tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Communicating With the Public
Authors: Clarence P. Gilmore
Journal: JAMA (1970)

Biomedical investigators and science writers are in quite different fields and spend their days doing entirely different things, but they have at least one interest in common. They are both concerned with the transmission of information about science to the public. My involvement in the field grows out of a rather broad premise. I believe that in this imperfect but generally democratic society of ours, public understanding of scientific affairs is not a luxury, but a necessity. It has often been said that widespread awareness of the scientific, technological, and medical issues of our times is desirable because the public supplies much of the basic support for science and therefore has some right to know what it is supporting. But there is an even more important consideration: Only through an understanding of problems based on scientific and technological developments— from the ABM to the orally administered contraceptive to the research
INFLUENZAL SINUS DISEASE AND ITS RELATION TO EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA
Authors: H. E. ROBERTSON
Journal: JAMA (1918)

A typical attack of influenza usually begins as a rhinitis and spreads from the nasal mucosa throughout the respiratory tract. As the chief symptoms are produced by the involvement of the bronchial tree, attention is naturally directed to the lungs and bronchi as the most important foci for the infection. However, in studying acute cases one is often impressed by the fact that the severity of the disease, best evidenced by the general prostration of the patient, is out of all proportion to the physical signs. Tracheobronchitis with abundant mucopurulent sputum, a particularly distressing and often spasmodic cough, and moist râles uniformly present in both lungs, almost exhaust the positive findings for the respiratory tract. It becomes difficult to understand why a vigorous, previously healthy young adult, should succumb to an infection which in many cases appears to be almost wholly confined to the tracheobronchial mucosae. It might even be
P77 The Short Physical Performance Battery is Associated with Peripheral Muscle Dysfunction and Physical Activity in COPD
Authors: MS Patel, D Mohan, SS Kon, JL Canavan, MI Polkey
Journal: Thorax (2012)

<h3>Introduction and Objectives</h3> Quadriceps muscle dysfunction and physical activity independently predict patient related outcomes including mortality in COPD. However, direct measurements in clinical practise are limited by time constraints, expertise and expense. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a simple objective tool scored out of 12, that evaluates lower extremity function by composite assessment of standing balance, habitual gait speed and timed sit-to-stand. Whilst the SPPB is predictive of adverse outcomes including nursing home admission and mortality in general populations, limited data are available in COPD; the relationship between the SPPB and exercise performance, peripheral muscle strength, muscle bulk and physical activity is of particular interest. We hypothesised that SPPB performance would relate to functional exercise performance, quadriceps strength, quadriceps bulk and physical activity. <h3>Methods</h3> SPPB data was collected in 109 stable COPD patients (64M:45F). Other measurements included spirometry, body mass index (BMI), fat free mass (FFM) by bioelectrical impedance, six-minute walk test distance (6MWT), quadriceps muscle strength by volitional (QMVC) and non-volitional techniques (TwQ) and cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris by ultrasound (RFCSA). Physical activity level (PAL) was determined by the Sensewear armband worn over a 7 day period. <h3>Results</h3> There was no relationship between SPPB performance and FEV1% predicted or BMI. Whilst SPPB performance correlated weakly with age (r=–0.21, p=0.03) and FFMI (r=0.21, p=0.03) a stronger relationship was seen with PAL (r=0.48, p&lt;0.0001), 6MWT (r=0.64, p&lt;0.0001), RFCSA (r=0.45, p&lt;0.0001), QMVC/BMI (r=0.41, p&lt;0.0001) and TwQ (r=0.44, p=0.004). Stratifying according to SPPB identified those with reduced quadriceps bulk (see figure 1), QMVC/BMI and physical activity. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In COPD, SPPB performance is not related to lung function impairment. It detects those who are less active and those with reduced peripheral muscle strength and bulk. The SPPB may be a useful tool in predicting COPD patients at greater risk of future adverse events and those suitable for intervention.
301 PEGYLATED INTERFERON-ALPHA POTENTLY AUGMENTS NK CELL ANTIVIRAL EFFECTOR FUNCTION
Authors: L. Micco, D. Peppa, E. Loggi, A. Schurich, C. Carmela, A. Martello Panno, F. Bihl, M. Bernardi, P. Andreone, M.K. Maini
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2011)
Meta-analysis: The Effect of Dietary Counseling for Weight Loss
Authors: Michael L. Dansinger, Athina Tatsioni, John B. Wong, Mei Chung, Ethan M. Balk
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2007)

Background: Dietary and lifestyle modification efforts are the primary treatments for people who are obese or overweight. The effect of dietary counseling on long-term weight change is unclear. Purpose: To perform a meta-analysis of the effect of dietary counseling compared with usual care on body mass index (BMI) over time in adults. Data Sources: Early studies (1980 through 1997) from a previously published systematic review; MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 1997 through July 2006. Study Selection: English-language randomized, controlled trials (≥16 weeks in duration) in overweight adults that reported the effect of dietary counseling on weight. The authors included only weight loss studies with a dietary component. Data Extraction: Single reviewers performed full data extraction; at least 1 additional reviewer reviewed the data. Data Synthesis: Random-effects model meta-analyses of 46 trials of dietary counseling revealed a maximum net treatment effect of −1.9 (95% CI, −2.3 to −1.5) BMI units (approximately −6%) at 12 months. Meta-analysis of changes in weight over time (slopes) and meta-regression suggest a change of approximately −0.1 BMI unit per month from 3 to 12 months of active programs and a regain of approximately 0.02 to 0.03 BMI unit per month during subsequent maintenance phases. Different analyses suggested that calorie recommendations, frequency of support meetings, inclusion of exercise, and diabetes may be independent predictors of weight change. Limitations: The interventions, study samples, and weight changes were heterogeneous. Studies were generally of moderate to poor methodological quality. They had high rates of missing data and failed to explain these losses. The meta-analytic techniques could not fully account for these limitations. Conclusions: Compared with usual care, dietary counseling interventions produce modest weight losses that diminish over time. In future studies, minimizing loss to follow-up and determining which factors result in more effective weight loss should be emphasized.
Local Anesthesia for Neonatal Circumcision,-Reply
Authors: Howard J. Stang
Journal: JAMA (1988)

<h3>In Reply.—</h3> We appreciate Dr Weiss' interest in our article. We find it somewhat incongruous to say that it is a "questionable assumption" that neonates experience pain and then to give suggestions on treating postoperative pain. There is a great volume of peer-reviewed scientific data available regarding pain in the newborn. With more than 200 references, Anand and Hickey<sup>1</sup>review the development of neuropathways for pain prior to 13 to 14 weeks' gestation, which are completed by 30 weeks, the newborn's response to painful stimuli, and the attenuation effect of anesthesia on the neonatal stress response. Fitzgerald,<sup>2</sup>who is quoted by Dr Weiss, states that "despite an infant's lack of ability to report pain, neural mechanisms capable of reacting to tissue injury are clearly present." The American Academy of Pediatrics<sup>3</sup>recently has issued a strong policy statement on the use of neonatal anesthesia for newborn surgeries. In
Treatment of Ventricular Arrhythmia by Permanent Atrial Pacemaker and Cardiac Sympathectomy
Authors: DOUGLAS P. ZIPES
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1968)

A case of a patient with recurrent paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia fibrillation is presented, and the three modes of therapy used to achieve complete suppression of the ectopic ventricular foci—pacing, cardiac sympathetic denervation, and beta-adrenergic blockade—are reviewed.
Handling of Small Biopsy Material
Authors: A. C. Lendrum
Journal: BMJ (1943)

MEDICAL IOURNAL isolated from 21 cases, but culture showed 10 strains to be anaerobic streptococci, 4 to be Strep.pyogenes, 2 Strep.viridans, and 2 non- haemolytic streptococci.Three strains were seen only in films.Thus, although " streptococci " were common, several species were represented.Fusiform bacilli were found in 10 cases; in 7 of these they were accompanied by streptococci of one species or another, and in one case by both streptococci and staphylococci.The commonest organism, therefore, was Staph.aureus.Fusi- form bacilli and anaerobic streptococci came next in order of frequency.Strep.pneumonfae, P. vulgaris, and Strep.pyogenes were also found in several cases.Discussion Although staphylococci were present in 15 of the 48 cases in this series and in 14 of 27 cases reported by Alpers (1939), other authors (Hasslauer, 1907; Lund, 1926; Atkinson, 1934) found them in only a few of their cases of brain abscess.It is difficult to account for this discrepancy.The predominance of staphylococci in the present series was not due to the inclu- sion of cases in infants, in which staphylococci are said to be very common (Sandford, 1928).Several authors have stated that streptococci are the commonest organisms, but the results of culture in this series suggest that several species of streptococci may have been represented.It is unjustifiable to group these species together and misleading to state that streptococci are the commonest organisms in brain abscess.Fusiform bacilli and anaerobic streptococci were often found, and on several occasions pneumococci grew only anaerobically in primary cultures.It is clear that anaerobic culture is an essential part of the examination of pus from brain abscesses.It appears from Table I that more than one species of organism was present in a large proportion of the abscesses from which anaerobic organisms were isolated.WAmoscher and von Vgsdrhelyi (1933) showed that the injection of agar furnished a nidus in which tetanus spores could germinate, and it is possible that the use of agar in the inoculum was responsible for the production of abscesses in rabbits' brains with anaerobic streptococci and fusiform bacilli by Falconer et al. (1943).It seems therefore quite probable that brain abscesses due to anaerobic organisms originate in foci of lowered O-R potential (Fildes, 1927) produced by a vascular accident or by aerobic organisms which later die out.In this series clinical evidence of encapsulation was obtained in 5 cases two months after the onset of symptoms, and in 8 cases with three months' history.Histological examination showed well-marked fibrous walls in 2 (pneumococcal) cases with six weeks' history, in 3 cases with two months' history, and in 6 cases with three months' history.However, the clinical observations.concerned the superficial part of the
A good death in Uganda: survey of needs for palliative care for terminally ill people in urban areas
Authors: E. Kikule
Journal: BMJ (2003)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective</b> To identify the palliative care needs of terminally ill people in Uganda. <b>Design</b> Descriptive cross sectional study. <b>Setting</b> Home care programmes in and around Kampala that look after terminally ill people in their homes. <b>Participants</b> 173 terminally ill patients registered with the home care programmes. <b>Results</b> Most of the participants had either HIV/AIDS or cancer or both; 145 were aged under 50 years, and 107 were women. Three main needs were identified: the control or relief of pain and other symptoms; counselling; and financial assistance for basic needs such as food, shelter, and school fees for their children. The preferred site of care was the home, though all these people lived in urban areas with access to healthcare services within 5 km of their homes. <b>Conclusion</b> A "good death" in a developing country occurs when the dying person is being cared for at home, is free from pain or other distressing symptoms, feels no stigma, is at peace, and has their basic needs met without feeling dependent on others.
Attributing Effects of Aqueous C <sub>60</sub> Nano-Aggregates to Tetrahydrofuran Decomposition Products in Larval Zebrafish by Assessment of Gene Expression
Authors: Theodore B. Henry, Fu-Min Menn, James T. Fleming, John Wilgus, Robert N. Compton, Gary S. Sayler
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2007)

C(60) is a highly insoluble nanoparticle that can form colloidal suspended aggregates in water, which may lead to environmental exposure in aquatic organisms. Previous research has indicated toxicity from C(60) aggregate; however, effects could be because of tetrahydrofuran (THF) vehicle used to prepare aggregates.Our goal was to investigate changes in survival and gene expression in larval zebrafish Danio rerio after exposure to aggregates of C(60) prepared by two methods: a) stirring and sonication of C(60) in water (C(60)-water); and b) suspension of C(60) in THF followed by rotovaping, resuspension in water, and sparging with nitrogen gas (THF-C(60)).Survival of larval zebrafish was reduced in THF-C(60) and THF-water but not in C(60)-water. The greatest differences in gene expression were observed in fish exposed to THF-C(60) and most (182) of these genes were similarly expressed in fish exposed to THF-water. Significant up-regulation (3- to 7-fold) of genes involved in controlling oxidative damage was observed after exposure to THF-C(60) and THF-water. Analyses of THF-C(60) and THF-water by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry did not detect THF but found THF oxidation products gamma-butyrolactone and tetrahydro-2-furanol. Toxicity of gamma-butyrolactone (72-hr lethal concentration predicted to kill 50% was 47 ppm) indicated effects in THF treatments can result from gamma-butyrolactone toxicity.This research is the first to link toxic effects directly to a THF degradation product (gamma-butyrolactone) rather than to C(60) and may explain toxicity attributed to C(60) in other investigations. The present work was first presented at the meeting "Overcoming Obstacles to Effective Research Design in Nanotoxicology" held 24-26 April 2006 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
THE SYMPTOMATOLOGY OF INFECTION WITH ENDAMEBA HISTOLYTICA IN CARRIERS
Authors: CHARLES F. CRAIG
Journal: JAMA (1927)

In a contribution published in 1921, I 1 called attention to the frequency of the occurrence of symptoms of the infection in apparently healthy persons who were found to be carriers of Endameba histolytica , and since that time I have taken the opportunity, whenever possible, of checking the clinical history of all persons who have, to my personal knowledge, been determined to be carriers of this parasite. My observations along this line have proved the truth of the statements contained in the publication referred to, and have shown that a very large proportion of carriers of Endameba histolytica do present symptoms of the infection, and are thus not true carriers in the sense that they are free from any symptoms of infection. Experience has shown that more than 50 per cent of so-called carriers of this parasite present some symptoms apparently caused by its presence in the intestine, and it
Identification of endocardial trigger and exit of right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia: Implication for radiofrequency catheter ablation
Authors: Young-Hoon Kim, Sang Weon Park, Seong Mi Park, Seung Woon Rha, Do Sun Lim, Wan Joo Shim, Young Moo Ro
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2003)
Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchial mucosal biopsies in asthmatics undergoing long‐term high‐dose budesonide aerosol treatment
Authors: L. C. Laursen, E. Taudorf, S. Borgeskov, T. Kobayasi, H. Jensen, B. Weeke
Journal: Allergy (1988)

Mucosal biopsies from the pharynx, right main stem bronchus and right lower lobe were obtained during flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy and were examined with light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) in 10 asthmatics after 11 month's (range 7–15 months) treatment with high doses of inhaled budesonide via the Nebuhaler®, i.e. 1600 μg daily. Results were compared with biopsies from 10 controls suspected of having focal, malignant lung diseases. Visual inspection of the trachebronchial tree showed no signs of atrophy, ulcerations or thrush patches, and LM and EM showed no specific signs of mucosa and connective tissue atrophy; however, epithelial desquamation was seen in the asthmatics. No complications were observed.
Early Predictors of Outcome for HIV Patients With Neurological Failure
Authors: Jean-Pierre Bédos
Journal: JAMA (1995)

To carry out a descriptive study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with neurological failure and to identify parameters that are predictive of death within 3 months.Case series study.A total of 84 consecutive HIV-infected patients admitted to an infectious disease ICU in a university hospital for neurological failure. A thorough clinical, laboratory, and brain computed tomography (CT) scan workup was done within 48 hours of admission.The mean (+/- SD) CD4+ lymphocyte count was 0.067 (+/- 0.086) x 10(9)/L. Mechanical ventilation was necessary within 48 hours of admission in 67 cases (80%). The brain CT scan revealed abscesses in 51 patients (61%). The abscesses were attributed to probable toxoplasmosis in 47 patients. A total of 57 patients died, yielding a 3-month survival rate of 32%. By the log-rank test, the following factors were predictive of death within 3 months of admission to the ICU: Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 7 (P = .01), signs of brain stem involvement (P = .001), and need for mechanical ventilation in the 48 hours after admission (P = .02). In a Cox model, only Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 7 (P = .006) and clinical signs of brain stem involvement (P = .02) were predictive of death within 3 months of admission to the ICU.Despite a thorough examination, no initial HIV-specific parameters were identified as predictive of death. The prognostic factors found simply reflected the severity of neurological involvement in the various etiologies.
Short-duration ('minutes') therapy with dithranol for psoriasis: a new out-patient regimen
Authors: U. RUNNE, J. KUNZE
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1982)

Eighty-five patients with widespread psoriasis were treated with daily short-term applications of dithranol and salicylic acid in yellow soft paraffin. Two different schedules were used: (1) '3-h' therapy using increasing dithranol concentrations (o.I, o.25, o.5, I, 2%) for 3 h; (2) 'minutes' therapy using high dithranol concentrations (I, 2, 3%) for only 10-20 min. In comparison with the standard dithranol therapy, applied for 24 h each day, the '3-h' therapy showed equal efficacy clinically and histologically, and the 'minutes' therapy was significantly better than the standard therapy, reducing the mean clearing time by 6.8 days. Daily short-term ('minutes') therapy combines all the advantages of dithranol with a convenient and readily acceptable mode of application for home use.
Prevalence of MRSA in US hospitals hits new high
Authors: David Spurgeon
Journal: BMJ (2007)

The number of cases of infection with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in US hospitals rose to nearly 369 000 in 2005, new figures show—a rise of 30% from the 2004 figure. 

The data, collated over the 13 years from 1993 to 2005, have been published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb35.jsp). They show that in …
Altered hepatobiliary gene expressions in PFIC1: ATP8B1 gene defect is associated with CFTR downregulation
Authors: Christine Demeilliers, Emmanuel Jacquemin, Véronique Barbu, Martine Mergey, François Paye, Laura Fouassier, Nicolas Chignard, Chantal Housset, Nour-Eddine Lomri
Journal: Hepatology (2006)

Recent reports in patients with PFIC1 have indicated that a gene defect in ATP8B1 could cause deregulations in bile salt transporters through decreased expression and/or activity of FXR. This study aimed to: (1) define ATP8B1 expression in human hepatobiliary cell types, and (2) determine whether ATP8B1 defect affects gene expressions related to bile secretion in these cells. ATP8B1 expression was detected by RT-PCR in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes isolated from normal human liver and gallbladder. ATP8B1 mRNA levels were 20- and 200-fold higher in bile duct and gallbladder epithelial cells, respectively, than in hepatocytes. RT-PCR analyses of the liver from two patients with PFIC1, one with PFIC2, one with biliary atresia, showed that, compared to normal liver, hepatic expressions of FXR, SHP, CYP7A1, ASBT were decreased at least by 90% in all cholestatic disorders. In contrast, NTCP transcripts were less decreased (by < or = 30% vs. 97%) in PFIC1 as compared with other cholestatic disorders, while BSEP transcripts, in agreement with BSEP immunohistochemical signals, were normal or less decreased (by 50% vs. 97%). CFTR hepatic expression was decreased (by 80%), exclusively in PFIC1, while bile duct mass was not reduced, as ascertained by cytokeratin-19 immunolabeling. In Mz-ChA-2 human biliary epithelial cells, a significant decrease in CFTR expression was associated with ATP8B1 invalidation by siRNA. In conclusion, cholangiocytes are a major site ofATP8B1 hepatobiliary expression. A defect of ATP8B1 along with CFTR downregulation can impair the contribution of these cells to bile secretion, and potentially explain the extrahepatic cystic fibrosis-like manifestations that occur in PFIC1.
Effect of concentration and cumulative exposure of inhaled sulfuric acid on tracheobronchial particle clearance in healthy humans.
Authors: D M Spektor, B M Yen, M Lippmann
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1989)

We have previously shown that 1-hr exposures to 0.5 microns sulfuric acid (H2SO4) mist at 100 and 1000 micrograms/m3 produced transient alterations of bronchial mucociliary clearance of monodispersed 7.6 and 4.2 microns mass median aerodynamic diameter gamma-tagged ferric oxide (Fe2O3) in healthy nonsmoking humans in a dose-dependent manner. To determine the role, if any, of the length of exposure, 10 healthy volunteers were exposed to 100 micrograms/m3 H2SO4 for 1 hr and 2 hr on separate occasions, 1 week apart, with measurements of their mucociliary clearance of 5.2 microns Fe2O3 particles inhaled both before and after the inhalation of the H2SO4. Their rate of bronchial mucociliary clearance was markedly reduced for both Fe2O3 aerosols, with slower clearance of the aerosol inhaled after the H2SO4 exposure. For the tagged Fe2O3 aerosol inhaled after exposure for 2 hr at 100 micrograms/m3 H2SO4, the tracheobronchial clearance halftime, (T50), tripled from control, and the reduced rate of clearance was still evident 3 hr after the end of exposure. The 1-hr 100 micrograms/m3 H2SO4 exposure doubled T50 from control, and the reduced rate of clearance lasted for about 2 hr after the end of exposure. These results indicate that the effect of doubling the length of exposure was as great or greater than an order of magnitude increase in the concentration of H2SO4.