Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of apolipoprotein E epsilon2 and vasculopathy in cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

OBJECTIVE Hemorrhage related to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) appears to occur through a multistep pathway that includes deposition of beta-amyloid in cerebral vessels and specific vasculopathic changes in the amyloid-laden vessels, such as cracking of the vessel wall. Recent reports suggest a positive association between CAA-related hemorrhage and both the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 allele and, unexpectedly, the APOE epsilon2 allele. Unlike APOE epsilon4, APOE epsilon2 does not appear to act through increased beta-amyloid deposition. We therefore sought to determine whether it might specifically accelerate the second step in this pathway, that is, development of the vasculopathic changes that lead to hemorrhage. METHODS To determine the role of APOE in development of vasculopathic changes, we compared APOE genotypes in two groups of postmortem brains: 52 brains with complete amyloid replacement of vessel walls but without vasculopathic changes, and 23 brains with complete amyloid replacement of vessels with the accompanying changes of cracking of the vessel wall and paravascular leaking of blood. RESULTS Frequency of APOE epsilon2 was significantly greater in the group with vasculopathy (0.09) than the group without (0.01, p = 0.03). The groups did not differ in mean age or extent of neuritic plaques. Analysis of a clinical series of patients with CAA-related hemorrhage confirmed an overrepresentation of APOE epsilon2 as well as an association between this allele and earlier age of first hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that APOE epsilon2 and epsilon4 might promote CAA-related hemorrhage through separate mechanisms: epsilon4 by enhancing amyloid deposition and epsilon2 by causing amyloid-laden vessels to undergo the vasculopathic changes that lead to rupture.
Edoxaban

Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) remain the standard therapy for anticoagulation in prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF). Due to numerous limitations of VKAs, target-specific oral anticoagulants have been developed. Edoxaban is a direct activated factor X inhibitor with attractive features among which are once daily dosing, no need for routine monitoring, and minimal drug–drug interactions. In patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, edoxaban was superior to enoxaparin in preventing VTE. Furthermore, a recent large-scale phase III trial in patients with symptomatic VTE demonstrated that edoxaban was noninferior to warfarin in preventing recurrent VTE and reduced bleeding. In the largest trial of anticoagulation in patients with AF to date, edoxaban was noninferior to warfarin in the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism and reduced bleeding and cardiovascular mortality. This review provides an overview of the pharmacology, clinical trial results, and potential indications for edoxaban.
Clinical Trials: Evidence and Unanswered Questions – Hypertension

Since the pioneering publications of the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program (HDFP) and the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT) in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it has become established that lowering blood pressure in high-risk patients is a highly effective form of primary prevention for stroke. Over the subsequent 25 years, over 30 large clinical trials have extended these initial observations to allow us to conclude that treatment of mild, moderate or severe hypertension, and isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly, all produce important absolute benefits. In addition, excellent specific evidence of benefit is now accumulating for certain groups of normotensive patients, including those with previous stroke, and those with established cardiovascular disease. Although the importance of vigorous antihypertensive therapy for the primary and secondary prevention of stroke is increasingly clear, a large number of unanswered questions remain. For example, while it is apparent that diuretics, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are all effective antihypertensive agents, the question remains as to which drug, or combination of drugs, is best for which patients. The results of several ongoing comparative trials of different drug regimens, including the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT), may elucidate this further.
Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Function Is Unaltered During Propofol Infusion in Newborn Swine

Propofol is a cardiac depressant with minimal diastolic effects in the adult myocardium.Cardiac effects of propofol in the newborn are unknown. We examined hemodynamic variables and systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in 12 newborn pigs exposed to propofol at three different infusion rates (7.5, 15, and 30 mg [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] h-1) in random order with a background of fentanyl (100 [micro sign]g [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] h-1). Left ventricular (LV) pressure (Plv) and LV anterior-posterior dimension, determined by sonomicrometry, were continuously monitored. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were determined at every infusion. Systolic function was assessed by the maximal pressure-time derivative (dP/dtmax), the slope of the end-systolic pressure-dimension relationship (ESP-D), and by the preload recruitable stroke work index (PRSWI). Diastolic function was assessed by relaxation indices, the minimal pressure-time derivative (dP/dtmin) and the relaxation time constant (tau), and by a stiffness index, the slope of the EDP-D relationship. MAP decreased approximately 25%, from 75.9 +/- 15.6 to 56.3 +/- 14.8 mm Hg (P < 0.05) with propofol, with no dose effect. HR and LVEDP were unchanged from control. Both dP/dtmax and dP/dtmin decreased with propofol infusion, but load-independent indices of systolic function (ESP-D slope and PRSWI) and tau were unchanged. Diastolic stiffness was not affected with either 7.5- or 30-mg [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] h (-1) infusions but decreased significantly from 0.27 +/- 0.18 mm Hg/mm at control to 0.18 +/- 0.18 mm Hg/mm (P < 0.05) with propofol 15 mg [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] h-1. With this profile, propofol may be useful for the newborn requiring anesthesia. Implications: Most anesthetics depress heart function in the newborn. We examined both heart contraction and relaxation during anesthesia with propofol in newborn pigs. Propofol had minimal influence on heart function in this model at the doses studied. This may therefore be a useful anesthetic to test in the newborn human. (Anesth Analg 1998;86:717-23)
Association between high levels of expression of the TRK gene and favorable outcome in human neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS The nerve growth factor receptor is expressed in some neuroblastomas, in which its primary component is encoded by the TRK protooncogene. To determine the relation of the expression of TRK messenger RNA in neuroblastomas to other clinical and laboratory variables, we studied frozen tumor samples from 77 patients. In addition, we tested two primary neuroblastomas that expressed TRK for responsiveness to nerve growth factor. RESULTS TRK expression strongly correlated with favorable tumor stage (I, II, and IVS vs. III and IV), younger age (< 1 year vs. > or = 1 year), normal N-myc copy number, and low level of N-myc expression. N-myc amplification (indicated by a high copy number) correlated with advanced tumor stage, older age, an adrenal site of the primary tumor, low level of expression of TRK, and high level of expression of N-myc. Analysis of five-year cumulative-survival rates demonstrated an association of a very favorable outcome with a high level of TRK expression (86 percent vs. 14 percent) and with normal N-myc copy number (84 percent vs. 0 percent). Univariate analysis showed that these two variables were the most powerful predictors of outcome (chi-square = 51.30, P < 0.001; and chi-square = 93.61, P < 0.001, respectively). TRK expression still had significant prognostic value when the analysis was restricted to tumors without N-myc amplification. In primary cultures of neuroblastoma cells expressing TRK, exposure to nerve growth factor induced early gene expression and neurite outgrowth, but deprivation of nerve growth factor led to neuronal cell death. CONCLUSIONS A high level of expression of the TRK proto-oncogene in a neuroblastoma is strongly predictive of a favorable outcome. A tumor with a functional nerve growth factor receptor may be dependent on the neurotrophin nerve growth factor for survival and may regress in its absence, allowing a new approach to the treatment of certain patients with neuroblastoma.
Factors Associated with Perceived Exertion and Estimated Time Limit at Lactate Threshold

The purpose was to identify the most predictive parameters for perceived exertion and estimated time limit responses at the velocity corresponding to the lactate concentration threshold. The former scale concerns the subject's current status (how hard he feels the exercise currently is) whereas the latter scale deals with a subjective prediction of how long the current exercise level can be maintained. Multiple regression equations were developed among physiological, psychological, nutritional, and individual parameters (subjects' characteristics and performances) as independent variables, and perceived exertion or estimated time limit as dependent variables. Independent variables were collected before or during an incremental running field test. 94 regional to national level athletes (47 endurance-trained runners, 11 sprinters, and 36 handball players) participated. Multiple stepwise regression showed that Rating of Perceived Exertion and Estimated Time Limit at the lactate threshold were mainly mediated by factors relative to the performance expressed in percentage of the maximal aerobic velocity. Secondary factors which contribute significantly as perceptual predictors were related to various classes of factors except for psychological factors.
Social sensing system for water conservation project: a case study of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project in China

Public participation in water conservation projects is gaining more and more attention in the information era. Public opinion, showing the focus and interests of the public, is the basis of public participation. This paper proposes a social sensing system based on social media platforms, which employs two natural language processing technologies, namely, sentiment analysis and topic modeling. The public opinion on water conservation projects is monitored from three perspectives: public opinion intensity (POI) monitoring, topic detection, and sentiment analysis. To test their effectiveness, a case study on the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP) in China is conducted. The public opinion data were acquired from Sina Weibo, China’s largest social media platform. The results indicate that: (1) POI peaks when hot project-related events occur, and POI of direct stakeholders apparently exceeds indirect stakeholders; (2) different stakeholders have different topics of concern closely associated with their interests; (3) negative events always lead to dramatic decreases in the sentiment value (SV), while positive events only slightly lift SV. The proposed system has achieved real-time monitoring of the public opinion on water conservation projects. Consequently, it can help to improve the level of public participation and provide a valuable reference in project management and policy-making.
Oleuropein-Enriched Olive Leaf Extract Affects Calcium Dynamics and Impairs Viability of Malignant Mesothelioma Cells

Malignant mesothelioma is a poor prognosis cancer in urgent need of alternative therapies. Oleuropein, the major phenolic of olive tree (Olea europaea L.), is believed to have therapeutic potentials for various diseases, including tumors. We obtained an oleuropein-enriched fraction, consisting of 60% w/w oleuropein, from olive leaves, and assessed its effects on intracellular Ca2+ and cell viability in mesothelioma cells. Effects of the oleuropein-enriched fraction on Ca2+ dynamics and cell viability were studied in the REN mesothelioma cell line, using fura-2 microspectrofluorimetry and MTT assay, respectively. Fura-2-loaded cells, transiently exposed to the oleuropein-enriched fraction, showed dose-dependent transient elevations of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Application of standard oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, and of the inhibitor of low-voltage T-type Ca2+ channels NNC-55-0396, suggested that the effect is mainly due to oleuropein acting through its hydroxytyrosol moiety on T-type Ca2+ channels. The oleuropein-enriched fraction and standard oleuropein displayed a significant antiproliferative effect, as measured on REN cells by MTT cell viability assay, with IC50 of 22 μg/mL oleuropein. Data suggest that our oleuropein-enriched fraction from olive leaf extract could have pharmacological application in malignant mesothelioma anticancer therapy, possibly by targeting T-type Ca2+ channels and thereby dysregulating intracellular Ca2+ dynamics.
Eplerenone reduces arterial thrombosis in diabetic rats

Introduction: Clinical studies demonstrated the benefits of eplerenone (EPL) in reduction of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. Since acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke are related to acute intravascular thrombosis, we postulate that the beneficial effects of EPL may result from its antithrombotic action. Materials and methods: Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with EPL (100 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. Thrombosis in the carotid artery was stimulated electrically. Results: Thrombosis development was enhanced in STZ-induced diabetic rats as compared to normoglycaemic controls. EPL caused prolongation of the time to artery occlusion, reduction in the incidence of occlusion and decrease in thrombus weight. Changes in the thrombi structure and the inhibition of hypertrophy of the tunica media in the artery wall were also observed. EPL caused reduction in tissue factor, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and interleukin-1β plasma levels. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the antithrombotic effect of EPL manifested by a decrease in the dynamics of thrombus formation and changes in its structure. The changes in thrombosis process were accompanied by antihaemostatic, profibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory effects. The aldosterone blockade with EPL seems to be an additional pharmacological strategy for the prevention and treatment of thrombotic disorders in diabetes.
Digital and Media Literacy in Teacher Education: Findings and Recommendations from the European Project e-MEL

Media and digital literacy skills are now seen as crucial for 21st century teachers, but teachers’ initial training is still far from coping this emerging need. This paper investigates how media education can be integrated into the academic context through the presentation and discussion of the results of an experimentation of learning scenarios, implemented in three universities within the European project e-Media Education Lab. From the experimentation it emerges how both analytical skills and media production skills are important; that the teaching of media literacy should be more explicit; that the university organization presents rigidity that risks hindering the typical processes of media and digital literacy education.
The loss of skeletal muscle strength, mass, and quality in older adults: the health, aging and body composition study.

BACKGROUND The loss of muscle mass is considered to be a major determinant of strength loss in aging. However, large-scale longitudinal studies examining the association between the loss of mass and strength in older adults are lacking. METHODS Three-year changes in muscle mass and strength were determined in 1880 older adults in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Knee extensor strength was measured by isokinetic dynamometry. Whole body and appendicular lean and fat mass were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography. RESULTS Both men and women lost strength, with men losing almost twice as much strength as women. Blacks lost about 28% more strength than did whites. Annualized rates of leg strength decline (3.4% in white men, 4.1% in black men, 2.6% in white women, and 3.0% in black women) were about three times greater than the rates of loss of leg lean mass ( approximately 1% per year). The loss of lean mass, as well as higher baseline strength, lower baseline leg lean mass, and older age, was independently associated with strength decline in both men and women. However, gain of lean mass was not accompanied by strength maintenance or gain (ss coefficients; men, -0.48 +/- 4.61, p =.92, women, -1.68 +/- 3.57, p =.64). CONCLUSIONS Although the loss of muscle mass is associated with the decline in strength in older adults, this strength decline is much more rapid than the concomitant loss of muscle mass, suggesting a decline in muscle quality. Moreover, maintaining or gaining muscle mass does not prevent aging-associated declines in muscle strength.
International Remittances, Migration and Primary Commodities

This paper documents the global crude oil market as a key driver of international migration and remittances. Structural estimation documents that crude oil supply and demand shocks induce sizeable remittances flows. The sign and magnitude of remitter outflows differ across countries and structural shocks. A multilateral global general equilibrium model is used to show how oil‐exporting remitters generate international remittance and migration spillovers from crude oil price movements. Remittees’ economic outcomes from remittances and migration channels are found to be dominated by terms of trade channels for shocks to the global market for crude oil. Due to this, studies of remittance flows need to account for the source of the commodity price movement if using the correlation between remittee real GDP and remittance inflows.
oninvasive Detection of ulnerable Coronary Plaques ocking the Barn Door efore the Horse Is Stolen *

t is well established from post-mortem studies that rupured atherosclerotic plaques in proximal coronary arteries sually have a large necrotic core with a thin overlying brous cap (1,2). These “thin cap fibroatheromas” usually ave little calcification, and they may not cause critical arrowing of the coronary lumen because of positive remodling (outward expansion) of the artery. Intravascular ultraound (IVUS) has also shown that, when compared with atients with stable coronary artery disease, patients who ecently had an acute coronary event showed more positive emodeling and larger plaque areas (3).
Attentional Gain Control of Ongoing Cortical Speech Representations in a “Cocktail Party”

Normal listeners possess the remarkable perceptual ability to select a single speech stream among many competing talkers. However, few studies of selective attention have addressed the unique nature of speech as a temporally extended and complex auditory object. We hypothesized that sustained selective attention to speech in a multitalker environment would act as gain control on the early auditory cortical representations of speech. Using high-density electroencephalography and a template-matching analysis method, we found selective gain to the continuous speech content of an attended talker, greatest at a frequency of 4–8 Hz, in auditory cortex. In addition, the difference in alpha power (8–12 Hz) at parietal sites across hemispheres indicated the direction of auditory attention to speech, as has been previously found in visual tasks. The strength of this hemispheric alpha lateralization, in turn, predicted an individual's attentional gain of the cortical speech signal. These results support a model of spatial speech stream segregation, mediated by a supramodal attention mechanism, enabling selection of the attended representation in auditory cortex.
Community-based action for the control of trachoma.

Some characteristics, including cultural dislocation, are common to various trachomatous populations. Cultural changes or behavioral modifications and the utilization of certain health-related hardware are needed for the eradication of trachoma. Without appropriate cultural changes, various health-promotion efforts (e.g., birth control and malaria control programs) generally fail. With such changes, these programs are often successful; examples include health-promoting activities among Maori, Indian, and Australian populations. Community-based trachoma action consists of the provision of appropriately chosen health-related hardware and the instigation of activities that encourage its use. In the designing of these activities, the following factors are important: an understanding of the history and "real time" situation of the trachomatous group; a commitment to the group's welfare and general advancement; an appreciation of other health-related efforts that may be required before, during, or after the development of the trachoma control program; and support from and involvement of the client group at all times and at all levels.
Leadership Styles and Change Dynamics in Public Schools of Pakistan

Leadership plays a vital role in managing organizations and one of the key issues is managing change. Pakistani public schools are educational organizations which have been subject to top-down change in recent years. The chief actor of change, the public school teacher is assumed to be ignorant of the dynamics of change. This quantitative research was conducted to know the awareness of public school teachers about the dynamics of change and their understanding of school principal’s role in change. For this purpose asurvey was conducted withthe teachers of public secondary schools of Punjab in three districts. Multistage sampling technique was used to draw the sample of 135 (male 69 and female 66) teachers. Data was collected through a personally constructed questionnaire to suit the purpose. The Cronbach Alpha (Coefficient of Reliability) of the questionnaire was 0.947. Research findings reveal that public school teachers are fully aware of the importance of change. In fact they are ready to assume the responsibility for second order change. However, the system is not ready to initiate bottom-up change; the leadership role is critical and leadership training is the need of the hour that will gear the system in the desired direction.