tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Lack of effect of drinking water barium on cardiovascular risk factors.
Authors: R G Wones, B L Stadler, L A Frohman
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1990)

Higher cardiovascular mortality has been associated in a single epidemiological study with higher levels of barium in drinking water. The purpose of this study was to determine whether drinking water barium at levels found in some U.S. communities alters the known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Eleven healthy men completed a 10-week dose-response protocol in which diet was controlled (600 mg cholesterol; 40% fat, 40% carbohydrate, 20% protein; sodium and potassium controlled at the subject's pre-protocol estimated intake). Other aspects of the subjects' lifestyles known to affect cardiac risk factors were controlled, and the barium content (as barium chloride) of the drinking water (1.5 L/day) was varied from 0 (first 2 weeks), to 5 ppm (next 4 weeks), to 10 ppm (last 4 weeks). Multiple blood and urine samples, morning and evening blood pressure measurements, and 48-hr electrocardiographic monitoring were performed at each dose of barium. There were no changes in morning or evening systolic or diastolic blood pressures, plasma cholesterol or lipoprotein or apolipoprotein levels, serum potassium or glucose levels, or urine catecholamine levels. There were no arrhythmias related to barium exposure detected on continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. A trend was seen toward increased total serum calcium levels with exposure to barium, which was of borderline statistical significance and of doubtful clinical significance. In summary, drinking water barium at levels of 5 and 10 ppm did not appear to affect any of the known modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
SAPHENOUS VEIN GRAFT BODY LESIONS HAVE HIGHER LIPID CONTENT COMPARED TO ANASTOMOTIC LESIONS: A NEAR–INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY IN VIVO STUDY
Authors: Eric Fuh, Andrew Hester, Vishal Patel, Owen Mogabgab, Shuaib Abdullah, Subhash Banerjee, Emmanouil Brilakis
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2013)
27 Cases of Paraneoplastic Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia in Solid Tumors
Authors: T. Jo, Y. Okamoto, T. Tsukamoto, H. Sugiura, H. Matsui, T. Ueda, K. Okada, T. Onishi, A. Kunitomi, Y. Ueda
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2013)
Physiological Characterization of Muscle Strength With Variable Levels of Dystrophin Restoration in mdx Mice Following Local Antisense Therapy
Authors: Paul S Sharp, Hema Bye-a-Jee, Dominic J Wells
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2010)

Antisense-induced exon skipping can restore the open reading frame, and thus correct the dystrophin deficiency that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a lethal muscle wasting condition. Successful proof-of-principle in preclinical models has led to human clinical trials. However, it is still not known what percentage of dystrophin-positive fibers and what level of expression is necessary for functional improvement. This study directly address these key questions in the mdx mouse model of DMD. To achieve a significant variation in dystrophin expression, we locally administered into tibialis anterior muscles various doses of a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) designed to skip the mutated exon 23 from the mRNA of murine dystrophin. We found a highly significant correlation between the number of dystrophin-positive fibers and resistance to contraction-induced injury, with a minimum of 20% of dystrophin-positive fibers required for meaningful improvement. Furthermore, our results also indicate that a relatively low level of dystrophin expression in muscle fibers may have significant clinical benefits. In contrast, improvements in muscle force were not correlated with either the number of positive fibers or total dystrophin levels, which highlight the need to conduct appropriate functional assessments in preclinical testing using the mdx mouse. Antisense-induced exon skipping can restore the open reading frame, and thus correct the dystrophin deficiency that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a lethal muscle wasting condition. Successful proof-of-principle in preclinical models has led to human clinical trials. However, it is still not known what percentage of dystrophin-positive fibers and what level of expression is necessary for functional improvement. This study directly address these key questions in the mdx mouse model of DMD. To achieve a significant variation in dystrophin expression, we locally administered into tibialis anterior muscles various doses of a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) designed to skip the mutated exon 23 from the mRNA of murine dystrophin. We found a highly significant correlation between the number of dystrophin-positive fibers and resistance to contraction-induced injury, with a minimum of 20% of dystrophin-positive fibers required for meaningful improvement. Furthermore, our results also indicate that a relatively low level of dystrophin expression in muscle fibers may have significant clinical benefits. In contrast, improvements in muscle force were not correlated with either the number of positive fibers or total dystrophin levels, which highlight the need to conduct appropriate functional assessments in preclinical testing using the mdx mouse.
Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale after presumed paradoxical embolism.
Authors: N D Bridges, W Hellenbrand, L Latson, J Filiano, J W Newburger, J E Lock
Journal: Circulation (1992)

BACKGROUND Many have proposed a relation between presence of a patent foramen ovale, with or without atrial septal aneurysm, and cryptogenic stroke. The effect of foramen ovale closure on the risk for subsequent strokes is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Transcatheter closure of a patent foramen ovale was undertaken in 36 patients with known right-to-left atrial shunting and presumed paradoxical emboli (31 strokes, 25 transient neurological events, four systemic arterial emboli, and two brain abscesses). Individual patients had between one and four such events. None had a left heart or carotid source of embolism; 31 of 35 had no known risk factors for stroke. Events occurred in 12 patients while they were taking warfarin. At cardiac catheterization, patent foramina ovalia were significantly larger than predicted for age in 67% of the patients. Implantation of a double-umbrella device in the patent foramen ovale was achieved in all without serious procedural complications. Of 34 who have returned for follow-up, one has a residual atrial communication that may be clinically important, five had trivial leaks, and 28 have complete closure. There have been no strokes during a mean follow-up of 8.4 months. CONCLUSIONS Transcatheter closure of a patent foramen ovale can be accomplished with little morbidity and may reduce the risk of recurrence. Further investigations directed toward identifying the population at risk and assessing the effect of intervention are warranted.
CONTINUOUS ACRODERMATITIS.AN INSTANCE WHERE IT WAS CONTROLLED BY THE X-RAY
Authors: DOUGLASS W. MONTGOMERY
Journal: JAMA (1904)

Very few writers now believe eczema to be one disease. It is a vast agglomerate of diseases, out of which clinical types are being slowly segregated. In pursuance of this theory, Hallopeau in 1897 proposed<sup>1</sup>to remove a group of cases out of the general class of eczema, and to call the group "the continued acrodermatites." Cases constituting this group are characterized by their location on the extremities of the members, more particularly on the fingers and toes, by their incessant recurrence in the affected locality, by their not extending for a long time to any other region of the body, and by their obstinate resistance to treatment. Three forms of this malady are described—a vesicular form, a pustular form, and a form where there are both vesicles and pustules, constituting [ill] vesiculopustular form. The case under consideration would fall in the vesicular group. The disease
Increased sensitivity to IL‐4 in cystic fibrosis patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: A. P. Knutsen, P. S. Hutchinson, G. M. Albers, J. Consolino, J. Smick, V. P. Kurup
Journal: Allergy (2003)

Background: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is characterized by a heightened Th2 CD4+ T‐cell response to Aspergillus fumigatus allergens and a hyper‐immunoglobulin (Ig)E state compared with cystic fibrosis patients without ABPA. We hypothesize that one reason for this response is increased sensitivity to interleukin (IL)‐4 in ABPA resulting in increased expression of CD23 and CD86 and leading to a positive amplification mechanism that increases Th2 CD4+ T cell responses. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from seven ABPA CF and 19 non‐ABPA CF patients and 16 nonatopic controls and stimulated with rIL‐4 (range 0.1–10 ng/ml) and rIL‐13 (range 1–10 ng/ml) for 48 h. The number of CD23 molecules and percentages of CD23+ B cells were quantified by flow cytometry. Both phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA)/ionomycin (IO) and antigen stimulated, toxoid and Asp f2/f3/f4, PBMC were examined for cytoplasmic cytokine synthesis enumerated by cytokine staining using flow cytometry to measure Th2 and Th1 CD3+ T cells. Results: The numbers of CD23 molecules on B‐cells were significantly elevated at time 0 in ABPA CF patients compared with both non‐ABPA CF patients and nonatopic controls. Following IL‐4 stimulation in vitro , the numbers and percentages of CD23 expression on B cells were significantly up‐regulated in ABPA CF patients compared with non‐ABPA CF patients and controls. The IL‐13 stimulation up‐regulated CD23 expression; however, there was no significant difference in ABPA CF patients compared with non‐ABPA CF patients and controls. The percentages of interferon (IFN)‐γ+ CD3+T cells following PMA/IO stimulation were significantly decreased in both ABPA and non‐ABPA CF patients compared with controls. There were no significant differences of IL‐4+ and IL‐13+ CD3+ T cells between ABPA and non‐ABPA CF patients. When tetanus toxoid stimulated T cells were examined, both ABPA and non‐ABPA CF patients had significantly decreased IFN‐γ+ CD3+ T cells compared with controls. In Asp f2/f3/f4 stimulated T cells, ABPA CF patients had significantly increased IL‐4+ CD3+ T cells compared with non‐ABPA CF patients and controls. Conclusions: ABPA CF patients have increased sensitivity to IL‐4 but not to IL‐13 up‐regulation of CD23 molecules compared with non‐ABPA CF patients. There were decreased percentages of IFN‐γ+ and IL‐2+ Th1 T cells in CF patients compared with nonatopic controls but similar percentages of IL‐4+ Th2 T cells in all three groups. However, ABPA CF patients had increased frequency of Aspergillus ‐stimulated Th2 T cells. This indicated that there is skewing of Th2 T cells in ABPA CF patients. Thus, in CF ABPA patients there is increased Th2 T cells and increased sensitivity to IL‐4.
The Chinese room is a trick
Authors: Peter Kugel
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2004)

To convince us that computers cannot have mental states, Searle (1980) imagines a “Chinese room” that simulates a computer that “speaks” Chinese and asks us to find the understanding in the room. It's a trick. There is no understanding in the room, not because computers can't have it, but because the room's computer-simulation is defective. Fix it and understanding appears. Abracadabra!
North of England evidence based guideline development project: guideline on the use of aspirin as secondary prophylaxis for vascular disease in primary care
Authors: M. Eccles, N. Freemantle, J. Mason, t. N. o. E. A. G. D. Group
Journal: BMJ (1998)

Patients who have had cardiovascular disease and stroke are treated with aspirin to reduce their subsequent risk of vascular events or death and thereby to increase the length and quality of their life. This guideline aims to provide general practitioners with evidence linked recommendations on the use of aspirin as secondary prophylaxis for cardiovascular disease and stroke in patients at high risk of these disorders. It is assumed that doctors will use their knowledge and clinical judgment in managing individual patients in the light of available resources. Recommendations may not be appropriate for use in all circumstances. This is a summary of the full version of the guideline.1

#### Summary points

The use of aspirin in the secondary prophylaxis of vascular disease is cost effective

Aspirin should be used in patients with acute myocardial infarction, prior myocardial infarction, stable and unstable angina, and prior stroke or transient ischaemic attack

In acute myocardial infarction a dose of 150 mg daily should be used

In the other indications a dose of 75 mg daily should be used

In general practice, patients with a raised risk of vascular disease present with several disorders—acute or previous myocardial infarction, unstable or stable angina, transient ischaemic attacks, and peripheral vascular disease. The incidence and prevalence of these conditions and the workload associated with them in general practice can be estimated from the recent national morbidity survey in general practice for England and Wales, and is shown in the table.2

View this table:

Diseases associated with a raised risk of vascular events—incidence, prevalence, and workload in a general practice, assuming a list size of 2000 patients



Throughout this guideline the strength of statements on evidence and of recommendations is categorised according to the scheme discussed in the first paper in the series.3 The box below shows these categories in descending …
Similar Numbers but Different Repertoires of Olfactory Receptor Genes in Humans and Chimpanzees
Authors: Y. Go, Y. Niimura
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2008)

Animals recognize their external world through the detection of tens of thousands of chemical odorants. Olfactory receptor (OR) genes encode proteins for detecting odorant molecules and form the largest multigene family in mammals. It is known that humans have fewer OR genes and a higher fraction of OR pseudogenes than mice or dogs. To investigate whether these features are human specific or common to all higher primates, we identified nearly complete sets of OR genes from the chimpanzee and macaque genomes and compared them with the human OR genes. In contrast to previous studies, here we show that the number of OR genes ( approximately 810) and the fraction of pseudogenes (51%) in chimpanzees are very similar to those in humans, though macaques have considerably fewer OR genes. The pseudogenization rates and the numbers of genes affected by positive selection are also similar between humans and chimpanzees. Moreover, the most recent common ancestor between humans and chimpanzees had a larger number of functional OR genes (>500) and a lower fraction of pseudogenes (41%) than its descendents, suggesting that the OR gene repertoires are in a phase of deterioration in both lineages. Interestingly, despite the close evolutionary relationship between the 2 species, approximately 25% of their functional gene repertoires are species specific due to massive gene losses. These findings suggest that the tempo of evolution of OR genes is similar between humans and chimpanzees, but the OR gene repertoires are quite different between them. This difference might be responsible for the species-specific ability of odor perception.
Barrett??s Esophagus Complicating Lye Ingestion Demonstration by Pertechnetate Scintigraphy
Authors: DAVID R. FISHER, DAVID F. PRESTON, RALPH G. ROBINSON, BRENT W. GINSBERG
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1983)

Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy was performed in a patient with Barrett's esophagus and a history of previous lye ingestion. Radionuclide uptake was present in the distal two-thirds of the esophagus and persisted after the drinking of water. This technique is simple and accurate and may be of significant benefit in determining the presence and extent of Barrett's esophagus, which carries an increased incidence of adenocarcinoma development. Examination of patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux, using this technique, is advocated.
Cloning and Functional Expression of a Novel Cardiac Two-Pore Background K <sup>+</sup> Channel (cTBAK-1)
Authors: Donghee Kim, Akikazu Fujita, Yoshiyuki Horio, Yoshihisa Kurachi
Journal: Circulation Research (1998)

Abstract —We have cloned from a mouse heart cDNA library a novel K + channel subunit that has two pore-forming domains and four transmembrane regions. Its amino acid sequence shares 25% identity with mouse TWIK-1, 22% with mouse TREK-1, and 33% with a putative K + channel of Caenorhabditis elegans (C40C9). Strikingly abundant mRNA for this clone was expressed in the heart. The mRNA was also detected in kidney, brain, skin, testis, lung, skeletal muscle, small intestine, and stomach but not in liver, thymus, or spleen. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analyses of single cells showed that the mRNA of the clone was expressed in both atrial and ventricular myocytes per se. Xenopus oocytes injected with the cRNA of the clone expressed a Ba 2+ -sensitive K + -selective current with an almost linear steady-state current-voltage relationship. In cell-attached patches, the expressed channel exhibited short-lasting openings with a mean open time of ≈2 milliseconds and a unitary conductance of ≈16 pS (150 mmol/L [K + ] o ). The K + current was insensitive to intracellular Na + (50 mmol/L), Ca 2+ (0.1 mmol/L), H + (pH 6.4), and arachidonic acid (10 μmol/L) in inside-out patches. Thus, the current flowing through the channel may contribute to the cardiac cellular electrical activity as a linear background K + conductance. Therefore, we designated the clone cTBAK (cardiac two-pore background K + channel).
Peroxynitrite is not a major mediator of endothelial cell injury by activated neutrophils in vitro
Authors: Z Su
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1998)

Objective: Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) produce nitric oxide (NO), superoxide (O·−2) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) upon stimulation. We investigated the role of ONOO− in PMN-induced injury to cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Methods: BAEC were cocultured with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-activated human PMN (effector-to-target ratio, 10:1) and injury to BAEC was evaluated at intervals by 51Cr release assay. The levels of NO, O·−2, ONOO− and nitrotyrosine, a reaction product of ONOO−, were also measured, and the influence of NO synthase inhibitors, O·−2 and hydroxyl radical scavengers and other effectors was examined. Results: In BAEC cocultured with PMA-activated PMN, 51Cr release was significantly increased [14.6±2.2% at 2 h (p<0.05) and 42.6±2.7% at 4 h (p<0.01); control (nonactivated PMN), <4%]. Superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml) reduced 51Cr release to 4.6±2.2% at 2 h (p<0.05). N-Iminoethyl-l-ornithine (l-NIO, 0.1 mM) potentiated 51Cr release (30.6±3.8% at 2 h, p<0.01), and the potentiation was eliminated by anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody. The 51Cr release was completely prevented by dimethyl sulfoxide or by deferoxamine. Treatment of PMN with l-NIO inhibited NO generation and increased O·−2 production. The nitrotyrosine level did not increase in BAEC cocultured with PMA-activated PMN. Conclusion: NO-derived ONOO− is not a major cytotoxic mediator in BAEC injury by activated PMN. NO may have a cytoprotective effect by inhibiting PMN adherence to endothelial cells.
Nursing Homes: Suggestions for Action
Authors: Pierre Salmon
Journal: JAMA (1966)

In carrying out the process of utilization review, the ability of physicians to make judgments must of necessity be exercised in an orderly and reproducible way. Five methods of accomplishing this in extendedcare facilities have been suggested. Each has advantages and it is probable that all methods have been put into practice, or will be put into practice, at some place or places within the country at some time or other. None is offered as the final answer to the many vexing questions.  The Five Methods  First Suggestion.—  This takes advantage of progress already made by acute hospitals in their continuing assessment of performance, an activity which has been going on for almost half a century and has evolved into a fairly satisfactory procedure. However, even after 50 years, the evaluation mechanism is largely one of judgment, with quantification of measurable items of secondary importance. The accreditation program of the
Effect of acid etching on marginal adaptation of mineral trioxide aggregate to apical dentin: microcomputed tomography and scanning electron microscopy analysis
Authors: Khalid Al-Fouzan, Ziad Al-Garawi, Khalid Al-Hezaimi, Fawad Javed, Thakib Al-Shalan, Ilan Rotstein
Journal: International Journal of Oral Science (2012)

The present investigation assessed the effect of acid etching on marginal adaptation of white- and gray-colored mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to apical dentin using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sixty-four extracted single-rooted human maxillary teeth were used. Following root-end resection and apical preparation, the teeth were equally divided into four groups according to the following root end filling materials: (i) white-colored MTA (WMTA), (ii) etched WMTA (EWMTA), (iii) gray-colored MTA (GMTA) and (iv) etched GMTA (EGMTA). After 48 h, the interface between root-end filling materials and the dentinal walls was assessed using micro-CT and SEM. Data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests. Micro-CT analysis revealed gap volumes between the apical cavity dentin walls and EGMTA, GMTA, EWMTA and WMTA of (0.007 1±0.004) mm3, (0.053±0.002) mm3, (0.003 6±0.001) mm3 and (0.005 9±0.002) mm3 respectively. SEM analysis revealed gap sizes for EGMTA, WMTA, EWMTA and GMTA to be (492.3±13.8) µm, (594.5±17.12) µm, (543.1±15.33) µm and (910.7±26.2) µm respectively. A significant difference in gap size between root end preparations filled with GMTA and EGMTA was found (P<0.05). No significance difference in gap size between WMTA and EWMTA were found in either SEM or micro-CT analysis. In conclusion, pre-etching of apical dentin can provide a better seal for GMTA but not for WMTA. Acid etching of tooth root surfaces could improve the adhesion of surgical filling materials, according to research from Saudi Arabia and the United States. Khalid Al-Hezaimi at King Saud University and colleagues studied the adhesion of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), which is used to fill the ends of tooth roots after infected tissue has been removed. MTA comes in both white and gray colors. The researchers applied MTA to root cavities in 64 extracted human teeth, half of which had been pre-treated by etching with phosphoric acid. They then used microcomputed tomography and scanning electron microscopy to measure the sizes of gaps between the MTA and the root. This showed that the acid pre-etching helped to improve the adhesion of gray MTA, but not white—a finding the researchers attribute to chemical and structural differences between the two colors.
Spironolactone and Hepatic Toxicity
Authors: Pascal Renkes
Journal: JAMA (1995)

To the Editor.  —Spironolactone (Aldactone, G. D. Searle & Co, Skokie, Ill), a diuretic that competitively inhibits aldosterone, has been used worldwide for more than 30 years. Hepatic toxicity from spironolactone is extremely rare; only one case has been reported (by Shuck et al in 19811). However, we recently observed another patient with hepatic toxicity from spironolactone in France.  A 74-year-old man treated for 7 weeks with spironolactone (50 mg/d) for moderate edema of the lower limbs was hospitalized on February 26, 1994, when he presented with cutaneous and mucosal icterus. He had no other treatment and no history of liver or biliary system disease or of blood transfusion, and daily alcohol consumption was less than 30 g. Ultrasound of the biliary tree was normal. Results of the liver biopsy showed cholestatic lesions with many biliary thrombi and overloaded centrolobular cells, the hepatocytes were somewhat damaged, and a few