tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
How Far Have We Come With Ultrasound Miniprobes?
Authors: None Chak
Journal: Endoscopy (1999)

Endoluminal ultrasonography incorporates the basic principles of physics, the technical accomplishments of modern engineering, the behavior of biological tissue, and the art of medicine. One of the inescapable physical properties of ultrasound is that while a higher frequency produces higher image resolution, it is at the cost of reduced tissue penetration. Correspondingly, medical applications depend on the frequency of the imaging instrument. Low frequencies are required for imaging large or distant lesions, whereas high frequencies are better suited for identifying subtle changes in small nearby lesions. The physical properties of the crystals used for transducers are such that small transducers can only produce high frequencies. Miniprobes are ultrasound catheters with diameters of approximately 2 - 3 mm, designed to pass through the accessory channel of a diagnostic endoscope. They generally incorporate transducers with frequencies of 12 MHz or higher. In contrast, echo endoscopes are usually operated at a frequency of 7.5 MHz. Not only is the imaging depth and resolution of these two types of endoluminal instrument different, but the focal length of miniprobes is typically in the 5 - 10 mm range, whereas the focal length of echo endoscopes is in the 20 - 30 mm range. Thus, although there is overlap, the medical applications of miniprobes differ from those of their counterpart, the echo endoscope.
Data from transnational study of oral contraceptives have been misused
Authors: W. O Spitzer
Journal: BMJ (1995)

Data from transnational study of oral contraceptives have been misusedEDITOR,-The unpublished data from the transnational study of oral contraceptives have been misused and misinterpreted in Britain because of inexplicable haste and urgency not thought necessary by other major regulatory agencies.My col- leagues and I do not agree that our findings justify the drastic actions taken in Britian, whereby a "Dear Doctor" letter was sent to doctors, warning that oral contraceptives containing desogestrel and gestodene are associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism (pp 1112, 1117, and 1172).1 Doctors should be vigilant but not stampeded.
T-independent type II immune responses generate memory B cells
Authors: Tetyana V. Obukhanych, Michel C. Nussenzweig
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2006)

Unlike T-dependent immune responses against protein antigens, T-independent responses against polysaccharides confer long-lasting humoral immunity in the absence of recall responses and are not known to generate memory B cells. Here we report that polysaccharide antigens elicit memory B cells that are phenotypically distinct from those elicited by protein antigens. Furthermore, memory B cell responses against polysaccharides are regulated by antigen-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies. As the generation and regulation of immunologic memory is central to vaccination, our findings help explain the mode of action of the few existing polysaccharide vaccines and provide a rationale for a wider application of polysaccharide-based strategies in vaccination.
Australian public's views on privacy and health research
Authors: David C Whiteman, Cathy Clutton, David Hill
Journal: BMJ (2006)

EDITOR—Attitudes to privacy in health research are often the subject of debate, however, surprisingly little data exist with which to guide policy. Addressing this gap, Barrett et al recently reported overwhelming support among the British public for legislation to make cancer registration compulsory and found high levels of acceptance for registries being used as sampling frames for research.1 Is this tolerance of research using sensitive health data …
Acquired and reversible Pelger‐Huët anomaly of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in three transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil therapy
Authors: Lars M. Asmis, Karine Hadaya, Pietro Majno, Christian Toso, Frédéric Triponez, Michel Starobinski
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2003)

Abstract Deficient nuclear segmentation and abnormal chromatin condensation define Pelger‐Huët anomaly of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Next to the hereditary irreversible form, acquired forms both reversible and irreversible have been described. We describe three transplant patients who were all investigated for a left shift in the absence of symptoms or signs of infection and in whom acquired reversible Pelger‐Huët anomaly was discovered. The abnormal PMN phenotype was induced by mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). MMF is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the development of the anomaly. In our three patients a dose–response effect was observed regarding plasma MMF concentration and severity of neutrophil dysplasia. Except for one slightly elevated value, the patients' plasma MMF levels were within the therapeutic range. None of the patients, one who was neutropenic at presentation and two who were non‐neutropenic, developed infectious complications. From our three cases as well as those of other authors, we identify previous graft rejection episodes as a potential predisposing factor for the development of PHA. In the first patient, drug withdrawal led to normalization of PMN morphology. In the other two patients, the left shift disappeared after dose reduction. In these latter two patients, a form of desensitization to the effect of MMF on neutro‐ phils was observed following re‐augmentation of MMF dose. Am. J. Hematol. 73:244–248, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monitoring adherence to drug treatment by using change in cholesterol concentration: secondary analysis of trial data
Authors: K. J. L. Bell, A. Kirby, A. Hayen, L. Irwig, P. Glasziou
Journal: BMJ (2011)

Objective To estimate the accuracy of monitoring cholesterol concentration for detecting non-adherence to lipid lowering treatment. Design Secondary analysis of data on cholesterol concentration in the LIPID (long term intervention with pravastatin in ischaemic disease) study by using three measures of non-adherence: discontinuation of treatment, allocation to placebo arm, less than 80% of pills taken. Setting Randomised placebo controlled trial in Australia and New Zealand. Participants 9014 patients with previous coronary heart disease. Interventions Pravastatin 40 mg or placebo daily. Main outcome measures Sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, post-test probability. Results Monitoring of cholesterol concentration had modest ability for detecting complete non-adherence. One year after the start of treatment, half (1957/3937) of the non-adherent patients and 6% (253/3944) of adherent patients had a rise in concentration of low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Accuracy was reasonable (area under the curve 0.89). Cholesterol monitoring, however, had weak ability for detecting partial non-adherence. One year after the start of treatment, 16% (34/213) of partially adherent and 4% (155/3585) of fully adherent patients had a rise in concentration of low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Accuracy was poor (area under the curve 0.65). For typical pre-test probabilities of non-adherence ranging from low (25%) to high (75%), the post-test probabilities indicate continuing uncertainty after lipid testing. A patient with no change in low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration has a post-test probability of being completely non-adherent of between 67% and 95% and a post-test probability of being partially non-adherent of between 48% and 89%. A patient with a decrease in concentration of 1.0 mmol/L has a post-test probability of being completely non-adherent of between 7% and 40% and a post-test probability of being partially non-adherent of between 21% and 71%. Conclusions Monitoring concentration of low density lipoprotein (or total) cholesterol has modest ability to detect complete non-adherence or non-persistence with pravastatin treatment and weak ability to detect partial non-adherence. Results of monitoring should be considered as no more than an adjunct to careful discussion with patients about adherence.
The National Council on Patient Information and Education
Authors: Larry D. Sasich
Journal: JAMA (1997)

<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —In the Medical News &amp; Perspectives article by Mr Marwick,<sup>1</sup>Ray Bullman, executive director of the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), was reported to have said that a coalition has been organized to implement the<i>Action Plan for the Provision of Useful Prescription Medicine Information</i>(MedGuide) and that all 34 original steering committee organizations responsible for drafting the plan have joined. If these statements have been correctly attributed to Mr Bullman, they are untrue. As public interest groups and members of the original steering committee responsible for drafting the MedGuide, the AIDS Treatment Data Network, Center for Medical Consumers, Citizen Advocacy Center, National Women's Health Network, and Public Citizen have not joined NCPIE in the coalition alluded to by Mr Bullman. We have refused to associate with the NCPIE implementation program for 2 reasons. First, we view NCPIE's economic and philosophical juxtaposition to
Comparison of bipolar and unipolar programmed electrical stimulation for the initiation of ventricular arrhythmias: significance of anodal excitation during bipolar stimulation.
Authors: W G Stevenson, I Wiener, J N Weiss
Journal: Circulation (1986)

To determine if anodal excitation during bipolar stimulation facilitates the initiation of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, nonsustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, or repetitive ventricular responses, both bipolar and cathodal unipolar programmed ventricular stimulation with one to three extrastimuli delivered during ventricular pacing at two rates from the right ventricular apex were performed in 28 patients evaluated for spontaneous sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (11 patients), nonsustained tachycardia (eight patients), or syncope (nine patients). In 25 patients a hexapolar pacing catheter was used to record local endocardial activation times adjacent to the cathode and anode and ventricular excitation during bipolar stimulation was defined as predominantly anodal, cathodal, or simultaneous at both anode and cathode. When bipolar and unipolar stimulation were compared there was no difference in the incidence of initiating sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (57% vs 57%), nonsustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (14% vs 14%), or repetitive ventricular responses (21% vs 21%), although the response to bipolar vs unipolar stimulation was not concordant in every patient. Evidence of anodal excitation was observed in 11 (44%) patients but did not indicate increased risk of initiation of any ventricular arrhythmia, despite the fact that it was associated with shortening of the ventricular effective refractory period by 5.2 +/- 8.7 msec (p less than .05) during bipolar as opposed to unipolar stimulation. We conclude that unipolar and bipolar stimulation produce a similar incidence of initiation of arrhythmia, despite the frequent occurrence of anodal excitation during bipolar stimulation. Thus, the risk of initiation of nonspecific ventricular arrhythmias during programmed stimulation is unlikely to be reduced by the use of unipolar stimulation.
Clinical and immunologic effects of H1 antihistamine preventive medication during honeybee venom immunotherapy
Authors: Ulrich R. Müller, Marek Jutel, Andrea Reimers, Judith Zumkehr, Clarissa Huber, Carola Kriegel, Urs Steiner, Gabrielle Haeberli, Mübeccel Akdis, Arthur Helbling, Benno Schnyder, Kurt Blaser, Cezmi Akdis
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2008)
THE PROBLEM OF CHRONIC ANOREXIA IN CHILDHOOD
Authors: FREDERIC W. SCHLUTZ
Journal: JAMA (1930)

Chronic anorexia, especially in older children, is one of the most common and baffling complaints in the experience of the medical practitioner. In a large outpatient series, Bartlett1found it the chief complaint in about 24 per cent of the pediatric cases. It may be a prolonged but temporary phase, or it may be an almost habitual, seemingly congenitally fixed, attribute of the individual.  Chronic anorexia is seldom, if ever, encountered in the child with rugged physique; that is, the child manifesting all the external and internal signs of normal functional and physical make-up. It is generally encountered in the reverse of the normal type. The subject presenting this disorder is commonly thin, gracile, pale and transparent, and usually is decidely underweight. Functionally he is definitely below par, as is evidenced by the ease with which any dysfunction can be produced and the almost immediate reaction of fatigue to
Erogress Toward a Potentially Implantable, Enzyme-Based Glucose Sensor
Authors: David A Gough, John K Leypoldt, Jon C Armour
Journal: Diabetes Care (1982)

Our efforts toward the development of a potentially implantable, enzyme-based glucose sensor have concentrated on understanding in sufficient detail the most important component, the enzyme-containing membrane. We describe here some features that this membrane must have to operate as a constituent of a chronically implanted sensor. A model of reaction and diffusion within the membrane is outlined and methods of membrane characterization are reviewed.
Short Term Effect of Percutaneous Recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusions on QT Dispersion and Heart Rate Variability Parameters
Authors: Ercan Erdoğan, Mehmet Akkaya, Ahmet Bacaksız, Abdurrahman Tasal, Seref Kul, Murat Turfan, Osman Sonmez, Mehmet Akif Vatankulu, Emin Asoğlu, Emrah Sevgili, Mehmet Ergelen, Hüseyin Uyarel, Omer Göktekin
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2013)
Effect of intermittent altitude hypoxia on the myocardium and lesser circulation in the rat
Authors: J. WIDIMSKY, D. URBANOVA, J. RESSL, B. OSTADAL, V. PELOUCH, J. PROCHAZKA
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1973)

Journal Article Effect of intermittent altitude hypoxia on the myocardium and lesser circulation in the rat Get access J. WIDIMSKÝ, J. WIDIMSKÝ From the Research Centre of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, and the Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar D. URBANOVÁ, D. URBANOVÁ From the Research Centre of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, and the Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar J. RESSL, J. RESSL From the Research Centre of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, and the Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar B. OŠŤÁDAL, B. OŠŤÁDAL From the Research Centre of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, and the Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar V. PELOUCH, V. PELOUCH From the Research Centre of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, and the Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar J. PROCHÁZKA J. PROCHÁZKA From the Research Centre of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, and the Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Cardiovascular Research, Volume 7, Issue 6, November 1973, Pages 798–808, https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/7.6.798 Published: 01 November 1973
Cthrc1 Is a Novel Inhibitor of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling and Neointimal Lesion Formation
Authors: Renée J. LeClair, Tahir Durmus, Qiaozeng Wang, Peter Pyagay, Aleksandra Terzic, Volkhard Lindner
Journal: Circulation Research (2007)

We identified collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (Cthrc1) as a novel gene expressed in the adventitia and neointima on arterial injury and found that it functionally increases cell migration while reducing collagen deposition. To address the in vivo role of Cthrc1, we generated transgenic mouse lines that constitutively overexpress Cthrc1. An intercross of 2 transgenic lines produced offspring with brittle bones caused by a reduction in collagenous bone matrix. Hemizygous Cthrc1 transgenic mice developed normally but neointimal lesion formation and adventitial collagen deposition in response to carotid artery ligation were significantly reduced compared with wild-type littermates. In 75% of Cthrc1 transgenic mice, cartilaginous metaplasia of medial smooth muscle cells was observed as assessed by Alcian blue staining and expression of the chondrocyte marker collagen type II. Transforming growth factor-β signaling was reduced in smooth muscle cells of Cthrc1 transgenic arteries, as demonstrated by reduced phospho-Smad2/3 immunoreactivity, whereas Smad signaling related to bone morphogenetic proteins was unaffected. Similarly, primary smooth muscle cells and PAC1 smooth muscle cells overexpressing Cthrc1 had reduced levels of phospho-Smad2/3 as well as procollagen. Furthermore, Cthrc1 inhibited transforming growth factor-β–sensitive reporter constructs in smooth muscle but not endothelial cells. These data indicate that Cthrc1 is a cell-type–specific inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β, which in turn impacts collagen type I and III deposition, neointimal formation, and dedifferentiation of smooth muscle cells.
MEP calls for tougher legislation to stop drug trials that could be considered as marketing
Authors: D. Cohen
Journal: BMJ (2012)

A member of the European parliament has asked the European Commission to consider bringing in legislation to stop companies conducting what they call post-marketing drug trials but that are, in reality, “disguised marketing.”

Michael Cashman, Labour MEP for the West Midlands, tabled the question after a BMJ investigation raised concerns about the purpose of post-marketing studies of new treatments for diabetes and called for better regulation to ensure “a proper balance” between the commercial and clinical functions of such studies.1

In his study, one of several in the BMJ about post-marketing studies, Edwin Gale, emeritus professor of diabetic medicine at the University of Bristol, found that nearly 400 000 people worldwide have been recruited into post-marketing studies of insulin analogues since 2005. Novo Nordisk, a Danish company, recruited nearly 360 000 people. …
Users' guide to detecting misleading claims in research: Discussion section helps redress the balance
Authors: S Anuradha
Journal: BMJ (2005)

Users' guide to detecting misleading claims in researchMisleading claims may be symptom of even more serious flaws Editor-Montori et al justifiably draw attention to misleading claims in published clinical trials. 1 This is a serious and common problem. 2 3 However, I object to their radical proposal that only the methods and results sections should be read, while the remainder of the paper should be ignored.The proposal is inconsistent with the title of their paper, "Users' guide to detecting misleading claims in clinical research reports." 1 How are these misleading claims to be identified if the sections containing them are omitted?Furthermore, anyone capable of critically appraising a trial solely on the basis of the methods and results is unlikely to be fooled by misleading claims in the discussion.But, more importantly, the proposal would deprive the discerning reader of witnessing the conflict between the results and the unwarranted conclusions.If researchers are willing to disseminate misleading claims then their integrity is brought into question.But if so, then all aspects of the trial-including the methods and results sections-are also brought into question.Misleading claims should be identified and broadcast loudly for they signal doubts about the entire study.Large scale randomised trials create the ideal conditions for data manipulation.Yet this is merely one of a multitude of problems stemming from a flawed method. 3 The remedy?When reading a study, ignore everything except the number of patients recruited.If this is large proceed no further as there is little prospect of encountering any data of genuine benefit to patients.
Sputum Eosinophilia Predicts Benefit from Prednisone in Smokers with Chronic Obstructive Bronchitis
Authors: EMILIO PIZZICHINI, MARCIA M. M. PIZZICHINI, PETER GIBSON, K. PARAMESWARAN, GERALD J. GLEICH, LES BERMAN, JERRY DOLOVICH, FREDERICK E. HARGREAVE
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1998)

A reliable predictor of benefit from corticosteroid treatment in patients with chronic airflow limitation is needed. In a single-blind, sequential crossover trial of placebo and prednisone (30 mg/day) treatment, with each given for 2 wk, we investigated whether an increased proportion of sputum eosinophils ( ⩾ 3%) predicts a beneficial effect of prednisone in smokers with severe obstructive bronchitis. Patients were seen before and after each treatment. Clinical measurements were made blind to the laboratory findings and vice-versa. Eighteen of 20 patients completed the study. Eight had sputum eosinophilia and similar clinical and physiologic characteristics to those of 10 patients without a finding of sputum eosinophilia. Only in patients with sputum eosinophilia did prednisone, as compared with placebo, produce a statistically significant and clinically important mean effect on effort dyspnea of 0.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3 to 1.2), p = 0.008, and in quality of life of 1.96 (95% CI: 0.5 to 3.3), p = 0.01, associated with a small improvement in FEV1 of 0.11 L (95% CI: − 0.04 to 0.23 L), p = 0.05. In these patients, prednisone also produced a significant decline in the median sputum eosinophil percentage, from 9.7% to 0.5% (p = 0.002), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), from 6,000 μ g/L to 1,140 μ g/L (p < 0.001), and fibrinogen, from 25.3 mg/L to 5.4 mg/L (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that in smokers with severe airflow limitation, sputum eosinophilia predicts a beneficial effect of prednisone treatment. Improvement in FEV1, after prednisone treatment in this population, is small, and may not be appreciated in clinical practice.
The Care of Patients With AIDS: Don't Ignore the Family Practitioner-Reply
Authors: Deborah Cotton
Journal: JAMA (1989)

In Reply. —  Drs Clark and Ginsberg appropriately call me to task for failing to mention family physicians as likely people to provide primary AIDS care. Indeed, many of the skills needed in caring for patients with AIDS are ones used daily by such practitioners.  However, in contrast to Dr Dolan, I am not optimistic that family practice, any more than general internal medicine, offers a totally appropriate model for primary care of patients throughout the spectrum of HIV infection. Thus, I still believe that with time, a separate AIDS specialty may well evolve. Such a specialty ideally would incorporate many of the attributes of family practice mentioned by Dr Dolan as well as draw on knowledge of the medical subspecialties, public health, epidemiology, law, and ethics.  Finally, I agree with Dr Zelicoff that among the many barriers to physician recruitment in AIDS, deficiencies of reimbursement to physicians providing such