tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Is obstructive sleep apnoea a comorbidity of COPD and is it involved in chronic systemic inflammatory syndrome?
Authors: P. Carratu, O. Resta
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2008)

To the Editors: 

Last year, L.M. Fabbri and K.F. Rabe published a very interesting article entitled “From COPD to chronic systemic inflammatory syndrome?” 1.

In the article, the authors clearly illustrated that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not only an inflammatory chronic disease of the airway and the lungs, but also involves systemic, cellular and humoral inflammation, as well as systemic oxidative stress, with striking changes in vasomotor and endothelial functions. These systemic effects of smoking-induced COPD are also critically implicated in establishing associated cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The presence of frequent complex comorbidities led the authors to consider COPD to be a predisposing condition for developing a new distinct disorder, called chronic systemic inflammatory syndrome (CSIS). Thus, according to the authors, the diagnosis of CSIS needs to be …
Murine glomerular leukotriene B4 synthesis. Manipulation by (n-6) fatty acid deprivation and cellular origin.
Authors: J B Lefkowith, A R Morrison, G F Schreiner
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1988)

Leukotriene (LT) B4 is an important pro-inflammatory autocoid. In order to investigate the potential role of this eicosanoid in renal inflammation, in this study we determined the capability of glomeruli to synthesize this mediator. Glomeruli were able to synthesize LTB4 when provided with exogenous substrate in a dose-dependent fashion in the presence of ionophore A23187. Ionophore, although by itself a weak agonist for LTB4 formation, was required for LTB4 production from exogenous arachidonate. The identity of LTB4 was confirmed by specific radioimmunoassay, high pressure liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The synthesis of LTB4 was inhibited by BW755C (a lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitor) but not indomethacin. Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency, obtained by the deprivation of (n-6) fatty acids, is known to exert a protective effect in renal inflammatory states. This dietary manipulation markedly attenuated the ability of glomeruli to synthesize LTB4. In contrast, the synthesis of cyclooxygenase products from exogenous arachidonate was increased by EFA deficiency. Because EFA deficiency has been shown to deplete glomeruli of resident mesangial macrophages, it was hypothesized that this effect accounted for the diminished LTB4 synthesis. To test this hypothesis, glomeruli were depleted of macrophages using x-irradiation. Glomeruli from these animals exhibited a marked decrease in LTB4 synthesis. Glomerular synthesis of cyclooxygenase products was unaffected by irradiation. In sum, glomeruli have the capability to synthesize LTB4, and this capacity is correlated with the presence of glomerular macrophages. EFA deficiency attenuates the ability of glomeruli to synthesize LTB4 by depleting them of macrophages.
Professional Standards Review Organizations
Authors: Bruce A. Flashner
Journal: JAMA (1973)

Professional standards review organizations are now mandated by recent federal legislation. The Hospital Admission and Surveillance Program has been in operation for almost one year in Illinois. Preliminary results indicate that the average length of stay for approximately 75,000 admissions is 6.2 days. This reflects a "one hospital day" decrease from comparable 1971 data, and resulted in a reduction of approximately $9 million in hospital reimbursements.
How “suicide” coverage went off the rails
Authors: Raj Persaud
Journal: BMJ (2004)

M ental health workers complain that psychiatric illness is possibly the most stigmatised of human conditions, but even within the category some stigmas are seen as more equal than others.

Being placed on a section of the Mental Health Act recently earned boxer Frank Bruno the soubriquet “bonkers” from the red top tabloids. But now after the Berkshire rail disaster earlier this month, when a train collided with a car at a level crossing killing seven people, the British popular media remind us that suicidality remains perhaps the most stigmatised of all psychological difficulties.

It is sobering to recall that the Sun had to shamefacedly retract its “bonkers” Bruno headline after a storm of protest from mental health charities. Yet after the train disaster, no newspaper was similarly forced to retract the opprobium they heaped on the head of dead hotel chef Brian Drysdale, who was accused of causing the crash by parking his …
Rapid multifocal chondrolysis after liver transplantation in four patients
Authors: J Taillandier
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2005)

<b>Background:</b> Favourable clinical outcomes achieved with liver transplantation may be jeopardised by corticosteroid-induced osteoarticular complications, such as osteoporosis or aseptic osteonecrosis. <b>Case report:</b> A previously unreported joint complication in liver transplant recipients is described. <b>Methods:</b> Retrospective study of liver transplant recipients in whom destructive joint disease developed, identified among 330 symptomatic patients out of a total of 1260 managed over a 15 year period (November 1984-January 2000) in a university based liver transplantation centre. <b>Results:</b> In four patients (23–56 years), rapid chondrolysis developed 2–12 years after transplantation in more than three weightbearing or non-weightbearing joints free of radiological features of avascular osteonecrosis, evidence of infection, or defined inflammatory arthritis. Pathological examination of five hip joints and one knee joint found no evidence of infection or inflammation. Six joint replacement procedures were performed successfully in three patients. <b>Conclusion:</b> Clinicians managing liver transplant recipients, and perhaps recipients of other organs, should be aware that rapid chondrolysis may develop. The pathogenesis of this rare complication is unclear.
Impairment of Diazoxide-Induced Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Loss of Cardioprotection in Connexin 43 Deficient Mice
Authors: Frank R. Heinzel, Yukun Luo, Xiaokui Li, Kerstin Boengler, Astrid Buechert, David García-Dorado, Fabio Di Lisa, Rainer Schulz, Gerd Heusch
Journal: Circulation Research (2005)

Protection by ischemic preconditioning is lost in cardiomyocytes and hearts of heterozygous connexin 43 deficient (Cx43+/-) mice. Because connexin 43 (Cx43) is localized in cardiomyocyte mitochondria and mitochondrial Cx43 content is increased with ischemic preconditioning, we now tried to identify a functional defect at the level of the mitochondria in Cx43+/- mice by use of diazoxide and menadione. Diazoxide stimulates the mitochondrial formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and menadione generates superoxide at multiple intracellular sites; both substances elicit cardioprotection through increased ROS formation. ROS formation in response to the potassium ionophore valinomycin was also measured for comparison. Menadione (2 micromol/L) and valinomycin (10 nmol/L) induced similar ROS formation in wild-type (WT) and Cx43+/- cardiomyocytes. In contrast, diazoxide (200 micromol/L) increased ROS formation by 43+/-10% versus vehicle in WT, but only by 18+/-4% in Cx43+/- cardiomyoctes (P<0.05). Two hour-simulated ischemia and oxygenated, hypo-osmolar reperfusion reduced viability as compared with normoxia (WT: 7+/-1% versus 39+/-2%, (Cx43+/-): 8+/-1% versus 40+/-3%, P<0.01). Although menadione protected WT and Cx43+/- cardiomyocytes, diazoxide increased viability (17+/-2%, P<0.01) in WT, but not in Cx43+/- (9+/-1%). Menadione (37 microg/kg i.v.) before 30 minutes coronary occlusion and 2 hour reperfusion reduced infarct size in WT and Cx43+/- mice (24+/-4% versus 24+/-5%). In contrast, diazoxide (5 mg/kg i.v.) reduced infarct size in WT (35+/-4% versus 55+/-3% of area at risk, P<0.01), but not in Cx43+/- mice (56+/-2% versus 54+/-3%). Cardiomyocytes of Cx43+/- mice have a specific functional deficit in ROS formation in response to diazoxide and accordingly less protection.
CELL SEPARATION ON ANTIGEN-COATED COLUMNS
Authors: Hans Wigzell, Birger Andersson
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1969)

Glass and plastic bead columns coated with antigenic protein molecules were used as an immunological filter for cell populations containing immune cells of relevant specificity. A selective elimination of these immune cells from the passing cell suspension was regularly noted and it approached, in some experiments, complete abolition of the specific immune reactivity of the filtered cell population. This specific retention of immune cells by antigenic columns could be selectively blocked by the presence of free antigen molecules in the medium during filtration. The results obtained support the concept of a cell-associated antigen-specific receptor being present on the outer surface of immune cells, displaying the same antigen-binding specificity as the potential product of the cell, the humoral antibody. Using the present bead column system, results were obtained indicating that this receptor was an active product of the immune cells and not any passively adsorbed, cytophilic antibody. Antigenic bead columns may very well constitute a tool for the production in vitro of cell populations being specifically deprived of immune reactivity and allow detailed analysis of the characteristics of the cell-associated antibody of immune cells.
Redirection of tumor metastasis by expression of E-selectin in vivo.
Authors: L Biancone, M Araki, K Araki, P Vassalli, I Stamenkovic
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1996)

The selectin class of adhesion molecules plays a critical role in facilitating leukocyte adhesion to and subsequent transmigration of endothelium. On this basis, selectins have been suggested to promote tumor cell attachment to endothelium, thereby facilitating metastasis of certain types of tumors, although direct evidence for such a role is lacking. To explore this hypothesis, two sets of transgenic mice were developed: TgnES, which constitutively expresses cell surface E-selectin in all tissues, under the control of the beta-actin promoter; and TgnEsol, which expresses truncated, soluble E-selectin in the liver, under the control of the alpha 1 antitrypsin promoter. B16F10 melanoma cells were stably transfected with alpha(1,3/1,4) fucosyltransferase-specific cDNA (B16F10ft), allowing them to express E-selectin ligands or with hygromycin resistance selection vector only B16F10hygro). Normal mice injected with B16F10ft and B16F10hygro and transgenic mice injected with B16F10hygro developed lung tumors exclusively. In contrast, TgnES mice injected with B16F10ft cells developed massive infiltrating liver tumors. B16F10ft cells injected into TgnEsol mice also formed liver tumors, but these grew more slowly, with a well-delineated, noninfiltrating distinct histologic pattern. These observations provide direct evidence that expression of E-selectin can redirect metastasis of tumor cells expressing appropriate ligands in vivo.
Identification of a lectin causing the degeneration of neuronal processes using engineered embryonic stem cells
Authors: Nicolas Plachta, Christine Annaheim, Stephanie Bissière, Shuo Lin, Markus Rüegg, Sjouke Hoving, Dieter Müller, Françoise Poirier, Miriam Bibel, Yves-Alain Barde
Journal: Nature Neuroscience (2007)
Chaperones for intimate examinations: cross sectional survey of attitudes and practices of general practitioners
Authors: Joe Rosenthal, Janice Rymer, Roger Jones, Sarah Haldane, Shoshana Cohen, Jenny Bartholomew
Journal: BMJ (2004)

The conduct of intimate examinations in medical settings has been a subject of controversy for many years, because of potential difficulties and pitfalls for both doctors and patients. The royal colleges,1 the General Medical Council, and the defence organisations now emphasise the importance of ensuring that these examinations are not done by unaccompanied doctors. Some studies have shown, however, that the attitudes and behaviour of medical professionals are often at odds with these recommendations2 3 and that patients may not always welcome the offer, let alone the presence, of a third person in the consultation.4 We describe the attitudes and practices of general practitioners regarding the involvement of chaperones during intimate examinations and identify barriers and concerns affecting their use.

A self completion questionnaire, with 38 items, was developed from themes emerging from patient focus groups and was piloted and modified before being sent to 1813 doctors …
Intake of Mercury From Fish, Lipid Peroxidation, and the Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Coronary, Cardiovascular, and Any Death in Eastern Finnish Men
Authors: Jukka T. Salonen, Kari Seppänen, Kristiina Nyyssönen, Heikki Korpela, Jussi Kauhanen, Marjatta Kantola, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Hermann Esterbauer, Franz Tatzber, Riitta Salonen
Journal: Circulation (1995)

Background Even though previous studies have suggested an association between high fish intake and reduced coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality, men in Eastern Finland, who have a high fish intake, have an exceptionally high CHD mortality. We hypothesized that this paradox could be in part explained by high mercury content in fish. Methods and Results We studied the relation of the dietary intake of fish and mercury, as well as hair content and urinary excretion of mercury, to the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and death from CHD, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and any cause in 1833 men aged 42 to 60 years who were free of clinical CHD, stroke, claudication, and cancer. Of these, 73 experienced an AMI in 2 to 7 years. Of the 78 deceased men, 18 died of CHD and 24 died of CVD. Men who had consumed local nonfatty fish species had elevated hair mercury contents. In Cox models with the major cardiovascular risk factors as covariates, dietary intakes of fish and mercury were associated with significantly increased risk of AMI and death from CHD, CVD, and any death. Men in the highest tertile (≥2.0 μg/g) of hair mercury content had a 2.0-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 3.1; P =.005) age- and CHD-adjusted risk of AMI and a 2.9-fold (95% CI, 1.2 to 6.6; P =.014) adjusted risk of cardiovascular death compared with those with a lower hair mercury content. In a nested case-control subsample, the 24-hour urinary mercury excretion had a significant ( P =.042) independent association with the risk of AMI. Both the hair and urinary mercury associated significantly with titers of immune complexes containing oxidized LDL. Conclusions These data suggest that a high intake of mercury from nonfatty freshwater fish and the consequent accumulation of mercury in the body are associated with an excess risk of AMI as well as death from CHD, CVD, and any cause in Eastern Finnish men and this increased risk may be due to the promotion of lipid peroxidation by mercury.
Transdermal Nitroglycerin Patch Therapy Improves Left Ventricular Function and Prevents Remodeling After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: John J. Mahmarian, Lemuel A. Moyé, David A. Chinoy, Rafael F. Sequeira, Gabriel B. Habib, W. John Henry, Avanindra Jain, Bernard R. Chaitman, C. S. Wayne Weng, Hugo Morales-Ballejo, Craig M. Pratt
Journal: Circulation (1998)

Background —Nitrates are widely used in the treatment of angina in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Short-term administration prevents left ventricular (LV) dilation and infarct expansion. However, little information is available regarding their long-term effects on LV remodeling in patients surviving Q-wave AMI. Methods and Results —This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to investigate the long-term (6-month) efficacy of intermittent transdermal nitroglycerin (NTG) patches on LV remodeling in 291 survivors of AMI. Patients meeting entry criteria had baseline gated radionuclide angiography (RNA) followed by randomization to placebo or active NTG patches delivering 0.4-, 0.8-, or 1.6-mg/h. RNA was repeated at 6 months and 6.5 days after withdrawal of double-blind medication. The primary study end point was the change in end-systolic volume index (ESVI). Both ESVI and end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) were significantly reduced with 0.4-mg/h NTG patches (−11.4 and −11.6 mL/m 2 , respectively, P &lt;.03). This beneficial effect was observed primarily in patients with a baseline LV ejection fraction ≤40% (ΔESVI, −31 mL/m 2 ; ΔEDVI, −33 mL/m 2 ; both P &lt;.05) and only at the 0.4-mg/h dose. After NTG patch withdrawal, ESVI significantly increased but did not reach pretreatment values. Conclusions —Transdermal NTG patches prevent LV dilation in patients surviving AMI. The beneficial effects are limited to patients with depressed LV function and only at the lowest (0.4-mg/h) dose. Continued administration is necessary to maintain efficacy. Whether these remodeling effects confer a clinical or survival advantage will need to be addressed in an adequately powered cardiac event trial.
Clinical Lecture on the Employment of the Ophthalmoscope in the Investigation of Morbid Changes Affecting the Deep-Seated Structures of the Eyeball
Authors: H. Coote
Journal: BMJ (1857)

ORIGINAL OOMMUNIOATIONS.(BRITTeS M3DTCAL JOURNaA opiate given to the patient after the operation produced com- fortable sleep.The case went on favourably, without further bleeding, with no undue reaction, with moderate suppurtion in regular time, and speedy disappearance of the swelling of the penis, groin, and scrotum.The wound was closed in six weeks, and the patient was enabled to resume his work.RIEMARKs.This case is of particular interest, not only on account of its complicated natuire and the alarming and painful symptoms which it offered, but also on account of the speedy success which a s;imple operation, by freely di%-iding the skin of the scrotum and the tunica vaginalis, afforded.
Abstract 18664: Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Pressure is a Predictor of Survival in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery with Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Jeevan Nagendran, Colleen M Norris, Jehangir Appoo, David B Ross, Jayan Nagendran
Journal: Circulation (2012)

There is an association between depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (ejection fraction &lt; 35%; LVEF) and increased mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). There are a few studies suggesting that elevated pre-operative left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) is an independent predictor of operative mortality for patients undergoing CABG, and could be a greater risk than LVEF &lt; 35%. It is unclear if LVEDP is a better predictor of long-term survival than LVEF in patients undergoing CABG. We hypothesized that LVEDP may add further prognostic value than LVEF alone. We studied 6790 consecutive patients from 2004-2011 undergoing isolated CABG at our institution. Patients were divided into four groups based on LVEF and LVEDP: Group 1 (LVEF≥35%, LVEDP&lt;18mmHg), Group 2 (LVEF&lt;35%, LVEDP&lt;18mmHg), Group 3 (LVEF≥35%, LVEDP≥18mmHg), and Group 4 (LVEF&lt;35%, LVEDP≥18mmHg). The 4 groups had similar pre-operative characteristics of age, history of stoke, renal failure, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Patients with a low LVEF (Groups 2 and 4) had a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), smoking and history of myocardial infarction (p&lt;0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves identified that the groups with preserved LVEF had improved long-term survival compared to groups with depressed LVEF (p&lt;0.001). As well, there was no significant correlation between elevated LVEDP and decreased survival in patients with a preserved LVEF (Group 1 versus Group 3, p=0.84). However, in patients with depressed LVEF&lt;35%, an elevated LVEDP was associated with worse long-term survival when compared to patients with an LVEDP&lt;18mmHg (Group 2 versus Group 4, p&lt;0.001). The independent predictors of death by Cox proportional hazards modeling were: LVEF&lt;35%, advanced age, COPD, PVD, dialysis dependent renal failure, and CHF (p&lt;0.001); while elevated LVEDP≥18mmHg was not significant. We conclude that elevated LVEDP≥18mmHg is not an independent risk factor for mortality in patients undergoing isolated CABG; however, in patients with depressed LVEF&lt;35%, an elevated LVEDP further prognosticates a significant decrease in long-term survival.
Role of serum carrier proteins in the peripheral metabolism and tissue distribution of thyroid hormones in familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia and congenital elevation of thyroxine-binding globulin.
Authors: R Bianchi, G Iervasi, A Pilo, F Vitek, M Ferdeghini, F Cazzuola, G Giraudi
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1987)

To investigate the role of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) and albumin in the availability of thyroid hormones to peripheral tissues, comprehensive kinetic studies of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were carried out in eight subjects with familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH), in four subjects with inherited TBG excess, and in 15 normals. In high-TBG subjects, the reduction of T4 and T3 plasma clearance rates (by 51% and 54%, respectively) was associated with normal daily productions; T4 and T3 distribution volumes were significantly reduced. In FDH subjects T4 clearance was less reduced (by 31%) than in high TBG; consequently T4 production rate was significantly increased (by 42%); T4 and T3 distribution volumes and T3 clearance rate were unchanged. Increased T3 peripheral production in FDH (by 24%) indicates that T4 bound to abnormal albumin is more available to tissues than T4 carried by TBG, thus suggesting an important role of albumin in T4 availability to the periphery.
Acute Appendicitis, Perforation, and Small-Bowel Obstruction in an Infant
Authors: Ho-Woon Lee
Journal: JAMA (1986)

APPENDICITIS in infancy is uncommon, difficult to diagnose, and associated with significant morbidity and mortality.<sup>1</sup>Conical configuration of the appendix makes obstruction of the lumen unlikely in this age group.<sup>2</sup>Because of the inability of the patient to give a coherent history, other symptoms become significant features in diagnosis.<sup>3</sup>Mechanical small-bowel obstruction as a presenting symptom complex in acute appendicitis in infancy is rare. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> An 8-month-old male infant was admitted because of persistent vomiting and diarrhea for four days. On preliminary examination, the infant was seen to be drowsy and lethargic, with signs of advanced dehydration. He was afebrile. His neck was supple and his chest was clear. The abdomen was soft, showing no tenderness or organomegaly. The clinical impression on admission was gastroenteritis. Lumbar puncture was performed to rule out meningitis, and intravenous fluids were administered. By next morning, the infant had
Abstract 2581: Tacrolimus Preserves Endothelial-Dependent Vasomotor Function And Decreases Sensitivity To Vasospasm By Increasing Endothelin(B) Receptor Expression
Authors: Elissa Tepperman, Danny Ramzy, Laura Tumiati, Mitesh Badiwala, Rohit Sheshgiri, Jessica Jackman, Heather Ross, Vivek Rao
Journal: Circulation (2007)
Multifactorial cardiac rehabilitation did not reduce mortality or morbidity after acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Barry A. Franklin
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2012)

Source Citation West RR, Jones DA, Henderson AH. Rehabilitation after myocardial infarction trial (RAMIT): multi-centre randomised controlled trial of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in patients following acute myocardial infarction. Heart. 2012;98:637-44. 22194152