tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
A fatal error on the day of the new moon
Authors: Sadananda Naik
Journal: BMJ (2005)

marketing techniques to ascertain satisfaction.Too great a focus on patient satisfaction will detract from a more concerted effort to gain evidence from clinical practices, thus depriving both practitioners as well as consumers of a rational rather than a preference basis for decision making.It could be argued that need, rather than demand, should be the primary criterion for providing services, in the interest of better outcomes and more equitable distribution of resources. Potential of teamworkBoth UK and US organisations employ teams of practitioners to provide primary care.In US managed care, it is common for nurse practitioners to act as frontline providers of care, with primary care doctors as back up.Because of the proprietary nature of managed care data, little is written about how decisions are made about who does what, and its impact in terms of quality and outcomes of care.This issue could well serve as a basis for a bi-national collaborative evaluation, with benefit to both countries.Contributors and sources: This article reflects BS's experience in health services research and health policy, which derives
Aviation Auscultation-Reply
Authors: Gary M. Kohn
Journal: JAMA (1990)

<h3>In Reply.—</h3> We agree wholeheartedly with Dr Bishop's observation that an "aircraft cabin makes for a crowded, noisy examining room." Indeed, we have never found a noisier one! The ambient noise levels on board a commercial aircraft generally are low frequency (&lt;4000 Hz), range upward of 65 dB, and may approach 90 dB.<sup>1</sup>At these levels, any worthwhile auscultation may be impossible, regardless of stethoscope type. One of our reasons for studying inflight emergencies was to determine the utility of the stethoscope, a device whose ability in this unique environment was questionable. Many users were able to auscultate successfully; others were not. These differences may be related to aircraft type and location within the aircraft, as well as the hearing of the listener. We did receive several comments in our study that a higherquality stethoscope would be appreciated. Unfortunately, we have found that auscultating with our own "high-quality" stethoscopes
STATE REGULATION OF MARRIAGE FOR THE PREVENTION OF COMMUNICABLE AND HEREDITARY DISEASES.
Authors: ALBERT H. BURR
Journal: JAMA (1898)

Society as constituted under whatever form of government is more or less incomplete in its organization. Evolution, here as elsewhere, is working out the destiny of social affairs. New sociologic problems arise with every advance in our commercial relations, our manufacturing interests and our knowledge of the useful arts and sciences. Especially is this true as it relates to the causes and prevention of diseases. A fundamental principle, recognized by the earliest patriarchial, tribal and feudal forms of society, up to the highest development of representative governments, is the right of the individual to protection against physical harm from his enemies. It is only an elaboration of this principle which makes it the business of the State to do for the mass of individuals, for the good of society, what can not be done or so well done by the individuals themselves. In return for this protection and share in
[246] HAPLOTYPES TACG AND CACG FROM GLUTAMINASE GENE PROTECT AGAINST HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
Authors: M. Romero-Gomez, J.J. Galan, M. Jover, I. Camacho, L. Grande, C. Trabadela, E. Hoyas, A. Ruiz, J.D. Bautista
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2007)
Alteration of the Methylation Status of Tumor-Promoting Genes Decreases Prostate Cancer Cell Invasiveness and Tumorigenesis <i>In vitro</i> and <i>In vivo</i>
Authors: Nicholas Shukeir, Pouya Pakneshan, Gaoping Chen, Moshe Szyf, Shafaat A. Rabbani
Journal: Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that cell invasiveness and tumorigenesis are driven by hypomethylation of genes involved in tumor progression. Highly invasive human prostate cancer cells PC-3 were treated with either the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) or methyl DNA-binding domain protein 2 antisense oligonucleotide (MBD2-AS). Both treatments resulted in a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of key genes, such as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor expression to decrease tumor cell invasion in vitro. No change in the levels of expression of genes already known to be methylated in late-stage prostate cancer cells, such as glutathione S-transferase P1 and androgen receptor, was seen. Inoculation of PC-3 cells pretreated with SAM and MBD2-AS into the flank of male BALB/c nu/nu mice resulted in the development of tumors of significantly smaller volume compared with animals inoculated with PC-3 cells treated with vehicle alone or MBD2 scrambled oligonucleotide. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumors showed the ability of SAM and MBD2-AS to significantly decrease tumoral uPA and MMP-2 expression along with levels of angiogenesis and survival pathway signaling molecules. Bisulfite sequencing analysis of tumoral genomic DNA showed that inhibition of both uPA and MMP-2 expression was due to methylation of their 5′ regulatory region. These studies support the hypothesis that DNA hypomethylation controls the activation of multiple tumor-promoting genes and provide valuable insight into developing novel therapeutic strategies against this common disease, which target the demethylation machinery. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(18): 9202-10)
The association of blood lead level and cancer mortality among whites in the United States.
Authors: Ahmedin Jemal, Barry I Graubard, Susan S Devesa, Katherine M Flegal
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2002)

Lead is classified as a possible carcinogen in humans. We studied the relationship of blood lead level and all cancer mortality in the general population of the United States using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey II (NHANES II) Mortality Study, 1992, consisting of a total of 203 cancer deaths (117 men and 86 women) among 3,592 whites (1,702 men and 1,890 women) with average of 13.3 years of follow-up. We used Cox proportional hazard regression models to estimate the dose-response relationship between blood lead and all cancer mortality. Log-transformed blood lead was either categorized into quartiles or treated as a continuous variable in a cubic regression spline. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated for site-specific cancers by categorizing lead above and below the median. Among men and women combined, dose-response relationship between quartile of blood lead and all cancer mortality was not significant (ptrend = 0.16), with RRs of 1.24 [95% percent confidence interval (CI), 0.66-2.33], 1.33 (95% CI, 0.57-3.09), and 1.50 (95% CI, 0.75-3.01) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively, compared with the first quartile. Spline analyses found no dose response (p = 0.29), and none of the site-specific cancer RRs were significant. Among men, no significant dose-response relationships were found for quartile or spline analyses (p trend = 0.57 and p = 0.38, respectively). Among women, no dose-response relationship was found for quartile analysis (ptrend = 0.22). However, the spline dose-response results were significant (p = 0.001), showing a threshold effect at the 94th percentile of blood lead or a lead concentration of 24 microg/dL, with an RR of 2.4 (95% CI, 1.1-5.2) compared with the risk at 12.5 percentile. Because the dose-response relationship found in women was not found in men, occurred at only the highest levels of lead, and has no clear biologic explanation, further replication of this relationship is needed before it can be considered believable. In conclusion, individuals with blood lead levels in the range of NHANES II do not appear to have increased risk of cancer mortality.
Traffic Deaths and Superstition on Friday the 13th
Authors: Simo Näyhä
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2002)

This study compared deaths from traffic accidents on Friday the 13th with those on other Fridays in a national population.The author examined the daily deaths from traffic accidents by sex and age and the mean daily temperature in Finland, 1971-1997. Adjusted risk ratios for death on Friday the 13th versus other Fridays were obtained by negative binomial regression.In men, the adjusted risk ratio for dying on Friday the 13th, compared with other Fridays, was 1.02, but for women, it was 1.63. An estimated 38% of traffic deaths involving women on this day were attributable to Friday the 13th itself.Friday the 13th may be a dangerous day for women, largely because of anxiety from superstition. The risk of traffic deaths on this date could be reduced by one-third, although the absolute gain would remain very small: only one death per 5 million person-days.
Physical Activity and Mortality in Older Men With Diagnosed Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: S. Goya Wannamethee, A. Gerald Shaper, M. Walker
Journal: Circulation (2000)

Background —We have studied the relations between physical activity, types of physical activity, and changes in physical activity and all-cause mortality in men with established coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods and Results —In 1992, 12 to 14 years after the initial screening (Q1) of 7735 men 40 to 59 years of age from general practices in 24 British towns, 5934 (91% of available survivors, mean age 63 years) provided further information on physical activity (Q92) and were followed up for 5 years; 963 had a physician’s diagnosis of CHD (myocardial infarction or angina). After exclusions, there were 772 men with established CHD, 131 of whom died of all causes. The lowest risks for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were seen in light and moderate activity groups (adjusted relative risk compared with inactive/occasionally active: light, 0.42 (0.25, 0.71); moderate, 0.47 (0.24, 0.92); and moderately vigorous/vigorous, 0.63 (0.39, 1.03). Recreational activity of ≥4 hours per weekend, moderate or heavy gardening, and regular walking (&gt;40 min/d) were all associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality. Nonsporting activity was more beneficial than sporting activities. Men sedentary at Q1 who began at least light activity by Q92 showed lower mortality rates on follow-up than those who remained sedentary ( relative risk 0.58, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.03; P =0.06). Conclusions —Light or moderate activity in men with established CHD is associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality. Regular walking and moderate or heavy gardening were sufficient to achieve this benefit.
Spectrum of β‐thalassemia mutations and their association with allelic sequence polymorphisms at the β‐globin gene cluster in an eastern Indian population
Authors: Ritushree Kukreti, Debasis Dash, Vineetha K E, Sanchita Chakravarty, Swapan Kr Das, Madhusnata De, Geeta Talukder
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2002)

Abstract In this report, the spectrum of β‐thalassemia mutations and genotype‐to‐phenotype correlations were defined in large number of patients (β‐thalassemia carriers and major) with varying disease severity in an Eastern Indian population mainly from the state of West Bengal. The five most common β‐thalassemia mutations were detected, which included IVS1‐5 (G→C), codon 15 (G→A), codon 26 (G→A), codon 30 (G→C), and codon 41/42 (−TCTT). These accounted for 85% in 80 β‐thalassemic alleles deciphered from 56 patients, including β‐thalassemia major and carriers, and 15% of alleles remained uncharacterized in these patients. Expression of the human β‐globin gene is regulated by an array of cis‐acting DNA elements, including five DNase I hypersensitive sites (HSs) in the locus control region (LCR), promoters that incorporate certain silencer elements, and enhancers at 3′ of the β‐globin gene. For detailed studies and to understand the molecular basis of β‐thalassemia, we studied two groups of subjects: a group of 12 patients from four families having β‐thalassemia major and carrier phenotype and a control group of 26 healthy individuals. In these two groups, we examined portions of the β‐globin gene locus control region HSs 1, 2, 3, and 4, which included the (CA) x (TA) y repeat motif, the (AT) x N y (AT) z repeat motif, the inverted repeat sequence TGGGGACCCCA, the promoter region of the G γ‐globin gene, an (AT) x (T) y repeat 5′ of the silencer region, and the β‐globin gene and its 3′ flanking region. We investigated the allelic sequence polymorphisms in these regions and their association with the β‐thalassemia mutations to know the possible genotype–phenotype relationship in β‐thalassemia patients. An analysis of cis‐acting regulatory regions showed varied sequence haplotypes associated with some frequent β‐thalassemia mutations in this Eastern Indian population. Am. J. Hematol. 70:269–277, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of a direct antithrombin, hirulog, in place of heparin during coronary angioplasty.
Authors: E J Topol, R Bonan, D Jewitt, U Sigwart, V V Kakkar, M Rothman, D de Bono, J Ferguson, J T Willerson, J Strony
Journal: Circulation (1993)

Since the inception of coronary angioplasty, heparin with or without aspirin has been routinely given intraprocedurally to avoid coronary thrombotic complications. Recently, the direct thrombin inhibitor hirulog has been demonstrated to inactivate clot-bound thrombin. The present study was a multicenter dose escalation of hirulog to determine its appropriate dose and feasibility as the sole anticoagulant during coronary angioplasty.At 11 participating centers, 291 patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty and pretreated with 325 mg aspirin daily were enrolled in sequential groups of intravenously administered hirulog instead of heparin as follows: group 1: bolus, 0.15 mg/kg; infusion, 0.6 mg.kg-1.hr-1 (54 patients); group 2: bolus, 0.25 mg/kg; infusion, 1.0 mg.kg-1.hr-1 (53 patients); group 3: bolus, 0.35 mg/kg; infusion, 1.4 mg.kg-1.hr-1 (44 patients); group 4: bolus, 0.45 mg/kg; infusion, 1.8 mg.kg-1.hr-1 (74 patients); and group 5: bolus, 0.55 mg/kg; infusion, 2.2 mg.kg-1.hr-1 (54 patients). The hirulog infusion was maintained for 4 hours; the primary end point was abrupt vessel closure within 24 hours of the initiation of the procedure. Activated clotting times (ACT) and activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTT) were serially monitored. Abrupt vessel closure occurred in 18 patients (6.2%). By intention to treat, the abrupt closure event rate for groups 1-3 was 11.3% compared with 3.9% in groups 4 and 5 (p = 0.052). There were no significant bleeding complications except for one patient in group 1, who received a two-unit transfusion. A dose-response curve of both ACTs and aPTTs was noted; no coronary thrombotic closures occurred in the small number of patients with ACT > 300 seconds.The present study documents for the first time that it is possible to perform coronary angioplasty with an anticoagulant other than heparin in aspirin-pretreated patients. Hirulog was associated with a rapid onset, dose-dependent anticoagulant effect, minimal bleeding complications, and at doses of 1.8-2.2 mg/kg, a rate of 3.9% for abrupt vessel closure.
Acute Epiglottitis in Childhood
Authors: William Berenberg, Sherwin Kevy
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1958)

RECENT reviews of acute respiratory disease in childhood1 , 2 have failed to emphasize the importance of epiglottitis. Unless physicians are cognizant of the clinical features of this rapidly developing infection, in many cases proper treatment will not be instituted in time to prevent death.In 1941 Sinclair3 called attention to a syndrome of acute respiratory obstruction in children produced by epiglottitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Group B. This syndrome was characterized by an abrupt onset, fulminating course, rapidly progressive respiratory obstruction due to an edematous, swollen, "cherry-red" epiglottis, prostration and high mortality rate if untreated by specific measures. Since that time . . .
F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Finding of Mazabraud Syndrome
Authors: Mototaka Miyake, Ukihide Tateishi, Tetsuo Maeda, Yasuaki Arai, Kunihiko Seki, Tadashi Hasegawa, Kazuro Sugimura
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2006)

We report a case of Mazabraud syndrome with monostotic fibrous dysplasia and a solitary intramuscular myxoma with abnormal F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake. Mazabraud syndrome is characterized by intramuscular myxoma and fibrous dysplasia. The key to accurate diagnosis of Mazabraud syndrome lies in awareness of the association between a myxoma and fibrous dysplasia. In this case, the intramuscular myxoma was immunohistochemically strongly positive for GLUT-1. FDG positron emission tomography showed the abnormal accumulation in the intramuscular myxoma and fibrous dysplasia of Mazabraud syndrome.
High refractive index polysiloxane as Injectable, in situ curable accommodating intraocular lens
Authors: Xiaojuan Hao, Justine L. Jeffery, Tam P.T. Le, Gail McFarland, Graham Johnson, Roger J. Mulder, Qian Garrett, Fabrice Manns, Derek Nankivil, Esdras Arrieta, Arthur Ho, Jean-Marie Parel, Timothy C. Hughes
Journal: Biomaterials (2012)
Serum C-reactive protein measurement in the detection of intercurrent infection in Oriental patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Authors: C R Hind, S C Ng, P H Feng, M B Pepys
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1985)

In a prospective study serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured during 28 febrile episodes in 27 Oriental patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although active SLE was associated with only a modest rise in serum CRP level, intercurrent infection provoked substantially higher levels. Serum CRP thus provides a sensitive objective test for this complication in SLE patients of all ethnic groups.
Acute changes in pulmonary vein flow do not predict chronic pulmonary vein stenosis following atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Christopher R. Cole, Nassir F. Marrouche, Thomas J. Dresing, Alejandro Perez-Lugones, Krzysztof Balaban, Eduardo Saad, Patrick Tchou, Andrea Natale
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2002)
Reply to Ying Chen and Gyula Kovacs’ Letter to the Editor re: Sunao Shoji, Xian Yan Tang, Shinobu Umemura, et al. Metastin Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Renal Cell Carcinoma with Overexpression of Metastin Receptor. Eur Urol 2009;55:441–51
Authors: Sunao Shoji
Journal: European Urology (2008)
Berkeley, Helmholtz, the moon illusion, and two visual systems
Authors: Helen E. Ross
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2002)

Berkeley and Helmholtz proposed different indirect mechanisms for size perception: Berkeley, that size was conditioned to various cues, independently of perceived distance; Helmholtz, that it was unconsciously calculated from angular size and perceived distance. The geometrical approach cannot explain size-distance paradoxes (e.g., moon illusion). The dorsal/ventral solution is dubious for close displays and untestable for far displays.
Cardiac gap junctions: good or bad?
Authors: G Taimor
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2000)

See article by Yasui et al. [30] (pp. 68–76) in this issue. 

Gap junctions enable the cytoplasm of individual cells to communicate directly and allow exchange of nutrients, ions, metabolites and small molecules up to about 1000 Da [1]. Connexins, which are coded for by a multigene family, are the subunits of gap junctions. In adult mammalian myocardium four different connexins, connexin43 (Cx43), Cx40, Cx45 and Cx37, have been identified [2]. In heterozygous Cx43+/− mice connexin43 has been shown to be the main conductor of intercellular current in the ventricle [3]. The gap junctions are mainly localized at the intercalated discs of the cardiomyocytes [4].

Although all these details on structure and function of single gap junctions are known, their importance for heart function is a matter of ongoing investigations. Best studied is their role in synchronization of electrical activation and contraction of cardiac myocytes [5]. Gap junctional uncoupling is associated with electrical instability and appearance of arrhythmias [6]. On the other hand gap junctional communication seems to play a role in the development of manifest myocardial cell injury. It has recently been shown that gap junctional uncoupling can limit infarct size in the heart [7]. If gap junctions are also involved in apoptotic cardiac cell death has remained an open question. … 

* Tel.: +49-641-994-7246; fax: +49-641-994-7239 gerhild.taimor{at}physiologie.med.uni-giessen.de
THE COURSE AND MANAGEMENT OF COMPLICATING MYOCARDITIS.
Authors: LOUIS FAUGÈRES BISHOP
Journal: JAMA (1898)

In the course of the practice of medicine, as diseases and conditions are unconsciously classified, ideas gradually develop themselves that are not easy to formulate into the language of exact scientific observation. One of these impressions has been that in the debility following severe diseases, there is some more definite underlying condition than is usually formulated. The explanation alone of an exhausted and deteriorated nervous system is not sufficient. The attention is drawn to the heart muscle, and clinical observation, confirmed by the pathologic observations of others, has led to the belief that complicating myocarditis is an important factor in the course and progress of many conditions. The signs of disease of the heart muscle should therefore be studied with care. In acute diseases and wasting diseases, whatever may be their nature, there come times when it seems evident that the heart has participated in the debility and degeneration that
Expected Hemotherapy in Elective Surgery
Authors: Paul D. Mintz
Journal: JAMA (1978)

Preoperative cross match guidelines were developed from a review of elective surgical hemotherapy. Six elective surgical procedures were studied prospectively to determine the effectiveness of the recommendations. All six procedures demonstrated a substantial reduction in preoperative cross match ordering during the study period, although for only one procedure was the guidelines' recommendation followed strictly. For those procedures that rarely required hemotherapy, an ABO-Rh typing and an antibody detection test were recommended as a preoperative study without a cross match. Through education of the clinical staff, successful establishment of these guidelines can lead to substantial monetary savings, reduced blood outdating, and a decreased blood bank workload with a more appropriate allocation of the technologists' time and effort. (<i>JAMA</i>239:623-625, 1978)
Comparison of a vitellogenin gene between two distantly related rhabditid nematode species
Authors: C. E. Winter, C. Penha, T. Blumenthal
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (1996)

Three vitellogenin genes from the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have previously been characterized at the molecular level. In order to study evolutionary relationships within this poorly understood taxon, we have cloned a vitellogenin gene, CEW1-vit-6, from a distantly related species belonging to the same family as C. elegans. Screening of a genomic library with a probe to total poly(A+) RNA yielded three clones that hybridized more intensely than all others, and all three corresponded to a single gene homologous to C. elegans vit-6. Comparison of CEW1-vit-6 with Ce-vit-6 reveals both strong similarities and surprising differences. Life Ce-vit-6, the gene is about 5 kb long and contains four unusually small introns (38-41 nt), but only one interrupts the gene at the same location as a Ce-vit-6 intron. The promoter region contains five matches to Vitellogenin Promoter Element 1 (VPE1) and no matches to VPE2, both previously shown to be required for vit gene transcription in C. elegans. Codon usage is in general similar to that of the Ce-vit genes, but a few codon biases are quite different. Alignment of the CEW1-vit-6 protein with Ce-vit-6 and Ce-vit-2 products suggests the existence of two domains which have evolved at different rates. Sequence comparison shows that nematode vitellogenins are much more closely related to vertebrate than to insect vitellogenins.