tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Diminished Thyroxine-Binding Globulin in Pubertal Diabetic Children
Authors: Matthew H Connors, David B Dunger, Helen Chapel, Ian Jefferson, Terence P Jowett, Philip R Edwards
Journal: Diabetes Care (1996)

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of diabetes on thyroid hormone and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) concentrations during puberty. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), and TBG levels of 171 thyroid microsomal antibody-negative subjects with normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured and compared with those of nondiabetic adolescents. A random subset of 68 diabetic patients (40 boys and 28 girls) and 51 control subjects (24 boys and 27 girls) were analyzed for puberty-related changes. RESULTS Most TT4 levels of diabetic subjects (80% of girls and 63% of boys) were below the 50th percentile for the normal range. TT4 increased with age in girls (r = 0.25, P &amp;lt; 0.04) but not in boys. FT4 was within normal limits in both sexes. TBG measurements were below the 50th percentile and 20% were below the 95% CI for both sexes; TT4 correlated with TBG in boys (r = 0.54, P &amp;lt; 0.001) and in girls (r = 0.58, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Duration of diabetes had no effect, whereas TT4 and FT4 levels were higher in girls with the lowest HbA1 levels (r = −0.29, P &amp;lt; 0.01 and r = −0.45, P &amp;lt; 0.01). Levels of TBG were reduced for all male pubertal stages (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and for early and late female pubertal stages (P &amp;lt; 0.01). There was no direct relationship between glucose control or the duration of diabetes and levels of TBG. CONCLUSIONS Because TT4 levels are low and correlate with the low levels of TBG, it is important to measure free thyroid hormone and TSH levels in diabetic adolescents to establish euthyroidism.
American Diabetes Association calls for testing all those over 45
Authors: N. Macready
Journal: BMJ (1997)

Everyone older than 45 should be tested for diabetes, an expert committee of the American Diabetes Association recommended last week. It also advised that diabetes should be diagnosed at a fasting plasma glucose concentration of 7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl) instead of 7.8 mmol/l (140 mg/dl), the previous cutoff point. These announcements came during …
Genetic Instability in Bladder Cancer Assessed by the Comet Assay
Authors: M. B. Schabath, M. R. Spitz, H. B. Grossman, K. Zhang, C. P. Dinney, P.-J. Zheng, X. Wu
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2003)

Latent genetic instability has been associated with an increased risk for several cancers. We used the comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis) to assess whether genetic instability, as reflected by susceptibility to DNA damage, was associated with the risk of bladder cancer in a case-control study.We used the comet assay to measure baseline and benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE)- and gamma-radiation-induced DNA damage in individual peripheral blood lymphocytes from 114 incident case patients with bladder cancer and 145 matched healthy control subjects. All subjects provided personal information, including smoking history. DNA damage was visualized with the comet assay and quantified by the Olive tail moment parameter, a relative measure. Multivariable analysis was used to assess relative risks for bladder cancer associated with DNA damage. All statistical tests were two-sided.Baseline levels of DNA damage were statistically significantly higher in case patients (tail moment = 1.40) than in control subjects (tail moment = 1.21) (difference = 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.04 to 0.32; P =.015), as were gamma-radiation-induced (tail moment = 4.76 versus 4.22; difference = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.11 to 0.96; P =.013) and BPDE-induced (tail moment = 4.06 versus 3.45; difference = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.23 to 0.99; P =.002) DNA damage. When data were dichotomized at the median value for DNA damage in control subjects and adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, and smoking status, an increased estimated relative risk of bladder cancer was statistically significantly associated with DNA damage at baseline (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.07 to 3.15) and after gamma-radiation (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.04 to 3.14) but not after BPDE treatment (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 0.98 to 2.93).Latent genetic instability as measured by the comet assay is associated with an increased estimated relative risk of bladder cancer.
Whither Go the Olympics?
Authors: Donald L. Cooper
Journal: JAMA (1976)

This Olympic issue ofThe Journalexamines what the Olympic level of competition can mean to an athlete with a handicap or a problem that needs medical supervision for participation. The articles in this issue should speak directly to those athletically aspiring young people, encouraging them to go ahead and set high goals.  Our own US team has always had well-qualified physicians and trainers who do take a special interest in the well-being of all of the athletes, both from the United States and other countries. In the long run, it is really the individual athletes themselves who should provide the main story of the Olympics, and we hope the follow-up in-depth interviews with some former Olympic athletes can provide us all with some meaningful insights regarding their motivation and feeling at this particular time in their lives.  Without a doubt, the one thing that does capture the imagination and
IgA triggers tumor necrosis factor α secretion by monocytes: A study in normal subjects and patients with alcoholic cirrhosis
Authors: Jacques Devière, Jean-Pierre Vaerman, Jean Content, Chantal Denys, Liliane Schandene, Paul Vandenbussche, Yves Sibille, Etienne Dupont
Journal: Hepatology (1991)

Under endotoxin-free conditions, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and purified monocytes isolated from healthy control subjects and patients with alcoholic cirrhosis disclose elevated tumor necrosis factor alpha messenger RNA level and produce tumor necrosis factor alpha in response to stimulation by either soluble polymeric IgA or monomeric IgA bound to the surface of culture dishes but not by soluble monomeric IgA. Polymeric IgA induces tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. These results suggest that cross-linking of Fc alpha receptors on human monocytes induces the messenger RNA accumulation and the secretion of the cytotoxic and immunoregulatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha. Furthermore, it is shown that lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells is synergistically enhanced in the presence of solid phase monomeric IgA but not in the presence of either soluble monomeric or polymeric IgA. Although increased lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion is observed at baseline in alcoholic cirrhotic patients, this synergism is also expressed in this group of patients. These observations could be of pathophysiological relevance in alcoholic cirrhosis because monomeric IgA deposits along the liver sinusoids and increased serum levels of polymeric IgA are common even in the early stages of this disease.
Calcium and sodium transport and vitamin D metabolism in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.
Authors: H P Schedl, D L Miller, J M Pape, R L Horst, H D Wilson
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1984)

Serum ionized calcium levels are lower and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels are higher in the spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rat than in the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKy) control. We postulated that there is either a defect in the regulation of vitamin D metabolism by parathyroid hormone or that the gut target organ for vitamin D in the SH rat is unresponsive. To test these hypotheses we measured serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites and intestinal transport of calcium and sodium. Compared with that of WKy controls, in vitro calcium transport by duodenal sacs of the SH rat was decreased (P less than 0.001) at 5 wk, before the development of hypertension, and at 12 wk, after hypertension was well established. When measured in vivo in the most proximal 20 cm of small intestine, maximum velocity (Vmax) for calcium transport was decreased (P less than 0.05) and net absorption of sodium and water was increased (P less than 0.05) in SH rats as compared with WKy rats. Vmax for calcium transport was also decreased (P less than 0.05) in the most distal 20 cm of small intestine of SH rats, but net sodium and water transport were the same in SH and WKy rats. At 12 wk, serum concentration of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] was the same in both SH and WKy groups, but its precursor, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, was increased (P less than 0.05) in the SH rat. We conclude that in the SH rat: (a) the concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 is inappropriately low in relation to the elevated immunoreactive parathyroid hormone and the depressed calcium absorption, suggesting a defect in the regulation of vitamin D metabolism; and (b) the depressed calcium absorption, in the setting of normal concentrations of [1,25-(OH)2D3], demonstrates unresponsiveness of the gut to vitamin D and may explain in part the low serum ionized calcium found in earlier studies. The presence of these abnormalities before we found a significant difference in blood pressure suggests that they may be causal, not secondary, to the hypertension.
Biologic False-Positive Reactions for Syphilis Among Narcotic Addicts
Authors: Ruth A. Boak
Journal: JAMA (1961)

PRIOR to 1949, the occurrence of a reactive serologic test for syphilis (STS) in the absence of a history of lesions of the disease had been considered to be of equivocal significance by many investigators. In that year, the specific<i>Treponema pallidum</i>immobilization (TPI) test was developed by Nelson and Mayer<sup>1</sup>thus making available an accurate procedure for the differentiation of biologic false-positive (BFP) reactions from those due to infection with<i>T. pallidum</i>. Subsequently, numerous diseases and conditions have been observed to show BFP reactions, including collagen diseases,<sup>2</sup>pregnancy,<sup>3</sup><i>Brucella</i>infection, and many others. During the past few years, increasing attention has been focused on the problem of narcotic addiction. Concomitant with this interest, it was observed that sera from many patients addicted to narcotics showed reactive STS. This report presents the incidence of BFP reactions among such individuals as measured by the TPI test. <h3>Methods</h3>
Superoxide dismutase in psoriasis, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell epithelioma: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: T. KOBAYASHI, M. MATSUMOTO, H. IIZUKA, K. SUZUKI, N. TANIGUCHI
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1991)

Monoclonal antibodies against human Cu, Zn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Mn‐SOD were used to stain frozen sections of normal and abnormal human skin. In normal human epidermis, the Cu, Zn‐SOD antibody almost exclusively stained the basal cells. Mn‐SOD antibody weakly stained the whole of the epidermis but more predominantly the basal cell layer. In psoriasis, Cu, Zn‐SOD antibody mainly stained the basal cells of the lowest parts of the elongated rete ridges. Basal cells corresponding to the tip of the dermal papillae were weakly stained. Mn‐SOD staining was considerably decreased in the psoriatic epidermis. In squamous cell carcinoma, staining with both Cu, Zn‐SOD and Mn‐SOD antibodies was decreased, and single cells positive for Cu, Zn‐SOD were scattered throughout the tumour nests. In basal cell epithelioma, Cu, Zn‐SOD staining was intense and diffusely distributed throughout the tumour nests, while Mn‐SOD staining was absent.
Sick-Role Susceptibility
Authors: Barry Blackwell
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (1992)

A brief review of the historical and current status of the 'sick-role' concept is followed by an extensive literature survey of 526 articles published on the sick role since 1989. The commentary discusses measurement and reasearch issues and then examined the areas of enquiry and trends from a biological, psychological, social and cultural perspective. Questions are raised about the significance of the data base from the viewpoint of classification and treatment. A descriptive and therapeutic model is proposed.
Spontaneous oxygen radical production at sites of antigen challenge in allergic subjects.
Authors: S P Sanders, J L Zweier, S J Harrison, M A Trush, S J Rembish, M C Liu
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1995)

Allergic reactions in the lung are characterized by the production of mediators, an influx of inflammatory cells, increased vascular permeability, and changes in airway mechanics. The mechanisms responsible for these airway changes have not been fully defined but may involve the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the inflammatory cells. To examine whether ROS are produced by inflammatory cells at sites of antigen exposure, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in airway segments 19 h after challenge with saline or antigen in 14 allergic subjects. Antigen challenge increased cell recovery, predominantly as a result of an influx of eosinophils. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy with the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), BAL cells from saline-challenged sites produced minimal ROS. Cells from antigen-challenged sites spontaneously produced a prominent DMPO-OH signal that was inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD), indicating the production of superoxide anions (O2-.). Reduction of ferricytochrome c and production of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence via SOD-inhibitable reactions confirmed the spontaneous production of O2-. Following density gradient separation of the antigen-challenged BAL cells, the granulocytic cells, which were predominantly eosinophils, not the mononuclear cells, were the major source of the ROS. At the sites of antigen challenge, the degree of airway permeability as assessed by albumin concentration in BAL fluid was correlated with O2- production by BAL cells measured by EPR spectroscopy. These results demonstrate that cells at sites of antigen challenge generate ROS that may contribute to the airway injury associated with allergic inflammation.
Co-amoxiclav in recurrent acute otitis media: placebo controlled study.
Authors: C L Appelman, J Q Claessen, F W Touw-Otten, G J Hordijk, R A de Melker
Journal: BMJ (1991)

OBJECTIVE--To determine the efficacy of coamoxiclav in children aged 6 months to 12 years with recurrent acute otitis media. DESIGN--A randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial. SETTING--General practice in the Netherlands. PATIENTS--121 children with recurrent acute otitis media, defined by onset of otalgia and otoscopic signs of middle ear infection within four to 52 weeks after the previous attack. Confirmation of diagnosis and randomisation was done by otolaryngologists. INTERVENTION--Oral co-amoxiclav or placebo in weight related doses for seven days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--An irregular clinical course defined as the presence of otalgia or a body temperature greater than or equal to 38 degrees C, or both, after three days. RESULTS--Eleven (16%; 95% confidence interval 9% to 28%) children had an irregular course in the co-amoxiclav group and 10 (19%; 9% to 31%) in the placebo group (difference not significant). Age, dichotomised at 2 years, was the only significant prognostic factor for irregular course of the disease (odds ratio 5.9; 1.8 to 19.1). Among children aged below 2 years, 28% (4/14) in the co-amoxiclav group and 58% (7/12) in the placebo group had irregular courses. For children 2 years and older these percentages were 13% (7/52) and 7% (3/41). CONCLUSION--Children with recurrent acute otitis media are at greater risk of an irregular clinical course of the disease than children with a first episode of acute otitis media. Co-amoxiclav has no significant benefit over placebo in treating children over 2 years with acute otitis media.
Absence of growth-hormone receptor in hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhotic liver
Authors: Tien-Chun Chang, Jyh-Jian Lin, Shan-Chang Yu, Tien-Jye Chang
Journal: Hepatology (1990)

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a hormone-sensitive tumor. It has been reported that thyroxine and prolactin significantly stimulated hepatoma growth, whereas growth hormone failed to do so. To learn whether the growth hormone receptor is present in human hepatocellular carcinoma, we used radioreceptor assays in samples of human hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver tissues adjacent to hepatocellular carcinoma (mostly cirrhotic) and control liver tissues (taken during various surgical procedures) were also studied. The study results showed that the affinity constant and capacity of high-affinity growth hormone receptor in normal liver tissues were 6.6 +/- 2.0 x 10(10) mol/L-1 (mean +/- SE, n = 7) and 20.7 +/- 11.5 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The affinity constant and capacity of low-affinity growth hormone receptor in normal liver tissues were 8.9 +/- 3.3 x 10(9) mol/L-1 and 64.7 +/- 32.1 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The absence of growth hormone receptor in human hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhotic liver samples may explain the absence of growth hormone in the stimulation of hepatoma growth and the decrease of somatomedin levels in cirrhosis.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor contributes to the MEK/ERK-dependent maintenance of the immature state of human dendritic cells
Authors: Noemí Aguilera-Montilla, Sonia Chamorro, Concha Nieto, Fátima Sánchez-Cabo, Ana Dopazo, Pedro Maria Fernández-Salguero, Jose Luis Rodríguez-Fernández, Oscar M. Pello, Vicente Andrés, Ana Cuenda, Bárbara Alonso, Angeles Domínguez-Soto, Silvia Sánchez-Ramón, Angel L. Corbí
Journal: Blood (2013)
Papular and nodular mucinosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: F. RONGIOLETTI, A. REBORA
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1986)

A patient is described in whom a papulo‐nodular eruption occurred in association with systemic lupus erythematosus. Histopathology disclosed a diffuse deposition of mucin, mainly hyaluronic acid, in the dermis. This, and the 10 similar cases which have been reported in the literature, belong to a distinct clinico‐pathological entity for which we propose the eponym of papular and nodular mucinosis of Gold, after the first observer to report it.
Recombinant DNA—Derived Human Luteinizing Hormone: Basic Science Rapidly Applied to Clinical Medicine
Authors: Alan H. DeCherney
Journal: JAMA (1988)

The normal human menstrual cycle is characterized by an early rise in the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which acts on a group of responsive ovarian follicles. Without the FSH, these follicles would have failed to grow and mature. Thus, FSH rescues a group of follicles. Although the majority will proceed to atresia, one or more will mature to the preovulatory stage. Estradiol secreted by the preovulatory follicles will, at an appropriate time, induce a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, which triggers oocyte maturation and ovulation. Follicular stimulation and induction of ovulation using exogenous gonadotropins is, in effect, an attempt to mimic these events. For almost 30 years, human menopausal gonadotropin, an admixture of 75 mIU/mL of purified FSH and LH extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women, has been administered during the follicular phase to stimulate folliculogenesis. See also p 3290. Follicular development is monitored by ultrasonography and
65 SOCS1 NEGATIVELY REGULATES THE HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR MET VIA UBIQUITINATION AND PROTEASOMAL DEGRADATION
Authors: Y. Gui, W. Chabadi, M. Yeganeh, V. Pomerleau, C. Leblanc, S. Ramanathan, C. Saucier, S. Ilangumaran
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2012)
Survival and risk of adverse events in older patients receiving postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for resected stages II-IIIA lung cancer: observational cohort study
Authors: J. P. Wisnivesky, C. B. Smith, S. Packer, G. M. Strauss, L. Lurslurchachai, A. Federman, E. A. Halm
Journal: BMJ (2011)

<b>Objective</b> To compare the survival and risk of serious adverse events in older patients with stages II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer treated with or without postoperative platinum based chemotherapy. <b>Design</b> Observational cohort study. <b>Setting</b> Cases of lung cancer in Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results registry linked to Medicare files, 1992-2005, and follow-up data to December 2007. <b>Participants</b> 3324 patients aged more than 65 years with resected stages II-IIIA lung cancer. <b>Main outcome measures</b> Primary outcome was overall survival and secondary outcome was the rate of serious adverse events among older patients treated with or without adjuvant chemotherapy. <b>Results</b> Overall, 21% (n=684) of patients received platinum based chemotherapy. Analyses adjusted, stratified, or matched by propensity scores showed that chemotherapy was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio range 0.78-0.81). The beneficial effect of chemotherapy was also observed among patients treated with radiation therapy (0.75-0.77) or without radiation therapy (0.74-0.77); however, chemotherapy was not beneficial for patients aged 80 or more (1.32-1.46). Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with an increased odds of serious adverse events (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 2.6). <b>Conclusions</b> Platinum based adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with reduced mortality and increased risk of serious adverse events in older patients with stages II-IIIA lung cancer. The magnitude of the benefit is similar to that observed in randomised controlled trials carried out among selected patients.
Mutations of TTN, encoding the giant muscle filament titin, cause familial dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Brenda Gerull, Michael Gramlich, John Atherton, Mark McNabb, Karoly Trombitás, Sabine Sasse-Klaassen, J.G. Seidman, Christine Seidman, Henk Granzier, Siegfried Labeit, Michael Frenneaux, Ludwig Thierfelder
Journal: Nature Genetics (2002)
Women in medicine
Authors: Iona Heath
Journal: BMJ (2004)

Continuing unequal status of women may reduce the influence of the profession 

In a recent interview with the Independent newspaper, Professor Carol Black, president of the Royal College of Physicians, expressed concern that the increasing number of women within medicine might lead to the profession losing influence and status. This received widespread media coverage and was portrayed as an astonishing position for a woman to adopt, with the clear implication that it was antifeminist. But is her concern valid?

Few countries—notably Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Germany—have made substantial progress towards sexual equality and women's empowerment, and the United Kingdom is not one of them.1 In this regrettable situation it seems highly likely that Carol Black is right and that a profession that becomes feminised risks the loss of status and influence.

Women working full time in Great Britain in April 2003 earned only 82% of the average full time earnings of men, and this gender pay gap in hourly earnings of 18% has remained virtually unchanged since the mid-1990s.2 Domestic and …
Vaccinologists Aiming at Less Hurtful "Shots"
Authors: Charles Marwick
Journal: JAMA (1998)

THE ACCELERATING PACE of new vaccine development has made incorporating these agents into the childhood immunization schedule a major challenge. In 1989, it took 8 injections to immunize children from birth to 16 years of age; in 1998, the number has nearly doubled: 14 injections are required.