tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Related Perfluorinated Compounds in Human Maternal and Cord Blood Samples: Assessment of PFOS Exposure in a Susceptible Population during Pregnancy
Authors: Koichi Inoue, Fumio Okada, Rie Ito, Shizue Kato, Seiko Sasaki, Sonomi Nakajima, Akiko Uno, Yasuaki Saijo, Fumihiro Sata, Yoshihiro Yoshimura, Reiko Kishi, Hiroyuki Nakazawa
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2004)

Fluorinated organic compounds (FOCs), such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluoro-octanoate (PFOA), and perfluorooctane sulfonylamide (PFOSA), are widely used in the manufacture of plastic, electronics, textile, and construction material in the apparel, leather, and upholstery industries. FOCs have been detected in human blood samples. Studies have indicated that FOCs may be detrimental to rodent development possibly by affecting thyroid hormone levels. In the present study, we determined the concentrations of FOCs in maternal and cord blood samples. Pregnant women 17-37 years of age were enrolled as subjects. FOCs in 15 pairs of maternal and cord blood samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry coupled with online extraction. The limits of quantification of PFOS, PFOA, and PFOSA in human plasma or serum were 0.5, 0.5, and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. The method enables the precise determination of FOCs and can be applied to the detection of FOCs in human blood samples for monitoring human exposure. PFOS concentrations in maternal samples ranged from 4.9 to 17.6 ng/mL, whereas those in fetal samples ranged from 1.6 to 5.3 ng/mL. In contrast, PFOSA was not detected in fetal or maternal samples, whereas PFOA was detected only in maternal samples (range, < 0.5 to 2.3 ng/mL, 4 of 15). Our results revealed a high correlation between PFOS concentrations in maternal and cord blood (r2 = 0.876). However, we did not find any significant correlations between PFOS concentration in maternal and cord blood samples and age bracket, birth weight, or levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone or free thyroxine. Our study revealed that human fetuses in Japan may be exposed to relatively high levels of FOCs. Further investigation is required to determine the postnatal effects of fetal exposure to FOCs. Key words: cord blood, fluorinated organic compounds, human, PFOA, PFOS, PFOSA, pregnancy.
Predictors and Correlates of Suicide Attempts Over 5 Years in 1,237 Alcohol-Dependent Men and Women
Authors: Ulrich W. Preuss, Marc A. Schuckit, Tom L. Smith, George P. Danko, Kathleen K. Bucholz, Michie N. Hesselbrock, Victor Hesselbrock, John R. Kramer
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2002)

OBJECTIVE: In previous studies, factors related to a history of suicide attempts in persons with alcohol dependence have included sociodemographic variables, a more severe course of alcoholism, additional substance use disorders, and psychiatric comorbidity. This 5-year prospective study evaluated attributes associated with suicide attempts in a group of treatment-seeking persons with alcohol dependence. Psychiatric comorbidity was examined in terms of a distinction between substance-induced and independent psychiatric disorders. METHOD: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 1,237 alcohol-dependent subjects from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism both at an initial evaluation and at a 5-year follow-up. Clinically relevant information was gathered at baseline, and suicidal behavior, aspects of alcohol dependence, and drug use were evaluated at the follow-up interview. RESULTS: Alcohol-dependent subjects (N=56) with suicide attempts during the follow-up period were more likely than subjects with no suicide attempts (N=1,181) to have made prior attempts. Other factors related to future suicide attempts in univariate analyses included younger age, being separated or divorced, other drug dependence, substance-induced psychiatric disorders, and indicators of a more severe course of alcoholism. Gender did not predict future attempts. CONCLUSIONS: A 5-year prospective evaluation of attributes associated with suicide attempts among alcohol-dependent persons identified factors that contributed to a small but significant proportion of the variance for future suicidal behavior.
Special Treatment: A Commentary on “When Two Worlds Collide”
Authors: Paulette Mehta
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

Heath and his colleagues have presented J’s adventure, within which is a microcosm of worlds colliding and the resulting ramifications on the patient, the family, society, and the world. A glimpse into the life of J exposes some of the most pressing issues in international cancer care and cancer referrals. The rich and royalty have always had the privilege of obtaining medical care far from their own countries and no one has questioned their personal freedom to spend their money as they wish. However, J’s situation is different because his family did not have independent means to obtain experimental treatment in the United States, but rather sought and used societal resources to do so. In moving from Australia to the United States, J demonstrates the diversity of medical care systems. The Australian system is primarily based on communal funding for the communal good (ie, socialized medicine) while the American system is primarily based on a free-market system economy allowing individuals to buy treatments they can afford through whatever means. These treatments can include highly experimental therapy with unknown expectations for cure. The American system is also different from the Australian system in that treatment tends to be very aggressive. Children with poor prognosis neuroblastoma in this country are usually treated with aggressive chemotherapy, debulking surgery, and single or tandem stem-cell transplantation with myeloabla
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Uneven Pulmonary Perfusion in Hypoxia in Humans
Authors: Christoph Dehnert, Frank Risse, Sebastian Ley, Tristan A. Kuder, Ralf Buhmann, Michael Puderbach, Elmar Menold, Derliz Mereles, Hans-Ulrich Kauczor, Peter Bärtsch, Christian Fink
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2006)

Inhomogeneous hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction causing regional overperfusion and high capillary pressure is postulated for explaining how high pulmonary artery pressure leads to high-altitude pulmonary edema in susceptible (HAPE-S) individuals.Because different species of animals also show inhomogeneous hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, we hypothesized that inhomogeneity of lung perfusion in general increases in hypoxia, but is more pronounced in HAPE-S. For best temporal and spatial resolution, regional pulmonary perfusion was assessed by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography were performed during normoxia and after 2 h of hypoxia (Fi(O2) = 0.12) in 11 HAPE-S individuals and 10 control subjects. As a measure for perfusion inhomogeneity, the coefficient of variation for two perfusion parameters (peak signal intensity, time-to-peak) was determined for the whole lung and isogravitational slices.There were no differences in perfusion inhomogeneity between the groups in normoxia. In hypoxia, analysis of coefficients of variation indicated a greater inhomogeneity in all subjects, which was more pronounced in HAPE-S compared with control subjects. Discrimination between HAPE-S and control subjects was best in gravity-dependent lung areas. Pulmonary artery pressure during hypoxia increased from 22 +/- 3 to 53 +/- 9 mm Hg in HAPE-S and 24 +/- 4 to 33 +/- 6 mm Hg in control subjects (mean +/- SD; p < 0.001), respectively.This study shows that hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is inhomogeneous in hypoxia in humans, particularly in HAPE-S individuals where it is accompanied by a greater increase in pulmonary artery pressure compared with control subjects. These findings support the hypothesis of exaggerated and uneven hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in HAPE-S individuals.
Nonpenetrating Traumatic Injury of the Heart
Authors: LOREN F. PARMLEY, WILLIAM C. MANION, THOMAS W. MATTINGLY
Journal: Circulation (1958)

The misconception that nonpenetrating trauma to the heart is relatively rare, is primarily due to the fact that myocardial contusion or traumatic pericardial lesions are usually well tolerated and the clinical findings transient and often difficult to recognize. However, the sequelae of this type of cardiac trauma may be serious. Therefore, a careful evaluation of every traumatized individual for cardiovascular injury is essential if the more serious complications are to be recognized and treated effectively. The most commonly encountered cardiac lesion at necropsy was myocardial rupture of a septum or a chamber wall. Now that surgical therapy is available for certain types of cardiac rupture, early diagnosis is essential. Thrombosis of a major coronary artery as a direct result of nonpenetrating trauma was not found in this study and is considered rare. Nevertheless, a previously diseased heart appears to be more vulnerable to trauma. Under these circumstances, it is often difficult to assess properly the extent to which trauma may aggravate a pre-existent disease.
In vivo demonstration of cardiac beta 2-adrenoreceptor sensitization by beta 1-antagonist treatment.
Authors: J A Hall, M C Petch, M J Brown
Journal: Circulation Research (1991)

Treatment with beta 1-selective antagonists causes selective sensitization of isolated strips of human atrial myocardium to the inotropic action of epinephrine and beta 2-agonists but not of norepinephrine. To determine whether beta 1-selective antagonist treatment alters the responsiveness of cardiac beta 2-adrenoreceptors in vivo, we measured the positive chronotropic responses to salbutamol injected into the right coronary artery. Ten patients treated with atenolol (50-100 mg daily) were compared with 10 patients not treated with beta-blockers. The mean dose required to cause an increase in heart rate of 30 beats/min was 2.29 micrograms (log dose 0.36 +/- 0.12 micrograms [mean +/- SEM]) in the atenolol-treated patients. In the non-beta-blocker-treated patients, the dose required to cause an increase in heart rate of 30 beats/min was significantly greater, 8.91 micrograms (log dose 0.95 +/- 0.11 micrograms) (p less than 0.005). We conclude that treatment with beta 1-selective beta-blockers leads to increased cardiac responsiveness to beta 2-adrenoreceptor stimulation. This may be the underlying mechanism of the beta-blocker withdrawal syndrome and may make the heart more susceptible to the adverse effects of epinephrine in situations of stress (e.g., myocardial infarction).
Secreted Modular Calcium-binding Protein 2 Haplotypes Are Associated with Pulmonary Function
Authors: Jemma B. Wilk, Alan Herbert, Christina M. Shoemaker, Daniel J. Gottlieb, Samer Karamohamed
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2007)

Rationale: Previously reported linkage to FEV1 (LOD score = 5.0) on 6q27 in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) led us to explore a candidate gene, SMOC2, at 168.6 Mb.Objectives: We tested association between SMOC2 polymorphisms and FEV1 and FVC in unrelated FHS participants.Methods: Twenty single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) around SMOC2 were genotyped in 1,734 subjects.Measurements and Main Results: SNP data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models incorporating sex, age, body mass index, height, and smoking history as covariates, and analyses were repeated within strata of ever- and never-smokers. The minor allele of SNP rs1402 was associated with higher mean FEV1 (p = 0.003) and FVC (p = 0.02) measures. In never-smoking subjects, association with higher measures was observed with the minor allele of rs747995 (FEV1, p = 0.0006; FVC, p = 0.0008). These two SNPs lie in different haplotype blocks and reside in intron 4 of SMOC2. Haplotype analysis revealed a common G-T haplotype (rs747995–rs1402) with 77% frequency in never-smoking FHS subjects. The G-T haplotype was associated with reduction of 126 ml for FEV1 (p = 0.0002) and 157 ml for FVC (p = 0.0002). The G-T haplotype was similarly associated in a set of never-smoking subjects from the Family Heart Study (FEV1, p = 0.03; FVC, p = 0.03).Conclusions: The replication of the association in two populations supports the possibility that SMOC2 might play an important role in the determination of FEV1 and FVC.
Forty Years of Translational Cancer Research
Authors: William N. Hait
Journal: Cancer Discovery (2011)

Abstract Forty years after the signing of the National Cancer Act, we have produced a stunning repository of scientific information that is being translated into better therapies for patients. Although challenges remain, many solutions have been adopted, leading to early signs of progress against some of humankind's most dreadful diseases. This Prospective attempts to highlight some of the approaches that have been successful and analyze some that have not, and peers into a future in which renewal of the investment in cancer research will produce further benefits for patients. Cancer Discovery; 1(5): 383–90. ©2011 AACR.
Trabectedin in the treatment of metastatic soft tissue sarcoma: cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and value of information
Authors: E.J.O. Soini, B. García San Andrés, T. Joensuu
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2010)

to assess the cost-effectiveness of trabectedin compared with end-stage treatment (EST) after failure with anthracycline and/or ifosfamide in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (mSTS).analysis was carried out using a probabilistic Markov model with trabectedin → EST and EST arms, three health states (stable disease, progressive disease and death) and a lifetime perspective (3% annual discount rate). Finnish resources (drugs, mSTS, adverse events and travelling) and costs (year 2008) were used. Efficacy was based on an indirect comparison of the STS-201 and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer trials. QLQ-C30 scale scores were mapped to 15D, Short Form 6D and EuroQol 5D utilities. The outcome measures were the cost-effectiveness acceptability frontier, incremental cost per life year gained (LYG) and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained and the expected value of perfect information (EVPI).trabectedin → EST was associated with 14.0 (95% confidence interval 9.1-19.2) months longer survival, €36 778 higher costs (€32 816 using hospital price for trabectedin) and €31 590 (€28 192) incremental cost per LYG with an EVPI of €3008 (€3188) compared with EST. With a threshold of €50 000 per LYG, trabectedin → EST had 98.5% (98.2%) probability of being cost-effective. The incremental cost per QALY gained with trabectedin → EST was €42 633-47 735 (€37 992-42 819) compared with EST. The results were relatively insensitive to changes.trabectedin is a potentially cost-effective treatment of mSTS patients.
Anaemia and renal dysfunction are independently associated with BNP and NT‐proBNP levels in patients with heart failure
Authors: Jochem Hogenhuis, Adriaan A. Voors, Tiny Jaarsma, Arno W. Hoes, Hans L. Hillege, Johannes A. Kragten, Dirk J. van Veldhuisen
Journal: European Journal of Heart Failure (2007)
Comparison of hypertonic saline and alternate-day or daily recombinant human deoxyribonuclease in children with cystic fibrosis: a randomised trial
Authors: Ranjan Suri, Christopher Metcalfe, Belinda Lees, Richard Grieve, Marcus Flather, Charles Normand, Simon Thompson, Andrew Bush, Colin Wallis
Journal: The Lancet (2001)
Relationship between haemodynamic and ventilatory responses in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Daniela Dutra, Vivian Arakelian, Renata Mendes, Flávia Caruso, Junior José Carlos Bonjorno, Glaucio Dutra, Claudio Oliveira, Milena Sperling, Audrey Borghi-Silva
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background:  Diabetes Mellitus  (DM) is a chronic disease that produces negative impact of exercise capacity. Exercise tolerance has been attributed to reduced cardiovascular performance in these patients.  Objective:  To evaluate the relationship between functional capacity and haemodynamic responses to maximal exercise in DM-II patients.  Materials and Methods:  16 patients (49.4±6.2 years) of both sexes we evaluated. Peak stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and heart rate (HR) by cardioimpedance were measured. Pulmonary gas exchange breath-by-breath was measured during an incremental exercise testing on a cycle. Peak oxygen uptake (VO 2 ), carbon dioxide production (VCO 2 ), minute ventilation (V E ), end tidal carbon dioxide tension (P et CO 2 ) and V E /VCO 2  were compared. Data analysis was used to test for normality Shapiro-Wilk test and Pearson correlation.  Results:  Significant and negative correlation was observed between SV with V E  (r=-0.59), VCO 2  (r=-0.53) and VO 2 /FC (r=-0.60).  Conclusion:  The results suggest that SV performance is related to exercise capacity in diabetic individuals. These changes would be the harbinger of reduced exercise capacity in diabetics.   Financial support:  CNPq and FAPESP 2009/01842-0.
Robert D Romanis
Authors: H Beric Wright
Journal: BMJ (2005)

Founder of the modern hospice movementCicely Saunders founded the first modern hospice and, more than anybody else, was responsible for establishing the discipline and the culture of palliative care.She introduced effective pain management and insisted that dying people needed dignity, compassion, and respect, as well as rigorous scientific methodology in the testing of treatments.St Christopher's Hospice opened in south west London in 1967.It is now one of many but is still the leader in the field.It was her personal achievement and has been imitated all over the world.She raised the funds for the hospice and contributed some of her own money.Saunders introduced the idea of "total pain," which included the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of distress.A good listener, she paid systematic attention to patient narratives.One St Christopher's patient, transferred from another hospital, said, "They used to see how long I could go without an injection.I used to be pouring with sweat because of the pain.I couldn't speak to anyone and I was having crying fits.I think I've only cried once since I've been here . . .The biggest difference is feeling so calm.I don't get worked up or upset."Cicely Mary Strode Saunders was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, in 1918.She was sent to Roedean School when she was 10.Taller than the other girls, she felt she never fitted in, which, she said, gave her a feeling for people who were outsiders.She also suffered from a painful and slightly crooked spine, and was made to lie flat on the floor for 40 minutes a day.Her father disapproved of her desire to be a nurse, and so instead she went to study at Oxford.After the outbreak of the second world war she abandoned her course and defied her parents' advice, enrolling as a student nurse at St Thomas' Hospital in 1944.However, her back was still painful, and she was advised to quit nursing.After returning to Oxford for a year she gained a "war degree" and qualified as a social worker, or what was then called a lady almoner, in 1947.Saunders was originally an agnostic, but, while on holiday in Cornwall with some
Administration of CD4+CD25highCD127− Regulatory T Cells Preserves β-Cell Function in Type 1 Diabetes in Children
Authors: Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska, MaŁgorzata Myśliwiec, Anita Dobyszuk, Marcelina Grabowska, Ilona Techmańska, Jolanta Juścińska, Magdalena A. Wujtewicz, Piotr Witkowski, Wojciech Młynarski, Anna Balcerska, Jolanta Myśliwska, Piotr Trzonkowski
Journal: Diabetes Care (2012)

Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which pancreatic islets are destroyed by self-reactive T cells. The process is facilitated by deficits in the number and suppressive activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Here, we show for the first time that the infusion of autologous Tregs prolongs remission in recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes in children.We have administered Tregs in 10 type 1 diabetic children (aged 8-16 years) within 2 months since diagnosis. In total, 4 patients received 10 × 10(6) Tregs/kg body wt, and the remaining 6 patients received 20 × 10(6) Tregs/kg body wt. The preparation consisted of sorted autologous CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(-) Tregs expanded under good manufacturing practice conditions.No toxicity of the therapy was noted. A significant increase in the percentage of Tregs in the peripheral blood has been observed since the day of infusion. These patients were followed along with matched type 1 diabetic patients not treated with Tregs. Half a year after type 1 diabetes onset (4-5 months after Tregs infusion), 8 patients treated with Tregs still required <0.5 UI/kg body wt of insulin daily, with 2 patients out of insulin completely, whereas the remission was over in the nontreated group. In addition, plasma C-peptide levels were significantly higher in the treated group as compared with those not treated.This study shows that the administration of Tregs is safe and tolerable in children with recent-onset type 1 diabetes.
Insights into shaving and its impact on skin
Authors: K. Cowley, K. Vanoosthuyze
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Male grooming has its roots in antiquity. Control and styling of facial hair has invariably required the development and use of metal instrumentation. Once crude and unreliable, it has latterly become sophisticated and subject to intense research and development at the highest scientific level. This paper describes how male grooming is being impacted by improvements in fundamental understanding of male skin. Skin issues associated with poor hair removal approaches are common, but are often overlooked or their aetiology misunderstood by patients and physicians. By incorporating advanced scientific measurement and imaging technology into clinical testing, insights are being gained into both the common concerns which men express and optimal solutions for these concerns. Specific aspects such as the study of nicks and cuts and the identification and release of trapped hairs are discussed. Finally, details are presented on how the individual elements of technologically advanced razors play a role in managing the skin and hair, highlighting further the complexity of the shaving process.