tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Placenta tales
Authors: Mary E Black
Journal: BMJ (2008)

My oldest baby tucks her mobile phone into her handbag and heads off to the disco. Fourteen years ago she was still a bump under my jumper, attached by umbilical cord and placenta. The bump, the placenta, and I were booked in for a home birth but took a tour of the London hospital (I like back-up plans). We met another couple who were determined to give birth chanting on all fours and with yoga breathing (they didn’t; they had a caesarean) and to ritually bury the placenta under a sapling in East London’s Victoria park (they did).

The placenta (from the Latin for cake and the Greek plaokenta, meaning flat) is a dinnerplate sized, knotty-fleshed ephemeral organ that is rarely mentioned in polite, or indeed any, company in the West. Most mothers cannot even tell you what their placenta looks like; it is whisked away after birth to a communal bin and incineration. Yet Maori bury the placenta to emphasise the link between the baby and the earth. The Nepalese think of the placenta as the baby’s friend; Malaysian Orang Asli regard it as the baby’s older sibling. In Nigeria the Ibo conduct full funeral rites for what they see as the baby’s twin. Native Hawaiians traditionally plant the placenta with a tree, which can then grow alongside the child. 

Placentophagia has a long history. Experts in traditional Chinese medicine have documented the practice for more than 2500 years. For a rather weird Western variant, a list of placenta recipes from the September 1983 edition of Mothering Magazine is doing the rounds on the web. Placenta lasagne, anyone?

Some hospitals still sell placentas in bulk for scientific research, or to cosmetics firms, where they are processed and later plastered on the faces of rich women. In the UK, babies are gently wiped dry, leaving some protective vermix clinging to the skin. In contrast, in eastern Europe vermix is scrubbed off the newborn’s skin with soap, water, and stiff brushes. The babies are then plonked—shocked, swaddled, and painfully pink—into communal nursery bassinets. This cruel practice and can lead to hypothermia.

As for that other East London placenta? I missed the burial in Victoria Park but went along the next day to relive the moment with our friends. We stood with our tiny babies in a hushed semicircle round a large empty hole in the flowerbed. “Perhaps you should have asked the park keeper first?” said one young mother helpfully. Deep down we all knew the more likely explanation. I can see them now, a bunch of rollicking local dogs, chasing each other past pensioners on park benches, their unbelievable prize tossed high.

Some placentas are born to run.
A User's Guide to Diagnostic Ultrasound
Authors: James S. T. Yao
Journal: JAMA (1979)

During the last decade, ultrasound has emerged as a valuable noninvasive diagnostic technique in the fields of radiology and clinical medicine. This book, edited by Shirley et al, is a timely contribution to this area. The book begins with the introduction of a glossary of technical terms, followed by the basic principles of the ultrasound technique. These two chapters provide guidance for beginners in the use of diagnostic ultrasound. Chapters on the electronic system and signal control provide a good background in basic physics for ultrasound scanning, especially on the use of different techniques to achieve a better image of the organ scanned. Of particular importance is the concise discussion on examination techniques, errors, and artifacts. For clinical application, the use of the ultrasound technique in obstetrics, gynecology, and abdominal organs is well covered. At the end of the book, a brief discussion is given on the routine checks and
Pensions on Retirement
Authors: B. Jolles, W. C. Gledhill, J. H. C. Phillips, E. A. J. Alment, P. S. Andrews, A. R. Banham, A. Bates, M. Q. Birkbeck, W. E. Bryan, R. B. Coles, M. C. Connell, G. S. Crockett, T. H. Cullen, A. T. Dalgleish, T. K. Davidson, T. H. Dockrell, O. E. Fisher, H. T. Ford, G. Gerrard, A. H. Grabham, A. N. Graham, I. S. Hodgson-Jones, G. Hollingsworth, R. C. Jack, A. M. C. Jennings, D. G. Lambley, R. O. Lee, A. B. Lodge, K. M. Long, D. H. G. MacQuaide, L. R. McLean, W. R. D. Mitchell, G. d. B. Mitford-Barberton, N. O'Leary, J. R. Page, T. Partington, B. P. Phillips, F. Radcliffe, J. Raphael, B. K. Samtani, E. D. Sever, R. A. Sladden, K. H. Smith, E. T. W. Starkie, R. Stephens, J. R. Tasker, E. E. T. Taylor, H. J. Voss, F. F. Waddy, P. E. Wallace, R. Wigglesworth, P. E. Willis
Journal: BMJ (1966)
Absence of a Relationship Between Smoking and Diabetic Microangiopathy
Authors: Kelly M West, Linda S Erdreich, Judy A Stober
Journal: Diabetes Care (1980)

The relationship between cigarette smoking and retinopathy and proteinuria was examined in a group of 973 subjects with diabetes. Other variables known to influence the risk of microangiopathy were also measured in a standardized fashion (e.g., duration of diabetes, blood glucose, blood pressure). The characteristics of smokers and nonsmokers were studied in detail. It was therefore possible to take into account the effects of confounding variables on the relationship between smoking and risk of microangiopathy. Associations between smoking and risk of microangiopathies, previously reported in some of the smaller studies, were not confirmed in this larger study.
Blood-Gas Changes and Pulmonary Hemodynamics following Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: SIDNEY J. FILLMORE, ARMENIO C. GUIMARÃES, STEPHEN S. SCHEIDT, THOMAS KILLIP
Journal: Circulation (1972)

Arterial and mixed venous oxygen tensions were measured in 24 patients following acute myocardial infarction while they were breathing air and 100% oxygen. Total venous admixture and the right-to-left shunt during 100% oxygen breathing were calculated. These data were related to the pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure, the cardiac index, and the central blood volume. Patients with myocardial infarction that was not complicated by congestive failure had blood gases, pulmonary shunts, and pulmonary arterial diastolic pressures comparable to control patients who were at rest in bed. When congestive failure complicated myocardial infarction, arterial blood oxygen tension was lower, pulmonary shunting was increased, and the pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure was elevated. Cardiac index and central blood volume were usually normal. The present data quantitate the contribution of anatomic shunting to the hypoxemia observed in myocardial infarction. Hypoxemia and increased anatomic shunting are closely correlated to the degree of elevation of pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure. The interrelationships of arterial hypoxemia, venous admixture, arterial-alveolar oxygen gradient, and pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure suggest that pulmonary venous congestion is an important determinant of the hypoxemia and shunting observed in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Pregnancy order and fetal loss.
Authors: E A Roman, E Alberman, P O Pharoah
Journal: BMJ (1980)

The association between pregnancy order and fetal loss rates is J-shaped. Lowest rates have been found in 2nd pregnancies and the rates then increase successively in subsequent pregnancies. The belief that this pattern has generally been thought to reflect some biological process, directly related to pregnancy order, has recently been questioned by Bakketeig, Hoffman and these authors. The attempt is made to clarify some of the issues and implications involved. Data that come from a survey of women doctors and concern spontaneous abortions, only show that when all women and pregnancies are combined the rate of loss is in the classical J-shaped pattern. Yet, the spontaneous abortion rates within each gravidity group fail to increase with increasing pregnancy order and fall to their lowest levels in the last pregnancy order. Different women are subject to different risks of loss throughout their reproductive lives. The observed increase in spontaneous abortion rates with increasing pregnancy order is largely attributable to an increase in the proportion of relatively "high-risk" women in the higher gravidities and hence in the higher pregnancy orders.
Risk Factors and Distribution of Coronary Artery Disease in Young Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Tuğba Kemaloğlu Öz, Nazmiye Çakmak, Ayhan Öz, Fatma Özpamuk Karadeniz, Ahmet Zengin, Servet Altay, Şükrü Akyüz, Hale Yılmaz, Şennur Ünal Dayı, Kadir Gürkan
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2013)
Dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography and dipyridamole sestamibi scintigraphy for the detection of coronary artery disease: limitations and concordance
Authors: Steven C Smart, Aneeta Bhatia, Robert Hellman, Thomas Stoiber, Arthur Krasnow, B.David Collier, Kiran B Sagar
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2000)
Osseous Gaucher's Disease with Macrocytic Normochromic Anemia
Authors: Robert Fienberg, George E. Quigley
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1946)

IN THE typical cases of Gaucher's disease, the disturbance of the cellular metabolism, characterized by the accumulation and retention of the cerebroside kerasin in the reticular and histiocytic cells, leads to the enlargement of the spleen and liver, with occasional osseous defects. In addition, there are pigmentation of the skin, pingueculae, leukopenia, microcytic, hypochromic anemia and hemorrhagic tendencies due to thrombocytopenia. In the case reported below, the most prominent manifestations of the typical case of Gaucher's disease were absent. In fact, the presenting finding was an anemia that was discovered by the patient himself while he was practicing routine red-cell . . .
Thalidomide manufacturer offers apology but no compensation
Authors: A. Gulland
Journal: BMJ (2012)

Groups representing people affected by the drug thalidomide have condemned an apology made by the drug’s German manufacturer.

Harald Stock, chief executive of Grunenthal, has expressed his regret to the thousands of children born with missing or deformed limbs as a result of their mothers taking the morning sickness treatment in the 1950s and 1960s.

Stock, who was speaking at the unveiling of a memorial to people affected by the drug in Stolberg, Germany, said that the company had failed to reach out “person to person” and that “instead, we remained silent.” He added, “We ask that you regard our long silence as a sign …
The Liver: An Integral Part of the Enteric Mucosal Immune System
Authors: Ronald E. Kleinman, Paul R. Harmatz, Allan W. Walker
Journal: Hepatology (1982)

The inclusion of the liver and biliary tract as an integral part of the enteric mucosal immune defense has come about in the past 5 years as a result of experimental studies in laboratory animals. The importance of secretory IgA and IgA immune complexes in the generation of an immune response and their participation in the immune exclusion of potentially pathogenic molecules and organisms are areas of active investigation. The transport of IgA and IgA immune complexes by the liver from serum to bile may provide another means of immune-mediated host defense against enteric pathogens.
RETROGRADE PROTEUS PYELONEPHRITIS IN RATS
Authors: Ramzi S. Cotran
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1963)

Rats with retrograde proteus pyelonephritis were treated with antibiotics until their kidneys became sterile. Using fluorescent antibody techniques, specific P. mirabilis antigen was found in some sterile pyelonephritic kidneys 20 weeks after cessation of treatment and presumed renal sterilization. Persistent antigen was associated with interstitial chronic inflammation but not with acute inflammation or progressive scarring. Rat gamma globulin and proteus antibody were localized in plasma cells of the renal inflammatory infiltrates. It is suggested that persistent antigen in chronic pyelonephritis may lead to the continued local appearance of antibody-producing cells.
Health Status and Motor Vehicle Crashes
Authors: Julian A. Waller
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1991)

CONCERN about the effects of health on the ability to drive safely goes back to the early years of the century, with warnings in 1904 about the hazards of alcohol and legislation in 1939 to regulate driving by persons with epilepsy. The general impression in the first half of the century was that alcoholism contributed to few of the alcohol-related crashes and that social drinking was the preponderant hazard. By the mid-1960s, numerous studies had clearly documented the role of alcohol in highway crashes, especially those resulting in serious injury or death.1 There is now a fairly wide consensus that . . .
Leisure: A Problem for Preventive Psychiatry
Authors: WERNER M. MENDEL
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1971)

The increased amount of leisure created by our shrinking work week has become a frantic time leading to psychological depression. Our work-oriented ethic, which is anti-pleasure, anti-leisure, and anti-laughter, is perpetuated by our child-rearing practices and educational systems. Preventive psychiatry requires that we change these practices and systems now to prevent an epidemic of depression in the next two decades.
Determination of Left Ventricular Volumes by Ultrasound
Authors: NICHOLAS J. FORTUIN, WILLIAM P. HOOD, M. EUGENE SHERMAN, ERNEST CRAIGE
Journal: Circulation (1971)

We compared dimensions of the left ventricular minor axis (S) measured at enddiastole (S D ) and end-systole (S S ) by echocardiography with dimensions and left ventricular volumes measured by biplane angiocardiography in 27 patients with diverse cardiac abnormalities. There were high correlations between echographic and angiographic ventricular minor-axis dimensions (r = 0.85 for S D and 0.87 for S S ), between echographic dimensions and ventricular volumes (r = 0.84 for end-systolic volume [ESV] and S S , 0.83 for end-diastolic volume [EDV] and S D ), and between the relative change in the echographic minor axis with systole (% Δ S) and ejection fraction (r = 0.79). Regression formulae were derived from these relationships which allowed calculation of ventricular volumes from echo dimensions alone: ESV = 47 S D —120, EDV = 59 S D —153. These equations allowed relatively accurate prediction of volumes over a wide range of ventricular sizes. The use of a cube function of the echographic minor axis was an accurate predictor of volumes only in smaller ventricular chambers, but overestimated volumes in larger hearts.
Hepatocytes from embryonic stem cells: Prometheus revisited?
Authors: Christian Liedtke, Konrad L. Streetz
Journal: Hepatology (2007)

Severe acute liver failure, even when transient, must be treated by transplantation and lifelong immune suppression. Treatment could be improved by bioartificial liver (BAL) support, but this approach is hindered by a shortage of human hepatocytes. To generate an alternative source of cells for BAL support, we differentiated mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells into hepatocytes by coculture with a combination of human liver nonparenchymal cell lines and fibroblast growth factor-2, human activin-A and hepatocyte growth factor. Functional hepatocytes were isolated using albumin promoter-based cell sorting. ES cell-derived hepatocytes expressed liver-specific genes, secreted albumin and metabolized ammonia, lidocaine and diazepam. Treatment of 90% hepatectomized mice with a subcutaneously implanted BAL seeded with ES cell-derived hepatocytes or primary hepatocytes improved liver function and prolonged survival, whereas treatment with a BAL seeded with control cells did not. After functioning in the BAL, ES cell-derived hepatocytes developed characteristics nearly identical to those of primary hepatocytes.
Patterns of disease activity in multiple sclerosis.
Authors: A J Thompson, D H Miller, D G MacManus, W I McDonald
Journal: BMJ (1990)

Correlationis between plasma lipid concentrations and dietarn fat intake in diabetic patients Patients with type I diabetes (n= 13) Patients with type II diabetes (n= 37) r Value p Value r Value p V'alue I'lasma cholesterol Fat as %i energy 0-
Encapsulation of the synthetic retinoids Am80 and LE540 into polymeric micelles and the retinoids' release control
Authors: Taku Satoh, Yuriko Higuchi, Shigeru Kawakami, Mitsuru Hashida, Hiroyuki Kagechika, Koichi Shudo, Masayuki Yokoyama
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release (2009)
Long-term Safety and Efficacy Following Systemic Administration of a Self-complementary AAV Vector Encoding Human FIX Pseudotyped With Serotype 5 and 8 Capsid Proteins
Authors: Amit C Nathwani, Cecilia Rosales, Jenny McIntosh, Ghasem Rastegarlari, Devhrut Nathwani, Deepak Raj, Sushmita Nawathe, Simon N Waddington, Roderick Bronson, Scott Jackson, Robert E Donahue, Katherine A High, Federico Mingozzi, Catherine YC Ng, Junfang Zhou, Yunyu Spence, M Beth McCarville, Marc Valentine, James Allay, John Coleman, Susan Sleep, John T Gray, Arthur W Nienhuis, Andrew M Davidoff
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2011)

Adeno-associated virus vectors (AAV) show promise for liver-targeted gene therapy. In this study, we examined the long-term consequences of a single intravenous administration of a self-complementary AAV vector (scAAV2/ 8-LP1-hFIXco) encoding a codon optimized human factor IX (hFIX) gene in 24 nonhuman primates (NHPs). A dose-response relationship between vector titer and transgene expression was observed. Peak hFIX expression following the highest dose of vector (2 × 10(12) pcr-vector genomes (vg)/kg) was 21 ± 3 µg/ml (~420% of normal). Fluorescent in-situ hybridization demonstrated scAAV provirus in almost 100% of hepatocytes at that dose. No perturbations of clinical or laboratory parameters were noted and vector genomes were cleared from bodily fluids by 10 days. Macaques transduced with 2 × 10(11) pcr-vg/kg were followed for the longest period (~5 years), during which time expression of hFIX remained >10% of normal level, despite a gradual decline in transgene copy number and the proportion of transduced hepatocytes. All macaques developed serotype-specific antibodies but no capsid-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes were detected. The liver was preferentially transduced with 300-fold more proviral copies than extrahepatic tissues. Long-term biochemical, ultrasound imaging, and histologic follow-up of this large cohort of NHP revealed no toxicity. These data support further evaluation of this vector in hemophilia B patients.
The Relief of Itching in Ivy Poisoning.
Authors: Willis L. Hale
Journal: JAMA (1902)

Attleboro Falls, Mass., Aug. 28, 1902. <h3>To the Editor:</h3> —Another remedy for the condition mentioned on page 441 ofThe Journalof August 23, itching of [ill]vy poisoning, is to apply cloths rung out in a solution of grindelia robusta or eucalyptol and hot water, 1 to 10. Respectfully,
308 INCREASE OF LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION IN ADVANCED CIRRHOSIS: AN ATTEMPT TO COMPENSATE FOR CENTRAL HYPOVOLEMIA?
Authors: M. Cazzaniga, G. Pagnozzi, G. Gobbo, S. Baronchelli, C. Coman, V. Montericcio, F. Salerno
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2008)
Fine bore silicone catheters for peripheral intravenous nutrition in adults.
Authors: S. R. Kohlhardt, R. C. Smith
Journal: BMJ (1989)

bone injury.Most cardiac abnormalities after crushing injury occur from blunt trauma after road traffic accidents, where deceleration causes damage to the anterior right ventricle.Electrocardiograms and cardiac enzyme activity are not sensitive indicators of this injury, but radionuclide scanning or echocardio- graphy show abnormalities of right ventricular function.'`Ourpatients had acute strain of the right heart because of severe pressure overload which occurs in asphyxiation or with a major pulmonary embolus.One patient only was haemodynamically compromised and required inotropic support.Acute right heart strain may have occurred for several reasons.External compression, especially of the abdomen, causes increased filling of the right heart.Thoracic compression produces a rise in intrathoracic pressure and pulmonary artery pressure, which would rise further from an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance secondary to hypoxia.The possibility of a pulmonary fat embolus from a crushing injury could not be excluded.4Finally, direct cardiac trauma and contusion of the septum and right ventricle was a possibility, supported by pericardial effusions in two patients and transient conduction abnormalities in two.'3 The electrocardiographic and echocardio- graphic appearances improved in all six patients, and possibly no long term cardiac damage occurred.We did not test cardiac function, however, and the abnormal right ventricular function may interfere with exercise and normal activity in these young men.We thank the following anaesthetists for their support of these patients: Drs S P Gerrish, P A Wilkinson, T
Respiratory Infections With Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Children With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Susan E. H. West, Lan Zeng, Bee Leng Lee, Michael R. Kosorok, Anita Laxova, Michael J. Rock, Mark J. Splaingard, Philip M. Farrell
Journal: JAMA (2002)

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are susceptible to lower respiratory tract infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and typically acquire this organism in early childhood. Once P aeruginosa infection is established, eradication may be impossible, and progressive lung disease often aggravates morbidity and mortality risks. The ability to diagnose CF by genetic testing at birth makes it possible to determine the temporal sequence of events that result in P aeruginosa-associated pulmonary infections.To evaluate the longitudinal relationship between the production of an antibody response against P aeruginosa and clinical factors associated with P aeruginosa pulmonary infections in patients with CF diagnosed in early life.Serum samples and oropharyngeal cultures (protocol cultures) were obtained at 6-month intervals from April 15, 1985, to April 15, 2000 (or for up to 180 months depending on their enrollment date) from 68 patients at 2 centers in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis, diagnosed through the Wisconsin CF Neonatal Screening Project, a longitudinal cohort study. Additional cultures were obtained at examining physicians' discretion (all cultures).Time to serum IgG, IgA, and IgM antibody titer of at least 1:256 against P aeruginosa, assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using cell lysate, exotoxin A, and elastase as antigens; time to organism isolation from respiratory samples; time to Wisconsin Cystic Fibrosis Radiograph (WCXR) score of 5 or more.The median time to an antibody titer of at least 1:256 was 17.8, 24.2, and 70.9 months for cell lysate, exotoxin A, and elastase, respectively. The rise of anti-cell lysate and anti-exotoxin A titers to 1:256 or more occurred a mean of 11.9 (P<.001) and 5.6 (P =.04) months, respectively, before the isolation of P aeruginosa for all cultures and 18.2 (P<.001) and 11.9 (P =.006) months, respectively, before protocol cultures. There was no significant difference between the rise of anti-cell lysate and anti-exotoxin A titer and a WCXR score of 5 or more (P =.24 and.32, respectively). Treatment with long-term, non-Pseudomonas oral antibiotics and integration of CF infants with older, chronically infected patients were associated with a significantly increased risk of P aeruginosa pulmonary infection.In CF patients diagnosed through neonatal screening, P aeruginosa pulmonary infections occurred 6 to 12 months before the organism was isolated from respiratory secretions. The longitudinal monitoring of P aeruginosa antibody titers, in concert with WCXR score, should facilitate diagnosis and treatment of P aeruginosa pulmonary infections in young children with CF.