Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of compliance with statin therapy and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment in a managed care population.

OBJECTIVE To identify determinants of medication compliance and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment. STUDY DESIGN This retrospective analysis used claims data from a large, national, employment-based independent practice association database. Subjects were identified based on the existence of a filled prescription for statin therapy between April 1, 1999, and June 30, 2001. Subjects had to be 18 years or older, continuously enrolled in the health plan for 2 years, and new users of statin therapy. METHODS Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of compliance and goal attainment in high-risk subjects. RESULTS As the mean copayment for statins increased, there was a decrease in the likelihood of compliance. Of the subjects with laboratory results, 50.7% attained their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal level established by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Older individuals and men were more likely to reach their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target goal, as were individuals who were compliant with their statin therapy. CONCLUSIONS Compliance with statin therapy in the managed care setting remains poor. Of particular concern is the lower level of compliance among women and younger high-risk patients, along with patients who have fewer outpatient visits associated with hyperlipidemia and lower incidences of cholesterol testing.
Robust Stability Analysis of Uncertain Stochastic Neural Networks with Time-Varying Delays

This paper is concerned with stochastic robust stability of a class of stochastic neural networks with time varying delays and parameter uncertainties. The parameter uncertainties are time-varying and norm-bounded. Based on Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and stochastic analysis approaches, new stability criteria are presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) to guarantee the delayed neural network to be robustly stochastically asymptotically stable in the mean square for all admissible uncertainties. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed robust stability criteria.
Regional variation in sex ratios and sex allocation in androdioecious Mercurialis annua

In androdioecious metapopulations, where males co‐occur with hermaphrodites, the absence of males from certain populations or regions may be explained by locally high selfing rates, high hermaphrodite outcross siring success (e.g. due to high pollen production by hermaphrodites), or to stochastic processes (e.g. the failure of males to invade populations or regions following colonization or range expansion by hermaphrodites). In the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco, the presence of males with hermaphrodites in the wind‐pollinated androdioecious plant Mercurialis annua (Euphorbiaceae) varies both among populations within relatively small regions and among regions, with some regions lacking males from all populations. The species is known to have expanded its range into the Iberian Peninsula from a southern refugium. To account for variation in male presence in M. annua, we test the following hypotheses: (1) that males are absent in areas where plant densities are lower, because selfing rates should be correspondingly higher; (2) that males are absent in areas where hermaphrodites produce more pollen; and (3) that males are absent in areas where there is an elevated proportion of populations in which plant density and hermaphrodite pollen production disfavour their invasion. We found support for predictions two and three in Morocco (the putative Pleistocene refugium for M. annua) but no support for any hypothesis in Iberia (the expanded range). Our results are partially consistent with a hypothesis of sex‐allocation equilibrium for populations in Morocco; in Iberia, the absence of males from large geographical regions is more consistent with a model of sex‐ratio evolution in a metapopulation with recurrent population turnover. Our study points to the role of both frequency‐dependent selection and contingencies imposed by colonization during range expansions and in metapopulations.
Bacterial Peptidoglycan Induces CD14-dependent Activation of Transcription Factors CREB/ATF and AP-1*

Peptidoglycan (PGN), the major cell wall component of Gram-positive bacteria, induces secretion of cytokines in macrophages through CD14, the pattern recognition receptor that binds lipopolysaccharide and other microbial products. To begin to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate the transcription of cytokine genes, we wanted to determine which transcription factors are activated by PGN in mouse RAW264.7 and human THP-1 macrophage cells. Our results demonstrated that: (i) PGN induced phosphorylation of the transcription factors ATF-1 and CREB; (ii) ATF-1 and CREB bound DNA as a dimer and induced transcriptional activation of a CRE reporter plasmid, which was inhibited by dominant negative CREB and ATF-1; (iii) PGN induced phosphorylation of c-Jun, protein synthesis of JunB and c-Fos, and transcriptional activation of the AP-1 reporter plasmid, which was inhibited by dominant negative c-Fos; and (iv) PGN-induced activation of CREB/ATF and AP-1 was mediated through CD14. This is the first study to demonstrate activation of CREB/ATF and AP-1 transcription factors by PGN or by any other component of Gram-positive bacteria.
Effect of Processing Parameter Changes on the Adhesion of Plasma-treated Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Atmospheric plasma treatment for the surface preparation of adhesively bonded composite joints appears promising as a replacement to current surface preparation techniques. However, questions remain regarding the sensitivity and optimization of various plasma processing parameters on final composite bond properties. In this study, we continue to investigate how plasma surface treatment processing variables ultimately affect the surface chemistry and bonding behavior of a graphite-epoxy composite. The plasma power level, the working distance of the plasma head, the carrier gas (helium) flow rate, the duration of plasma exposure, and the active gas (oxygen) concentration within the plasma were varied and correlated to surface chemistry variations using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The carboxyl concentration on the surface was then measured as a function of these changes and correlated to lap shear strengths. In addition, samples were monitored using XPS to evaluate the decay behavior of the surface treatment as a function of time. Treated specimens in both inert and air environments exhibited similar decay profiles. Large changes were not observed until after 24 days of out-time. The effects of plasma treatment, duration of plasma exposure, and out-time on the crack delamination resistance (GIC) of bonded parts were assessed. G IC measurement indicated that solvent wiped bonded specimens exhibited a purely adhesive failure with unstable crack growth. Specimens with abrasion treatment exhibited reduced performance with cracks initiated in the adhesive traveling through both the adhesive-composite interface as well as the outer surface plies of the composite substrate. We believe damage to the composite substrate due to surface preparation caused this failure mode. On the other hand, plasma-treated specimens exhibited consistent failure modes for all treatments above 12 passes. The failures were entirely cohesive with the very high bond strength promoting crack propagation only within the adhesive. The GIC values indicated that the plasma-treated composites were two times as resistant to fracture as conventionally prepared specimens.
Frequency and nature of adverse drug reactions in elderly in-patients of two Indian medical college hospitals.

BACKGROUND Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major public health problem in the elderly. Although the Indian elderly represent 12.8% of the entire global elderly population, data on prevalence and predictors of ADRs in elderly Indians is extremely limited. AIM To determine the prevalence, severity, preventability, length of hospital stays, and risk factors for ADRs in hospitalized Indian elderly. SETTING Medicine wards of two tertiary care teaching hospitals. DESIGN Prospective study was conducted between July 2007 and December 2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS In-patients of either sex and aged ≥ 60 years were included and monitored for ADRs throughout their hospital stay. Severity (Hartwig et al. scale), preventability (Shumock and Thornton criteria) and increased length of stay (considering underlying disease, ADR, and discussion with clinicians) were assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Bivariate analysis and subsequently multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the risk factors for developing ADRs. RESULTS Over the study period, among the 920 patients monitored, 296 patients (32.2%) experienced 419 ADRs. Among all ADRs, 48.4% (203) were preventable. Majority of ADRs [226 (53.9%)] were moderate in severity. Therapeutic classes of drugs frequently associated with ADRs were the drugs used in diabetes [76 (18.1%)] and antibacterials for systemic use [54 (12.9%)]. ADRs increased the hospital stay in 5.9% (54) of patients. Female gender [Odds Ratio: 1.52, 95% Confidence Interval:1.04-2.22, P=0.03] was observed as the influential risk factor for ADRs. CONCLUSION One third of hospitalized elderly experienced ADRs. Interventions focused at preventable ADRs should be developed and implemented to reduce their implications.
Affinity, stoichiometry and cooperativity of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) binding to nucleosomal arrays

Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) participates in establishing and maintaining heterochromatin via its histone-modification-dependent chromatin interactions. In recent papers HP1 binding to nucleosomal arrays was measured in vitro and interpreted in terms of nearest-neighbour cooperative binding. This mode of chromatin interaction could lead to the spreading of HP1 along the nucleosome chain. Here, we reanalysed previous data by representing the nucleosome chain as a 1D binding lattice and showed how the experimental HP1 binding isotherms can be explained by a simpler model without cooperative interactions between neighboring HP1 dimers. Based on these calculations and spatial models of dinucleosomes and nucleosome chains, we propose that binding stoichiometry depends on the nucleosome repeat length (NRL) rather than protein interactions between HP1 dimers. According to our calculations, more open nucleosome arrays with long DNA linkers are characterized by a larger number of binding sites in comparison to chains with a short NRL. Furthermore, we demonstrate by Monte Carlo simulations that the NRL dependent folding of the nucleosome chain can induce allosteric changes of HP1 binding sites. Thus, HP1 chromatin interactions can be modulated by the change of binding stoichiometry and the type of binding to condensed (methylated) and non-condensed (unmethylated) nucleosome arrays in the absence of direct interactions between HP1 dimers.
Imbalanced K+ and Ca2+ subthreshold interactions contribute to increased hypothalamic presympathetic neuronal excitability in hypertensive rats

Despite the importance of brain‐mediated sympathetic activation in the morbidity and mortality of patients with high blood pressure, the precise cellular mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. We show that an imbalanced interaction between two opposing currents mediated by potassium (IA) and calcium (IT) channels occurs in sympathetic‐related hypothalamic neurons in hypertensive rats. We show that this imbalance contributes to enhanced membrane excitability and firing activity in this neuronal population. Knowledge of how these opposing ion channels interact in normal and disease states increases our understanding of underlying brain mechanisms contributing to the high blood pressure condition.
The Impact of the Work Environment on Condom Use among Female Bar Workers in the Philippines

The purpose of this research is to examine how condom use is affected by specific aspects of the work environment: (1) social-structural and environmental influences and constraints, (2) mandatory condom use policy, and (3) the level of social influence and reinforcement between manager and employee. A total of 1,340 bar workers and 308 nonestablishment freelanceworkers comprise the study group. In establishments where a condom use policy exists, female barworkerswere 2.6 times more likely to consistently use condoms during sexual intercourse comparedwith establishments that do not have such a policy in place. The results suggest a need for the development of comprehensive educational policies in all entertainment establishments, including regular meetings with employees, reinforcing attendance at the Social Hygiene Clinic, promoting AIDS awareness, making condoms available in theworkplace, and mandating 100% condom use behavior among all employees.
Nursing in a Complex World

The authors of this column put forth a call for more grand theory to be used as the basis of nursing research. To that end, complexity theory and the Neuman systems model are reviewed followed by a discussion of the links that occur between them. Then evidence of the increased use of middle-range theory as the foundation of current nursing research is put forth. Finally, there is a discussion about the authors’ conclusion that the complexity of the phenomena of interest for nursing research requires theories to be used as underpinnings that are more abstract and less reductionistic.
The action of high K+ and aglycaemia on the electrical properties and synaptic transmission in rat intracardiac ganglion neurones in vitro

We have investigated the action of two elements of acute ischaemia, high potassium and aglycaemia, on the electrophysiological properties and ganglionic transmission of adult rat intracardiac ganglion (ICG) neurones. We used a whole‐mount ganglion preparation of the right atrial ganglion plexus and sharp microelectrode recording techniques. Increasing extracellular K+ from its normal value of 4.7 mm to 10 mm decreased membrane potential and action potential after‐hyperpolarization amplitude but otherwise had no effect on postganglionic membrane properties. It did, however, reduce the ability of synaptically evoked action potentials to follow high‐frequency (100 Hz) repetitive stimulation. A further increase in K+ changed both the passive and the active membrane properties of the postganglionic neurone: time constant, membrane resistance and action potential overshoot were all decreased in high K+ (20 mm). The ICG neurones display a predominantly phasic discharge in response to prolonged depolarizing current pulses. High K+ had no impact on this behaviour but reduced the time‐dependent rectification response to hyperpolarizing currents. At 20 mm, K+ practically blocked ganglionic transmission in most neurones at all frequencies tested. Aglycaemia, nominally glucose‐free physiological saline solution (PSS), increased the time constant and membrane resistance of ICG neurones but otherwise had no action on their passive or active properties or ganglionic transmission. However, the combination of aglycaemia and 20 mm K+ displayed an improvement in passive properties and ganglionic transmission when compared with 20 mm K+ PSS. These data indicate that the presynaptic terminal is the primary target of high extracellular potassium and that aglycaemia may have protective actions against this challenge.
Clinical presentation and outcomes of cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Infection is a serious complication of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation. Kidney failure is as an independent risk factor for CIED infection and associated mortality. The presence of multiple comorbid conditions may contribute to varied clinical presentations and poor outcomes in hemodialysis (HD)-dependent patients with cardiac device infection. STUDY DESIGN Case series. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS CIED infections in HD patients (n=17) and non-HD patients (n=398) at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, between 1991 and 2008. OUTCOMES Surgical management and death. MEASUREMENTS Clinical presentations, microbial organisms. RESULTS Of 415 patients admitted with CIED infection, 17 (4%) were receiving maintenance HD therapy. Among those on HD therapy, mean age was 72±15 (SD) years, 59% were women, and 53% had a central venous catheter for dialysis access. All 17 patients receiving HD therapy presented with CIED-associated bloodstream infection and 41% of these had infected vegetations on CIED leads or cardiac valves. A majority (82%) were managed with complete device removal and almost half (43%) received a replacement device when bloodstream infection cleared. Device infection was associated with significant short-term mortality in HD patients and 90-day survival was only 76% in this group of patients. LIMITATIONS Smaller sample size, majority white cohort, observational study. CONCLUSIONS CIED infection in patients receiving HD usually is associated with bloodstream infection and frequently is complicated with device-related endocarditis. Despite complete device removal in the majority of HD patients with infection, mortality remains high.
Synthetic Strategies, Structure Patterns, and Emerging Properties in the Chemistry of Modular Porous Solids†

The designed construction of extended porous frameworks from soluble molecular building blocks represents one of the most challenging issues facing synthetic chemistry today. Recently, intense research activities directed toward the development of this field have included the assembly of inorganic metal clusters,1 coordination complexes,2 and organic molecules3 of great diversity into extended motifs that are held together either by strong metal-ligand bonding or by weaker bonding forces such as hydrogen-bonding and π-π interactions. Materials that have been produced in this way are referred to as modular since they are assembled from discrete molecules which can be modified to have well-defined function.4 The fact that the integrity of the building blocks is preserved during the synthesis and ultimately translated into the resulting assembled network offers numerous opportunities for designing frameworks with desirable topologies and architectures, thus paving the way for establishing connections between molecular and solid properties. At least three challenges have emerged in this area that must be reckoned with in order for the ideas of rational and designed synthesis of porous materials to become a reality with routine utility. First, it is difficult to control the orientation and stereochemistry of the building blocks in the solid state in order to achieve a given target molecular topology and architecture. Second, in most cases, the products of such assembly reactions are obtained as poorly crystalline or amorphous solids, thus prohibiting their full characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Third, access to the pores within open structuressan aspect that is so critical to their utility as porous materialssis often prevented by either selfinterpenetration as observed for very open frameworks or strong host-guest interactions that lead to the destruction of the host framework when removal or exchange of guests is attempted. To define and investigate the parameters contributing to the assembly of materials from molecular building blocks, we have established a program aimed at constructing modular porous networks by linking inorganic metal sulfide clusters and organic molecules with transition metal ions. Our work has focused primarily on studying the issues outlined above, and this Account presents our progress toward finding viable and general solutions to these challenges. This is illustrated by some representative examples chosen from the chemistry developed in our research effort for the three building blocks shown in a-c. Their functionality, shape, size, and
Regulatory interactions specifying Kolmer-Agduhr interneurons

In the zebrafish spinal cord, two classes of neurons develop from the lateral floor plate: Kolmer-Agduhr′ (KA′) and V3 interneurons. We show here that the differentiation of the correct number of KA′ cells depends on the activity of the homeobox transcription factor Nkx2.9. This factor acts in concert with Nkx2.2a and Nkx2.2b. These factors are also required for the expression of the zinc-finger transcription factor Gata2 in the lateral floor plate. In turn, Gata2 is necessary for expression of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Tal2 that acts upstream of the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 gene (gad67) in KA′ cells. Expression of the transcription factor Sim1, which marks the V3 interneurons in the lateral floor plate, depends also on the three Nkx2 factors. sim1 expression does not require, however, gata2 and tal2. KA′ cells of the lateral floor plate and the KA′ cells located more dorsally in the spinal cord share expression of transcription factors. The functional connections between the different regulatory genes, however, differ in the two GABAergic cell types: although gata2 and tal2 are expressed in KA′ cells, they are dispensable for gad67 expression in these cells. Instead, olig2 and gata3 are required for the differentiation of gad67-expressing KA′ cells. This suggests that the layout of regulatory networks is crucially dependent on the lineage that differs between KA′ and KA′ cells.
Effect of nimodipine on histological alterations in basilar artery following the bilateral common carotid artery ligation (preliminary study).

BACKGROUND The blood supply to tissues is reduced as a result of arterial occlusions. Angiogenesis, collateral circulation and reverse flow mechanisms go into operation to restore a continued adequate supply of blood. Ca++ channels undertake the major part of this function. As a result of the increasing tension on the arterial walls, vascular autonomy is affected, and ischemia and even necrosis are observed. METHOD Adult 100 male hybrid rabbits were used in this study. The bilateral carotid arteries were ligated at the carotid bifurcation. The rabbits were divided into 2 main groups: treatment and control, and then both groups were further divided into 5 subgroups consisting of 10 rabbits each. The rabbits were sacrificed between the first day and the end of 8 weeks for histopathological examination of the basilar artery in two groups. RESULTS In control groups, after 24 hours of the occlusion partial swelling and minor endothelial damage were observed in histopathological sections of the basilar artery. Luminal flattening started to decrease, and expanding of the diameter continued. The increase in the diameters of the basilar artery was higher in animals treated by nimodipine, and that difference was statistically significant (P=0,000). CONCLUSION This study revealed that the intimal and medial alterations arising from the increased blood flow rate in the basilar artery might be lessened and even partially prevented by the use of nimodipine.
Recycling glycoproteins do not return to the cis-Golgi

Recycling of a number of glycoproteins along the site of action of mannosidase I (the distal endoplasmic reticulum/cis-Golgi) was followed in several different cell lines. Treatment of cells with 1- deoxymannojirimycin (dMM) produced high mannose oligosaccharides at positions otherwise occupied by complex-type oligosaccharides in these glycoproteins. Conversion of high-mannose-type oligosaccharides to complex oligosaccharides of proteins initially synthesized in the presence of dMM was used as a marker for recycling of glycoproteins along the site of action of dMM. In contrast to findings reported by Snider and Rogers (Snider, M. D., and O. C. Rogers. 1986. J. Cell Biol. 103:265-275), removal of dMM did not result in reconversion of high- mannose oligosaccharides to complex-type sugars, even after prolonged periods of culture. We conclude that surface glycoproteins do not recycle through the cis-medial Golgi elements.