tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Rectal corticosteroids versus alternative treatments in ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis.
Authors: J K Marshall, E J Irvine
Journal: Gut (1997)

BACKGROUND: Clear strategies to optimise the use of corticosteroids in ulcerative colitis are lacking. AIM: A meta-analysis was undertaken to examine critically the role of rectal corticosteroids in the management of active distal ulcerative colitis. METHODS: All reported randomised controlled trials were retrieved by searching the Medline and EMBASE databases and the bibliographies of relevant studies. Trials which met inclusion criteria were assessed for scientific rigour. Data were extracted by two independent observers according to predetermined criteria. RESULTS: Of 83 trials retrieved, 33 met inclusion criteria. Pooled odds ratios (POR) showed conventional rectal corticosteroids and rectal budesonide to be clearly superior to placebo. In seven trials, rectal 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) was significantly better than conventional rectal corticosteroids for inducing remission of symptoms, endoscopy, and histology with POR of 2.42 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.72-3.41), 1.89 (95% CI 1.29-2.76), and 2.03 (95% CI 1.28-3.20), respectively. Rectal budesonide was of comparable efficacy to conventional corticosteroids but produced less endogenous cortisol suppression. Side effects, although inconsistently reported, were generally minor. A cost comparison of rectal preparations showed 5-ASA to be less expensive than corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal 5-ASA is superior to rectal corticosteroids in the management of distal ulcerative colitis.
Associated Primary Endolaryngeal Carcinoma and Bronchogenic Carcinoma
Authors: Patricio E. Perez
Journal: JAMA (1961)

It is uncommon to find separate primary malignant tumors of the lung and larynx in the same patient. Eleven such cases are here reported. In 5 the diagnoses were synchronous; in 6 cases (metachronous) the pulmonary tumor was diagnosed more than 6 months after the laryngeal tumor. The presence or absence of the laryngeal carcinoma at the time when the pulmonary carcinoma was diagnosed did not significantly affect the patient's survival time after that date. Since it appears to be the pulmonary lesion that determines survival time, the authors recommend prompt bronchoscopy and examination of bronchial secretions in any laryngectomized patient with persistent hemoptysis.
INFLUENCE OF FEMALE GENDER IN SURGICALLY TREATED OESOPHAGEAL CANCER: 5-YEARS REVIEW OF SINGLE INSTITUTION STUDY
Authors: B Al-Alao, H Parissis, I J Rychlik, A Graham, J McGuigan
Journal: Gut (2013)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Oesophageal cancer is more commonly described in male patients, and there are far fewer women affected. Gender differences have not been fully investigated. <h3>Aims/Background</h3> This report explores such differences in clinico-pathologic features, long-term outcome and disease recurrence in women in comparison to those in men. <h3>Method</h3> A total of 169 patients with oesophageal cancer were surgically treated between 2005 and 2010 (43 [25.4%] females and 126 males). Gender differences in these patients were retrospectively investigated. <h3>Results</h3> Ninety-six patients (57%) survived at end of follow up. Median survival rate was 52 months and a 5-years survival rate was 50%. Median follow up for the whole cohort was 25 months (0–79). Fifty patients (30%) developed recurrence at end of follow up. Median disease free progression (DFP) rate was 33 months and 5-years DFP rate was 20%. Data on co-morbidities were only available in 120 patients. Females were more likely to be non smokers (58% vs. 27%; p&lt;0.007) and non drinkers (55% vs. 36%; p&lt;0.05). Recurrence was less likely in women (19% vs. 35%; p&lt;0.03), and Clinico-pathologic features significantly associated with female gender were: squamous cell type (42% vs. 17%; p&lt;0.001), complete resection (82% vs. 62%; p&lt;0.01), clear circumferential margins (80% vs. 62%; p&lt;0.02), smaller tumor size (32 vs. 39 mm, p&lt;0.02) and higher FDG uptake of tumor on pre-operative PET scan (SUVmax 14.4 vs. 10.5;p&lt;0.02). Female gender did not seem to influence overall outcome or disease recurrence and did not independently predict survival or disease recurrence. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our data support the fact that common known risk factors for oesophageal cancers are less encountered in females, however certain tumour characteristics were significantly associated with female gender. Esophageal cancer causes the same symptoms and progresses in the same way in both men and women.
Genetically identical twin transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: S Z Pavletic, G Zhou, K Sobocinski, G Marti, K Doney, J DiPersio, W Feremans, L Foroni, S Goodman, G Prentice, C LeMaistre, G Bandini, A Ferrant, N Jacobsen, I Khouri, R P Gale, A Wiestner, S Giralt, E Montserrat, W C Chan, C Bredeson
Journal: Leukemia (2007)
Effect of pravastatin on biliary lipid composition and bile acid synthesis in familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Authors: N Hoogerbrugge-vd Linden, F W de Rooy, H Jansen, M van Blankenstein
Journal: Gut (1990)

Nine patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia were treated for eight weeks with either 40 mg pravastatin or placebo under double blind conditions. Six patients received pravastatin, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Treatment with pravastatin resulted in a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol caused by a decrease in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) of 30% (p less than 0.005). We determined the effect of this medication on the lithogenicity of bile. Cholesterol saturation index of fasting gall bladder bile decreased with 23% (p less than 0.01) from 1.06 to 0.75 during treatment with pravastatin. A reduction of 24% (p less than 0.01) in molar percentage of biliary cholesterol was seen. After treatment the total bile acid excretion in faeces and the molar percentage of biliary bile acids were not significantly changed, suggesting that pravastatin does not influence bile acid biosynthesis to a significant extent. These findings indicate that treatment with pravastatin can decrease the incidence and complications of cholesterol gall stones.
"Labour" think tank proposes privatisation of clinical services
Authors: Z. Kmietowicz
Journal: BMJ (2000)

Private firms could be allowed to extend their role within the NHS to managing clinical services if an experiment proposed by a think tank is given the go-ahead by the government.

A special commission set up by the Institute for Public Policy Research, which has close links with the Labour party, has suggested setting up a pilot scheme in a “large health authority” to see if a hospital run by the private sector could perform better than one run by the …
Managing Epilepsy in Primary Care
Authors: A. Thapar
Journal: BMJ (1996)

Malcolm P Taylor Blackwell Science, £16.95, pp 172 ISBN 0 86542 972 3

Why a book on epilepsy and why now? Not only have there been exciting advances in new drugs, imaging techniques, and surgical management but also important findings from studies (such as the large prospective National General Practice Study of Epilepsy) are now available. The challenge is to translate these advances into improvements in the day to day care of people with epilepsy.

Managing Epilepsy in Primary Care is described by its …
Macrophage-mediated 15-lipoxygenase expression protects against atherosclerosis development.
Authors: J Shen, E Herderick, J F Cornhill, E Zsigmond, H S Kim, H Kühn, N V Guevara, L Chan
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1996)

Oxidative modification of LDL increases its atherogenicity, and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) has been implicated in the process. To address this issue, we generated transgenic rabbits that expressed 15-LO in a macrophage-specific manner and studied their susceptibility to atherosclerosis development when they were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet (Teklad 0533 rabbit diet 7009 with 10% corn oil and 0.25% cholesterol) for 13.5 wk. Transgenic and nontransgenic rabbits developed similar degrees of hypercholesterolemia and had similar levels of triglyceride, VLDL, LDL, and HDL. Quantitative morphometric analysis of the aortic atherosclerosis indicated that the transgenic animals (n = 19) had significantly smaller lesion areas (9.8+/-6.5%, mean+/-SD) than their littermate controls (n = 14, 17.8+/-15.0%) (P < 0.05). In a subgroup (n = 9) of transgenic rabbits that received the HFHC diet plus the antioxidant N',N '-diphenyl-phenylenediamine (1%), the extent of lesion involvement (9.8+/-7.5%) did not differ from the subgroup (n = 10) that received the regular HFHC diet (9.7+/-5.9%). Since the results were unexpected, we repeated the experiments. Again, we found that the nontransgenic littermates (n = 12) had more extensive lesions (11.6+/-10.6%) than the transgenic rabbits (n = 13; 9.5+/-7.8%), although the difference was not significant. In a third set of experiments, we crossed 15-LO transgenic rabbits with Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits and found that the lesion area in the 15-LO transgenic/heterozygous WHHL rabbits (n = 14) was only about one third (7.7+/-5.7%) that found in nontransgenic heterozygous WHHL littermate controls (n = 11, 20.7+/-19.4%) (P < 0.05). These data suggest that overexpression of 15-LO in monocytes/macrophages protects against lipid deposition in the vessel wall during early atherogenesis in these rabbit models of atherosclerosis.
Bioavailability of soilborne lead in adults, by stable isotope dilution.
Authors: M Maddaloni, N Lolacono, W Manton, C Blum, J Drexler, J Graziano
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1998)

Using stable isotope dilution, we determined the bioavailability of soilborne lead (Pb) in human adult volunteers. Soil from a residential yard at a mining-impacted federal Superfund site that had negligible amounts of other priority pollutants was dried and screened through a 25-micron mesh sieve. The < 250-micron fraction, which likely represents that ingested via hand-to-mouth activity, was then sterilized by exposure to radiation. Ten replicate samples yielded a mean (SD) soil Pb concentration of 2924 +/- 36 ppm, and a mean 206Pb/207Pb ratio of 1.1083 +/- 0.0002, indicating remarkable soil homogeneity. Six adults with 206Pb/207Pb ratios of > 1.190 were admitted to the clinical research center and fasted overnight prior to dosing with 250 micrograms Pb/70 kg bw (i.e., 85.5 mg soil/70 kg) in a gelatin capsule. Blood for Pb and 206Pb/207Pb ratios was obtained at 14 time points through 30 hr. Results of the isotopic analyses from these subjects indicate that on average 26.2% +/- 8.1 of the administered dose was absorbed. Six additional subjects were subsequently studied but ingested soil immediately after a standardized breakfast. Bioavailability in this group was only 2.52% +/- 1.7. Collectively, this study provides the first experimental estimates of soil Pb absorption in humans, and should allow for more precise estimates of health risks due to Pb-contaminated soil.
STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF HUMAN IMMUNOGLOBULINS
Authors: Blas Frangione, Edward C. Franklin
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1965)

1. Comparison of peptide maps of the Fc fragments of normal G immunoglobulins and 11 G myeloma proteins of the We (b) type showed them to be very similar except for differences associated with the Gm type. Some additional differences were noted, however, in the Fc fragments of three Vi (c) myeloma proteins. 2. Peptide maps of heavy chains from the same G myeloma proteins differed from each other and from normal heavy chains. In general, the myeloma chains contained a larger number of well defined spots; some of these were common to normal heavy chains while others were unique to each protein. Others, present in normal heavy chains, were lacking in the myeloma proteins. 3. Comparison of the heavy chains and Fc fragments from the same protein suggests that much of the variability of different myeloma proteins and, presumably, antibodies resides in the Fd fragment. 4. Further support for this is given by the finding that the antigenic specificity of 3 myeloma proteins also appeared to reside in the Fd fragments.
Research confirms human to human transmission of avian flu
Authors: Scott Gottlieb
Journal: BMJ (2005)

Researchers have confirmed two cases of human to human transmission of the avian influenza virus, raising the possibility that the infection could soon gain a foothold among people, with the potential to strike millions.

The virus, influenza A (H5N1), infected 44 people last year (killing 32) in eight Asian countries. People normally catch this flu from infected birds, usually chickens and ducks. Health experts have been worried that the H5N1 virus could one day mutate into a formthat passes easily between humans, perhaps leading to a major flu pandemic to rival the Spanish flu of 1918.

Fearing that many countries would be ill prepared to deal with this potential threat, the World Health …
Effects of Early Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition on Cardiac Gene Expression After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Hongkui Jin, Renhui Yang, Tarif A. Awad, Fay Wang, Wei Li, Simon-Peter Williams, Annie Ogasawara, Brian Shimada, P. Mickey Williams, Gianfranco de Feo, Nicholas F. Paoni
Journal: Circulation (2001)

ACE inhibition after myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiac anatomy and function. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ACE inhibition on cardiac gene expression after MI.Rats were randomized to receive captopril or no treatment 1 day after MI. Eight weeks later, cardiac function and hemodynamics were measured by use of indwelling catheters and perivascular flow probes. Myocardial gene expression was assessed with DNA microarrays and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The ratios of heart and left ventricular weights to body weight were significantly increased by MI and normalized by captopril. Cardiac index and stroke volume index were lower in the untreated MI group than in sham controls but were normal in the MI+captopril group. Thirty-seven genes were found to be differentially expressed between the untreated MI group and sham controls; 31 were induced and 6 repressed. Captopril partially or completely inhibited changes in 10 of the genes. The 37 genes clustered into 11 functional groups, and 6 had >/=1 genes whose expression was modified by ACE inhibition.ACE inhibition after MI inhibits cardiac hypertrophy, preserves cardiac function, and attenuates changes in myocardial gene expression. Gene expression profiling reveals, however, that some elements of the pathophysiology may be unaffected by the treatment and be targets for new therapies.
Management of Factitious Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sarah Eastwood, Jonathan I. Bisson
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (2008)

&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt; The literature regarding the management of factitious disorder (FD) is diverse and generally of case reports or case series. To date there has been no systematic review of the effectiveness of management techniques. &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; Systematic review of all evidence reporting the management and subsequent outcome in FD. Data were extracted and outcomes were assessed using an adaptation of the Global Improvement Scale. Results were analysed by parametric statistical tests; a meta-analysis was not possible. &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; Thirty-two case reports and 13 case series were eligible for inclusion. Analysis of the case reports found no significant difference in outcomes between confrontational and non-confrontational approaches [t(29) = 0.72, p = 0.48], between treatment with psychotherapy compared to no psychotherapy [t(30) = 0.69, p = 0.48], and when psychiatric medication had been prescribed compared with not [t(30) = 0.35, p = 0.73]. A trend was observed that a longer length of treatment lead to better outcomes, but this was not significant [F(5, 26) = 1.17, p = 0.35]. The consecutive case series demonstrated that many FD sufferers were not engaged in treatment and were lost to follow-up but did not provide any strong evidence regarding the effectiveness of different management approaches. &lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt; There is an absence of sufficient robust research to determine the effectiveness of any management technique for FD. The establishment of a central reporting register to facilitate the development of evidence-based guidelines is recommended.
Sources and Sequelae of Surgical Sepsis
Authors: J. Loewenthal
Journal: BMJ (1962)

JOURNAL~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~biological entities remains to be discovered.At the present time the outstanding similarities are morphological and the evolutionary similarities or differences remain to be worked out.In closing, I should like once again to refer to the Institute.It was obviously in the spirit of fostering a broad academic approach that the Institute of Virology was founded here at the University of Glasgow, and, as I have tried to indicate, the creation of this organization with such adequate housing and equipment, but much more importantly with such able leadership, was a wise and timely move and should be the basis for self- congratulation on the part of the University.It is certain that the organization will grow with the times, and, as I have indicated, the times seem most propitious.
The Enigma of Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: David H. Spodick
Journal: JAMA (1968)

Deaths are rarely certified, as they were in 1900, as due to "myocardial degeneration" or "senility." It is far more fashionable to cite arteriosclerotic heart disease, even when the mode of death is uncertain. A death certificate is demanded, duly signed, and states "the cause of death," irrespective of whether this can be more than conjecture. Autopsy rooms do bear witness to increasing prevalence of coronary disease, but the population of autopsy rooms has changed —survival to age 45 has increased nearly threefold since 1900. Furthermore, comparison with past observations is fraught with technical and statistical booby traps. These considerations and many others have led Dr. Robb-Smith to an incisive critique of contemporary belief in a "modern epidemic of coronary heart disease." While granting the validity of evidence for great racial differences in susceptibility (probably a more productive field for investigation), he attributes our increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease
Preoperative and operative management of patients with phaeochromocytoma.
Authors: E. J. Ross, B. N. Prichard, L. Kaufman, A. I. Robertson, B. J. Harries
Journal: BMJ (1967)

Before the introduction of adrenergic blocking agents and pressor substances operative removal of a phaeochromocytoma was a hazardous procedure, with a mortality of up to 25% (Graham, 1951).A mortality of 50% has been reported in operations on patients with unsuspected turnours (Apgar and Papper, 1951 ; Riddell, Schull, Frist, and Baker, 1963).The dangers were hypertensive crises after induction of anaesthesia, extreme fluctuations of blood pressure during the surgeon's handling of the tumour, sudden hypotension which immediately followed removal of the tumour, arrhythmias from sudden release of large concentrations of sympathomimetic amines, coupled with sensitization of the myocardium to production of arrhythmias by the anaesthetic agent.Complications tended to be more prominent in patients with sustained hypertension.The use of antagonists of adrenergic a-receptors (" a- blockers ") such as phentolamine or phenoxybenzamine permits control over fluctuations of the blood pressure.The effects of catecholamines on the heart rate and rhythm are, however, unaltered because a-blockers have no influence on adrenergic /3-receptors.These effects can be controlled by f-receptor antagonists (" fl-blockers ") such as pronethalol and propranolol.This paper details our experience with the use of various adrenergic blocking agents in the operative management of 27 patients with phaeochromocytoma on 30 occasions and traces the evolution of a therapeutic programme designed to modify the effects of catecholamines on a-and f-receptors and so ensure safer anaesthetic and operative procedures. Use of a-adrenergic Blocking Agents to ControlBlood Pressure 1. Phentolame In the first 13 patients operated on in this hospital for removal of a phaeochromocytoma, no preoperative preparation was given with either a-or /3-receptor antagonists.Papaveretum and hyoscine were usually used for premedication.Control of blood pressure after induction and during dissection and removal of the tumour was attempted by the use of repeated intravenous injections of phentolamine, 2.5 or 5 mg., into the rubber tubing of an intravenous infusion of normal saline.
Presence of an African β‐globin gene cluster haplotype in normal chromosomes in sicily
Authors: A. Ragusa, V. Frontini, M. Lombardo, S. Amata, T. Lombardo, D. Labie, R. Krishnamoorthy, R. L. Nagel
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1992)

Abstract African admixture in Sicily has been long suspected because of the presence of the sickle gene. Nevertheless, the degree of African admixture cannot be derived from the study of HbS frequency, since this gene was most likely expanded by the selective pressure of malaria, for a long time endemic to the region. We have examined 142 individuals from the Sicilian town of Butera (12% sickle trait) to search for other markers of the globin gene cluster less likely to be selected for by malaria. The Taql polymorphism in the intervening sequences between the two γ genes is informative. We have found only two instances of this African marker (Taql(‐)) among 267 normal chromosomes, demonstrating that the admixture occurred at a much lower level than previously thought. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure after latanoprost 0.005% or brimonidine tartrate 0.2% in normal-tension glaucoma patients
Authors: Catherine Jui-ling Liu, Y.u-Chieh Ko, Ching-Y.u Cheng, Allen W Chiu, Joe C Chou, Wen-Ming Hsu, Jorn-Hon Liu
Journal: Ophthalmology (2002)
Oral Contraceptives and Nonfatal Stroke in Healthy Young Women
Authors: Hershel Jick, Jane Porter, Kenneth J. Rothman
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1978)

The Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program obtained medical histories on 29 premenopausal women with a discharge diagnosis of stroke. Of these women, 14 were otherwise healthy with no known predisposing illnesses. Eleven of the 14 patients were taking oral contraceptives just before admission compared with seven of 56 otherwise healthy control women (13%). The relative risk estimate for stroke among oral contraceptive users compared with nonusers is 26 (lower 90% one-sided confidence bound = 7.0). Cigarette smoking was only weakly associated with stroke in this group of women.