tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Almost a million elderly people seek new insurance cover
Authors: Deborah Josefson
Journal: BMJ (2000)

Nearly one million elderly and disabled patients enrolled in Medicare plans associated with health maintenance organisations will have to scramble for new insurance coverage in 2001.

More than 100 health maintenance organisations have recently declared that they will no longer enrol patients whose bills are paid by Medicare because Medicare does not reimburse them adequately.

This means that 260 health maintenance organisations are dropping Medicare from their plans from 1 January 2001, affecting 934 000 recipients.

About 6.2 million elderly people (16% of all Medicare patients) are enrolled in Medicare …
333 Hepatitis B virus (HBV) protein X (HBX) activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCS) via TGF-β
Authors: S. Martín-Vílchez, E. Sanz-Cameno, M. López-Cabrera, Y. Rodríguez-Muñoz, R. Moreno-Otero, E. Lara-Pezzi
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2006)
Alveolar atypical hyperplasia in association with primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma: a clinicopathological study of 10 cases.
Authors: R R Miller
Journal: Thorax (1993)

Estimating age, sex and period specific constant tar cigarette consumption in the UK In a paper published three years ago (September 1990;45:657-65) we examined trends in smoking associated respiratory diseases up to 1985 in relation to trends in cigarette smoking.In that paper we present- ed graphs for each sex of cumulative con- stant tar cigarette consumption (CCTCC) by age and year of death, and by age and year of birth.We were approached by the Lung and Asthma Information Agency for permission to use these graphs with the request that they be updated to 1990.While
Pineal Enlargement, with Hypernatraemia, Hypokalaemic Alkalosis, and Thyrotoxicosis
Authors: A. Kennedy, D. Kilshaw, N. C. R. W. Reid, W. H. Taylor
Journal: BMJ (1962)

performed (Table VI) the results were as expected. In the two with pancreatic steatorrhoea excretion of radioactivity in the faeces after the administration of radiotriolein was much greater than when radio-oleic acid was given. In contrast, the two patients with idiopathic steatorrhoea excreted 10-15% of the radio oleic acid, while the excretion of radiotriolein was much less than in the two patients with pancreatic involvement. Summary A reliable method for the administration of radio triolein and radio-oleic acid is described. In 12 normal subjects the faecal excretion of radio triolein was 1 % or less of the administered dose, whereas in seven patients with idiopathic steatorrhoea it ranged from 1  55%, and in two patients with pancreatic steatorrhoea it was 65 and 68%. The faecal excretion of radio-oleic acid was 1 % or less in six normal subjects, in four patients with pancreatic steatorrhoea it was between 3 and 7%, while in eight patients with steatorrhoea not of pancreatic aetiology it ranged from 8  25%. The results of the estimation of the radioactivity in the urine after the oral administration of radiotriolein and radio-oleic acid were too variable  be of any help in the diagnosis of steatorrhoea. The value of the radio-oleic-acid test is stressed. It would appear that this test may be more helpful than the radiotriolein test in the diagnosis of steatorrhoea. In detecting cases of steatorrhoea due to pancreatic failure, the radio-oleic-acid test is of value both when administered alone and when used in conjunction with the radio-triolein test.
Comparing Health Care Options Using the Cost-Benefit Utility Ratio
Authors: J. H. Steinbach
Journal: JAMA (1986)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> We agree with Anderson and Moser<sup>1</sup>on the desirability of a method to help society compare different health care options. However, there are problems with the interpretation of the benefit-cost/ utility (BCU) ratio when savings exceed cost (ie, when the BCU ratio is negative). If a lower BCU ratio results from a greater cost savings, society would rightly choose the more negative BCU ratio, as in the case of positive BCU ratios. However, the BCU ratio will also decrease when fewer well-years are produced. In this case, a more negative BCU ratio would be less desirable. For example, suppose a course of action produced a net savings of $1,000 and an increase of one well-year. Then the BCU ratio would be —1,000. If a course of action were possible so that a net savings of $2,000 produced the same one well-year, then the BCU ratio would be
Bacterial bile salt hydrolase in host metabolism: Potential for influencing gastrointestinal microbe-host crosstalk
Authors: Susan A Joyce, Fergus Shanahan, Colin Hill, Cormac GM Gahan
Journal: Gut Microbes (2014)

Controlled, reductionist approaches are required in order to obtain a more complete understanding of the functional capabilities of the gut microbiota. We recently identified microbial bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity as a gut microbial activity that has the capacity to profoundly alter both local (gastrointestinal) and systemic (hepatic) host functions. Using both germ free and conventionally-raised mouse models we demonstrated that gastrointestinal expression of BSH results in local bile acid deconjugation with concomitant alterations in lipid and cholesterol metabolism, signaling functions and weight gain. Key mediators of cholesterol homeostasis (Abcg5/8), gut homeostasis (RegIIIγ) and circadian rhythm (Dbp) were influenced by elevated BSH in our study. In this addendum we discuss the implications of this work for the rational development of probiotics with the potential to modulate host weight gain.
THE KINSEY REPORT
Authors: Arnold H. Kegel
Journal: JAMA (1953)

<h3>To the Editor:—</h3> The newer findings concerning physiology of the pubococcygeus muscle strike at the very roots of the conclusions implied by the Kinsey report. Even if the statistical data were unassailable, Kinsey's interpretation is based on concepts that have long been controversial. This applies particularly to the question of vaginal and clitoral orgasm. I believe, as many others do, that research in the physiology of the pubococcygeus muscle has produced overwhelming evidence in favor of the existence and importance of vaginal orgasm. Kinsey stresses the subject of conditioning, especially in relation to premarital experience. Obviously, if conditioning emphasizes clitoral stimulation, the problem of future satisfactory sex relations is aggravated. I believe, if this fundamental error in Kinsey's understanding of orgasm is adequately exposed, considerable doubt will be thrown on the accuracy of his conclusions. The necessity for mitigating the impact of the Kinsey report on the public is illustrated
ln-111 Labeled Leukocyte Imaging in Intrathoracic Colitis
Authors: CHRISTOPHER PALESTRO, PETER ROUMANAS, CHUN K. KIM, STANLEY J. GOLDSMITH
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1992)

In-111 labeled leukocyte scintigraphy correctly identified a segment of intrathoracic colon as the source of infection in a 69-year-old woman with a history of colonic interposition for esophageal perforation.
Outcome of Treated Orbital Cellulitis in a Tertiary Eye Care Center in the Middle East
Authors: Imtiaz A. Chaudhry, Farrukh A. Shamsi, Elsanusi Elzaridi, Waleed Al-Rashed, Abdulrahman Al-Amri, Fahad Al-Anezi, Yonca O. Arat, David E. Holck
Journal: Ophthalmology (2007)
Cancer of the Urogenital Tract: Prostatic Cancer
Authors: Philip Rubin
Journal: JAMA (1969)

The common appearance of metastatic prostatic disease precociously, concurrently, or subsequently to identification of the primary cancer brings the need for systemic therapy to our attention (Introductory Figure). Huggins and Hodges<sup>2</sup>showed outstanding insight when they established the fact that prostatic cancer can be hormonally dependent as the normal prostate gland is. This observation has been a stimulus for numerous clinical investigations; it has provoked basic research studies and has provided hope that malignant disease could be affected by altering the hormonal milieu, resulting in long-term control and even cure. Despite the intensive study of hormones in the prophylaxis, therapy, and acceleration of cancer, the information as to their mechanism of action or their precise application is fragmentary. Their action on the cellular level and identification of specific subcellular reaction sites have been sought by electron microscopy. As yet, no ultrastructural difference has been identified between endocrine-dependent and endocrine-independent
Health, poverty, and sanitation to feature highly in world summit
Authors: P. Sidley
Journal: BMJ (2002)

A bedraggled, barely clothed man, his small packages tied to his back, walks past grand houses near the Wanderers Club—a country club in the north of Johannesburg where major sections of the forthcoming world summit will take place.

He and several others like him have had to move from this opulent area, where he makes his “bed” in the open, to make way for the cars, delegates, and dignitaries of the summit who have come to discuss poverty, resources, and the health of the planet and …
CTLA-4-IG (ABATACEPT) therapy reduces t cell function for all defined cd4 cell subsets including regulatory T cells (TREG)
Authors: Jessica Herrath, Jennifer Pieper, Ronald van Vollenhoven, Vivianne Malmström
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2012)

<h3>Background and objectives</h3> Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune disorder primarily affecting peripheral joints where CD4+T cells are abundant at the site of inflammation. Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a crucial T cell subset in maintaining immune homeostasis. The authors, and others, have previously shown that Treg are significantly enriched in synovial fluid of patients with inflammatory arthritis such as RA. CTLA-4-Ig is a T cell co-stimulation modulator and licensed for the treatment of moderate to severe RA, including patients with a history of failing other biological therapies. Here, the authors aimed to understand the effect of CTLA-4-Ig therapy on different T cell subset function in patients with RA, first by a phenotypic and in vitro analysis approach of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients undergoing CTLA-4-Ig therapy and second by assessing the suppressive capacity of synovial-fluid derived Treg in vitro in co-cultures supplemented with CTLA-4-Ig. <h3>Materials and methods</h3> Peripheral blood was collected at baseline and after three or 6 months of CTLA-4-Ig therapy from RA patients (n=22). Phenotyping was done by multi-parameter flow cytometry, cytokine production was assessed following polyclonal stimulation and analysed by both intracellular flow cytometry and luminex technology. In addition, CTLA-4-Ig was added to in vitro co-culture assays to assess its influence on synovial-fluid derived Treg and T effector cells from chronic RA patients (n=6). <h3>Results</h3> In vitro stimulation of PBMCs from patients at baseline and after 6 months of CTLA-4-Ig therapy resulted in a significant reduced output of IFN-g, IL-13, TNF and in a modest reduction of IL-17 (n=14). The frequency of Treg was decreased after 3 months of treatment (n=8), and a diminution of the Treg-associated markers FOXP3 (p≤0.01), CTLA-4 (p≤0.01), CD39 (p≤0.01) and CD25 (p≤0.05) was seen. Functional studies to determine to what extent abatacept interfered with suppressive capacity of Treg showed no beneficial effect on Treg function in contrast to what the authors have previously demonstrated for tocilizumab (anti-IL6R) and adalimumab (anti-TNF). Still, addition of CTLA-4-Ig to co-cultures reduced the proliferative capacity of T effector cells. <h3>Conclusion</h3> CTLA-4-Ig therapy diminishes T cell effector functions in vitro but does not completely abrogate their function. This diminution also included Treg frequency. So far, T cell phenotyping could not predict treatment response, instead more detailed studies are needed such as analysis of antigen-specific T cells relevant for RA initiation and progression.
Cyclooxygenase-dependent vasoconstrictor alters vascular function in the vitamin E-deprived rat.
Authors: S T Davidge, C A Hubel, M K McLaughlin
Journal: Circulation Research (1993)

We tested the hypothesis that increased production of lipid peroxides, mediated by a dietary vitamin E deprivation, would alter the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonate metabolism, resulting in impaired endothelium-dependent vascular function. Mesenteric arteries from control (n = 12) and vitamin E-deprived (n = 12) Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in a myograph. Endothelium-dependent relaxations to methacholine were similar in the arteries from vitamin E-deprived rats compared with control arteries (EC50, 0.057 +/- 0.006 versus 0.065 +/- 0.009 microM). However, in the arteries from the vitamin E-deprived rats, this response was potentiated in the presence of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (1 microM meclofenamate; EC50, 0.035 +/- 0.003 versus 0.057 +/- 0.006 microM; P &lt; .05) or thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor blocker (1 microM SQ 29548; EC50 0.029 +/- 0.002 versus 0.057 +/- 0.006 microM; P &lt; .05) but had no effect on the arteries from the control rats. Endothelium-independent relaxations to sodium nitroprusside were not effected by vitamin E deprivation. Arachidonic acid increased tension twofold more in the arteries from the vitamin E-deprived rats compared with the control rats (at 1 microM; 0.43 +/- 0.05 versus 0.23 +/- 0.03 mN/mm; P &lt; .05). The enhanced vasoconstriction was blunted, and the group difference was eliminated by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (0.15 +/- 0.02 versus 0.43 +/- 0.05 mN/mm, P &lt; .05) or a thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor blocker (0.17 +/- 0.04 versus 0.43 +/- 0.05 mN/mm, P &lt; .05). Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase expression, determined by Western immunoblotting on aortas from the same rats, was increased in the vitamin E-deprived rats (3.14 +/- 0.8 versus 1.06 +/- 0.4 fmol/ng DNA, P &lt; .05). In summary, mesenteric arteries from the vitamin E-deprived rats demonstrated altered endothelium-dependent responses that were in part due to a cyclooxygenase-dependent vasoconstrictor binding to the thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor. In the aorta, there was an associative increase in the expression of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase. We speculate that, in some vascular diseases, increased lipid peroxidation may influence endothelium-dependent vascular function by modulating the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonate metabolism.
Cardiac Function in Health and Disease
Authors: David H. Spodick
Journal: JAMA (1968)

In a series of gem-like encapsulations, Drs. Marshall and Shepherd have succeeded in producing succinct though remarkably comprehensive coverage of cardiac activity under physiologic and abnormal circumstances. Virtually all important recent work is covered, with adequate consideration of the preceding fruitful decades as well as classic studies. By design, electrophysiology and biochemistry are omitted, as are theory and details of investigative techniques. It is for this reason that the prefatory statement aiming this work at senior students as well as more experienced persons is a trifle over-ambitious. The text is all meat—no fat, but no bones either and one must have a skeleton of knowledge to underpin these truly muscular presentations. Indeed, the writing itself is something of a tour de force—data and concepts are presented in language which achieves both compactness and clarity, with no sacrifice of swift readability. The sections covering the influences on cardiac dynamics of exercise,
Cerebral Symptoms in Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistula
Authors: RONALD J. SISEL, BRENT M. PARKER, OM P. BAHL
Journal: Circulation (1970)

Two cases of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas with hemiparesis and other neurologic findings, possibly from paradoxical embolization, are described. Many theories have been put forward to explain the pathophysiology of the frequently present neurologic manifestations. We regard paradoxical embolization through the fistula as the most important factor in the pathogenesis of the neurologic deficit. Due to the potential hazard of paradoxical cerebral embolization and possible subsequent brain abscess formation, surgical resection of all pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas wherever feasible is recommended.
Chemical composition of Galla chinensis extract and the effect of its main component(s) on the prevention of enamel demineralization in vitro
Authors: Xue-lian Huang, Ming-Dong Liu, Ji Yao Li, Xue Dong Zhou, Jacob M Ten Cate
Journal: International Journal of Oral Science (2012)

To determine the chemical composition of Galla chinensis extract (GCE) by several analysis techniques and to compare the efficacy of GCE and its main component(s) in inhibition of enamel demineralization, for the development of future anticaries agents, main organic composition of GCE was qualitatively determined by liquid chromatography–time of flight–mass spectrometry (LC–TOF–MS) and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector (HPLC–DAD). Inorganic ions were tested by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy and F was especially measured by ion chromatography. Then, bovine enamel blocks were randomly divided into four treatment groups and were subjected to a pH-cycling regime for 12 times. Each cycle included 5-min applications with one of four treatments: 4 g⋅L−1 GCE solution, 4 g⋅L−1 gallic acid (GA) solution, 1 g⋅L−1 NaF solution (positive control), deionized water (DDW, negative control), and then 60-min application in pH 5.0 acidic buffer and 5-min application in neutral buffer. Acidic buffers were retained for calcium analysis. The main organic composition of GCE were GA and its isomer, and, to a lesser extent, small molecule gallotannins. The content of GA in GCE was 71.3%±0.2% (w/w). Inorganic ions were present in various amounts, of which Ca was (136±2.82) µg⋅g−1, and Zn was (6.8±0.1) µg⋅g−1. No F was detected in GCE. In pH cycling, GA showed an effect similar to GCE in inhibiting enamel demineralization (P>0.05). GA was found to be the main effective, demineralization inhibiting component of GCE and could be a promising agent for the development of anticaries agents. Gallachinensis extract (GCE), the major component of a traditional Chinese medicine, can protect teeth against caries, scientists show. For thousands of years, Gallachinensis has found use in traditional medicines ranging from antibacterial to anticancer agents. From a chemical analysis, a team led by Xue-Dong Zhou at Sichuan University in China and Jacob ten Cate at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands found that gallic acid accounts for 71% of GCE's major organic components. Through washing bovine teeth with either GCEor gallic acid, followed by an acid buffer,the researchers showed that these natural compounds are almost equally effective at inhibiting demineralization of tooth enamel. The author's suggest that gallic acid is the herb's anti-cavity agent, so could be added to food and drink to improve a population's dental health.
Hepatitis B Vaccine Use in Chronic Hemodialysis Centers in the United States
Authors: Miriam J. Alter
Journal: JAMA (1985)

The Centers for Disease Control surveyed 1,255 chronic hemodialysis centers in the United States in 1983 to assess the use of hepatitis B vaccine as well as the risk of acquiring hepatitis B among both patients and staff. The response rate to a mailed questionnaire was 90%. Seventy-one percent of the centers reported that they gave vaccine, but only an estimated 6% of susceptible patients and 32% of susceptible staff received all three doses of vaccine. Centers more likely to give vaccine included those that provided dialysis to large patient populations and those that provided dialysis for hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients. As a result of vaccine administration, the overall prevalence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen increased significantly, to 18% for patients and 39% for staff. Extensive use of the vaccine in the future, combined with infection control practices, could virtually eliminate the risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus infection in hemodialysis centers. (<i>JAMA</i>1985;254:3200-3202)
The necropsy and cot death.
Authors: J L Emery
Journal: BMJ (1983)

The necropsy and cot death Unexpected death in apparently normally formed children makes up the largest group of deaths in children between the ages of 2 weeks and 2 years.Registration of such deaths is still not satisfactory, but there appear to be about 1200 such deaths in England and Wales each year.'The overt rate of such deaths in England and Wales appears to be twice that in Holland and three times that in Sweden.2There are also great differences between cities and between whites and non-whites in the United States of America,3 and thus such deaths must be looked at from the viewpoint of preventability.Such deaths are often presented as occurring in apparently normal healthy children with the findings at necropsy being completely negative, but this is a gross oversimplification.Many studies have shown that most of these children have had some symptoms before death4-6 and, though at necropsy the majority have shown little gross abnormality to the naked eye, much may be discovered by detailed study.7The arguments of the specialist paediatric pathologists lie not in the presence or absence of histological lesions found, as some lesions are found in most of these children, but in the possible relation of such histological changes to death.Arguments now lie between multifactorial concepts of cause of death, precipitating and terminal causes, reflex and chemical states, and delays in development.8Cot deaths need to be considered at at least three levels: at the immediate direct clinical level as "un-
Adenotonsillectomy in children with mild symptoms: Watchful waiting is appropriate
Authors: Ram Moorthy, Hassan Khan
Journal: BMJ (2004)

EDITOR—van Staaij et al's large, open, multicentre, randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of tonsillectomy in children with mild symptoms was carried out in the Netherlands and all the patients randomised were sent and assessed as appropriate according to current medical practice.1 The …