tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
An abnormality in glucocorticoid receptor expression differentiates steroid responders from nonresponders in keloid disease
Authors: D. Rutkowski, F. Syed, L.C. Matthews, D.W. Ray, D.A. McGrouther, R.E.B. Watson, A. Bayat
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2015)

BackgroundGlucocorticoids (GCs) are first‐line treatment for keloid disease (KD) but are limited by high incidence of resistance, recurrence and undesirable side‐effects. Identifying patient responsiveness early could guide therapy.
Betamethasone valerate aerosol in the treatment of oral lichen planus
Authors: W.R. TYLDESLEY, S.M. HARDING
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1977)

Journal Article Betamethasone valerate aerosol in the treatment of oral lichen planus Get access W.R. TYLDESLEY, W.R. TYLDESLEY Department of Dental Surgery, University of Liverpool Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar S.M. HARDING S.M. HARDING Clinical Division, Glaxo Research Limited, Greenford, Middlesex Dr S.M.Harding, Clinical Division, Glaxo Research Limited, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 ORE. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 96, Issue 6, 1 June 1977, Pages 659–662, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1977.tb05211.x Published: 01 June 1977
Serologic Precursors of Cancer. Retinol, Carotenoids, and Tocopherol and Risk of Prostate Cancer
Authors: A. W. Hsing, G. W. Comstock, H. Abbey, B. F. Polk
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1990)

We investigated the associations of serum retinol, the carotenoids β-carotene and lycopene, and tocopherol (vitamin E) with the risk of prostate cancer in a nested case–control study. For the study, serum obtained in 1974 from 25,802 persons in Washington County, MD, was used. Serum levels of the nutrients in 103 men who developed prostate cancer during the subsequent 13 years were compared with levels in 103 control subjects matched for age and race. Although no significant associations were observed with β-carotene, lycopene, or tocopherol, the data suggested an inverse relationship between serum retinol and risk of prostate cancer. We analyzed data on the distribution of serum retinol by quartiles, using the lowest quartile as the reference value. Odds ratios were 0.67, 0.39, and 0.40 for the second, third, and highest quartiles, respectively. [J Natl Cancer Inst 82:941–946, 1990]
THE VALUE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY IN INTERNAL MEDICINE
Authors: GEORGE MORRIS PIERSOL
Journal: JAMA (1941)

It may be stated with little fear of contradiction that there is no field of therapeutics less understood and less frequently employed by internists than physical therapy. There are several reasons that account for this unfortunate state of affairs which has its inception in our medical schools. A survey of the curriculums of undergraduate as well as graduate medical courses reveals the fact that, if taught at all, but little time is devoted to the various aspects of physical therapy and that at best the courses available to students of medicine are inadequate and superficial. The average physician, therefore, approaches the practice of medicine knowing little about one of the oldest and most useful branches of therapeutics. Physicians, as a rule, because of their lack of understanding, evince little interest in acquiring a sound working knowldege of physical therapy. Furthermore, the proper application of physical therapeutic methods requires not only
Inflammatory cytokines in patients with persistence of the acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Authors: R B Goodman, R M Strieter, D P Martin, K P Steinberg, J A Milberg, R J Maunder, S L Kunkel, A Walz, L D Hudson, T R Martin
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1996)

To determine the relationship between airspace cytokines and cellular inflammatory responses in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 82 prospectively identified, mechanically ventilated patients on Days 3, 7, 14, and/or 21 after the onset of ARDS. We studied the relationships between bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell populations and the concentrations of two potent neutrophil (PMN) chemoattractants, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and epithelial cell-derived neutrophil activator-78 (ENA-78); two potent monocyte chemoattractants, monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory peptide-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha); and the early response cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and its naturally occurring antagonist, IL-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP). We found that all of these cytokines were significantly increased regardless of the duration of ARDS. IL-8 and ENA-78 were the cytokines most strongly and consistently correlated with PMN concentrations in the lung fluids of patients with ARDS, and the correlations were independent of the other cytokines or coexisting lung infection. None of the cytokines tested correlated with macrophage concentrations. MCP-1 was directly correlated with lung injury score on Days 7, 14, and 21. Although neither IL-8 nor ENA-78 was associated with outcome, levels of IL-1 beta measured on Day 7 were associated with an increased risk of death (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 7.4). These data demonstrate potential molecular mechanisms of the persistent inflammatory process in the lungs of patients with ARDS.
Hormonal Control of Gastroesophageal-Sphincter Strength
Authors: Donald O. Castell, Lauran D. Harris
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1970)

Because of the possibility that the esophagus is protected during periods of increased gastric acidity by more forceful contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter, pressures were measured during routine gastric analyses. After betazole hydrochloride was given, sphincter pressure consistently increased, but this rise was not due to the simple presence of acid in the stomach, for sphincter pressure decreased consistently when 0.1 N hydrochloric acid was instilled into the stomach of normal subjects. Conversely, increases in sphincter pressure were noted when alkali was placed into the stomachs of the same subjects. These results suggested a possible role of endogenous gastrin in stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Prompt, marked increases in sphincter pressure after subcutaneous injection of submaximal doses of gastrin-like pentapeptide indicate that regulation of lower esophageal sphincter pressure may be a physiologic action of gastrin.
Accumulation of methotrexate and methotrexate polyglutamates in lymphoblasts and treatment outcome in children with B-progenitor-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Pediatric Oncology Group study
Authors: V M Whitehead, J J Shuster, M J Vuchich, D H Mahoney, S J Lauer, C Payment, P A Koch, L D Cooley, A T Look, D J Pullen, B Camitta
Journal: Leukemia (2005)
Partial Intestinal Obstruction in the Newborn Due to Kinking of the Proximal Small Bowel
Authors: J. W. Chamberlain
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1966)

ANOMALOUS rotation of the bowel almost always results in such gross departure from normal position as to be readily noted on x-ray examination after the administration of barium by either the oral or the rectal route. Such dislocation may and may not cause obstruction. That relatively minor variations from the normal in the course of the proximal small bowel may cause obstruction is not so well known. In the cases reported below, partial obstruction was caused by angulation of the duodenum in 2 and of the most proximal segment of the jejunum in the third.Case ReportsCase 1. G.B. . . .
Lessons from the Mammography Screening Controversy: Can We Improve the Debate?
Authors: David F. Ransohoff, Russell P. Harris
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1997)

The debate about breast cancer screening for women in their 40s has become so contentious that effective communication and rational discussion on this topic have been compromised.This contentiousness might be defused by understanding the reasons for it. The debate is less about facts than it is about perceptions and values. There is disagreement about how to fairly describe facts about risk and how to avoid misperceptions that may distort assessment of risk. Other sources of disagreement concern the potential harms of screening, the relative roles of physicians and patients in decision making, and how to factor cost into screening decisions. The entire decision-making process has also been highly charged by single-issue advocacy groups and a kind of gender rivalry. Several approaches might help defuse the debate and improve discussion.First, those on both sides of the debate might agree on several things: 1) that the evidence from clinical trials is widely agreed-upon and thus that a main task now is to factor in the values of individual women who are making decisions; 2) that the values of women may differ substantially and that those differences should be respected; 3) that both individuals and the public should be fully and fairly informed about the pros and cons of screening; and 4) that cost-effectiveness should at least be considered during the decision-making process. Lessons from this debate may apply to other medical problems that have small degrees of risk and whose management is strongly debated.
NMR v CT: questions of cost, complexity, and efficacy
Authors: M. F. Goldsmith
Journal: JAMA (1984)

This article focuses on trying to determine where magnetic resonance fits into the medical field. At the moment, the appropriate field strength is unknown for proton imaging. Research indicates that spatial resolution improves markedly at higher field strengths. The spatial resolution of NMR proton imaging is comparable with that of CT (computed tomography), while the contrast resolution is much greater. This poses a dilemma for administrators of large medical complexes in trying to decide whether it will be worthwhile to invest several million dollars in a diagnostic magnet, particularly if they also have a CT scanning device. Its most obvious advantages over other imaging modalities appear in neuroradiology: visualization of the brain stem, the spinal cord, and certain areas of the base of the brain.
Contribution of metals to respiratory cancer.
Authors: J M Peters, D Thomas, H Falk, G Oberdörster, T J Smith
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1986)

This paper reviews studies on the adverse health effects of exposure to metals, using arsenic and cadmium as examples. The carcinogenic potential of arsenic has been studied in various settings. Inhalation is clearly related to the development of lung cancer in (copper) smelting and arsenical pesticide manufacturing, and also in heavily exposed wine merchants who had an additional source of exposure by ingestion. Animal studies have shown cadmium to be a lung carcinogen, while a study by Thun et al. provides the best evidence to date that cadmium inhaled as CdO particles may be a human lung carcinogen. On the basis of this latter study, EPA estimates the risk due to cadmium at 1.8 X 10(-3) cases/micrograms/m3, which results in more than 100,000 excess lung cancers (lifetime). For arsenic, the risk estimate of 4.29 cases/1,000 micrograms/m3, based on epidemiologic data also results in more than 100,000 lung cancers (lifetime). This paper reviews the bases for these estimates and presents recommendations for further research. Lung cancer risks also exist for other metals such as nickel, chromium, and beryllium. Further study is required before a definitive conclusion can be reached about the significance and magnitude of environmental exposures to metals as a cause of lung cancer.
Commentary: Europe needs a central, transparent, and evidence based regulation process for devices
Authors: M. Eikermann, C. Gluud, M. Perleth, C. Wild, S. Sauerland, I. Gutierrez-Ibarluzea, S.-L. Antoine, J. Demotes-Mainard, E. A. M. Neugebauer
Journal: BMJ (2013)

Last September, the European Commission published proposals to update regulations for medical devices in order to improve patient safety.1 The proposals are being discussed by the European parliament where critical debate is being led by the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. 

Medical devices range from bandages to life support machines, and manufacturers classify them into four risk categories from low (such as urine drainage bags) to high risk (such as drug eluting cardiac stents) according to EU rules.2 The risk associated with the device depends on the duration of contact with the body, invasiveness, and whether it has a local or a systemic effect. Medium and high risk devices must be certified by one of the notified bodies, organisations that are accredited to assess a product’s compliance with EU legislation (CE mark).

At a …
Effect of Insurance Expansion on Utilization of Inpatient Surgery
Authors: Chandy Ellimoottil, Sarah Miller, John Z. Ayanian, David C. Miller
Journal: JAMA Surgery (2014)

IMPORTANCE Enhanced access to preventive and primary care services is a primary focus of the Affordable Care Act, but the potential effect of this law on surgical care is not well defined.OBJECTIVE To estimate the differential effect of insurance expansion on utilization of discretionary vs nondiscretionary inpatient surgery with Massachusetts health care reform as a natural experimental condition. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSWe used the state inpatient databases from Massachusetts and 2 control states (New Jersey and New York) to identify nonelderly adult patients (aged 19-64 years) who underwent discretionary vs nondiscretionary surgical procedures from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2010.We defined discretionary surgery as elective, preference-sensitive procedures (eg, joint replacement and back surgery) and nondiscretionary surgery as imperative and potentially life-saving procedures (eg, cancer surgery and hip fracture repair).EXPOSURE All surgical procedures in the study and control populations. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESUsing July 1, 2007, as the transition point between the prereform and postreform periods, we performed a difference-in-differences analysis to estimate the effect of insurance expansion on rates of discretionary and nondiscretionary surgical procedures in the entire study population and for subgroups defined by race, income, and insurance status.We then extrapolated our results from Massachusetts to the entire US population. RESULTSWe identified a total of 836 311 surgical procedures during the study period.Insurance expansion was associated with a 9.3% increase in the use of discretionary surgery in Massachusetts (P = .02).Conversely, the rate of nondiscretionary surgery decreased by 4.5% (P = .009).We found similar effects for discretionary surgery in all subgroups, with the greatest increase observed for nonwhite participants (19.9% [P < .001]).Based on the findings in Massachusetts, we estimated that full implementation of national insurance expansion would yield an additional 465 934 discretionary surgical procedures by 2017.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Insurance expansion in Massachusetts was associated with increased rates of discretionary surgery and a concurrent decrease in rates of nondiscretionary surgery.If similar changes are seen nationally under the Affordable Care Act, the value of insurance expansion for surgical care may depend on the relative balance between increased expenditures and potential health benefits of greater access to elective inpatient procedures.
Interferon-associated lymphocyte 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase in acute and chronic viral hepatitis
Authors: Jenny Heathcote, Young-In Kim, Colina K. Yim, James Lebrocq, Stanley E. Read
Journal: Hepatology (1989)

Basal levels of the interferon-associated enzyme 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase were studied in lymphocytes of 46 patients with acute viral hepatitis and in 46 patients with chronic hepatitis B. Measurement of in vitro production of 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase following overnight incubation of lymphocytes with exogenous interferon was used to assess functional capacity of the lymphocyte interferon system. In acute hepatitis patients, an early but transient elevation of 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase was observed; the mean level at 1 week was significantly greater than the mean level at 4 weeks after the onset of their illness (p&lt;0.01). Serial 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase levels did not identify those patients who were to progress to chronic hepatitis. Patients with chronic hepatitis B infection, regardless of background liver histology, generally had normal basal lymphocyte 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase levels. In both acute viral hepatitis and chronic hepatitis B, there was an inverse correlation between basal 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase level and 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase response to overnight incubation with interferon, a finding that suggested a transient down regulation of interferon responsiveness. These findings provided no support for the hypothesis that there is an inherent or persistently induced deficiency in the interferon system in acute or chronic hepatitis B.
Protein-Lipid Relationships in Normal Dog Plasma
Authors: ELLA M. Russ, JULIE RAYMUNT
Journal: Circulation Research (1955)

Although Cohn's microfractionation method number 10 was specifically devised to meet the conditions of protein concentration and distribution in human plasma, it is shown in this contribution that it may be applied to studies of canine plasma. Essentially all of the lipids of plasma are recovered in Fractions IV + V + VI and I + III. Only negligible amounts appear in Fraction II. Electrophoretic studies proved that the lipoproteins of Fraction IV + V + VI have the mobility of alpha globulins and those in Fraction I + III have the mobility of beta globulins.
Type I and II IFNs Inhibit Merkel Cell Carcinoma via Modulation of the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus T Antigens
Authors: Christoph Willmes, Christian Adam, Miriam Alb, Lena Völkert, Roland Houben, Jürgen C. Becker, David Schrama
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive skin cancer associated with the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV). As MCC cell lines show oncogene addiction to the MCV T antigens, pharmacologic interference of the large T antigen (LTA) may represent an effective therapeutic approach for this deadly cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of IFNs on MCC cell lines, especially on MCV-positive (MCV+) lines. Type I IFNs (i.e., Multiferon, a mix of different IFN-α subtypes, and IFN-β) strongly inhibited the cellular viability. Cell-cycle analysis showed increased sub-G fractions for these cells upon IFN treatment indicating apoptotic cell death; these effects were less pronounced for IFN-γ. Notably, this inhibitory effect of type I IFNs on MCV+ MCC cell lines was associated with a reduced expression of the MCV LTA as well as an increased expression of promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein, which is known to interfere with the function of the LTA. In addition, the intratumoral application of Multiferon resulted in a regression of MCV+ but not MCV− MCCs in vivo. Together, our findings show that type I IFNs have a strong antitumor effect, which is at least in part explained by modulation of the virally encoded LTA. Cancer Res; 72(8); 2120–8. ©2012 AACR.
Overdiagnosis and the dangers of early detection
Authors: R. Moynihan
Journal: BMJ (2011)

A new book calls for greater awareness of the potential harms of early diagnosis



How often it is in matters medical that the truth feels strange and counterintuitive, seduced as we are by so many false yet familiar assumptions: newer is better; widely used procedures are all proved; a registered drug must surely be a safe one. But perhaps the unhealthiest fallacy of all is the popular conviction that early detection is always for the best. A powerful new book from a team of Ivy League doctors claims that overdiagnosis is one of medicine’s biggest problems, causing millions of people to become patients unnecessarily, producing untold harm, and wasting vast amounts of resources.

Over-diagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health (www.beacon.org/productdetails.cfm?SKU=2200) is written by three widely published researchers, Gilbert Welch, Lisa Schwartz, and Steve Woloshin. They’re all based at the Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire and known for rigour and scepticism. All three are practising doctors and scientists and are well aware that in many, many cases early diagnosis can ameliorate suffering and extend life. But as the evidence makes clear, too often …
Acute effect of weight loss on levels of total bilirubin in obese, cardiovascular high-risk patients: an analysis from the lead-in period of the Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcome trial
Authors: Charlotte Andersson, Peter Weeke, Emil Loldrup Fosbøl, Bente Brendorp, Lars Køber, Walmir Coutinho, Arya M. Sharma, Luc Van Gaal, Nick Finer, W. Philip T. James, Ian D. Caterson, Richard A. Rode, Christian Torp-Pedersen
Journal: Metabolism (2009)
The Palms and Soles in Medicine
Authors: Samuel M. Bluefarb
Journal: JAMA (1968)

Acral afflictions occurring as extension of a generalized cutaneous process, or as a counterpart of systemic disease, is the subject of this handsome volume. Although the topic has received frequent sporadic attention, this is the first attempt to assemble and categorize all facets of this capacious field. The result is a unique and classic text that provides informative, enjoyable reading and a weighty reference source. Rather than merely furnishing a collection of syndromes, the authors have supplemented the discussions with historic, genetic, physiologic, investigative, and comparative backgrounds. When the condition is not primary, the accounts of palmar and plantar dermatoses are extensively augmented by lengthy descriptions of the basic disorder. This zeal is, however, occasionally cumbersome. To present an encyclopedic treatise encompassing all conditions affecting the palms and soles, the authors have explored the literature of widespread sources. The factual material covered is enormous. Embryologic development and unique structural characteristics
537. Charge-Reversal Lipids for Gene Transfection
Authors: Mark W. Grinstaff, Carla A. Hernandez Prata, Steven R. Meyers, Philippe Barthelemy, Yougen Li, Dan Luo, Tom J. McIntosh, Stephen J. Lee
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2006)

One of the critical steps limiting the efficiency of non-viral gene delivery is the intracellular release of DNA from the vector complex. The complex should be stable enough to prevent DNA degradation but also dissociate from the DNA once inside the cell for subsequent transcription. To facilitate the escape of DNA from the DNA-lipid complex in the cell, and thus improve transfection efficiency, we have developed esterase sensitive cationic lipids. These lipids form a strong complex with DNA. Once in the endosome, esterases hydrolyze the terminal ester linkage of the lipid affecting a change in overall lipid charge from cationic to anionic. This charge-reversal transition releases the DNA from the lipids. These charge-reversal lipids (fig.1) were synthesized and characterized. The complexation and dissociation of the lipid to the DNA was monitored using an ethidium bromide displacement assay. The supramolecular lipid/ DNA complexes were also characterized by dynamic light scattering, TEM and X-ray diffraction. Successful gene transfection was observed with this new class of lipids with CHO, K562, and HEK293 cells.