Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacist's role in managing anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease: potential clinical and economic benefits.

PURPOSE Barriers to the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the role of pharmacists in screening patients for anemia and developing guidelines for the use of anemia therapies in patients with CKD, the goals of and considerations in developing pharmacist-managed anemia management clinics, and the potential benefits of these clinics are described. SUMMARY The complexity of patients with CKD, patient nonadherence to the treatment regimen, a shortage of nephrologists, and a lack of familiarity with clinical practice guidelines and recommendations for treating anemia in these patients are possible barriers to the treatment of anemia. Pharmacists can play a role in improving the treatment of anemia in patients with CKD by screening for anemia, developing guidelines for the use of anemia therapies, and providing patient education to promote adherence to the treatment regimen. The optimal upper limit for hemoglobin concentration during treatment with erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESA) in patients with CKD remains to be determined, but it should not routinely exceed 13.0 g/dL. Extended dosing of darbepoetin alfa and the new agent continuous erythropoiesis receptor activator appears effective. Iron status often is not assessed in patients with CKD because of difficulty interpreting iron laboratory values and identifying iron deficiency. The usefulness of iron supplementation is not limited to patients with iron deficiency. The intravenous (i.v.) or oral route of administration may be used for iron supplementation in predialysis patients and peritoneal dialysis patients, but the i.v. route is recommended for hemodialysis patients. Adverse effects and drug interactions limit the use of oral iron supplements. Administration of parenteral iron is time consuming and accompanied by concerns about iron accumulation and uncertainty about the optimal maximum serum ferritin concentration. Improved access to care and clinical outcomes and reduced costs have been documented in pharmacist-managed anemia management clinics. CONCLUSION Pharmacists can help overcome barriers to treating anemia in patients with CKD. Clinical and economic benefits are associated with pharmacist-managed anemia management clinics.
Predictors of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations among postmenopausal women: the Women's Health Initiative Calcium plus Vitamin D clinical trial.

BACKGROUND It is unclear how well surrogate markers for vitamin D exposure (eg, oral intake of vitamin D and estimates of sunlight exposure), with and without consideration of other potential predictors of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, similarly rank individuals with respect to 25(OH)D blood concentrations. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine how much variation in serum 25(OH)D concentrations (nmol/L) could be explained by a predictive model with the use of different vitamin D surrogate markers (latitude of residence, mean annual regional solar irradiance estimates, and oral sources) and other individual characteristics that might influence vitamin D status. DESIGN A random sample of 3055 postmenopausal women (aged 50-70 y) participating in 3 nested case-control studies of the Women's Health Initiative Calcium plus Vitamin D Clinical Trial was used. Serum 25(OH)D values, assessed at year 1 (1995-2000), and potential predictors of 25(OH)D concentrations, assessed at year 1 or Women's Health Initiative baseline (1993-1998), were used. RESULTS More than half of the women (57.1%) had deficient (<50 nmol/L) concentrations of 25(OH)D. Distributions of 25(OH)D concentrations by level of latitude of residence, mean annual regional solar irradiance, and intake of vitamin D varied considerably. The predictive model for 25(OH)D explained 21% of the variation in 25(OH)D concentrations. After adjustment for month of blood draw, breast cancer status, colorectal cancer status, fracture status, participation in the hormone therapy trial, and randomization to the dietary modification trial, the predictive model included total vitamin D intake from foods and supplements, waist circumference, recreational physical activity, race-ethnicity, regional solar irradiance, and age. CONCLUSIONS Surrogate markers for 25(OH)D concentrations, although somewhat correlated, do not adequately reflect serum vitamin D measures. These markers and predictive models of blood 25(OH)D concentrations should not be given as much weight in epidemiologic studies of cancer risk.
Antipsychotic Treatment and Tobacco Craving in People With Schizophrenia

ABSTRACT Objective: Nicotine dependence is high in schizophrenia, and craving is known to impact relapse during quit attempts. Methods: We compared tobacco craving in smokers with schizophrenia treated with different antipsychotics. Results: Mean craving scores were lowest in participants receiving first-generation antipsychotics, although these differences were not statistically significant. Craving with clozapine was not lower than with other antipsychotics. Conclusions: Further research is needed to determine whether differences in craving exist between antipsychotic classes.
Credit Participation and Credit Source Selection of Vietnam Small and Medium Enterprises

This study is an attempt to investigate the motivation behind the decision to participate in the credit market of SMEs from perspectives of behavioral finance and social capital theories. In addition, the study also examines the effect of behavioral finance and social capital factors on the credit source selection among SMEs. This study’s design strategy involves conducting questionnaire surveys to SMEs owners and statistical techniques to analyze the determinants of credit participation and credit source selection of borrowers. The findings showed that personal traits of SMEs owners/managers in terms of behavioral finance factors such as debt and risk attitudes, present biased and overconfidence and firms networking also have impacts on the firms’ credit participation and credit source selection. The research is one of the few studies that consider the influence of behavioral finance factors on firms financing decision. Furthermore, our result also contributes to explain the common use of informal credit market in developing countries.
The MLH1 −93 G>A promoter polymorphism and genetic and epigenetic alterations in colon cancer

The MLH1 −93 G>A promoter polymorphism has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of microsatellite unstable colorectal cancer. Other than microsatellite instability, however, the genetic and most epigenetic changes of tumors associated with this polymorphism have not been studied. We evaluated associations between the −93 G>A polymorphism and CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), BRAF V600E mutations, and MLH1 methylation in tumors from a sample of 1,211 individuals with colon cancer and 1,968 controls from Utah, Northern California, and Minnesota. The −93 G>A polymorphism was determined by the five prime nuclease assay. CIMP was determined previously by methylation‐specific PCR of CpG islands in MLH1, methylated in tumors (MINT)1, MINT2, MINT31, and CDKN2A (p16). The BRAF V600E mutation was determined by sequencing exon 15. The MLH1 −93 G>A promoter polymorphism was associated with CIMP (odds ratio (OR) 3.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.85, 6.42), MLH1 methylation (OR 4.16, 95%CI 2.20, 7.86), BRAF mutations (OR 4.26, 95%CI 1.83, 9.91), and older age at diagnosis (OR 3.65, 95%CI 2.08, 6.39) in microsatellite unstable tumors. These associations were not observed in stable tumors. Increased age at diagnosis and tumor characteristics of microsatellite unstable tumors associated with MLH1 −93 G>A suggests the polymorphism is acting at a relatively late stage of colorectal carcinogenesis to drive CIMP+ tumors down the microsatellite instability pathway. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Do contamination of and exposure to chicken meat and water drive the temporal dynamics of Campylobacter cases?

SUMMARY Campylobacteriosis, the most frequent bacterial enteric disease, shows a clear yet unexplained seasonality. The study purpose was to explore the influence of seasonal fluctuation in the contamination of and in the behaviour exposures to two important sources of Campylobacter on the seasonality of campylobacteriosis. Time series analyses were applied to data collected through an integrated surveillance system in Canada in 2005–2010. Data included sporadic, domestically-acquired cases of Campylobacter jejuni infection, contamination of retail chicken meat and of surface water by C. jejuni, and exposure to each source through barbequing and swimming in natural waters. Seasonal patterns were evident for all variables with a peak in summer for human cases and for both exposures, in fall for chicken meat contamination, and in late fall for water contamination. Time series analyses showed that the observed campylobacteriosis summer peak could only be significantly linked to behaviour exposures rather than sources contamination (swimming rather than water contamination and barbequing rather than chicken meat contamination). The results indicate that the observed summer increase in human cases may be more the result of amplification through more frequent risky exposures rather than the result of an increase of the Campylobacter source contamination.
Murine glia express the immunosuppressive cytokine, interleukin‐10, following exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi or Neisseria meningitidis

There is growing appreciation that resident glial cells can initiate and/or regulate inflammation following trauma or infection in the central nervous system (CNS). We have previously demonstrated the ability of microglia and astrocytes, resident glial cells of the CNS, to respond to bacterial pathogens by rapid production of inflammatory mediators. However, inflammation within the brain parenchyma is notably absent during some chronic bacterial infections in humans and nonhuman primates. In the present study, we demonstrate the ability of the immunosuppressive cytokine, interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), to inhibit inflammatory immune responses of primary microglia and astrocytes to B. burgdorferi and N. meningitidis, two disparate gram negative bacterial species that can cross the blood‐brain barrier in humans. Importantly, we demonstrate that these organisms induce the delayed production of significant quantities of IL‐10 by both microglia and astrocytes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that such production occurs independent of the actions of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and is secondary to the autocrine or paracrine actions of other glia‐derived soluble mediators. The late onset of IL‐10 production by resident glia following activation, the previously documented expression of specific receptors for this cytokine on microglia and astrocytes, and the ability of IL‐10 to inhibit bacterially induced immune responses by these cells, suggest a mechanism by which resident glial cells can limit potentially damaging inflammation within the CNS in response to invading pathogens, and could explain the suppression of inflammation seen within the brain parenchyma during chronic bacterial infections. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of Lung Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Smoke Inhalation and Burn Injury: Strain-Specific Differences

ABSTRACT To test concepts developed in our ovine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome, specifically the roles of neuropeptides and other peptide mediators, a recently developed murine model of combined smoke inhalation and burn (SB) injury was extended by applying methods for quantitative assessment of acute inflammation in the lung. Mice received SB injury per protocol, n = 5 to 7 per group. Mice were anesthetized with i.p. ketamine/xylazine, endotracheally intubated, and exposed to cooled cotton smoke (4 × 30 sec for Balb/C, 2 × 30 sec for C57BL/6). After s.c. injection of 1 mL 0.9% saline, each received a 40% total body surface area (TBSA) flame burn. Buprenorphine (0.1 mg/kg) was given i.p. for postoperative analgesia; 0.9% saline was given i.p. at 4 mL/kg per %TBSA burn. Evans Blue dye (EB) was injected i.v. 15 min before sacrifice. Lung wet/dry weight ratio was measured. In other animals, after vascular perfusion with buffered saline, lungs were sampled and analyzed for myeloperoxidase (MPO), using an EIA kit, and for their content of EB dye. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in EB dye content, wet/dry weight ratio, and MPO 24 h after injury in Balb/C mice. Similar increases were seen in C57BL/6 mice 48 h after SB injury, but not at 24 h. C57 mice tolerated less smoke inhalation than Balb/C mice, due to postexposure apnea, and required 48 h to show significant increases in these variables. Direct comparison between animals injured by 40% TBSA burn and 2 × 30 sec smoke exposure and sacrificed after 48 h showed significantly greater abnormality in the C57BL/6 mice. The mouse model can be used effectively to assess acute inflammation in the lung.
Pharmacokinetics of intraocular drug delivery by periocular injections using ocular fluorophotometry.

PURPOSE To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of the periocular injections: posterior subtenon (PST), retrobulbar (RB), and subconjunctival (SC) injection. METHODS Two sodium fluorescein (NaF) concentrations, 2.5 mg in 0.1 mL (NaF1) and 2.5 mg in 0.5 mL (NaF2) were injected into live rabbits by the PST (NaF1 n = 4, NaF2 n = 3), RB (NaF1 n = 10), SC (NaF1 n = 6), and intravenous (IV, NaF1 n = 6) routes and into euthanatized rabbits by the RB (NaF1 n = 8) route. NaF concentrations in the choroid/retina, vitreous, and anterior segment were measured by ocular fluorophotometry. The NaF level in the contralateral choroid/retina was used as a measure of the systemic drug levels. RESULTS The maximum NaF concentrations (nanograms per milliliter) in the choroid/retina after PST, RB, SC, and IV were 757 +/- 549 at 2 hours, 906 +/- 1014 at 1 hour, 320 +/- 462 at 2 hours, and 865 +/- 363 at 5 to 10 minutes, respectively. The PST had the highest and most prolonged vitreous NaF1 concentration (maximum: 270 +/- 226 ng/mL at 3.5 hours). The contralateral peak choroid/retina NaF levels after the RB, SC, and IV injections were 7, 4, and 21 times greater than after the PST injection. The SC injection had the highest anterior segment NaF concentration (5364 +/- 2840 ng/mL at 2 hours). PST with NaF2 resulted in intraocular NaF levels higher than with NaF1. CONCLUSIONS NaF reaches the choroid/retina by transscleral diffusion from the periocular depot. The orbital and conjunctival vasculature and lymphatics have a larger role in NaF clearance than does the choroid. NaF diffuses into the vitreous from the choroid and the anterior segment; the periocular depot location determines the predominant diffusion pathway. The duration of high NaF levels in the choroid/retina or the anterior segment determines vitreous NaF levels. PST is the best periocular route for vitreous NaF delivery with minimal systemic levels. Increasing the volume of NaF PST depot enhances transscleral drug delivery.
A Cre‐inducible fluorescent reporter for observing apical membrane dynamics

The ability to image living tissues with fluorescent proteins has revolutionized the fields of cell and developmental biology. Fusions between fluorescent proteins and various polypeptides are allowing scientists to image tissues with sub‐cellular resolution. Here, we describe the generation and activity of a genetically engineered mouse line expressing a fusion between the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the apically localized protein Crumbs3 (Crb3). This reporter drives Cre‐inducible expression of Crb3–GFP under control of the EF1a regulatory domains. The fusion protein is broadly expressed in embryonic and adult tissues and shows apical restriction in the majority of epithelial cell types. It displays a variably penetrant gain of function activity in the neural tube. However, in several cell types, over‐expression of Crb3 does not appear to have any effect on normal development or maintenance. Detailed analysis of kidneys expressing this reporter indicates normal morphology and function highlighting the utility for live imaging. Thus, the EF1aCrb3–GFP mouse line will be of broad use for studying membrane and/or tissue dynamics in living tissues. genesis 53:285–293, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A minimum income standard for Britain : what people think

A minimum income standard, based on what people said is needed to achieve an acceptable standard of living in Britain today. While politicians from all parties are committed to tackling relative poverty, the debates lack a robust definition of a minimum income standard (MIS), below which people’s incomes should not fall. This study devised a minimum income standard for Britain based on what members of the public said, and shows the cost of covering basic goods and services for different household types. The project blends the best elements of the two main methods that have been used to develop budget standards in Britain in recent years. It reconciles the views of experts with those of ordinary people, allowing budgets based on social consensus to be tested against expert knowledge and research. As such, the MIS represents a new and important tool for informing social policy in order to promote fairness and well-being in Britain.
Leaf evolution in early-diverging ferns: insights from a new fern-like plant from the Late Devonian of China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS With the exception of angiosperms, the main euphyllophyte lineages (i.e. ferns sensu lato, progymnosperms and gymnosperms) had evolved laminate leaves by the Late Devonian. The evolution of laminate leaves, however, remains unclear for early-diverging ferns, largely represented by fern-like plants. This study presents a novel fern-like taxon with pinnules, which provides new insights into the early evolution of laminate leaves in early-diverging ferns. METHODS Macrofossil specimens were collected from the Upper Devonian (Famennian) Wutong Formation of Anhui and Jiangsu Provinces, South China. A standard degagement technique was employed to uncover compressed plant portions within the rock matrix. KEY RESULTS A new fern-like taxon, SHOUGANGIA BELLA GEN ET SP NOV: , is described and represents an early-diverging fern with highly derived features. It has a partially creeping stem with adventitious roots only on one side, upright primary and secondary branches arranged in helices, tertiary branches borne alternately or (sub)oppositely, laminate and usually lobed leaves with divergent veins, and complex fertile organs terminating tertiary branches and possessing multiple divisions and numerous terminal sporangia. CONCLUSIONS Shougangia bella provides unequivocal fossil evidence for laminate leaves in early-diverging ferns. It suggests that fern-like plants, along with other euphyllophyte lineages, had independently evolved megaphylls by the Late Devonian, possibly in response to a significant decline in atmospheric CO2 concentration. Among fern-like plants, planate ultimate appendages are homologous with laminate pinnules, and in the evolution of megaphylls, fertile organs tend to become complex.
Resolving Mechanisms of Competitive Fertilization Success in Drosophila melanogaster

Battle of the Sperm In insects, sperm from multiple matings are stored and retained, and are thought to compete for ova within a female's reproductive tract. Manier et al. (p. 354, published online 18 March) visualized sperm from fruit flies transgenically tagged with green or red fluorescent protein within the reproductive tracts of female flies. Sperm showed more mobility within the female storage organs than expected, with those from the most recent copulation displacing sperm from previous males; however, sperm viability remained consistent over long-term storage and each male's sperm was equally competitive in fertilizing the female's eggs. Fluorescently labeled sperm allow direct visualization of their activity within the female reproductive tract of flies. Our understanding of postcopulatory sexual selection has been constrained by an inability to discriminate competing sperm of different males, coupled with challenges of directly observing live sperm inside the female reproductive tract. Real-time and spatiotemporal analyses of sperm movement, storage, and use within female Drosophila melanogaster inseminated by two transgenic males with, respectively, green and red sperm heads allowed us to unambiguously discriminate among hypothesized mechanisms underlying sperm precedence, including physical displacement and incapacitation of “resident” sperm by second males, female ejection of sperm, and biased use of competing sperm for fertilization. We find that competitive male fertilization success derives from a multivariate process involving ejaculate-female and ejaculate-ejaculate interactions, as well as complex sperm behavior in vivo.
USER REQUIREMENTS MODEL FOR UNIVERSITY TIMETABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Automated timetables are used to schedule courses, lectures and rooms in universities by considering some constraints. Inconvenient and ineffective timetables often waste time and money. Therefore, it is important to investigate the requirements and potential needs of users. Thus, eliciting user requirements of University Timetable Management System (TMS) and their implication becomes an important process for the implementation of TMS. On this note, this paper seeks to propose a model of requirements for the University Timetable Management System (TMS). Using quantitative and qualitative methods, this model provides developers a more effective and efficient platform for developing a high quality TMS.
Co‐expression of HLA‐B7 and HLA‐B27 alleles is associated with B7‐restricted immunodominant responses following influenza infection

It is recognized that host response following viral infection is characterized by immunodominance, but deciphering the different factors contributing to immunodominance has proved a challenge due to concurrent expression of multiple MHC class I alleles. To address this, we generated H2‐K−/−/D−/− double‐knockout transgenic mice expressing either one or two human MHC‐I alleles. We hypothesized that co‐expression of different allele combinations figures critically in immunodominance and examined this in influenza‐infected, double Tg MHC‐I mice. In A2/B7 or A2/B27 mice, using ELISpot assays with the A2‐restricted matrix I.58–66, the B7‐restricted NP418–426 or the B27‐restricted NP383–391 influenza A (flu) epitopes, we observed the expected recognition of both peptides for both alleles. In contrast, in flu‐infected B7/B27 mice, a significantly reduced level of B27/NP383‐restricted CTL response was detected while there was no change in the B7/NP418‐restricted CTL response. Flu‐specific tetramer studies revealed a partial deletion of Vβ8. 1+ NP383/B27‐restricted CD8+ T cells, and a diminished Vβ12+ CD8+ T‐cell expansion in B7/B27 Tg mice. Using HLA Tg chimeric mice, we confirmed these findings. These findings shed light on the immune consequences of co‐dominant expression of MHC‐I alleles for host immune response to pathogens.