tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Value of two noninvasive methods to detect progression of fibrosis among HCV carriers with normal aminotransferases
Authors: Cosimo Colletta, Carlo Smirne, Carlo Fabris, Pierluigi Toniutto, Rachele Rapetti, Rosalba Minisini, Mario Pirisi
Journal: Hepatology (2005)

Abstract The course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection carriers with normal/near-normal aminotransferases (NALT) is usually mild; however, in a few, fibrosis progression occurs. We aimed to verify whether monitoring by liver biopsy might be replaced by noninvasive methods and to identify factors associated with fibrosis progression in patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferases. We studied 40 untreated HCV-RNA–positive subjects (22 male; median age, 44 years), who underwent two liver biopsies, with a median interval of 78.5 months, during which alanine aminotransferase concentrations (median number of determinations: 12) never exceeded 1.2 times the upper normal limit. Within 9 months from the second biopsy, they were tested by the shear elasticity probe (Fibroscan) and the artificial intelligence algorithm FibroTest. METAVIR fibrosis scores were analyzed in relationship to demographic, clinical, and viral parameters. Weighted kappa analysis was used to verify whether the results of noninvasive methods agreed with histology. Significant fibrosis (≥F2), present at the first biopsy in only one patient (2.5%), was observed at the second biopsy in 14 patients (35%). At multivariate analysis, excess alcohol consumption in the past (&gt;20 g/d; P = .017) and viral load (&gt;8.0 × 106 copies/mL; P = .021) were independent predictors of progression. In identifying patients with significant fibrosis, inter-rater agreement was excellent for Fibroscan (weighted kappa = 1.0), and poor for FibroTest (weighted kappa = −0.041). In conclusion , among HCV carriers with NALT, Fibroscan is superior to the FibroTest in the noninvasive identification of fibrosis, for which excess alcohol consumption in the past and high viral load represent risk factors. (Hepatology 2005.)
Levels of Disialogangliosides in Sera of Melanoma Patients Monitored by Sensitive ThinLayer Chromatography and Immunostaining
Authors: B.-A. Sela, D. Iliopoulos, D. Guerry, D. Herlyn, H. Koprowski
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1989)

Levels of GD2, GD3, and 9-O-acetyl GD3 were monitored in sera of patients with melanoma and healthy adults with two monoclonal antibodies that specifically detect these gangliosides. By direct measurement of radioactivity in the immunolabeled chromatogram, GD2 could be detected in normal sera at 2 ng/mL. Serum levels of GD2 and GD3 were increased approximately sixfold and fivefold, respectively, in patients with disseminated melanoma, compared with those of healthy adults. The acetylated derivative of GD3, which is highly specific for melanoma cells, was not detected in serum. This sensitive assay allows the quantitation of tumor-associated gangliosides that are circulating in sera of melanoma patients.
Excitatory Amino Acids: Evidence for a Role in the Control of Reproduction and Anterior Pituitary Hormone Secretion*
Authors: Darrell W. Brann, Virendra B. Mahesh
Journal: Endocrine Reviews (1997)

I. Introduction II. The EAA System: Overview, Description, and Localization in Neuroendocrine Tissues A. Endogenous EAAs and their localization in the hypothalamus B. Types of EAA receptors and their localization in the CNS and hypothalamus C. EAA transporters III. EAAs and Reproduction A. Effect of EAA agonists on LH secretion B. Effect of blockade of EAA neurotransmission on the steroid-induced and preovulatory LH surge and pulsatile LH secretion C. Site of action of EAAs in the control of LH secretion D. Mechanism of action of EAAs in the control of LH secretion E. The opioid-glutamate-nitric oxide-guanylate cyclase pathway in the control of GnRH secretion: a proposed model IV. Role of EAAs in Puberty and Reproductive Behavior A. Role of EAAs in puberty B. EAAs and reproductive behavior V. Role of EAAs in the Secretion of Other Anterior Pituitary Hormones A. ACTH B. GH C. PRL VI. Conclusions
Robert O'Leary — Versatile Editor of<i>Journal</i>Editors
Authors: Franz J. Ingelfinger
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1979)

"Bob," asked the editor of the Journal, "What preposition do I use, 'the hope of success is small,' or 'the hope for success is small'?""Bob," the editor said on another occasion, "What do you think of this submission? (a piece of serious verse usually about some aspect of death and written by a medical student or house officer); it strikes me as somewhat maudlin and weepy, but I would like your reaction.""Bob," asked the editor on still another day, "Thank you for having gone over this editorial I have been trying to write. I appreciate your criticism, . . .
After further review
Authors: Laurence A. Turka
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2009)

In the two years that I have been Editor in Chief of the JCI, the editors and I have sent approximately 2,500 papers for external review. The referee reports that we've received have spanned the spectrum from incredibly insightful to completely unhelpful. Together with a longer piece immediately following this editorial, I would like to reflect on what I think makes a good review.
Arthur Schnitzler — Physician, Novelist and Playwright
Authors: Mardoqueo I. Salomon
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1971)

WHENEVER I think of, or read about, Arthur Schnitzler I am reminded of the Latin proverb: "Habent sua fata libelli" [even books need good luck]. For, in fact, I do not understand the reasons for the rapid passing of the limited "fame" that he achieved in life. Of course, even a good writer's glory is often quite ephemeral. But for Schnitzler this pattern of "Sic transit gloria" is both exaggerated and undeserved.Arthur Schnitzler was born in Vienna in 1862, the son of a physician and the grandson of a poor carpenter. He had a younger brother, Julius Schnitzler, who . . .
Doctors who treated protesters in Bahrain are given 15 year sentences
Authors: S. Arie
Journal: BMJ (2011)

A military judge in Bahrain has sentenced 20 doctors and nurses who treated injured antigovernment protesters to up to 15 years in jail.

In a seven minute session of a security court set up under a state of emergency imposed earlier this year the military judge gave 15 year sentences to 13 of the 20 and five and 10 year sentences to the others. The session was attended by lawyers for the accused and some representatives of foreign governments and human rights groups. The doctors and nurses, who had been released on bail after being detained in previous months, have been ordered to present themselves to police or …
Vitamin A toxicity and hypercalcaemia in chronic renal failure.
Authors: K Farrington, P Miller, Z Varghese, R A Baillod, J F Moorhead
Journal: BMJ (1981)

Serum vitamin A concentrations were measured in 38 patients undergoing haemodialysis, 24 of whom were taking multivitamin preparations containing vitamin A. Vitamin A concentrations were significantly higher in patients undergoing haemodialysis than in 28 normal controls (p less than 0.001). Patients taking vitamin A supplements had significantly higher vitamin A concentrations than those not taking them (p less than 0.05), and hypercalcaemic patients had higher concentrations than normocalcaemic patients (p less than 0.005). Withdrawal of vitamin A supplements in seven patients caused significant falls in serum vitamin A concentrations and plasma calcium concentrations (p less than 0.01 at two and three months in both cases) and in plasma alkaline phosphatase concentrations (p less than 0.01 at two months). Vitamin A toxicity can contribute to hypercalcaemia in patients undergoing haemodialysis, probably by an osteolytic effect. Multivitamin preparations containing vitamin A should therefore be prescribed with caution in these patients.
Use of bronchoalveolar lavage to assess the respiratory microbiome: signal in the noise
Authors: Homer L Twigg, Alison Morris, Elodie Ghedin, Jeffrey L Curtis, Gary B Huffnagle, Kristina Crothers, Thomas B Campbell, Sonia C Flores, Andrew P Fontenot, James M Beck, Laurence Huang, Susan Lynch, Kenneth S Knox, George Weinstock
Journal: The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2013)
Study warns of danger of combining spironolactone and ACE inhibitors in heart patients
Authors: Scott Gottlieb
Journal: BMJ (2004)

The diuretic spironolactone can cause dangerous hyperkalaemia in patients who are also taking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, another drug that, like spironolactone, is used to treat congestive heart failure.

After the publication of a major heart study that promoted the use of spironolactone, prescribing rose, but so did cases of hyperkalaemia, according to Dr David Juurlink, a clinical pharmacologist at the University of Toronto and author of a new study that found a threefold increase in the rates of admission to hospital for high potassium levels across Ontario and a twofold increase in deaths involving high potassium levels ( New England Journal of Medicine 2004;351:543-51).

The randomised aldactone evaluation study (RALES), which was reported in 1999, found …
Violence and mental illness.
Authors: M Weller
Journal: BMJ (1984)

Patients with mild heart disease (for example, a history of myocardial infarction or mild angina) can probably be treated with any antidepressant.There is no clear evidence that some drugs are safer than others and, though mianserin and trazodone may prove to be such safer drugs, further studies are needed in patients with heart disease.In the light of recent reports it would seem wise to be very careful about the use of tricyclic antidepressants in patients with severe heart disease.In this category I would place patients suffering from heart failure, patients with bundle branch block, or those with heart block in their electrocardiograms, and patients who have recently had a myocardial infarction.
Coronary cyclic flow variations "precondition" ischemic myocardium.
Authors: M Ovize, R A Kloner, S L Hale, K Przyklenk
Journal: Circulation (1992)

Repeated brief episodes of myocardial ischemia performed by mechanical clamping of a coronary artery "precondition" the heart and reduce infarct size after a subsequent sustained ischemia. It is not known, however, whether spontaneous episodes of transient ischemia caused by formation of platelet thrombi, which may occur in unstable angina, have a similar cardioprotective effect.Therefore, our objective was to determine whether brief spontaneous thrombotic episodes of ischemia/reperfusion could limit infarct size and preserve contractile function following 60 minutes (protocol 1) or 90 minutes (protocol 2) of sustained ischemia and 4-4.5 hours of reperfusion in the canine model. Before the sustained coronary occlusion, dogs underwent a 30-minute "treatment" period consisting of: no intervention (control group), four repeated episodes of 3-minute mechanical occlusion plus 5-minute reperfusion (preconditioned group), or coronary artery stenosis and endothelial injury, resulting in a mean of four spontaneous episodes of cyclic flow variations (CFV group) caused by formation and dislodgment of platelet thrombi. In protocol 1 (60-minute sustained ischemia plus 4.5-hour reperfusion), infarct size was significantly smaller in both the preconditioned and CFV groups compared with controls (3.5 +/- 1.4%,* 3.4 +/- 2.1%,* and 9.9 +/- 2.7% of the myocardium at risk, respectively; *p less than 0.05 versus control). In contrast, neither preconditioning nor CFV preserved contractile function: Segment shortening during sustained occlusion was equally depressed at -15% to -20% of baseline values among the three groups and equally stunned at +12% to +18% of baseline during the 4.5 hours of reflow. In protocol 2 (90-minute sustained ischemia plus 4-hour reperfusion), only CFV continued to exert a cardioprotective effect: Infarct size averaged 15.0 +/- 4.1%, 7.4 +/- 2.5%,* and 16.5 +/- 4.4% of the region at risk in the preconditioned, CFV, and control groups, respectively (*p less than 0.05 versus control). Contractile function, however, was similar among all three groups both during 90 minutes of sustained occlusion and throughout 4 hours of reperfusion.We therefore conclude that repeated coronary thrombus formation preconditions the ischemic myocardium: In fact, in contrast to mechanical preconditioning, cardioprotection provided by CFV persisted following 90 minutes of sustained coronary occlusion. However, preconditioning by thrombotic or mechanical occlusion neither preserved myocardial contractile function during sustained coronary occlusion nor prevented stunning after reperfusion. These data raise the possibility that clinical episodes of unstable angina prior to acute myocardial infarction may precondition the ischemic myocardium.
Filaggrin mutations may confer susceptibility to chronic hand eczema characterized by combined allergic and irritant contact dermatitis
Authors: S. Molin, S. Vollmer, E.H. Weiss, T. Ruzicka, J.C. Prinz
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2009)

The pathogenesis of chronic hand eczema (CHE) is multifactorial and involves both endogenous predisposition and environmental triggers.Filaggrin is a structural protein of the cornified envelope and important for the formation of the epidermal skin barrier. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the role of mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) in the development of CHE.In total, 122 German patients with clearly defined CHE subtypes were screened for the FLG variants R501X and 2282del4 by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digest analysis. The prevalence of these variants in CHE patients was compared with that in 95 healthy individuals.Overall, allele frequency and the number of mutation carriers were similar in both the CHE and control groups. When classified according to clearly defined CHE subtypes, however, the nonfunctional FLG variants showed an association with CHE involving an aetiological combination of contact allergy and irritant factors [P = 0.04; P (exact test) = 0.06; P (difference in rates) = 0.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0-56.8)], or with excessive daily exposure to water and irritants [P = 0.003; P (difference in rates) < 0.001; 95% CI 29.3-67.9].Heterozygosity for nonfunctional mutations in the FLG gene may contribute to the manifestation and maintenance of a particular CHE subtype that is characterized by the combination of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.
PET/FDG SCANNING IN PITUITARY ADENOMA
Authors: A Khonsary, M Mandelkern, J Frazee, W King, C Brown, W Blahd, J Ropchan, J Farahi
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1993)

Khonsary, A; Mandelkern, M; Frazee, J; King, W; Brown, C; Blahd, W; Ropchan, J; Farahi, J Author Information
Dual role of transcription factor FoxO1 in controlling hepatic insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism
Authors: M. Matsumoto
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2006)

Hepatic insulin resistance affects both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It has been proposed that insulin controls these 2 metabolic branches through distinct signaling pathways. FoxO transcription factors are considered effectors of the pathway regulating hepatic glucose production. Here we show that adenoviral delivery of constitutively nuclear forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) to mouse liver results in steatosis arising from increased triglyceride accumulation and decreased fatty acid oxidation. FoxO1 gain of function paradoxically increased insulin sensitivity by promoting Akt phosphorylation, while FoxO1 inhibition via siRNA decreased it. We show that FoxO1 regulation of Akt phosphorylation does not require DNA binding and is associated with repression of the pseudokinase tribble 3 (Trb3), a modulator of Akt activity. This unexpected dual role of FoxO1 in promoting insulin sensitivity and lipid synthesis in addition to glucose production has the potential to explain the peculiar admixture of insulin resistance and sensitivity that is commonly observed in the metabolic syndrome.
Postoperative pain control in children.
Authors: A. R. Lloyd-Thomas, R. Howard
Journal: BMJ (1992)

Mandate for NHS reforms SIR,-Where now for the BMA's policies on the NHS reforms?Concern that a market in health care would result not so much in managerial efficiency and a sensitivity to local needs but in winners and losers with widening gaps in the provision of health care led me to vote Labour.'2Although the general election was not a referendum on the reforms, the high profile of health as a pre-election campaign issue was as near as we are likely to get to one.The return of a Conservative government with a clear working majority means that a public mandate for the NHS reforms has been obtained, and I believe that the BMA should now put its full weight behind them.The purchaser-provider split will become a model not only for the NHS but for a wide range of centrally funded public services.Success in the United Kingdom will ensure that this model is exported to other countries, particularly in the expanding Europe.Recommending an enthusiastic and cooperative approach to the new political situation does not mean that we must cast aside our faculty for criticism.But criticisms must be more sharply focused.If individual patients are disadvantaged the reasons for that disadvantage must be examined rather than assumed and the finger pointed ac- curately at those responsible, be they the provider or the purchasing authority.Cooperation with management must not mean that the political pressure for better funding for the NHS should be abandoned.The exclusion of practising doctors from the management structure must regularly be
Observations ON THE BACTERIOLOGY OF CHRONIC NASAL CATARRH AND ITS TREATMENT BY AUTOGENOUS VACCINES
Authors: L. Mackey
Journal: BMJ (1919)

E cases on which this paper -i based were patients sufering from (1) recurrent acute nasal catarrb, (2) chronic aasal catarrh, or>(3) chronic post-nasal catarrh.They do not include (a) simple brief nasal catarrhs, (b) epidemic nasal catarrhs, influenza,l or otherwise, or (c) nasal infections associated with polvpi, diseases of anltrum or sinuses, atrophic rhinitis, or any discoverable surgical lesion, with the exception of some cases of adenoids which will be referred to later.'All the cases were sent to mc with a view to vaccine
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN DISCHARGE AND FOLLOW-UP: INITIAL REPORT ON A CARDIOLOGY BRIDGE CLINIC
Authors: Eva Kline-Rogers, Adam Leidal, Susan Housholder-Hughes, Lynette Mollo, Cheryl Bord, Julie Merz, Janice Norville, Danielle Stahlbaum, Elise Woznicki, Jeannette Figurel, Kim A. Eagle, Elizabeth A. Jackson, Melvyn Rubenfire
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
356 HIP/PAP stimulates liver regeneration by increasing growth associated protein-43 expression through the PKA-dependent phosphorylation of cAMP regulated phosphoprotein-19
Authors: H.T. Lieu, F. Demaugre, M.T. Simon, J.A. Girault, J. D'Alayer, A. Dos Santos, C. Bréchot, L. Christa
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2006)
Surgical Management of Echinococcal Cysts of the Heart and Pericardium
Authors: ALFRED HEILBRUNN, C. FREDERICK KITTLE, MARVIN DUNN
Journal: Circulation (1963)

Surgical treatment of a 27-year-old man with an echinococcal cyst of the heart is reported, illustrating some difficulties and problems manifested by this lesion. Twenty-seven other patients operated upon for cardiac hydatid disease are reviewed in tabular form. Symptomatology, diagnosis, and management of this rare cardiac lesion are reviewed.
Tempering the Technological Diagnosis of Appendicitis
Authors: Seymour I. Schwartz
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1987)

The article by Puylaert et al. in this issue of the Journal 1 concludes that "ultrasonography is a useful aid in the diagnosis of appendicitis" — probably an acceptable summation, provided that it is not interpreted as advocating use of ultrasound studies as a substitute for clinical judgment in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.As the authors stress, their data indicate that routine imaging techniques combined with clinical diagnosis could reduce the rates of negative celiotomy for suspected appendicitis from the usually reported 17.5 to 20 percent to 8.5 percent. Their results suggest, however, that if ultrasonographic nonvisualization of the appendix . . .
The Circumoval Precipitin Test in Schistosoma Mansoni
Authors: Rafael Rodriguez-Molina, Jose Oliver González, Amina Rivera de Sala
Journal: JAMA (1962)

The purpose of the study was to determine the reliability of the circumoval precipitin reaction, a serologic test for the diagnosis of<i>Schistosoma mansoni</i>infections, and to find out whether it can be used to appraise the effect of chemotherapy in this disease. The circumoval precipitin reaction was performed in blood sera from 300 individuals infected with the parasitic blood fluke S. mansoni. Sixty other patients not suffering from schistosomiasis were studied. The test was also performed in sera from 100 persons before and after administration of variable amounts of stibophen (Fuadin), an antimony compound employed against the parasite. Fifty other cases were used as a contratest group not receiving treatment. Results indicate that the circumoval reaction is a reliable diagnostic tool, but at present it cannot be considered as another criterion to appraise effect of chemotherapy in this disease.
FURTHER REMARKS ON EROSIONS OF THE STOMACH.
Authors: MAX EINHORN
Journal: JAMA (1899)

In 1894 I published a paper<sup>1</sup>on erosions of the stomach and their treatment. Under this name I described a condition in which aside from various subjective symptoms of gastric origin, there are always found in the wash-water of the stomach one to four small pieces of gastric mucosa. In the paper referred to I gave a history of seven cases of this affection that had come under my observation. Since the publication of my paper, C. Pariser<sup>2</sup>has written an exhaustive article on the same subject corroborating in most points my observations. Pariser has seen three cases of erosions of the stomach in one year, and therefore concludes that the affection under consideration is by no means rare. There are but very few points in which Pariser does not apparently agree with my views; they are, however, of minor importance and perhaps based on a different conception