tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Devolution and health: challenges for Scotland and Wales
Authors: A. M Pollock
Journal: BMJ (1999)

Editorials by Leys and Diderichsen 

Allyson Pollock is guest editor of this week's devolution issue

On 6 May Scotland and Wales will elect their new assemblies. Will they have sufficient powers and sufficient finance to reverse the existing and widening inequalities in health in the United Kingdom? Will they adopt new approaches to health policy and a new focus on public health?

#### Summary points

The new assemblies for Scotland and Wales face major challenges tackling socioeconomic and health inequalities

Primary legislation for Wales will be made in Westminster. Scotland will have primary legislative powers over the departments it controls

The new assemblies will be financially dependant on Westminster through the Scottish and Welsh “blocks.” Planned changes in expenditure for England are allocated to Scotland and Wales through the Barnett formula, a population based formula rather than a needs based formula

Wales will have no tax varying powers. Scotland will have the power to vary income tax by 3p in the pound, the so called “tartan tax”

The challenge for the United Kingdom is how to improve inequalities in health and wealth and preserve equity in funding through the devolved assemblies

The Scottish parliament will serve a population of five million and have a Scottish executive of about 10 ministers headed by a first minister. Its departments will include health; education and training; local government, social work, and housing; economic development and transport; the law and home affairs; the environment; agriculture and fisheries; sports and art; and research and statistics (see box). The UK parliament will retain control over the constitution, foreign policy and defence, social security, employment, and the fiscal economic and monetary system. The Scottish parliament will hold fixed term elections every four years and have 129 members, 73 elected from single member constituencies plus 56 additional members to provide proportionality. …
Cellular and Humoral Immunity in the Pathogenesis of Recurrent Herpes Viral Infections in Patients with Lymphoma
Authors: A. M. Arvin, R. B. Pollard, L. E. Rasmussen, T. C. Merigan
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1980)

86 patients with lymphoma were evaluated prospectively for clinical and laboratory evidence of recurrent varicella-zoster, herpes simplex, and cytomegalovirus infections during the first 16 mo of treatment. Cellular immunity to the viral antigens was measured by in vitro lymphocyte transformation and interferon production. Antibody titers and nonspecific measures of cellular immunity, including T-cell quantitation and transformation to phytohemagglutinin, were also assessed. The patients treated with radiation and chemotherapy had the highest incidence of reactivation of each of the viruses (15-19%). Greater susceptibility to herpes viral reactivation in these patients correlated with suppression of cell-mediated immunity to the specific virus. In individual patients, suppression of cellular immunity to the specific herpes viral antigen preceded each episode of reactivation, but recurrent infection did not occur in all patients with diminished specific lymphocyte transformation. Absence of the response appears to be a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the recrudescence of latent infection. Better preservation of cellular immunity to herpes simplex antigen during treatment was associated with infrequent reactivation of herpes simplex. In 25 patients with acute herpes zoster, uncomplicated recovery from the infection was accompanied by the development of lymphocyte transformation and interferon production to varicella-zoster antigen. Quantitation of T-cell numbers and phytohemagglutinin transformation did not correlate with the presence of viral cellular immunity in treated patients. Responses returned while T-cell numbers were low, and the recovery of phytohemagglutinin transformation often preceded recovery of the responses to viral antigens. Although some patients had deficiencies in viral cellular immunity at diagnosis, the duration of the suppression of specific antiviral responses resulting from treatment appears to be the most important factor predisposing to the recurrence of herpes infections in lymphoma patients.
Identifying the Causative Organism in Patients With Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Authors: Joseph Varon
Journal: JAMA (1997)

To the Editor.  —We read with interest the study by Dr Bregeon and colleagues 1 regarding ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). From their data, the authors conclude that  outcome is the same if VAP has been diagnosed by protected specimen brush (PSB) or by another sampling method. We feel this conclusion may be misleading.  The subject of VAP is complex and still very controversial. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is common in patients receiving ventilory support; however, the impact of this complication on patient outcome is unclear. It is now generally accepted that the use of clinical diagnostic criteria alone will grossly overdiagnose VAP. 2 Similarly, the specificity of tracheal aspirates is very low. Furthermore, it is important to make a microbiological diagnosis, since empiric treatment provides inadequate antimicrobial coverage for as many as 40% of patients subsequently proven to have VAP. 2 Although there is no true criterion standard to diagnose VAP at
Prognostic value of the aminopyrine breath test in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Jean-Pierre Villeneuve, Claire Infante-Rivard, Michel Ampelas, Gilles Pomier-Layrargues, Michel P. Huet, Denis Marleau
Journal: Hepatology (1986)

The aminopyrine breath test has been proposed as a quantitative test of hepatic function, but its long-term prognostic value in patients with cirrhosis has not been determined. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of the aminopyrine breath test in assessing prognosis and to compare it with traditional methods of evaluating liver function. One-hundred eighty-seven patients with histologically confirmed cirrhosis were studied prospectively. An aminopyrine breath test was obtained at the time of inclusion in the study and results were expressed as per cent of the dose excreted in 2 hr. At inclusion, the severity of liver disease was also assessed according to the Pugh modification of the Child-Turcotte classification based on ascites, neurological status, serum albumin, serum bilirubin and prothrombin time. Mean follow-up was 844 days. During that period, 59 of 187 patients died of their liver disease. Two-year survival decreased with increasing Child-Turcotte classification score: survival was 98% in Child Class A patients (n = 62), 66% in Child Class B (n = 76) and 36% in Child Class C (n = 49) (χ 2 = 65.6, p &lt; 0.001). Two-year survival also decreased significantly with increasing degree of aminopyrine breath test abnormalities: survival was 90% in patients with aminopyrine breath test &gt; 4% (n = 56); 78% in patients with aminopyrine breath test = 2 to 4% (n = 66), and 43% in patients with aminopyrine breath test &lt; 2% (n = 65) (χ 2 = 36.9, p &lt; 0.001). To test whether the aminopyrine breath test contributed significantly to the likelihood of survival once the Child-Turcotte criteria are taken into account, a step-wise survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model was performed. At the final step, ascites, encephalopathy, albumin and bilirubin (but not the aminopyrine breath test) were found to be independent variables significantly related to survival. Our results suggest that the Child-Turcotte classification provides valuable prognostic information whereas the aminopyrine breath test does not add any information to our ability to predict once the Child-Turcotte classification score has been used.
Arrhythmia and Diet
Authors: Robert M. F. Rosa
Journal: JAMA (1973)

To the Editor.—  I was very interested in the timely critique of low-carbohydrate diets recently published by the Council on Foods and Nutrition (224:1415, 1973) and wish to present a possible complication of such a diet.  A 23-year-old white male ensign noted the onset of dyspnea on exertion and a rapid heart rate after a 9-kg weight loss in one month on the Atkins diet. These symptoms persisted for four weeks after discontinuation of the diet, and he sought medical attention. An electrocardiogram showed atrial flutter-fibrillation with a ventricular rate of about 140 beats per minute. There was no history of rheumatic heart disease, hyperthyroidism, drug or alcohol abuse, and no personal or family history of ischemic heart disease. The patient drank one to two cups of coffee and smoked one pack of cigarettes daily. Results of his physical examination were entirely normal except for tachycardia. A complete blood cell count,
The Patient with Cancer and the Family
Authors: Emerson Day
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1966)

MUCH has been written about the patient with cancer, his doctor, his family and their inter-relations. No one who treats patients, and particularly those with cancer, can be unaware of the importance of these relationships and the interplay of personality factors in determining the quality of patient care and even the course of disease. At certain points in the management of cancer, technical competence is obviously of prime importance, but, in the final analysis, the psychologic understanding and effectiveness of those caring for the patient may be the paramount factor in determining success.It is therefore both natural and good . . .
220 STEREOTACTIC BODY RADIATION THERAPY ON PORTAL VEIN TUMOR THROMBUS OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA
Authors: J.H. Kwon, S.H. Bae, S.E. Rha, S.E. Jung, B.O. Choi, H.S. Jang, J.W. Jang, J.Y. Choi, S.K. Yoon
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2010)
Diminished cardiac hypertrophy and muscle performance in older compared with younger adult rats with chronic atrioventricular block.
Authors: G D Walford, H A Spurgeon, E G Lakatta
Journal: Circulation Research (1988)

The combined effect of advancing age and hemodynamic overload on cardiac muscle function has received little attention. In male, Sprague-Dawley rats, we studied the interaction of chronic atrioventricular heart block induced by transvenous electrocautery for 4-12 months (mean, 7 months) and age at study (12, 19 +/- 0.7, and 24 +/- 0.2 months) on cardiac hypertrophy and muscle function compared with age-matched, sham-operated controls. Hypertrophy was determined by the ratio of heart weight to tibial length. Muscle function was first determined from the mechanical variables of the isometric contraction of an excised, thin, left ventricular trabecular muscle bathed at 29 degrees C under a variety of calcium concentrations and stimulation patterns. Then, in the same muscles after disruption of membranes with Triton X-100, the force-pCa curve of the myofibrils was obtained. No hypertrophy occurred with aging in the control group, but alteration in hypertrophy with age occurred in the block group such that the youngest animals with block had the most hypertrophy (170%) and the oldest animals with block the least hypertrophy (120%). The tension developed by cardiac muscle and the duration of the isometric contraction were not affected by age in the control group but were significantly affected by age in the block group. The young animals with block had a markedly prolonged contraction duration and almost twice the developed tension compared with the older animals with block or with controls. The age-related difference in muscle contraction duration in the block group was associated with, and may have only been secondary to, the age-related difference in the extent of cardiac hypertrophy. For developed tension, the age-related difference in the block group could not be explained by differences in the extent of cardiac hypertrophy. Rather, this difference was attributable to both an increased myofibrillar force-generating capacity in the young block and to an impairment in excitation-contraction coupling in the old block. The results show that during long-term block, age exerted not only a significant effect on the extent of cardiac hypertrophy but also an independent effect on the developed tension of cardiac muscle.
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2 Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Endothelium Mediates Hemodynamic-Induced Atherosclerosis Susceptibility
Authors: Han Xiao, Min Lu, Ting Yang Lin, Zhen Chen, Gang Chen, Wei-Chi Wang, Traci Marin, Tzu-pin Shentu, Liang Wen, Brendan Gongol, Wei Sun, Xiao Liang, Ju Chen, Hsien-Da Huang, Joao H.F. Pedra, David A. Johnson, John Y-J. Shyy
Journal: Circulation (2013)

The molecular basis for the focal nature of atherosclerotic lesions is poorly understood. Here, we explored whether disturbed flow patterns activate an innate immune response to form the NLRP3 inflammasome scaffold in vascular endothelial cells via sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2). Oscillatory flow activates SREBP2 and induces NLRP3 inflammasome in endothelial cells. The underlying mechanisms involve SREBP2 transactivating NADPH oxidase 2 and NLRP3. Consistently, SREBP2, NADPH oxidase 2, and NLRP3 levels were elevated in atheroprone areas of mouse aortas, suggesting that the SREBP2-activated NLRP3 inflammasome causes functionally disturbed endothelium with increased inflammation. Mimicking the effect of atheroprone flow, endothelial cell-specific overexpression of the activated form of SREBP2 synergized with hyperlipidemia to increase atherosclerosis in the atheroresistant areas of mouse aortas. Atheroprone flow induces NLRP3 inflammasome in endothelium through SREBP2 activation. This increased innate immunity in endothelium synergizes with hyperlipidemia to cause topographical distribution of atherosclerotic lesions.
Regulation of High-Density Lipoprotein Metabolism
Authors: Kerry-Anne Rye, Philip J. Barter
Journal: Circulation Research (2014)

There is compelling evidence from human population studies that plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol correlate inversely with cardiovascular risk. Identification of this relationship has stimulated research designed to understand how HDL metabolism is regulated. The ultimate goal of these studies has been to develop HDL-raising therapies that have the potential to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the situation has turned out to be much more complex than originally envisaged. This is partly because the HDL fraction consists of multiple subpopulations of particles that vary in terms of shape, size, composition, and surface charge, as well as in their potential cardioprotective properties. This heterogeneity is a consequence of the continual remodeling and interconversion of HDL subpopulations by multiple plasma factors. Evidence that the remodeling of HDLs may impact on their cardioprotective properties is beginning to emerge. This serves to highlight the importance of understanding not only how the remodeling and interconversion of HDL subpopulations is regulated but also how these processes are affected by agents that increase HDL levels. This review provides an overview of what is currently understood about HDL metabolism and how the subpopulation distribution of these lipoproteins is regulated.
Gain of Chromosomal Region 15Q26 Cause Increased Expression of BLM and FANCI, and is Associated with Sensitivity to Platinum Chemotherapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: N.J. Birkbak, Y. Li, C. Bowman-Collin, J.D. Iglehart, D. Silver, Z.C. Wang, Z. Szallasi, A. Richardson
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2013)
Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) positivity is associated with increased risk for early surgery in Crohn's disease
Authors: D G Forcione, M J Rosen, J B Kisiel, B E Sands
Journal: Gut (2004)

<b>Background:</b> Anti-<i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> antibodies (ASCA) are a specific but only moderately sensitive diagnostic marker for Crohn’s disease. We sought to explore the role of ASCA as a prognostic marker for aggressive disease phenotype in Crohn’s disease. <b>Aims:</b> To determine the role of ASCA status as a risk factor for early surgery in Crohn’s disease. <b>Subjects:</b> We performed a case control study in a cohort of patients, newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, between 1991 and 1999. All patients were followed for at least three years. Case subjects (n = 35) included those who had major surgery for Crohn’s disease within three years of diagnosis. Controls (n = 35) included patients matched to cases for age, sex, disease location, and smoking status, and who did not undergo major surgery for Crohn’s disease within three years of diagnosis. <b>Methods:</b> Blinded assays were performed on serum for ASCA (immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG). A paired analysis of cases-controls was performed to test for the association between ASCA status and risk of early surgery. <b>Results:</b> ASCA IgA was strongly associated with early surgery (odds ratio (OR) 8.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–75.9); p = 0.0013). ASCA IgG+ and ASCA IgG+/IgA+ patients were also at increased risk for early surgery (OR 5.5 (95% CI 1.2–51.1), p = 0.0265; and OR 5.0 (95% CI 1.1–46.9), p = 0.0433, respectively). The association between ASCA and early surgery was evident in patients requiring surgery for ileal or ileocolonic disease. <b>Conclusions:</b> Patients with Crohn’s disease who are positive for ASCA IgA, IgG, or both, may define a subset of patients with Crohn’s disease at increased risk for early surgery.
Abstract LB-258: Small-molecule inhibitors of de-ubiquitinating enzymes for cervical cancer treatment
Authors: Ravi Anchori, Thanasak Sueblinvong, Richard Roden, Martina Bazzaro
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract Title. Small-Molecule Inhibitors of de-Ubiquitinating Enzymes for Cervical Cancer Treatment Abstract: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer and responsible for 5% of all cancers worldwide. While HPV vaccines can be an effective preventive measure against cervical cancer, there are currently no virus-specific therapies for it, and the efficacy of standard surgical and chemo/radiotherapies is limited for advanced disease. The E6 oncoprotein of HPV exerts its oncogenic activity by binding to the E3 ubiquitin ligase E6-AP and redirects its activity towards p53 and other tumor suppressor proteins for rapid ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. Therefore, stabilization of p53 via preventing its ubiquitin-mediated degradation represents a valid therapeutic approach for cervical cancer treatment. De-ubiquitinating enzymes are an attractive novel “druggable” target for cervical cancer as they are responsible for controlling the steady state levels of proteins (i.e. p53 and E6-AP) crucial for maintaining the transformed status of cervical cancer cells, upstream proteasome. Thus, their inhibition is potentially associated with less toxic effects as compared to inhibition of proteasomes. During a structure-based screening of chalcone-based small-molecule inhibitors of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation we have recently identified a novel class of molecules capable of inhibiting the ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation upstream proteasomes. The lead compound of the series, contains the α-β unsaturated carbonyl system, as the molecular determinant for inhibiting de-ubiquitinating enzyme activities and: i) is capable of inducing acute perturbation of the ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation pathways accompanied by accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated species and reduction of mono-, di-, and tri-ubiquitin species, ii) has no effect on the catalytic activities of purified proteasomes or proteasome in living cells, iii) is capable of induce aggresome formation, iv) is capable of rescuing p53 levels/functions in cervical cancer cells which are accompanied by decrease in the levels of Cyclin D1 and failure for the cells to enter the S-phase of the cell cycle, v) is capable of preventing tumor-colony formation and induces onset of apoptosis via caspase-3 activation in cervical cancer cells without affecting the viability of normal cells. Therefore, we believe in the feasibility of using our lead compound in preclinical model of cervical cancer to test its efficacy as antineoplastic agent. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-258. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-258
Functional properties and biodistribution of poly(triethylenetetramine/cystamine bisacrylamide) and poly(triethylenetetramine/cystamine bisacrylamide)- poly(ethylene glycol) mixtures formed with nucleic acid
Authors: Jonathan H. Brumbach, Yong Won Lee, Sung Wan Kim, James W. Yockman
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release (2012)
Raw Deal for Medical Secretaries?
Authors: K. J. Covell
Journal: BMJ (1973)

be traced.Thus the work of Bernstein and others in Britain and America on the importance of early language stimulation, with which we are fully familiar, is not applicable to the present group of children.May we suggest that all of us who are genuinely concerned with language develop- ment in young children join together in tackling this important problem rather than widening divisions of opinion by criticizing large-scale screening procedures in a national survey which, though inevitably crude, did produce useful information hitherto unavail- able.-Weare, etc.
What is lacking in current decision aids on cancer screening?
Authors: Masahito Jimbo, Gurpreet K. Rana, Sarah Hawley, Margaret Holmes‐Rovner, Karen Kelly‐Blake, Donald E. Nease, Mack T. Ruffin
Journal: CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (2013)

Abstract Recent guidelines on cancer screening have provided not only more screening options but also conflicting recommendations. Thus, patients, with their clinicians' support, must decide whether to get screened, which modality to use, and how often to undergo screening. Decision aids could potentially lead to better shared decision‐making regarding screening between the patient and the clinician. A total of 73 decision aids concerning screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers were reviewed. The goal of this review was to assess the effectiveness of such decision aids, examine areas in need of more research, and determine how the decision aids can be currently applied in the real‐world setting. Most studies used sound study designs. Significant variation existed in the setting, theoretical framework, and measured outcomes. Just over one‐third of the decision aids included an explicit values clarification. Other than knowledge, little consistency was noted with regard to which patient attributes were measured as outcomes. Few studies actually measured shared decision‐making. Little information was available regarding the feasibility and outcomes of integrating decision aids into practice. In this review, the implications for future research, as well as what clinicians can do now to incorporate decision aids into their practice, are discussed. CA Cancer J Clin 2013. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
412 THE USEFULNESS OF DEFINING RVR BY A VERY SENSITIVE ASSAY DURING THE TREATMENT OF HCV GENOTYPE 3 INFECTION; A COMPARISON OF TMA AND AMPLICOR
Authors: O. Dalgard, M. Martinot-Peignoux, M. Holberg-Petersen, K. Skaug, H. Verbaan, H. Ring-Larsen, K. Bjøro, P. Marcellin
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2011)