tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Obesity, genetic risk, and environment
Authors: A. I. F. Blakemore, J. L. Buxton
Journal: BMJ (2014)

Genetic makeup can inflate effects of bad diet

The alarming global rise in prevalence of obesity is caused by unhealthy obesogenic environments. In westernised societies we are all exposed to calorie dense food, sedentary lives, stress, and sleep deficit. Some people seem relatively insensitive to these environmental pressures, while others are severely affected and become obese.

In a linked paper, Qi and colleagues (doi:10.1136/bmj.g1610) examined the interaction between common genetic variants associated with body mass index (BMI) and frequency of fried food consumption in over 37 000 people.1 The large study size was necessary to obtain adequate statistical power because the individual effects of these variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) on BMI are relatively subtle.2 The authors combined the weighted individual effects of 32 SNPs into a single “genetic risk score” for each participant.

As expected, participants who ate fried food more often tended to have higher BMI, and, independently, those with the highest genetic risk score also had higher BMI. The novel finding in this study is the observed interaction between genetic risk and fried food consumption: people in the highest risk groups for both had the …
Electrophysiologic effects of disopyramide in patients with atrioventricular nodal dysfunction.
Authors: P R Wilkinson, J Desai, J Hollister, R Gonzalez, J A Abbott, M M Scheinman
Journal: Circulation (1982)

Seventeen patients with first-degree or Mobitz I atrioventricular (AV) block and narrow QRS complexes underwent electrophysiologic drug testing before and after i.v. administration of disopyramide. Disopyramide did not significantly change the mean sinus cycle length (895 +/- 131 vs 877 +/- 119 msec), mean maximal sinus node recovery time (1134 +/- 160 vs 1133 +/- 13 msec), mean atrial effective refractory period (314 +/- 72 vs 307 +/- 54 msec), mean AV nodal conduction time (187 +/- 79 vs 180 +/- 73 msec) or the mean paced cycle length at which AV nodal Wenckebach conduction occurred (545 +/- 144 vs 497 +/- 130 msec) after disopyramide. The mean AV nodal effective refractory period decreased significantly (from 535 +/- 137 to 521 +/- 122 msec), and both infranodal conduction time and the paced ventricular cycle length producing ventriculoatrial block increased significantly (from 56 +/- 12 to 63 +/- 13 msec and from 625 +/- 158 to 655 +/- 157 msec, respectively). We conclude that i.v. disopyramide administered in a dose resulting in therapeutic blood levels showed no adverse effects on AV nodal conduction in patients with AV nodal dysfunction. In contrast, i.v. disopyramide depressed retrograde AV conduction.
Prediction of fibrosis progression in chronic viral hepatitis
Authors: Grace Lai-Hung Wong
Journal: Clinical and Molecular Hepatology (2014)

Prediction of liver fibrosis progression has a key role in the management of chronic viral hepatitis, as it will be translated into the future risk of cirrhosis and its various complications including hepatocellular carcinoma. Both hepatitis B and C viruses mainly lead to fibrogenesis induced by chronic inflammation and a continuous wound healing response. At the same time direct and indirect profibrogenic responses are also elicited by the viral infection. There are a handful of well-established risk factors for fibrosis progression including older age, male gender, alcohol use, high viral load and co-infection with other viruses. Metabolic syndrome is an evolving risk factor of fibrosis progression. The new notion of regression of advanced fibrosis or even cirrhosis is now strongly supported various clinical studies. Even liver biopsy retains its important role in the assessment of fibrosis progression, various non-invasive assessments have been adopted widely because of their non-invasiveness, which facilitates serial applications in large cohorts of subjects. Transient elastography is one of the most validated tools which has both diagnostic and prognostic role. As there is no single perfect test for liver fibrosis assessment, algorithms combining the most validated noninvasive methods should be considered as initial screening tools.
Extrapolation from occupational studies: a substitute for environmental epidemiology.
Authors: P E Enterline
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1981)

Extrapolation from occupational data to general environmental exposures gives some interesting results, and these results might be useful in our decision-making process. These results could never be observed by environmental epidemiology and this method probably represents the only way of quantifying the health effects of low-exposure levels. Three linear models for extrapolating to low levels are presented--one from Canadian data, one from American data and one from British data. One or more of these is applied to two recently publicized asbestos exposures; exposures resulting from asbestos heat shields in hair dryers and exposures in public school buildings. Predictions are derived as to the effects of asbestos exposures on cancer mortality. A comparison is made between predictions made on the basis of a linear and nonlinear model.
841-5 Attenuation of human atherosclerotic plaque inflammation by PPAR-γ agonist and NF-κB inhibitor
Authors: Tomasz Mazurek, LiFeng Zhang, Andrew Zalewski, Mark Kahn, Anthony Carabasi, Paul J Dimusio, Rhoda Leichter, Ping Zhang, Anthony G Johnson, Yi Shi
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2004)
No evidence of linkage between the very—low-density lipoprotein receptor gene and fasting serum insulin or homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study
Authors: Yuling Hong, Mark F. Leppert, Jennifer Lin, Steven C. Hunt, Stephen S. Rich, Donna K. Arnett, Richard H. Myers, John Eckfeldt, Roger R. Williams, Michael A. Province
Journal: Metabolism (2000)
PROPAGATION OF RABIES VIRUS IN TISSUE CULTURE
Authors: Leslie T. Webster, Anna D. Clow
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1937)

Rabies virus has been propagated in serum-Tyrode solution containing either embryo mouse brain or embryo chick brain. The culture virus reached a titre of 3 x 10(-5) cc. after 4 days' incubation at 37 degrees C., and survived at least 2 months at 5 degrees C. in the liquid or dry state.
Does Concomitant Methotrexate During Rituximab Treatment in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's) Increase the Risk of Severe Infection? Comment on the Article by Azar et al
Authors: Emilio Besada, Andreas P. Diamantopoulos
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2015)

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Besada, E. and Diamantopoulos, A. P. (2015), Does Concomitant Methotrexate During Rituximab Treatment in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's) Increase the Risk of Severe Infection? Comment on the Article by Azar et al. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 67: 1981–1982., which has been published in final form at  http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/art.39144 . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Effect of JTT-501 on net hepatic glucose balance and peripheral glucose uptake in alloxan-induced diabetic dogs
Authors: Masataka Niwa, Shirya Rashid, Kathy Shum, Julian M.R. Mathoo, Owen Chan, Vaja Tchipashvili, Ryuzo Kawamori, Mladen Vranic, Adria Giacca
Journal: Metabolism (2000)
Youth and Parent Knowledge and Communication About Major Complications of Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Tim Wysocki, Amanda Lochrie, Holly Antal, Lisa M. Buckloh
Journal: Diabetes Care (2011)

Previously, we studied clinicians' and parents' perspectives about what, when, and how youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and parents should be taught about major complications (MC) of T1D. Results showed that this topic creates considerable anxiety among youth and parents, that there is a perceived need to tailor these experiences to each patient's circumstances, and that there is considerable variability in opinions about appropriate MC education. Prior studies did not measure youths' or parents' actual knowledge of complications, how they cope with that knowledge, or how these variables relate to T1D outcomes. The current study addresses these gaps.This article reports a cross-sectional study of 151 8- to 18-year-old youths with T1D and their parents in which their knowledge of MC (nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease) was ascertained by structured interview. Family communication about MC was assessed using a questionnaire validated in this study. Regression analyses explored youth age, parent and youth MC knowledge, and positive family communication about MC as predictors of T1D outcomes (hemoglobin A(1c), treatment adherence, quality of life, and family conflict about T1D).Parental MC knowledge was not associated with any T1D outcome; greater youth MC knowledge predicted better treatment adherence. More frequent optimistic family communication about MC was associated with more favorable status on all outcomes.Optimistic family communication about MC, more so than MC knowledge, predicted favorable T1D outcomes. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations and to evaluate pertinent psychoeducational interventions.
Cytomegalovirus vaccine work progressing
Authors: Catherine Macek
Journal: JAMA (1982)

Recent reports, extending earlier findings of a possible cytomegalovirus (CMV)-Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) relationship, also are serving to refocus attention on continuing CMV vaccine studies. One report comes from a ten-month study of ten homosexual men in San Francisco, aged 22 to 48 years, who had the disseminated form of KS, preceded by CMV infections Cytomegalovirus was recovered from urine, saliva, semen, gastric secretions, or peripheral blood leukocytes of seven of these patients. Anti-CMV IgG antibodies (titers ranging from 128 to more than 4,096) were detected in nine patients (one died before serum was obtained), and anti-CMV IgM antibodies (titers ranging from about 8 to more than 128) in seven (<i>Lancet</i>1982;2:125-127). A decade earlier, herpeslike viral particles were reported in five of eight tissue culture lines from African KS (also the disseminated form) biopsy specimens (<i>J Nat Cancer Inst</i>1972;49:1509-1513). Later in that decade, serum antibody to CMV was detected
N-3 POLY-UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS FOR THE PREVENTION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION RECURRENCE AFTER ELECTRICAL CARDIOVERSION OF CHRONIC PERSISTENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION. A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, MULTICENTRE STUDY.
Authors: Leopoldo Bianconi, Leonardo Calò, Silvia Mennuni, Luca Santini, Paolo Morosetti, Paolo Azzolini, Giuseppe Barbato, Francesco Biscione, Paolo Romano, Massimo Santini
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Low-Level Arsenic Impairs Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic Beta Cells: Involvement of Cellular Adaptive Response to Oxidative Stress
Authors: Jingqi Fu, Courtney G. Woods, Einav Yehuda-Shnaidman, Qiang Zhang, Victoria Wong, Sheila Collins, Guifan Sun, Melvin E. Andersen, Jingbo Pi
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2010)

BackgroundChronic exposure of humans to inorganic arsenic, a potent environmental oxidative stressor, is associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). A key driver in the pathogenesis of T2D is impairment of pancreatic β-cell function, with the hallmark of β-cell function being glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from glucose metabolism serve as one of the metabolic signals for GSIS. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a central transcription factor regulating cellular adaptive response to oxidative stress.ObjectivesWe tested the hypothesis that activation of Nrf2 and induction of antioxidant enzymes in response to arsenic exposure impedes glucose-triggered ROS signaling and thus GSIS.Methods and resultsExposure of INS-1(832/13) cells to low levels of arsenite led to decreased GSIS in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Consistent with our hypothesis, a significantly enhanced Nrf2 activity, determined by its nuclear accumulation and induction of its target genes, was observed in arsenite-exposed cells. In keeping with the activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response, intracellular glutathione and intracellular hydrogen peroxide–scavenging activity was dose dependently increased by arsenite exposure. Although the basal cellular peroxide level was significantly enhanced, the net percentage increase in glucose-stimulated intracellular peroxide production was markedly inhibited in arsenite-exposed cells. In contrast, insulin synthesis and the consensus GSIS pathway, including glucose transport and metabolism, were not significantly reduced by arsenite exposure.ConclusionsOur studies suggest that low levels of arsenic provoke a cellular adaptive oxidative stress response that increases antioxidant levels, dampens ROS signaling involved in GSIS, and thus disturbs β-cell function.
Endothelial cell recovery, acute thrombogenicity, and monocyte adhesion and activation on fluorinated copolymer and phosphorylcholine polymer stent coatings
Authors: Shawn L. Chin-Quee, Steve H. Hsu, Kim L. Nguyen-Ehrenreich, Julie T. Tai, George M. Abraham, Stephen D. Pacetti, Yen F. Chan, Gaku Nakazawa, Frank D. Kolodgie, Renu Virmani, Nadine N. Ding, Leslie A. Coleman
Journal: Biomaterials (2009)
Detection of Circulating Heart-Reactive Antibody in Human Heart Transplants
Authors: Robert J. Ellis
Journal: JAMA (1970)

Immunofluorescent heart-reactive antibody was demonstrated in serum samples from three patients with cardiac transplants, one of whom is herewith presented in detail. The presence of this antibody correlated well with subsequent episodes of cardiac rejection. Increasing doses of immunosuppressive therapy had a direct effect on the disappearance of the circulating antibody from the serum samples of these patients. Up to the present, all signs and tests for cardiac rejection have relied upon the detection of the signs and effects of cardiac dysfunction, which of course means that significant damage has already occurred. Assay of heart-reactive antibody may be an early and sensitive indicator of cardiac rejection in patients with cardiac allografts.
Fatal Reaction to Dapsone During Treatment of Leprosy
Authors: HENRY M. FREY
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

A Burmese boy being treated with dapsone (diaminodiphenylsulfone [DDS]), 100 mg daily, for lepromatous leprosy had a fatal reaction to the drug 3 weeks after therapy was started. The clinical symptoms and progression of illness conform well to a "DDS syndrome" first described in the early 1950s. Although the syndrome clinically resembles infectious mononucleosis, neither Epstein-Barr virus nor cytomegalovirus was implicated as an etiologic agent in this case. The syndrome has been recognized during initiation of dapsone therapy for lepromatous leprosy and has led to the use of a prolonged induction period with initial dosages as low as 25 mg/week. However, because dapsone resistance has been recognized in some strains of Mycobacterium leprae, slow induction of therapy has been replaced with the schedule used for this patient. This report of a fatal reaction to dapsone emphasizes the need for caution when initiating therapy with the drug at full dosage.
Pulmonary hypertension associated with sarcoidosis: mechanisms, haemodynamics and prognosis
Authors: H Nunes, M Humbert, F Capron, M Brauner, O Sitbon, J-P Battesti, G Simonneau, D Valeyre
Journal: Thorax (2005)

<b>Background:</b> Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare complication of sarcoidosis, although it is not uncommon in advanced disease. <b>Methods:</b> A retrospective series of 22 sarcoidosis patients (16 men) of mean (SD) age 46 (13) years with PH was divided into two groups depending on the absence (stage 0: n = 2, stage II: n = 4, stage III: n = 1) or presence (n = 15) of radiographic pulmonary fibrosis at the time of PH diagnosis. <b>Results:</b> In both groups PH was moderate to severe and there was no response to acute vasodilator challenge. In non-fibrotic cases no other cause of PH was found, suggesting a specific sarcoidosis vasculopathy, although no histological specimens were available. In cases with fibrosis there was no correlation between haemodynamics and lung volumes or arterial oxygen tensions, suggesting other mechanisms for PH in addition to pulmonary destruction and hypoxaemia. These included extrinsic arterial compression by lymphadenopathies in three cases and histologically proven pulmonary veno-occlusive disease in the five patients who underwent lung transplantation. Ten patients received high doses of oral prednisone for PH (stage 0: n = 1, stage II: n = 4 and stage IV: n = 5); three patients without pulmonary fibrosis experienced a sustained haemodynamic response. Survival of the overall population was poor (59% at 5 years). Mortality was associated with NYHA functional class IV but not with haemodynamic parameters or with lung function. <b>Conclusion:</b> Two very different phenotypes of sarcoidosis combined with PH are observed depending on the presence or absence of pulmonary fibrosis. PH is a severe complication of sarcoidosis.
PTU-209 Is unsedated colonoscopy the way forward?
Authors: J Addley, M Mitchell, S Johnston, I Mainie
Journal: Gut (2012)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Colonoscopy is a very common procedure however, unsedated colonoscopy remains underused. The use of sedation increases adverse events, prolongs recovery, affects ability to recall information relating to procedure outcome, and can impact on the efficiency of an endoscopy unit. <h3>Methods</h3> A retrospective analysis was carried out on patients attending a large teaching hospital for outpatient colonoscopy from September 1st 2009 to December 31st 2010. A proforma was completed with details relating to demographics, seniority of endoscopist, presence of a trainee, reason for referral, sedation use, outcome of procedure, interventions required, subsequent complications and comfort scores. <h3>Results</h3> 244 patients had unsedated colonoscopies (68 female and 176 male) with a median age of 60.6 years. These were matched with 244 randomly selected colonoscopies during that time period. The completion rate was 96% in the unsedated group and 91% in the sedated group (p&lt;0.041). The mean comfort score in the unsedated colonoscopy group was 1.93 and 1.79 in the sedated group. Mean procedure time was 23.6 min (sedated) and 22 min (unsedated). There were no immediate complications in the unsedated group. Complications in the sedated group were seen in 5: Vasovagal episode (n=1), repiratory depression (n=2), bleeding post polypectomy (n=1). <h3>Conclusion</h3> An increasing number of unsedated colonoscopies are being performed successfully in our unit with high completion rates, shorter procedure time and similar comfort scores between sedated and unsedated groups. A heightened awareness of the availability of unsedated colonoscopy is required-and it should be offered to all suitable patients. <h3>Competing interests</h3> None declared. <h3>References</h3> 1. <b>Petrini JL</b>, Egan JV, Hahn WV. Unsedated colonoscopy: patient characteristics and satisfaction in a community-based endoscopy unit. <i>Gastrointest Endosc</i> 2009;<b>69</b>:567–72. 2. <b>Ko CW</b>, Riffle S, Michaels L, <i>et al.</i> Serious complications within 30 days of screening and surveillance colonoscopy are uncommon. <i>Clin Gastro Hepatol</i> 2010;<b>8</b>:166–73. 3. <b>Fisher DA</b>, Maple JT, Ben-Menachem T, <i>et al.</i> ASGE standards of practice committee complications of colonoscopy. <i>Gastrointest Endosc</i> 2011;<b>74</b>:745–52. 4. <b>British Society of Gastroenterology</b>. <i>Guidelines on Sedation and Safety During Endoscopic Procedures</i>. 2003. 5. <b>NCEPOD</b>. <i>Scoping our Practice—the 2004 Report of the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death</i>. 6. <b>Day L</b>, Kwon A, Inadomi J, <i>et al.</i> Adverse events in older patients undegoining colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. <i>Gastrointest Endosc</i> 2011;<b>74</b>:855–96. 7. <b>Leung FW</b>. Is there a place for sedationless colonoscopy? <i>J Interv Gastroenyterol</i> 2011;<b>1</b>:19–22.
THE CAUSE OF APPENDICITIS
Authors: B. Hughes
Journal: BMJ (1915)

WA 9,95J-MuDIcAL JOMHAL t of age, and increases gradually to 44.5 per cent. in cases beginning after 45. 2. The Duration of the Illntess before Trea-ment.-In cases cominig iilto hospital whlo hlave been ill under one year the deatlh-rate was 35 per cent.; between one and' two years, 75 per cent.The rate falls after the fourtl year, as after that length of tim-le tlle disease may bc regarded as clhronic and symptoms are always less acute.In addition to tllese points, early development of very acute symptom.s,such as diarrhoea and taclhyeardia, adds to the gravity of tlle prognosis.D.-COUPSE.Trea,btment consisted in rest in bed in all casecs.Various d1rugas were uised according to the most prorhinent sy-mptomiis ineacll case.Up to 1908 most patients were treated by the electric battery, and mnore recently by x rays.T1here was con- siderable temporary improvement, but possiblyF no mtiore than by otlhce miieans.It is too early to spealk of tlhe permanency of the improvement under x rays.liodagen, tlyroidectin, antitllyroid serumi, and anti.
Bleeding anorectal varices: successful treatment with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS).
Authors: A C Fantin, G Zala, B Risti, J F Debatin, W Schopke, C Meyenberger
Journal: Gut (1996)

A patient with severe recurrent rectal bleeding from anorectal varices due to portal hypertension because of hepatitis C virus related liver cirrhosis is presented. As illustrated by the report, it is essential to differentiate bleeding anorectal varices from bleeding haemorrhoids because treatment is different. In our patient, implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) led to an impressive regression of the anorectal varices, which could be demonstrated by sigmoidoscopy, endosonography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Recurrent rectal bleeding in a patient with portal hypertension should alert the physician to consider anorectal varices. Endoscopic ultra-sound and magnetic resonance imaging are new and non-invasive modalities for diagnosis and post-treatment control.
Eliminating Cervical Cancer
Authors: G. Ramage
Journal: BMJ (1964)

MEDIBSH 1659 intercostal muscles to provide either an adequate cough mechanism or augmented res- piratory excursion.(2) In cases of cord section between C.2 and C.6, upper trapezius fibres to operate voluntary finger flexion.In cases in which shoulder girdle and arm muscles have been spared but hand function is deficient, it is hoped that this defect may thus be remedied on a controlled voluntary basis.(3) Ultimately perhaps, by cross over from anterior deltoid fibres to hip flexors of oppo- site side, to provide a method of walking.-Iam, etc.,