tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Blood lead levels and sexual maturation in U.S. girls: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994.
Authors: Tiejian Wu, Germaine M Buck, Pauline Mendola
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2003)

Using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we assessed measures of puberty in U.S. girls in relation to blood lead levels to determine whether sexual maturation may be affected by current environmental lead exposure. The study sample included 1,706 girls 8-16 years old with pubic hair and breast development information; 1,235 girls 10-16 years old supplied information on menarche. Blood lead concentrations (range = 0.7-21.7 micro g/dL) were categorized into three levels: 0.7-2.0, 2.1-4.9, and 5.0-21.7 micro g/dL. Sexual maturation markers included self-reported attainment of menarche and physician determined Tanner stage 2 pubic hair and breast development. Girls who had not reached menarche or stage 2 pubic hair had higher blood lead levels than did girls who had. For example, among girls in the three levels of blood lead described above, the unweighted percentages of 10-year-olds who had attained Tanner stage 2 pubic hair were 60.0, 51.2, and 44.4%, respectively, and for girls 12 years old who reported reaching menarche, the values were 68.0, 44.3, and 38.5%, respectively. The negative relation of blood lead levels with attainment of menarche or stage 2 pubic hair remained significant in logistic regression even after adjustment for race/ethnicity, age, family size, residence in metropolitan area, poverty income ratio, and body mass index. In conclusion, higher blood lead levels were significantly associated with delayed attainment of menarche and pubic hair among U.S. girls, but not with breast development.
Mildly oxidized LDL induces an increased apolipoprotein J/paraoxonase ratio.
Authors: M Navab, S Hama-Levy, B J Van Lenten, G C Fonarow, C J Cardinez, L W Castellani, M L Brennan, A J Lusis, A M Fogelman, B N La Du
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1997)

We have examined the effects of mildly oxidized LDL and atherosclerosis on the levels of two proteins associated with HDL; apolipoprotein J (apoJ), and paraoxonase (PON). On an atherogenic diet, PON activity decreased by 52%, and apoJ levels increased 2.8-fold in fatty streak susceptible mice, C57BL/6J (BL/6), but not in fatty streak resistant mice, C3H/HeJ (C3H). Plasma PON activity was also significantly decreased, and apoJ levels were markedly increased in apolipoprotein E knockout mice on the chow diet, resulting in a 9.2-fold increase in the apoJ/PON ratio as compared to controls. Furthermore, a dramatic increase in the apoJ/PON ratio (over 100-fold) was observed in LDL receptor knockout mice when they were fed a 0.15%-cholesterol-enriched diet. Injection of mildly oxidized LDL (but not native LDL) into BL/6 mice (but not in C3H mice) on a chow diet resulted in a 59% decrease in PON activity (P < 0.01) and a 3.6-fold increase in apoJ levels (P < 0.01). When an acute phase reaction was induced in rabbits, or the rabbits were placed on an atherogenic diet, hepatic mRNA for apoJ was increased by 2.7-fold and 2.8-fold, respectively. Treatment of HepG2 cells in culture with mildly oxidized LDL (but not native LDL) resulted in reduced mRNA levels for PON (3.0-fold decrease) and increased mRNA levels for apoJ (2.0-fold increase). In normolipidemic patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease who did not have diabetes and were not on lipid-lowering medication (n = 14), the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio was 3.1+/-0.9 as compared to 2.9+/-0.4 in the controls (n = 19). This difference was not statistically significant. In contrast, the apoJ/PON ratio was 3.0+/-0.4 in the patients compared to 0.72+/-0.2 in the controls (P < 0.009). In a subset of these normolipidemic patients (n = 5), the PON activity was low (48+/-6.6 versus 98+/-17 U/ml for controls; P < 0.009), despite similar normal HDL levels, and the HDL from these patients failed to protect against LDL oxidation in co-cultures of human artery wall cells. We conclude that: (a) mildly oxidized LDL can induce an increased apoJ/PON ratio, and (b) the apoJ/PON ratio may prove to be a better predictor of atherosclerosis than the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio.
Hydroxychloroquine in polymorphic light eruption: a controlled trial with drug and visual sensitivity monitoring
Authors: G.M. MURPHY, J.L.M. HAWK, I.A. MAGNUS
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1987)

A double‐blind controlled trial of oral hydroxychloroquine (HC) treatment in polymorphic light eruption (PLE) was completed in 13 patients on active treatment and 15 on placebo during June, July and August 1982. HC dose was 400 mg daily for the first month and 200 mg daily thereafter. Exposure to ambient solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) was monitored throughout the trial by polysulphone film lapel badges. Patients scored their symptoms on a visual analogue scale. Drug concentration was monitored in plasma and hair, and oculotoxicity was assessed by visual contrast sensitivity. Moderate clinical improvement occurreds associated with a statistically significant improvement in skin rash (P < 0.01).
Fiber-Feeding and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Thomas J. Bassler
Journal: JAMA (1976)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> Dr Vaisrub (235:182, 1976) correctly questions the logic of taking one factor (bran intake) from the life-style of native villagers and attempting to alter urban disease patterns with it. Western man should adopt as much of the native life-style as he can if he wants to be successful in avoiding city diseases. We advocate the life-style of the marathon runner (231:23, 1975), which does include increased dietary fiber intake. However, it also includes high daily mileage on foot (in the range of 10 to 15 km/day) and avoidance of tobacco. The index of success is the 42km hike. Thus far, those reaching this level of fitness appear immune to atherosclerosis. We agree that the effects of bran alone lack aesthetic appeal and are unlikely to stir the imagination. However, the entire life-style results in the ability to cover great distances on foot, and this does excite many cardiac
A Low Brain Serotonergic Neurotransmission in Children With Type 1 Diabetes Detected Through the Intensity Dependence of Auditory-Evoked Potentials
Authors: G. Manjarrez
Journal: Diabetes Care (2006)

<b>OBJECTIVE</b>—To determine in children with type 1 diabetes the plasma free fraction of l-tryptophan (FFT) and the intensity-dependent auditory-evoked potentials (IDAEPs) as indicators of possible changes in brain serotonergic neurotransmission. <b>RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS</b>—A prospective and comparative study was performed in children with type 1 diabetes and normal control subjects. We measured FFT, bound and total plasma l-tryptophan, neutral amino acids (NAAs), albumin, free fatty acids (FFAs), glucose, and HbA<sub>1c</sub>(A1C) and recorded IDAEPs with four intensities (40, 60, 90, and 103 dB). <b>RESULTS</b>—The glycemia, A1C, FFAs, and NAAs in plasma were significantly elevated. The FFT and the FFT-to-total l-tryptophan and FFT-to-NAA ratios were reduced. The latencies of N1 and P2 increased at all intensities and the slope of the amplitude/stimulus intensity function (ASF slope) of the N1/P2 component significantly increased. <b>CONCLUSIONS</b>—The decrease of the FFT in plasma and increase in the N1/P2 component amplitude may reflect a functional relationship between the brain serotonergic activity with the N1/P2 changes. The increase of the ASF slope in children with type 1 diabetes suggests that the response of the auditory cortex to sound intensity stimulus may be regulated by the serotonergic tone and that decreased serotonergic neurotransmission may provoke a different behavior of sensory cortices. Therefore, the IDAEP (N1/P2 component) may be an electrophysiological indicator of brain changes of serotonergic neurotransmission in children with type 1 diabetes. These changes may be related to psychoemotional manifestations observed in diabetic children such as anxiety and depression.
Intestinal Macrocytic Anaemia
Authors: G. M. Watson, L. J. Witts
Journal: BMJ (1952)

tBRor 13 taken together in the two surveys.A separate analysis for the three kinds of school is also given, but with few excep- tions the differences between them were not large.A total of 14.6% of the teeth in 1947 were carious, whereas for 1950 the figure was 13.9%.Comparative figures for caries incidence in other groups of children are given.Only small differences were found between the two surveys as regards the amount of caries in the different types of teeth, but in 1950 more upper incisors and fewer first molars were carious than in the first survey.The amount of treatment (fillings and extractions) which the teeth had received is briefly considered.An overall reduction of 5% was noted in 1950 as compared with 1947.Some degree of gingivitis was found to occur in 73.7% of the children examined in 1947 and in 85.1% of those seen in 1950.That this is a common finding in this age group is substantiated by figures for other surveys.Tartar deposits were frequently found, and there appeared to be some relation between the amount of tartar and the incidence and extent of gingivitis.We wish to thank the London County Council and Sir Allen Daley for permission to carry out the inspections, and we are much indebted to the head teachers and staffs of the schools for
Retinoic Acid–related Orphan Receptor-α Is Induced in the Setting of DNA Damage and Promotes Pulmonary Emphysema
Authors: Ying Shi, Jiaofei Cao, Jane Gao, Liang Zheng, Andrew Goodwin, Chang Hyoek An, Avignat Patel, Janet S. Lee, Steven R. Duncan, Naftali Kaminski, Kusum V. Pandit, Ivan O. Rosas, Augustine M. K. Choi, Danielle Morse
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2012)

The discovery that retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (Rora)-α is highly expressed in lungs of patients with COPD led us to hypothesize that Rora may contribute to the pathogenesis of emphysema.To determine the role of Rora in smoke-induced emphysema.Cigarette smoke extract in vitro and elastase or cigarette smoke exposure in vivo were used to model smoke-related cell stress and airspace enlargement. Lung tissue from patients undergoing lung transplantation was examined for markers of DNA damage and Rora expression.Rora expression was induced by cigarette smoke in mice and in cell culture. Gene expression profiling of Rora-null mice exposed to cigarette smoke demonstrated enrichment for genes involved in DNA repair. Rora expression increased and Rora translocated to the nucleus after DNA damage. Inhibition of ataxia telangiectasia mutated decreased the induction of Rora. Gene silencing of Rora attenuated apoptotic cell death in response to cigarette smoke extract, whereas overexpression of Rora enhanced apoptosis. Rora-deficient mice were protected from elastase and cigarette smoke induced airspace enlargement. Finally, lungs of patients with COPD showed evidence of increased DNA damage even in the absence of active smoking.Taken together, these findings suggest that DNA damage may contribute to the pathogenesis of emphysema, and that Rora has a previously unrecognized role in cellular responses to genotoxicity. These findings provide a potential link between emphysema and features of premature ageing, including enhanced susceptibility to lung cancer.
Three Facets of Sexual Differentiation
Authors: Daniel D. Federman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2004)

Sexual reproduction requires three types of differentiation: gonadal for the production of gametes, genital for the conveyance of gametes to a point of fertilization, and behavioral for the urge to behave sexually. Two articles in this issue of the Journal illuminate several of these steps.MacLaughlin and Donahoe (pages 367–378) provide a current view of the genetics of gonadal development, describing genes that are responsible for the formation of the urogenital ridge and the migration of germ cells to it, resulting in the formation of a bipotential gonad (see Figure). Defects in the genes that are involved in this process . . .
Novel antibody markers of unstable atherosclerotic lesions
Authors: Donald B. Bloch, Thomas J. Wang, Robert E. Gerszten
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2008)

Detection of autoantibodies in human serum assists in the diagnosis of patients with autoimmune diseases. Diagnostic antibody signatures have also been proposed for colon, pancreatic, and breast cancers. In this issue of the JCI, Cleutjens et al. describe the application of a peptide array technique toward the development of antibody biomarkers of ruptured atherosclerotic lesions (see the related article beginning on page 2979). A phage-display library was prepared from mRNA derived from ruptured peripheral human atherosclerotic plaques, and the phages containing immunoreactive peptides were screened with serum from patients with ruptured atherosclerotic lesions. Antibodies reacting with 2 peptides, E1 and E12, were particularly sensitive for the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Further studies that include an adequate number of patients presenting very early after the onset of symptoms and additional control patient populations are warranted to compare the utility of these biomarkers to those in clinical use.
Capillary Microaneurysms in the Human Diabetic Heart
Authors: Stephen M. Factor, Ellen M. Okun, Takashi Minase
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1980)

RETINAL microaneurysms and thickening of the capillary basement membrane are the hallmarks of diabetic small-vessel disease.1 2 3 4 Microaneurysms of retinal vessels in patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus4 contribute to the development of diabetic proliferative retinitis and subsequent visual impairment.5 Although generally not as well known, microaneurysms have also been described in glomerular capillaries.6 , 7 Paradoxically, although thickening and proliferation of the capillary basement membrane in diabetic patients is a generalized phenomenon described in many organs, including the heart,2 , 8 9 10 diabetic capillary microaneurysms have not been reported in organs other than the eye and kidney.During a post-mortem injection study of the human cardiac . . .
Obstetrics in Alaska
Authors: Milo H. Fritz
Journal: JAMA (1966)

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> Greetings from Kodiak, where I try to catch up on the medical literature. InThe Journalfor May 16, on page 664, Drs. Queenan, Anderson, and Mead missed immortality by not reporting the pregnancy of the 5 lb 11 oz boy who was delivered by caesarean section. Pregnancies among girls of this size must be pretty rare, but think of the sensation that a pregnant boy, in utero at that, would have caused! It is to be regretted that these authors did not say what the boy was delivered of by caesarean section. On page 671, a summary description of a film entitled "Emergency Childbirth" suggests that another infant had become pregnant. Happily, the producer of the film, realizing the rarity of this phenomenon, apparently got it recorded. It says in the review that the film was designed to prepare amateurs so that they can render assistance
Correction: Amikacin and Creatinine Clearance
Authors: LESTER A. TEMKIN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1980)

Letters and Corrections1 November 1980Correction: Amikacin and Creatinine ClearanceLESTER A. TEMKIN, B.S., WILLIAM W. MCCLOSKEY, PHARM.D.LESTER A. TEMKIN, B.S.Search for more papers by this author, WILLIAM W. MCCLOSKEY, PHARM.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-93-5-784_4 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: The article "Amikacin Serum Concentrations; Prediction of Levels and Dosage Guidelines" (1) is routinely referred to for determining appropriate dosages for aminoglycoside antibiotics. In their study, the authors calculate creatinine clearance by a modification of the method of Cockcroft and Gault (2) that incorporates a standard ideal body weight of 70 kg: C(c) cr male = 140 - ageserum creatinine.The authors provide a convenient dosing chart for aminoglycosides in Figure 4 of their article. However, the formula for creatinine clearance is erroneously reproduced in the chart asC(c) cr male = 140 - age/serum creatinine.If...References1. SARUBBIHULL FJ. Amikacin serum concentrations: prediction of levels and dosage guidelines. Ann Intern Med. 1978;89(Part 1):612-8. LinkGoogle Scholar2. COCKCROFTGAULT DM. Prediction of creatinine clearance from serum creatinine. Nephron. 1976;16:31-41. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar1. SARUBBIHULL FJ. Amikacin serum concentrations: prediction of levels and dosage guidelines. Ann Intern Med. 1978;89(Part 1):612-8. LinkGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Rhode Island Hospital Providence, RI 02902 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 November 1980Volume 93, Issue 5Page: 784-784KeywordsAntibioticsAttentionBody weightChartsCreatinine ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1980 PDF downloadLoading ...
Widespread expression of parathyroid hormone-related peptide in melanocytic cells
Authors: T. Kageshita, T. Ishihara, H. Tokuo, Y. Funasaka, M. Ichihashi, J. Dong, M. Nakajima, T. Ono
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2003)

Summary Background Parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (PTH‐rP) was associated with the syndrome of hypercalcaemia of malignancy. An increased serum level of PTH‐rP could occur in patients with advanced melanoma. Objectives We examined PTH‐rP expression in cultured melanocytic cell lines and in lesions of melanocytic origin for associations with clinicopathological variables of disease progression. We measured the supernatant and cell lysate level of PTH‐rP in cultured melanoma cells to clarify whether melanoma cells secrete PTH‐rP. Methods PTH‐rP expression was examined by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) in cultured melanocytic cell lines and by immunoperoxidase staining in 18 melanocytic naevi, 40 primary melanoma and 19 metastatic melanoma lesions. The supernatant level of PTH‐rP was measured with an immunoradiometric assay. Results RT–PCR products of PTH‐rP mRNA were detected in six of eight melanoma cell lines; however, neither naevus cells nor melanocytes showed positive products. On the other hand, immunohistochemical analysis showed that PTH‐rP was widely expressed both in benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. In addition, PTH‐rP expression was not associated with any clinicopathological variables. Cell lysate but not the supernatant of melanoma cells showed high PTH‐rP levels. Conclusions These results suggest that PTH‐rP was widely expressed in melanocytic cells; however, the cells did not secrete PTH‐rP.
Investigation of outbreaks of salmonella in hospitals.
Authors: S R Palmer, B Rowe
Journal: BMJ (1983)

In a two year prospective survey of outbreaks of salmonella infection in hospitals in England and Wales 55 outbreaks were identified. Reports of investigation of these outbreaks were reviewed for evidence of food borne infection and cross infection. Food borne infection probably accounted for only six outbreaks, but these made up 40% of the 15 outbreaks in which there were more than five patients and staff with symptoms. Person to person transmission was the probable mode of spread in most outbreaks. It is recommended that in addition to bacteriological investigations clinical and epidemiological data should be collected to implicate food or other possible common vehicles of infection. Bacteriological screening of patients and staff who do not have symptoms may be unrewarding in the absence of epidemiological data to define groups at risk of infection.
A 2-year dose-response study of lesion sequences during hepatocellular carcinogenesis in the male B6C3F(1) mouse given the drinking water chemical dichloroacetic acid.
Authors: Julia H Carter, Harry W Carter, James A Deddens, Bernadette M Hurst, Michael H George, Anthony B DeAngelo
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2002)

Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) is carcinogenic to the B6C3F(1) mouse and the F344 rat. Given the carcinogenic potential of DCA in rodent liver and the known concentrations of this compound in drinking water, reliable biologically based models to reduce the uncertainty of risk assessment for human exposure to DCA are needed. Development of such models requires identification and quantification of premalignant hepatic lesions, identification of the doses at which these lesions occur, and determination of the likelihood that these lesions will progress to cancer. In this study we determined the dose response of histopathologic changes occurring in the livers of mice exposed to DCA (0.05-3.5 g/L) for 26-100 weeks. Lesions were classified as foci of cellular alteration smaller than one liver lobule (altered hepatic foci; AHF), foci of cellular alteration larger than one liver lobule (large foci of cellular alteration; LFCA), adenomas (ADs), or carcinomas (CAs). Histopathologic analysis of 598 premalignant lesions revealed that (a)) each lesion class had a predominant phenotype; (b)) AHF, LFCA, and AD demonstrated neoplastic progression with time; and (c)) independent of DCA dose and length of exposure effects, some toxic/adaptive changes in non-involved liver were related to this neoplastic progression. A lesion sequence for carcinogenesis in male B6C3F(1) mouse liver has been proposed that will enable development of a biologically based mathematical model for DCA. Because all classes of premalignant lesions and CAs were found at both lower and higher doses, these data are consistent with the conclusion that nongenotoxic mechanisms, such as negative selection, are relevant to DCA carcinogenesis at lower doses where DCA genotoxicity has not been observed.
AURAL INFESTATION WITH SCREW WORMS
Authors: Frederick Myles Turnbull
Journal: JAMA (1942)

The odor of decomposition is present in the discharges of many natural orifices, particularly if there is an accompanying suppuration. Stitt<sup>1</sup>points out that most flies instinctively deposit their eggs or larvae where there is the odor of decaying animal matter. A very common finding, especially in warm climates, is that of fly larvae in the auditory meatus when there is otitis media and in the nasal cavity when ozena exists. Sarcophagic flies are widely distributed throughout the world, and during war they are an important scourge, their larvae having been found in the wounds and body cavities of man. On the American continent the fly Cochliomyia americana (syn. hominivorax) is common, and the larvae are rarely found in dead and decaying flesh feeding as saprophytes but are a sociated with wounds in living animals.<sup>2</sup>These flies are usually primary invaders and cause extensive destruction of living tissue.