tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Tories look to harness "social norms" to change behaviour and improve public health
Authors: Z. Kmietowicz
Journal: BMJ (2010)

The conservatives have vowed to replace the “misunderstood units system” for alcoholic drinks with one that refers instead to centilitres of alcohol drinks contain. Labels on alcoholic drinks will also show their calorie content and the amount of the drink consumed by an average person in a week.

The move is a bid by the party to harness “the power of social norms” to tackle public health problems including binge drinking, obesity, teenage pregnancy, and drug abuse, which is outlined in a green paper entitled, “A Healthier Nation.”

Other plans to curb binge drinking include increasing tax on what the conservatives see as problem drinks, such as alcopops and super strength beers, and imposing a tougher licensing regime on problem …
Abstract 3352: The medulloblastoma oncogene Otx2 enhances migration and permits ectopic proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells of the cerebellum and brainstem
Authors: Matthew Wortham, Genglin Jin, Julia Lailai Sun, Darell D. Bigner, Hai Yan
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Despite a thorough understanding of the genetic underpinnings of this tumor, the pathogenesis of some variants of medulloblastoma, in particular the non-Shh/non-Wnt subtypes, is poorly understood. One of the most common genetic aberrations in non-Shh/non-Wnt medulloblastomas is copy number gain of the homeobox transcription factor OTX2. Here we have characterized mice engineered to ectopically express Otx2 in the hindbrain to identify the functional consequences of this subtype-specific genetic insult. Otx2 expression induced accumulation of proliferative hyperplasias in the cerebellar white matter and dorsal brainstem that were reminiscent of preneoplastic cells identified in other animal models of medulloblastoma. These hyperplasias were comprised of neuronal progenitor cells that had migrated away from their mitogenic niches. As animals reached adulthood, ectopic cells exited the cell cycle and differentiated, indicating that factors limiting proliferative lifespan prevented full transformation by Otx2. Comparison of the effect of Otx2 with activation of the Shh or Wnt pathways, which occur in distinct subtypes of medulloblastoma, revealed overlap of responsive cell types but distinct developmental processes involved. While activation of the Shh or Wnt pathways give rise to sustained proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells at their mitogenic niches, we found that Otx2 permitted or enhanced migration of these cells away from these niches and induced ectopic proliferation. These findings identify a role for Otx2 overexpression in altering spatiotemporal control of neuronal progenitor cell proliferation and implicate a relationship between the cells of origin of non-Shh/non-Wnt medulloblastomas and those of other medulloblastoma subtypes. 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 3352. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3352
Congenital coagulopathies and pregnancy: Report of four pregnancies in a factor X‐deficient woman
Authors: Manjusha Kumar, Paulette Mehta
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1994)

Abstract Pregnancy in women with congenital coagulation factor deficiencies has been associated with adverse fetal outcomes. Recurrent spontaneous abortions, placental abruptions, and premature births are reported, the exact reasons for which are not clear, and management of such patients continues to be a challenge. We reviewed the outcome of four pregnancies in a patient with factor X deficiency, and looked at the effect of factor replacement therapy on pregnancy. Her first two pregnancies resulted in the birth of extremely premature babies at 21 and 25 weeks of gestation, both of which died in the neonatal period. The patient was treated with fresh frozen plasma for acute bleeding episodes during these pregnancies. In addition during her second conception she was given factor IX complex [Konyne] prophylactically, but only in the latter half of her pregnancy. During her next two pregnancies she was treated early on during pregnancy, with prophylactic replacement of factor X. She delivered healthy babies at 34 and 32 weeks of gestation, and they are both doing well. We therefore suggest possible mechanisms by which aggressive prophylactic factor support in a female with severe congenital coagulopathy, may improve on fetal outcome. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amputation at the Hip-Joint by Furneaux Jordan's Method
Authors: L. W. Marshall
Journal: BMJ (1882)

family, consisting of man and wife and eight children, all unvaccinated.These I vaccinated without delay, and none contracted the disease, although the division between the two houses was of a very slight nature, being merely a wooden partition.Again, small-pox existed in a house, one of a row of brick ones.An unvaccinated girl, in the sixth house distant, contracted the disease in the confluent form.Her mother and two sisters consented to be vaccinated, but her father, who said he had been vaccinated in child- hood, but whose arms bore only one indistinct and by no means charac- teristic mark, refused vaccination, soon contracted the disease in a severe form, and both he and his unvaccinated daughter died, the others escaping altogether.The only unvaccinated person in the third house distant, a boy, aged IO, whose doting foster-parents had refrained from having him vaccinated, for fear, as they said, of injuring his health, but who had anxiously taken every other precaution, contracted small-pox in the confluent form, but recovered, with great disfigurement.All the other inmates of this and the intermediate houses, having been efficiently vaccinated, escaped the disease entirely.
Removing the Primary Tumor after the Cancer Has Spread
Authors: Ian F. Tannock
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2001)

Most patients who die of cancer die because of metastatic disease, and therefore removal of the primary tumor in patients who already have evidence of metastasis seems illogical, at least in the absence of symptoms caused by the primary tumor. Many thoughtful oncologists have asked, “What is the point of closing the barn door once the horse has bolted?” in the belief that subjecting patients with incurable disease to the risks involved in unnecessary surgery is a poor medical decision.This idea is challenged in this issue of the Journal by Flanigan et al.,1 who report the results of a . . .
Development of Interleukin-17-Producing γδ T Cells Is Restricted to a Functional Embryonic Wave
Authors: Jan D. Haas, Sarina Ravens, Sandra Düber, Inga Sandrock, Linda Oberdörfer, Elham Kashani, Vijaykumar Chennupati, Lisa Föhse, Ronald Naumann, Siegfried Weiss, Andreas Krueger, Reinhold Förster, Immo Prinz
Journal: Immunity (2012)
Whole Animal In Vivo Imaging After Transient, Nonviral Gene delivery to the Rat Central Nervous System
Authors: Ellen S. Hauck, Shaomin Zou, Keith Scarfo, Michael H. Nantz, James G. Hecker
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2008)

We previously showed that a vector:lipid delivery system, comprised of a plasmid DNA vector and cationic lipid (lipoplex), when injected into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of rats can deliver reporter genes in vivo efficiently and with widespread expression to the Central Nervous System (CNS). To further characterize this delivery system, we now present experiments that demonstrate the in vivo time-to-peak expression of the reporter gene, firefly luciferase. We infused a formulated lipoplex containing the lipid MLRI [dissymmetric myristoyl (14:0) and lauroyl (12:1) rosenthal inhibitor-substituted compound formed from the tetraalkylammonium glycerol-based DORI] and pNDluc, a luciferase vector, into CSF in the cisterna magna (CM) of the rat. Luciferase activity was followed over time by bioluminescence imaging after injection of luciferin. Our results show that luciferase activity in the CNS of rats is widespread, peaks 72 hours after injection into CM and can be detected in vivo for at least 7-10 days after peak expression. We further show that in contrast to injection into CSF, enzyme activity is not widely distributed after injection of the vector into brain parenchyma, emphasizing the importance of CSF delivery to achieve widespread vector distribution. Finally, we confirm the distribution of firefly luciferase in brain by immunohistochemical staining from an animal that was euthanized at the peak of enzyme expression.
FDA calls for standardised racial and ethnic data
Authors: D. Josefson
Journal: BMJ (2003)

The US Food and Drug Administration has asked drug manufacturers to integrate race and ethnicity data into their analyses of new drugs by using the same general classifications used in other government data collection systems.

An analysis of drug dosage and interval modifications by age, race, and sex is also required in new drug applications.

The FDA currently requires drug sponsors to present safety and effectiveness data by age, race, and sex but does not specify how this is to be done. The new guidelines have asked companies to use the same broad categories established …
STUDIES ON HOST-VIRUS INTERACTIONS IN THE CHICK EMBRYO-INFLUENZA VIRUS SYSTEM
Authors: Werner Henle
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1949)

Upon injection of active influenza A or B virus into the allantoic cavity of the developing chick embryo, an average of only 70 per cent of the agent was adsorbed onto the tissue, as measured by the difference between the quantity of virus injected and that found free in the allantoic fluid of the injected eggs during the constant period. The degree of adsorption was similar, regardless of whether 10(9) or 10(2) ID(50) of active virus was injected. Attempts to demonstrate the adsorbed virus in suspensions of the infected tissue met with partial success only in that not more than 1 to 5 per cent of the amount calculated to be adsorbed was actually found. All efforts to increase the yield of virus have failed. These results led to the suggestion that the seed virus, which participates in the propagation, becomes altered in such a way that it no longer may be demonstrated by infectivity titrations, whereas the active virus found represents superficially adsorbed virus, which does not multiply.
Clinical and The use of a double-label immunoperoxidase monoclonal antibody technique in the investigation of patients with mycosis fungoides
Authors: RONA M. MACKIE, MARLYN L. TURBITT
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1982)

Using a double‐labelling immunoperoxidase technique and monoclonal antibodies raised against T helper and T suppressor cells and Langerhans cells, we have found that the clinically involved skin of seventeen mycosis fungoides (MF) patients shows an increase in number of Langerhans cells which are in contact with T helper lymphocytes. T suppressor lymphocytes are also present, but are generally seen singly and situated at a distance from the T helper/Langerhans cell clusters.
Structure of and influence of a tick complement inhibitor on human complement component 5
Authors: Folmer Fredslund, Nick S Laursen, Pietro Roversi, Lasse Jenner, Cristiano L P Oliveira, Jan S Pedersen, Miles A Nunn, Susan M Lea, Richard Discipio, Lars Sottrup-Jensen, Gregers R Andersen
Journal: Nature Immunology (2008)
260. A Database for Managing Neuromuscular Disease Data in the Province of Quebec
Authors: Charland Luc, Lavoie Jeremie, Puymirat Jack
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2005)

Use of databases (DB) for managing neuromuscular diseases (NMD) data is an impressive tool for physicians and researchers. We have developed a DB on an Oracle platform. Oracle has a solid architecture witch is only limited by the operating system (OS) and contrast to 4Gb for Microsoft Access DB. Oracle is a multi-OS compatible and includes powerful tools like data mining, data warehousing and for web application development. Oracle is also more secure and more stable than other majors DBMS. For security, this database is located on the Qu|[eacute]|bec Health Department secure intranet and communications between client and server is secured via 128-bits encryption. This intranet is secured from the internet by high-end firewalls and VLAN. With this secure intranet, clinics around province can communicate with database. Each clinical center can store their nominative information in a separate directory not accessible by others clinics for data confidentiality.
Risk of Drug-Induced Liver Injury From Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists
Authors: Einar S Björnsson, Baldvin I Gunnarsson, Gerdur Gröndal, Jon G Jonasson, Rannveig Einarsdottir, Björn R Ludviksson, Björn Gudbjörnsson, Sigurdur Olafsson
Journal: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2014)
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells migrate to healthy and damaged salivary glands following stem cell infusion
Authors: Silke Schwarz, Ralf Huss, Michaela Schulz-Siegmund, Breda Vogel, Sven Brandau, Stephan Lang, Nicole Rotter
Journal: International Journal of Oral Science (2014)

Xerostomia is a severe side effect of radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients. To date, no satisfactory treatment option has been established. Because mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been identified as a potential treatment modality, we aimed to evaluate stem cell distribution following intravenous and intraglandular injections using a surgical model of salivary gland damage and to analyse the effects of MSC injections on the recruitment of immune cells. The submandibular gland ducts of rats were surgically ligated. Syngeneic adult MSCs were isolated, immortalised by simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen and characterized by flow cytometry. MSCs were injected intravenously and intraglandularly. After 1, 3 and 7 days, the organs of interest were analysed for stem cell recruitment. Inflammation was analysed by immunohistochemical staining. We were able to demonstrate that, after intravenous injection, MSCs were recruited to normal and damaged submandibular glands on days 1, 3 and 7. Unexpectedly, stem cells were recruited to ligated and non-ligated glands in a comparable manner. After intraglandular injection of MSCs into ligated glands, the presence of MSCs, leucocytes and macrophages was enhanced, compared to intravenous injection of stem cells. Our data suggest that injected MSCs were retained within the inflamed glands, could become activated and subsequently recruited leucocytes to the sites of tissue damage. Stem cells injected into damaged salivary glands help promote tissue healing, according to a study in rats. A team led by Nicole Rotter from the Ulm University Medical Center, Germany, surgically injured submandibular salivary glands in rats. The researchers then injected mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from a rat bone marrow cell line into the tail veins. They observed a migration of the stem cells into both healthy and damaged salivary glands. Rotter and her colleagues also injected the MSCs directly into the rats' salivary glands, where the stem cells recruited immune cells, including leukocytes and macrophages, to the site of injury. MSC therapy thus promotes beneficial immune responses and could help people overcome the dry mouth side effects that result from salivary gland damage associated with radiation administered for head and neck cancer.
Combined 5-Fluorouracil/Systemic Interferon-β Gene Therapy Results in Long-Term Survival in Mice with Established Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Eugene A. Choi, Hanqin Lei, David J. Maron, Rosemarie Mick, James Barsoum, Qian-chun Yu, Douglas L. Fraker, James M. Wilson, Francis R. Spitz
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated synergistic interactions between 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and type I and II IFNs against human colorectal cancer cells. Despite these activities, randomized human trials have failed to identify a clinical benefit for this combination treatment. These limited clinical results may be secondary to the short half-life of recombinant IFN protein and the increased systemic toxicities of 5-FU/IFN combinations. We have previously reported an adenoviral-mediated IFN-β gene therapy strategy, which may circumvent the pitfalls of recombinant IFN therapy. However, a dose-dependent toxicity and acute inflammatory response to systemically administered adenovirus vectors may limit the clinical application of this therapy. The combination of adenoviral-mediated IFN-β gene therapy and 5-FU resulted in tumor regression, apoptosis, and improved survival in an established liver metastases model. These therapeutic effects were observed at a significantly lower vector dose than we had previously reported and with limited toxicity. This approach may allow for an effective clinical application of this therapy and warrants additional investigation.
Perivascular Potassium and pH as Determinants of Local Pial Arterial Diameter in Cats
Authors: W. Kuschinsky, M. Wahl, O. Bosse, K. Thurau
Journal: Circulation Research (1972)

The effects of and the interaction between local perivascular variation in potassium and bicarbonate concentration on the diameter of pial arteries were studied in cats by the microapplication technique. At 11 mEq/liter of bicarbonate, a direct correlation existed between vascular diameter and K + concentrations between 0 and 10 mEq/liter. At K + concentrations between 10 and 20 mEq/liter, no further increase in vascular diameter was observed. At a K + concentration of 5 mEq/liter, an inverse relationship existed between pial arterial diameter and perivascular bicarbonate concentrations between 0 and 22 mEq/liter. At K + concentrations of 0 and 10 mEq/liter, the pial arterial diameter was determined strongly by the K + concentration and was only slightly, if at all, influenced by bicarbonate concentrations between 5 and 22 mEq/liter. At lower bicarbonate concentrations the local acidity induced a marked vasodilation. The results indicate that the diameter of pial arterioles in cats is affected by periarteriolar concentrations of K + and H + ; the degree of the vasoreaction induced by H + is modulated by K + .
1013-119 B-type natriuretic peptide levels in asymptomatic patients with B-thalassaemia major
Authors: Georgios P Pavlakis, Konstantina Bouki, Komninos Komninos, Dimitra Vini, Marouso Drosou, Dimitris Georgiou, Evangelos Papasteriadis, Eleni Konstantellou
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2004)
New WHO chief urges member states to step up efforts for flu pandemic
Authors: John Zarocostas
Journal: BMJ (2007)

The new head of the World Health Organization, Margaret Chan, has called for continued vigilance against the threat of a human influenza pandemic and has urged all 193 member states to step up their preparedness efforts. 

Shortly after taking over as director general on 4 January, Dr Chan told reporters that in the past 15 months the number of countries with a pandemic preparedness plan in place had risen from about 50 to 170 and was still increasing. But she warned, “The risk is there. We should not let our guard down.” 

The …
Adherence of Mononuclear Cells to Endothelium In Vitro Is Increased in Patients With NIDDM
Authors: M Carantoni, F Abbasi, L Chu, Y-D I Chen, G M Reaven, P S Tsao, B Varasteh, J P Cooke
Journal: Diabetes Care (1997)

To compare the binding to cultured endothelial cells of mononuclear cells isolated from healthy volunteers and patients with NIDDM.Mononuclear cells were isolated from healthy volunteers (n = 11) and patients with NIDDM (n = 14) and incubated with ECV 304 cells, a human umbilical endothelial cell-derived transformed cell line. Following a period of incubation, the adherence of mononuclear cells to endothelial cells was determined.Adherence of mononuclear cells from patients with NIDDM was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that of cells isolated from the healthy volunteers, and this difference persisted when adjusted for age, sex, and degree of obesity. Mononuclear cell binding to ECV 304 cells correlated significantly with fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.52, P < 0.01), insulin (r = 0.51, P < 0.01), triglyceride (r = 0.54, P < 0.01), and VLDL (r = 0.54, P < 0.01) and HDL cholesterol (r = -0.45, P < 0.05) levels, but not with either total or LDL cholesterol levels or blood pressure.Since the adherence of mononuclear cells to the endothelium represents the earliest step in atherogenesis, the observation that mononuclear cells from patients with NIDDM bind more avidly to cultured endothelial cells may help explain why accelerated atherosclerosis occurs in patients with NIDDM. The metabolic abnormality, or abnormalities, present in patients with NIDDM that is responsible for the enhanced adhesiveness of mononuclear cells requires further examination.
The Etiology of Gastric and Duodenal Ulceration
Authors: K. W. Monsarrat
Journal: BMJ (1926)

Conclusion.A case of severe rickets is described whieli has been under treatment duiring the greater part of the year 1925.lFrom April to the -beginningr of September the child received cod-liver oil as ani out-p)atient, but with only slight improvement; during the last thlro months of the year he was admitted into lhospital and irradiated chliolesterol was administered, witlh the result that the rickets was cured.Whilst it is clearly impossible to generalize from onie case, the results obtained suggest that this metlhod of treatment is well worth a trial, either alonie or in combiniation witl cod-liver oil, in cases which do niot respond quickly to cod-liver oil.-It is not an expensive mnethod of treat- ,meat; the amount of clholesterol used weekly represents a eo.st of about 2s.6d.
Primary biliary cirrhosis: A 2010 update
Authors: Raoul Poupon
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2010)

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that mainly targets the cholangiocytes of the interlobular bile ducts in the liver. The condition primarily affects middle-aged women. Without treatment, PBC generally progresses to cirrhosis and eventually liver failure over a period of 10-20 years. PBC is a rare disease with prevalence of less than 1/2000. PBC is thought to result from a combination of multiple genetic factors and superimposed environmental triggers. The contribution of the genetic predisposition is evidenced by the familial clustering. Several risk factors, including exposure to infectious agents and chemical xenobiotics, have been suggested. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is currently the only FDA-approved medical treatment for PBC. When administered at doses of 13-15 mg/kg/day, a majority of patients with PBC have a normal life expectancy without additional therapeutic measures. One out of three patients does not adequately respond to UDCA therapy and may need additional medical therapy and/or liver transplantation. This review summarises current knowledge on the epidemiology, ethiopathogenesis, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of PBC.