Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CALL FOR PAPERS Sex Differences in Renal and Cardiovascular Function: Physiology and Pathophysiology Hypertension and impaired vascular function in a female mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus

Ryan MJ, McLemore GR Jr. Hypertension and impaired vascular function in a female mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 292: R736–R742, 2007. First published August 3, 2006; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00168. 2006. — Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that predominantly affects women during their reproductive years. Although women with SLE have hypertension, the underlying mechanisms for this have not been examined. Despite the fact that inflammation is associated with altered endothelial and vascular function, the role of altered vascular function in the development of hypertension during SLE is unclear. In the present study, we tested whether a mouse model of SLE (NZBWF1) develops hypertension and examined whether increased blood pressure was associated with impaired endothelial-dependent relaxation. Female NZBWF1 mice were studied at 8, 20, and 36 wk of age. By 36 wk, urinary albumin and antinuclear antibodies were increased in SLE compared with control mice. Mean arterial pressure, measured by radiotelemetry, was significantly increased in SLE mice (124 4 mmHg, n 10) compared with control NZW/LacJ mice (111 3 mmHg, n 7) at 36 wk. Isolated carotid arteries from NZBWF1 mice, precontracted with U-46619 for assessment of endothelialdependent relaxation, demonstrated a progressively impaired relaxation to ACh with age, although endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression was not different. Maximal tension generated by 5-hydroxytryptamine was increased in carotid arteries from NZBWF1 mice compared with controls at 8, 20, and 36 wk of age, suggesting a role for altered vascular function early on in the progression of SLE. Taken together, our data support a role for altered endothelial function as a contributing factor to the development of hypertension during SLE.
Examination of Safe Crack Use Kit Distribution from a Public Health Perspective

This paper examines the policy of safer crack use kit (SCUK) distribution within the city of Winnipeg, Canada. Publicly funded, SCUK distribution policy has been a contested topic throughout Canada, despite evidence that crack users represent some of the most marginalized members of society. Using the four pillars approach to drug policy as a guideline, the balance of allocation of resources for harm reduction is critiqued. Harms associated with crack use are broadly categorized as being associated with methods of use or social harms. The effectiveness of the current SCUK policy is examined according to the guiding principles of reduced harms and cost effectiveness. Research supports SCUK distribution based on the merits of increased health contacts and harm reductions. Data indicate the SCUK distribution policy supports efforts to reduce the transmission of communicable disease, notably Hepatitis C. A cost-benefit analysis and assessment of the policy's effectiveness in reducing harms supports continuation of SCUK. Our conclusion advocates for the expansion of the current policy to emphasize further engagement and greater emphasis on working against associated social harms, but notes the need for further research on the topic. Benefits of peer-based kit distribution are discussed and potential alternatives to the current SCUK policy are explored.
American Derivatives in Dry Markets

This paper studies the impact of dry markets for underlying assets on the pricing and optimal exercise of American derivatives. Dry markets are characterized by the possibility of non-existence of trading at certain dates. Such non-existence may be deterministic or probabilistic. Using superreplicating strategies, we derive expectation representations for the range of arbitrage-free values of the derivatives. In the probabilistic case, if we consider an enlarged ltration induced by the price process and the market existence process, ordinary stopping times are required. If not, randomized stopping times are required. Several comparisons of the ranges obtained with the two market restrictions are performed. Finally, we conclude that market incompleteness delays the optimal exercise of American derivatives, although there may exist moments when there is indi¤erence between exercising and selling the American derivative
The Immunomodulatory Functions Of Diacylglycerol Kinase Zeta On Type 2 Immune Responses

Type 2 helper T cells (Th2) are beneficial for orchestrating protective immune responses against helminths but can also be pathogenic in settings of allergy and asthma. Weak TCR-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signals are thought to promote Th2 differentiation in vitro. However, it was unclear whether selective enhancement of specific TCR-mediated signal transduction pathways could suppress Th2 differentiation in vitro and block Th2 inflammation in vivo in a polyclonal setting. The lipid molecule diacylglycerol (DAG) is the main driver of TCR-mediated ERK activation. Here, we demonstrate that T cells lacking DAG kinase-ζ (DGKζ), a negative regulator of DAG, display impaired Th2 differentiation in vitro. Accordingly, mice lacking DGKζ exhibited decreased type 2 airway inflammation and were almost completely resistant to airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in vivo in an OVA-induced mouse model of allergic asthma. Surprisingly, we found that the mechanisms by which DGKζ protected against airway inflammation and AHR were separable. Conditional deletion of DGKζ in T cells led to decreased type 2 airway inflammation with no attenuation of AHR. In contrast, conditional deletion of DGKζ in airway smooth muscle cells led to diminished AHR with no attenuation of airway inflammation. Mechanistically, T-cell specific enhancement of ERK signaling was sufficient to diminish Th2 differentiation in vitro and attenuate type 2 airway inflammation with no changes in AHR in vivo. These data demonstrate that specific enhancement of DAG signaling downstream of the TCR is sufficient to attenuate Th2 differentiation in an ERK-dependent manner. Furthermore, our findings reveal that the inflammatory and AHR components of asthma are not as interdependent as generally believed. Additionally, we also demonstrate a novel role for DGKζ in regulating protease allergen-mediated type 2 airway inflammation. We found that global but not hematopoietic-specific ablation of DGKζ was sufficient to protect from papain-induced airway inflammation. Further analysis revealed that protection from papain in the absence of DGKζ might be potentially due to an impairment in IL-33 production/release in response to papain. Collectively, this thesis highlights that DGKζ plays immunomodulatory roles during Th2 differentiation and in the non-hematopoietic compartments to regulate type 2 immune-mediated disease. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Immunology First Advisor Taku Kambayashi
Diagnosing acute heart failure in the emergency department

Background: Acute, decompensated heart failure is a serious and common presentation in patients attending Emergency Departments. Diagnosis of this condition in this environment can be challenging. Main Objective:  To assess the diagnostic utility of variables related to the diagnosis of decompensated heart failure in the Emergency Department setting.  To create a Clinical Decision Rule to facilitate the diagnosis of decompensated heart failure in the Emergency Department setting. Methods:  A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature related to the diagnosis of acute heart failure in the Emergency Department was performed to assess and rank the diagnostic utility of all potential predictor variables. Bivariate meta-analysis was performed where appropriate to provide summary statistics for variable utility.  A diagnostic study performed in a single, urban Emergency Department to allow multivariable analysis of the data to derive a Clinical Decision Rule. Logistic regression, Random Forest analysis and CART analysis were used in the analysis. Results: 44 papers were included in the systematic review providing data on 41 potential diagnostic variables. A history of heart failure, clinical opinion of heart failure, natriuretic peptide levels and the findings of cardiomegaly, pulmonary oedema or cephalisation of vessels on the chest x-ray had the greatest diagnostic utility.  105 patients were recruited in the diagnostic study and 62 potential variables were assessed against a reference standard of two cardiologists opinions. Cardiothoracic ratio, natriuretic peptide levels, the presence of pulmonary oedema, clinical impression of heart failure and urea levels were found to be the best performing variables.  Two or more of these variables, using selected cut-off values for continuous variables, had a specificity of nearly 100% for definite or possible heart failure. Different cut-off values could be used with these variables to provide high sensitivity for this condition. Conclusion: The clinical and investigative findings with the greatest diagnostic utility for the acutely dyspnoeic patient with heart failure have been identified and can be used to rule in heart failure.
Social marketing efforts to boost blood donor rate in developing countries – A case study of mauritius

The demand for blood and blood products in most countries continues to increase because of the rise in human life expectancy and the implementation of new and aggressive surgical methods requiring large quantities of blood and blood products. The fragile balance between blood supply and demand have forced blood banks to constantly search for more efficient ways to recruit blood donors. The method each country adopts to attract blood donors and to cover its needs in blood supplies varies as a function of its socio-economic structure. In spite of all research on the subject, however, the factors that would motivate most people to become blood donors should be further explored. Hence, the present paper explores the contribution of social marketing efforts to boost blood donor in Mauritius. The methodology used was through survey instruments administered to existing blood donors in Mauritius. The present research provides some useful insights on the contributing factors to boost blood donor rate in Mauritius. Donors’ attitudes and perceptions towards blood donation and its implications towards social marketing have been under-researched in Mauritius. Some recommendations are proposed to endorse more voluntary blood donors in Mauritius. Blood services associations should create greater awareness on blood donation events by capitalizing on effective communication mediums. Several measures should be implemented to attract and gratify blood donors, like for example, promoting adequate blood donation campaigns during crisis periods and at the same time, deploying loyalty plans to boost up the blood donor rate from repeated contributors in Mauritius. Blood services associations should also offer loyalty schemes and develop affective bonds with the existing blood donors in order to boost blood donor rate in Mauritius.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings in patients with brain small vessel disease

Introduction: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) affects small perforating arteries, causing both lacunar infarction (LI) and confluent white matter lesions (WML). SVD or LI is one of the major stroke subgroups. Lacunar syndromes may be divided into two groups: the classic group (pure motor hemiplegia, pure sensory stroke, ataxic hemiparesis, dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome, sensorimotor stroke) and the miscellaneous group, including all other lacunar syndromes. We have evaluated risk factors, clinical syndromes, topography, and laboratory findings of 101 consecutive patients with symptomatic lacunar infarcts diagnosed by MRI. Methods: We analyzed 101 patients with clinical lacunar infarct syndrome who were referred to the neurology department of Qa’em hospital in Mashhad. We assessed clinical features, sex, age, risk factors, radiologic findings and laboratory data of these patients. Results: The pure motor hemiparesis (53.5%) constituted the most usual lacunar syndrome. Mean age of the patients was 63.7± 8.5%. Diabetes mellitus was seen in 14 (13.9%) and hypercholesterolemia in 41 (40.6%) of patients. There were significant differences among ataxic-hemiparesis syndrome and hypertriglyceridemia and CVA history. There was a significant difference between miscellaneous syndromes and valve disease history. Also, there was significant correlation between WML and smoking. Thirty percent of the lesions were detected by CT scan. Conclusion: Sixty percent of the cases were associated with white matter signal changes. Diabetes mellitus were found in 14% of patients. Hypertriglyceridemia, CVA history and valve disease history were associated with some subgroups, but more investigations should be performed for precise assessment of other risk factors.
The usefulness of IS 6110 nested polymerase chain reaction in neurotuberculosis diagnosis before and after empirical treatment starting Utilitatea tehnicii IS 6110 nested polymerase chain reaction în diagnosticul neurotuberculozei înaintei dup ă începerea tratamentului empiric

Objectives . Neurological forms of tuberculosis require prompt diagnosis and urgent therapy. Due to the slow bacteriological diagnosis, most suspected neur otuberculosis patients are urgently treated only on clinical and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) non-specifically feat ures. The study’s aim was to compare the rapid IS61 10 Nested-PCR assay with classical CSF criteria of neurot uberculosis diagnosis regardless of therapy startin g. Materials and Methods . 91 CSF samples obtained before and during the fir st 30 days of antituberculosis treatment from 16 neurotuberculosis patients and 15 controls were evaluated. The CSF samples were analysed using IS6110 Nested-PCR method by comparison with cytological-biochemical and bacteriological CSF criteria of diagnosis. Results. The sensitivity (Sv) of CSF Nested-PCR before anti tuberculosis therapy was 86.66% with a specificity (Sp) of 87.5% by comparison with 33% Sv and 100% Sp for Lowenstein culture, 6% Sv and 100% Sp for Ziehl Neelsen smear 80% Sv and 87.5% Sp for cyt ochemical CSF criteria. Nested PCR remained positiv e after 21 days of therapy at 86.66% patients and up to 30 days at 60% of patients. Conclusions. IS6110 NestedPCR detection of M. tuberculosis in CSF samples was rapid and accurate in tuberculous meningitis, tube rculoma, cerebral miliaria and tuberculous arahnoiditi s, before treatment starting and during the first 2 1 days of antituberculosis therapy. Importance. The CSF samples were analysed in rare and difficul t to diagnose forms of NTB with classic and Nested-PCR methods of diagnosi s. IS6110 Nested-PCR method with a Sv of 86.66% improved the diagnosis of high gravity forms of neuro tuberculosis even after treatment starting.
THE ACCURACY AND QUALITY OF HOUSEHOLD SPOONS AND ENCLOSED DOSING DEVICES USED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL LIQUID MEDICATIONS IN GHANA

Administering the right doses of oral liquid medications is crucial to achieving therapeutic goals. These doses are measured with household spoons and dosing devices enclosed in product packages. We investigated the types of household spoons currently available, the types and extent of inclusion of dosing devices in oral liquid product packages and assessed the accuracy, quality, reliability and ac ceptability of the household spoons and enclosed devices in dosing oral liquid medications. Close to half (46 %) of orthodox and almost all (97 %) herbal oral liquid remedies in the Ghanaian market did not have enclosed dosing devices and will require the use of other devices mostly household spoons to deliver the required doses in their administration. Many people (95 %) used household spoons in dosing oral liquid medications and some (39 %) actually preferred them to enclosed dosing devices. The household spoons were mostly teaspoons and dessertspoons; tablespoons were very rare. Aside other defects, all the categories of household spoons had maximum volumes significantly different from; 5 ml (teaspoonful) (4.3 ± 1.7), 10 ml (dessertspoonful) (8.25 ± 2.5) and 15 ml (tablespoonful) (13.5 ± 1.2), respectively (P<0.05); hence were inaccurate and can lead to oral liquid medication dosing errors. The medicine cup was the most common (80 %) dosing device and measured relatively large volumes (5‐20 ml) which were not significantly different (P<0.05) from the expected calibrations. The enclosed medicinal spoons (12 %) had defects similar to their household counterparts and measured volumes (5‐10 ml) which were different from expected (P<0.05). The enclosed oral droppers and syringes (8 %) measured volumes (≤5 ml) more accurately. The oral syringe was the most accurate and convenient dosing device. The results strongly support the assertions that household spoons are inaccurate and their use for dosing oral liquid medications is anachronistic and should be discouraged.
The Role of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Human Health

The Role of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Human Health Human health by far depends on gut health. It is no wonder that many ancient traditional medicine practitioners and philosophers asked about bowel function when a patient presented with common ailments such as a headache and lack of energy. As far back as 400 B.C., Hippocrates was quoted as saying “…death sits in the bowels…” and “…bad digestion is the root of all evil…” in 400 B.C.
Social Support and Health Promotion Lifestyles of Rural Women

Health promotion is presently receiving increased attention regarding the prominent role it plays in the health care arena. The purpose of the study is to ascertain if a relationship exists between social support and health promotion lifestyles of rural women. The organizing framework for the descriptive correlational study is Pender’s (1996) revised Health Promotion Model. The study participants are 400 women whose names were obtained by a simple, random sampling of the voter registration list of a rural county in a southeastern state responding to questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The data strongly supported Pender’s (1996) Health Promotion Model and the significant role that social support plays in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Recommendations for further research include examining the relationship of social support and health promotion lifestyles with rural non-Caucasian women, replication of the study using participants who live in rural counties farther from metropolitan areas, and intervention development which may further enhance social support and health promoting lifestyles. Keywords: health promotion, social support, rural women, healthy lifestyle, rural health, health promoting lifestyle, rural, health, health responsibility, healthy behaviors http://dx.doi. org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v1i1. 501
Incidence of Leukopenia and Agranulocytosis in 239 Thai patients treated with Clozapine

Objectives Clozapine was re-introduced again in Thailand on March 24, 1995 with WBC monitoring but there was no report concerning this issue. Therefore, the objectives of this study are: (1) to find out the incidence of clozapine induced neutropenia or agranulocytosis on Thai patients, (2) to compare results with other countries, and (3) to examine the currently monitoring system and propose a better national registry. Method WBC records of 239 Thai patients receiving clozapine between January 1, 1997 and September 30, 1998 were collected and analysed. The US definitions of mild, moderate, and severe leukopenia were used. Rates of leukopenia, agranulocytosis, and fatalities were reported in number and percentage. Results No neutropenia or agranulocytosis was found. Only 1.4% of clozapine treated patients at the 6-12 month period and 2.4% at the 12-18 month period had WBC in the range of 3500 - 4000/ mm 3 . Conclusions Although our data did not show the risk of developing clozapine induced leukopenia or agranulocytosis, it does not mean that we do not have such problems. The author recommends development of a centralized national registry for clozapine therapy to ensure safety of using clozapine nationwide and to serve as a tool for quality assurance. J Psychiatr Assoc Thailand 2000; 45(3): 229-236.
Effect of Hydrazine Pretreatment on the Activity, Stability and Active Sites of Cobalt Species for Preferential Oxidation (PROX) of CO in H2-Rich Stream

The as-prepared (Co3O4) and hydrazine-treated (Co3O4(H)) cobalt catalysts were prepared using the precipitation method and evaluated at a temperature range of 40–220 °C for preferential oxidation (PROX) of CO in excess hydrogen. An improved surface reducibility with smaller crystallite size was noted on hydrazine-treated cobalt species (i.e., Co3O4(H) catalyst), which indicates some surface transformation. This finding correlates with the surface roughness formation (as depicted by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) data), which was further confirmed by an increase in the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area. The mesoporous structure of the Co3O4(H) catalyst remained intact, as compared to that of the Co3O4 catalyst. Interestingly, the in situ treatment of the standalone Co3O4(H) catalyst decreased the maximum CO conversion temperature (T100%) from 160 °C (over Co3O4) to 100 °C, with good selectivity. The Co3O4(H) catalyst showed good stability, with approximately 85% CO conversion at 100 °C for 21 h, as compared to a faster deactivation of the Co3O4 catalyst. However, the Co3O4(H) catalyst was unstable in both CO2 and the moisture environment. Based on the evaluation of spent hydrazine-treated (CoO(H)) cobalt catalyst, the high PROX activity is associated with the formation of Co3+ species as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) data.
Como atender aos que somatizam? Descrição de um programa e relatos concisos de casos How to care for somatizers? Description of a program and summarized case reports

Os quadros de somatizacao sao muito frequentes nos servicos de saude, sendo responsaveis por grande numero de consultas medicas e gerando importantes gastos. Apesar das dimens oes dessa questao, temos noticias de poucos locais em nosso meio desenvolvidos para cuidar especificamente dessa popula cao. No artigo sao apresentados dois relatos concisos de casos de pacientes somatizadores mostrando caracter isticas frequentes e questoes que surgem no seu tratamento. Descreve-se o funcionamento de um programa de atendimento a somatizadores vinculado a uma universidade publica (Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina). Este disp oe de triagem, atendimentos clinicos, grupos psicossociais e psicoter apicos. E discutida a complexidade da abordagem a esse grupo de pacientes e poss iveis modelos de intervencao. Somatizacao. Transtornos somatoformes. Tratamento. Servicos de saude mental. Cases of somatization disorders are seen very frequently in health care services and account for a large number of medical consultations and significant expenses. Despite the importance of this health problem, we don ’t know many specialized services to take care of this population. Two summarized cases of somatizer patients are presented, emphasizing the most frequent aspects of their condition and the problems found in their treatment. Also, a service for somatizer patients associated with a public university (Universidade Federal de S ao Paulo/ Escola Paulista de Medicina) is described: its screening procedures, medical consultations, and psychosocial and psychoterapeutical groups. The difficulty in approaching this group of patients and possible models of intervention are also presented. Somatization. Somatoform disorders. Treatment. Mental health services. Resumo