tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
No cash to implement NICE, health authorities tell MPs
Authors: K. Burke
Journal: BMJ (2002)

The health service is too cash strapped to follow national guidelines on clinical excellence, health authorities told MPs last week.

Their comments came in the same week that the institute dismissed an appeal by charities and drug companies against its final appraisal determination on interferon beta and glatiramer acetate. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) ruled last year that the use of these drugs for patients with multiple sclerosis was not cost effective but recommended that the Department of Health, the National Assembly for Wales, and the drug manufacturers should consider ways of making the drugs available in a cost effective manner.

This resulted in the government announcing in November that it would consider funding a “risk sharing” scheme, in which the drugs would be funded only if treatment trials in individual patients showed they were effective (10 November, p 1087).

A House of Commons inquiry …
Prophylactic co-trimoxazole in biliary surgery.
Authors: C Morran, W McNaught, C S McArdle
Journal: BMJ (1978)

A double-blind study was conducted to test the prophylactic effect of a single dose of co-trimoxazole on the incidence of septic complications after elective cholecystectomy. Forty-eight patients received co-trimoxazole and 47 placebo. Wound sepsis occurred in 10 (21%) of the controls but in only 2 (4%) of the treated group, and the incidences of pulmonary complications were 49% (23 cases) and 19% (9) respectively. These differences were significnat. Wound sepsis after cholecystectomy occurs mostly in patients with infected bile. Co-trimoxazole given by intravenous infusion rapidly achieves a high concentration in the palsma and is effective against most biliary pathogens.
Fashioning a selfish self amid selfish goals
Authors: Roy F. Baumeister, Bo M. Winegard
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2014)

Abstract The selfish goal, at some point in evolution, gave rise to a selfish self. In humans, this selfish self might exert influence over goals, deciding upon which to execute and which to inhibit. This, in fact, may be one of the chief functions of the self.
Peak expiratory flow at altitude.
Authors: P S Thomas, R M Harding, J S Milledge
Journal: Thorax (1990)

The mini Wright peak flow meter is a useful, portable instrument for field studies but being sensitive to air density will under-read at altitude. True peak expiratory flow will increase at altitude, however, because of the decreased air density, given that dynamic resistance is unchanged. The effect of simulated altitude on peak expiratory flow (PEF) was determined in six subjects with both the mini Wright meter and a volumetric spirometer (which is unaffected by air density). With increasing altitude PEF as measured by the spirometer increased linearly with decreasing pressure, so that at a barometric pressure of 380 mm Hg* (half an atmosphere, corresponding to an altitude of 5455 m) there was a 20% increase over sea level values. The mini Wright flow meter gave readings 6% below sea level values for this altitude--that is, under-reading by 26%. Measurements of PEF made at altitude with the mini Wright meter should be corrected by adding 6.6% per 100 mm Hg drop in barometric pressure.
Effects of the KIT K509I Extracellular Activating Mutation on Human Mast Cell Homeostasis
Authors: Y. Bai, E.C. Chan, A.S. Kirshenbaum, E.R. Fischer, O. Simakova, I. Maric, D.D. Metcalfe, T.M. Wilson
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2012)
Matrix metalloproteinases and atrial remodeling in patients with mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation
Authors: W ANNE, R WILLEMS, T ROSKAMS, P SERGEANT, P HERIJGERS, P HOLEMANS, H ECTOR, H HEIDBUCHEL
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2005)

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with extracellular matrix remodeling involving atrial fibrosis and atrial dilatation. Angiotensin II mediated pathways and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in these processes. Our aim was to study atrial structural remodeling and the expression of the angiotensin receptor subtypes and MMPs and their inhibitors (TIMPs) in patients with mitral valve disease with and without AF.Biopsies from right and left atrial appendages (RA and LA) were taken from patients undergoing CABG (n=9, all in sinus rhythm (SR)) or mitral valve surgery (MVS; n=19; 9 with permanent AF and 10 in SR). Patients with MVS and AF had significantly larger atria (versus MVS and SR: p=0.02; versus CABG: p<0.01). The MVS patients had significantly more fibrosis than the control CABG group. Fibrosis was increased in both the AF and SR MVS groups in the LA, but only in the MVS-AF group in the RA. These AF patients had significantly more tricuspid regurgitation than SR patients. MMP-1 was down-regulated in LA of MVS patients (p=0.02) independent of the underlying rhythm (SR or AF; p=0.95). In RA biopsies, MMP-1 was down-regulated only in the MVS and AF group. MMP-9 was down-regulated in the MVS patients compared to CABG both in the RA and LA, and without a difference between the SR and AF groups. Protein expression of AT-1, AT-2, MMP-2, TIMP-1, -2 and -4, TNF-alpha, and TNF-alpha-converting enzyme did not differ significantly between the 3 groups.Concordant changes between MMP-expression and fibrosis during mitral valve disease, both in LA and RA, suggest involvement of MMPs in structural atrial remodeling. AF itself did not contribute to altered fibrosis or MMP-expression in the LA. The association between AF and RA changes may be precipitated by greater hemodynamic load due to tricuspid regurgitation in these patients.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS, QUALITY OF CARE MEASURES, AND OUTCOMES AMONG PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH ACUTE DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE IN ASIA-PACIFIC AND LATIN AMERICA REGIONS: ANALYSIS OF THE ACUTE DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE INTERNATIONAL REGISTRY (ADHERE-INTERNATIONAL)
Authors: Yee Weng Wong, Li Liang, Gregg Fonarow, John Atherton, Christopher Hayward, Henry Krum, Adrian Hernandez
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2012)
School sex education: an experimental programme with educational and medical benefit
Authors: A. R Mellanby, F. A Phelps, N. J Crichton, J. H Tripp
Journal: BMJ (1995)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective</b>:To develop and teach a school sex education programme that will lead to a decrease in sexual activity. <b>Design</b>:A matched internal and external control experiment, comparing control populations which received their own sex education programmes with populations which received a novel sex education intervention that included medical and peer led teaching. <b>Setting</b>:Comprehensive secondary schools; control and intervention populations within Devon, and distant controls from rural, semiurban, and urban areas of England excluding major conurbations. <b>Subjects</b>:Schoolchildren were taught from age 12 to 16; three successive cohorts of students were evaluated in school year 11 (mean age 16.0) <b>Main outcome measures</b>:Questionnaire conducted under "examinationconditions" and invigilated by the research team and other trained medical staff. <b>Results</b>:In the intervention population, progressive increase in knowledge related to contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and prevalence of sexual activity (χ<sup>2</sup> (trend) P&lt;0.001 for all three series); relative increase between intervention and control populations in knowledge, relative decrease in attitudes suggesting that sexual intercourse is of itself beneficial to teenagers and their relationships, relative decrease in sexual activity, and relative increase in approval of their "sex education" (relative risk &gt;1.00 with 95% confidence limits not including 1.00 for all series and for comparisons with both control populations); odds ratio (control v programme) for sexual activity of 1.45, controlling for sociodemographic variables. <b>Conclusion</b>:School sex education that includes specific targeted methods with the direct use of medical staff and peers can produce behavioural changes that lead to health benefit.
Survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) using Drug Eluting Beads. Implications for clinical practice and trial design
Authors: Marta Burrel, María Reig, Alejandro Forner, Marta Barrufet, Carlos Rodríguez de Lope, Silvia Tremosini, Carmen Ayuso, Josep M Llovet, María Isabel Real, Jordi Bruix
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2012)
“Propper” Use of Desferrioxamine
Authors: Anthony Cerami
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1976)

Although clinical problems involving iron are usually associated with a deficiency of this essential element, an appreciable number of patients suffer from iron overload. This accumulation of iron can result from increased absorption, as in primary hemochromatosis and thalassemia intermedia, or from multiple blood transfusions, as in β-thalassemia major and hypoplastic anemia. Excess iron is deposited in body stores as ferritin or hemosiderin and can eventually amount to several hundred grams. The pathophysiology of iron deposition in tissues — e.g., the heart and liver — is believed to be due to free radicals generated by the iron. Damage caused by . . .
Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to rifampicin.
Authors: R Nyirenda, G V Gill
Journal: BMJ (1977)

results for LE cells.These abnormalities resolved on stopping the drug, and the authors suggested that sulphonamides might unmask a latent "lupus diathesis" in certain patients with ulcerative colitis.The HLA-B8 antigen is associated with various immunologically mediated diseases,'3 and it may have predisposed our patient to de- velop a drug-induced lupus syndrome.This case highlights the possibility of a sulphonamide-induced SLE syndrome occurring in any patient with colitis who develops polyarthropathy or vasculitis while receiving sulphasalazine.The patient's slow-acetylator phenotype permitted the development of high serum concentrations of sulphapyridine, even with modest doses of sulphasalazine, and this may have facilitated the appearance of the lupus-like syndrome.
Antitrust Law versus Peer Review
Authors: Leigh C. Dolin
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1985)

Like Odysseus, American physicians now find themselves caught between the Scylla of the public's fervent hope that doctors are nobler than the average person and the Chafybdis of the view that they are as selfish as anyone else. And unlike Odysseus, we can't move on to another adventure but must be content to be perpetually attacked from either side.Peer review within the medical profession has always been justly defended as symbolizing the selflessness and devotion to patient care that doctors claim to represent. Yet, a recent case in which I have become involved brings into question the future of . . .
Explaining the Increase in the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Stefan N. Hansen, Diana E. Schendel, Erik T. Parner
Journal: JAMA Pediatrics (2014)

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has increased markedly in recent decades, which researchers have suggested could be caused in part by nonetiologic factors such as changes in diagnosis reporting practices. To our knowledge, no study has quantified the degree to which changes in reporting practices might explain this increase. Danish national health registries have undergone a change in diagnostic criteria in 1994 and the inclusion of outpatient contacts to health registries in 1995.To quantify the effect of changes in reporting practices in Denmark on reported ASD prevalence.We used a population-based birth cohort approach that includes information on all individuals with permanent residence in Denmark. We assessed all children born alive from January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1991, in Denmark (n=677915). The children were followed up from birth until ASD diagnosis, death, emigration, or the end of follow-up on December 31, 2011, whichever occurred first. The analysis uses a stratified Cox proportional hazards regression model with the changes in reporting practices modeled as time-dependent covariates.The change in diagnostic criteria in 1994 and the inclusion of outpatient diagnoses in 1995.Autism spectrum disorders.For Danish children born during the study period, 33% (95% CI, 0%-70%) of the increase in reported ASD prevalence could be explained by the change in diagnostic criteria alone; 42% (95% CI, 14%-69%), by the inclusion of outpatient contacts alone; and 60% (95% CI, 33%-87%), by the change in diagnostic criteria and the inclusion of outpatient contacts.Changes in reporting practices can account for most (60%) of the increase in the observed prevalence of ASDs in children born from 1980 through 1991 in Denmark. Hence, the study supports the argument that the apparent increase in ASDs in recent years is in large part attributable to changes in reporting practices.
Risk factors and comorbidities in primary biliary cirrhosis: A controlled interview-based study of 1032 patients
Authors: Eric M. Gershwin, Carlo Selmi, Howard J. Worman, Ellen B. Gold, Mitchell Watnik, Jessica Utts, Keith D. Lindor, Marshall M. Kaplan, John M. Vierling
Journal: Hepatology (2005)

Abstract Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, often associated with other autoimmune conditions. Controlled studies have so far provided conflicting data on risk factors and comorbidity rates in PBC. We enrolled patients with PBC (n = 1032) from 23 tertiary referral centers for liver diseases in the United States and random-digit-dialed controls (n = 1041) matched for sex, age, race, and geographical location. Patients and controls were administered a modified version of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES III) questionnaire by trained personnel to evaluate associations between PBC and social, demographic, personal and family medical histories, lifestyle, and reproductive factors and the rates of comorbidity in affected individuals. Data indicate that having a first-degree relative with PBC (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 10.736; 95% confidence interval 4.227-27.268), history of urinary tract infections (AOR 1.511, 95% CI 1.192-1.915), past smoking (AOR 1.569, 95% CI 1.292-1.905), or use of hormone replacement therapies (AOR 1.548, 95% CI 1.273-1.882) were significantly associated with increased risk of PBC. The frequent use of nail polish slightly increased the risk of having PBC. Other autoimmune diseases were found in 32% of cases and 13% of controls (P&lt;0.0001). In conclusion , environmental factors, possibly including infectious agents through urinary tract infections or chemicals contained in cigarette smoke, may induce PBC in genetically susceptible individuals. Exogenous estrogens may also contribute to explain the female predominance of the disease. (Hepatology 2005;42:1194–1202.)
952 SIGNAL TRANSDUCER AND ACTIVATOR OF TRANSCRIPTION 3 AND 5: DISTINCT REGULATORS IN GROWTH AND DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN CHOLANGIOCYTE IN VITRO
Authors: A. Komori, Y. Aiba, M. Nakamura, S. Fujiwara, K. Migita, H. Fujioka, H. Yatsuhashi, H. Ishibashi
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2010)
OBSERVATIONS ON THE HETEROGENEITY OF MALIC AND LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE IN HUMAN SERUM AND RED BLOOD CELLS1
Authors: Elliot S. Vesell, A. G. Bearn
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1958)

The enzyme malic dehydrogenase (MDH)2 catalyzes the conversion of oxalacetic acid to malic acid.It resembles lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in acting on an a-keto acid substrate and in being a pyridine nucleotide dependent dehydrogenase: COOH COOH C MDH 0 + DPNH + Hs + > CHOH +DPN CH2 &H2 SOOH AOOH COOH COOH + LDH C=O +CDPNH+H HOH + DPN CH3
Unplanned Pregnancies in Young Women With Diabetes: An analysis of psychosocial factors
Authors: Paula J St James, M Donna Younger, Brenda D Hamilton, Susan E Waisbren
Journal: Diabetes Care (1993)

OBJECTIVE To assess psychosocial factors related to preventing birth defects in children bom to diabetic women. Diabetic women are at high risk for bearing children with congenital anomalies associated with teratogenic effects early in pregnancy. This study focuses on factors related to the family planning behavior of diabetic women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Sixty-six diabetic women were included in a 5-yr, prospective, longitudinal study along with 69 phenylketonuric women, who also face a high risk of bearing children with birth defects, and 68 healthy women. Annual interviews and questionnaires were administered. Women who did not want a pregnancy completed measures related to contraceptive behavior and quality of life. Areas assessed were knowledge, personality, attitudes, and social support. RESULTS Diabetic women were more likely to be sexually active than women with phenylketonuria. Use and type of birth control were comparable among the groups except that diabetic women used condoms more often. For diabetic women, social support and positive attitudes towards birth control were associated with consistent birth control use. Of the diabetic women, 23 became pregnant, and only 6 (26%) were planned pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS Birth control use by diabetic women needs to be addressed by health professionals. Attitudes about birth control of the women and those close to them appear to be important factors in consistent birth control use. Suggestions are made for addressing these factors.
Oral IDN-6556, an antiapoptotic caspase inhibitor, may lower aminotransferase activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Paul J. Pockros, Eugene R. Schiff, Mitchell L. Shiffman, John G. McHutchison, Robert G. Gish, Nezam H. Afdhal, Manana Makhviladze, Mira Huyghe, David Hecht, Tilman Oltersdorf, David A. Shapiro
Journal: Hepatology (2007)

Increased rates of apoptosis (programmed cell death) have been demonstrated in many hepatic diseases including chronic hepatitis C. IDN-6556 is a potent inhibitor of caspases, the proteases that execute apoptosis. In a prior phase 1 study, IDN-6556 lowered aminotransferase activity in a small number of patients with liver impairment. The purpose of this study was to further explore the effect of IDN-6556 in patients with liver disease in a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study with a 14-day dosing period. A total of 105 patients were enrolled in the study; 79 received active drug; 80 patients had chronic hepatitis C and 25 had other liver diseases including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatitis B, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). IDN-6556 doses ranged from 5 mg to 400 mg daily, given from 1 to 3 times per day. In the HCV patients, all doses of IDN-6556 significantly lowered ALT and AST (P = 0.0041 to P < 0.0001 for various dosing groups in Wilcoxon tests comparing IDN-6556 to placebo), with the exception of the lowest dose. Declines in aminotransferase activity were also seen in patients with NASH but effects were not apparent in the small number of other liver diseases. Adverse experiences were not different between IDN-6556 and placebo. There were no clinically meaningful changes in other laboratory parameters. In particular, mean HCV RNA levels did not show significant changes. Conclusion: Oral IDN-6556, given for 14 days, significantly lowered aminotransferase activity in HCV patients and appeared to be well tolerated. Longer studies to assess potential effects of IDN-6556 on liver inflammation and fibrosis are merited. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
Scolicidal effects of biogenic selenium nanoparticles against protoscolices of hydatid cysts
Authors: Hossein Mahmoudvand, Majid Fasihi Harandi, Mojtaba Shakibaie, Mohammad Reza Aflatoonian, Naser ZiaAli, Mahsa Sadat Makki, Sareh Jahanbakhsh
Journal: International Journal of Surgery (2014)
Commentary on Willegaignon et al.: Outpatient Radioiodine Therapy for Thyroid Cancer: A Safe Nuclear Medicine Procedure
Authors: Carol S. Marcus
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2011)

From the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. Received for publication December 20, 2010; accepted December 26, 2010. Reprints: Carol S. Marcus, PhD, MD, Professor of Radiation Oncology and Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 1877 Comstock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025-5014. E-mail: [email protected].
130 CASPASE-8 ABLATION RESCUES SPONTANEOUS APOPTOSIS AND HEPATOCARCINOGENESIS IN NEMO-DEFICIENT MICE BUT TRIGGERS NON-APOPTOTIC LIVER INJURY
Authors: C. Liedtke, J.-M. Bangen, J. Freimuth, N. Beraza, D. Lambertz, F.J. Cubero, K.R. Karlmark, K.L. Streetz, G.A. Krombach, F. Tacke, N. Gassler, D. Riethmacher, C. Trautwein
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2011)
IgE Reactivity To Food And Latex Components In Sera From Chestnut Allergic Individuals From The Mediterranean Area
Authors: S. Sjolander, E. Rahl, M. Poorafshar, P. Brostedt
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2011)

RATIONALE: Knowledge concerning allergens associated with chestnut allergy is limited. Many studies have focused on allergens related to the latex-fruit syndrome as many chestnut allergic individuals also suffer from simultaneous allergy to latex. Studies regarding chestnut allergens not linked to latex allergy are less common. In the present study, IgE responses to allergens related to either latex- or food allergy in sera from chestnut allergic individuals from the Mediterranean area were studied. METHODS: Specific IgE to 12 allergenic components were analysed in sera from 13 individuals diagnosed with chestnut allergy. Inhibition analysis was performed with peach LTP (Pru p 3) and chestnut extract. RESULTS: Specific IgE responses to Pru p 3, Hev b 5, Hev b 6 and Hev b 11 were detected. Six individuals were found to have IgE to Pru p 3, but only one had concomitant allergy to latex. High level inhibition (83-98%) of the chestnut IgE response was obtained with Pru p 3. Nine individuals were found to have IgE to latex components and, out of these, seven had a concomitant allergy to latex. Eight individuals had IgE responses to Hev b 6, related to the chitinase of chestnut. Inhibition of the latex IgE responses was obtained with chestnut extract. CONCLUSIONS: Chestnut allergic individuals from the Mediterranean area appear to have two main patterns of IgE responses. Individuals diagnosed with only chestnut allergy, mainly had responses to LTP while individuals with concomitant latex allergy had reponses to Hev b 6, probably indicating a response directed to chestnut specific chitinase.