tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Consultation on minimum price for alcohol was a sham, BMJ investigation shows
Authors: J. Gornall
Journal: BMJ (2014)

The BMJ has uncovered evidence that the government’s consultation last year on the promised introduction of a minimum price for alcohol in England and Wales was little more than a sham.

David Cameron, the prime minister, pledged in March 2012 that the policy would be introduced, in his words, to save hundreds of lives a year.

Yet internal emails from the Department of Health show that as the subsequent consultation on the level at which the price should be set was under way the alcohol industry was arguing successfully against the principle of the policy in a series of meetings with ministers.

The revelations have emerged as part of an investigation by the BMJ that has found extensive evidence of the influence on public health policy of an industry granted easy and open access to all departments of government.

Documents released under a freedom of information request show that the health department alone had 130 meetings with representatives of the alcohol industry between the coalition taking power in May 2010 and the end of 2013. Some 80 of these meetings remain publicly unacknowledged and undocumented.

Details of the meetings will come as …
Research on the Fetus
Authors: Peter J. Savage
Journal: JAMA (1974)

ABSTRACT To the Editor.— The COMMENTARY was the least scientific article I have ever read in a medical journal. Few intelligent people would deny the benefits of postmortem examinations to medical knowledge. The crucial question is whether a possibly harmful drug can be administered to a pregnant woman when the physician anticipates that the fetal life is soon to be destroyed. It is modern science, not a religious sect, that has so expanded our knowledge of the origins of human life. The concept of dignity of the individual, which has evolved slowly over centuries of Western thought, has been in part responsible for allowing scientific truth to be gained and disseminated. This concept of individual dignity and value of human life, fragile as it is, has been all too often ignored. We need less prejudice, and more reasoned discussion of basic issues.
Abstract 4615: Influence of SF3B1 gene mutation is different from that of Sf3B1 inhibitor in colorectal cancer
Authors: Tomoki Yamano, Shuji Kubo, Nagahide Matsubara, Aya Yano, Naohiro Tomita
Journal: Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract Purpose: We have reported that SF3B1 gene mutations are rare in colorectal cancer patients and SF3B1 gene mutations in codon 1074 are responsible for resistance to SF3B1 inhibitor (FR901464, FR) at the AACR annual meeting 2013. SF3B1 gene mutations in hematological malignancies are considered to be related to tumor progression. To elucidate the influence by SF3B1 gene mutation in colorectal cancer, we assessed the tumor growth of colorectal cancer cells bearing SF3B1 gene mutation in vitro and in vivo. ExperimentalDesign: We assessed the tumor growth in vitro and in vivo using FR resistant clones (DLD/FR1, DLD/FR2, DLD/FR3, HCT/FR1, HCT/FR2, and LoVo/FR1) derived from DLD1, HCT116, and LoVo. We also performed microarray analysis of DLD1, DLD/FR1, HCT116, and HCT/FR1 with or without FR for 24 h to compare the change of gene expression by FR or SF3B1 gene mutation. Results: Doubling time of growth in DLD/FR1, DLD/FR2, HCT/FR1, and HCT/FR2 in vitro was same as their parental cells. However, doubling time of growth in DLD/FR3 and LoVo/FR1 in vitro was longer than their parental cells. In mouse subcutaneous xenograft models, the tumor volume of DLD1/FR1, HCT/FR1, and HCT/FR2 were 61%, 32 %, and 25%, to compared to that of their parental DLD1 or HCT116 one month after inoculation, respectively. Microarray analysis showed the genes and pathways affected by SF3B1 inhibitor and SF3B1 gene mutation did not match at all. Though SF3B1 inhibitor strongly inhibited pathways related to cell cycle, Fanconi anemia, homologous recombination, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, nucleotide excision repair, oocyte meiosis, basal transcription factors, and endocytosis, SF3B1 gene mutation did not influence these pathways. The genes influenced by SF3B1 gene mutations included MHC class I/II, MHC MYC, BCL2, IL2, and IL10. Conclusion: Our data indicated SF3B1 gene mutation in colorectal cancer induced disadvantage in cancer progression by the different pathway from SF3B1 inhibitor. Citation Format: Tomoki Yamano, Shuji Kubo, Nagahide Matsubara, Aya Yano, Naohiro Tomita. Influence of SF3B1 gene mutation is different from that of Sf3B1 inhibitor in colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4615. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4615
Demographic Changes and the Spanish-Language Annals
Authors: Humberto Vidaillet
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1994)

Letters15 February 1994Demographic Changes and the Spanish-Language AnnalsHumberto Vidaillet, Jr., MDHumberto Vidaillet, Jr., MDMarshfield Clinic; Marshfield, WI 54449-5777Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-120-4-199402150-00029 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:For the first time, the adult population in Latin America is expected to grow disproportionately compared with that of young children[1]. Between 1985 and 2015, the number of adults 45 years of age or older in Latin America will increase from 67 million to 169 million (150%) compared with a 4% increase in children 0 to 4 years of age. As the life expectancy at birth increases in developing countries, the adult population will face the same chronic and debilitating illnesses now afflicting older patients in the highly industrialized world. Given their limited resources, Latin American physicians ... Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Marshfield Clinic; Marshfield, WI 54449-5777 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 15 February 1994Volume 120, Issue 4Page: 347KeywordsAdultsBirthChildrenLife expectancyYoung adults Issue Published: 15 February 1994 CopyrightCopyright © 1994 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...
Relationship between B7-H4, Regulatory T Cells, and Patient Outcome in Human Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Ilona Kryczek, Shuang Wei, Gefeng Zhu, Leann Myers, Peter Mottram, Pui Cheng, Lieping Chen, George Coukos, Weiping Zou
Journal: Cancer Research (2007)

Abstract B7-H4 is a recently identified B7 family member. We previously showed that ovarian tumor and associated macrophages expressed B7-H4; tumor B7-H4+ macrophages and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) suppressed tumor-associated antigen–specific T-cell immunity. To determine the pathologic relationship between B7-H4, macrophages, and Treg cells in the tumor environment, in addition to Treg cell numbers, we quantified B7-H4 expression in the tumor and tumor-associated macrophages in 103 patients with ovarian carcinoma. We observed that the intensity of B7-H4 expression in macrophages was significantly correlated with Treg cell numbers in the tumor. Further, both Treg cells and macrophage B7-H4, but not tumor B7-H4, were negatively associated with patient outcome. Tumor Treg cells enabled macrophages to spontaneously produce interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6. Tumor macrophages stimulated B7-H4 expression in an autocrine manner through IL-10 and IL-6. Our previous work showed that tumor-associated macrophages spontaneously produced chemokine CCL22 to mediate Treg cell trafficking into tumor, and Treg cells induced B7-H4 on antigen-presenting cells (APC) including macrophages. Altogether, our data support the concept that there is a mechanistic interaction between Treg cells and macrophage, and that Treg cells may convey the suppressive activity to APCs through B7-H4 induction in human ovarian cancer. [Cancer Res 2007;67(18):8901–05]
Plasma COOH-Terminal Proendothelin-1
Authors: Iefke Drion, Nanne Kleefstra, Gijs W.D. Landman, Alaa Alkhalaf, Joachim Struck, Klaas H. Groenier, Stephan J.L. Bakker, Henk J.G. Bilo
Journal: Diabetes Care (2012)

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between plasma COOH-terminal proendothelin-1 (CT-proET-1) and fatal cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and new-onset albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes.A total of 1,225 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in this prospective observational study of two combined cohorts. Three clinical end points were studied: fatal cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and new-onset albuminuria. After a median follow-up of 3 or 10 years, Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to investigate the association between CT-proET-1 and the end points. Harrell C statistic, the Groennesby and Borgan test, the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and the net reclassification improvement (NRI) were used to evaluate whether CT-proET-1 is of additional value compared with classic cardiovascular and renal risk factors.During follow-up, 364 (30%) patients died, 150 (42%) of whom died of cardiovascular disease; 182 (26.7%) of 688 patients with normoalbuminuria at baseline developed albuminuria. CT-proET-1 was associated with fatal cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and new-onset albuminuria with hazard ratios of 1.59 (95% CI 1.15-2.20), 1.41 (95% CI 1.14-1.74), and 1.48 (95% CI 1.10-2.01), respectively. Addition of CT-proET-1 to a model containing traditional risk factors leads only to improved prediction of fatal cardiovascular events. The IDI appeared significant for fatal cardiovascular events (0.82 [0.1-1.54]) and all-cause mortality (0.4 [0.05-0.92]), but not for new-onset albuminuria.CT-proET-1 has additional value for the prediction of fatal cardiovascular events and new-onset albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes, compared with conventional risk factors, but not for all-cause mortality.
Impetigo in epidemic and nonepidemic phases: an incidence study over 4½ years in a general population
Authors: S. Rørtveit, G. Rortveit
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2007)

Little is known about incidence and natural variation of impetigo in general populations.To investigate the natural course of impetigo in a well-defined population, and to study the resistance pattern of the causal bacteria over time.This is a population-based incidence study in Austevoll, an island community of 4457 inhabitants in Norway, in the years 2001-2005. Incidence rates are given as events per person-year. Epidemic periods were identified by statistical process-control analyses.The incidence rate of impetigo for the whole study period was 0.017 events per person-year, corresponding to a total of 334 cases. The incidence rates were 0.009, 0.026, 0.019, 0.016 and 0.009 in the years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Three epidemics were identified, starting in August of 2002, 2003 and 2004, lasting for 11, 11 and 5 weeks, respectively. Incidence rates in these epidemic periods were 0.099, 0.045 and 0.074, respectively. In epidemic periods, Staphylococcus aureus was the causal bacterium in 89% (117/132) of cases, while this proportion was 68% (84/123) in nonepidemic periods (P < 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to fusidic acid in 84% (98/117) and 64% (54/84) of impetigo cases in epidemic and nonepidemic periods, respectively (P < 0.01). When investigating all types of infections caused by S. aureus in the study period, the proportion of fusidic acid resistance in impetigo cases (152/201, 76%) differed significantly from fusidic acid resistance in other infections (18/116, 16%) (P < 0.01).Distinctive epidemic outbreaks occurred during the summer of three of the five follow-up years. In outbreaks, S. aureus was more frequently the causal agent and the sensitivity to fusidic acid decreased significantly.
Quantitative Upper Airway Imaging with Anatomic Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Julian J. Armstrong, Matthew S. Leigh, David D. Sampson, Jennifer H. Walsh, David R. Hillman, Peter R. Eastwood
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2005)

Measurements of upper airway size and shape are important in investigating the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and in devising, applying, and determining the effectiveness of treatment modalities. We describe an endoscopic optical technique (anatomic optical coherence tomography, aOCT) that provides quantitative real-time imaging of the internal anatomy of the human upper airway.Validation studies were performed by comparing aOCT- and computed tomography (CT)-derived measurements of cross-sectional area (CSA) in (1) conduits in a wax phantom and (2) the velo-, oro-, and hypopharynx during wakefulness in five volunteers. aOCT scanning was performed during sleep in one subject with OSA.aOCT generated images of pharyngeal shape and measurements of CSA and internal dimensions that were comparable to radiographic CT images. The mean difference between aOCT- and CT-derived measurements of CSA in (1) the wax phantom was 2.1 mm(2) with limits of agreement (2 SD) from -13.2 to 17.4 mm(2) and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99 (p < 0.001) and (2) the pharyngeal airway was 14.1 mm(2) with limits of agreement from -43.7 to 57.8 mm(2) and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.89 (p < 0.001). aOCT generated quantitative images of changes in upper airway size and shape before, during, and after an apneic event in an individual with OSA.aOCT generates quantitative, real-time measurements of upper airway size and shape with minimal invasiveness, allowing study over lengthy periods during both sleep and wakefulness. These features should make it useful for study of upper airway behavior to investigate OSA pathophysiology and aid clinical management.
Comparative Histopathology of Radial Artery Versus Internal Thoracic Artery and Risk Factors for Development of Intimal Hyperplasia and Atherosclerosis
Authors: P. Ruengsakulrach, R. Sinclair, M. Komeda, J. Raman, I. Gordon, B. Buxton
Journal: Circulation (1999)

In this study, we examined the comparative histopathology, morphometry, and risk factors for the development of intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis in the radial artery (RA) and the internal thoracic artery (ITA).Paired specimens of RAs and ITAs, obtained from 150 patients who underwent CABG, were evaluated with histopathology; 110 pairs of arteries were suitable for morphometric analysis. The severity of disease was evaluated on the basis of percentage of luminal narrowing, intimal thickness index, and intima-to-media ratio. Risk factors were determined with stepwise linear regression. Intimal hyperplasia was seen in 141 RAs (94%) and 103 ITAs (69%) (P<0.001). Atherosclerosis was seen in 5% of RAs and 0.7% of ITAs (P=0.04). Medial calcification was found only in RAs (20 of 150, 13.3%) (P<0.001). Morphometric analysis showed that compared with ITAs, RAs had a significantly higher intimal area, medial area, percentage of luminal narrowing, intimal thickness index, and intima-to-media ratio (all P<0.001) Factors found to be significant (P<0.05) predictors of the 3 severity indices of intimal hyperplasia, including atherosclerosis, in RAs were peripheral vascular disease, smoking, age, and diabetes. Risk factors for intimal hyperplasia in ITAs were age and smoking.The RA is more likely to have atherosclerosis, intimal hyperplasia, and medial calcification than the ITA. Morphometric analysis indices showed marked differences between the RA and the ITA. Care should be taken when selecting the RA as a conduit in CABG, particularly in patients who are elderly, diabetic, smoke, or have peripheral vascular disease.
Red for danger: blood transfusion and colorectal cancer
Authors: S D Blair
Journal: BMJ (1985)

in some cases at operation, were included in this study.The mean age and sex distribution of the whole series and of the subgroups were as follows: whole group, 47 3 years, men 50-8%; cholelithiasis, 53 5 years, men 38-6%; acute pancreatitis, 45-5 years, men 52-5%; and chronic pancreatitis, 55-8 years, men 61 50%0.The results show that the incidence of symptomatic gall stone disease was similar in all racial groups (table); but acute pancreatitis was at least four times commoner, and chronic pancreatitis three times commoner, in Asians than in the other groups.Even when those patients in whom known causal factors such as gall stones and alcohol were excluded the differences were still present.Asian patients with acute pan- creatitis were on average eight vears younger than their European counterparts and had more severe disease.The Ealing health district serves most of Ealing and parts of Southall, so our catchment population was not the same as that covered in the diabetic survey.We also recognise that the incidence of a disorder in hospital does not necessarily reflect its prevalence in the community.Nevertheless, even in this small and selected group of patients, there appear to be racial differences in the manifestations of acute and chronic pancreatitis.Our observations and the results of the survey by Dr Mather and Professor Keen may be helpful in determining the reasons for the susceptibility of Asians to diabetes.
The Grave of Jane Crawford
Authors: W. N. Thompson
Journal: JAMA (1913)

lohn C. Berry, M.D., Worcester, Mass., a member of our administrative board, has suggested to me that many phy¬ sicians have serviceable surgical instruments in their posses- Bion which they are not using and will undoubtedly never use again, in view of their being displaced by something more modern.Such instruments would be of immeasurable value to these physicians who are out beyond the frontiers of civiliza¬ tion, striving under most hampering conditions to meet the medical and surgical needs of people who otherwise would have no modern aid whatever.
Very Low-Fat Diets for Coronary Heart Disease: Perhaps, But Which One?
Authors: Blair R. MacBeath
Journal: JAMA (1996)

<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —News media across the country reported the findings by Dr Gould and colleagues<sup>1</sup>that very low-fat diets can lead to regression of coronary artery disease. Although their results are encouraging, we urge caution in treating patients with such diets. Schaefer et al<sup>2</sup>have reported that low-fat diets without weight loss lead to a decline in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and increases in triglycerides and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C. We<sup>3</sup>suggested that low essential fatty acids (EFAs) may be the cause, but no comment was included in the article by Gould et al<sup>1</sup>about the long-term effects of the diet on levels of EFAs or about the fact that the treatment may be harmful in certain patients. The following case illustrates the problem. A 66-year-old man with a family history of premature death attributable to heart disease, a previous myocardial infarction, and
Whistleblowers say there was a "bullying culture" at England's care services watchdog
Authors: C. Dyer
Journal: BMJ (2011)

The Care Quality Commission, the inspectorate for hospitals and care homes in England, is led by a chairman and chief executive who are not up to the job, a board member told the Mid Staffordshire public inquiry on Monday.

Kay Sheldon, a non-executive member of the CQC’s board, said that the strategy used by the commission’s chief executive, Cynthia Bower, and chairwoman, Jo Williams, was “reactive, led by reputation management and personal survival.”

Mrs Sheldon, an expert in mental health, is one of two CQC whistleblowers who gave evidence this week. She and Amanda Pollard, a compliance inspector, came forward after first taking their concerns to the National Audit Office and after evidence to the inquiry had closed.

The CQC argued that most of the matters they raised were outside the inquiry’s terms of reference, but the chairman, Robert Francis QC, said …
The impact of corruption on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a quantitative assessment: Figure 1–
Authors: Matthieu Hanf, Antoine Adenis, Pierre Couppié, Bernard Carme, Mathieu Nacher
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

cases of MDR-TB emerged globally and caused 150,000 deaths [1].MDR-TB is globally distributed, but significant variations in prevalence have been observed in different geographical regions.
Biodistribution of PEG-modified gold nanoparticles following intratracheal instillation and intravenous injection
Authors: Jens Lipka, Manuela Semmler-Behnke, Ralph A. Sperling, Alexander Wenk, Shinji Takenaka, Carsten Schleh, Thomas Kissel, Wolfgang J. Parak, Wolfgang G. Kreyling
Journal: Biomaterials (2010)
Diet and Diabetes
Authors: Alan R. Gaby
Journal: JAMA (1981)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> In his discussion of dietary management of insulindependent diabetes mellitus (1981; 245:1771), James R. Sowers, MD, neglects an important point. Accumulating evidence indicates that diets high in fiber and complex carbohydrates improve diabetic control, as manifested by reduction in glycosuria, decrease in postprandial and fasting blood glucose levels, beneficial changes in lipoprotein patterns, and reduction in insulin requirements.<sup>1-5</sup> While maintaining an ideal body weight is an appropriate dietary goal for diabetics, it is certainly not the only goal. The benefits previously noted usually occurred without changes in body weight. The improved control is more likely related to the slow absorption of high-fiber foods, particularly legumes. It is no longer adequate to consider diabetic diets simply in terms of their proportion of fat, carbohydrate, and protein. Individual foods affect glucose metabolism in ways that cannot be explained by their macronutrient concentrations. Evidence indicates that diabetics should increase