tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Positional Genomic Analysis Identifies the β <sub>2</sub> -Adrenergic Receptor Gene as a Susceptibility Locus for Human Hypertension
Authors: Molly S. Bray, Julia Krushkal, Li Li, Robert Ferrell, Sharon Kardia, Charles F. Sing, Stephen T. Turner, Eric Boerwinkle
Journal: Circulation (2000)

Background —After genome-wide linkage analyses of blood pressure levels, we resequenced 5 positional candidate genes in a linkage region on chromosome 5 and genotyped selected variants in several family samples from Rochester, Minn. Methods and Results —In a sample of 55 pedigrees containing ≥1 sibling-pair(s) discordant for systolic blood pressure, polymorphisms within the β 2 -adrenergic receptor gene (Arg16Gly, P =0.009) and the glutathione peroxidase 3 gene (−302G→A, P =0.037; −623A→C, P =0.013) were significantly related to blood pressure levels. In a second sample of 298 nuclear families (n=1283 individuals), the Arg16Gly polymorphism was significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure in family-based analyses ( P =0.016) and with both diastolic ( P =0.009) and mean arterial blood pressure ( P =0.038) in analyses of the parental generation only. Neither polymorphism in the glutathione peroxidase 3 gene was associated with blood pressure levels in this sample. An additional 291 families (n=1240 individuals) were added to the nuclear family sample, and the Gln27Glu polymorphism in the β 2 -adrenergic receptor gene was significantly associated with both systolic ( P =0.034) and mean arterial blood pressure ( P =0.035) in the parental generation of the combined 589 families. The frequencies of both the Gly16 and Glu27 alleles were higher in hypertensives than in normotensives (0.649 versus 0.604 and 0.490 versus 0.429, respectively), and the odds ratio for the occurrence of hypertension was 1.80 (95% confidence interval, 1.08 to 3.00; P =0.023) for the Glu27 allele. Conclusions —The results of this study provide support for further detailed investigations of the mechanistic pathways by which variations in the β 2 -adrenergic receptor gene may influence blood pressure levels.
The Report on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure
Authors: William R. Barclay
Journal: JAMA (1977)

Hypertension that goes undetected or untreated is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. However, most patients with hypertension can be effectively treated, their blood pressure lowered, and their risk of death and adverse effects reduced. Hypertension poses a major challenge to the medical profession and offers physicians a unique opportunity to practice preventive medicine. Therefore, all physicians should give careful attention to the report of the Joint National Committee on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure (p 255). Each member of the commission represents a major organization or agency, and the report has the endorsement of these organizations and agencies. Although the report was sponsored by the National Heart and Lung Institute, it is not a government directive on how to practice medicine. The report should be viewed as a useful guide and not as a rigid directive on how to manage high blood pressure. One should
He who works in pigsty . . .
Authors: T. Greenhalgh
Journal: BMJ (2001)

The term feng shui is apparently derived from the ancient Chinese words shui—meaning “sense”—and feng—meaning “more money than.” Nevertheless, it appears to be de rigueur for the modern professional to keep nothing in his or her office beyond a glass topped table, contemporary chaise longue, and slimline laptop. The latest NHS rumour is that a newly appointed chief executive officer has taken to gliding through open plan offices demanding that piles of paper are sorted out and …
THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF MEASLES
Authors: R. M. F. Picken
Journal: BMJ (1915)

1 V-IC~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DICAL JOURNAL 42 pyrexia; lhe has passed urine, the vomiting and diarrhoea have practically stopped, and no anxiety is felt either by the friends or the plhysician, but the patient lhas little desire for food and hiis friends do not insist on his taking it; and so day by day less nourishment is taken.The patient does not complain of any discomfort, and he still gives a prompt and cheery response to inquiries for his welfare.After a few days a certain delay is noticed in the response; the patient is far from being comatose, he is only a little letlhargic.Once the doctor's attention is aroused, inquiry reveals the fact tllat only little fluid is being ingested and that still less, if any, is being excreted.Prompt treatment will probablv save the patient, but if this earliest symptom-the delayed response-is neglected, the results may be fatal.Treat- ment must be directed to the cupping of the kidneys and to getting plenty of fluid into body; fluid foods at frequent intervals and enemata must be insisted upon.I cannot close without expressing my indebtedness both to my senior colleague, Dr. Alexander Lyall, and to Dr. Chalmers of Swabue-to Dr. Lyall for hiis invaluable lhelp and advice in the treatment of the more serious cases and for his kindness in setting ime free from tlle routine work of the hospital througlhout the epidemic
S126 Molecular epidemiological analysis suggests cross infection with pseudomonas aeruginosa is rare in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Authors: A De Soyza, A Perry, AJ Hall, S Sunny, KE Walton, N Mustafa, J Turton, DT Kenna, C Winstanley
Journal: Thorax (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Non Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis (NCFBr) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a key pathogen in NCFBr, is associated with premature mortality. Globally, common clones of P. aeruginosa have been recognised from clinical and environmental sources and in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) cross infection is known to occur. There are no robust data on cross infection in NCFBr. This evidence gap impacts on managing patients but was omitted from the BTS 2010 guidelines due to the paucity of data. <h3>Aims</h3> To seek evidence of cross infection amongst NCFBr patients. <h3>Methods</h3> Single centre cross sectional study: We studied 50 P. aeruginosa isolates from 40 NCFBr patients using two genotyping techniques (both blinded); an Array Tube (AT) method and Variable Number Tandem Repeat (VNTR) analysis. We included known CF clonal strains as internal controls. We then compared the data using genotype databases. Results This is the largest cross infection study to our knowledge. We demonstrated that shared P. aeruginosa NCFBr genotypes were infrequent. Twelve patient isolates did not match any other isolate within the NCFBr collection or the databases. The most common clone, clone C (10%), is also known to be abundant in the environment. In ten patients where longitudinal isolates were examined, paired isolates gave matching genotyping data suggesting persistent infection. There was incomplete concordance between the Array-Tube and VNTR methods (88% agreement). <h3>Conclusion</h3> There were no dominant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clones in NCFBr suggesting that the most prevalent mode of infection is sporadic and cross infection is rare. This may reflect the local infection control measures however. Multicentre studies are suggested to further assess the risks.
Epstein-Barr Virus and Breast Cancer: Search for Antibodies to the Novel BFRF1 Protein in Sera of Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: A. Angeloni, A. Farina, G. Gentile, A. Capobianchi, P. Martino, V. Visco, R. Muraro, L. Frati, A. Faggioni
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2001)
Use of the 1997 American Diabetes Association Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes in a Hong Kong Chinese Population
Authors: Gary T C Ko, Juliana C N Chan, Jean Woo, Clive S Cockram
Journal: Diabetes Care (1998)

Recently, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has proposed revised diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Lowering of the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) cutoff value is intended to reduce the discrepancy with the 2-h plasma glucose (PG) cutoff value and to encourage the use of FPG. We have applied these new criteria to data collected from a population-based prevalence survey in Hong Kong Chinese subjects of working age.The results of 1,513 oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) from a previously published prevalence survey of glucose intolerance and cardiovascular risk factors in a Hong Kong Chinese working population were reexamined using the new criteria. Of the 1,513 subjects, 27 had a known history of diabetes. Of the remaining 1,486 subjects, 228 were also selected randomly for a second OGTT without prior knowledge of the result of the first test.After exclusion of the 27 subjects with a known history of diabetes, the crude prevalence of diabetes was 2.83% (n = 42) when the World Health Organization's (WHO) criteria were applied. When the criterion of FPG > or = 7.0 mmol/l was used, as recommended by the ADA, the prevalence of diabetes was 1.41% (n = 21). Twenty-nine subjects (1.95%) with FPG < 7.0 mmol/l had a 2-h PG > or = 11.1 mmol/l. Eight subjects (0.53%), previously without a diagnosis of diabetes according to the WHO criteria (FPG < 7.8 mmol/l and 2-h PG < 11.1 mmol/l), had FPG between 7.0 and 7.8 mmol/l and were classified as having diabetes by the ADA criteria. This classification gave a net change of -1.42% in the prevalence of diabetes between the use of FPG > or = 7.0 mmol/l alone and the use of WHO criteria. Among the 1,486 subjects with no known history of diabetes, those classified as having diabetes according to the ADA FPG criterion alone had higher HbA1c and fructosamine levels than diabetic subjects defined by the WHO criteria. Of the 228 subjects for whom two FPG measurements were available, those who had consistent definitions (diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, normal fasting glucose) on both occasions were considered to have reproducible tests, giving an overall reproducibility of 90.8% (207 of 228).Compared with the WHO criteria, the use of FPG to diagnose diabetes, as recommended by the ADA, was a more reproducible test and identified those subjects who had a greater degree of hyperglycemia. Although lowering of the cutoff value from 7.8 to 7.0 mmol/l increased the number of diagnoses among subjects with low FPG, the omission of the 2-h PG would lead to fewer subjects having their diabetes diagnosed.
Maternal Serum Triglyceride, Glucose Tolerance, and Neonatal Birth Weight Ratio in Pregnancy: A study within a racially heterogeneous population
Authors: Christopher J Nolan, Stephen F Riley, Mary T Sheedy, Janet E Walstab, Norman A Beischer
Journal: Diabetes Care (1995)

OBJECTIVE To determine the value of measuring serum triglyceride (TG) levels early in pregnancy for predicting late-gestation glucose tolerance and neonatal birth weight ratio (BWR) (birth weight corrected for gestational age). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The relationships between morning nonfasting TG measured early in pregnancy (gestational age 12 ± 6 weeks [mean ± SD]) and glucose tolerance measured by a 3-h 50-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) late in pregnancy (gestational age 30 ± 3 weeks) and BWR were investigated in 388 women attending routine antenatal care. The data were analyzed for all women in addition to subgroups of Australian/Western European-born (n = 246) and Asian-born (n = 97) women. RESULTS Morning nonfasting TG positively correlated with the OGTT glucose area under the curve (OGTT-GAUC) (r = 0.23, P &amp;lt; 0.0001) in all subjects. This correlation was stronger in the subset of subjects who had TG measured between 9 and 12 weeks of gestation (r = 0.35, P = 0.0001) and was particularly strong in Asian-born women who had TG measured within this period (r = 0.71, P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Mean TG and the 2- and 3-h OGTT values were higher in Asian-born subjects compared with Australian/Western European-born subjects (P = 0.004, P &amp;lt; 0.0001, and P = 0.02, respectively). TG correlated positively with BWR in all subjects (r = 0.12, P = 0.02), in Asian-born subjects (r = 0.23, P = 0.02), and in subjects with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (r = 0.60, P = &amp;lt; 0.001). CONCLUSIONS TG, if measured between 9 and 12 weeks of gestation, has moderate predictive value for subsequent glucose tolerance in pregnancy. TG is also predictive of BWR in GDM subjects. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of early TG measurement in the screening and management of GDM. Metabolic heterogeneity exists between Asian-born and Australian/Western European-born women, the significance of which is still unclear and warrants further study.
Balloon expulsion from the rectum in constipation of different types.
Authors: P R Barnes, J E Lennard-Jones
Journal: Gut (1985)

The defaecatory mechanism using a balloon model with simultaneous measurement of intrarectal pressure has been studied in 15 control subjects with normal bowel habit and in 39 patients with chronic constipation; 31 with a normal barium enema and eight with idiopathic megarectum. Fourteen of those with a normal barium enema had prolonged whole gut transit times as measured by radio-opaque shapes. The ability of the patient to expel a rectal balloon containing 50, 100, and 150 ml of water, lying on their side in the left lateral position was tested and if unsuccessful, in the sitting position with the knees raised. All but one of the control subjects could expel balloons in the left lateral position. Only five of 17 constipated patients with normal barium enemas and transit times could expel balloons lying on their side although a further three could do so when sitting. None of 14 patients with slow transit and normal barium enemas could expel balloons in left lateral position although three could do so when sitting. Patients with megarectum could not expel balloons in either position. Levels of intrarectal pressure with straining were not significantly different between controls, who were able to expel balloons, and constipated patients with a normal barium enema, but were greater (p less than 0.01) in patients with megacolon than in control subjects. Using the balloon model a disorder of the defaecatory mechanism is present in patients with constipation of different types, but this is not because of an inability to raise intrarectal pressure.
The rate of ischemic stroke following acute myocardial infarction is decreasing. The national registry of myocardial infarction experience
Authors: M.A. Sloan, S.R. Pirzada, J.P. Ornato, J.H. Gurwitz, J.M. Gore, A.J. Tiefenbrunn, W.J. French, W.D. Weaver, W.J. Rogers
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1998)
In-111 WBC Imaging of Osteomyelitis in Patients With Underlying Bone Scan Abnormalities
Authors: ANNA KOLINDOU, YU LIU, KUTLAN OZKER, ARTHUR Z. KRASNOW, ALI T. ISITMAN, ROBERT S. HELLMAN, B. DAVID COLLIER
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1996)

One hundred seven combined In-111 WBC/Tc-99m MDP scans performed on 87 patients with a high clinical suspicion of osteomyelitis were retrospectively reviewed. An 86% sensitivity and a 94% specificity for detecting osteomyelitis were found. In addition, patients were grouped into one of five clinical settings for more detailed analysis: diabetic osteoarthropathy, previous arthroplasty, fracture, overlying skin ulcer, and other etiology. Forty-seven studies were performed while patients received antibiotic therapy without loss of sensitivity for detecting osteomyelitis. Results obtained with scintigraphy compared favorably to other imaging and laboratory studies used to detect osteomyelitis. In conclusion, the combined In-111 WBC/Tc-99m MDP scan is a very sensitive and specific method to detect osteomyelitis in patients with concurrent diabetic osteoarthropathy, fracture, postoperative healing, and overlying skin ulcer. Antibiotic treatment does not appear to adversely affect the sensitivity of these scans.
Induction of antinuclear antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving treatment with human recombinant interferon gamma.
Authors: M Seitz, M Franke, H Kirchner
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1988)

Of six patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with human recombinant interferon gamma for two to eight months, three developed antinuclear antibodies (ANAs). This was accompanied by a simultaneous clinical exacerbation of the disease activity. In this study both anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effects of human recombinant interferon gamma in patients with RA were observed.
S-adenosylmethionine and its metabolite induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells: Role of protein phosphatase 1 and Bcl-x<sub>S</sub>
Authors: Heping Yang, Mamatha R. Sadda, Mei Li, Ying Zeng, Lixin Chen, Wanjun Bae, Xiaopeng Ou, Maria T. Runnegar, José M. Mato, Shelly C. Lu
Journal: Hepatology (2004)

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and its metabolite 5′-methylthioadenosine (MTA) are proapoptotic in HepG2 cells. In microarray studies, we found SAMe treatment induced Bcl-x expression. Bcl-x is alternatively spliced to produce two distinct mRNAs and proteins, Bcl-x L and Bcl-x S . Bcl-x L is antiapoptotic, while Bcl-x S is proapoptotic. In this study we showed that SAMe and MTA selectively induced Bcl-x S in a time- and dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. There are three transcription start sites in the human Bcl-x gene which yield only Bcl-x L in control HepG2 cells. SAMe and MTA treatment did not affect promoter usage, but while one promoter yielded only Bcl-x L , the other two yielded both Bcl-x L and Bcl-x S , with Bcl-x S as the predominant messenger RNA (mRNA) species. Trichostatin A, 3-deaza-adenosine, cycloleucine, and okadaic acid had no effect on Bcl-x S induction by SAMe or MTA. Calyculin A and tautomycin, on the other hand, blocked SAMe and MTA-mediated Bcl-x S induction and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. SAMe and MTA increased protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) catalytic subunit mRNA and protein levels and dephosphorylation of serine-arginine proteins, with the latter blocked by calyculin A. The effects of SAMe and MTA on Bcl-x S , PP1 expression, and apoptosis were also seen in 293 cells, but not in primary hepatocytes. Induction of Bcl-x S by ceramide in HepG2 cells also resulted in apoptosis. In conclusion , we have uncovered a highly novel action of SAMe and MTA, namely the ability to affect the cellular phosphorylation state and alternative splicing of genes, in this case resulting in the induction of Bcl-x S leading to apoptosis. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the Hepatology website (http://interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0270-9139/suppmat/index.html). (Hepatology 2004;40:221-231.)
The evolutionary link between mirror neurons and imitation: An evolutionary adaptive agents model
Authors: Elhanan Borenstein, Eytan Ruppin
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2005)

This commentary validates the fundamental evolutionary interconnection between the emergence of imitation and the mirror system. We present a novel computational framework for studying the evolutionary origins of imitative behavior and examining the emerging underlying mechanisms. Evolutionary adaptive agents that evolved in this framework demonstrate the emergence of neural “mirror” mechanisms analogous to those found in biological systems.
Immunobiological studies on the alopecic (DEBR) rat
Authors: H.J. MICHIE, C.A.B. JAHODA, R.F. OLIVER, T.A. POULTON
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1990)

Journal Article Immunobiological studies on the alopecic (DEBR) rat Get access H.J. MICHIE, H.J. MICHIE Department of Pathology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, U.K. Dr. H.J.Michie, Department of Pathology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar C.A.B. JAHODA, C.A.B. JAHODA Department of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar R.F. OLIVER, R.F. OLIVER Department of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar T.A. POULTON T.A. POULTON Department of Pathology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 123, Issue 5, 1 November 1990, Pages 557–567, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1990.tb01471.x Published: 01 November 1990
Natural History of Valvular Regurgitation 1 Year after Discontinuation of Dexfenfluramine Therapy
Authors: Neil J. Weissman, Julio A. Panza, John F. Tighe, John T. Gwynne
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2001)

Previous studies have reported small increases in the prevalence of low-grade aortic and mitral regurgitation in patients treated with dexfenfluramine compared with placebo. However, whether valvular abnormalities develop or progress 1 year after discontinuation of dexfenfluramine therapy has not been determined.To assess change in valvular regurgitation and morphologic characteristics 1 year after discontinuation of dexfenfluramine therapy.Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.Outpatient obesity centers.Obese persons who had been treated for 2 to 3 months with dexfenfluramine, sustained-release dexfenfluramine, or placebo. Blinding was maintained, and patients returned for repeated echocardiography at 1 year.Pairs of echocardiograms were evaluated with a side-by-side reading method for change in grade of valvular regurgitation, structure, and function. A standardized acquisition and reading protocol was followed, and a core laboratory was used.914 patients who had initial echocardiography returned for repeated echocardiography 11.4 +/- 1.0 months (mean +/- SD) after discontinuing study medication (10.0 +/- 1.0 months after initial echocardiography). Compared with the placebo group, a greater proportion of patients in both dexfenfluramine groups had decreased aortic regurgitation (P = 0.003 for the dexfenfluramine group, P = 0.02 for the sustained-release group). No change in mitral regurgitation or any other measure of valvular structure or function was seen in any treatment group.After dexfenfluramine therapy is taken for 2 to 3 months and discontinued, development or progression of any valvular regurgitation over the following year is unlikely. Echocardiographic evidence suggests that aortic regurgitation regresses in some previously treated patients.
Report names hospitals with highest proportions of deaths related to MRSA and <i>C difficile</i>
Authors: Roger Dobson
Journal: BMJ (2008)

Numbers of deaths in English and Welsh hospitals involving meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile vary widely, a new report shows. In several hospitals more than 2% of all deaths were linked to C difficile , and in four hospitals more than 1% of all deaths involved MRSA.

Hospitals with a relatively high number of deaths involving MRSA also tended to have a high number of deaths involving C difficile , but the relation was weak, says the report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The report, which shows numbers of deaths by individual establishment, has data for 217 hospitals and one hospice that had a total of more than 2500 deaths from all causes for the two periods looked at, 2001-5 and 2002-6. These establishments account for more than 80% of the total …