tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Bone Morphogenic Protein Antagonists Are Coexpressed With Bone Morphogenic Protein 4 in Endothelial Cells Exposed to Unstable Flow In Vitro in Mouse Aortas and in Human Coronary Arteries
Authors: Kyunghwa Chang, Daiana Weiss, Jin Suo, J. David Vega, Don Giddens, W. Robert Taylor, Hanjoong Jo
Journal: Circulation (2007)

Exposure to disturbed flow, including oscillatory shear stress, stimulates endothelial cells (ECs) to produce bone morphogenic protein (BMP) 4, which in turn activates inflammation, a critical atherogenic step. BMP activity is regulated by the level of BMP antagonists. Until now it was not known whether shear also regulates the expression of BMP antagonists and whether they play a role in EC pathophysiology.BMP antagonists follistatin, noggin, and matrix Gla protein were expressed in cultured bovine and human arterial ECs. Surprisingly, oscillatory shear stress increased expression of the BMP antagonists in ECs, whereas unidirectional laminar shear decreased such expression. Immunohistochemical studies with mouse aortas showed data consistent with in vitro findings: Only ECs in the lesser curvature exposed to disturbed flow, but not those in the greater curvature and straight arterial regions exposed to undisturbed flow, showed coexpression of BMP4 and the BMP antagonists. Similarly, in human coronary arteries, expression of BMP4 and BMP antagonists in ECs positively correlated with the severity of atherosclerosis. Monocyte adhesion induced by oscillatory shear stress was inhibited by knockdown of BMP4 or treatment with recombinant follistatin or noggin, whereas it was increased by knockdown of follistatin and/or noggin.The present results suggest that ECs coexpress BMP antagonists along with BMP4 in an attempt to minimize the inflammatory response by oscillatory shear stress as part of a negative feedback mechanism. The balance between the agonist, BMP4, and its antagonists may play an important role in the overall control of inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Controlling Costs of Medical Care by Expanding Insurance Coverage
Authors: Charles E. Lewis, Harold W. Keairnes
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1970)

Abstract Special benefits were provided without additional charge to a randomly selected group of 5000 subscribers of a Blue Cross plan. These benefits covered the costs of diagnostic and treatment services rendered outside hospitals. The experimental benefits did not affect hospitalization and patterns of care: no significant reductions were noted in admissions, days of stay and payments among the experimental and two control groups. Our observations support others indicating that coverage for ambulatory care does not reduce costs for hospital services as organized at present. Despite an intensive informational campaign, few subscribers and physicians were aware of the change of benefits. The expected relation between income and frequency of physician contact was not evident among those receiving special benefits. Of all the special benefits paid, 18 per cent were for psychiatric services to 0.7 per cent of the subscribers; 8.7 per cent of physicians in practice received 44 per cent of all special-benefit dollars.
Lyme Disease Controversy: Use and Misuse of Language
Authors: Edward L. McNeil
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2002)

Letters5 November 2002Lyme Disease Controversy: Use and Misuse of LanguageEdward L. McNeil, MDEdward L. McNeil, MDFort Myers, FL 33908Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-137-9-200211050-00027 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Scientific evidence from a large body of worldwide research refutes many of Dr. Sigal's erroneous conclusions (1). He states, “No objective physical findings or unique historical features define ‘chronic Lyme disease,’ a term used by support groups and their few physician allies, not the academic medical community.” This is insulting to many dedicated doctors, including academics who have knowledge of the complexities of Lyme disease and of other pathogens that concomitantly infect through tick bites.Of the 53 references in Dr. Sigal's article, only two are from the late 1990s; the rest were published much earlier, many ...References1. Sigal LH. Misconceptions about Lyme disease: confusions hiding behind ill-chosen terminology. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136:413-9. [PMID: 11874324] LinkGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Edward L. McNeil, MDAffiliations: Fort Myers, FL 33908 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoMisconceptions about Lyme Disease: Confusions Hiding behind Ill-Chosen Terminology Leonard H. Sigal Lyme Disease Controversy: Use and Misuse of Language Kenneth B. Liegner Lyme Disease Controversy: Use and Misuse of Language Raphael B. Stricker Lyme Disease Controversy: Use and Misuse of Language Leonard H. Sigal Lyme Disease Controversy: Use and Misuse of Language Andrew Lautin Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Lyme Disease Raphael B. Stricker and Edward L. McNeil Metrics 5 November 2002Volume 137, Issue 9Page: 775-776KeywordsForecastingHIV infectionsHealth information technologyInfectious diseasesLyme diseasePathogensTicksVaccines ePublished: 5 November 2002 Issue Published: 5 November 2002 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2002 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
Book Review Medicine Unbound: The Human Body and the Limits of Medical Intervention (Emerging Issues in Biomedical Policy Series.) Edited by Robert H. Blank and Andrea L. Bonnicksen. 287 pp. New York, Columbia University Press, 1994. $49.50 (cloth); $17.50 (paper). 0-231-08148-0 (cloth)
Authors: Anna Moretti Kavolius
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1994)
BMA warns that too few people know response to a terrorist attack
Authors: Z. Kmietowicz
Journal: BMJ (2003)

The BMA warned this week that the United Kingdom is insufficiently prepared for a possible terrorist attack involving biological or chemical weapons because too few people know the details of response plans.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA, submitted evidence to a parliamentary select committee looking into the response to terrorism, saying that the BMA was concerned about the small number of people who …
P238Efficient gene transfer to human vascular cells in vitro and ex vivo using adenovirus serotype 49
Authors: R S Dakin, A Parker, J Ma, J Custers, S A Nicklin, A H Baker
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2014)

Introduction: Neointima formation and vascular remodelling through vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation can limit the long term success of coronary interventions, for example in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Gene therapy may provide a novel treatment strategy to improve long-term patency rates and reduce the need for repeat surgery. CABG surgery is potentially suitable for gene therapy as it allows ex vivo treatment of the vein before grafting. Therapeutic gene delivery to endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) using recombinant adenovirus (Ad) 5 can successfully reduce pathological remodelling in experimental animal models. However, the Ad5 receptor coxsackie adenovirus receptor (CAR) is only expressed at low levels on vascular cells. Additionally, the common prevalence of neutralising antibodies against Ad5 in humans may limit the efficacy of Ad5 based gene therapy, although this requires testing in the clinical setting. Thus, alternative Ad serotypes may provide more efficient vascular gene transfer with lower neutralising antibody titer, thereby improving the prospect of effective gene therapy. Here we investigate the potential of Ad49, a novel species D adenovirus, as a vector for vascular gene delivery.

Methods and Results: Transduction of primary human VSMCs and ECs with Ad49 was 4 fold higher than Ad5 (p<0.001) and 30 fold higher than Ad35 (p<0.0001) when infected with 1000 viral particles per cell. Ad49 could also transduce HVSMCs more efficiently than Ad5 following a short exposure time <60 minutes. Ex vivo incubation of whole mouse aorta with Ad49GFP resulted in transduction of endothelial cells seen by co-localisation of GFP and CD31 immunohistochemistry. Similarly, luminal infusion of Ad49GFP into intact human saphenous vein ex vivo also resulted in endothelial cell transduction. The Ad49 receptor is unidentified however, blocking CAR, CD46 and removal of sialic acid, classical candidate adenovirus receptors, did not alter Ad49 transduction. Importantly serum neutralisation studies in 103 patient serum samples from Glasgow cardiovascular clinics found Ad5 neutralisation rates were high (40/103) but no pre-existing immunity to Ad49 was observed.

In conclusion, we demonstrate that Ad49 efficiently transduces vascular cells in vitro and ex vivo in intact tissue and may provide a new vector for vascular gene therapy.
The Physiologic Function of Glucagon.
Authors: Joseph E. Sokal
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1966)

s1 May 1966The Physiologic Function of Glucagon.Joseph E. Sokal, M.D., F.A.C.P.Joseph E. Sokal, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-64-5-1172_3 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptAlthough glucagon is used clinically as a pharmacologic agent, its physiologic function and hormonal status have been subjects of controversy. Sufficient information is now available, however, to define an essential physiologic role for this polypeptide hormone.Glucagon acts directly on the liver to stimulate both glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Studies in this laboratory, using isolated perfused rat livers, have demonstrated both of these actions at glucagon concentrations well within the physiologic range; neither can be duplicated by physiologic concentrations of other biologic agents. Epinephrine, previously believed to stimulate hepatic glycogenolysis, has no direct effect on the liver except at concentrations far... This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Buffalo, New York PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 May 1966Volume 64, Issue 5Page: 1172-1173KeywordsAttentionBiologicsEpinephrineGlucagonGluconeogenesisLiverPeptide hormonesResearch laboratories Issue Published: 1 May 1966 PDF downloadLoading ...
Renal Lesions of Subacute Infective Endocarditis
Authors: J. M. Boulton-Jones, J. G. P. Sissons, D. J. Evans, D. K. Peters
Journal: BMJ (1974)

This paper gives an account of five patients with glomerulonephritis complicating subacute infective endocarditis. In three patients with focal (segmental) glomerulonephritis granular deposits of immunoglobulin and C3 and reduced serum complement suggested an immune-complex aetiology; but in two patients with a diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis no Ig or C3 was detected in the diseased glomeruli and the pathogenetic mechanism remained undetermined. Four of the five patients developed renal failure needing dialysis.
Book Review Peripheral Arterial Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment (Contemporary Cardiology.) Edited by Jay D. Coffman and Robert T. Eberhardt. 356 pp., illustrated. Totowa, N.J., Humana, 2003. $129.50. 1-58829-052-2
Authors: Thomas Schmitz-Rixen, Wolfgang Schaper
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2003)
The Epidemiology of Sudden Infant Death in Upstate New York
Authors: Susan J. Standfast
Journal: JAMA (1979)

The epidemiology of sudden infant death among infants born during 1974 to mothers residing in upstate New York was studied. Death-certificate characteristics for 190 infants with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are compared with those for 434 infants dying of other causes in the same age range. The overall incidence of SIDS was 1.43 per 1,000 live births. No relationship was found between SIDS rate and population density. The SIDS deaths peaked in January, with an overall seasonal pattern compatible with that of viral respiratory infections. The SIDS infants were more likely to die during sleeping hours than infants dying suddenly of other causes. Their age at death distribution is significantly different from that of other infant deaths. Progress in understanding sudden death in infancy is still hampered by the lack of positive diagnostic criteria. (<i>JAMA</i>241:1121-1124, 1979)
Photostable water-dispersible NIR-emitting CdTe/CdS/ZnS core–shell–shell quantum dots for high-resolution tumor targeting
Authors: Jie Wang, Yimei Lu, Fei Peng, Yiling Zhong, Yanfeng Zhou, Xiangxu Jiang, Yuanyuan Su, Yao He
Journal: Biomaterials (2013)
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor bound with lecithin derivative showed a markedly enhanced pharmacological potency due to its potent cell membrane affinity followed by prolonged MAPK activation
Authors: Rie Igarashi, Toshiaki Nakayama, Mitsuko Takenaga, Manabu Ichinohe, Yoko Yamaguchi, Kayo Matsumoto, Aki Kitagawa, Natsumi Nakamura, Shinichi Kawai, Tsutomu Nakagawa, Mutsuo Taiji, Chikao Nakayama, Yutaka Mizushima
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release (2004)
Immunomodulating Therapy With Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Lars Gullestad, Halfdan Aass, Jan G. Fjeld, Lisbeth Wikeby, Arne K. Andreassen, Halfdan Ihlen, Svein Simonsen, John Kjekshus, Sigurd Nitter-Hauge, Thor Ueland, Egil Lien, Stig S. Frøland, Pål Aukrust
Journal: Circulation (2001)

Background —Congestive heart failure (CHF) is characterized by enhanced immune activation, and immune-mediated mechanisms may play a pathogenic role in this disorder. Based on the immunomodulatory effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), we hypothesized that IVIG could downregulate inflammatory responses in CHF patients and have potential beneficial effects on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods and Results —Forty patients with chronic symptomatic CHF and LVEF of &lt;40%, stratified according to cause (ie, ischemic and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy), were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive therapy with IVIG or placebo for a total period of 26 weeks. Our main findings were that (1) IVIG, but not placebo, induced a marked rise in plasma levels of the anti-inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors; (2) significantly correlated with these anti-inflammatory effects, IVIG, but not placebo, induced a significant increase in LVEF from 26±2% to 31±3% ( P &lt;0.01), and this was found independent of the cause of heart failure; and (3) N-terminal pro–atrial natriuretic peptide decreased significantly after induction therapy and continued to decrease toward the end of study during IVIG therapy ( P &lt;0.001) but remained unchanged during placebo. Conclusions —We demonstrated an IVIG-induced change in the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines that favored an anti-inflammatory net effect in CHF. This effect was significantly correlated with an improvement in LVEF, suggesting a potential for immunomodulating therapy in addition to optimal conventional cardiovascular treatment regimens in CHF patients.
Are Treatment Preferences Relevant in Response to Serotonergic Antidepressants and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Depressed Primary Care Patients? Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial Including a Patients’ Choice Arm
Authors: Roland Mergl, Verena Henkel, Antje-Kathrin Allgaier, Dietmar Kramer, Martin Hautzinger, Ralf Kohnen, James Coyne, Ulrich Hegerl
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (2010)

&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt; Little is known about the influence of depressed patients’ preferences and expectations about treatments upon treatment outcome. We investigated whether better clinical outcome in depressed primary care patients is associated with receiving their preferred treatment. &lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt; Within a randomized placebo-controlled single-centre 10-week trial with 5 arms (sertraline; placebo; cognitive-behavioral group therapy, CBT-G; moderated self-help group control; treatment with sertraline or CBT-G according to patients’ choice), outcomes for 145 primary care patients with mild-to-moderate depressive disorders according to DSM-IV criteria were investigated. Preference for medication versus psychotherapy was assessed at screening using a single item. Post-baseline difference scores for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) were used to assess treatment outcome (mixed-model repeated-measures regression analysis). &lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt; Depressed patients receiving their preferred treatment (n = 63), whether sertraline or CBT-G, responded significantly better than those who did not receive their preferred therapy (n = 54; p = 0.001). The difference in outcome between both groups was 8.0 points on the HAMD-17 for psychotherapy and 2.9 points on the HAMD-17 for treatment with antidepressants. Results were not explained by differences in depression severity or dropout rates. &lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt; Patients’ relative preference for medication versus psychotherapy should be considered when offering a treatment because receiving the preferred treatment conveys an additional and clinically relevant benefit (HAMD-17: +2.9 points for drugs; +8.0 points for CBT-G) in outcome.
SUPRARENAL CORTEX AND CANCER
Authors: Boris Sokoloff
Journal: JAMA (1930)

<h3>To the Editor:</h3> —InThe Journal, February 1, there was a communication from Drs. Walter B. Coffey and John D. Humber concerning their method for the treatment of cancer by means of injections of extract of suprarenal cortex. They did not mention previous work relating to this question. Two years ago, while working at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research with Dr. Murphy on chicken sarcoma, I observed that the cortex of the suprarenal glands of chickens reacts intensively to the growth of this tumor. Dr. Sturm and I have shown that the weight of the suprarenal glands increases about five or six times in the chicken that is a bearer of the sarcoma. In a subsequent study of the suprarenal cortex of mice and rats inoculated with various types of malignant tumors, I observed that in these animals likewise a special reaction occurs in the X zone of the
Total Arterial Myocardial Revascularization With Composite Grafts Improves Results of Coronary Surgery in Elderly: A Prospective Randomized Comparison With Conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Claudio Muneretto, Gianluigi Bisleri, Alberto Negri, Jacopo Manfredi, Marco Metra, Savina Nodari, Lidia Culot, Livio Dei Cas
Journal: Circulation (2003)

Background Total arterial myocardial revascularization with composite grafts proved to enhance the long-term benefits of coronary surgery. We assessed the hypothesis that full arterial revascularization (FAR) may improve clinical outcome even in elderly and at short term. Methods and Results A prospective randomized study was designed to compare FAR with conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery [left interval thoracic artery (LITA) on left anterior descending (LAD) plus additional saphenous vein grafts] with the following end points: early and late death, graft occlusion, reintervention, angina recurrence, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We enrolled 200 consecutive patients &gt;70 years of age; population was equally divided at random in Group 1 (G1, FAR) and Group 2 (G2, Conventional). The groups resulted comparable with respect to all preoperative continuous and discrete variables and risk factors (Euroscore: G1=8.4 versus G2=8.1). No differences between G1 versus G2 were observed in terms of postoperative complications (perioperative AMI:2% versus 3%), mean intensive care unit (ICU) (hours: 39±11 versus 40±9) and hospital stay (days: 6±2 versus 7±3) nor were there any differences in hospital mortality(G1=5% versus G2=4%). At the mean follow-up of 14±5 months the incidence of angina recurrence was 3% in G1 versus 12% in G2. Angiographic controls of grafts showed a superior graft patency rate of all the arterial grafts when compared with saphenous vein grafts. Conventional CABG surgery was identified as incremental risk factor for angina recurrence and as predictor for graft occlusion. Conclusions Total arterial myocardial revascularization improved clinical outcome of patients undergoing coronary surgery in the elderly, whereas saphenous vein grafts negatively affected patient prognosis in terms of graft patency and freedom from late cardiac events.
How not to do medical research
Authors: P. Belcher
Journal: BMJ (2003)

One-half of women in the United States use Medicaid during pregnancy. Women living in states that did not expand Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) are at risk of losing coverage post partum. We analyzed Medicaid claims and vital statistics for the state of North Carolina for the period 2011 to 2017. North Carolina did not expand Medicaid but did alter Medicaid enrollment to meet ACA requirements. After implementation, enrollment in full Medicaid during pregnancy almost doubled, and enrollment in Medicaid for pregnant women decreased. Full Medicaid offers more comprehensive coverage and does not expire at 60 days post partum, allowing for access to crucial preventive health services including contraception and primary care.
Depressive symptoms and metabolic control in African-Americans with type 2 diabetes.
Authors: T L Gary, R M Crum, L Cooper-Patrick, D Ford, F L Brancati
Journal: Diabetes Care (2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the relationship between depressive symptoms and metabolic control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 183 African-American adults aged 35-75 years with type 2 diabetes who were recruited from two primary care clinics in East Baltimore, Maryland. Depressive symptoms, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), HbA1c, fasting lipid profile, BMI, and blood pressure, were measured on each participant. Diabetes-related health behaviors were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms (CES-D &amp;gt; or =22) was 30%. After adjustment for age, sex, income, social support, and duration of diabetes in linear regression models, there were significant graded relationships between greater depressive symptoms and higher serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (P&amp;lt;0.050). Similar, albeit less statistically significant, relationships were found with higher levels of HbA1c (P = 0.104), diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.073), and LDL cholesterol (P = 0.176). Unexpectedly, individuals who reported more depressive symptoms also had higher serum levels of HDL cholesterol (P = 0.047). The associations were not explained by differences in diabetes-related health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms are marginally associated with suboptimal levels of HbA1c, diastolic blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol, and significantly associated with suboptimal levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Prospective studies are required to determine whether improved identification and management of depressive symptoms would enhance metabolic control in this population.