Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in critically ill and non-critically ill AIDS patients

Current dosage regimens of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in AIDS patients have been based on data from healthy subjects or patients without AIDS. The clearance and absorption characteristics of the drugs may potentially be different between patients with and without AIDS. This study was conducted to assess the pharmacokinetics of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in critically ill and non-critically ill AIDS patients treated for P. carinii pneumonia. Patients received trimethoprim at 15 mg/kg of body weight and sulfamethoxazole at 75 mg/kg of body weight daily intravenously in three to four divided doses and were switched to the oral route when the regimen was tolerated. Serum samples for determination of drug concentrations were obtained over 12 h after intravenous and oral dosing. The pharmacokinetics of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole were compared in eight critically ill versus nine non-critically ill male patients and were as follows, respectively: clearance, 1.88 +/- 0.44 versus 1.73 +/- 0.64 ml/min/kg for trimethoprim and 0.40 +/- 0.12 versus 0.34 +/- 0.11 ml/min/kg for sulfamethoxazole; volume of distribution, 1.6 +/- 0.5 versus 1.5 +/- 0.5 liters/kg for trimethoprim and 0.5 +/- 0.3 versus 0.4 +/- 0.1 liters/kg for sulfamethoxazole; and half-life, 10.9 +/- 7.4 versus 11.3 +/- 4.0 h for trimethoprim, and 15.5 +/- 9.5 versus 14.3 +/- 4.7 h for sulfamethoxazole. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between patient groups, although there was wide intersubject variability. Absorption appeared to be similar between the critically ill and non-critically patients: bioavailability was 97.5% +/- 22.4% versus 101.8% +/- 22.7% for trimethoprim and 86.2% +/- 17.9% versus 99.1% +/- 20.5% for sulfamethoxazole, respectively. Because of the similar pharmacokinetics of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in critically ill and non-critically ill AIDS patients, the two groups of patients may receive similar dosages. Dosage adjustment does not appear to be required when switching from the intravenous to the oral route.
Antibodies Elicited by the Bovine Lungworm, Dictyocaulus viviparus, Cross-React with Platelet-Activating Factor

ABSTRACT Parasite N-glycans may play an important role in helminth infections. As antibodies from Dictyocaulus viviparus-infected calves strongly react with N-glycans, we investigated the characteristics of the major immunodominant glycoprotein (GP300) of this parasite. Probing of worm extracts with various lectins demonstrated unique binding of GP300 to wheat germ agglutinin. Analysis of lectin-purified GP300 revealed that the glycan was substituted with phosphorylcholine and reacted with the phosphorylcholine-specific antibody TEPC-15. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with GP300-coated plates and GP300-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) in conjunction with free phosphorylcholine or TEPC-15 demonstrated that antibodies from infected calves recognized phosphorylcholine on GP300. Additional assays showed that these antibodies cross-reacted with the phosphorylcholine moiety present on platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), a proinflammatory mediator of the host. Heavily infected calves contained high levels of serum GP300-specific IgG1 but low levels of IgA and IgG2 and showed a reduced influx of eosinophils in the lungs, all consistent with a neutralization of PAF activity. In conclusion, we demonstrated that D. viviparus infection elicits GP300-specific antibodies that cross-react with PAF and may neutralize PAF function, thus limiting the development of a protective response as well as parasite-induced host pathology.
Chemical and physical properties of early , mid-time and late ripening apricot cultivars

Apricots are cultivated around the world mainly for their high-quality fruit, which is consumed fresh, processed by the food industry (frozen apricot, jam, jelly, marmalade, pulp juice, nectar, extrusion products etc.), or preserved by drying (MIRZAEE et al., 2009). In addition, apricot kernels are used in the production of oils, benzaldehyde, cosmetics, active carbon, and aroma perfume (MANDAL et al., 2007). Apricot fruit is a source of minerals and vitamins and has the potential to contribute greatly to human nutrition and health because of their richness in antioxidant compounds, Chemical and physical properties of early, mid-time and late ripening apricot cultivars
Awareness of activity limitations, goal setting and rehabilitation outcome in patients with brain injuries

Primary objective: To examine the relationship between self-awareness, goal setting ability (i.e. ability to set realistic goals) and performance/outcome in a cognitive task and for rehabilitation. Research design: Regression analyses were conducted to compare the predictive power of self-awareness and demographic/neuropsychological variables on goal setting ability and performance/outcome. Methods and procedures: Self-awareness of 63 patients with brain injuries was measured by direct clinicians’ rating and the difference between patient and staff ratings in a questionnaire. Results: The awareness measures predicted 32% of the variance for goal setting ability in the rehabilitation context but only 4% of the goal setting variance in the cognitive task. Similarly, self-awareness predicted 33% of the variance for rehabilitation outcome but only 5% of the performance in the cognitive task. Conclusions: Self-awareness seems to be related to goal setting ability and outcome in a long-term rehabilitation process but less in short-term experimental tasks.
The calendar is crucial: Coordination and awareness through the family calendar

Everyday family life involves a myriad of mundane activities that need to be planned and coordinated. We describe findings from studies of 44 different families' calendaring routines to understand how to best design technology to support them. We outline how a typology of calendars containing family activities is used by three different types of families—monocentric, pericentric, and polycentric—which vary in the level of family involvement in the calendaring process. We describe these family types, the content of family calendars, the ways in which they are extended through annotations and augmentations, and the implications from these findings for design.
Trends in the use and cost of antipsychotics among older adults from 2007 to 2013: a repeated cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND Recently, several new atypical antipsychotic agents have been introduced in Ontario, and regulatory warnings have been issued regarding use of atypical antipsychotics in older adults. We sought to establish the impact of newer atypical antipsychotics on prescribing rates and costs. METHODS We performed a population-based cross-sectional study of Ontario adults aged 65 years or more using atypical antipsychotics from Jan. 1, 2007, to Mar. 31, 2013. These people have universal access to publicly funded drugs through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan and the Ontario Drug Benefit. We conducted time-series analysis to assess the impact of the introduction of new atypical antipsychotics on rates of use of atypical antipsychotics and associated expenditures. RESULTS Rates of atypical antipsychotic use increased following the introduction of new agents in 2009, from 27.6 users per 1000 older adults in the third quarter of 2009 to 29.1 users per 1000 older adults at the end of the study period (p = 0.04). Although prescribing rates for the newer atypical agents (paliperidone, ziprasidone and aripiprazole) remained low relative to their older counterparts (risperidone, olanzapine and quetiapine), rates of aripiprazole use rose to 1.0 user per 1000 older adults by the end of the study period. The proportion of prescriptions that were for brand-name agents fell from 57.5% in the second quarter of 2007 to 6.1% in the second quarter of 2009, and then rose to 11.7% by the end of the study period. By the first quarter of 2013, newer atypical antipsychotic agents were used by 4.4% of atypical antipsychotic users but accounted for 14.1% ($1.2 million of $8.5 million) of atypical antipsychotic expenditures. INTERPRETATION Although the overall prevalence of use of new atypical antipsychotic agents remains low, their introduction has led to increased prescribing of this class of drugs in older adults. Given the potential cost implications, further study of these trends would be prudent.
Comparison of the Avidity Index Method and the Serologic Testing Algorithm for Recent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Seroconversion, Two Methods Using a Single Serum Sample for Identification of Recent HIV Infections

ABSTRACT A study was designed to compare an avidity index method to the serologic testing algorithm for recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion (STARHS) for the detection of recent HIV infection. One hundred sixty HIV-positive sera were tested. Both techniques performed similarly in identifying recent infections, although STARHS tended to misclassify more individuals that had long-standing infection as being recently infected.
Biological Codes and Topological Causation*

Various causal details of the genetic process of translation have been singled out to account for its privileged status as a ‘code’. We explicate the biological uses of coding talk by characterizing a class of special causal processes in which topological properties are the causally relevant ones. This class contains both the process of translation and communication theoretic coding processes as special cases. We propose a formalism in terms of graphs for expressing our theory of biological codes and discuss its utility in understanding biological systems.
Activity of fleroxacin alone and in combination with clindamycin or metronidazole in experimental intra-abdominal abscesses

To assess the potential efficacy of fleroxacin in combination with clindamycin or metronidazole in mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections, we used a rat model of intra-abdominal abscesses in which the inoculum consisted of pooled rat feces mixed with BaSO4. Two hours after bacterial challenge, antimicrobial therapy was begun intravenously with regimens designed to stimulate human pharmacokinetics. A combination of clindamycin and gentamicin was included as an established treatment regimen. After 8.5 days of therapy, final bacterial counts in abscesses showed that fleroxacin alone or combined with metronidazole or clindamycin effectively eradicated Escherichia coli, with bacterial densities of < or = 2.84 +/- 0.1, < or = 2.9 +/- 0.1, and < or = 2.9 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) log10 CFU/g, respectively. The addition of either clindamycin or metronidazole to fleroxacin substantially enhanced the effectiveness of the regimens against Bacteroides fragilis, with bacterial counts of < or = 3.0 +/- 0.1 or < or = 2.9 +/- 0.1 log10 CFU/g, respectively, versus 9.2 +/- 0.2 log10 CFU/g for fleroxacin alone. The combination of metronidazole and fleroxacin also resulted in a significantly greater reduction of peptostreptococci and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron than fleroxacin alone (< or = 2.9 +/- 0.1 versus 6.1 +/- 0.9 log10 CFU/g and 3.3 +/- 0.4 versus 8.3 +/- 0.1 log10 CFU/g, respectively). Except for those of B. fragilis, counts of other anaerobes were reduced to a greater extent by metronidazole plus fleroxacin than by clindamycin plus fleroxacin, although differences were not always significant. Metronidazole plus fleroxacin was at least as active a clindamycin plus gentamicin against all species and was significantly more active against Clostridium spp. No regimen effectively eradicated enterococci from the abscesses. These results suggest that the addition of either metronidazole or clindamycin would effectively enhance the spectrum of fleroxacin for treatment of mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections.
Mothers’ Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Human Milk Banking in South Australia

Background: The beneficial effects of breastfeeding for mothers and babies are well recognized. When maternal breast milk is not available in sufficient quantity, donor breast milk is recommended as an alternate source of nutrition, particularly in preterm and other high-risk infants. Australia lags behind the rest of the developed world in establishing and promoting human milk banks; there is no human milk bank in South Australia and little is known concerning mothers’ perceptions of using human milk banks in that state. Objective: This study explored mothers’ knowledge of and attitudes toward human milk banks, to inform the development of human milk banking policies and guidelines in South Australia should a milk bank be established. Methods: In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 mothers who were breastfeeding and/or had preterm or sick babies. In addition, 2 focus groups were conducted—1 with breastfeeding mothers as potential donors (n = 5) and the other with mothers of preterm or high-risk infants (n = 4)—to answer questions raised by early analysis of the individual interview data. Results: Breastfeeding mothers, as potential donors, unanimously supported donating their breast milk to a human milk bank, provided it would be easy (especially if required to drop off milk) and not overly time consuming. Mothers of preterm or sick infants would use a human milk bank if they were assured the milk was safe and appropriate for their babies. Conclusion: Study participants would welcome having access to a human milk bank for both donating and receiving milk in South Australia.
Lifetime course of myasthenia gravis

Between 1940 and 2000 a total of 1976 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) were studied. Diagnosis was made by improvement in weakness after anticholinesterase medication. The historical developments in diagnosis and treatment of MG are reviewed. We analyzed the clinical course of MG as influenced by age, gender, thymectomy, thymomectomy, and the presence of antibodies to acetylcholine receptors (AChR). The clinical course of MG was significantly influenced by age and gender, and these need special attention in managing patients. The most severe level of weakness and high mortality occurred during the first 1 to 2 years of the disease, after which many patients experienced improvement. For treating MG patients the usefulness of thymectomy remains to be proven, and novel drugs need to be developed to increase the number as well as normal functioning of the AChRs and other components of the neuromuscular system. Muscle Nerve, 2007
In vivo evaluation of pretargeted 64Cu for tumor imaging and therapy.

UNLABELLED Pretargeting involves administration of a tumor-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb) covalently linked to a molecule having a high-affinity binding site for a rapidly distributed radiolabeled effector molecule. The aim of this study was to compare pretargeting to a conventionally labeled antibody for tumor targeting of the intermediate-lived radionuclide (64)Cu, which has shown promise for PET imaging and radioimmunotherapy of cancer. METHODS DOTA-biotin (where DOTA is 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N"'-tetraacetic acid) and the intact immunoconjugate DOTA-NR-LU-10 were labeled to high specific activities with (64)Cu, and the serum stabilities and target binding capabilities of each agent were assayed in vitro. Nude mice bearing SW1222 human colorectal carcinoma xenografts were administered (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin, with and without pretreatment with the mAb-streptavidin conjugate NR-LU-10/SA and the synthetic clearing agent Biotin-GalNAc(16), or injected with (64)Cu-DOTA-NR-LU-10. Biodistributions of both agents were obtained from 5 min to 48 h after injection. RESULTS Both (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin and (64)Cu-DOTA-NR-LU-10 were 100% stable in serum in vitro. (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin exhibited >98% specific binding to immobilized streptavidin, whereas the immunoreactivity of (64)Cu-DOTA-NR-LU-10 averaged nearly 80%. Biodistributions in SW1222-bearing mice showed that NR-LU-10/SA-pretargeted (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin attained a peak tumor uptake of 18.9 percentage injected dose per gram (%ID/g) at 1 h, with concomitant rapid disappearance from blood and renal excretion. In the absence of pretargeting, (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin had very similar biodistribution and clearance properties, except with extremely low nonspecific tumor uptake. In contrast, (64)Cu-DOTA-NR-LU-10 reached 80.3 %ID/g in tumor tissue, after 48 h, whereas blood clearance was considerably slower than pretargeted (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin. Comparison of the time-activity curves for tumor uptake and blood clearance of pretargeted (64)Cu and the (64)Cu-labeled antibody revealed that the maximum tumor accumulations of radioactivity were similar for each agent, 17.9 percentage injected activity per gram (%IA/g) and 20.7 %IA/g, respectively. However, the tumor-to-blood ratio of areas under the curves was 14 times higher for pretargeted (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin because of the substantial increase in blood clearance of the small effector molecule. CONCLUSION The extremely rapid tumor uptake and blood clearance of pretargeted (64)Cu-DOTA-biotin should afford markedly superior PET imaging contrast and therapeutic efficacy, compared with conventionally labeled (64)Cu-DOTA-NR-LU-10. Further comparison of the therapeutic efficacy, toxicity, and dosimetry of these 2 agents is warranted.
The Social Validity of Telepractice among Spanish-Speaking Caregivers of English Learners: An Examination of Moderators

The purpose of the present paper was to examine the social validity of telepractice as a service delivery model for Spanish-speaking families of English learners. Quantitative survey methodology was employed to examine 79 caregivers’ opinions regarding telepractice and to obtain background information about participants’ home environments. Findings revealed that approximately 46% of the participant sample reported being interested in their children receiving services via telepractice. Caregivers reported limited familiarity with telepractice as an option, but were likely to express interest if their child had an identified speech or language disorder or if they were interested in increased access to Spanish language support for their children. In conclusion, although telepractice is not universally accepted among Spanish-speaking families, it appears to be a promising service delivery model. It is recommended that service providers offer thorough information and address common myths when considering telepractice as a service delivery model for families.
Inhibition by colchicine and by vinblastine of acetylcholine-induced catecholamine release from the adrenal gland: an anticholinergic action, not an effect upon microtubules.

We have confirmed that colchicine (1 mM) or vinblastine (100 µM) inhibits the acetylcholine-induced release of catecholamines from perfused bovine adrenal glands. This is an anticholinergic effect of these drugs and cannot be interpreted as evidence that microtubules participate in the release of amines, because neither colchicine nor vinblastine reduced catecholamine released by a high concentration of K+ or by angiotensin. Furthermore, both colchicine (1 mM) and vinblastine (100 µM) blocked transmission through the superior cervical ganglion of the cat by a postsynaptic anti-acetylcholine action.
Effect of the serine protease inhibitor, aprotinin, on systemic haemodynamics and renal function in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and ascites.

1. Previous studies have documented activation of protease enzymes, such as the plasma kallikrein-kinin system, in hepatic cirrhosis. Increased plasma kinin generation could contribute to pathological systemic vasodilatation in cirrhosis, and reduced systemic vascular resistance has been suggested as a trigger to renal sodium retention in this disease. We investigated the effect of aprotinin, a protease inhibitor which binds to plasma kallikrein, on systemic haemodynamics and renal function in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and ascites. 2. Aprotinin was infused intravenously in high dosage (2 x 10(6) kallikrein inhibitory units loading, 1 x 10(6) kallikrein inhibitory units/h). 3. Of 13 patients, 10 had a low systemic vascular resistance (< 1200 dyn s cm-5) at baseline. In this group, eight showed an increase in systemic vascular resistance during aprotinin infusion. Overall, the increase in systemic vascular resistance was significant, and there was a small but significant increase in mean arterial pressure. In all patients, there were increases in renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, and absolute and fractional urinary sodium excretion during aprotinin infusion. 4. Plasma renin activity, plasma angiotensin II and plasma aldosterone fell significantly during aprotinin infusion. Plasma prekallikrein, plasma noradrenaline and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide did not change. Plasma aprotinin concentration was 209 +/- 11 kallikrein inhibitory units/ml at the end of the infusion. 5. Before and during the infusion, there was a significant negative correlation between systematic vascular resistance and plasma renin activity. There was a positive correlation between the change in systemic vascular resistance and the change in renal plasma flow during aprotinin infusion. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Estimation of mechanical properties of cortical bone by computed tomography

It is difficult to assess from conventional x‐rays the amount of loading that a bone can tolerate. The question therefore was asked whether the mechanical properties of cortical bone could be estimated by using a computed tomography (CT) system typically employed in the clinical setting. In vitro cross sectional diaphyseal scans of adult human tibiae were made using a GE 9800 scanner and linear attenuation coefficients determined in several regions of the central cross sections. Samples from the mid‐diaphyses of these tibiae were harvested, tested in three‐point bending to failure, and mechanical properties as well as density and ash fraction determined. The respective relationships between CT measurements, mechanical properties and physical properties were calculated using regression analysis. In addition a solid calibration phantom (tricalciumphosphate) was scanned to evaluate the variability of CT measurements. The physical parameters measured in this study were found to be comparable with data from other authors but correlations coefficients with CT data: r = 0.55 (Young's modulus), r = 0.50 (strength), r = 0.65 (apparent density) and r = 0.46 (ash fraction). The correlation coefficients of these regressions for both linear and power fits were not significantly different. A high linear correlation (r = 0.99) was found between the chamber densities and the measured attenuation coefficients, but accuracy varied between 2 and 6%. The small range of specimen mechanical properties as well as the limitations inherent with the methods employed may explain these results. We conclude that clinical equipment as used in this study is not sufficient to accurately estimate the mechanical properties of cortical bone.