolei Xu
Journal: Circulation Research (2014)

Background: Rapid advance of genome technologies accelerate the discovery of genetic basis of cardiomyopathy and heart failure and also enable system biology studies to pinpoint underlying mechanism. However, the limited throughput of mammalian models restricted the number of genes that can be studied in a particular lab. Adult zebrafish has been recently pursued as a new model with higher throughput. However, as a non-mammalian model, its conservation is not tested. Objective: To assess the conservation of zebrafish for genetic studies of human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) via transcriptome analysis of 51 known DCM-causative genes. Methods and Results: By conducting RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of larva and adult zebrafish, we identified genes with high expression level in the heart and fetal gene program using differential expression between embryonic and adult stages. We then searched zebrafish orthologues for 51 reported human DCM-causative or associated genes and identified zebrafish orthologues for 49 of them. While 30 genes have a single orthologue, 14 genes have two homologues and the remaining 5 genes have more than three. We then applied the transcriptome data to prioritize these homologues for the 19 DCM causative genes with more than one homologue. Based on the cardiac abundance and cardiac enrichment hypothesis, we are able to recommend a single zebrafish homologue of high priority for 12 out of 19 DCM genes, 2 zebrafish homologues of high priority for ACTC1. Interestingly, our expressional data suggested zebrafish othologues for human MYH6 and MYH7 , respectively. Similar to that in mammals, these two zebrafish othologues are oppositely expressed during zebrafish embryonic and adult stage. Conclusions: Orthologues for the majority of DCM causative genes can be found in Zebrafish, supporting its usage as a conserved vertebrate model for studying DCM. The definition of cardiac transcriptome in zebrafish will facilitate the future system biology studies. This vertebrate model with higher throughput can be further leveraged to validate the novel variants identified from human patients, to understand underlying signaling pathways and to develop novel therapeutics.
Long-term follow-up of the first randomized study of cisplatin versus carboplatin for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
Authors: A E Taylor, E Wiltshaw, M E Gore, I Fryatt, C Fisher
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1994)

PURPOSE A phase III trial was performed between October 1981 and June 1984 to compare the efficacy of single-agent cisplatin and single-agent carboplatin in previously untreated patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III or IV carcinoma of the ovary following surgery. This report describes the survival rates of patients in this study after a minimum follow-up duration of 8 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-four patients were randomized to receive cisplatin and 67 patients to receive carboplatin. Cisplatin was administered every 4 weeks for a total of 10 courses, courses 1 to 5 at a dosage of 100 mg/m2 and courses 6 to 10 at 30 mg/m2. Carboplatin was administered at a dosage of 400 mg/m2 every 4 weeks for 10 courses. Patients who had clinical or radiologic evidence of response after five courses of chemotherapy underwent second-look surgery. The study was designed to allow crossover between the two arms. Thirteen patients were excluded from response analyses because they were incorrectly randomized. Patients were crossed over to the other arm of the study because of progressive disease (PD), nonresponse, or toxicity. RESULTS The overall response rate for patients randomized to the cisplatin arm was 53.8% (28 of 52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 39% to 68%) and for those randomized to the carboplatin arm, 38.4% (20 of 52; 95% CI, 25% to 53%). There were 16 (30.8%) and 14 (26.9%) complete remissions (CRs) in the cisplatin and carboplatin arms, respectively. None of these differences were statistically significant. The median duration of response for the cisplatin and carboplatin arms was 21 months and 17 months, and the 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 22% and 25%, respectively. The median survival durations for the cisplatin and carboplatin arms were 19.5 and 13 months, and the 5-year survival rates were 15% (95% CI, 8% to 26%) and 19% (95% CI, 11% to 30%), respectively. None of these differences was statistically significant. The median follow-up duration of patients is 9 years. Crossover due to toxicity was more frequent in the cisplatin than the carboplatin arm, occurring in 50% and 3.3% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION The mature data from this study of patients with advanced ovarian cancer show that cisplatin and carboplatin have similar long-term survival results.
Utilization of Computers in Clinical Practice - Role of Physician Networks: Preliminary Communication
Authors: J G Anderson, S J Jay
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1983)

This study examines the influence of physician networks on the utilization of computers in clinical practice. Data on patient referrals, consultations, professional discussions, and on-call coverage were collected from 24 physicians who comprise a private group practice. Their utilization of a computerized hospital medical information system (HIS) in caring for patients admitted to a 1160-bed private, university affiliated, teaching hospital was determined. A matrix representing the professional relations among these physicians was subjected to smallest space analysis, a form of multidimensional scaling. Also, a number of indices that describe structural and interactional properties of the network and individual physicians were computed. The three-dimensional representation of the network that resulted from the analysis suggests a two-step process of adoption and utilization of medical technology. Physicians who were engaged in outside professional activities and in the training of medical students and house staff were more likely to utilize the system in caring for patients. These physicians, who were more centrally located and dominant in the referral and consultation process, were more likely to influence the practice patterns of their colleagues. The use of network analysis to identify influential physicians whose involvement is essential to the success of efforts aimed at introducing computers into clinical practice is discussed.