tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Phthalate Exposure and Allergy in the U.S. Population: Results from NHANES 2005–2006
Authors: Jane A. Hoppin, Renee Jaramillo, Stephanie J. London, Randi J. Bertelsen, Päivi M. Salo, Dale P. Sandler, Darryl C. Zeldin
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2013)

Background: Environmental exposures to phthalates, particularly high-molecular-weight (HMW) phthalates, are suspected to contribute to allergy.Objective: We assessed whether phthalate metabolites are associated with allergic symptoms and sensitization in a large nationally representative sample.Methods: We used data on urinary phthalate metabolites and allergic symptoms (hay fever, rhinitis, allergy, wheeze, asthma) and sensitization from participants ≥ 6 years of age in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2006. Allergen sensitization was defined as a positive response to at least one of 19 specific IgE antigens (≥ 0.35 kU/L). Odds ratios (ORs) per one log10 unit change in phthalate concentration were estimated using logistic regression adjusting for age, race, body mass index, gender, creatinine, and cotinine. Separate analyses were conducted for children (6–17 years of age) and adults.Results: The HMW phthalate metabolite monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) was the only metabolite positively associated with current allergic symptoms in adults (wheeze, asthma, hay fever, and rhinitis). Mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate and the sum of diethylhexyl phthalate metabolites (both representing HMW phthalate exposures) were positively associated with allergic sensitization in adults. Conversely, in children, HMW phthalate metabolites were inversely associated with asthma and hay fever. Of the low-molecular-weight phthalate metabolites, monoethyl phthalate was inversely associated with allergic sensitization in adults (OR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.90).Conclusion: In this cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample, HMW phthalate metabolites, particularly MBzP, were positively associated with allergic symptoms and sensitization in adults, but there was no strong evidence for associations between phthalates and allergy in children 6–17 years of age.Citation: Hoppin JA, Jaramillo R, London SJ, Bertelsen RJ, Salo PM, Sandler DP, Zeldin DC. 2013. Phthalate exposure and allergy in the U.S. population: results from NHANES 2005–2006. Environ Health Perspect 121:1129–1134; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1206211 [Online 25 June 2013].
Problems with Employer-Provided Health Insurance — The Employee Retirement Income Security Act and Health Care Reform
Authors: W K Mariner
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1992)

Health care reform is in the wind. As the nation prepares for a new presidential term, a more equitable and cost-effective health care system is beginning to sound inevitable.1 But the shape of that system remains a matter of debate. Employer-provided health insurance is the cornerstone of several national proposals for reform.2 3 4 5 6 The Bush administration's preference for tax credits rested on the assumption that most employers would continue to provide health insurance to their employees. President-elect Bill Clinton's proposal relies on insurance reform to enable small businesses to buy affordable private health insurance. Lawmakers in several states, such as Massachusetts, . . .
Chronic myeloid leukemia following radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix: Report of a case and brief review of the literature
Authors: A. Ugur Ural, Murat Beyzadeoglu, Ferit Avcu, Oral Nevruz
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2006)

To the Editor: I am puzzled by the comment of Gu¨rkan and Genc¸[1], in their description of a case of Bardet-Biedel syndrome, that a Philadelphia chromosome was detected.The Philadelphia chromosome is a derivative chromosome 22, resulting from a t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation.This abnormality would not be expected in a patient with this syndrome and the fact that BCR-ABL fusion was not detected by PCR indicates that a Philadelphia chromosome was not present.Some further explanation appears to be needed.
Physicochemical properties of some organophosphates in relation to their chronic toxicity.
Authors: V H Freed, R Haque, D Schmedding, R Kohnert
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1976)

Organophosphates in increasing amounts and wider varieties of molecular structure are being used to replace the organochlorine pesticides. It has been assumed that the organophosphates as a class would have a minimal chronic toxicity due to rapid hydrolysis and an unfavorable partitioning as regards to lipids. The physicochemical properties of a number of representative organophosphates were determined, including the octanol/water partition coeffecient, hydrolysis, and binding to proteins. Those having a halogenated aryl substitution were found to have partition coefficients not largely different from the organochlorines, suggesting the possibility of fat deposition. Certain of these compounds are sufficiently stable toward hydrolysis to allow bioaccumulation to occur. These preliminary findings appear to indicate a correlation between readily determined physical properties and the potential for chronic effects in this class of compounds.
Impact of androgen deprivation therapy on the thymus and the production of naïve T-cells
Authors: Ravi A Madan, Hakim Frances, Caroline Jochems, Christopher R Heery, Geraldine C O’Sullivan, Harpreet Singh, Ira Surolia, Kwong Y Tsang, Ronald Gress, Jeffery Schlom, James L Gulley
Journal: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (2013)

Meeting abstracts A clinical trial was conducted employing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) +/- vaccine in patients (pts) with rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) after definitive therapy but no disease visible on bone or computed tomography (CT) scan. The primary endpoint was to determine if
Dual carbon-labeled isotope experiments using D-[6-14C] glucose and L-[1,2,3-13C3] lactate: A new approach for investigating human myocardial metabolism during ischemia
Authors: Judith A. Wisneski, Edward W. Gertz, Richard A. Neese, Larry D. Gruenke, J. Cymerman Craig
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1985)
Japan widens its investigation after nuclear accident
Authors: J. Lamar
Journal: BMJ (1999)

Japanese authorities are widening their investigation into the long term health risks posed by the recent nuclear accident at Tokaimura amid claims that the impact on local residents has been underestimated.

The Science and Technology Agency announced in early November that it will interview people who were living or working within a 350 metre radius of the uranium processing plant when the uncontrolled critical reaction took place on 30 September.

Interviewees …
Arterial hemodynamics in human hypertension. Effects of adrenergic blockade.
Authors: C T Ting, C Y Chou, M S Chang, S P Wang, B N Chiang, F C Yin
Journal: Circulation (1991)

BACKGROUND Resistance, pulse wave velocity, and wave reflections have been shown to be increased in patients with essential hypertension compared with normotensive controls. These alterations are completely normalized by nitroprusside infusion but exacerbated during beta-adrenergic blockade, suggesting an enhanced smooth muscle tone that is in part modulated by adrenergically mediated vasodilation. The present study was performed to examine the extent to which this apparently enhanced smooth muscle tone is a result of alpha-adrenergically mediated vasoconstriction. METHODS AND RESULTS Age-matched normotensive and hypertensive Chinese subjects were instrumented with catheter-tipped micromanometers and an electromagnetic flow velocity sensor positioned in the ascending aorta. Aortic impedance and wave reflection properties were obtained from Fourier analysis of the pressure and flow signals during baseline conditions, after beta-blockade with propranolol (0.15 mg/kg i.v.), and after alpha-blockade with intravenous phentolamine (range, 15-80 mg) that was sufficient to either normalize blood pressure or produce a pressure that could not be further lowered. Compared with normotensives, in the baseline state, hypertensives had elevated resistance (1,962 versus 1,268 dyne.sec/cm5, p less than 0.001), total power (1,893 versus 1,568 mW, p less than 0.08), reflected pressure wave component (25.6 versus 13.5 mm Hg, p less than 0.001), ratio of reflected to forward wave (0.65 versus 0.42, p less than 0.001), and pulse wave velocity as determined from the frequency of the first zero-crossing of impedance phase angle (4.6 versus 3.5 Hz, p less than 0.03). During combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade, blood pressure decreased into the normal range (from 162/103 to 131/87 mm Hg) but was still somewhat higher than that in the normotensive subjects. Resistance (1,914 dyne.sec/cm5, p less than 0.03), reflected wave (19.5 mm Hg, p less than 0.01), and ratio of reflected to forward wave (0.61, p less than 0.001) were, however, persistently elevated above normal values. CONCLUSIONS alpha-Adrenergically mediated vasoconstriction cannot account for all of the hemodynamic alterations seen in essential hypertension.
Hemodynamic correlates of the normal aortic valve echogram. A study of sound, flow, and motion.
Authors: S Laniado, E Yellin, R Terdiman, I Meytes, J Stadler
Journal: Circulation (1976)

The aortic valve echogram was recorded in open chest dogs simultaneously with aortic flow, acceleration of flow, aortic and left ventricular pressures, and intracardiac phonocardiograms. Comparison of echographic with hemodynamic data showed the following: The aortic valve started its opening with the onset of flow, at the same point that left ventricular pressure exceeded aortic pressure. Complete valve opening preceded peak aortic flow by an average of 43 msec and the cusps started to move toward closure while flow was still accelerating. Final closure of the valve was achieved at the time of zero flow and preceded the aortic second sound by 4-10 msec. The echographically determined "valve orifice area" correlated well with aortic stroke volume (r = 0.94). The intensity of the aortic first sound was related to peak acceleration of aortic flow. The intensity of the second sound was not related to the amplitude of cusp motion but correlated well with the aortic pressure at the time of closure and with peak flow deceleration.
Commentary: the joy of mesh
Authors: M. Boman
Journal: BMJ (2008)

Wherever there are several XO laptops, a so called mesh can be formed. A mesh network is a highly resilient form of network in which data, voice, and instructions can transfer between network nodes through a series of hops in a wireless peer-to-peer fashion. In its simplest form, a mesh network is ad hoc: your computer can join or invite other computer owners to the network, provided that they are within range. It is enough for one computer in the mesh to have an internet connection for everybody to get access to the internet, and many other resources can also be shared, such as a printer connected to a USB port on one of the computers.1 The data rate across this network will not be high but should still easily serve a few dozen …
Margaret McCartney: Rectal feeding is torture masquerading as medicine
Authors: M. McCartney
Journal: BMJ (2014)

The most recent mention of “rectal feeding” I can find in the medical literature is from 1913, when it was described as a technique to give nutrition to people who were “nil by mouth.”1 No, I didn’t learn about it at medical school either. 

The recent report on the CIA by the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence says that “at least” five detainees in secret prisons outside the United States had been “subjected to rectal rehydration or rectal feeding,” one having been “‘very hostile’ . . . [he] removed the rectal tube as soon as he was allowed to.” 

The partially redacted report, which covers the CIA’s interrogation programme that began in 2002, …
Effect of Genetic Variability within 8q24 on Aggressiveness Patterns at Diagnosis and Familial Status of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Olivier Cussenot, Abdel-Rahmène Azzouzi, Gladys Bantsimba-Malanda, Cecile Gaffory, Philippe Mangin, Luc Cormier, Georges Fournier, Antoine Valeri, Lionel Jouffe, Morgan Roupret, Gaelle Fromont, Mathilde Sibony, Eva Comperat, Géraldine Cancel-Tassin
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2008)

Abstract Purpose: Recently, two independent loci located at 8q24 that contribute to prostate cancer risk in men of European origin were identified. Experimental Design: Using Bayesian probability network and logistic regression model, we searched for associations between 34 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) located at 8q24 and the aggressiveness patterns of prostate adenocarcinoma or familial history of cancers in 823 White Caucasian French men. Results: Probability network according to the Markov chain algorithm separated the SNPs into two main groups: The first one was linked to the locus marked by rs6983267 and the second one was linked to the locus marked by rs1447295. When the patients were stratified according to tumor stage and prostate-specific antigen value, the association between the variant genotypes from six SNPs located in the second network and prostate cancer risk was strongest or confined to the patients from the more aggressive classes. However, the association between prostate cancer risk and the CC genotype of rs7841264, which marked the recombination hotspot at 8q24, was confined to patients with the highest Gleason score (odds ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-3.64; P = 0.004). Interestingly, the G allele of rs6983267 was associated with familial prostate cancer risk. Conclusions: Our data further support that variability at 8q24 is associated with a high risk of aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis and is linked with familial history of prostate cancer. These results corroborate that 8q24 SNPs must be evaluated in terms of prostate cancer aggressiveness markers to optimize early diagnosis procedures and management of the disease.
Disability in adults with hip and knee arthroplasty: a French national community based survey
Authors: I Boutron
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2003)

To compare levels of disability of people with and without hip and knee arthroplasty in a random national sample.In 1999 a screening questionnaire to classify people into groups of increasing probabilities of disability was sent to 417 500 people; response rate 86%. The study population was obtained by a stratified randomisation, with a high sampling rate for the most severely disabled group and a minimum sampling rate for people without daily living restrictions. A computer assisted interview to assess levels of disability, dependence, and handicap was given to 21 760 people; response rate 78%. A weighting factor was applied to obtain estimates representative of the French population. The presence of chronic conditions, impairments, and disability was ascertained from the subjects' reports.The hip and knee arthroplasty group comprised 815 subjects in the sample, indicating an estimated 691 000 subjects (95% confidence interval (CI) 597 000 to 785 000) in the French non-institutionalised population. The prevalence of arthroplasty is estimated at 1.2%. After adjustments for confounding factors, activity limitations were greater among subjects with arthroplasty for the following activities: climbing stairs (odds ratio (OR)=4.0, 95% CI 2.8 to 5.8); walking distance (OR=3.4, 95% CI 2.5 to 4.6 for a walking distance less than 500 m); bending forward (OR=3.2, 95% CI 2.2 to 4.7); cutting toenails (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.9 to 3.9); carrying (OR=2.6, 95% CI= 1.8 to 3.8); shopping (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.5 to 2.9).This study would be useful to policy-makers considering population strategies for managing disabling arthritis.
Circulating levels of MCP‐1, sIL‐2R, IL‐15, and IL‐8 predict anemia response to pomalidomide therapy in myelofibrosis
Authors: Animesh Pardanani, Kebede Begna, Christy Finke, Terra Lasho, Ayalew Tefferi
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2011)

Abstract Cytokine‐phenotype associations have recently been described in primary myelofibrosis and increased levels of IL‐8, sIL‐2R, IL‐12, and IL‐15 were found to be independently predictive of inferior survival. Pomalidomide therapy is effective for alleviating anemia in myelofibrosis; we examined the relationship between plasma cytokine/chemokine levels and response to treatment with pomalidomide. The study population included 32 Mayo Clinic patients (median age 66 years) who participated in two consecutive clinical trials of pomalidomide therapy for myelofibrosis‐associated anemia. Ten (31%) patients achieved anemia response per International Working Group criteria. Anemia response was seen only in the presence of JAK2 V617F ( P = 0.04) and, in addition, predicted by lower circulating levels of MCP‐1 ( P = 0.003), IL‐2R ( P = 0.008), IL‐15 (0.01), and IL‐8 ( P = 0.02). Marked splenomegaly and increased serum LDH level were associated with poor response ( P = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively) and with each other ( P = 0.02), but not with JAK2 V617F. The aforementioned cytokines were not significantly associated with JAK2 V617F but increased levels of sIL‐2R ( P = 0.01), IL‐15 ( P = 0.06), and MCP‐1 ( P = 0.07) clustered with marked splenomegaly. Current data suggest that, in the context of pomalidomide treatment, response is more likely in the presence of JAK2 V617F and further predicted by the absence of marked splenomegaly or increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Am. J. Hematol. 86:343–345, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Simple Chloroform Dropper.
Authors: Chas. S. White
Journal: JAMA (1902)

Washington, D. C., Nov. 27, 1902. <h3>To the Editor:</h3> —To obtain a dropper which will drop and not flow in a small stream or fail to drop except by violent agitation, I have adopted the following plan: A piece of toothpick or a match stem is inserted between the cork and neck of the bottle, the rapidity of the flow being controlled by the tightness of the cork or the size of the splinter. The toothpick is then broken off close to the cork. It does not become occluded, and the number of drops each minute are about the same. It fills every requirement that the more expensive dropper does, and in some respects is far superior. Not infrequently we are compelled to intrust the anesthetic to an inexperienced person, and we have a little less concern if we know that the chloroform can be given drop by drop only,
Caring for the Child With Cancer at the Close of Life
Authors: Craig A. Hurwitz, Janet Duncan, Joanne Wolfe
Journal: JAMA (2004)

Approximately 25% of children with cancer die of their disease. Early in the course of a patient's illness, it is often impossible to determine whether the disease will be cured with cancer-directed treatment. When potentially curative therapy is no longer an option, the patient, family, and oncology team face enormous medical, psychological, and spiritual challenges. Optimal palliative care requires willingness on the part of the physician and caregiver team to engage the patient and family in discussions of their hopes and fears and to provide solace and support for emotional and physical pain. Using the comments of a child in the terminal phase of acute leukemia, his mother, and his physician, we describe opportunities and important lessons often revealed only when families and their caregivers face the end of a child's life. A broad-minded assessment of the patient's and family's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and clarification of realistic goals and hopes not only improves the clinical care that the patient receives but also contributes to the sense of satisfaction and meaning that the physician can gain from the experience of caring for children at the end of life.
Telangiectasias of the Anterior Chest in Homosexual Men
Authors: THEODORE FALLON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Physical examination by a single clinician showed that 17 of 51 asymptomatic homosexual men and 19 of 26 men with persistent lymphadenopathy had linear telangiectasias in a broad, crescent distribution across the chest. The telangiectasias were commonly associated with erythema in the same distribution. Of the 36 men with telangiectasias, 25 were positive for serum antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), whereas only 15 of 41 men without telangiectasias were seropositive (p= 0.001). Biopsy studies of supraclavicular skin from 6 of the men with HIV antibody and telangiectasias showed a characteristic pattern of dilated blood vessels with a perivascular small-cell infiltrate; no endothelial proliferation was noted. This histopathologic pattern was not consistently observed in HIV-seronegative men regardless of whether they had telangiectasias. These data show that telangiectasias of the upper chest are a relatively common finding in homosexual men and that they are significantly, although not exclusively, associated with HIV infection.
Recorded diagnosis of dementia in England increases by 62% since 2006
Authors: Z. Kmietowicz
Journal: BMJ (2014)

The number of people with a diagnosis of dementia in England has risen by 62% in the past seven years, from 213 000 in 2006-07 to 344 000 in 2013-14, figures have shown.

From 2012-13 to 2013-14 dementia was diagnosed in an additional 25 000 people (up from 319 000 to 344 000—a rise of 7.8%), provisional figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre showed.

This was the centre’s first stand-alone report on the numbers of patients registered with GP practices in England who had a recorded diagnosis of dementia.1 It was produced to help monitor progress towards objectives, including the Department of Health’s aim …
PD3-1-8: Motexafin Gadolinium (MGd) is active as a single agent in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who failed platinum-based chemotherapy: preliminary results of a phase II trial
Authors: Ronald B. Natale, Garth Nicholas, Frank Greco, Ramaswamy Govindan, Pierre Chabot, Kishan Pandya, Lane Eubank, Markus F. Renschler
Journal: Journal of Thoracic Oncology (2007)
India's experience of using recycled pacemakers could benefit other countries
Authors: G. Madur
Journal: BMJ (2011)

Philanthropic initiatives to harvest cardiac pacemakers from cadavers in France and the United States for supply to patients in India may hold lessons for other developing countries and even the industrialised world, doctors involved in the efforts have said.

A report by a team of doctors of Indian origin in the US says that their experience of providing pacemakers donated by funeral homes in the US to 53 needy patients in Mumbai over the past seven years reinforces the safety and benefits of recycling pacemakers ( American Journal of Cardiology doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.08.036). The recycled pacemakers were donated exclusively by funeral homes after the doctors obtained consent from the deceased patients’ families.

Although some in the medical …