tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Relationship of superoxide production to cytoplasmic free calcium in human monocytes.
Authors: S P Scully, G B Segel, M A Lichtman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1986)

Calcium has been proposed as an intracellular second messenger for activation of secretion, phagocytosis, and the oxidative burst of neutrophils. We have examined the role of calcium in human monocyte activation. Concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated monocytes displayed an increment in cytoplasmic ionized calcium at 31 +/- 6 s and the onset of superoxide production at 61 +/- 9 s. The increase in cytoplasmic calcium invariably preceded the onset of superoxide production. If the external calcium concentration was reduced to less than 28 nM by the addition of 10 mM EGTA, superoxide production was not diminished at 5 min; however, superoxide production decreased thereafter. The Con A-evoked increment in cytoplasmic ionized calcium was blunted upon the addition of EGTA and decreased further with time. Both the production of superoxide and the Con A-evoked increment in cytoplasmic ionized calcium displayed a 50% inhibition after 15 min of calcium depletion and were completely inhibited after 60 min. Total cell calcium fell from 0.7 to 0.5 fmol/cell, and the basal level of ionized calcium fell from 83 to 30 nM after 60 min. Histidine, a strong chelator of divalent cations other than calcium and magnesium, had no effect on monocyte superoxide production or on ionized calcium concentrations, indicating that EGTA inhibition was due to cell calcium depletion. In calcium-depleted cells, Con A did not evoke superoxide production until calcium was restored to the incubation medium. The restoration of calcium to Con A-treated, calcium-depleted monocytes permitted a rapid rise in the cytoplasmic ionized calcium, and the production of superoxide within 9 s. These data suggest that an increase in ionized cytoplasmic calcium is necessary for the activation of monocyte superoxide production by Con A. The rise in ionized calcium in response to Con A results, in part, from an internal redistribution of calcium, which is sufficient to permit superoxide generation.
Risk factors for infection with human immmunodeficiency virus among European expatriates in Africa.
Authors: L. Bonneux, P. Van der Stuyft, H. Taelman, P. Cornet, C. Goilav, G. van der Groen, P. Piot
Journal: BMJ (1988)

The pattern of cases of AIDS in Belgium suggests that Europeans infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquired the infection in Africa. The prevalence of infection was assessed in Belgian advisers and European expatriates and risk factors for infection defined in a case-control study of expatriate men. Fifteen (1.1%) of 1401 Belgian advisers working in Africa and 41 (0.9%) of 4564 European expatriates living in Africa, were positive for antibody to HIV in a voluntary screening programme in Belgium. Among subjects with antibody to HIV the ratio of men to women was 3:1. These subjects did not have a history of intravenous drug abuse or blood transfusion and only one was homosexual. In a case-control study of 33 expatriate men who had antibody to HIV and 119 controls the men with antibody reported significantly more female sexual partners, who were more commonly local; and significantly more sexual contact with prostitutes in Africa. They had a significantly higher prevalence of history of sexually transmitted disease and had received significantly more injections by unqualified staff in Africa during the previous five years. No specific sexual practices were associated with having antibody to HIV. After multivariate analysis sexual contact with local women (adjusted odds ratio 14.7; 95% confidence interval 2.81 to 76.9), sexual contact with prostitutes (adjusted odds ratio 10.8 (1.6 to 71.9), and injections by unqualified staff (adjusted odds ratio 13.5 (3.7 to 49.8) remained independent risk factors for infection. European expatriates in Africa were at increased risk from infection with HIV and were a means of introducing HIV into the heterosexual population in Europe. Transmission from women to men by vaginal intercourse seemed to be the most probable route of infection.
Myx dema, with Enlarged Thyroid, Treated by Subcutaneous Injections of Thyroid Extract: Recovery
Authors: J. G. G. Corkhill
Journal: BMJ (1893)

doubt as to the safety and efficiency of Barnes's bags.' Barnes's bag properly chosen and adapted was not liable to sliP into the uterus or out into the vagina.Champetier de Ribes said he produced a twin pregnancy, one of the twins OS 1N1.OS EXT.
HIGH FREQUENCY CURRENTS IN PERFORMING BIOPSIES
Authors: JACQUES P. GUEQUIERRE
Journal: JAMA (1934)

Templeton<sup>1</sup>and others<sup>2</sup>have already indicated the value of high frequency currents in the treatment of various dermatoses requiring excision, and others have indicated the value of the so-called radio knife in such major procedures as amputation of the breast. The present communication, however, has nothing to do with such phases of the field. It is true that Templeton spoke of the usefulness of this modality in performing biopsies and exhibited several photographs. However, the attempt was not made in such presentations to distinguish between the value of the coagulating and cutting currents. It is to this particular phase that the present communication is confined. It has been the experience of doubtless many pathologists to have specimens submitted for histologic examination which have been removed by the coagulating current and in which the severity of the coagulative processes has been sufficient to compromise or even destroy the value
Clinical Use of Peak Flow Meter
Authors: F. J. Flint, M. O. Khan
Journal: BMJ (1962)

final titres are calculated with reference to the J. C. F. control serum.For example.if slight variation in experimental condi- tions had caused the 3. C. F. titre of D, to be 1/80 instead of the normal 1/160, the patient's titre is calculated thus: Patieont titre x 160=corrected titre. Antl-staphylokinase Test MATERIALS(1) Plasminogen, prepared from human fraction III, containing, when aictivated, 36x 10' optical density units per mg.(2) Bovine fibrinogen (Armour) 1% W/V in 0.S5% NaCI in distilled water.These two are mixed in the proportion 0.82 ml.plasminogen+ 9.18 ml.bovine flbrinogen solution. (3)Thromhin (Maw) 100 units/mi.in 50% glycerol saline.(4) Staphylokinase-pre- pared as described by Davidson (1960).( 5) Streptokinase (" dornokinase ". ( 6) Serum-serially diluted in saline. METHODA preliminary staphylokinase assay must be performed to determine the dilution to be used in the antihody titration.Doubling dilutions of staphylokinase in saline in 0.1-mi.volumes are made from neat to 1/128 with one control tube containing saline only. 0.1 ml.saline, 0.1 ml.bovine-fibrinogen-plasminogen solution.and I drop thrombin are added to all tubes, which are well mixed and incubated at 37 C. for 30 minutes in the water- bath.The end-point is the last tube showing clot lysis.This dilution of staphylokinase is then made up for use in the antistaphylokinase test on patients' serum.A similar assay is made with streptokinase, the end-point being usually of the order of 0.06 Christiansen unit.Assay of Antd-satalylokinase and Anti-streptokinase.-A 1/10 dilution of patients' inactivated serum is made in saline.From this, doubling dilutions are made in saline from 1/10 to 1/320 in 0.1-mi.volumes.0.1 ml. of the optimum dilution staphylo- kinase is added to each tube.A control tube is set up containing saline and staphylokinase only.The tubes are mixed and left to stand at 37' C. in the waterbath for 30 minutes to allow antigen-andtbody combination.0.1 ml.bovine-fibrinogenplasminogen solution is then added to all tubes; the mixture is well shaken.then clotted by adding I drop of thrombin to all tubes.The tube are incubated at 37' C. in the waterbath until the control tubes 'ihow clot lysis, which should be in 30 minutes, as predeteimined by the preliminary tests without sera.The end- point of antibody is taiken to be in the last tube showing a solid clot, and has been recorded as this dilution of the patient's serum.
Enhanced cell survival of Hep3B cells by the hepatitis B x antigen effector, URG11, is associated with upregulation of β-catenin
Authors: Zhaorui Lian, Jie Liu, Li Li, Xianxing Li, Marcy Clayton, Meng-Chao Wu, Hong-Yang Wang, Patrick Arbuthnot, Michael Kew, Daiming Fan, Mark A. Feitelson
Journal: Hepatology (2006)

Intrahepatic expression of hepatitis B x antigen (HBxAg) is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), perhaps through trans -activation of selected cellular genes. When this was examined by PowerBlot analysis, upregulated levels of β-catenin and several known β-catenin effectors were observed in HBxAg-positive compared with HBxAg-negative HepG2 cells. When HBxAg was introduced into Hep3B cells, upregulated expression of wild-type β-catenin was observed. This was also observed in Hep3B cells overexpressing the HBxAg upregulated gene, URG11. Upregulated expression of URG11 and β-catenin correlated with HBxAg trans -activation function. Transient transfection assays with fragments of the β-catenin promoter showed that it was activated by both HBxAg and URG11 and inhibited by URG11-specific small inhibitory RNA. The latter also inhibited the growth of Hep3BX cells in a serum-free medium, which correlated with depressed levels of β-catenin. Activation of β-catenin effector genes was observed in cells stably expressing HBxAg or overexpressing URG11 compared with control cells transfected with the pTOPFLASH reporter plasmid. Extensive costaining between HBxAg, URG11, and β-catenin was observed in infected liver and HCC nodules, suggesting a close relationship in vivo . In conclusion , wild-type β-catenin is activated by HBxAg, in part, through the upregulated expression of the HBxAg effector URG11. URG11 stimulates the β-catenin promoter and hepatocellular growth and survival. These observations also suggest that URG11 may be a regulatory element in the β-catenin signaling pathway and may be a target for chemoprevention of HCC. (Hepatology 2006;43:415–424.)
Altered melusin expression in the hearts of aortic stenosis patients
Authors: Sebastian Brokat, Jenny Thomas, Lars R. Herda, Christoph Knosalla, Reinhard Pregla, Mara Brancaccio, Federica Accornero, Guido Tarone, Roland Hetzer, Vera Regitz‐Zagrosek
Journal: European Journal of Heart Failure (2007)
Claire Hazel Epstein
Authors: H. Parker
Journal: BMJ (2009)

The authors evaluate the ability of various mutual fund attributes to explain subsequent returns for bond mutual funds. The relationship between the risk variables and future fund returns changes dramatically from quarter to quarter in the study period, 1992–1999. The relationship between past performance and expenses and subsequent fund returns is more consistent. Bond fund investors who have no forecast of movements in rates or spreads should diversify across funds with different target maturities and credit quality. Within a category they should focus on funds with good past risk-adjusted performance and low expenses. Bond fund investors who have a forecast for rates and spreads should invest in low-cost funds with good track records in the bond fund categories expected to prosper during the forecast environment.
A service for the adult asthmatic.
Authors: B Davis, P M Gett, E S Jones
Journal: Thorax (1980)

A service for 300 adult asthmatics is described. Since the service was started in 1970 only one death has occurred and this patient failed to comply with treatment or advice. Two patients required intermittent positive pressure ventilation. The success of the service is founded on two facts. Firstly, the natural history of life-threatening asthma usually allowed time to change treatment at home or in a clinic and this prevented the development of the severe grades. Secondly, the great majority of asthmatics could be taught how to recognise worsening of their asthma and to communicate with a doctor who then changed the treatment. An essential feature of the service is that the patients had at all times easy access to a doctor with appropriate knowledge and attitudes.
Nurses make the grade
Authors: T. Delamothe
Journal: BMJ (1988)

employer in the country but also provides hotel accommoda- tion for a clientele not noted for its fitness.Engineering staff with the right knowledge and skills are in short supply within the NHS, a point which was emphasised during the inquiry into the Stafford outbreak.2The sheer number of hospital buildings (more than 2000 in England and Wales), each with its own water storage and heating systems, also raises questions on the adequacy of staffing levels.A DHSS code of practice to be issued later this year will make recommendations concerning the maintenance and operation of hot and cold water systems.In the interim NHS management and engineering staff should give the memorandum from the building service engineer careful consideration and follow the principles outlined-and so should the BBC and others responsible for public buildings.
Academic occupational health under threat.
Authors: A. Seaton, M. Harrington
Journal: BMJ (1989)

recruitment restricts the sample to members of peer groups and hence does not give a true picture of the range of workers (and presumably risks) involved in the sex industrv.This method may unintentionallv introduce bias into the results by increasing group awareness of the existence and aims of the study.We believe that a combination of recruitment tactics generates a more representative sample of the heterogeneous population of male prostitutes.
Charity for Chernobyl?
Authors: J. Fraser, R. Pullinger
Journal: BMJ (1996)

The media exposure about the children of Chernobyl generated a public outcry in Britain. Consciences were jarred, collecting tins were mobilised, and charities had a new cause to champion. At short notice in November 1995 we were approached by an ambulance authority to accompany its expedition to an orphanage in Belarus, 300 km from Chernobyl. The experience provided a valuable insight into humanitarian operations and may be helpful for other doctors who become involved in similar ventures.

The orphanage had been associated with a British children's charity for some years. Surveyors had expressed concern about the safety of many of the buildings and one of the children's dormitories was thought to be in danger of collapse.

The plan was to carry out emergency repairs to stabilise the building during the winter and to return the following year to rebuild as necessary. Three other organisations were involved—a major Scottish power company, a four wheel drive organisation, and a regional ambulance authority. Each had been inundated with donations and proudly displayed the logos of their sponsors on their vehicles. A convoy of eight Landrovers and one ambulance set out on the three day journey to Minsk, planning to spend one week at …
Severity of liver disease in liver transplantation recipients with hepatitis C virus infection: Relationship to genotype and level of viremia
Authors: S Zhou, N A Terrault, L Ferrell, J A Hahn, J Y Lau, P Simmonds, J P Roberts, J R Lake, N L Ascher, T L Wright
Journal: Hepatology (1996)

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b has been reported to be associated with more severe posttransplantation liver disease than infection with non-1b genotypes. To address this issue, we evaluated the outcome in 124 patients who underwent liver transplantation for chronic HCV infection. The HCV genotype and/or serotype responsible for infection was determined by four different methods. HCV RNA was detected in serum samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and quantified by branched DNA assay. Disease severity was expressed as a histological score (which included grading of portal inflammation, lobular activity, fibrosis, and cytopathic changes). Median duration of histological follow-up was 25 months (range 1-75 months). Genotype was assignable in 112 (92.5%) patients. Genotypes responsible for infection were as follows: 1a = 32.2%, 1b = 27.3%, 2a = 7.4%, 2b = 8.3%, 3a = 14%, and mixed infection (more than one subtype) = 3.3%. Level of viremia, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, and total histological score were not significantly different in patients infected with type 1b compared with patients infected with other genotypes. While duration of histological follow-up was greater in patients infected with type lb versus other types (P = .02), by univariate and multivariate analysis neither HCV genotype (lb versus others), level of viremia nor duration of histological follow-up were associated with disease severity. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the actuarial graft survival in patients infected with type lb compared with that of patients infected with non-lb types (82% and 87% at 3 years, respectively). Reanalysis using HCV genotype 1 showed no association with disease severity, graft survival, and patient survival. We conclude that HCV genotype 1 and subtype 1b are not associated with disease severity or graft survival in liver transplantation recipients.
Congenital Mercury Poisoning
Authors: Russell D. Snyder
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1971)

NEUROLOGIC damage occurs in adults and children after poisoning with mercury compounds.1 2 3 4 5 6 Mercury poisoning in utero due to maternal exposure has rarely been reported.7 8 9 After birth cerebral palsy and mental retardation developed in infants with congenital mercury poisoning. Widespread evidence of environmental pollution with mercury has led to increased concern over the possibility of congenital mercury poisoning.The case of congenital mercury poisoning reported here occurred in a family with several cases of acquired mercury poisoning secondary to the misuse of mercury-treated seed grain.Case ReportIn August, 1969, a group of hogs in Alamogordo, New Mexico, were inadvertently fed . . .
992-115 Variability of the First Postpacing Interval. A New Algorithm for the Differential Diagnosis of Tachyarrhythmias in Patients with Implantable Defibrillators
Authors: Angel Arenal, Jesús Almendral, Julian Villacastin, Juan L. Delcan, Jesús Ma Alday, Agustin Pastor, Olga Medina, Rafael Peinado
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1995)
THE ADDED VALUE OF REAL-TIME THREE DIMENSIONAL TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN CATHETER-BASED, PERCUTANEOUS LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE OBLITERATION BY THE WATCHMAN DEVICE.
Authors: Adam H. Skolnick, Simon Biner, Gila Perk, Robert J. Siegel, Roberto Lang, Lissa Sugeng, Bradley Knight, Larry Chinitz, Itzhak Kronzon
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Natural history and prognostic factors in 305 Swedish patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Authors: U Broome, R Olsson, L Loof, G Bodemar, R Hultcrantz, A Danielsson, H Prytz, H Sandberg-Gertzen, S Wallerstedt, G Lindberg
Journal: Gut (1996)

BACKGROUND/AIMS--The course of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is highly variable and unpredictable. This study describes the natural history and outcome of PSC. These data were used to construct a prognostic model for patients with PSC. METHODS--A total of 305 Swedish patients with PSC were studied. The median follow up time was 63 (1-194) months and all patients could be traced for follow up. Some 79 patients died or had a liver transplant. The prognostic significance of clinical, biochemical, and histological findings at the time of diagnosis were evaluated using multivariate analysis. RESULTS--The estimated median survival from time of diagnosis to death or liver transplantation was 12 years. Cholangiocarcinoma was found in 24 (8%) of the patients and 134 (44%) of the patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. The estimated survival rate was significantly higher in the asymptomatic group (p &lt; 0.001). However, 29 (22%) of the asymptomatic patients became symptomatic during the study period. It was found that age, serum bilirubin concentration, and histological stage at the time of diagnosis were independent predictors of a bad prognosis. These variables were used to construct a prognostic model. CONCLUSIONS--This prognostic model developed from a large homogeneous population of PSC patients should be of value for the timing of transplantation and patient counselling in PSC.
beta 2-Microglobulin modified with advanced glycation end products is a major component of hemodialysis-associated amyloidosis.
Authors: T Miyata, O Oda, R Inagi, Y Iida, N Araki, N Yamada, S Horiuchi, N Taniguchi, K Maeda, T Kinoshita
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1993)

beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2M) is a major constituent of amyloid fibrils in hemodialysis-associated amyloidosis, a complication of long-term hemodialysis patients. Amyloid fibril proteins were isolated from connective tissues forming carpal tunnels in hemodialysis patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting demonstrated that most of the beta 2M forming amyloid fibrils exhibited a more acidic pI value than normal beta 2M. This acidic beta 2M was also found in a small fraction of beta 2M in sera and urine from these patients, whereas heterogeneity was not observed in healthy individuals. We purified acidic and normal beta 2M from the urine of long-term hemodialysis patients and compared their physicochemical and immunochemical properties. Acidic beta 2M, but not normal beta 2M, was brown in color and fluoresced, both of which are characteristics of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) of the Maillard reaction. Immunochemical studies showed that acidic beta 2M reacted with anti-AGE antibody and also with an antibody against an Amadori product, an early product of the Maillard reaction, but normal beta 2M did not react with either antibody. Incubating normal beta 2M with glucose in vitro resulted in a shift to a more acidic pI, generation of fluorescence, and immunoreactivity to the anti-AGE antibody. The beta 2M forming amyloid fibrils also reacted with anti-AGE antibody. These data provided evidence that AGE-modified beta 2M is a dominant constituent of the amyloid deposits in hemodialysis-associated amyloidosis.
The Signature Features of Influenza Pandemics — Implications for Policy
Authors: Mark A. Miller, Cecile Viboud, Marta Balinska, Lone Simonsen
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2009)

Archeo-epidemiologic research can clarify certain “signature features” of three previous influenza pandemics that should inform both national plans for pandemic preparedness and required international collaborations. Dr. Mark Miller and colleagues discuss characteristics that are frequently not considered in response plans.
The Cardiac Patient and General Surgery
Authors: Mark G. Perlroth
Journal: JAMA (1975)

ABSTRACT THE PHYSICIAN called on to see a cardiac patient scheduled for general surgery should know what factors affect prognosis and what procedures will yield optimal care.Risks General anesthesia depresses myocardial function and often predisposes to arrhythmias. Although arterial Po2 and Pco2 may be adequately maintained during anesthesia, they may become abnormal temporarily during intubation and after extubation. Reflex adjustments to volume loss, position, and fever are depressed by anesthetics and narcotics.The risk of surgery is also a function of the duration and type of surgery. Operations in the thorax (non-cardiac) and on the great arteries have higher morbidity than surgery in the lower part of the abdomen and pelvis does. Obviously, hemorrhagic, pulmonary, thromboembolic, renal, and septic complications further tax any preexisting cardiac disability.Hemodynamic studies show that the cardiac index of patients surviving surgery usually rises and is maintained at elevated levels for several days postoperatively.