tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The risk of asthma attributable to occupational exposures. A population-based study in Spain. Spanish Group of the European Asthma Study.
Authors: M Kogevinas, J M Antó, J B Soriano, A Tobias, P Burney
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1996)

The prevalence of occupational asthma has usually been estimated from registers of cases rather than population surveys. We examined the causes and derived estimates of the risk of asthma attributable to occupational exposures in a randomly selected population of five areas of Spain. The study is part of the EC Respiratory Health Survey and comprises 2,646 subjects age 20 to 44 yr. Bronchial reactivity was determined in 1,797 subjects and atopy in 2,164. Twenty-one occupational sets were defined using information on current occupation, or in subjects reporting change of occupation due to respiratory problems, their occupation at that time. The highest risk of asthma was observed for laboratory technicians, spray painters, bakers, plastics and rubber workers, welders, and cleaners. The risk of asthma attributed to occupational exposures after adjusting for age, sex, residence, and smoking status was 5.0% when asthma was defined as "bronchial reactivity and a report of wheezing or whistling in the chest during the last 12 mo," and 6.7% when asthma was defined as "bronchial reactivity and a report of asthma-related symptoms or medication." Estimates of the attributable risk for adult onset asthma were higher. Occupational exposures constitute a substantial cause of asthma in the young adult Spanish population.
Birth Defects Linked With Specific Level of Maternal Alcohol Use, but Abstinence Still Is the Best Policy
Authors: Chris Anne
Journal: JAMA (1987)

FOR THE CHILD-TO-BE, how much of mother's drinking is too much? New data from an ongoing study indicate that the level of prenatal alcohol exposure associated with increased risk for anatomic congenital anomalies is more than four drinks per day. This cutoff off point put 2% of more than 8300 mothers in this study in the high-risk group, according to Robert J. Sokol, MD, who spoke at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists meeting in Las Vegas. The idea that there is a threshold level for alcohol-related effects remains controversial, according to Boris Tabakoff, MD, scientific director of intramural programs at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). "It is hard to talk about a threshold effect when the question is 'What effect? ' " Tabakoff said in a telephone interview. He points out that alcohol can exert numerous effects, some obvious—such as anatomic defects—others more subtle, such as
Transthyretin Predicts Cardiovascular Outcome in Hemodialysis Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Andrea Henze, Katharina M. Espe, Christoph Wanner, Vera Krane, Jens Raila, Berthold Hocher, Florian J. Schweigert, Christiane Drechsler
Journal: Diabetes Care (2012)

OBJECTIVE BMI and albumin are commonly accepted parameters to recognize wasting in dialysis patients and are powerful predictors of morbidity and mortality. However, both parameters reveal limitations and may not cover the entire range of patients with wasting. The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) may be helpful in overcoming the diagnostic and prognostic gap. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association of TTR with morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The TTR concentration was determined in plasma samples of 1,177 hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes. Cox regression analyses were used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of cardiovascular end points (CVEs) and mortality according to quartiles of TTR concentration for the total study cohort and the subgroups BMI ≥23 kg/m2, albumin concentration ≥3.8 g/dL, and a combination of both. RESULTS A low TTR concentration was associated with an increased risk for CVE for the total study cohort (HR 1.65 [95% CI 1.27–2.14]), patients with BMI ≥23 kg/m2 (1.70 [1.22–2.37]), albumin ≥3.8 g/dL (1.68 [1.17–2.42]), and the combination of both (1.69 [1.13–2.53]). Additionally, a low TTR concentration predicted mortality for the total study cohort (1.79 [1.43–2.24]) and patients with BMI ≥23 kg/m2 (1.46 [1.09–1.95]). CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrated that TTR is a useful predictor for cardiovascular outcome and mortality in diabetic hemodialysis patients. TTR was particularly useful in patients who were not identified to be at risk by BMI or albumin status.
Epidemic Infectious Disease Risks: Striving for Perspective
Authors: Roy D. Altman
Journal: JAMA (1996)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry (1919-1959) Podcasts Clinical Reviews Editors' Summary Medical News Author Interviews More JN Learning / CMESubscribeJobsInstitutions / LibrariansReprints & Permissions Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved Search All JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Forum Archive JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry Input Search Term Sign In Individual Sign In Sign inCreate an Account Access through your institution Sign In Purchase Options: Buy this article Rent this article Subscribe to the JAMA journal
Effects of atrial natriuretic factor on the vasoconstrictor actions of the renin-angiotensin system in conscious rats.
Authors: R W Lappe, J A Todt, R L Wendt
Journal: Circulation Research (1987)

Previous studies have indicated that the hypotensive effects of atrial natriuretic factor were enhanced in renin-dependent hypertensive rats, suggesting that the atrial peptides may antagonize the vasoconstrictor effects of the renin-angiotensin system. The present study was designed to define further the interaction between atrial natriuretic factor and the renin-angiotensin system by examining the hemodynamic effects of Wy-47,663, a synthetic human atrial natriuretic factor, in conscious normotensive rats, in renin-dependent (aortic-ligated) hypertensive rats, and in rats made hypertensive by chronic infusion of angiotensin II. Changes in renal and mesenteric blood flow were continuously monitored in the rats using pulsed Doppler flow probes chronically implanted in the animals one week prior to testing. Infusion of increasing doses of Wy-47,663 caused dose-dependent reductions in mean arterial pressure in all three groups of rats, but the depressor responses were significantly greater in renal hypertensive and angiotensin II-infused rats. Renal blood flow tended to increase during the infusion of the atrial peptide in the angiotensin II-treated rats, and renal vascular resistance fell significantly (-37 +/- 6%). However, Wy-47,663 significantly reduced renal blood flow in the normotensive and renal hypertensive rats, while renal vascular resistance was increased (29 +/- 6%) and unchanged (3 +/- 9%), respectively. Mesenteric blood flow was reduced significantly, and mesenteric vascular resistance was increased markedly in all three groups of rats during infusion of the atrial peptide. In a separate group of renal hypertensive rats, the hemodynamic effects of complete blockade of the renin-angiotensin system were assessed by injection of an angiotensin II converting enzyme inhibitor (Wy-44,655).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Medical students need problem solving training to improve patient safety
Authors: A. O'Dowd
Journal: BMJ (2009)

All doctors should be trained in “root cause analysis” as soon as they begin undergraduate medical training to help change the sometimes secretive culture in the profession when mistakes are made, MPs have been told.

Learning this kind of problem solving discipline early will help produce doctors who are far more likely to admit mistakes and near misses in their practice, the parliamentary Health Select Committee was told this week as part of its inquiry into patient safety.

Brian Toft, professor of patient safety at Coventry University, told the MPs, “Root cause analysis is being used, but there is evidence that the …
Patient's global assessment of disease activity and patient's assessment of general health for rheumatoid arthritis activity assessment: are they equivalent?
Authors: Nasim Ahmed Khan, Horace Jack Spencer, Essam Ahmed Abda, Rieke Alten, Christof Pohl, Codrina Ancuta, Massimiliano Cazzato, Pál Géher, Laure Gossec, Dan Henrohn, Merete Lund Hetland, Nevsun Inanc, Johannes WG Jacobs, Eduardo Kerzberg, Maria Majdan, Omondi Oyoo, Ruben A Peredo-Wende, Zahraa Ibrahim Selim, Fotini Nikolaos Skopouli, Alberto Sulli, Kim Hørslev-Petersen, Peter C Taylor, Tuulikki Sokka
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2012)

<h3>Objectives</h3> To assess (A) determinants of patient9s global assessment of disease activity (PTGL) and patient9s assessment of general health (GH) scores of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients; (B) whether they are equivalent as individual variables; and (C) whether they may be used interchangeably in calculating common RA activity assessment composite indices. <h3>Methods</h3> Data of 7023 patients from 30 countries in the Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with RA (QUEST-RA) was analysed. PTGL and GH determinants were assessed by mixed-effects analyses of covariance models. PTGL and GH equivalence was determined by Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement (BALOA) and Lin9s coefficient of concordance (LCC). Concordance between PTGL and GH based Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) indices were calculated using LCC, and the level of agreement in classifying RA activity in four states (remission, low, moderate, high) using κ statistics. <h3>Results</h3> Significant differences in relative and absolute contribution of RA and non-RA related variables in PTGL and GH ratings were noted. LCC of 0.64 and BALOA of −4.41 to 4.54 showed that PTGL and GH are not equivalent. There was excellent concordance (LCC 0.95–0.99) for PTGL and GH based DAS28, CDAI and RAPID3 indices, and &gt;80% absolute agreement (κ statistics 0.75–0.84) in RA activity state classification for all three indices. <h3>Conclusions</h3> PTGL and GH ratings differ in their determinants. Although they are individually not equivalent, they may be used interchangeably for calculating composite indices for RA activity assessment.
Optical Mapping of Arrhythmias Induced by Strong Electrical Shocks in Myocyte Cultures
Authors: Vladimir G. Fast, Eric R. Cheek
Journal: Circulation Research (2002)

Strong electrical shocks can induce arrhythmias, which might explain why shocks fail to defibrillate. In this work, the localization of arrhythmia source and the relationship with local changes of transmembrane potential (V m ) were determined in geometrically defined cell cultures using optical mapping technique. Uniform-field shocks with strength (E) of 10 to 50 V/cm were applied across cell strands with width of 0.2 and 0.8 mm. The threshold for arrhythmia induction was dependent on the strand width: in the 0.8- and 0.2-mm strands, arrhythmias were induced at E≥20.6±1.8 V/cm (n=8) and E≥30.3±1.8 V/cm (n=8), respectively. At the same shock strength, the arrhythmia rate and duration were larger in the wider strands. During shocks that induced arrhythmias, the V m waveforms on the anodal side revealed a positive V m shift that followed the initial large hyperpolarization and postshock elevation of the diastolic V m . These V m changes were absent during failed shocks. To determine the localization of the arrhythmia source, arrhythmias were induced in narrow cell strands containing regions of local expansion. Optical mapping of the first extrabeat with a coupling interval of 315±60 ms revealed that in the majority of cases (9 out of 13) the source of arrhythmias was localized in the areas of shock-induced hyperpolarization. Thus, (1) induction of postshock arrhythmias, their rate, and their duration strongly depend on the tissue structure; (2) arrhythmia induction coincides with the appearance of a positive V m shift in the areas of hyperpolarization; and (3) the source of postshock arrhythmias is located in the areas of shock-induced hyperpolarization.
SIRT2 Regulates LPS-Induced Renal Tubular CXCL2 and CCL2 Expression
Authors: Yu Jin Jung, Ae Sin Lee, Tung Nguyen-Thanh, Dal Kim, Kyung Pyo Kang, Sik Lee, Sung Kwang Park, Won Kim
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2014)

Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2), a NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase, is involved in carcinogenesis and genomic instability and modulates proinflammatory immune responses. However, its role in renal inflammatory injury has not been demonstrated. In this study, we explored the expression patterns of CXCL2 and CCL2 in kidney tissue from Sirt2−/− and Sirt2+/+ mice and in mouse proximal tubular epithelial (MPT) cells. CXCL2 and CCL2 were significantly downregulated at both the mRNA and the protein levels in kidneys of LPS-treated Sirt2−/− mice compared with those of LPS-treated Sirt2+/+ mice. Furthermore, SIRT2 deficiency ameliorated LPS-induced infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, acute tubular injury, and decrease of renal function. Supporting these observations, CXCL2 and CCL2 expression levels were lower in MPT cells treated with SIRT2-siRNA than in cells treated with control-siRNA, and adenovirus-mediated overexpression of SIRT2 in MPT cells significantly increased the LPS-induced expression of CXCL2 and CCL2 at the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, SIRT2 interacted with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), and SIRT2-knockdown increased the acetylation of MKP-1 and suppressed the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in LPS-treated MPT cells. SIRT2 also regulated p65 binding to the promoters of CXCL2 and CCL2. Taken together, these findings indicate that SIRT2 is associated with expression of renal CXCL2 and CCL2 and that regulation of SIRT2 might be an important therapeutic target for renal inflammatory injury.
Device for Young Diabetics
Authors: Jr Lester M. Crawford
Journal: JAMA (2002)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry (1919-1959) Podcasts Clinical Reviews Editors' Summary Medical News Author Interviews More JN Learning / CMESubscribeJobsInstitutions / LibrariansReprints & Permissions Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved Search All JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Forum Archive JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry Input Search Term Sign In Individual Sign In Sign inCreate an Account Access through your institution Sign In Purchase Options: Buy this article Rent this article Subscribe to the JAMA journal
Epidemiology of osteoarthritis: Zoetermeer survey. Comparison of radiological osteoarthritis in a Dutch population with that in 10 other populations.
Authors: J L van Saase, L K van Romunde, A Cats, J P Vandenbroucke, H A Valkenburg
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1989)

The prevalence of mild and severe radiological osteoarthritis was investigated in a random sample of 6585 inhabitants of a Dutch village. Radiographs were graded 0-4 according to the criteria described by Kellgren and Lawrence. The prevalence of radiological osteoarthritis increased strongly with age and was highest for cervical spine (peak: men 84.8%, women 84.3%), lumbar spine (peak: 71.9%, women 67.3%), and distal interphalangeal joints of the hands (peak: men 64.4%, women 76%). Prevalence did not exceed 10% in sacroiliac joints, lateral carpometacarpal joints, and tarsometatarsal joints. Severe radiological osteoarthritis (grade 3 or grade 4) was uncommon under age 45; in elderly persons the prevalence of severe radiological osteoarthritis did not exceed 20% except for the cervical and lumbar spine, distal interphalangeal joints of the hands and, in women only, metacarpophalangeal joints, first carpometacarpal joints, first metatarsophalangeal joints, and knees. Overall, differences between men and women were small except for hips and knees; however, severe radiological osteoarthritis was found in a higher proportion in most of the joints in women. Our data were compared with data from similar population surveys. The slope between joint involvement and age was strikingly constant for most of the joints. Differences between populations were mainly differences in level. These differences of prevalence of radiological osteoarthritis may be attributed to interobserver differences--that is, different criteria used to establish radiological osteoarthritis, in addition to genetic or environmental factors, or both.
Collagen remodelling by airway smooth muscle is resistant to steroids and 2-agonists
Authors: J.E. Bourke, X. Li, S.R. Foster, E. Wee, H. Dagher, J. Ziogas, T. Harris, J.V. Bonacci, A.G. Stewart
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2010)

Bi-directional interactions between airway smooth muscle (ASM) and the altered extracellular matrix (ECM) may influence airway wall remodelling and ASM function in asthma. We have investigated the capacity of cultured human ASM to reorganise the structure of three-dimensional collagen gels and the effects of endothelin (ET)-1 and agents used to treat asthma. Human ASM cells were cast in type I collagen gels. Reductions in gel area over 72 h were determined in the absence and presence of ET-1 and potential inhibitors, steroids and β 2 -adrenoceptor agonists. Changes in gel wet weights and hydroxyproline content were measured and ASM gel morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Cell density-dependent reductions in gel area were augmented by ET-1, mediated via ET A receptors. This process was not associated with ASM contraction or proliferation, but was consistent with ASM tractional remodelling and migration leading to collagen condensation rather than collagen degradation within gels. The collagen remodelling by ASM was unaffected by salbutamol and/or budesonide. This study demonstrates an additional potential role for ASM in ECM regulation and dysregulation in airways disease that is resistant to steroids and β 2 -adrenoceptor agonists. Therapy-resistant collagen condensation within ASM bundles may facilitate ECM-ASM interactions and contribute to increased internal airways resistance.
Keratinocyte growth factor prevents intra-alveolar oedema in experimental lung isografts
Authors: J. Sadovski, T. Kuchenbuch, C. Ruppert, A. Fehrenbach, M. Hirschburger, W. Padberg, A. Günther, J. M. Hohlfeld, H. Fehrenbach, V. Grau
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2007)

Primary graft dysfunction, characterised by intra-alveolar oedema, is a major obstacle in pulmonary transplantation. The present study evaluates the potential of keratinocyte growth factor (palmiferin; DeltaN23-KGF) for the prevention of oedema in lung transplants. Intratracheal instillation of 5 mg x kg(-1) DeltaN23-KGF was performed in Lewis rats on days 3 and 2 before explantation. Control animals obtained an equivalent volume of vehicle. Left lungs were isogeneically transplanted and the graft recipients were sacrificed 1 day later for stereological analysis of intra-alveolar oedema and bronchoalveolar lavage. The total protein and phospholipid content, as well as surfactant proteins, were measured. Surfactant activity was analysed with a pulsating bubble surfactometer. In grafts from control treated donors, the fraction of intra-alveolar oedema amounted to 3.4+/-1.1% of the total parenchymal volume. Treatment of donor lungs with DeltaN23-KGF reduced oedema to a fraction of 1.6+/-0.8%. In the lavage fluid of pulmonary grafts from DeltaN23-KGF-treated donors, the total protein content was decreased compared with vehicle-treated lung transplants, whereas phospholipids did not differ. The protein fraction contained increased amounts of surfactant protein-C after DeltaN23-KGF treatment and surfactant function was improved. Treatment of donor lungs with palifermin protects against intra-alveolar oedema formation upon transplantation. This effect appears to be mediated by an improved surfactant homeostasis.
Using several pair-wise informant sequences for de novo prediction of alternatively spliced transcripts.
Authors: Paul Flicek, Michael R Brent
Journal: Genome biology (2006)

As part of the ENCODE Genome Annotation Assessment Project (EGASP), we developed the MARS extension to the Twinscan algorithm. MARS is designed to find human alternatively spliced transcripts that are conserved in only one or a limited number of extant species. MARS is able to use an arbitrary number of informant sequences and predicts a number of alternative transcripts at each gene locus.MARS uses the mouse, rat, dog, opossum, chicken, and frog genome sequences as pairwise informant sources for Twinscan and combines the resulting transcript predictions into genes based on coding (CDS) region overlap. Based on the EGASP assessment, MARS is one of the more accurate dual-genome prediction programs. Compared to the GENCODE annotation, we find that predictive sensitivity increases, while specificity decreases, as more informant species are used. MARS correctly predicts alternatively spliced transcripts for 11 of the 236 multi-exon GENCODE genes that are alternatively spliced in the coding region of their transcripts. For these genes a total of 24 correct transcripts are predicted.The MARS algorithm is able to predict alternatively spliced transcripts without the use of expressed sequence information, although the number of loci in which multiple predicted transcripts match multiple alternatively spliced transcripts in the GENCODE annotation is relatively small.
Modular Multiantigen T Cell Epitope–Enriched DNA Vaccine Against Human Leishmaniasis
Authors: Shantanabha Das, Anja Freier, Thouraya Boussoffara, Sushmita Das, Detlef Oswald, Florian O. Losch, Melanie Selka, Nina Sacerdoti-Sierra, Gabriele Schönian, Karl-Heinz Wiesmüller, Karin Seifert, Matthias Schroff, Christiane Juhls, Charles L. Jaffe, Syamal Roy, Pradeep Das, Hechmi Louzir, Simon L. Croft, Farrokh Modabber, Peter Walden
Journal: Science Translational Medicine (2014)

A DNA vaccine for the induction of cell-mediated immunity against different types of leishmaniasis was developed and successfully tested in human cell culture systems for immunogenicity and an animal model for prophylaxis.