Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of perioperative myocardial infarction in surgical myocardial revascularization

Objective: To evaluate which preoperative and transoperative variables are predictors for the occurrence of myocardial infarction in the perioperative period of surgical myocardial revascularization in a general hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Method: A retrospective cohort study was made of the database of heart surgery in the Hospital Sao Lucas of the Pontificia Universidade Catolica in Rio Grande do Sul analyzing 1471 consecutive patients who underwent on-pump surgical myocardial revascularization from January 1998 to December 2002. Results: Fourteen percent of the patients presented with perioperative myocardial infarction. The variables that proved to be independent predictors of perioperative myocardial infarction in surgical myocardial revascularization in this study were: prior surgical myocardial revascularization (OR: 2.070 – p=0.036), left main coronary artery lesion (OR: 1.692 – p=0.006), female (OR: 1.572 – p=0.034), preoperative unstable angina (OR: 1.533 – p=0.011), high number of grafts (OR: 1.336 – p=0.001) and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR: 1.013 – p<0.001). Conclusions: Prior surgical myocardial revascularization, left main coronary artery lesion, female, preoperative unstable angina, high number of grafts and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time proved to be independent predictors of perioperative myocardial infarction in surgical myocardial revascularization in this study of patients from a general hospital from Porto Alegre, Brazil.
THE EFFECT OF SELEGILINE AND BROMOCRIPTINE IN THE PROPHYLAXIS OF PERPHENAZINE-INDUCED PSEUDOPARKINSONISM IN RAT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Parkinsonism is a neurodegenerative disease that is defiend by certain symtom as muscle rigidity , impaired movement , tremor and disorientation of body. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of selegiline and bromocriptine in the prevention of experimentally induced pseudoparkinsonism in rat. Perphenazine (5mg/kg) was used (IP) as the inducing agent. Different groups of rats were pretreated by either selegiline (2.5, 5, 10, and 20mg/kg), or effective dose of bromocriptine (30mg/kg). The degree of prevention of catatonic reaction was compared with control group. The results showed all selegiline-treated groups had significant reduction in the catatonic reaction relative to sham treated group. In addition, 20mg/kg selegiline had more intensive effect to reduce the catatonic reaction than bromocriptine (30mg/kg). Selegiline seems to be a suitable drug to prevent perphenazine– induced catatonia in rat.
Diabetes Mellitus: Experiencing a Chronic Illness

Diabetes is a chronic, complex disease involving numerous pathophysiological features. There is a paucity of studies relating to psychological factors. The available research is not conclusive and in addition is largely quantitative in nature. The aim of this investigation was to gain an understanding of the life-world of people with diabetes and to acquire insight into the demanding aspects of their lives. The research procedure involved interviewing subjects who suffer from diabetes. A pilot study was conducted in order to test a number of open-ended questions. On the basis of these results, a set of semi-structured questions was formulated for the main study. The main study involved interviews with 13 subjects aged between 20 and 45 years who belonged to a diabetic organization and who volunteered for the investigation. The interviews were recorded on audiotape and later transcribed. Five of the protocols obtained were analyzed according to the method outlined by Giorgi and they produced an encompassing description of the life-world of a diabetic. The themes which emerged included the appearance of the first symptoms and their effect on people with diabetes, the impact of the diagnosis, the emerging pattern of the life-world of people with diabetes and the prospects for the future. The phenomenological approach proved valuable in highlighting many aspects of diabetes. Recommendations are made which may be of benefit to people with diabetes and their families.
The effects of music therapy on comfort in the mechanically ventilated patient in the intensive care unit

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effects of music therapy on comfort in acute mechanically ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Mechanical ventilation leads to decreased comfort. Pain and anxiety may increase during this treatment modality, and the literature suggests this may directly affect patient comfort levels. Music therapy as a nursing intervention within the context of comfort, pain, and anxiety of mechanically ventilated patients was investigated. This quasi-experiemental study used a pre-test and post-test design with subjects serving as their own control. The convenience sample consisted of 2 men and 3 women who were mechanically ventilated and fit the selection criteria. Dependent variables measured included comfort, pain, and anxiety. Physiologic dependent measures included heart rate, respiratory rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure collected at timed intervals. Comfort was measured using a modified version of the Hospice Comfort Questionnaire. Pain was measured using the Numerical Graphic Rating Pain Scale. Anxiety was measured using the Faces Anxiety Scale. Important preliminary quantitative results are provided by this pilot study. The mean, standard deviation, significance, and paired t-tests were compared for each tool to determine changes in scoring before and after the intervention and control. This was also completed for physiological data including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate. Paired t-tests showed no significant mean differences between two points of measurement on systolic, diastolic, heart rate, and respiratory rate in both the intervention and control groups. Comfort, anxiety, and pain scores before and after the intervention and control also did not demonstrate significance. The small sample size makes generalization of these findings impossible to the entire population of acute mechanically ventilated patients in Billings, Montana.
Introduction to the Darwin special issue: The abominable mystery1.

This February marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin ’ s birth, and later in the year we will also celebrate the 150th anniversary of the publication of On The Origin of Species . Refl ecting on how Darwin infl uenced the fi eld of botany, and in honor of his bicentennial, we have brought together a series of 21 papers that explore just one of the many botanical issues that Darwin commented on, what has come to be known as his “ abominable mystery ” : the origin, rapid diversifi cation, and rise to dominance of the angiosperms (fl owering plants). While Darwin wrote several books devoted exclusively to botanical topics, he said relatively little about large-scale patterns of plant evolution, but this famous phrase, from a letter he wrote to Sir Joseph Hooker in 1879, has been widely quoted. The phrase has become a symbol of a key gap in our understanding of plant evolution. A portion of the original letter in Darwin ’ s hand appears on our back cover. Over the years, the way in which generations of botanists have used this quotation has come to differ greatly from what Darwin originally intended. The fi rst paper in this issue by Friedman (2009) explores what Darwin meant when he fi used the phrase “ abominable mystery. ” Friedman traces the factors that infl uenced Darwin ’ s thinking at the time, based on his study of Darwin ’ s correspondence with prominent botanists and paleobotanists of the day. Our issue then turns to the evolution of one of the most dis
Evidence Report: Genetic and Metabolic Testing on Children With Global Developmental Delay

Case Presentation A 3-year-old boy is brought to your child neurology clinic due to concerns regarding his development. The parents state that the pregnancy, delivery, and early postnatal period were unremarkable and that concern about his development first arose because he was not speaking at 2 years of age. The pediatrician had ordered an audiological examination; basic laboratory evaluations for anemia, lead toxicity, and hypothyroidism; a karyotype; and a non-contrast head MRI. You are able to review these test results, including the MRI images, and you interpret them as normal.
Policies and Actions for Cancer Prevention: Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity

The 2009 World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Report 'Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention' addresses the external influences on people's eating and physical activity habits over a lifetime, and evaluates possible actions to change these behaviours. Estimates of preventability of cancer were calculated for USA, UK, Brazil and China. The estimates suggest that about 11 and 20 per cent of obesity-related cancers could be prevented, if everyone had a healthy weight. The Report makes 48 recommendations, all with some relevance to overweight and obesity, for policies and actions to create environments which are conducive to healthy behaviours, thereby reducing risk of cancer directly, and indirectly through obesity. The recommendations are addressed to nine groups of actors—those people who take decisions or make policy at all levels. These groups are multinational bodies, civil society organisations, government, industry, media, schools, workplaces and institutions, health and other professionals, and people (as members of families and communities). All actors have a responsibility to give priority to public health, including prevention of obesity and cancer. Leadership is required from governments in particular to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach. All relevant actors need to work together so that initiatives are more likely to be successful and have lasting impact. The Report is intended as a starting point and a spur to action.
Influence of Erythropoietin on Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Function in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background/Aims: Recent retrospective studies suggest an association of therapy with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and increased mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Large artery structure and function are significantly impaired in RTR which contributes to their high cardiovascular morbidity and could be altered by erythropoietin. We aimed to examine the influence of ESA therapy on large artery stiffness and endothelial function in RTR. Methods: 63 RTR with chronic allograft dysfunction and renal anemia were randomized to a group receiving darbepoetin alfa (Dar) and a control group (Co). At baseline and after 8 months of treatment (cumulative Dar dose 11.1 µg/kg b.w.) brachial and common carotid artery distensibility coefficients, aortic pulse wave velocity, brachial artery flow-mediated and nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation were measured as well as the following biomarkers of vascular function: vWF, sVCAM, sICAM, E-selectin, t-PA and PAI-1. Results: 23 patients in the Dar group and 17 patients in the Co group were available for per-protocol analysis. Hemoglobin increased significantly from 10.9 to 12.6 g/dl after 8 months in the Dar group, whereas it remained stable at 11.3 g/dl in the Co group. Effects on large artery stiffness, endothelial function and biomarkers of vascular function did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: Therapy with Dar during 8 months did not significantly impact parameters of large artery stiffness and endothelial function in RTR. These data suggest that therapy with erythropoietin does not deteriorate arterial stiffness and endothelial function in RTR.
Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential in Healthy Subjects: A Comparative Study with Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential

Background and ObjectivesZZWhile vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) can be measured from extra-ocular muscle as well as cervical muscle, there are uncertainties about the patterns and discomfort level of ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs). This study is to identify the properties of oVEMPs parameters and degree of subjective discomfort when compared to cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) in healthy subjects. Subjects and MethodZZTwenty volunteers with normal hearing were enrolled in this study. The oVEMPs were recorded from electrodes placed beneath the eyes using ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic stimulation with 500 Hz short tone bursts with subjects in sitting position and maximal upward gaze. The cVEMPs were measured using 500 Hz short tone bursts with subject in supine position and their head elevated and turned away from the test side. The latency, interlatency and interamplitude of oVEMPs responses were compared to those of cVEMPs. The subjective discomfort levels of oVEMPs and cVEMPs were compared using a questionnaire survey. ResultsZZThe cVEMPs appeared as positive-negative biphasic responses in all 40 ears whereas oVEMPs were measured in 27 ears (67.5%) with ipsilateral stimulation and 20 ears (85%) with contralateral stimulation which appeared as negative-positive biphasic responses. The oVEMPs had smaller amplitude than the cVEMPs. The oVEMPs thresholds tended to have higher level than the cVEMPs thresholds. The 18 subjects (90%) reported that the discomfort level of oVEMPs measurement was lower or equal to that of cVEMPs measurement. ConclusionZZoVEMPs test may be used as a complementary and comfortable diagnostic tool for evaluating the integrity of vestibular-ocular system. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2009;52:968-73 Key WordsZZVestibulo-ocular reflex·Evoked potentials·Saccule·Otolith.
Nueva pesquisa de consenso de la diabetes gestacional, en función del futuro inmediato y a largo plazo del recién nacido

y estrés oxidativo, tiene mayor peso al nacer, mayor fragilidad y mayor tendencia a desarrollar enfermedades cardiometabólicas como obesidad, enfermedades cardiovasculares, diabetes tipo 2, cánceres y esquizofrenia en la vida adulta (3-6). El ambiente intrauterino, el estatus nutricional y patogénico de la diabetes y otras enfermedades, proveen mecanismos epigenéticos envueltos en la programación fetal a largo plazo del futuro individuo (3-5). Estos mecanismos epigenéticos se caracterizan por activar (prender) o desactivar (apagar)
A Simple, Evidence-Based Approach to Help Guide Diagnosis of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background: Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is challenging in euvolemic patients with dyspnea, and no evidence-based criteria are available. We sought to develop and then validate noninvasive diagnostic criteria that could be used to estimate the likelihood that HFpEF is present among patients with unexplained dyspnea to guide further testing. Methods: Consecutive patients with unexplained dyspnea referred for invasive hemodynamic exercise testing were retrospectively evaluated. Diagnosis of HFpEF (case) or noncardiac dyspnea (control) was ascertained by invasive hemodynamic exercise testing. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the ability of clinical findings to discriminate cases from controls. A scoring system was developed and then validated in a separate test cohort. Results: The derivation cohort included 414 consecutive patients (267 cases with HFpEF and 147 controls; HFpEF prevalence, 64%). The test cohort included 100 consecutive patients (61 with HFpEF; prevalence, 61%). Obesity, atrial fibrillation, age >60 years, treatment with ≥2 antihypertensives, echocardiographic E/e’ ratio >9, and echocardiographic pulmonary artery systolic pressure >35 mm Hg were selected as the final set of predictive variables. A weighted score based on these 6 variables was used to create a composite score (H2FPEF score) ranging from 0 to 9. The odds of HFpEF doubled for each 1-unit score increase (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.74–2.30; P<0.0001), with an area under the curve of 0.841 (P<0.0001). The H2FPEF score was superior to a currently used algorithm based on expert consensus (increase in area under the curve of 0.169; 95% CI, 0.120–0.217; P<0.0001). Performance in the independent test cohort was maintained (area under the curve, 0.886; P<0.0001). Conclusions: The H2FPEF score, which relies on simple clinical characteristics and echocardiography, enables discrimination of HFpEF from noncardiac causes of dyspnea and can assist in determination of the need for further diagnostic testing in the evaluation of patients with unexplained exertional dyspnea.
Effets retardés des pesticides sur la santé humaine

Les pesticides, de par leurs proprietes intrinseques, representent un danger potentiel pour l’homme en cas de contact inopine. Leur usage, professionnel ou domestique, suscite de nombreuses interrogations quant aux consequences deleteres qu’ils pourraient avoir sur la sante. Si les effets des intoxications aigues sont assez bien connus, les consequences a long terme, suite a des expositions chroniques, le sont beaucoup moins. Les approches toxicologiques in vitro ou in vivo chez l’animal ne sont pas toujours adaptees pour predire les effets nefastes retardes dans les populations humaines. Les multiples expositions auxquelles sont confrontees les populations rendent souvent difficile l’etablissement d’un lien de causalite entre l’exposition a un produit donne et son eventuel effet sanitaire. Toutefois, et en depit des limitations methodologiques des approches epidemiologiques, des donnees convergentes ont permis d’acquerir quelques certitudes et des suspicions assez consistantes quant aux effets deleteres a long terme pour certains pesticides ou familles chimiques de pesticides. Il n’en reste pas moins que de trop nombreuses incertitudes persistent. Celles-ci ne pourront etre levees que par des etudes rigoureuses utilisant des mesures specifiques et sensibles des expositions, d’une part, et des effets sanitaires, y compris a des stades precoces, d’autre part. A ce jour, les atteintes de la fonction de reproduction, les troubles neurologiques et les pathologies cancereuses sont les effets sanitaires les plus frequemment evoques en relation avec des expositions chroniques aux pesticides. Cette revue s’efforcera de brosser quelques evidences et, surtout, de rappeler les nombreuses incertitudes qui subsistent en matiere d’effets retardes des pesticides sur la sante humaine.
Snapshots of informed learning: LIS and beyond

Responding to the need for innovative LIS curriculum and pedagogy, grounded in both information and learning theory, this paper introduces the theory and practice of informed learning. After explaining how informed learning originated within the LIS discipline we outline the principles and characteristics of informed learning. Then we present snapshots of three units of study from LIS programs at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), followed by an overview of informed learning developments in a varied range of educational contexts beyond LIS programs. Finally, we reflect upon the relevance of informed learning to LIS education and its wider contribution to learning and teaching in higher education.
Ex vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and PGE 2 secretion in whole blood from Type 1 diabetes mellitus patients with or without aggressive periodontitis

Several studies have demonstrated that diabetes is a risk factor for developing periodontal disease, increasing its prevalence and severity. Furthermore, periodontitis may impair the metabolic control and adequate treatment of diabetic patients. LPS from Gram‐negative bacteria penetrates the periodontal tissues and subsequently recruits and activates immune cells. Progression to severe periodontitis with loss of supporting structures is mediated by several factors, including secretion of a broad spectrum of inflammatory and destructive mediators such as cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6), chemokines (IL‐8) and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2). The aim of this work is to investigate differences in the TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 expression and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) release in blood from diabetic patients with and without aggressive periodontitis (AP) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For this purpose we recruited 29 Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, 14 with AP and 15 without AP. Fourteen healthy individuals formed the control group. For cytokine expression and PGE 2 secretion, an ex vivo whole blood culture system was used . Cytokines and PGE 2 were detected by commercial immunometric assays. A wide range of inter‐individual variability in spontaneous and LPS‐induced TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 levels in patient groups and controls was found. The mean of spontaneous and LPS‐induced TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels did not differ significantly (p > 0.5) when patients were compared to control individuals. Although not significant, the spontaneous TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 levels in the group of Type 1 DM with AP were higher than in controls, while in diabetic patients without AP, these values were depressed in comparison with controls. In both groups of patients, the means of LPS‐induced IL‐6 levels were higher than the controls but the differences observed were not significant (p ∓ 0.07). However, the LPS‐induced PGE 2 levels varied significantly when all groups were compared (p ∓ 0.007). The means of LPS‐induced PGE 2 levels for Type 1 diabetic patients with AP (p ∓ 0.0009) and without AP (p ∓ 0.024) were significantly higher than the levels observed for healthy controls. Finally, we conclude that Type 1 diabetic patients with or without AP did not express higher LPS‐induced TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 levels than controls. However, the PGE 2 levels released were significantly higher than those detected in controls.
Consciousness, social heredity, and development: the evolutionary thought of James Mark Baldwin.

James Mark Baldwin is one of the most important and least known early American scientific psychologists. Drawing inspiration from Charles Darwin and other evolutionists of the period, Baldwin developed a biosocial theory of psychological development that influenced both Jean Piaget and Lev S. Vygotsky; and he proposed a mechanism relating learned adaptations in the individual to phylogenesis (frequently termed the "Baldwin effect") that is of considerable interest to those currently modeling processes of learning and evolution. After a brief introduction to Baldwin's career, this article describes the intellectual context within which his evolutionary thinking developed. Three of his most important contributions are then discussed: his theory of individual adaptation or learning, his concept of "social heredity," and his articulation of the "Baldwin effect. " The article concludes with a brief evaluation of the contemporary importance of Baldwin's ideas.