tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Practice based commissioning may not work for mental health
Authors: Madeleine Brettingham
Journal: BMJ (2004)

Plans to allow general practitioners to commission a wider range of mental health treatments will result in substandard care, a report published by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health has said.

The charity, which works to improve the quality of life for people with severe mental health problems, has condemned the UK government's plans to expand the practice based commissioning scheme under which individual practices, rather than primary care trusts (PCTs), are responsible for directing secondary treatment into specialised areas such as mental health.

The government wishes to extend the scheme to include a greater variety of secondary care services. Community mental health teams, psychological treatments, and other talking cures could all potentially be commissioned directly by GPs.

The centre sees …
Cultured human cells can acquire resistance to the antiproliferative effect of sodium aurothiomalate.
Authors: A Glennås, H.E Rugstad
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1986)

Cultured human epithelial cells (HE), grown as monolayers, acquired resistance to otherwise lethal concentrations (300 mumol/l, culture medium) of sodium aurothiomalate during five months' exposure to stepwise increased concentrations of the drug. The resistance acquired was shown by exposure to drug concentrations ranging from 25 to 300 mumol/, resulting in 100% of the resistant cells (HeMyo) surviving compared with controls. Only 13% of the sensitive parent cells survived when exposed to 300 mumol/l for four days. The HeMyo cells were also resistant to the antiproliferative effects of equimolar concentrations of thiomalic acid without gold. The cytosolic gold concentration and the association of 199Au with cytosolic proteins after gel filtration were similar in both cell lines after sodium aurothiomalate exposure to the exponentially growing cells. No synthesis of gold binding proteins of metallothionein character was observed in the HEMyo cells. The concentration of free thiomalate in the sonicates and cytosols of the HeMyo cells was decreased to 25-30% of the concentration found in the HE cells. Comparison with previous data for the cytosolic concentration of total thiomalate in the HE cells suggests that most of the cytosolic thiomalate present was free thiomalate. We conclude that the cells can develop resistance to the antiproliferative effect of sodium aurothiomalate, and that the resistance may be due to their capacity to maintain low concentrations of free thiomalate in the sonicates and cytosols. The results support previous findings that sodium aurothiomalate appears to dissociate within cells.
N-acetyl endorphin in rat spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes.
Authors: M C Cheng, J A Clements, A I Smith, S J Lolait, J W Funder
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1985)

In previous reports modest levels of beta-endorphin have been found by radioimmunoassay in rat testis, and localized by immunofluorescence to the interstitial cells. We have confirmed these previous reports and extended them by showing that the majority of testicular endorphins are acetylated forms, N-acetyl gamma-endorphin, N-acetyl alpha-endorphin, and N-acetyl beta-endorphin1-27. In addition, N-acetylated endorphins are not found in interstitial cells, but are confined to spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes.
Barrier in West Bank threatens residents' health care, says report
Authors: Deborah Cohen
Journal: BMJ (2005)

Almost a third of West Bank Palestinian villages will be denied free and open access to healthcare facilities once the Israeli government has completed constructing the West Bank barrier, says a report by the French non-governmental organisation Medecins du Monde.

In June 2002 the Israeli government began to build a barrier around the West Bank that, according to the Israel Defence Forces, will “lessen the impact and scope of terrorism on the citizens of Israel.” Already 185 km long, it will eventually be 622 km long and consist of fences, ditches, patrol roads, and a concrete wall 8-9 m high costing an estimated $4.7m (£2.5m; €3.6m) per km.

Worst hit will be the …
Elevated Expression of mRNA for CCL2, CCL19, CCR7 and CXCR3 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis
Authors: C.J. Ocampo, A. Kato, J. Norton, R.C. Kern, D.B. Conley, R. Chandra, B. Tan, A.T. Peters, L.C. Grammer, R.P. Schleimer
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2012)
Is It Time to Give Influenza Vaccine to Healthy Infants?
Authors: Kenneth McIntosh, Tracy Lieu
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2000)

Among the many respiratory viruses, influenza-virus has always stood out as different. Certainly, in adults, it is the most pathogenic. Not only did it cause in 1918–1919 one of the most deadly epidemics the world has ever seen, but also it routinely makes generally healthy adults miserable for about a week with a cough, fever, chills, and myalgias. It is the respiratory virus that predisposes patients most frequently to bacterial pneumonia. It is epidemiologically unique, since influenza A strains regularly change their antigenic coat, either by slow, mutation-driven, interpandemic drift or by a sudden, reassortment-driven shift. The latter presumably occurs . . .
THREE CASES OF TUMOR IN THE CERE-BELLO-PONTILE ANGLE
Authors: JULIUS GRINKER
Journal: JAMA (1910)

First Operation.-Nov. 13, 1909,under ether anesthesia, an opening was made in the skull over the upper half of the left Rolandic area, two inches in diameter.There was no bulging of the dura and no pulsation visible.In the center of the operative field the dura was flattened and darker in appear¬ ance.Paljiation revealed the presence of a circumscribed mass, harder in consistence than the surrounding cortex.The initient was not very strong before the operation and, as a result of the cranial resection there developed considerable shock.For this reason, the scalp was sutured and the removal of the tumor was delayed for a second operation, after the method of Sir Victor Horsley.After an interval of ten days the patient improved markedly in strength and on Nov. 23, 1909, the second operation was done.Second Operation.-Onopening the dura, we found a tumor imbedded in the brain, adherent to the pia mater, involving Flg.2.-Photomicrograph of section of tumor (endotliclloma).principally the precentral convolution and the Rolandic fissure (Fig. 1).The tumor was easily lifted from its bed in the brain, after severing a few slight adhesions to the pia mater.Hemorrhage was insignificant and there was but little shock.At the time of the second operation the brain pulsated very plainly as the result of the previous decompression.'The tumor occupied the middle third of the left precentral convolution, growing down¬ ward and diagonally backward across the Rolandic fissure and displacing, but not invading, the postcentral convolution.The long axis of the tumor (55 mm.) ran across the Rolandic fissure, downward and backward.Examination of Tumor.-Thetumor was encapsulated, linn and resistant on palpation, presenting numerous small pro¬ trusions and cysts OH its buried .surface.It was not.adherent, to the dura mater.The tumor weighed 20 gm. and on section proved to be an endothelioma springing from the pia mater (Fig. 2).The recovery from the surgical procedure was uneventful and the patient returned to her home eight days after the second operation.Postoperative Aotcs (L).-Patient put to bed in good con- ilitinn.conscious; improvement was steady.The hallucina¬ tions and delusions had disappeared on the second day.There was no "jerking" in the face, arm or leg.On the eighth day patient could move the paralyzed (right) leg, but could not stand alone.She could move the lingers of right band, but bad no use of it for any purpose.She was removed to her home (forty miles) on a traction car at this time.After arrival home she sat up daily in her chair.Dec. 20, 1909, twenty-seven days after final operation, she took a few steps, with assistance.Jan. 1, 1910, she walked alone across the room.April 7, 1910, 41/; months after operation, she traveled forty miles on a traction car and called at my office for reexamina- tion, when the following notes were made: Height, 5 feet 1% inches; weight, 90 pounds; no mental defect; no speech defect.Motion: No "Jacksonian attacks," convulsions or uncon¬ scious attacks since the operation.Walks well; no defect of
Safety and efficacy of omalizumab in atopic dermatitis—A preliminary report
Authors: S. Maqbool, F. Hsieh, J. McDonnell, D. Vasas, D. Lang
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2005)

RATIONALE: Omalizumab was recently approved for moderate to severe asthmatics with IgE levels of 30-700 IU/ml, who are not achieving the goals of asthma management. The safety and efficacy of omalizumab has yet to be assessed for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), a condition typically associated with IgE levels above this range. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 6 patients with asthma and AD on omalizumab was carried out. After a mean of 12 weeks of therapy, patients were assessed for adverse effects and for therapeutic benefit. RESULTS: All six patients had moderate to severe asthma and IgE levels between 263-42617 IU/ml. Patients ages ranged between 8-64 and 3/6 were females. Patients were treated with omalizumab 225-450 mg SC every 2 weeks for 3-11 months. All six tolerated omalizumab without any adverse effects. 3/6 decreased their use of rescue inhalers for asthma. In assessment of AD, 2 patients had moderate to good response, 2 had mild response, and 2 had no response after 3 months of therapy. Patients continued with their topical regimens while on omalizumab. Two patients with IgE levels >10,000 had more severe AD and demonstrated some improvement in skin symptoms on omalizumab, although they were concomitantly treated with oral steroids. Age and gender did not correlate with response. CONCLUSION: 1) Our preliminary study suggests that omalizumab can be given to patients with atopic dermatitis who have high IgE levels without untoward effects. 2) Further studies are needed to assess safety and efficacy of the therapy for AD.
Diabetes expert accuses drug company of “intimidation”
Authors: Bob Burton
Journal: BMJ (2007)

<b>Background:</b> environmental pollution, mostly in urban area, represents an increasing burden in human health (WHO, Global update 2005). However, the effects of pollutants on the respiratory impedance are not well known, especially in childhood and adolescence. <b>Aim:</b> to investigate the impact of environmental exposure on the respiratory function in school-aged children. <b>Methods:</b> 175 children (from 7 to 19 years) underwent to spirometry and impedance measurement by using forced oscillation technique (FOT, Resmon PRO FULL, Restech, Italy). Total respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R<sub>tot5</sub>), total respiratory reactance at 5 Hz (X<sub>tot5</sub>) and FEV<sub>1</sub>/FVC% were compared to the level of exposure to pollutants, reported by patients through questionnaire and measured through a urinary biomarker of tobacco smoke exposure (cotinine). The relative risk (OR) of abnormal R<sub>tot5</sub>, X<sub>tot5</sub> and FEV<sub>1</sub>/FVC% have been computed by means of logistic regression analysis for the level of exposure to pollutants (table). <b>Results:</b> both spirometry and FOT parameters revealed a risk of impairment of the respiratory function in active smokers. Furthermore, FOT parameters demonstrated a reduction of the respiratory function also in children exposed to passive smoking and high traffic. <b>Conclusions:</b> high traffic exposure and active and passive exposure to tobacco smoke can reduce the respiratory function in childhood.
Stigma Variations: Observations on Suppressor T Cells and Leprosy
Authors: B R Bloom, R L Modlin, P Salgame
Journal: Annual Review of Immunology (1992)

Exhausted CD8 T (Tex) cells are a distinct cell lineage that arise during chronic infections and cancers in animal models and humans. Tex cells are characterized by progressive loss of effector functions, high and sustained inhibitory receptor expression, ...Read More
Aberrant Methylation of the Eyes Absent 4 Gene in Ulcerative Colitis–Associated Dysplasia
Authors: Neal K. Osborn, Hongzhi Zou, Julian R. Molina, Ralf Lesche, Joern Lewin, Cathy Lofton–Day, Kristie K. Klatt, Jonathan J. Harrington, Lawrence J. Burgart, David A. Ahlquist
Journal: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2006)
Endothelial Progenitor Cells Are Recruited Into Resolving Venous Thrombi
Authors: B. Modarai, K.G. Burnand, B. Sawyer, A. Smith
Journal: Circulation (2005)

Background— The purpose of this study was to determine whether endothelial cells of bone marrow origin are involved in thrombus recanalization. Methods and Results— Irradiated mice were reconstituted with bone marrow from transgenic donors expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to the Tie2 promoter. Thrombi were formed in 2 groups of 6 mice. GFP-expressing cells were located and quantified in sections of the thrombi taken after 7 and 14 days. The cell markers Mac-3, F4/80, CD68 (macrophage), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2; endothelial cells) were used to determine colocalization with GFP expression in tissue sections and peritoneal macrophages. The markers CD34 and VEGFR2 were used to quantify changes in circulating endothelial cells by flow cytometry of blood from 3 cohorts of wild-type animals that had either a thrombus induced (n=18), a sham operation (n=18), or no operation (n=10). The number of GFP-expressing cells was found to increase by ≈3-fold in thrombi formed in transplanted animals between 7 and 14 days after induction ( P =0.0022). No GFP-expressing cells were found lining the new vascular channels that formed at either time interval, but many of the GFP-expressing cells also expressed Mac-3, CD68, and VEGFR2. Approximately twice as many circulating CD34 + /VEGFR2 + cells were found by day 3 in animals with thrombus compared with sham controls (CD45 − , P =0.046 and CD45 + , P =0.016). Conclusions— Bone marrow–derived, Tie2-expressing cells were recruited into the thrombus during resolution but did not line the new vessels. Many of these cells expressed a macrophage phenotype and may represent a population of plastic stem cells that orchestrate thrombus recanalization.
Colonic pseudo-obstruction: a complication of herpes zoster
Authors: A. JUCGLA, A. BADELL, C. BALLESTA, T. ARBIZU
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1996)

Herpes zoster has been associated rarely with somatic and visceral motor complications, including segmental motor paralysis, neurogenic bladder dysfunction and, unusually, colonic pseudo-obstruction. We report a patient who developed acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon which followed the appearance of dermatomal herpes zoster.
The Management of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Harold I. Palevsky
Journal: JAMA (1991)

Primary pulmonary hypertension is a clinical syndrome characterized by pulmonary hypertension in the absence of sufficient underlying cardiac, parenchymal pulmonary, or systemic disease to account for it. The population of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension is a heterogeneous one, both clinically and histologically. As the etiologic mechanisms are unknown, therapy is directed toward the consequences of the pulmonary vascular process. Oxygen supplementation, the use of digoxin and diuretics for symptomatic heart failure, and anticoagulation all may have a role in treating primary pulmonary hypertension, although vasodilator therapy has been the main area of investigation. Screening for vasodilator responsiveness, defining a favorable vasodilator effect, predicting long-term effectiveness, and deciding who to treat have all been controversial. New approaches, such as use of high-dose calcium channel-blocking agents and continuous intravenous infusion of prostacyclin (an investigational agent), have recently been proposed. When medical therapies are exhausted, heart-lung or lung transplantation has increasingly become an option for selected patients.
Fate of left ventricular thrombi in patients with remote myocardial infarction or idiopathic cardiomyopathy.
Authors: J R Stratton, J W Nemanich, K A Johannessen, A D Resnick
Journal: Circulation (1988)

Although left ventricular thrombi that form acutely after myocardial infarction frequently resolve spontaneously or with anticoagulant therapy, the fate of left ventricular thrombi in patients with remote myocardial infarction or with idiopathic cardiomyopathy remains unknown. To determine the natural history of such chronic left ventricular thrombi, we performed serial echocardiograms on 51 patients with remote myocardial infarction (greater than or equal to 3 months; mean, 31 +/- 41 months) and on nine patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Mean follow-up was 24 +/- 22 months during which 3.5 +/- 1.4 echocardiograms were obtained. Studies were interpreted by blinded observers, and an increase or decrease of more than 5 mm in maximal thrombus thickness was defined as significant. Among all 60 patients left ventricular thrombi were unchanged in 24 (40%), completely resolved in 24 (40%), decreased in size in four (7%), increased in size in five (8%), and decreased and then increased in size in three (5%). Results in patients with remote infarction and idiopathic cardiomyopathy were similar. Warfarin therapy, which was at the discretion of the primary physician, was associated with a higher prevalence of thrombus resolution compared with no therapy (59% vs. 29%, p = 0.02). Definite systemic emboli occurred in seven patients (12%), all at times while they were not anticoagulated. Among the 48 thrombi that were present on two or more echocardiograms, changes in thrombus shape (classified as protruding or flat) occurred in only 16%, and changes in thrombus movement (classified as mobile or immobile) occurred in only 10%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Palmoplantar pustulosis and smoking.
Authors: C J O'Doherty, C MacIntyre
Journal: BMJ (1985)

A multicentre case-control study of 216 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis and 626 controls with miscellaneous dermatoses showed a considerably higher prevalence of smoking in the group with palmoplantar pustulosis. This was the first indication that smoking may be an important factor in this skin disease, possibly by affecting the inflammatory responses of the skin.
World summit on sustainable development
Authors: G. H. Brundtland
Journal: BMJ (2002)

News p 405 

The world summit on sustainable development in Johannesburg will take place in a region where the excess mortality attributable to hunger and disease may exceed 300 000 in the next six months.1 Although most press comment contrasts the conditions in countries affected by famine with those that can be expected at the Sandton convention centre, the famine brings home the core message of sustainable development: it is about people and their survival.

Sustainable development is, of course, about climate change and rising sea levels. It is about the loss of biodiversity and spreading deserts. But it is also about providing food, shelter, and health to everybody on this planet in such a way that future generations can do the same.

It is no secret that preparations for the summit have been difficult. Reaching consensus on such a wide and interlinked range of issues, in a way that meets the needs and aspirations of countries north and south, will not be easy. Clear …
Lateral Wedge Insoles as a Conservative Treatment for Pain in Patients With Medial Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Matthew J. Parkes, Nasimah Maricar, Mark Lunt, Michael P. LaValley, Richard K. Jones, Neil A. Segal, Kayoko Takahashi-Narita, David T. Felson
Journal: JAMA (2013)

There is no consensus regarding the efficacy of lateral wedge insoles as a treatment for pain in medial knee osteoarthritis.To evaluate whether lateral wedge insoles reduce pain in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis compared with an appropriate control.Databases searched include the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, AMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and BIOSIS from inception to May 2013, with no limits on study date or language. The metaRegister of Controlled Trials and the NHS Evidence website were also searched.Included were randomized trials comparing shoe-based treatments (lateral heel wedge insoles or shoes with variable stiffness soles) aimed at reducing medial knee load, with a neutral or no wedge control condition in patients with painful medial knee osteoarthritis. Studies must have included patient-reported pain as an outcome.Trial data were extracted independently by 2 researchers using a standardized form. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool by 2 observers. Eligible studies were pooled using a random-effects approach.Change in self-reported knee pain at follow-up.Twelve trials met inclusion criteria with a total of 885 participants of whom 502 received lateral wedge treatment. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) suggested a favorable association with lateral wedges compared with control (SMD, -0.47; 95% CI, -0.80 to -0.14); however, substantial heterogeneity was present (I2 = 82.7%). This effect size represents an effect of -2.12 points on the 20-point Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale. Larger trials with a lower risk of bias suggested a null association. Meta-regression analyses showed that higher effect sizes (unstandardized β, 1.07 [95% CI, 0.28 to 1.87] for trials using a no treatment control) were seen in trials using a no wedge treatment control group (n = 4 trials; SMD, -1.20 [95% CI, -2.09 to -0.30]) and lower effect sizes (unstandardized β, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.002 to 0.52] for each bias category deemed low risk) when the study method was deemed at low risk of bias. Among trials in which the control treatment was a neutral insole (n = 7), lateral wedges showed no association (SMD, -0.03 [95% CI, -0.18 to 0.12] on WOMAC; this represents an effect of -0.12 points), and results showed little heterogeneity (I2 = 7.1%).Although meta-analytic pooling of all studies showed a statistically significant association between use of lateral wedges and lower pain in medial knee osteoarthritis, restriction of studies to those using a neutral insole comparator did not show a significant or clinically important association. These findings do not support the use of lateral wedges for this indication.
Influence of steroids on HCV recurrence after liver transplantation: A prospective study
Authors: Marco Vivarelli, Patrizia Burra, Giuliano La Barba, Daniele Canova, Marco Senzolo, Alessandro Cucchetti, Antonia D’Errico, Maria Guido, Roberto Merenda, Daniele Neri, Matteo Zanello, Federico Maria Giannini, Gian Luca Grazi, Umberto Cillo, Antonio Daniele Pinna
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2007)
16 Identification of a cross talk between the PDGF-beta receptor signalling pathway and the myristoylated alanine-rich PKC substrate (MARCKS) protein in activated human hepatic stellate cells
Authors: K. Rombouts, B. Lottini, A. Caligiuri, M. Parola, V. Carloni, F. Marra, M. Pinzani
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2004)