JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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To examine the involvement of tobacco industry lawyers in the selection of tobacco industry scientific research projects and to examine how the research was used to influence public policy. ⋯ The involvement of tobacco industry lawyers in the selection of scientific projects to be funded is in sharp contrast to the industry's public statements about its review process for its external research program. Scientific merit played little role in the selection of external research projects. The results of the projects were used to generate good publicity for the industry, to deflect attention away from tobacco use as a health danger, and to attempt, sometimes surreptitiously, to influence policymakers.
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To examine the effects of giving up smoking, years since quitting smoking and the quantity of cigarettes smoked, and primary pipe or cigar smoking on the risk of stroke. ⋯ Smoking cessation is associated with a considerable and rapid benefit in decreasing the risk of stroke, particularly in light smokers (< 20 cigarettes/d); a complete loss of risk is not seen in heavy smokers. Switching to pipe or cigar smoking confers little benefit, emphasizing the need for complete cessation of smoking. The absolute benefit of quitting smoking on risk of stroke is most marked in hypertensive subjects.
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Leukocyte adhesion plays an important role in inflammation. Adhesion molecules such as CD11b on polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMNs) up-regulate in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and other mediators that are involved in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). This study examined the behavior of CD11b and other membrane molecules in SIRS in relation to serum cytokines and the severity of illness. ⋯ In human SIRS, the circulating monocyte and PMN pools undergo alterations suggestive of leukocyte activation, including up-regulation of PMN CD11b in correlation with the serum IL-6 level and severity of organ dysfunction.