tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The location of binding sites of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus autoantibodies: a post-embedding immunoelectron microscopic study
Authors: S. ZHOU, D.J.P. FERGUSON, J. ALLEN, F. WOJNAROWSKA
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1997)

Pemphigus is a life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease of skin and mucous membranes that has two major subtypes based on clinical and histological features, pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF). Autoantibodies against the PV antigen (desmoglein 3) and the PF antigen (desmoglein 1) are involved in the pathogenesis of blister formation. In the present study, the location of epitopes recognized by autoantibodies of patients with PV and PF was studied by postembedding immunogold electron microscopy. PV and PF autoantibodies were observed bound predominantly to the intercellular domains of desmosomes, but not to the non-desmosomal keratinocyte cell surface. The relationship between the location of PF antigen and other constitutive desmosomal proteins, desmocollin, desmoplakin and plakoglobin, in normal human skin was investigated using a double immunogold labelling technique. It was observed that PF antigen and desmocollin co-localize within the intercellular domain of the desmosomes. In contrast, the antibodies against desmoplakin and plakoglobin bound predominantly to the intracellular desmosomal attachment plaque with the binding site of the antibody against plakoglobin closer to the desmosomal cell membrane than that of the antibody to desmoplakin. We show that the LR White postembedded immunogold electronmicroscopy technique is convenient and easily applied to studies of autoimmune bullous skin diseases. We have used it to demonstrate the precise localization of the binding sites of PV and PF autoantibodies and their relationship with other constitutive desmosomal proteins.
Germany sets up a system for reporting medical mistakes
Authors: Annette Tuffs
Journal: BMJ (2005)

Germany has set up a critical incident reporting system on the internet so that GPs and specialists can anonymously report any mistakes that they have made or that they have seen being made by colleagues.

Last week the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians [Kassenarztliche Bundesvereinigung] announced in Berlin that it would be posting on a website all reported incidents once they had been checked for their veracity and anonymity (www.cirsmedical.ch/kbv)The system will be run by the …
HUNC-93B1, a novel gene mainly expressed in the heart, is related to left ventricular diastolic function in elderly men
Authors: Johan Arnlov, Johan Sundstrom, Lars Lind, Bertil Andrén, Maria Andersson, Richard Reneland, Lars Berglund, Vladimir Kashuba, Alexei Protopopov, Eugene Zabarovsky, Hans Lithell
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2003)
Cryptococcal Intracerebral Mass Lesions
Authors: NORMAN K. FUJITA
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

Cephalic computed tomography (CT) is a sensitive technique for defining certain intracerebral diseases. Four patients with cryptococcosis were evaluated with cephalic computed tomography over 3 years. All had focal, intracerebral "contrast-enhanced" lesions consistent with cryptococcal mass lesions, confirmed histopathologically in two. An analysis of 55 cases of cryptococcal intracerebral mass lesions from the literature showed that 18% of patients with these lesions associated with cryptococcal meningitis did not have specific symptoms or signs of focal intracerebral disease or increased intracranial pressure. We therefore recommend that patients with cryptococcal meningitis, regardless of localizing symptoms or signs, be considered for cephalic CT evaluation to ascertain the presence of mass lesions. Three patients in this report were treated with systemic antifungal medication without surgery. Decreased size or disappearance of these lesions was seen on sequential CT scan in all patients. We conclude that selected patients with cryptococcal intracerebral mass lesions may be managed successfully with systemic antifungal therapy alone.
Temperature dependent activation of the alternate complement pathway by an IgG cryoglobulin
Authors: Thomas R. Poskitt, Paula K. F. Poskitt
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1979)

Abstract A patient with chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is presented whose serum contains a monoclonal IgG3 cryoglobulin. The presence of persistent hypocomplementemia suggested the possibility that the cryoglobulin, upon cold‐induced precipitation, was capable of activating the complement system. Because visible cryoprecipitation commenced in vitro at 30°C, the patient's serum and normal serum to which had been added the isolated cryoglobulin were repeatedly cooled to 30°C and rewarmed to 37°C. This reproduction of the in vivo counterpart of blood circulating through an extremity exposed to the cold resulted in activation of C3‐proactivator (properdin factor B), C3 cleavage, and a 78% reduction in total hemolytic complement. This study demonstrates that IgG is capable of activating complement via the alternate pathway and reveals a mechanism through which this can occur in vivo; namely, by means of temperature dependent polymerization. In addition, we postulate that episodic complement activation initiated by the cryoglobulin contributed to the development of glomerulonephritis in this patient.
Points from Letters: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Herpes Zoster
Authors: E. Sakoschansky
Journal: BMJ (1949)

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word about The BMJ.NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address. Username * Your Email * Send To * You are going to email the following Points from Letters: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Herpes Zoster Your Personal Message CAPTCHA This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Delay of reinforcement gradients and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): The challenges of moving from causal theories to causal models
Authors: David R. Coghill
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2005)

notwithstanding the many strengths of the dynamic developmental theory, there remain challenges to be overcome before it can be incorporated into a true causal model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (adhd). these include the development of reliable measures of reinforcement delay gradients, the validation of shortened reinforcement delay as an endophenotype, and the integration of this pathway with other potential pathways.
Knowledge of Egg and Peanut Content of Infant and Maternal Diets Among Parents of Non-allergic 12-month-old Infants
Authors: J.J. Koplin, N.J. Osborne, L.C. Gurrin, S.C. Dharmage, M.L.K. Tang, K.J. Allen
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2009)
1041 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ALBINTERFERON ALFA-2B IN COMBINATION WITH RIBAVIRIN IN TREATMENT- NAIVE, CHRONIC HEPATITIS C GENOTYPE 1 (CHC G1) PATIENTS
Authors: S. Zeuzem, M. Sulkowski, E. Lawitz, V. Rustgi, Y. Lurie, M. Grigorescu, A. Muir, P. Cronin, E. Pulkstenis, M. Subramanian, J. McHutchison
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)
An Address ON CERTAIN OPERATIVE PROCEDURES IN THE PARALYSIS OF CHILDREN, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO POLIOMYELITIS: Delivered before the Northumberland and Durham Medical Society
Authors: R. Jones
Journal: BMJ (1911)

soften too soon; I lhave known it do so.I hlave known it hi appen that a few hours after an operation the cataut sutures lhave disappeared and the abdominial visceara have conele out
Endoscopic Variceal Scleroligation Therapy with a Newly Designed Multiple-Band Ligator Device with Special Groove
Authors: S. Maekawa, N. Aoyama, D. Shirasaka, M. Kasuga
Journal: Endoscopy (2004)

A combination of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with ligation - termed ”endoscopic scleroligation” (ESL) - was developed several years ago for the treatment of esophageal varices [1]. This technique has the advantage of allowing better eradication of varices and prevention of recurrence than ligation alone, and it is also associated with a lower incidence of treatment-related complications than endoscopic injection sclerotherapy [1] [2]. Despite the advantages of ESL, there are some technical problems with the method. It is sometimes difficult to insert the needle into varices correctly and to infuse sufficient sclerosant through a conventional ligation device, particularly if the varices are small, or in cases of recurrence. The use of a transparent hood featuring a slit or groove in endoscopic injection sclerotherapy has been reported [3] [4]. We have recently developed a multiple-band ligation device incorporating a groove, which makes intravariceal injection more successful. We report here on a new ESL technique using this new device.
SEVEN does not mean NATURAL NUMBER, and children know more than you think
Authors: Barbara W. Sarnecka
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2008)

Abstract Rips et al.'s critique is misplaced when it faults the induction model for not explaining the acquisition of meta-numerical knowledge: This is something the model was never meant to explain. More importantly, the critique underestimates what children know, and what they have achieved, when they learn the cardinal meanings of the number words “one” through “nine.”
Problems of site specific cancer specialisation
Authors: I. Taylor
Journal: BMJ (1996)

In the fifth century BC Herodotus wrote of the Egyptians, “Medicine with them is distributed in the following way: every physician is for one disease and not for several, and the whole country is full of physicians of the eyes, others of the head, others of the teeth, others of the belly and others of obscure diseases.”

As we approach the 21st century the topic of subspecialisation in general surgery and its effect on work practice is still debated. There are now recognised (and accepted) subspe-cialties in general surgery, such as vascular surgery, which as a “craft” discipline benefits from concentrated training and regular practice if consistently good results are to be achieved. A surgeon who carries out the occasional repair of an aortic aneurysm (especially if ruptured) without appropriate backup or facilities is unlikely to achieve an outcome as satisfactory as that obtained in a specialised vascular unit.

There are other subspecialties developing in general surgery where the perceived benefits of “volume” and specialisation may be more difficult to prove, especially when the pathology being treated has an unpredictable prognosis and presents at differing stages of development. I am thinking particularly of the common solid tumours, such as breast cancer and gastrointestinal malignancy.

Several recent …
Autonomic pathophysiology in heart failure patients. Sympathetic-cholinergic interrelations.
Authors: T R Porter, D L Eckberg, J M Fritsch, R F Rea, L A Beightol, J F Schmedtje, P K Mohanty
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1990)

We conducted this study in an effort to characterize and understand vagal abnormalities in heart failure patients whose sympathetic activity is known. We measured sympathetic (peroneal nerve muscle sympathetic recordings and antecubital vein plasma norepinephrine levels) and vagal (R-R intervals and their standard deviations) activities in eight heart failure patients and eight age-matched healthy volunteers, before and after parasympathomimetic and parasympatholytic intravenous doses of atropine sulfate. At rest, sympathetic and parasympathetic outflows were related reciprocally: heart failure patients had high sympathetic and low parasympathetic outflows, and healthy subjects had low sympathetic and high parasympathetic outflows. Low dose atropine, which is known to increase the activity of central vagal-cardiac motoneurons, significantly increased R-R intervals in healthy subjects, but did not alter R-R intervals in heart failure patients. Thus, our data document reciprocal supranormal sympathetic and subnormal parasympathetic outflows in heart failure patients and suggest that these abnormalities result in part from abnormalities within the central nervous system.
Abnormal Red Cell Metabolism Causing Hemolysis in Uremia
Authors: YOSHlHlTO Yawata, Robert Howe, Harry S. Jacob
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1973)

A plasma factor that inhibits red cell hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt metabolism and thereby shortens red cell survival has been found to accumulate in roughly half of uremic patients. The factor is efficiently removed by frequent hemodialysis with purified water in the bath solutions. However, contaminants in tap water hemodialysis baths potentiate the red cell defect, and hemolysis may strikingly worsen in patients so dialyzed. As in patients with deficient red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and thus deficient HMP shunt metabolism, explosive Heinz body hemolytic anemia may occur in affected uremic patients given oxidant drugs, such as sulfonamides, antimalarials, and the like. We urge that uremic patients be screened for red cell HMP shunt deficiency before administration of sulfonamides or other oxidant compounds and that affected patients be dialyzed only against purified water baths.
Cancer Statistics 2001: Quo Vadis or Whither Goest Thou?
Authors: D. G. Bal
Journal: CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (2001)

In his first Guest Editorial for CA as newly elected President of the American Cancer Society, Dr. Dileep Bal moves beyond the encouraging trends reported in the annual cancer statistics article to target areas for future efforts and improvement. Noting that resources and the public health activities of local, regional, and national medical communities should focus on cancer prevention, screening and early detection/treatment, technology transfer, and research, Dr. Bal emphasizes the feasibility of the 2015 goals set by the ACS: A 25% reduction in cancer incidence and a 50% reduction in mortality from cancer.
Abstract OT3-4-05: Use of early CIRculating tumor CElls count changes to guide the use of chemotherapy in advanced metastatic breast cancer patients: the CirCe01 randomized trial
Authors: F-C Bidard, B Asselain, S Baffert, E Brain, M Campone, S Delaloge, T Bachelot, N Tubiana-Mathieu, S Pelissier, J-Y Pierga
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Background: After the SWOG0500 trial, the CirCe01 trial (NCT01349842) is the second randomized attempt to demonstrate that patients who received a first cycle of chemotherapy and whose CTC count did not drop should be switched off this chemotherapy. The clinical setting used here is a population with high chemoresistance prevalence, i.e. patients starting a third line chemotherapy; the CTC test will be also repeated at the beginning of every new chemotherapy line in patients randomized in the CTC arm (i.e. to evaluate the 3rd, 4th, 5th … lines). In the CTC arm, it has been hypothesized that many patients with chemoresistant tumor will experience repeated early chemotherapy changes (e.g. 3 chemotherapy regimens tested in 9 weeks), giving support to the discontinuation of inefficient, toxic and costly chemotherapies and the start of palliative care. It is believed, for this subgroup of patients, that such de-escalating management will benefit both patients and healthcare systems. For some other patients, it is also expected that they will benefit from the early chemotherapy turn-around and find earlier an efficient therapy among all those tested. Methods: The main inclusion criteria are metastatic breast cancer patients starting a third line of chemotherapy and an elevated CTC count at baseline. 304 metastatic breast cancer patients will be randomized between the standard arm, in which the treatment management is made following the current standard of care, and the CTC-driven arm, in which the “response” after every first cycle of any new chemotherapy line is assessed by CTC count made before the second cycle. Chemotherapies which did not lead to a significant reduction of CTC count are discontinued, and the patient might be offered another chemotherapy regimen (which will be also evaluated by CTC). The medical primary endpoint of the trial is the overall survival, whereas a medico-economic study as a co-primary endpoint. Several secondary endpoints are pre-planned, including progression-free survival, quality of life, anxiety/depression and comparison with serum markers. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT3-4-05.
Lung T Cells in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Authors: James W. Leatherman, Alfred F. Michael, Bruce A. Schwartz, John R. Hoidal
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1984)

Monoclonal antibodies OKT3 (all T cells), OKT4 (T-helper/inducer), and OKT8 (T-suppressor/cytotoxic) were used to determine surface phenotypes of bronchoalveolar lavage and peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Similar studies were done in asymptomatic pigeon breeders, patients with sarcoidosis, and nonsmoking controls. Increased numbers of lavage T cells were found in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and sarcoidosis and in asymptomatic pigeon breeders. The predominant T-cell subset in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and in asymptomatic pigeon breeders was T8 +; in contrast, the predominant subset in those with sarcoidosis was T4 +. Peripheral blood T-cell subsets were normal in all groups. Thus, most lung T lymphocytes in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis belong to the T8 + subset; the local cellular immune response in hypersensitivity pneumonitis and sarcoidosis are different; and the pattern of alveolitis, as determined by bronchoalveolar lavage, is not the sole determinant of lung impairment after exposure to hypersensitivity pneumonitis antigens.
Detection of the intragastric sites at which Helicobacter pylori evades treatment with amoxycillin and cimetidine.
Authors: J C Atherton, A Cockayne, M Balsitis, G E Kirk, C J Hawkey, R C Spiller
Journal: Gut (1995)

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection with amoxycillin is known to reduce the bacterial load to undetectable levels, while not eradicating the infection. It seems, therefore, that bacteria escape treatment at a 'sanctuary site'. This study examined whether such a site existed in the gastric antrum, body, or fundus. Twenty two patients with H pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease were treated for one week with amoxycillin (500 mg three times a day) and cimetidine (800 mg at night). Before treatment, H pylori was detected throughout all stomachs, and 13C-urea breath testing at least 28 days after treatment confirmed that eradication of H pylori had occurred in no patients. While under treatment, H pylori was sought by conventional methods and by polymerase chain reaction assay and was found in the gastric fundus in 13 of 22 subjects, in the body in 10 of 22, and the antrum in three of 22: the difference between fundus and antrum was significant (p < 0.01). The continued antral infection in three subjects may have resulted from generalised treatment failure as two of three had H pylori detected throughout the stomach, and these two had compiled relatively poorly with treatment. This study suggests that amoxycillin and cimetidine are relatively effective at clearing H pylori from the gastric antrum, but that escape from treatment may occur in the gastric body, and especially the fundus.
Recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse
Authors: H. G Pope Jr
Journal: BMJ (1998)

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has just issued a set of recommendations for good practice in treating patients with “recovered memories” of childhood sexual abuse.1 The college advises strongly against persuasive or suggestive psychotherapeutic techniques designed to unearth sexual abuse of which the patient has no memory and encourages psychiatrists to voice any doubts which they may have about the historical accuracy of patients' recovered memories. These recommendations will figure strongly in the widely publicised current debate on “recovered memory therapy” and the possibility that such therapy may encourage so-called false memories.

When false memories occur patients may become convinced that they were victims of long repressed childhood sexual abuse, often at the hands of their parents or other trusted figures. These memories may become a raison d'etre for certain patients, diverting them from any other therapies, alienating them from their families, and often producing devastating aftershocks in the courtroom. In a recent American case, for example, a young woman in psychotherapy recovered the memory that …
Progression of liver fibrosis in women infected with hepatitis C: Long-term benefit of estrogen exposure
Authors: Vincent Di Martino, Pascal Lebray, Robert P. Myers, Emmanuelle Pannier, Valérie Paradis, Frédéric Charlotte, Joseph Moussalli, Dominique Thabut, Catherine Buffet, Thierry Poynard
Journal: Hepatology (2004)

Female sex is a protective factor for the progression of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Experimental data suggest that estrogens may have an antifibrotic effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of past pregnancies, oral contraceptives, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on liver fibrosis progression in HCV-infected women. Four hundred seventy-two HCV-infected women received a survey regarding prior pregnancies, menopause, and the use of oral contraceptives and HRT. The impact of these variables on liver fibrosis and its progression were evaluated using multivariate analyses considering all putative confounding factors. Two hundred one women completed the survey (43% response rate), 157 of whom had an estimated date of HCV infection (96 postmenopausal women, 96 women with previous pregnancies, and 105 women with past use of oral contraceptives). Through multivariate analyses, the estimated rate of fibrosis progression was higher in postmenopausal (P < .05) and nulliparous (P = .02) women and was associated with greater histological activity (P < .001). Prior use of oral contraceptives had no significant influence. Among postmenopausal women, the estimated rate of fibrosis progression (+/-SE) was lower in women who received HRT compared with untreated patients (0.099 +/- 0.016 vs. 0.133 +/- 0.006 METAVIR units/yr; P = .02) and was similar to that of premenopausal women (0.093 +/- 0.012 METAVIR units/yr; P value not significant). In conclusion, menopause appears to be associated with accelerated liver fibrosis progression in HCV-infected women, an effect that may be prevented by HRT. Pregnancies may have a beneficial impact on the long-term progression of liver fibrosis.