Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Light transmission aggregometry using pre-coated microtiter plates and a Victor X5 plate reader

Background Light transmission aggregometry (LTA) can be performed with microtiter plates (96-well LTA). When conducting LTA, an agonist is added to platelet-rich plasma and the sample is shaken for minutes after which absorbance readings are done. Platelet aggregation is detected as decrease in absorbance. However, the classical method is cumbersome and therefore microtiter plates can be used for concomitant testing of multiple samples. Furthermore, it would be convenient to prepare the plate in advance of platelet aggregation testing. Aim: The aim of the present study was to establish a simplified 96-well LTA protocol, where plates were pre-coated with agonists and stored at -80 C until use. Results We developed and validated a protocol for 96-well LTA using a Victor X5 plate reader and pre-coated microtiter plates. The minimum requirement of platelet-rich plasma was 45 μL per sample and the sample platelet count should not be below 100 x109/L. Optimal absorbance reading was 595 nm wavelengths. Platelet aggregation results were higher at 37°C than at room temperature. Platelet adherence to wells after stimulation was observed; it was not avoided by pre-coating of the wells with gelatin. A range of up to 7 concentrations for each agonist (collagen, arachidonic acid, adenosine diphosphate, thrombin receptor-activating peptide and protease-activated receptor-4) was tested concomitantly. A transient rise in platelet aggregation was observed after 2 minutes of shaking in some samples with low agonist concentration, and platelet aggregation was optimal after 10 minutes of shaking for samples with high agonist concentration. Plates could be stored at -80°C for 15 days without significant change in the platelet aggregation results. Conclusion The 96-well LTA is suitable for platelet aggregation testing and a range of agonist concentrations can be concomitantly tested.
The human microbiome and therapeutics.

With the recent report of the Human Microbiome Project, the clinical importance of the bacteria that live upon and within us has become a subject of considerable interest. More than 100 trillion microbes live with us, on our body, and in our body. Some are pathogens controlled by other bacteria (most of the time) while most exist in a symbiotic relationship with us. The recent advances in genetic typing have provided tools to access the diversity and complexity of the microbiome. The microbiome interacts with us in many ways that can influence our development and influence our health. The microbial population of a woman at childbirth can influence the microbes of the newborn and thus the child’s ability to properly digest milk. Animals brought up in a near-sterile environment cause overexpression of certain immunologic cells that can overreact, causing inflammation leading to autoimmune disease. The bacteria on our skin can be changed by antibiotic therapy, and thus, the bacteria that feed on waxy materials on our skin can be damaged and the normal balance disrupted, increasing damage to the protective skin surface leading to infection. Antibiotics can change the balance of bacteria species in the gut, leading to overgrowth of some that are pathogenic and ensuing problems, such as pseudomembranous colitis. Recently, some in the scientific community have begun to believe that an imbalance in the microbiome can lead to obesity. All these observations and beliefs have lead to the initiation of studies to replace bacteria, correcting the perceived imbalance, and thus treating medical conditions. But, how will the correction of the microbiome imbalances affect medical therapeutics? I recall an old study showing that antibiotic therapy can change gut flora in patients on digitalis, giving rise to an increase in the drugs concentration. How many other drugs can be influenced by the microbiome? Could microbiome replacement affect drug absorption and metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract? Does the microbiome metabolize some substances in our diet or drugs, resulting in inducing or blocking certain CYP, gastrointestinal or hepatic enzymes critical to drug metabolism? Changing the microbiome balance of the skin could change absorption and metabolisms of topical medications. The modification of the microbiome can affect drug absorption and metabolism, causing side effects or reduced efficacy of pharmacologic therapy. These considerations need to be monitored in clinical practice and studied to avoid adversity before it occurs. Studies of the microbiome have great potential. The effects of microbiome manipulation need to be determined as to how it may influence medical therapeutics.
Root Infinitives: A Comparative View 1

Investigating Root Infinitive constructions (RIs) in the adult grammar, we concentrate on a comparative view between English and Spanish. Through a careful study of the syntactic and semantic properties of RIs, and their cross-linguistic differences, we present strong arguments for the internal structure of RIs that we propose: English RIs are deficient TPs, while Spanish RIs have an additional Comp-related functional projection FP on top. This structural difference accounts for the syntactic similarities and differences in RIs in the two languages. On the semantic side, we propose that RIs are indefinite descriptions of events. RIs crucially involve two related terms, the RI itself (John read this book? ) and the Coda (That’s impossible! ), where the relating predicate is an exclamative operator with scalar properties akin to the focus particle even. We show that the RI, the exclamative operator and the Coda form a tripartite structure both syntactically and semantically, in the sense of other standard analyses of quantificational constructions. Differences in temporal interpretation are shown t o derive from the existence of the tripartite structure and the (un)availability of infinitival verb movement.
The concept of psoriasis as a systemic inflammation: implications for disease management

Psoriasis is a systemic, immune‐mediated disorder, characterized by inflammatory skin and joint manifestations. A range of co‐morbidities is associated with psoriasis, including metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, and psychological disorders. Although the systemic nature of psoriasis often remains unrecognized, the inflammatory processes involved may be associated with the development of co‐morbidities, which, themselves, have a significant impact on the patient's health and quality of life. The relative risks of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke are increased in patients with psoriasis compared with the general population. These are especially seen in younger patients with more severe disease, and are believed to contribute to the 3‐ to 4‐year reduction in life expectancy among patients with severe psoriasis. The recent results of large studies indicate that the increased cardiovascular (CV) risk is at least partially attributable to psoriasis and independent of the presence of metabolic co‐morbidities. The possible interplay between psoriasis and CV disease is complex. Metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes have overlapping genetic predispositions with psoriasis. Both conditions are likely to also interact at a functional level because obesity and the up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory mediators in psoriasis appear to influence adipocyte homoeostasis, inducing non‐professional immune functions. This may perpetuate psoriatic inflammation, displaying similarities to the immunopathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Finally, the disturbed adipokine profile and inflammation associated with psoriasis enhances insulin resistance, causing subsequent endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and eventual coronary events. The differential contribution of psoriasis and uncontrolled classical CV risk factors to the increased CV risk seen in psoriasis patients is not clear. Successful treatment with methotrexate appears to lower the rates of MI in patients with psoriasis. Tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) inhibitors are known to counteract insulin resistance and emerging studies demonstrate an even higher protective effect of TNF‐α antagonist therapy against the development of diabetes or CV co‐morbidities in patients. The recent data reviewed here indicate a role for earlier and more appropriate treatment of psoriasis with drugs such as TNF‐α antagonists. Such an approach has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes through the treatment of psoriasis itself and possibly also in protection against co‐morbidities.
Bidirectional Modulation of Cystine/Glutamate Exchanger Activity in Cultured Cortical Astrocytes

"! ## $! $% ! # "! "! "! $ & ! ##'# ( ) *#' " ! ) "! $ ! ( ! ##'# % # *#' $ ! #! +! # , ! ' -! "! % ' % % " "! " )! )! *#' $ ! ( " *! / ! $ ( −01 2" " $! ) ! "! ## ' #! ) "! #'( *#' $ ! ) "! − $ # " *" 1 " )! )! *#' $ ! $ ( − ' ) "! % )! " "! " )! )! *#' $ ! # ! ( ! ##'# *#' $ ! "! % "! $! $% ! $ ! $ * $ ) -! * *#' $ ! * ! )! # #! +! # 3 ! # ! ') " # % " $! ) # ! # " %! 2! $ ( − ) ! ( ! ##'# #! +! # *#' $ ! #4 ! "! ' " " # ! 2 " ! $ ( −14 %#! " "! " " # ! $ # $ #! *'# * "! + ! $ ( − " ') 2 ) ! ) 2 ) +! * * "! $ )'# ! $ ( − % ! + $ '% '# ' ! # *# '# ' ! $ '# ' ! 2! ) $ ! % # ! , 3 ) #) ' 5 "! '! 2 ) ! ) ) # ! ) ,56 $3 # )! 3 5×,65 ! ## . $ "! "! $ '# ' ! "! ) #'! 1 "! $ # ! ## 2! 7! ) ) # ! ) ,3 2! ## # ! ## '# ' ! ) 3,− 45 ) 2! ' ! ) "! ( ! $! -! ') ! 2! $! ) # ! % % ! %' ! ) ! % *! #' / 8 90 : ') "! *#' $ ! 1 ! ) + 2! ))! ) ! " 2! ## %# ! $ ) γ *#' $ # ! ) ! 8 ! ' -! ( ! $! 2!
The diagnostic utility of mean platelet volume and red cell distribution width in active Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis.

We read with interest the recent article entitled “The utility of platelet, mean platelet volume, and red cell distribution width in the diagnosis of active Crohn’s disease and intestinal tuberculosis” by Huang et al.1 The authors investigated whether mean platelet volume (MPV) and red cell distribution width (RDW) have diagnostic utilities in active Crohn’s disease (CD) and intestinal tuberculosis (ITB). Their findings demonstrated increased platelets (PLTs) and RDW, as well as decreased MPV in active CD and ITB. Also RDW, possessing the advantage of being inexpensive and readily available, has favorable utility to predict active CD and ITB. We would like to thank Huang et al1 for their contribution. The MPV indicates the average size of PLTs, and is also an emerging marker of inflammation.2,3 Furthermore, elevated MPVs were related to tuberculosis, sepsis, congestive heart failure autoimmune disorders, acute pulmonary emboli, thrombocytopenia, hepatitis B and C. Lower MPVs have been described in patients with CD, ulcerative colitis, anemia, chronic renal failure.3 There are only a few studies that demonstrate the relationship between MPV, RDW, and CD, and ITB.1 The RDW, which is used in the differential diagnosis of anemia, measures the size variability of the red blood cell.4 Aging, malnutrition, iron, or vitamin B12 deficiency, bone marrow depression, chronic inflammation, inflammatory bowel diseases, and any medication may affect RDW levels.5 Medication may alter MPV and RDW levels in patients with CD and ITB, so it would have been better if the patients were described with more detailed explanation in terms of mesalazine, antibiotic, steroid, antituberculosis agents use and/or other medication. In addition, it would also be more relevant, if the authors mentioned the elapsed time between taking the blood samples and measuring MPV, and RDW, since MPV, and RDW values may be affected by a time delay.3,6 In the literature, it has been shown that cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, strokes, and pulmonary hypertension, renal, hepatic, infectious diseases, aging, malnutrition, bone marrow depression, iron, and/or vitamin B12 deficiency, and chronic inflammatory diseases may affect RDW levels.4-6 Thus, it would have been more effective if the authors had mentioned these RDW affecting factors. We are of the opinion that the findings of Huang et al1 will lead to further research concerning the relationship between RDW, MPV, and active CD, and ITB. However, it should be kept in mind that MPV or RDW itself, alone without other parameters, may not have the favorable utility to predict active CD and ITB. In conclusion, we believe that RDW and/or MPV should be evaluated with other independent variables as mentioned above.
Meteorites and the Chemical Evolution of the Milky Way

1100. Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston (CD- ROM). Dearborn D. S. P. (1992) Diagnostics of stellar evolution: The oxygen isotopes. Phys. Rept. , 210, 367–382. Dopita M. A. and Ryder S. D. (1994) On the law of star formation in disk galaxies. Astrophys. J., 430, 163–178. Edvardsson B. , Anderson J., Gustaffson B. , Lambert D. L. , Nissen P. E. , and Tomkin J. (1993) The chemical evolution of the ga144 Meteorites and the Early Solar System II lactic disk. Astron. Astrophys. , 275, 101–152. El Eid M. (1994) CNO isotopes in red giants: Theory versus ob- servations. Astron. Astrophys. , 285, 915–928. Fenner Y. , Gibson B. K. , Lee H. -c. , Karakas A. I. , Lattanzio J. C. , Chieffi A. , Limongi M. , and Yong D. (2003) The chemical evo- lution of magnesium isotopic abundances in the solar neigh- bourhood. Publ. Astron. Soc. Australia, 20, 340–344. Francois P. and Matteucci F. (1993) On the abundance spread in solar neighbourhood stars. Astron. Astrophys. , 280, 136–140. Friedrich J. M. , Ott U. , and Lugmair G. W. (2004) Revisiting extraterrestrial U isotope ratios (abstract). In Lunar and Plan- etary Science XXXV, Abstract #1575. Lunar and Planetary In- stitute, Houston (CD-ROM). Gallino R. , Raiteri C. M. , Busso M. , and Matteucci F. (1994) The puzzle of silicon, titanium and magnesium anomalies in mete- oritic silicon carbide grains. Astrophys. J., 430, 858–869. Gallino R. , Busso M. , Wasserburg G. J., and Straniero O. (2004) Early solar system radioactivity and AGB stars. New Astron. Rev., 48, 133–138. Gay P. L. and Lambert D. L. (2000) The isotopic abundances of magnesium in stars. Astrophys. J., 533, 260–270. Gerritsen J. P. E. and Icke V. (1997) Star formation in N-body simulations. I. The impact of the stellar ultraviolet radiation on star formation. Astron. Astrophys. , 325, 972–986. Gibson B. K. , Fenner Y. , Renda A. , Kawata D. , and Lee H. (2003) Galactic chemical evolution. Publ. Astron. Soc. Australia, 20,
Emergency care education for advanced practice providers in rural critical access hospitals

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . v DEDICATION . vi LIST OF FIGURES . xi LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES . xii CHAPTER ONE. INTRODUCTION . 1 Background . 1 Problem Statement . 5 Significance of Project . 5 Purpose . 5 Project Objectives . 5 CHAPTER TWO. LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK . 7 Overview . 7 Emergency Care Education. 9 Orientation programs . 9 Previous experience . 11 Program education . 12 Emergency certifications . 14 On-the-job training. 15 Regional models for emergency care . 16 Residency programs for APPs . 17 Adult Learning Theory . 18 viii Core principles . 18 Self-directed learning . 21 Evaluating the adult learner . 22 CHAPTER THREE. PROJECT DESIGN . 26 Needs Assessment Implementation . 26 Needs assessment instrument . 26 Data sources . 27 Data collection procedures . 28 Educational Curriculum for Emergency Care . 29 Congruence to organization’s mission, values, and strategic goals . 30 Data sources . 31 Evaluation form . 31 Data collection procedures . 32 CHAPTER FOUR. EVALUATION . 33 Fourth Generation Evaluation . 33 Methodology . 34 Stakeholder evaluators . 37 Application of theory . 37 CHAPTER FIVE. RESULTS . 42 Characteristics of the Sample. 42 Previous Experiences . 43 Current Methods of Emergency Care Education . 43 Recommendations for Emergency Care Education . 45 ix Self-Directed Learning Module . 50 Course title, description, and course objectives . 52 Textbook . 52 Certification courses . 52 Learning experiences . 54 Module instructions . 54 Body of the module . 54 Post module examination . 60 Post module examination answers . 61 Checklist . 61 Evaluation of the Adult and Pediatric Trauma Module . 62 CHAPTER SIX. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS . 66 Interpretation of Results . 66 Needs assessment . 66 Evaluation of adult and pediatric trauma module . 70 Limitations . 72 Recommendations . 75 Implications for Practice . 77 Implications for Future Research . 78 Application to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Roles. 79 Conclusion . 80 REFERENCES . 82 APPENDIX A. PERMISSION TO ADAPT SURVEY TOOL . 100 x APPENDIX B. BREAKDOWN OF COMPETENCIES FOR NPS AND PAS . 102 APPENDIX C. NEEDS ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT . 108 APPENDIX D. NDSU IRB APPROVAL . 117 APPENDIX E. IRB APPROVAL FROM CENTRACARE HEALTH . 118 APPENDIX F. EMAIL LETTER TO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR . 120 APPENDIX G. EMAIL LETTER TO APP . 122 APPENDIX H. EMERGENCY CARE EDUCATION CURRICULUM OUTLINE . 124 APPENDIX I. INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING WORKSHEETS . 128 APPENDIX J. NDSU AMENDMENT TO PREVIOUS IRB APPROVAL . 133 APPENDIX K. INFORMED CONSENT TO USE EVALUATION DATA . 137 APPENDIX L. ADULT AND PEDIATRIC TRAUMA MODULE EVALUATION FORM . 138 APPENDIX M. ADULT AND PEDIATRIC TRAUMA MODULE . 139 APPENDIX N. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . 188 Needs Assessment . 188 Self-Directed Learning Module . 188 Recommendations . 190 Implications for Practice . 190 Conclusion .
Role of Socioeconomic Status in Hypertension among Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals

Hypertension is an important global health concern. The relationship between hypertension and socioeconomic status (SES) has been extensively studied. However, the role of SES in hypertension is still controversial, and this kind of study is sorely lacking among Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals. The data of this study come from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) released in May 2017. A total of 21,126 people from all around China, with ages older than 45 years, were enrolled in the questionnaire survey. Hypertension was determined according to the entry in CHARLS (“Do you have doctor-diagnosed hypertension? ”), and 17,676 people responded to this entry. The basic demographic and SES information were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk factors of hypertension. Concentration index was used to measure inequality of hypertension incidence. Among the investigated middle-aged and elderly individuals, 5,177/17,676 (29.3%) had doctor-diagnosed hypertension. Multivariate logistic regression implied that individuals older than 55 years (OR 1.436, 95% CI 1.085–1.900 for age interval of 55–64 years; OR 2.032, 95% CI 1.455–2.839 for age interval of 65–74 years; OR 1.672, 95% CI 1.031–2.714 for age interval of older than 75 years), male (OR 0.038, 95% CI 0.595–0.986), overweight (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.462–4.183), and diabetes (OR 3.159, 95% CI 2.129–4.687) were associated with hypertension. For society support, individuals in the lowest quintile were more likely to suffer hypertension. Concentration index results suggested that different income groups did not show inequality on hypertension incidence. Elder age, male, overweight, diabetes, and poor society support were suggested to be associated with hypertension incidence among middle-aged and elderly individuals in China. Our study provides implications for controlling and managing hypertension.
Thrombosed Type A Acute Aortic Dissection Quick Overview of a Clinical Variant of Aortic Dissection

Thrombosed type A acute aortic dissection (TA AAD) is a subtype of aortic dissection. The computed tomography shows a crescent-shaped false lumen with neither entry nor blood flow in the false lumen. Clinical characteristics of TA AAD are sometimes different from those of the classical aortic dissection. The worst scenario is the progression to classical aortic dissection, which means recanalization of the false lumen, frank rupture, or aneurysmal formation is worse clinical manifestations. On the other hand, spontaneous regression of the false lumen leading to the disappearance of the aortic dissection is the best course. Optimal strategy for TA AAD still remains debatable. One of the reasons is the international differences in the outcomes of TA AAD. In the Western countries, the patients treated with emergent operation had lower mortality than those treated with medical therapy. On the other hand, in Asian countries, favorable outcomes have been demonstrated in the strategy of medical therapy alone for uncomplicated patients or medical therapy plus timed surgery for complicated patients. On Japanese guidelines for aortic dissection issued in 2011, the surgical treatment for TA AAD is indicated for the patients with cardiac tamponade, aortic regurgitation (AR), large ascending aorta (>50 mm) and thick thrombosed false lumen (>11 mm). The initial medical therapy is selected for patients who do not have the surgical criteria. Once selected, close inspection of the patient and repetitive radiographic follow-up are needed to detect the propagation of aortic dissection rapidly. We should rediscover the fact that thrombosed type A acute aortic dissection belongs to the “acute aortic syndrome” and is likely to progress to the overt aortic dissection or aortic rupture. The optimal selection of the initial treatment according to the risk stratification can improve the outcomes of this unique disease.
TOP MANAGEMENT TEAM DIVERSITY, STRUCTURAL INTERDEPENDENCE, STRATEGIC ORIENTATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF LITERATURE BY JACQUELINE OPIYO

Organizations aspire to achieve their goals in dynamic, competitive environments. In order for them to do this, they rely on the key people charged with steering them towards corporate success through the strategic decisions that they make. Empirical studies refer to these decision makers as Top Management Teams (TMTs). TMT characteristics have been linked to strategic decisions like diversification and acquisitions that have changed the direction of their firms. However, research differs as to whether TMT diversity affects strategic decisions and hence organizational performance. This has called for further research on TMTs and especially on their performance as influenced by other factors like their structures. Structures provide the necessary systems and processes required for effective strategy implementation. In reviewing TMT structures, we find that in some, members are independent while in others, they highly depend on each other to achieve organizational goals. When there is high interdependence and diversity, team processes may be affected and consequently firm performance. Despite interdependence receiving scholarly attention, focus in earlier studies was on work groups and not TMTs. Additionally, it was not objectively operationalized. These gaps together with the inconsistent findings on how interdependence relates to performance require attention in upper echelon studies. This study paper seeks to provide insights on TMT structural interdependence by answering the question on how it may impact on performance and hence advance theory in TMT studies. It also brings in strategic orientation to see its influence on this relationship. Research from this study paper will have implications on policy and practice for managers charged with selection and structuring of TMTs in organizations as it will give an understanding on how TMTs should be structured or designed for effectiveness and better firm performance.