tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Despite This Flesh: The Disabled in Stories and Poems
Authors: Richard L. Bryant
Journal: JAMA (1986)

Any collection of literary works written by the disabled always seems to be accompanied by a built-in sense of guilt on the part of the reader, leading to easy acceptance. The reader may feel that he should praise the efforts of those "less fortunate" than he. It would be a grave injustice to judge this book on that basis. Ms Miller states in her introduction, "I have done my best to include in it only material of high literary excellence." She certainly has accomplished her goal. Ms Miller has gathered together works of prose and poetry that are both unique and poignant. They are unique in that the reader will find them both enjoyable and thought provoking, and they are poignant because they will deeply affect the reader. The effect of a disability of a young family member and the subsequent family interactions can perhaps be better understood by reading
Staphylococcal Superantigens and Eosinophilic Inflammation in Chronic Rhinosinusitis/Nasal Polyposis
Authors: A. Tripathi, D.B. Conley, R.C. Kern, K.A. Seiberling, G.K. Haines, J. Huang, L.C. Grammer
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2005)

RESULTS:Human healthy conjunctiva expresses TLR-2, -4 and -9 mRNA's and proteins.VKC conjunctiva expresses significant higher amounts of TLR-4mRNA/protein, and a significant decrease of TLR-9mRNA/protein.TLR-4 mRNA and protein was also found to be overexpressed in VKC-derived fibroblasts, while TLR-2 and -9mRNAs and proteins were slightly down-regulated.CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of TLR-2, -4 and -9 expression in the human healthy conjunctiva.The up-regulation of TLR-4 and downregulation of TLR-9, in VKC both at molecular and biochemical level, might suggest a role of the innate and adaptive response to microbial antigens in modulating the ocular allergic inflammatory response.
838-6 The impact of prior myocardial infarction, metabolic syndrome, and high white blood cell count on coronary heart disease mortality: The multiple risk factor intervention trial (MRFIT) 18-year follow-up experience
Authors: Jerome D Cohen, Ronald J Prineas, Xin Zhi, Lynn E Eberly, Lewis H Kuller, James D Neaton
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2004)
Prevention of ischemic rigor contracture during coronary occlusion by inhibition of Na+–H+ exchange
Authors: David Garcia-Dorado, Miguel A González, José A Barrabés, Marisol Ruiz-Meana, Julia Solares, Rosa-Maria Lidon, José Blanco, Yolanda Puigfel, H.Michael Piper, J Soler-Soler
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1997)

To determine the effect of Na(+)-H+ exchange blockade on ischemic rigor contracture and reperfusion-induced hypercontracture.Thirty-six pigs were submitted to 55 min of coronary occlusion and 5 h reperfusion. Myocardial segment length analysis with ultrasonic microcrystals was used to detect ischemic rigor (reduction in passive segment length change) and hypercontracture (reduction in end-diastolic length).Pretreatment with the new, highly selective Na(+)-H+ exchange inhibitor HOE642 before occlusion reduced ischemic rigor (P < 0.05), attenuated segment shrinkage (P < 0.05) during subsequent reperfusion, dramatically reduced infarct size (P < 0.0001) and attenuated arrhythmias (P < 0.01). Inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange only during reperfusion by means of direct intracoronary infusion of HOE642 into the area at risk prevented reperfusion arrhythmias but had no effect on final infarct size, while treatment with intravenous HOE642 immediately before reperfusion had no detectable effects.These results indicate that inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange during ischemia is necessary to limit myocardial necrosis secondary to transient coronary occlusion, and that this action could by mediated by a protective effect against ischemic contracture. Inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange only during reperfusion has a partial and transient beneficial effect, but only when the inhibitor reaches the area at risk before reflow.
TCT-54 Do Baseline Symptoms Influence the Clinical Outcome After PCI for Chronic Total Coronary Occlusions?
Authors: Carlos J. Garcia Alonso, Yusuke Watanabe, Stephen O'Connor, Francesca Sanguineti, Philippe Garot, Thierry Lefevre, Yves Louvard, Marie-Claude Morice
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2013)
Ribavirin Aerosol Treatment of Influenza B Virus Infection
Authors: Harvey W. McClung, Vernon Knight, Brian E. Gilbert, Samuel Z. Wilson, John M. Quarles, George W. Divine
Journal: JAMA (1983)

In a randomized, controlled study, ribavirin small-particle aerosol was found to be effective in the treatment of influenza B virus infection in a group of college students. Eleven treated patients experienced significantly more rapid defervescence, disappearance of systemic illness, and reduction of virus shedding in nasal secretions than ten control patients treated with a saline aerosol. Antibody response to infection was similar in both groups. The treatment was well tolerated, and hematologic and clinical chemical tests demonstrated no toxicity. The estimated dose of ribavirin aerosol retained was about 2 g in 39 hours of treatment during the first 60 hours in the hospital.
Cyclical etidronate in the prevention of bone loss in corticosteroid-treated primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Frank H.J. Wolfhagen, Henk R. van Buuren, Janny W. den Ouden, Wim C.J. Hop, Johannes P.T.M. van Leeuwen, Solko W. Schalm, Huib A.P. Pols
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (1997)
Include measurement of waist circumference in GP contract
Authors: David Haslam
Journal: BMJ (2005)

EDITOR—Abdominal obesity, as measured by waist circumference, is a key predictive measurement of metabolic and cardiovascular risk, more accurate than the measurement of body mass index (BMI) alone.1

Although there is some debate over the exact threshold, the principle is clear—a measurement of over 100 cm is regarded as substantially increasing risk in men. Waist circumference should be used as a standard …
Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Recipients of A/New Jersey Influenza Vaccine
Authors: James S. Marks
Journal: JAMA (1980)

In late 1976, when 32% of the eligible population of Ohio received the A/New Jersey influenza (swine flu) vaccine, systematic contact of neurologists was used to evaluate the possible association of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with receipt of the vaccine. The overall rate of GBS was significantly higher among vaccine recipients (13.3/10(6)) than in nonrecipients (2.6/10(6)). Peak time of onset was two to three weeks after receiving the vaccine, and cases among vaccinees were less likely to have a history of antecedent infection than were cases in unvaccinated persons. Even when the effect of one highly associated vaccine lot was removed, an elevated risk of GBS remained in vaccinees regardless of manufacturer or vaccine type (bivalent or monovalent). Systematic surveillance is needed for rare serious reactions from all vaccines.
The alteration of fas receptor and ligand system in hepatocellular carcinomas: How do hepatoma cells escape from the host immune surveillancein vivo?
Authors: Mitsuo Nagao, Yoshiyuki Nakajima, Michiyoshi Hisanaga, Nobuhiko Kayagaki, Hiromichi Kanehiro, Yukio Aomatsu, Saiho Ko, Hideo Yagita, Takatsugu Yamada, Ko Okumura, Hiroshige Nakano
Journal: Hepatology (1999)

Escape from the immune surveillance may play an important role in tumor outgrowth and metastasis. Alteration of the Fas receptor (Fas)/ligand (FasL) system including soluble forms is regarded as one of the mechanisms preventing the immune system from rejecting the tumor cells. However, less attention has been paid to the role of Fas/FasL interaction in vivo . Therefore, we investigated the expression of Fas and FasL by immunohistochemistry and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and measured the serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and FasL (sFasL) in 44 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the noncancerous liver tissues, Fas expression was up-regulated in most cases, and FasL expression was detected in 6 cases. In Fas-positive HCC cases (n = 15), the intrahepatic metastatic foci was less ( P = .037), apoptosis of tumor cells was more ( P = .004), the disease-free survival rate was higher ( P = .004), and p53-positive cases were less ( P = .003), compared with Fas-negative cases. The sFas and sFasL levels in HCC patients were significantly higher and lower than those in controls, respectively. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry revealed generation of sFas in the hepatocytes and tumor-infiltrating mononuclear cells rather than in hepatoma cells. Accordingly, hepatoma cells may eliminate Fas expression on themselves and let the hepatocytes and infiltrating mononuclear cells generate sFas to escape from the immune system and to produce metastasis. FasL might contribute to malignant transformation in some circumstances, because hepatocytes in the pericancerous pseudolobules expressed FasL.
Sexually transmitted infections: Where are we now?
Authors: C Robertson, A Jayasuriya, P S Allan
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2007)

In 2001 the UK's National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV was launched; however, the number of diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK has continued to rise. This trend has been driven by ongoing high-risk sexual behaviour and poor access to services, in particular fast access to genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics. The incidence of infectious syphilis, previously sustained at a low level for years, has dramatically increased. New threats such as lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) are appearing on the scene. In the face of this, it has become of increasing importance to adopt new screening and prevention strategies, improved diagnostics and ongoing surveillance. Some epidemiological developments and promising strategies for dealing with the STI epidemic are discussed here.
Vaccination against H influenzae type b.
Authors: R Boody, E R Moxon, R T Mayon-White, M P Slack, J A Macfarlane
Journal: BMJ (1993)

What a waste of time, and how disruptive to the care of the others I saw that afternoon.You cannot efficiently pour a quart into a pint pot.Shelve Tomlinson.'Health care needs funds as well as plans.
Magic and Medicine
Authors: David A. Mark
Journal: JAMA (1981)

A visiting anthropologist was kind enough to conduct medicine rounds at our hospital. He spoke on healing magic as it is performed in India. He mentioned that the standard fee for curing anything was one chicken. He also pointed out that the shamans had a cure rate roughly equal to that of Western-trained physicians practicing in their own countries.  At question time the older physicians in the room were willing to agree that a faith in a physician's ability to cure was a part of their own practices. The younger physicians, the residents, and the students kept silent—I had a feeling that their thoughts were half poppycock and half  hope I can get a CAT scan for my patient today.  Setting aside the question of whether technology is its own form of magic, I would propose that magic of the traditional kind is very much a part of medicine
The Role of Town Meetings in Environmental Health Research
Authors: Joan M. Cranmer
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2005)

Kenneth Olden created an arsenal of mechanisms that enabled the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to reach out to the American people and be responsive to their environmental health concerns. Commitment to the community has been a cornerstone of the research process during Dr. Olden’s distinguished, nearly 14-year tenure as director of NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program. He is unique among National Institutes of Health (NIH) institute directors in his unrelenting and successful mission to gather direct input from affected communities and partner with them to set a national environmental health research agenda.
Cigarette smoking and the development and progression of aortic atherosclerosis. A 9-year population-based follow-up study in women.
Authors: J C Witteman, D E Grobbee, H A Valkenburg, A M van Hemert, T Stijnen, A Hofman
Journal: Circulation (1993)

BACKGROUND Cigarette smoking has been recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in men and women. Whether the increased risk results from an atherogenic effect of smoking is still debated. We examined the relation between cigarette smoking and atherosclerotic changes in the abdominal aorta. METHODS AND RESULTS The association between cigarette smoking and atherosclerotic changes in the abdominal aorta was examined in a population-based cohort of 758 women, initially aged 45 to 64 years. All women were examined radiographically for calcified deposits in the abdominal aorta, which have been shown to represent intimal atherosclerosis. After 9 years of follow-up, atherosclerotic changes, indicating development or progression of plaques, could be demonstrated in 37% of women. A direct association was found between atherosclerotic change and number of cigarettes smoked per day. Compared with women who had never smoked, the relative risks of those who smoked 1 to 9, 10 to 19, and 20 or more cigarettes per day were 1.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 2.0), 2.0 (1.6 to 2.5), and 2.3 (1.8 to 3.0), respectively, after adjustment for age and other cardiovascular risk factors. Associations of atherosclerotic change with inhaling habit and duration of smoking were borderline significant after number of cigarettes smoked per day was taken into account. Among former smokers, the risk decreased with increasing duration of stopping but a significant excess risk was still observed after 5 to 10 years since quitting (relative risk, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.2). CONCLUSIONS These follow-up data support the evidence for an effect of cigarette smoking on atherosclerosis. The findings suggest that the rate of atherosclerotic change may be reduced by cessation of smoking, but a residual effect appears to be present for at least 10 years.
Determinants of maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure in adults with cystic fibrosis.
Authors: U Pradal, G Polese, C Braggion, R Poggi, L Zanolla, G Mastella, A Rossi
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1994)

To investigate whether diaphragmatic strength could be reduced in cystic fibrosis (CF), and to examine possible mechanisms leading to diaphragmatic weakness, we measured transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), together with lung mechanics, including dynamic "intrinsic" positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi,dyn), ventilation, lung volumes, and nutritional status in 15 adult patients with CF in stable clinical condition. Diaphragmatic strength was assessed as the maximum Pdi (Pdimax). Nutritional assessment included the calculation of weight as a percentage of ideal weight for height (Wt/Ht). On average, our 15 CF patients had airway obstruction (FEV1 = 59 +/- 28% predicted) and a small PEEPi,dyn (1 +/- 0.7 cm H2O). Functional residual capacity average 52 +/- 9% of the predicted total lung capacity. The Wt/Ht was normal on average (95%), but with a large range from malnutrition to a good nutritional status (76 to 109%). We found that Pdimax decreased with increasing FRC/TLC percent predicted (r = 0.55, p < 0.05), but more significantly with decreasing Wt/Ht (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis for these factors was significant (R2 = 0.70, p < 0.05); however, the partial regression coefficient was significant only for Wt/Ht (p < 0.01). These results suggest that in CF patients, diaphragmatic strength decreases with the progression of the disease, increasing lung volume and worsening nutritional status, and that malnutrition is the strongest determinant of diaphragmatic weakness.
Critical role of the liver in the induction of systemic inflammation in rats with preascitic cirrhosis
Authors: María Úbeda, Leticia Muñoz, María-José Borrero, David Díaz, Rubén Francés, Jorge Monserrat, Margaret Lario, Lourdes Lledó, José Such, Melchor Álvarez-Mon, Agustín Albillos
Journal: Hepatology (2010)

Systemic activation of the inflammatory immune system contributes to the progression of cirrhosis with ascites. Immune cells become activated after interacting at the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) with bacteria translocated from the gut, and thereafter reach the bloodstream through recirculation. It is unknown whether systemic activation of the immune system is present in pre-ascitic cirrhosis, in which gut bacterial translocation has not been described. The purpose of this study was to determine whether systemic activation of the immune system initiates in rats with compensated carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced cirrhosis, and if so to establish the activation site of immune cells. We studied the activation status of immune cells in peripheral blood, MLNs, and hepatic lymph nodes (HLNs). Systemic inflammation was present in rats with cirrhosis, as shown by expansion (P < 0.01) of circulating total and inflammatory monocytes and recently activated CD134(+) T helper (T(h)) cells. The same populations of cells were increased (P < 0.01) in MLNs and HLNs. Bacterial translocation was absent in rats with cirrhosis or control rats, but bacterial DNA fragments were present in the MLNs of 54% of rats with cirrhosis. The liver was the source of activated immune cells present in the blood, as shown by the direct correlation between activated T(h) cells in the blood and HLNs, but not in MLNs, and the normalization by gut decontamination with antibiotics of activated cells in MLNs, but not in the blood or HLNs.In experimental cirrhosis, systemic activation of the immune system occurs before ascites development and is driven by recirculation of cells activated in HLNs. In addition, in compensated cirrhosis, bacterial DNA fragments reach the MLNs, where they elicit a local inflammatory response.
Almost a quarter of IVF cycles resulted in a live birth in 2006
Authors: C. Dyer
Journal: BMJ (2008)

Success rates for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment in the United Kingdom have increased for every age group, according to figures for 2006 released this week by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

In 2006, 23.1% of treatment cycles resulted in a live birth, up 1.5% on the previous year. In 1992, the first year the HFEA collected data, the live birth rate was just 13%.

Comparative figures for infertility treatment centres for 2006 showed the two London clinics run by Mohamed Taranissi again topping the league tables.

His Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre achieved almost double the national average …
Abstract P076: Genetic Factors Modify the Triggering of Acute Myocardial Infarction by Transient Exposure to Coffee Intake
Authors: Ana Baylin, Sharon Kardia, Hannia Campos
Journal: Circulation (2012)

Introduction: Caffeinated coffee increases sympathetic nervous activity that may adversely affect a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and therefore trigger an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Additionally, it is possible that genetic variation alter the susceptibility to the acute effects of coffee. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that genetic factors associated to AMI can modify the triggering of AMI by acute coffee intake. Methods: We collected information on intake of coffee during the 24 hours and days before the myocardial infarction and habitual intake of coffee in 1,234 incident cases of non-fatal AMI from 1994–2004. Data was analyzed as a case-crossover design assuming a hazard period of 1 hour. We used a genetic score with 3 loci from AMI GWAS that has been validated in this population. People with a higher score have a greater risk for AMI. In addition, we also evaluated one polymorphism in the cytochrome P450 1A2 candidate gene that decreases the enzyme inducibility, resulting in impaired caffeine metabolism. Carriers of the variant CYP1A2*1F allele are slow caffeine metabolizers, whereas individuals who are homozygous for the CYP1A2*1A allele are rapid metabolizers. Results: Participants were classified as low AMI genetic risk (1 to 3 alleles) or high genetic risk (4 to 6 alleles) according to the genetic risk score. RR for the association between coffee and AMI were 1.72 (95%CI:1.22, 2.43) and 1.06 (95%CI:0.85, 1.31) for the low and high genetic risk groups respectively (test of homogeneity p-value=0.02). RR were 1.38 (95%CI:1.07, 1.76) and 0.99 (95%CI:0.77, 1.28) for homozygous carriers of the rapid CYP1A2*1A allele and carriers of the slow CYP1A2*1F allele, respectively (test of homogeneity p-value =0.067). Because we have shown previously that coffee intake is not associated with AMI among heavy drinkers (≥ 4 cups/d), we repeated the analysis among light/occasional and moderate drinkers. RR were 1.69 (95%CI:1.28, 2.23) and 1.09 (95%CI:0.80, 1.48) for rapid and slow metabolizers, respectively (test of homogeneity p-value=0.038). Conclusions: In conclusion, people with lower genetic risk seem to be more susceptible to coffee. It is possible that the effect of environmental factors (including triggers like coffee intake) is higher among people who are not at risk because of genetic factors. Light and moderate drinkers who are rapid caffeine metabolizers are also more susceptible to coffee. It is possible that light/moderate drinkers who are slow metabolizers develop more tolerance to caffeine than rapid metabolizers.
Ulysses and the Fate of Frozen Embryos — Reproduction, Research, or Destruction?
Authors: George J. Annas
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2000)

On his 10-year voyage back to Ithaca from the Trojan War, Ulysses was warned by Circe to take precautions if he wanted to hear the Sirens' transfixing song, or there would be “no sailing home for him, no wife rising to meet him, /no happy children beaming up at their father's face.”1 Ulysses accordingly ordered his men to stop their ears with beeswax and bind him firmly to the mast and instructed them that if he gestured to be set free, they should stick to the original agreement and bind him tighter still. Making an agreement that has as a . . .
Rapidly Regulating Platelet Activity In Vivo With an Antidote Controlled Platelet Inhibitor
Authors: Shahid M Nimjee, Jens D Lohrmann, Haichen Wang, David J Snyder, Thomas J Cummings, Richard C Becker, Sabah Oney, Bruce A Sullenger
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2011)

Millions of individuals are prescribed platelet inhibitors, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, to reduce their risk of thrombosis-related clinical events. Unfortunately many platelet inhibitors are contraindicated in surgical settings because of their inherent bleeding risk complicating the treatment of patients who require surgery. We describe the development of a potent antiplatelet agent, an RNA aptamer-termed Ch-9.14-T10 that binds von Willebrand factor (VWF) with high affinity and inhibits thrombosis in a murine carotid artery damage model. As expected, when this potent antiplatelet agent is administered, it greatly increases bleeding from animals that are surgically challenged. To improve this antiplatelet agent's safety profile, we describe the generation of antidotes that can rapidly reverse the activity of Ch-9.14-T10 and limit blood loss from surgically challenged animals. Our work represents the first antidote controllable antiplatelet agent, which could conceivably lead to improved medical management of patients requiring antiplatelet medication who also need surgery.