tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Cohort studies: sources of bias
Authors: P. Sedgwick
Journal: BMJ (2011)

The association between adherence to lifestyle recommendations and risk of colorectal cancer was investigated using a prospective cohort study. Adherence to lifestyle recommendations was measured by a lifestyle index based on five factors—physical activity, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol intake, and diet.1

Between 1993 and 1997, all Danish men and women aged 50-64 years who lived in Copenhagen and Aarhus were invited to participate. In total, 160 725 potential participants were identified and 57 053 (35%) accepted the invitation. Of the respondents, 569 were excluded because they had recently been diagnosed with cancer. A further 997 respondents were excluded because of missing data, resulting in a cohort size of 55 487. Adherence to lifestyle recommendations was measured at recruitment. Cohort participants were followed …
Emotional intelligence: associations with emotions, emotion regulation and rowing performance
Authors: M A Uphill, H Mills
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2011)

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to monitor one's own and others' emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide thinking and action. Research suggests that EI can influence emotions and sport performance (Lane et al , 2010). This study extended research by examining the influence of EI on emotions, emotion regulation strategies, and performance. After competing in the British Indoor Rowing Championship, rowers (n = 104: male = 67, female n = 33, 4 undisclosed), aged between 16 and 77 (M = 39 years; SD = 15) were asked to complete a measure of EI (Lane et al , 2009), the intensity and time at which a range of emotions occurred and whether they wanted to increase, maintain, or decrease experienced emotions. Results suggested that there was no association between EI and rowing performance. EI was associated with greater excitement (r =0.22, p =0.04), happiness (r =0.26, p =0.01) and pride (r =0.24, p =0.02). Although there was no association between EI and emotions postrace , there was an association between EI and positive emotions prior to racing (r =0.20, p =0.05). To examine whether those high in EI (top 25% of scores) regulated (ie, increased, maintained, or decreased) positive and negative emotions differently from those low in EI (bottom 25% of scores) a 3-way loglinear analysis was conducted. This produced a final model that retained an emotion type by regulation interaction. The likelihood ratio of this model was (χ 2 (6) = 10.90, p =0.09. The emotion type x regulation interaction was significant, χ 2 (2) = 22.95, p =0.001. Rowers were 17% more likely to increase positively, compared to negatively toned emotions; 20% more likely to maintain positively compared to negatively toned emotions; and 48% more likely to decrease negatively compared to positively toned emotions. EI may be associated with positively toned emotions precompetition, but this may not necessarily translate to enhanced performance in discrete events.
Diagnostic Decision
Authors: MARK D. ARONSON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1987)

We reviewed the literature on the performance of the blood culture as a diagnostic test and analyzed the data with Bayes' theorem to find the optimal number of cultures to draw. The blood culture is unusually dependent on physician behavior (use of sterile technique, the number and timing of cultures, volume of blood drawn) and on their clinical judgment (estimating the pretest probability of bacteremia, anticipating the causative pathogen, interpreting the results). Because there is no independent "gold-standard" procedure against which to evaluate this test, sensitivity and specificity can only be approximated. Sensitivity can be maximized by doing multiple cultures containing at least 10 mL of blood per set. Specificity can be maximized by adhering strictly to aseptic techniques and by requiring that multiple sets be positive for the series to be considered positive when the anticipated pathogens are also common contaminants. Two or three blood culture sets almost always suffice to establish or rule out bacteremia, although on some occasions obtaining more than three sets of cultures is indicated. One set is rarely, if ever, sufficient.
Baconians versus Stratfordians
Authors: T. Dalrymple
Journal: BMJ (2009)

Can anyone resist an interminable controversy that is not capable of being settled, has no practical consequences, and is argued with all the resources of erudition? Such a controversy has been caused by the theory that Francis Bacon was the real author of Shakespeare’s plays, a theory first put forward over a century and a half ago by a learned American lady of the name, oddly enough, of Bacon (who soon afterwards ended her days in an asylum). It has kept many ingenious people busy ever since.

Among them was an eminent surgeon at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, called W S Melsome (1865-1944). His book, The Bacon-Shakespeare Anatomy , was published in 1945, the year …
Hiatal Hernia Depicted on Tc-99m Sestamibi Images
Authors: MICHAEL W. HANSON, ROBERT A. PAGNANELLI, VINCENT H. S. LOW
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2000)

A 68-year-old obese, hypertensive, diabetic woman with a history of intermittent bleeding from a hiatal hernia was examined and found to have anemia and exertional chest discomfort and dyspnea. After treatment of her anemia, she was referred for assessment of myocardial ischemia. The results of Tc-99m sestamibi rest and exercise stress myocardial perfusion images were normal. Extracardiac tracer accumulation was identified near the base of the heart on the rest study, which correlated in location to a large hiatal hernia on radiographs. Localization of Tc-99m sestamibi within the stomach likely represented reflux of tracer from the duodenum. Other considerations include free pertechnetate secretion from the gastric mucosa or gastric bleeding during tracer injection.
RGS4 Inhibits G-Protein Signaling in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Praveen Tamirisa, Kendall J. Blumer, Anthony J. Muslin
Journal: Circulation (1999)

Background —RGS family members are GTPase-activating proteins for heterotrimeric G q and G i proteins. RGS genes are expressed in heart tissue and in cultured cardiomyocytes. There is evidence that altered RGS gene expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Methods and Results —We investigated the ability of RGS proteins to block G-protein signaling in vivo by using a cultured cardiomyocyte transfection system. Endothelin-1, angiotensin II, and phenylephrine signal through G q or G i family members and promote the hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. We found that phenylephrine-mediated and endothelin-1–mediated induction of the atrial natriuretic factor and myosin light chain-2 genes was inhibited in cells that were transfected with RGS4. Phenylephrine-mediated gene induction was not inhibited in cells that were transfected with N128A-RGS4, a point mutant form that lacks GTPase-activating protein activity. Phenylephrine-mediated myofilament organization and cell growth were also blocked in cells by RGS4. Conclusions —These results demonstrate that RGS protein can inhibit G-protein–mediated signaling in vivo and suggest that increased expression of RGS protein may be a counterregulatory mechanism to inhibit G protein signaling.
Stepped-Dose Versus Full-Dose Efavirenz for HIV Infection and Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events
Authors: Alicia Gutiérrez-Valencia
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

Background: More than 50% of patients who start efavirenz treatment develop limiting neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAEs). Objective: To assess whether stepwise dosing of efavirenz decreases the incidence and severity of NPAEs while maintaining virologic efficacy. Design: Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Setting: 7 HIV clinics in Spain. Patients: 114 HIV-infected patients eligible for efavirenz treatment plus 2 nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Intervention: Random assignment (by computer-generated sequence) to receive efavirenz, 200 mg/d on days 1 through 6, 400 mg/d on days 7 through 13, and 600 mg/d on day 14 and after, or efavirenz, 600 mg/d, from day 1. Both groups received 2 nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors chosen by the patient's physician. Measurements: Neuropsychiatric symptoms and sleep quality were assessed by questionnaires at 0, 7, 14, and 30 days. The primary outcome was efavirenz-related NPAEs during the first 2 weeks, and the secondary outcome was plasma HIV RNA level at 24 weeks. Results: Compared with the stepped-dose group, the full-dose group had higher incidence and severity of dizziness (66.0% vs. 32.8%; P = 0.001), hangover (45.8% vs. 20.7%; P = 0.008), impaired concentration (22.9% vs. 8.9%; P = 0.038), and hallucinations (6.1% vs. 0%; P = 0.056) during the first week. From week 2, the incidence of efavirenz-related NPAEs was similar in both groups, although the severity was greater in the full-dose group. Virologic and immunologic efficacy seemed similar in both groups. Limitations: The sample size was calculated on the basis of a high absolute difference in rates of efavirenz-related NPAEs between the groups. A lower absolute difference and a larger sample size could have made the differences between groups reach statistical significance beyond the first week. In addition, the sample size does not allow confirmation of similar efficacy between treatment groups. Conclusion: Stepwise dose escalation of efavirenz over 2 weeks reduces the incidence and intensity of efavirenz-related NPAEs while maintaining efficacy. Primary Funding Source: Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía, Spain.
Effect of TCN2 776C&gt;G on vitamin B12 cellular availability in end-stage renal disease patients
Authors: Manuela Födinger, Mario Veitl, Sonja Skoupy, Jadwiga Wojcik, Claudia Röhrer, Wolfgang Hagen, Heidi Puttinger, Anna-Christine Hauser, Andreas Vychytil, Gere Sunder-Plassmann
Journal: Kidney International (2003)
Reporting Results From Chemotherapy Trials
Authors: Robert K. Oye
Journal: JAMA (1984)

Patients with many common tumors are treated with chemotherapy despite limited evidence of treatment effectiveness. To determine if chemotherapy trials reporting effectiveness actually demonstrated increased survival in treated patients, we reviewed trials published over a two-year period involving four common solid tumors. Of 80 studies, 95% reported response to chemotherapy as an end point. Of 38 studies demonstrating 15% or greater objective response, 76% reported significantly greater survival of responders than of nonresponders. Of 21 studies containing statements supporting treatment effectiveness, 95% based this claim at least in part on the superior survival of responders compared with nonresponders. Because responders may have lived longer without treatment, such comparisons are not valid and may lead to overly optimistic views of chemotherapy effectiveness. Journal editors should be wary of allowing survival comparisons between responders and nonresponders in published reports. (<i>JAMA</i>1984;252:2722-2725)
Skeletal muscle metabolism in patients with congestive heart failure: relation to clinical severity and blood flow.
Authors: B Massie, M Conway, R Yonge, S Frostick, J Ledingham, P Sleight, G Radda, B Rajagopalan
Journal: Circulation (1987)

We and others have previously demonstrated excessive phosphocreatine (PCr) depletion and acidosis in skeletal muscle during exercise in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). In the present study, we performed serial measurements of PCr and pH during gradually incremental flexor digitorum superficialis exercise in 22 patients with CHF and 11 age-matched controls to determine: (1) whether abnormalities were present at the same relative workloads (a comparison that would at least partially compensate for differences in muscle mass), (2) the temporable course of the metabolic changes, (3) the relationship of the metabolic findings to clinical variables, and (4) the relationship of the metabolic abnormalities to forearm blood flow. The patients with CHF had significantly lower [PCr] and pH at all submaximal levels of exercise, and these abnormalities were apparent from the onset of low-level exercise. There was considerable heterogeneity among the patients with CHF with respect to the metabolic findings, with 14 of 22 exhibiting either PCr or pH values more than 2 SDs below normal. Patients whose capacity was more limited during the protocol had lower [PCr], and especially pH, at low loads than did other patients with CHF or the control subjects. The more symptomatic patients and those with more limited bicycle exercise tolerance also had lower pH values. In contrast, there were no significant differences in forearm blood flow between the patients and controls and no relationship between forearm blood and either clinical variables or the metabolic findings. These results indicate that skeletal muscle metabolic abnormalities are present in many patients with CHF and that they are not primarily due to either muscle atrophy or impaired blood flow. These changes may explain in part the marked heterogeneity of symptom status and exercise capacity of patients with similar degrees of cardiac dysfunction.
Differentiating between "no proof of difference" and "proof of no difference" for new oral anticoagulants
Authors: A. Messori, V. Fadda, R. Gatto, D. Maratea, S. Trippoli
Journal: BMJ (2014)

In the past few years, network meta-analysis has increasingly been used in research on comparative effectiveness.1 Recently, 13 meta-analyses of new oral anticoagulants for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation have been conducted and published over a short time.2 Although simultaneous publication of numerous meta-analyses on the same subject has disadvantages …
Serum Parameters as Discriminators between Normal and Coronary Groups
Authors: BERNARD S. SCHLESSINGER, FREDRICK H. WILSON, LAWRENCE J. MILCH
Journal: Circulation (1959)

Evaluation was undertaken of several measurements in discriminating between a group of clinically normal persons and a group of persons with definite atherosclerosis manifested by clinical myocardial infaretions. Various S f lipoprotein classes, the serum cholesterol, the beta lipoprotein cholesterol, the lipid phosphorus, and the "atherogenic index" were included in the study. The results are presented and their significance is discussed.
On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ-Reply
Authors: William D. Edwards
Journal: JAMA (1986)

In Reply.—  The various comments are both informative and thought provoking and predominantly address two major issues: motives and methodology. They differ considerably from the supportive letters that have accompanied more than 100 of the 700 reprint requests received to date.  Motives.—  We recognize that the nature of Jesus' death is an exceedingly sensitive and emotional issue for many groups. His death, which in early years was used as a call for love,' was transformed to justify hatred and a reprehensible history of repression. We view with utter revulsion this history and its anti-Semitic notion of collective guilt.  Accordingly, the present accusations of anti-Semitism are most distressing. We categorically deny anti-Semitic intent or inference and condemn anti-Semitism loudly and passionately. Moreover, we would mourn the day that anyone would attempt to use our study to promote anti-Semitism, and we pray that the emergence of this topic may never result in
The PD-1/PD-L1 axis modulates the natural killer cell versus multiple myeloma effect: a therapeutic target for CT-011, a novel monoclonal anti–PD-1 antibody
Authors: Don M. Benson, Courtney E. Bakan, Anjali Mishra, Craig C. Hofmeister, Yvonne Efebera, Brian Becknell, Robert A. Baiocchi, Jianying Zhang, Jianhua Yu, Megan K. Smith, Carli N. Greenfield, Pierluigi Porcu, Steven M. Devine, Rinat Rotem-Yehudar, Gerard Lozanski, John C. Byrd, Michael A. Caligiuri
Journal: Blood (2010)
Loss of Heterozygosity and Immunohistochemistry of Adenocarcinomas of the Esophagus and Gastric Cardia
Authors: Willem A. Marsman, Rakesh S. Birjmohun, Bastiaan P. van Rees, Eric Caspers, G. Johan, A. Offerhaus, Piter J. Bosma, J. Jan, B. van Lanschot
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Purpose: Adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus and gastric cardia are two tumors that have many features in common. They have similar prognoses, treatment modalities, and patterns of dissemination. The etiology is different, with gastroesophageal reflux disease playing a major role for esophageal adenocarcinoma, in contrast to adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia. In the present study, we investigated several genetic and immunohistochemical features of adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus and gastric cardia. Experimental Design: Sixty-two resection specimens of either adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia were carefully selected. The genetic analysis included loss of heterozygosity of several tumor suppressor genes known to be involved in esophagogastric carcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical studies included the analysis of p53, c-Met, c-erbB-2, β-catenin, and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, a mutation analysis of the Tcf1 gene was done by direct sequencing. Results: Patients with cardiac carcinoma had a significantly worse tumor stage and poorer differentiation on histology. Loss of heterozygosity analysis did not reveal significant differences between esophageal adenocarcinoma and cardiac adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significantly more nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, compared with patients with cardiac carcinoma. No mutation was found in the Tcf1 gene in either tumor type. Conclusions: Although adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus and gastric cardia have many features in common, we have found some evidence that they might form two different entities.
Alterations in Serum Content of Pancreatic Enzymes
Authors: Paul D. Webster, Leslie Zieve
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1962)

THIS review will discuss the enzymes that have been found elevated in the serum in acute pancreatitis and various parapancreatic diseases. Because of the variable clinical picture and the inaccessibility of the pancreas the clinical diagnosis of acute pancreatitis has in the past rested largely upon the demonstration of an abnormal elevation in serum amylase. This test has been used extensively, and a large literature defining its usefulness and limitations has accumulated. Methods have been developed for measuring other pancreatic enzymes in an attempt to minimize the nonspecificity of the amylase determination and to lend greater reliability to the enzymatic . . .
Effect of Diet Composition on the Hyperinsulinemia of Obesity
Authors: Neil Grey, David M. Kipnis
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1971)

During two successive three-week periods, seven obese subjects were fed isocaloric diets, the first low, the second high in carbohydrate. In all, basal plasma insulin levels decreased 50 per cent on the low-carbohydrate diet and increased on the high-carbohydrate diet. Three obese subjects were fed, during three successive four-week periods, 1500-calorie diets with high, then low, and then high-carbohydrate content. Basal plasma insulin levels were significantly reduced on the low-carbohydrate diet. Refeeding of the high-carbohydrate diet, despite continued weight loss, resulted in markedly increased basal plasma insulin. In both protocols, most patients also exhibited a decreased insulin secretory response to oral glucose when on a low intake of carbohydrate and an increased response on a high intake. Thus the hyperinsulinemia characteristic of obesity may be a result, in part, of dietary factors rather than exclusively a consequence of the insulin antagonism associated with obesity.
Of Vasodilation in the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: G. E. Burch
Journal: JAMA (1978)

William Harvey's contribution to medicine will never be forgotten. His work changed and corrected the concept of the distribution of blood throughout the body. The human circulation is considered daily by all physicians and physiologists as they are confronted with cardiovascular diseases and pathophysiological cardiovascular processes. Harvey, as true of most great contributors to science, was a keen and thoughtful observer who used few special complex recorders or apparatus to make his great discovery. In fact, there were essentially no physiological recorders of any sort available at the time of his great contribution. In view of these facts and of the nature of Harvey's contribution, it is appropriate to present this brief discussion of the peripheral circulation in congestive heart failure and the use of vasodilators in therapy of acute and intractable congestive heart failure (CHF) in which observations and management are satisfactorily made at the bedside without complex equipment
The Intrinsic Innervation of the Mammalian Heart: An Anatomic and Experimental Study.
Authors: Edwin F. Hirsch
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1965)

s1 May 1965The Intrinsic Innervation of the Mammalian Heart: An Anatomic and Experimental Study.Edwin F. Hirsch, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P., Theodore Cooper, M.D., Ph.D.Edwin F. Hirsch, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this author, Theodore Cooper, M.D., Ph.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-62-5-1070_3 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptImpulses transmitted through the complex correlating pathways of the autonomic nervous system control or influence the rhythmic contractions of the mammalian heart. Physiologists interested in cardiac functions and cardiologists interested in the clinical interpretation of cardiac physiology in health and disease appreciate fully that the nervous system exerts these controls on the heart. These specialists and others, however, have not been able to interpret adequately the observed interrelationships because the distribution of the innervation pathways within the heart and through which the controls or influences are effected have not been fully established.Originally, the intracardiac transmission of the heart was... This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 May 1965Volume 62, Issue 5Page: 1070-1071KeywordsAutonomic nervous systemCardiovascular therapyHeartHeart diseasesLongitudinal studiesNervous systemNeurophysiology Issue Published: 1 May 1965 PDF downloadLoading ...
Pediculosis Capitis and Corneal Lesions
Authors: A. Hirtenstein
Journal: BMJ (1943)

MEDICL OURNAL75mass of the retroverted post-partum uterus impacted in the (contracted) true pelvis.OBSERVATIONS Impaction of the retroverted post-partum uterus in the con- octed true pelvis has never, so far as I have been able to determine, been quoted as a cause of intestinal obstruction after Caesarean delivery.Having seen it occur twice, it has seemed wise and logical to perform prophylactic temporary ventrifixation in all my subse- quent cases of Caesarean section.Since adopting this practice I have seen no suggestion of obstrUctive symptoms in any of these cases of Caesarean section, some 20 in number.It would be absurd, however, to argue from two or twenty cases.The mechanical obstruction I have described may be operative in a proportion of cases hitherto diagnosed as post-operative " ileus."Spontaneous remission would of course be expected in most cases, as the uterus involuted.I am much indebted to Mr. T.