tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Did Smokefree Legislation in England Reduce Exposure to Secondhand Smoke among Nonsmoking Adults? Cotinine Analysis from the Health Survey for England
Authors: Michelle Sims, Jennifer S. Mindell, Martin J. Jarvis, Colin Feyerabend, Heather Wardle, Anna Gilmore
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2011)

BackgroundOn 1 July 2007, smokefree legislation was implemented in England, which made virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces smokefree.ObjectivesWe examined trends in and predictors of secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmoking adults to determine whether exposure changed after the introduction of smokefree legislation and whether these changes varied by socioeconomic status (SES) and by household smoking status.MethodsWe analyzed salivary cotinine data from the Health Survey for England that were collected in 7 of 11 annual surveys undertaken between 1998 and 2008. We conducted multivariate regression analyses to examine secondhand smoke exposure as measured by the proportion of nonsmokers with undetectable levels of cotinine and by geometric mean cotinine.ResultsSecondhand smoke exposure was higher among those exposed at home and among lower-SES groups. Exposure declined markedly from 1998 to 2008 (the proportion of participants with undetectable cotinine was 2.9 times higher in the last 6 months of 2008 compared with the first 6 months of 1998 and geometric mean cotinine declined by 80%). We observed a significant fall in exposure after legislation was introduced—the odds of having undetectable cotinine were 1.5 times higher [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3, 1.8] and geometric mean cotinine fell by 27% (95% CI: 17%, 36%) after adjusting for the prelegislative trend and potential confounders. Significant reductions were not, however, seen in those living in lower-social class households or homes where smoking occurs inside on most days.ConclusionsWe found that the impact of England's smokefree legislation on secondhand smoke exposure was above and beyond the underlying long-term decline in secondhand smoke exposure and demonstrates the positive effect of the legislation. Nevertheless, some population subgroups appear not to have benefitted significantly from the legislation. This finding suggests that these groups should receive more support to reduce their exposure.
CO2-response in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: H Folgering
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1999)

CO 2 -response in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseTo the Editor:MONTES DE OCA and CELLI [1], in their paper on CO 2responses, present data on the control of breathing in patients with normocapnic and hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and in normal subjects.They conclude that the baseline ventilatory drive and CO 2 -responses are preserved in most patients with severe COPD.However, effective ventilation is inadequate in the more severely obstructed patients, resulting in hypercapnia.Apart from the incorrect conversion factors for cmH 2 O into kPa, the paper leaves a number of open questions regarding the interpretation of the data.Resting values of mouth occlusion pressure (P0.1) in controls (table 2) differ from those in COPD patients.Unfortunately, no data are given on the functional residual capacity (FRC) level of the controls.The FRC values of both patient groups seem likely to be elevated as compared to control subjects.Consequently the P0.1 could be higher due to the relative stiffness of the hyperinflated lungs and thorax or due to load-compensating mechanisms.The authors touch on this problem in the discussion, but do not really put this in perspective of the interpretation of this parameter for quantification of the ventilatory drive.The authors have measured data on CO 2 -responses from minute ventilation and from P0.1 by performing rebreathing experiments according to the Read rebreathing technique.It is not clear how the P0.1 response to hypercapnia was calculated: the methods section suggests that the P0.1 value itself was used (as an equivalent of tidal volume).Table 2 presents the DP0.1/D(PET,CO 2 ) in cmH 2 O .min -1 .torr -1 , suggesting that the P0.1 value was multiplied by the respiratory frequency (as an equivalent for minute ventilation)?The rebreathing technique is based on giving 7% CO 2 (inspiratory carbon dioxide tension (PI,CO 2 )=7.0 kPa (53 mmHg)) in oxygen in the inspiratory air, in order to stop CO 2 excretion and thus increasing the arterial carbon dioxide tension (Pa,CO 2 ) as a stimulus to the chemoreceptors.The time course of this process will be different depending on the starting level of arterial Pa,CO 2 .The arterial Pa,CO 2 will be fairly representative for the stimulus to the peripheral chemoreceptor.However, the activity of this chemoreceptor will be low or even zero in the high hyperoxic range in this kind of experiment.Thus, the build-up of CO 2 at the site of the central chemoreceptor will be the principal stimulus for the increase in ventilation and P0.1 in these subjects.The eucapnic patients have a Pa,CO 2 of 5.3 kPa (40 mmHg), whereas the hypercapnic patients have a Pa,CO 2 of 7.3 kPa (55 mmHg).We are not informed about the Pa,CO 2 of the normal subjects, but one may assume that this was in the normal range.Thus, the control subjects and normocapnic patients will build-up
Transplanted Skeletal Myoblasts Can Fully Replace the Infarcted Myocardium When They Survive in the Host in Large Numbers
Authors: Keiichi Tambara, Yutaka Sakakibara, Genichi Sakaguchi, Fanglin Lu, Goditha U. Premaratne, Xue Lin, Kazunobu Nishimura, Masashi Komeda
Journal: Circulation (2003)

It is not clear how many skeletal myoblasts (SM) can survive and exert beneficial effects in the host myocardial infarction (MI) area. We assessed the hypothesis that a large number of SM can replace the MI area with reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling.MI was created by left coronary artery ligation in male Lewis rats. Four weeks after ligation, 45 rats had skeletal myoblast transplantation in the MI area. They were randomized into 3 groups according to the number of SM: group I (n=15), 5 x 10(7); group II (n=15), 5 x 10(6); and group III (n=15), 5 x 10(5) cells. Donor SM were obtained from neonatal Lewis rats and directly used without expansion. Another four weeks later, all rats were sacrificed following hemodynamic assessment. All heart sections were stained with anti-fast skeletal myosin heavy chain (FSMHC) antibody to determine the spacial extent of donor myocytes.Four weeks after transplantation, LV diastolic dimension was decreased, fractional area change was increased, and MI size was decreased maximally in group I. Histological study showed that donor cells positive for FSMHC occupied the MI area with nearly normal wall thickness in group I, in which estimated volume of donor-derived muscle tissue was 40 mm3. In the other groups, FSMHC-positive cells were found only partly in the MI area.A large number of freshly isolated neonatal SM can survive in the host and fully replace the infarcted myocardium with reverse LV remodeling in rats with MI.
Incentive motivation: Just extraversion?
Authors: Marvin Zuckerman
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (1999)

Is a generalized positive incentive motivation a construct appropriate to the human level of behavior or would sensation or novelty seeking be a more appropriate one? Is positive incentive motivation, or susceptibility to signals of reward, a mechanism related only to extraversion traits including sociability, activation, social potency, and positive affect? Research shows that susceptibility to reward is related to impulsive sensation seeking and aggression as well as sociability and an aroused type of positive affect. Comparative and indirect human correlates suggest an involvement of dopaminergic reactivity in sensation seeking and sociability.
Potential mechanisms of thyroid disruption in humans: interaction of organochlorine compounds with thyroid receptor, transthyretin, and thyroid-binding globulin.
Authors: A O Cheek, K Kow, J Chen, J A McLachlan
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1999)

Organochlorine compounds, particularly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), alter serum thyroid hormone levels in humans. Hydroxylated organochlorines have relatively high affinities for the serum transport protein transthyretin, but the ability of these compounds to interact with the human thyroid receptor is unknown. Using a baculovirus expression system in insect cells (Sf9 cells), we produced recombinant human thyroid receptor ss (hTRss). In competitive binding experiments, the recombinant receptor had the expected relative affinity for thyroid hormones and their analogs. In competitive inhibition experiments with PCBs, hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs), DDT and its metabolites, and several organochlorine herbicides, only the OH-PCBs competed for binding. The affinity of hTRss for OH-PCBs was 10,000-fold lower (Ki = 20-50 microM) than its affinity for thyroid hormone (3,3',5-triiodothyronine, T3; Ki = 10 nM). Because their relative affinity for the receptor was low, we tested the ability of OH-PCBs to interact with the serum transport proteins--transthyretin and thyroid-binding globulin (TBG). With the exception of one compound, the OH-PCBs had the same affinity (Ki = 10-80 nM) for transthyretin as thyroid hormone (thyroxine; T4). Only two of the OH-PCBs bound TBG (Ki = 3-7 microM), but with a 100-fold lower affinity than T4. Hydroxylated PCBs have relatively low affinities for the human thyroid receptor in vitro, but they have a thyroid hormonelike affinity for the serum transport protein transthyretin. Based on these results, OH-PCBs in vivo are more likely to compete for binding to serum transport proteins than for binding to the thyroid receptor.
An Interesting Case of Epilepsy
Authors: M. N. Pai
Journal: BMJ (1949)

MEDICAL JOURNALdiagnosis even when the possibility of its occurrence has been remembered.Taking the present case as an example, the data on which an accurate diagnosis could be based were quite inadequate; it was not even possible to be sure that a femoral hernia coexisted with the inguinal glands.Furthermore, even when a hernia is obvious, the differential diagnosis of femoral appendicitis is most difficult.One must exclude omental hernia, partial enterocele, adenitis, strangulated epiploic appendix, prehernial lipoma, intestinal diverticula in hernia, and reducible and irreducible hernia of the intestine, bladder, and other viscera.It seems obvious that in most instances this condition is destined to remain an accidental finding during herniotomy.
Vascular remodeling and protease inhibition—bench to bedside
Authors: J SLUIJTER, D DEKLEIJN, G PASTERKAMP
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2006)

Physiological and pathological tissue remodeling needs an orderly degradation of the extracellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteases capable of degrading different extracellular matrix components, including collagen and elastin. MMP expression is strongly enhanced in vascular pathologies such as stenosis following balloon dilation, in-stent restenosis, sustained flow changes, aneurysm formation, and atherosclerosis. Experimental studies have revealed that some biological actions of MMPs aggravate a pathological condition, whereas others may be beneficial for the patient suffering from atherosclerotic disease. Therefore, a better understanding of the biological consequence and regulation of MMP activity is critical for the design and potential application of specific MMP inhibitors in vascular disease. In this review, we will give an overview of preclinical experimental studies using MMP inhibitors with the objective to influence vascular occlusive diseases, and we will also highlight new targets that influence MMP expression and activity and that possess potential for therapeutic interventions.
GP on trial for murder
Authors: C. Dyer
Journal: BMJ (1999)

A general practitioner in England who admitted in media interviews that he had helped terminally ill patients to die was in the dock at Newcastle Crown Court this week on trial for murder.

Dr David Moor's foray into the euthanasia debate nearly two years ago has brought him face to face with the possibility of an automatic life sentence if found guilty of the murder of 85 year old retired ambulanceman George Liddell in July 1997 with a large dose of diamorphine.

Dr Moor, aged 52, has retired early from his practice under the pressure of a lengthy police investigation.

The court heard that Dr …
Abstract 54: Cancer-associated fibroblasts induce epithelial-mesenchymal-transition and stemness in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Yasushi Shintani, Abulimiti Abulaiti, Toru Kimura, Tomoyuki Nakagiri, Masayoshi Inoue, Noriyoshi Sawabata, Masato Minami, Menoshin Okumura
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract The tumor microenvironment is composed of different types of stromal cells and a key component of tumor progression. It has been hypothesized that these stromal components are functionally organized to promote the survival of cancer cells. A specific subset of stromal cells, termed cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), secretes factors that promote tumorigensis. To investigate whether CAFs constitute a specific microenvironment conductive for lung cancer progression, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments using CAFs derived from primary lung cancer in conjunction with the human lung adenocaricinoma cell lines. We first showed that conditioned medium (CM) from human CAFs was biologically active. When human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549 and NCI-H358) were cultured with CM from CAFs, epithelial cells became spindle and scattered as well as decreased cell surface E-cadherin. Further CM increased N-cadherin and vimentin expression, which is a hallmark of an epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT). Coculture experiments using traswell plates with inserts of pore size 3 μm also showed EMT change in cancer cells. CM led cancer cells to enhance expression of stem cell markers such as CD44 and CD133 mRNA levels by ten times. It also triggered the acquisitions of cancer stemness such the ability of resistance to cisplatin or gefitinib as well as sphere formation. These phenotype changes associated with EMT and stemness were inhibited by the addition of TGF-β inhibitor, SB431542 (10 μM). The s.c. coinjection of human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and human CAFs to the mice result in a high rate of tumor formation compared with the injection of these cell lines without CAFs. A decreased expression of epithelial markers and upregulation of angiogenesis and proliferative index were detected in specimens from mice with coinjection of these cells. TGF β inhibitor attenuated the tumor formation enhanced by coinjection with CAFs. The compound was injected i.p. at 0.2 mg/kg (1 per day, 5 per week for 2 weeks) after coinjection. These results indicate that the paracrine interplay between CAFs and cancer cells mediated by TGF-β signaling leads to an EMT driven gain of cancer stem cell properties and suggest that the CAFs contribute a specific niche for tumor progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 54. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-54
Extensive Primary Repair of the Thoracic Aorta in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection by Means of Ascending Aorta Replacement Combined With Open Placement of Triple-Branched Stent Graft
Authors: Liang-Wan Chen, Xiao-Fu Dai, Lin Lu, Gui-Can Zhang, Hua Cao
Journal: Circulation (2010)

To simplify extensive primary repair of the thoracic aorta in acute type A aortic dissection, we developed the open triple-branched stent graft placement technique. The early results of this new technique are reported.Between June 2008 and November 2009, 30 patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection underwent extensive primary repair of the thoracic aorta by means of ascending aorta replacement combined with open placement of triple-branched stent graft. Placement of the triple-branched stent graft into the true lumen of the descending aorta, arch, and 3 arch vessels was technically successful in all patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, and lower body arrest time were 151.8 ± 16.69, 84.1 ± 6.97, and 31.17 ± 5.34 minutes, respectively. The postoperative mechanical ventilation support period and duration of intensive care unit stay were 17.93 ± 2.35 and 62.10 ± 9.24 hours, respectively. All implanted stent grafts were fully opened and not kinked; there was no space or blood flow surrounding the triple-branched stent graft and no sidearm graft stenosis or occlusion. The false lumen of the descending aorta distal to the stent graft closed with thrombus in 25 of 30 patients at their first postoperative scans and in 26 of 30 at the 3-month postoperative scan.Open triple-branched stent graft placement is an effective technique with satisfactory early results. With this technique, extensive primary repair of the thoracic aorta may become easier and safer for acute type A aortic dissection.
Acute alveolar hypoxia increases bronchopulmonary shunt flow in the dog.
Authors: R L Warren, W J Powell
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1986)

To study the effects of alveolar hypoxia on canine bronchopulmonary shunt flow, a biventricular bypass preparation was employed. The preparation allowed a constant and sensitive measure of changes in pulmonary venous blood flow. In 16 of 18 dogs with intact bronchial arteries, alveolar hypoxia caused an increase in pulmonary venous return both under conditions of constant pulmonary arterial inflow and under conditions of no pulmonary arterial inflow, suggesting bronchopulmonary shunting. This effect was accompanied by systemic vasodilation despite vagotomy and ganglionic blockade, and was abolished by division of all bronchial vessels. Ibuprofen, 3 mg/kg, and indomethacin, 15 mg/kg, in dogs with intact bronchial vessels, abolished both the increase in pulmonary venous return and the systemic vasodilatation caused by hypoxia. Thus, alveolar hypoxia directly augments bronchopulmonary flow, most likely through release of one or more vasodilating prostaglandins.
Triggered activity and automaticity in ventricular trabeculae of failing human and rabbit hearts
Authors: J. T Vermeulen, M. A Mcguire, T. Opthof, R. Coronel, J. M T De Bakker, C. Klopping, M. J Janse
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1994)

The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of triggered activity and automaticity in ventricular trabeculae from failing human hearts and normal and failing rabbit hearts during exposure to a normal and altered extracellular environment.Ventricular trabeculae were harvested from failing human hearts (from patients undergoing cardiac transplantation) and from normal and failing rabbit hearts (combined volume and pressure overload). Trabeculae were superfused with normal Tyrode solution followed by a modified Tyrode solution, which mimicked the extracellular milieu in patients with severe heart failure. Modified Tyrode solution contained low potassium (3.0 mM), low magnesium (0.4 mM), and noradrenaline (1 microM).During superfusion with normal Tyrode solution, early afterdepolarisations, delayed afterdepolarisations, and automaticity were not observed in trabeculae from failing hearts. In the modified Tyrode solution, early afterdepolarisations could be induced in 26% of control rabbit and 30% of failing rabbit trabeculae, but never in human trabeculae. During superfusion with the modified solution delayed afterdepolarisations or triggered activity could be induced in 50% of the human failing trabeculae, in 43% of the failing rabbit trabeculae, and in 9% of the normal rabbit trabeculae (p < 0.01); automaticity was observed in 44% of the human trabeculae, and in 7% of the failing rabbit trabeculae, but in none of the control rabbit trabeculae. In failing rabbit myocardium action potential duration was prolonged at cycle lengths > or = 350 ms, but not at shorter cycle lengths.Delayed afterdepolarisations and automaticity, but not early afterdepolarisations, occur more frequently in myocardium from failing hearts, but only during superfusion with a modified Tyrode solution. This emphasises that the extracellular environment is important with respect to arrhythmogenesis in heart failure, apart from the fixed cellular defect due to heart failure per se. Prolongation of the action potential in failing hearts does not occur at physiological and higher heart rates and therefore cannot be regarded as a protective factor in the prevention of reentrant arrhythmias. The rate of triggered and automatic rhythms was slow. Therefore these mechanisms cannot be responsible for clinical ventricular tachycardias or fibrillation, but may serve as triggers for reentrant arrhythmias.
A Microprocessor Computer Program
Authors: Sviam Ramanathan
Journal: JAMA (1980)

The transition from the scientific system of measurements used in the United States to the Système International creates difficulties for Americans who consult European or Canadian journals. Similar difficulties occur when they want to publish abroad. We have developed a program for the portable microcalculator, which may be coupled selectively to a recorder. Two types of programs are used on 7.5 X 1.5-cm electromagnetic cards. Program P1 is used with the recorder and program P2 with the calculator only.
Elective Surgery in a Rural Primary Medical Care Program in the Central Amazon Valley
Authors: William V. Dolan
Journal: JAMA (1984)

The unique role of an intermittent, elective surgery service in direct support of a rural primary medical care program in the Central Amazon Valley of Brazil is described. The relatively sophisticated surgical subspecialties bring needed curative treatment, while simultaneously promoting the basic public health and preventative measures of an isolated community health network. The patient profile, diagnostic gamut, and implications of this Third World surgical program are further detailed.
Incidental Finding of Meningioma on C11-PIB PET
Authors: Hee-Young Kim, Jaeseung Kim, Jae-Hong Lee
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2012)

As a healthy volunteer for amyloid imaging study, a 83-year-old woman with no history of neurologic or psychiatric illness underwent carbon 11-labeled Pittsburgh compound-B (PIB) PET, which showed focal increased PIB binding in the right anterior temporal region. This focal PIB uptake turned out to be a mass lesion on MRI, which was consistent with a benign meningioma. This is the first case report on the incidentally found intracranial meningioma by PIB PET scan, highlighting the excellent sensitivity of PIB radiotracer in detecting brain amyloid deposition.
Extrapulmonary Manifestations of Bronchogenic Carcinoma
Authors: John H. Knowles, Lloyd H. Smith
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1960)

CANCER is a systemic disorder as well as a local derangement of tissue growth. Generalized effects of a malignant tumor often occur in the absence of any demonstrable spread of the disease, even though recent studies have shown that neoplastic cells can be found floating free in the blood of many such patients.1 Bronchogenic carcinoma, the most frequent malignant tumor in the United States, may become clinically manifest through symptoms related to the local lesion, symptoms secondary to specific metastases or symptoms due to the systemic effects of the tumor. The local effects are largely those of irritation (cough), ulceration . . .