tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The role of estrogen in turtle sex determination and the effect of PCBs.
Authors: D Crews, J M Bergeron, J A McLachlan
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1995)

In the current model of vertebrate sex determination and sexual differentiation, gonadal sex is fixed at fertilization by specific chromosomes, a process known as genotypic sex determination (GSD). Only after the gonad is formed do hormones begin to exert an influence that modifies specific structures that eventually will differ the sexes. Many egg-laying reptiles do not exhibit GSD but rather depend on the temperature of the incubating egg to determine the gonadal sex of the offspring, a process termed temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Research on TSD indicates that sex determination in these species is fundamentally different in at least one way. Gonadal sex is not irrevocably set by the genetic composition inherited at fertilization but depends ultimately on which genes encoding for steroidogenic enzymes and hormone receptors are activated during the midtrimester of embryonic development by temperature. Incubation temperature modifies the activity as well as the temporal and spatial sequence of enzymes and hormone receptors such that sex-specific hormone milieus, created in the urogenital system of the developing embryo, determine gonad type. Estrogen is the physiologic equivalent of incubation temperature and the proximate cue that initiates female sex determination. There is increasing evidence that some polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds are capable of disrupting reproductive and endocrine function in fish, birds, and mammals, including humans. Reproductive disorders resulting from exposure to these xenobiotic compounds may include reductions in fertility, hatch rate in fish and birds, and viability of offspring, as well as alterations in hormone levels or adult sexual behaviors, all of which have further implications, particularly in wildlife population dynamics. Research on the mechanism through which these compounds may be acting to alter reproductive function indicates estrogenic activity, by which the compounds may be altering sexual differentiation. In TSD turtles, the estrogenic effect of some PCBs reverses gonadal sex in individuals incubating at an otherwise male-producing temperature. Furthermore, certain PCBs are synergistic in their effect at very low concentrations.
Tuberculosis in a primary school: the Uppingham outbreak.
Authors: J M Wales, A R Buchan, J B Cookson, D A Jones, B S Marshall
Journal: BMJ (1985)

Etude detaillee d'une epidemie. Le premier cas semble avoir ete un erytheme noueux chez une eleve de 9 ans. Ensuite un deuxieme cas d'erytheme noueux puis une meningite tuberculeuse sont constates. Revue de tous les cas suivants et des mesures prises pour le depistage et le traitement
Integrating genetics into primary care in practice
Authors: S. Kumar, M. Gantley, G. Elwyn, R. Iredale
Journal: BMJ (2001)

Risk of adverse birth outcomes near landfill sitesEvidence suggests that it is probably safe for fetuses to develop near landfill sites Editor-Elliott et al report a large geographical study of adverse birth outcomes in populations living near landfill sites. 1 They conclude that there are small excess risks of congenital anomalies and low birth weight in such populations.Although they advise caution when interpreting their results, the study is nevertheless hailed by the press and by environmental groups as evidence that living near such sites is hazardous to health. 2 The concerns felt by parents, often with no opportunity to move elsewhere, are fuelled, and perhaps on no grounds.Scientists contribute to the media generated intrigue in subtle ways.For example, the description of the paper in an editorial by McNamee and Dolk as a report "on the risks to fetuses associated with residence" when "a study of the statistical association between reported anomalies and residence" would have been more accurate and less sensationalist. 3 Health authorities are left to pick up the pieces when a story breaks, with no advance warning, about a landfill site in their area.Another interpretation of the results of Elliott et al is that this essentially negative study goes some way to reassuring other scientists who have been studying this question that it is probably safe for fetuses to develop near such sites.Any scientist who has any experience of multivariate epidemiological analysis would have to admit that such small and inconsistent excesses and deficits, even though significant, could well be attributable to inadequately adjusted social deprivation, to name but one of many important confounders.The fact that there was no increase after the landfill sites became operational, and a significant deficit of anomalies around landfill sites in Scotland, must leave even the most determined author feeling uneasy about suggesting a causal association.Epidemiological techniques used in this study are blunt instruments unlikely to detect subtle or unidentified effects.Perhaps it is time for epidemiologists to admit that their tools are inadequate to answer this question.Other scientists should take this forward by developing better techniques to identify any putative agents in the gas emissions, leachates, and soil that may be of sufficiently high concentrations to affect human health.Many of these landfill sites are unattractive and foul smelling, attracting seagulls and peppering the landscape with rubbish.More imaginative long term wastemanagement solutions are long overdue.
Lawyers are from Mars, doctors are from Venus
Authors: J. O. Drife
Journal: BMJ (2002)

Perhaps you disagree with the title. That's OK. You may say, “Hey, lawyers talk a lot, and that's a Venusian characteristic. And doctors (especially surgeons) do things, which is Martian.” I respect you for saying that, and up to a point you're right. But let's look at it another way.

Which profession is the more confident and doesn't care what the other thinks of it? Which profession imposes its way of working on …
Concern grows for pregnant women and newborns in Pakistan
Authors: N. Siva
Journal: BMJ (2010)

Health workers in Pakistan have raised concerns about the plight of pregnant women and newborn babies in flood stricken areas.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has estimated that nearly 52 000 women are expected to give birth in the next three months, 53 000 newborns will need health care, and an additional 9000 women will need surgical intervention to deal with pregnancy related complications in the immediate future.

“Millions of Pakistanis are suffering from this disaster, and …
Supraventricular Arrhythmias in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: N. CRISTAL
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1975)

The incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias was evaluated in 350 patients with acute myocardial infarction and was found to be 44%. The mortality among patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction in whom supraventricular arrhythmias occurred was significantly higher (33%) than among those without supraventricular arrhythmias (9%). Among patients with inferior wall infarction the presence of the arrhythmias did not significantly affect the mortality rate (10% versus 7%). Most of the supraventricular arrhythmias developed in the first 48 hours after the infarction, and the incidence of the arrhythmia was greater in patients whose clinical status was worse. Apparently, it is the mechanism producing the arrhythmias that is responsible for the mortality rate associated with them and not the arrhythmias themselves. The importance of the clinical setting of the arrhythmias in evaluating their prognostic or therapeutic implications is reemphasized.
Lack of extensive mutations in the VH5 genes used in common B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Authors: L Z Rassenti, T J Kipps
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1993)

B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignancy of the CD5+ B cells. Prior studies indicated that CLL B cells generally express immunoglobulin (Ig) VH and VL genes with little or no somatic mutations. However, a recent report indicated that VH251, one of three VH genes belonging to the VH5 subgroup (e.g., VH251, VH32, and VH15), not only is frequently rearranged in this disease, but also has extensive and selective mutations when expressed by CLL B cells. The extent and nature of these mutations contrasts markedly from the low level of mutations noted in VH5 genes used by normal B cells or other Ig V genes found expressed in CLL. To determine whether this difference reflects a unique property of VH251 or a previously unrecognized subgroup of CLL, we examined for VH5 Ig gene rearrangements in leukemia cells from 68 patients that satisfied clinical and diagnostic criteria for CD5+ B cell CLL. Southern blot hybridization studies with probes for VH251 and the JH locus revealed that only 7 (10%) of the 68 monoclonal CLL cell populations had undergone Ig gene rearrangement involving VH5 genes. Two (3%) were found to have functionally rearranged VH5 genes that shared &amp;gt; or = 98% sequence homology with 5-2R1, a VH251 gene isolated from a pre-B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia. The other five CLL (7%) had functionally rearranged VH5 genes that each shared &amp;gt; or = 99% nucleic acid sequence homology with a germline VH32 isolated from human sperm DNA. These data indicate that VH251 or VH32 also may be expressed by CD5+ CLL B cells with little or no somatic mutation. These findings contrast with a recently published study on VH5 gene expression in B CLL and contest the hypothesis that extensive somatic mutation is a common property of the VH5 genes used in this disease. Further work to define the clinical and/or phenotypic characteristics of patients with leukemia cells that express mutated versus nonmutated Ig V genes may reveal subsets of CLL that possibly differ in their cytogenesis, etiopathogenesis, and/or clinical behavior.
Recombinant Human Erythropoietin and Renal Anemia: Molecular Biology, Clinical Efficacy, and Nervous System Effects
Authors: Allen R. Nissenson, Stephen D. Nimer, Deane L. Wolcott
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1991)

Anemia (hematocrit < 25%) predictably accompanies chronic renal failure and is present in over 90% of patients on chronic dialysis. Relative erythropoietin deficiency is the proximate cause. Recombinant human erythropoietin recently became available for research and clinical use. Erythropoietin production is regulated by a single copy gene located on chromosome 7; its expression has been shown in the kidney, liver, and macrophages. It is a glycosylated protein of 166 amino acids with a molecular weight of 34 000 D. When given to patients with the anemia of renal failure, erythropoietin causes a dose-dependent rise in hematocrit to the normal range within 8 to 14 weeks. Complications of this response are minimal except for a significant incidence of hypertension. When the anemia is corrected, the patient's quality of life, cognitive function, and brain electrophysiology improve dramatically. Recombinant human erythropoietin represents a major breakthrough in the treatment of patients with chronic renal failure. Current reimbursement constraints limit its full application.
Preparing Health Professionals for the Genetic Revolution
Authors: Francis S. Collins
Journal: JAMA (1997)

Imagine a physician discussing the results of a blood test with a patient that show the risk for colon cancer to be increased 4-fold and the risk for diabetes as twice normal. After discussing the meaning of the tests, the physician, the patient, and the nurse design a preventive medicine program to maximize the patient's chances of staying well. This scenario may not be as far-fetched or far off as it may seem. As a physician and as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), I am delighted by the explosion in knowledge of human gene function and its contribution to disease, and I welcome this theme issue on genetics in THE JOURNAL. Largely because of the Human Genome Project, a 15-year international effort nearing its halfway point,<sup>1,2</sup>disease gene discoveries and genetic technologies will increasingly drive biomedical research and the
Retinoblastoma Gene Mutations in Human Cancer
Authors: Brenda L. Gallie
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1994)

The retinoblastoma gene (RB) was identified because of germ-line mutations that strongly predisposed infants with the mutant gene to a rare cancer of the retina. However, the RB protein turned out to be a regulator of transcription in all cells of adults. The active form of the protein represses the expression of genes required for cells to proceed through the cycle of cell division. Phosphorylation, mediated by a complex of several proteins regulated by the cell cycle (a cyclin and a cyclin-dependent kinase), inactivates the RB protein, allowing cell division to begin.It is easy to understand that mutations resulting . . .
Lump sums for children taking part in research may distort parents judgment
Authors: R. Dobson
Journal: BMJ (2002)

Gift vouchers, book tokens, videos, and savings bonds instead of cash could be used as payments for children who have taken part in clinical trials.

An 11 point plan designed to deal with ethical concerns over payments made to children and their parents also proposes that any payments should be small, or deferred, and directed at the child.

The US ethicists who have outlined the plan in a new report say that a rigid ban on payments may be counterproductive.

“An alternative approach, advocated by the European Union, is to ban all …
Rethinking antenatal care.
Authors: A Scott-Samuel
Journal: BMJ (1978)

provide medical care for nomadic pastoralists.They state, however, that among the Somalis iron deficiency is rarely fatal.This is not true in the North-eastern Province of Kenya, where 250 000 Somalis live.In 1974 Bontel pointed out that the North-eastern Province was unique among the provinces of Kenya in that blood diseases came top of the causes of death in hospital.Severe anaemia is the commonest single cause for hospital admission in the provincial and district hospitals.
NHS gets 1.2bn cash boost
Authors: J. Warden
Journal: BMJ (1997)

Having vowed to keep within the previous Conservative government's spending plans for the health service, Gordon Brown, the chancellor of the exchequer, doubled the spending in the Budget by releasing an extra £1.2bn ($1.9bn) for 1998-9.

But as the extra comes from raiding the £5bn contingency reserve, the Treasury claims that there is no U turn in policy. The new funding, however, was unexpected and confirms the looming financial crisis that the health secretary, Frank Dobson, inherited (17 May, p 1433). A delighted Mr Dobson said that the increase gives the NHS ample time to plan ahead for this year and next.

The increase amounts to an extra 5%, or …
A Nonhuman Primate Model of Gilbert's Syndrome
Authors: Oscar W. Portman, Jayanta Roy Chowdhury, Namita Roy Chowdhury, Manfred Alexander, Charles E. Cornelius, Irwin M. Arias
Journal: Hepatology (1984)

A Bolivian population of squirrel monkeys, Saimiri sciureus, exhibits several features of Gilbert's syndrome in man, and is proposed as a nonhuman primate model of the condition. The Bolivian population was found to have higher fasting (40.6 +/- 2.7 microM; mean +/- S.E.) and postcibal (9.9 +/- 0.9 microM) plasma unconjugated bilirubin concentrations (p less than 0.001) than a closely related Brazilian population (fasting 5.5 +/- 0.7 microM); postcibal (2.4 +/- 0.7 microM). After intravenous administration of [3H]bilirubin as a tracer dose or at 3.4 mumoles per kg body weight, there was delayed plasma clearance in the Bolivian monkeys. Hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity for bilirubin (164 +/- 25 nmoles per 30 min per gm liver) and biliary bilirubin diglucuronide to monoglucuronide ratios (2.9 +/- 0.2) were lower in Bolivian monkeys than in Brazilians (421 +/- 36 nmoles per 30 min per gm liver--p less than 0.01 and 4.1 +/- 0.1--p less than 0.02, respectively). Hepatic cytosol glutathione-S-transferase B activity (ligandin) levels were similar for the two populations. After phenobarbital therapy, fasting (11.1 +/- 0.9 microM) and postcibal (5.3 +/- 1 microM) plasma bilirubin concentrations in Bolivian monkeys were significantly reduced (p less than 0.001). Sulfobromophthalein clearance was slightly slower in the Bolivian than in the Brazilian monkeys. SGOT, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were not increased in Bolivians. Fasting serum conjugated bile salt concentrations in Bolivian monkeys were lower than that in Brazilian monkeys (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
It's a far cry from speech to language
Authors: Maritza Rivera-Gaxiola, Annette Karmiloff-Smith
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (1996)

Abstract We agree with Müller's epigenetic view of evolution and ontogeny and applaud his multilevel perspective. With him, we stress the importance in ontogeny of progressive specialisation rather than prewired structures. However, we argue that he slips from “speech” to “language” and that, in seeking homologies, these two levels need to be kept separate in the analysis of evolution and ontogeny.
Hypothyroidism and Thyrotropin-Secreting Pituitary Microadenomectomy
Authors: Jeffrey A. Jackson
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1990)

Letters and Corrections1 March 1990Hypothyroidism and Thyrotropin-Secreting Pituitary MicroadenomectomyJeffrey A. Jackson, MD, Mitchell Smigiel, MDJeffrey A. Jackson, MDSearch for more papers by this author, Mitchell Smigiel, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-112-5-388_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the Editor: Hyperthyroidism is rarely caused by thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting pituitary tumors (1-3). By the time of diagnosis, these tumors are often large and are incurable by surgery alone (3). We recently reported the case of a patient who presented with moderately severe hyperthyroidism and an inappropriate secretion of TSH as measured by a highly sensitive immunoradiometric assay (2, 4). An 8-mm thyrotroph cell adenoma was removed by selective transsphenoidal microadenomectomy. We report the results of the patient's postoperative thyroid hormone testing.Six weeks after surgery, the patient developed sluggishness and cold intolerance. Triiodothyronine (T3), 25 µg twice daily, was...References1. WeintraubGershengornKouridesFein BMIH. Inappropriate secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Ann Intern Med. 1986;62:704-11. Google Scholar2. JacksonVerdonkSpiekerman JCA. Euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia and inappropriate secretion of thyrotopin. Recognition and diagnosis. Arch Intern Med. 1987;147:1311-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. GesundheitPetrickNissim NPM Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas: clinical and biochemical heterogeneity. Case reports and follow-up of nine patients. Ann Intern Med. 1989;111:827-35. LinkGoogle Scholar4. JacksonSmigielGreene JMJ. Hyperthyroidism due to a thyrotropin-secreting pituitary microadenoma. Henry Ford Hosp Med J. 1987;35:198-200. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. Fishman L. Cushing's syndrome. In: Krieger DT, Bardin CW, eds. Current Therapy in Endocrinology and Metabolism 1985-1986. Philadelphia: B.C. Decker;1985:108-15. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Scott and White Clinic Temple, TX 76508 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByThyrotropin-Secreting Pituitary Tumors 1 March 1990Volume 112, Issue 5Page: 388-388KeywordsAdenomasHyperthyroidismHypothyroidismImmunoradiometric assayPituitary tumorsSurgeryThyroid hormonesThyroid-stimulating hormoneTriiodothyronine Issue Published: 1 March 1990 PDF DownloadLoading ...
The nasal response to exercise and exercise induced bronchoconstriction in normal and asthmatic subjects.
Authors: K P Strohl, M J Decker, L G Olson, T A Flak, P L Hoekje
Journal: Thorax (1988)

Two studies were carried out to test the hypothesis that the fall and recovery of nasal resistance after exercise in asthmatic and non-asthmatic subjects are related to the development of bronchoconstriction after exercise. In study 1 nasal resistance (posterior rhinomanometry) and specific airway resistance (sRaw) were measured before challenge and one, five, 10 and 30 minutes after four minutes of exhausting legwork exercise in nine asthmatic subjects and nine age matched healthy subjects. One minute after exercise there was a reduction in nasal resistance of 49% (SD 15%) from baseline in the healthy subjects and of 66% (17%) in the asthmatic subjects. This response and the subsequent return of nasal resistance to baseline values did not differ significantly between the two groups despite a substantial difference in the change in sRaw, an increase of 74% (45%) in the asthmatic subjects 10 minutes after exercise, and no change in the non-asthmatic subjects. In study 2, nasal and specific airway resistances were monitored according to the same measurement protocol in six subjects with increased airway reactivity. Subjects exercised on two occasions, wearing a noseclip, once while breathing cold, dry air and once while breathing warm, humid air. The fall in nasal resistance was similar under both conditions (to 47% and 39% of baseline), through sRaw rose only after cold air inhalation (to 172% of baseline). The results indicate that the nasal response to exercise is not related to bronchial obstruction in asthmatic subjects after exercise or to the temperature or humidity of the air inspired through the mouth during exercise.
228 SECONDARY BACTERIAL PERITONITIS IN CIRRHOSIS: A SERIES OF 24 PATIENTS COMPARED TO 124 EPISODES OF SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS
Authors: C. Alvarez, J. Castellote, G. Soriano, A. Girbau, J. Gordillo, C. Baliellas, M. Casas, C. Pons, E.M. Roman, S. Maisterra, X. Xiol, C. Guarner
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)