tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Prenatal fetal karyotyping and maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening.
Authors: C Gosden, K Buckton, Z Fotheringham, D J Brock
Journal: BMJ (1981)

Prenatal karyotyping was undertaken in 569 consecutive amniotic fluid samples where the indication for amniocentesis was two sequential raised maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein concentrations. In 475 successful cultures five chromosome abnormalities were found--four constitutional anomalies (47,XXY; 47,XYY; an inherited inv(8) (p23q11); and a de-novo translocation t(6;7) (p11;p22) and a culture-derived anomaly (trisomy 2) found in amniotic fluid cells but not in the fetus aborted because it had spina bifida. Of the pregnancies complicated by constitutional abnormalities, only the pregnancy in which the de-novo translocation was detected was terminated. No chromosome abnormalities were detected in the 17 pregnancies which miscarried after amniocentesis. These results provide little justification for including fetal karyotyping as an essential part of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening programmes.
Light Entrainment of the Mammalian Circadian Clock by a PRKCA-Dependent Posttranslational Mechanism
Authors: Vladimira Jakubcakova, Henrik Oster, Filippo Tamanini, Cristina Cadenas, Michael Leitges, Gijsbertus T.J. van der Horst, Gregor Eichele
Journal: Neuron (2007)
A Study of Membrane Permeability in Haemodialysis
Authors: D. B. Evans, J. G. Lines
Journal: BMJ (1970)

The efficiency of haemodialysis has been determined when a Watson-Marlow (Kiil) dialyser was used repetitively without changing the membranes. Dialysis efficiency was assessed from the clearance of creatinine and of urea from the patient's blood. No significant deterioration in dialysis could be detected in six dialyses through the same membrane. Leaving the dialyser unit for up to eight hours before washing it out after the completion of each dialysis did not appear to have any effect on dialysis efficiency.It was concluded that repetitive haemodialysis through the same membranes is possible, but careful monitoring of the patient to assess suitability for such treatment, and subsequently at each dialysis, is essential.
Aspirin and colorectal cancer.
Authors: A Paganini-Hill
Journal: BMJ (1993)

surprising observation was that in 11 of 14 familial tumours there were errors in DNA replication not only in the dinucleotide repeat marker on chromosome 2 but throughout the tumour genome, and replication errors also affected trinucleotide repeats, indicating widespread genetic in- stability.Multiple replication errors have also been found in 13% of sporadic tumours.1 1213 The tumours with errors were found to have some of the characteristics of familial tumours-they were more frequently right sided and diploid and had a lower frequency of loss of heterozygosity despite there being no characteristic family history.These results suggest that up to 15% of apparently sporadic tumours may be associated with genetic instability.Familial colon cancer associated with the gene mapped to chromosome 2 may be one of most common forms of heritable disease in man.It seems to cause errors of DNA replication in tumours.Identification and characterisation of the gene should greatly facilitate surveillance programmes for colon cancer (and associated cancers) in affected individuals and may ultimately permit population screening.Even before the gene is isolated, however, more effort should be made to recognise patients with familial colon cancer so that they and their relatives are managed appropriately.This should probably include screening those at risk from the age of 25 by colonoscopy every three to five years and, in women, by pelvic ultrasonography.Those who develop colorectal cancer should be treated by subtotal colectomy-these patients have a high incidence ofmetachronous colonic tumours. 14
Lifestyle Intervention and Metformin for Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain
Authors: Ren-Rong Wu, Jing-Ping Zhao, Hua Jin, Ping Shao, Mao-Sheng Fang, Xiao-Feng Guo, Yi-Qun He, Yi-Jun Liu, Jin-Dong Chen, Le-Hua Li
Journal: JAMA (2008)

Weight gain, a common adverse effect of antipsychotic medications, is associated with medical comorbidities in psychiatric patients.To test the efficacy of lifestyle intervention and metformin alone and in combination for antipsychotic-induced weight gain and abnormalities in insulin sensitivity.A randomized controlled trial (October 2004-December 2006) involving 128 adult patients with schizophrenia in the Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China. Participants who gained more than 10% of their predrug weight were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups.Patients continued their antipsychotic medication and were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of placebo, 750 mg/d of metformin alone, 750 mg/d of metformin and lifestyle intervention, or lifestyle intervention only.Body mass index, waist circumference, insulin levels, and insulin resistance index.All 128 first-episode schizophrenia patients maintained relatively stable psychiatric improvement. The lifestyle-plus-metformin group had mean decreases in body mass index (BMI) of 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-2.3), insulin resistance index of 3.6 (95% CI, 2.7-4.5), and waist circumference of 2.0 cm (95% CI, 1.5-2.4 cm). The metformin-alone group had mean decreases in BMI of 1.2 (95% CI, 0.9-1.5), insulin resistance index of 3.5 (95% CI, 2.7-4.4), and waist circumference of 1.3 cm (95% CI, 1.1-1.5 cm). The lifestyle-plus-placebo group had mean decreases in BMI of 0.5 (95% CI, 0.3-0.8) and insulin resistance index of 1.0 (95% CI, 0.5-1.5). However, the placebo group had mean increases in BMI of 1.2 (95% CI, 0.9-1.5), insulin resistance index of 0.4 (95% CI, 0.1-0.7), and waist circumference of 2.2 cm (95% CI, 1.7-2.8 cm). The lifestyle-plus-metformin treatment was significantly superior to metformin alone and to lifestyle plus placebo for weight, BMI, and waist circumference reduction.Lifestyle intervention and metformin alone and in combination demonstrated efficacy for antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Lifestyle intervention plus metformin showed the best effect on weight loss. Metformin alone was more effective in weight loss and improving insulin sensitivity than lifestyle intervention alone. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00451399.
Anti-epiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid initially limited to the upper respiratory tract
Authors: K. Wozniak, E. Waszczykowska, T. Hashimoto, N. Ishii, J.D. Torzecka, J. Narbutt, T. Rogozinski, R.A. Schwartz, C. Kowalewski
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2006)
The Obsolescence of the Practitioner-Teacher
Authors: William F. Renner
Journal: JAMA (1965)

The changing pattern of medical education is modifying profoundly the status of private practitioners. The Osier prototype of the practitioner-teacher with close ties to both medical school and community medicine has been succeeded by the full-time teacher who, academically oriented and committed to research, does not provide an effective link between advancing science and the rank and file of practitioners. The beneficent influence of the practitioner-teacher on the quality of private practice should not be lost. The vacuum which is developing in the scientific leadership of the practicing segment of the profession should be filled. A solution is to develop qualified community hospitals into clinical schools, supported by medical faculties, which have as their distinctive mission the nurturing of practitioner-teachers, the promotion of a high level of private practice, and the training of clinicians.
Activation of the Steroidogenic Enzyme Cyp11a1 Is Essential for Development of Peanut-Induced Intestinal Anaphylaxis
Authors: Meiqin Wang, Julita Ramirez, Junyan Han, Yi Jia, Joanne Domenico, Max Seibold, James Hagman, Erwin W. Gelfand
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2013)
Men and Books
Authors: Gerald F. Tremblay
Journal: JAMA (1990)

In 1912 William Osler was Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford. Over a three-year period, he wrote 26 essays for the<i>Canadian Medical Association Journal</i>about doctors of the past and books written by or about them. These essays, which he called "Men and Books," would be lost to most readers were it not for Dr Earl F. Nation. In 1959 he collected the essays and had 250 copies of the collection printed privately. The current work, of which only 1000 copies were printed, originated from one of Dr Nation's copies. The new book is a collector's item, with an attractive binding and good-quality paper. The essays reveal glimpses of Osler's activities at Oxford, his insight into medical history, and, above all, his passion for books. He tells of book auctions he attended at Sotheby's in London, of fine book collections, and how he managed to obtain treasures for small
The Effect of Deep Inspiration on Methacholine Dose–response Curves in Normal Subjects
Authors: B. J. MOORE, L. M. VERBURGT, G. G. KING, P. D. PARÉ
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1997)

Normal subjects develop exaggerated airway narrowing when deep inspiration (DI) is voluntarily suppressed during methacholine challenge. Failure of periodic inflation may interfere with the bronchodilating effect of DI, and this may be fundamental to the difference in bronchodilation caused by DI in asthmatics and normal subjects. To determine whether repeated exhalations to residual volume (RV) and/or incomplete inspiration to baseline total lung capacity (TLC) could contribute to exaggerated narrowing during challenge, we tested 10 subjects on three separate days using modified methacholine challenge protocols. On Day 1, partial and complete flow volume curves were obtained after each dose. On Day 2, DI was prohibited, but partial curves were performed. On Day 3, DI and exhalation to RV were prohibited. TLC was measured pre- and post-challenge on each day. After comparable doses of methacholine, there was a greater change in FEV1 on Day 2 (27+/-15) and Day 3 (38+/-17) than on Day 1 (14+/-8) (p < 0.05). There were no differences in changes in FEV1 and FVC between Days 2 and 3, or in TLC between all 3 d. We conclude that exaggerated airway narrowing occurs in normal subjects when DI is prohibited and that this effect is not due to repeated expiration to RV, nor due to an artifact caused by a failure to inhale to TLC.
Laser Treatment for Eye Disease
Authors: Arnall Patz
Journal: JAMA (1983)

Within the past 15 months, the National Eye Institute (NEI) has announced that laser photocoagulation treatment can reduce the risk of blindness in patients with common eye disorders, senile macular degeneration (SMD),<sup>1</sup>and ocular histoplasmosis.<sup>2</sup>In each case, a controlled clinical trial compared vision in laser-treated and untreated patients. In the patients with macular degeneration, after 18 months, 60% of the nontreated eyes compared with only 25% of the treated eyes had progressed to severe vision loss. In the patients with ocular histoplasmosis, after 24 months, 35% of the untreated eyes compared with only 11% of the treated eyes had progressed to severe vision loss. The importance of these findings is underscored by the fact that in this country, macular degeneration is the major cause of legal blindness in the elderly, and ocular histoplasmosis is a significant cause of vision loss in the southeastern and midwestern parts of
Robert Ménard: Tailing malaria parasites to the red blood cell
Authors: Hema Bashyam
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2008)

The most elusive period in Plasmodium's life cycle spans from the moment a human feels the sting of an infected mosquito to the time the victim starts to shiver—a sign that the parasite has infected the red blood cells. During this interval, the bugs are few in number, and they dash to the liver at high speeds.




Figure 1





Robert Menard




At the Pasteur Institute in Paris, Robert Menard spies on the parasites' journey in real-time to figure out how they move and gain access to their various cellular targets. How pathogens sneak into cells is a question that has interested Menard since the start of his research career. As a Ph.D. student, he identified the proteins that Shigella, the bacterium that causes dysentery, uses to penetrate the gut epithelium (1, 2). Later, as a postdoctoral fellow, Menard discovered that Plasmodium uses a protein called circumsporozoite to both develop inside the mosquito midgut and to grab on to mammalian liver cells (3).

After starting his own lab in 2001, Menard developed techniques to track Plasmodium during its odyssey within infected mosquitoes and mice. His discoveries have challenged many presumptions about Plasmodium's early behavior within the host.

Menard's movies show that injected parasites don't just glide to the liver as previously thought. Some make a detour to lymph nodes—one of the training centers of the immune system (4), while others remain at the bite site (5). Those that make it to the liver shield themselves from macrophages and dendritic cells by clustering within vacuole-like structures called merosomes that eventually bud out into the blood (6). Menard is now combining genetic tools with his movie-making skills to identify host and parasite genes that direct the parasites' early itinerary within the host.
Contractile Reserve in Segments With Nontransmural Infarction in Chronic Dysfunctional Myocardium Using Low-Dose Dobutamine CMR
Authors: Sharon W. Kirschbaum, Alexia Rossi, Ron T. van Domburg, Katerina Gruszczynska, Gabriel P. Krestin, Patrick W. Serruys, Dirk J. Duncker, Pim J. de Feyter, Robert-Jan M. van Geuns
Journal: JACC. Cardiovascular imaging (2010)
Paroxetine must not be given to patients under 18
Authors: F. Waechter
Journal: BMJ (2003)

Investigations of respiratory symptoms among workers in a factory producing polyurethane foam included measurement of air pollution with amines and isocyanates and a simultaneous health investigation of the exposed workers. An increased bronchial reactivity to inhaled methacholine was found in the study group compared with two unexposed control groups. This finding, together with visual disturbances in the exposed group, were assumed to be caused mainly by the volatile amines. The concentrations of isocyanates in air were well below 0.005 ppm. The amine concentration was 1000 to 10 000 times higher than the isocyanate concentration. The most volatile amine, N-methylmorpholine, occurred in the air in concentrations higher than 10 ppm. The results indicate that not only the isocyanates but also the amines might well be responsible for respiratory symptoms among exposed workers in polyurethane foam production.
Psychosomatic Syndromes, Somatization and Somatoform Disorders
Authors: Robert Kellner
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (1994)

A psychosomatic syndrome is defined as a syndrome in which psychological processes play a substantial role in the etiology of the illness in some of the patients. The main conclusions on the extent of the biological and psychosocial contributions to several psychosomatic syndromes are presented and the relationship of these syndromes to somatization and somatoform disorders is discussed. The syndromes summarized include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, motility disorders of the esophagus, nonulcer dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, urethral syndrome, behaviors causing disturbances of physiology, and some defined pain syndromes. The findings suggest that the extent of the biological and psychosocial contributions vary among these syndromes as well as among individuals with the same syndrome. In some syndromes the extent and nature of the biological contribution has not been established with certainty. There is evidence to suggest that many of the phenomena of the somatoform disorders are caused by clustering of psychosomatic syndromes or their incomplete or atypical manifestations and a low sensation threshold. The results of the controlled studies of various methods of psychotherapy and drug treatments of the psychosomatic syndromes are listed; these studies have practical implications because the adoption of these methods is likely to enhance the efficacy of the treatment of somatoform disorders.
Man who supplied cannabis for medicinal purposes acquitted
Authors: C. Dyer
Journal: BMJ (1999)

The UK government faced calls to legalise the medical use of cannabis last week after a man who set up a cooperative to supply the drug for pain relief was acquitted by a jury.

A doctor who supplied cannabis to her daughter was cleared by a jury in 1993, but last week's case was the first to involve supply for medicinal purposes …
Enhanced Monocyte Tissue Factor Response After Experimental Balloon Angioplasty in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbit: Inhibition With Dietary <scp>l</scp> -Arginine
Authors: Delphine Corseaux, Thierry Le Tourneau, Isabelle Six, Michael D. Ezekowitz, Eugene P. Mc Fadden, Thibaud Meurice, Philippe Asseman, Christophe Bauters, Brigitte Jude
Journal: Circulation (1998)

Background —There is evidence that tissue factor (TF) is a major contributor to the thrombogenicity of a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. Nitric oxide (NO) has antiatherogenic and antithrombotic properties. We investigated whether l -arginine ( l -arg), the endogenous precursor of NO, might affect the ability of monocytes to produce TF. Methods and Results —We studied TF expression in 18 rabbits with atherosclerosis induced by bilateral iliac damage and 10 weeks of a 2% cholesterol diet. Six weeks after the initiation of the diet, an angioplasty was performed. After angioplasty, the surviving rabbits (n=15) were randomized to receive l -arg (2.25%) supplementation in drinking water ( l -arg group, n=8) or no treatment (untreated group, n=7). TF expression was evaluated in mononuclear cells from arterial blood in the presence and absence of endotoxin stimulation. Monocyte TF expression, as assessed with an amidolytic assay, did not differ significantly before or after the induction of atherosclerotic lesions (87±15 versus 70±12 mU of TF/1000 monocytes, P =NS). Endotoxin-stimulated TF activity increased significantly 4 weeks after angioplasty (138±22 versus 70±12 mU of TF/1000 monocytes, P =0.02). This increase was blunted by l -arg (43±16 mU of TF/1000 monocytes, P =0.01). Conclusions —This study demonstrates that angioplasty-induced plaque rupture is associated with a marked increase in monocyte TF response that is blunted by the oral administration of l -arg. This suggests that the documented antithrombotic properties of NO may be related in part to an inhibitory effect on monocyte TF response.
Formation of Human Plasma Kinin
Authors: Robert W. Colman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1974)

THE plasma proteolytic enzyme system, which is responsible for the release of bradykinin, the most potent mammalian vasodilator, is but one of four interlocking networks that help to mediate the vascular responses necessary for hemostasis, inflammation and, ultimately, repair. The workings of these enzymes illustrate the various control mechanisms possible in proteolysis, including activation of inactive precursors, positive feedback, stoichiometric inhibition, multistep amplification, and enzymatic degradation of active products. Moreover, clinical disorders, both hereditary and acquired, involving the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and hematologic systems may be caused or modified by functional changes in the extent or capacity to form kinins in . . .
Amoxapine Overdose
Authors: Toby L. Litovitz
Journal: JAMA (1983)

Thirty-three amoxapine overdoses, including five fatalities, were reported to two regional poison centers over an 18-month study period. The 15.2% mortality rate stands in alarming contrast to the 0.7% death rate for all other cyclic antidepressant overdoses reported to these same two centers during the study. Seizure activity was noted in 36.4% of amoxapine overdoses, compared with 4.3% of other cyclic antidepressant poisonings. Amoxapine appears to be responsible for a disproportionate share of seizures and deaths resulting from cyclic antidepressant overdose.
The A10 cell line: a model for neonatal, neointimal, or differentiated vascular smooth muscle cells?
Authors: Rohini S. Rao, Joseph M. Miano, Eric N. Olson, Charles L. Seidel
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1997)

The A10 cell line was derived from the thoracic aorta of embryonic rat and is a commonly used model of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Despite its wide use this cell line has not been well characterized. This is especially important in light of recent evidence of phenotypically distinct cell populations isolated from rat vascular tissue. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to confirm the VSMC nature of A10 cells and to investigate whether these cells particularly resemble adult, neonatal, or neointimal rat VSMC.A variety of defining characteristics were used that included immunofluorescent analysis for smooth muscle alpha-actin, smooth and non-muscle myosin heavy chains, desmin and vimentin; Western analysis for smooth muscle and non-muscle myosin heavy chains; mRNA analysis for smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, calponin, SM22 alpha, tropoelastin and PDGF-B peptide; and functional assays of cell migration, proliferation and agonist induced intracellular Ca transients.A10 cells expressed smooth muscle alpha-actin, SM22 alpha, smooth muscle calponin and vimentin, characteristic of in vivo rat VSMCs; however they also resembled de-differentiated smooth muscle cells in that they expressed non-muscle myosin rather than smooth muscle myosin heavy chain. A10 cells resembled cultured rat neonatal smooth muscle cells ("pup cells") in that they had an epithelioid shape and lacked functional PDGF-alpha receptors: however they did not express PDGF-B mRNA or proliferate in low serum containing medium as do neonatal cells. A10 cells had several characteristics in common with neointimal cells including the expression of alpha-actin, vimentin, and non-muscle myosin and the lack of expression of PDGF-B mRNA as well as the ability to migrate in response to PDGF-BB.In conclusion, A10 cells are nondifferentiated VSMC that differ from neonatal but bear significant resemblance to neointimal cells.
How Does Patient Education and Self-management among Asthmatics and Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Affect Medication?
Authors: FRODE GALLEFOSS, PER SIGVALD BAKKE
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

The effect of patient education on steroid inhaler compliance and rescue medication utilization in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been previously investigated in a single study. We randomized 78 asthmatics and 62 patients with COPD after ordinary outpatient management. Intervention consisted of two 2-h group sessions and 1 to 2 individual sessions by a trained nurse and physiotherapist. A self-management plan was developed. We registered for 12 mo medication dispensed from pharmacies according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification index. Steroid inhaler compliance (SIC) was defined as (dispensed/prescribed) x 100 and being compliant as SIC > 75%. Among asthmatics 32% and 57% were compliant (p = 0.04) with a median (25th/75th percentiles) SIC of 55% (27/96) and 82% (44/127) (p = 0.08) in the control and intervention groups, respectively. Patient education did not seem to change SIC in the COPD group. Uneducated patients with COPD were dispensed double the amount of short-acting inhaled beta(2)-agonists compared with the educated group (p = 0.03). We conclude that patient education can change medication habits by reducing the amount of short-acting inhaled beta(2)-agonists being dispensed among patients with COPD. Educated asthmatics showed improved steroid inhaler compliance compared with the uneducated patients, whereas this seemed unaffected by education in the COPD group.