tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Impact of Intensive Insulin Therapy on Neuromuscular Complications and Ventilator Dependency in the Medical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Greet Hermans, Alexander Wilmer, Wouter Meersseman, Ilse Milants, Pieter J. Wouters, Herman Bobbaers, Frans Bruyninckx, Greet Van den Berghe
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2006)

Rationale: Critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy causes limb and respiratory muscle weakness, prolongs mechanical ventilation, and extends hospitalization of intensive care patients. Besides controlling risk factors, no specific prevention or treatment exists. Recently, intensive insulin therapy prevented critical illness polyneuropathy in a surgical intensive care unit.Objectives: To investigate the impact of intensive insulin therapy on polyneuropathy/myopathy and treatment with prolonged mechanical ventilation in medical patients in the intensive care unit for at least 7 days.Methods: This was a prospectively planned subanalysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of intensive insulin versus conventional therapy on morbidity and mortality in critically ill medical patients. All patients who were still in intensive care on Day 7 were screened weekly by electroneuromyography. The effect of intensive insulin therapy on critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy and the relationship with duration of mechanical ventilation were assessed.Measurements and Main Results: Independent of risk factors, intensive insulin therapy reduced incidence of critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy (107/212 [50.5%] to 81/208 [38.9%], p = 0.02). Treatment with prolonged (⩾ 14 d) mechanical ventilation was reduced from 99 of 212 (46.7%) to 72 of 208 (34.6%) (p = 0.01). This was statistically only partially explained by prevention of critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy.Conclusion: In a subset of medical patients in the intensive care unit for at least 7 days, enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of intensive insulin therapy, those assigned to intensive insulin therapy had a reduced incidence of critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy and were treated with prolonged mechanical ventilation less frequently.
NOD2 regulation of micrornas
Authors: O. Brain, P. Allan, T. Pichulik, E. Khatamzas, P. Simpson, D. Jewell, A. Simmons
Journal: Gut (2011)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Crohn9s Disease (CD) is thought to arise both from defects in the gut mucosal barrier and from a dysregulated Th1/ Th17 immune response to commensal gut flora. CARD15 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to terminal ileal CD. Nod2 responds to muramyl dipeptide (MDP) leading to NF-κB activation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. CD-associated Nod2 mutations are predominantly loss-of-function, and it is uncertain how this predisposes to a pro-inflammatory disease. Published data have revealed Nod2 cross-talks with toll-like receptors. This study investigatesv the role of microRNAs in regulating Nod2 signalling and Nod2/ TLR cross-talk. MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that prevent the translation of mRNA into protein and can negatively regulate innate immunity. Loss of these negative regulators might lower the threshold to the development of a pro-inflammatory state in mucosal tissue. <h3>Aims</h3> (1) Identify microRNAs differentially expressed in human dendritic cells (DCs) following Nod2 and combined Nod2/ TLR, stimulation. (2) Determine the microRNA targets. (3) Determine the functional consequences of miRNA expression. <h3>Methods</h3> Monocyte-derived DCs, expressing either WT or 1007fsinsC CARD15, were stimulated with MDP, Pam3CSK4 (TLR2 ligand), or Flagellin (TLR5 ligand) before lysis and extraction of RNA. MiRNA microarray analysis was conducted using Illumina miRNA microarrays. MiRNA expression was validated with quantitative PCR. Potential miRNA targets were identified using available algorithms and from published data. MiRNA mimic and antimir transfection were used to confirm targets by western blot, elisa and 39UTR lucferase assay. Further targets and functional effects were determined by dual-colour Affymetrix cDNA array following miRNA mimic transfection into DCs. Functional consequence of loss of miRNA expression determined by intracellular bacterial killing assay, confocal microscopy, FACS analysis and T-cell proliferation assay. <h3>Results</h3> Nod2 stimulation is required for expression of two miRNA clusters, in combination with either TLR2 or TLR5 triggering. MiRNA up-regulation is dependent on RIPK2 expression. DCs from patients homozygous for 1007fsinsC CARD15 fail to up-regulate these miRNA clusters. MiRNA cluster over-expression down-regulates the IL12-p40 subunit in human DCs at both mRNA and protein level. This subunit is a component of both IL-12 and IL-23 cytokines. IL-12p40 down-regulation can be ‘rescued’ in FS1007insC DCs by miRNA mimic expression. <h3>Conclusion</h3> DCs from patients with CD-associated mutations of Nod2 fail to up-regulate two miRNA clusters. These clusters regulate a critical component of the Th1/ Th17 immune response. These findings may help link CARD15 polymorphisms and the pathogenesis of CD.
Do wet suits affect swimming speed?
Authors: L Parsons, S J Day
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (1986)

A randomised cross-over trial was conducted to see if wet suits increase swimming speed--a question which has been fiercely debated in the fat-growing endurance sport of Triathlon. Sixteen swimmers volunteered to undertake two 30 minute swims, one with and one without a wet suit. With wet suits the subjects swam an average of 24.9 lengths of a 66 m pool. Without wet suits they swam 23.2 lengths. A 95% confidence interval for the difference is from 0.8 to 2.6 lengths (p less than 0.001). This result suggests that regulations about the use of wet suits must be agreed internationally to ensure equal competition whilst promoting the health and safety aspects of sport.
Natural rubber latex and chestnut allergy: cross‐reactivity or co‐sensitization?
Authors: M. Raulf‐Heimsoth, S. Kespohl, J. F. Crespo, J. Rodriguez, A. Feliu, Th. Brüning, H. P. Rihs
Journal: Allergy (2007)

Background: Chestnut and natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy are often associated in the latex‐fruit syndrome. Aim of the study: To establish whether the concurrent NRL and chestnut IgE antibody reactivity are the results of co‐sensitization or cross‐reactivity. Methods: Sera from 19 patients with chestnut‐ and NRL‐specific IgE were selected and tested for reactivity with recombinant (r) latex allergens. Cross‐reactivity was explored by IgE‐inhibition experiments using chestnut or NRL allergens as solid phase on ImmunoCAP. Results: IgE‐antibodies were detected to rHev b 6.01 (prohevein) in 58% of the sera, to rHev b 5 in 32%, to rHev b 12 in four of 13 sera, to rHev b 7.02 and rHev b 11 in four, and to rHev b 1 in two of 19 sera. rHev b 8‐IgE antibodies were found in nine sera (47%), whereas six displayed mono‐sensitization to rHev b 8 with regard to our test panel. Three of 16 sera showed IgE to cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants. In most sera recognizing rHev b 5 and/or rHev b 6.01 as major allergens the IgE‐reactivity to NRL remained unaffected by chestnut extract and chestnut‐IgE remained unaffected by NRL extract. Conversely, in sera with rHev b 8 as dominant allergen IgE‐binding to NRL was nearly completely inhibited by chestnut and vice versa. IgE‐binding to rHev b 8 was abolished by chestnut extract. Conclusions: Although patients have concomitant IgE antibody reactivity to chestnut and NRL, cross‐reactivity could be demonstrated mainly in those patients with IgE to Hev b 8 (profilin) from NRL.
One diet fits all
Authors: J. H. Tanne
Journal: BMJ (1999)

Led by the American Heart Association, four major health groups have agreed on a diet to reducethe risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. The American Cancer Society, the AmericanDietetic Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Institutes of Health have endorsed the diet, which is low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables.

The “Unified Dietary Guidelines” should make it easier for the public to understand what a healthy diet is. …
Lymphocyte transformation response to pokeweed mitogen as a predictive marker for development of AIDS and AIDS related symptoms in homosexual men with HIV antibodies.
Authors: B Hofmann, B O Lindhardt, J Gerstoft, C S Petersen, P Platz, L P Ryder, N Odum, E Dickmeiss, P B Nielsen, S Ullman
Journal: BMJ (1987)

To identify factors that may predict the development of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS related symptoms various immunological measurements were studied in a group of homosexual men attending screening clinics for AIDS in Copenhagen. Fifty seven men whose ratio of T helper lymphocytes to T suppressor lymphocytes (CD4:CD8 ratio) was less than 1.0 before the study began were included. Forty two were positive for antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), of whom 38 were reinvestigated after a median observation period of 10 months. Among the seropositive men the transformation responses to pokeweed mitogen and cytomegalovirus and the absolute count of CD4 positive lymphocytes were the most common abnormal values. In particular, a low relative response to pokeweed mitogen on initial investigation correlated with a worsened clinical condition on reinvestigation. The risk of a worsened clinical condition was 55 times higher in seropositive men whose responses to pokeweed mitogen were low than in other seropositive men. The corresponding relative risks for low transformation responses to cytomegalovirus and for a decreased absolute count of CD4 positive lymphocytes were 18 and six. The relative response to pokeweed mitogen is therefore a very sensitive short term predictive marker of the clinical condition of seropositive patients who have a CD4:CD8 ratio of less than 1.0.
The art of deception
Authors: D. Spence
Journal: BMJ (2013)

Everyone lies. In their CVs, job applicants always were the captain of the football, hockey, or something-else team at school; played three musical instruments, normally at the same time; enjoyed debating; were head boy or girl; and had also done good work in Africa (a continent overflowing with poorly constructed toilet blocks built by hapless, unskilled, never-made-a-bed teenagers). Truths, half truths, and lying are the stock and trade of life. I am always sceptical of what is written until I can eyeball the …
The expression of the<i>c-kit</i>receptor by epidermal melanocytes may be reduced in vitiligo
Authors: A. NORRIS, C. TODD, A. GRAHAM, A.G. QUINN, A.J. THODY
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1996)

The proto-oncogene c-kit encodes the transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that has a role in the growth regulation of various cell types including melanocytes. In the present study we have examined the expression of the c-kit protein in the skin of seven patients with vitiligo. Melanocytes positive for c-kit protein were observed in the basal layer in non-lesional skin and the mean number of 25.8 +/- 5.2 (per 200 basal cells) compared with that of 21.8 +/- 3.5 from six control subjects. In perilesional skin there was a reduction in the numbers of c-kit positive melanocytes (6.7 +/- 2.6) and this was especially noticeable in six of the seven patients. Such a reduction was less obvious following staining with MEL-5 and in only two subjects were the numbers of melanocytes below the normal range. This suggests that the reduction in c-kit staining was the result of decreased expression of the protein rather than a loss of melanocytes. No melanocytes, positive for c-kit protein, or after staining with MEL-5, were identified in lesional skin although isolated tyrosinase-positive melanocytes were seen in one subject. There was no apparent change in the numbers of mast cells expressing c-kit protein and the intensity of staining in the dermis even in lesional skin was similar to that in the controls. These results demonstrate that c-kit protein is present on melanocytes in adult human skin and that in perilesional skin of some vitiligo patients there is a reduction in the numbers of melanocytes expressing this receptor. Whether this may contribute to the defective melanocyte growth and/or survival that occurs in vitiligo or whether it is a consequence of melanocyte damage remains to be seen.
Long-Term Follow-up of Patients with Congenital Ocular Toxoplasmosis
Authors: François Peyron, Martine Wallon, Christine Bernardoux
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1996)

To the Editor: Strategies to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis remain controversial. In France, all pregnant women who are seronegative for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii are tested monthly for tox...
Dermatomyositis with a pityriasis rubra pilaris-like eruption: a little-known distinctive cutaneous manifestation of dermatomyositis
Authors: L. REQUENA, R. GRILLI, L. SORIANO, P. ESCALONILLA, C. FARIÑA, L. MARTÍN
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1997)

A pityriasis rubra pilaris-like eruption has been described in patients with dermatomyositis. These patients showed generalized follicular hyperkeratosis and diffuse thickening of the palms and soles. Histopathological findings consisted of keratotic plugging of the follicular infundibulum and features of erector pili myositis. We report on an 18-year-old woman with dermatomyositis. The diagnosis was established by characteristic enzymatic alterations, electromyographic pattern of myositis and the findings in a muscle biopsy, although the patient had no evidence of muscular weakness during a follow-up of 14 years. She developed an erythematosus and squamous eruption associated with diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma. Histopathological features consisted of a papillomatous epidermis with spicules of compact eosinophilic hyperkeratosis over the tips of papillae that were not related to hair follicles. Pityriasis rubra pilaris-like eruption seems to be a characteristic although uncommon cutaneous manifestation in dermatomyositis.
INVASION OF THE SKIN BY FILAMENTOUS NON-DERMATOPHYTE FUNGI
Authors: MARY P. ENGLISH
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1968)

SUMMARY. —Four cases of invasion of the glabrous skin by filamentous, non-dermatophyte fungi are described. Aspergillus niger was found in the toewebs of 1 patient and Allescheria boydii in those of another. Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum var. redolens were colonising necrotic skin in 2 diabetic patients. It was concluded that in all these cases the fungal invasion was purely saprophytic in nature. The difficulty of discriminating between contamination and saprophytic invasion of the skin by non-dermatophytes is discussed and criteria for making the distinction are suggested.
Comparison of findings among residents on Michigan dairy farms and consumers of produce purchased from these farms.
Authors: R Lilis, H A Anderson, J A Valciukas, S Freedman, I J Selikoff
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1978)

Consumers who had purchased farm products from both quarantined and nonquarantined farms were examined during the cross-sectional clinical survey of 1,029 Michigan residents. Since PBB had inadvertently contaminated cattle and other farm animals, ingestion of meat, milk, eggs and other farm products was thought to have possibly resulted in significant PBB body burdens in some consumers. Findings were considered in comparison with those made among farm residents. Prevalence of symptoms in consumers of farm products from quarantined farms (CQ) was similar to that found in farmers on quarantined farms (FQ); the prevalence was lower in consumers of products from nonquarantined farms (CNQ). Liver function abnormalities were found with similar prevalence in dairy farmers and consumers. Distribution, mean and median values of PBB serum levels in consumers were found to be similar to those of dairy farmers. These results indicate that significant body burdens of PBB had been accumulated by some consumers of farm products in Michigan and that prevalence of symptoms and liver function abnormalities resembled those found among dairy farm residents.
New oral anticoagulants: A view from the laboratory
Authors: Jeffrey I. Weitz
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2012)

Abstract The new oral anticoagulants are rapidly replacing warfarin for several indications. In contrast to warfarin, which lowers the functional levels of all of the vitamin K‐dependent clotting factors, the new agents target either factor Xa or thrombin. With targeted inhibition of coagulation, the new oral anticoagulants have pharmacological, biochemical, and clinical features distinct from those of warfarin. Focusing on laboratory perspectives, this article compares and contrasts the pharmacological and biochemical properties of thenew oral anticoagulants with those of warfarin and uses this information to speculate on the underlying mechanisms responsible for the clinical features that differentiate the new agents from warfarin. Am. J. Hematol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FRACTURES OF THE CLAVICLE TREATED BY SUSPENSION AND TRACTION, FOLLOWED BY STRAPPING
Authors: Harry C. W. S. de Brun
Journal: JAMA (1931)

Since fractures of the clavicle do not cause much pain or disability, many surgeons pay little attention to their treatment so far as anatomic apposition of the fragments is concerned. While the patient usually obtains fair range of motion in spite of great deformities, one often hears of malpractice suits for some poor end-result following clavicular fracture. In former days, young women who suffered from these fractures were placed on their backs with a narrow pillow between the shoulders. This method of treatment has a fairly good rationale, but in displacements due to rotation, correction is not possible. Again, remaining on one's back for two weeks without an occasional turn during sleep or without personal care is a physical impossibility. By means of suspension and traction, deformities may be reduced and the fragments held in place until callus has formed and there is no fear of recurrence. I have found
Use, Costs, and Quality of Medical Services: Impact of the New Mexico Peer Review System
Authors: ROBERT H. BROOK
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1978)

To assess the effect of areawide peer review (such as that conducted by Professional Standards Review Organizations [PSROs]) on use, cost, and quality of medical services, we evaluated 4 years of data on the efforts of the New Mexico Experimental Medical Care Review Organization in reviewing medical services for the Medicaid population. Utilization review had no demonstrable impact on hospital use; hospital days per 100 eligible persons rose 5.0% and 43.4% for persons enrolled all 4 years in Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled, respectively. Peer review produced no net dollar savings; over 4 years, the amount paid for all services per AFDC-eligible person rose 85%. Peer review improved the quality of ambulatory care through large reductions (75%) in medically unnecessary injections. If these findings are replicated elsewhere, they suggest that the goal of the PSRO program to control costs by curtailing utilization may be difficult to achieve, the quality of care goal may be pursued successfully, and the PSRO mission should be focused more on the latter.
THE OVARIAN HORMONE ISOLATED BY DOISY
Authors: Alphonse M. Schwitalla
Journal: JAMA (1930)

To the Editor:  —Research on the follicular hormone on the part of Doisy and Allen and the final isolation of this hormone by Doisy and his associates as reported at the thirteenth Annual Physiological Congress in August, 1929, have had within their wake considerable undesirable publicity for those engaged in these studies. Preparations of doubtful value and nostrums of absolutely no value have been quoted as having a potency in terms of Allen-Doisy rat units.  The isolation of the hormone has been heralded in the advertisements as the discovery of a sex remedy, and this chemical achievement has been announced by the manufacturers of many quack products as a proof of the fact that vitality and sex vigor can be controlled by their special brands of medicine.  For the purpose of protecting the good name of the discoverer as well as its own, and for other cogent reasons too obvious
Neuromuscular Diseases: A Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Sam U. Ho
Journal: JAMA (1989)

This 456-page single-volume textbook of neuromuscular disease fills the need for a smaller, more succinct text aiming at physicians who want to seek practical and up-to-date information for this highly specialized field. The two authors are able to avoid the repetition of material often found in books with multiple authors, each writing only one chapter. It achieves what the authors stated in the preface: to assess each disease clinically, electrophysiologically, and pathologically. The first chapter, "Clinical Assessment," is followed by basic electromyography (EMG) techniques, muscle and nerve biopsies, and pathophysiology. Then chapters are arranged in order of anatomic location, from the anterior horn cell, peripheral nerve, and neuromuscular junction to muscle. This organization of materials leads to easy use and comprehension. The section on each disease entity discusses the clinical features, laboratory investigations, EMG assessment, biopsies, and management. Well-chosen references as recent as 1987 provide excellent sources and aids for
Ambiguities in a Secondary School Mental Health Project
Authors: EMILY MUMFORD, BENJAMIN H. BALSER, MALCOLM RUCKER
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1970)

Four years of psychiatric services provided to seven secondary schools have produced qualitative changes in the schools and increased teacher acceptance of psychiatric consultation about students. More students were seen each year. Teachers and administrators in some schools have indicated enthusiasm and have cited examples of students who have been helped by their psychiatrists. An unanticipated finding is that the highest attrition occurred among the "experimental" students—those whom the project singled out for special attention and help.
Natural killer activity of human liver-derived lymphocytes in various liver diseases
Authors: Kensaku Hata, David H. van Thiel, Ronald B. Herberman, Theresa L. Whiteside
Journal: Hepatology (1991)

Liver-derived lymphocytes were isolated from 40 human livers with end-stage liver disease that were removed at the time of orthotopic liver transplantation. In addition, 10 resection specimens or whole livers removed from patients with liver cancer and seven normal livers (unused donor organs) were studied as controls. Liver-derived lymphocytes were isolated from enzymatically digested tissue by gradient centrifugation and adherence to plastic. Their phenotypical characteristics were studied by two-color flow cytometry, and effector cell function was determined in 4-hr 51Cr-release assays against a natural killer-sensitive target, K562 (natural killer activity), natural killer-resistant Daudi line (lymphokine-activated killer activity) and by P815 line with or without phytohemagglutinin to assess lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Liver-derived lymphocytes isolated from normal liver contained equal proportions of T and natural killer lymphocytes (mean natural killer/T ratio = 0.7). CD3-CD56+CD16- natural killer cells were the main natural killer subset present in liver-derived lymphocytes, in contrast to the predominant natural killer phenotype in the circulation (CD56+CD16+). Control liver-derived lymphocytes had levels of cytotoxicity significantly greater than those of the normal peripheral-blood lymphocytes against all three targets. In contrast, liver-derived lymphocytes isolated from organs with advanced liver disease differed markedly in the natural killer/T cell ratio and levels of liver-derived lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Liver-derived lymphocytes obtained from hepatocellular carcinoma or rejecting allografts treated by immunosuppressive therapy had virtually no cytotoxicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)