tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Parent bisphenol A accumulation in the human maternal-fetal-placental unit.
Authors: Gilbert Schönfelder, Werner Wittfoht, Hartmut Hopp, Chris E Talsness, Martin Paul, Ibrahim Chahoud
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2002)

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, is employed in the manufacture of a wide range of consumer products. The suggestion that BPA, at amounts to which we are exposed, alters the reproductive organs of developing rodents has caused concern. At present, no information exists concerning the exposure of human pregnant women and their fetuses to BPA. We therefore investigated blood samples from mothers (n = 37) between weeks 32 and 41 of gestation. Afer the births, we also analyzed placental tissue and umbilical cord blood from the same subjects. We developed a novel chemical derivatization-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method to analyze parent BPA at concentrations < 1 micro g/mL in plasma and tissues. Concentrations of BPA ranged from 0.3 to 18.9 ng/mL (median = 3.1 ng/mL) in maternal plasma, from 0.2 to 9.2 ng/mL (median = 2.3 ng/mL) in fetal plasma, and from 1.0 to 104.9 ng/g (median = 12.7 ng/g) in placental tissue. BPA blood concentrations were higher in male than in female fetuses. Here we demonstrate parent BPA in pregnant women and their fetuses. Exposure levels of parent BPA were found within a range typical of those used in recent animal studies and were shown to be toxic to reproductive organs of male and female offspring. We suggest that the range of BPA concentrations we measured may be related to sex differences in metabolization of parent BPA or variable maternal use of consumer products leaching BPA.
Ebola and Quarantine
Authors: Jeffrey M. Drazen, Rupa Kanapathipillai, Edward W. Campion, Eric J. Rubin, Scott M. Hammer, Stephen Morrissey, Lindsey R. Baden
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2014)

The governors of a number of states, including New York and New Jersey, recently imposed 21-day quarantines on health care workers returning to the United States from regions of the world where they may have cared for patients with Ebola virus disease. We understand their motivation for this policy — to protect the citizens of their states from contracting this often-fatal illness. This approach, however, is not scientifically based, is unfair and unwise, and will impede essential efforts to stop these awful outbreaks of Ebola disease at their source, which is the only satisfactory goal. The governors' action is like . . .
Letter by Connelly et al Regarding Article, “Diastolic Stiffness of the Failing Diabetic Heart: Importance of Fibrosis, Advanced Glycation End Products, and Myocyte Resting Tension”
Authors: Kim A. Connelly, Richard E. Gilbert, Henry Krum
Journal: Circulation (2008)

We would like to congratulate van Heerebeek and colleagues on the recent article "Diastolic Stiffness of the Failing Diabetic heart." 1 The authors provide evidence that increased myocyte stiffness is the principal abnormality in diabetic subjects with heart failure and a normal ejection fraction and that fibrosis and advanced glycation end-products contribute to diabetic subjects with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction.We are concerned that these data may be interpreted as indicating that fibrosis does not contribute to diabetic subjects with heart failure and a normal ejection fraction.Animal studies suggest that fibrosis contributes to this syndrome, 2 and previous data from these same investigators indicate that, when compared with control subjects, collagen volume fraction is increased approximately 2-fold in both diabetic and nondiabetic subjects with heart failure and a normal ejection fraction. 3Together, these studies suggest that fibrosis and dysfunction are linked attributes of heart failure and a normal ejection fraction, regardless of its cause.Accordingly, the development of both antifibrotic and antihypertrophic strategies remain key pharmacological goals for patients with heart failure and a normal ejection fraction, regardless of the cause, along with optimal medical management of cardiovascular risk factors.
Aortic Root Remodeling Over the Adult Life Course
Authors: Carolyn S.P. Lam, Vanessa Xanthakis, Lisa M. Sullivan, Wolfgang Lieb, Jayashri Aragam, Margaret M. Redfield, Gary F. Mitchell, Emelia J. Benjamin, Ramachandran S. Vasan
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Background— Aortic root remodeling in adulthood is known to be associated with cardiovascular outcomes. However, there is a lack of longitudinal data defining the clinical correlates of aortic root remodeling over the adult life course. Methods and Results— We used serial routine echocardiograms in participants of the Framingham Heart Study to track aortic root diameter over 16 years in mid to late adulthood and to determine its short-term (4 years; n=6099 observations in 3506 individuals) and long-term (16 years; n=14 628 observations in 4542 individuals) clinical correlates by multilevel modeling. Age, sex, body size, and blood pressure were principal correlates of aortic remodeling in both short- and long-term analyses (all P ≤0.01). Aortic root diameter increased with age in both men and women but was larger in men at any given age. Each 10-year increase in age was associated with a larger aortic root (by 0.89 mm in men and 0.68 mm in women) after adjustment for body size and blood pressure. A 5-kg/m 2 increase in body mass index was associated with a larger aortic root (by 0.78 mm in men and 0.51 mm in women) after adjustment for age and blood pressure. Each 10-mm Hg increase in pulse pressure was related to a smaller aortic root (by 0.19 mm in men and 0.08 mm in women) after adjustment for age and body size. Conclusions— These longitudinal community-based data show that aortic root remodeling occurs over mid to late adulthood and is principally associated with age, sex, body size, and blood pressure. The underlying basis for these differences and implications for the development of cardiovascular events deserve further study.
SAT0571 Dignity, Identity and Quality of Life - In Focus when Patients Set the Research Agenda.
Authors: U. Bergsten, J. Bagge, C. Åkerhielm, S. Bergman
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> The rheumatic diseases are usually long lasting and affect the daily life in form of pain, stiffness and fatigue. Patients’ perceptions of their illness and its consequences differ to some extent from the established medical view. This also means that there could be unidentified areas of research that could be of great value for the patients. The Swedish Rheumatism Association (the national patient organization) and Research- and Development-center Spenshult decided to carry out a joint project to develop patient initiated research in order to increase knowledge and to improve the care of the rheumatic diseases. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of the project was to develop and describe new research areas from a patient perspective that not had been adequately covered previously and to initiate projects that patients consider to be of importance for development of rheumatology care. <h3>Methods</h3> A project team was formed consisting of five research partners (specially educated people with personal experience of a rheumatic disease) and a project manager. The project team used a structured method throughout the project in order to maintain focus at the patient perspective. The structured method that was used – The dialogue model – is developed with the purpose to promote the dialogue between different stakeholders such as patients and researchers. During the project there were other members of the local rheumatic association engaged in the form of focus groups. Experiences were communicated in four focus group interviews and by individuals that had experience of rheumatic disease. The material was analyzed by content analysis research method. <h3>Results</h3> The analysis resulted in several research ideas and research areas that were important from the patient perspective. Most of them focused on the patient’s dignity, identity and quality of life. The repeated theme was: How can a person maintain or improve their quality of life despite chronic illness? Persons who participated in the focus groups communicated their experiences of having a rheumatic disease and the central point was how life changes when you suffer from a chronic disease and that the “whole life” was affected to different degrees. It was also clear that there are shortcomings in health care and society in terms of providing support and assistance to the person with a rheumatic disease. <h3>Conclusions</h3> A structured approach involving research partners and members of patient associations generated several new research ideas that now are planned to be developed further. The patient initiated research agenda complements the established medical view and could improve the knowledge and understanding of having a rheumatic disease and an opportunity to develop rheumatology care to be more person-centered. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
Cardiovascular effects of intracisternal injections of acetazolamide
Authors: J. A. KRASNEY, M. G. LEVITZKY, D. G. DAVIES
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1973)

Injections of acetazolamide into the cisterna magna of anaesthetized dogs caused marked increases in cardiac output, common carotid blood flow, and arterial blood pressure. In contrast, injections of acetazolamide intravenously in much larger doses had little effect on systemic haemodynamics. These observations indicate that acetazolamide is capable of altering central autonomic activity.
Should surgeons take a break after an intraoperative death? Attitude survey and outcome evaluation
Authors: Antony R Goldstone, Christopher J Callaghan, Jon Mackay, Susan Charman, Samer A M Nashef
Journal: BMJ (2004)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objectives</b> To investigate attitudes of cardiac surgeons and anaesthetists towards working immediately after an intraoperative death and to establish whether an intraoperative death affects the outcome of subsequent surgery. <b>Design</b> Questionnaire on attitudes to working after an intraoperative death and matched cohort study. <b>Setting</b> UK adult cardiac surgery centres and regional cardiothoracic surgical centre. <b>Participants</b> 371 consultant cardiac surgeons and anaesthetists in the United Kingdom were asked to complete a questionnaire, and seven surgeons from one centre who continued to operate after intraoperative death. <b>Main outcome measures</b> Outcome for 233 patients operated on by a surgeon who had experienced an intraoperative death within the preceding 48 hours compared with outcome of 932 matched controls. Hospital mortality and length of stay as a surrogate for hospital morbidity. <b>Results</b> The questionnaire response rate was 76%. Around a quarter of surgeons and anaesthetists thought they should stop work after an intraoperative death and most wanted guidelines on this subject. Overall, there was no increased mortality in patients operated on in the 48 hours after an intraoperative death. However, mortality was higher if the preceding intraoperative death was in an emergency or high risk case. Survivors operated on within 48 hours after an intraoperative death had longer stay in intensive care (odds ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 2.52, P = 0.02) and longer stay in hospital (relative change 1.15, 1.03 to 1.24, P = 0.02). <b>Conclusion</b> Mortality is not increased in operations performed in the immediate aftermath of an intraoperative death, but survivors have longer stays in intensive care and on the hospital ward.
Comparison of ultrasound and caliper measurements of normal and inflamed skin thickness
Authors: C. M. LAWRENCE, SAM SHUSTER
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1985)

We have compared ultrasound and Harpenden calipers for the measurement of thickness of non-inflamed and anthralin-inflamed skin. In non-inflamed skin ultrasound gave consistently and significantly lower values (0.87 mm +/- 2.3% s.e.) than calipers (1.1 mm +/- 2.7% s.e.) and the ultrasound/caliper ratio was 0.89 +/- 1.3%. In anthralin-inflamed skin the ultrasound/caliper ratio was not significantly different from unity (1.02 +/- 1.3%), but ultrasound was unable to measure inflamed skin thickness in 18% of cases because the echo could not detect the dermis-subcutaneous fat interface. The proportion of unreadable ultrasound results increased linearly with increase in skin thickness and the variance of ultrasound readings increased as inflammatory skin thickness increased; by contrast caliper variance remained constant. Harpenden calipers cannot be used in all subjects or in skin sites in which skin folds cannot be raised, but if the patient and site to be studied can be selected, Harpenden calipers have a greater precision, reproducibility and reliability than ultrasound for measurement of the thickness of inflamed skin.
Effect of hydroxyurea on the rheological properties of sickle erythrocytes in vivo
Authors: Samir K. Ballas, George J. Dover, Samuel Charache
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1989)

Abstract We have monitored the rheological effects of hydroxyurea (HU) on erythrocytes obtained from two patients with severe sickle cell anemia who were enrolled in a therapeutic trial of this drug. Erythrocyte membrane stability and whole cell and membrane deformability of red cells from treated and untreated patients and normal controls were determined in room air using an ektacytometer—a laser viscodiffractometer. The percentage of dense cells was quantitated by centrifugation on a discontinuous Stractan density gradient. F reticulocytes (FR), absolute F reticulocytes (AFR), and F cells (FC) were determined by single‐cell radial immunolgic assays. After 1 year of treatment with HU, there was a significant increase in the level of hemoglobin (Hb) F, FR, AFR, and FC. The degree of anemia remained the same, but there was significant increase in the mean cell volume (MCV) and a significant decrease in the mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC). Whole cell deformability improved by twofold, but membrane stability remained within normal limits. The hydration status of sickle erythrocytes improved as was indicated by a change toward normal in gradient osmotic ektacytometry, an increase in RBC K + content, a decrease in percent of dense cells, and a decrease in the MCHC. The data indicate that, in addition to its effect on the production of Hb F, HU has a salutary effect on whole cell deformability and on the hydration status of sickle erythrocytes. Determination of the rheological properties of erythrocytes may be of value in monitoring the response to HU.
The Candidate Region Approach to the Genetics of Asthma and Allergy
Authors: N. S. THOMAS, J. WILKINSON, S. T. HOLGATE
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1997)

To date, the strongest linkage claims for genes underlying asthma and atopy have been for chromosomes 5 and 11. Chromosome 5q contains the cytokine cluster and the beta2 adrenoceptor, and the beta chain of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FCepsilonRI-beta) is encoded on chromosome 11q13. We have attempted to replicate these findings in two distinct sample populations from the United Kingdom. Allelic associations were identified in both regions, but there was no significant evidence for linkage. Although we could not substantiate the existence of the nucleotide changes reported within exon 6 of the FCepsilonRI-beta gene, an amino acid substitution in exon 7 was strongly linked to asthma and atopy. We have also identified positive linkage and allelic associations to several markers on chromosome 12q in both our UK populations. Independent evidence from another study also supports linkage to 12q, so although our data could not confirm linkage to chromosomes 5 or 11, we have identified an additional region of the genome that could be important for the genetic predisposition to asthma and atopy.
Long-term Follow up Study of Vertical HTLV-I Infection in Children Breast-fed by Seropositive Mothers
Authors: Y. Ando, Y. Matsumoto, S. Nakano, K. Saito, K. Kakimoto, T. Tanigawa, Y. Ekuni, M. Kawa, T. Toyama
Journal: Journal of Infection (2003)
Homoeopath society breaks own ethics code by making speculative claims on website, says expert
Authors: Z. Kmietowicz
Journal: BMJ (2009)

The Society of Homeopaths is in breach of its own code of ethics by posting “speculative,” “misleading,” and “deceptive” statements on its website, claims a leading UK expert in complementary medicine.

Edzard Ernst, professor of complementary medicine at the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, identified numerous statements on the society’s website that he claimed could be seen as contravening the code. He was writing in the International Journal of …
Abstract 2548: Targeted sequencing to identify rare variants in colorectal cancer.
Authors: Melissa S. DeRycke, Shanaka R. Gunawardena, Sumit Middha, Shannon K. McDonnell, Shaun M. Riska, Zachary C. Fogarty, Bruce W. Eckloff, Daniel J. Schaid, Ellen L. Goode, Stephen N. Thibodeau
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is estimated to be the third most common cancer in both men and women in the US in 2012, accounting for over 50,000 deaths. Familial CRC accounts for approximately 30% of all CRC, yet only 5% of familial CRCs can be attributed to mutations in known hereditary colon cancer (HCC) genes. Many families with a strong family history of CRC do not have mutations in known CRC genes. Finding the genes underpinning CRC in these families may improve screening for disease and allow the development of more targeted therapeutics. We completed targeted sequencing of over 2,000 genes and miRNAs in 1,500 cases of CRC from the Colon Cancer Family Registry (CCFR) in an effort to identify rare variants associated with CRC risk and to identify mutations in known CRC genes missed by conventional sequencing. Several categories of genes were included: 18 known HCC genes; 18 candidate HCC genes; 185 genes in previously reported CRC linkage peaks; 1,423 miRNAs; and 363 genes identified through whole exome sequencing of 40 affected cases in 16 families with hereditary CRC (n=2,007 total genes sequenced). Genomic DNA samples were indexed, then libraries were made using Agilent's SureSelect Targeted Enrichment kit. Samples were pooled (96 samples/pool), then each pool of samples was run on five lanes on an Illumina HiSeq2000 (average of 19.2 samples/lane). GenomeGPS, an in-house developed workflow, was used for read alignment, variant calling, and annotation. In early analyses of the first 161 cases, the mean number of mapped reads exceeded 20 million per sample and over 90% of the target region exceeded 40x coverage. A total of 26,484 SNPs were identified and passed quality filtering. Sequencing identified known mutations in MMR genes in positive control cases as well as mutations in HCC genes in previously untested cases. Analysis is currently on-going on the remaining samples and we will report results on the full set of 1500 cases at the meeting. Citation Format: Melissa S. DeRycke, Shanaka R. Gunawardena, Sumit Middha, Shannon K. McDonnell, Shaun M. Riska, Zachary C. Fogarty, Bruce W. Eckloff, Daniel J. Schaid, Ellen L. Goode, Stephen N. Thibodeau. Targeted sequencing to identify rare variants in colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2548. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2548
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Emergency Department Patients
Authors: Gabor D. Kelen
Journal: JAMA (1989)

In a study to assess the impact of the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic on The Johns Hopkins Hospital Emergency Department, we found 152 (6.0%) of 2544 consecutive patients to have human immunodeficiency virus infection, an absolute increase of 0.8% from the previous year. Of the 57 patients with a known history of infection, 49.1% had no insurance vs 36.0% of seronegative patients. Infected patients were three times more likely to be admitted as seronegative patients. Overall, health providers followed universal precautions during 44.0% of interventions. In patients with profuse bleeding, adherence fell to 19.5%. The most common reasons given by providers for not following precautions were insufficient time to put on protective attire and interference with procedural skills. We conclude that the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic has a major impact on emergency services and that strategies need to be developed for appropriate use of emergency resources and also for maximizing provider protection.
DTP Vaccine-Reply
Authors: Steven G. F. Wassilak
Journal: JAMA (1986)

<h3>In Reply.—</h3> In 1984, Barkin et al<sup>1</sup>reported on a study of a reduced DTP vaccine dosage using half the recommended dose volume in a schedule of four doses at the usual recommended ages. They observed fewer febrile, local, and behavioral adverse events when compared with the recommended dose volume. These findings are supported by the observations of Baraff et al.<sup>2</sup>Based on equivalent geometric mean pertussis agglutinin titers in the two groups at the time of the reinforcing dose (at 18 months of age) and also one month later, the authors concluded that protection might also be equivalent following a schedule of half of the recommended dose. Barkin and Samuelson state that these data are sufficient to suggest the use of reduced dosages as an alternative to the current policy; this would be for the purported reason of averting the fears of parents about more severe events
An Acute Hypertensive Episode Triggered by an Ambulatory Blood-Pressure–Monitoring Device
Authors: Chaim Yosefy, Mordehay Vaturi, Robert A. Levine
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2004)

To the Editor: Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring is used to differentiate so-called white-coat hypertension from more prolonged and frequent hypertension.1,2 We describe a patient in whom the monitoring device itself was instrumental in triggering an acute hypertensive episode. A 46-year-old man was referred to the hypertension clinic in Ashkelon, Israel, for ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring to rule out white-coat hypertension, because his blood pressure was high when measured in the office but normal when measured at home. His medical history was unremarkable. Shortly after the monitoring device was attached to the patient, he was arrested by the police. The wires . . .
PERCUTANEOUS APPROACH TO PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH MULTIPLE PARAVALVULAR LEAKS AND HEMOLYSIS
Authors: Chad Kliger, Bryce Einhorn, Yuriy Dudiy, Guillermo Isasti, Vladimir Jelnin, Leandro Maranan, Gila Perk, Howard Cohen, Itzhak Kronzon, Carlos Ruiz
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2012)
Doctors concerned over Pinochet verdict
Authors: S. Arie
Journal: BMJ (2001)

Experts in dementia have raised concerns over the medical reports used to prove that former Chilean dictator, 85 year old Augusto Pinochet, was mentally unfit to be tried for crimes committed under his military rule from 1973 to 1990.

Pinochet “can remember as far back as 60 years,” has a “tremendous sense of judgment and time,” and would be standing trial if he were anywhere in the Western world, said Dr Luis Fornazzari, a Chilean neurologist at the University of Toronto, who attended four days of tests on Pinochet in a military hospital in January at the request of prosecuting lawyers.

Eight experts from Chile's Medical Legal Institute and …
Citrullination of CXCL10 and CXCL11 by peptidylarginine deiminase: a naturally occurring posttranslational modification of chemokines and new dimension of immunoregulation
Authors: Tamara Loos, Anneleen Mortier, Mieke Gouwy, Isabelle Ronsse, Willy Put, Jean-Pierre Lenaerts, Jo Van Damme, Paul Proost
Journal: Blood (2008)