tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Growth hormone: a newcomer in cardiovascular medicine
Authors: L Saccà
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1997)

Time for primary review 31 days.

Growth hormone (GH) controls linear growth and a variety of other functions, including nutrient metabolism, skeletal muscle performance, regulation of body composition, and even psychological well-being. The recent finding that GH plays a role in cardiovascular physiology has enlarged GH's spectrum of action even further [1, 2]. GH is essential for cardiac development and for preserving cardiac morphology and performance in adult life. Patients with GH deficiency, particularly those with the congenital form, present with cardiac atrophy and significant impairment of cardiac performance and exercise capacity [3]. Epidemiologic studies have shown that GH deficiency is associated with a high incidence of cardiovascular mortality, mostly due to heart failure [4]. In single case reports, GH deficiency was associated with severe dilated cardiomyopathy, which was unresponsive to conventional therapy but successfully treated with replacement therapy [5–7].

Clinical studies of GH's role in cardiac physiology are intersecting with experimental attempts to treat heart failure with growth factors. Unlike traditional therapeutic approaches that aim at slowing the development of excessive, pathologic cardiac hypertrophy, the new strategy is to favor the induction of ‘physiologic’ forms of hypertrophy. Indeed, both GH and IGF-I have already proven beneficial in several models of experimental heart failure [8–14]. Endeavors to treat human cardiac failure with a growth factor approach are just beginning. In a preliminary study of a small group of selected patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a 3-month treatment with GH improved ventricular geometry, function, and energetics [15]. These data will hopefully encourage the implementation of more robust clinical trials. At this stage of events, it may be useful to examine this novel approach, the underlying rationale, and the studies that generated the idea to approach heart failure with growth factors.

### 2.1 GH deficiency

The importance of GH in … 

* Medicina Interna, via Pansini 5, 80131-Napoli, Italy. Tel.: 81-7473519, fax: 81-7463199, e-mail: sacca@cds.unina.it
Indoor environmental exposures and symptoms.
Authors: Michael Hodgson
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2002)

The label "sick building syndrome" is often used to imply the absence of a physiologic basis for symptoms in the built environment. Although building-related illness is widely recognized but considered rare, several well-studied mechanisms may be responsible for many symptoms in buildings. These mechanisms do not explain why some individuals perceive disability. Until researchers distinguish physiologic mechanisms from other aspects of disease and study them systematically, poorly defined symptoms will remain poorly understood. The disability associated with such symptoms and syndromes, not the physiology, is the primary interest and generates controversy.
Lawn-Mower Hazards
Authors: David R. Rudy
Journal: JAMA (1962)

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> In this day of crusades for social legislation and protection of the rights and well being of the citizenry, there stands one subject which has been neglected: the rotary lawn mower. Virtually every physician has had experience with the trauma inflicted upon the operators of these machines and the innocent bystanders, most of whom are children. A man seated in a lawn chair was fatally stabbed in the back by the blade of a mower which had torn loose and was thrown from the opposite side of his street. Numerous persons have been shot in the leg by stones thrown from rotary mowers. A member of my family was using a mower, when a stone was kicked out and projected through a slanted safety glass automobile windshield approximately 75 feet away. I have seen at least 6 cases of mutilated foot injuries involving tendons and bony structures,
Evolution of Case Management of Patients With HIV Infection in France, 1995-1996
Authors: Rosemary Spira
Journal: JAMA (1998)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry (1919-1959) Podcasts Clinical Reviews Editors' Summary Medical News Author Interviews More JN Learning / CMESubscribeJobsInstitutions / LibrariansReprints & Permissions Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved Search All JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Forum Archive JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry Input Search Term Sign In Individual Sign In Sign inCreate an Account Access through your institution Sign In Purchase Options: Buy this article Rent this article Subscribe to the JAMA journal
Vaccine refusal may have contributed to California's 2010 pertussis outbreak, study finds
Authors: M. McCarthy
Journal: BMJ (2013)

Vaccination exemptions for non-medical reasons, such as religious or philosophical beliefs, may have contributed to the pertussis epidemic that struck California in 2010, says a new study.

During that outbreak California saw 9120 cases and 10 deaths, accounting for more than one third of all cases of whooping cough seen in the United States that year.

Before the introduction of pertussis vaccines in the 1940s, the disease was the leading cause of childhood death in the US. In 1934, for example, the country saw more than 250 000 cases. After the introduction, the number of cases fell, reaching a low of 1010 in 1976.

In …
Review: Exercise/physical therapy and vitamin D each reduce risk for falls in older community-dwelling adults
Authors: Douglas P. Kiel
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2011)

Source Citation Michael YL, Whitlock EP, Lin JS, et al. Primary care-relevant interventions to prevent falling in older adults: a systematic evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2010;153:815-25. 21173416
The role of specialists in managing the health of populations with chronic illness: the example of chronic kidney disease
Authors: B. J Lee, K. Forbes
Journal: BMJ (2009)

Specialty care has been used to manage individual patients at the discretion of generalists but not to drive improvements at the population level.Observational longitudinal study.Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, with more than 10,000 members with documented chronic kidney disease.Rate of late referrals to nephrology care, defined as occurring within four months of end stage renal disease and the proportions of patients starting haemodialysis with a mature arteriovenous fistula and starting dialysis in the outpatient setting.Risk stratification of the entire population and unsolicited consultations provided by nephrologists to generalists, based on patients' risk level, enabled by an electronic population management database.Between 2004 and 2008, the proportion of referrals occurring within four months of onset of end stage renal disease dropped from 37 of 116 (32%) to 10 of 84 (12%), P=0.001. The proportion of patients starting haemodialysis with a mature arteriovenous fistula increased from 19 of 108 (18%) to 27 of 76 (36%), P=0.006. The proportion of patients who started haemodialysis as outpatients increased from 39 of 113 (35%) to 47 of 84 (56%), P=0.003.Turning the traditional referral system on its head by providing unsolicited, risk driven nephrology consultations is an effective strategy for increasing the quality of medical management of patients with chronic kidney disease in the primary care setting and improving the cost effective use of nephrology services. This approach may be broadly applicable to other specialty areas.
Effects of promoters on N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced urinary bladder carcinogenesis in the rat.
Authors: N Ito, S Fukushima, T Shirai, K Nakanishi
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1983)

It has been shown that the occurrence of the preneoplastic lesion, papillary or nodular hyperplasia (PN hyperplasia) in rat urinary bladder induced by carcinogens is correlated with that of cancer. Therefore, the promoting effects of chemicals in two-stage bladder carcinogenesis were judged by measuring their ability to induce PN hyperplasia in rats. Male rats were given N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) for 4 weeks and then one of 16 test chemicals for 32 to 34 weeks. Saccharin, ascorbate, DL-tryptophan, allopurinol, and diphenyl promoted development of PN hyperplasia. The dose-response of the promoters were examined in both sexes of rats by administration of saccharin at doses of 0.04, 0.2, 1.0 and 5.0% for 32 weeks after BBN treatment. The occurrence of PN hyperplasia was significantly increased in the group given 5% saccharin. Dose-response curves showed enhanced hyperplastic responses in both sexes given 0.2 to 5% saccharin. The organ specificities of promoters were studied in rats initiated with BBN or 2-acetylamino-fluorene (2-AAF) followed by phenobarbital or saccharin for 32 weeks. Phenobarbital greatly enhanced hepatocarcinogenesis. Saccharin significantly enhanced the occurrence of both BBN-induced and 2-AAF-induced PN hyperplasia. However, there was no effect of phenobarbital on the urinary bladder or of saccharin on the liver. The rats showed a strain difference in susceptibility of the urinary bladder to saccharin; ACI rats were most susceptible and Sprague Dawley rats were most resistant to saccharin. The membrane potential of superficial epithelial cells in the urinary bladder of rats treated with saccharin was measured with an intracellular microelectrode and found to be higher than that of controls.
The American Red Cross: The First Century
Authors: Richard Wightman Fox
Journal: JAMA (1982)

Celebratory volumes issued on anniversaries of organizations are rarely serious contributions to history. What makes this volume an exception to the general rule is its relatively short text and abundance of photographs, color posters, broadsides, news clippings, cartoons, and letters. It is a mini-archive, a source of primary documents that historians will be able to use in writing the history not only of welfare and relief practices, but of American culture itself. Some of the photographs and posters are stunning works of art in their own right. One view from the ceiling of a gigantic warehouse shows two tiny relief workers atop a mountainous pile of relief supplies during World War II—much more effective testimony to the extent of the relief effort than numerical statistics, and a marvellous study in geometric shapes and shadows. The wartime posters document a fascinating shift in conceptions of women. The World War I posters
Severe Soft-Tissue Infection
Authors: Fone-Ching Hsiao, Chang-Hsun Hsieh
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2008)

A 65-year-old woman with a 15-year history of diabetes presented with fever (temperature, 38.5°C), chills, malaise, and a rash on the medial surface of the right thigh, vulva, and lower abdominal wall (Panel A). The symptoms had progressed during the previous 48 hours. Three days earlier, she had visited a general practitioner for recurrent vulvar pruritus accompanied by excoriation due to scratching. A yeast infection was diagnosed, and she was treated with a topical antifungal agent. On admission, the physical examination revealed crepitus of the abdominal wall, with no vaginal discharge or evidence of a perianal abscess. Laboratory results included . . .
Ramipril therapy improves arterial dilation in experimental hypertension
Authors: N Hutri-Kähönen
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1997)

Objective: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition has been shown to restore impaired endothelial function in hypertension, but the roles of different mediators in enhanced endothelium-dependent dilation have not been fully characterized. Methods: The effects of ACE inhibition with ramipril (1 mg · kg−1 · day−1) on relaxation responses of mesenteric arterial rings in vitro were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Results: The 12-week-long therapy effectively reduced blood pressure in SHR. In noradrenaline (NA)-precontracted arterial rings, endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine (ACh) as well as endothelium-independent dilations to isoprenaline and nitroprusside were more pronounced in WKY and ramipril-treated SHR than in untreated SHR. The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, diclofenac, which reduces the synthesis of dilating and constricting prostanoids, clearly enhanced the relaxation to ACh in untreated SHR, but was without effect in the other groups. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), attenuated the relaxations to ACh more effectively in untreated SHR than in the ramipril-SHR and WKY groups. However, when endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization was prevented by precontracting the preparations with potassium chloride (KCl), no significant differences were found in relaxations to ACh between the study groups. In addition, in NA-precontracted rings the diclofenac- and l-NAME-resistant relaxations to ACh were partially prevented by glibenclamide and apamin, inhibitors of ATP-dependent and Ca2+-activated K+ channels, respectively. Conclusion: Long-term ACE inhibition normalized blood pressure and enhanced arterial dilation in SHR. The improved endothelium-mediated relaxation following ramipril therapy could be attributed to reduced release of cyclo-oxygenase-derived constricting factors and augmented endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization in this type of experimental hypertension.
Oregon's voters approve assisted suicide measure
Authors: F. B Charatan
Journal: BMJ (1994)

Voters in Oregon have approved a measure giving doctors the right to prescribe a lethal dose of a drug to terminally ill patients. Measure 16 was approved in this month's midterm elections in the US by 53% to 47%, in contrast to similar measures in Washington state in 1991 and California in 1992, which were defeated (BMJ 1991; 303: 431).

Measure 16 says that a qualifying patient (a capable adult and resident of Oregon) with six months or less to live can ask the attending doctor for drugs to end his …
Treatment of Bacterial Endocarditis
Authors: MAXWELL FINLAND
Journal: Circulation (1954)

The same author has recently presented and discussed the problems of diagnosis and briefly touched on the prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis in a recent issue.2The present discussion will, therefore, be limited chiefly to a consideration of certain topics of current interest.These will include: (1) the optimum method of admin- istration of penicillin, (2) the use of antibiotics other than penicillin, and (3) the treatment of patients with negative blood cultures. DOSAGE OF PENICILLINIt is now generally agreed that penicillin, when properly used, is the antibiotic which by itself, or when used in proper combinations with other antibiotics, is responsible for all but a small proportion of the cures of cases of bacterial endocarditis.For an appreciation of the optimum method of administering penicillin in cases of bacterial endocarditis, one must consider the various factors entering into its curative action.These include: (a) the manner in which penicillin is absorbed and excreted, (b) the manner in which penicillin gets at the
The Association and the Colleges.
Authors: Dudley S. Reynolds
Journal: JAMA (1898)

Louisville, Ky., Sept. 5, 1898. <h3>To the Editor:</h3> —In theJournalof September 3, page 337, Dr. T. J. Happel, ex-vice-president of theAmerican Medical Association, says: "After carefully reading the notices sent out by Dr. Wm. B. Atkinson to the deans of the several colleges in the United States, I am satisfied that theAssociationhas attempted to reach a point which it should attain, in an unconstitutional manner. Had this point of order been made against the resolution at the time it was offered, as the presiding officer of theAssociationon that day, I would have decided the point well taken, and have ruled it out of order." Dr. Happel presided on Wednesday, at the time the resolutions were offered. He referred them to the business committee. On Thursday the business committee recommended their adoption; Dr. Happel, again presiding, put the question, and decided the resolutions unanimously
The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Mechanical Ventilation, and the Prone Position
Authors: Arthur S. Slutsky
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2001)

The acute respiratory distress syndrome is a devastating, often fatal inflammatory condition that probably affects more than a million patients throughout the world each year.1 Since its description over 30 years ago,2 this syndrome has claimed the attention of clinicians and researchers because it is associated with an extremely high mortality rate and is difficult to treat, and because the pathophysiology of the disorder is unique.The common denominator in the acute respiratory distress syndrome is hypoxemia. Virtually all affected patients require mechanical ventilation to improve arterial oxygenation and minimize the energy costs of breathing. Ironically, the focus on normalizing . . .
Glycopeptide Hormones and Neoplasms
Authors: William D. Odell
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1977)

In this issue of the Journal Kahn et al. describe the use of radioimmunoassays for alpha chain, beta chain and intact human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to distinguish malignant from benign pancreatic islet--cell neoplasms. To put their observations in perspective, the reader must be aware of the immense progress in the biochemistry of glycopeptide hormones that has occurred in the last 10 years.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 These hormones include hCG, pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Each is composed of an alpha peptide chain and a beta peptide chain. The alpha chains of LH, FSH and TSH are identical . . .
Retinaldehyde represses adipogenesis and diet-induced obesity
Authors: Ouliana Ziouzenkova, Gabriela Orasanu, Molly Sharlach, Taro E Akiyama, Joel P Berger, Jason Viereck, James A Hamilton, Guangwen Tang, Gregory G Dolnikowski, Silke Vogel, Gregg Duester, Jorge Plutzky
Journal: Nature Medicine (2007)
Nuclear factor NF-κB in myocardium: developmental expression of subunits and activation by interleukin-1β in cardiac myocytes in vitro
Authors: David A.M. Norman, Magdi H. Yacoub, Paul J.R. Barton
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1998)

Objective: The aims of the study were to investigate the pattern of expression of the major subunits of the NF-κB transcription factor complex in human and rat heart development, and to characterise the timing of NF-κB activation by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in rat neonatal cardiac myocytes. Methods: The expression of NF-κB subunits p65 and p50 and the inhibitory subunits IκB-α and IκB-β in human and rat myocardial samples was measured by immunoblotting, using antibodies specific to each subunit. The activation of NF-κB was measured in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes that were treated with IL-1β for different times (0–60 min). Depletion of the inhibitory factors IκB-α and IκB-β was assessed by immunoblotting. The presence of NF-κB DNA binding activity was measured directly in nuclear extracts by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results: p65, p50, IκB-α and IκB-β are expressed at all stages of development analysed. In human myocardial samples, expression of p50, p65 and IκB-α show an apparent gradual decline relative to total protein. In contrast, the level of IκB-β remained relatively constant, suggesting a significant shift in the ratio of β and α subunits with development. In rat myocardium, p65, p50, IκB-α and IκB-β showed a gradual decline during development, with a particularly pronounced decrease between the ten day post-natal and adult samples. Treatment of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes with IL-1β (5 ng/ml) caused a rapid and transient depletion of IκB-α (reducing to 16±1.6% of initial levels within 5 min, returning to 82±10% within 60 min). A slower, less marked depletion is observed for IκB-β (24±6% by 30 min, returning to only 49±5% by 60 min). Rapid and transitory accumulation of NF-κB DNA binding activity was detected in the nucleus, with a pattern that correlated with the depletion of IκB-α. Conclusions: The principal NF-κB subunits p65, p50, IκB-α and IκB-β are present throughout development, suggesting that this transcription complex may participate in myocardial gene regulation throughout development and in the adult. Activation by IL-1β demonstrates that NF-κB probably plays a direct role in the regulation of gene transcription in response to cytokine activation in cardiac myocytes.
A Common <i>FCER1B</i> Gene Promoter Polymorphism * Influences Total Serum IgE Levels in a Japanese Population
Authors: NOBUYUKI HIZAWA, ETSURO YAMAGUCHI, EISEI JINUSHI, YOSHIKAZU KAWAKAMI
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2000)

Genetic factors are important in defining total serum IgE levels. Linkage analyses have localized a gene or genes that influence atopic phenotype at chromosome 11q13. Variants of the FCER1B gene have been identified, which are associated with an increased risk of developing atopy and bronchial asthma. Given uncertain functional consequences and low frequencies of these coding variants of FCER1B, we screened for new mutations using 24 subjects with atopic asthma. A common − 109C/T polymorphism at the promoter region of FCER1B was identified, although no variant was found in the entire coding region. We genotyped this promoter polymorphism in 226 healthy control subjects and 226 asthmatic subjects using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Allele frequencies were 0.697 for − 109T and 0.303 for − 109C in 226 healthy control subjects. No significant difference in the distribution of − 109C/T polymorphism was found between asthmatic subjects and healthy control subjects. A homozygosity for the − 109T allele, however, was associated with increased total serum IgE levels in 226 subjects with asthma (p = 0.0015). The strongest evidence for an association between total serum IgE levels and − 109C/T polymorphism (p = 0.0004) was obtained when age at onset of asthma was incorporated into the analysis. Our findings may represent genetic heterogeneity and complex interactions between genetic and environmental components involved in the regulation of total IgE levels, providing evidence that the − 109C/T polymorphism of the FCER1B promoter region is one of the genetic factors identified thus far, which affects total serum IgE levels in a Japanese population. Hizawa N, Yamaguchi E, Jinushi E, Kawakami Y. A common FCER1B gene promoter polymorphism influences total serum IgE levels in a Japanese population.