tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
An iatrogenic hepatic subcapsular biloma successfully treated by percutaneous drainage and endoscopic biliary stenting
Authors: O. Mizuno, H. Kawamoto, H. Fukatsu, R. Harada, K. Tsutsumi, M. Fujii, N. Kurihara, T. Nakanishi, T. Ogawa, E. Ishida, H. Okada, K. Sakaguchi
Journal: Endoscopy (2008)

A 65-year-old man presented to hospital with complaints of appetite loss and abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a tumor of the gallbladder and dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts. Although he was not jaundiced, he was suspected to have a malignant hilar biliary stricture, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography was performed on the right lobe of the liver with placement of a drainage catheter ([Fig. 1]). Cytological examination of the bile revealed adenocarcinoma.
Physician and Patient Prevention Practices in NIDDM in a Large Urban Managed-Care Organization
Authors: Toni L Martin, Joe V Selby, Danya Zhang
Journal: Diabetes Care (1995)

To examine physician and patient adherence to prevention guidelines in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with attention to possible differences in adherence by patient race or ethnicity.We performed a cross-sectional chart review study of prevention practices, complications, and risk factors in 378 NIDDM patients (at least 5 years known duration) who were Permanente Medical Care Program, Oakland, CA. There were 232 blacks, 81 whites, 29 Hispanics, and 36 members of other races/ethnicities.Age- and duration-adjusted prevalence of 14 complications was low and, with the exception of diabetic retinopathy, did not differ significantly by race. An eight-point prevention score that reflected recommended use of glucose, HbA1c, high-density lipoprotein/total cholesterol, blood pressure and proteinuria testing, ophthalmology a and foot examinations, and diabetes education during a 2-year period did not differ by race/ethnicity (P = 0.36). The mean score (4.9 +/- 1.6) indicated that on average, five of eight guidelines were performed appropriately. Compliance was poorest for annual proteinuria checks (32.2%). No differences were noted by race/ethnicity in referrals to ophthalmology, weight reduction, or smoking cessation or in missed appointments or failure to keep referral visits.The absence of racial differences in either prevention practices or complication rates in this insured prepaid setting suggests that improved access to preventive services may be effective in reducing such differences nationally. However, adherence to several guidelines was < or = 50%, indicating that physicians are not sufficiently convinced of the necessity for these prevention measures.
Identifying and understanding the role of pulmonary vein activity in atrial fibrillation
Authors: R KHAN
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2004)

The perception of atrial fibrillation development has changed drastically over the last decade. The pulmonary veins have been targeted as the source of arrhythmogenic activity involved in the initiation of atrial fibrillation. This activity appears to be localized in the myocardial sleeves of the vessels. Extensive study of cells within this tissue has helped create a new model for atrial fibrillation. This review attempts to show how the development, architecture and electrophysiologic properties of the pulmonary veins influence the initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation. It also examines the potential long-term effects of pulmonary vein activity on arrhythmia development.
The nail dystrophy of psoriatic arthritis.
Authors: C J Eastmond, V Wright
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1979)

Nail abnormalities occur frequently in patients with psoriatic arthritis. This study of the finger nails of 46 patients with psoriatic arthritis, 100 nonpsoriatic rheumatism patients, and 100 nonpsoriatic general medical patients was designed to characterise these abnormalities with particular reference to the severity of nail pitting. The results of the study suggest: (1) Onycholysis alone in the absence of previous injury to the affected nail is in favour of a psoriatic origin for the nail dystrophy. (2) Two or all of onycholysis, horizontal ridging, and nail pitting in the same patient are in favour of a psoriatic origin for the nail dystrophy. (3) The presence or absence of nail pitting alone is a poor discriminator between psoriatic and other causes for nail dystrophy. (4) More than 20 finger nails pits per person is suggestive of a psoriatic cause for the dystrophy. (5) More than 60 pits per person is unlikely to be found in the absence of psoriasis.
Abstract 4346: Influence of ionizing radiation on transcription of human endogenous retrovirus-K (HERV-K) in breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Lorenzo Agoni, Jack Lenz, Chandan Guha
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Ionizing Radiation (IR) has been reported to increase the transcriptional activity of many viruses, including retroviruses. We hypothesized that IR could reactivate subsets of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), which are retroviruses integrated into the human genome, remnants of ancient retroviral infections, and that HERV-derived peptides, the final product of HERVs transcription, will increase the diversity of the antigen repertoire presented by irradiated cancer cells, thereby inducing anti-tumor immune responses. IR has been shown to increase the immunogenicity of cancer cells by modulating various cellular processes, including antigen presentation by MHC. HERVs are known to be transcribed in numerous diseases including cancer, HIV infection, and autoimmune disorders. HERV-K is the most recently integrated and thus intact HERV family, with approximately 350 loci in the human genome, 98 to 99% identical. Previous experiments in our laboratory have shown IR-dependent increases in HERV-K transcription, plus increased HERV-K-derived peptides in irradiated prostate carcinoma cell lines upon proteomic LC-MS/MS analysis of peptides eluted from MHC-I complexes. HERV-K activation has been reported in breast cancer. To test the influence of IR on HERV-K transcription, three breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231 and MCF7) were analyzed by RT-PCR and qRT-PCR at specific time-points, from 1 to 72 hours, after different doses of α-irradiation (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 Gy). HERV-K transcription was detected in all cell lines studied. After IR, each cell line showed distinct dose-response curves of HERV-K transcription during the time-frame of observation. Overall, the peak of HERV-K transcription in irradiated samples, when compared to non-irradiated samples, was increased by an average of 2- to 5-fold. Multiple, active, individual HERV-K loci were detected. Cloning and sequencing are ongoing to identify specific active loci for each cell line. These findings show that HERV-K is actively transcribed in breast carcinoma cell lines. The IR-dependent increase in HERV-K transcription may enhance antigen repertoire diversity, contribute to the immunomodulatory properties of IR, and offers attractive targets for the development of novel IR-enhanced immunotherapies for cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4346. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4346
ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE STENTYS SELF-EXPANDING CORONARY STENT SYSTEM IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
Authors: Christian Spaulding, Giovanni Amoroso, Stefan Verheye, Robert-Jan van Geuns, Karl Hauptmann, Martin Rothman, Shahrzad Sepehrkhouy, Hopital Cochin
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Quantification of mutant huntingtin protein in cerebrospinal fluid from Huntington’s disease patients
Authors: Edward J. Wild, Roberto Boggio, Douglas Langbehn, Nicola Robertson, Salman Haider, James R.C. Miller, Henrik Zetterberg, Blair R. Leavitt, Rainer Kuhn, Sarah J. Tabrizi, Douglas Macdonald, Andreas Weiss
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2015)

Quantification of disease-associated proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been critical for the study and treatment of several neurodegenerative disorders; however, mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT), the cause of Huntington's disease (HD), is at very low levels in CSF and, to our knowledge, has never been measured previously.
Pathologic Physiology of Angina Pectoris and Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: HERRMAN L. BLUMGART, PAUL M. ZOLL
Journal: Circulation (1960)

Some of the unique physiologic characteristics of the coronary circulation have been pointed out. In the normal heart, the coronary arteries are functionally end arteries. Watery injections, however, reveal anatomic fine anastomotic communications between the coronary arteries measuring less than 40 µ. But they are of limited functional significance in obviating the untoward effects of sudden coronary narrowing or occlusion. Complete occlusion or considerable narrowing of one or more coronary arteries may exist without giving rise to any clinical signs or symptoms and without having produced myocardial damage. The apparent inconsistency between the presence of long-standing obstructive arterial lesions and the absence of significant pathologic or clinical evidence of myocardial damage is dispelled by the demonstration of a collateral circulation which serves as a bypass in relation to the obstruction in each of these hearts. The pathologic and physiologic substrates of angina pectoris, coronary failure, and acute myocardial infarction have been discussed.
Comparison of Survival Probabilities for Dialysis Patients vs Cadaveric Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Friedrich K. Port
Journal: JAMA (1993)

To compare mortality risk among cadaveric renal transplant recipients vs transplant candidates on dialysis in the cyclosporine era.Patient mortality risk was analyzed by treatment modality for a completed statewide patient population.All Michigan residents younger than age 65 years who started endstage renal disease (ESRD) therapy between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 1989, were included. Patients were followed up from ESRD onset (n = 5020), to wait-listing for renal transplant (n = 1569), to receiving a cadaveric first transplant (n = 799), and to December 31, 1989.Mortality rates.Using a time-dependent variable based on the waiting time from date of wait-listing to transplantation and adjusting for age, sex, race, and primary cause of ESRD, the relative risk (RR) of dying was increased early after transplantation and then decreased to a beneficial long-term effect, given survival to 365 days after transplantation (RR, 0.36; P < .001). This lower long-term risk was most pronounced (RR, 0.25) among diabetic transplant recipients compared with diabetic wait-listed dialysis patients (P < .001) and not observed among patients with glomerulonephritis as cause of ESRD (P > .05). Overall, the estimated times from transplantation to equal mortality risk was 117 +/- 28 days and to equal cumulative mortality was 325 +/- 91 days.The overall mortality risk following renal transplantation was initially increased, but there was a long-term survival benefit compared with similar patients on dialysis. These analyses allow improved description of comparative mortality risks for dialysis and transplant patients and allow advising patients regarding comparative survival outcomes.
Lower urinary tract symptoms in men
Authors: J. M. Hollingsworth, T. J. Wilt
Journal: BMJ (2014)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a highly prevalent and costly condition that affects older men worldwide. Many affected men develop lower urinary tract symptoms, which can have a negative impact on their quality of life. In the past, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was the mainstay of treatment. However, several efficacious drug treatments have been developed, which have transformed BPH from an acute surgical entity to a chronic medical condition. Specifically, multiple clinical trials have shown that α adrenoceptor antagonists can significantly ameliorate lower urinary tract symptoms. Moreover, 5α reductase inhibitors, alone or combined with an α adrenoceptor antagonist, can reverse the natural course of BPH, reducing the risk of urinary retention and the need for surgical intervention. Newer medical regimens including the use of antimuscarinic agents or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, have shown promise in men with predominantly storage symptoms and concomitant erectile dysfunction, respectively. For men who do not adequately respond to conservative measures or pharmacotherapy, minimally invasive surgical techniques (such as transurethral needle ablation, microwave thermotherapy, and prostatic urethral lift) may be of benefit, although they lack the durability of TURP. A variety of laser procedures have also been introduced, whose improved hemostatic properties abrogate many of the complications associated with traditional surgery.
IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ACTIVITY OF A LYMPHOCYTE AND IMMUNE COMPLEX-DEPENDENT CHEMOTACTIC FACTOR FOR EOSINOPHILS
Authors: Stanley Cohen, Peter A. Ward
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1971)

When cultured in the presence of specific antigen, lymphocytes from delayed-hypersensitive guinea pigs release a number of biologically active substances into the culture medium. Such active supernatants can react with immune complexes in vitro to generate a factor which is chemotactic for eosinophils. The factor involved is unique, since previously described chemotactic factors for other cell types require for their generation either immune complexes or substances released into lymphocyte culture, but not both. In the case of the eosinophil chemotactic factor, the interaction between the substance elaborated by the lymphocytes and the immune complexes appears to be specific in that the immune complexes must contain the same antigen as that used to activate the lymphocyte cultures. Although this factor was generated in an in vitro system, it has been shown to possess in vivo as well as in vitro activity. It is therefore possible that this factor may be of biological significance in situations where eosinophils are participants in inflammatory or immunologic reactions.
Access to Prenatal Care Following Major Medicaid Eligibility Expansions
Authors: Paula Braveman
Journal: JAMA (1993)

To determine whether lack of financial access was a significant barrier to prenatal care following major expansions of Medicaid eligibility in California.Retrospective analysis of birth certificates, assessing risks of inadequate prenatal care by insurance, controlling for maternal race/ethnicity, birthplace, age, parity, education, and marital status.Singleton live births to California residents occurring in-state in 1990 (N = 593,510).Untimely initiation of care, two few visits, and no prenatal care.Despite major Medicaid expansions, nearly 11% of live births were uninsured for prenatal care. Being uninsured and having Medi-Cal were both risk factors of sizable magnitude, controlling for maternal characteristics. Compared with women who had private fee-for-service coverage, uninsured women were at elevated risk of untimely initiation (odds ratio [OR], 2.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.47 to 2.60) and too few visits (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 2.44 to 2.55). Women with Medi-Cal had a high risk of untimely care (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 3.26 to 3.40); their risk of too few visits was also elevated (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.60 to 1.66) but less than for the uninsured. Lack of private insurance was a strong risk factor for no care (OR, 6.70; 95% CI, 6.00 to 7.47).In spite of major Medicaid expansions, access to prenatal care was limited for women without private insurance. Medicaid was associated with untimely entry but with improved continuity. The findings suggest that financial barriers were salient even when controlling for many factors related to care-seeking behavior. Policy initiatives need to address continuing financial barriers along with other obstacles.
Endothelin-1 Has a Unique Oxygen-Saving Effect by Increasing Contractile Efficiency in the Isolated Rat Heart
Authors: Yuzo Takeuchi, Yasuki Kihara, Koichi Inagaki, Takeshi Yoneda, Shigetake Sasayama
Journal: Circulation (2001)

Background —The effect of endothelin (ET)-1 on cardiac energetics is not fully understood. Methods and Results —In isolated, coronary-perfused rat hearts, we measured left ventricular contractility index (E max ), pressure-volume area (PVA), and myocardial oxygen consumption (MV̇ o 2 ) before and after administration of ET-1 (1×10 − 9 mol/L). ET-1 increased E max by 48±16% ( P &lt;0.01) and the total MV̇ o 2 by 24±11% ( P &lt;0.01). The MV̇ o 2 -PVA relations were linear both before and after ET-1 ( r &gt;0.99). ET-1 shifted MV̇ o 2 -PVA upward, increasing the MV̇ o 2 intercept by 24±13%. At the same time, ET-1 decreased the slope (S), with 1/S (contractile efficiency) being 46±5% before and 56±5% after ET-1 ( P &lt;0.01). ET-1–induced increases in E max and in contractile efficiency were abolished by an ET A receptor blocker (S-0139) but not by an ET B blocker (BQ-788). Although high [Ca 2+ ] perfusion increased E max and the intercept to the same extent as ET-1, it did not change S. N G -Nitro- l -arginine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) increased the coronary perfusion pressure as much as ET-1, but S again remained unchanged. Dimethylamyloride (Na + /H + exchanger inhibitor) partially blocked the positive inotropic effect of ET-1 but not the ET-1–induced increase in the contractile efficiency. Conclusions —Agonistic effects of ET-1 on the ET A receptor economized the chemomechanical conversion efficiency of the left ventricular unit myocardium by a mechanism independent of the Na + /H + exchanger. This unique oxygen-saving effect of ET-1 may play an adaptive role in the failing myocardium, in which local accumulation of ET-1 is present.
Points: Cervical smears: new terminology and demands
Authors: D M D Evans
Journal: BMJ (1987)

Dr Norman D Noah (16 May, p 1270) rightly draws attention to the comparatively limited information available on compulsory childhood immunisation and its impact in eastern European countries.He specifically mentions Czechoslovakia, a country which I recently visited as a medical geographer with a specific interest in vaccination uptake and the epidemiology of infectious disease.In Czechoslovakia virtual eradication ofmeasles seems to have been attained by a combination of compulsory childhood immunisation and the measures which Dr Noah commends: administrative methods, health education, and service delivery.Though immunisa-
Moving beyond the cathedral model for IT development
Authors: T. Greenhalgh, T. Bowden
Journal: BMJ (2011)

We’re finally abandoning England’s so called cathedral model for NHS IT.1 It is worth looking at New Zealand, which has achieved high levels of computerisation, such as laboratory tests, discharge summaries, and outpatient letters routinely sent to general practitioners electronically; remote access to laboratory and other reports from any public sector hospital in the country; and patient remote access to their GP record. All this at, from 1994-2008, an estimated cost of £15m …
Low-dose imatinib mesylate leads to rapid induction of major molecular responses and achievement of complete molecular remission in FIP1L1-PDGFRA–positive chronic eosinophilic leukemia
Authors: Jelena V. Jovanovic, Joannah Score, Katherine Waghorn, Daniela Cilloni, Enrico Gottardi, Georgia Metzgeroth, Philipp Erben, Helena Popp, Christoph Walz, Andreas Hochhaus, Catherine Roche-Lestienne, Claude Preudhomme, Ellen Solomon, Jane Apperley, Michela Rondoni, Emanuela Ottaviani, Giovanni Martinelli, Finella Brito-Babapulle, Giuseppe Saglio, Rüdiger Hehlmann, Nicholas C. P. Cross, Andreas Reiter, David Grimwade
Journal: Blood (2007)
A Combined Empirical and Mechanistic Codon Model
Authors: A. Doron-Faigenboim, T. Pupko
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2006)

The evolutionary selection forces acting on a protein are commonly inferred using evolutionary codon models by contrasting the rate of synonymous to nonsynonymous substitutions. Most widely used models are based on theoretical assumptions and ignore the empirical observation that distinct amino acids differ in their replacement rates. In this paper, we develop a general method that allows assimilation of empirical amino acid replacement probabilities into a codon-substitution matrix. In this way, the resulting codon model takes into account not only the transition-transversion bias and the nonsynonymous/synonymous ratio, but also the different amino acid replacement probabilities as specified in empirical amino acid matrices. Different empirical amino acid replacement matrices, such as secondary structure-specific matrices or organelle-specific matrices (e.g., mitochondria and chloroplasts), can be incorporated into the model, making it context dependent. Using a diverse set of coding DNA sequences, we show that the novel model better fits biological data as compared with either mechanistic or empirical codon models. Using the suggested model, we further analyze human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease sequences obtained from drug-treated patients and reveal positive selection in sites that are known to confer drug resistance to the virus.
Established immunity precludes adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in rat carotid arteries. Potential for immunosuppression and vector engineering to overcome barriers of immunity.
Authors: A H Schulick, G Vassalli, P F Dunn, G Dong, J J Rade, C Zamarron, D A Dichek
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1997)

Preclinical arterial gene transfer studies with adenoviral vectors are typically performed in laboratory animals that lack immunity to adenovirus. However, human patients are likely to have prior exposures to adenovirus that might affect: (a) the success of arterial gene transfer; (b) the duration of recombinant gene expression; and (c) the likelihood of a destructive immune response to transduced cells. We confirmed a high prevalence (57%) in adult humans of neutralizing antibodies to adenovirus type 5. We then used a rat model to establish a central role for the immune system in determining the success as well as the duration of recombinant gene expression after adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into isolated arterial segments. Vector-mediated recombinant gene expression, which was successful in naive rats and prolonged by immunosuppression, was unsuccessful in the presence of established immunity to adenovirus. 4 d of immunosuppressive therapy permitted arterial gene transfer and expression in immune rats, but at decreased levels. Ultraviolet-irradiated adenoviral vectors, which mimic advanced-generation vectors (reduced viral gene expression and relatively preserved capsid function), were less immunogenic than were nonirradiated vectors. A primary exposure to ultraviolet-irradiated (but not nonirradiated) vectors permitted expression of a recombinant gene after redelivery of the same vector. In conclusion, arterial gene transfer with current type 5 adenoviral vectors is unlikely to result in significant levels of gene expression in the majority of humans. Both immunosuppression and further engineering of the vector genome to decrease expression of viral genes show promise in circumventing barriers to adenovirus-mediated arterial gene transfer.
BMA calls on government to abandon price based competition in NHS
Authors: T. Pierscionek
Journal: BMJ (2011)

The BMA’s General Practitioners Committee yesterday called on the government to abandon its proposed move to competition on the basis of price in the NHS in England, saying that it would affect the quality of care.

The government introduced the concept of price competition in the NHS in its NHS Operating Framework for 2011-12, published in December ( BMJ 2010;341:c7366, 21 Dec, doi:10.1136/bmj.c7366). One clause of the framework said, “One new flexibility being introduced in 2011-12 is the opportunity for providers to offer services to commissioners at less than the published mandatory tariff price, where both commissioner and provider agree.” 

The idea also …