tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Pfizer stops funding medical education provided by profit making companies
Authors: J. H. Tanne
Journal: BMJ (2008)

<h3>Summary</h3> Posterior distributions are commonly approximated by samples produced from a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. Every MCMC simulation has to be checked for convergence, i.e., that sufficiently many samples have been obtained and that these samples indeed represent the true posterior distribution. Here we develop and test different approaches for convergence assessment in phylogenetics. We analytically derive a threshold for a minimum effective sample size (ESS) of 625. We observe that only the initial sequence estimator provides robust ESS estimates for common types of MCMC simulations (autocorrelated samples, adaptive MCMC, Metropolis-Coupled MCMC). We show that standard ESS computation can be applied to phylogenetic trees if the tree samples are converted into traces of absence/presence of splits. Convergence in distribution between replicated MCMC runs can be assessed with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The commonly used potential scale reduction factor (PSRF) is biased when applied to skewed posterior distribution. Additionally, we analytically derive the expected difference between split frequencies (EDSF) and show that it depends on the true frequency of a split. Hence, the average standard deviation of split frequencies is too simplistic and the EDSF should be used instead to check for convergence in split frequencies. We implemented the methods described here in the open-source R package Convenience (https://github.com/lfabreti/convenience), which allows users to easily test for convergence using output from standard phylogenetic inference software.
Thyroid Function in Older Persons
Authors: NANDA BAGCHI
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1984)

Letters and Corrections1 November 1984Thyroid Function in Older PersonsNANDA BAGCHI, M.D., Ph.D., THOMAS R. BROWN, Ph.D., RONALD F. PARISH, BA., J.D.NANDA BAGCHI, M.D., Ph.D.Search for more papers by this author, THOMAS R. BROWN, Ph.D.Search for more papers by this author, RONALD F. PARISH, BA., J.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-101-5-718_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: We read with interest the article by Cooper and colleagues (1) on the usefulness of thyroxine treatment in certain patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. They studied patients who had received treatment for Graves' disease. Another significant group of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism may be found in the elderly population. Significant elevation of serum thyrotrophin with normal serum thyroxine and free thyroxine values have been shown in a large segment of this population (2-4). Elevated serum thyrotrophin levels are one of the most sensitive markers of primary hypothyroidism. Indeed many apparently euthyroid subjects with elevated thyrotrophin levels eventually develop...References1. COOPERHALPERNWOODLEVINRIDGWAY DRLAE. L-thyroxine therapy in subclinical hypothyroidism: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 1984;101:18-24. LinkGoogle Scholar2. OHARAKOBAYASHISHIRAISHIWADA HTMT. Thyroid function of the aged as viewed from the pituitary-thyroid system. Endocrinol Jpn. 1974;21:377-84. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. SAWINCHOPRAAZIZIMANNIXBACHARACH CDFJP. The aging thyroid: increased prevalence of elevated serum thyrotrophin levels in the elderly. JAMA. 1979;242:247-50. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. NYSTROMBENGTSSONLINDSTEDTLUNDBERG ECGP. Screening for thyroid disease. Lancet. 1981;2:927-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Wayne State University School of Medicine and Metropolitan Society for Crippled Children and Adults Detroit, MI 48201 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 November 1984Volume 101, Issue 5Page: 718-719KeywordsElderlyHypothyroidismPatientsThyroidThyroxine Issue Published: 1 November 1984 PDF DownloadLoading ...
LIVING SUTURES FOR HERNIOTOMY
Authors: Frank E. Adair
Journal: JAMA (1924)

<h3>To the Editor:</h3> —The short article of mine on the Use of Living Sutures for Herniotomy (The Journal, February 23) was meant in no way to be a discovery. In fact, part of the bibliography on the subject was referred to in my article. Recently the entire subject of living sutures has received a tremendous impetus, owing to its successful employment by Gallie in very difficult herniotomies. Dr. McArthur has an ingenious method of utilizing his strips of aponeurosis; and his operation is a splendid contribution to the subject of hernia. His technic, however, differs from mine in many ways.
Impotence in farm workers.
Authors: I H Redhead
Journal: BMJ (1970)

matter, and perfume.'It has been found that both the quaternary ammonium compounds and the amido-amines give positive results with tests for proteinuria using tetrabromo- phenolphthalein and tetrabromophenol blue (Albustix).Since our health visitors have advised the mothers to place the filter- paper in nappies not treated with fabric softeners the incidence of false positive tests has markedly fallen.
Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa in a Primary Care Setting
Authors: B. Timothy Walsh, Christopher G. Fairburn, Diane Mickley, Robyn Sysko, Michael K. Parides
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2004)

OBJECTIVE: The authors' goal was to determine whether treatments known to be effective for bulimia nervosa in specialized treatment centers can be used successfully in primary health care settings. They examined the benefits of two treatments for bulimia: 1) fluoxetine, an antidepressant medication, and 2) guided self-help, an adaptation of cognitive behavior therapy. METHOD: Ninety-one female patients in two primary care settings were randomly assigned to receive fluoxetine alone, placebo alone, fluoxetine plus guided self-help, or placebo and guided self-help. RESULTS: The majority of the patients did not complete the treatment trial; many patients found the treatment program too demanding, but others indicated it was not sufficiently intensive. Patients assigned to fluoxetine attended more physician visits, exhibited a greater reduction in binge eating and vomiting, and had a greater improvement in psychological symptoms than those assigned to placebo. There was no evidence of benefit from guided self-help. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of patients with bulimia nervosa in a primary care setting is hampered by a high dropout rate. Guided self-help, a psychological treatment based on cognitive behavior therapy, appears ineffective, but treatment with fluoxetine is associated with better retention and substantial symptomatic improvement.
Prospective evaluation of peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD)/ribavirin in CHC, IFN/Ribavirin nonresponders/relapsers
Authors: E. Parise, A. Meirelles, A. Martinelli, C. Lacet, E. Correa, H. Cotrim, H. Sette, H. Cheinquer, J. Gallizi, J. Fonseca, R. Parana, R. da Silva, V. Spinelli, A. Gomes, D. Crespo, L. Lima, L. Pereira, R. Tiexeira, W. Amorim, F. Tatsch
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2003)
Diuretics and Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: Angeli R. Maun
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1996)

Letters15 August 1996Diuretics and Sudden Cardiac DeathAngeli R. Maun, MD and John Concato, MD, MS, MPHAngeli R. Maun, MDYale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510Search for more papers by this author and John Concato, MD, MS, MPHYale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-125-4-199608150-00029 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Hoes and colleagues [1] concluded that “the use of non-potassium-sparing diuretics and β-blockers is associated with an increased risk for sudden cardiac death.” Their data, however, do not fully support (or at least explain) this conclusion. First, none of the “bivariate” associations (their Table 2 between exposure to various categories of diuretic or β-blocker use and outcome as case–control status were clinically or statistically significant. For example, 21.8% of case-patients [n = 56] were taking non-potassium-sparing diuretics, regardless of β-blocker use, compared with 17.9% of controls (n = 46) (odds ratio, 1.5 [95% CI, 0.9 to 2.4]). ...References1. Hoes AW, Grobbee DE, Lubsen J, Veld AJ, van der Does E, Hofman A. Diuretics, β-blockers, and the risk for sudden cardiac death in hypertensive patients. Ann Intern Med. 1995; 123:481-7. Google Scholar2. Concato J, Feinstein AR, Holford TR. The risk of determining risk with multivariable models. Ann Intern Med. 1993; 118:201-10. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 15 August 1996Volume 125, Issue 4Page: 348KeywordsArrhythmiaDiureticsHeart failureHypertensionMedical risk factorsMultivariate analysisMyocardial infarctionOdds ratioStatistical dataSudden cardiac death Issue Published: 15 August 1996 CopyrightCopyright © 1996 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...
Loss of DNA Recombinational Repair Enzymes in the Initial Stages of Genome Degeneration
Authors: Colin Dale, Ben Wang, Nancy A Moran, Howard Ochman
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2003)

Many obligate intracellular pathogens and symbionts undergo genome degeneration during long-term association with eukaryotic hosts; however, very little is known about genome changes that occur in the initial stages of such intracellular associations. By focusing on a clade of bacteria that have recently established symbiotic associations with insect hosts, we have identified events that may contribute to the reduction and degeneration of symbiont genomes. Unlike virtually all other bacteria, the obligate symbionts of maize and rice weevils each display substantial sequence divergence between multiple copies of their rDNA genes, resulting from a reduction in the efficacy of recombinational gene conversion, coincident with the inactivation of the recombinational repair gene recF in the common ancestor of both symbionts. The maize weevil endosymbiont also lacks a functional recA, resulting in further reduction in the efficacy of gene conversion between paralogous rDNAs and in a novel IS-mediated deletion in a 23S rDNA gene. Similar events may be pervasive during the evolution of symbiosis because symbiont genomes typically lack recombinational repair genes and have reduced numbers of ribosomal operons.
Natural Killer (NK) Cells, Not T Cells, Produce the Cytokine IL-4 in Response to Primary Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: M.L. Moore, V.V. Parekh, L. Van Kaer, R.D. Collins, K. Goleniewska, J.F. O'Neal, M.H. Chi, J.E. Durbin, R.S. Peebles
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2007)
A TCR-mimic antibody to WT1 bypasses tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in human BCR-ABL+ leukemias
Authors: Leonid Dubrovsky, Dmitry Pankov, Elliott Joseph Brea, Tao Dao, Andrew Scott, Su Yan, Richard J O’Reilly, Cheng Liu, David A. Scheinberg
Journal: Blood (2014)

Key Points This study shows the effective anticancer activity of a T-cell receptor mimic antibody targeting WT1 in resistant human Ph+ ALL. In combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, ESKM can result in cure of Ph+ ALL in murine models.
Infectious Diseases of Children
Authors: Robert S. Daum
Journal: JAMA (1987)

This book is the eighth edition of what has been a true classic in the field. First published in 1958, it was, for many years, virtually the only quality textbook that attempted to compile information related to the infectious diseases of children. However, despite assertions of two of the authors that the preparation of the eighth edition has been responsive to "dramatic changes that have occurred since publication of the seventh edition in 1981" and despite the addition of two distinguished new authors, this book does not serve as a complete text of infectious diseases of children and might fare better as a textbook of selected diseases. A sense of the problem begins in the table of contents, where an alphabetized list of topics chosen for discussion includes intermingled specific diseases, disease syndromes, and specific pathogens. From the contents section, it is not obvious which chapter might contain information about
Hepatitis B Antigenemia in Apparently Healthy Blood Donors
Authors: Frank M. Griffin
Journal: JAMA (1973)

In an effort to determine the importance of hepatitis B antigenemia in apparently healthy blood donors, 12 asymptomatic male recruit trainees with hepatitis B antigenemia were studied by means of history and physical examination, biochemical tests of hepatic function, and percutaneous hepatic biopsy. All had normal physical examination results. Nine had normal liver function; three had increased enzymes. On biopsy, five had normal hepatic tissue; seven had changes consistent with viral hepatitis. No patient had persistent limiting plate disruption, cirrhosis, or hepatic steatosis. A reasonable approach to apparently healthy hepatitis B antigen carriers may be to observe them clinically and with biochemical tests of hepatic function as long as no evidence of chronic liver disease appears and to reserve liver biopsy for those who have persistent hepatic inflammation. The long-term importance of hepatitis B antigenemia remains unclear.
Mechanism of normal splitting of the second heart sound.
Authors: E I Curtiss, R G Matthews, J A Shaver
Journal: Circulation (1975)

The mode of inspiratory augmentation (1A) of the A2-P2 interval was investigated in seven normal volunteers (group 1) and six patients with pulmonary hypertension of diverse etiology (group 2) using catheter-tip micromanometers. In group 1 subjects, inspiratory widening of this interval was found to average 27.2 msec, of which 7.6 plus or minus 2.7 msec (1 sd) or 27 plus or minus 7% was due to a decrease in the Q-A2 interval. The major contribution of Q-P2 interval prolongation was divided into two components: a) Q-O was measured from the onset of the QRS to the onset of the rapid descent of the right ventricular (RV) negative dp/dt, which was felt to reflect the duration of RV electromechanical systole, b) O-P2 or Q-P2 - Q-O. Increase in the Q-O interval accounted for only 7.7 plus or minus 5.0 msec or 28 plus or minus 12% of the total IA. The major single component of IA was the increase in O-P2 which averaged 11.9 plus or minus 3.0 msec. Five of six group 2 patients demonstrated significant respiratory change in Q-P2 intervals. In contrast to group 1 subjects, however, this was accomplished primarily via increases in the duration of RV electromechanical systole. The O-P2 interval is felt to primarily reflect the impedance characteristics of the pulmonary vascular bed. It is concluded that physiologic splitting of the second heart sound in normal subjects is most probably due to an inspiratory decrease in impedance of the pulmonary bed rather than the traditional explanation of prolongation of RV systole secondary to an increase in venous return. When the normal impedance characteristics of this bed are lost, as in pulmonary hypertension, IA must occur primarily via increases in the duration of RV systole. The inspiratory delay from the conclusion of RV systole to the occurrence of P2 is attributed to the inertiance of the RV stroke mass.
External Carotid Steal Syndrome: Correction by Thromboendarterectomy
Authors: P. J. O'SULLIVAN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1969)

A patient with transient ischemic attacks caused by vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency is reported. Angiography showed siphoning of blood from the vertebral artery to the external carotid artery. Surgical correction of this lesion relieved the patient's symptoms. This is a previously unreported type of vascular steal syndrome. The other types of steal syndrome and the role of angiography in cerebral ischemia are briefly discussed.
Mouse models of IgG- and IgM-mediated hemolysis
Authors: David A. Schirmer, Shuh-Chyung Song, Jeffrey P. Baliff, Stephanie O. Harbers, Raphael A. Clynes, Anna Krop-Watorek, Gregory R. Halverson, Marcin Czerwinski, Steven L. Spitalnik
Journal: Blood (2006)
Should the Failing Heart Be Stimulated?
Authors: Thierry H. LeJemtel, Edmund H. Sonnenblick
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1984)

IN view of the limited benefits of digitalis in the treatment of severe heart failure,1 the search for new positive inotropic agents that are able to stimulate the depressed myocardium has become one of the major pharmacologic challenges. Preliminary reports have already indicated that some of the new inotropic agents that also have direct vasodilator properties can increase cardiac output and reduce filling pressure, with improvement of symptoms in patients with severe heart failure.2 3 4 Similarly, in this issue of the Journal, Rajfer et al. report the hemodynamic and clinical benefits of positive inotropic therapy with levodopa in patients with . . .
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN OUTPATIENT PERFORMANCE MEASURES: A REPORT OF THE FIRST 10,000+ PATIENTS IN THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY’S IC3 (IMPROVING CONTINUOUS CARDIAC CARE) PROGRAM
Authors: Paul Chan, Donna Buchanan, Fran F. Fiocchi, Philip G. Jones, Kristi Mitchell, Duane Thrutchley, William J. Oetgen, John S. Rumsfeld, John A. Spertus
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Prescription of heroin to treatment resistant heroin addicts: Dutch heroin trials show retention is better with methadone alone
Authors: J. Caplehorn
Journal: BMJ (2004)

Editor—The conclusion by van den Brink et al that medical co-prescription of heroin to treatment resistant heroin addicts was more effective than methadone alone is not supported by all of their data.1 Rather, the better quality retention data significantly favour the methadone only group.

The trialists' claim that heroin co-prescription is superior to routine methadone maintenance is based on a higher proportion of subjects showing overall improvement on a dichotomous, multi-domain outcome index.1 However, the measures making up the index were based on self reports and likely to be biased in favour of the heroin groups because the study was not blinded and subjects given heroin were transferred to special, new clinics. The performance ratings are more a measure of the heroin subjects' enthusiasm for the new treatment centres and the legal use of heroin.

The trialists present separate sets of retention data for subjects who injected and inhaled heroin. When these are combined in fixed effects meta-analyses they show that subjects receiving methadone only were 23% more likely to be in treatment at the end of 12 months (relative risk, 95% confidence interval 11% to 37%, P = 0.0001). It is necessary to give only seven methadone patients access to heroin to cause one premature loss in the first 12 months of methadone maintenance treatment (number needed to treat to harm, 4.2 to 12.0).

The results of the Dutch trials show that patients on methadone maintenance attending a clinic an average two times a day to use heroin are significantly more likely to be lost to treatment than other patients receiving methadone. This finding highlights the need to evaluate programmes that provide maintenance patients with heroin for use at a time and in a place of their choosing.
Former CQC executive denies any "cover up" of internal report
Authors: C. Dyer
Journal: BMJ (2013)

Jill Finney, former deputy chief executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), denied that she tried to cover up a damning internal review. She was giving her first interview since the allegation surfaced in an independent report by the management consultancy Grant Thornton.1

The review’s author, Louise Dineley, the commission’s head of regulatory risk and quality, told the Grant Thornton investigator that Finney had given the instruction to “delete” it at a meeting in March 2012 and that the CQC’s chief executive, Cynthia Bower, and media manager, Anna Jefferson, had backed the move.2

Bower and Jefferson have denied supporting a cover …
Prospectively Randomized Evaluation of Stentless Versus Conventional Biological Aortic Valves : Impact on Early Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: T. Walther, V. Falk, G. Langebartels, M. Kruger, U. Bernhardt, A. Diegeler, J. Gummert, R. Autschbach, F. W. Mohr
Journal: Circulation (1999)

The aim of this prospectively randomized study was to evaluate left ventricular hypertrophy and its regression after stentless versus conventional biological aortic valve replacement.From March 1996 through April 1998, 180 patients were prospectively selected; 106 patients received a stentless aortic valve (SAV), and 74 received a conventional stented bioprosthesis (CSB). Of these patients, 95% and 96%, respectively, had aortic stenosis. Their mean age was 72.3 and 74.8 years, and there were no significant differences in left ventricular function, preoperative pressure gradients, and NYHA functional status. Aortic annulus diameter indexes were comparable at 13.46 (SAV) versus 13.55 (CSB) mm (P=NS). Larger SAVs were implanted because of the oversizing technique. In-hospital mortality (n=3 and 1 for SAV and CSB) was not valve related. At follow-up, all patients were in NYHA class 1 or 2. Baseline end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness was 15.6 (SAV) and 14.8(CSB) mm (P=NS) and decreased to 11. 8 (SAV) and 13.2 (CSB) mm (P<0.05) at 6 months. Left ventricular mass index was 213 and 202 g/m(2) at baseline (P=NS), whereas after 6 months, it was 141 (SAV) and 170 (CSB) g/m(2) (P<0.05).Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy occurs in all patients after aortic valve replacement but is significantly enhanced after SAV implantation. This possibly is due to improved transvalvular hemodynamics.
Sexual torture of men in wartime Croatia was common
Authors: Roger Dobson
Journal: BMJ (2004)

Sexual torture of men in wartime Croatia was regular and substantial. Evidence of rape and other forced sexual acts, castration, genital beatings, and electric shock is documented in new research funded by Medecins Sans Frontieres.

The report says that sexual torture of men in wars occurs regularly, but that many victims fail to report it. Gender biased health professionals may also fail to recognise what is happening.

The report, published in Reproductive Health Matters (2004;12:68-77), says that until now attention has focused more on the sexual torture of women than of men, partly owing to gender stereotyping.

“Although studies suggest that sexual torture of men …
Lichen sclerosus premenarche: autoimmunity and immunogenetics
Authors: J. Powell, F. Wojnarowska, S. Winsey, P. Marren, K. Welsh
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2000)

Lichen sclerosus is among the most frequently seen paediatric vulval disorders. In adults a strong association between lichen sclerosus and autoimmune diseases, and also with HLA class II locus DQ7, has been well demonstrated in women and a weaker association in men. These associations have not previously been studied in children, although in other autoimmune diseases, the HLA associations have been strongest in children. We performed HLA tissue typing and looked for autoimmune associations in a group of 30 children with vulval lichen sclerosus. HLA DQ7 was present in 66% of female children with lichen sclerosus compared with 31% in controls. Previous studies reported DQ7 in 51% of adult female patients and 45% of male patients. Sixteen per cent of the children were homozygous for DQ7 as opposed to 5% of controls. In the childhood group, only 4% had another autoimmune disease, but 56% of their parents or grandparents did. Age differences make comparison difficult, but the family history of autoimmunity appears to be strong in the early-onset group, in addition to the stronger association with DQ7.