tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Effects of Pressure-Induced Stretch and Convection on Low-Density Lipoprotein and Albumin Uptake in the Rabbit Aortic Wall
Authors: Guy Meyer, Re´gine Merval, Alain Tedgui
Journal: Circulation Research (1996)

The effects of pressure-driven convection and vessel wall stretching in the pressure-related changes in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and albumin transport across the arterial wall were studied in vitro in freshly excised rabbit thoracic aorta held at in vivo length and pressurized at 70, 120, or 160 mm Hg for 30 minutes. External rigid polyester sleeves of various diameters (4, 5, or 6 mm) were passed around half of the arterial segments in order to prevent vessel distension during pressurization. The intraluminal solution contained 131I-LDL and 125I-albumin. The transmural distribution of relative concentrations of LDL (CLDL) and albumin (Calb) across the wall was determined in wrapped and unwrapped segments using a serial frozen-sectioning technique. In the unwrapped segments, Calb increased uniformly between 70 and 120 mm Hg (P < .0001) but did not change significantly between 120 and 160 mm Hg (0.0063 +/- 0.0009 [n = 4], 0.0520 +/- 0.0055 [n = 9], and 0.0620 +/- 0.0071 [n = 12], respectively). In contrast, CLDL increased markedly both between 70 and 120 mm Hg (P < .001) and between 120 and 160 mm Hg (P < .05) (0.0025 +/- 0.0005 [n = 4], 0.0234 +/- 0.0029 [n = 9], and 0.0393 +/- 0.0056 [n = 12], respectively), with the increase being much more pronounced in the inner than in the outer media. In the segments wrapped with the 4-mm sleeves, both CLDL and Calb did not vary significantly between 70, 120, and 160 mm Hg. In the segments wrapped with the 5-mm sleeves, CLDL increased significantly between 120 and 160 mm Hg, whereas Calb did not vary significantly with increasing pressure. Our results demonstrate that (1) pressure-induced stretching of the arterial wall is a major determinant of arterial mass transport, and (2) pressure-driven convection accentuates LDL accumulation in the inner media, which may explain enhanced atherosclerosis in hypertension.
Midlife Hand Grip Strength as a Predictor of Old Age Disability
Authors: Taina Rantanen
Journal: JAMA (1999)

Poor muscle strength, functional limitations, and disability often coexist, but whether muscle strength during midlife predicts old age functional ability is not known.To determine whether hand grip strength measured during midlife predicts old age functional limitations and disability in initially healthy men.A 25-year prospective cohort study, the Honolulu Heart Program, which began in 1965 among Japanese-American men living on Oahu, Hawaii.A total of 608945- to 68-year-old men who were healthy at baseline and whose maximal hand grip strength was measured from 1965 through 1970. Altogether, 2259 men died over the follow-up period and 3218 survivors participated in the disability assessment in 1991 through 1993.Functional limitations including slow customary walking speed (< or =0.4 m/s) and inability to rise from a seated position without using the arms, and multiple self-reported upper extremity, mobility, and self-care disability outcomes.After adjustment for multiple potential confounders, risk of functional limitations and disability 25 years later increased as baseline hand grip strength, divided into tertiles, declined. The odds ratio (OR) of walking speed of 0.4 m/s or slower was 2.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76-4.67) in those in the lowest third and 1.79 (95% CI, 1.14-2.81) in the middle third of grip strength vs those in the highest third. The risk of self-care disability was more than 2 times greater in the lowest vs the highest grip strength tertile. Adding chronic conditions identified at follow-up to the models predicting disability reduced the ORs related to grip strength only minimally.Among healthy 45- to 68-year-old men, hand grip strength was highly predictive of functional limitations and disability 25 years later. Good muscle strength in midlife may protect people from old age disability by providing a greater safety margin above the threshold of disability.
Gingerol, isoproterenol and ouabain normalize impaired post-rest behavior but not force–frequency relation in failing human myocardium
Authors: Lars S Maier, Christiane Schwan, Wolfgang Schillinger, Kazutomo Minami, Ulrich Schütt, Burkert Pieske
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2000)

Objective: Rest- and stimulation frequency-dependent potentiation of contractile force is blunted in failing human myocardium. These alterations have been related to reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-reuptake and enhanced transsarcolemmal Ca2+-elimination by Na+/Ca2+-exchange. We investigated whether inotropic interventions that enhance SR Ca2+-uptake, or reduce Ca2+-elimination by Na+/Ca2+-exchange, normalize impaired post-rest and force–frequency behavior in left ventricular muscle strips from failing human hearts. Methods: We tested the influence of [10]-gingerol which activates SR Ca2+-ATPase (10 μmol/l; n=13), and isoproterenol which activates cAMP-dependent pathways (0.01, 0.1, 1 μmol/l; n=40) on post-rest and force–frequency behavior. Ouabain which blocks Na+/K+-ATPase (0.03 μmol/l; n=16) was used to test the effects of inhibiting Ca2+-elimination by Na+/Ca2+-exchange. For comparison, the effects of blocking SR Ca2+-uptake by thapsigargin (10 μmol/l; n=14) were tested. In addition, Ca2+-uptake in myocardial homogenates was measured for gingerol (10 μmol/l; n=6). Results: Gingerol, isoproterenol (0.1, 1 μmol/l) and ouabain exerted significant positive inotropic effects under basal experimental conditions and normalized post-rest behavior. In contrast, force–frequency relation was only slightly improved by gingerol and isoproterenol (0.01 μmol/l). Ouabain and isoproterenol (1 μmol/l) further deteriorated force–frequency relation due to frequency-dependent significant increases in diastolic tension. Thapsigargin exerted negative inotropic effects and significantly deteriorated post-rest and force–frequency behavior. In addition, gingerol increased SR Ca2+-uptake significantly in myocardial homogenates. Conclusions: Inotropic interventions that stimulate SR Ca2+-ATPase or inhibit Na+/Ca2+-exchange normalize impaired post-rest behavior. Force–frequency behavior is only slightly improved by stimulation of SR Ca2+-ATPase but not by inhibition of Na+/Ca2+-exchange. This dissociation between post-rest and force–frequency behavior results from diastolic dysfunction at high stimulation rates.
Red Yeast Rice for Dyslipidemia in Statin-Intolerant Patients
Authors: David J. Becker
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

Background: Red yeast rice is an herbal supplement that decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of red yeast rice and therapeutic lifestyle change to treat dyslipidemia in patients who cannot tolerate statin therapy. Design: Randomized, controlled trial. Setting: Community-based cardiology practice. Patients: 62 patients with dyslipidemia and history of discontinuation of statin therapy due to myalgias. Intervention: Patients were assigned by random allocation software to receive red yeast rice, 1800 mg (31 patients), or placebo (31 patients) twice daily for 24 weeks. All patients were concomitantly enrolled in a 12-week therapeutic lifestyle change program. Measurements: Primary outcome was LDL cholesterol level, measured at baseline, week 12, and week 24. Secondary outcomes included total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, liver enzyme, and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels; weight; and Brief Pain Inventory score. Results: In the red yeast rice group, LDL cholesterol decreased by 1.11 mmol/L (43 mg/dL) from baseline at week 12 and by 0.90 mmol/L (35 mg/dL) at week 24. In the placebo group, LDL cholesterol decreased by 0.28 mmol/L (11 mg/dL) at week 12 and by 0.39 mmol/L (15 mg/dL) at week 24. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly lower in the red yeast rice group than in the placebo group at both weeks 12 (P < 0.001) and 24 (P = 0.011). Significant treatment effects were also observed for total cholesterol level at weeks 12 (P < 0.001) and 24 (P = 0.016). Levels of HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, liver enzyme, or CPK; weight loss; and pain severity scores did not significantly differ between groups at either week 12 or week 24. Limitation: The study was small, was single-site, was of short duration, and focused on laboratory measures. Conclusion: Red yeast rice and therapeutic lifestyle change decrease LDL cholesterol level without increasing CPK or pain levels and may be a treatment option for dyslipidemic patients who cannot tolerate statin therapy. Primary Funding Source: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Regulatory Effect of Histamine on the <i>in Vitro</i> Synthesis of IgE
Authors: Y. Levo, R. J. Harbeck, C. H. Kirkpatrick
Journal: Allergy (1986)

The effect of histamine and its H 1 and H 2 antagonists, chlorpheniramine and cimetidine, on the in vitro , PWM‐induced, synthesis of IgG and IgE was studied. Histamine had no effect, and cimetidine had a slight inhibitory action. In contrast, chlorpheniramine induced marked suppression of both IgE and IgG synthesis. This effect could not be attributed to drug‐induced cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the modulatory effect of histamine on antibody production involves predominantly H, receptors.
Health Risks of Limited-Contact Water Recreation
Authors: Samuel Dorevitch, Preethi Pratap, Meredith Wroblewski, Daniel O. Hryhorczuk, Hong Li, Li C. Liu, Peter A. Scheff
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2011)

Background: Wastewater-impacted waters that do not support swimming are often used for boating, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, and rowing. Little is known about the health risks of these limited-contact water recreation activities.Objectives: We evaluated the incidence of illness, severity of illness, associations between water exposure and illness, and risk of illness attributable to limited-contact water recreation on waters dominated by wastewater effluent and on waters approved for general use recreation (such as swimming).Methods: The Chicago Health, Environmental Exposure, and Recreation Study was a prospective cohort study that evaluated five health outcomes among three groups of people: those who engaged in limited-contact water recreation on effluent-dominated waters, those who engaged in limited-contact recreation on general-use waters, and those who engaged in non–water recreation. Data analysis included survival analysis, logistic regression, and estimates of risk for counterfactual exposure scenarios using G-computation.Results: Telephone follow-up data were available for 11,297 participants. With non–water recreation as the reference group, we found that limited-contact water recreation was associated with the development of acute gastrointestinal illness in the first 3 days after water recreation at both effluent-dominated waters [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 1.96] and general-use waters (1.50; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.07). For every 1,000 recreators, 13.7 (95% CI: 3.1, 24.9) and 15.1 (95% CI: 2.6, 25.7) cases of gastrointestinal illness were attributable to limited-contact recreation at effluent-dominated waters and general-use waters, respectively. Eye symptoms were associated with use of effluent-dominated waters only (AOR 1.50; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.06). Among water recreators, our results indicate that illness was associated with the amount of water exposure.Conclusions: Limited-contact recreation, both on effluent-dominated waters and on waters designated for general use, was associated with an elevated risk of gastrointestinal illness.
Intestinal transit in anxiety and depression.
Authors: D A Gorard, J E Gomborone, G W Libby, M J Farthing
Journal: Gut (1996)

BACKGROUND: Patients with anxiety and depression often have bowel symptoms. Until now, studies investigating a link between altered bowel habit and psychological illness have focused on patients with disturbed defecation presenting to gastroenterologists. AIMS: To determine whether patients with anxiety and depression have objective evidence of abnormal intestinal transit irrespective of any bowel symptoms. METHODS: 21 psychiatric outpatients fulfilling research criteria for generalised anxiety disorder and/or major depression, and 21 healthy volunteers were studied. Orocaecal transit time (OCTT) was measured by lactulose hydrogen breath test. Whole gut transit time (WGTT) was measured by abdominal radiography after ingestion of radio-opaque markers. RESULTS: Median (range) WGTT was shorter in patients with anxiety (14 (6-29) hours) than in patients with depression (49 (35-71) hours) (p < 0.001), and controls (42 (10-68) hours) (p < 0.001). In patients with anxiety, orocaecal transit time was shorter (60 (10-70) minutes) than in patients with depression (110 (60-180) minutes) (p < 0.01), and shorter than in controls (75 (50-140)) minutes (p < 0.05). The prolongation of transit times in depression compared with controls was not significant. However, WGTT correlated with both the Beck Depression Inventory score (r = 0.59, p < 0.01) and the depression score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (r = 0.66, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These objective measurements of intestinal transit in affective disorders are consistent with clinical impressions that anxiety is associated with increased bowel frequency, and depressed patients tend to be constipated; mood has an effect on intestinal motor function.
Managing the menopause
Authors: Helen Roberts
Journal: BMJ (2007)

The transition into the menopause usually begins with elongation of cycle length, the term postmenopausal being used after one year with no periods. 1Most women experience menopause between 40 and 58 years of age. 1 No menopausal symptom is universal.w1 In Western society the commonest symptoms are hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbance. 2Many women manage the menopause by themselves, with only about 10% seeking help from healthcare providers. 2Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment for symptoms (table 1) 3 and although opinions are still polarised advice on its use has changed after the women's health initiative studies.
Sexual Function in Men Older Than 50 Years of Age: Results from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study
Authors: Constance G. Bacon, Murray A. Mittleman, Ichiro Kawachi, Edward Giovannucci, Dale B. Glasser, Eric B. Rimm
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2003)

Background: Although many studies have provided data on erectile dysfunction in specific settings, few studies have been large enough to precisely examine age-specific prevalence and correlates. Objective: To describe the association between age and several aspects of sexual functioning in men older than 50 years of age. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. Setting: U.S. health professionals. Participants: 31 742 men, age 53 to 90 years. Measurements: Questionnaires mailed in 2000 asked about sexual function, physical activity, body weight, smoking, marital status, medical conditions, and medications. Previous biennial questionnaires since 1986 asked about date of birth, alcohol intake, and other health information. Results: When men with prostate cancer were excluded, the age-standardized prevalence of erectile dysfunction in the previous 3 months was 33%. Many aspects of sexual function (including overall function, desire, orgasm, and overall ability) decreased sharply by decade after 50 years of age. Physical activity was associated with lower risk for erectile dysfunction (multivariable relative risk, 0.7 [95% CI, 0.6 to 0.7] for >32.6 metabolic equivalent hours of exercise per week vs. 0 to 2.7 metabolic equivalent hours of exercise per week), and obesity was associated with higher risk (relative risk, 1.3 [CI, 1.2 to 1.4] for body mass index >28.7 kg/m2 vs. <23.2 kg/m2). Smoking, alcohol consumption, and television viewing time were also associated with increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction. Men who had no chronic medical conditions and engaged in healthy behaviors had the lowest prevalence. Conclusions: Several modifiable health behaviors were associated with maintenance of good erectile function, even after comorbid conditions were considered. Lifestyle factors most strongly associated with erectile dysfunction were physical activity and leanness.
Optimizing Metoclopramide Control of Cisplatin-Induced Emesis
Authors: B. ROBERT MEYER
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1984)

Using an original high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay, we measured serum levels of metoclopramide and defined a concentration-response relationship for metoclopramide control of cisplatin-induced emesis. Using a metoclopramide regimen of 2 mg/kg body weight intravenously every 2 hours for four doses, we found that serum levels greater than 850 ng/mL immediately before the third dose were associated with complete control of emesis (less than three episodes) in 78% of patients and partial control (three to five episodes) in 18%. No patient with levels less than 850 ng/mL had complete control of emesis; only 42% had partial control (p < 0.001). Increases in dosage for patients with low levels and poor responses improved control in four of five patients. Elderly patients had drug levels similar to those of young patients but had fewer episodes of emesis (p = 0.044), suggesting that elderly patients have increased sensitivity to this drug. The metoclopramide dose can be raised up to 2.75 mg/kg with an improvement in emetic control in patients who have an inadequate response to doses of 2 mg/kg and no toxicity.
The proteins in nasal secretion: a longitudinal study of the gammaA-globulin, gammaG-globulin, albumin, siderophilin, and total protein concentrations in nasal washings from adult male volunteers.
Authors: R D Rossen, A L Schade, W T Butler, J A Kasel
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1966)

The long-standing observations that respiratory secretions contain virus-neutralizing substances (1-3) have recently been extended by the demon- stration that antibody activity associated with the yA-globulin in nasal secretion may protect against respiratory virus infection (4).Since protection was most clearly seen in individuals with relatively high titers of nasal antibody, and since yA-globu- lin is known to be selectively accumulated in nasal secretion (5, 6), it seems possible that local con- centrations of antibody globulin may be determined by at least two distinct but interrelated processes, 1) those concerned with synthesis of specific im- munoglobulin, and 2) those involved in its delivery into the nasal secretions.The present investigation explores mechanisms involved in the delivery of immunoglobulin by examining the relationship between the mucus content and the concentrations of yA-globulin, -yG-globulin, albumin, siderophilin, and total protein in nasal washings from normal volunteers.MethodsClinical and laboratory evaluation of volunteers.Sub- jects were 15 adult males who participated in an adeno- virus vaccine trial and were not inoculated with live respiratory viruses.Throat and rectal swab specimens for virus isolation and nasopharyngeal swab specimens *
Word extension: A key to early word learning and domain-specificity
Authors: Sandra R. Waxman
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2001)

Bloom provides a masterful synthesis of recent advances in word-learning, placing them within the framework of abiding theoretical issues. I will augment and challenge his approach by underscoring the significance of word extension for questions concerning (a) the origin and evolution of infants' expectations, and (b) domain-specificity in word-learning.
High Dietary Glycemic Load and Glycemic Index Increase Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Middle-Aged Women
Authors: Joline W.J. Beulens, Leonie M. de Bruijne, Ronald P. Stolk, Petra H.M. Peeters, Michiel L. Bots, Diederick E. Grobbee, Yvonne T. van der Schouw
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2007)
Combination of Interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-18 Attenuates Allergen-Induced Airway Hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and Inflammation through An IL-12-STAT4-Interferon (IFN)-gamma Pathway
Authors: S. Matsubara, K. Takeda, T. Kodama, T. Koya, N. Miyahara, A. Joetham, C.H. Swasey, A. Dakhama, E.W. Gelfand
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2006)
Medical Ethics — Diabetes in Düsseldorf — Quarantine
Authors: John Lister
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1958)

ALTHOUGH the diagnosis of disease and the prescription of specific or symptomatic therapy may be the most obvious duty of the physician and the one upon which most emphasis is laid in medical school, it is only part of the task of the doctor. Indeed it is often the aspect of the case that presents the least difficulty whereas the management of the human situation arising as the result of illness requires far greater skill on the part of the physician. He must never lose sight of the fact that it is not a case, but a sick person, who . . .