tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Further validation of the BILAG disease activity index in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Authors: T Stoll, G Stucki, J Malik, S Pyke, D A Isenberg
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1996)

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association among the BILAG disease activity index components and their relations with global assessments, health status, and laboratory tests with regard to the validity of the BILAG index. METHODS: A cross sectional study of consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) attending a specialist lupus outpatient clinic between July 1994 and February 1995. The internal consistency of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index-a disease activity assessment system for SLE patients, based on the principle of the physician9s intention to treat-was examined using Cronbach9s coefficient alpha. The association of the components of the BILAG index with health status as measured with the MOS Short Form 20 (SF-20), with patients9 and doctors9 global assessments of patient wellbeing and with laboratory tests was analysed with Spearman rank correlations. RESULTS: 133 female and eight male patients, age 20.1 to 88.7 years (mean 41.1, SD 12.5), were included. With few exceptions, the components of the BILAG index which reflect disease activity in different organ systems were not associated with each other. With the exception of the mucocutaneous component, we found a significant relation between all components of BILAG and global assessment of patient wellbeing, health status, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or serum C3 level. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the validity of all but the mucocutaneous component of the BILAG index. However, disease activity in different organ systems in SLE does not follow a common pattern. Thus the individual BILAG components should be used rather than the total BILAG score as a primary endpoint in clinical and epidemiological studies. To capture the total effect of SLE on an individual measures of disease activity, damage, and health status are all needed.
Pindolol and pulmonary fibrosis.
Authors: A W Musk, J A Pollard
Journal: BMJ (1979)

Numbers of patients with occupations indicating high degree of exposure to chemicals in 88 men with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and three control groups.(See text for description of controls) Patients Control groups with HD A B C (n= 88) (n = 100) (n= 100) (n = 32) Chemists . . 2 1 1 Painters and sprayers 5 1 1 Glass and pottery workers 5 Chemical processing workers 1 Rubber product workers 2 Plastics workers .. 1 1 Photographic laboratory workers 1 1occupations in the working male population in Sweden.The results therefore suggest that exposure to some chemical agents may be important for the development of HD.Interestingly, occupational exposure was unconmon in the patients with HD aged 20-30 years, whereas among the older patients 26-32%were occupationally handling chemicals.The incidence curve of HD is bimodal, with one peak between 20 and 30 years of age and a second increase beginning about the age of 35 years.This may be due to differences in aetiology between various age groups.3Our results indicate that occupational exposure to chemical oncogenic agents may be of some importance for the development of HD in men aged over 30, whereas other aetiological factors may be more important in the younger age groups.We emphasise that occupational titles obtained from case records will give only crude and insufficient information on occupational hazards.Despite this shortcoming, our finding of occupational ex- posure to chemicals in about 20% of adult men with HD means that efforts should be made to define environmental hazards that may be important in the development of HD.Such studies are in progress at our department.
Host Age Is a Systemic Regulator of Gene Expression Impacting Cancer Progression
Authors: Afshin Beheshti, Sébastien Benzekry, J. Tyson McDonald, Lili Ma, Michael Peluso, Philip Hahnfeldt, Lynn Hlatky
Journal: Cancer Research (2015)

Abstract Aging is the major determinant of cancer incidence, which, in turn, is likely dictated in large part by processes that influence the progression of early subclinical (occult) cancers. However, there is little understanding of how aging informs changes in aggregate host signaling that favor cancer progression. In this study, we provide direct evidence that aging can serve as an organizing axis to define cancer progression-modulating processes. As a model system to explore this concept, we employed adolescent (68 days), young adult (143 days), middle-aged (551 days), and old (736 days) C57BL/6 mice as syngeneic hosts for engraftment of Lewis lung cancer to identify signaling and functional processes varying with host age. Older hosts exhibited dysregulated angiogenesis, metabolism, and apoptosis, all of which are associated with cancer progression. TGFβ1, a central player in these systemic processes, was downregulated consistently in older hosts. Our findings directly supported the conclusion of a strong host age dependence in determining the host tumor control dynamic. Furthermore, our results offer initial mechanism-based insights into how aging modulates tumor progression in ways that may be actionable for therapy or prevention. Cancer Res; 75(6); 1134–43. ©2015 AACR.
Allergen-specific T-cell tolerance induction with allergen-derived long synthetic peptides: Results of a phase I trial
Authors: Jean-Marc Fellrath, Alexander Kettner, Nathalie Dufour, Christian Frigerio, Dominique Schneeberger, Annette Leimgruber, Gampietro Corradin, François Spertini
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2003)
Long-term Outcomes Following Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Authors: Ingrid Nygaard, Linda Brubaker, Halina M. Zyczynski, Geoffrey Cundiff, Holly Richter, Marie Gantz, Paul Fine, Shawn Menefee, Beri Ridgeway, Anthony Visco, Lauren Klein Warren, Min Zhang, Susan Meikle
Journal: JAMA (2013)

More than 225 000 surgeries are performed annually in the United States for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Abdominal sacrocolpopexy is considered the most durable POP surgery, but little is known about safety and long-term effectiveness.To describe anatomic and symptomatic outcomes up to 7 years after abdominal sacrocolpopexy, and to determine whether these are affected by concomitant anti-incontinence surgery (Burch urethropexy).Long-term follow-up of the randomized, masked 2-year Colpopexy and Urinary Reduction Efforts (CARE) trial of women with stress continence who underwent abdominal sacrocolpopexy between 2002 and 2005 for symptomatic POP and also received either concomitant Burch urethropexy or no urethropexy. Ninety-two percent (215/233) of eligible 2-year CARE trial completers were enrolled in the extended CARE study; and 181 (84%) and 126 (59%) completed 5 and 7 years of follow-up, respectively. The median follow-up was 7 years.Symptomatic POP failure requiring retreatment or self-reported bulge; or anatomic POP failure requiring retreatment or Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification evaluation demonstrating descent of the vaginal apex below the upper third of the vagina, or anterior or posterior vaginal wall prolapse beyond the hymen. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with more than 1 symptom or interval treatment; or overall UI score of 3 or greater on the Incontinence Severity Index.By year 7, the estimated probabilities of treatment failure (POP, SUI, UI) from parametric survival modeling for the urethropexy group and the no urethropexy group, respectively, were 0.27 and 0.22 for anatomic POP (treatment difference of 0.050; 95% CI, -0.161 to 0.271), 0.29 and 0.24 for symptomatic POP (treatment difference of 0.049; 95% CI, -0.060 to 0.162), 0.48 and 0.34 for composite POP (treatment difference of 0.134; 95% CI, -0.096 to 0.322), 0.62 and 0.77 for SUI (treatment difference of -0.153; 95% CI, -0.268 to 0.030), and 0.75 and 0.81 for overall UI (treatment difference of -0.064; 95% CI, -0.161 to 0.032). Mesh erosion probability at 7 years (estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method) was 10.5% (95% CI, 6.8% to 16.1%).During 7 years of follow-up, abdominal sacrocolpopexy failure rates increased in both groups. Urethropexy prevented SUI longer than no urethropexy. Abdominal sacrocolpopexy effectiveness should be balanced with long-term risks of mesh or suture erosion.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00099372.
Couple asks permission to select an embryo to save son's life
Authors: Z. Kmietowicz
Journal: BMJ (2001)

Parents of a 2 year old boy with thalassaemia are pleading with the fertility watchdog in the United Kingdom to be allowed to select an embryo that will produce a brother or sister who can save his life.

Raj and Shahana Hashmi want their son, Zain, to have a stem cell transplant, but to date have failed to find a suitable donor. If the couple's request to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is …
Genetic Variants in P-Selectin and C-Reactive Protein Influence Susceptibility to Cognitive Decline After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Joseph P. Mathew, Mihai V. Podgoreanu, Hilary P. Grocott, William D. White, Richard W. Morris, Mark Stafford-Smith, G. Burkhard Mackensen, Christine S. Rinder, James A. Blumenthal, Debra A. Schwinn, Mark F. Newman
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2007)
Persistent thrombocytopenia during remission in acute leukemia does not preclude long‐term disease‐free survival
Authors: Kevin D. Heckman, George J. Weiner, C. Patrick Burns
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2002)

To the Editor: Angiotropic lymphoma is an intravascular large cell lymphoma [1].Although fever is a common manifestation of this disease, it is extremely rare for it to be initially seen as fever of unknown origin (FUO) [2].A 67-year-old white woman was admitted with a 3-week history of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.She was not aware of fever before her admission and denied weight loss or cutaneous lesions.Her physical examination was notable only for a pulse of 107/min and dry mucous membranes.There were no cutaneous lesions, lymphadenopathy, or organomegaly.Initial laboratory investigations revealed a hemoglobin of 7.1 g/dL, hematocrit of 20.8%, platelet count of 368,000/L, and a white blood cell count of 6,800/L (differential WBC: 70% neutrophils, 13% lymphocytes, and 15% monocytes).While the patient was hospitalized, repeated episodes of fever up to 103°F were noted.An extensive workup for FUO, including repeated blood and urine cultures, chest x-ray, duplex scan of the lower extremities, and computed tomography scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, was unrevealing.During the third week of hospitalization, a serum immunofixation study revealed the presence of a low-level IgG kappa monoclonal protein.Because of this finding, a punch biopsy of clinically normal abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue was obtained to look for amyloidosis.The biopsy specimen revealed neoplastic cells filling the lumens of multiple small blood vessels in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.Immunoperoxidase stains using antibodies to CD3, CD20, and CD79a revealed the cells to be CD20+, large neoplastic B cells indicative of angiotropic lymphoma (Fig. 1).Shortly after the skin biopsy was performed, the patient's condition worsened, and she died.
ON DOUBLE LOOP HERNIA (W HERNIA): WITH REPORT OF A CASE
Authors: J. A. C. Macewen
Journal: BMJ (1910)

cGCCUpyiDg the renal area; no trace of the kidney or ureter could ;-be found, but a large track led from this cavity downwards into the pelvis.On opening the abdomen a remarkable appearance was pre- sented; the peritoneal cavity was quite normal, the peritoneum being glistening and unchanged.Between the abdominal cavity and the pelvis a thick roof of peritoneum, shiny on its upper and black on its under surface, was seen.This was the peritoneal covering of the bladder stripped upwards.The pelvis was occupied by several pints of fetid pus.No trace of the bladder could be discovered-merely a black-walled cavity bounded by the pelvic bones remaining.The urethra opened directly into this cavity.The rectum could be seen apparently uninjured.The horizontal ramus of the pubis on the right side was fractured about its middle, the ununited ends projecting into the cavity.The left ureter and kidney could not be found, but in their place an abscess cavity with black walls, and a long track joining the two cavities.I found two handfuls of blackened slough lying at the bottom of the pelvic cavity, apparently the remnants of the bladder walls.The inflammation, after destroying the bladder, had tracked up the left ureter and destroyed the left kidney.
In vivo effect of UV-B on lymphocyte function
Authors: WARWICK L. MORISON, JOHN A. PARRISH, KURT J. BLOCH, JOEL I. KRUGLER
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1979)

Whole-body exposure of normal subjects to erythemogenic doses of UV-B radiation results in a decrease in the proportion of circulating E-rosette-forming lymphocytes, an increase in the proportion of null cells and a decreased incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA of lymphocytes following stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). These alterations are dose-dependent, appear soon after exposure, reach a maximum after 8-12 h, and are reversed by 48-72 h post exposure.
On a Regulated Temperature in the Treatment of Disease, etc
Authors: A. Robertson
Journal: BMJ (1871)

41 furnished five or more cases each ; the nature of the cases furnished by each are put in Table 6 ; again, 8i houses furnished three or four cases, which are particularised in Table 7 ; the remainder of the houses furnished but one or two cases each.The analysis of these tables give the following result 53 houses furnished 3 cases each.28 ,
"The Glory That Was Greece"
Authors: William H. Strange
Journal: JAMA (1969)

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> When a portion of a statement is extracted to prove one wrong, one must suspect his critic of extracted thinking. Indeed I stated that "feticide and infanticide are peculiarly Greek," but I preceded that partial statement with a careful<i>perhaps</i>. Furthermore, the remainder of the same sentence continues to say that ancient<i>civilized</i>people did not<i>characteristically</i>practice infanticide, but that many<i>uncivilized</i>Semites "<i>and others</i>" did so practice. Modern studies demonstrate that all Semitic peoples originated in Arabia.<sup>1</sup>The Hebrews, the creators of the Old Testament, were originally a northwest Arabian nomadic, uncivilized people. Dr. Anagnostopoulos seems to be refusing to allow me to include the early Hebrews among pre-Islamic Semites when he remarks that I am unfamiliar with the Bible; however, the Hebrews, who gathered experiences before they could write, were not always completely civilized, nor were all the people with whom they came
Advances in Coronary Heart Disease Surgery in Latin America
Authors: Enrique P. Gurfinkel, Veronica S. Lernoud, Ruben P. Laguens, Roberto R. Favaloro
Journal: Circulation (2007)

Background— The beginnings of coronary artery bypass graft in Latin America could be set in the year 1971. Since then, improvements in technique and greater experience have resulted in a rapid increase in the rate of interventions performed in the region. Methods and Results— Searches through PubMed and Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud, as well as personal communications from specialists from Latin America, have been the source of information. Articles were selected by their content related to the theme, and the authors’ nationality and information is mainly from Latin America. Demographic information of the population of Latin America denotes higher age averages, and this implies an increase in the severity of comorbidities in patients who undergo surgery. Longer life expectancy and improvements in medical therapy have implied that patients survive a first intervention beyond the expected time a bypass persists patent. Wall vessel properties of arterial conduits, plus a better anastomotic technique, seem to be the current solution to worsening in the coronary health of patients who undergo revascularization surgery in Latin America. Conclusions— Despite scarce economic investment in medical sciences, many academic groups contribute to the exploration of therapeutic pharmacological combinations and inclusively apply genetic strategies.
Kinetics of hepatitis B surface antigen differ between treatment with peginterferon and entecavir
Authors: Jurriën G.P. Reijnders, Vincent Rijckborst, Milan J. Sonneveld, Sandra M.J. Scherbeijn, Charles A.B. Boucher, Bettina E. Hansen, Harry L.A. Janssen
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2010)
Review: Yoga reduces low back pain and back-specific disability
Authors: Diane M. Harper
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2013)

ACP Journal ClubOctober 15, 2013Review: Yoga reduces low back pain and back-specific disabilityDiane M. Harper, MD, MPH, MSDiane M. Harper, MD, MPH, MSUniversity of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA (D.M.H.)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-159-8-201310150-02013 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Source CitationCramer H, Lauche R, Haller H, Dobos G. A systematic review and meta-analysis of yoga for low back pain. Clin J Pain. 2013;29:450-60. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23246998Clinical Impact RatingsGIM/FP/GP: Phys Med & Rehab: References1 US Burden of Disease Collaborators. The state of US health, 1990-2010: burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors. JAMA. 2013;310:591-608. [PMID: 23842577] Google Scholar2 Monticone M, Ferrante S, Rocca B, et al. Effect of a long-lasting multidisciplinary program on disability and fear-avoidance behaviors in patients with chronic low back pain: results of a randomized controlled trial. Clin J Pain. 2013 Jan 25. [Epub ahead of print] Google Scholar3 Cruser dA, Maurer D, Hensel K, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of osteopathic manipulative treatment for acute low back pain in active duty military personnel. J Man Manip Ther. 2012;20:5-15. [PMID: 23372389] Google Scholar4 Licciardone JC, Brimhall AK, King LN. Osteopathic manipulative treatment for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2005;6:43. [PMID: 16080794] Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA (D.M.H.) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics October 15, 2013Volume 159, Issue 8Page: JC13KeywordsDrug therapyExerciseLibrariesLower back painOpioidsOverweightPatientsPeripheral neuropathyPopulation statisticsQuality of life Issue Published: October 15, 2013 CopyrightCopyright © 2013 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...
Understanding Tranquilliser Use: The Role of the Social Sciences
Authors: Rose Laub Coser
Journal: JAMA (1991)

This book examines the sociological, psychological, cultural, economic, and political meanings of the consumption patterns of benzodiazepine drugs. While their use soared in the United States to 103 million prescriptions in 1975 and decreased to 71 million in 1984, in the United Kingdom the trend remained more or less constant below 30 million (Alan Shiell, p 93). When tranquilizers first arrived on the scene, they were greeted with "euphoric enthusiasm" and "hailed as yet another magic bullet" (Anthony Clare, p 180). They were considered vastly superior (and still are so considered today) to the bromides and barbiturates they were to replace. Now, public unease has settled in, it being conjectured that they are being overprescribed and that their long-term use brings about dependency and makes discontinuation difficult. Beyond this, we hardly find out what the deleterious aftereffects of tranquilizer intake are, except that we are told once, by Susan Golombok,
Mast cells lacking the high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor are deficient in Fc epsilon RI gamma messenger RNA.
Authors: J J Ryan, C A Kinzer, W E Paul
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1995)

A population of cells that express mast cell markers, including the membrane protein p161, but that lack expression of the high affinity IgE receptor, Fc epsilon RI, can be routinely grown from bone marrow. Ionomycin, but not IgE immune complexes, causes these cells to release serotonin and to express IL-3 and IL-13 mRNA, consistent with their being FC epsilon RI-deficient mast cells. These p161+/Fc epsilon RI- mast cells expressed normal amounts of Fc epsilon RI alpha and beta chain mRNA, but extremely low levels of Fc epsilon RI gamma chain mRNA. In addition, this novel mast cell population expressed CD3 zeta chain mRNA, which p161+/Fc epsilon RI+ mast cells did not. CD3 zeta stable transfectants of Abelson-murine leukemia virus-transformed p161+/Fc epsilon RI+ mast cells continued to express Fc epsilon RI. This strongly suggests that the failure of p161+/Fc epsilon RI- mast cells to express IgE receptors was not caused by the presence of CD3 zeta chain. Transfection of human Fc epsilon RI gamma cDNA into p161+/Fc epsilon RI- mast cells rescued IgE binding. These stable transfectants released serotonin in response to cross-linkage of Fc epsilon RI, demonstrating that the molecular defect of p161+/Fc epsilon RI- mast cells is indeed the loss of Fc epsilon RI gamma expression.
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance During Acute Withdrawal in Chronic Alcoholic Patients
Authors: James D. Beard
Journal: JAMA (1968)

Total body water, extracellular volume, and plasma volume were measured in 30 well-nourished, chronic alcoholics. Plasma and erythrocyte electrolyte concentration and excretion were measured. Isosmotic overhydration with normal concentrations was found on admission to the hospital. With no specific fluid or electrolyte therapy, total body water level decreased to normal four days later. Abnormal liver function was found in all patients. Empirical and ubiquitous use of fluids in alcoholics, presumed to be dehydrated, may only exacerbate overhydration.
Transmission of HIV in prison. Different aims, different strategies.
Authors: J A Emslie
Journal: BMJ (1993)

I cannot see what the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Visitors in the shape of Mr Reg Pyne is concerned about when he says that complaints are difficult to initiate.There is no lack of letters of complaint flooding into hospitals, and this is usually the starting point.The consultant is then given an opportunity to reply; if this is not sufficient further action can be taken.This further action normally involves the clinical complaints procedure.Having been at both the receiving and the adjudicating ends of this pro- cedure, I think it fails entirely in its intial objective, which was to avoid unnecessary litigation.In my experience the convening of such a forum merely gives the patients another opportunity to vent spleen on the doctor for real or imaginary wrong- doings.It was originally intended that the con- clusions of the inquiry through the medical officer would prevent litigation, but this was never binding.The patient could take the conclusion of the clinical complaints procedure and use it as evidence in a full blown judicial procedure.The need for this review is timely, because consultants appointed since trusts were established will not have the right of appeal to the secretary of state as before.Therefore some external appeal procedure should be in place for both the patient and any consultant who feels aggrieved as a result of disciplinary action for the purpose ofthe appeal.I suggest that two consultants from outside the region be appointed to consider the facts of the case and report.If this is still not satisfactory, clearly there must be recourse to the courts.