tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Use of the CONSORT Statement and Quality of Reports of Randomized Trials
Authors: David Moher, Alison Jones, Leah Lepage, None for the CONSORT Group
Journal: JAMA (2001)

ContextThe Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) statement was developed to help improve the quality of reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). To date, a paucity of data exists regarding whether it has achieved this goal.ObjectiveTo determine whether use of the CONSORT statement is associated with improvement in the quality of reports of RCTs.Design and SettingComparative before-and-after evaluation in which reports of RCTs published in 1994 (pre-CONSORT) were compared with RCT reports from the same journals published in 1998 (post-CONSORT). We included 211 reports from BMJ, JAMA, and The Lancet (journals that adopted CONSORT) as well as The New England Journal of Medicine (a journal that did not adopt CONSORT and was used as a comparator).Main Outcome MeasuresNumber of CONSORT items included in a report, frequency of unclear reporting of allocation concealment, and overall trial quality score based on the Jadad scale, a 5-point quality assessment instrument.ResultsCompared with 1994, the number of CONSORT checklist items in reports of RCTs increased in all 4 journals in 1998, and this increase was statistically significant for the 3 adopter journals (pre-CONSORT, 23.4; mean change, 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-5.3). The frequency of unclear reporting of allocation concealment decreased for each of the 4 journals, and this change was statistically significant for adopters (pre-CONSORT, 61%; mean change, −22%; 95% CI, −38% to −6%). Similarly, 3 of the 4 journals showed an improvement in the quality score for reports of RCTs, and this increase was statistically significant for adopter journals overall (pre-CONSORT, 2.7; mean change, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.1-0.8).ConclusionUse of the CONSORT statement is associated with improvements in the quality of reports of RCTs.
Biventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Huseyin Oflaz, Sabahat Alisir, Banu Buyukaydin, Orhan Kocaman, Faruk Turgut, Sule Namli, Burak Pamukcu, Aytac Oncul, Tevfik Ecder
Journal: Kidney International (2005)
Voice reactions to histamine inhalation in asthma
Authors: L. Leinonen, H. Poppius
Journal: Allergy (1997)

Susceptibility to voice reactions during a histamine provocation test was studied in 21 asthmatics and 21 healthy subjects. Speech samples were recorded before, and 5 and 15 min after histamine inhalation, and the samples were rated by six speech pathologists. Deterioration of voice quality occurred in 2/12 asthmatic men and in 3/9 asthmatic women within 5 min after histamine inhalation; no change was observed between 5 and 15 min. Voice reactions were not related to the degree of bronchial obstruction: the subjects with the most pronounced decrease in peak expiratory flow (PEF) (60–61% in three subjects) did not develop voice reactions, and PEF did not decrease in one subject with voice reactions. No voice reactions were observed in the healthy subjects.
Should Left Ventricular Assist Device Be Standard of Care for Patients With Refractory Heart Failure Who Are Not Transplantation Candidates?
Authors: Anjali Tiku Owens, Mariell Jessup
Journal: Circulation (2012)

A t 40 years of age, the lifetime risk of developing heart failure (HF) is 1 in 5 for men and women in the United States.Approximately half of patients who are ultimately diagnosed with HF will die within 5 years 1 ; the associated morbidity, hospitalization rate, and loss of functional capacity are more difficult to calculate.Among the 5 million American patients currently living with HF, it is estimated that 200 000 patients have American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association stage D or refractory HF, resulting in markedly diminished functional status and survival. 1,2In 2012, 2 therapies are available to potentially prolong survival and to improve quality of life for end-stage HF patients: heart transplantation and long-term mechanical circulatory support in the form of a ventricular assist device (VAD).For permanent mechanical support, also referred to as destination therapy (DT), the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the HeartMate II (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in January 2010.This device supports only the left ventricle; no biventricular device is approved for long-term therapy at this time. Response by Mehra and Domanski on p 3094Many advanced HF patients are not appropriate candidates for transplantation or permanent LVAD because of comorbid conditions or age.After excluding these patients, clinicians must critically evaluate individual patient eligibility for transplantation or VAD.The indications for and complications expected after each procedure are increasingly recognized as distinct; the skills needed by clinicians who must care for these 2 types of patients are garnered in 2 complementary but separate experiential care settings.The therapies are neither equivalent in historical experience and outcomes nor interchangeable.Transplantation has been available for decades, with well-documented selection criteria, management protocols, and outcomes.As we begin to understand how to appropriately use VADs as a therapeutic option in patients with advanced HF, it has become apparent that many patient characteristics leading to ineligibility for transplantation also preclude or negatively influence outcome after VAD.There are undeveloped patient selection criteria, unacceptably high rates of complications, and insufficient long-term survival data with permanent VADs to warrant designation as secondline therapy to all transplantation-ineligible patients.Furthermore, what goal would be achieved by mandating permanent VAD as standard of care for transplantationineligible patients: to attempt to salvage survival for all end-stage HF patients?Is survival our only standard in the absence of enhanced quality of life?Currently, we lack
Pharmacology and Treatment Maintenance treatment of psoriasis by Tigason: a double-blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: L. DUBERTRET, C. CHASTANG, C. BEYLOT, J. BAZEX, C. ROGNIN, R. TOURAINE
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1985)

Extensive lesions on 36 patients with psoriasis were treated by Tigason, 1 mg/kg/day plus PUVA until skin clearance. A clinical score was calculated for each body area, and erythema, scaling, thickness and pruritus of the lesions were scored from 0 to 3. Skin clearing was defined as a clinical score <10% of the initial score. Double-blind maintenance treatment was then started. This was Tigason at half of the maximal dose tolerated during the clearing phase of the treatment v. placebo. Relapse of the disease was defined as the occurrence of a clinical score >50% of the initial score. Among the 36 patients randomized, 20 received placebo and 16 received Tigason. Relapses increased quickly in the patients on placebo, but occurred in few patients treated by Tigason with 60% remaining clear after 1 year (P<0.05). Surprisingly, the kinetics of disappearance of the most frequent side effect, cheilitis, was the same in the Tigason group and in the placebo group. This double-blind randomized clinical trial shows that Tigason at low doses is an efficient and well-tolerated maintenance treatment of psoriasis.
Ulcers of the Leg in Cooley's Anemia
Authors: Frances Pascher, Ralph Keen
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1957)

THE prevalence of leg ulcers in sickle-cell anemia has been estimated at 25 per cent1 to 75 per cent2 and at 6.5 per cent in hereditary spherocytic anemia.3 In contrast to these forms of familial hemolytic anemia, the occurrence of leg ulcers in Cooley's anemia is rare. Only 7 cases have thus far been recorded,4 5 6 7 8 2 of them by us.5 , 8 One of these was presented in abstract form.8 A subsequent comparative study of this case with those previously reported disclosed a number of interesting facts that merit fuller consideration.Case ReportM.P., a 27-year-old man of Italian descent, born in . . .
Radiology of the small bowel. Modern enteroclysis technique and atlas
Authors: R S Murray
Journal: Gut (1983)

Diagnosis of oesophageal spasm by ergometrine provocation Sir,We have recently published our findings on oesophageal spasm and the value of ergometrine provocation in its diagnosis (Gut 1982; 23: 89-97).We misquoted figures from Buxton's study and reported three patients who died with coronary artery spasm after a dose of ergometrine which was 0 17 mg and not 1.7 mg as stated in our paper.Our recommendation, however, to give 0.5 mg of ergometrine is safe provided that the screening criteria are followed.These should include a normal 12-lead ECG obtained during spontaneous chest pain, and resuscitative facilities should be available during the ergometrine test.Responses to small doses of ergometrine -0.05 mg should first be assessed and after five minutes, incremental doses can then be given.
Molecular Pathways: Connecting Fibrosis and Solid Tumor Metastasis
Authors: Thomas R. Cox, Janine T. Erler
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract Pathologic organ fibrosis is a condition that can affect all major tissues and is typically ascribed to the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, predominantly collagens. It typically leads to compromise of organ function and subsequent organ failure, and it is estimated that 45% of deaths in the developed world are linked to fibrotic disease. Fibrosis and cancer are known to be inextricably linked; however, we are only just beginning to understand the common and overlapping molecular pathways between the two. Here, we discuss what is known about the intersection of fibrosis and cancer, with a focus on cancer metastasis, and highlight some of the exciting new potential clinical targets that are emerging from analysis of the molecular pathways associated with these two devastating diseases. Clin Cancer Res; 20(14); 3637–43. ©2014 AACR.
Tetraspanin CD151 Protects against Pulmonary Fibrosis by Maintaining Epithelial Integrity
Authors: Kazuyuki Tsujino, Yoshito Takeda, Toru Arai, Yasushi Shintani, Ryosaku Inagaki, Hiroyuki Saiga, Takeo Iwasaki, Satoshi Tetsumoto, Yingji Jin, Shoichi Ihara, Toshiyuki Minami, Mayumi Suzuki, Izumi Nagatomo, Koji Inoue, Hiroshi Kida, Takashi Kijima, Mari Ito, Masanori Kitaichi, Yoshikazu Inoue, Isao Tachibana, Kiyoshi Takeda, Meinoshin Okumura, Martin E. Hemler, Atsushi Kumanogoh
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2012)

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic pulmonary disorder of unknown etiology with few treatment options. Although tetraspanins are involved in various diseases, their roles in fibrosis have not been determined.To investigate the role of tetraspanin CD151 in pulmonary fibrosis.CD151 knockout (KO) mice were studied by histological, biochemical, and physiological analyses and compared with wild-type mice and CD9 KO mice. Further mechanistic analyses were performed in vitro, in vivo, and on samples from patients with IPF.A microarray study identified an enrichment of genes involved in connective tissue disorders in the lungs of CD151 KO mice, but not in CD9 KO mice. Consistent with this, CD151 KO mice spontaneously exhibited age-related pulmonary fibrosis. Deletion of CD151 did not affect pulmonary fibroblast functions but instead degraded epithelial integrity via attenuated adhesion strength on the basement membrane; CD151-deleted alveolar epithelial cells exhibited increased α-SMA expression with activation of p-Smad2, leading to fibrotic changes in the lungs. This loss of epithelial integrity in CD151 KO lungs was further exacerbated by intratracheal bleomycin exposure, resulting in severe fibrosis with increased mortality. We also observed decreased numbers of CD151-positive alveolar epithelial cells in patients with IPF.CD151 is essential for normal function of alveolar epithelial cells; loss of CD151 causes pulmonary fibrosis as a result of epithelial disintegrity. Given that CD151 may protect against fibrosis, this protein represents a novel target for the treatment of fibrotic diseases.
Spitz Nevi
Authors: Brook E. Tlougan, Seth J. Orlow, Julie V. Schaffer
Journal: JAMA Dermatology (2013)

Importance: Controversy exists regarding strategies for diagnosis and management of Spitz nevi, a type of melanocytic neoplasm that most often develops in children.Objective: To determine the beliefs, behaviors, and experiences of pediatric dermatologists with regard to Spitz nevi.Design: Anonymous web-based survey.
Higher Prevalence of Retinopathy in Diabetic Patients of South Asian Ethnicity Compared With White Europeans in the Community
Authors: Neil T. Raymond, Lakshminarayanan Varadhan, Dilini R. Reynold, Kate Bush, Sailesh Sankaranarayanan, Srikanth Bellary, Anthony H. Barnett, Sudhesh Kumar, J. Paul O'Hare
Journal: Diabetes Care (2008)

The purpose of this study was to compare prevalence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy among U.K. residents of South Asian or white European ethnicity.This was a community-based cross-sectional study involving 10 general practices; 1,035 patients with type 2 diabetes were studied: 421 of South Asian and 614 of white European ethnicity. Diabetic retinopathy, sight-threatening retinopathy, maculopathy, and previous laser photocoagulation therapy were assessed after grading of retinal photographs. Data were collected on risk factors including age, duration, and treatment of diabetes, blood pressures, serum total cholesterol, and A1C.Patients of South Asian ethnicity had significantly higher systolic (144 vs. 137 mmHg, P < 0.0001) and diastolic (84 vs. 74 mmHg, P < 0.0001) blood pressure, A1C (7.9 vs. 7.5%, P < 0.0001), and total cholesterol (4.5 vs. 4.2 mmol/l, P < 0.0001). Diabetic retinopathy was detected in 414 (40%) patients (189 South Asian [45%] versus 225 white European [37%]; P = 0.0078). Sight-threatening retinopathy was detected in 142 (14%) patients (68 South Asian [16%] versus 74 white European [12%]; P = 0.0597). After adjustment for confounders, there were significantly elevated risks of any retinopathy and maculopathy for South Asian versus white European patients.Patients of South Asian ethnicity had a significantly higher prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, with significantly elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, A1C, and total cholesterol; lower attained age; and younger age at diagnosis. Earlier onset of disease and higher levels of modifiable risk factors make early detection of diabetes, annual referral for retinal screening, and intensive risk factor control key elements in addressing this health inequality.
Dysfunction of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I in human failing myocardium is not due to disturbed mitochondrial gene expression
Authors: Robert J Scheubel, Mike Tostlebe, Andreas Simm, Susanne Rohrbach, Roland Prondzinsky, Frank N Gellerich, Rolf-Edgar Silber, Juergen Holtz
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2002)
Psychiatrist settles dispute with Toronto University
Authors: D. Spurgeon
Journal: BMJ (2002)

David Healy, the psychiatrist from the University of Wales who sued the University of Toronto for $C9.4 million (£4.1m; $US6m; €6.6m), claiming violation of academic freedom and defamation as a scientist and physician, has been named visiting professor in the Canadian university's medical faculty. His supporters regard this as a vindication for Dr Healy.

In September 2000, Dr Healy accepted the post of director of the mood and anxiety disorders programme at the university's affiliated Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, which included a university professorship. After delivering a lecture at the Centre in November 2000, during which he …
The Changing American Health Scene
Authors: Max Bader
Journal: JAMA (1977)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> In "The Changing American Health Scene" (237:1710-1714, 1977), Rogers and Blendon indicate that nationally age-adjusted death rates, infant and maternal mortality, and death rates from coronary artery disease have fallen substantially in recent years. This is also true for Seattle-King County. However, in Seattle-King County coronary heart disease mortality reached its highest rates by the late 1940s. The peak age-adjusted rates (US standard million, 1940) were 270.3 deaths per 100,000 men in 1949 and 91.9 to 93.9 deaths per 100,000 women on several occasions between 1949 and 1965. An international coding change for deaths has made distortions in comparison of coronary heart disease mortality since 1968, causing rates to be only about 87% of what they would be with prior coding. Nevertheless, adjusting for this, Seattle-King County rates declined by about 20% from peak rates. The decline for those under 60 years of age is more striking.
Reye's syndrome-aspirin link: a bit stronger
Authors: W. Check
Journal: JAMA (1982)

An advisory issued five weeks ago by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta warned that the use of salicylate-containing products to treat fevers in children with varicella or influenza should be avoided if possible. The advisory was based on a statistical association between the administration of salicylates to children with either of these illnesses and the subsequent occurrence of Reye's syndrome.  The reaction was immediate, both in terms of press coverage by national media and questions from perplexed parents who have come to rely on these over-the-counter agents to reduce fevers in children. A third reaction was a charge of drug-company influence on the CDC; that allegation came from Sidney Wolfe, MD, director of the Ralph Naderaffiliated Health Research Group, Washington, DC.  The episode illustrated well the problems that can arise when important medical decisions are made on the basis of insufficient scientific evidence. Said the CDC report,
Isolation and characterization of the early nodule specific protein homologue (Hev b 13), an allergenic lipolytic esterase from Hevea brasiliensis latex*1
Authors: S.A.M. Arif, R.G. Hamilton, F. Yusof, N.P. Chew, Y.H. Loke, S. Nimkar, J.J. Beintema, H.Y. Yeang
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2004)
Reflex constriction of significant coronary stenosis as a mechanism contributing to ischemic left ventricular dysfunction during isometric exercise.
Authors: B G Brown, A B Lee, E L Bolson, H T Dodge
Journal: Circulation (1984)

To study the mechanisms of myocardial ischemia during isometric exercise, handgrip was sustained, for 4.5 min at 25% of maximum by 11 patients with at least one significant coronary stenosis each, during cardiac catheterization. After recovery, the handgrip that was repeated with simultaneous infusion of nitroglycerin (50 micrograms over 4 min) directly into the diseased vessel. The cardiovascular response was assessed by hemodynamic and by computer-assisted measurements of stenosis. During the first handgrip test pulmonary capillary wedge pressure rose 56% (15 to 23 mm Hg; p less than .001), the heart rate-systolic pressure product rose 33% (p less than .01), and the diseased epicardial arteries constricted. Luminal area in the stenotic segment was reduced by 35% (p less than .01), resulting in a 243% increase in estimated stenotic flow resistance (30 to 103 mm Hg/ml/sec; p less than .001). During handgrip with intracoronary nitroglycerin, the pressure-rate product again increased 33%, but relative to resting control, capillary wedge pressure fell 4 mm Hg in association with a 32% increase in luminal area of the stenosis and a 28% reduction in flow resistance (all significantly different from the response to handgrip alone: p less than .001, .01, and .005, respectively). Thus, coronary vasoconstriction, not increased pressure-rate product, is the dominant mechanism for ischemic left ventricular dysfunction during isometric exercise in patients with significant coronary stenoses.
The Gift Relationship
Authors: P. Mukta
Journal: BMJ (2011)

Richard Titmuss’s book The Gift Relationship , first published in 1970, became a foundational text on the ethics and organisational principles governing healthcare and social policy. Read and reread by at least three generations of public policy makers, health professionals, health advocates, and researchers, the book continues to provoke and engage us to explore more deeply how each society decides how it meets the health needs of its citizens.

The Gift Relationship was written as a response to MH Cooper and AJ Culyer’s 1968 monograph The Price of Blood , which appeared under the imprimatur of the free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs. The Price of Blood argued that there was a role for competitive markets …
Mineralocorticoid-Induced Hypertension in Patients with Orthostatic Hypotension
Authors: Aram V. Chobanian, Ladislav Volicer, Charles P. Tifft, Haralambos Gavras, Chang-seng Liang, David Faxon
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1979)

The mechanism of recumbent hypertension induced by fludrocortisone was studied in seven patients with orthostatic hypotension. All showed increases in blood pressure in the recumbent and standing positions, and hypertensive levels were achieved on recumbency in four of them. Hypertensive retinopathy developed in two patients and cardiomegaly in one. Initial blood-pressure elevations were associated with sodium retention and plasma-volume expansion. However, with long-term treatment, plasma volume decreased to control levels despite further blood-pressure increases. Treatment did not affect plasma levels of catecholamines but did enhance pressor responsiveness to infused norepinephrine in some subjects. Hemodynamic studies indicated that hypertension in the recumbent position was related to increases in total peripheral-vascular resistance and not to changes in cardiac output. Clinically, hypertension in the recumbent position is an important risk of fludrocortisone treatment in patients with orthostatic hypotension. This unusual model of chronic mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension is not volume dependent but is related to increased peripheral-vascular resistance.
Single-translocation and double-chimeric transcripts: detection of NUP98-HOXA9 in myeloid leukemias withHOXA11 or HOXA13 breaks of the chromosomal translocation t(7;11)(p15;p15)
Authors: Takashi Fujino, Akitaka Suzuki, Yoshikazu Ito, Kazuma Ohyashiki, Yoshiaki Hatano, Ikuo Miura, Takuro Nakamura
Journal: Blood (2002)
Short-term Therapy for Streptococcal Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Walter R. Wilson
Journal: JAMA (1981)

In a prospective study, 91 patients with penicillin-sensitive infective endocarditis (IE) were treated for two weeks with intramuscular (IM) penicillin G procaine, 1.2 million units every six hours, plus streptomycin sulfate, 500 mg IM every 12 hours. Viridans streptococci were isolated from 70 patients (77%); 21 patients (23%) had Streptococcus bovis infections. Eighteen patients (20%) had had symptoms of IE for three months or longer. Follow-up ranged from two months to 6.6 years. There were no relapses; mild vestibular toxic reactions occurred in two patients (2%). Two patients (2%) died--one of sudden-onset severe heart failure and one of cardiac arrest after aortic valve replacement. Twenty-six patients (19%) required cardiac valve replacement after completion of antimicrobial therapy. This therapy seems as efficacious as four weeks of parenteral antimicrobial therapy and is more cost-effective.