tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Placental Lactogen Levels in Rhesus Isoimmunization
Authors: R. H. T. Ward, A. T. Letchworth, P. A. R. Niven, T. Chard
Journal: BMJ (1974)

A prospective study of the plasma levels of human placental lactogen (HPL) in pregnancies complicated by rhesus isoimmunization showed that in mild and moderately affected cases the levels were normal, while in severely affected cases they were raised. Serial levels of HPL before the 26th week provide a valuable indication of fetal outcome, and we suggest that this estimation should be used routinely as an adjunct to other tests in the management of rhesus isoimmunization.
Effect of Physical Conditioning on Serum Creatine Kinase After Exercise
Authors: J. Rutledge, K. J. Clayson, P. E. Strandjord
Journal: JAMA (1978)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> The article "Elevation of Creatine Phosphokinase in Young Men After Recreational Exercise" by LaPorta and colleagues (239:2685, 1978) is designed to assist physicians in interpreting elevations in serum enzyme activity related to increased physical activity in a warm environment. The complexity of the problem is illustrated in the data obtained from seven healthy young male physicians who participated in a one-hour noncompetitive run. Blood specimens for determination of creatine kinase (CK) activity were obtained 15 minutes before and 15 hours after exercise (Table). Participants A through F were in a conditioning program and averaged 16 km/wk of noncompetitive distance running. Participant G, whose CK activity changed dramatically, was participating in only an occasional game of squash prior to the trial run. Participant G ran until
Myocardial oxygen consumption after major coronary artery occlusion in anaesthetized dogs with constant left ventricular workload
Authors: A. C. KRALlOS, T. J. TSAGARIS, H. KUIDA
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1976)

In dog preparations with fixed external workload, reduction of functioning myocardium from 13.3 to 40.9% by coronary artery occlusion (CAO) did not affect myocardial oxygen consumption for periods up to 77 min following CAO. Thus, the use of reserve capacity supplementing equal functional loss of myocardium does not alter oxygen consumption.
Metformin Inhibits Mammalian Target of Rapamycin–Dependent Translation Initiation in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Ryan J.O. Dowling, Mahvash Zakikhani, I. George Fantus, Michael Pollak, Nahum Sonenberg
Journal: Cancer Research (2007)

Abstract Metformin is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes because of its ability to lower blood glucose. The effects of metformin are explained by the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which regulates cellular energy metabolism. Recently, we showed that metformin inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells through the activation of AMPK. Here, we show that metformin inhibits translation initiation. In MCF-7 breast cancer cells, metformin treatment led to a 30% decrease in global protein synthesis. Metformin caused a dose-dependent specific decrease in cap-dependent translation, with a maximal inhibition of 40%. Polysome profile analysis showed an inhibition of translation initiation as metformin treatment of MCF-7 cells led to a shift of mRNAs from heavy to light polysomes and a concomitant increase in the amount of 80S ribosomes. The decrease in translation caused by metformin was associated with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition, and a decrease in the phosphorylation of S6 kinase, ribosomal protein S6, and eIF4E-binding protein 1. The effects of metformin on translation were mediated by AMPK, as treatment of cells with the AMPK inhibitor compound C prevented the inhibition of translation. Furthermore, translation in MDA-MB-231 cells, which lack the AMPK kinase LKB1, and in tuberous sclerosis complex 2 null (TSC2−/−) mouse embryonic fibroblasts was unaffected by metformin, indicating that LKB1 and TSC2 are involved in the mechanism of action of metformin. These results show that metformin-mediated AMPK activation leads to inhibition of mTOR and a reduction in translation initiation, thus providing a possible mechanism of action of metformin in the inhibition of cancer cell growth. [Cancer Res 2007;67(22):10804–12]
Progressive histological damage in liver allografts following pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Helen M. Evans, Deirdre A. Kelly, Patrick J. McKiernan, Stefan Hübscher
Journal: Hepatology (2006)

The long-term histological outcome after pediatric liver transplantation (OLT) is not yet fully understood. De novo autoimmune hepatitis, consisting of histological chronic hepatitis associated with autoantibody formation and allograft dysfunction, is increasingly recognized as an important complication of liver transplantation, particularly in the pediatric population. In this study, 158 asymptomatic children with 5-year graft survival underwent protocol liver biopsies (113, 135, and 64 at 1, 5, and 10 years after OLT, respectively). Histological changes we re correlated with dinical,biochemical, and serological findings. All patients received cydosporine A as primary immunosuppression with withdrawal of corticosteroids at 3 months post OLT. Normal or near-normal histology was reported in 77 of 113 (68%), 61 of 135 (45%), and 20 of 64 (31%) at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The commonest histological abnormality was chronic hepatitis (CH), the incidence of which increased with time [25/113 (22%), 58/135 (43%), and 41/64 (64%) at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively) (P < .0001)]. The incidence of fibrosis associatedwith CH increasedwith time [13/25 (52%), 47/58 (81%), and 37/41 (91%) at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively) (P < .0001)]. The severity of fibrosis associated with CH also increased with time, such that by 10 years 15% had progressed to cirrhosis. Aspartate aminotransfemse (AST) levels were slightly elevated in children with CH (median levels 52 IU/L, 63 IU/L, and 48 IU/L at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively), but this did not reach statistical significance compared with those with normal histology. On multivariate analysis, the only factor predictive of chronic hepatitis was autoantibody positivity (present in 13% and 10% of children with normal biopsies at 5 and 10 years, respectively, and 72% and 80% of those with CH at 5 and 10 years, respectively) (P < .0001). Four children with CH and autoantibodies, who also had raised immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and AST greater than 1.5 x normal fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for de novo autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Another two were found to be hepatitis C positive. No definite cause for CH could be identified in the other cases. In condusion, chronic hepatitis is a common finding in children after liver transplantation and is associated with a high risk of developing progressive fibrosis, leading to cirrhosis. Standard liver biochemical tests cannot be relied on either in the diagnosis or in the monitoring of progress of chronic allograft hepatitis. In contrast, the presence ofautoantibodies is strongly associated with the presence of CH. The cause of chronic hepatitis in transplanted allografts is uncertain but may be immune mediated, representing a hepatitic form of chronic rejection.
SPINOCAIN: THE CONTROLLABLE SPINAL ANAESTHETIC
Authors: G. P. Pitkin
Journal: BMJ (1929)

I Ivrnm 183 diminislhed.,This fact may in part account for our lack o1 successful results in some cases.In the permianelnt apparatus iiow under consideration measures aire being takeni to overcome this difficulty.The results obtained in those cases (for example, intra-abdominal or mammary 01o cultalleous iieoplasms) in which the lesion is accessible to the full intensity liave been so much more favourable thlanin those in which, either for anatomical reasons or on accouIlnt of the patient's comfort, the distanice lhas had to be increased, that it would appear that a smaller apparatus is niecessary for dealing with some lesionis.The " bomb " is in use continiuouslv for twenty-four lhouirs daily for six days each week.Durinig the day out- patients are treated, and during thle niglht in-patien-ts, the average time given to each case.being two hours.It lhas been found that most patients.are very nervous during their first period of treatmenit, but that on thes second aind( subsequeint occasions they are -quite reassured and comfortable.The majority of our patien-ts sleep quite peacefully, and say that their sense of comfort and well- being is increased while they are on the " bomb " and for somlie time afterwards.Thus it is nio great hardship for the patients to leave their beds in the wards and go to the " bomb " at night.Two patients have even said-and it lhas been conifirmed-that they slept better whlile lhaving their treatment than when in bed in the -ward.When the patient is put on the stretcher the " bomb " is adjusted as niear as possible to the correct focal distance at the port of entry decided upon, the patient is; made com- fortable, and in the majority of cases falls asleep in a shlort time.The ports of entry are changed on alternate days, anrud in this way not only is the danger-and this is apparenftly very sliglht-of damage to thle skin minimized, hut the iintensity at the growtll is increased.Periodical examinations of thn blool are ca,rried out, as nre tests of liver function anid otlher biolcgical tests, and in this way the effects of irradiation onl the organism as a wlhole are controll-ed.A register is kept and (discussed at a weekly meeting of thle staff, at whichl tle past week's resulllts are examined and the programme for tlle succeed- ing week is decided upon.
Risk Factors for Hip Fracture
Authors: Jennifer L. Kelsey, Susie Hoffman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1987)

The fractures most commonly associated with osteoporosis occur in the vertebrae, hip, and distal forearm. Of these, hip fractures have by far the most severe consequences. In 1985, about 247,000 hip fractures occurred among persons over age 45 in the United States.1 Of those who live to the age of 90, an estimated one third of women and one sixth of men will have a hip fracture.2 Mortality in patients with a hip fracture is 12 to 20 percent higher than in other persons of similar age and the same sex, although some of this excess mortality may be attributable . . .
1011 ALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS INCREASES LIVER STIFFNESS INDEPENDENT OF FIBROSIS STAGE: CRITERIA FOR NONINVASIVE FIBROSIS ASSESSMENT
Authors: S. Mueller, G. Millonig, L. Sarovska, S. Friedrich, F.M. Reimann, M. Pritsch, S. Eisele, F. Stickel, T. Longerich, P. Schirmacher, H.K. Seitz
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)
Relief of Continuous Chronic Pain by Intraspinal Narcotics Infusion Via an Implanted Reservoir
Authors: Dennis W. Coombs, Richard L. Saunders, Michael S. Gaylor, Andrew R. Block, Theodore Colton, Robert Harbaugh, Mark G. Pageau, William Mroz
Journal: JAMA (1983)

Ten patients with intractable pain (five cancer and five nonmalignant) were treated with continuous intraspinal morphine delivered by an implanted continuous infusion system. Both patient groups were evaluated and compared using an identical battery of psychometric examinations administered before and 12 weeks after therapy. The cancer-pain group reported significant reduction in pain on serial visual pain analogue scales at 12 weeks compared with no change in the nonmalignant-pain group reports despite a much lower baseline report in the cancer group. Both groups of patients reduced their oral narcotic requirement significantly during continuous intraspinal morphine infusion. While the cancer patients took more oral narcotic at baseline, at 12 weeks no difference existed in oral intake between the two groups. Both groups required significant serial increases in infused morphine, indicating that spinal opiate receptor tolerance occurs. The results of this study confirm the sustained analgesic efficacy reported earlier in cancer-related pain syndromes, thus supporting further cautious expansion of this therapy within the cancer-related pain population. In contrast, a poor response was seen in the nonmalignant-pain group, consistent with the unsatisfactory responses to many potentially analgetic approaches to chronic nonmalignant pain. We are thus discouraged from further use of this therapy in the patient with chronic nonmalignant pain. (<i>JAMA</i>1983;250:2336-2339)
Betty Fothergill and Her "Uncle Doctor"
Authors: J. RUSSELL ELKINTON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1976)

John Fothergill, M.D., (1712-1780) was one of the best-known physicians in London in the 18th century. He was a botanical collector, a philanthropist, and an active member of the Society of Friends. He entertained and advised a series of young doctors from the American colonies and strove with his friend, Benjamin Franklin, to avert the Revolutionary War, albeit unsuccessfully. A rare glimpse of Dr. Fothergill, the man, and his domestic life is given in the diary of his 17-year-old niece, Betty Fothergill, who spent the winter of 1769-70 in her uncle's household. Excerpts from the diary show him to be a liberal-minded man and one fond of the company of young people; and show Betty to be a sprightly young Quakeress, buffeted by emotional conflicts between loyalty to her north-country fiance and her flirtation with young Dr. John Coakley Lettsom.
Otolaryngology, vol 1: Basic Sciences and Related Disciplines; vol 2: The Ear; vol 3: Head and Neck
Authors: Robert W. Cantrell
Journal: JAMA (1981)

Otolaryngology occupies a unique position in medicine. Ninety percent of patients seen by otolaryngologists have problems that can be treated nonsurgically. Viewed in this light, otolaryngology is a medical specialty. However, the average otolaryngologist operates two or three days each week, and otolaryngology is usually thought to be a surgical specialty. Academically and administratively, in some centers otolaryngology is considered a division of general surgery, a characterization that today is inappropriate. It is understandable that the categorization of otolaryngology has perplexed medical school administrators. Most schools have made otolaryngology an independent department, but still are reluctant to grant it its rightful share of the core curriculum; hence, many physicians graduate from medical school with little or no exposure to this specialty. It is appropriate that up-to-date texts addressing themselves to the subject be available. Approximately 25% to 40% of all patients consulting general physicians have complaints referable to the ears,
Congenital Heart Disease and Other Heterotaxic Defects in a Large Cohort of Patients With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
Authors: Marcus P. Kennedy, Heymut Omran, Margaret W. Leigh, Sharon Dell, Lucy Morgan, Paul L. Molina, Blair V. Robinson, Susan L. Minnix, Heike Olbrich, Thomas Severin, Peter Ahrens, Lars Lange, Hilda N. Morillas, Peadar G. Noone, Maimoona A. Zariwala, Michael R. Knowles
Journal: Circulation (2007)

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a recessive genetic disorder that is characterized by sinopulmonary disease and reflects abnormal ciliary structure and function. Situs inversus totalis occurs in approximately 50% of PCD patients (Kartagener's syndrome in PCD), and there are a few reports of PCD with heterotaxy (situs ambiguus), such as cardiovascular anomalies. Advances in diagnosis of PCD, such as genetic testing, allow the systematic investigation of this association.The prevalence of heterotaxic defects was determined in 337 PCD patients by retrospective review of radiographic and ultrasound data. Situs solitus (normal situs) and situs inversus totalis were identified in 46.0% and 47.7% of patients, respectively, and 6.3% (21 patients) had heterotaxy. As compared with patients with situs solitus, those with situs abnormalities had more ciliary outer dynein arm defects, fewer inner dynein arm and central apparatus defects (P<0.001), and more mutations in ciliary outer dynein arm genes (DNAI1 and DNAH5; P=0.022). Seven of 12 patients with heterotaxy who were genotyped had mutations in DNAI1 or DNAH5. Twelve patients with heterotaxy had cardiac and/or vascular abnormalities, and most (8 of 12 patients) had complex congenital heart disease.At least 6.3% of patients with PCD have heterotaxy, and most of those have cardiovascular abnormalities. The prevalence of congenital heart disease with heterotaxy is 200-fold higher in PCD than in the general population (1:50 versus 1:10 000); thus, patients with PCD should have cardiac evaluation. Conversely, mutations in genes that adversely affect both respiratory and embryological nodal cilia are a significant cause of heterotaxy and congenital heart disease, and screening for PCD is indicated in those patients.
Summation and inhibition by ultrarapid train pacing in the human ventricle.
Authors: C D Swerdlow, L B Liem, M R Franz
Journal: Circulation (1987)

Trains of ultrarapid stimuli that begin late in the refractory period have been reported both to produce early single captures to terminate tachyarrhythmias and to inhibit the response to subsequent threshold stimuli. To determine which characteristics of trains facilitate capture and which enhance inhibition, we compared the right ventricular strength interval relationship for single extrastimuli (S2) with that for 100 Hz trains with a duration of 100 msec in 29 patients. Pulse frequency was varied in 12 patients (50, 100, and 200 Hz) and train duration (50, 100, and 150 msec) was varied in 11 patients; the effect of procainamide (10.1 +/- 2.3 micrograms/ml) was assessed in 10 patients. Relative to S2, 100 Hz trains with a duration of 100 msec prolonged the effective refractory period (ERP) at low current strength (inhibition), but shortened the ERP at high-current strength (summation): at 0.5 mA, the train ERP was 47 +/- 6 (SEM) msec longer than the S2 ERP (p less than .001); at 16 mA it was 12 +/- 1 msec shorter (p less than .001). Trains prolonged the functional refractory period (FRP) slightly at low currents (13 +/- 3 msec, p = .001 at .05 mA), but did not shorten FRP significantly at high currents (2 +/- 2 msec, p = NS at 16 mA) because of increased stimulus-response latency. Inhibition increased with increasing pulse frequency (p less than .001), increasing train duration (p less than .001), and procainamide (p less than .01). Summation increased with increasing pulse frequency (p less than .001), but not increasing train duration or procainamide, suggesting that inhibition and summation depend on different electrophysiologic mechanisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Screen all baby boomers for hepatitis C, advises US public health agency
Authors: B. Roehr
Journal: BMJ (2012)

One in 30 US baby boomers is infected with hepatitis C and doesn’t know it. They should all be tested for the virus at least once, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The recommendation is contained in draft guidelines released on 18 May. They are expected to be finalised after a brief comment period.

Current guidelines recommend testing those who have had risk of exposure to the virus through activities such as injecting illicit drugs, piercing or tattooing with improperly cleaned equipment, a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992 when screening was introduced, hemodialysis, birth to a mother with hepatitis C, and other risk factors.

The CDC said it was recommending the change …
Long-acting beneficial effect of percutaneously intramyocardially delivered secretome of apoptotic peripheral blood cells on porcine chronic ischemic left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Noemi Pavo, Matthias Zimmermann, Dietmar Pils, Michael Mildner, Zsolt Petrási, Örs Petneházy, János Fuzik, András Jakab, Christian Gabriel, Wolfgang Sipos, Gerald Maurer, Mariann Gyöngyösi, Hendrik Jan Ankersmit
Journal: Biomaterials (2014)

The quantity of cells with paracrine effects for use in myocardial regeneration therapy is limited. This study investigated the effects of catheter-based endomyocardial delivery of secretome of 2.5 × 10(9) apoptotic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (APOSEC) on porcine chronic post-myocardial infarction (MI) left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and on gene expression. Closed-chest reperfused MI was induced in pigs by 90-min occlusion followed by reperfusion of the mid-LAD (day 0). At day 30, animals were randomized to receive porcine APOSEC (n = 8) or medium solution (control; n = 8) injected intramyocardially into the MI border zone using 3D NOGA guidance. At day 60, cardiac MRI with late enhancement and diagnostic NOGA (myocardial viability) were performed. Gene expression profiling of the infarct core, border zone, and normal myocardium was performed using microarray analysis and confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Injection of APOSEC significantly decreased infarct size (p < 0.05) and improved cardiac index and myocardial viability compared to controls. A trend towards higher LV ejection fraction was observed in APOSEC vs. controls (45.4 ± 5.9% vs. 37.4 ± 8.9%, p = 0.052). Transcriptome analysis revealed significant downregulation of caspase-1, tumor necrosis factor and other inflammatory genes in APOSEC-affected areas. rtPCR showed higher expression of myogenic factor Mefc2 (p < 0.05) and downregulated caspase genes (p < 0.05) in APOSEC-treated pigs. In conclusion, overexpression of MEF2c and repression of caspase was related to decreased infarct size and improved cardiac function in secretome-treated animals. Altered gene expression 1-month post-APOSEC treatment proved the long-acting effects of cell-free therapy with paracrine factors.
Magnification and Chromoscopy with the Acetic Acid Test: Reply to Dr. Kaufman and Dr. Harper
Authors: R. Lambert, J-F. Rey, R. Sankaranarayanan
Journal: Endoscopy (2004)

Chromoscopy with acetic acid - a technique that has been in use in the field of gynecology for a considerable period - may be equally valuable in gastrointestinal endoscopy. We are grateful to Dr. Kaufman and Dr. Harper for their analysis of the whitening reaction in the cervical mucosa; the information they provide supplements our previous description and provides further justification for the use of the technique in gastroenterological endoscopy.
Word Recall in Schizophrenia: A Connectionist Model
Authors: Paul G. Nestor, Sare J. Akdag, Brian F. O’Donnell, Margaret Niznikiewicz, Sue Law, Martha E. Shenton, Robert W. McCarley
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1998)

Objective:The authors examined word recall of patients with schizophrenia by using an experimental paradigm generated from connectionist models of memory.Method:Schizophrenic patients and normal comparison subjects first studied and then recalled a list of 32 words of equal difficulty. Both the connectivity (associative strength) and the network size (number of associates) of the words varied in such a way that the list contained equal proportions of four types of words: 1) high connectivity-small network size, 2) low connectivity-small network size, 3) high connectivity-large network size, and 4) low connectivity-large network size. Results:The schizophrenic patients recalled fewer words and showed a particularly pronounced effect of the connectivity of the to-be-remembered words. For the patients, regardless of network size, recall improved substantially for words of high connectivity and declined dramatically for words of low connectivity. By contrast, the comparison subjects showed the expected effects, with the best recall for words of high connectivity-small network size, followed by words of low connectivity-small network size, then by words of high connectivity-large network size, and finally by words of low connectivity-large network size. Conclusions:Schizophrenia may be characterized by faulty modulation of associative links within a putative lexicon that is thought to be widely distributed across frontal and temporal lobes. Am J Psychiatry 1998; 155: 1685-1690