tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Gamma-glutamyltransferase and disability pension: A cohort study of construction workers in Germany
Authors: Heiner Claessen, Hermann Brenner, Christoph Drath, Volker Arndt
Journal: Hepatology (2009)

Given the accumulating evidence that gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) is not merely a sensitive marker for liver and bile disorders but also a risk marker for a multiplicity of other chronic diseases, gamma-GT may represent a promising risk indicator for occupational disability, which has emerged as an important public health problem. The association between gamma-GT and disability pension was examined in a cohort of 16,520 male construction workers in Württemberg, Germany, who participated in routine occupational health examinations from 1986 to 1992 and who were followed until 2005. Using the Cox proportional hazards model, hazard ratios were calculated with gamma-GT concentrations in the lowest quartile (1 to 24 U/L) as reference category after adjustment for age and further adjustment for potential confounding factors such as nationality, type of occupation, smoking, alcohol consumption, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI). Overall, a monotonically increasing association of gamma-GT with all-cause disability pension (total number: n = 2,998 cases) was observed, with the steepest increase at lower levels of gamma-GT. Particularly strong associations were observed for participants in the highest quartile (>67 U/L) and disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders, diseases of the digestive system, and cardiovascular as well as mental diseases (age-adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals: 1.53, 1.27-1.85; 9.68, 3.10-30.21; 1.76, 1.28-2.42; and 1.83, 1.23-2.72, respectively).gamma-GT is a strong risk indicator of all-cause occupational disability even at levels of gamma-GT in the "normal range" and is in particular associated with disability pension due to diseases of the digestive system, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular, and mental diseases.
A Genuine Department of Health versus Psychic Sanitary Measures; Which?
Authors: Liston H. Montgomery
Journal: JAMA (1898)

Chicago, Feb. 7, 1898.  To the Editor:  —I was curious to learn the purport and meaning of the Caffery Bill, pertaining to legislation for the hygienic welfare of the people of this county and, after reading the same as published in theJournal(February 5, pages 330-331), I can say that I am utterly opposed to this substitute bill.  To my mind this substitute bill is not what the medical profession nor the great majority of the people of this country desire. It has very little semblance looking toward the establishment of a genuine department of health as a separate branch of our government, and I will venture the prophecy that the views of 90 per cent, of the members of the medical profession throughout the United States are not in accord with this proposed substitute bill which has been suggested to take the place of the bill that has
Retinal ganglion cells survival in a glaucoma model by GDNF/Vit E PLGA microspheres prepared according to a novel microencapsulation procedure
Authors: Patricia Checa-Casalengua, Caihui Jiang, Irene Bravo-Osuna, Budd A. Tucker, Irene T. Molina-Martínez, Michael J. Young, Rocío Herrero-Vanrell
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release (2011)
Infections of Scribner and Brescia Arteriovenous Shunts
Authors: A. J. Ralston, G. R. Harlow, D. M. Jones, P. Davis
Journal: BMJ (1971)

The incidence of infections of Scribner shunts and Brescia fistulae in patients receiving intermittent haemodialysis was compared. In both groups infection was most commonly due to <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and was associated especially with carriage of this organism on the skin of the limb where the shunt or fistula was sited. The incidence of local infection was much less with the Brescia fistula but this was accompanied by a relatively higher incidence of septicaemia.
Localization of Myocardial Amyloid Deposits in Cardiac Amyloidosis by Tc-99m Pyrophosphate Myocardial SPECT: Implication for Medical Treatment
Authors: Danielle Casset-Senon, V??ronique Secchi, Philippe Arbeille, Pierre Cosnay
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2005)

A 69-year-old man with a recent history of aortic valve replacement was hospitalized for paradoxical increasing dyspnea and congestive heart failure. However, echocardiography showed no dysfunction of the prosthetic aortic valve. Planar radionuclide imaging demonstrated intense uptake of Tc-99m pyrophosphate within the myocardium. SPECT revealed biventricular abnormal uptake, mild in the right ventricular free wall and intense in the left ventricular septum and apex, suggesting amyloid deposits. Right heart catheterization found a “dip and plateau” diastolic pressure configuration and histology confirmed amyloidosis on myocardial biopsy. Diagnosis of amyloidosis had not been made by other noninvasive methods: ECG without low QRS voltage, echocardiography showing increased chamber size and concentric hypertrophy, but no infiltrating process in the ventricular walls.
Other Problems With Phase III Best Supportive Care Studies
Authors: David Garfield
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

TO THE EDITOR: In addition to the problems with such studies as discussed by Zafar et al, another surprisingly unaddressed issue is the frequency of patient visits by health care professionals. In the panitumumab versus best supportive care (BSC) studies, patients who received the drug were presumably seen by health care professionals every 2 weeks at the time of drug delivery, whereas those receiving only BSC were assessed, perhaps only, radiographically every 4 or even 8 weeks. In the cetuximab study, the differences in frequency of visits were even greater, with the treated group seen weekly and the BSC group seen every 4 weeks. This may result in the treated group having a shorter progressionfree survival because of earlier recognition of disease progression. On the other hand, complications and problems can be noted and addressed earlier in the treated group, possibly prolonging time on treatment, progression-free survival, and altering overall survival. In the future, such studies should consider having patients seen with the same frequency in both the treatment and BSC arms. Given that the overall survival differences were either not significant or perhaps not clinically meaningful, especially given the cost of the treatment, collecting the data in such a manner may have led to results different from those obtained.
THE EXPERIMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF LATENT NEOPLASTIC CHANGES IN TARRED SKIN
Authors: Ian MacKenzie, Peyton Rous
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1941)

A carcinogenic tar applied to rabbit skin renders many more epidermal cells neoplastic than ever declare themselves by forming tumors. They may be present in large numbers and persist for a considerable time after brief tarring, yet give rise to no growths unless encouraged. The stimulus of wound healing will suffice to make some of them multiply and form tumors. No evidence has been obtained, in experiments specifically directed to the point, that the cells which tar renders neoplastic respond in this way because they are possessed of peculiarities not shared by the rest of the normal epithelium. The fact that non-specific stimulation (as e.g. wound healing) may act as the deciding influence in tumor formation brings out the need for a sharp distinction between the forces which induce neoplastic change and those which determine, or prevent, its realization in terms of a tumor. The distinction is vital to the appraisal of the many carcinogenic substances worked with nowadays. The ability of tumor cells to lie latent for long periods and respond to non-carcinogenic stimulation by multiplying into growths provides an explanation of those clinical instances in which cancer appears rapidly after acute injury to tissue that had seemed normal.
In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer in Human Beings
Authors: John D. Biggers
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1981)

A GIRL was born on July 25, 1978, as a result of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.1 After that, a boy was born in England through the efforts of the same investigators, 2 and more recently a girl was born in Australia through the efforts of an independent team. Another girl may also have been born in India. The birth of the first of these babies caused worldwide publicity that led simultaneously to acclaim and concern. The acclaim greeted the development of another technique to treat barrenness due to blocked fallopian tubes — one of the common and intractable causes . . .
Pediatric Primary Prevention of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Charles J. Glueck
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1986)

In their careful assessment of the relation of lipids, lipoprotein cholesterols, and blood pressure in childhood to the development of aortic and coronary fatty streaks and fibrous plaques, Newman et al.1 strongly substantiate the concept that atherosclerosis begins in childhood and support pediatric approaches to the primary prevention of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease.1 2 3 The view that treatment of hypercholesterolemia in children will reduce adult morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease is necessarily based on extrapolations from controlled clinical trials in middle-aged, high-risk, hypercholesterolemic men,4 5 6 since such studies have not been done in children. Dietary as well as cholestyramine-mediated lowering . . .
Unexpected Detection of Colon Lymphoma on a Tc-99m–Labeled Red Blood Cell Abdominal Scan
Authors: SHUNG-SHUNG SUN, JIH-FANG HSIEH, SHIH-CHUAN TSAI, JONG-KANG LEE, CHIA-HUNG KAO
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2000)

A 60-year-old man was hospitalized because of intermittent tarry stools in association with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain for 2 months. The Tc-99m–labeled RBC abdominal scan revealed abnormal RBC stasis in the RLQ of the abdomen. Colonoscopy indicated a tumor larger than 3 cm at the proximal portion of the ascending colon. After biopsy, a histopathologic diagnosis of large B-cell lymphoma was made. This unusual case of a large B-cell lymphoma in the ascending colon was detected incidentally on a Tc-99m–labeled RBC abdominal scan.
Retained Foreign Bodies in the Tracheobronchial Tree of Children
Authors: Enrique Schwarz
Journal: JAMA (1961)

FOREIGN bodies aspirated into the tracheobronchial tree of children may remain undetected and produce irreversible pulmonary pathology of serious consequences. A prompt diagnosis can be established when the accidental aspiration of an object is witnessed by an observer, and it is followed by a dramatic reaction. In other instances, initial symptoms are mild or not recognized, and a socalled asymptomatic period sometimes follows the aspiration of the object which thus remains lodged in the tracheobronchial tree of the child.<sup>5</sup>Varied pulmonary manifestations occur later and are sometimes neglected, particularly when the history of aspiration is lacking.<sup>4</sup>Patients with mild manifestations are sometimes treated symptomatically without obtaining roentgenograms of the chest, with the foreign object remaining undetected until severe complications develop. The radiographic examination of the chest in these patients is of diagnostic value to determine the extent and possible origin of the pulmonary manifestations. <h3>Clinical Picture</h3> Most of
Increased Expression of Id Family Proteins in Small Cell Lung Cancer and its Prognostic Significance
Authors: Laleh Kamalian, John R. Gosney, Shiva S. Forootan, Christopher S. Foster, Zheng Z. Bao, Carol Beesley, Youqiang Ke
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2008)

To study the molecular pathology of human small cell lung cancer (SCLC), molecular biology approaches were used to identify genes involved in malignant progression of the cancer cells.Microquantity differential display was used initially to identify genes expressed differentially between normal and malignant cell lines. The differences were verified by Western blot. Immunohistochemical analysis was done on paired normal and malignant lung tissues and on tissues taken by biopsy to assess the expression status of candidate genes and their prognostic significance.Inhibitor of DNA/differentiation (Id)1 gene was up-regulated in SCLC cells. Levels of Id1 in 8 of 10 cell lines were increased by 1.7- to 21.4-fold when compared with the benign cells. A similar increase was also found in levels of Id2 and Id3. On 26 pairs of lung tissues, all four Id proteins were significantly (Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, P < 0.001-0.005) overexpressed in cytoplasm of the malignant cells. In nuclei of SCLC cells, Id1 expression was significantly reduced, whereas the levels of Id2, Id3, and Id4 were significantly (Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, P < 0.001) increased. Immunohistochemical staining on biopsy specimens showed that the increased expression of Id2 in cytoplasm of cancer cells, not the other three proteins, was significantly associated with the increased survival of SCLC patients.Changed expression profiles of Id proteins may play important roles in malignant progression of SCLC, and the increased Id2 in cytoplasm is a novel prognostic factor to predict the patient outcomes.
IT-36 * PHASE 1/2 STUDY OF THE COMBINATION OF INDOXIMOD AND TEMOZOLOMIDE FOR ADULT PATIENTS WITH TEMOZOLOMIDE-REFRACTORY PRIMARY MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMORS
Authors: Y. Zakharia, T. Johnson, H. Colman, N. Vahanian, C. Link, E. Kennedy, R. Sadek, F.-M. Kong, J. Vender, D. Munn, O. Rixe
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2014)

BACKGROUND: Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a key immune-modulatory enzyme that inhibits CD8+ T cells and enhances the suppressor activity of Tregs. IDO is expressed in 50 to 90% of glioblastoma (GBM) and is correlated with poor prognosis. IDO pathway inhibitors such as indoximod (1-Methyl-D-tryptophan) can improve anti-tumor T cell response slowing the tumor growth in vivo. We have demonstrated a synergistic effect of indoximod when combined with temozolomide (TMZ) and radiation in a syngeneic orthotopic brain tumor model. This phase 1 study is designed to determine maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of indoximod in combination with TMZ in GBM followed by an expansion phase 2 testing the preliminary activity of the combination in relevant situations with the addition of bevacizumab or stereotactic radiosurgery. METHODS: After progression to standard front line-therapy, patients with GBM are enrolled in a dose escalation study of indoximod (600, 1000 or 1200 mg twice daily given orally) with a standard fixed dose of TMZ. In the phase 2 part, patients are separated into 3 cohorts: cohort 2a: indoximod with TMZ, cohort 2b: indoximod with TMZ and bevacizumab (for patients who are currently on bevacizumab), cohort 2c: indoximod with TMZ and stereotactic radiosurgery. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The study uses a 3 + 3 dose escalation design, until reaching the MTD or the maximal specified dose. Sample size in phase 2 is based on the primary endpoint of 6 months progression free survival (PFS). CORRELATIVE STUDIES: Assessment of primary tumor samples for IDO expression, evaluation of serum for potential biomarkers of IDO pathway activity (kynurenine and tryptophan) and a pharmacokinetic analysis will be performed. RESULTS: Study is ongoing. Updates are to be presented at the meeting.
Abstract 512: p16INK4A down-regulation activates breast stromal adipocytes.
Authors: Huda H. Alkhalaf, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract Obesity, a disease linked to increased number of adipocytes in various tissues, is now recognized as a risk factor for the development of breast cancer. Importantly, obesity has been reported to be associated with the occurrence of larger, more advanced tumors and aggressive cancer pathological features, including lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor stage, and high grade. Cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs), the most abundant cellular component of breast cancer-associated stroma, promote carcinogenesis through paracrine effects. However, the molecular basis of adipocytes implication in breast carcinogenesis remains elusive. To shed light on this important phenomenon, we established and characterized normal adipocytes from post-plastic surgery of breast tissues. We have shown that these cells express various adipocyte biomarkers, including Leptin, TNF-α and FABP4. Furthermore, we investigated the role of the tumor suppressor p16 INK4A protein in adipocytes activation. We have found that specific down-regulation of p16INK4A by shRNA increased the expression/secretion levels of various adipokines including leptin, activated breast adipocyte and enhanced their migration/invasion abilities. Consequently, media conditioned with these cells stimulated the proliferation and the migration/invasion of breast cancer cells and enhanced endothelial cell differentiation into capillary-like structures. In addition, we have also shown that media conditioned with breast cancer cells decrease the expression of p16INK4A and increase the expression of leptin in adipocytes. These results provide the first indication that p16INK4A down-regulation in breast stromal adipocytes is an important step toward their activation. Citation Format: Huda H. Alkhalaf, Abdelilah Aboussekhra. p16INK4A down-regulation activates breast stromal adipocytes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 512. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-512
Right-Bundle-Branch Block in Young Hospitalized Males
Authors: Jerome I. Brody, Lawrence H. Golden, James L. Tobin
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1957)

WE have recently reviewed a series of electrocardiograms taken on 3369 hospitalized male patients between the ages of seventeen and twenty-four. Of this series 289, or 8.5 per cent, were considered to be abnormal. Our complete analysis is reported in another communication.1 We did, however, discover 33 cases of right-bundle-branch block, which represented 11.4 per cent of the abnormal tracings, or less than 1 per cent of the total number in the series. We were impressed by the absence of any cases of left-bundle-branch block. However, because of the controversy that is still apparently present regarding the significance of an . . .
Transfer for Primary Angioplasty Versus Immediate Thrombolysis in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: M. Dalby, A. Bouzamondo, P. Lechat, G. Montalescot
Journal: Circulation (2003)

Background— The benefit of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) over thrombolysis has been clearly demonstrated in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the best therapeutic strategy for a patient with AMI presenting to acute care services without catheterization facilities remains under debate. Our objective was to gather all available information from clinical trials comparing transfer of patients experiencing AMI for angioplasty versus immediate thrombolysis. Methods and Results— We performed a meta-analysis of all data available from published randomized trials and from presentations in scientific sessions of major cardiology congresses comparing the 2 strategies. The primary end point was the combined criteria (CC) of death/reinfarction/stroke as defined in each trial. Relative risk (RR) evaluated the treatment effect. We identified 6 clinical trials including 3750 patients. Transfer time was always &lt;3 hours. The CC was significantly reduced by 42% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29% to 53%, P &lt;0.001) in the group transferred for primary PCI compared with the group receiving on-site thrombolysis. When CC parameters were considered separately, reinfarction was significantly reduced by 68% (95% CI, 34% to 84%; P &lt;0.001) and stroke by 56% (95% CI, −15% to 77%; P =0.015). There was a trend toward reduction in all-cause mortality of 19% (95% CI, −3% to 36%; P =0.08) with transfer for PCI. Conclusion— Even when transfer to an angioplasty center is necessary, primary PCI remains superior to immediate thrombolysis. Organization of ambulance systems, prehospital management, and adequate PCI capacity appear now to be the key issues in providing reperfusion therapy for AMI.
A multidisciplinary quality management system for the early treatment of severely injured patients: implementation and results in two trauma centers
Authors: Steffen Ruchholtz, Christian Waydhas, Ulrike Lewan, Karl Piepenbrink, Dietmar Stolke, J&#x000F6;rg Debatin, Leonhard Schweiberer, Dieter Nast-Kolb
Journal: Intensive Care Medicine (2002)
The Polycomb Protein Ezh2 Regulates Differentiation and Plasticity of CD4+ T Helper Type 1 and Type 2 Cells
Authors: Damon J. Tumes, Atsushi Onodera, Akane Suzuki, Kenta Shinoda, Yusuke Endo, Chiaki Iwamura, Hiroyuki Hosokawa, Haruhiko Koseki, Koji Tokoyoda, Yutaka Suzuki, Shinichiro Motohashi, Toshinori Nakayama
Journal: Immunity (2013)
Hunt rejects criminal record checks on all NHS volunteers in wake of Savile scandal
Authors: Z. Kmietowicz
Journal: BMJ (2015)

England’s health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has rejected a recommendation from a report into lessons learnt from the Jimmy Savile scandal that all volunteers working in the NHS should have criminal record checks every three years.

Instead he has said that NHS trusts should take a “considered approach” to checks on volunteers and that they should use disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks only for those volunteers who were likely to work closely with patients. He said that a system where all volunteers underwent such checks, as recommended in the report, “may not, in itself, have stopped Savile.”

In a statement to the House of Commons Hunt said, “They [trusts] should also ensure proper safeguarding procedures are in place locally as well as the DBS process because it would be wrong to rely on a national database as a …