tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The Eye of the Artist
Authors: Carlos Hugo Espinel
Journal: JAMA (1997)

We physicians are humanists. We learn from philosophy, ethics, literature, and the arts. Frequently we participate in the very process of art. And there are moments when disease brings us to meet the artists.<sup>1</sup> <i>The Eye of the Artist</i>is a book about vision and art. The authors are prestigious ophthalmologists and scholars. The book is beautifully illustrated with color photographs of art and explanatory figures of visual mechanisms. One can read this book in several ways. The subjects are of much interest to the art scholar. The introduction presents an overview of visual anatomy and physiology, and subsequent chapters deal in depth with questions about artists and eye diseases. Was Renoir affected by myopia or presbyopia? Does El Greco's alleged astigmatism explain his style? Did presbyopia cause the Vanishing of Euphronios's detailed illustrated vessels? The next section treats the artists' use of visual phenomena. Bands in
P194 The use of Methotrexate as a steroid sparing agent in severe asthma: A multi centre retrospective analysis
Authors: LJ Holmes, L Afridi, A Dr Mansur, S Regan, Menzies Gow A, S Fowler, RM Niven
Journal: Thorax (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Methotrexate (MTX) immunosuppressive therapy is selectively used to assist with the reduction of the oral corticosteroid demand thereby decreasing the risk of potential side effects in individuals with steroid dependant asthma. Previous reported data has demonstrated similar significant reduction in corticosteroid load, asthma exacerbation and hospital admission rate. This study aims to compare similar variables collated from UK severe asthma specialist centres to further generate evidence for the continued use of MTX as an effective aid in the reduction of corticosteroid burden in a severe asthma cohort. <h3>Methods</h3> A retrospective data collection was performed across two UK severe asthma centres with data from a third pending. Patients included had a confirmed diagnosis of severe asthma and had been treated with MTX for at least 12 months to allow sufficient analysis. Variables assessed included mean average daily corticosteroid dose, overall percentage reduction of corticosteroid, exacerbation frequency and acute admission events both twelve months prior to and post commencement of MTX therapy. Data collection was examined for each individual centre then combined and examined for consistency of results. <h3>Results</h3> N = 29 (21/8) Average daily corticosteroid dose was reduced by 6 mg combined across both centres [p = 0.004] (6.4 mg/5 mg) a percentage of overall reduction of corticosteroid equated to 34.8% jointly across both centres and 39.3% and 30.0% individually. Exacerbation frequency decreased from 4.8 to 2.5 annually combined across both centres [p = 0.003] although conflict in result is identified as one centre reports a 1.0 increase in exacerbations compared to 3.4 decrease in the other centre. Combined admission decreased from 1.3 to 0.3 annually [p = 0.004] 1.1 and 0.4 decrease in each individual centre. <h3>Conclusion</h3> When monitored and supervised in the correctly chosen severe asthma patient, MTX can significantly reduce the demand for corticosteroids and consequently reduce steroid related side effects, admission and exacerbation this has been demonstrated across two specialist centres with correlating data.
Combined hereditary factor XI (plasma thromboplastin antecedent) deficiency, von Willebrand's disease, and xeroderma pigmentosum in a Japanese family
Authors: Masayuki Sano, Hidehiko Saito, Yoshinori Shimamoto, Isamu Sugiura, Haruhiko Ohtsubo, Hiromu Kohda, Masaya Yamaguchi
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1993)

Abstract We report a 28‐year‐old‐Japanese male who had a skin tumor derived from variant type xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), combined with factor XI (FXI) deficiency and type IIB von Willebrand's disease (vWd). The patient had abnormal bleeding history on tooth extraction. FXI clotting activity (FXI:C) and antigen (FXI:Ag) were remarkably decreased (&lt;0.01 U/ml, &lt;0.02 U/ml, respectively). Factor VIII (FVIII) clotting activity, von Wiliebrand factor antigen (vWf :Ag), and ristocetin cofactor (RCoF) were 0.43 U/ml, 45%, and 57%, respectively. Ristocetin‐induced platelet agglutination (RIPA) revealed hyper‐aggregation compared with a normal control. Multimeric composition of vWf in plasma showed a reduction in high molecular weight forms. The family study revealed two other subjects with ho‐mozygous hereditary FXI deficiency and vWd, and five subjects with heterozygous FXI deficiency. The relationship between FXI deficiency and vWd is discussed and previously reported cases are reviewed. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glucose Content of Serous Pleural Effusions
Authors: W. L. Calnan, B. J. O. Winfield, M. F. Crowley, A. Bloom
Journal: BMJ (1951)

Bacteriological confirmation of the tuberculous origin of non-purulent pleural effusions may be difficult to obtain by direct culture, while the result of a guinea- pig inoculation will not be available for several weeks.Where negative results are obtained, radiography and sputum examination may not be helpful, and a search was therefore made for other diagnostic criteria.Experience gained from glucose estimations of the cerebrospinal fluid in tuberculous meningitis directed attention to the possible diagnostic value of the glucose content of pleural fluid.TABLE I.-Summary of Recent Investigations 0 Fluid Glucose No. Level (mg./100 ml.
Transmitted Minority Drug-Resistant HIV Variants: A New Epidemic?
Authors: Steven G Deeks
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2008)

Despite high rates of viral turnover and viral evolution, HIV has proven to be surprisingly easy to suppress with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the regions of the world where such treatment is available. Recent reports indicate that the vast majority of patients initiating ART should be able to achieve durable if not indefinite viral suppression [1]. Given that there are now over 20 antiretroviral drugs from six unique classes, even if one regimen fails, others are often readily available. The emerging consensus among clinicians and clinical investigators is that fewer and fewer patients will generate highly resistant HIV during the course of their treatment.
Airway Mucosal Blood Flow in Bronchial Asthma
Authors: SUNIL D. KUMAR, MICHAEL J. EMERY, NEAL D. ATKINS, IGNACIO DANTA, ADAM WANNER
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1998)

As an inflammatory airway disease, asthma is expected to be associated with an increase in airway blood flow. We therefore compared airway mucosal blood flow (Qaw) among normal subjects (n = 11) and patients with stable asthma receiving (n = 13) or not receiving (n = 10) long-term inhaled glucocorticosteroid (GS) therapy. Qaw was calculated from the uptake of dimethyl ether in the anatomic dead space minus the most proximal 50 ml (DS), and expressed as blood flow per ml DS. Mean (+/- SE) Qaw was 38.5 +/- 5. 3 microl . min-1 . ml-1 in normals, 68.2 +/- 7.9 microl . min-1 . ml-1 in GS-naive asthmatics (p < 0.01), and 55.4 +/- 5.3 microl . min-1 . ml-1 in GS-treated asthmatics (p < 0.05). Ten minutes after administration of 180 microg albuterol by metered dose inhaler, mean Qaw increased by 83 +/- 26% in normal subjects (p < 0.01), but did not change significantly in GS-naive (+5 +/- 8%) or GS-treated (+32 +/- 15%) asthmatics. These results demonstrate that Qaw is increased in stable asthmatics and resistant to further increase by a standard inhaled dose of a beta-adrenergic agonist.
Disappointing results of combination therapy for HCV?
Authors: T Dudley
Journal: Gut (2006)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common cause of liver disease in the UK. HCV can cause liver failure and liver cancer, and is a frequent indication for liver transplantation. HCV infection can be cured by antiviral therapy. Standard therapy includes the combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RIBA) for 24 or 48 weeks, according to HCV genotype.1–3 A sustained virological response (SVR), defined as undetectable serum HCV RNA six months after cessation of therapy, indicates successful treatment, almost certainly cure. Published registration trials reported encouraging SVR rates of 42–52% for genotype 1 and 77–88% for genotypes 2/3.1–3

However, analysis of the combined experience of six European and US centres reported significantly worse results.4 In that report, the response rate to treatment of genotype 1 infection with pegylated IFN alpha 2a and ribavirin was only 36%. Also, a large US based prospective randomised study reported response rates of 29–34%, depending on the dose of ribavirin used.5 In contrast, a Canadian study that prospectively tracked patients receiving HCV treatment reported SVR rates …
Cold urticaria and HIV infection
Authors: R.Y. LIN, R.A. SCHWARTZ
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1993)

Three patients, all seropositive for HIV antibody, complained of swelling and pruritus on the head and limbs when exposed to the cold. All three had received zidovudine for significant CD4 cell depletion, but had no AIDS-defining illnesses. An ice-cube test was positive on each individual. There was no evidence of cold agglutinins. cryoglobulins, syphilis, or other concurrent diseases in any of the patients. This association may represent yet another allergic manifestation in HIV infection.
Association between Perifoveal Hyperfluorescence and Serous Retinal Detachment in Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Tomoaki Murakami, Akihito Uji, Ken Ogino, Noriyuki Unoki, Takahiro Horii, Shin Yoshitake, Kazuaki Nishijima, Nagahisa Yoshimura
Journal: Ophthalmology (2013)
Traumatic Asphyxia With Acute Rupture of the Diaphragm
Authors: Stephen W. Carveth
Journal: JAMA (1967)

Traumatic asphyxia and rupture of the left leaf of the diaphragm developed in a 52-year-old white man after a severe compression and crushing injury of the left wall of the chest. An essential feature of the treatment consisted of emergency intubation and ventilation followed by operative repair of the ruptured diaphragm. Because of inadequate alveolar ventilation, tracheostomy was done, and positive pressure breathing was instituted.
Vagal, Cholinergic Regulation of Pancreatic Polypeptide Secretion
Authors: T. W. Schwartz, J. J. Holst, J. Fahrenkrug, S. Lindkær Jensen, O. V. Nielsen, J. F. Rehfeld, O. B. Schaffalitzky de Muckadell, F. Stadil
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1978)

The effect of efferent, parasympathetic stimulation upon pancreatic polypeptide (PP) secretion was studied in three ways: (a) Plasma PP concentrations increased in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in both normal subjects, from 11 pM (9.5-12.5) to 136 pM (118-147), n = 8 (median and interquartile range) and in duodenal ulcer patients, from 33 pM (21-52) to 213 pM (157-233), n = 7. The PP response to hypoglycemia was diminished by atropine in normal subjects (P < 0.005) and completely abolished by vagotomy in the duodenal ulcer patients. (b) Electrical stimulation, 8 Hz, of the vagal nerves in anesthetized pigs induced an increase in portal PP concentrations within 30 s from 32 pM (28-39) to 285 pM (248-294), n = 12. Minimal stimulatory frequency was 0.5 Hz and maximal stimulatory frequency 8-12 Hz. Atropine inhibited the PP response to electrical stimulation. Median inhibition with 0.5 mg of atropine/kg body wt was 74%, range 31-90%, n = 6. The response was eliminated by hexamethonium. Adrenergic alpha and beta blockade did not influence the release of PP in response to vagal stimulation. (c) Acetylcholine stimulated, in a dose-dependent manner, the secretion of PP from the isolated perfused porcine pancreas, half-maximal effective dose being 0.19 μM; maximal PP output in response to 5 min stimulation was 228 pmol, range 140-342 pmol, n = 5. Atropine completely abolished this response.
Prenatal allergen exposures prevent allergen‐induced sensitization and airway inflammation in young mice
Authors: K. Gerhold, A. Avagyan, E. Reichert, C. Seib, D. V. Van, E. O. Luger, A. Hutloff, E. Hamelmann
Journal: Allergy (2012)

Abstract Background: Immune‐modulation such as tolerance induction appears to be an upcoming concept to prevent development of atopic diseases. Pregnancy might present a critical period for preventing allergic sensitization of the progeny. We investigated the effect of maternal allergen exposures during pregnancy on allergen‐induced sensitization and airway inflammation in the offspring in a murine model. Methods: BALB /c mice were exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin ( OVA ) three times per week from day 7 of pregnancy until delivery (day 0). Offspring were systemically sensitized by six intraperitoneal injections with OVA between postnatal days 21 and 35, prior to airway allergen challenges on days 48, 49, and 50. Analyses were performed on day 52. To examine long‐lasting effects of maternal OVA exposures some offspring were sensitized between days 115 and 129; analyses took place on day 147. Results: Compared to maternal placebo exposures, maternal OVA exposures suppressed OVA ‐specific I g E serum levels and inhibited development of allergen‐induced airway inflammation in the OVA ‐sensitized offspring on both days 52 and 147. This protective effect was associated with a shift from a predominant T h2 immune response toward a predominant production of the cytokines IFN ‐γ and IL ‐10. Further, maternal OVA exposures were associated with development of CD 25 + F oxp3 + regulatory T cells ( T regs ) in the OVA ‐sensitized offspring. Depletion of T regs or neutralization of IL ‐10 prior to allergen sensitization re‐established OVA ‐induced sensitization and eosinophilic airway inflammation in the OVA ‐sensitized offspring. Conclusions: In our model, maternal allergen exposures during pregnancy prevented later allergen‐mediated sensitization and airway inflammation by allergen‐specific tolerance induction in the offspring.
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Kaposi's Sarcoma by Detection of Human Herpes Virus 8 in Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Authors: MICHAEL TAMM, FRANK REICHENBERGER, CHRISTINE E. McGANDY, ALINE STALDER, ANDREAS TIETZ, PETER DALQUEN, ANDRÉ P. PERRUCHOUD, GIERI CATHOMAS
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1998)

Human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) DNA has recently been detected in sarcoma tissue of patients with Kaposi's sarcoma. HHV8 DNA could also be found in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of patients with tracheobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma. To determine the specificity, sensitivity and predictive values of HHV8 DNA detection in the BAL for the diagnosis of pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma, 100 consecutive BAL were prospectively analyzed for the presence of HHV8 DNA using a nested PCR assay. In addition, 19 BAL samples of 14 AIDS patients with cutaneous or visceral Kaposi's sarcoma were retrospectively investigated. The prospective group consisted of 79 BAL performed in immunocompromised and of 21 BAL in nonimmunocompromised patients. Four patients of the prospectively analyzed group undergoing six BAL showed tracheobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma at five bronchoscopies. All of the five BAL samples performed in these patients with endoscopically visible Kaposi's sarcoma were positive for HHV8 DNA. Following chemotherapy and antiretroviral treatment tracheobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma was no longer detectable at a subsequent bronchoscopy and HHV8 DNA in BAL became negative in one patient. One BAL sample of a HIV-positive patient with no evidence of Kaposi's sarcoma was HHV8 DNA-positive. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of HHV8 detection for the diagnosis of tracheobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma were 100%, 98.9%, 83.3%, and 100%, respectively. Twelve of 19 BAL samples of the retrospective group were HHV8 DNA-positive. In this group, 10 patients undergoing a total of 14 BAL suffered from pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma. HHV8 DNA was documented in 10 of these 14 BAL samples. In three BAL of this group HHV8 DNA was positive, but pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma was diagnosed at a later stage. In conclusion, the detection of HHV8 DNA in BAL is restricted to patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and is highly sensitive and specific for pulmonary involvement of Kaposi's sarcoma.
Hepatotoxicity Produced by Tetracycline Overdosage
Authors: Lawrence D. Wruble
Journal: JAMA (1965)

In a case of lethal liver disease in an elderly female following massive tetracycline therapy, the gross and microscopic anatomical changes were similar to previously reported cases of lethal liver disease presumably secondary to tetracycline. Electron microscopic observations of material from this patient showed no significant mitochondrial changes when compared with normal control material.
Summary: workshop on health risks attributable to ETS exposure in the workplace.
Authors: M S Jaakkola, J M Samet
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1999)

This 1998 workshop was convened to address the health risks of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the workplace. It was paired with a 1997 workshop on issues related to ETS exposure in work environments ((italic)1(/italic)). In the 1998 workshop, a multidisciplinary group of participants was charged with reviewing evidence on the quantitative risks to health posed by ETS and to discuss development of risk assessment methodology for the future. The overall charges for the present workshop were to consider various health outcomes and make recommendations regarding those health outcomes to be included in assessment of health risk resulting from ETS in the workplace; to consider available studies addressing these health outcomes and to evaluate the validity of data for estimating risk from occupational ETS exposure; to review and evaluate mathematical models useful for estimating the risk due to ETS exposure; to examine dose-response models and to characterize the models regarding validity and uncertainty in estimating health risk attributable to ETS exposure in the workplace.
CARDIOVASCULAR MRI IS EQUALLY EFFECTIVE AS TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM IN EVALUATION OF LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE THROMBUS IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: A STRATEGY FOR PULMONARY VEIN ISOLATION
Authors: Sukhraj Balhan, Robert WW Biederman, June A. Yamrozik, Ronald B. Williams, Mark Doyle, Saundra Grant, Sandeep Anreddy, Vikas K. Rathi
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Hold tight or you’ll fall off: CD151 helps podocytes stick in high-pressure situations
Authors: Ambra Pozzi, Roy Zent
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2011)

Glomerulosclerosis is a general term for scarring of the kidney glomerulus. It cannot be reversed. As glomerulosclerosis accumulates, the diseased kidney progresses to end-stage renal disease. Treatment with inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system often decreases the rate of progression of glomerulosclerosis in chronic kidney diseases. Although the mechanisms by which these inhibitors mediate their beneficial effects are incompletely understood, it has been suggested that they act, at least in part, by reducing intraglomerular blood pressure and thereby shear stress-induced loss of podocytes, a key component of the glomerular filtration barrier. In this issue of the JCI, Sachs and colleagues provide experimental confirmation of the critical role of tight adhesion of podocytes to the glomerular basement membrane for maintaining glomerular integrity and provide evidence that inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system reduces glomerulosclerosis in animals with less tightly adherent podocytes, presumably by reducing intraglomerular blood pressure.
A Study in Balance: How Microbiomes Are Changing the Shape of Environmental Health
Authors: Kellyn S. Betts
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2011)

Different body sites -including the mouth, hair, nose, ears, vagina, and skin -have their own unique microbiomes, communities of microbes that perform innumerable services for their human hosts.We are now seeing that our microbiomes also modify environmental exposures in ways not previously considered by environmental health scientists.©2011 Ken Orvidas via theispot.comT he agents we now know as bacteria have been known for centuries to play a key role in certain kinds of illnesses and ailments.But aside from infec tious diseases, the communities of microbes we carry in specific parts of our bodies-our microbiomes-are a relatively new topic in human health.Now this field of study has taken an evolutionary leap forward with new research showing human microbiomes may play a far greater role in environ mental health than ever imagined.
Living-related liver transplantation for patients with fulminant and subfulminant hepatic failure
Authors: Shiro Miwa, Yasuhiko Hashikura, Atsuyoshi Mita, Tatsuya Kubota, Hisanao Chisuwa, Yuichi Nakazawa, Toshihiko Ikegami, Masaru Terada, Shinichi Miyagawa, Seiji Kawasaki
Journal: Hepatology (1999)

The prognosis for patients with fulminant (FHF) or subfulminant hepatic failure (SFHF) has improved since the introduction of liver transplantation. However, the death rate of patients awaiting liver transplantation is high, possibly because of the difficulty in obtaining grafts in a timely manner, given the relative shortage of cadaveric donors. Between June 1990 and June 1999, 106 patients underwent living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) at Shinshu University Hospital. Among them, 8 patients had FHF and 6 had SFHF; these 14 patients are the subjects of this report. The graft volumes (GV) ranged from 231 mL to 625 mL, corresponding to 35% to 105% of the recipients' standard liver volume (SLV). The postoperative courses of all donors were uneventful. Following liver transplantation, all grafts functioned favorably, with normalization of serum total bilirubin within 3 to 5 days and normalization of coagulation profiles within 4 to 7 days. Thirteen of the 14 recipients are still alive. The actuarial 6-month, 1-year, and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 90%, and 90%, respectively. In the present study, when the ratio of the GV to the recipient's SLV was more than 35%, the graft was able to support the patient's metabolic demand after liver transplantation for FHF or SFHF. Because of the urgent nature of liver transplantation in this clinical condition, concerns over informed consent may be even greater than for elective LRLT. Nevertheless, the high success rate and low donor risk may justify this option for pediatric patients, as well as for a limited population of adult patients suffering from FHF or SFHF.
Coronary Arteriovenous Fistula
Authors: ISRAEL STEINBERG, JANET S. BALDWIN, CHARLES T. DOTTER
Journal: Circulation (1958)

Angiocardiography and physical findings established the diagnosis of a coronary arteriovenous aneurysm in a 6-year-old asymptomatic schoolgirl. During the 7 years that have ensued, her heart size, electrocardiogram, and general condition have remained normal. Review of the literature discloses 13 autopsy-proved coronary artery fistulas and 8 cases wherein the diagnosis was established by exploratory thoracotomy or cardiac catheterization. The data indicate a wide variation in the clinical significance of the lesion and lead to the conclusion that management is best established on an individual basis.