tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Acquired Immune Deficiency in Haitians
Authors: Jeffrey Vieira, Elliot Frank, Thomas J. Spira, Sheldon H. Landesman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1983)

We describe acquired immune deficiency manifested by opportunistic infections in 10 previously healthy heterosexual Haitian men. The opportunistic pathogens included Toxoplasma gondii (in four patients), Cryptococcus neoformans (in one), Pneumocystis carinii (in four patients), and Candida albicans (in three). Six of the patients also had Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Immunologic studies of three patients showed a decrease in the numbers and activity of helper T cells, with normal or increased populations of suppressor T cells. Serologic markers for previous infections from hepatitis A, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus were detected in several patients. Six of the patients died despite specific antimicrobial therapy. The clinical and immunologic findings in these 10 Haitians are similar to those reported in drug addicts and homosexuals with the acquired immune-deficiency syndrome.
Endoscopic Management of Persistent Biliary Leakage Resulting from Complete Transection of the Bile Duct at Cholecystectomy
Authors: S. Misra, M. Dwivedi
Journal: Endoscopy (2006)

Background and Study Aims: Injuries to the bile duct are not uncommon during cholecystectomy. While minor injuries are amenable to endoscopic therapy, major ones, such as complete transection of the duct, require surgical intervention. We report on the endoscopic management of such injuries. Patients and Methods: We included in the study ten patients who had persistent postoperative bile drainage (either through a surgically placed catheter or through a biliocutaneous fistula) after their cholecystectomy procedure had been complicated by complete transection of the bile duct. Plastic biliary endoprostheses were placed in the bilioma through the papilla of Vater. In one patient, both the right and the left hepatic ducts were opacified by injecting contrast material through the drainage catheter and it was possible to place stents in both the ducts. Results: All the patients improved clinically after the procedure. In one patient the stent became dislodged and an elective Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed, but it was possible to remove the stents from all the other patients. Two patients were referred for surgery but in both cases the bile flow through the bile duct was shown to be so good on nuclear imaging that they were not operated on. All the non-operated patients are well after a mean ± SD follow-up of 22.3 ± 5.5 months. Conclusions: Placement of biliary stents in the bilioma is a useful adjunct to percutaneous drainage in patients with complete transection of the bile duct. After placement of a biliary stent in the bilioma the percutaneous drainage catheter may be removed. In one of our study patients it was also possible to place stents in the intrahepatic ducts and the bile duct was reconstructed. Long-term follow-up of these patients and further studies are required to assess the role of endoscopic management as an alternative to surgery in patients with this condition.
Recombinant Leukocyte A Interferon in Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Stephen A. Sherwin, Deborah Mayer, Jeffrey J. Ochs, Paul G. Abrams, James A. Knost, Kenneth A. Foon, Seymour Fein, Robert K. Oldham
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1983)

Nineteen patients with advanced refractory metastatic breast cancer no longer responsive to chemotherapy were treated in the first phase II efficacy trial of recombinant leukocyte A interferon (IFL-rA), a highly purified single molecular species of alpha interferon prepared by recombinant DNA methods. Patients received a previously determined maximum tolerated dose for this agent (50 X 106 U/m2 body surface area) by intramuscular injection three times weekly for up to 3 months. The symptoms of toxicity observed in this trial resemble those previously reported for alpha interferons and include fever, chills, fatigue, anorexia, and leukopenia. All patients required dose reductions, most often for reasons of severe fatigue. Of the 17 patients evaluable for tumor response, one patient had stable disease and 16 had evidence of tumor progression. We conclude that IFL-rA is not an active agent in the treatment of advanced, refractory breast cancer when used at a maximum tolerated dose on this treatment schedule.
Is All Nuclear Radiation Harmful?
Authors: Hugh F. Henry
Journal: JAMA (1961)

SHORTLY AFTER 1900 physicians noted that high exposure to penetrating radiation could produce injury. It was later shown that injuries can also occur eventually as a result of somewhat lower, but still comparatively high, exposures over a much longer period. If the exposures are sufficiently low, no effect at all can be determined. Recognition that everyone receives continuous lowlevel background radiation exposure led to the concept that exposures below a so-called threshold level will not be injurious. The conservative position has been taken that exposures should be limited to as low values as feasible, although it is recognized the data do not necessarily justify stringent and expensive controls. This position has recently been restated by the Federal Radiation Council which reported, that exposure potential should be balanced against benefits.  In 1956, it was stated that all radiation, even the most minute, is hazardous. This was based on some published
The effect of prolactin on the lecithin content of fetal rabbit lung.
Authors: M Hamosh, P Hamosh
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1977)

1 mg ovine prolactin was injected intramuscularly into rabbit fetuses (24th day of gestation) located in one of the two uterine horns exposed by laparotomy (n = 12). Fetuses in the other uterine horn were injected with an identical volume of vector and served as controls (n = 13). 2 days later the fetuses were removed by a second laparotomy and sacrificed. Analysis of lung tissue composition yielded the following results: (a) the prolactin-treated group of fetuses showed 40% higher total lung phospholipid content (17.0 +/- 0.8 micronmol/g) than the control group (12.2 +/- 0.5 micronmol/g); (b) the prolactin-treated group had a 67% higher lung lecithin content (8.7 +/- 0.8 micronmol/g) than the control group (5.2 +/- 0.4 micronmol/g); (c) dipalmitoyllecithin accounted for 67% of total lung lecithin in the prolactin-treated group and 44% in the control group. These differences were statistically highly significant (P less than 0.001). However, between the prolactin-treated and the control groups, there were no statistically significant differences in body weight and length, lung weight, the ratio of lung weight to body weight, DNA, protein and, water content. These results suggest that prolactin might be a trigger of lung surfactant synthesis in the rabbit fetus.
FURTHER NOTES ON THE TREATMENT OF PERTUSSIS BY THE ROENTGEN RAY
Authors: HENRY I. BOWDITCH
Journal: JAMA (1924)

Following up the work indicated in a preliminary note last year,<sup>1</sup>there is presented here for discussion the results of treatment with the roentgen ray of 300 cases of whooping cough by the medical staff of the Boston Floating Hospital. This work was made possible by the trustees of the Boston Floating Hospital, at our suggestion, who felt that the question was of sufficient importance to warrant the installation of a roentgen-ray apparatus in the outpatient department of the "On Shore" Hospital at 40 Wigglesworth Street, Boston. The work was carried on enthusiastically by members of the medical staff, who gave freely of their time in accumulating the data. It is our hope that these facts may be of value to other physicians and give them more assurance in treating whooping cough by this method. The data represent the historical evidence of the first 300 patients voluntarily applying for
Effects of submaximal cycling and long-term endurance training on neutrophil phagocytic activity in middle aged men.
Authors: A K Blannin, L J Chatwin, R Cave, M Gleeson
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (1996)

To investigate the effects of long term (> 10 years) endurance training and submaximal exercise on the phagocytic activity of circulating neutrophil granulocytes.The ability of stimulated blood neutrophils isolated from well trained cyclists [n = 8; VO2max 61.0(SD 8.8) ml.kg-1.min-1; age 38(4) years] and age matched sedentary controls [n = 8; VO2max 37.4 (6.6) ml.kg-1.min-1] to ingest nitroblue tetrazolium was assessed at rest and following a standardised submaximal bout of exercise on a cycle ergometer.Trained subjects had a lower resting blood neutrophil count (P < 0.01). Acute exercise caused a rise (P < 0.01) in the blood neutrophil count irrespective of training status, but the magnitude of the rise was smaller in the trained subjects (P < 0.05). The circulating neutrophil phagocytic capacity was approximately 70% lower in trained individuals at rest compared with the control subjects (P < 0.01). Acute submaximal exercise increased this variable in both groups, but phagocytic capacity remained substantially lower in the trained subjects compared with the controls (P < 0.05) despite the observation that a higher proportion of the circulating neutrophils were stimulated to undergo phagocytosis in the trained subjects [57(14)% v 32(7)%; P < 0.01).Although neutrophil phagocytic activity is only one variable that contributes to immunological status, prolonged periods of endurance training may lead to increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections by diminishing this activity at rest.
Abstract 1199: Sorting nexin 2 (SNX2) controls drug sensitivity to molecular targeted anticancer agents through membrane trafficking of c-Met protein in cancer cell
Authors: Mayumi Ono, Sayaka Ogi, Chizuko Yamamoto, Hideaki Fujita, Michihiko Kuwano
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Various molecular targeted anticancer drugs are often developed by targeting activated growth factor receptors that are expressed on plasma membrane of cancer cells. Expression of such active receptors on the cell surface is essential to limit the drug sensitivity to molecular targeted drugs in lung cancer cells and others. The sorting nexin (SNX) family is a diverse group of cytoplasmic and membrane-associated proteins that are involved in membrane-trafficking steps within the endocytotic network. Human SNX family proteins comprise about 34 proteins with wide range of biological functions, which play specialized and/or generalized roles in the regulation of protein trafficking, including endosomal trafficking of membrane receptors and transporters. SNX1 and SNX2 are components of the mammalian retromer complex. In this study, we show that the small-interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of SNX2 decreased the cell-surface localization of c-Met, but not that of EGFR, resulting in degradation of the c-Met protein. Knockdown of SNX2 markedly altered sensitivity to anticancer drugs targeting c-Met and EGFR through promotion of compensatory activation of the EGFR pathway in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, SNX2 knockdown also specifically decreased c-Met expression, and altered drug sensitivity to c-Met-targeted drug in gastric cancer cells. These findings suggest that SNX2 is a key protein that regulates c-Met-driven growth-signalling pathways, affecting the therapeutic efficacy of growth factor receptor-targeted drugs in lung and gastric cancer patients. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1199. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1199
Homograft Replacement of the Mitral Valve
Authors: RALPH E. GIANELLY, WILLIAM W. ANGELL, EDWARD STINSON, NORMAN E. SHUMWAY, DONALD C. HARRISON
Journal: Circulation (1968)

Replacement of the mitral valve with an aortic valve homograft has become feasible. Clinical and hemodynamic assessments of eight patients who received the new homograft were made from 3 to 6 months following surgery. Marked improvement was reported by six patients and mild to moderate improvement by two. At rest the homografts functioned well, creating a trivial diastolic gradient between the left atrium and left ventricle and being mildly insufficient in two cases. On exercise there was moderate mitral insufficiency. Anticoagulants were used for 3 months following surgery and then discontinued. In 60 subsequent patient-months no thromboembolism has been observed. The data are as yet inconclusive, but the homograft shows promise of being a reasonable alternative to the prostheses currently in use.
Whole Exome Sequencing Reveals the Order of Genetic Changes during Malignant Transformation and Metastasis in a Single Patient with NF1-plexiform Neurofibroma
Authors: Angela C. Hirbe, Sonika Dahiya, Christopher A. Miller, Tiandao Li, Robert S. Fulton, Xiaochun Zhang, Sandra McDonald, Katherine DeSchryver, Eric J. Duncavage, Jessica Walrath, Karlyne M. Reilly, Haley J. Abel, Melike Pekmezci, Arie Perry, Timothy J. Ley, David H. Gutmann
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2015)

Abstract Purpose: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) occur at increased frequency in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), where they likely arise from benign plexiform neurofibroma precursors. While previous studies have used a variety of discovery approaches to discover genes associated with MPNST pathogenesis, it is currently unclear what molecular events are associated with the evolution of MPNST from plexiform neurofibroma. Experimental Design: Whole-exome sequencing was performed on biopsy materials representing plexiform neurofibroma (n = 3), MPNST, and metastasis from a single individual with NF1 over a 14-year period. Additional validation cases were used to assess candidate genes involved in malignant progression, while a murine MPNST model was used for functional analysis. Results: There was an increasing proportion of cells with a somatic NF1 gene mutation as the tumors progressed from benign to malignant, suggesting a clonal process in MPNST development. Copy number variations, including loss of one copy of the TP53 gene, were identified in the primary tumor and the metastatic lesion, but not in benign precursor lesions. A limited number of genes with nonsynonymous somatic mutations (βIII-spectrin and ZNF208) were discovered, several of which were validated in additional primary and metastatic MPNST samples. Finally, increased βIII-spectrin expression was observed in the majority of MPNSTs, and shRNA-mediated knockdown reduced murine MPNST growth in vivo. Conclusions: Collectively, the ability to track the molecular evolution of MPNST in a single individual with NF1 offers new insights into the sequence of genetic events important for disease pathogenesis and progression for future mechanistic study. Clin Cancer Res; 21(18); 4201–11. ©2015 AACR.
Electroconvulsive Therapy — A Current Perspective
Authors: Raymond R. Crowe
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1984)

ELECTROCONVULSIVE therapy has become a national issue. Attacks on it have appeared in movies and television documentaries, as well as in the popular and professional press.1 , 2 These criticisms have resulted in legislation restricting its use in several states and, more recently, in an attempt to ban its use altogether in Berkeley, California. Because of growing public concern, physicians are likely to be consulted by the public about the treatment; thus, it is surprising that a current review of the subject is not available in a major general medical journal. A considerable body of research has been carried out on electroconvulsive . . .
Streptomycin-Sulphadiazine Treatment of Undulant Fever
Authors: E. F. Scowen, L. P. Garrod
Journal: BMJ (1948)

<h3>Educational aims</h3> To summarise the evidence of the role of breathing control approaches in the management of asthma To provide information on the content of evidence-based breathing exercises programmes <h3>Summary</h3> Asthma is a complex, multi-dimensional condition that affects patients in many ways. Having asthma is inherently stressful and psychological problems are common and associated with poor asthma outcomes. Although most patients in clinical trials can achieve high levels of control with optimised pharmacotherapy, in “real-life” practice, poor control is common, with over-reliance on rescue bronchodilator medication and ongoing symptoms and quality-of-life impairment. Many patients are interested in non-pharmacological treatments to improve asthma control, particularly breathing control exercises but, until recently, the evidence base has been inadequate. The place of breathing exercises has been controversial, partly because some proponents have made exaggerated, implausible claims of effectiveness. Recent evidence, however, has resulted in endorsement of breathing exercises as add-on treatment in asthma in systematic reviews and guidelines. This review summarises the current evidence of effectiveness of breathing exercises programmes as an adjuvant treatment to pharmacological strategies for people with asthma. The types of breathing training programmes used and the content of effective programmes are discussed. We conclude that patients whose asthma continues to cause symptoms and quality-of-life impairment, despite adequate pharmacological treatment, or who have high bronchodilator use, should be offered access to an effective breathing training programme as a part of holistic, integrated asthma care. <h3>Key points</h3> Asthma is frequently poorly controlled despite effective modern medication Psychological factors can be as important as physiological ones in affecting symptom perception and disease impact Breathing exercises can improve patient-reported outcomes and psychological state Breathing exercises should be offered to all asthma patients with symptoms or impaired quality of life despite standard treatment
The T4 Lymphocyte in AIDS
Authors: Richard S. Kalish, Stuart F. Schlossman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1985)

The recent emergence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has dramatically demonstrated the clinical importance of an intact immune system in the host's response to infectious disease and cancer. AIDS is represented by a spectrum of clinical abnormalities ranging from the most severe forms of opportunistic infections and unusual malignant processes to milder forms of AIDS-related syndromes in which the most consistent abnormalities are lymphadenopathy, fever, and weight loss. Associated with full-blown AIDS is the depression of virtually all measurable cellular and humoral immune responses despite paradoxical hypergammaglobulinemia. Immunodeficiency is also reflected in many in vitro findings, including diminution of . . .
Comprehensive Assessment of the Elderly Cancer Patient: The Feasibility of Self-Report Methodology
Authors: Sally S. Ingram, Pearl H. Seo, Robert E. Martell, Elizabeth C. Clipp, Martha E. Doyle, Gustavo S. Montana, Harvey J. Cohen
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2002)

PURPOSE: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has aided the medical community greatly in understanding the quality-of-life issues and functional needs of older patients. With its professional team assessment approach, however, CGA may be time consuming and costly. The goal of the present study was to assess the ability of cancer patients to complete a self-administered CGA and then to characterize cancer patients across multiple domains and age groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred sixty-six male outpatient oncology patients at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center were asked to fill out a survey assessing 10 domains (demographics, comorbid conditions, activities of daily living, functional status, pain, financial well being, social support, emotional state, spiritual well-being, and quality of life). RESULTS: Seventy-six percent of the patients who received their surveys and kept their appointments returned the assessment tool. Older oncology patients had significantly less education (P < .0001), income (P = .05), frequent exercise (P = .01), and chance of being disease free (P = .003) than younger patients. Other findings in older patients were a higher rate of marriage (P = .02), more difficulty in taking medications (P = .05), and less cigarette (P = .03) and alcohol (P = .03) use. Members of all age cohorts reported a sense of social support, with younger patients deriving this more from family and friends than older patients, and older patients deriving social support more from membership in religious communities than younger patients. No differences were found across age groups for number and impact of comorbid illnesses, number of medications, basic and instrumental activities of daily living, pain, overall health rating, financial adequacy, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. CONCLUSION: CGA can be conducted in an outpatient cancer community using a self-report format. Despite the fact that this population varied demographically across age groups and is limited to veterans, this study demonstrated remarkable similarities between younger and older cancer patients in terms of functional status, health states, and quality of life.
Australia is to inquire into GPs' sale of complementary medicines
Authors: Christopher Zinn
Journal: BMJ (2006)

An ethical debate has arisen among Australia's doctors after the federal government announced plans to investigate the sale of complementary medicines by GPs.

The Australian Medical Association said that doctors' purchase of vitamins on a wholesale basis to sell to patients was an ethical minefield.

But a former president of the association, Kerryn Phelps, has rejected allegations of conflict of interest, saying that there is little difference between doctors selling complementary medicines and veterinarians selling dog food.

The federal parliamentary secretary for health, Christopher Pyne, last week announced plans for an investigation …