Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Pharmacist-Provided Medication Therapy Management on Healthcare Quality and Utilization in Recently Discharged Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND The optimization of medication use during care transitions represents an opportunity to improve overall health-related outcomes. The utilization of clinical pharmacists during care transitions has demonstrated benefit, although the optimal method of integration during the care transition process remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of pharmacist-provided telephonic medication therapy management (MTM) on care quality in a care transitions program (CTP) for high-risk older adults. METHODS This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted from December 8, 2011, through October 25, 2012, in a primary care work group at a tertiary care academic medical center in the midwestern United States. High-risk elderly (aged ≥60 years) patients were randomized to a pharmacist-provided MTM program via telephone or to usual care within an existing outpatient CTP. The primary outcome was the quality of medication prescribing and utilization based on the Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to the Right Treatment (START) and the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) scores. The secondary outcomes were medication utilization using a modified version of the Medication Appropriateness Index, hospital resource utilization within 30 days of discharge, and drug therapy problems. RESULTS Of 222 eligible high-risk patients, 25 were included in the study and were randomized to the pharmacist MTM intervention (N = 13) or to usual care (N = 12). No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in medications meeting the STOPP or START criteria. At 30-day follow-up, no significant differences were found between the 2 cohorts in medication utilization quality indicators or in hospital utilization. At 30-day follow-up, 3 (13.6%) patients had an emergency department visit or a hospital readmission since discharge. In all, 22 patients completed the study. Medication underuse was common, with 20 START criteria absent medications evident for all 25 patients at baseline, representing 15 (60%) patients with ≥1 missing medications. Overall, 55 drug therapy problems were identified at baseline, 24 (43.6%) of which remained unresolved at 30-day follow-up. CONCLUSION The use of a pharmacist-provided MTM program did not achieve a significant difference compared with usual care in an existing CTP; however, the findings demonstrated frequent utilization of inappropriate medications as well as medication underuse, and many drug therapy problems remained unresolved. The small size of the study may have limited the ability to detect a difference between the intervention and usual care groups.
The burden of hospitalised pneumonia in Lazio, Italy, 1997-1999.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the burden of hospitalised pneumonia in adults in the Lazio region (1997-1999); to describe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), suspected nosocomial infection (NI) and AIDS-related pneumonia. METHODS Using data from the Hospital Information System, we traced the hospitalisation history of patients and classified CAP, NI and AIDS-related pneumonia. RESULTS During the study period, 30517 incident events of pneumonia occurred: 20497 CAP, 9760 NI, and 964 AIDS-related pneumonia; 704 of these were also NI (annual incidence rate 158, 75 and 7.4 per 100 000 population, respectively). The mean ages were 65, 69 and 38 years for CAP, NI, and AIDS-related pneumonia, respectively. Higher hospitalisation rates were observed in Rome than in the rest of the region for NI and AIDS-related cases, but not for CAP. Lower socioeconomic groups showed a higher incidence of CAP and AIDS-related pneumonia. Peaks of incidence were observed in winter for CAP and NI. Only 20% of pneumonias have an aetiological diagnosis. In-hospital fatality rates were 9.4%, 29.3% and 11.2% for CAP, NI and AIDS-related pneumonia, respectively. CONCLUSION The high incidence and fatality of CAP and NI, especially among the elderly, makes these diseases a problem that is re-emerging in industrialised countries with an ageing population.
Suppression of Pentylenetetrazole Seizures by Oral Administration of a Dihydropyridine Ca2+ Antagonist

Summary: We previously demonstrated that the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, nimodipine, is an effective anticonvulsant in experimental seizures when administered parentally. Reported now are the results for the oral administration of nimodipine in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)‐induced seizures in the rabbit. Twenty rabbits were randomly assigned into 10 controls and 10 treated with nimodipine 5 mg/kg/day orally for 5 days. All animals received increasing doses of the convulsant PTZ intravenously (i.v). The epileptogenecity of this agent was assessed in all animals (mg/kg) by four electrocorti‐cographic criteria: first seizure >5 s, two seizures within 5 min, epileptiform activity for 1 h, and status epilepticus. In all four categories, nimodipine increased the seizure threshold by 50–60%. The dose of PTZ required to produce the first seizure was 27.0 ± 5.4 mg/kg in controls and 49.6 ± 9.9 mg/kg in treated animals (p < 0.001). Similar values were obtained for the other three electrocorti‐cographic categories. There were no observable adverse side effects. The results confirm our previous findings that calcium influx is critical for seizure induction, and that selective central nervous system (CNS) calcium channel blockers may emerge as a new class of anticonvulsants.
Nitrate movement in soil and its agricultural significance

Nitrification and the leaching of nitrate in soil greatly influence the amount of nitrogen available for crop growth. Simple equations derived from a study of the mechanisms of these processes may be used for making rapid field estimates of both the release of nitrate from ammonium and the leaching of nitrate through the soil. Their use may also suggest ways of modifying the amount and timing of applications in order to make better use of nitrogenous fertilizers.
Intranasal Immunization Enhances Clearance of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and Reduces Stimulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Production in the Murine Model of Otitis Media

ABSTRACT Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a major pathogen causing otitis media (OM). One of the outer membrane proteins of NTHi, P6, is a common antigen to all strains and is considered a candidate for mucosal vaccine. We have previously reported that intranasal immunization with P6 and cholera toxin (CT) could induce P6-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies in the middle ear. In the present study, we assessed the effect of intranasal immunization for the protection against NTHi-induced OM. Mice were immunized intranasally with P6 and CT as an adjuvant on days 0, 7, and 14. Control mice were given phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) without antigen. One week after the final immunization, a suspension of live NTHi (107 CFU) was injected into the tympanic cavity to induce experimental OM. On days 3 and 7 after bacterial challenge, mice were killed and middle ear effusions (MEEs) were collected. All immunized mice showed elevated titers of P6-specific antibodies in MEEs. The rank order of specific antibody included, from highest to lowest levels, IgG, IgA, and IgM. In addition, immunized mice showed enhanced clearance of NTHi from the middle ear and the number of NTHi in MEEs of immunized mice was reduced by 97% on day 3 and by 92% on day 7 after bacterial challenge relative the number in the MEEs of control mice. The protective effect of intranasal immunization on the incidence of NTHi-induced experimental OM was evident on day 7 after challenge. By day 7, the number of MEEs in immunized mice was 64% less than that in control mice and the incidence of NTHi culture-positive MEEs in immunized mice was 56% less than that in control mice. Less stimulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in the middle ear was evident on day 3 after challenge. Immunized mice showed lower concentrations of TNF-α in MEEs. These results indicate that intranasal immunization affords protection against experimental OM as evidenced by enhanced clearance of NTHi and less stimulation of TNF-α production in the middle ear. These findings suggest that a nasal vaccine might be useful for preventing OM.
Effects of low-level laser therapy on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement.

OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that mechanical forces combined with low-level laser therapy stimulate the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. STUDY DESIGN This study was a double blind, randomized placebo/control matched pairs clinical trial to test the efficacy of GaAlAs low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on 12 young adult patients who required retraction of maxillary canines into first premolar extraction spaces using tension coil springs with fixed edgewise appliance. LLLT was applied on the mucosa buccally, distally and palatally to the canine on the test side and using a pseudo-application on the placebo side. Dental impressions and casts were made at the commencement of the trial and at the end of the first, second and third months after starting the trial. Measurement of tooth movements was made on each stage model using a stereo microscope. RESULTS There was no significant difference of means of the canine distal movement between the LLLT side and the placebo side for any time periods (p-value = 0.77). CONCLUSION The energy density of LLLT (GaAlAs) at the surface level in this study (25 J/cm(2)) was probably too low to express either stimulatory effect or inhibitory effect on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement.
Passionate Scholars: Reforming Doctoral Education: A Research Project on Educational Outcomes and Processes

In this exploratory study, alumni of an innovative PhD program completed an open-ended self-administered questionnaire. They were asked to describe the intellectual, personal, and behavioral developments that they attributed to their graduate school experience, and aspects of their experience that they believed to have affected those changes. Findings indicated a wide array of changes in all areas. How ought we conceive of the purposes of graduate education and what do know from research and practice about how to structure it to achieve those ends? In this project we start from the premise that a new covenant is needed between society and higher education that balances the hyper-specialization typical of graduate curricula with broader societal needs as well as the developmental and career realities of graduate students. Our vision is one that moves education beyond the life of the mind to incorporate the soul of the learner and the needs of society. It draws on research on adult development (Stevens-Long & Michaud, 2003) and human learning (Halpern & Hakel, 2003), innovative practice in adult education (Schapiro, 2003), and dialogue regarding scholarship, professional practice and societal needs (e.g., Boyer 1990, Carnegie Foundation, 2003, McClintock 2003, Nyquist, 2000, Schon 1987, Shulman, 1987). In this paper, we describe a pilot research study which attempted to begin to identify an expanded conceptualization of the possible and desirable outcomes of graduate education, and the means through which those outcomes can be brought to fruition. Conceptual Framework and Pilot Research As a first step in re-thinking graduate education, we developed the conceptual framework summarized in Figure 1 that extends the traditional emphasis on cognitive educational outcomes to include personal and behavioral outcomes (McClintock and Stevens-Long 2002). This framework looks at both the self-concept and the self-in-action, as it outlines outcomes in regard to three facets of adult development: cognitive, affective, and behavioral. In analyzing the means or process of graduate study, we focused on four facets of any formal educational experience: curriculum content and structure; learning process; interpersonal relationships; and organizational structure and process (Schapiro, 1999). FIGURE 1: An Expanded View of Graduate Education Outcomes
The Political Roots of Health Insurance Benefit Mandates

Purpose - As of 2011, the average US state had 37 health insurance benefit mandates, laws requiring health insurance plans to cover a specific treatment, condition, provider, or person. This number is a massive increase from less than one mandate per state in 1965, and the topic takes on a new significance now, when the federal government is considering many new mandates as part of the “essential health benefits” required by the Affordable Care Act. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - The authors use fixed effects estimation on 1996-2010 data to determine why some states pass more mandates than others. Findings - The authors find that the political strength of health care providers is the strongest determinant of mandates. Originality/value - A large body of literature has attempted to evaluate the effect of mandates on health, health insurance, and the labor market. However, previous papers did not consider the political processes behind the passage of mandates. In fact, when they estimate the laws’ effect, almost all papers on the subject assume that mandates are passed at random. The paper opens the way to estimating the causal effect of mandates on health insurance and the labor market using an instrumental variables strategy that incorporates political information about why mandates get passed.
The effect of teacher certification on student achievement

The Effect of Teacher Certification on Student Achievement. (May 2004) Karin Sparks, B.A., University of New Mexico; M.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. James F. McNamara The purpose of this study was to review the empirical research evidence on the effect of teacher certification on student achievement. An exploratory meta-analysis was conducted on studies that examined the effect of fully certified and less-than-fully certified teachers on student achievement. The meta-analysis focused on the areas of mathematics, science and reading and explored trends across areas of achievement, school level and research design. The study was directed towards (a) a synthesis of findings, and (b) recommendations for future research and policy decisions. The meta-analysis population consisted of five individual studies that generated twenty-seven effect size estimates. Three studies utilized either an individual level or class level of analysis and yielded twelve mean difference effect size estimates. Two studies utilized either a school or state level of analysis and yielded fifteen correlational effect size estimates. The majority of findings in mathematics favor the positive effect of fully certified teachers. In science, the findings pointed towards equivalent levels of student
Investigating the Feasibility of a National Minimum Wage for South Africa

Part I was completed by the DPRU and is a quantitative analysis of the feasibility of a national minimum wage for South Africa. The DPRU was commissioned by the Department of Labour to provide an analytical and empirical rubric, with which a more informed and nuanced decision could be taken around the promulgation of a NMW for South Africa. In summary, the report recommends that the South African Government consider introducing a NMW to address low wages. However, we argue that critical attention must be given to the design and implementation of the policy so that it achieves the goal of protecting workers, minimizes the potential negative consequences on employment, and ultimately succeeds in improving levels of compliance with legislated wages. Part II was completed by the CSDA and is a qualitative analysis that investigates how a national minimum wage might affect young people’s labour market outcomes in South Africa.
Gibberellin Signaling in Barley Aleurone Cells. Control of SLN1 and GAMYB Expression

We have previously identified GAMYB, a gibberellin (GA)-regulated transcriptional activator of α-amylase gene expression, in aleurone cells of barley (Hordeum vulgare). To examine the regulation of GAMYB expression, we describe the use of nuclear run-on experiments to show that GA causes a 2-fold increase in the rate of GAMYB transcription and that the effect of GA can be blocked by abscisic acid (ABA). To identify GA-signaling components that regulate GAMYB expression, we examined the role of SLN1, a negative regulator of GA signaling in barley. SLN1, which is the product of the Sln1(Slender1) locus, is necessary for repression of GAMYB in barley aleurone cells. The activity of SLN1 in aleurone cells is regulated posttranslationally. SLN1 protein levels decline rapidly in response to GA before any increase in GAMYB levels. Green fluorescent protein-SLN1 fusion protein was targeted to the nucleus of aleurone protoplasts and disappeared in response to GA. Evidence from a dominant dwarf mutant at Sln1, and from thegse1 mutant (that affects GA “sensitivity”), indicates that GA acts by regulating SLN1 degradation and not translation. Mutation of the DELLA region of SLN1 results in increased protein stability in GA-treated layers, indicating that the DELLA region plays an important role in GA-induced degradation of SLN1. Unlike GA, ABA had no effect on SLN1 stability, confirming that ABA acts downstream of SLN1 to block GA signaling.
In Situ Identification of Cyanobacteria with Horseradish Peroxidase-Labeled, rRNA-Targeted Oligonucleotide Probes

ABSTRACT Individual cyanobacterial cells are normally identified in environmental samples only on the basis of their pigmentation and morphology. However, these criteria are often insufficient for the differentiation of species. Here, a whole-cell hybridization technique is presented that uses horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled, rRNA-targeted oligonucleotides for in situ identification of cyanobacteria. This indirect method, in which the probe-conferred enzyme has to be visualized in an additional step, was necessary since fluorescently monolabeled oligonucleotides were insufficient to overstain the autofluorescence of the target cells. Initially, a nonfluorescent detection assay was developed and successfully applied to cyanobacterial mats. Later, it was demonstrated that tyramide signal amplification (TSA) resulted in fluorescent signals far above the level of autofluorescence. Furthermore, TSA-based detection of HRP was more sensitive than that based on nonfluorescent substrates. Critical points of the assay, such as cell fixation and permeabilization, specificity, and sensitivity, were systematically investigated by using four oligonucleotides newly designed to target groups of cyanobacteria.
Expanding the Construct Validity of the Relationship Profile Test: Associations With Physical Health and Anaclitic and Introjective Traits

The authors examined the construct validity of the Relationship Profile Test (RPT) with respect to measures of two related constructs—physical health and well-being (functional health status), and depression-linked personality type (anaclitic vs. introjective). In Study 1, the authors administered the RPT, Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ), and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (MOS SF-20) to 116 undergraduate students. In Study 2, the RPT, DEQ, and MOS SF-20 were administered to 110, mostly African American female, primary care outpatients. Destructive Overdependence was positively correlated with anaclitic and introjective trait scores in both samples. Dysfunctional Detachment was positively correlated with introjective scores in both samples and with anaclitic scores in the primary care sample. Healthy Dependency was negatively correlated with introjective scores in both samples and with anaclitic scores in the primary care sample. These studies support the construct validity of the RPT in ethnically diverse nonclinical and clinical samples, and extend previous findings documenting links between RPT subscale scores and scores on measures of other theoretically related constructs.
Party Competition and the Inter-Industry Structure of US Trade Protection*

Why do some declining industries receive more compensation through protectionist policies than others, even without actively engaging in lobbying? How does the political representation of industries affect their chances for protectionist relief? This paper argues that political parties seek to optimize electoral returns through the strategic allocation of distributive benefits generated by trade barriers. The inter-industry structure of protection is thus explained by the interaction between industries’ trade preferences and political characteristics. Using data on protection and subnational employment for US industries and district-level election outcomes in the 1990s, this paper finds that the concentration of industries in competitive constituencies not only increases their chances of receiving higher tariffs, but also magnifies the marginal effect of comparative disadvantage on tariff and nontariff protection.
Leukocyte activation induces surface redistribution of P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1

Binding of P‐selectin on activated endothelium to P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1) on neutrophils mediates the initial tethering and rolling of neutrophils on the vessel wall at inflammatory sites. Upon activation of rolling cells by locally expressed signaling molecules, integrin‐dependent adhesion mechanisms are engaged and transendothelial migration proceeds. P‐selectin binding sites are uniformly distributed on the surface of quiescent neutrophils, but are redistributed to the uropod of activated neutrophils. It is unclear whether this activation‐induced change in the surface topography of P‐selectin binding sites is due to surface redistribution of PSGL‐1, shedding of PSGL‐1 from the lamellapod, and/or movement of PSGL‐1 from an intracellular compartment to the uropod of the polarized cell. With the use of immunogold electron microscopy we previously demonstrated that PSGL‐1 was localized to the tips of microvilli on neutrophils. Here we document a similar localization for PSGL‐1 on eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. On quiescent neutrophils, 80% of the PSGL‐1 label was on tips of microvilli, which are randomly distributed around the cell circumference. On activated, polarized neutrophils, the PSGL‐1 label was restricted to a segment of 42% of the cell circumference even though total labeling decreased by only 26%. Latex microbeads coated with anti‐PSGL‐1 mAb bound preferentially to the uropod of activated neutrophils. Subcellular fractionation and immunogold analysis of frozen thin sections of neutrophils failed to detect PSGL‐1 in any intracellular compartment. Taken together, these data indicate that the activation‐induced change in the surface topography of PSGL‐1 is due to surface redistribution of PSGL‐1. This process may facilitate transendothelial migration by disrupting bonds between P‐selectin and PSGL‐1 at the leading edge of migrating cells. J. Leukoc. Biol. 61: 489–499; 1997.