tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Exposure to Trihalomethanes through Different Water Uses and Birth Weight, Small for Gestational Age, and Preterm Delivery in Spain
Authors: Cristina M. Villanueva, Esther Gracia-Lavedán, Jesús Ibarluzea, Loreto Santa Marina, Ferran Ballester, Sabrina Llop, Adonina Tardón, Mariana F. Fernández, Carmen Freire, Fernando Goñi, Xavier Basagaña, Manolis Kogevinas, Joan O. Grimalt, Jordi Sunyer
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2011)

Background: Evidence associating exposure to water disinfection by-products with reduced birth weight and altered duration of gestation remains inconclusive.Objective: We assessed exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) during pregnancy through different water uses and evaluated the association with birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), and preterm delivery.Methods: Mother–child cohorts set up in five Spanish areas during the years 2000–2008 contributed data on water ingestion, showering, bathing, and swimming in pools. We ascertained residential THM levels during pregnancy periods through ad hoc sampling campaigns (828 measurements) and regulatory data (264 measurements), which were modeled and combined with personal water use and uptake factors to estimate personal uptake. We defined outcomes following standard definitions and included 2,158 newborns in the analysis.Results: Median residential THM ranged from 5.9 μg/L (Valencia) to 114.7 μg/L (Sabadell), and speciation differed across areas. We estimated that 89% of residential chloroform and 96% of brominated THM uptakes were from showering/bathing. The estimated change of birth weight for a 10% increase in residential uptake was –0.45 g (95% confidence interval: –1.36, 0.45 g) for chloroform and 0.16 g (–1.38, 1.70 g) for brominated THMs. Overall, THMs were not associated with SGA, LBW, or preterm delivery.Conclusions: Despite the high THM levels in some areas and the extensive exposure assessment, results suggest that residential THM exposure during pregnancy driven by inhalation and dermal contact routes is not associated with birth weight, SGA, LBW, or preterm delivery in Spain.
Acute oral toxicity.
Authors: E Walum
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1998)

The purposes of acute toxicity testing are to obtain information on the biologic activity of a chemical and gain insight into its mechanism of action. The information on acute systemic toxicity generated by the test is used in hazard identification and risk management in the context of production, handling, and use of chemicals. The LD50 value, defined as the statistically derived dose that, when administered in an acute toxicity test, is expected to cause death in 50% of the treated animals in a given period, is currently the basis for toxicologic classification of chemicals. For a classical LD50 study, laboratory mice and rats are the species typically selected. Often both sexes must be used for regulatory purposes. When oral administration is combined with parenteral, information on the bioavailability of the tested compound is obtained. The result of the extensive discussions on the significance of the LD50 value and the concomitant development of alternative procedures is that authorities today do not usually demand classical LD50 tests involving a large number of animals. The limit test, the fixed-dose procedure, the toxic class method, and the up-and-down methods all represent simplified alternatives using only a few animals. Efforts have also been made to develop in vitro systems; e.g., it has been suggested that acute systemic toxicity can be broken down into a number of biokinetic, cellular, and molecular elements, each of which can be identified and quantified in appropriate models. The various elements may then be used in different combinations to model large numbers of toxic events to predict hazard and classify compounds.
Pertussis and the risk of non-accidental injury.
Authors: D S Lee, G McEnery, G F Norris
Journal: BMJ (1978)

mg four times a day, and then to 160 mg four times a day.His ECG initially showed widespread T-wave inversion, but this abnor- mality was most marked two days later, with gross T-wave inversion in most leads (figure).Serial enzyme studies failed to confirm myocardial damage.... ..~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~...... ~~Ṽ4 ~~~~~V ECG of patient with subarachnoid haemorrhage showing T-wave inversion.Thus this patient was already taking a beta-blocker, in a dose comparable to 240 mg propranolol, but despite a further increase in dosage and apparently clinically adequate beta- blockade (resting pulse rate about 60 beats/ min) he proceeded to develop grossly abnormal ECG appearances, of a severity which we have not previously observed in association with subarachnoid haemorrhage.
CONCENTRATION OF THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONE IN PREGNANT MARE'S SERUM
Authors: Herbert M. Evans, Edwin L. Gustus, Miriam E. Simpson
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1933)

The gonadotropic hormone of the blood of the pregnant mare has been greatly concentrated by adsorption on active aluminum hydroxide followed by elution. The preparations so obtained gave demonstrable gonadotropic effects within 100 hours in 21 day old female mice following three subcutaneous injections of 0.001 mg. in 1 cc. of physiological saline. As is well known, other gonadotropic substances do not cause conspicuous development of the male gonads but injections of comparatively large doses of these preparations into immature male rats caused marked development of the testes, which in 10 days were trebled in weight. An astonishing increase in the weight of the seminal vesicles resulted, for these organs were approximately 75 times heavier than in controls.
Drinking among medical students: a questionnaire survey.
Authors: D. J. Collier, I. L. Beales
Journal: BMJ (1989)

To assess the prevalence of drinking among medical students a questionnaire on smoking, exercise, drinking, and weight was distributed among the students available. A total of 260 replies were received from an estimated available population of 350 students (134 men and 126 women). The mean alcohol consumption obtained by a quantity-frequency measure was 20.5 units/week for male students and 14.6 units/week for female students. Retrospective diary reports showed mean (SE) consumptions of 18 (2) units/week for men (n = 134) and 11 (1) units/week for women (n = 126). Consumption among the men closely matched consumption among men matched for age in the general population. Women, however, drank more than women matched for age. Male and female medical students exceeded the suggested maximum for their sex in equal proportions. Quantity-frequency data showed that 31 (23%) men drank over 35 units/week and 28 (22%) women drank over 21 units/week. Of the 59 students exceeding these limits, 51 responded positively to a standard screening questionnaire for alcohol abuse. Forty students reported that they might have a drinking problem, and 138 reported that alcohol had affected their academic performance at some time; 17 of these were affected frequently. The students suggested sensible maximum consumption figures for health education. Smoking was associated with heavy drinking, especially among the women. These results suggest that some medical students are compromising their future health and their academic performance through excessive drinking.
Pre-adjustment of adult attachment style to extrinsic risk levels via early attachment style is neither specific, nor reliable, nor effective, and is thus not an adaptation
Authors: Johannes Hönekopp
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2009)

Abstract The mechanism proposed by Del Giudice by which adult attachment style is adapted to the extrinsic risk in the local environment via attachment style during the early years does not fulfill important criteria of an adaptation. The proposed mechanism is neither specific, nor developmentally reliable, nor effective. Therefore, it should not be considered an adaptation.
Horse-play: Survey of Accidents with Horses
Authors: H. M. Barber
Journal: BMJ (1973)

Horse-riding is increasing in popularity. During 1971 and 1972 154 patients had horse-related injuries of sufficient severity to warrant admission to the Radcliffe Infirmary. The injuries sustained are more common and more severe than generally appreciated and are comparable to those sustained by motor-cyclists. Supervision of children is often insufficient and protective leg and head gear is commonly quite inadequate, even when worn.
SIMPLE METHOD OF MAKING CURVED NEEDLES
Authors: W. D. James
Journal: JAMA (1918)

<h3>To the Editor:</h3> —Owing to the scarcity of round curved needles, Langston Brothers, jewelers of Hamlet, N. C., have been making curved needles for the Hamlet Hospital by taking ordinary needles and bending them over an alcohol flame. This can be done by catching each end of the needles with a pair of pliers and gradually bending the needles over an alcohol flame. It takes about twenty seconds to make a curved needle out of a straight one.
Evidence used to formulate guidelines on managing asthma did not include costs
Authors: D A Fitzmaurice, C P Bradley, R Salter, A E Slater
Journal: BMJ (1996)

Minerva's comment was not evidence based EDrroR,-Minerva states that, for conservative treatment of breast cancer, tumours of over 3.5 cm and age over 70 are absolute contra- indications.'We disagree.Four randomised clinical trials that included 3197 patients have consistently shown that breast conservation is as safe as mastectomy for breast cancers up to 4 cm and even 5 cm provided that a clear surgical margin is obtained and patients receive postop- erative radiotherapy to the breast.2With regard to age, to our knowledge there are no data that prove that old age would be an independent unfavourable prognostic factor for breast saving procedures.On the contrary, local recurrence may be much lower in this age group than in younger women.'Moreover, older women wish to retain their physical integrity as much as young patients do.4It is a pity that, at a time when evidence based decision making is gaining acceptance, Minerva should uncritically mention a conclusion without a good scientific basis.
Proplatelet formation is regulated by the Rho/ROCK pathway
Authors: Yunhua Chang, Frédéric Auradé, Frédéric Larbret, Yanyan Zhang, Jean-Pierre Le Couedic, Laurence Momeux, Jerôme Larghero, Jacques Bertoglio, Fawzia Louache, Elisabeth Cramer, William Vainchenker, Najet Debili
Journal: Blood (2007)
Campylobacter associated gastritis in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia: a double blind placebo controlled trial with colloidal bismuth subcitrate.
Authors: R J Loffeld, H V Potters, E Stobberingh, J A Flendrig, J P van Spreeuwel, J W Arends
Journal: Gut (1989)

Fifty consecutive patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and a Campylobacter associated gastritis (CAG) were randomly assigned to treatment with colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) 240 mg twice daily or placebo, according to a double blind study design. After the blind treatment an 'open' treatment with CBS was started in both groups. Twenty six patients treated with CBS showed a significant reduction in colonisation with Campylobacter pylori and a significant improvement in the Whitehead gastritis score. No significant changes were recorded in twenty four patients treated with placebo. After an additional course of CBS no further improvement in gastritis score was noted but there was a further reduction in Campylobacter colonisation. CBS did not greatly alter subjective complaints. Subjective complaints were improved in both treatment groups except for nausea and meteorism that improved more in the CBS treated patients. This finding again questions the clinical significance of gastritis and also casts doubt on the clinical relevance of therapeutical measures aimed at eradication of C pylori.
Allergic potential of neutrals in unmodified colophony, and a method for their separation from resin acids
Authors: S. SADHRA, I.S FOULDS
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1995)

An ion-exchange fractionation technique for the separation of total resin acid and neutral fractions of unmodified colophony is described. The allergic potential of these fractions was assessed by patch testing colophony-sensitive individuals, and this showed that both the neutral components and the resin acids play an important role in colophony sensitization. A greater frequency of positive reactions was obtained using the 60% colophony patch test preparation compared with the currently recommended 20% colophony preparation. Furthermore, some individuals were found to produce positive reactions to only the neutral components in colophony. We suggest that the use of a colophony patch test battery comprising resin acids, neutrals, oxidized resin acid and some colophony derivatives, will facilitate detection of colophony-sensitive individuals. Moreover, we consider that this will help to provide a better estimate of the prevalence of colophony dermatitis, which is currently underestimated.
Tuberculin testing before BCG vaccination
Authors: G. H Bothamley
Journal: BMJ (2003)

May not be necessary 

BCG vaccination is effective against forms of tuberculosis that occur commonly in childhood that have a high morbidity and mortality, such as tuberculous meningitis.1 2 Current guidelines for the United Kingdom recommend tuberculin skin testing before BCG vaccination for all children older than 3 months.3 The evidence base for this recommendation is unclear—no randomised controlled trials have been conducted to compare outcome of BCG vaccination with and without prior tuberculin skin testing, and the resulting two or three stage procedure seriously compromises uptake.

The BCG vaccine was not available in the United Kingdom from 9 August 2002—when all stocks from the monopoly supplier, Evans Vaccines, were declared potentially ineffective by the Medicines Control Agency and the Department of Health—until supplies from Denmark's State Serum Institute became accessible during December 2002. The currently available BCG vaccine is for intradermal use only. From November 1998 to July 2001 a similar loss of supply of percutaneous BCG vaccine, which is …
Structure and Evolution of Linalool Synthase
Authors: L. Cseke, N. Dudareva, E. Pichersky
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (1998)

Plant terpene synthases constitute a group of evolutionarily related enzymes. Within this group, however, enzymes that employ two different catalytic mechanisms, and their associated unique domains, are known. We investigated the structure of the gene encoding linalool synthase (LIS), an enzyme that uses geranyl pyrophosphate as a substrate and catalyzes the formation of linalool, an acyclic monoterpene found in the floral scents of many plants. Although LIS employs one catalytic mechanism (exemplified by limonene synthase [LMS]), it has sequence motifs indicative of both LMS-type synthases and the terpene synthases employing a different mechanism (exemplified by copalyl diphosphate synthase [CPS]). Here, we report that LIS genes analyzed from several species encode proteins that have overall 40%-96% identity to each other and have 11 introns in identical positions. Only the region encoding roughly the last half of the LIS gene (exons 9-12) has a gene structure similar to that of the LMS-type genes. On the other hand, in the first part of the LIS gene (exons 1-8), LIS gene structure is essentially identical to that found in the first half of the gene encoding CPS. In addition, the level of similarity in the coding information of this region between the LIS and CPS genes is also significant, whereas the second half of the LIS protein is most similar to LMS-type synthases. Thus, LIS appears to be a composite gene which might have evolved from a recombination event between two different types of terpene synthases. The combined evolutionary mechanisms of duplication followed by divergence and/or "domain swapping" may explain the extraordinarily large diversity of proteins found in the plant terpene synthase family.
Rx for Dying: the Case for Hospice
Authors: W Bulkin, H Lukashok
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1988)

Hospices have moved into the mainstream of the health care system.1 The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals has developed comprehensive standards for the accreditation of hospice programs. Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid, and most other major third-party payers provide benefits for hospice care. With diagnosis-related group (DRG) reimbursement, peer-review organizations, and shorter hospital stays (mandated by the tightening of Medicare funding), there is increasing emphasis on alternatives to hospital care and on home care in particular.Hospice is a unique model of home care (it may also be delivered within institutions), providing palliative care and extensive support services to . . .
THE RELATION OF CONCUSSION OF THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD TO INFLAMMATORY AND OTHER MORBID CONDITIONS IN THESE ORGANS.Read in the Section of Surgery and Anatomy, at the Forty-second Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association, held at Washington, D. C., May 5, 1891.
Authors: B. A. WATSON
Journal: JAMA (1891)

It is certainly apparent to all the members of the medical profession that brain and spinal surgery has received during the last quarter of this century an unusual and likewise unprecedented amount of attention. It is likewise equally apparent that great progress has been made by those who are devoted to this branch of surgery; it therefore becomes highly necessary, that he, who is about to enter this field of medical literature, should first discover some dark spot or disputed question, on which he thinks he may possibly throw a few rays of scientific light. The traumatisms of the brain and its membranes have been more fully studied than those of the spinal cord. Undoubtedly this may be accounted for in part by the fact, that the first mentioned organ is much more frequently the seat of these lesions than the latter. I shall therefore direct the greater portion of
Impact of published clinical outcomes data: case study in NHS hospital trusts
Authors: R. Mannion, M. Goddard
Journal: BMJ (2001)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective:</b> To examine the impact of the publication of clinical outcomes data on NHS Trusts in Scotland to inform the development of similar schemes elsewhere. <b>Design:</b> Case studies including semistructured interviews and a review of background statistics. <b>Setting:</b> Eight Scottish NHS acute trusts. <b>Participants:</b> 48 trust staff comprising chief executives, medical directors, stroke consultants, breast cancer consultants, nurse managers, and junior doctors. <b>Main outcome measures:</b> Staff views on the benefits and drawbacks of clinical outcome indicators provided by the clinical resource and audit group (CRAG) and perceptions of the impact of these data on clinical practice and continuous improvement of quality. <b>Results:</b> The CRAG indicators had a low profile in the trusts and were rarely cited as informing internal quality improvement or used externally to identify best practice. The indicators were mainly used to support applications for further funding and service development. The poor effect was attributable to a lack of professional belief in the indicators, arising from perceived problems around quality of data and time lag between collection and presentation of data; limited dissemination; weak incentives to take action; a predilection for process rather than outcome indicators; and a belief that informal information is often more useful than quantitative data in the assessment of clinical performance. <b>Conclusions:</b> Those responsible for developing clinical indicator programmes should develop robust datasets. They should also encourage a working environment and incentives such that these data are used to improve continuously. <h3>What is already known on this topic</h3> Current policy on performance assessment in England and Wales places a great deal of emphasis on the collection and dissemination of clinical information Dissemination of clinical outcome data has had limited impact on the behaviour of provider organisations in the United States <h3>What this paper adds</h3> Research in Scottish trusts suggests that clinical indicators are rarely used to stimulate quality improvement or share good practice The reasons for low impact include internal factors relating to the properties of the indicators and external factors within the organisational environment in which the data are used
Special Book Review
Authors: Lester S. King
Journal: JAMA (1971)

On Sex Life  Eugenics: The Laws of Sex Life and Heredity,by T. W. Shannon [reprint of 1917 edition, published by S. A. Mullikin Co., Marietta, Ohio], 552 pp, with illus, $8.95, Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Co., Inc., 1970.  Of all the subjects that interest the layman, sex and health are in the very forefront. Hence, any book which, addressed to the general public, takes up both of these subjects at the same time, can expect a generous welcome. This observation, true today, was equally true 50 or 100 years ago, although the character of the books has changed markedly in the interval.  Physicians interested in social history will be glad to see the reprinting of a period piece that tried to explain the facts of sex while simultaneously inculcating moral purity and high ideals. At the same time, in some 250 pages, the book discussed for the layman
Meeting Report: Knowledge and Gaps in Developing Microbial Criteria for Inland Recreational Waters
Authors: Samuel Dorevitch, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Christobel M. Ferguson, Roger Fujioka, Charles D. McGee, Jeffrey A. Soller, Richard L. Whitman
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2010)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has committed to issuing in 2012 new or revised criteria designed to protect the health of those who use surface waters for recreation. For this purpose, the U.S. EPA has been conducting epidemiologic studies to establish relationships between microbial measures of water quality and adverse health outcomes among swimmers. New methods for testing water quality that would provide same-day results will likely be elements of the new criteria. Although the epidemiologic studies upon which the criteria will be based were conducted at Great Lakes and marine beaches, the new water quality criteria may be extended to inland waters (IWs). Similarities and important differences between coastal waters (CWs) and IWs that should be considered when developing criteria for IWs were the focus of an expert workshop. Here, we summarize the state of knowledge and research needed to base IWs microbial criteria on sound science. Two key differences between CWs and IWs are the sources of indicator bacteria, which may modify the relationship between indicator microbes and health risk, and the relationship between indicators and pathogens, which also may vary within IWs. Monitoring using rapid molecular methods will require the standardization and simplification of analytical methods, as well as greater clarity about their interpretation. Research needs for the short term and longer term are described.
Phase 2 study of cladribine followed by rituximab in patients with hairy cell leukemia
Authors: Farhad Ravandi, Susan O'Brien, Jeffrey Jorgensen, Sherry Pierce, Stefan Faderl, Alessandra Ferrajoli, Charles Koller, Pramoda Challagundla, Sergernne York, Mark Brandt, Rajyalakshmi Luthra, Jan Burger, Deborah Thomas, Michael Keating, Hagop Kantarjian
Journal: Blood (2011)
Guilt by dissociation: Why mindreading may not be prior to metacognition after all
Authors: Philip Robbins
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2009)

Abstract Carruthers argues that there is no developmental or clinical evidence that metacognition is dissociable from mindreading, and hence there is no reason to think that metacognition is prior to mindreading. A closer look at the evidence, however, reveals that these conclusions are premature at best.