tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Second Cancers after Hodgkin's Disease in Childhood
Authors: Sarah S. Donaldson, Steven L. Hancock
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1996)

The treatment of Hodgkin's disease is a model of successful therapy for childhood cancer, with cure rates of over 90 percent expected from chemotherapy regimens and low-dose radiation (15 to 25 Gy) to involved regions.1 The current therapy evolved to minimize previously recognized late effects of treatment, such as growth retardation and secondary malignant tumors. In this issue of the Journal, Bhatia et al.,2 representing the Late Effects Study Group, report that second cancers developed 18 times more often in patients who received treatment for Hodgkin's disease before the age of 16 years than would be expected in the general . . .
Urinary Excretion of Porphyrin Precursors and Coproporphyrin in Healthy Females on Oral Contraceptives
Authors: P. Koskelo, A. Eisalo, I. Toivonen
Journal: BMJ (1966)

The complement system in vertebrates plays an important role in host defense against and clearance of invading microbes, in which complement component C3 plays an essential role in the opsonization of pathogens, whereas the molecular mechanism underlying C3 activation in invertebrates remains unknown. In an effort to understand the molecular activation mechanism of invertebrate C3, we isolated and characterized an ortholog of C3 (designated TtC3) from the horseshoe crab <i>Tachypleus tridentatus</i>. Flow cytometric analysis using an Ab against TtC3 revealed that the horseshoe crab complement system opsonizes both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Evaluation of the ability of various pathogen-associated molecular patterns to promote the proteolytic conversion of TtC3 to TtC3b in hemocyanin-depleted plasma indicated that LPS, but not zymosan, peptidoglycan, or laminarin, strongly induces this conversion, highlighting the selective response of the complement system to LPS stimulation. Although originally characterized as an LPS-sensitive initiator of hemolymph coagulation stored within hemocytes, we identified factor C in hemolymph plasma. An anti-factor C Ab inhibited various LPS-induced phenomena, including plasma amidase activity, the proteolytic activation of TtC3, and the deposition of TtC3b on the surface of Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, activated factor C present on the surface of Gram-negative bacteria directly catalyzed the proteolytic conversion of the purified TtC3, thereby promoting TtC3b deposition. We conclude that factor C acts as an LPS-responsive C3 convertase on the surface of invading Gram-negative bacteria in the initial phase of horseshoe crab complement activation.
"CONSERVATION OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES"
Authors: Maury Maverick
Journal: JAMA (1942)

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> I have just read with a great deal of interest the article in the August 1 issue entitled "Conservation of Medical Supplies." I want to tell you how timely I think this article is and to express the hope that you will publish more of them. I am here on leave of absence from my job as administrator of the Albany Hospital to act as head hospital consultant to the War Production Board. I am quite sure that most of our hospitals are not yet aware of the seriousness of the war situation and the necessity of doing more than we have ever thought possible to conserve critical materials for our armed forces. Hospitals and their staff physicians must exercise all the native ingenuity which they possess to learn how to do things without many of the semiluxuries which they have thought to be necessary in the
SOME PRACTICAL SURGICAL PATHOLOGIC OBSERVATIONS AND DEDUCTIONS
Authors: Albert C. Broders
Journal: JAMA (1923)

In the practice of surgical pathology, many points of interest are accumulated that cannot be obtained from textbooks. The pathologist, in his application of his self-gained knowledge, may feel that it has been acquired intuitively, while in reality it is the result of long experience. Certain of the following observations are common knowledge; others I believe to be original.  Exophthalmic goiter is almost never associated with primary malignant neoplasia of the thyroid gland.  Calcareous deposits, except in small amounts, are almost never associated with primary malignant neoplasia of the thyroid gland.  Carcinoma of the thyroid is usually smooth and glistening and of a pale pinkish tint. However, not all pale pinkish thyroid tumors are carcinomas.  Calcareous deposits, except in small amount, are almost never intimately associated with malignant neoplasia in any part of the body, because the calcareous material follows a degenerative process, and the malignant neoplasia represents an atypical
Effect of Penicillinase on Circulating Penicillin
Authors: Robert M. Becker, Jack Bogle
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1956)

WITH the long-acting depot penicillins in general use today, prolonged blood levels also prolong the sensitivity reactions when they occur. The use of ACTH and cortisone as anti-inflammatory agents to overcome the reaction is helpful, but the penicillin is still circulating in the blood stream.Penicillinase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes and inactivates penicillin, is formed by various bacteria (staphylococci, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus) and has previously only been used in bacteriologic mediums in vitro to inhibit penicillin in body fluids to be cultured. Its use in the treatment of penicillin reactions has not previously been suggested, studied or . . .
Sexual Behavior, Smoking, and HIV-1 Infection in Haitian Women
Authors: Neal A. Halsey
Journal: JAMA (1992)

<h3>Objective.</h3> —To determine whether a previously observed association between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and smoking in Haitian women could be explained by confounding high-risk behaviors. <h3>Design and Setting.</h3> —A nested case-control study at a primary care health clinic in Cité Soleil, Haiti. <h3>Participants.</h3> —Women who reported having smoked (n=89) and randomly selected nonsmokers (n = 329) who had participated in a survey 1 to 12 months earlier evaluating risk factors for HIV-1 infection. <h3>Main Outcome Measures.</h3> —Lifetime sexual practices, smoking, health beliefs and practices, and other factors potentially confounding the relationship between smoking and HIV-1 infection. <h3>Results.</h3> —Compared with nonsmokers, smokers reported higher rates of high-risk behaviors, including more lifetime sex partners (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), being less likely to be married (<i>P</i>&lt;.01), and being more likely to have visited folk healers (<i>P</i>&lt;.01). No intravenous drug use was reported, and no significant differences were noted between smokers and nonsmokers in numbers of past surgical or dental procedures or injections. Adjustment for all factors associated with HIV-1 infection and smoking in regression analyses revealed an independent association between smoking and HIV-1 infection (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 7.5). Other factors associated with HIV-1 infection included having more than two lifetime sex partners (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.7 to 6.8) and lower socioeconomic status as reflected by a dirt floor in the home (OR, 8.6; 95% CI, 3.3 to 22.0). <h3>Conclusions.</h3> —Smoking is a marker for high-risk sexual behavior and is associated with an increased risk of HIV-1 infection in this population. The persistent association between smoking and HIV-1 infection after adjustment for all known risk factors suggests the possibility of a biologic effect of smoking that warrants further evaluation in other populations. (<i>JAMA</i>. 1992;267:2062-2066)
ApoCIII Gene Variants Modulate Postprandial Response to Both Glucose and Fat Tolerance Tests
Authors: Dawn M. Waterworth, Josep Ribalta, Viviane Nicaud, Jean Dallongeville, Steve E. Humphries, Philippa Talmud
Journal: Circulation (1999)

Background —We investigated the relationship between variation in the apolipoprotein (apo) AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster and response to an oral glucose test (OGTT) and oral fat load test (OFTT) in the EARSII group of young, healthy male offspring whose fathers had had a myocardial infarction before the age of 55 years (cases, n=407) compared with age-matched controls (n=415). The apoCIII variations examined were C3238G ( Sst I) in the 3′-UTR, C1100T in exon 3, C-482T in the insulin response element (IRE), and T-2854G in the apoCIII-AIV intergenic region. Methods and Results —The postprandial response was regulated by variation at the T-2854G and C3238G sites. After the OFTT, carriers of the rare alleles had delayed clearance of triglyceride (Tg) levels; G-2854 carriers showed the largest effect on Tg (AUC, 24% greater, P &lt;0.002; peak, 19% greater, P &lt;0.005), and G3238 carriers showed a smaller response (AUC, 13% greater, P &lt;0.05; peak, 13% greater, P =0.03). However, after adjustment for fasting level of Tg, only the effect with the T-2854G remained significant. Variation at the C-482T (IRE) determined response to the OGTT, with carriers of the rare T-482 having significantly elevated glucose (28.7% AUC, P =0.013) and insulin (20.5% AUC, P &lt;0.01) concentrations. Conclusions —These data suggest that specific genetic variants at the apoCIII gene locus differentially affect postprandial and response to OGTT and suggest a novel mechanism for the effects of variation at this locus on risk for atherosclerosis.
TRAUMATIC RUPTURE OF THE ABDOMINAL VISCERA WITHOUT EXTERNAL SIGNS OF INJURY.
Authors: DANIEL N. EISENDRATH
Journal: JAMA (1902)

My object in selecting the above subject for this year's meeting of the Association is to call the attention not only of surgeons, but also of the general practitioner to the necessity of making an early diagnosis and instituting prompt operative treatment in those serious injuries of the abdominal viscera in which there are practically no external signs of trauma. Various terms have been used for this condition, such as contusions of the abdomen, subparietal or subcutaneous injuries of the abdominal viscera or internal injuries. The term I have employed as the title of this paper seems to express the pathologic and clinical conditions better than any of the above. <h3>NEED OF BETTER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.</h3> It seems rather strange that so little interest, comparatively speaking, has been shown in the diagnosis and treatment of this class of injuries and so much in those in which there are external signs,
Lower cutoff values for dipsticks may improve their accuracy in rapid diagnosis of spontanous bacterial peritonitis
Authors: Antonio de Barros Lopes, Alexandre Araujo, Mario Reis Alvares-da Silva
Journal: Hepatology (2007)

We read with interest the article by Nousbaum et al.1 In this multicenter French study, the authors report their results with Multistix 8SG reagent strip for the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in more than 2000 paracentesis procedures, performed in more than 1000 patients. This is the largest group of patients ever studied for this technique. Their conclusions focus on the low sensitivity of the dipsticks for the diagnosis of SBP found in the current study (45.3%), making the dipsticks an inaccurate test. The sensitivity for asymptomatic patients was even worse (16.7%). However, the negative predictive value (NPV) and specificity were high, ranging between 98% and 100%. The results are really different from the findings of all other studies on the same issue that reported sensitivity greater than 64.7%, with NPV and specificity of barely 100% in 72 to 245 paracenteses per study.2-6 Vanbiervliet et al.2 published the first article in 2002, and reported sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% in 72 paracenteses. The reagent strip used was the Multistix 8SG; tests were considered positive when leukocyte stearase became 1, 2, or 3+. Zero or trace detections were considered negative for diagnosis of SBP. The studies by Butani et al.3 and Sapey et al.4 used Multistix 10SG with the same criteria for positives and negatives and reached sensitivity of 83%-100%, specificity of 92.5%-100%, PPV of 75%-100%, and NPV of 96%-100%. Sapey et al.5 published another analysis of dipstick testing using Multistix 10SG and Nephur-Test with sensitivity of 64.7% and 88.2%, specificity of 99.6% and 99.6%, PPV of 91.7% and 93.8%, and NPV of 97.4% and 99.1%, respectively. The differences between previous studies and the current study may arise from the interpretation of the dipsticks. The study by Nousbaum et al.1 considered the dipsticks positive when they became 2 and 3+, and negative when they indicated 0, trace, and 1+. These cutoffs were based on the manufacturer description for tests of urine. Thevenot et al.6 used the same criteria and had good results. However, the other papers on the rapid diagnosis of SBP used cutoffs for positive with results of 1 to 3+, and negative for 0 and trace.2-5 The study by Butani et al.3 used the receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the best cutoff for diagnosis. SBP is a highly lethal disease, and its diagnosis has to be made with highly sensitive devices. We believe that in order to increase sensitivity of the dipstick test, the results of Nousbaum et al.1 should be better evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve to establish the best sensitivity with the least loss of specificity and NPV. Antonio de Barros Lopes*, Alexandre Araujo*, Mario Reis Alvares-da Silva*, * Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Activation Transcription Factor-4 Induced by Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Regulates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Transcription in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Mediates Intimal Thickening in Rat Arteries Following Balloon Injury
Authors: Kristine P. Malabanan, Peter Kanellakis, Alexander Bobik, Levon M. Khachigian
Journal: Circulation Research (2008)

Activation transcription factor (ATF)-4 is a member of the ATF/CREB family of basic leucine zipper transcription factors that regulates cellular responses to a variety of stresses. The role of ATF-4 in smooth muscle cells of the vessel wall is completely unknown. Here, we show that ATF-4 expression is induced in smooth muscle cells in response to injury, both in vitro using a model of mechanical injury and in the media of balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. We demonstrate that ATF-4 is activated by fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, an injury-induced mitogen, through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway. Injury also activates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, whose expression is stimulated by ATF-4 overexpression and exposure to FGF-2. FGF-2 induces ATF-4 binding to a recognition element located in the VEGF-A gene at +1767 bp and luciferase reporter gene expression dependent on this site. Moreover, ATF-4 knockdown with small interfering RNA or ATF-4 deficiency ameliorates FGF-2–inducible VEGF-A expression. Intraluminal delivery of ATF-4 small interfering RNA in rat carotid arteries blocks balloon injury–inducible ATF-4 and VEGF-A expression after 4 hours and intimal thickening after 14 days. These findings reveal, for the first time, the induction of ATF-4 by both vascular injury and FGF-2. ATF-4 serves as a conduit for the inducible expression of 1 growth factor by another during the process of intimal thickening.
A randomised controlled trial of total immunosuppression withdrawal in stable liver transplant recipients
Authors: N Assy, P C Adams, P Myers, V Simon, C N Ghent
Journal: Gut (2007)

Total withdrawal of immunosuppression (TIW) without causing rejection has been reported in some stable liver recipients.1–3 Patient characteristics which predict this clinical tolerance have not been determined. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been reported to reduce the risk of early graft rejection following hepatic and cardiac transplantation.4 We conducted a double blind controlled trial of UDCA therapy followed by TIW in 26 liver recipients to (a) determine if UDCA would facilitate TIW, (b) assess the safety of attempting TIW and (c) determine predictors of success of TIW.

Records were reviewed and all patients who had been free of rejection for a minimum of 2 years, and on single or double drug immunosuppression, with transaminase levels <1.5 times the upper limit of normal, were invited to participate. Twenty six (13 male) patients gave informed consent and entered the study. Baseline …
Unusual Familial Occurrence of Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Francis F. Foldes
Journal: JAMA (1960)

Although myasthenia gravis can occasionally be present in siblings, and transient neonatal myasthenia sometimes occurs in infants born to myasthenic mothers, it has not been considered a hereditary disease.<sup>1</sup>Osserman,<sup>1</sup>in his comprehensive monograph, reported only one instance in which a mother and her child both had myasthenia gravis, and Rothbart<sup>2</sup>reported the probable occurrence of myasthenia gravis in four brothers. None of these boys, however, received any anticholinesterase medication, and only two were subjected to investigation. One of these had purely ocular, and the other primarily ocular, myasthenia gravis. The third brother, who had signs and symptoms, died in infancy, and the fourth merely had attacks of ptosis during acute illnesses. Walsh and Hoyt<sup>3</sup>recently reported four male siblings who had symptoms of primarily ocular myasthenia gravis from birth or early childhood. Two female siblings and the parents were normal. All four brothers had neck,
Methadone Deaths Rise
Authors: Bridget M. Kuehn
Journal: JAMA (2007)

Methadone-related poisoning deaths are increasing far faster than deaths from other types of poisoning. The annual number of deaths related to methadone poisoning rose 390% between 1999 and 2004, from 786 to 3849. During the same period, the number of all poisoning deaths rose 54% to 30 308.
Retinoid induction of alveolar regeneration: from mice to man?
Authors: M Hind, A Gilthorpe, S Stinchcombe, M Maden
Journal: Thorax (2009)

The use of retinoids to induce human lung regeneration is under investigation in a number of studies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Retinoic acid (RA) has complex pleiotropic functions during vertebrate patterning and development and can induce regeneration in a number of different organ systems. Studies of retinoid signalling during lung development might provide a molecular basis to explain pharmacological induction of alveolar regeneration in adult models of lung disease. In this review the role of endogenous RA signalling during alveologenesis is explored and data suggesting that a number of exogenous retinoids can induce regeneration in the adult lung are discussed. Current controversies in this area are highlighted and a hypothesis of lung regeneration is put forward. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of induction of regeneration will be central for effective translation into patients with lung disease and may reveal novel insights into the pathogenesis of alveolar disease and senescence.
Activation of CFTR-specific T Cells in Cystic Fibrosis Mice Following Gene Transfer
Authors: Maria P Limberis, Joanita Figueredo, Roberto Calcedo, James M Wilson
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2007)

Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease has emerged as a potentially successful therapy, because expression of the CF gene would be expected to restore the electrophysiological function of the airway epithelium to normalcy. Although, cellular and humoral immune responses to viral gene transfer vectors have been studied extensively, there has been no evaluation of T cell-mediated responses to the therapeutic human CF gene product. Using an adenovirus vector we demonstrated that T cells against human CF gene protein are elicited in CF gene knockout (KO), heterozygote (Het), and wild-type (wt) mice. A dominant CD8 T cell epitope found in CF gene KO, Het, and wt mice was mapped to NTYLRYITV. In CF gene KO mice we also identified (to a conserved region of the CF gene CSQFSWIMPGTIKEN), a minor T cell epitope that did not show any activity in the Het or wt mice. Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease has emerged as a potentially successful therapy, because expression of the CF gene would be expected to restore the electrophysiological function of the airway epithelium to normalcy. Although, cellular and humoral immune responses to viral gene transfer vectors have been studied extensively, there has been no evaluation of T cell-mediated responses to the therapeutic human CF gene product. Using an adenovirus vector we demonstrated that T cells against human CF gene protein are elicited in CF gene knockout (KO), heterozygote (Het), and wild-type (wt) mice. A dominant CD8 T cell epitope found in CF gene KO, Het, and wt mice was mapped to NTYLRYITV. In CF gene KO mice we also identified (to a conserved region of the CF gene CSQFSWIMPGTIKEN), a minor T cell epitope that did not show any activity in the Het or wt mice.
Sea Within: The Story of Our Body Fluid
Authors: J. F. Johnson
Journal: JAMA (1961)

Dr. Snively has tried to present our knowledge of fluid, electrolyte, and acid base balance in such a manner as to be coherent for the intelligent, inquisitive layman. He has accomplished his purpose well—to the point of making this small volume an acceptable review of the subject for anyone in or connected with the medical profession. Short sections concerned with respiration and some aspects of nutrition as they apply have been included. Many analogies and examples are used to connect the presentation with everyday knowledge. This is also true of the illustrations drawn especially for the book. There is a useful index. The book can be recommended as an informative story for the enjoyment of many.
Is Hypnotic Induction Really Necessary?
Authors: H.E. Stanton
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (1975)

Sixty university students, who participated in an experiment involving ego-enhancement through the use of positive suggestion, were randomly allocated to three groups. Group A experienced a hypnotic induction before hearing a series of ego-enhancing suggestions; group B simply closed their eyes and listened; and the control group had no exposure to suggestions. All subjects completed the Willoughby Questionnaire, the Assertiveness Scale, and two Social Interaction Scales before and after the experiment which involved four 20-min sessions covering a period of 2 weeks. Results indicated that subjects of the two experimental groups experienced significant gains, as operationalized by inventory scores. Differences between these groups were apparent only on the Social Interaction Scales where group A showed significantly greater improvement. Reasons for this are discussed and implications for hypnotherapy outlined.
Cancer and the Constitution — Choice at Life's End
Authors: George J. Annas
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2007)

The Abigail Alliance for Better Access to Developmental Drugs sued the FDA, objecting to its policy prohibiting the sale of unapproved drugs and arguing that terminally ill patients with cancer should have access to experimental treatments after phase 1 studies. The author discusses this case and explains why he thinks a ruling in favor of the Abigail Alliance is unlikely.
Re: Florian Jentzmik, Carsten Stephan, Kurt Miller, et al. Sarcosine in Urine after Digital Rectal Examination Fails as a Marker in Prostate Cancer Detection and Identification of Aggressive Tumours. Eur Urol 2010;58:12–8
Authors: Daniela Colleselli, Arnulf Stenzl, Christian Schwentner
Journal: European Urology (2010)