tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Value of Culdoscopy in Gynecologic Diagnosis
Authors: Thomas H. Green
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1956)

IN July, 1953, a program to employ culdoscopy to the fullest extent of its usefulness in the diagnosis of pelvic disease was embarked upon at the Vincent Memorial Hospital. It was hoped in this manner to settle to the satisfaction of those participating the question of the value, ease of application and limitations of the procedure, as well as to add an important method to the diagnostic armamentarium of the Gynecological Service.No "routine" culdoscopies were carried out in an effort to accumulate large numbers of cases. Culdoscopy was done only when a specific indication for its application existed and . . .
Oral liarozole vs. acitretin in the treatment of ichthyosis: a phase II/III multicentre, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled study
Authors: C.J. Verfaille, F.P. Vanhoutte, C. Blanchet-Bardon, M.A. van Steensel, P.M. Steijlen
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2007)

Liarozole, a retinoic acid metabolism blocking agent, has been granted orphan drug status for congenital ichthyosis by the European Commission and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.The purpose of this trial was to investigate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of oral liarozole vs. acitretin in patients with ichthyosis.In this double-blind comparative trial of liarozole vs. acitretin, 32 patients with ichthyosis were randomized to be treated with either oral liarozole 75 mg in the morning and 75 mg in the evening or with acitretin 10 mg in the morning and 25 mg in the evening for 12 weeks. Clinical efficacy, tolerability and safety were monitored.Between-group comparisons for efficacy and tolerability revealed no statistically significant differences except for scaling on the trunk at baseline which was significantly worse in the liarozole group (P = 0.024) and showed a more pronounced improvement in this group than in the acitretin-treated patients (P = 0.047). Based on the overall evaluation of the response to treatment at endpoint, 10 of 15 patients in the liarozole group and 13 of 16 patients in the acitretin group were considered by the investigator to be at least markedly improved. The expected retinoic acid-related adverse events were mostly mild to moderate and tended to occur less frequently in the liarozole group. No serious adverse events related to the drugs occurred.The present study indicates that liarozole at a daily dose of 150 mg is equally effective as a treatment for ichthyosis as acitretin but shows a trend towards a more favourable tolerability profile. The results of this trial warrant further clinical trials to confirm efficacy and safety of liarozole as an orphan drug in ichthyosis.
The Human Body
Authors: Irwin M. Siegel
Journal: JAMA (1983)

US News Books is providing an excellent science resource library for the general reading public (including persons trained in the medical arts and teachers and students of the psychological and biologic sciences) through the publication of its series<i>The Human Body</i>. This service has already been acknowledged by the American Heart Association, which only recently awarded its Blakeslee Prize for "outstanding achievement in the area of educating the public on the heart, its functions and dysfunctions," to the publisher for its book<i>The Heart</i>. Other volumes currently available are<i>The Skeleton, Blood, Reproduction, The Eye, The Brain, Muscles</i>, and<i>Skin</i>. The books are published approximately every three to four months. Some 20 are anticipated in the complete set, and future titles will include<i>The Cell, Digestive System, Genetics and Heredity</i>, and<i>Wonders of the Ear</i>. A historical survey, covering the particular subject at hand, begins each approximately 165-page text. This
Effects of beta-adrenergic blockade on immunologic and cardiovascular changes induced by mental stress.
Authors: R J Benschop, E E Nieuwenhuis, E A Tromp, G L Godaert, R E Ballieux, L J van Doornen
Journal: Circulation (1994)

BACKGROUND Acute mental stress evokes responses in the cardiovascular and the immune systems. In particular, the subset of natural killer (NK) cells is found to be responsive to mental stress. The role of beta-adrenergic mechanisms in these processes in the subject of this investigation. METHODS AND RESULTS Healthy male volunteers (n = 31) were subjected to two consecutive mental tasks. Subjects were randomly assigned to a beta-blocker (propranolol 40 mg) or a placebo group. The capsules were ingested 1 hour before the tasks. The tasks evoked sympathetic responses, as indicated by an increase in heart rate and a decrease in the preejection period. These effects were abolished under beta-blockade, indicating that effective beta-blockade was achieved. In the immune system, significant increases were found for the number of NK cells and NK cell activity in the placebo group; these increases were absent in the propranolol group. In addition, an increase in all lymphocyte subsets was observed in subjects who had ingested propranolol. This increase, however, was also observed in subjects who had received propranolol but had not performed the tasks, indicating that these non-subset-specific increases in lymphocytes were a side effect of the beta-blocker. CONCLUSIONS Mental stress induces activation of the sympathetic nervous system, with concomitant increases in the number of NK cells in the circulation. These changes were inhibited by propranolol, indicating that stress-induced increases in the number and activity of NK cells in the circulation are controlled by a beta-adrenergic mechanism.
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: REPORT OF A CASE
Authors: Arnold S. Jackson
Journal: JAMA (1923)

R. F., a man, aged 26, was referred to us by Dr. Howell of Fennimore, Wisconsin, on account of weakness, rapid heart, and dyspnea. For the past year, the patient had been growing gradually weaker. While there was general muscular asthenia, the greatest involvement was in the ocular and laryngeal groups of muscles, and in those governing deglutition. The least exertion caused the patient to become weak and dyspneic. When talking, he stopped in the middle of a sentence because of fatigue; and when eating, his muscles became so tired that he would soon become unable to masticate or swallow. During the past six months he had become very nervous and had developed a slight tremor of the fingers. In spite of a good appetite, he had lost 10 pounds (4.5 kg.) in weight.  The patient was tall, slender and undernourished, and did not appear acutely ill. Apparent exophthalmos, 2
Efficacy and Safety of Canakinumab (ACZ885), a Fully Human Anti-Interleukin-1b-Antibody, in Cryopyrin Associated Periodic Fever Syndrome Results of a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Phase III Study
Authors: H. Lachman, I. Kone-Paut, J. Kuemmerle-Deschner, K. Leslie, E. Hachulla, P. Quartier, X. Gitton, N. Patel, K. Lheritier, P.N. Hawkins
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2009)
Essential but differential role for CXCR4 and CXCR7 in the therapeutic homingof human renal progenitor cells
Authors: Benedetta Mazzinghi, Elisa Ronconi, Elena Lazzeri, Costanza Sagrinati, Lara Ballerini, Maria Lucia Angelotti, Eliana Parente, Rosa Mancina, Giuseppe Stefano Netti, Francesca Becherucci, Mauro Gacci, Marco Carini, Loreto Gesualdo, Mario Rotondi, Enrico Maggi, Laura Lasagni, Mario Serio, Sergio Romagnani, Paola Romagnani
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2008)

Recently, we have identified a population of renal progenitor cells in human kidneys showing regenerative potential for injured renal tissue of SCID mice. We demonstrate here that among all known chemokine receptors, human renal progenitor cells exhibit high expression of both stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7. In SCID mice with acute renal failure (ARF), SDF-1 was strongly up-regulated in resident cells surrounding necrotic areas. In the same mice, intravenously injected renal stem/progenitor cells engrafted into injured renal tissue decreased the severity of ARF and prevented renal fibrosis. These beneficial effects were abolished by blocking either CXCR4 or CXCR7, which dramatically reduced the number of engrafting renal progenitor cells. However, although SDF-1-induced migration of renal progenitor cells was only abolished by an anti-CXCR4 antibody, transendothelial migration required the activity of both CXCR4 and CXCR7, with CXCR7 being essential for renal progenitor cell adhesion to endothelial cells. Moreover, CXCR7 but not CXCR4 was responsible for the SDF-1-induced renal progenitor cell survival. Collectively, these findings suggest that CXCR4 and CXCR7 play an essential, but differential, role in the therapeutic homing of human renal progenitor cells in ARF, with important implications for the development of stem cell-based therapies.
Diet composition and surgical technique influence the postoperative recovery of portacaval shunted rats
Authors: Ann A. Jerkins, Robert D. Steele
Journal: Hepatology (1988)

In a series of experiments, rats were subjected to end-to-side portacaval shunts using either suture or nonsuture surgical procedures. Rats were maintained on cereal-based or purified diets in pellet form. All rats recovered preoperative body weights within the experimental periods; however, recovery of preoperative body weight was influenced by surgical technique and diet composition. Portacaval shunted rats fed a cereal-based diet required a longer period of time (14 days) to reattain preoperative body weights when compared to portacaval shunted rats fed a purified diet (7 days). Once preoperative body weight was recovered, growth rates of portacaval shunted rats were parallel to those of sham-operated controls. Rats with a suture-portacaval shunt appeared most sensitive to the feeding of a cereal-based diet. All portacaval shunted rats and sham controls fed a purified diet regained preoperative body weights within 7 days after surgery. Sham controls fed either a cereal-based or purified diet recovered preoperative body weights within an average of 4 days. Suture-portacaval shunted rats consuming a pellet form cereal-based diet showed a low feed efficiency which could be reversed by feeding a pellet form purified diet. Rats subjected to a nonsuture glue-portacaval shunt and fed a cereal-based diet showed 50% lower feed efficiencies than did glue-portacaval shunted rats fed a purified diet. Portacaval shunted rats decreased their consumption of cereal-based diets but not of purified diets postoperatively. These reductions in food intake may be responsible for the growth delays observed in portacaval shunted rats and may explain some of the discrepancies in the literature concerning metabolite determinations since the nutritional and metabolic states of growing and nongrowing animals are not equivalent. From these studies we conclude that the surgical procedure used in the construction of a portacaval shunt as well as the postoperative diet composition are major factors which influence the postoperative performance of the portacaval shunted rat.
Bone scanning in lung cancer: Authors' reply
Authors: Martin Hetzel, Coskun Arslandemir, Holger Schirrmeister
Journal: BMJ (2004)

Firm foundation for senior house officers Five years is long enoughEditor-The editorial by Gallen and Peile signals anything but a firm foundation for training junior doctors. 1 The first foundation year will essentially be an extension of undergraduate training, its doctors allowed only to observe medical practice.And doctors in foundation year 2 will be "career tourists," spending too little time in each specialty to be able to offer much service in return.Medical educationalists should realise that nurses and other paramedical groups are encroaching on traditional medical practice and do not seem to need the sort of extended training we demand of medical students.For example, a six week course apparently enables paramedics to administer safely almost all drugs used in emergency practice.By contrast we seem intent on postponing the time at which our bright and enthusiastic young doctors can start treating patients.Five years is quite long enough to learn the theory of medicine.After that, the sooner young doctors are allowed to start treating patients, in a supervised setting, the better.
CIZ gene rearrangements in acute leukemia: report of a diagnostic FISH assay and clinical features of nine patients
Authors: R La Starza, A Aventin, B Crescenzi, P Gorello, G Specchia, A Cuneo, A Angioni, C Bilhou-Nabera, C Boqué, R Foà, A Uyttebroeck, P Talmant, G Cimino, M F Martelli, P Marynen, C Mecucci, A Hagemeijer
Journal: Leukemia (2005)
Endoscopic detection of an early manifestation of EBV-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in a transplanted colon
Authors: M. van Ginkel, A. Diepstra, G. Dijkstra, V. Nieuwenhuijs, Z. de Langen, E. Rings
Journal: Endoscopy (2010)

Intestinal transplantation in children requires close follow-up, including endoscopic monitoring of the transplanted organ via the temporary stoma and/or anus with biopsies taken and reviewed. We present a case of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) diagnosed less than 1 month after transplantation. PTLD is a common life-threatening complication after intestinal transplantation, occurring in 13.5 % of pediatric cases, and is mostly related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) [1] [2].
Hemopoietic stem cells: stochastic differentiation and humoral control of proliferation.
Authors: M Ogawa
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1989)

The central feature of hemopoiesis is life-long, stable cell renewal. This process is supported by hemopoietic stem cells which, in the steady state, appear to be dormant in cell cycling. The entry into cell cycle of the dormant stem cells may be promoted by such factors as interleukin-1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Once the stem cells leave G0 and begin proliferation, the subsequent process is characterized by continued proliferation and differentiation. While several models of stem cell differentiation have been proposed, micromanipulation studies of individual progenitors suggest that the commitment of multipotential progenitors to single lineages is a random (stochastic) process. The proliferation of early hemopoietic progenitors requires the presence of interleukin-3 (IL-3), and the intermediate process appears to be supported by granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Once the progenitors are committed to individual lineages, the subsequent maturation process appears to be supported by late-acting, lineage-specific factors such as erythropoietin and G-CSF. Synthesis of a hemopoietic factor may take place in different cell types and is regulated by multiple factors. The physiological regulator of erythropoiesis is erythropoietin, which, by a feedback mechanism, provides fine control of erythrocyte production. Feedback mechanisms for leukocyte production have not been identified. It is possible that there is no feedback regulator of leukopoiesis. In this model, leukocyte production in the steady state is maintained at a genetically determined level. When an infection occurs, the bacterial lipopolysaccharides may augment the production of interleukin 1 alpha and beta, tumor necrosis factor, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, etc.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
PWE-146 Relaxin Is a Renal Vasodilator in Experimental Models of Cirrhosis and A Potential Novel Therapy for Hepatorenal Syndrome in Humans
Authors: V K Snowdon, A Pellicoro, P Ramachandran, W Mungall, M Jansen, R Lennen, R Aucott, T Kendall, J Hughes, J P Iredale, J A Fallowfield
Journal: Gut (2013)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a feared complication of cirrhosis with a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. The hallmark features of HRS are profound renal vasoconstriction, resulting in a functional renal failure but with normal kidney histology. The peptide hormone relaxin (RLN) mediates maternal haemodynamic adaptations to pregnancy, including increased renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We hypothesised that RLN could beneficially modulate RBF in cirrhosis and HRS. <h3>Methods</h3> Cirrhosis, with reduced RBF, was induced in rats by 16 weeks of intraperitoneal (i.p.) carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and decompensated biliary cirrhosis by 3 weeks bile duct ligation (BDL). We measured the effect of acute intravenous (i.v.) and extended (72 hr) subcutaneous (s.c.) RLN on systemic haemodynamics, RBF, GFR and organ histology. Subgroups of rats were co-treated with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor L-NAME. Blood oxygen dependent-magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) was used to quantify changes in renal oxygenation. Tissue expression and distribution of RLN receptor (RXFP1) was determined by qPCR and immunofluorescence. Expression of vasoconstrictor genes was quantified by qPCR array. <h3>Results</h3> RXFP1 was detected on glomerular podocytes, renal pericytes, and endothelial cells of the renal, segmental and interlobar arteries of cirrhotic rats. In CCl4 cirrhosis, acute i.v. RLN (4µg) induced a 50% increase in RBF after 60 minutes (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01 vs. placebo, <i>n</i> = 6). BOLD-MRI showed increased tissue oxygenation at the same timepoint in renal cortex and medulla. Extended s.c. RLN increased RBF by 54% in CCl4 (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01 vs. placebo, <i>n</i> = 8) and 57% in BDL (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001 vs. placebo, <i>n</i> = 5) and increased GFR by 138% in CCl4 (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01 vs. placebo, <i>n</i> = 8) and 103% in BDL (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05 vs. placebo, <i>n</i> = 5). Mean arterial pressure was unaffected by RLN. L-NAME (250mg/L) orally (p.o.) abrogated the effect of RLN on RBF and GFR. The relative expression of vasoconstrictor genes in the kidney was markedly reduced by RLN treatment. <h3>Conclusion</h3> RLN increases RBF in experimental cirrhosis. Crucially, RLN also improves renal function and oxygenation but does not induce systemic hypotension even in decompensated disease. The effects of RLN are mediated via augmentation of NO and downregulation of vasoconstrictor genes known to be important in the pathogenesis of HRS. RLN has potential as a treatment for HRS and further translational studies are warranted. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared.
The Debt of Modern Medicine to the 18th Century
Authors: Lester S. King
Journal: JAMA (1964)

TWENTIETH CENTURY medical achievements are indeed stupendous, made possible by 19th century advances in microscopy, chemistry, and microbiology. If we look further back, we note that the 17th century represented an age of transcendent genius, with Bacon, Descartes, Locke, Harvey, Boyle, Helmont, Newton, and others whose greatness needs no emphasis. But in between we find an age of deceptive quiet, the 18th century, the socalled age of reason which, though important in many ways, has long seemed a medical desert. Garrison, for example, discussing the 18th century, speaks of "tedious and platitudinous philosophizing" as characterizing the era as a whole. Such a viewpoint indicates lack of suitable historical perspective. Far from being arid and dull, the period between the giants of the 17th century and those of the 19th was tremendously vital. Vast intellectual forces were working out their development, with slow progression, nonetheless significant for all its slow tempo.
Review: Statins do not reduce mortality in patients with heart failure
Authors: Christopher B. Granger
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2010)

Source Citation Lipinski MJ, Cauthen CA, Biondi-Zoccai GG, et al. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of statins versus placebo in patients with heart failure. Am J Cardiol. 2009;104:1708−16. 19962481
Evaluation of popliteal cysts and painful calves with ultrasonography: comparison with arthrography.
Authors: B M Gompels, L G Darlington
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1982)

Grey-scale ultrasonography will detect reliably the presence of clinically significant popliteal cysts, fluid collections which do not fill by arthrography, and will frequently demonstrate ruptured cysts and the soft tissue changes resulting from a recent leak. Forty-eight knees, in 25 patients with popliteal and/or calf pain were examined by ultrasonography followed by arthrography. Popliteal cysts were demonstrated in 40% (19/48) by ultrasound and in 46% (22/48) by arthrogram. For comparison between arthrography and ultrasonography chi2 = 8.58 and contingency coefficient, phi = 0.42 (p less than 0.01). Acute cyst rupture was shown in 2 patients (8%) by both arthrography and ultrasound. In a further study ultrasonography demonstrated popliteal cysts with a prevalence of 31% (22/72) in 36 patients with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis compared with 4% (3/72) in controls closely matched for age and sex. This difference in prevalence between the rheumatoid patients and controls was highly significant chi2 = 17.48, p less than 0.001. Ultrasonography, therefore, will demonstrate noninvasively the presence of popliteal cysts, may assist in the diagnosis of rupture, and furthermore will assist in quantitative, sequential assessment of patients with painful knees and calves.
Electrophysiologic Effects of Procaine Amide in Patients with Intraventricular Conduction Delay
Authors: MELVIN M. SCHEINMAN, ALAN N. WEISS, EUGENE SHAFTON, NEAL BENOWITZ, MALCOLM ROWLAND
Journal: Circulation (1974)

In 16 patients with intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD) and cardiac arrhythmias, procaine amide (PA) was infused intravenously at rates of 30-40 mg/min until a maximum dose of 750-1,000 mg was administered. His bundle electrograms and plasma PA levels were obtained every 5 min during infusion and for 25 min thereafter. The mean peak PA level (10.2 ± 3.4 µg/ml) was achieved at the end of infusion. Mean control A-V nodal conduction times (A-H: 99.5 ± 34 msec) and A-H at peak PA levels (90 ± 15.3) did not differ significantly. However, the mean infranodal conduction time (H-Q) at peak PA (68.1 ± 14.8 msec) was significantly higher than control measurements (57.6 ± 13 msec) ( P &lt; 0.001), with a mean percent increase of 18% (11 msec), and maximal prolongation of H-Q occurred at peak PA blood levels. There was no statistically significant correlation between maximum absolute or percent change in H-Q and control H-Q, control QRS duration, or peak PA levels. One patient with sinus bradycardia had further decreases in rate and a junctional rhythm after PA. Intravenous administration of PA appears safe and effective for patients with IVCD in terms of arrhythmia control and absence of high degree A-V block, ventricular ectopic beats, or standstill, but caution should be used in treating patients with sinus bradycardia.