tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Lactational Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Its Relation to Early Childhood Anthropometric Measurements
Authors: Kate Hoffman, Michelle Mendez, Anna Maria Siega-Riz, Amy H. Herring, Andreas Sjödin, Julie L. Daniels
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2016)

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that may influence growth and development.We investigated the association between exposure to PBDEs via breast milk and anthropometric measurements in early childhood.The Pregnancy Infection and Nutrition (PIN) Babies studies followed a cohort of North Carolina pregnant women and their children through 36 months of age. Breast milk samples obtained at 3 months postpartum were analyzed for PBDEs. We collected height and weight records from well-baby doctor visits and also measured children during study visits (n = 246 children with > 1,400 anthropometric measurements). We assessed the relationship between breast milk concentrations of five PBDE congeners-BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, and 153-and child's weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height z-scores (WAZ, HAZ, and WHZ, respectively), adjusting for age; maternal age, race, prepregnancy BMI; parity; smoking during pregnancy; and breastfeeding, and stratifying by sex.Overall, PBDE exposures via breast milk were not associated with early-life anthropometric measures in the PIN Babies cohort. When stratified by sex, PBDEs in milk were inversely associated with WHZ for boys; however, associations did not follow a consistent pattern across the concentration gradient and were imprecisely estimated. Among girls, PBDEs tended to be associated with increased WHZ except for BDE-153, which was inversely associated with WHZ, though all estimates were imprecisely estimated.We observed little evidence of associations between early-life PBDE exposures via breast milk and anthropometric measurements overall; however, our results prompt the need for sex-specific investigations in larger cohorts.Hoffman K, Mendez M, Siega-Riz AM, Herring AH, Sjödin A, Daniels JL. 2016. Lactational exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and its relation to early childhood anthropometric measurements. Environ Health Perspect 124:1656-1661; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP201.
Soundings: Don's diary
Authors: Trisha Greenhalgh
Journal: BMJ (2005)

What do academics do all day?

Monday Writing day. I'm drafting an editorial about measuring culture in healthcare organisations. I immerse myself in anthropologist Clifford Geertz's “Notes on a Balinese cockfight,” one of the finest (and funniest) ethnographic studies ever published. I struggle to transfer the ideas to the NHS.

Sample size calculation for a diabetes grant application. An old friend, now a multicentre trialist, has sent me a piece of software, and I've connected it to a database from the local clinic. Ethnic Asians with diabetes have a worse outlook than white people, and this gadget suggests two reasons: they get diabetes younger, and they smoke more.

Tuesday Teaching day. My lecturers want to enter a competition for best online degree course. We divvy up the tasks: analyse student evaluations, update reading lists, mend dead links, etc. I am allocated “remove conceptual inconsistencies between units 1 and 2.”

We are planning a summer camp for 16 year olds from deprived backgrounds who want to study medicine. I draft an FAQs page for the website. Later, my own teenagers say nobody would have asked any of those questions. I meet with heads of science from local inner city comprehensives. Do they know of any bright youngsters who might be suitable? Dozens, they say, but the kids won't have the confidence to apply.

Wednesday Committee day. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is deliberating the cost effectiveness of therapies for a common cancer. In smart suits and under volumes of evidence, we make provisional recommendations that will go to all stakeholders—including drug company lawyers.

Thursday Clinical day. Thirty cases at 10 minute intervals. Cancer recurred, an ingrowing toenail, a clicky jaw, and a raft of routine checks. I code as much as I can on to the computer, losing immeasurable richness in the process.

Friday Research day. We are working with philosophers to study the use of rhetoric in “evidence based” public health decisions. Our data will be the arguments that occur around the policymaking table. But we are foxed by the practicalities of capturing the real world on tape. Real arguments, we are finding, happen in corridors, taxis, and the ladies' loo. We must supplicate the local ethics committee with a revised proposal. Roll on Monday—writing day.
DNA methylation changes facilitated evolution of genes derived from Mutator-like transposable elements
Authors: Jun Wang, Yeisoo Yu, Feng Tao, Jianwei Zhang, Dario Copetti, Dave Kudrna, Jayson Talag, Seunghee Lee, Rod A. Wing, Chuanzhu Fan
Journal: Genome biology (2016)

Mutator-like transposable elements, a class of DNA transposons, exist pervasively in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes, with more than 10,000 copies identified in the rice genome. These elements can capture ectopic genomic sequences that lead to the formation of new gene structures. Here, based on whole-genome comparative analyses, we comprehensively investigated processes and mechanisms of the evolution of putative genes derived from Mutator-like transposable elements in ten Oryza species and the outgroup Leersia perieri, bridging ~20 million years of evolutionary history. Our analysis identified thousands of putative genes in each of the Oryza species, a large proportion of which have evidence of expression and contain chimeric structures. Consistent with previous reports, we observe that the putative Mutator-like transposable element-derived genes are generally GC-rich and mainly derive from GC-rich parental sequences. Furthermore, we determine that Mutator-like transposable elements capture parental sequences preferentially from genomic regions with low methylation levels and high recombination rates. We explicitly show that methylation levels in the internal and terminated inverted repeat regions of these elements, which might be directed by the 24-nucleotide small RNA-mediated pathway, are different and change dynamically over evolutionary time. Lastly, we demonstrate that putative genes derived from Mutator-like transposable elements tend to be expressed in mature pollen, which have undergone de-methylation programming, thereby providing a permissive expression environment for newly formed/transposable element-derived genes. Our results suggest that DNA methylation may be a primary mechanism to facilitate the origination, survival, and regulation of genes derived from Mutator-like transposable elements, thus contributing to the evolution of gene innovation and novelty in plant genomes.
Lack of sex differences in the neuropsychological performance of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: T E Goldberg, J M Gold, E F Torrey, D R Weinberger
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1995)

While a number of studies have suggested that women with schizophrenia have a less severe form of the disorder than men, the issue has been examined with neuropsychological measures only infrequently.The authors compared neuropsychological test performances of men and women from four independent schizophrenic cohorts: two groups of inpatients with chronic courses at a research hospital (N = 128 and N = 63), one group of consecutive admissions to a private psychiatric hospital (N = 57), and one group of schizophrenic twins from discordant monozygotic pairs (N = 20). Nearly 100 comparisons of neuropsychological test performances were made between men and women.Not one comparison significantly favored women, and few were even significantly different between the sexes.It cannot be ruled out that the disproportionate number of men in the chronic cohorts may have reflected either more frequent intellectual deterioration in men or a bias toward more severely impaired women. Yet, men and women in all groups performed similarly, including the groups in which the sex ratios were nearly equal and were not skewed toward chronicity. These results provide little support for the hypothesis that gender is associated with a unique pathogenesis of schizophrenia or is a marker for a distinct subtype of schizophrenia, at least to the extent that cognitive impairment is a primary manifestation of the underlying disease process. However, given the lack of female patients with later ages at onset and more affective symptoms, the results in this study should be considered relevant only for chronic patients with onset of schizophrenia before age 30.
Quality of Life in a Randomised Double-Blind Phase III Trial of Cediranib (Azd2171) in Relapsed Platinum Sensitive Ovarian Cancer (Icon6)
Authors: D. Stark, A. Cook, J. Brown, G. Velikova, M.D. Brundage, A.C. Embleton, F. Raja, J.A. Ledermann
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Indian Health Ministry told to develop a framework for cancer screening
Authors: Cheryl Travasso
Journal: BMJ (2016)

India’s Health Ministry has been given a three month deadline by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop a framework for a screening programme to detect cancers of the breast, cervix, and mouth.1

Ravi Mehrotra, director of the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, who was also a part of an expert panel in September 2013 that put forward recommendations2 for screening and early detection of cervical, breast, and oral cancers, predicted that …
Imaging Phenotype of Occupational Endotoxin-Related Lung Function Decline
Authors: Peggy S. Lai, Jing-qing Hang, Feng-ying Zhang, J. Sun, Bu-Yong Zheng, Li Su, George R. Washko, David C. Christiani
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2016)

Although occupational exposures contribute to a significant proportion of obstructive lung disease, the phenotype of obstructive lung disease associated with work-related organic dust exposure independent of smoking remains poorly defined.We identified the relative contributions of smoking and occupational endotoxin exposure to parenchymal and airway remodeling as defined by quantitative computed tomography (CT).The Shanghai Textile Worker Study is a longitudinal study of endotoxin-exposed cotton workers and endotoxin-unexposed silk workers that was initiated in 1981. Spirometry, occupational endotoxin exposure, and smoking habits were assessed at 5-year intervals. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) was performed in 464 retired workers in 2011, along with quantitative lung densitometric and airway analysis.Significant differences in all CT measures were noted across exposure groups. Occupational endotoxin exposure was associated with a decrease (-1.3%) in percent emphysema (LAAI-950), a 3.3-Hounsfield unit increase in 15th percentile density, an 18.1-g increase in lung mass, and a 2.3% increase in wall area percent. Current but not former smoking was associated with a similar CT phenotype. Changes in LAAI-950 were highly correlated with 15th percentile density (correlation -1.0). Lung mass was the only measure associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) decline, with each 10-g increase in lung mass associated with an additional loss (-6.1 mL) of FEV1 (p = 0.001) between 1981 and 2011.There are many similarities between the effects of occupational endotoxin exposure and those of tobacco smoke exposure on lung parenchyma and airway remodeling. The effects of occupational endotoxin exposure appear to persist even after the cessation of exposure. LAAI-950 may not be a reliable indicator of emphysema in subjects without spirometric impairment. Lung mass is a CT-based biomarker of accelerated lung function decline.Lai PS, Hang J, Zhang F, Sun J, Zheng BY, Su L, Washko GR, Christiani DC. 2016. Imaging phenotype of occupational endotoxin-related lung function decline. Environ Health Perspect 124:1436-1442; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP195.
Maternal Consumption of Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Infant Weight Gain
Authors: Mark A. Pereira, Matthew W. Gillman
Journal: JAMA Pediatrics (2016)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA Pediatrics HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Podcast Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry (1919-1959) JN Learning / CMESubscribeJobsInstitutions / LibrariansReprints & Permissions Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved Search All JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Forum Archive JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry Input Search Term Sign In Individual Sign In Sign inCreate an Account Access through your institution Sign In Purchase Options: Buy this article Rent this article Subscribe to the JAMA Pediatrics journal
Combinatorial targeting of TSLP, IL-25, and IL-33 in type 2 cytokine–driven inflammation and fibrosis
Authors: Kevin M. Vannella, Thirumalai R. Ramalingam, Lee A. Borthwick, Luke Barron, Kevin M. Hart, Robert W. Thompson, Kristen N. Kindrachuk, Allen W. Cheever, Sandra White, Alison L. Budelsky, Michael R. Comeau, Dirk E. Smith, Thomas A. Wynn
Journal: Science Translational Medicine (2016)

Combined blockade of TSLP, IL-25, and IL-33 may be needed to treat some forms of progressive inflammation and fibrosis.
A randomized phase II trial of pemetrexed/gemcitabine/bevacizumab or pemetrexed/carboplatin/bevacizumab in the first-line treatment of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Authors: D. R. Spigel, F. A. Greco, D. Shipley, T. J. Ervin, E. T. Lubiner, J. D. Peyton, E. K. Barnes, D. S. Thompson, H. A. Burris, J. D. Hainsworth
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

7593 Background: Elderly patients (pts) (≥70 years old) account for >40% of pts diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pemetrexed/gemcitabine and pemetrexed/carboplatin are both active and safe regimens. This phase II study investigated the use of pemetrexed/bevacizumab and gemcitabine or carboplatin as first-line therapy for elderly pts with advanced NSCLC. Methods: Eligible pts were ≥ 70 years old, had newly diagnosed stage III/IV non-squamous NSCLC: an ECOG PS 0-1; adequate organ function; and no active CNS metastasis. Pts were randomized 1:1 to Cohort A: pemetrexed 500mg/m2 , gemcitabine 1500mg/m2, and bevacizumab 10mg/kg, all IV days (D) 1, 15 q 28D × 6; or Cohort B: pemetrexed 500mg/m2, carboplatin AUC=5, and bevacizumab 15mg/kg, all IV D 1 q 21D × 6. Pts without progressive disease (PD) continued bevacizumab until PD. Primary endpoint: time to progression (TTP) per arm. Results: 106 pts were enrolled from 4/07 to 11/09 (103 analyzed - A-52, B-51). Median followup: 39 weeks (range 10-117); and median number of cycles: 2.5 (A) and 6 (B), respectively. Pt characteristics were balanced: median age 76 years (70-89); male 51%; ECOG PS 0, 42%. Response rate: A-25%/B- 22% (95%CI 13-37/10-33), stable disease 38%/53%. TTP: A- 4.8 months(mos) (CI 4.5-7.9) and B-10.2 mos (CI 6.3-not reached [NR]), with median overall survival (OS): A-8.5 mos (CI 5.8-12.1) and B- 12.8 mos (CI 10.2-NR). Grade (G) 3/4 hematologic toxicity: anemia (A 17%, B 8%), neutropenia (A 46%, B 41%), thrombocytopenia (A 10%, B 34%). G3/4 non-hematologic toxicity: fatigue (A 35%, B 20%), hypertension (A 2%, B 8%), infection (largely pneumonia- A 21%, B 8%), neutropenic fever (A 8%, B 0), thromboembolism (A 6%, B 8%), and dyspnea (A 14%, B 16%). There were 3 potentially treatment-related deaths: A-respiratory failure, 1 pt; sepsis, 1; B-pulmonary hemorrhage, 1. Conclusions: The carboplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab regimen was associated with a long TTP and OS in this elderly population, whereas the gemcitabine, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab regimen was not. Treatment toxicities were expected and manageable; however, included the risk of death. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Position Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Lilly Lilly
A Novel Chromosome Abnormality in Human Neuroblastoma and Antifolate-Resistant Chinese Hamster Cell Lines in Culture 1 2
Authors: June L. Biedler, Barbara A. Spengler
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1976)

Four cell lines, SK-N-SH, SK-N-MC, SK-N-BE(2), and IMR-32, established in vitro from tumor tissue of patients with neuroblastoma were analyzed by trypsin-Giemsa banding methods. In two of the lines a large, abnormally staining chromosome region was observed. This "homogeneously staining region" (HSR) was considerably longer than any of the bands present in normal human cells and, as revealed by both G- and Q-banding, stained with an intermediate intensity. It was located on chromosomes No 6, 10, 17, or 19 of the SK-N-BE(2) cell line and on chromosome No 1 of the IMR-32 line. In concurrent studies, long HSR's were also observed in Chinese hamster sublines that had been exposed to and had developed high levels of resistance to methotrexate or methasquin and high levels of activity of target enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. For several sublines with the highest levels of enzyme activity, approximately 2% of the total cell protein was dihydrofolate reductase. Of 13 independently derived sublines with acquired resistance to antifolate, only those 7 with greater than 100-fold increases in enzyme activity consistently exhibited HSR's. These regions comprised 2-5% of the total length of the chromosome complement and were specifically localized, as demonstrated by G-banding. Analysis of chromosome replication patterns of the HSR in human neuroblastoma and in drug-resistant Chinese hamster cells by tritiated thymidine radioautography indicated that the long, abnormally staining region replicated relatively rapidly and synchronously and terminated replication before the midpoint of the S phase. The HSR thus appeared to represent a novel chromosome abnormality that may be present in cells with specialized functions. Drug-resistant Chinese hamster cells were characterized by overproduction of target enzyme, whereas human neuroblastoma cells had phenotypes of normal neuronal cells. Whether the HSR is transcriptionally active was not elucidated.
Elevated serum estradiol suggesting recurrence of Leydig cell tumor nine years after radical orchiectomy
Authors: Toshihiro Maeda, Naoki Itoh, Ko Kobayashi, Atsushi Takahashi, Naoya Masumori, Taiji Tsukamoto
Journal: Circulation Research (2002)

We report a case of a Leydig cell tumor that showed retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis 9 years after radical orchiectomy. Elevated serum estradiol (E2) suggested recurrence of the Leydig cell tumor. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) was performed and the lymph node was proved histopathologically to have a metastatic Leydig cell tumor. After RPLND, serum E2 returned to the normal range. This is the first reported case in which changes in the endocrinological findings were useful as likely tumor markers to detect the recurrence of a Leydig cell tumor.
Adverse impact of low skeletal muscle index on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatic resection
Authors: Norimitsu Yabusaki, Tsutomu Fujii, Suguru Yamada, Kojiro Suzuki, Hiroyuki Sugimoto, Mitsuro Kanda, Goro Nakayama, Masahiko Koike, Michitaka Fujiwara, Yasuhiro Kodera
Journal: International Journal of Surgery (2016)
Outpatient Non-Myeloablative Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation For Myeloma Is Feasible, Efficacious and Associated With Low Transplant-Related Morbidity and Mortality
Authors: Philip Campbell, Patricia A. Walker, Sharon Avery, Sushrut S. Patil, David J. Curtis, Anthony P. Schwarer, Andrew H Wei, Anna Kalff, Jenny Muirhead, Andrew Spencer
Journal: Blood (2013)
Airborne Mutagens Bioassayed in Salmonella typhimurium2
Authors: Ronald Talcott, Eddie Wei
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1977)

Particulate airborne pollutants, collected in Buffalo, New York, and Berkeley, California, were asayed for mutagenic activity in the Ames Salmonella typhimurium test system. Mutagens requiring liver enzymes for activation, as well as direct acting mutagens, were readily detected in the Buffalo sample. By contrast, only direct acting mutagens were detected in the Berkeley sample.
Beyond SPIKES: Key principles to enhance communication in difficult conversations.
Authors: Tommie Wade Farrell, Josh Reed, Michael Roffers
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2014)

138 Background: The SPIKES protocol for delivering bad news developed by Buckman et al. has been a standard since published. Though helpful those in practice understand that further training is needed for these difficult conversations and for those that follow when deciding on treatment options. What skills can be taught to prepare for these conversations? Methods: At our program Hospice/Palliative and Oncology fellows rotate with the hospital Supportive Care team. They are trained in Three Key Principles after training in the SPIKES protocol: EMOTIONAL ALIGNMENT: aligning team goals with the goals of the patient/family. This includes eliciting the goals of the patient, clarifying the basis of these goals and showing alignment. Example phrases: Tell me what your hopes are for your treatment. What do you feel will happen when you attempt this? Your desire to live as long as possible makes perfect sense. TRANSPARENCY: sharing the ambiguity inherent in care. This includes presenting all options of care, and the variability that exists with all options. Examples: We don't always know exactly what will happen with treatment, but if your goal is to live as long as possible this will possibly extend life by months. If your goal is to maximize time with family, a person may choose to use the services of the hospice team who focus on you being at home. CLARITY: clarifying misconceptions and ensuring that goals and treatment plans match. This includes asking for expectations of treatment, giving accurate expected outcomes, and using language that is clear. Examples: When we say that this treatment is palliative we mean that we don't expect that it will cure, but it may provide on average an extra few months. You have told me you hope to get stronger by doing this treatment. I need to tell you that typically this treatment does not make a person stronger and fatigue is actually a potential side effect. Results: Fellows find these principles helpful in discussing treatment options. They universally evaluate this skill set as being achievable and also report it enhances patient-physician relationships. Conclusions: Applying these key principles is a skill that can enhance communication when making treatment decisions in potentially terminal illness.