tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The bcl-2 Gene, Follicular Lymphoma, and Hodgkin's Disease
Authors: M. Cleary, S. A. Rosenberg
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1990)

In this issue of the Journal, Stetler-Stevenson et al. (7) describe studies that have potentially profound implications for our understanding of the biology of Hodgkin's disease, an entity with long-time enigmatic pathogenesis and cellular origin. StetlerStevenson and her colleagues show that within the tissues of at least one third of unselected Hodgkin's disease patients are cells carrying a specific DNA abnormality that is the molecular hallmark of the 14;18 chromosomal translocation. This translocation, which results in deregulation of the so-called bcl-2 gene on chromosome 18, had previously been restricted to bona fide B-lineage neoplasms, particularly non-Hodgkin's follicular lymphomas. The authors (7) deduce that their results imply a potential B-cell origin for the characteristic Reed-Sternberg cell and implicate the bcl-2 gene product in the pathogenesis of a clinicopathologic entity distinct from low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. These results, to say the least, are certainly unexpected and most provocative. The technique used by Stetler-Steve nson and associates was the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that recently has seen an explosive increase in its application to a wide variety of investigative problems in molecular biology and medicine. In this technique, repetitive cycles of specifically primed DNA synthesis are used to amplify a target sequence up to one billion-fold. However, the inherent power of the technique to detect minute amounts of the target DNA molecule is offset by the specter of false-positive signals resulting from subpicogram amounts of contaminating DNA. These minute amounts of contaminating DNA are widespread and present serious problems to laboratory researchers using the PCR technique to examine materials that may have low levels of the target sequence; they must take special precautions and perform the technique meticulously to minimize possible cross-contamination of test samples. Contamination does not appear to account for the findings of Stetler-Steve nson et al., because they were able to repeat their results with freshly extracted tissues in an independent laboratory. In addition, they performed several control measures to rule out possible contamination of reagents. Therefore, the experimental methods used appear sound, and the presence of cells carrying the 14;18 chromosomal translocation in tissues of patients with Hodgkin's disease must be addressed. A potential explanation for the current observations is that the examined tissues contained both Hodgkin's disease and follicular lymphoma. Indeed, the authors acknowledge that several of their positive tissues were found on review to contain composite lymphomas consisting of Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's
Thickenings in the coronary arteries in infancy as an indication of genetic factors in coronary heart disease.
Authors: E Pesonen, R Norio, S Sarna
Journal: Circulation (1975)

In Finland, mortality from coronary heart disease is high, and much higher in the eastern than in the western countries. Both left and right coronary arteries of 141 children who died under one year of age at the Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, were investigated. Thirty-two of these children formed a western and 41 an eastern group according to the birthplaces of their grandparents in Finland. Correlations were tested between this geographical distribution and some dimensions of the coronary arteries, as well as other clinical variables. The inner vascular layers of the left coronary arteries were found to be thicker in the eastern group (P less than 0.05 in analysis of variance and P less than 0.01 in regression analysis). No other significant correlations were observed. This association of infants having thick inner vascular layers in the coronary artery with a population group where mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) is very high supports the hypothesis that the thickenings are prearteriosclerotic. The difference found between the arteries of the western and eastern groups might be due to a difference in the vulnerability of the inner vascular wall to extrinsic deleterious factors. The association substantiates the existence of a genetic component in the etiology of CHD and supports the theory that two separate groups of settlers originally colonized Finland.
Retrospective Drug Utilization Review, Prescribing Errors, and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Sean Hennessy
Journal: JAMA (2003)

ContextRetrospective drug utilization review is required of all state Medicaid programs and is performed by most private-sector prescription programs. However, it has not been shown to improve clinical outcomes or reduce the rate of potential prescribing errors, known as "exceptions."ObjectiveTo look for an effect of retrospective drug utilization review on the rate of exceptions and of clinical outcomes in patients with an exception.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsLongitudinal ecologic study of the rate of exceptions, controlling for preintervention trends and calendar time; and a cohort study of all-cause and cause-specific hospitalizations in patients with an exception, controlling for potential individual-level confounders in 6 Medicaid programs using the same software in the mid-1990s.Main Outcome MeasuresThe rate of exceptions was examined as a function of retrospective drug utilization review implementation. In addition, before-after comparisons were made of the incidence of all-cause and cause-specific hospitalization in patients with exceptions.ResultsWe found no reduction in the rate of exceptions coincident with retrospective drug utilization review implementation (rate increase, 0.064 exceptions per 1000 prescriptions per month; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.006 to 0.133). We also found no effect of retrospective drug utilization review on the incidence of all-cause hospitalization (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-1.00) or cause-specific hospitalization. These results persisted in multiple subgroup analyses. Study states intervened using physician alerts in between 1% and 25% of exceptions.ConclusionsWe were unable to identify an effect of retrospective drug utilization review on the rate of exceptions or on clinical outcomes. Given the lack of evidence for effectiveness, and suggestions from previous research of possible harm, policymakers should consider withdrawing the legislative mandate for retrospective drug utilization review.
A Companion to Manuals of Practical Anatomy
Authors: M. Eastwood, J. Eastwood
Journal: BMJ (2010)

For almost 200 years the anatomy dissection room was a rite of passage for any young person studying medicine. Scottish graduates, especially those from the Edinburgh Medical School, dispersed the teaching of anatomy throughout the English speaking world. In the middle years of the 20th century the writings and teachings of E B Jamieson dominated.

Known affectionately as “Jimmy,” he wrote the Illustrations of Regional Anatomy and the accompanying compact book A Companion to Manuals of Practical Anatomy . They were the inseparable companion of any preclinical medical student and were known respectively as “Jimmy’s plates” and …
Drug Antisubstitution Laws
Authors: Frank J. Briganti
Journal: JAMA (1972)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> The concept of drug antisubstitution laws has brought about many statements for and against it, by both the medical and pharmacy professions. This has resulted in an unnecessary conflict between the professions, especially when we should be working together to provide the patient with the best care and treatment. The American Medical Association (AMA), American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), and the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) should form a joint committee to study the problem. A pharmacist's duty is to fill the order of a physician, keeping in mind he has the responsibility to evaluate the merit and safety of the order. "Choose your pharmacist as carefully as you choose your physician."
The annual ASCI meeting: does nostalgia have a future?
Authors: Robert J. Lefkowitz
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2008)

For many academic physician-scientists, the yearly Tri-Societies meeting of the ASCI, AAP, and AFCR during the 1960s, '70s, and '80s was an annual rite of spring and the focal point of the academic year. In this brief essay, I set down some miscellaneous recollections of these meetings and some thoughts about why they were of such central importance in the careers of those of my generation.
Solubility test for Hb S.
Authors: A B Raper
Journal: BMJ (1971)

pital as a day centre, but financed from hospital revenue.In a paper by us and C. M. Hyland3 the case was put that a day ward should not be provided by the hospital service to make up for the deficiencies of the welfare services, but should highlight these deficiencies so that they can be remedied.De Martino' stressed that as long as the finance of the National Health Service is divided into hos- pital, general practitioner, and local author- ity services, it is essential that the hospital service should spend its money only to per- form a hospital function.We wish to draw the attention of those in the specialty of geriatric medicine to the fallacious reasoning and inherent dangers of the Department of Health's current method of financing day hospital running costs, which will penalize the smaller and busier day hospital with a high turnover at the expense of the larger day centre type of day hospital.-Weare, etc.,
CD8‐positive adult T‐cell leukemia cells with an integrated defective HTLV‐I genome show a paracrine growth to IL‐2
Authors: Kakushi Matsushita, Naomichi Arima, Shiroh Hidaka, Hideo Ohtsubo, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Junko Fukumori, Hiromitsu Tanaka
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1994)

Abstract We describe a 50‐year‐old man with adult T‐cell leukemia complicated by laryngeal tuberculosis whose tumor cells proliferate in response to IL‐2 in a paracrine manner. On admission, the patient's white blood cell count was 17,900/mm 3 ; 73% were abnormal lymphocytes with convoluted nuclel. FACS analysis showed that the tumor cells were CD4‐negative, CD8‐positive T cells. Southern blot analysis of tumor cells revealed integration of a defective HTLV‐I genome lacking gag and pol genes. He was diagnosed with chronic ATL complicated by laryngeal tuberculosis. The primary leukemic cells expressed IL‐2Rα and IL‐2Rβ detected by FACS and Northern blot analysis and showed marked growth in response to exogenously added recombinant IL‐2 in short‐term cultures. Northern blot analysis did not show any IL‐2 mRNA. We have previously demonstrated that primary leukemic cells from some ATL patients grow in response to IL‐2 in an autocrine or paracrine manner. These results suggest that in CD8 ATL, IL‐2 may beinvolved in a paracrine manner. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pregnancy in cyanotic congenital heart disease. Outcome of mother and fetus.
Authors: P Presbitero, J Somerville, S Stone, E Aruta, D Spiegelhalter, F Rabajoli
Journal: Circulation (1994)

In a series of 416 women with congenital heart disease seen in the Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospital, London, and the Hospital Giovanni Bosco, Torino, Italy, there were 822 pregnancies. The outcomes of 96 pregnancies in 44 patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease were studied. Patients with the Eisenmenger reaction were excluded. Patients were divided arbitrarily into groups according to the type of maternal congenital cardiac anomaly, and factors influencing maternal and fetal outcome were evaluated. The incidence of maternal cardiovascular complications was high (32%), with one death from endocarditis 2 months after delivery. Forty-one (43%) of 96 pregnancies resulted in a live birth; 15 (37%) were premature. Mean weight of full-term infants was 2575 g. Univariate analysis suggested that maternal disease, Ability Index, hemoglobin, and arterial oxygen saturation before the pregnancy were factors that discriminated between successful and unsuccessful fetal outcome, with hemoglobin and arterial oxygen saturation being the most important predictors. Women with cyanotic congenital heart disease can go through pregnancy with a low risk to themselves, with frequent treatable complications, but there is a high incidence of miscarriage, premature births, and low birth weights. An incidence of congenital heart disease in the fetus of 4.9% (2 of 41 live births) is higher than that found in the normal population.
P214The study of anti-oxLDL autoantibody biomarker on the prevention of ACS
Authors: TS Sumiya, SH Zorigoo, E Odkhuu, M Munkhzol
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2014)

Background: The disease is caused by the thrombogenesis resulting from the rupture of a coronary atherosclerosis plaque. As some researchers believe the main cause of the coronary atherosclerosis plaque rupture is the connection of oxLDL autoantigen contained in the atheroma plaques with the anti-oxLDL autoantibody, thus forming an immune complex that activates the immune complement, immune reaction and cell-mediated immune response. Our study proposes that the detection of the above mentioned autoantibody has a significant role in monitoring plaque rupture, prevention of ACS and the treatment control, complication and evaluation of the prognosis. Aims: To determine the serum level of anti-oxLDL autoantibody and to investigate the role of the above mentioned autoantibody in the prevention of ACS. Methods: Our research was conducted using the case-control study method. The case group consists of patients with severe coronary stenosis as diagnosed by cardiac angiography (stenosis >85%), the control group- healthy people with carotid artery stenosis (<0.7mm). We measured Anti-oxLDL using ELISA Kit and oxLDL titer by ELISA Kit reagents in the enzyme binding reaction. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was determined by using spectrophotometer method. Results: Anti-oxLDL autoantibodies titer level for case group was (694±30.91 MU/MΠ), which is (627±14.11 MU/MΠ) greater than the control group. It was statistically significant result (p<0.01). According to the Binary Logistic Regression test, the anti-oxLDL level significantly influenced ACS (OR=1.008, p<0.05). This shows that 1 mU/ml increase of anti-oxLDL autoantibody titer results in 1.008 times or 0.8% increase in the susceptibility of ACS. The significance of determining the above mentioned autoantibody level in treatment and prevention of ACS could be seen from the results of ROC curve test (significant and sensitive area >0.5, p<0.05). Anti-oxLDL autoantibody titer level had a direct relation with the oxLDL level (r=0.92, p<0.01), and an indirect relation with the TAC level (r=-0.337, p<0.01). The factors influencing the anti-oxLDL autoantibody level of the case group has been indicated and analyzed using linear regressive test, the results of which showed that cholesterol level (β=2.546, p<0.05), (β=1.149, p<0.005) and oxLDL (β=3.115, p<0.005) are associated with an increase in the autoantibody levels. However, TAC (β=-2.724, p<0.01) level had an indirect relation with the increase. Conclusions: Anti-oxLDL autoantibodies could be potential and novel biomarkers for the prevention of ACS.
TREATMENT OF OPTIC NERVE ATROPHY BY MERCURIAL INUNCTIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HOT BATHS OF THE HOT SPRINGS OF ARKANSAS.
Authors: O. J. SHORT
Journal: JAMA (1896)

It is not the object of this paper to consider the different pathologic conditions found in optic nerve atrophy, but to give my experience in the treatment of this condition, no matter what the etiology, by the use of mercurial inunctions of ungt. hydrarg. U. S. P. in conjunction with the baths of the Hot Springs of Arkansas. I have selected from my records five cases, each arising from a different cause. The mode of treatment pursued is practically the same in each, only varying the conditions and circumstances as indicated. For fear there may be some question as to the correct diagnoses I will state that in each case a like diagnosis was made by at least two oculists, men of unquestionable ability and in most instances members of this society. <h3>Case 1.</h3> —Mr. C. C. O., aged 39, referred to me in May, 1893. On examination I found
1037-147 Validation study of strain rate in comparison to tissue velocity for determining endocardial, epicardial and global left ventricular function: An in vitro study in isolated porcine left ventricles
Authors: Jessica E Coffman, Yin Kan Hwee, Ikuo Hashimoto, Margaret S Soper, Brent J Barber, George D Giraud, Xiaokui Li, David J Sahn
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2004)
Incidence and Mortality after Acute Respiratory Failure and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland
Authors: OWE R. LUHR, KRISTIAN ANTONSEN, MAGNUS KARLSSON, SIDSEL AARDAL, ADALBJÖRN THORSTEINSSON, CLAES G. FROSTELL, JAN BONDE
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

To determine the incidence and 90-d mortality of acute respiratory failure (ARF), acute lung injury (ALI), and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we carried out an 8-wk prospective cohort study in Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. All intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (n = 13,346) >/= 15 yr of age were assessed between October 6th and November 30th, 1997 in 132 of 150 ICUs with resources to treat patients with intubation and mechanical ventilation (I + MV) >/= 24 h. ARF was defined as I + MV >/= 24 h. ALI and ARDS were defined using criteria recommended by the American-European Consensus Conference on ARDS. Calculation to correct the incidence for unidentified subjects from nonparticipating ICUs was made. No correction for in- or out-migration from the study area was possible. The population in the three countries >/= 15 yr of age was 11.74 million. One thousand two hundred thirty-one ARF patients were included, 287 ALI and 221 ARDS patients were identified. The incidences were for ARF 77.6, for ALI 17.9, and for ARDS 13.5 patients per 100,000/yr. Ninety-day mortality was 41.0% for ARF, including ALI and ARDS patients, 42.2% for ALI not fulfilling ARDS criteria, and 41.2% for ARDS.
History Laid Bare: Love, Sex, and Perversity From the Ancient Etruscans to Warren G. Harding
Authors: Domeena C. Renshaw
Journal: JAMA (1994)

The only apparent organization to History Laid Bare is that, in accordance with the subtitle, the chronology proceeds from 1450 BC to 1921 AD. Physicians' misconceptions and observations through the ages about human sexuality weave in and out of the 400-plus pages.  The author's introduction warns the reader, Don't expect a methodical history of sex here [but rather] fragments, vignettes [and] lewd snapshots—which is, indeed, the case. The offering is a tongue-in-cheek collection of frothy sexual gossip. Acknowledgments to translators, five pages of copyright attributions, and 16 pages of sources do not add up to either a serious scientific work or a literary one. The author was honest. He has woven together bits and pieces of the amusing sexual thoughts, words, and acts of countless men and women. With total irreverence, popes, priests, and presidents are laid bare. Crude customs are described, for example, means to prove impotence so that
Tumor suppressor PTEN signaling is up-regulated in mammary epithelial cells by soy isoflavone genistein: implications for breast cancer protection.
Authors: OM Rahal, RC Simmen
Journal: Cancer Research (2009)

Abstract Abstract #4069 Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Western hemisphere affecting one of eight women in their lifetime. In addition to chromosomal and genetic alterations, nutrition is considered a risk determinant for breast cancer. Prevailing evidence suggests a negative correlation between intake of soy-rich foods and breast cancer incidence. Epidemiological and case control studies have shown a two-to eight fold lower occurrence of the disease in Asian women whose early intake of soy products is 20-25 times higher than their American counterparts. Previous work from our group has shown diet-induced protection against DMBA- and NMU-induced mammary tumors in vivo, with decreased tumor incidence and increased tumor latency in rats exposed to dietary soy protein isolate (SPI) or casein (CAS) supplemented with the major soy isoflavone genistein (GEN) when compared to those fed the control casein (CAS) diet. We also have shown that GEN enhanced apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells in vivo and in vitro (MCF-7 cells), attendant with increased expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN and several pro-apoptotic genes Bax, Bok, and p21. Here, we test the hypothesis that GEN induction of PTEN expression and nuclear localization in mammary epithelial cells result in decreased cellular proliferation and enhanced cellular differentiation, to confer protection from mammary tumorigenesis. Using the non-tumor human mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A, we show that GEN at physiologically relevant concentrations (40 nM, 2 µM) increased PTEN mRNA and protein levels and enhanced nuclear accumulation of active (non-phosphorylated) PTEN. GEN induction of PTEN transcript levels was lost with the inclusion of the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D, suggesting PTEN is a direct GEN target. Further, cells treated with GEN for 6 days had lower cell viability when compared to control cells, concomitant with decreased expression of cyclin D1 and of the PTEN regulated gene pleiotrophin. Interestingly, GEN up-regulation of PTEN expression was accompanied by similar effects on another tumor suppressor p53, which co-localized with PTEN in the nuclei of GEN-treated cells. PTEN siRNA targeting, which decreased basal PTEN expression by 60%, significantly increased cyclin D1 but not p53 expression. Our findings provide support to the hypothesis that the protective effects of GEN in the mammary epithelium may be mediated by PTEN to enhance differentiation and inhibit cellular proliferation, and suggest the participation of another key tumor suppressor p53. Funding by USDA-CRIS 6251-5100002-06S. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4069.
Inoculating Blood Cultures: Changing Needles Is Useful
Authors: James C. Steinmetz
Journal: JAMA (1991)

To the Editor.  — As mentioned by Waters, 1 the risk of needle-stick injury in the Leisure et al study 2 was associated with recapping rather than with the needle change. The members of our phlebotomy team have not reported needle-stick injuries from needle changes while inoculating blood culture bottles in the 14 months since the needle-change policy was instituted.  Blood culture contamination rates of 2% to 3% are considered acceptable. 3 At one time, our hospital experienced contamination rates of 3% to 9%. Attention to proper blood drawing technique, in particular, skin disinfection, had no discernible effect. As a last resort, we included the changing of needles between blood drawing and blood culture bottle inoculation as part of our protocol, and since then contamination rates have consistently been in the 2% to 3% range. (Mean contamination rates were 4.9% and 2.5% in the 6 months prior to and following,