tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of <sup>210</sup> Po and Biological Effects of Low-Level Exposure: The Need for Research
Authors: Ralph L. Seiler, Joseph L. Wiemels
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2012)

Polonium-210 (²¹⁰Po) concentrations that exceed 1 Bq/L in drinking-water supplies have been reported from four widely separated U.S. states where exposure to it went unnoticed for decades. The radionuclide grandparents of ²¹⁰Po are common in sediments, and segments of the public may be chronically exposed to low levels of ²¹⁰Po in drinking water or in food products from animals raised in contaminated areas.We summarized information on the environmental behavior, biokinetics, and toxicology of ²¹⁰Po and identified the need for future research.Potential linkages between environmental exposure to ²¹⁰Po and human health effects were identified in a literature review.²¹⁰Po accumulates in the ovaries where it kills primary oocytes at low doses. Because of its radiosensitivity and tendency to concentrate ²¹⁰Po, the ovary may be the critical organ in determining the lowest injurious dose for ²¹⁰Po. ²¹⁰Po also accumulates in the yolk sac of the embryo and in the fetal and placental tissues. Low-level exposure to ²¹⁰Po may have subtle, long-term biological effects because of its tropism towards reproductive and embryonic and fetal tissues where exposure to a single alpha particle may kill or damage critical cells. ²¹⁰Po is present in cigarettes and maternal smoking has several effects that appear consistent with the toxicology of ²¹⁰Po.Much of the important biological and toxicological research on ²¹⁰Po is more than four decades old. New research is needed to evaluate environmental exposure to ²¹⁰Po and the biological effects of low-dose exposure to it so that public health officials can develop appropriate mitigation measures where necessary.
Evidence that the superoxide-generating system of human leukocytes is associated with the cell surface.
Authors: I M Goldstein, M Cerqueira, S Lind, H B Kaplan
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1977)

Superoxide anion (O-2-) generation by human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes is enhanced when these cells encounter appropriate soluble or particulate stimuli. O-2- generation requires intact, viable cells and proceeds independently of phagocytosis. To investigate the possibility that the O-2--generating system is associated with the outer surface of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte plasma membrane, we have examined the effects upon O-2- production of p-diazobenzenesulfonic acid, a reagent which can react predominantly with proteins of the external cell membrane. When normal human polymorphonuclear leukocytes were preincubated with cytochalasin B (to minimize endocytosis) and then exposed to the surface-active lectin, concanavalin A, the cells were stimulated to generate O-2- in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion and selectively to discharge the granule-associated enzyme, lysozyme, into the surrounding medium. These responses, as well as cellular binding of [H] concanavalin A, could be blocked by alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. Brief treatment (less than 5 min at 4 degrees C) of the cells with p-diazobenzenesulfonic acid (1.0-5.0 mM) significantly interfered with concanavalin A-mediated O-2- generation but had no influence upon lysozyme release or upon binding of [3H] concanavalin A. The diazonium salt did not alter cell viability or the specific activity of the cytoplasmic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (inhibitable under conditions which allowed entry of this reagent into the cytosol). p-Diazobenzenesulfonic acid, therefore, very likely exerted its effects at the cell surface of the intact polymorphonuclear leukocyte, selectively inhibiting O-2- production (either directly or indirectly) without influencing another response to lectin-cell contact: release of lysozyme. These results support the possibility that a polymorphonuclear leukocyte ectoenzyme is responsible for O-2- production.
Lessons on transplant survival from a successful model system
Authors: Stacia B. Moffett
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (1995)

Abstract Studies on the snail Melampus reveal that connectivity is crucial to the survival of transplanted ganglia. Transplanted CNS ganglia can innervate targets or induce supernumerary structures. Neuron survival is optimized by the neural incorporation that occurs when a transplanted ganglion is substituted for an excised ganglion. Better provision for the trophic requirements of neurons will improve the success of mammalian fetal transplants.
Medical science and technology at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School: the first 50 years.
Authors: C C Booth
Journal: BMJ (1985)

formally opened the British Postgraduate Medical School at Hammersmith Hospital (fig 1).It might so nearly not have happened.In the economic gloom of the 1930s it was remarkable that the founding fathers, and particularly Sir Frederick Menzies, chief medical officer to the London County Council, had been able to persuade a reluctant Treasury and the council to part with enough money to enable the school to make -a start.'The school, however, has never allowed financial stringency to affect its sense of ebullient self confidence, and in reading the contemporary accounts of that spring day in 1935 one senses still the high hopes
&lt;EMPH TYPE="BOLD"&gt;Oral Contraceptives and Women's Health in Japan&lt;/EMPH&gt;
Authors: Aya Goto
Journal: JAMA (1999)

Japan approved the use of low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs) in June 1999, after more than 35 years of debate. The debate leaves a legacy of misinformation about and various sources of resistance to OCs. Benefits are expected to include greater control for women over their fertility and a reduction in the high rates of unplanned pregnancies and abortions. Successful implementation of the new policy will require a new emphasis on women's health, including the provision of accurate information about OCs and their associated adverse effects, a women-centered approach to gynecological practice, and the promotion of condoms as protection from sexually transmitted diseases, rather than as contraception alone.
Sex and violence
Authors: Jane Smith
Journal: BMJ (2007)

Sexually transmitted infections are tricky: prevention is always going to be difficult, especially if it involves changing behaviour, but the case of human papillomavirus suggests that preventive methods can be controversial even when they don't demand behaviour changes. Rebecca Coombes explains why a new vaccine against human papillomavirus that is designed to prevent cervical cancer is causing controversy in the US (doi: 10.1136/bmj.39164.510127.AD). The vaccine is given to preteen girls and is expensive. Some think that a mandatory universal vaccination programme undermines parental responsibility and promotes underage sex; it doesn't help that the manufacturer has been heavily promoting the vaccine. …
What do grid cells contribute to place cell firing?
Authors: Daniel Bush, Caswell Barry, Neil Burgess
Journal: Trends in Neurosciences (2014)

The unitary firing fields of hippocampal place cells are commonly assumed to be generated by input from entorhinal grid cell modules with differing spatial scales. Here, we review recent research that brings this assumption into doubt. Instead, we propose that place cell spatial firing patterns are determined by environmental sensory inputs, including those representing the distance and direction to environmental boundaries, while grid cells provide a complementary self-motion related input that contributes to maintaining place cell firing. In this view, grid and place cell firing patterns are not successive stages of a processing hierarchy, but complementary and interacting representations that work in combination to support the reliable coding of large-scale space.
Nail involvement as a predictor of concomitant psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis
Authors: A. Langenbruch, M.A. Radtke, M. Krensel, A. Jacobi, K. Reich, M. Augustin
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2014)

Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) suffer from increased burden of disease and impairments in quality of life. Early detection and treatment of PsA could contribute to the prevention of clinical and radiological progression.To analyse the predictive value of clinical and patient-reported outcomes for concomitant PsA in a population-based cohort of patients with psoriasis.We performed a retrospective analysis of data from three independent national cross-sectional studies on health care in psoriasis and PsA, conducted in Germany in the years 2005, 2007 and 2008. Patients with psoriasis were included in the study by dermatologists (n = 3520) and via the German patient advocacy group for psoriasis (n = 2449). In all studies, psoriasis history, clinical findings, PsA, nail involvement, health care and patient-reported outcomes were collected with standardized questionnaires.In the regression model on 4146 patients the strongest predictors for concomitant PsA were nail involvement [odds ratio (OR) 2·93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·51-3·42, P < 0·001] and inpatient hospital treatment (OR 1·63, 95% CI 1·38-1·93, P < 0·001). By contrast, scalp involvement was not a significant predictor.Patients with psoriasis seen by dermatologists and those in patient advocacy groups show clinical indicators of PsA, the most predictive being nail disease. In practice, a comprehensive assessment of clinical findings associated with PsA is needed.
Pneumothorax During Infant Resuscitation
Authors: Ronald D. Miller
Journal: JAMA (1969)

Because of their daily experience with airway and respiratory problems, physicians practicing anesthesia have become popular "resuscitationists." As such, they have learned that most patients improve dramatically with institution of large volume, mechanical ventilation. As with all forms of treatment in medicine, this form of therapy may give undesirable results on some occasions. The following case is an example. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> Following an uncomplicated pregnancy, a 19-year-old primigravida, while under pudendal block, delivered without problems a 2.5 kg baby boy. The baby was markedly depressed, however, with a one minute Apgar score of one (pulse rate less than 100). Positive pressure ventilation was instituted via a mask from a resuscitation apparatus with 100% oxygen. At a peak inspiratory pressure of 20 cm water, no breath sounds could be heard, and no movement of the chest wall was evident. The pulse rate did increase to 120, however, so the
Hydroxyurea adherence and associated outcomes among Medicaid enrollees with sickle cell disease
Authors: Sean D. Candrilli, Sarah H. O'Brien, Russell E. Ware, Milap C. Nahata, Eric E. Seiber, Rajesh Balkrishnan
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2010)

While laboratory and clinical benefits of hydroxyurea for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are well-established, few data describe the extent and implications of non-adherence. We sought to assess adherence to hydroxyurea among patients with SCD and investigate associations between adherence and clinical and economic outcomes. Insurance claims of North Carolina Medicaid enrollees (6/2000-8/2008) with SCD were analyzed. Inclusion criteria included age < 65 years, continuous Medicaid enrollment ≥ 12 months before and following hydroxyurea initiation, and ≥ 2 hydroxyurea prescriptions. Three hundred twelve patients, mean age 21 (± 12.2) years, met inclusion criteria and 35% were adherent, defined as a medication possession ration (MPR) ≥ 0.80; mean MPR was 0.60. In the 12 months following hydroxyurea initiation, adherence was associated with reduced risk of SCD-related hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.65, p = .0351), all-cause and SCD-related emergency department visit (HR = 0.72, p = .0388; HR = 0.58, p =.0079, respectively), and vaso-occlusive event (HR = 0.66, p = .0130). Adherence was associated with reductions in health care costs such as all-cause and SCD-related inpatient (-$5,286, p < .0001; -$4,403, p < .0001, respectively), ancillary care (-$1,336, p < .0001; -$836, p < .0001, respectively), vaso-occlusive event-related (-$5,793, p < .0001), and total costs (-$6,529, p < .0001; -$5,329, p <.0001, respectively). Adherence to hydroxyurea among SCD patients appears suboptimal and better adherence is associated with improved clinical and economic outcomes.
Where is scientific evidence supporting EU policy on BSE and pharmaceuticals?
Authors: A. Earl-Slater
Journal: BMJ (1998)

EDITOR—Bowser is right to attempt to provide an update of European Union (EU) policies regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy and pharmaceuticals.1 Unfortunately his letter misses the main concern of my earlier letter2: where is the evidence supporting any of the EU's policies on bovine spongiform encephalopathy and pharmaceuticals?

Bowser is wrong to state that amendments to the EU directive on spongiform encephalopathy will not affect drugs. The commission's decision of 30 July (not 29 July as he stated) …
Serial micropuncture analysis of glomerular function in two rat models of glomerular sclerosis.
Authors: A Fogo, Y Yoshida, A D Glick, T Homma, I Ichikawa
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1988)

We have recently developed a micropuncture technique to assess repeatedly function of the same nephrons in chronic renal disease and subsequently examine the morphology of their glomeruli by serial thin-section histological analysis. Using this approach, a potential causal linkage between early functional patterns and late structural abnormalities was examined in glomeruli of two established rat models of glomerular sclerosis. The models are (a) puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) administration in unilaterally nephrectomized Munich-Wistar rats and (b) adriamycin (ADM) treatment in nonnephrectomized Munich-Wistar rats. Single nephron GFR (SNGFR) and glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure (PGC) were measured repeatedly for 8 (PAN rats) or 31 wk (ADM rats). In all animals studied, values for PGC remained at, or slightly below, levels measured before PAN or ADM administration. SNGFR values declined progressively in all glomeruli in PAN rats. Although some glomeruli in ADM rats had an increase in SNGFR above levels observed in nonnephrectomized control rats, these hyperfiltering glomeruli did not have abnormally high PGC nor did they exhibit glomerular sclerosis at the completion of the study. Histological analysis revealed the existence of a significant inverse correlation between the degree of sclerosis and SNGFR assessed at the time of sacrifice in both PAN and ADM groups. Chronic administration of captopril, an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor, in PAN rats substantially attenuated development of glomerular sclerosis without affecting PGC in earlier stages. The observations in these models indicate that glomerular hyperfiltration and hypertension are not required for the development of glomerular sclerosis in renal diseases, and angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor can exert its protective effect independently of its effect on glomerular capillary pressure.
Israel wants to abolish private medicine in public hospitals
Authors: J. Siegel-Itzkovich
Journal: BMJ (1999)

Israeli doctors say they will “revolt” if the treasury pushes through the Knesset (parliament) a bill to abolish private medical services in public hospitals.

Such services, known by their Hebrew acronym Sharap, have been legally and widely used for up to 40 years in all of Jerusalem's voluntary hospitals (public hospitals that are free to patients but not owned by the government) including the two hospitals that are part of …
Inspiratory crackles and mechanical events of breathing
Authors: A. R. Nath, L. H. Capel
Journal: Thorax (1974)

<b>Nath, A. R. and Capel, L. H. (1974).</b><i>Thorax</i>, <b>29</b>, 695-698. <b>Inspiratory crackles and mechanical events of breathing.</b> Forgacs (1967) has suggested that the timing of individual inspiratory crackles is determined by the elastic tension of the lung. This hypothesis was tested by recording the inspiratory crackles simultaneously with a recording of transpulmonary pressure, inspired volume, and inspiratory flow rate. The timing of an individual crackle was found to be closely associated with a particular transpulmonary pressure.
Nineteenth-century controlled trials to test whether belladonna prevents scarlet fever
Authors: I Chalmers, B Toth
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2009)

Ever since its introduction by Samuel Hahnemann at the end of the 18th century, there has been debate about the effects of homeopathic medicine. In 1848, prompted by support for homeopathic treatments by some individuals in the orthodox medical establishment, John Forbes published a searching review of relevant evidence in the journal that he had founded – British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Review. It is a superb analysis of the criteria that should be taken into account in assessing the effects both of homeopathic and of orthodox treatments. A brief quotation from his 22-page article illustrates Forbes’ style:
Trace Element Abnormalities in Chronic Uremia
Authors: W. RODMAN SMYTHE
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1982)

We studied the elemental composition of autopsy tissue samples to characterize the trace element changes induced in various human tissues by uremia. Samples from the United States and Australia, including those from 120 uremic patients who had been on dialysis, 29 uremic patients who had not been on dialysis, and 64 control subjects, were analyzed by x-ray fluorescence. Tissues analyzed were aorta, bone, brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, and spleen; elements measured included potassium, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, bromine, rubidium, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, tin, and uranium. Uremic abnormalities that were statistically very significant were found, including increases of calcium, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, and tin and decreases of potassium and rubidium. The distributions of iron, copper, and zinc are altered. We conclude that these abnormalities are primarily the result of the uremia and that, generally, they are neither greatly moderated nor exacerbated by the dialysis procedure.
Medical and Legal Evaluation of Disability in Personal Injury Cases: A Practical Guide for Doctors and Lawyers
Authors: T. B. Quigley
Journal: JAMA (1962)

In personal injury cases, medicine and law both seek the truth—medicine by scientific analysis of facts, law through trial by combat of skilled advocates. The objective of medicine is the alleviation of deformity and disease; of law, the determination of rights. Unfortunately, homo sapiens being what he is, neither approach can be precise or definitive; both are clouded with nuance, subjectivity, and impression which can never be reduced to cold objective record. The tone of voice of an advocate before a jury or the manner of a patient during examination can be of great importance in reaching a verdict or making a diagnosis, but neither can appear in the court stenographer's transcript. It is probable that 2 such disparate and inexact philosophies can never be wholly reconciled. Many efforts have been made to explain law to medicine and medicine to law. This book attempts to do both, and, on the
Problem Cases From Fracture Grand Rounds at the Massachusetts General Hospital
Authors: Ben L. Allen
Journal: JAMA (1965)

At fracture grand rounds the orthopedic staff of the Massachusetts General Hospital debated the management of 48 problem cases. Each discussion followed a uniform format, conversational in type, presenting the history of a patient, analysis of his injury, summary of his treatment, and comments about the treatment. The editors have organized the cases into groups on an anatomic basis, with sections on the foot and ankle, the leg, the knee, the femur, the hip, the acetabulum, the spine, and the upper limb, plus a final section on pathological fractures. Under each heading a minimum of four fractures was presented. Radiographs of excellent quality illustrated each fracture, and in a few cases clinical photographs indicated concomitant soft-tissue injury. AlthoughThe Journalpublished the cases singly in its "Fracture of the Month" series, suggesting that the book is intended for students and practitioners, the material will appeal chiefly to orthopedic surgeons. Most
P83 Is a single intramuscular dose of triamcinolone and acute bronchodilator sufficient to determine optimal lung function in children with severe therapy resistant asthma?
Authors: N. Cartledge, S. Brown, C. Bossley, A. Gupta, L. Fleming, S. Saglani, A. Bush
Journal: Thorax (2011)

<h3>Background</h3> A small proportion of patients with long standing severe asthma develop irreversible airway obstruction (persistent airflow limitation (PAL)). There is no agreed definition of PAL in children, but pragmatically, most would define it as post steroid, post-bronchodilator FEV<sub>1</sub> percent predicted &lt;80% or Z score less than −1.96, with normative data from appropriate reference populations despite optimal therapy. However, there is no agreement on the dose, duration or route of administration of steroids to determine the optimal spirometry that a child can achieve. <h3>Hypothesis</h3> A single intramuscular dose of triamcinolone and acute bronchodilator are insufficient to determine optimal lung function and reliably diagnose PAL. The aim of this study was to determine whether forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV<sub>1</sub>) 2–4 weeks after a single dose of triamcinolone and acute bronchodilator administration reflect the best obtained in the following year in patients with severe, therapy resistant asthma. <h3>Patients and Methods</h3> 39 children age 5–16 received triamcinolone; the FEV<sub>1</sub> was measured before the treatment, after triamcinolone and during the 12-month period. The highest follow-up FEV<sub>1</sub> was compared with post-steroid post-post-bronchodilator FEV<sub>1</sub>. <h3>Results</h3> In the year following the 1st dose of triamcinolone 25 (64%) of 39 patients exceeded their immediate post-steroid trial target lung function by &gt;9% predicted. 13 out of 39 patients (33.3%) achieved FEV<sub>1</sub> of &gt;80% predicted at the 1st follow-up. If the diagnosis of PAL had been made just on the steroid trial, 16 patients would have been wrongly given this label; only 10 children were ultimately diagnosed with PAL. 13 of 39 patients received multiple (2–4) doses in 4 weeks intervals and only in 9 of them only the data was analysable. In this small group, the median and interquartile range of FEV<sub>1</sub> were significantly higher (75 vs 68 and 38.75 vs 17) following the 3<sup>rd</sup> dose of triamcinolone than after the 1<sup>st</sup>. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Reliance on a single dose of triamcinolone plus acute administration of ß-2 agonist will lead to an overdiagnosis of PAL in children with severe asthma.