tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Utility of radiotherapy for treatment of basal cell carcinoma: a review
Authors: M. Cho, L. Gordon, A. Rembielak, T.C.S. Woo
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2014)

Radiotherapy is an available treatment for management of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). This study aims to analyse the published literature about radiotherapy in treatment of BCC. A focus of this study will be to compare the dosing regimens adopted in these studies. A search of the Medline database was conducted from 1984 to August 2013. Search terms used were 'basal cell carcinoma', 'radiotherapy', 'epithelial skin cancer' and 'external irradiation'. Fourteen studies on the use of radiotherapy for BCC were included. Seven studies included only cases of BCC, while six studies also included patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma. The overall cure rates ranged from 79·2% to 100%. More than 90% of the patients reported good or excellent aesthetic outcome from radiotherapy (three studies). There was a wide variation in the total dose and dose per fraction of radiotherapy used. Nine studies utilized dosing regimens within the recommended guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. There are a limited number of high-quality prospective studies of radiotherapy for BCC. Based on the available evidence, radiotherapy provides a high rate of local control with low rates of complications that are comparable with surgery.
No mortality benefit seen with methylprednisolone in ARDS
Authors: C Snelson
Journal: Thorax (2006)

▴ Steinberg KP, Hudson LD, Goodman RB, et al . The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Clinical Trials Network. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids for persistent acute respiratory distress syndrome. N Engl J Med2006;354:1671–84 [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] The use of corticosteroids in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is controversial, with previous studies showing no benefit of high dose steroids in early ARDS but indicating a possible role for moderate doses in late ARDS (>7 days after its onset). This multicentre double blind trial randomised 180 intubated and mechanically ventilated patients 7–28 days after … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DNew%2BEngland%2BJournal%2Bof%2BMedicine%26rft.stitle%253DNEJM%26rft.issn%253D0028-4793%26rft.aulast%253DThe%2BNational%2BHeart%252C%2BLung%252C%2Band%2BBlood%2BInstitute%2BAcut%26rft.auinit1%253D%2B%26rft.volume%253D354%26rft.issue%253D16%26rft.spage%253D1671%26rft.epage%253D1684%26rft.atitle%253DEfficacy%2Band%2Bsafety%2Bof%2Bcorticosteroids%2Bfor%2Bpersistent%2Bacute%2Brespiratory%2Bdistress%2Bsyndrome.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa051693%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F16625008%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa051693&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=16625008&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fthoraxjnl%2F61%2F7%2F639.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000236893900004&link_type=ISI
Geographic Life Environments and Coronary Heart Disease: A Literature Review, Theoretical Contributions, Methodological Updates, and a Research Agenda
Authors: Basile Chaix
Journal: Annual Review of Public Health (2009)

A growing literature investigates associations between neighborhood social environments and coronary heart disease (CHD). After reviewing the literature, we present a theoretical model of the mechanisms through which geographic life environments may influence CHD, focusing particularly on the social-interactional environment. We suggest that, in addition to the common notions of social cohesion or fragmentation and social disorder, eco-epidemiologists should consider neighborhood identities and stigmatization processes. We posit that neighborhood social interactions affect the wide set of affective, cognitive, and relational experiences individuals have in their neighborhoods, which in turn influence the psycho-cognitive antecedents of behavior and in the end shape health behavior. Finally, we discuss key methodological challenges relevant to the advent of a new generation of neighborhood studies, including the operational definition of neighborhoods, non-residential environments, ecometric measurement, model specification strategies, mediational models, selection processes and notions of empirical/structural confounding, and the relevance of observational versus interventional studies.
Cytoskeletal Elements in Neurons
Authors: D Bray, D Gilbert
Journal: Annual Review of Neuroscience (1981)

Neurotubules and neurofilaments are homologous with cytoplasmic microtubules and microfilaments which are seen with the electron microscope in most plant and animal cells. Their subunits are transported to the growth cone of the outgrowing axon, where the subunits are added to the distal ends of the neurotubules.
EXPERIMENTAL MENINGOCOCCUS INFECTION OF THE CHICK EMBRYO
Authors: G. John Buddingh, Alice D. Polk
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1939)

1. A strain of meningococci obtained directly from the spinal fluid of a patient has been propagated in serial passage in 10 to 12 day old chick embryos without change in its essential characteristics. 2. The chick embryo is susceptible to infection with the meningococcus, and, depending on its stage of development, reacts to the infection with more or less specific lesions. 3. In chick embryos of 15 days incubation, following the utilization of definite portals of entry, such as the nasopharynx, or by inoculation of the amniotic fluid or by inoculation of the body wall, the meningococcus is localized in specific areas, namely in the cranial sinuses, the lungs or meninges, or in all of these areas. 4. The lesions of the meningococcus infection in man, a septicemia, sinusitis, pneumonia and meningitis can be reproduced in the chick embryo by choosing embryos at the proper state of development and utilizing the various portals of entry experimentally available.
Results at age 8 years of early intervention for low-birth-weight premature infants. The Infant Health and Development Program
Authors: C. M. McCarton
Journal: JAMA (1997)

To reevaluate at age 8 years children who had participated during the first 3 years of life in a randomized clinical trial of special services for low-birthweight (LBW) premature infants.Follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of premature infants (< or = 37 weeks' gestation), stratified by 2 LBW groups (lighter [< or = 2000 g] and heavier [2001-2500 g]) and divided into intervention (n=377) and follow-up only (n=608) groups.Eight sites serving diverse populations.At age 8 years, 874 children were assessed: 336 in the intervention group and 538 in the follow-up only group.The 3-year intervention consisted of home visits (birth to 3 years), child development center services (ages 1 to 3 years), and parent group meetings (ages 1 to 3 years).Cognitive functioning (Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-III; Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised); academic achievement (Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement-Revised); and parental reports of school performance, behavior (Child Behavior Checklist), and health (Child General Health Survey).At age 8 years, in the entire cohort and in the lighter LBW stratum, the intervention and follow-up only groups were similar on all primary outcome measures. Differences favoring the intervention group were found within the heavier LBW group: full-scale IQ score (4.4 points higher, P=.007), verbal IQ score (4.2 points higher, P=.01), performance IQ score (3.9 points higher, P=.02), mathematics achievement score (4.8 points higher, P=.04), and receptive vocabulary score (6.7 points higher, P=.001). On a physical functioning subscale, the whole intervention group received less favorable ratings, while the lighter LBW intervention group had lower maternal ratings assessing social limitations caused by behavior.Although at age 8 years there were modest intervention-related differences in the cognitive and academic skills of heavier LBW premature children, attenuation of the large favorable effects seen at 3 years was observed in both the heavier and lighter LBW groups. This indicates a need to develop additional intervention strategies for LBW premature children that can provide sustained benefits.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole or Pentamidine for<i>Pneumocystis carinii</i>Pneumonia in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Authors: J. MARCUS WHARTON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Forty patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and their first episodes of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were assigned at random to receive either trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or pentamidine isethionate. The two groups did not differ significantly in the severity of pulmonary or systemic processes at enrollment. Five patients treated initially with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and one patient treated initially with pentamidine died during the 21-day treatment period (p = 0.09, Fisher's exact test). No significant differences were seen between groups in rates of improvement, pulmonary function tests, or 67Ga uptake by the lungs in the survivors at completion of therapy. Adverse reactions necessitated changing from the initial drug in 10 patients in the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole group and 11 in the pentamidine group. Minor reactions occurred in all patients. In patients with AIDS, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and pentamidine do not have statistically significant differences in efficacy or frequency of adverse reactions.
British pilot study of exercise therapy. II. Patients with cardiovascular disease.
Authors: P. G. Nixon, M. E. Carruthers, D. J. Taylor, H. J. Bethell, W. Grabau
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (1976)

Two groups of middle-aged men, one with and one without overt cardiovascular disease, were studied while they were taking part in a specially designed course of exercise therapy in a gymnasium. The "patients" group had at least two months pre-treatment to allow physical recovery and mental re-education before their initial very small test dose of exercise. Using short periods of progressive, mainly weight-loaded, isotonic exercises carefully regulated by control of pulse rate and avoidance of symptoms of over-exertion, both groups showed large increases in effort capacity and reductions in resting pulse rate, blood pressure and plasma lipid levels within two months. The safety of this particular form of exercise was shown in this high-risk population by the low drop-out rate and the absence of cardiovascular accidents in the gymnasium over a ten year period. It is suggested that, given suitable training of the staff and using the safeguards described, the presence of doctors and a cardiac resuscitation team is unnecessary in a gymnasium specializing in cardiac rehabilitation. This makes it possible for rehabilitation and physiotherapy departments throughout the country to carry out this effective and positive form of exercise therapy.
Cyanobacterial toxins: removal during drinking water treatment, and human risk assessment.
Authors: B C Hitzfeld, S J Höger, D R Dietrich
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2000)

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) produce toxins that may present a hazard for drinking water safety. These toxins (microcystins, nodularins, saxitoxins, anatoxin-a, anatoxin-a(s), cylindrospermopsin) are structurally diverse and their effects range from liver damage, including liver cancer, to neurotoxicity. The occurrence of cyanobacteria and their toxins in water bodies used for the production of drinking water poses a technical challenge for water utility managers. With respect to their removal in water treatment procedures, of the more than 60 microcystin congeners, microcystin-LR (L, L-leucine; R, L-arginine) is the best studied cyanobacterial toxin, whereas information for the other toxins is largely lacking. In response to the growing concern about nonlethal acute and chronic effects of microcystins, the World Health Organization has recently set a new provisional guideline value for microcystin-LR of 1.0 microg/L drinking water. This will lead to further efforts by water suppliers to develop effective treatment procedures to remove these toxins. Of the water treatment procedures discussed in this review, chlorination, possibly micro-/ultrafiltration, but especially ozonation are the most effective in destroying cyanobacteria and in removing microcystins. However, these treatments may not be sufficient during bloom situations or when a high organic load is present, and toxin levels should therefore be monitored during the water treatment process. In order to perform an adequate human risk assessment of microcystin exposure via drinking water, the issue of water treatment byproducts will have to be addressed in the future.
Non-invasive evaluation of segmental pressure drop and resistance in large arteries in humans based on a Poiseuille model of intra-arterial velocity distribution
Authors: A. C. Simon, P. Flaud, J. Levenson
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1990)

Journal Article Non-invasive evaluation of segmental pressure drop and resistance in large arteries in humans based on a Poiseuille model of intra-arterial velocity distribution Get access Alain Ch Simon, Alain Ch Simon Correspondence to: Professor Simon Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Patrice Flaud, Patrice Flaud Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Jaime Levenson Jaime Levenson Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Cardiovascular Research, Volume 24, Issue 8, August 1990, Pages 623–626, https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/24.8.623 Published: 01 August 1990 Article history Received: 09 February 1990 Accepted: 29 March 1990 Published: 01 August 1990
Sulphydryl blocker induced small intestinal inflammation in rats: a new model mimicking Crohn’s disease
Authors: D Rachmilewitz, E Okon, F Karmeli
Journal: Gut (1997)

Sulphydryl compounds are essential for maintaining mucosal integrity in the gastrointestinal tract.To characterise a model of experimental inflammation in the small intestine induced by a sulphydryl blocker.Inflammation in the small intestine was induced in rats by intrajejunal administration of 0.1 ml 2% iodoacetamide. The possible amelioration of the damage induced was modulated by intragastric administration of TEMPOL (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl; 50 mg/100 g body weight), ketotifen (200 micrograms/100 g body weight), or by addition of L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; 0.1 mg/ml) or apocynin (120 micrograms/ml) to the drinking water. Rats were sacrificed at various time intervals, the small intestine resected, weighed, macroscopic lesions were assessed, and mucosal generation of inflammatory mediators and nitric oxide synthase activity were determined.Intrajejunal administration of iodoacetamide induced, after one week, multifocal mucosal erosions, ulcerations with granulomas and giant Langhans cells. At two weeks, the mucosa was almost macroscopically intact but histologically epithelial granuloma and giant cells were present. Myeloperoxidase activity was increased in the first 24 hours, one week later mucosal nitric oxide synthase activity and generation of leukotriene B4, leukotriene C4 and thromboxane B2 were increased, whereas prostaglandin E2 generation was decreased notably. Ketotifen and apocynin significantly decreased the extent of injury which was not affected by TEMPOL or L-NAME.Jejunal inflammation induced by the sulphydryl blocker, iodoacetamide, resembles the pathological changes in Crohn's disease. The protective effect of ketotifen and apocynin indicates the contribution of O2- and pro-inflammatory mediators to the pathogenesis of the damage, and may be a novel approach to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Pregnancy and oral contraceptive use do not significantly influence outcome in long term rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: K W Drossaers-Bakker, A H Zwinderman, D van Zeben, F C Breedveld, J M W Hazes
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2002)

Oral contraceptives (OC) and pregnancy are known to have an influence on the risk of onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Pregnancy itself has beneficial effects on the activity of the disease, with relapses post partum. It is not known, however, whether OC and pregnancies influence the ultimate outcome of RA.To explore whether OC use and pregnancies influence the 12 year outcome in RA as measured by radiological damage and disability.In a prospective inception cohort of 132 female patients with recent RA according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria-a cohort initially gathered to study the association between hormonal factors and the onset of RA-outcome was assessed in a follow up after 12 years. The outcome was evaluated in 112 (85%) women by the radiological damage of hands and feet as measured with the Sharp score modification van der Heijde (SHS), the damage of the large joints measured with the Larsen score (LS) of large joints (0-60), and the disability measured with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). The median values of each outcome variable were calculated for several subgroups of patients stratified for OC use and pregnancies before and after onset of the disease and the tertiles of the total number of months of OC use and of pregnancies. The association of OC use and pregnancies before and after onset of the disease with the outcome variables was calculated using Spearman's rank correlation (r(s)). The combined influence of OC use and pregnancies on the SHS, LS, and HAQ at 12 years was estimated using ordinal polytomous logistic regression.The median values of the SHS, LS, and HAQ showed a trend towards less radiological joint damage and less disability in women with long term OC use and multiple pregnancies. This difference, however, was not significant, except for the HAQ score in women with three or more pregnancies in life. There was no association between pregnancies, however defined, and any parameter of RA outcome after 12 years (maximum r(s)=-0.10). The only significant correlation was found between OC use before symptom onset and the LS (r(s)=-0.22, p<0.05). The combination of hormonal variables explained no more than a maximum of 3% of the variance of the 12 year outcome as measured by the SHS.OC use and pregnancy do not significantly influence outcome in long term RA. There is, however, a trend for patients with multiple pregnancies and long term OC use to have less radiographic joint damage and a better functional level.
Induced sputum inflammatory measures correlate with disease severity in children with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: A M Li, E Hung, T Tsang, J Yin, H K So, E Wong, T F Fok, P C Ng
Journal: Thorax (2006)

<b>Objective:</b> To establish the association between airway inflammation and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children. <b>Methods:</b> Consecutive children presenting with symptoms suggestive of OSA were recruited. They completed a sleep apnoea symptom questionnaire, underwent physical examination, spirometry, sputum induction and an overnight polysomnography. Adequate sputum contained &lt;50% squamous epithelial cells, and OSA was diagnosed if the obstructive apnoea index was &gt;1. <b>Results:</b> 73 children with a median (interquartile range (IQR)) age of 11.3 (10.0–13.2) years were recruited. There were 21 girls and the median body mass index of the group was 24.0 (18.0–27.0) kg/m<sup>2</sup>. The most common presenting symptoms were habitual snoring, mouth breathing and prone sleeping position. Sputum induction was successful in 43 (59%) children, of whom 14 were found to have OSA. Children with OSA had significantly greater percentage sputum neutrophil than those without OSA (18.5 (IQR 8.0–42.0) <i>v</i> 4 (IQR 3.0–11.3), p = 0.006). On multiple regression analysis, percentage sputum neutrophil was significantly associated with OSA (odds ratio = 1.1, p = 0.013). <b>Conclusion:</b> Children with OSA had airway inflammation characterised by a marked increase in neutrophils. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to better define the downstream cellular interactions and molecular pathogenesis in childhood OSA.
Duplication and Diversifying Selection Among Termite Antifungal Peptides
Authors: M. S. Bulmer
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2004)

We have identified and analyzed the mRNA sequence of 20 new defensin-like peptides from 11 Australian termite species of Nasutitermes and from an outgroup, Drepanotermes rubriceps. The sequence was amplified by reverse transcriptase PCR with a degenerate primer designed from termicin, an antifungal peptide previously characterized from the termite Pseudocanthotermes spiniger. All 20 genes show high sequence identity with P. spiniger termicin and have duplicated repeatedly during the radiation of Nasutitermes. Comparison of the relative fixation rates of synonymous (silent) and nonsynonymous (amino acid altering) mutations indicates that the Nasutitermes termicins are positively selected. This positive selection appears to drive a decrease in termicin charge. In termites with two genes, the decrease in charge is predominantly restricted to one termicin. Furthermore, the spread of charge is significantly greater within species than across species among amino acid sites that appear to be under strong positive selection and this spread is attributable to only three sites. Our results suggest that after termicin duplication, certain critical sites have maintained a positive charge in one duplicate and evolved towards neutrality in the other and that positive selection has directed these changes repeatedly and independently. This diversification among duplicated genes may be a counter-response to the evolution of fungal resistance in social insects that are particularly vulnerable to fungal epidemics.