tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Association between Air Pollution and Lung Function Growth in Southern California Children
Authors: W. JAMES GAUDERMAN, ROB McCONNELL, FRANK GILLILAND, STEPHANIE LONDON, DUNCAN THOMAS, EDWARD AVOL, HITA VORA, KIROS BERHANE, EDWARD B. RAPPAPORT, FRED LURMANN, HELENE G. MARGOLIS, JOHN PETERS
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2000)

Average growth of lung function over a 4-yr period, in three cohorts of southern California children who were in the fourth, seventh, or tenth grade in 1993, was modeled as a function of average exposure to ambient air pollutants. In the fourth-grade cohort, significant deficits in growth of lung function (FEV1, FVC, maximal midexpiratory flow [MMEF], and FEF75) were associated with exposure to particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μ m (PM10), PM2.5, PM10–PM2.5, NO2, and inorganic acid vapor (p < 0.05). No significant associations were observed with ozone. The estimated growth rate for children in the most polluted of the communities as compared with the least polluted was predicted to result in a cumulative reduction of 3.4% in FEV1 and 5.0% in MMEF over the 4-yr study period. The estimated deficits were generally larger for children spending more time outdoors. In the seventh- and tenth-grade cohorts, the estimated pollutant effects were also negative for most lung function measures, but sample sizes were lower in these groups and none achieved statistical significance. The results suggest that significant negative effects on lung function growth in children occur at current ambient concentrations of particles, NO2, and inorganic acid vapor.
The Next Wave of Corporate Medicine — How We All Might Benefit
Authors: David M. Cutler
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2009)

The thought of "corporate medicine" makes patients and providers panic. Medicine is individualistic; corporations are not. Doctors look out for patients; corporations make money. And yet the current economic situation is almost certain to increase the importance of corporate medicine. This time, however, there is a twist: providers and patients alike can benefit from the changes that are afoot.The economic crisis is taking a large toll on health care: the number of Americans without health insurance is increasing, Medicaid payments are decreasing, and hospital endowments have plummeted with the stock market. But the problems in medical care go well . . .
ETIOLOGY OF OROYA FEVER
Authors: Hideyo Noguchi
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1928)

A minute, pleomorphic, motile, Gram-negative bacterium has been isolated from two specimens of nodular tissue from human verruga. In films and sections of the original tissues the organism in question is difficult to distinguish from Bartonella bacilliformis, with which it was associated, and even in pure culture it has a number of properties in common with that parasite. No sugars are fermented by it, it is an obligate aerobe, the optimum temperature for its growth is 25 degrees C., and it has two to four spiral flagella attached to one end of the body. It is, however, readily cultivated on any ordinary culture medium. Broth cultures contain much mucin, but no hydrogen sulfide is formed. Coagulated serum is liquefied by its growth, and the red corpuscles in a blood agar plate are hemolyzed. Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and mice develop acute, fatal septicemia as a result of intravenous or intratesticular inoculation of young cultures. The liver is characteristically affected and shows a general parenchymatous degeneration and necrosis; the entire gastrointestinal tract is intensely congested, and numerous hemorrhagic areas are present; the spleen, dark and soft, is rarely much enlarged; the kidneys are swollen and congested; the adrenals are much swollen and intensely red; the lungs are sometimes congested but otherwise normal. In the case of intratesticular inoculation the scrotum and testicle both undergo rapid gangrene. In monkeys no septicemia has been observed, but a violent local reaction-swelling, congestion, sometimes necrosis-follows intradermal inoculation. Since no microorganism corresponding in character with this one has previously been described, it is regarded as a new species, and because of its presence in material obtained from Peru it has been given the name Bacterium peruvianum. The significance of the association of B. peruvianum with Bartonella bacilliformis deserves further investigation; it is not impossible that the two organisms are introduced into the human body by the same blood-sucking insect.
Skills and Resources Needed for Liver Transplantation
Authors: Ruud A. F. Krom, Chris H. Gips
Journal: Hepatology (1984)

Trained specialists in hepatology, liver and biliary surgery, anesthesiology and pathology must form the core of a team for liver transplantation. The hospital must be a center for organ transplantation to provide the essential infrastructure to manage specific aspects of transplantation. A well-organized blood bank is essential to cope with acute requests for large amounts of donor blood. Because of the extremely high costs, liver transplantation has to be approved medically and politically before it can be considered as a generally accepted modality of treatment.
Hyperaldosteronism as a Common Cause of Resistant Hypertension
Authors: David A. Calhoun
Journal: Annual Review of Medicine (2012)

Resistant hypertension affects an estimated 10-15 million American adults and is increasing in prevalence. The etiology of resistant hypertension is almost always multifactorial, including obesity, older age, high dietary salt, chronic kidney disease, and aldosterone excess. Classical primary aldosteronism and lesser degrees of aldosterone excess, possibly originating from visceral adipocytes, contribute broadly to antihypertensive treatment resistance. Treatment of resistant hypertension is predicated on appropriate lifestyle changes and use of effective combinations of antihypertensive agents from different classes. Blockade of aldosterone with spironolactone has been shown to be particularly effective for treatment of resistant hypertension. The antihypertensive benefit of spironolactone is not limited to patients with demonstrable hyperaldosteronism but instead can be effective in resistant hypertensive patients regardless of aldosterone levels. Chlorthalidone is a potent, long-acting thiazide-like diuretic and should be used preferentially to treat resistant hypertension as it is superior to normally used doses of hydrochlorothiazide.
Re-treatment with interferon alfa of patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Wan-Cheng Chow, Nathalie Boyer, Michele Pouteau, Corinne Castelnau, Michele Martinot-Peignoux, Veronique Martins-Amado, Francoise Degos, Crina Maghinici, Martine Sinegre, Jean-Pierre Benhamou, Claude Degott, Serge Erlinger, Patrick Marcellin
Journal: Hepatology (1998)

Treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C has had limited success because of relapses and nonresponse to interferon alfa therapy (currently the only established therapeutic agent). A retrospective study was done to determine the efficacy of re-treatment with interferon and the predictors of response in patients who failed to achieve sustained response after one standard course of interferon therapy (3 million units three times a week for 24 weeks). One hundred and eleven patients (47 relapsers and 64 nonresponders), mean age 45 years, were included in the study. Eighteen relapsers and 13 nonresponders received a higher dose (5 MU), and 11 relapsers and 6 nonresponders received a longer duration (48 weeks) of interferon therapy. The remaining patients received the same regimen as the first treatment. Eighty-one percent and 23% of relapsers and nonresponders, respectively, had an end-of-treatment response, and 19% and 3% of the corresponding patient groups had a sustained response to re-treatment. Two patients with breakthrough during their first treatment were the only nonresponders with sustained response after re-treatment. Sustained response was observed only in patients who received an increased dose or duration of interferon therapy. No predictor of sustained response was found. In conclusion, sustained response to re-treatment with interferon was only observed with augmentation of dose or duration of therapy in some relapsers and patients who had breakthrough. Established predictors of response to interferon in naive patients, in particular serum hepatitis C virus RNA and genotype, were not associated with sustained response to re-treatment.
Regulation of granulocyte function by hyaluronic acid. In vitro and in vivo effects on phagocytosis, locomotion, and metabolism.
Authors: L Håkansson, R Hällgren, P Venge
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1980)

Hyaluronic acid (HA) stimulated the function of polymorphonucler leukocytes (PMN) both in vitro and in vivo. Stimulation in vitro was achieved by the incubation of PMN and HA in heparinized whole blood at concentrations of HA between 5 and 500 microgram/liter. The stimulation of the PMN function was demonstrated by an increase rate of phagocytosis of complement- and/or immunoglobulin (Ig)G-coated latex particles, increased adherence to nylon wool, increased random migration and chemotactic response, increased chemiluminescence during phagocytosis, and raised levels of intracellular ATP. The effect of HA in vivo was demonstrated, after subcutaneous administration of HA (5-20 mg) to healthy volunteers, by an enhanced rate of phagocytosis of the subsequently isolated neutrophils. The duration of the effect of one administration was approximately 1 wk with maximum effect on days 2-4. HA injections to patients with increased susceptibility to bacterial infections and impaired neutrophil function demonstrated an enhanced neutrophil function also in these individuals. HA may therefore be a new principle by which resistance to infections can be enhanced.
Adipose tissue–specific dysregulation of angiotensinogen by oxidative stress in obesity
Authors: Sadanori Okada, Chisayo Kozuka, Hiroaki Masuzaki, Shintaro Yasue, Takako Ishii-Yonemoto, Tomohiro Tanaka, Yuji Yamamoto, Michio Noguchi, Toru Kusakabe, Tsutomu Tomita, Junji Fujikura, Ken Ebihara, Kiminori Hosoda, Hiroshi Sakaue, Hiroyuki Kobori, Mira Ham, Yun Sok Lee, Jae Bum Kim, Yoshihiko Saito, Kazuwa Nakao
Journal: Metabolism (2010)
Inhibition of Nitric Oxide but Not Prostacyclin Prevents Poststenotic Dilatation in Rabbit Femoral Artery
Authors: William J. Calvo, George Hajduczok, James A. Russell, Scott L. Diamond
Journal: Circulation (1999)

Background —Poststenotic dilatation (PSD) occurs in a low-pressure region where recirculation eddies oscillate in size during the cardiac cycle. NO may be an important mediator of PSD. Methods and Results —Femoral arteries of 7 adult male New Zealand White rabbits were stenosed bilaterally to achieve a diameter reduction of 70.9±6.7% (n=14). At the time of stenosis, the adventitia of one of the arteries was coated with 1 mmol/L of N G -nitro- l -arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in 22% (wt/vol) Pluronic gel, while the contralateral vessel was coated with gel without L-NAME. In stenosed femoral arteries that were treated with gel without L-NAME, a maximum PSD of 30.99±7.92% (n=7) was observed in polymer casts at 3 days relative to the mean proximal diameter of 1.57±0.25 mm at a position 12 mm upstream of each stenosis. In contrast, the vessels treated with L-NAME exhibited a maximum PSD of only 7.16±8.81% (n=7) relative to the mean proximal diameter of 1.55±0.16 mm. L-NAME caused a 76.9% reduction ( P &lt;0.001, n=7) of PSD. Similarly, N G -monomethyl- l -arginine 1 mmol/L and N G -nitro- l -arginine 10 μmol/L attenuated PSD by 57.5% ( P &lt;0.001, n=6) and 63.9% ( P &lt;0.05, n=6), respectively. Indomethacin 10 μmol/L caused no reduction in PSD. Arterial rings obtained from the poststenotic region were more sensitive and responsive to acetylcholine than those obtained proximal to the stenosis. Conclusions —NO, but not prostacyclin, is a major mediator of PSD.
Sodium channel Na <sub>x</sub> is a regulator in epithelial sodium homeostasis
Authors: Wei Xu, Seok Jong Hong, Aimei Zhong, Ping Xie, Shengxian Jia, Zhong Xie, Michael Zeitchek, Solmaz Niknam-Bienia, Jingling Zhao, D. Marshall Porterfield, D. James Surmeier, Kai P. Leung, Robert D. Galiano, Thomas A. Mustoe
Journal: Science Translational Medicine (2015)

Blocking Na x expression improves scarring and atopic dermatitis–like symptoms by improving barrier function.
Nonuniform regional deformation of the pericardium during the cardiac cycle in dogs.
Authors: Y Goto, M M LeWinter
Journal: Circulation Research (1990)

We hypothesized that local contact forces between the pericardium and the heart cause regional variation in pericardial deformation during the cardiac cycle, reflecting volume changes of the underlying cardiac chambers. To test this, we measured regional pericardial area over the right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) with orthogonal pairs of sonomicrometers in six open-chest dogs. At a left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 5 mm Hg, RV pericardial area paralleled RV volume, that is, shrinkage during ejection by 10 +/- 8% and expansion during filling. RA pericardial area was reciprocally related to RV pericardial area, with average expansion during ventricular ejection of 2 +/- 2%, thus paralleling RA volume during RV ejection. With volume loading, RV pericardial shrinkage during ejection increased to 14 +/- 6%, but the RA pericardial area change was no longer reciprocal (0 +/- 3% change during RV ejection). Elimination of contact forces by cardiac tamponade resulted in both marked attenuation of RV pericardial area changes and synchronization of the RV and RA pericardial area pattern; that is, both shrank during RV ejection. In two additional dogs, measurement of pericardial area over left ventricle and atrium showed similar results. We conclude that dynamic pericardial contact forces cause regional variation in pericardial deformation, which reflects volume changes of the underlying chambers. These findings imply that the influence of the pericardium on filling and ejection may be more complex than previously recognized, varying both by chamber and dynamically over the course of the cardiac cycle.
ABPA in adulthood: a CFTR-related disorder
Authors: P. Lebecque, X. Pepermans, E. Marchand, A. Leonard, T. Leal
Journal: Thorax (2010)

also seems to improve pulmonary function even when oral corticosteroids were reduced or discontinued.Given the retrospective nature of this study and the small number of cases analysed, the results must be interpreted with caution.Although all patients met the criteria of APBA proposed by Rosenberg, 7 the differentiation between this entity and Aspergillus-induced asthma is problematic, so we decided to blanket them under the term ' Aspergillus-associated airway disease'.While the pathogenesis of ABPA remains not fully understood, IgE has been advocated as a key pathogenic mechanism of the disease.Since the total serum IgE level is a marker of immunological activity in ABPA, the attenuation of the hyper-IgE response seems to be a reasonable target.Further studies are warranted to clarify the utility of omalizumab in AAAD, especially in ABPA.
The Prevalence of Diabetes in the Kingdom of Tonga
Authors: Stephen Colagiuri, Ruth Colagiuri, Siva Na’ati, Soana Muimuiheata, Zafirul Hussain, Taniela Palu
Journal: Diabetes Care (2002)

OBJECTIVE—To determine the prevalence of diabetes, impaired glucose metabolism, and related risk factors in Tonga. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A randomly selected representative national sample of 1,024 people aged &amp;gt;15 years was surveyed. Each participant had fasting blood glucose and HbA1c measured. Subjects with a fasting blood glucose &amp;gt;5.0 mmol/l (90 mg/dl) and &amp;lt;11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl) or a fasting blood glucose ≤5.0 mmol/l and an HbA1c &amp;gt;6.0% and every fifth subject with a fasting blood glucose ≤5.0 mmol/l and a normal HbA1c had a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A total of 472 individuals had an OGTT based on these criteria. Subjects with a fasting blood glucose ≥11.1 mmol/l and an elevated HbA1c were diagnosed as having diabetes. RESULTS—The mean age was 41.3 years, and the mean BMI was 32.3 kg/m2. The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes was 15.1% (CI 12.5–17.6), 12.2% (8.7–15.8) in men and 17.6% (14.0–21.1) in women (NS), of which only 2.1% was previously diagnosed. A total of 75% of people with newly diagnosed diabetes had a fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl). The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was 9.4% (7.3–11.5) and of impaired fasting glycemia 1.6% (0.7–2.6). Undiagnosed diabetes was significantly associated with increasing age, obesity, hypertension, and a family history of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS—The current prevalence of diabetes in Tonga is 15.1%, of which 80% is undiagnosed. A similar survey in 1973 reported a 7.5% diabetes prevalence, indicating a doubling of diabetes over the past 25 years. In addition, lesser degrees of glucose intolerance are common, and much of the community is overweight
The prevalence of inflammatory back pain: population-based estimates from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009–10
Authors: Michael H Weisman, James P Witter, John D Reveille
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2012)

To estimate the current US inflammatory back pain (IBP) prevalence using four published case definitions.Analysis of an IBP data collection instrument specifically designed for the 2009-10 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects were 5103 US adults ages 20-69 with complete data. IBP prevalence as determined by Calin et al criteria, European Spondylarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria, and Berlin criteria 8a and 7b.Age-adjusted US prevalence of IBP by Calin criteria was 5.0% (95% CI 4.2% to 5.8%). Prevalence of IBP was 5.6% (95% CI 4.7% to 6.5%) by ESSG criteria, and 5.8% (95% CI 5.2% to 6.4%) and 6.0% (95% CI 4.9% to 7.1%) by Berlin Criteria 8a and 7b, respectively. IBP prevalence did not differ significantly by age groups or between men and women. IBP prevalence was significantly lower among non-Hispanic black persons compared with non-Hispanic white persons for the Calin and ESSG IBP criteria. For the ESSG and Berlin 7b criteria, non-Hispanic white persons had significantly higher IBP prevalences compared with Mexican Americans.IBP is associated with spondyloarthritis. Awareness of the prevalence of IBP may be useful for planning future epidemiological studies as well as development and validation of diagnostic and classification criteria for specific clinically defined diseases.
Increase in Reactive Nitrogen Species Production in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Airways
Authors: MASAKAZU ICHINOSE, HISATOSHI SUGIURA, SHUNSUKE YAMAGATA, AKIRA KOARAI, KUNIO SHIRATO
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2000)

Peroxynitrite, nitrogen dioxide, and other reactive nitrogen species (RNS) that are formed in the reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with superoxide anion, and in peroxidase-dependent mechanisms, have a potent inflammatory action. These molecules may therefore increase in number and have a role in inflammatory airway diseases. In the present study, we quantified RNS using immunostaining of nitrotyrosine and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in airway inflammatory cells obtained by the induced sputum technique, and also quantified the exhaled NO concentration in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), subjects with asthma, and healthy subjects (HS). Immunoreactivity for iNOS observed in the airway inflammatory cells was significantly and similarly higher in subjects with COPD and asthma than in HS, although exhaled NO levels were increased only in subjects with asthma. Inflammatory cells showed obvious nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity in subjects with COPD and to a lesser extent in those with asthma, but not in HS. There was a significant negative correlation between the percent predicted values of FEV1 and the amount of nitrotyrosine formation in subjects with COPD, but not in those with asthma and HS. These results suggest that: (1) RNS may be involved in the pathobiology of the airway inflammatory and obstructive process in COPD; and (2) NO produced in the airways, presumably via iNOS, is consumed by its reaction with superoxide anion and/or peroxidase-dependent mechanisms.
Science, medicine, and the future: Substance use disorders
Authors: M. A Schuckit
Journal: BMJ (1997)

Consumption of alcohol and other intoxicating drugs has serious public health implications relevant to a wide range of people. Recent decades have seen large advances in the understanding of substance intoxication and subsequent problems. The progress was made possible, in part, by developments in the definition and identification of the relevant phenotypes. The American and World Health Organisation diagnostic systems have been made more precise, resulting in more agreement on the definition of dependence.1 2 Researchers have also recognised the need to identify and study separately subgroups of dependent people with psychiatric and behavioural syndromes that occurred outside and within the context of their substance use disorder.1 3 This article focuses on the recent developments that have improved our understanding of genetic factors that contribute to the risk for alcoholism and our knowledge of the cellular actions of some drugs of abuse and on discoveries that are likely to have direct effects on future clinical management of our patients. The process of development and perpetuation of dependence on a substance is highly complex.1 4 The original social, behavioural, and biological factors that contributed to the repeated consumption of high levels of these substances set the stage for the development of further problems. Subsequently, additional social factors (for example, attitudes towards substance consumption and intoxication) combine with additional biological factors (such as acute or protracted withdrawal syndromes) to contribute to the perpetuation of the dependence (fig 1). Recent animal and human studies have focused on potential genetic contributors to various characteristics that might increase or decrease the risk of alcoholism. These include the isoenzyme patterns of the main enzymes that metabolise alcohol (alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases), as well as the organism's reaction to the drug.3 4 Fig 1 Factors that may affect development of alcohol dependence #### Possible future developments