Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CURRENT THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS AND EVOLVING THERAPIES FOR CHRONIC STABLE ANGINA / CHRONIC CORONARY SYNDROME * —

Chronic stable angina (CSA), a subset of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), is most often caused by myocardial ischemia—the result of an imbalance between myocardial oxygen demand and supply. Many currently available therapeutic agents for CSA will relieve the symptoms of angina but not change the ischemic threshold. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline was last updated in 2003 and will again be updated later this year. The guideline recommends aspirin, lipid-lowering agents, beta blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors as primary preventive therapy to reduce the risk of death and myocardial infarction. Several large studies have been published to support the use of these drugs for CSA/CCS. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is being used more frequently as nonpharmacologic management, but some patients continue to have angina despite PCI and optimal doses of antianginal drugs. Refractory angina is quite common and numerous pharmacologic treatments are available. Recommended nonpharmacologic treatments include transmyocardial laser revascularization, enhanced external counterpulsation, and spinal cord stimulation. Additionally, there are now several new mechanistic approaches to managing coronary artery disease, including inhibition of late sodium channels, inhibition of free fatty acid metabolism, inhibition of rho-kinase, preconditioning, and sinus node inhibition. This article reviews some of these new drugs, which will hopefully provide additional treatment choices. Nonetheless, the importance of comprehensive management of myocardial ischemia, including symptom management, aggressive risk factor reduction, antiplatelet therapy, and lifestyle modifications, cannot be overstated. (Adv Stud Med. 2006;6(9A):S827-S836)
Molecular Biomarkers for Progression of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas

Objectives We aimed to identify molecular biomarkers for assessing the progression of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN). Methods We retrospectively investigated molecular aberrations and their associations with clinicopathological features in 172 IPMNs. Results GNAS and KRAS mutations were detected in 48% and 56% of IPMNs, respectively. No mutations of EGFR, PIK3CA GNAO1, GNAQ, or GNAI2 were observed. Significant associations were observed between IPMN morphological types and GNAS mutations, KRAS mutations, the expression of phosphorylated MAPK (pMAPK), AKT, and phosphorylated AKT (pAKT), nuclear accumulation of &bgr;-catenin, SMAD4 loss, and TP53 overexpression; histological grades and the expression of EGFR, pMAPK, AKT, and pAKT, the nuclear &bgr;-catenin, SMAD4 loss, and TP53 overexpression; invasive phenotypes and KRAS mutations, the nuclear &bgr;-catenin, and SMAD4 loss; and prognosis and SMAD4 loss and TP53 overexpression. Multivariate analysis to compare prognostic impacts of multiple molecular features revealed that TP53 overexpression was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.030; hazard ratio, 5.533). Conclusions These results indicate that mutations in GNAS and KRAS, the expression of EGFR and pMAPK, the nuclear &bgr;-catenin, SMAD4 loss, and TP53 overexpression may be relevant for assessing the clinical course of IPMN, including its progression into different morphological types, invasion, and prognosis.
The effects of Gingko biloba extract on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Gingko biloba is an antioxidant substance which has antagonistic activity on platelet-activating factor. We aimed to investigate the antioxidant effect and the histopathologic changes caused by Gingko biloba on acetic acid-induced colitis. METHODS Totally 22 rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 (n=7) served as the control group. Group 2 (n=7) and Group 3 (n=8) were given 2 ml/day of 4% acetic acid by intracolonic instillation for three days. Gingko biloba (100 mg/kg) was then given only to Group 3 intraperitoneally for three days. Oxidative stress was assessed by determinate tissue and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and colonic damage was assessed by histologic examination. RESULTS Depth of necrosis, extent of necrosis, degree of inflammation, extent of inflammation, fibrosis and total histologic scores in Group 2 were significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.05). The same parameters were lower in Group 3 versus Group 2, but the difference was not significant. Tissue and serum MDA levels in Group 2 were significantly higher than Group 1 (p<0.01 and 0.05, respectively). Again, the same parameters in Group 3 were lower than in Group 2, but the difference was not significant statistically. CONCLUSIONS Gingko biloba did not significantly affect histopathological and oxidative stress parameters in experimental colitis.
Grid-Connected Boost-Half-Bridge Photovoltaic Microinverter System Using Repetitive Current Control and Maximum Power Point Tracking

This paper presents a novel grid-connected boost-half-bridge photovoltaic (PV) microinverter system and its control implementations. In order to achieve low cost, easy control, high efficiency, and high reliability, a boost-half-bridge dc-dc converter using minimal devices is introduced to interface the low-voltage PV module. A full-bridge pulsewidth-modulated inverter is cascaded and injects synchronized sinusoidal current to the grid. Moreover, a plug-in repetitive current controller based on a fourth-order linear-phase IIR filter is proposed to regulate the grid current. High power factor and very low total harmonic distortions are guaranteed under both heavy load and light load conditions. Dynamic stiffness is achieved when load or solar irradiance is changing rapidly. In addition, the dynamic behavior of the boost-half-bridge dc-dc converter is analyzed; a customized maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method, which generates a ramp-changed PV voltage reference is developed accordingly. Variable step size is adopted such that fast tracking speed and high MPPT efficiency are both obtained. A 210 W prototype was fabricated and tested. Simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the validity and performance of the circuit operations, current control, and MPPT algorithm.
Supporting a child with multiple disabilities to participate in social interaction: The case of asking a question

ABSTRACT Asking a question can be a highly challenging task for a person with multiple disabilities, but questions have not received much attention in research on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Conversation analysis is employed to examine an instance of multiparty interaction where a speech and language therapist supports a child with multiple disabilities to ask a question with a communication board. The question is accomplished through a practice where the action is built as a trajectory of interactional steps. Each step is built using ways of involvement that establish different participation spaces designed to deal with different aspects of asking a question: agreeing on the action type, the speaker and recipient, the content of the question, and then asking the question. The segmentation of a question into discrete steps and participation spaces can be used in intervention to model the construction of a question for AAC users and significant others.
Fast disintegrating crystalline solid dispersions of simvastatin for incorporation into orodispersible tablets

Aim: Spray dried solid dispersion (SDP) of crystalline simvastatin (SIM) in a fast disintegrating matrix of superdisintegrants was studied as a method to enhance SIM dispersibility, rheology, compactibility and compressibility for incorporation into orodispersible tablets (ODTs). Materials and Methods: The superdisintegrants investigated were crospovidone (CP), sodium starch glycollate (SSG) and calcium silicate (CS) were spray dried with simvastatin to form SDPs. Results: The SDPs were characterized and the median particle size of SDPs was similar or greater than the SIM, contributing to good rheology of SDPs, while the low bulk density of SDPs indicated a high compactibility. Interestingly electron micrographs for SDPs showed a CP or CS carrier coating of the SIM crystals, contributing to its rheology. Thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction confirmed that SIM was crystalline in the SDPs and no interaction between SIM and any of the carrier(s) was shown by Fourier transform-infra red. Drug content analysis showed a SIM content of 90-95% in SDPs containing CP or CS, while a higher SIM content of 143% was found in SDP containing SSG. When formulated as ODTs, blend containing SIM SDPs in CP showed ease of tableting, regardless of the turret speed. In comparison, tablet blend consisting of a physical mix (PM) of SIM and CP could only be tableted at the lower turret speed of 7 rpm. ODTs formulated using SIM SDPs in CP showed a higher extent of dissolution, compared to the ODTs containing corresponding PM or the commercially available SIM Zocor® tablets (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Conclusion: SDP using disintegrants as carriers may offer an alternative formulation approach for ODTs of poorly soluble drugs.
Gastrointestinal helminths in the local chicken Gallus gallus domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in traditional breeding of North- Western Algeria

This study was aimed to identify the gastrointestinal helminths of local chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758), in traditional breeding of North-Western Algeria and to deter mine their prevalence and average abundance. For this purpose, 114 local chickens were examined between November 2010 and May 2012. The results show an overall prevalence of 100%, with a mean intensity of infection of 124 parasites per chicken. The birds were infected whatever the sex, weight and season. The parasitic fauna was composed of four taxonomic groups with prevalence significantly different (P<0.05): cestodes (95.61%), nematodes (93.86%), trematodes (18.42%) and acanthocephalan (1.75%). The most prevalent cestode species encountered were: Raillietina echinobothrida (85.09%), R. cesticillus (30.70%) and Hymenolepis carioca (28.95%). The predominant nematode species were Heterakis gallina rum (78.07%), Subulura brumpti (62.28%), Ascaridia galli (39.47%) and Capillaria cau dinflata (35.96%). The trematode species recorded were Postharmostomum gallinum (18.42%) and Brachylaema sp. (2.63%). Finally, only one acanthocephalan, Prosthorhynchus sp. (1.75%), was found. Among these helminths, the highest average abundance occurred with Heterakis gallinarum (39.04) and Subulura brumpti (35.88). This study revealed the im portance of helminthic parasitism in traditional breeding of NW Algeria, and the need to use preventive and therapeutic measures for a better profitability of poultry algerian production.
Paan without tobacco: An independent risk factor for oral cancer

Oral cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the third most common in men in Pakistan. Tobacco is smoked and chewed extensively in Pakistan. Paan is a quid of piper betel leaf that contains areca nut, lime, condiment, sweeteners, and sometimes tobacco, which is also used extensively. We did this study to clarify the independent association of paan and oral cancer. Between July 1996 and March 1998, we recruited biopsy‐proven, primary cases of oral squamous‐cell carcinoma, from 3 tertiary teaching centers in Karachi, Pakistan, and controls pair‐matched for age, gender, hospital and time of occurrence, excluding persons with a past or present history of any malignancy. There were 79 cases and 149 controls. Approximately 68% of the cases were men, 49 years old on average, the youngest being 22 years old and the eldest 80. People with oral submucous fibrosis were 19.1 times more likely to develop oral cancer than those without it, after adjusting for other risk factors. People using paan without tobacco were 9.9 times, those using paan with tobacco 8.4 times, more likely to develop oral cancer as compared with non‐users, after adjustment for other co‐variates. This study identifies an independent effect of paan without tobacco in the causation of oral cancer. Its findings may be of significance in South Asian communities where paan is used, and among health‐care providers who treat persons from South Asia. Int. J. Cancer 86:128–131, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Something to Talk About: Social Spillovers in Movie Consumption

We exploit the randomness of weather and the relationship between weather and moviegoing to quantify social spillovers in movie consumption. Instrumenting for early viewership with plausibly exogenous weather shocks captured in LASSO-chosen instruments, we find that shocks to opening weekend viewership are doubled over the following five weekends. Our estimated momentum arises almost exclusively at the local level, and we find no evidence that it varies with either ex post movie quality or the precision of ex ante information about movie quality, suggesting that the observed momentum is driven in part by a preference for shared experience, and not only by social learning.
Water Relation Alterations Observed during Hypersensitive Reaction Induced by Bacteria

Upon exposure to pathogenic bacteria, resistant and nonhost plants undergo a hypersensitive reaction (HR) that is expressed as rapid plant cell death. If sufficient concentrations of these bacteria are inoculated to such plant tissue, then that portion of the tissue rapidly collapses and becomes necrotic. As the tissue collapses the water relations of inoculated tissues become markedly disturbed. We measured a decline in the relative water content (RWC) in the leaf-like cotyledons of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum cv Immune 216) within the first 4 h (cut at 1 h) after inoculation with Pseudomonas syringae pv tabaci. However, the decrease in RWC was not caused by a decrease in initial fresh weight but by increased water uptake during incubation in water. By 8 h after inoculation, cotyledons still on the plant had lost turgidity, and their area decreased. K+ efflux was also observed concurrently with the decrease in RWC, providing a reason for the loss of turgidity in the tissue. These observations suggest that cells lose turgor and change shape from cylinders with large intercellular spaces to those of a more tabular shape. During this change cell walls come closer together, providing an avenue for increased water uptake through capillary action. The stomatal diffusive resistance of intact cotyledons increased; hence, water loss through stomata is not the cause of the observed wilting and RWC decline. An increase in K+ per dry weight suggests that phloem loading or movement may also be impaired during bacterially induced HR.
A multi detector computed tomography survey of tracheal diverticulum.

OBJECTIVE Tracheal diverticulum (DV) is an incidental finding in thoracic computed tomography examinations. Tracheal DV may be associated with chronic cough and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A few studies have investigated the relationship between tracheal DV and COPD. There is still no consensus on the relationship. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of tracheal DV and its coexistence with bronchial DV and hyperaeration. MATERIALS AND METHODS For the study, 299 patients from a total number of 12 800 patients who underwent a thoracic computed tomography examination were included. Tracheal diverticula were evaluated for localization, size, contour, wall thickness and communication with the tracheal lumen. The association of tracheal DV with bronchial DV and hyperaeration was also noted. The relationship between tracheal DV and hyperaeration was analyzed. RESULTS Of the 299 patients, a total of 412 tracheal diverticula were observed. Out of these, 148 of the tracheal diverticula were in females, and 264 of the tracheal diverticula were in male patients. The incidence of tracheal DV was determined to be 2.38% in this study. In total, 400 of the tracheal diverticula (97.1%) were located at the right posterolateral aspect of the trachea, and 320 of the tracheal diverticula were associated with hyperaeration. There was no significant relation between the tracheal DV and hyperaeration. However, 84 of 412 tracheal diverticula had a bronchial DV, and 72 of 84 of these bronchial DV were associated with COPD. Statistical analysis indicated a significant correlation with COPD and bronchial DV (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Tracheal DV is often asymptomatic and mostly located in the right posterolateral aspect of the trachea. Tracheal DV is more common in men than in women. The incidence of tracheal DV was 2.38% in this study. Our data demonstrate that there was no significant association between tracheal DV and COPD. However, there was a significant association between subcarinal bronchial DV and COPD.
Cytoskeleton of cartilage cells

The cytoskeleton of chondrocytes consists of microfilaments made of actin, microtubules made of tubulin, and intermediate filaments made of a variety of subunits. Actin filaments are not prominent in vivo but may form in vitro. In culture, changes in filament polymerisation are important in determining cell shape, initiating chondrogenesis, and maintaining the chondrogenic phenotype. Microtubules, besides their role in cell division, organise the distribution of organelles and are involved in secretory transport mechanisms in collagen and proteoglycan synthesis. A variety of intermediate filaments may be present, frequently forming large whorled aggregates. The filaments include vimentin, cytokeratins, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. These may occur at different depths in articular cartilage. Vimentin accumulates during development of some fibrocartilages with increased mechanical loading. Together with other elements of the cytoskeleton, intermediate filaments could form part of a mechanotransduction system by which cells respond to external forces and sense changes in their external environment. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prospects for Change

This chapter addresses the prospects for change in health care delivery. The focus is on value - high quality, affordable care for everyone. We consider three domains that participate in the flow of value and the nature of the interfaces among these domains. We also discuss strategic priorities that should align in various ways with these domains. Finally, we address the business transformations needed to enable the provision of value by enterprises that are viable and successful.
Evaluating Aziridinyl Nitrobenzamide Compounds as Leishmanicidal Prodrugs

ABSTRACT Many of the nitroaromatic agents used in medicine function as prodrugs and must undergo activation before exerting their toxic effects. In most cases, this is catalyzed by flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-dependent type I nitroreductases (NTRs), a class of enzyme absent from higher eukaryotes but expressed by bacteria and several eukaryotic microbes, including trypanosomes and Leishmania. Here, we utilize this difference to evaluate whether members of a library of aziridinyl nitrobenzamides have activity against Leishmania major. Biochemical screens using purified L. major NTR (LmNTR) revealed that compounds containing an aziridinyl-2,4-dinitrobenzyl core were effective substrates for the enzyme and showed that the 4-nitro group was important for this activity. To facilitate drug screening against intracellular amastigote parasites, we generated leishmanial cells that expressed the luciferase reporter gene and optimized a mammalian infection model in a 96-well plate format. A subset of aziridinyl-2,4-dinitrobenzyl compounds possessing a 5-amide substituent displayed significant growth-inhibitory properties against the parasite, with the most potent agents generating 50% inhibitory concentrations of <100 nM for the intracellular form. This antimicrobial activity was shown to be LmNTR specific since L. major NTR+/− heterozygote parasites were slightly resistance to most aziridinyl dinitrobenzyl agents tested. When the most potent leishmanicidal agents were screened against the mammalian cells in which the amastigote parasites were propagated, no growth-inhibitory effect was observed at concentrations of up to 100 μM. We conclude that the aziridinyl nitrobenzamides represent a new lead structure that may have the potential to treat leishmanial infections.
Biochemical stress of caring

Background. Carers of patients with clinical dementia have increased rates of depressive illness but the biological mechanisms by which the stress of caring can lead to mood disorders is not well understood. Methods. We recruited 30 full-time carers of patients with dementia and 28 age and gender-matched controls. None of the subjects were suffering from a significant depressive disorder. We measured salivary cortisol at four time points throughout a single day and also took a single fasting morning blood sample for plasma tryptophan. Results. Salivary cortisol levels were significantly higher in carers than controls at 12.00 h and 22.00 h. Plasma total tryptophan but not free tryptophan levels were significantly lower in carers. Conclusions. The changes found in these non-depressed carers were essentially similar to those in patients with major depression. We suggest that increased cortisol secretion and lowered tryptophan availability increase the risk of mood disorders in carers.
Pathways of Ca 2 entry and cytoskeletal damage following eccentric contractions in mouse skeletal muscle

Bao-Ting Zhang, Nicholas P. Whitehead, Othon L. Gervasio, Trent F. Reardon, Molly Vale, Diane Fatkin, Alexander Dietrich, Ella W. Yeung, and David G. Allen Muscle Cell Function Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Australia; Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia; and WaltherStraub-Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie der LMU München, München, Germany