tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Increased risk of allergy in children due to formaldehyde exposure in homes
Authors: MH Garrett, MA Hooper, BM Hooper, PR Rayment, MJ Abramson
Journal: Allergy (1999)

Background: Formaldehyde levels were measured in 80 houses in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia. An association between exposure to formaldehyde and sensitization to common aeroallergens has been suggested from animal trials, but no epidemiologic studies have tested this hypothesis. Methods: A total of 148 children 7–14 years of age were included in the study, 53 of whom were asthmatic. Formaldehyde measurements were performed on four occasions between March 1994 and February 1995 with passive samplers. A respiratory questionnaire was completed, and skin prick tests were performed. Results: The median indoor formaldehyde level was 15.8 μg/m 3 (12.6 ppb), with a maximum of 139 μg/m 3 (111 ppb). There was an association between formaldehyde exposure and atopy, and the adjusted odds ratio was 1.40 (0.98–2.00, 95% CI) with an increase in bedroom formaldehyde levels of 10 μg/m 3 . Furthermore, more severe allergic sensitization was demonstrated with increasing formaldehyde exposure. On the other hand, there was no significant increase in the adjusted risk of asthma or respiratory symptoms with formaldehyde exposure. However, among children suffering from respiratory symptoms, more frequent symptoms were noted in those exposed to higher formaldehyde levels. Conclusions: Low‐level exposure to indoor formaldehyde may increase the risk of allergic sensitization to common aeroallergens in children.
PLANAR MAPS OF LEFT VENTRICULAR VORTICITY FIELDS IN HUMAN HEARTS: NOVEL INSIGHTS WITH THE USE OF HIGH RESOLUTION ECHO CONTRAST PARTICLE IMAGING VELOCIMETRY
Authors: Haruhiko Abe, Giuseppe Caracciolo, Marek Belohlavek, Bijoy Khandheria, A. Jamil Tajik, Jagat Narula, Krishnaswamy Chandrasekaran, Partho P. Sengupta
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
A statin a day keeps the doctor away: comparative proverb assessment modelling study
Authors: A. D. M. Briggs, A. Mizdrak, P. Scarborough
Journal: BMJ (2013)

<b>Objective</b> To model the effect on UK vascular mortality of all adults over 50 years old being prescribed either a statin or an apple a day. <b>Design</b> Comparative proverb assessment modelling study. <b>Setting</b> United Kingdom. <b>Population</b> Adults aged over 50 years. <b>Intervention</b> Either a statin a day for people not already taking a statin or an apple a day for everyone, assuming 70% compliance and no change in calorie consumption. The modelling used routinely available UK population datasets; parameters describing the relations between statins, apples, and health were derived from meta-analyses. <b>Main outcome measure</b> Mortality due to vascular disease. <b>Results</b> The estimated annual reduction in deaths from vascular disease of a statin a day, assuming 70% compliance and a reduction in vascular mortality of 12% (95% confidence interval 9% to 16%) per 1.0 mmol/L reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol, is 9400 (7000 to 12 500). The equivalent reduction from an apple a day, modelled using the PRIME model (assuming an apple weighs 100 g and that overall calorie consumption remains constant) is 8500 (95% credible interval 6200 to 10 800). <b>Conclusions</b> Both nutritional and pharmaceutical approaches to the prevention of vascular disease may have the potential to reduce UK mortality significantly. With similar reductions in mortality, a 150 year old health promotion message is able to match modern medicine and is likely to have fewer side effects.
Screening for lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials
Authors: R L Manser
Journal: Thorax (2003)

Lung cancer is a substantial public health problem in western countries. Previous studies have examined different screening strategies for lung cancer but there have been no published systematic reviews.A systematic review of controlled trials was conducted to determine whether screening for lung cancer using regular sputum examinations or chest radiography or computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer mortality. The primary outcome was lung cancer mortality; secondary outcomes were lung cancer survival and all cause mortality.One non-randomised controlled trial and six randomised controlled trials with a total of 245 610 subjects were included in the review. In all studies the control group received some type of screening. More frequent screening with chest radiography was associated with an 11% relative increase in mortality from lung cancer compared with less frequent screening (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.23). A non-statistically significant trend to reduced mortality from lung cancer was observed when screening with chest radiography and sputum cytological examination was compared with chest radiography alone (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.03). Several of the included studies had potential methodological weaknesses. Controlled studies of spiral CT scanning have not been reported.The current evidence does not support screening for lung cancer with chest radiography or sputum cytological examination. Frequent chest radiography might be harmful. Further methodologically rigorous trials are required before any new screening methods are introduced into clinical practice.
Psoriasis and Raynaud's Phenomenon Associated with Autoantibodies to U1 and U2 Small Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins
Authors: Westley H. Reeves, David E. Fisher, Rosanne Wisniewolski, Alice B. Gottlieb, Nicholas Chiorazzi
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1986)

One of the hallmarks of systemic lupus erythematosus and related disorders is the production of antinuclear antibodies reactive with a variety of nuclear structures, including nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), proteins, and complexes of DNA or RNA with proteins.1 There has been particular interest in autoantibodies to ribonucleoproteins (complexes consisting of RNA noncovalently linked to protein). Detection of autoantibodies to specific types of ribonucleoproteins in patients' serum can be useful diagnostically,1 2 3 4 and serum samples containing such antibodies has been an important tool in molecular and cellular biology.5 6 7 8 The Sm antigen (named after the patient whose serum defined this reactivity)2 and . . .
Saralasin Infusion in the Recognition of Renovascular Hypertension
Authors: HUGH M. WILSON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1977)

Saralasin, an angiotensin II antagonist, was infused into 49 patients with renal artery stenosis, 10 patients with essential hypertension and normal renal arteriograms, and five patients with "low-renin essential hypertension." Renal venous renin and differential renal function studies were used to assess the functional significance of arterial stenoses. "Response" to saralasin, evidenced by a fall in blood pressure during infusion, occurred in no patients with "low renin" hypertension and in only 20% of patients with normal renal arteriograms. In contrast, saralasin "response" occurred in more than 80% of patients with renal artery stenosis and lateralizing functional studies and in 100% of cases of "proven" renovascular hypertension (cure or improvement of hypertension after operative treatment). We suggest that saralasin infusion might be a valuable screening test for the recognition of renovascular hypertension.
Practice, Rehearsal, and Performance
Authors: Roger L. Kneebone
Journal: JAMA (2009)

SURGEONS, LIKE MUSICIANS, CAN BE CONSIDERED PERformers. Traditionally, surgeons have learned their craft through a prolonged apprenticeship that allows trainees to gain a wide repertoire of skills by assisting at and performing numerous operations. Supervision was tailored to each surgeon’s level of experience and the demands of the procedure. Surgeons learned how to cope with a wide range of problems and complications by repeated practice located within the performance of actual operations. Dexterity was central to the process of learning a broad range of procedures. However, equally important were other skills that accrued with increasing experience: teamwork, leadership, communication, clinical judgment, and decision making. Unlike technical expertise, these qualities are most evident when coping with problems and dealing with the unexpected. The extended nature of surgical training, coupled with specific planning, ensured that trainees were exposed to a sufficient range of eventualities. The landscape of contemporary surgery is different. Demands for patient throughput are increasing, while reductions in work hours mean that trainees’ opportunities for hands-on interventional experience have been curtailed. Continual technological innovation applies relentless pressure to learn new techniques, and ethical imperatives support safer approaches to initial learning, such as simulation. Complex interventional procedures increasingly are being performed by physicians from many specialties, including surgery, cardiology, and radiology.
Ganglioneuromas in the adult scrotum
Authors: A. Thwalni
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2005)

Erdheim-Chester diseaseDr Lee and his colleagues (April 2005 JRSM 1 ) describe a case of renal failure in which the radiographic appearance of bone pointed to Erdheim-Chester disease, a histiocytosis.Among the organs affected in this condition they mention pericardium.We think it important to emphasize the frequency with which heart, pericardium and great vessels are affected.Recording 6 new patients with cardiovascular involvement, Haroche et al. 2 have reviewed all 178 reported cases of Erdheim-Chester disease.56% had periaortic fibrosis, 44% pericardial infiltration and/or effusions and 31% myocardial infiltration.Interestingly, 6 patients had a right atrial myxoma.Of the 58 patients with follow-up data, 31% died from cardiovascular complications.
Reactive Perforating Collagenosis Associated with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Susana C. Poliak, Mark G. Lebwohl, Anthony Parris, Philip G. Prioleau
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1982)

Reactive perforating collagenosis (RPC) is a skin disorder characterized by extrusion of collagen fibers through the epidermis. This rare form of cutaneous perforating disease, first described by Mehregan et al. in 1967,1 usually begins in infancy or childhood and appears clinically as recurrent umbilicated papules that resolve spontaneously in six to eight weeks.2 In some cases the disease is thought to be hereditary.3 , 4 Fewer than 40 cases of RPC have been reported in all the medical literature, and only one or possibly two cases have been associated with chronic renal disease.5 No relation has been established between RPC and diabetes . . .
A Hybrid Vector System Expands Adeno-associated Viral Vector Packaging Capacity in a Transgene-independent Manner
Authors: Arkasubhra Ghosh, Yongping Yue, Yi Lai, Dongsheng Duan
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2007)

The trans-splicing (ts) and overlapping (ov) vectors expand the packaging capacity of adeno-associated virus (AAV). But their application depends on the inherent properties of the target gene. The ts vectors require an optimal gene-splitting site and the ov vectors require a highly recombinogenic domain. In order to overcome these limitations, we developed a hybrid dual (hd) vector system. In the hd vectors, we inserted a highly recombinogenic alkaline phosphatase (AP) sequence in the ts vectors to allow for transgene-independent reconstitution through homologous recombination of the AP sequences. We first tested the hybrid system with the LacZ gene. Both in the cell line (in vitro) and in the mouse muscle (in vivo), the hd vectors significantly outperformed the ts and ov vectors. In muscle, the transduction efficiency of the hybrid vectors reached 80% of that from the single intact vector. Southern blot confirmed AP sequence–mediated transgene reconstitution. In order to validate the hybrid system, we split the 6 kilobase (kb) mini-dystrophin gene at the exon 55/56 junction, a predicted poor site for the ts approach. In dystrophic mdx mouse muscle, the hd vectors yielded 5.6-fold higher transduction than the ts vectors did. Taken together, these data suggest that the hybrid system efficiently expresses large therapeutic genes that are poor candidates for the ts and ov approaches. The trans-splicing (ts) and overlapping (ov) vectors expand the packaging capacity of adeno-associated virus (AAV). But their application depends on the inherent properties of the target gene. The ts vectors require an optimal gene-splitting site and the ov vectors require a highly recombinogenic domain. In order to overcome these limitations, we developed a hybrid dual (hd) vector system. In the hd vectors, we inserted a highly recombinogenic alkaline phosphatase (AP) sequence in the ts vectors to allow for transgene-independent reconstitution through homologous recombination of the AP sequences. We first tested the hybrid system with the LacZ gene. Both in the cell line (in vitro) and in the mouse muscle (in vivo), the hd vectors significantly outperformed the ts and ov vectors. In muscle, the transduction efficiency of the hybrid vectors reached 80% of that from the single intact vector. Southern blot confirmed AP sequence–mediated transgene reconstitution. In order to validate the hybrid system, we split the 6 kilobase (kb) mini-dystrophin gene at the exon 55/56 junction, a predicted poor site for the ts approach. In dystrophic mdx mouse muscle, the hd vectors yielded 5.6-fold higher transduction than the ts vectors did. Taken together, these data suggest that the hybrid system efficiently expresses large therapeutic genes that are poor candidates for the ts and ov approaches.
Cluster bombs remain in Lebanon
Authors: O. Dyer
Journal: BMJ (2006)

Life in Lebanon was slowly returning to normal last week as aid convoys reached the most isolated parts of the south for the first time since the conflict began, and hundreds of thousands of refugees returned home.

But many southern villages are likely to be uninhabitable for months to come. In Aita al-Shaab, a scene of heavy fighting, only 100 of the town's 1300 houses were still fit for habitation, said Jack Redden, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. A convoy of tents and plastic sheeting was dispatched on Monday from Damascus in Syria to provide temporary shelter.

A public …
Effective use of PI3K and MEK inhibitors to treat mutant Kras G12D and PIK3CA H1047R murine lung cancers
Authors: Jeffrey A Engelman, Liang Chen, Xiaohong Tan, Katherine Crosby, Alexander R Guimaraes, Rabi Upadhyay, Michel Maira, Kate McNamara, Samanthi A Perera, Youngchul Song, Lucian R Chirieac, Ramneet Kaur, Angela Lightbown, Jessica Simendinger, Timothy Li, Robert F Padera, Carlos García-Echeverría, Ralph Weissleder, Umar Mahmood, Lewis C Cantley, Kwok-Kin Wong
Journal: Nature Medicine (2008)
Molecular Basis and Clinical Application of Biological Markers of Bone Turnover*
Authors: MONA S. CALVO, DAVID R. EYRE, CAREN M. GUNDBERG
Journal: Endocrine Reviews (1996)

I. Introduction THERE is increasing awareness among scientists, clinicians, policy makers, and the general public of the costs and health care problems associated with osteoporosis, the most common metabolic bone disease. If the disease could be prevented or effectively treated, then deaths, disabilities, and costs due to osteoporosis would be substantially reduced. To this end, considerable emphasis has been placed on developing and improving indicators of bone remodeling for 1) identifying people at risk, 2) early diagnosis, and 3) determining effective therapy for those with established disease. Although the clinician's ability to diagnose and monitor bone disease has improved in the past decade, there is still a need for more specific methods of assessing disturbances in bone metabolism. Bone status can be assessed by dynamic histomorphometry of a biopsy specimen, but the technique is invasive, and results from a single core biopsy may not apply to other sites in the skeleton.
Low-Dose Outpatient Chemobiotherapy With Temozolomide, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor, Interferon-<i>α</i>2b, and Recombinant Interleukin-2 for the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Robert W. Weber, Steven O'Day, Madalene Rose, Regina Deck, Patricia Ames, James Good, John Meyer, Robert Allen, Sharon Trautvetter, Molly Timmerman, Scott Cruickshank, Mary Cook, Rene Gonzalez, Lynn E. Spitler
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

The objective of this study was to further investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose outpatient chemobiotherapy in patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma.Thirty-one patients with histologically confirmed unresectable measurable metastatic melanoma were enrolled onto an open-label, multicenter phase II study. The treatment regimen consisted of oral temozolomide followed by subcutaneous biotherapy with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-alfa, and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2).Twenty-eight patients (90%) had M1c disease, and 58% had three or more sites of metastasis. Four patients (13%), all with M1c disease, had a complete response, and four patients had a partial response. The median progression-free survival was 4.9 months and the median overall survival was 13.1 months. Two patients (6%) developed CNS metastasis as the first site of disease progression, and 7 (23%) of 30 experienced CNS progression after receiving chemobiotherapy. A total of 112 cycles of therapy were administered. Toxicity occurred in 78% of the cycles and was grade 1 or 2 in the majority of cases and easily managed. Grade 4 toxicity occurred in 3% of the cycles.This low-dose chemobiotherapy combination produces clinical responses in patients with metastatic melanoma, even in those with M1c disease, is well tolerated, and allows home dosing. It offers a reasonable alternative to high-dose regimens, such as high-dose biochemotherapy or rIL-2 requiring prolonged periods of hospitalization, or single agent outpatient regimens, such as dacarbazine, which is usually not effective in patients with M1c disease. Furthermore, it may protect against the development of brain metastases.
X-linked agammaglobulinemia: Clinical features of 148 patients from a United States national registry
Authors: J.A. Winkelstein, M.C. Marino, H.D. Ochs, C. Cunningham-Rundles, A.W. Burks, M.E. Conley, K. Sullivan, H.M. Lederman
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2005)
Case Report: A Metabolic Disorder Presenting as Pediatric Manganism
Authors: Vanita Sahni, Yves Léger, Linda Panaro, Mark Allen, Scott Giffin, Diane Fury, Nadine Hamm
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2007)

ContextManganese is a trace element, essential for physiologic functioning but neurotoxic at high doses. Common exposure sources include dietary intake as well as drinking water in some regions; toxicity is most often associated with inhalation exposures in occupational settings. In this article we describe the investigation of a pediatric case of manganism using both clinical and environmental assessment methods.Case presentationA previously healthy 6-year-old child presented with severe Mn neurotoxicity, iron deficiency, and elevated cobalt levels. Immediate and selected extended family members had elevated plasma Mn but remained asymptomatic. An exposure assessment identified seasonal ingestion exposures to Mn at the family's summer cottage; these were common to the four immediate family members. Well water used for drinking and cooking exceeded recommended guidelines, and foods high in Mn predominated in their diet. No inhalation exposures were identified. Only pica was unique to the patient.DiscussionThe combined evidence of the environmental assessment and biomonitoring of blood Mn levels supported a seasonal ingestion exposure source; this alone was insufficient to explain the toxicity because the patient's 7-year-old sibling was asymptomatic with almost identical exposures (except pica). A metabolic disorder involving divalent metals (Mn, Fe, and Co) interacting with environmental exposures is the most likely explanation.Relevance to clinical or professional practiceThis case report adds to the emerging body of evidence linking neurologic effects to ingestion Mn exposure.
The N-terminus and a 4,000-MW peptide from the midportion of the N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone each circulate in humans and increase in congestive heart failure.
Authors: C J Winters, A L Sallman, B J Baker, J Meadows, D M Rico, D L Vesely
Journal: Circulation (1989)

Two peptides consisting of amino acids 1-30 and 31-67 of the N-terminus of the prohormone of atrial natriuretic factor (pro-ANF) that have vasodilatory and natriuretic properties were investigated to determine if they circulate in humans. Specific and sensitive radioimmunoassays were developed to amino acids 1-30, 31-67, and 99-126 of pro-ANF. Evaluation of human plasma that had been subjected to reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography suggested that pro-ANFs 1-30 and 31-67 as well as ANF were distinct peaks in human plasma corresponding exactly to pure synthetic peaks of these peptides on high-pressure liquid chromatography. Molecular weight determination of the endogenous immunoreactive peptides measured in plasma by G-50 Sephadex gel permeation chromatography revealed that the pro-ANF 1-30 radioimmunoassay recognized a peptide of 10,000 MW, which is consistent with it measuring the whole N-terminus of pro-ANF (amino acids 1-98) but without ANF (C-terminus) attached to it. The pro-ANF 31-67 radioimmunoassay recognized mainly (more than 95%) a peptide of 3,900-4,000 MW, which corresponds closely with its actual molecular weight of 3,878. Our ANF radioimmunoassay recognizes a peptide in plasma of 3,000 MW with the known molecular weight of ANF being 3,081. The mean circulating concentrations of immunoreactive pro-ANF 1-98, pro-ANF 31-67, and ANF in 54 control subjects were 531 +/- 25, 371 +/- 18, and 22 +/- 1 fmol/ml (+/- SEM), respectively. Thirty patients with varying severity of congestive heart failure were also studied. The N-terminus, C-terminus, and pro-ANF 31-67 increased: twofold for New York Heart Association functional Class II, threefold to ninefold for Class III, and 10- to 20-fold for Class IV patients with congestive heart failure. Thus, the N-terminus and a 4,000-MW peptide from the midportion of the N-terminus of pro-ANF as well as ANF circulate normally and increased proportionately to the increasing severity of congestive heart failure. However, because the pro-ANF 31-67 radioimmunoassay was the only assay that discriminated between patients with Class I congestive heart failure and control subjects, this assay may be the most useful to accurately classify the severity of congestive heart failure.