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Communication of Inflammation
No full textComments on an article by Silvia Castany et al. Inflammatory processes underlie or contribute to not only a sur prisingly wide array of serious physical and mental disorders, but also play important roles in non-disease-related adaptive neural and biobehavioral processes. One of the most exciting avenues this latter research has taken is in regard to social behavior and communication. We now know, for instance, that experimentally induced inflammatory pain can be transmitted between individuals so that sensitivity to pain increases in uncompromised bystander animals Bystanders also will initiate a limited anticipatory cytokine response when exposed to immune-challenged cage-mates. Social behavior is affected as well in that im mune challenge alters the attractiveness of animals to conspecifics. Most often sick animals are avoided as one would expect, but more interestingly, they sometimes are approached. A recent paper by Castany et al in Brain Behavior and Immunity builds on and advances such findings by showing how inflammation itself might be transmitted from one individual to another for adaptive social purposes. These au thors identify a situation in which inducing inflammation in one set of animals (mouse pups) can prompt a robust and systemic inflammatory response in others (mothers). Furthermore, the dams do not just exhibit increases in basic prosocial responses, such as approach, but rather in the more-complex and clearly adaptive response of maternal caretaking of their dependent young
Middle Eastern Princess
Get PDFThis poem reflects the thoughts that cross Babia Abdellatif\u27s mind and soul as she witness the injustices in the world. It brings together a collection of situations that often occupy her thoughts
Examining Intersectional Factors in Infant Mortality: The Role of Race, Geography, and Socioeconomic Status in Ohio
Get PDFBackground: Aspects of a mother’s identity such as race, socioeconomic status, and geographical location can impact healthcare access and outcomes, especially infant mortality.Objective: The aim of this study is to identify how different variables relating to a mother’s identity intersect with one another to impact infant mortality rate in Ohio.Methods: Data for infant mortality rate, racial residential segregation index, patient race by percentage, and median household income was collected from County Health Rankings, and data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics.Results: A linear regression found that the best fitting model including median household income and percent Black Ohioans was significant (F2,58=21.814, p\u3c.001), accounting for 42.9% of the variance in infant mortality rate. The results of the paired t-test comparing infant mortality rates in 2016 and 2023 found a statistically significant decrease from 7.097% in 2016 and 6.600% in 2023. The results of the paired t-test comparing racial segregation indices in 2016 and 2023 found a statistically significant increase from 57.64% in 2016 and 59.39% in 2023.Conclusion: Socioeconomic status, especially in conjunction with race, has a significant impact on infant mortality rate in Ohio. Policies and interventions should focus on mediating financial disparities
Toward a Relational Theory for HR Function Research
No full textIn this conceptual review, we suggest that investigations of the HR function’s strategic value should encompass the relational activities between the HR function and its multiple stakeholders and go beyond the existence or the effectiveness of the HR function in implementing HR practices. Specifically, we aim to answer the questions of (1) who are the critical stakeholders of the HR function? (2) what relational activities should occur between the HR function and each stakeholder for the effective management of human capital? and (3) how can these relational activities contribute to the effectiveness and performance of the organization? Building from HRM theories and research that address relational activities of the HR function, we identify employees, line managers, and senior managers as critical stakeholders of the HR function. We further describe what relational activities should occur between the HR function and each of its stakeholders, drawing on relational coordination theory. Further, we present a relational framework for research on the impact of the HR function where we explain how the relational activities between the HR function and its stakeholders affect HR practices and other HR actions that the firm undertakes and situate these concepts in the strategic human resource management literature. In so doing, we identify questions to guide future research
A Novel Maturation Equation for Hepatic Clearance Across Preterm, Term Neonates, Children, and Adults: Application to Paracetamol and Its Metabolite
No full textA preterm and term neonate to adult (PTNA) maturation equation was introduced recently to describe the glomerular filtration rate maturation from birth to adulthood for neonates of varying gestational age. This study aims to evaluate the newly developed PTNA equation against common maturation approaches like allometric scaling (AS0.75), the AS0.75 plus postmenstrual age (PMA)-based Emax (AS0.75 + PMA) equation, and the bodyweight dependent exponent equation (BDE) for the maturation of three hepatic pathways of paracetamol (PCM) from preterm and term neonates up to adults. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted with pooled plasma and urine data of PCM, PCM-glucuronide (PCM-GLU), PCM-sulfate (PCM-SULF), and PCM-oxidative metabolites (PCM-OXI) (number of observations:6428) from 298 subjects, including preterm and term neonates, infants, children, and adults. PTNA, AS0.75, AS0.75 + PMA, and BDE were evaluated separately to describe the formation clearance of each PCM metabolite. Results indicated that the PTNA equation best described the formation clearance of PCM-GLU, outperforming the BDE and AS0.75 + PMA equations in both statistical and graphical evaluation metrics and inter-individual variability reduction. For PCM-SULF and PCM-OXI, the PTNA equation also had the best performance, but the improvements were smaller. The final model described the PK of PCM and its metabolites adequately among subpopulations as indicated by diagnostic plots. In conclusion, the PTNA maturation equation best describes the maturation of all hepatic elimination pathways of PCM. It can, as such, be potentially applied to other drugs and pathways when data from both preterm and term neonates and older children are part of the PK analysis
Mechanistic Effects and Complications of Berberine on Cardiac Arrhythmias
No full textBackground: Arrhythmia is an abnormal sinus rhythm of the heartbeat, and in addition to threatening the patient\u27s health, it may also cause fatal complications. Objectives: The present review study was investigated the effects of berberine (BBR) on cardiac arrhythmias and its possible complications. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on electronic databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies published before June 10, 2024. Inclusion criteria were defined based on the study\u27s aim. Two reviewers performed data extraction independently to ensure accuracy and minimize bias. The data were finally extracted and analyzed. Results: Finally, 22 studies were included. BBR revealed antiarrhythmic effects through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activity and improved mitochondrial function. Moreover, BBR modulated ion channels and improved electrical remodeling trough inhibited Potassium current (IK), IK1, IKr, IKs, ICa, INa, KATP channels and human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) and improved expression of inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir)6.2 and Kir2.1. It also increased action potential duration (APD), prolonged the effective refractory period (ERP), and reduced the frequency and complexity of ventricular premature complexes (VPC). However, it causes some cardiovascular side effects, including prolonged QT interval, bradycardia, and hypotensive effects. BBR may also lead to gastrointestinal complications, immunosuppressive effects, and interaction with concomitant drugs. Conclusion: Although BBR\u27s cardioprotective properties have satisfactory effects on cardiac arrhythmia, it causes prolonged QT interval, bradycardia, hypotension, and cardiotoxicity. However, more clinical studies are needed to obtain more reliable results
Pharmacokinetic Effect of Disease Severity and Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Critically Ill Asian Patients Receiving Vancomycin
No full textPurpose: Vancomycin is an essential antibiotic for the treatment of severe gram-positive bacterial infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In critically ill patients, particularly children, attaining the appropriate dosage is crucial to avert drug resistance and ensure therapeutic efficacy. This study sought to investigate the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in critically ill Asian pediatric patients and evaluate the influence of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and disease severity on vancomycin clearance. Methods: This retrospective analysis examined data from 90 critically ill Asian patients residing in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, encompassing 263 data points gathered over 2 years. A one-compartment pharmacokinetic model with first-order elimination was constructed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling to assess the impact of ECMO and infection severity on vancomycin clearance. Results: The pharmacokinetics of vancomycin were markedly affected by ECMO and the severity of the illness. Patients using ECMO demonstrated a 56% decrease in vancomycin clearance relative to non-ECMO patients. Furthermore, patients with milder infections (e.g., cellulitis, surgical prophylaxis, neutropenic fever) had a 39% decrease in vancomycin clearance relative to those with more severe infections (e.g., pneumonia, bacteremia, osteomyelitis, meningitis, deep tissue infection). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that ECMO and infection severity are major factors influencing vancomycin clearance in critically unwell pediatric patients. The significant decrease in clearance linked to ECMO and reduced infection severity underscores the necessity for meticulous therapeutic drug monitoring and tailored dosing strategies to enhance vancomycin treatment in this at-risk population. The findings highlight the significant interindividual diversity in vancomycin pharmacokinetics in critically unwell pediatric patients
The Association Between Use of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors and the Risk and Mortality of Pancreatic Cancer
No full textBackground: Pancreatic Cancer (PC) is one of the most malignant tumors and highly invasive neoplasms around the world. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to study the relationship between the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and the incidence and mortality of PC. Methods: The electronic search was conducted systematically until October 10, 2023. in databases, including Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase. The required data were extracted froM.T.he articles and were analyzed by Stata 15 using statistical tests (Chi-square and I2), Forest plots, and publication bias tests (Begg\u27s and Egger\u27s tests). Results: A total of four studies (2011-2019; n=314,856) investigated the relationship between RAS antagonists and PC risk. No significant associations were found between angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.77-1.14, p=0.513), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) (OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.84-1.09, p=0.505), or combination therapy (ARBs + ACEIs) (OR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.87-1.09, p=0.627) and PC risk. Also, nine studies (2010-2023; n=20,483) examined the association between renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and PC mortality. Significant reductions in PC mortality were found for ARBs (OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.66-0.98, p=0.032), ACEIs (OR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.99, p=0.038), and combination therapy (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.70-0.97, p=0.022). No evidence of publication bias was found in the study results. Conclusion: In summary, while renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors did not appear to impact PC risk, their use was associated with lower PC mortality based on this meta-analysis of the current evidence. More rigorous and well-designed studies are required to validate and support these findings
The Relationship Between Statin Intake and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
No full textBackground: Pancreatic neoplasm is one of the types of cancer with a high incidence and case-fatality rate. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between statin intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer with a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Methods: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published before 2023 in Cochrane Library, Web of Science (WOS), PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Embase databases. The statistical analyses were conducted using Stata software, version 15. The significance level for this study was set at 0.05. Results: This meta-analysis included 32 studies and a total of 5,849,814 participants. The risk ratio (RR) of pancreatic cancer in comparison to the non-statin receiving group in statin users in total was equal to 0.75 (95% CI: 0.66-0.86, p-value \u3c0.001), in the cohort studies was obtained to be 0.70 (0.53-0.93), in the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) had a ratio of 0.99 (0.53-1.86), while studies conducted in American countries had a ratio of 0.69 (0.51-0.93), studies in Asian countries had a ratio of 0.73 (0.56-0.97), and studies in European countries had a ratio of 0.88 (0.76-1.02). Furthermore, the study did not detect any signs of publication bias. Conclusion: The study findings suggest a potential connection between using statins and a lower risk of pancreatic cancer. However, it is important to note that controlled clinical trials did not find a statistically significant association between taking statins and the development of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise caution when interpreting the results of this study
Supporting Teacher Resilience: Strategies for School Leaders
No full textAs more teachers exit the workforce, school leaders need practical solutions to support teachers and keep them in the profession. This study examined the lived experience of secondary school teachers with perceived organizational support and teacher resilience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Ohio public school teachers of grades 6–12 (n = 10). Results indicated that teachers with high resilience experienced more school support than teachers with low teacher resilience. Teachers with high resilience attributed their resilience to school support from leaders and colleagues, being treated as professionals, recognition, teamwork, and adequate resources. Implications for the study include: (a) how schools as organizations can support teacher well-being and resilience through policies, practices, and relationships, (b) inform school leaders on how they can develop organizational practices that foster teacher resilience, and (c) inform teachers on resources to build their resilience in the profession