tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Palliation by Radiotherapy
Authors: Milford D. Schulz
Journal: JAMA (1966)

The radiotherapy in the management of cancer of the lung is first to cure the disease; second, to prolong useful and comfortable existence; and third, to provide comfort and relief of suffering to those who are symptomatic and incurable. Cancers of the lung vary quite widely in their response to radiation. Those of glandular origin, the adenocarcinoma, are more often than not of modest susceptibility and sometimes quite resistant. The very undifferentiated, the so-called oat-cell cancers, are often of exquisite sensitivity, responding to irradiation almost like lymphomas. Most cancer of the lung, however, is squamous-cell carcinoma and as such may be considered to be moderately radiosensitive in much the same order of magnitude as squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin, cervix or larynx, and should, in theory, be curable by this means in the same degree. Unfortunately, this has to date not been found to be true. The reasons are principally
Specific radioimmunochemical identification and quantitation of hemoglobins a2 and f
Authors: Fred A. Garver, C. Sidney Jones, Marilyn M. Baker, Gultekin Altay, Betty P. Barton, Marsha Gravely, Titus H. J. Huisman
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1976)

Abstract Hyperimmune antisera to chromatographically purified hemoglobins F and A 2 , were produced in rabbits and made specific for the immunogen by adsorption with normal human hemoglobin A conjugated to cyanogen bromide‐activated agarose. A radioimmunoassay was established that permitted identification and quantitation of each of these two minor hemoglobins in hemolysates containing other hemoglobin components. The quantities of hemoglobins A 2 , and/or F present in hemolysates of individuals with β‐thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, Hb‐C disease, and other hematological disorders were determined immunochemically, and the results were compared to values obtained by microcolumn chromatography for the measurement of Hb‐A 2 or with the alkali denaturation technique in quantitating Hb‐F. The immunoassay procedure has a greater sensitivity than other commonly employed techniques and can detect as little as 0.05 μg of these hemoglobins.
Accuracy of early endoscopy in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Authors: C Zambartas, R J Cregeen, J A Forrest, N D Finlayson
Journal: BMJ (1982)

and sludge from wet river beds but only rarely from healthy persons. 4 The infection is reported rarely in Britain and during 1981 24 isola- tions from cases of diarrhoea were recorded by Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (personal communication).It is, however, possible to overlook the presence of the organism if identification is orientated to recognition of the known pathogens from deoxycholate citrate agar-that is, Shigella and Salmonella.The organism being a late lactose fermenter may, under those circumstances, not be processed.If the Analytical Profile Index 10S system is used for identification, a preliminary oxidase test must be carried out otherwise the organism may be wrongly identified as Escherichia coli.The pathogenetic mechanism of P shigelloides in humans has not yet been defined.Production of a heat-stable enterotoxin has recently been reported from India.5The present case indicates its invasive ability, and P shigelloides should be added to the growing list of organisms able to produce acute colitis.
β-Blockers and Depression
Authors: Stuart C. Yudofsky
Journal: JAMA (1992)

Since their introduction over a quarter of a century ago, β-adrenergic receptor antagonists (β-blockers) have been among the most commonly prescribed and useful of all medications.<sup>1</sup>Beyond their cardiovascular applications in the treatment of hypertension, arrhythmias, and angina pectoris, and for the prophylaxis of myocardial infarctions in those who have suffered a prior myocardial infarction, β-blockers are currently and increasingly being used for a broad variety of other conditions ranging from performance anxiety, migraine headaches, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, and hand tremors to the treatment of rage and violent behavior in individuals with brain lesions or injury. Briefly following the introduction of β-blockers, reports appeared in the medical literature associating their use with clinical depression. One of the earliest and most frequently cited articles reported a 50% incidence of depression in patients who had received 120 mg/d of propranolol hydrochloride for periods extending beyond 3 months.<sup>2</sup> See also p 1783.
A memorable interview: None of his business
Authors: D. Sugrue
Journal: BMJ (1997)

At the outbreak of the second world war a plastic and jaw unit was established by Sir Harold Gillies at Rooksdown House, Basingstoke. In 1954 I applied for a post in plastic surgery.

The subsequent interview was held at the hospital, a strange looking building which had been the private block of Park Prewett Hospital. On inquiry at the porter's …
Official Misuse of Tobacco Industry Propaganda: Report of a Trojan Horse
Authors: Thomas P. Houston
Journal: JAMA (1991)

To the Editor.  — In December 1990, the American Medical Association (AMA) was approached for advice by a law professor appointed by the US 10th Circuit Court to represent a Kansas prison inmate in a case 1 involving the inmate's forced exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Of 42 pages in the state attorney general's written argument, 29 pages were an attack on the scientific validity of ETS as a potential health risk. The AMA was asked to give an opinion on the scientific arguments in the case.  The Kansas attorney general's brief was compared with a tobacco industry report, Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Review of the Literature (TIR). 2 Of the 29 pages in the Kansas brief that questioned the scientific validity of the adverse health effects of ETS and the research in the field, 15 pages were direct transcriptions from TIR, without acknowledging the tobacco industry as the
“MAPping” the Course of Chemoprevention in Breast Cancer
Authors: Nancy E. Davidson, Thomas W. Kensler
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2011)

A 1992 editorial in the Journal foreshadowed a role for the selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM) tamoxifen in breast-cancer chemoprevention because of its efficacy in the treatment of early-stage estrogen-receptor–positive breast cancer, as well as its favorable toxicity profile.1 Nearly 20 years and four randomized clinical trials later, we know that 5 years of treatment with tamoxifen reduces the diagnosis of breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease by about 50%.2 Its sister drug, raloxifene, is nearly as effective, reducing this risk by about 38%. The benefits of SERMs endure after 5 years, and serious side effects, such . . .
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery
Authors: O. M. Jones, I. Lindsey, C. Cunningham
Journal: BMJ (2011)

#### Summary points

The uptake of laparoscopic colorectal surgery is increasing annually. Colon resection using this approach was first reported in 1991, but hospital episode statistics (HES) data show that 22% of colon resections in the United Kingdom in were performed in this manner by 2008-9.1 2 The laparoscopic approach minimises surgical trauma and allows faster recovery from surgery, and it has been evaluated for other operations, such as cholecystectomy. Early reports of the outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery comprised mostly non-malignant cases, but more recently laparoscopic surgery has become widely used for colorectal cancer. Updated guidance (2010) from the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends that all patients deemed suitable must be offered laparoscopic surgery even if this means onward referral to a suitably qualified surgeon.3 We review the effectiveness of laparoscopic colorectal surgery compared with open surgery and the potential adverse effects.

#### Sources and selection criteria

We searched the Cochrane databases using the terms laparoscopic, colorectal surgery, colorectal cancer, diverticular disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis to identify observational studies, case series, and randomised trials.

The rationale for using laparoscopic surgery is that it can help minimise the trauma of access, reduce pain, and accelerate postoperative return of bowel function and general mobility. All these factors may shorten hospital stay. Other potential benefits include reduced formation of adhesions and lower rates of incisional hernia. 

A trocar, which acts as a conduit for the camera and operating instruments, is …
Molecular persistence of chronic myeloid leukemia caused by donor T cells specific for lineage-restricted maturation antigens not recognizing immature progenitor-cells
Authors: P A von dem Borne, S A P van Luxemburg-Heijs, M H M Heemskerk, I Jedema, A Mulder, R Willemze, J H F Falkenburg
Journal: Leukemia (2006)
Presence of functionally active cytochrome P-450IIE1 in the plasma membrane of rat hepatocytes
Authors: Defeng Wu, Arthur I. Cederbaum
Journal: Hepatology (1992)

Recent experiments have described the presence of cytochrome P-450 and certain P-450 isozymes in the plasma membrane of rat liver. Experiments were carried out to evaluate whether cytochrome P-450IIE1 was present in the plasma membrane fraction of livers from control rats and rats treated with 4-methylpyrazole, which induces this isozyme. Using immunofluorescence, fluorescence was detected at the surface of intact hepatocytes that were initially incubated with anti-P-450IIE1 IgG, but not preimmune IgG, followed by incubating with goat antirabbit IgG conjugated with either fluorescein or rhodamine. The fluorescence appeared to be uniformly distributed across the entire surface. Intense intracellular staining could be observed when the hepatocytes were permeabilized by acetone treatment. Similar results were obtained with control hepatocytes; however, the fluorescence intensity was considerably less than that shown by the induced hepatocytes. Hepatocytes isolated from the pericentral zone of the liver acinus displayed more intense fluorescence at the surface than did hepatocytes from the periportal zone. Purified plasma membranes oxidized dimethylnitrosamine to formaldehyde at rates that were 14% to 30% that of the microsomes, which exceeds the 3% contamination of the plasma membranes by microsomes as assessed by glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Immunoblots of the plasma membranes revealed the presence of a single band, whose intensity of staining was 14% to 26% that of the microsomes. Oxidation of dimethylnitrosamine and immunoblot intensity were about twofold greater with plasma membrane fractions from 4-methylpyrazole-treated rats than controls. These results suggest the presence of inducible, functionally active P-450IIE1 in the plasma membrane, which may be of toxicological significance in view of the preferential metabolism of a variety of hepatotoxins and carcinogens and the elevated production of reactive oxygen intermediates by this isozyme.
Effects of thrombin treatment of preparations of factor VIII and the Ca2+-dissociated small active fragment.
Authors: H A Cooper, F F Reisner, M Hall, R H Wagner
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1975)

When human, canine, or bovine factor VIII preparations are chromatographed on 4% agarose at ionic strength 0.2, the factor VIII activity elutes as a single peak in the void volume with slight tailing. Incubation of such preparations with dilute (0.01 U/ml) highly purified thrombin results in some activation of factor VIII. Chromatography of such incubation mixtures, under the same conditions as before, results in elution of two peaks of factor VIII activity one in the void volume and one much later with marked tailing. The void volume peak has most of the protein and some factor VIII activity. These void volume fractions also contain all the von Willebrand factor activity of thrombin-treated bovine preparations. Longer treatment with thrombin, or treatment with stronger thrombin, appears to shift much more of the procoagulant activity to the later eluting peak. Also, when the peak of factor VIII activity, found in the void volume after thrombin treatment, was again incubated with dilute thrombin, an increase in factor VIII activity occurred. Chromatography of this incubation mixture demonstrated only a small amount of activity in the void volume, while the bulk of the activity was present in the second peak. On the other hand, thrombin treatment of factor VIII activity from peak 2 caused a rapid decline of activity instead of a further increase. It is proposed that the residual factor VIII activity found in the void volume represents unreacted factor VIII, while the late eluting peak represents thrombin-activated material that is of smaller apparent size. The late eluting peak differs from the small active factor VIII fragment obtained by Ca2+ dissociation, as the latter can be activated by thrombin. A similar set of experiments was performed using ultracentifugation of bovine factor VIII preparations on sucrose density gradients. Results of these experiments agreed completely with those obtained with get chromatography. Preparations made from human hemophilic plasma, by the procudure employed in the purification of human factor VIII, were also incubated with thrombin and chromatographed. von Willebrand factor was again found only in the void volume fractions, but there was no factor VIII activity in any fractions eluted. In other control experiments, activated and unactivated factor VIII fractions did not clot fibrinogen and contained no assayable factor IX or X. The thrombin-modified factor VIII of small size was inactivated by both a naturally occurring human inhibitor to factor VIII and the gamma globulin fraction of a rabbit antisera produced against the calcium-dissociated small active factor VIII fragment.
Adipsic hypothalamic diabetes insipidus after clipping of anterior communicating artery aneurysm.
Authors: B McIver, A Connacher, I Whittle, P Baylis, C Thompson
Journal: BMJ (1991)

Homan's operation for lymphoedema.It is not usually possible to cure lymphoedema but an active and enthusiastic approach can achieve great benefit.Most patients require only conservative treatment but if this is rigorously applied the results can be good.A short period oftreatment in hospital using a Lymphapress can alter the patient's perception of the leg and engender enthusiasm for self treatment; cellulitis must be avoided by rigorous attention to hygiene.A few patients benefit from operation, but,this must never be carried out for cosmetic reasons.Those with heavy cumbersome legs can have the volume of subcutaneous tissue removed (Homan's operation) and the results are usually good if the indications for operation are correct.Such operations may also permit support hosiery to fit better.A small group may benefit from operations to relieve lymphatic obstruction (mesenteric Hleal bridging operation or direct lymphovenous anastomosis) but this group do not impinge On the mass of patients who should be treated conservatively.
Intra-Abdominal Hemorrhage after Electroshock Therapy
Authors: M. Pa. Mancao, E. T. Gordon, Max Goldman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1961)

THE advent of thiopental-succinylcholine anesthesia for electroshock therapy has broadened considerably the indications for this mode of treatment. Patients with cardiovascular disease, recent unhealed fractures, pulmonary tuberculosis or hyper-insulinism were formerly considered major risks for shock treatment. These are not taken as positive contraindications at present. Saltzman et al.1 reported 38,000 treatments without serious complications. In view of this therapeutic achievement we are presenting a case illustrating the development of circulatory collapse after shock treatment.Case ReportW.G. (C.H. 59–3144), a 51-year-old man with recurrent depressions since the age of 18, had received a series of electroshock treatments since 1948 . . .
Method for Assessing Therapeutic Potential of Anti-inflammatory Antirheumatic Drugs in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: P. Lee, J. Webb, J. Anderson, W. W. Buchanan
Journal: BMJ (1973)

A 14-day, single-blind trial of prednisone, aspirin, and placebo was carried out in 128 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, using subjective criteria only (severity of pain daily on a pain chart and assessment of the drug for effectiveness). The average treated pain rating, mean patient satisfaction rating, and mean number of days withdrawn from each drug all showed significant differences between prednisone, aspirin, and placebo. Of various pretreatment observations, only the initial pain score and articular index of joint tenderness were significantly related to the average treated pain rating. The trial method is simple and allows many patients to participate without being time consuming for patient or physician. The method seems to have potential in comparing the comparative effectiveness of anti-inflammatory analgesics used in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Altered control of hindlimb vascular resistance by vagal afferents in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Difference in the early and late stage of hypertension.
Authors: S Hoka, A Takeshita, K Yamamoto, N Ito, T Ashihara, M Nakamura
Journal: Circulation Research (1984)

The aim of this study was to examine whether control of vascular resistance by vagal afferents is altered in the early as well as late stage of hypertension. We examined the effects of vagotomy on hindlimb vascular resistance as well as on arterial baroreflex control of hindlimb vascular resistance in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats, 12 and 35 weeks old. Vagotomy in rats with the intact arterial baroreceptors increased hindlimb vascular resistance in all four groups. Hindlimb vascular responses to graded sympathetic nerve stimulation were closely linear up to 6 Hz in all groups, and the slope of the response was approximately 1.4 times steeper in spontaneously hypertensive than in Wistar-Kyoto rats, in both the young and old groups. The increase in hindlimb vascular resistance after vagotomy normalized by the slope of the response to sympathetic nerve stimulation was greater in young spontaneously hypertensive rats than in young Wistar-Kyoto rats, but was less in old spontaneously hypertensive rats than in old Wistar-Kyoto rats. Vagotomy increased the gain of arterial baroreflex control of hindlimb vascular resistance in young spontaneously hypertensive rats, and in two groups of Wistar-Kyoto rats, but not in old spontaneously hypertensive rats. The percent increase in the gain of arterial baroreflex control of hindlimb vascular resistance after vagotomy tended to be greater in young spontaneously hypertensive than in young Wistar-Kyoto rats, but was less in old spontaneously hypertensive than in old Wistar-Kyoto rats. Central venous pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were higher in spontaneously hypertensive than in Wistar-Kyoto rats in both young and old groups. Left atrial distensibility assessed by obtaining the atrial pressure-volume relationship was comparable between young spontaneously hypertensive and young Wistar-Kyoto rats, but was less in old spontaneously hypertensive than in old Wistar-Kyoto rats. These results indicate that vagal afferents exert tonic inhibition on control of hindlimb vascular resistance in spontaneously hypertensive as well as in Wistar-Kyoto rats, and that tonic inhibitory influence of vagal afferents on control of hindlimb vascular resistance is altered in spontaneously hypertensive rats, augmented in young, but attenuated in old, spontaneously hypertensive rats, compared with that in age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats. It is considered that altered control of vascular resistance by vagal afferents in spontaneously hypertensive rats may result from changes in vagal afferent activity.
New Variants of the B16 Melanoma: Tumorigenicity and Metastatic Properties Under Different Culture Conditions
Authors: C. Aubert, F. Rouge, C. Voulot
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1990)

Variants of the B16 melanoma exhibiting markedly different tumorigenic and metastatic potential in A y / a and a / a C57BL/6J syngeneic mice were investigated and compared, with respect to their relative growth and metastatic potential after culture under different conditions. Over 2 to 6 months of growth, in vitro cells demonstrated a rapid and significant decrease in their ability to form spontaneous lung colonies. Such a decrease depended on the conditions of culture. We suggest that the in vitro environment influences the phenotype of cells with respect to their capacity for spontaneous metastasis. This possibility must not be ignored, when conclusions obtained from studies of established cell lines are extended to cancers. [J Natl Cancer Inst 82:952–958, 1990]
Broken Thermometer and Mercury Absorption
Authors: D. Kohn
Journal: JAMA (1977)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> The implication that could be derived from Olivera (236:1936, 1976), that the absorption of mercury from a broken thermometer has no clinical importance, may not be quite correct. We recently had a patient who swallowed the mercury from a broken thermometer, and later it appeared in the urine at a level above the maximal permissible concentration.<sup>1</sup>
Does Outflow Obstruction Exist in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?
Authors: Joseph P. Murgo
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1982)

In this issue of the Journal, Pollick's report1 focuses on the ability of disopyramide to reduce or eliminate the echocardiographic and hemodynamic signs of left ventricular "outflow obstruction" in a small number of patients with muscular subaortic stenosis. This study suggests that the negative inotropic actions of this drug may produce hemodynamic improvement and increase exercise tolerance by eliminating intraventricular gradients. Although this study was uncontrolled and its conclusions must be considered preliminary, it does raise an important question: Is left ventricular outflow truly obstructed in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?Since the concept of a functional stenosis of the left ventricle . . .
Plasmin inhibition of platelet function and of arachidonic acid metabolism.
Authors: A I Schafer, B Adelman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1985)

To study interactions between platelets and the fibrinolytic system, we examined the effects of human plasmin on human platelets washed by gel filtration. Plasmin concentrations that did not affect platelet shape change, release, or aggregation (less than 1.0 caseinolytic units [CU]/ml) caused a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation in response to thrombin, ionophore A23187, and collagen. Complete loss of aggregation occurred at 0.1-0.5 CU/ml of plasmin. In a parallel dose-dependent manner, plasmin likewise inhibited thrombin, ionophore, and collagen-stimulated thromboxane B2 production. In contrast, neither aggregation nor thromboxane B2 formation induced by arachidonate was inhibited by plasmin pretreatment of the platelets. Plasmin blocked the thrombin-induced release of [3H]arachidonic acid from platelet membrane phospholipids and the thrombin-induced platelet oxygen burst. However, plasmin did not inhibit the arachidonate-induced oxygen burst. Inhibition of arachidonic acid release by plasmin was not mediated by increase in platelet cyclic AMP. These results suggest that plasmin inhibits platelet function, at least in part, by blocking the mobilization of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipid pools. The effects of plasmin on platelets may contribute to the hemostatic abnormalities seen in pathologic and pharmacologic fibrinolysis.