tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Aflatoxin Exposure and Viral Hepatitis in the Etiology of Liver Cirrhosis in The Gambia, West Africa
Authors: Mark H. Kuniholm, Olufunmilayo A. Lesi, Maimuna Mendy, Aliu O. Akano, Omar Sam, Andrew J. Hall, Hilton Whittle, Ebrima Bah, James J. Goedert, Pierre Hainaut, Gregory D. Kirk
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2008)

Cirrhosis of the liver is thought to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, but few controlled studies on the etiology of cirrhosis have been conducted in this region.We aimed to elucidate the association between environmental and infectious exposures and cirrhosis in The Gambia.Ninety-seven individuals were diagnosed with cirrhosis using a validated ultrasound scoring system and were compared with 397 controls. Participants reported demographic and food frequency information. Blood samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, HCV RNA, and the aflatoxin-associated 249(ser) TP53 mutation.HBsAg seropositivity was associated with a significant increase in risk of cirrhosis [odds ratio (OR) = 8.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.4-14.7] as was the presence of HBeAg (OR = 10.3; 95% CI, 2.0-53.9) and HCV infection (OR = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.2-9.5). We present novel data that exposure to aflatoxin, as assessed both by high lifetime groundnut (peanut) intake and by the presence of the 249(ser) TP53 mutation in plasma, is associated with a significant increase in the risk for cirrhosis (OR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.7 and OR = 3.8; 95% CI, 1.5-9.6, respectively). Additionally, aflatoxin and hepatitis B virus exposure appeared to interact synergistically to substantially increase the risk of cirrhosis, although this was not statistically significant.Our results suggest that the spectrum of morbidity associated with aflatoxin exposure could include cirrhosis.
Estrogen Protection against Bone Resorbing Effects of Parathyroid Hormone Infusion: Assessment by Use of Biochemical Markers
Authors: Felicia Cosman
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1993)

Objective: Because parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates bone resorption, resistance to its actions might help maintain bone mass. We tested the hypothesis that the effects of estrogen on bone are accomplished in part by decreasing the sensitivity of the skeleton to the resorbing effects of PTH. Study Design: Comparison of response to PTH infusion in untreated and estrogen-treated postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Intervention: (1-34) human PTH, 0.55 U/(kg x h), was infused intravenously over 20 hours. Setting: The inpatient clinical research unit of a referral hospital. Patients: Women with primary postmenopausal osteoporosis who were untreated (n = 15) or treated with estrogen (n = 17). Main Outcome Measures: Skeletal turnover indices including hydroxyproline, deoxypyridinoline, pyridinoline, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, bone Gla protein, and insulin-like growth factor-1. Results: All basal indices were higher in untreated than in estrogen-treated women, but statistical differences were seen only for deoxypyridinoline and pyridinoline. During the 20-hour infusion, hydroxyproline/creatinine increased 0.023 µmol/ï¿½mol in untreated women but only 0.010 µmol/ï¿½mol in estrogen-treated women (P < 0.05). Corresponding changes for deoxypyridinoline/creatinine were 14.6 µmol/ï¿½mol and 3.5 µmol/ï¿½mol (P = 0.06). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and pyridinoline increased only in the untreated group. A circadian rhythm in circulating bone Gla protein was seen in both groups without clear PTH-induced effects or differences between groups. Alkaline phosphatase levels and insulin-like growth factor-1 decreased in both groups with no distinction between untreated and estrogen-treated women. Conclusion: The estrogenized postmenopausal osteoporotic skeleton is less sensitive to the bone resorbing effects of acutely administered PTH. There are no differential effects on bone formation.
P306 MONOCYTE OXIDATIVE BURST DEFECT PREDICTS RISK OF INFECTION IN ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS
Authors: N. Vergis, W. Khamri, S. Atkinson, R. Tidswell, U. Gill, J. Ryan, C. Bernsmeier, E. Triantafyllou, L. Blackmore, C. Moore, H. Marcinkowski, L. Possamai, B. Mullish, S. Khan, A. Dhar, M. Foxton, D. Shawcross, Y. Ma, C.G. Antoniades, M.R. Thursz
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2014)
122. Generation of a Family of Ad5 Mutants with Slowed Packaging Kinetics but Non-Affected Packaging Efficiency
Authors: Raul Alba, Patrick Hearing, Assumpcio Bosch, Miguel Chillon
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2006)

Adenoviral packaging is a multistep process where different viral proteins interact with the packaging signal Y to generate a DNA-protein complex which is driven to the procapsid to generate a viral particle. More than location of Y in the adenoviral (Ad) genome, the distance between the Inverted Terminal Repeat (ITR) and Y is crucial for the packaging process. Thus, while separations of 270 bp or less do not seem to affect packaging, distances of 600 bp or more significantly prevent efficient Ad genome packaging. To better understand the packaging process, we have developed a family of Ad mutant vectors with different combinations of short recombinase-recognized-sequences to flank Y. Sequences length's range from 67 to 109 bp, which theoretically should not affect the packaging process. However, in contrast to previous results, insertion of these sequences between 5-end ITR and Y lengthens viral cycle from 36 up to 52-56 h. Moreover, at 36 h, viral production was 2-3 logs lower in mutant Ad than in control, which may have important applications to separate defective from non-defective Ad. We then analyzed which steps of the packaging process were altered. Thus, Dot blot analysis through the viral cycle showed that DNA replication levels and kinetics were similar between control and mutant Ad. When cotransfecting with control and mutant Ad, total infection units (IU) of control Ad were again 2-3 logs higher than mutant Ad in packaging showing that protein production or protein availability are not a key factor to explain slower viral cycle. We then performed a packaging assay to compare viral replicated DNA vs packaged DNA and we observed that total replicated DNA levels between control and mutant Ad were similar but only 3-4% of the mutant genome was packaged compared to control, indicating a relevant impairment in the packaging process which could explain the significant delay of the viral cycle. In addittion, at the end of their viral cycle, total number of virus particles as well as IU/PP ratio were similar between control and mutant Ad demonstrating that packaging kinetics but not packaging efficiency was affected. Finally, ongoing experiments are under way to specifically determine which step of the interaction between packaging complex:Y is affected.
Isotype-specific immunoregulation. IgA-binding factors produced by Fc alpha receptor-positive T cell hybridomas regulate IgA responses.
Authors: H Kiyono, L M Mosteller-Barnum, A M Pitts, S I Williamson, S M Michalek, J R McGhee
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1985)

T-T hybridomas, produced by fusions between R1.1 T lymphoma and cloned T helper cells that promote IgA responses (Th A cells) were characterized in this study. A total of 85 cloned cell lines were produced, and their supernatants were assessed for support of antigen-dependent IgA (and IgM and IgG) responses. 16 of 85 culture fractions supported IgA anti-sheep red blood cell, -horse red blood cell, or -trinitrophenyl responses in either lipopolysaccharide-triggered splenic B cell, or normal Peyer's patch B cell cultures, and the responses were specific for the antigen used for in vitro immunization. None of the supernatants from the cell lines induced significant polyclonal responses in these B cell cultures. Interestingly, the 16 hybridomas that produced supernatants with IgA-promoting properties had Fc receptors for IgA (Fc alpha R), but did not express Fc mu R or Fc gamma R. When supernatants from Fc alpha R+ T cell lines were subjected to IgA affinity chromatography, the IgA-promoting activity bound to IgA (IBF alpha) and was recovered in the eluate. No binding of active fractions occurred when supernates were passed through IgM or IgG immunoadsorbent columns. High concentrations of purified IBF alpha suppressed T-dependent IgA responses, while an optimal level was required for enhancement of this isotype response. These results suggest that Fc alpha R+ hybridomas derived from Th A cells release IBF alpha into the culture medium, and that these molecules regulate IgA responses to various T-dependent antigens.
Confusion is widespread about the role and aim of clinical senates, conference hears
Authors: M. Limb
Journal: BMJ (2012)

The government has yet to explain clearly what “clinical senates” are for, how they will be funded, and what they will achieve, senior NHS figures told a conference.

Concerns were raised at a Westminster Health Forum seminar that the new bodies being set up in England could create another bureaucratic “talking shop” with little benefit.

David Stout, deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said there had been “remarkable silence” from the Department of Health since clinical senates were first mooted.

The idea emerged in June 2011 from discussions of the NHS Future Forum, without having been mentioned in a government white paper or in the Health and Social Care Bill, he said. The forum was originally set up …
Nasal immunotherapy in pollen‐sensitive children
Authors: E. Cserháti, G. Mezei
Journal: Allergy (1997)

Subcutaneous specific immunotherapy has a considerable risk of side effects, including severe life-threatening ones or even death. The disadvantages and problems of this kind of therapy gave rise to looking for new ways of hyposensitization. In allergic rhinitis the local (nasal) immunotherapy may be effective. We studied the efficacy of local nasal immunotherapy (Allerkin) in grass and ragweed allergic children suffering from seasonal atopic rhinitis.36 children (12 with grass pollen, 12 with ragweed pollen immunotherapy, 12 controls).nasal provocation tests with increasing doses of Allerkin, skin prick test, diary cards. Schedule of the investigations: enrollment of the patients and nasal provocation tests; grass pollen and ragweed pollen preseasonal immunotherapy with increasing doses of Allerkin; during pollen season registration by symptoms and drug consumption; after the season nasal provocation tests.grass immunotherapy: nasal provocation threshold increased (P < 0.01), symptoms became fewer (P < 0.01) and drug consumption was less in the active group compared to control. Similar but less expressed tendencies were seen in the ragweed group. After the second year of immunotherapy the need for steroid treatment was significantly (P < 0.05) fewer in the immunotherapy group than in the control group. No side effects appeared during the course of immunotherapy, but some patients suffered from mild sneezing or nasal discharge after the Allerkin application.local (nasal) immunotherapy is an effective, safe and not troublesome alternative to systemic immunotherapy.
161 Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in patients with morbid obesity is commonly associated with normal liver enzymes
Authors: P LATHAM, M BORUM, E NSIEN, J AFRAM
Journal: Hepatology (2003)

Over the past two decades, the ability to identify specific liver diseases and the availability of effective forms of treatment for autoimmune and viral hepatitis have spawned a more aggressive approach to the evaluation of patients presenting with symptoms, signs, or biochemical abnormalities of liver disease. As a result, hepatic steatosis without inflammation (benign steatosis) and steatosis accompanied by characteristic histologic findings, which include inflammation and sometimes various degrees of fibrosis (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]), are entities recognized histologically with increasing frequency. The diagnosis of NASH is established by liver biopsy (Fig. 1). The findings share many of the histologic changes of alcoholic hepatitis and include the presence of lipid droplets within hepatocytes (steatosis), lobular inflammatory infiltration with neutrophils and mononuclear cells, Mallory's hyalin, and various degrees of fibrosis ranging from perisinusoidal to frank cirrhosis. 65This article considers the causes and consequences of benign steatosis and NASH, realizing that much like the syndrome of “chronic active hepatitis” of the past decades, the syndromes of steatosis are causally multifactorial and are subject to division into specific subsets, each with its own prognosis and treatment, as specific causes are identified and the resulting liver disease is characterized. Because NASH can progress to life-threatening liver disease, it is a syndrome that should be considered in patients without other identifiable causes of liver enzymeelevations or causes of chronic liver disease.
A woman who bled after a decade of dyspnoea
Authors: N J ROBERTSON, M E F SMITH, A J SHERWOOD, S P L TRAVIS
Journal: Gut (1999)

#### Case history

A 53 year old woman presented in October 1987 with a several week history of dyspnoea and left sided pleuritic chest pain. A chest x ray showed a left sided pleural effusion, cytology of which showed reactive mesothelial cells. The effusion recurred in January 1990, prompting bronchoscopic and thoracoscopic examinations. The broncoscopy revealed no abnormalities but the thoracoscopy showed thickening of the pleura at the left lung base. After a pleural biopsy, a diagnosis of metastatic poorly differentiated non small cell carcinoma was made. The patient received six cycles of cisplatin/carboplatin and responded well. However, in 1994, computed tomography revealed a small tumour in the …
Clinical applications of positron-emission tomography in cancer
Authors: N. C. Gupta, M. P. Frick
Journal: CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (1993)

Positron-emission tomography is a unique imaging technique that has shown promise for improving staging, treatment planning, and monitoring of cancer. When used in conjunction with a radioactive glucose analog, positron-emission tomography has proven useful for detecting malignant tissue and quantitating changes in tumor glycolysis during and after treatment. This article reviews the principles of positron-emission tomography and its clinical role in cancer treatment.
Cost effectiveness of abdominal aortic aneurysm screening and rescreening in men in a modern context: evaluation of a hypothetical cohort using a decision analytical model
Authors: R. Sogaard, J. Laustsen, J. S. Lindholt
Journal: BMJ (2012)

To assess the cost effectiveness of different screening strategies for abdominal aortic aneurysm in men, from the perspective of a national health service.Screening units at regional hospitals.Hypothetical cohort of 65 year old men from the general population.Costs (£ in 2010) and effect on health outcomes (quality adjusted life years (QALYs)).Screening seems to be highly cost effective compared with not screening. The model estimated a 92% probability that some form of screening would be cost effective at a threshold of £20,000 (€24,790; $31,460). If men with an aortic diameter of 25-29 mm at the initial screening were rescreened once after five years, 452 men per 100,000 initially screened would benefit from early detection, whereas lifetime rescreening every five years would detect 794 men per 100,000. We estimated the associated incremental cost effectiveness ratios for rescreening once and lifetime rescreening to be £10,013 and £29,680 per QALY, respectively. The individual probability of being the most cost effective strategy was higher for each rescreening strategy than for the screening once strategy (in view of the £20,000 threshold).This study confirms the cost effectiveness of screening versus no screening and lends further support to considerations of rescreening men at least once for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Rapid cholesterol nucleation time and cholesterol gall stone formation after subtotal or total colectomy in humans.
Authors: I Makino, K Chijiiwa, H Higashijima, S Nakahara, M Kishinaka, S Kuroki, R Mibu
Journal: Gut (1994)

Changes in biliary lipid composition, pH, ionised calcium, total and unconjugated bilirubin, and cholesterol nucleation time of gall bladder bile samples were examined in six patients who had undergone subtotal or total colectomy between five months and seven years previously, and values were compared with those in control patients with no gall stones. The colectomy group mainly comprised patients with ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatosis coli, in whom only a short length of the terminal ileum (mean (SEM) 2.25 (0.57) cm) had been resected. The reconstruction procedures were ileoanal anastomosis in two patients, terminal ileostomy in two, ileorectal anastomosis in one, and J shaped ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in one patient. The distributions of age, sex, and relative body weight were similar in the two groups. The gall bladder bile was lithogenic in the post colectomy group--these patients had a significantly increased cholesterol saturation index (p < 0.01) and rapid cholesterol nucleation time (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. A significant increase in the molar percentage of cholesterol and a decrease in that of total bile acid associated with significantly decreased secondary bile acids (p < 0.05) were observed in the post colectomy group. Gall stones formed in two of six patients after colectomy were cholesterol stones containing more than 80% cholesterol by dry weight. Total and unconjugated bilirubin, pH, and ionised calcium values were similar in the two groups. The results indicate that after total or subtotal colectomy the composition of gall bladder bile increases the risk of cholesterol gall stone formation.
Chloroform and Gaslight Intoxication.
Authors: D. H. Galloway
Journal: JAMA (1898)

200Oakwood Boul., Chicago, Oct. 25, 1898. <h3>To the Editor:</h3> —A note under the above title, in theJournalof October 22, suggests a degree of ignorance or carelessness on the part of the doctors responsible for the occurrence, which I hope is, but may not be, entirely absent from the profession in this country. At any rate, it seems to me to be of sufficient importance to justify a further notice. The case is as follows: A patient was anesthetized with chloroform in the presence of a gaslight. The narcosis lasted three hours and during that time the doctors and nurse experienced a spasmodic cough. Patient died in six hours, the nurse in twenty-four hours and the doctor was "at the point of death" for two or three days. The fatal results were attributed to the inhalation of the fumes produced from the combustion of the vapor of chloroform
Ranibizumab Therapy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: James C. Folk, Edwin M. Stone
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2010)

A 66-year-old man presents with a 2-week history of blurred and distorted vision in his right eye. A retinal specialist diagnoses neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and recommends treatment with ranibizumab.
ONE YEAR OUTCOME AFTER PERCUTANEOUS CLOSURE OF PARAVALVULAR LEAKS OF EDWARDS-SAPIEN TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE
Authors: Vikas Singh, Cesia Gallegos, Brian O'Neill, Conrad Macon, Carlos Alfonso, Mauricio Cohen, Alan Heldman, William O'Neill, Claudia Martinez
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2014)
A multicenter, placebo controlled trial of continuous intravenous diltiazem infusion (IV DILT) for twenty-four hour rate control during atrial flutter/fibrillation (Af1/Afib)
Authors: Kenneth A Ellenbogen, Virgil C Dias, Vance J Plumb, J.Thomas Heywood, David M Mirvis, Liguat Zanan, Jan Christy-Bittel, None Co-Investigators
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1990)
P196 The cost effectiveness of PET scans in the radical treatment of lung cancer patients in a district general hospital
Authors: C. Wotton, K. Allen, V. Masani
Journal: Thorax (2011)

<h3>Introduction and Objectives</h3> This retrospective study compares the cost of PET scans with the cost of surgical intervention; for patients with lung cancer suitable for radical therapy. <h3>Methods</h3> The number of patients referred for PET scans by our lung Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) in 2010 was identified from our lung cancer database. All patients9 management plans were reviewed via our electronic lung cancer database (Somerset Cancer Registry), and copies of MDT and clinic letters. The cost of PET scans, lobectomy and mediastinoscopy were provided by our thoracic surgery tertiary centre, the Bristol Royal Infirmary, as follows; PET scan £850, uncomplicated lobectomy £6000, uncomplicated mediastinoscopy £2000. <h3>Results</h3> In 2010 the lung MDT referred 84 patients for PET scans (see Abstract P196 table 1). 52 scans were requested with the intention of referring patients for radical treatment. Of these 52 scans, 22 patients had their lung cancer upstaged following PET scan (three increased tumour staging, nine increased nodal staging, and 10 identified distal metastases). 26 patients had unchanged staging on PET scan compared with CT scan. Four patients required further imaging. The total cost of PET scans was 52×£850=£44 200. As a result of upstaging on PET scan, 22 patients were not referred for radical surgery (lobectomy) with the potential cost saving of 22×£6000=£132 000. Furthermore, in view of PET scan activity identified in mediastinal nodes, nine patients were not referred for mediastinoscopy with the potential cost saving of 9×£2000=£18 000. Therefore the total potential cost saving after accounting for PET scan expenditure was £105 800. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The study demonstrates the cost effectiveness of PET scanning in the radical treatment of lung cancer patients in a district general hospital. Limitations of the study include an underestimation of the cost of surgery as some patients will develop post-operative complications. Furthermore, the study has not included the cost of palliative treatments provided to patients who were not referred for radical treatment after PET scan. The study did not assess the concurrent advantages of reduction in morbidity and mortality for patients avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention.