tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Cervical spine surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an appraisal.
Authors: E R McRorie, P McLoughlin, T Russell, I Beggs, G Nuki, N P Hurst
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1996)

OBJECTIVES: To review the outcome of surgery undertaken to stabilise the neck in patients with rheumatoid arthritis performed over a five year period, to compare the results with those of previous reports, and to identify factors that may predict surgical outcome. METHODS: Outcome was assessed at time of discharge from hospital after surgery by review of patients9 notes, and at follow up by patient interview, clinical examination, anonymous questionnaire, and cervical spine radiograph. The Ranawat classification of neurological impairment and Steinbrocker functional classification were used. RESULTS: Thirty nine patients underwent 44 procedures; 28 patients were available for review after a mean period of 29.8 months (range 12-65 months). Fourteen patients had preoperative neurological impairment and were available for follow up; 13 returned the questionnaire. Four (29%) had improved Ranawat class, nine were unchanged, and one had deteriorated. Nine (69%) reported a subjective improvement in neurological symptoms by questionnaire, even though the Ranawat class was unchanged in five. Twenty five of the patients reviewed had pain before operation; 21 returned the questionnaire. Pain relief was reported by direct questioning and questionnaire in 76% and 67% of patients, respectively. Overall, 67% felt that surgery had been successful. Surgery was more successful in producing symptomatic relief in patients with neck or radicular pain than in those with neurological deficit, but did prevent progression of neurological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are similar to those from other centres. Overall patient satisfaction with surgery was good. Surgery was more likely to produce symptomatic relief in patients with neck or radicular pain before operation than in those with neurological deficit. The greater subjective improvement in neurological symptoms as judged by questionnaire probably reflects the relative insensitivity of the Ranawat classification in detecting change in neurological status; previous reports of poor outcome for patients with neurological symptoms who undergo surgery may in part be a reflection of the insensitivity of this method of assessment. No clear factors emerged which allowed prediction of those patients at greatest risk of operative mortality. In particular, an increased risk of neurological compromise appeared to confer no additional risk of immediate perioperative death. Our data support the suggestion that early surgery to correct symptomatic atlantoaxial subluxation may prevent progression of instability.
Increased diffusion of soluble adhesion molecules in meningitis, severe sepsis and systemic inflammatory response without neurological infection is associated with intrathecal shedding in cases of meningitis
Authors: Olivier Belliard, Fr�d�ric Jacobs, Isabelle Chary, Fran�ois G. Brivet, Bruno M�garbane, Philippe Marchal, Anne Marfaing-Koka
Journal: Intensive Care Medicine (2004)
Aquatic versus mammalian toxicology: applications of the comparative approach.
Authors: A M Guarino
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1987)

The large body of literature and techniques generated by mammalian toxicity studies provides a conceptual and technical framework within which the absorption, fate, and disposition of xenobiotics in aquatic organisms can be studied. This review emphasizes the similarities and differences between mammalian and aquatic systems, e.g., lung vs. gill as site of absorption and toxicity. These must be taken into consideration when designing aquatic toxicity studies. Studies of phenol red in dogfish shark as an example show physiologic-based pharmacokinetic modeling to be a useful tool for investigating and eventually predicting species differences in xenobiotic disposition and drug differences within the same species. This discussion demonstrates that both laboratory and modeling procedures are now available to carry out sophisticated studies of xenobiotic fate and disposition in fish. Such studies are needed to pinpoint sites and mechanisms of pollutant toxicity in aquatic organisms.
Plasma Hypertensinase in Experimental Renal Hypertension
Authors: CONCETTA D. HARAKAL, DEAN A. COLLINS
Journal: Circulation Research (1956)

A lowered plasma hypertensinase cannot be implicated as an essential factor in either acute or chronic renal hypertension in the dog. No uniform or persistent change occurs in the enzyme. However, marked fluctuations out of the normal range do occur in many, but not all, animals. Prolonged decreases are most frequent in acute hypertension and elevations in chronic hypertension. A modification of Dexter's method for the determination of plasma hypertensinase is described.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia is a major trigger for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in morbid obese
Authors: Judith Aron-Wisnewsky, Caroline Minville, Joan Tordjman, Patrick Lévy, Jean-Luc Bouillot, Arnaud Basdevant, Pierre Bedossa, Karine Clément, Jean-Louis Pépin
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2011)
Increased Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease in Japanese Subjects With Hyperinsulinemia or Glucose Intolerance
Authors: Nobuhiro Yamada, Hideyo Yoshinaga, Noboru Sakurai, Hitoshi Shimano, Takanari Gotoda, Yasuo Ohashi, Yoshio Yazaki, Kinori Kosaka
Journal: Diabetes Care (1994)

OBJECTIVE To understand the interrelationship of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance to prevent and better manage this disease. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We performed a 100-g oral glucose tolerance test in 2,113 subjects, and we evaluated their plasma lipid levels, blood pressure (BP), and plasma glucose and plasma insulin responses. RESULTS Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant relationship of either BP, plasma triglyceride (TG), or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels to plasma insulin and glucose response after the glucose load. Plasma cholesterol levels were related only to the plasma glucose response. In subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) with hyperinsulinemia or normoinsulinemia, the hyperinsulinemic subjects had a significantly higher mean BP and plasma TG level than the normoinsulinemic subjects (128.8/82.3 vs. 122.9/79.3 mmHg and 172.1 vs. 119.4 mg/dl), and the HDL-cholesterol level was significantly lower (43.9 vs. 47.8 mg/dl). Furthermore, subjects matched for age, sex, and BMI with glucose intolerance had a higher mean BP (128.4/81.8 vs. 123.5/78.7 mmHg) and higher plasma TG level (154.2 vs. 123.0 mg/dl) than those without glucose intolerance. CONCLUSIONS Based on these findings, subjects with hyperinsulinemia or glucose intolerance should be carefully managed to prevent CAD, because they have more numerous and more severe risk factors than subjects with normal plasma insulin levels or subjects without glucose intolerance.
The Relation of Running to Bone and Joint Disease-Reply
Authors: James F. Fries
Journal: JAMA (1986)

In Reply.—  Drs Murphy and Ehrlich are appropriately concerned, as are we, by the possibility of self-selection into the runners group individuals who are resistant to the development of osteoarthritis. Our article reported an initial cross-sectional study—part of an ongoing eight-year prospective study of 961 runners and randomly selected community controls. This study, now in its second year, is designed to address this issue.  Already, however, there are compelling reasons to suspect that little self-selection bias is present. If the purported self-selection were due to gradual dropouts of those developing osteoarthritis from running groups, then we should get different results when we count all runners of any distance, past or present, as runners, than when we include only avid club members. In fact, exactly the same findings hold. Moreover, the same results hold when we compare runners and nonrunners within the community control group, a population of subjects randomly selected
Dust: a metric for use in residential and building exposure assessment and source characterization.
Authors: Paul J Lioy, Natalie C G Freeman, James R Millette
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2002)

In this review, we examine house dust and residential soil and their use for identifying sources and the quantifying levels of toxicants for the estimation of exposure. We answer critical questions that focus on the selection of samples or sampling strategies for collection and discuss areas of uncertainty and gaps in knowledge. We discuss the evolution of dust sampling with a special emphasis on work conducted after the publication of the 1992 review by McArthur [Appl Occup Environ Hyg 7(9):599-606 (1992)]. The approaches to sampling dust examined include surface wipe sampling, vacuum sampling, and other sampling approaches, including attic sampling. The metrics of presentation of results for toxicants in dust surface loading (micrograms per square centimeter) or surface concentration (micrograms per gram) are discussed. We evaluate these metrics in terms of how the information can be used in source characterization and in exposure characterization. We discuss the types of companion information on source use and household or personal activity patterns required to assess the significance of the dust exposure. The status and needs for wipe samplers, surface samplers, and vacuum samplers are summarized with some discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of each type of sampler. We also discuss needs for research and development and the current status of standardization. Case studies are provided to illustrate the use of house dust and residential soil in source characterization, forensic analyses, or human exposure assessment.
A randomized, double-blind comparison of methoxamine and epinephrine in human cardiopulmonary arrest.
Authors: W D Patrick, J Freedman, T McEwen, R B Light, L Ludwig, D Roberts
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1995)

The beneficial effect of epinephrine has been attributed to its alpha-adrenergic properties. The present study was designed to compare the effects of epinephrine and methoxamine in witnessed cardiac arrests. Consecutive, witnessed cardiac-arrest victims presenting to the emergency room or from the inpatient population of our institution were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized to receive either epinephrine (2 mg bolus followed by 2 mg every 4 min) or methoxamine (40 mg bolus followed after 4 min by 40 mg) in a blind design. Patients were followed prospectively for survival and neurologic outcome. A total of 199 patients were randomized into the study, but 54 had to be retrospectively dropped from analysis for failure to comply with the study protocol. Of the 145 patients remaining, 77 received methoxamine (M) and 68 epinephrine (E). There was no difference in rate of successful resuscitation (42% versus 53%, M versus E, respectively), or in neurologic outcome as measured by the Glasgow-Pittsburgh Coma Score (GPCS). This study failed to demonstrate any difference in the rate of initial resuscitation, survival to discharge from the hospital, or neurologic status with methoxamine as opposed to epinephrine in the setting of cardiac arrest.
The <b> <i>HMG-I</i> </b> Oncogene Causes Highly Penetrant, Aggressive Lymphoid Malignancy in Transgenic Mice and Is Overexpressed in Human Leukemia
Authors: Yi Xu, Takita Felder Sumter, Raka Bhattacharya, Abeba Tesfaye, Ephraim J. Fuchs, Lisa J. Wood, David L. Huso, Linda M. S. Resar
Journal: Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract HMG-I/Y is overexpressed in human cancer, although a direct role for this gene in transformation has not been established. We generated transgenic mice with HMG-I targeted to lymphoid cells. All seven informative founder HMG-I mice developed aggressive lymphoma by a mean age of 4.8 months. Tumors express T-cell markers and are transplantable. We also demonstrate that HMG-I mRNA and protein are increased in human acute lymphocytic leukemia samples. Our results show that HMG-I functions as an oncogene and suggest that it contributes to the pathogenesis of leukemia and other cancers with increased HMG-I expression.
Single Reading with Computer-Aided Detection for Screening Mammography
Authors: Fiona J. Gilbert, Susan M. Astley, Maureen G.C. Gillan, Olorunsola F. Agbaje, Matthew G. Wallis, Jonathan James, Caroline R.M. Boggis, Stephen W. Duffy
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2008)

The sensitivity of screening mammography for the detection of small breast cancers is higher when the mammogram is read by two readers rather than by a single reader. We conducted a trial to determine whether the performance of a single reader using a computer-aided detection system would match the performance achieved by two readers.The trial was designed as an equivalence trial, with matched-pair comparisons between the cancer-detection rates achieved by single reading with computer-aided detection and those achieved by double reading. We randomly assigned 31,057 women undergoing routine screening by film mammography at three centers in England to double reading, single reading with computer-aided detection, or both double reading and single reading with computer-aided detection, at a ratio of 1:1:28. The primary outcome measures were the proportion of cancers detected according to regimen and the recall rates within the group receiving both reading regimens.The proportion of cancers detected was 199 of 227 (87.7%) for double reading and 198 of 227 (87.2%) for single reading with computer-aided detection (P=0.89). The overall recall rates were 3.4% for double reading and 3.9% for single reading with computer-aided detection; the difference between the rates was small but significant (P<0.001). The estimated sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for single reading with computer-aided detection were 87.2%, 96.9%, and 18.0%, respectively. The corresponding values for double reading were 87.7%, 97.4%, and 21.1%. There were no significant differences between the pathological attributes of tumors detected by single reading with computer-aided detection alone and those of tumors detected by double reading alone.Single reading with computer-aided detection could be an alternative to double reading and could improve the rate of detection of cancer from screening mammograms read by a single reader. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00450359.)
Psychophysiological Characteristics of Anxiety Patients and Controls
Authors: Maria S. Kopp
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (1989)

87 patients with panic syndrome or agoraphobia with panic were compared with 28 generalized anxiety patients and 29 controls. Psychophysiological measures included rating scales, autonomic responses patterns, auditory thresholds and vigilance characteristics. In panic patients the state anxiety and the blood and injury phobia were significantly higher than in generalized anxiety patients. The generalized anxiety group could be characterized by high trait anxiety, suicidal ideation and lower capacity for sustained attention. Phasic electrodermal response amplitudes to the first verbal stimulus were significantly higher on the nondominant hands of the panic patients and on the dominant hands of the generalized anxiety patients. At 8,000 Hz panic and generalized anxiety patients showed opposite asymmetries of auditory thresholds with a left ear advantage for generalized anxiety patients and a right ear advantage for panic patients. These results suggest a relative left-hemispheric activation dominance in panic patients and a relative right-hemispheric dominance in generalized anxiety patients. The most consistent background factors in both anxiety groups were the highly significantly increased dysfunctional attitudes, first of all the high level of external control compared to controls.
Improving Growth Status of Asian Refugee Children in the United States
Authors: Ray Yip
Journal: JAMA (1992)

<h3>Objective.</h3> —To analyze the trend and pattern of the nutrition status of Southeast Asian refugee children and other low-income children in the United States. <h3>Design.</h3> —Descriptive analysis of the growth data from the Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga, from 1980 through 1989. <h3>Subjects.</h3> —Children under 5 years of age from low-income families enrolled in public health clinics in 12 selected states. <h3>Measurements and Main Results.</h3> —Asian refugee children experienced a progressive and significant decline in the prevalence of low birth weight, low height-for-age, and low weight-for-age, while these nutritional indexes remained stable for low-income white, black, and Hispanic children. By 1989, the growth status of Asian children was near that of other ethnic groups. <h3>Conclusions.</h3> —The marked improvement of growth status among Asian refugee children over a short period suggests that the poor growth status often observed among recently immigrated Asian children is primarily related to nutritional and health factors, rather than genetic factors. In assessing the growth of Asian or immigrant children, it would be helpful to take their family and early childhood background into account. (<i>JAMA</i>. 1992;267:937-940)
Cooperative Phosphorylation of FADD by Aur-A and Plk1 in Response to Taxol Triggers Both Apoptotic and Necrotic Cell Death
Authors: Moon-Sun Jang, Su-Jin Lee, Nam Sook Kang, Eunhee Kim
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Administration of the antimitotic chemotherapeutic taxol is known to cause accumulation of the mitotic kinase Aurora-A (Aur-A). Here, we report that Aur-A phosphorylates S203 of the Fas associated with death domain protein (FADD) in response to taxol treatment. In addition, polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) failed to phosphorylate the Aur-A-unphosphorylatable FADD substitution mutant S203A, indicating that phosphorylation of S203 by Aur-A serves to prime FADD for Plk1-mediated phosphorylation at S194. The double-phosphorylation-mimicking mutant form of FADD, FADD-S194D/S203D (FADD-DD), recruited caspase-8, activating the caspase-dependent cell death pathway. FADD-DD also dissociated the cell death protein RIP1 from FADD, resulting in activation of RIP1 and triggering of caspase-independent cell death. Consistent with its death-promoting potential, FADD-DD showed robust tumor suppressor activity. However, single-phosphorylation-mimicking mutant forms of FADD, FADD-S194D/S203A (FADD-DA) and FADD-S194A/S203D (FADD-AD), were incapable of carrying out such functions, indicating that double phosphorylation of FADD is critical for the execution of cell death and tumor suppression. Collectively, our data show the existence of cooperative actions between Aur-A and Plk1 mitotic kinases in response to taxol, providing a molecular explanation for the action mechanism of taxol.
Blood Alcohol Levels and Intoxication
Authors: Andrew B. Dott
Journal: JAMA (1970)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> Lowenstein et al (<b>213</b>:1899, 1970) suggest that blood alcohol levels of 184 mg/100 ml "represent a moderately and mildly intoxicated level, respectively." Most investigators of alcohol and alcoholism would think that these levels represent, in the nonalcoholic, a state of advanced intoxication. In an excellent review of alcohol and the impaired driver,<sup>1</sup>a series of studies are cited which illustrate that at blood alcohol levels of 150 mg/100 ml more than 50% of all persons are grossly intoxicated. Persons with a long history of alcohol use are less likely to shown signs of gross intoxication at lower levels since they have learned to control their behavior. Since functional impairment occurs at levels lower than those at which the diagnosis of intoxication would have been made by clinical criteria,<sup>1</sup>(p<sup>25</sup>) intoxication should be defined as the level at which functional impairment occurs. Mild alcohol
Serum alanine aminotransferase in skeletal muscle diseases
Authors: Rahul A. Nathwani, Shireen Pais, Telfer B. Reynolds, Neil Kaplowitz
Journal: Hepatology (2005)

Although elevation of the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) following liver injury is well known, confusion exists concerning skeletal muscle injury as the cause of this rise. We reviewed the records of 16 patients who had muscle necrosis without evidence of liver disease. The patients were divided into three groups: extreme exercise, polymyositis, and seizures. All patients exhibited markedly elevated creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels consistent with muscle injury. In acute cases, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and ALT were both elevated, and the AST/ALT ratio was greater than 3, but this ratio approached 1 after a few days because of a faster decline in AST. In conclusion, this difference in half-life accounts for the comparable AST and ALT levels in our cases with chronic muscle injury. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;41:380–382.)
Gastrointestinal Blood Loss
Authors: Lonnie B. Hanauer
Journal: JAMA (1977)

To the Editor.—  It has been repeatedly demonstrated that antirheumatic doses of aspirin, especially when given unbuffered and without food, result in the daily loss of 3 to 5 ml of blood into the gastrointestinal tract. The phenylalkanoic acids appear to be less culpable with regard to minor daily blood loss, as redemonstrated by Loebl et al (237:976,1977). It is less clear whether major gastrointestinal bleeding, which occurs in one in 6,700 heavy aspirin users annually, is any less common with the phenylalkanoic acids. 1  The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapy recently reviewed reported bleeding and fatal hemorrhage in patients receiving phenylalkanoic acids. 2   Loebl concludes that nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs have relatively similar degrees of efficacy, citing a recent review. 3   The Mills 3 article does not mention fenoprofen calcium or other phenylalkanoic acids specifically but does state that none [of the nonsteroidal drugs] has any advantage over salicylate
Spontaneous Conversion and Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm by Amiodarone in Patients With Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Prakash C. Deedwania, Bramah N. Singh, Kenneth Ellenbogen, Susan Fisher, Ross Fletcher, Steven N. Singh
Journal: Circulation (1998)

Background —In a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the long-term effects of amiodarone on morbidity and mortality in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) were evaluated during a 4-year period. Methods and Results —Of 667 patients with CHF, 103 (15%) had AF at baseline. Of these, 51 were randomized to amiodarone and 52 to placebo. The group with sinus rhythm and the group in AF were comparable except for a higher proportion of AF in patients with nonischemic versus ischemic cardiomyopathy (41% versus 27%, P &lt;0.005). The mean ventricular response (VR) during AF over 24 hours was reduced by amiodarone at 2 weeks (20%, P =0.001), at 6 months (18%, P =0.001), and at 12 months (16%, P =0.006). Maximal VR was reduced 22% ( P =0.001) at 2 weeks, 19% ( P =0.001) at 6 months, and 14% ( P =0.001) at 12 months. Sixteen of 51 patients on amiodarone and 4 of 52 on placebo converted to sinus rhythm during the study (χ 2 =9.23, P =0.002). During follow-up, 11 of 268 patients in sinus rhythm on amiodarone at baseline and 22 of the 263 in sinus rhythm on placebo developed AF; the difference was significant (χ 2 =12.88, P =0.005). Analysis of total mortality during follow-up showed a significantly lower mortality rate ( P =0.04) in patients in AF at baseline who subsequently converted to sinus rhythm on amiodarone than in those who did not convert to sinus rhythm on the drug. Conclusions —In patients with CHF, amiodarone has a significant potential to spontaneously convert patients in AF to sinus rhythm, with patients who convert having a lower mortality rate than those who do not. The drug prevented the development of new-onset AF and significantly reduced the VR in those with persistent AF.