tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Bush's international health policies “condemn millions of women to die”
Authors: Jocalyn Clark
Journal: BMJ (2004)

American policies on international health were condemned last week for being based on ideology rather than science; for rolling back progress achieved in protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights; for increasing the risk of unwanted pregnancies, HIV infection, and unsafe abortions; and for “condemning millions of women to die.”

Seven hundred participants from 109 countries gathered in London to review progress on the Cairo Consensus, a programme of action ratified by 179 nation states at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The programme, which was designed to achieve sexual and reproductive rights for all by 2015, is now at the halfway point of its 20 year task. It is credited with introducing a human rights …
Sox6 enhances erythroid differentiation in human erythroid progenitors
Authors: Claudio Cantù, Rossella Ierardi, Ilaria Alborelli, Cristina Fugazza, Letizia Cassinelli, Silvia Piconese, Francesca Bosè, Sergio Ottolenghi, Giuliana Ferrari, Antonella Ronchi
Journal: Blood (2011)
IMPACT OF ATTENUATED PLAQUE DETECTED BY INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND ON MICROVASCULAR OBSTRUCTION IN ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
Authors: Yasutsugu Shiono, Takashi Kubo, Kunihiro Shimamura, Makoto Orii, Kohei Ishibashi, Takashi Yamano, Takashi Tanimoto, Yasushi Ino, Tomoyuki Yamaguchi, Takashi Akasaka
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2012)
Molecular Pathways: Novel Approaches for Improved Therapeutic Targeting of Hedgehog Signaling in Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Verline Justilien, Alan P. Fields
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2015)

Abstract The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is critical for embryonic development. In adult tissues, Hh signaling is relatively quiescent with the exception of roles in tissue maintenance and repair. Aberrant activation of Hh signaling is implicated in multiple aspects of transformation, including the maintenance of the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype. Preclinical studies indicate that CSCs from many tumor types are sensitive to Hh pathway inhibition and that Hh-targeted therapeutics block many aspects of transformation attributed to CSCs, including drug resistance, relapse, and metastasis. However, to date, Hh inhibitors, specifically those targeting Smoothened [such as vismodegib, BMS-833923, saridegib (IPI-926), sonidegib/erismodegib (LDE225), PF-04449913, LY2940680, LEQ 506, and TAK-441], have demonstrated good efficacy as monotherapy in patients with basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma, but have shown limited activity in other tumor types. This lack of success is likely due to many factors, including a lack of patient stratification in early trials, cross-talk between Hh and other oncogenic signaling pathways that can modulate therapeutic response, and a limited knowledge of Hh pathway activation mechanisms in CSCs from most tumor types. Here, we discuss Hh signaling mechanisms in the context of human cancer, particularly in the maintenance of the CSC phenotype, and consider new therapeutic strategies that hold the potential to expand considerably the scope and therapeutic efficacy of Hh-directed anticancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 21(3); 505–13. ©2015 AACR.
Cytokine Profiles In Bronchoalveolar Lavage In a Mouse Model Of Bronchial Asthma During A(H1N1)pdm09 and Seasonal H1N1 Infection
Authors: Shunji Hasegawa, Seigo Okada, Hiroyuki Wakiguchi, Hideki Hasegawa, Akira Ainai, Komei Shirabe, Shoichi Toda, Ryo Atsuta, Akihiro Hasegawa, Takashi Ichiyama
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2014)
The Influence of Antisense Oligonucleotide Length on Dystrophin Exon Skipping
Authors: P L Harding, A M Fall, K Honeyman, S Fletcher, S D Wilton
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2006)

Antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) can be used to redirect dystrophin pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) processing, to remove selected exons from the mature dystrophin mRNA, to overcome nonsense mutations, and/or restore the reading frame. Redundancy within the dystrophin protein allows some domains to be removed without seriously compromising function. One of the challenges for splicing blockade is to design AOs that efficiently remove targeted exons across the dystrophin pre-mRNA. AOs are initially designed to anneal to the more obvious motifs implicated in the splicing process, such as acceptor or donor splice sites and in silico predicted exonic splicing enhancers. The AOs are evaluated for their ability to induce targeted exon skipping after transfection into cultured myoblasts. Although no single motif has been implicated in the consistent induction of exon skipping, the length of the AO has emerged as an important parameter in designing compounds that redirect dystrophin pre-mRNA processing. We present data from in vitro studies in murine and human cells showing that appropriately designed AOs of 25-31 nucleotides are generally more effective at inducing exon skipping than shorter counterparts. However, there appears to be an upper limit in optimal length, which may have to be established on a case-by-case basis.
Risk, compensation, challenges
Authors: T. C Erren, P. Falaturi, P. Morfeld, R. J Reiter
Journal: BMJ (2009)

The group 2A classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of shift work that entails circadian disruption as probably carcinogenic came—for many—as a surprise.1 Thereafter, with specific reference to IARC’s declaration, 38 women with breast cancer who had worked night shifts for at …
Increased activity of serum amine oxidases in granuloma annulare, necrobiosis lipoidica and diabetes
Authors: C.-T. YUEN, D. EASTON, K.J. MISCH, E.L. RHODES
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1987)

Serum monoamine oxidase, diamine oxidase and lysyl oxidase-like activity were measured in patients with granuloma annulare (GA), necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) and diabetes mellitus. In diabetes, all enzyme measurements were raised by a factor of about 2.2, and in NL by a factor of about 1.5. The rise in patients with GA was small and only significant in the case of benzylamine monoamine oxidase. ‘Stiff’ collagen would seem to link these three disorders and the present results suggest that these amine oxidases could be useful in monitoring collagen abnormality in diabetes and diabetes-associated disorders, particularly in the absence of chronic liver disease. A negative correlation was found between enzyme activity and blood glucose levels, thus collagen changes in these conditions may occur independently of elevated blood glucose levels. Possible involvement of these enzymes in angiopathy remains to be elucidated.
Competent Care for the Dying Instead of Physician-Assisted Suicide
Authors: Kathleen M. Foley
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1997)

While the Supreme Court is reviewing the decisions by the Second and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals to reverse state bans on assisted suicide, there is a unique opportunity to engage the public, health care professionals, and the government in a national discussion of how American medicine and society should address the needs of dying patients and their families. Such a discussion is critical if we are to understand the process of dying from the point of view of patients and their families and to identify existing barriers to appropriate, humane, compassionate care at the end of life. Rational discourse . . .
Neuropathy After Nitrous Oxide Abuse
Authors: Michael A. Nevins
Journal: JAMA (1980)

To the Editor.—  I recently encountered two unusual cases. A husband and wife had progressive symptoms for several weeks suggesting severe peripheral neuropathy with substantial sensory impairment and posterior column signs. Inquiry about common exposure to potential neurotoxins disclosed that both habitually inhaled nitrous oxide (N 2 O) to achieve highs; indeed, they were in the business of distributing N 2 O and other paraphernalia to the head shop trade throughout the area. Their preferred method was to inhale the contents of balloons inflated from N 2 O canisters manufactured to make whipped cream.  The husband admitted using up to 100 balloons three or four times a week for more than a year. He had failed to make the connection between his habit and the neurological symptoms and, rather authoritatively, insisted that N 2 O was safe and that he knew thousands of users, none of whom had suffered any
Eleventh International Medical Congress.
Authors: Frank Ring
Journal: JAMA (1894)

1230Olive St., St. Louis, Dec. 26,1893. <h3>To the Editor:</h3> —Referring to the item in theJournalof December 23, regarding the International Congress,can you tell what arrangements for transportation and otherwise have been made as to visitors from this country? Yours fraternally, <h3>Ans:</h3> —Address Dr. A. Jacobi, 110 W.Thirty-Fourth Street, New York.
A Population-Based Study of Diabetes and Its Characteristics During the Fasting Month of Ramadan in 13 Countries
Authors: Ibrahim Salti, Eric Bénard, Bruno Detournay, Monique Bianchi-Biscay, Corinne Le Brigand, Céline Voinet, Abdul Jabbar
Journal: Diabetes Care (2004)

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics and care of patients with diabetes in countries with a sizable Muslim population and to study diabetes features during Ramadan and the effect of fasting. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This was a population-based, retrospective, transversal survey conducted in 13 countries. A total of 12,914 patients with diabetes were recruited using a stratified sampling method, and 12,243 were considered for the analysis. RESULTS—Investigators recruited 1,070 (8.7%) patients with type 1 diabetes and 11,173 (91.3%) patients with type 2 diabetes. During Ramadan, 42.8% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 78.7% with type 2 diabetes fasted for at least 15 days. Less than 50% of the whole population changed their treatment dose (approximately one-fourth of patients treated with oral antidiabetic drugs [OADs] and one-third of patients using insulin). Severe hypoglycemic episodes were significantly more frequent during Ramadan compared with other months (type 1 diabetes, 0.14 vs. 0.03 episode/month, P = 0.0174; type 2 diabetes, 0.03 vs. 0.004 episode/month, P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Severe hypoglycemia was more frequent in subjects who changed their dose of OADs or insulin or modified their level of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS—The large proportion of both type 1 and type 2 diabetic subjects who fast during Ramadan represent a challenge to their physicians. There is a need to provide more intensive education before fasting, to disseminate guidelines, and to propose further studies assessing the impact of fasting on morbidity and mortality.
RNA Interference Inhibits DUX4-induced Muscle Toxicity In Vivo: Implications for a Targeted FSHD Therapy
Authors: Lindsay M Wallace, Jian Liu, Jacqueline S Domire, Sara E Garwick-Coppens, Susan M Guckes, Jerry R Mendell, Kevin M Flanigan, Scott Q. Harper
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2012)

No treatment exists for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), one of the most common inherited muscle diseases. Although FSHD can be debilitating, little effort has been made to develop targeted therapies. This lack of focus on targeted FSHD therapy perpetuated because the genes and pathways involved in the disorder were not understood. Now, more than 2 decades after efforts to decipher the root cause of FSHD began, this barrier to translation is finally lowering. Specifically, several recent studies support an FSHD pathogenesis model involving overexpression of the myopathic DUX4 gene. DUX4 inhibition has therefore emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for FSHD. In this study, we tested a preclinical RNA interference (RNAi)-based DUX4 gene silencing approach as a prospective treatment for FSHD. We found that adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-delivered therapeutic microRNAs corrected DUX4-associated myopathy in mouse muscle. These results provide proof-of-principle for RNAi therapy of FSHD through DUX4 inhibition. No treatment exists for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), one of the most common inherited muscle diseases. Although FSHD can be debilitating, little effort has been made to develop targeted therapies. This lack of focus on targeted FSHD therapy perpetuated because the genes and pathways involved in the disorder were not understood. Now, more than 2 decades after efforts to decipher the root cause of FSHD began, this barrier to translation is finally lowering. Specifically, several recent studies support an FSHD pathogenesis model involving overexpression of the myopathic DUX4 gene. DUX4 inhibition has therefore emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for FSHD. In this study, we tested a preclinical RNA interference (RNAi)-based DUX4 gene silencing approach as a prospective treatment for FSHD. We found that adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-delivered therapeutic microRNAs corrected DUX4-associated myopathy in mouse muscle. These results provide proof-of-principle for RNAi therapy of FSHD through DUX4 inhibition.
False Heart-to-Mediastinum Ratio of I-123 Metaiodobenzylguanidine due to Right Ventricular Attenuation
Authors: María Nazarena Pizzi, Mónica Sabaté-Fernández, Gustavo de León, Santiago Aguadé-Bruix, Jaume Candell-Riera
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2011)

A low early (1.35) and delayed (1.22) I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine heart/mediastinum ratio (normal reference value: 1.60) in planar anterior images as a result of right ventricular attenuation was observed in a 33-year-old man with corrected tetralogy of Fallot. At age 2, he had surgical enlargement of the pulmonary infundibulum and repair of the ventricular septal defect. He was reoperated at age 29 with the implantation of a pulmonary prosthetic valve complicated by postoperative inferolateral myocardial infarction. Four years after the last surgery, he presented with ventricular tachycardia treated with ablation and intracardiac defibrillator implantation. Early (2.36) and delayed (2.29) heart/mediastinum ratio in lateral projection was normal.
Neonatal Serologic Screening and Early Treatment for Congenital Toxoplasma gondii Infection
Authors: Nicholas G. Guerina, Ho-Wen Hsu, H. Cody Meissner, James H. Maguire, Ruth Lynfield, Barbara Stechenberg, Israel Abroms, Mark S. Pasternack, Rodney Hoff, Roger B. Eaton, George F. Grady
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1994)

Most infants with congenital Toxoplasma gondii infection have no symptoms at birth, but many will have retinal disease or neurologic abnormalities later in life. Early detection and treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis may reduce these sequelae.
ESTIMATING THE CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES IN 2010 &amp;ndash; WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS?
Authors: Ariane Marelli, Suzanne Gilboa, Owen Devine, James Kucik, Raluca lonescu-lttu, Matthew Oster, Tiffany Riehle-Colarusso, Adolfo Correa, Kathy Jenkins
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2012)
Words, concepts, and entities: With enemies like these, I don't need friends
Authors: Ruth Garrett Millikan
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (1998)

A number of clarifications of the target article and some corrections are made. I clarify which concepts the thesis was intended to be about, what “descriptionism” means, the difference between “concepts” and “conceptions,” and why extensions are not determined by conceptions. I clarify the meaning of “substances,” how one knows what inductions to project over them, the connection with “basic level categories,” how it is determined what substance a given substance concept is of, how equivocation in concepts occurs, and the role of language in the conception of substances. Finally, I clarify exactly why I said that concepts of individuals, real kinds, and stuffs have “a common structure,”
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VERTEBRAL FRACTURES AS A COMPLICATION OF METRAZOL THERAPY
Authors: NORMAN L. EASTON, JOSEPH SOMMERS
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1942)

1. Comparing films of the spine taken before and after treatment in a series of 200 metrazol-treated cases, a fracture incidence of 23 per cent was found. 2. Fractures were found more frequently in males (28.6 per cent) than in females (19 per cent). 3. The incidence of fractures is much greater in patients over 55 years of age and under 21. In the former group, we believe this is due to the relative osteoporosis present in the spine, while the fact that the spines in the young age group have not attained their full adult strength is a contributing factor to the increase in injury in this class. 4. The mental condition present and its duration show no relationship to the incidence of fracture in these patients. 5. Metrazol does not appear to affect the calcium metabolism in the body. 6. In the 46 cases, 111 vertebral bodies were fractured, i. e., 2.4 per patient. No other parts of the vertebrae were involved, and no dislocations occurred. This would explain the absence of spinal cord involvement. 7. All the fractures occurred in the dorsal spine, the fourth, fifth and sixth being the most frequently injured. 8. Multiple fractures occurred more often in males than in females, due, in our opinion, to the greater muscular development of the former and the more powerful convulsions produced in them. 9. In agreement with other published reports, we have found that the symptoms produced are much milder than would be expected from examination of the radiographs of the injured spines. 10. We strongly recommend that routine pre-treatment lateral radiographic examinations of the thoracic spine should be done to determine the presence of any contra-indications, and to discover any irregularities in the appearance of the vertebræ which might simulate minor injuries and thus confuse the issue when post-treatment films are examined. All cases should be x-rayed after treatment to diagnose symptomatic and asymptomatic fractures. 11. Kyphosis, scoliosis, arthritis, nuclear change and old fractures are no contra-indication to metrazol therapy. Osteoporosis appears to be a contra-indication.
Gut microbes and adverse food reactions: Focus on gluten related disorders
Authors: Heather J Galipeau, Elena F Verdu
Journal: Gut Microbes (2014)

Immediately following birth, the gastrointestinal tract is colonized with a complex community of bacteria, which helps shape the immune system. Under conditions of health, the immune system is able to differentiate between innocuous antigens, including food protein and commensals, and harmful antigens such as pathogens. However, patients with celiac disease (CD) develop an intolerance to gluten proteins which results in a pro-inflammatory T-cell mediated immune response with production of anti-gluten and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies. This adaptive immune response, in conjunction with activation of innate inflammatory cells, lead to destruction of the small intestinal mucosa. Overall 30% of the global population has genetic risk to develop CD. However, only a small proportion develop CD, suggesting that additional environmental factors must play a role in disease pathogenesis. Alterations in small intestinal microbial composition have recently been associated with active CD, indicating a possible role for the microbiota in CD. However, studies demonstrating causality are lacking. This review will highlight the recent data on the potential role of the microbiota in CD pathogenesis, the potential mechanisms, and discuss future research directions.
Ten year mortality and causes of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: O Mutru, M Laakso, H Isomaki, K Koota
Journal: BMJ (1985)

Five hundred men and 500 women, aged 40 or over, with rheumatoid arthritis, together with a control population matched for age and sex, were observed over 10 years. During that time 352 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (208 men, 144 women) and 221 controls (148 men, 73 women) died. The overall mortality was significantly higher (p less than 0.0001) in both men and women with rheumatoid arthritis than in the controls. Infections and cardiovascular and renal diseases (especially amyloidosis) appeared to be the main causes of death in rheumatoid arthritis.
Effect of DHEA on Abdominal Fat and Insulin Action in Elderly Women and Men
Authors: Dennis T. Villareal, John O. Holloszy
Journal: JAMA (2004)

ContextDehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration has been shown to reduce accumulation of abdominal visceral fat and protect against insulin resistance in laboratory animals, but it is not known whether DHEA decreases abdominal obesity in humans. DHEA is widely available as a dietary supplement without a prescription.ObjectiveTo determine whether DHEA replacement therapy decreases abdominal fat and improves insulin action in elderly persons.Design and SettingRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in a US university-based research center from June 2001 to February 2004.ParticipantsFifty-six elderly persons (28 women and 28 men aged 71 [range, 65-78] years) with age-related decrease in DHEA level.InterventionParticipants were randomly assigned to receive 50 mg/d of DHEA or matching placebo for 6 months.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome measures were 6-month change in visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat measured by magnetic resonance imaging and glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).ResultsOf the 56 men and women enrolled, 52 underwent follow-up evaluations. Compliance with the intervention was 97% in the DHEA group and 95% in the placebo group. Based on intention-to-treat analyses, DHEA therapy compared with placebo induced significant decreases in visceral fat area (–13 cm2 vs +3 cm2, respectively; P = .001) and subcutaneous fat (–13 cm2 vs +2 cm2, P = .003). The insulin area under the curve (AUC) during the OGTT was significantly reduced after 6 months of DHEA therapy compared with placebo (–1119 μU/mL per 2 hours vs +818 μU/mL per 2 hours, P = .007). Despite the lower insulin levels, the glucose AUC was unchanged, resulting in a significant increase in an insulin sensitivity index in response to DHEA compared with placebo (+1.4 vs –0.7, P = .005).ConclusionDHEA replacement could play a role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity.
Katherine Rich replies to Martin McKee
Authors: K. Rich
Journal: BMJ (2014)

As the representative of most of the New Zealand food and grocery industry, the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council speaks regularly to commentators, journalists, and bloggers on all issues that concern its members. We try to get fair and balanced messages on issues related to food and grocery overall. We do not pay for media coverage or blogs.

We respect science and expertise, and we work constructively with a wide range of public health advocates.

The opinion piece by Martin McKee was disappointing because it repeated a number of falsehoods printed in New Zealand …
NOTES ON TAKA-DIASTASE.
Authors: T. H. ALLEN
Journal: JAMA (1896)

number of tumors than is generally supposed.I desire to emphasize the statement that any surgeon who is constantly alert to enucleate the tumor and preserve the reproductive organs will be surprised at the num- ber of cases in which this is entirely feasible.The mutilating operation of hysterectomy for fibro-myoma is often necessary, but not so often as the statistics of the present time would indicate.In the vast majority of cases the uterine appendages will be found normal, and in a large proportion of this majority the tumor may be enucleated from the uterus and the wound successfully closed precisely as would be required for the removal of such a tumor in any other part of the body.Cases of very large tumors and cases in which many small tumors are scattered through the uterine wall may require hysterectomy.The conservative operation of simple enucleation will apply in many cases when the tumor is even larger than the fetal head, and in cases of multiple myomata when there are not too many tumors.