tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Objective assessment of antianginal treatment: a double-blind comparison of propranolol, nifedipine, and their combination.
Authors: P Lynch, H Dargie, S Krikler, D Krikler
Journal: BMJ (1980)

In a double-blind clinical trial the antianginal effects of nifedipine (30 and 60 mg/day) and propranolol 240 and 480 mg/day) and a combination of both drugs were compared with those of placebo in 16 patients with severe exertional angina pectoris. Response to treatment was assessed by the objective criteria of 16-point precordial exercise mapping and 48-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring and subjectively by analysis of patients9 daily diaries of episodes of angina and consumption of glyceryl trintrate. The incidence of pain and consumption of glyceryl trinitrate were significantly decreased by each drug compared with placebo, and the combination produced a further significant improvement. Objectively the total area and amount of ST depression on the precordial exercise map and the total number of episodes of ST depression detected on ambulatory monitoring confirmed the efficacy of each treatment regimen; the combination was significantly better than either drug alone (p &lt;0.005). The objective methods permitted greater separation of treatment efficacy and showed reliably that the combination of propranolol and nifedipine was significantly better than either drug alone. Thus this combination is a safe and effective form of treatment for angina.
Communicating information about drug safety
Authors: R E Ferner, J K Aronson
Journal: BMJ (2006)

It can be hard to interpret information about potential harms from drugs, whether through adverse effects or drug interactions.A simple visual coding system could help Prescribers and patients need information about the established harms of a drug as well as its benefits.This information helps prescribers to calculate the likely balance of benefit to harm before prescribing a drug.It also enables them to avoid using a drug in circumstances of particular risk (for example, renal insufficiency), to choose preventive strategies (for example, using a bisphosphonate to prevent glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis), to know when to monitor for harm when the risk is defined (for example, regular blood counts in patients taking clozapine), and to recognise an adverse reaction when it occurs.Patients need to know about harms for similar reasons.They need to be able to decide whether the likely benefit outweighs the potential harm.They may be more aware than the prescriber of circumstances that prevent their taking the drug.And it is in their interest to be alert to the possibility that an unwanted event that occurs while they are taking the drug is an adverse drug reaction.What is the best way to provide information about drug harms?
THE EFFECT OF INCREASED ANTIPNEUMOCOCCAL IMMUNITY ON THE INCEPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL LOBAR PNEUMONIA IN THE DOG
Authors: O. H. Robertson
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1937)

In view of the finding that one or more attacks of pneumococcus lobar pneumonia experimentally induced in dogs failed to protect the animals against subsequent infection, an attempt was made to determine whether or not the dog's antipneumococcal immunity could be enhanced to the degree of complete resistance to the experimental disease. To this end dogs were passively immunized by the intravenous injection of large quantities of both unconcentrated antipneumococcus horse serum and concentrated antibody solution and actively immunized by vaccination with killed and living cultures of pneumococci. None of these procedures were found to result in constant protection against the pulmonary infection. The disease, however, was of brief duration, the lesions of limited extent and usually sterile within 24 hours. A combination of active and passive immunization produced no better results. It was only when immune bodies and leucocytes were implanted with the infecting dose that prevention of infection was secured with any degree of constancy. Even under these conditions the lesion sometimes involved a considerable portion of a lobe. The factors involved in the inception of experimental lobar pneumonia are discussed and the bearing of this study on the prophylactic immunization of human beings against pneumococcus pneumonia is suggested.
Prevention of neonatal hepatitis B infection.
Authors: S Iwarson, G Norkrans
Journal: BMJ (1978)

field in an ovulatory mucus with a spinnbar- keit of more than 6 cm has been shown to have statistically significant correlation with a median sperm count of over 28 million/ml,3 and thus a positive test is of great value itself.However, lesser degrees of positivity and even negative postcoital tests are of value only when they have been repeatedly shown to be so at the time of presumptive ovulation and steps have been taken to confirm the validity of this timing.Only then are negative postcoital tests indicative of abnormality.Single and isolated tests without ancillary information are thus merely indications for further investiga- tions of the infertile couple into the multifactorial factors which are potentially related to their inability to conceive.
Stimulation of ammonia production and excretion in the rabbit by inorganic phosphate. Study of control mechanisms.
Authors: H L Yu, R Giammarco, M B Goldstein, D J Stinebaugh, M L Halperin
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1976)

The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanism (s) responsible for regulation of ammonia production and excretion in the rabbit. The normally low ammonia excretion rate during acute metabolic acidosis was stimulated acutely and increased approximately ninefold after infusion of sodium phosphate, but remained low if sodium sulphate or Tris was substituted for phosphate. Ammonia production was increased significantly by phosphate in rabbit renal cortex slices and in isolated renal cortex mitochondria. In isolated mitochondria, mersalyl, an inhibitor of both the phosphate/hydroxyl and phosphate/dicarboxylate mitochondrial carriers, inhibited the phosphate-induced stimulation, indicating that phosphate must enter the mitochondrion for stimulation. A malate/phosphate exchange seemed to be involved since N-ethylmaleimide, an inhibitor of the phosphate/hydroxyl exchange, did not inhibit phosphate-stimulated ammonia production, whereas there was inhibition by 2-n-butylmalonate, a competitive inhibitor of the dicarboxylate carrier. Phosphate itself was not essential since malonate stimulated ammoniagenesis in the absence of added phosphate. Similarly, citrate stimulated ammoniagenesis in isolated mitochondria in the absence of inorganic phosphate provided that it induced L-malate exit on the citrate transporter associated with inhibition of citrate oxidation by fluoroacetate. Similar results were also seen in mitochondria from rat renal cortex. A fall in mitochondrial alpha-ketoglutarate level resulted in an increase in ammonia production. This could be achieved directly with malonate or indirectly via L-malate exit. Simultaneous measurements of glutamate showed that the rate of ammonia production was reciprocally related to the glutamate content. We conclude that phosphate-induced stimulation of ammoniagenesis in the rabbit kidney is mediated by removal of glutamate, the feedback inhibitor of phosphate-dependent glutaminase. Glutamate removal is linked to phosphate-induced dicarboxylate exit across the mitochondrial membrane.
INTENSIVE ELECTROSHOCK TREATMENT WITH REITER APPARATUS
Authors: JOHN FROSCH, DAVID IMPASTATO, S. BERNARD WORTIS
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1951)

A series of 34 depressions was treated with the Reiter Electro-Stimulator, which is a machine giving a unidirectional current. In view of the rather noticeable absence of confusion with this apparatus, it was decided to treat these patients intensively. Treatment was therefore administered in a relatively short period, so that 30 of the 34 cases were completed successfully within 12 days and 23 of the 34 in a week or less. All the patients got well and have remained well for months afterwards. The number of treatments ranged, in 30 of the 34 cases, from 3 to 8, given within 2 to 12 days. Four of the 34 presented special problems, and 2 of these 4 showed a rather interesting psychotic reaction that could not be entirely explained by the form of treatment administered. Comparison with the classical technique, which is given 2 or 3 times a week, showed that favorable results were achieved with our technique in a shorter time without any undue complications. The general form of treatment followed was to give the patient 2 treatments the first day and one thereafter for the next 2 or 3 days, by which time the patients usually improved, and then there was a tapering off, when rest days would be interposed. Sometimes if the improvement manifested itself right away the rest days were interposed earlier. It is our impression, because of the appreciable shortening of the time required for treatment and the relative absence of complications, that this form of treatment is indicated in depressions.
Catalase Deficiency and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: László Góth
Journal: Diabetes Care (2008)

Recent data suggest that at low concentrations hydrogen peroxide acts as a cellular messenger in insulin signaling, whereas at high concentrations it is toxic, particularly in pancreatic cells, which are catalase poor. Erythrocyte catalase is the main regulator of hydrogen peroxide metabolism; any inherited or acquired deficiencies in erythrocyte catalase may cause increased hydrogen peroxide concentrations with both toxic and physiological effects.

Examination of 23,150 Hungarian subjects detected 2 acatalasemic homozygotes and 63 hypocatalasemic heterozygotes. The two acatalasemic subjects and five of the hypocatalasemic subjects had type 2 diabetes, and one hypocatalasemic subject had type 1 diabetes. The 11% frequency of type 2 diabetes among the 65 catalase-deficient subjects was significantly different ( P < 0.005) from the 0% frequency among their normocatalasemic relatives and the 1.75% frequency …
Amateur Etymologists Beware: Even During Carnival, Dirckx Lurckx
Authors: Cornelius Colangelo
Journal: JAMA (1994)

<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —I write regarding the comment on the etymology of the word "carnival" by Dr Dirckx<sup>1</sup>in a letter to the editor. Dr Dirckx traces carnival to<i>carnilevaria</i>(taking away meat) in medieval Latin. I had always understood that the word carnival was an anglicization of the Latin,<i>carne</i>(meat) and<i>vale</i>(farewell), signifying doing without meat during Lent as a form of penance. This construction has the appeal of common-sense logic, a quality for which Romans-Latins were admired.
Eyebrow transplantation: Alternative body sites as a donor source
Authors: Sanusi Umar
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2014)

To the Editor: Aesthetic improvement of eyebrows or their reconstruction after damage caused by trauma or burns is not an uncommon procedure in the field of hair transplantation. The usual hair donor source for such transplantation is the scalp-occipital area. 2, 3 However, this option is not feasible in some instances because the hair is both too coarse and grows excessively long for the intended eyebrow recipient site. One alternative for the donor source is leg hair, which has been successfully used to improve hairlines in males. Advantages of using leg hair for eyebrow transplantation are that it is significantly finer compared with typical head hair, and naturally short as a result of a brief anagen (growth) phase. 5,6 The latter results in leg hair being similar in length to eyebrow hair, which also permits transplanted leg-to-eyebrow hair to be trimmed much less frequently compared with scalp hair.
Genetic Instability and Aberrant DNA Methylation in Chronic Hepatitis and Cirrhosis—A Comprehensive Study of Loss of Heterozygosity and Microsatellite Instability at 39 Loci and DNA Hypermethylation on 8 CpG Islands in Microdissected Specimens From Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Yutaka Kondo, Yae Kanai, Michiie Sakamoto, Masashi Mizokami, Ryuzo Ueda, Setsuo Hirohashi
Journal: Hepatology (2000)

A study was conducted to examine the significance of genetic instability and aberrant DNA methylation during hepatocarcinogenesis. Genomic DNA was extracted from 196 microdissected specimens of noncancerous liver tissue that showed no marked histologic findings or findings compatible with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, and 80 corresponding microdissected specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from 40 patients. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 39 microsatellite markers, and DNA methylation status on 8 CpG islands was examined by bisulfite–PCR. In noncancerous liver tissues, LOH, MSI, and DNA hypermethylation were found in 15 (38%), 6 (15%), and 33 (83%) of 40 cases, respectively. The incidence of DNA hypermethylation in histologically normal liver was similar to that in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, although neither LOH nor MSI was found in histologically normal liver. In cancerous tissues, LOH, MSI, and DNA hypermethylation were found in 39 (98%), 8 (20%), and 40 (100%) of 40 cases, respectively. CpG islands of the p16 gene and methylated in tumor 1, 2, 12, and 31 clones were frequently methylated in cancerous tissues, although neither the thrombospondin–1 nor the human Mut L homologue (hMLH1) gene was methylated. Absence of silencing of the hMLH1 gene by DNA hypermethylation is consistent with the low incidence of MSI in HCCs. The results of this study indicate that LOH and aberrant DNA methylation contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis; DNA hypermethylation in particular, which precedes or may even cause LOH, is as an early event during hepatocarcinogenesis.
Calcium Channel Blocking Agents in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders. Part I: Basic and Clinical Electrophysiologic Effects
Authors: ELLIOTT M. ANTMAN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1980)

Calcium ions play an important role in the cardiovascular system. They are involved in electrophysiologic processes, link excitation to muscular contraction, control energy storage and utilization, and constrict vascular smooth muscle in coronary and systemic arteries. A new group of pharmacologic agents that block the passage of calcium ions across cell membranes has been developed. These agents act during the slow inward current of cellular depolarization. The most extensive clinical experience has been obtained with four of these agents: verapamil, nifedipine, perhexiline, and diltiazem. Verapamil, which has profound electrophysiologic effects on the slow inward current, is emerging as a valuable antiarrhythmic agent. Re-entrant supraventricular arrhythmias, such as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, are particularly amenable to treatment with intravenous verapamil. Preliminary trials of long-term therapy with oral verapamil for control of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia suggest that this agent is effective for therapy of these arrhythmias.
Perceived control of asthma: development and validation of a questionnaire.
Authors: P P Katz, E H Yelin, S Smith, P D Blanc
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1997)

Psychological factors can play a role in asthma symptoms and may play a role in how individuals manage asthma. Because poor self-management of asthma has been linked to poor outcomes, it is important to understand perceived control of asthma--the individual's perceived ability to deal with asthma and its exacerbations effectively. This study used data from an ongoing panel study of adults with asthma (n = 601). The 11-item Perceived Control of Asthma Questionnaire (PCAQ) demonstrated internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.74) and excellent construct validity, correlating strongly with asthma severity, quality of life, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) measures of health status (p < 0.05). After controlling for demographics and asthma severity, each 6-point decrement in PCAQ score was significantly associated with increased risk of hospitalization (OR = 1.4 [95% CI: 1.1 to 1.8]), frequent activity restriction (OR = 1.5 [1.2 to 1.8]), and, among those with labor force participation (n = 551), asthma-related cessation of employment (OR = 1.7 [1.1 to 2.4]). The PCAQ is a short, easy to administer, reliable, and valid measure of perceived control of asthma. It is strongly associated with adverse asthma outcomes even taking into account demographic characteristics and asthma severity, suggesting that patient-centered interventions focusing on perceived control might improve asthma outcomes.
Experiments of Nature — A Glimpse into the Mysteries of the Pubertal Clock
Authors: Shalender Bhasin
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2007)

In an extraordinary display of nature's myriad intricacies, in higher mammals the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator, which drives the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin and sex steroids, is kept in abeyance until the onset of puberty, when it is reactivated with remarkable predictability during the pubertal transition. Its role in this transition is to promote sexual maturation in synchrony with somatic growth and maturation of sexual and social behaviors. In an earlier era, when most humans died before their 25th birthday, food availability was precarious, and environmental conditions were unpredictable, failure of the reproductive axis to activate in a timely . . .
ASCENDING RESPIRATORY PARALYSIS UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Authors: ALBERT H. MILLER
Journal: JAMA (1925)

As a result of the inhalation of a general anesthetic, there develops a progressive ascending paralysis of the muscles of respiration, the extent of which provides a valuable indication of the depth of anesthesia. The muscles that are used in quiet respiration are the diaphragm, which carries on abdominal respiration; the levatores costarum and intercostales externi, which bring about costal inspiration, and the intercostales interni and triangularis sterni, which aid in expiration. All of these costal muscles are innervated by the intercostal nerves, originating in the twelve dorsal segments of the spinal cord. The diaphragm obtains its nerve supply through the phrenic nerve from the fourth cervical segment. An ascending paralysis will affect the costal muscles, innervated from the dorsal portion of the spinal cord, much sooner than the diaphragm, the nerve supply of which originates in the midcervical portion. From the standpoint of the anesthetist, the abdominal respiration can
Abstract 3227: Lung-targeted expression of B-RAF V600E in alveolar type II cells causes emphysema and delayed adenoma in mice
Authors: Emanuele Zanucco, Tamara Potapenko, Rudolf Götz, Irene Carraretto, Fatih Ceteci, Ulf R. Rapp
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Classically oncogenes are found associated with neoplastic diseases. More recently a connection with developmental syndromes has been reported. Here we describe a link between the most prevalent mutant form of B-RAF oncogene (B-RAF V600E) with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that often precede lung cancer in men. By use of targeted expression of this mutant B-RAF in type II pneumocytes of mice we have developed an animal model for these devastating diseases that are epidemic worldwide. Constitutive expression of B-RAF V600E led to emphysema as early as late embryonic development that is persistent throughout adult life when it is often accompanied by chronic inflammation. Infiltrating immune cells include localized macrophages, mast cells, and leukocytes as in the case of human COPD. Inflammatory cell infiltration does not precede emphysema formation but is a prelude to tumor development. Consistently, ablation of RAG1 alleles did not eliminate emphysema or late tumor development. The oncogene involved in tumor formation is also B-RAF V600E because the most frequent mutations of spontaneous lung adenomas in mice were absent. These data support a model where the regenerative process triggered by continuous emphysema formation is the driving force that converts B-RAF V600E from a latent to an active oncogene in this target cell type. Our data suggest that B-RAF V600E is not a complete oncogene in type II cells and requires promoting conditions that can be provided by emphysema. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3227.
Efficient mapping of mendelian traits in dogs through genome-wide association
Authors: Elinor K Karlsson, Izabella Baranowska, Claire M Wade, Nicolette H C Salmon Hillbertz, Michael C Zody, Nathan Anderson, Tara M Biagi, Nick Patterson, Gerli Rosengren Pielberg, Edward J Kulbokas, Kenine E Comstock, Evan T Keller, Jill P Mesirov, Henrik von Euler, Olle Kämpe, Åke Hedhammar, Eric S Lander, Göran Andersson, Leif Andersson, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
Journal: Nature Genetics (2007)
German doctors strike against health budget cuts
Authors: D. Cooper-Mahkorn
Journal: BMJ (1999)

Thousands of German doctors have taken part in a one day strike to protest at government health policy designed to reduce healthcare funding and due to come into force this month.

About 80% of general practitioners and many practice based specialists followed recommendations from their professional organisations to strike on 18December as a means of protesting against cuts in the health budget proposed by the new …
Respiratory Cryptosporidiosis in the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Pearl Ma
Journal: JAMA (1984)

We report three cases of primary intestinal cryptosporidiosis with bilateral interstitial pneumonia. The diagnoses were made using two rapid (one-minute) staining procedures, modified cold Kinyoun's solution and a Hemacolor set, on touch preparations of lung biopsy material, sputum, and stool. Intracellular cryptosporidia oocysts in alveolar macrophages suggest possible hematogenous spread of this agent. Opportunistic cryptosporidiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.