tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Unnatural Disaster: Human Factors in the Mississippi Floods
Authors: Harvey Black
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2008)

It's happened again.For the third time in 15 years the Mississippi River massively burst its banks this spring, inundating tiny Missouri towns such as Winfield (population 720) and Foley (population 178), causing potentially billions of dollars' worth of destruction-although the damages are still being assessed-and hiking corn prices to $8.00 a bushel in the wake of the lost crop.On 22 April 2008 scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured the largest water volume on the lower Mississippi River since 1973, with a flow of 1.8 million ft 3 /sec, enough to fill more than 20 Olympic-size swimming pools in 1 second.The environmental fallout from the 2008 floods is still being assessed.The danger of floodwater is not simply that its level is too high, says Robert Criss, a geologist at Washington University."Floodwaters are heavily polluted with sewage and filth, commonly bearing counts of coliforms, fecal Streptococcus, and other bacteria of many thousands per deciliter," he explains."The waters are laden with contaminants including agrochemicals, oils, detergents, and toxic metals.They are highly turbid, typically bearing particulate loads a hundredfold or more higher than normal river waters."Those pollutants, contaminants, and sediments can be carried into homes, where the lingering dampness promotes mold growth.Moreover, floodwater pools trapped behind failed levees serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies, and other disease vectors.Meanwhile, observers are asking how such devastating floods could have occurred again so soon.The massive flooding is attributed largely to torrential spring rains in the Upper Mississippi Valley, which Paul Rydlund, a supervisory hydrologist with the USGS Missouri Water Science Center, says were even greater than those preceding the recordbreaking 1993 Midwest flood.But as heavy as those rains were, the question in the minds of some is whether they were made worse by structures such as levees and other man-made interventions wrought upon the Mississippi River over time.
Merkel cells participate in the induction and alignment of epidermal ends of arrector pili muscles of human fetal skin
Authors: Y. NARISAWA, K. HASHIMOTO, H. KOHDA
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1996)

The follicular proximal ends of arrector pili muscles anchor the bulge areas of human hair follicles. However, the location of the ends of these muscles towards the epidermis, especially the fine points of attachment, is not fully understood. Conventional serial sections of the scalp skin of a 12‐month‐old infant were examined. Most of the distal ends were situated in the upper dermis. while some seemed to be in close contact with the epidermal basal layers. In vertical sections of the scalp skin of 16‐week‐old fetus, double immunoenzyme staining showed a close topographic correlation between the epidermal ends of the arrector pili muscles and the epidermal and dermal Merkel cells. These findings allow speculation that fetal Merkel cells participate in the induction and alignment of arrector pili muscles.
Ascitic fluid gamma interferon concentrations and adenosine deaminase activity in tuberculous peritonitis.
Authors: M A Sathar, A E Simjee, Y M Coovadia, P N Soni, S A Moola, B Insam, F Makumbi
Journal: Gut (1995)

The gamma interferon (gamma-IFN) concentration and the adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity were evaluated in 30 patients with tuberculous peritonitis, 21 patients with ascites due to a malignant disorder, and 41 patients with cirrhosis. The gamma-IFN concentrations were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.0001) in tuberculous peritonitis patients (mean: 6.70 U/ml) than in the malignant (mean: 3.10 U/ml) and cirrhotic (mean: 3.08 U/ml) groups. Use of a cut off value of &gt; or = 3.2 U/ml gave the assay a sensitivity of 93% (25 of 27), a specificity of 98% (54 of 55), positive (P+) and negative (P-) predictive values of 96% and a test accuracy of 96%. The ADA activity was significantly (p &lt; 0.0001) higher in the tuberculous peritonitis group (mean: 101.84 U/l) than in the control groups (cirrhosis (mean: 13.49 U/l) and malignancy (mean: 19.35 U/l)). A cut off value of &gt; 30 U/l gave the ADA test a sensitivity of 93% (26 of 28) a specificity of 96% (51 of 53), a (P+) value of 93%, a (P-) value of 96%, and a test accuracy of 95%. There was a significant (p &lt; 0.0001) correlation (r = 0.72) between ADA activity and gamma-IFN values in patients with tuberculous peritonitis. These results show that a high concentration of gamma-IFN in ascitic fluid is as valuable as the ADA activity in the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis. Both are rapid non-invasive diagnostic tests for tuberculous peritonitis.
Abstract PD2-5: Low carbohydrate dietary intervention improves insulin, hormonal levels and inflammatory markers in early stage, postmenopausal breast cancer survivors
Authors: AK Krie, KN Bohlen, Y Hu, C Ageton, H Demuth, D Norfolk, J Kittelsrud, R Thomes, A Fahrendorf, J Muth, LA Rojas-Espaillat, GE Davies
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Background: Obesity has been associated with decreased disease free survival and overall survival in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. Proposed mechanisms for this finding include elevated estradiol levels, hyperinsulinemia, and increased inflammatory mediators. This feasibility study evaluated whether a low carbohydrate, calorie restricted dietary intervention could achieve weight loss and measurable metabolic changes in a group of obese postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. Methods: Twenty-three early stage estrogen receptor positive breast cancer survivors were enrolled on a low carbohydrate, calorie-restricted dietary intervention. At time of enrollment the patient had to be deemed postmenopausal and have a BMI &amp;gt;28. Patients were not allowed to have an underlying inflammatory condition or be receiving treatment for diabetes. The mean age was 57 years old (42-68) with a mean weight of 220 lbs (171-300) and mean BMI of 37 (28-48.5). All subjects had completed surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The majority of patients were on endocrine therapy with 61% on an AI and 35% on tamoxifen. The dietary intervention utilized 0.5g protein/pound (actual body weight), less than 40 grams of carbohydrates and 800-1200 calories per day. The program provided weekly coaching, meal replacement protein products and nutritional supplements. Subjects were medically monitored with brief physical exams and labs done every 2 weeks for the first 12 weeks, then monthly thereafter. Subjects were seen by a health coach every week. The average weight loss period spanned 23 weeks (7-59 weeks) due to the variance in weight loss goals aimed at a BMI ≤28. Results: The mean weight loss was 19.9% of total body weight, the equivalent of 43.7 pounds. Total body fat lost was 6.86%. Weight loss averaged 5.4 pounds in week one and 2.14 pounds per week in weeks 2-19. Statistically significant declines in the total estrogen level (p = 0.0345), estrone (p = 0.0296), and estradiol serum levels (p = 0.0296) were demonstrated. A rapid decline in fasting insulin level was seen with a 23% decline by Week 3 (p = 0.0959), 26% by Week 7 (p = 0.0139), and 42% by Week 19 (p = 0.0071). A statistically significant improvement in the CRP level compared to baseline was also demonstrated with a 40% decrease at Week 19 (p = 0.0272). Conclusions: Our results support that a low carbohydrate dietary intervention can be used to successfully achieve weight loss and improve metabolic parameters. This feasibility study provides additional support for larger trials evaluating the role of carbohydrate restriction in breast cancer survivors. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr PD2-5.
Influence of trauma on initiation of Reiter's syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis.
Authors: G Masson, P Thomas, D Bontoux, M Alcalay
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1985)

Influence of trauma on initiation of Reiter's syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis SIR, we read with interest the papers by Wisnieski' and Jacoby et al. ,2 studying the influence of trauma on initiation of Reiter's syndrome' and ankylosing spondylitis.2These authors found only a few reports on this association.We would like to point out that traumatic initiation of ankylosing spondylitis, although infrequent, has been reported by several European authors, including Forestier
<i>TNF</i>-308 Modifies the Effect of Second-Hand Smoke on Respiratory Illness–related School Absences
Authors: Madé Wenten, Kiros Berhane, Edward B. Rappaport, Edward Avol, Wei-Wei Tsai, W. James Gauderman, Rob McConnell, Louis Dubeau, Frank D. Gilliland
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2005)

Rationale: Exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) has been associated with increased risk of respiratory illness in children including respiratory illness–related school absences. The role of genetic susceptibility in risk for adverse effects from SHS has not been extensively investigated in children.Objective: To determine whether the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) G-308A genotype influences the risk for respiratory illness–related school absences associated with SHS exposure.Methods: Incident school absences were collected, using an active surveillance system, between January and June 1996, as part of the Air Pollution and Absence Study, a prospective cohort study nested in the Children's Health Study. Buccal cells and absence reports were collected on 1,351 students from 27 elementary schools in California.Measurements and Main Results: Illness-related school absences were classified as nonrespiratory and respiratory illness–related, which were further categorized into upper or lower respiratory illness–related absences based on symptoms. The effect of SHS exposure on respiratory illness–related absences differed by TNF genotype (p interaction, 0.02). In children possessing at least one copy of the TNF-308 A variant, exposure to two or more household smokers was associated with a twofold risk of a school absence due to respiratory illness (relative risk, 2.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.34, 3.40) and a fourfold risk of lower respiratory illness–related school absence (relative risk, 4.15; 95% confidence interval, 2.57, 6.71) compared with unexposed children homozygous for the common TNF-308 G allele.Conclusions: These results indicate that a subgroup of genetically susceptible children are at substantially greater risk of respiratory illness if exposed to SHS.
Americans Studying Medicine Abroad: The Distressing Facts
Authors: Arnold S. Relman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1978)

Some ads appearing frequently in the Sunday New York Times this year:1. HOW TO GET INTO A FOREIGN MEDICAL, DENTAL OR VETERINARY SCHOOL. Openings available in accredited WHO-Listed Schools. Call or write to....If you respond to this ad you learn about a "consultation and placement fee" of $1000, which must be paid in advance for help in gaining admission to a foreign school. Soon thereafter a follow-up letter arrives:Dear Student: It has been a while since we sent you the information you requested and it is our hope your decision to attend a medical school has not . . .
Heterotopic Tc-99m MDP Uptake Secondary to Phlebitis
Authors: SAULE KARANAUSKAS, ROBERT J. STARSHAK, JOHN R. STY
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1991)

A patient with blastomycosis complained of pain in his lower back after the administration of amphotericin B and parenteral alimentation via a femoral venous catheter. A bone scan that was performed to exclude bony involvement with blastomycosis showed abnormal tracer accumulation in the right paravertebral region. Computed tomography revealed the venous catheter to lie in the right ascending lumbar vein. There was calcification of a portion of the right psoas muscle. In addition, the epidural venous plexus was calcified from L2 to L4. It was this dystrophic calcification that caused the heterotopic accumulation of bone tracer.
Effect on Nutrition of School-children of adding Vitamins and Minerals to the Diet
Authors: C. Asher
Journal: BMJ (1944)

MEDICAL MEMORANDA MEDICALTI OURNAL213low or a negligible output of gonadotrophic hormone.This suggests that in this type of case there is a sudden functional reduction in pituitary activity to be followed later by the physi- cal symptoms of hypopituitarism.The suggestion that the picture of pituitary cachexia without structural changes in the pituitary itself can follow the menopause is supported by the resumption of normal pituitary function observed in this case after treatment.The physiological properties of corticotrophic hormone have been studied in hypophysectomized rats.It is known that sugar storage is much reduced after hypophysectomy, for the combustion of fed sugar is much higher than in normal animals.This condition has been corrected by cortico- trophic hormone (Reiss et al., 1938).The cholesterol and fat content in hypophysectomized rats can also be increased by corticotrophic hormone (Reiss et al., 1937).No doubt there were comparable actions in the case we have described.Summary A case of clinical pituitary cachexia in a nulliparous woman has been described.Clinical and hormone studies indicated extreme hypopituitarism.Treatment with corticotrophic hormone resulted in complete restoration of weight and cosmetic features.This was not a case of anorexia nervosa.The psychotic depression was not relieved until a considerable time after physical improvement was complete.The origin of this condition has been discussed.
PRL-1 Tyrosine Phosphatase Regulates c-Src Levels, Adherence, and Invasion in Human Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Hiroyuki Achiwa, John S. Lazo
Journal: Cancer Research (2007)

Abstract Phosphatases of regenerating liver (PRL) constitute a subfamily of the protein tyrosine phosphatases that are implicated in oncogenic and metastatic phenotypes. In this study, we evaluated the role of PRL-1 in cell proliferation and metastatic processes in human lung cancer cells. We stably transfected human A549 lung cancer cells with several short hairpin RNAs for PRL-1 and found decreased invasive activity in the resulting clones compared with control cells. In addition, cells with suppressed PRL-1 exhibited greater adherence and cell spreading on fibronectin and a decreased proliferation rate compared with control cells. To address possible mechanisms for the altered phenotypes, we examined known biochemical regulators of adhesion and invasion. Inhibition of PRL-1 decreased c-Src and p130Cas expression and Rac1 and Cdc42 activation without any apparent modification of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression. Total tyrosine FAK phosphorylation and Tyr397 phosphorylation levels were continuously elevated in PRL-1 knockdown cells plated on fibronectin. In immunofluorescence studies, reduction in PRL-1 seemed to decrease cell membrane protrusions with a reduction in actin fiber extensions in spite of continuous phosphorylation of Tyr397 FAK, which could reflect reduced adhesion turnover. Our data implicate PRL-1 in the fundamental process of cell adhesion and migration in human lung cancer cells by affecting Rac1, Cdc42, and c-Src activation. These results support the hypothesis that PRL-1 plays an important role in maintaining the malignant phenotype by exploiting Src activation processes, and that PRL-1 could be a promising therapeutic target for cancer metastasis and cell growth. [Cancer Res 2007;67(2):643–50]
Effect of Retinal Photocoagulation on Intraretinal Lipid Exudates in Diabetic Macular Edema Documented by Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Gábor Gy Deák, Matthias Bolz, Katharina Kriechbaum, Sonja Prager, Georgios Mylonas, Christoph Scholda, Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth
Journal: Ophthalmology (2010)
p22phox mRNA Expression and NADPH Oxidase Activity Are Increased in Aortas From Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Toshiki Fukui, Nobukazu Ishizaka, Sanjay Rajagopalan, Jørn Bech Laursen, Quinn Capers, W. Robert Taylor, David G. Harrison, Hector de Leon, Josiah N. Wilcox, Kathy K. Griendling
Journal: Circulation Research (1997)

Recent studies suggest that superoxide production by the NADPH/NADH oxidase may be involved in smooth muscle cell growth and the pathogenesis of hypertension. We previously showed that angiotensin II (Ang II) activates a p22phox-based NADPH/NADH oxidase in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells and in animals made hypertensive by infusion of Ang II. To investigate the mechanism responsible for this increased oxidase activity, we examined p22phox mRNA expression in rats made hypertensive by implanting an osmotic minipump that delivered Ang II (0.7 mg/kg per day). Blood pressure began to increase 3 days after the start of Ang II infusion and remained elevated for up to 14 days. Expression of p22phox mRNA in aorta was also increased after 3 days and reached a maximum increase of 338±41% by 5 days after pump implantation compared with the value after sham operation. This increase in mRNA expression was accompanied by an increase in the content of the corresponding cytochrome (twofold) and NADPH oxidase activity (179±11% of that in sham-operated rats 5 days after pump implantation). Treatment with the antihypertensive agents losartan (25 mg/kg per day) or hydralazine (15 mg/kg per day) inhibited this upregulation of mRNA levels and activity. Furthermore, infusion of recombinant heparin-binding superoxide dismutase decreased both blood pressure and p22phox mRNA expression. In situ hybridization of aortic tissue showed that p22phox mRNA was expressed in medial smooth muscle as well as in the adventitia. These findings suggest that Ang II–induced hypertension activates the NADPH/NADH oxidase system by upregulating mRNA levels of one or several components of this oxidase system, including the p22phox, and that the NADPH/NADH oxidase system is associated with the pathology of hypertension in vivo.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus in a 72-Year-Old Woman
Authors: Tom R. Hornsten
Journal: JAMA (1967)

UNCOMPLICATED patent ductus arteriosus is usually considered to be a disease of the young. Nevertheless, several cases have been described citing the existence of this defect in elderly persons.<sup>1-5</sup>These individuals are occasionally asymptomatic.<sup>2</sup>Congestive heart failure in the elderly patient with a patent ductus arteriosus is usually treated medically, and surgical correction is withheld. Because of the rarity of surgical correction of patent ductus arteriosus in the elderly, we are reporting the following case of a 72-year-old woman with congestive heart failure successfully treated by division and suture of a patent ductus arteriosus. To our knowledge this patient is one of the oldest who has been so treated. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> A 72-year-old white woman was first seen by one of us (H.K.H.) on May 13, 1965. Her chief complaint was shortness of breath. The patient had been told at 4 years of age that she
Failure of Recommended Treatment for Secondary Syphilis
Authors: Nicholas J. Fiumara
Journal: JAMA (1986)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> Markovitz and associates<sup>1</sup>at the University of Rochester Department of Dermatology and Medicine again call to the attention of the practicing physician the inadequacy of the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the treatment of infectious syphilis in the primary and secondary stages and the early latent stage of less than one year's duration.<sup>2</sup>They had the unfortunate experience, as others have had,<sup>3</sup>of treating a patient with secondary syphilis with 2.4 million units of penicillin G benzathine intramuscularly in a single session, according to the CDC guidelines, only to have the patient relapse with secondary syphilis and a basilar meningitis three months after treatment. Dr Markovitz refers to our studies on the treatment of primary and secondary syphilis with 2.4 million units of penicillin G benzathine intramuscularly each week for two consecutive weeks, for a total of 4.8 million units.
Cognate CD4 help is essential for the reactivation and expansion of CD8 memory T cells directed against the hematopoietic cell–specific dominant minor histocompatibility antigen, H60
Authors: Su Jeong Ryu, Kyung Min Jung, Hyun Seung Yoo, Tae Woo Kim, Sol Kim, Jun Chang, Eun Young Choi
Journal: Blood (2009)
Predisposing Factors for Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Gary J. Martin, Sandor Shoichet, Helen Gartner Martin
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

Letters and Corrections1 December 1981Predisposing Factors for Pulmonary EmbolismGARY J. MARTIN, M.D., SANDOR SHOICHET, M.D., HELEN GARTNER MARTIN, M.D.GARY J. MARTIN, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, SANDOR SHOICHET, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, HELEN GARTNER MARTIN, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-95-6-781_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: In the recent supplement devoted to selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests (1), one point in the review of pulmonary embolism may mislead some readers. "Evidence of predisposing factors" is rated as being one of the two most sensitive parameters when a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is considered. The figure of 94% sensitivity is presumably derived from the Urokinase-Streptokinase Pulmonary Embolism Trials data published by Bell and associates (2) who listed the coexisting conditions and their prevalence in 167 patients with angiographically shown pulmonary embolism. Only 6% of these patients were without a recognized coexisting illness before...References1. GRINER P, MAYEWSKI R, MUSHLIN A, and GREENLAND P. Selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests and procedures: principles and applications. Ann Intern Med. 1981;94(Part 2):571-87. Google Scholar2. BELL W, SIMON T, and DEMETS D. The clinical features of submassive and massive pulmonary emboli. Am J Med. 1977;62:355-60. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: GARY J. MARTIN, M.D.; SANDOR SHOICHET, M.D.; HELEN GARTNER MARTIN, M.D.Affiliations: Northwestern University Medical School Chicago, IL 60611 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 December 1981Volume 95, Issue 6 Page: 781-781 Keywords Pulmonary embolism ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 December 1981 PDF downloadLoading ...