tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Potential hazards of intraoperative cholangiography in patients with infected bile
Authors: G S Mcintosh
Journal: Gut (1983)

Potential hazards of intraoperative cholangiography in patients with infected bile SIR,-I write to comment on this interesting article by N J Lygidakis (Gut 1982; 23: 1015-8).I do not feel that the suggested conclusions drawn from the study are substantiated by the facts presented.Firstly, the trial had a totally non-randomised selection method thereby not allowing true compar- ability between the groups.Secondly, the post- operative bacteraemia incidence is higher in the group who received the uncontrolled pressure chol- angiography.It is stated that in this group the 'injection pressure was high'.There is no mention in the article of any pressure measurements being undertaken in this group.Were the pressures recorded or is it just an assumption that the pressure was high?The value of any prophylactic antibiotic regime is that it results in therapeutic drug levels in the tissues and circulation at the time when bacteria are inoculated into the operation site.That 80% of the organisms isolated on blood cultures were sensitive to the combination of antibiotics used surely indicates tht insufficient drug was present in the blood at that time.This is a failure of the dosage and timing of administration, not the drugs themselves.Despite these criticisms the article raises the important question of pressure at cholangiography, but surely firm conclusions can only be drawn from a randomised trial with pressure measurements recorded in each group.
Cancer becomes public health priority for Europe
Authors: R Watson
Journal: BMJ (1994)

The European Commission has selected the fight against cancer as the first priority of the new European Union (EU) public health policy endorsed by the Maastricht treaty. Building on the experience of two previous action plans against cancer, the social affairs commissioner, Padraig Flynn, last month proposed a five year, 64 million ecu (pounds sterling53m) programme that will start on 1 January. The strategy will follow a careful line between ultimate national responsibility for health issues and the benefits that can be gained from encouraging cooperation among EU countries.

Five key areas are highlighted. The most important innovation is emphasis on the …
Regionalization and the Underuse of Angiography in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System as Compared with a Fee-for-Service System
Authors: Laura A. Petersen, Sharon-Lise T. Normand, Lucian L. Leape, Barbara J. McNeil
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2003)

Policies to concentrate or regionalize invasive procedures at high-volume medical centers are under active consideration. Such policies could improve outcomes among those who undergo procedures while increasing their underuse among those who never reach such centers. We compared the underuse of needed angiography after acute myocardial infarction in a traditional Medicare fee-for-service system with underuse in the regionalized Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.We studied 1665 veterans from 81 VA hospitals and 19,305 Medicare patients from 1530 non-VA hospitals, all of whom were elderly men. We compared adjusted angiography use and one-year mortality among patients for whom angiography was rated as clinically needed. We compared underuse in models before and after controlling for the on-site availability of cardiac procedures.After adjustment for the need for angiography, underuse was present in both groups, but VA patients remained significantly less likely than Medicare patients to undergo angiography (43.9 percent vs. 51.0 percent; odds ratio, 0.75; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.57 to 0.96). After also controlling for on-site availability of cardiac procedures at the admitting hospital, we found no significant difference in the underuse of angiography among VA patients as compared with Medicare patients (odds ratio, 1.02; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.82 to 1.26) or in one-year mortality (odds ratio, 1.08; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.89 to 1.28).There is underuse of needed angiography after acute myocardial infarction in both the VA and Medicare systems, but the rate of underuse is significantly higher in the VA. These differences appear to be associated with limited on-site availability of cardiac procedures in the regionalized VA health care system. Further work should focus on how regionalization policies could be improved with effective referral and triage processes.
Proposal for a "floor price" for alcohol could make drinks cheaper, say critics
Authors: B. Christie
Journal: BMJ (2010)

A ban on low cost alcohol sales needs to be introduced across the UK to reduce the damage caused by overconsumption, says an independent commission set up by the Scottish Labour Party.

The commission recommends that a “floor price” be set for alcohol sales based on the combined cost of production, duty and value added tax (VAT). It rejected the Scottish government’s proposal that a minimum unit price should be set for alcohol saying there is no convincing evidence that such an approach would be effective. It would be difficult to introduce different pricing structures across the UK, claims the commission.

On 2 September the Scottish government announced it would …
Identification and expression of acid beta-glucosidase mutations causing severe type 1 and neurologic type 2 Gaucher disease in non-Jewish patients.
Authors: M E Grace, R J Desnick, G M Pastores
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1997)

Gaucher disease, the most prevalent lysosomal storage disease, occurs in three subtypes, all resulting from mutations in the acid beta-glucosidase gene. Molecular studies in five severely affected type 1 and two type 2 Gaucher disease patients of non-Jewish descent identified six new mutations: K74X, W179X, G195E, S271N, V352L, and a two-base deletion in exon 10 (1450del2). Two additional mutations identified in these patients (R48W and G202R) have been reported previously, but were not expressed or characterized. Heterologous expression in Sf 9 cells using the baculovirus system revealed that the missense mutations, R48W and V352L, had 14 and 7%, respectively, of the specific activity based on cross-reacting immunologic material expressed by the normal allele. In contrast, the G195E, G202R, and S271N mutant alleles were more severely compromised with only 1-2% of the normal expressed specific activity based on cross-reacting immunologic material. Structural distortion at the active site was probed by comparing the interaction of the mutant enzymes with active site-directed inhibitors (castanospermine, conduritol B epoxide and deoxynojirimycin). R48W, G202R, and S271N were normally inhibited, whereas the V352L and G195E mutant enzymes had significantly decreased binding affinity. These mutations further expand the genetic heterogeneity in the lesions causing Gaucher disease types 1 and 2, and further delineate genotype/phenotype correlations and functional domains within the acid beta-glucosidase gene.
A Malaria Parasite Formin Regulates Actin Polymerization and Localizes to the Parasite-Erythrocyte Moving Junction during Invasion
Authors: Jake Baum, Christopher J. Tonkin, Aditya S. Paul, Melanie Rug, Brian J. Smith, Sven B. Gould, Dave Richard, Thomas D. Pollard, Alan F. Cowman
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe (2008)
Abstract 10852: Sitagliptin Reduces Myocardial Fibrosis and Hypertrophy, Enhances Ppard Activation and Improves Diastolic Function in Experimental Type-2 Diabetes.
Authors: Oscar Lorenzo, Belén Picatoste, Sara Ares, Elisa Ramírez, Jesús Egido, Alicia Caro, José Tuñón
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Aim: To study the role of Sitagliptin in cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy associated to type-II Diabetes (DM2) Background: Major characteristics of the DM2 myocardium are fibrosis and hypertrophy, ...
Anti–Laminin-332 Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid Developing After a Diphtheria Tetanus Vaccination
Authors: Tanya Sezin, Ella Egozi, Wissam Hillou, Emily Avitan-Hersh, Reuven Bergman
Journal: JAMA Dermatology (2013)

<h3>Importance</h3> Bullous pemphigoid (BP) has been previously described to develop after vaccination in 26 patients. Immunoblotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), which were performed for 7 of these patients, have always shown circulating autoantibodies against BP180 and/or BP230 antigens. A case of anti–laminin-332 mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) that developed shortly after a diphtheria tetanus vaccination is described, with a review of the literature on postvaccination BP. <h3>Observations</h3> A 29-year-old man developed an acute eruption of oral and cutaneous blisters and erosions 2 days after receiving a diphtheria tetanus vaccination. The histopathological, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescent, ELISA, and immunoblotting assay results were compatible with anti–laminin-332 MMP. The serum autoantibodies reacted with the α3 and β3 subunits of laminin-332. The disease was controlled by administering a combination of glucocorticosteroids and dapsone. <h3>Conclusions and Relevance</h3> The development of acute MMP shortly after a diphtheria tetanus vaccination may have been serendipitous, a result of a nonspecific bystander activation of the immune system, or due to structural mimicry between domains of the toxoid molecule and a subunit of laminin-332.
THE PSYCHIATRIST LOOKS AT PROFESSIONAL COURTESY
Authors: ALFRED AUERBACK
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1962)

In treating a physician or a member of his family the psychiatrist should decide the basis for extending professional courtesy (no fee or reduced charge) upon the specific circumstances of the individual case. Generally psychiatrists do not charge for the diagnostic workup or for short term therapy. If long term therapy is indicated the matter should be discussed and a mutual agreement reached before undertaking treatment. In many cases prolonged treatment without charge may be conducive to poor therapeutic results owing to negative feelings in both the patient and therapist. Professional courtesy may be a barrier to good medical treatment, in many cases causing delay in seeking medical help and producing negative feelings on the part of the patient and the treating physician. Insurance coverage for medical care would permit an adequate recompense being given without embarrassment to either party. The present philosophy of the AMA that physicians are unethical if they charge other physicians or their families is not in keeping with present day practices. The doctor-patient relationship is impaired and frequently good medical care does not result. While the extension of professional courtesy reflects the best traditions of medical practice, physicians should be permitted to extend it by choice rather than by fiat.
Diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis in man by serological tests.
Authors: N R Bergquist, G Stintzing, L Smedman, T Waller, T Andersson
Journal: BMJ (1984)

Une observation: enfant ne en Colombie, adopte par une famille suedoise, presentant des convulsions. Presence dans le serum d'anticorps contre encephalitozoon cuniculi. Presence de microorganismes semblables dans quelques echantillons d'urine. Plus tard un episode d'infection articulaire par le meme agent demande un traitement local. Le traitement general comprend: indomethacine, chloroquine, carbamazepine
the riddle of nature and nurture – lateralization has an epigenetic trait
Authors: martina manns
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2005)

vallortigara &amp; rogers's (v&amp;r's) proposal that directional asymmetries evolved under social pressures raises questions about the ontogenetic mechanisms subserving the alignment of asymmetries in a population. neuro-ontogenetic principles suggest that epigenetic factors are decisively involved in the determination of individual lateralization and that genetic factors align their direction. clearly, directional asymmetry has an epigenetic trait.
Equipment for the Disabled--Communication
Authors: V. Wright
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1976)

The stated aim of this issue is to excite further interest in rheumatic diseases.The editors have assembled con- tributions from France, America, Britain, and Australia which blend well together (despite the American pro- pensity for the split infinitive).Discussion of antirheumatic drug therapy takes up a major part of the book.The 're-thinking of old principles', to which the editors refer in their foreword, presumably applies particularly to the chapter on salicylates by Champion, Day, Graham, and Paull, and that on ACTH and corticosteroids by Jasani.The metabolism and effects of salicylates are outlined and the pros and cons of various salicylates are discussed.Whether it is necessary to advocate acetylsalicylic acid over sodium salicylate nowadays is debatable.Disturbance of trans- aminase levels is not mentioned.This chapter is a reminder of how in a few years prescribing habits have moved from the policies of intensive, near-toxic salicylate regimens to the present state of drug therapy when the greater acceptability to the patients of modem drugs can lead to rather sloppy prescribing habits by the doctor.Jasani takes a historical prospective on ACTH and corticosteroids in an attempt to show how our approach to these drugs has evolved.This is the longest chapter in the book and certainly revives discussion of ACTH that is not often found in recent texts.In fact, a case is made out for preferring ACTH to oral glucocorticoids.Famaey's contribution covers the mode of action of recently introduced nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of which there are now a considerable number.Reference
Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis
Authors: J. B. Christopherson
Journal: BMJ (1934)

Dr. Thorowgood is a believer, and very properly so, in the nervous origin of a great many cases of bronchial asthma.In this little volume he has discussed the various theories of that disease, and given his reasons for the faith that is in him.Having had a very long experience of the Chest Hospital, he has naturally seen a great deal of asthma, with and without bronchitis, and his chapters on treatment have, therefore, a special value.
The Absence of Oil Body Proteins in Allergenic Extract Might Be Involved in False-Negative Diagnosis of Some Peanut Allergic Patients
Authors: Marta M. Ferrer, Fernando Pineda, Gracia Javaloyes, Miguel Blanca, Ana Aranda, Francisca Gomez, Gabriel Gastaminza, Juliana de Souza, Maria L. Sanz, M Jose Goikoetxea
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2013)
Summer Olympics to be under ozone cloud
Authors: Milan Korcok
Journal: JAMA (1981)

Athletes participating in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles can expect to be bathed in much more than national honor and adulation. According to experts from California's Air Resources Board, the athletes can also expect about 2,000 tons per day of total organic gases, 1,300 tons per day of nitrogen oxides, 400 tons per day of sulfur oxides, and 1,500 tons per day of particulates to rain about their heads. These materials, when held in by high mountain rims and warmed by sunny days, are ideal for making ozone smog—the highest concentrations in the world —just in time for the Olympic season. In sketching this gritty scenario, Spencer Duckworth, assistant chief, technical services division, Air Resources Board, told the meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Bal Harbour, Fla, that during July and August, stage 1 ozone episodes (20 parts per hundred million [pphm]) occur four out
The Interpretation of Thyroid Function Tests in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: John E. Morley
Journal: JAMA (1983)

NUMEROUS studies have demonstrated a high incidence of unsuspected hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in hospitalized patients.<sup>1,2</sup>In general, thyroid dysfunction is present in 2% to 5% of short-term hospitalized subjects and patients in long— term medical or psychiatric nursing facilities. Increased awareness of this high incidence, coupled with the problem that the clinical diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction in patients with other concomitant diseases, has resulted in an increase in screening for thyroid disorders. This increase in the ordering of thyroid function tests has led to the discovery that many hospitalized patients have abnormal findings on thyroid function tests that are unrelated to underlying thyroid disorders. The purpose of this review is to describe the multiple syndromes of altered thyroid function that have been reported in hospitalized patients and to develop a simple, cost-effective approach to thyroid function screening in these patients. <h3>Low Triiodothyronine Level and Low Thyroxine Level Syndromes: The</h3>
Abstract 425: BIRD0796, p38δ inhibitor, inhibits cholangiocarcinoma cell EGI-1 migration in a p53-dependent manner
Authors: Huang Dachuan, Wong Jing Chii, Bernice Wong Huimin, Ong Choon Kiat, Ooi Aikseng, Teh Bin Tean
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a devastating cancer, which affects any area of the bile ducts. The new cases of CC have increased in the Western countries. Besides, CC is also an endemic in several Southeast Asia countries such as Thailand and Myanmar. CC is notoriously challenging to diagnose and treat. Currently, only surgical resection is associated with improvement of 5-year survival rate. However, distant metastases, extensive regional lymph node metastasis and vascular encasement or invasion preclude surgical resection. Our previous report showed that the p38δ gene expression was up-regulated in CC tumor sample as well as in CC cell lines. In this study, we further found that inhibition of p38δ by BIRD0796, a p38 δ inhibitor impaired migration ability in CC cell line EGI-1 in vitro (p = 0.006232). The result was further confirmed with p38δ siRNA knowdown (p = 0.0005) and plasmid over-expression experiments (p = 0.003). Interestingly, BIRD0796 did not exhibit similar inhibition effect on migration in TGB cells (p &amp;gt; 0.05). Analysis of p53 gene sequences revealed that there is a frame shift mutation (c.525 526insGCGC) in TGB cells but not any of functional mutation in EGI-1 cells. It indicates that the migration inhibition effect of BIRD0796 in CC metastasis may dependent on p53. Our results suggest that BIRD0796 may be a potential chemotherapeutic compound for CC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 425.
Doctors who take on leadership roles are considered to have gone over to "dark side," report says
Authors: G. Iacobucci
Journal: BMJ (2013)

The NHS must fill the vacuum in medical leadership in the health service by creating more desirable and attractive leadership roles for doctors, a new report has concluded.1

Research by the University of Birmingham’s Health Services Management Centre and the health think tank the King’s Fund aimed to provide an up to date picture of medical leadership structures in NHS trusts in England. It said that progress had been made in involving doctors in leadership roles since the Griffiths report in 1983 (the first report of its kind). But the study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research, added that …
<i>Cyclooxygenase-2</i> Is a Target Gene of Rho GDP Dissociation Inhibitor β in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Dario Schunke, Paul Span, Henrike Ronneburg, Angela Dittmer, Martina Vetter, Hans-Jürgen Holzhausen, Eva Kantelhardt, Sylke Krenkel, Volkmar Müller, Fred C.G.J. Sweep, Christoph Thomssen, Jürgen Dittmer
Journal: Cancer Research (2007)

Abstract Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor β (Rho-GDIβ), an inhibitor of Rho GTPases, is primarily expressed by hematopoietic cells but is also found in epithelial cancer cells. Recently, we have identified Rho-GDIβ as a target of the transcription factor Ets1. Here, we show that, in breast cancer cells, Ets1 regulates Rho-GDIβ expression and binds to the upstream region of the Rho-GDIβ gene. Furthermore, in primary breast cancer, Rho-GDIβ is coexpressed with Ets1. Studying the function of Rho-GDIβ in breast cancer, we found that a Rho-GDIβ–specific small interfering RNA increased cellular migration but also decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) oncogene as shown by microarray, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, and Western blot analyses. Further studies revealed that Rho-GDIβ regulates Cox-2 gene at least partly on the transcriptional level, most likely by activating nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFAT-1). Vav-1, an interaction partner of Rho-GDIβ, was also found to interfere with Cox-2 expression and NFAT-1 cellular distribution, suggesting a cooperative action of Rho-GDIβ and Vav-1 on Cox-2 expression. To explore the importance of Rho-GDIβ for the survival of breast cancer patients, two cohorts, including 263 and 117 patients, were analyzed for clinical outcome in relation to Rho-GDIβ RNA and protein levels, respectively. Expression of Rho-GDIβ was not associated with either disease-free or overall survival in the two patient population. Our data suggest that the expression of Rho-GDIβ in breast cancer is neither beneficial nor disadvantageous to the patient. This may be the net effect of two opposing activities of Rho-GDIβ, one that suppresses tumor progression by inhibiting migration and the other that stimulates it by enhancing Cox-2 expression. [Cancer Res 2007;67(22):10694–702]
How soon after myocardial infarction should plasma lipid values be assessed?
Authors: R E Ryder, T M Hayes, I P Mulligan, J C Kingswood, S Williams, D R Owens
Journal: BMJ (1984)

Because acute myocardial infarction may affect plasma lipid concentrations it is commonly recommended that assessment of these concentrations should be delayed until about three months after the acute event. A study was therefore conducted of fasting plasma lipid concentrations in 58 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Measurements were made during their stay in hospital (days 1, 2, and 9) and three months later. Triglyceride concentrations remained unchanged throughout. Values of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein all fell significantly between the first two days and day 9. Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein also showed significant falls between days 1 and 2. Nevertheless, fasting plasma lipid concentrations showed no significant difference at any time during the first 48 hours from values measured three months later. After the infarction 26 patients changed to eating less fat or less energy, or both. More patients had hypercholesterolaemia in the first 48 hours than at three months. These results suggest that lipid state may be assessed as accurately, and possibly more accurately, during the first 48 hours after acute myocardial infarction than at three months.
Posttransfusion Hepatitis After Exclusion of Commercial and Hepatitis-B Antigen-Positive Donors
Authors: HARVEY J. ALTER
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1972)

In a prospective study the exclusion of commercial blood donors and donors positive for hepatitis-B antigen (HBAg) resulted in a hepatitis frequency of only 3.7 cases/1000 units transfused. Residual posttransfusion hepatitis was caused by at least two viruses. Four of 10 cases were short incubation, HBAg negative; six cases were long incubation, HBAg positive. One patient had both diseases in sequence. Some cases of HBAg-positive hepatitis occurred despite the fact that patients received only blood that was HBAg negative by counterelectrophoresis; current tests for HBAg, including radioimmunoassay, cannot detect all donors capable of transmitting HBAg-positive hepatitis. The presence of anti-HBAg in donor blood was common and did not correlate with posttransfusion hepatitis; donors with anti-HBAg should not be excluded.