tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Long term outcome of soybean epidemic asthma after an allergen reduction intervention
Authors: J. M Anto, J. B Soriano, J. Sunyer, M. J Rodrigo, F. Morell, J. Roca, R. Rodriguez-Roisin, M. C Swanson
Journal: Thorax (1999)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Asthma outbreaks due to the inhalation of soybean dust released from handling of soybean in the city harbour occurred in Barcelona, Spain from 1981 to 1987. The installation of bag filters in the responsible silo was followed by a substantial reduction of airborne soybean dust released into the atmosphere and the disappearance of asthma outbreaks. A study was undertaken to assess the relevant outcomes in asthma patients affected by soybean epidemic asthma eight years after this environmental intervention. <h3>METHODS</h3> A repeat case-control study was performed in 1995 on a population of subjects with epidemic and non-epidemic asthma previously assessed in 1989. The same protocol was used in both surveys to collect data from patients via a questionnaire and respiratory function, skin and laboratory tests were performed under blinded conditions with regard to epidemic and non-epidemic status. Environmental soybean allergen in pollution filters was measured by means of a RAST inhibition technique. <h3>RESULTS</h3> During 1995 and 1996 the 24 hour mean airborne levels of soybean allergen on a sample of 39 unloading days (range 31–269 U/m<sup>3</sup>) were systematically below the lowest level ever detected during an epidemic day (1500 U/m<sup>3</sup>). Measurable levels of serum IgE antibodies against soybean were still present in 55% of patients with epidemic asthma compared with 6.0% of those with non-epidemic asthma (p&lt;0.05). These proportions were almost identical to those observed in 1989. The proportion of patients with soybean asthma with symptoms in 1989 who reported the absence of symptoms in 1995 was similar to the control subjects, so most of the relative risks (RRs) of improvement were near to 1. The only statistically significant differences between the two groups were a smaller proportion of patients with epidemic asthma showing improvement in terms of being woken up by attacks of coughing (RR improvement 0.47; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.99) and the need for treatment at the emergency room (RR improvement 0.63; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.96). <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> Eight years after a large reduction in the levels of airborne soybean allergen half of the former soybean epidemic asthma patients were still sensitised to soybean. These results indicate an initial improvement in soybean epidemic asthma in the two years following the intervention with no further improvement in subsequent years.
TCT-814 Mitral Annular Evaluation with Computed Tomography in the Context of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation: A New Paradigm
Authors: Philipp Blanke, Danny Dvir, Anson Cheung, Jian (James) Ye, Bruce Precious, Adam J. Berger, Robert Moss, David A. Wood, John Webb, Jonathon A. Leipsic
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2014)
Response to Comment on: Selvin et al. No Racial Differences in the Association of Glycated Hemoglobin With Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Outcomes. Diabetes Care 2013;36:2995–3001
Authors: Elizabeth Selvin, Richard Bergenstal, Josef Coresh
Journal: Diabetes Care (2013)

We thank Drs. Kilpatrick and Bloomgarden (1) for their interest in our study. While we agree that the higher mean HbA1c in blacks compared with whites is well established, the collective evidence suggests that risk associations are similar. The goal of our recent study (2) was to compare the prognostic value of HbA1c to fasting glucose for risk of major complications in black and white adults. The primary conclusion of our study was that we did not observe major differences between blacks and whites in association with HbA1c and long-term clinical …
Leishmaniasis in the United States
Authors: Frank Kern
Journal: JAMA (1973)

We treated ten cases of leishmaniasis caused by<i>Leishmania braziliensis</i>. The patients had been in an endemic area for ten days as part of a military exercise. The cutaneous lesions were chronic and unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. Treatment consisted of daily intramuscular injections of sodium stibogluconate, a pentavalent antimony compound, and serious side effects were not encountered. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis is usually easily made and should be considered in patients who have recently returned from endemic areas.
Presentation of Nonfinal Results of Randomized Controlled Trials at Major Oncology Meetings
Authors: Christopher M. Booth, Aurélie Le Maître, Keyue Ding, Kristen Farn, Michael Fralick, Cameron Phillips, David W. Cescon, Ralph M. Meyer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

To assess the frequency, implications, and factors associated with reporting nonfinal analyses (NFAs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as abstract publications.We identified 138 consecutive reports of RCTs testing systemic therapy for lymphoma, breast, colorectal, or non-small-cell lung cancer published in six major journals between 2000 and 2004. We then searched proceedings of seven major cancer meetings, 1990 to 2004, for abstracts related to these publications which presented efficacy results. Articles and abstracts were compared for discordance in sample size, median follow-up, results, and conclusions. Abstracts were evaluated for statements explicitly noting or implying that results were not final. Factors associated with discordance were assessed by uni- and multivariate analyses.We identified 303 related abstracts; 197 were eligible. In 86 abstracts (44%), results were stated or implied to be NFA; this was explicitly stated in 41 (21%). The NFAs included 12 where accrual was ongoing. Discordance with article was found in 124 abstracts (63%) and was more common with NFAs (67 of 86 [78%] v 57 of 111 [51%]; P = .0001). When compared with articles, authors' conclusions were substantively different in 17 abstracts (10%). Factors most associated with data discordance were lymphoma trial (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 1.5 to 10.8), cooperative group trial (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.4 to 5.6), and presentation of a NFA (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5 to 5.8).Meeting abstracts often include NFAs and are frequently discordant with subsequent article publication.
Spanish special forces dismantle parallel trade network that caused drug shortages
Authors: A. G. Rada
Journal: BMJ (2015)

A network of dozens of pharmacies across Spain that were used to store drugs for sale into markets across Europe at large profits has been dismantled in what the Civil Guard has called Operation Noisa. 

A total of 49 people, including 12 pharmacists, have been arrested, and six warehouses and around 60 pharmacies across Spain have been raided in the operation. 

The network purchased certain drugs in large quantities from Spanish pharmacies and stored them in warehouses. It subsequently sold the drugs in other European countries where prices were higher, including Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The practice of parallel trade—which …
Gastric Xanthelasma - Still a Concern
Authors: R.W. Byard, M.C. Champion, J.R. Barr
Journal: Endoscopy (1986)

See also: Retrospective Endoscopic Analysis of Gastric Xanthelasma in the Non-operated StomachEndoscopy 1985; 17(06): 210-211DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1013005
Short-term Treatment with Budesonide Does Not Improve Hyperresponsiveness to Adenosine 5 ′ -Monophosphate in COPD
Authors: STEVEN R. RUTGERS, GERARD H. KOËTER, THOMAS W. van der MARK, DIRKJE S. POSTMA
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1998)

The role of inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unclear. We investigated the effects of budesonide on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine (MCh) and adenosine 5 ′ -monophosphate (AMP), to which we hypothesized the existence of greater sensitivity. Additionally, we studied the effects of budesonide on terfenadine and ipratropium bromide and on serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and histamine. Forty-four hyperresponsive smokers with moderate to severe COPD participated in the study. MCh and AMP challenges were given on three study days, after pretreatment with single doses of ipratropium bromide, terfenadine, or placebo. Thereafter, subjects were randomized to 6 wk treatment with either 1,600 μ g budesonide or placebo, and the same three study days were repeated. Budesonide, as compared with placebo, did not significantly change PC20AMP, PC20MCh, or FEV1 after placebo pretreatment. Budesonide increased PC20MCh after ipratropium bromide pretreatment, from 5.05 to 10.20 mg/ml (p = 0.036). Budesonide decreased serum IL-8 from 9.2 ± 3.7 to 6.2 ± 2.1 pg/ml (p < 0.001). We conclude that AMP did not elicit greater sensitivity than MCh in assessing short-term effects of budesonide on AHR in smokers with COPD. We suggest that long-term treatment with inhaled corticosteroids might be beneficial, by reducing neutrophil load in the airways and improving the action of anticholinergic drugs.
Johnson &amp; Johnson pays $181m for misleading marketing of risperidone
Authors: J. H. Tanne
Journal: BMJ (2012)

New York state’s attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, announced on 29 August a $181m (£114m; €144m) settlement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, for deceptive marketing of its antipsychotic drug risperidone (marketed as Risperdal) and some related drugs.

The settlement involved the attorneys general of 36 other states and the District of Columbia. New York will receive about $9m in the settlement.

Doctors may prescribe any drug approved by the FDA for any condition for which they believe it may be helpful. However, Schneiderman …
591 HEPATITIS B VIRUS X PROMOTES CELL CYCLE PROGRESSION IN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA CELL VIA INDUCTION OF P16INK4A METHYLATION AND REPRESSING P16 EXPRESSION
Authors: L. Yang, M. Wu, X. Wang, J. Kuang, J. Zhu, Q. Xie, Z. Gao, G. Chen
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)
104 BOCEPREVIR (B) COMBINATION THERAPY IN NULL RESPONDERS (NR): RESPONSE DEPENDENT ON INTERFERON RESPONSIVENESS
Authors: E. Schiff, F. Poordad, I. Jacobson, S. Flamm, B. Bacon, E. Lawitz, S. Gordon, J. McHutchison, R. Ghalib, T. Poynard, M. Sulkowski, C. Trepo, M. Rizzetto, S. Zeuzem, P. Marcellin, P. Mendez, C. Brass, J.K. Albrecht
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2008)
Fewer than one in five joint replacement patients receives anticoagulants after discharge
Authors: David Spurgeon
Journal: BMJ (2008)

Fewer than one in five elderly patients received anticoagulants after discharge from hospital after undergoing hip or knee replacement, a study has shown ( CMAJ 2008;178:1545-54). Such patients are at high risk of developing venous thromboembolism.

Patients who were prescribed these drugs had a lower risk of short term mortality, but the benefits of and barriers to thromboprophylaxis after discharge in this population need further study, say the researchers.

The authors of a related commentary say that the study highlights the …
Divergent Effects of Serotonin on Coronary-Artery Dimensions and Blood Flow in Patients with Coronary Atherosclerosis and Control Patients
Authors: Paolo Golino, Federico Piscione, James T. Willerson, Maurizio Cappelli-Bigazzi, Amelia Focaccio, Bruno Villari, Ciro Indolfi, Enrico Russolillo, Mario Condorelli, Massimo Chiariello
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1991)

Studies in animals have shown that serotonin constricts coronary arteries if the endothelium is damaged, but in vitro studies have revealed a vasodilating effect on isolated coronary segments with an intact endothelium. To investigate the effect of serotonin in humans, we studied coronary-artery cross-sectional area and blood flow before and after the infusion of serotonin in seven patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries and in seven with coronary artery disease.We measured the cross-sectional area of the coronary artery by quantitative angiography and coronary blood flow with an intracoronary Doppler catheter. Measurements were obtained at base line and during intracoronary infusions of serotonin (0.1, 1, and 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per minute, for two minutes). We repeated the measurements after an infusion of ketanserin, an antagonist of serotonin receptors that is thought to block the effect of serotonin on receptors in the arterial wall but not in the endothelium.In patients with normal coronary arteries, the highest dose of serotonin increased cross-sectional area by 52 percent (P less than 0.001) and blood flow by 58 percent (P less than 0.01). The effect was significantly potentiated by administration of ketanserin. In patients with coronary-artery atherosclerosis, serotonin reduced cross-sectional area by 64 percent (P less than 0.001) and blood flow by 59 percent (P less than 0.001). Ketanserin prevented this effect.Serotonin has a vasodilating effect on normal human coronary arteries; when the endothelium is damaged, as in coronary artery disease, serotonin has a direct, unopposed vasoconstricting effect. When considered with other evidence, these data suggest that platelet-derived factors such as serotonin may have a role in certain acute coronary ischemic syndromes.
Abstract A82: Neutrophils recruit T-regulatory cells into the tumor via secretion of CCL17 – a new mechanism of tumor immune surveillance.
Authors: Inbal Mishalian, rachel Bayuh, Lida Zolotarov, Liran Levy, Zvi Gregorio Fridlender
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Introduction: Regulatory T cells (T-regs) play an important role in immunological self-tolerance and are functionally immune-suppressive subsets of T cells. It has been repeatedly shown that T-regs are able to migrate in response to CCL22 and CCL17, and that depletion or inhibition of T-regs can enhance anti-tumor immunity. However, there is still limited data on the mechanisms of accumulation of T-regs within the tumor microenvironment. We have recently described the characteristics of “native” pro-tumorigemic N2 tumor-associated Neutrophils (TAN), and found that TAN significantly up-regulated many chemokines compared to bone-marrow (BM) naïve neutrophils. One of the highly up-regulated genes in TAN is CCL17. Aims: We aimed to study the role of TAN in the secretion of CCL17 and the recruitment of T-regs into the tumor microenvironment. We hypothesized that the secretion of CCL17 by N2 TAN has an important role in the recruitment of T-regs, thus inhibiting the T-cytotoxic cell activity in the tumor. Material and Methods: CCL17 production by N1 and N2 TAN and by BM naive Neutrophils was evaluated using ELISA, RT-PCR and IHC staining. We conducted in vivo and in vitro migration assays, and used depletion of TAN to reveal the role of CCL17 secreted from TAN in chemoattraction of T-regs. Results: N2-TAN were more capable of producing CCL17 ex-vivo than N1-TAN or BM neutrophils. The level of CCL17 secreted from TAN increased during tumor development. In vitro migration assay using CD4+CD25+ cells purified from spleens of naïve mice revealed that migration of T-cells towards TAN were 5.27±1.76 times higher compared to BM neutrophils (p&amp;lt;0.05). Furthermore, migration was inhibited by neutralizing anti-mouse CCL17. In vivo migration assay using the air pouch model strengthen these results, demonstrating that more CD4+CD25+ cells migrated into the pouch when injecting TAN compared to BM neutrophils, again inhibited using anti-CCL17 mAb, suggesting that TAN-induced T-regs chemoattraction is CCL17 dependent. Systemic neutrophil depletion after tumor establishment reduced T-reg migration into the tumor. Conclusions: Our results show that TAN from established tumors produced CCL17, increasing T-regs migration into the tumor. These results suggest a new indirect mechanism by which TAN may inhibit the anti-tumor immune activity, promoting tumor growth. Citation Format: Inbal Mishalian, rachel Bayuh, Lida Zolotarov, Liran Levy, Zvi Gregorio Fridlender. Neutrophils recruit T-regulatory cells into the tumor via secretion of CCL17 – a new mechanism of tumor immune surveillance. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A82.
Role of NO in the pulmonary artery hyporeactivity to phenylephrine in experimental biliary cirrhosis
Authors: F Chabot, H Mestiri, S Sabry, J Dall'Ava-Santucci, A Lockhart, AT Dinh-Xuan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1996)

The aim of this study was to see whether increased activity of nitric oxide (NO) might account for decreased pulmonary vascular tone seen in the hyperdynamic circulation of cirrhosis. We compared the pulmonary vascular reactivity of isolated pulmonary arteries (PA) from control rats (n = 10), and rats with biliary cirrhosis (n = 10) induced by chronic bile duct ligation (4 weeks). The responses of PA rings to cumulative concentrations of phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside were studied, and also the effects of inhibition of synthesis of NO by the L-arginine analogue, N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) in PA rings challenged with cumulative concentrations of phenylephrine and acetylcholine. The contractile response to phenylephrine was significantly reduced in cirrhotic PA rings as compared with controls. Pretreatment with L-NOARG (10(-4) M) significantly increased the contractile response to phenylephrine in PA rings from cirrhotic rats but not in control PA rings. Furthermore, L-NOARG restored the response to phenylephrine in cirrhotic PA rings back to normal. There was no difference in the relaxation of PA rings from both groups in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. We conclude that in vitro pulmonary artery ring hyporeactivity to phenylephrine results from increased nitric oxide production in the pulmonary circulation of cirrhotic rats and might account for the hepatopulmonary syndrome.
Reversibly crosslinked hyaluronic acid nanoparticles for active targeting and intelligent delivery of doxorubicin to drug resistant CD44+ human breast tumor xenografts
Authors: Yinan Zhong, Jian Zhang, Ru Cheng, Chao Deng, Fenghua Meng, Fang Xie, Zhiyuan Zhong
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release (2015)
US paediatricians call for vaccine advertisement to be taken down
Authors: J. Lenzer
Journal: BMJ (2011)

US paediatricians have urged media giant CBS Outdoor to stop showing an advertisement in Times Square because they say it is putting children’s lives at risk.

The 15 second advertisement, which runs hourly, 18 hours a day until 28 April, shows a woman cradling a baby and the statement, “Vaccines: Know the Risks.” The advertisement then fades to an image of the Statue of Liberty with the words, “Vaccination. Your health. Your family. Your choice.”

The advertisement is sponsored by the National Vaccine Information Center and Mercola.com, two organisations widely perceived to be anti-vaccine. The centre states that it “supports the availability of the …
Coronary Sclerosis and Hiatus Hernia-Reply
Authors: Simon Dack
Journal: JAMA (1962)

To the Editor:—  The comment of Dr. Salomon contains a valid criticism, namely, that the patient was not subjected to a stress test in order to confirm the presence of coronary insufficiency. In my own practice and in the clinic I use the Master two-step exercise test routinely in this type of case to determine if ischemic changes are produced in the electrocardiogram during exercise. In this type of patient it would be of diagnostic value, not only from the standpoint of making a positive diagnosis of coronary insufficiency but also from the standpoint of differentiating between coronary artery disease and hiatus hernia. Our previous studies have indicated that patients with hiatus hernia will have a negative exercise test unless they have associated coronary artery disease.
Adult Lead Exposure: Time for Change
Authors: Brian S. Schwartz, Howard Hu
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2006)

We have assembled this mini-monograph on adult lead exposure to provide guidance to clinicians and public health professionals, to summarize recent thinking on lead biomarkers and their relevance to epidemiologic research, and to review two key lead-related outcomes, namely, cardiovascular and cognitive. The lead standards of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration are woefully out of date given the growing evidence of the health effects of lead at levels of exposure previously thought to be safe, particularly newly recognized persistent or progressive effects of cumulative dose. The growing body of scientific evidence suggests that occupational standards should limit recent dose to prevent the acute effects of lead and separately limit cumulative dose to prevent the chronic effects of lead. We hope this mini-monograph will motivate renewed discussion of ways to protect lead-exposed adults in the United States and around the world.
The Prognosis of Patients With Epilepsy
Authors: Robert E. McMasters
Journal: JAMA (1969)

This interesting text consists of two major divisions, the first entitled "Review of the Literature" and the second "Personal Investigations." A relatively brief introduction to the problem of follow-up studies and prognostic criteria is followed by eight chapters concerned primarily with seizure types. Of particular importance are chapters devoted to posttraumatic epilepsy and intelligence. The second part of the book deals with the author's experiences with seizure problems at five major clinics in Michigan. Although Rodin discusses prognosis for behavior, intellectual functions, and employment in separate chapters, he places the emphasis on the prognosis for seizure control, based upon data from more than 500 individual patients. These data have been analyzed by modern computer techniques, and a 64-page appendix details the coding methods and variables related to statistical analysis. A list of references follows the appendix but, considering the topic, seems rather brief. The summary and conclusions, in chapter form,