Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prolonged, continuous distal limb cryotherapy in the horse.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY The recommended duration of cryotherapy in horses is currently extrapolated from human medicine. Prolonged, continuous cryotherapy (days rather than minutes) may be of therapeutic value if it is safe and well tolerated. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of prolonged, continuous application of ice and water to the equine distal limb. METHODS A slurry of ice and water was applied to the right forelimb of 4 Standardbred horses for 48 h. Hoof temperature, ambient temperature and ice boot temperature were logged continuously and clinical observations recorded every 2 h. Lameness examinations were performed prior to application and 1 week, 6 months and 1 year after removal of the ice boot. RESULTS Continuous cryotherapy was well tolerated and resulted in marked cooling of the treated foot. No significant variation in clinical parameters was noted, and no lameness or gross pathology noted in the treated limbs at any examination period. CONCLUSIONS The continuous application of ice and water is a safe and effective means of cooling the equine distal limb. The extremely low, constant temperatures achieved may be of benefit in the management of various distal limb conditions. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Providing clinicians and research workers with a potent therapeutic/prophylactic modality for disorders of the equine distal limb.
C-Type Natriuretic Peptides in Coronary Disease.

AIMS C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a paracrine growth factor expressed in the vascular endothelium. Although upregulated in atheromatous arteries, the predictive value of plasma CNP products for outcome in coronary disease is unknown. This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of plasma CNP products with those of other natriuretic peptides in individuals with coronary artery disease, and investigate their associations with cardiac and renal function. METHODS AND RESULTS Plasma concentrations of CNP and amino-terminal proCNP (NT-proCNP) were measured at baseline in 2129 individuals after an index acute coronary syndrome admission and related to cardiac and renal function, other natriuretic peptides [atrial NP (ANP) and B-type NP (BNP)] and prognosis (primary end point, mortality; secondary end point, cardiac readmission). Median follow-up was 4 years. At baseline, and in contrast to CNP, ANP, and BNP, plasma NT-proCNP was higher in males and weakly related to cardiac function but strongly correlated to plasma creatinine. All NPs were univariately associated with mortality. Resampling at 4 and 12 months in survivors showed stable concentrations of NT-proCNP whereas all other peptides declined. When studied by diagnosis (myocardial infarction, unstable angina) at index admission using a multivariate model, NT-proBNP predicted mortality and readmission in myocardial infarction. In unstable angina, only NT-proCNP predicted both mortality and cardiac readmission. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to the close association of NT-proBNP with cardiac function, and predictive value for outcome after myocardial infarction, plasma NT-proCNP is highly correlated with renal function and is an independent predictor of mortality and cardiac readmission in individuals with unstable angina.
Nitric oxide synthase: MRNA expression of different isoforms in human monocytes/macrophages

To detect mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in human monocytes/macrophages reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was used. mRNA was isolated from stimulated or unstimulated monocytes/macrophages and RT‐PCR was performed using oligonucleotide primers derived from mRNA sequences of either human endothelial constitutive (c) or human hepatocyte inducible (i) NOS. RT‐PCR of mRNA isolated from resting monocytes and macrophages resulted in the amplification of a cNOS specific mRNA fragment. When the cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) prior to mRNA extraction, RT‐PCR yielded an iNOS‐specific amplification product. Whereas the activation of both cell types was accompanied by expression of iNOS mRNA, the cNOS signal seemed to be diminished upon immunostimulation. Not only in purified human monocytes but also in the human monocytoid cell lines MonoMac 6, THP‐1, and U937 cNOS mRNA was detected. The data clearly demonstrate the presence of iNOS and cNOS mRNA in human monocytes/macrophages and provide the necessary tools to investigate the regulation of NO synthesis in these cell populations.
The Effect of Transformational Leadership in Achieving High Performance Workforce That Exceeds Organisational Expectation: A Study from a Global and Islamic Perspective

Over the last decade and a half, the study on transformational leadership in any organizational settings has gone through a significant evolution in terms of theory development as well as empirical investigations. Many researchers have now embarked on the study, both from the global perspective and from the Islamic perspective. Islam is the concept of leadership is interrelated to trust (amanah) which signifies a psychological contract between a leader and his followers whereby the leader will do his best to guide, protect and treat them fairly and with justice. As a result, our knowledge about this leadership style has deepened, and there are several dominant theories that are now established paradigms in the leadership field. Despite the development there is numerous magnitudes of these leadership forms that we still don’t know very much. Hence, it is only proper that we examine where we need to go into the future. Leaders play the primary role in establishing and motivating employees’ performance, but little research has examined the specific processes which stimulate the effect of transformational leadership resulting high-performance workforce exceeding organizational expectation. This study will seek the answer based on the global as well as the Islamic perspective.
Properties of Succinyl-Coenzyme A:l-Malate Coenzyme A Transferase and Its Role in the Autotrophic 3-Hydroxypropionate Cycle of Chloroflexus aurantiacus

ABSTRACT The 3-hydroxypropionate cycle has been proposed to operate as the autotrophic CO2 fixation pathway in the phototrophic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus. In this pathway, acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) and two bicarbonate molecules are converted to malate. Acetyl-CoA is regenerated from malyl-CoA by l-malyl-CoA lyase. The enzyme forming malyl-CoA, succinyl-CoA:l-malate coenzyme A transferase, was purified. Based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of its two subunits, the corresponding genes were identified on a gene cluster which also contains the gene for l-malyl-CoA lyase, the subsequent enzyme in the pathway. Both enzymes were severalfold up-regulated under autotrophic conditions, which is in line with their proposed function in CO2 fixation. The two CoA transferase genes were cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant enzyme was purified and studied. Succinyl-CoA:l-malate CoA transferase forms a large (αβ)n complex consisting of 46- and 44-kDa subunits and catalyzes the reversible reaction succinyl-CoA + l-malate → succinate + l-malyl-CoA. It is specific for succinyl-CoA as the CoA donor but accepts l-citramalate instead of l-malate as the CoA acceptor; the corresponding d-stereoisomers are not accepted. The enzyme is a member of the class III of the CoA transferase family. The demonstration of the missing CoA transferase closes the last gap in the proposed 3-hydroxypropionate cycle.
Psychopathology in difficult asthma

Abstract Objective: Within the asthma population, difficult asthma (DA) is a severe condition in which patients present with frequent exacerbations, hospitalizations and emergency room visits. The identification and treatment of psychopathology is included in the management of DA. Psychopathology is supposed to predispose patients to DA or vice versa; psychopathology may develop as a consequence of DA. We reviewed the available literature on empirical findings regarding psychopathology in adult patients with DA. Methods: Studies in English language journals using MEDLINE, Cochrane and PsycINFO databases, were retrieved by an electronic search published from 1990 till July 2014. Results: Literature on psychopathology in DA is scarce. The search identified 16 articles of which only 6 articles were specifically about psychopathology in adult patients with DA. Almost half of the patients with DA had evidence of psychopathology at both syndrome and symptom level. Moreover, psychopathology appeared to be related to frequent exacerbations in patients with DA. Conclusions: This literature review suggests a high prevalence of psychopathology of patients with DA, although it remains unclear whether psychopathology occurs more often in DA compared to “stable asthma”. More research is needed on a possible role of psychopathology on clinical signs and symptoms in DA.
High-Dose Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone in Paraquat Poisoning: A Prospective Study

Between March 1986 and March 1988, 47 consecutive patients, whose paraquat intoxication was confirmed by urine testing, were enrolled in a prospective study on the treatment of paraquat poisoning. Fourteen received a standard treatment regimen consisting of fluid replacement and oral absorbents, and 33 received high-dose cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone, in addition to standard therapy. The case fatality rate in both treatment groups (63 and 61%) was similar. In addition, all 26 patients whose paraquat serum concentrations were measured and who had a probability of survival of less than 65% according the survival curve of Hart et al. died, regardless of therapy. These included four in the cyclophosphamide/dexamethasone group and two in the standard treatment group who had prior survival probabilities between 50 and 65%. This indicated that the cut-off curve relating mortality and paraquat serum concentrations was similar in both treatment groups. High-dose cyclophosphamide/dexamethasone treatment is unlikely to improve the prognosis of paraquat poisoning.
MULTILITERACIES AND THE PEDAGOGY OF EMPOWERMENT: THE PERSPECTIVE OF SAUDI FEMALE STUDENTS

This paper presents a new approach to teaching in the ESL classroom, one that employs multiliteracies pedagogy (MP) which is an approach that we consider to be significant for empowering Saudi female students in a context where English-language teaching must be responsive to the local culture and realities and must be driven by local needs. This is an action research project that was conducted within the female division of a private university in Saudi Arabia. Results show that multiliteracies pedagogy is a useful conceptual lens to employ in a second-language classroom in order to empower students and help them to find their education to be meaningful. Suggestions are offered for enhancing students’ second-language learning and for empowering them by means of this pedagogy. The pedagogical implications for classroom teaching include the recruitment of local female role models, the use of the students’ first language and the role of the teacher as a facilitator.
Gut Hormone Profiles Following Bariatric Surgery Favor an Anorectic State, Facilitate Weight Loss, and Improve Metabolic Parameters

Objective:To study the effect of bariatric surgery on the entero-hypothalamic endocrine axis of humans and rodents. Background:Bariatric surgery is the most effective obesity treatment as it achieves substantial and sustained weight loss. Glycemic control and enhanced satiation improve before substantial weight loss occurs. Gut peptides, acting both peripherally and centrally, contribute to glycemic control and regulate food intake. Methods:We examined meal-stimulated responses of insulin, ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY), glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) in humans and rodents following different bariatric surgical techniques. Results:Compared with lean and obese controls, patients following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) had increased postprandial plasma PYY and GLP-1 favoring enhanced satiety. Furthermore, RYGB patients had early and exaggerated insulin responses, potentially mediating improved glycemic control. None of these effects were observed in patients losing equivalent weight through gastric banding. Leptin, ghrelin, and PP were similar in both the surgical groups. Using a rodent model of jejuno-intestinal bypass (JIB), we showed elevated PYY and GLP-1 in JIB rats compared with sham-operated rats. Moreover, exogenous PYY reduced food intake and blockade of endogenous PYY increased food intake. Thus, higher plasma PYY following JIB may contribute to reduced food intake and contribute to weight loss. Conclusions:Following RYGB and JIB, a pleiotropic endocrine response may contribute to the improved glycemic control, appetite reduction, and long-term changes in body weight.
Preoperative Anemia Is an Independent Predictor of Postoperative Mortality and Adverse Cardiac Events in Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Vascular Operations

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of preoperative anemia (hematocrit <39%) on postoperative 30-day mortality and adverse cardiac events in patients 65 years or older undergoing elective vascular procedures. Background: Preoperative anemia is associated with adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery, but its association with postoperative outcomes after open and endovascular procedures is not well established. Elderly patients have a decreased tolerance to anemia and are at high risk for complications after vascular procedures. Methods: Patients (N = 31,857) were identified from the American College of Surgeons' 2007–2009 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program—a prospective, multicenter (>250) database maintained across the United States. The primary and secondary outcomes of interest were 30-day mortality and a composite end point of death or cardiac event (cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction), respectively. Results: Forty-seven percent of the study population was anemic. Anemic patients had a postoperative mortality and cardiac event rate of 2.4% and 2.3% in contrast to the 1.2% and 1.2%, respectively, in patients with hematocrit within the normal range (P < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, we found a 4.2% (95% confidence interval, 1.9–6.5) increase in the adjusted risk of 30-day postoperative mortality for every percentage point of hematocrit decrease from the normal range. Conclusions: The presence and degree of preoperative anemia are independently associated with 30-day death and adverse cardiac events in patients 65 years or older undergoing elective open and endovascular procedures. Identification and treatment of anemia should be important components of preoperative care for patients undergoing vascular operations.
Optimal duration of antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated urinary tract infection in older women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND The optimal duration of antibiotic therapy in older patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is still a matter of debate. The aim of this randomized controlled double-blind noninferiority trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of 3-day and 7-day courses of oral ciprofloxacin for uncomplicated symptomatic UTI in older women. METHODS A total of 183 women at least 65 years of age with acute uncomplicated UTI were recruited from ambulatory clinics and hospital acute care units. Patients with pyelonephritis, contraindications to fluoroquinolones, recent use of antibiotics, urinary tract abnormalities and diabetes mellitus were excluded. Women were randomly assigned to receive either ciprofloxacin 250 mg twice daily orally for 3 days followed by placebo for 4 days (the 3-day group, 93 patients) or ciprofloxacin 250 mg twice daily orally for 7 days (the 7-day group, 90 patients). Bacterial eradication, clinical improvement and occurrence of adverse events were determined 2 days after completion of treatment, and occurrence of reinfection or relapse were determined 6 weeks after completion of treatment. Bacterial eradication and relapse were determined by urine culture. Double-blind procedures were maintained throughout data collection. RESULTS The proportion of patients with bacterial eradication at 2 days after treatment was 98% (91/93) in the 3-day group and 93% (83/89) in the 7-day group (p = 0.16). The frequency of adverse events, including drowsiness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and loss of appetite, was significantly lower in the 3-day group. INTERPRETATION These results suggest that a 3-day course of antibiotic therapy is not inferior to a 7-day course for treatment of uncomplicated symptomatic UTI in older women, and that the shorter course is better tolerated.
South Africa: Labor Market Dynamics and Inequality

This paper analyzes the determinants of high unemployment in South Africa by studying labor market dynamics using individual level panel data from the Quarterly Labor Force Survey. While prior work experience and gender are found to be important determinants of the job-finding rate, education attainment and race are important determinants of the job-exit rate. Using stock-flow equations, counterfactual exercises are conducted to quantify the role of these different transition rates on unemployment. The paper also explores the contribution of unemployment towards inequality. Reducing unemployment is found to be important for reducing inequality - estimates suggest that a 10 percentage point reduction in unemployment lowers the Gini coefficient by 3 percent. Achieving a similar reduction solely through transfers would require a 40 percent increase in government transfers.
Culturally Responsive Leadership:How Principals Employ Culturally Responsive Leadership to Shape the School Experiences of Marginalized Students

This qualitative study research examines how 2 elementary principals in Ontario schools employ culturally responsive leadership (CRL) to shape the school experiences of marginalized students. In particular, it explores the strategies 2 principals use to enact this approach to leadership, the barriers and resistance they face that impede their social justice agenda, the supports that facilitate their work in schools, and the impact CRL has on various stakeholders. This study employed semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions guided by the conceptual framework derived from the literature review around culturally responsive pedagogy, culturally responsive leadership, social justice leadership, and educational leadership. Five teachers from each school were also interviewed in order to capture their insights as to how their principal’s culturally responsive leadership practices impacted their teaching and understanding of cultural responsiveness. The findings in the study show that principal participants foster a cultural responsive culture, promote culturally responsive pedagogy, create a welcoming climate in their school and build authentic relationships with all stakeholders, to move their social justice agenda forward. They also advocate passionately on behalf of their community to access resources to benefit students and families in the school community. These administrators also endeavor to change unjust structures that serve to perpetuate inequity and deter students from reaching high academic standards. In doing so, these leaders encounter formidable resistance and obstacles,
Histological Features Associated With Vemurafenib-Induced Skin Toxicities: Examination of 141 Cutaneous Lesions Biopsied During Therapy

Abstract:Dermatologic toxicities (DTs) associated with vemurafenib therapy include actinic keratosis (AK), verruca vulgaris (VV), keratoacanthoma (KA), and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which may share histological features. The authors report the histological features to aid in distinguishing among these DTs. A 3-year retrospective examination of the authors' surgical pathology database was conducted and 141 cases of vemurafenib-associated DTs from 33 patients were identified. DTs were categorized into 3 groups: (1) cutaneous epithelial proliferations (CEP), (2) melanocytic lesions, and (3) inflammatory dermatoses. The authors compared the groups using analysis of variance, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. CEP (n = 120) accounted for 85% of all DTs biopsied. The most frequent diagnosis in the CEP category was VV (40%), followed by invasive SCC (24%) and AK (21%). KA was diagnosed in 3% of CEP. Histologically, AK, VV, KA, and invasive SCC may demonstrate similar morphological features in superficial sampled specimens. The mitotic rate was significantly higher in invasive SCC than other CEP (P < 0.003). The median tumor thickness of SCC was 2.60 mm. Evaluating the base of the keratinized lesion will aid in distinguishing the histological type of CEP and the management of the DTs; thus, a deep shave or punch biopsy may be warranted for patients who received vemurafenib therapy.
Differential Expression of β-Galactoside α2,6 Sialyltransferase and Sialoglycans in Normal and Cirrhotic Liver and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sialyltransferases sialylate plasma glycoproteins in hepatocytes and may (as hepatic key enzymes) constitute markers for liver diseases. We examined expression of the prevalent α2,6 sialyltransferase (ST6Gal I) and sialoglycans in normal liver, cirrhotic liver, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using a new ST6Gal I-specific mAb and recombinant fusion proteins of CD22 and sialoadhesin recognizing α2,6- or α2,3-sialylated glycans in immunohistology and flow cytometry. In normal and cirrhotic liver, ST6Gal I and sialoglycans were localized in the Golgi region of hepatocytes surrounding the bile canaliculi and along the bile canaliculi, respectively. Sialoglycans were additionally recognized in Kupffer cells, bile ducts, endothelial cells, and oval cells. Well-differentiated and moderately differentiated HCC showed Golgi and diffuse cytoplasmic staining of ST6Gal I and sialoglycans, whereas the cytoplasmic staining for ST6Gal I and sialoglycans was decreased or even absent in poorly differentiated HCC. Detection of sialoglycans by the recombinant fusion proteins in Western blots of cell lysates derived from cell lines revealed two major double bands of sialoglycoproteins at 65 and 120 kDa for hepatocytes, three major bands at 54, 49, and 44 kDa for colonic epithelial cells, and one band at 60 kDa for endothelial cells. Our results describe the expression patterns of ST6Gal I and sialoglycans in various liver tissues and demonstrate an altered expression of these structures between benign and malignant hepatocellular lesions.
Multiple myeloma and human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) infection

Multiple myeloma (MM) in three human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients is reported. HIV infection predisposes to the development of high‐grade B‐cell lymphomas, but few cases of plasma cell tumours in association with HIV have been reported. The coincidence of HIV infection and neoplasia highlights the distinct roles of immunodeficiency and infection with herpesviridae, including HIV itself, in the pathogenesis of HIV‐related tumours. In addition, a number of cytokines (e.g., interleukin‐6 [IL‐6]) and angiogenic factors (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and basic fibroblastic growth factor [bFGF]) may play a role in the initiation, maintenance, and progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Infection was the first clinical consideration to the cause of the illness in two of our HIV‐seropositive patients. The diagnosis of MM may be difficult in patients with advanced HIV infection as they often have renal failure, bone marrow plasmacytosis, repeated infections, and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia, due to HIV infection itself, opportunistic pathogens, and/or medication. Am. J. Hematol. 66:123–125, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.