1,129 research outputs found
Proof of concept in cardiovascular risk: the paradoxical findings in blood pressure and lipid abnormalities
No full textFlavio Danni Fuchs, Sandra Costa Fuchs, Leila Beltrami Moreira, Miguel GusDivision of Cardiology and Postgraduate Studies Program in Cardiology, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilAbstract: High blood pressure and lipoprotein abnormalities were identified by many cohort studies as the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Laboratory experiments apparently confirmed their role in the causation of atherosclerosis, but a proof of concept requires the corroboration by clinical trials in human beings. The size of benefit in clinical trials regarding the control of high blood pressure was within the estimations of risk provided by cohort studies. For a reduction of 10 mmHg in systolic blood pressure or 5 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, the relative risk reduction of coronary heart disease was 22% (95% confidence interval 27%–17%) in a meta-analysis of clinical trials, close to the estimation of reduction of 25% (95% confidence interval 23%–27%) provided by a meta-analysis of cohort studies. The corresponding values for stroke were 41% (95% confidence interval 33%–48%) in clinical trials compared to a cohort risk prediction of 36% (95% confidence interval 34%–38%). This efficacy was shared by all blood pressure-lowering drugs. The same figure has not paradoxically happened with drugs that act over abnormalities of cholesterol and lipoproteins. Only statins, which have other beneficial actions as well, have consistently lowered the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, an efficacy that was not reproduced by older and newer quite potent lipid drugs. The adverse effects of these drugs may nullify their beneficial effects over lipoproteins and abnormalities of lipoproteins may only be surrogate markers of the underlying real risks.Keywords: proof of concept, hypertension, lipoproteins, clinical trial
Graft Detachment After Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty in Bullous Keratopathy and Fuchs Dystrophy
Get PDFDescemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) is a surgical technique for corneal transplantation in case of corneal decompensation. One of the main complications is graft detachment (GD) recoverable with Air Re-bubbling (ARB). The aim of this retrospective, interventional case series was to identify factors related to this complication in eyes operated for bullous keratopathy (BK) and Fuchs dystrophy (FD). We considered one-hundred patients who underwent DSAEK for BK or FD between January 2016 and October 2017 at Department of Ophthalmology, Policlinico Universitario of Bari, Italy. Studied parameters included physiological and pathological anamnesis of both donors and recipients and properties of donor lenticules and of the recipient corneas. Data was analyzed using One-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test and Chi-square test with Odds Ratio (OR) calculation. We grouped patients according to diagnosis. GD occurred in 9 eyes affected by BK and 19 by FD (p=0.003, OR = 0.25, 95% CI, 0.098-0.62). It was recovered with ARB. In BK, ARB correlated to complicated cataract extraction (p=0.04, OR = 7.83, 95% CI, 1.28 - 47.98) and aphakia (p=0.026, OR = 54.38, 95% CI, 2.51 - 11.76). In FD, ARB was associated to donor death for neoplasia (p=0.06, OR= 4.04, 95% CI, 1.06 - 15.37). No other differences were found. In conclusion, we could hypothesize that in FD patients, donor cancer therapy may play a role on altered corneal fibroblast metabolism, activating a synergetic effect between chemotherapy and genetic alteration of FD, which may lead to an altered adhesion of donor lenticule on recipient's stroma. In BK patients, complicated cataract extraction and aphakic status of recipient eye may contribute to altered adhesion of donor lenticule post-DSAEK
Corneal haze in course of Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy.
No full textThis article describes the observations obtained with confocal microscopy (CM) on the corneal structure in course of corneal edema in a patient with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FD). The patient was a 40 year old male, suffering from second stage FD, in course of corneal edema and bullous keratopathy. The tissue structure was analyzed with CM confoscan CS4 (Nidek Technologies(®), Birmingham, UK) using the 40x mode. The CM has shown the presence of gaps due to corneal edema and a diffuse stromal hyper reflectivity related to the alteration of the extracellular matrix. It has also showed the presence of binucleate cells, assimilable to keratocytes, in cytokinesis which presented a typical fusiform aspect with two highly reflective nuclei awaiting cell division. The total number of cells was much lower than that of healthy control subjects of similar age, sex and race. The CM in this case suggests a significantly lower number of cells, presumably keratocytes, compared to normal range, but mostly it shows the presence of cells undergoing cytokinesis, which witnesses the active processes of collagenogenesis and possible vasculogenesis that represent early stages of loss of the normal corneal transparency
Evaluation of CAN-FD Protocol for Traffic Signalling
No full textU ovom diplomskom radu je evaluiran CAN-FD protokol u svrhu upravljanja prometnom signalizacijom. Naglasak je stavljen na ispitivanje karakteristika protokola u realnim uvjetima te je zbog toga razvijen elektronički modul koji simulira funkcionalnosti LED modula čijim kaskadiranjem se dobiva promjenjivi prometni znak veće površine. Opisane su razlike između CAN 2.0B i CAN-FD protokola te su opisane funkcije pojedinih okvira u jednom CAN-FD paketu. U poglavljima koji se tiču razvoja programske podrške je opisano kako se konfiguriraju generatori signala takta te osnovne inicijalizacije sustava, kao i verifikacija pojedinih segmenata programskog koda. Osim razvoja sklopovlja i programske podrške pokazan je i način odabira adekvatnog mikrokontrolera u smislu karakteristika, kućišta te cijene.In this master thesis author evaluated new CAN-FD communications protocol for use in controlling dynamic traffic signs. Protocol testing was done on a custom made embedded system that simulates the funcionality of a real LED module used in dynamic signs. The differences between CAN-FD and CAN2.0B and the functions are described in the third chapter. Clock configuration and system initialization are described in the chapters regarding development of a software solution for this system as well as testing individual code segments to verify their functionality. In addition to the development of hardware and software this thesis also considers the selection of an adequate microcontroller in terms of characteristics, package and price
Regulation FD: SEC Reestablishes Enforcement Capabilities over Selective Disclosure.
Get PDFThis Recent Development focuses on the potential effects Regulation Fair Disclosure (FD) will have on the participants in the American capital market and on the stock markets themselves. Congress and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) seek to achieve confidence in the integrity and fairness of the American stock market and protection of investors from fraud by promoting equal opportunities for investors. In order to maintain a competitive edge, vis-à-vis its foreign counterparts, the United States must continually refine its financial systems to maximize fairness and integrity. This Recent Development focuses on selective disclosure—allowing a limited segment of investors access to information about a company’s financial performance—along with the inability of existing securities regulations to prohibit such practices. The recently promulgated Regulation FD is a measure anticipated to reign in the disclosure of nonpublic information to a privileged few. Specific requirements within the Regulation FD are examined by the author, and the SEC intends for the Regulation FD to level the playing field for investors. Furthermore, this Recent Development addresses potential trouble areas caused by the regulation’s interplay with other securities rules and regulations. In addition to suggestions for compliance, the various touchstones of controversy such as the effects related to Regulation FD on the securities industry are also discussed. Regulation FD molds a remedy to the perceived evils of selective disclosure. Confidentiality agreements represent the SEC’s strategy for controlling selective disclosure, without expressly authorizing it. This Recent Development concludes with an assessment of the practical effects that Regulation FD will have on the securities industry and the likelihood that it is here to stay
A Millimeter-Wave Front-End for FD/FDD Transceivers Featuring an Embedded PA and an N-Path Filter Based Circulator Receiver
No full textThis work presents an ultra-compact single-antenna FD/FDD transceivers front-end. It comprises a nonreciprocal circulator, RX, and an integrated power amplifier (PA). In the proposed circulator, we devise a ring quarter-wave transmission line topology with adjusted characteristic impedances to improve TX-to-antenna insertion loss and TX-to-RX isolation. Besides, an AND-gate switching-based N-path filter is proposed to realize the circulator's nonreciprocal gyrator while acting as a mixer-first RX. Owing to the ultra-compact N-path filter structure, the circulator occupies only 0.38mm 2 core area. Over a 27.1-to-31.1GHz band, the realized front-end offers >20dB TX-to-RX isolation while its measured TX-to-antenna insertion loss is 1.7~2.2dB. The RX path tolerates the PA's blocker signal, achieving 5dBm in-band and 13dBm out-of-band B 1dB. Moreover, the PA delivers 15.15dBm peak output power with 33% drain efficiency. Our front-end prototype occupies only 0.7mm 2 , including circulator, PA, quadrature hybrid coupler LO generators, and baseband circuits.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Electronic
Usos e efeitos dos benzodiazepínicos na visão de usuários
Get PDFDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Florianópolis, 2012Benzodiazepínicos podem gerar dependência. São recomendados para tratamentos curtos, porém muitos usuários fazem uso contínuo. Este trabalho buscou compreender os motivos pelos quais os sujeitos iniciam o tratamento, porque mantém o uso contínuo, os efeitos experimentados, investigar tentativas de suspensão e como se dá esse processo. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa com base em entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Foram entrevistados cinco indivíduos participantes de um grupo de acompanhamento de medicamentos psicotrópicos de um Centro de Saúde. As motivações que levaram os indivíduos a procurarem ajuda médica surgiram na forma de diagnósticos como ansiedade, depressão, problemas psiquiátricos. Após indagações mais profundas, os problemas da vida foram observados como motivos. Chegar à abstinência é difícil e gera sintomas desagradáveis que podem fazer com que os indivíduos se tornem resistentes a novas tentativas, apesar de terem consciência de sua importância. Os problemas decorrentes das adversidades da vida, assim como a forma de lidar com estas situações, desempenharam papel importante para o estabelecimento da situação emocional dos sujeitos de pesquisa, levando-os a iniciar e manter tratamento farmacológico com benzodiazepínicos, sendo possível desvendar processos de medicalização da vida.Abstract : Benzodiazepines were first marketed in the 1960s. Because they have greater security than barbiturates, quickly became the most prescribed medications for anxiety and sleep problemns. They are used as hypnotics, anxiolytics, muscle relaxants, or anticonvulsants, and enter the classification os psychotropic drugs, because they can generate physical and/or psychological dependence. They have a number of adverse effects, and the most common are somnolence, sedation, muscle weakness, ataxia. The most severe can cause amnesia, cognitive impairment, psychomotor problems and dependece. They are recommended for short-term treatments, up to four weeks. But appears that many users do continuous use, for more than six months. This study sought to understand the reasons for which individuals start treatment with this type of medication and why they maintain regular use, the effects experienced during use and investigate attempts to suspend these medicines and how this process takes place. This is a qualitative research based on in-depth semi-structured interviews. Five users participating in a group of accompaniment of psychotropic medications in a Health Centre in Florianópolis # SC, were interviewed. Despite recommendations for, and respondents make continuous use of the drug. The motivations that led individuals to seek medical help first appeared as diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, psychiatric problems. But after deep questions about feelings, unanimity with respect to the problems of life was seen among participants. In general, everyday problems have great importance and significance. It is possible to perceive a process of medicalization of life of these people, who can no longer cope with adverse or even normal situations of life. Although adverse effects were observed during the interviews, such as drowsiness, dizziness, fall, dry mouth, memory problems, individuals tended to deny, ignore or underestimate the effects of therapy, perhaps because they do not understand that these symptoms are adverse effects to the drug. The effects experienced during withdrawal of benzodiazepines showed signs of abstinence syndrome, such as rebound aniety, palpitations, psychomotor problems, vertigo, tremor. The process of lowering the dose with the goal of total abstinence is difficult, generates unpleasant symptoms that may cause the individual to become resistant to new attempts, although the subjetcs were aware of its importance. To create strategies for intervention and prevention regarding continuous use of benzodiazepines is necessary to understand what users of these drugs feel and think about their treatment, about dealing with life´s problems. The continuous use of benzodiazepines causes damage often irreversible and must be used consciously, evaluating the benefits and risks of this particular type of treatment
In Vivo Imaging of Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy in Boston Terriers: A Spontaneous, Canine Model for Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal DystrophyA Canine Model of Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Get PDFPURPOSE: Boston Terriers (BTs) have a greater prevalence of corneal endothelial dystrophy (CED), in comparison to other canine breeds. Similar to Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), this condition is characterized by endothelial cell degeneration with secondary corneal edema. This study assessed corneal morphology using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) in BTs with and without CED.
METHODS: The corneas of 16 BTs with CED and 15 unaffected, age-matched BTs underwent clinical evaluation and were imaged using IVCM and FD-OCT. A two-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney rank sum test were used to statistically compare parameters between groups. Data are presented as mean ± SD or median (range).
RESULTS: Mean age did not significantly differ between affected and unaffected dogs at 10.0 ± 2.0 and 10.6 ± 2.4 years, respectively (P = 0.437). Females (69%) were overrepresented among the CED-affected dogs. In CED patients, IVCM demonstrated endothelial polymegathism and pleomorphism. Corneal endothelial density was significantly less (P < 0.001) in dogs with CED (1026 ± 260 cells/mm2) versus age-matched controls (2297 ± 372 cells/mm2). Fourier-domain OCT demonstrated a significant increase (P < 0.01) in central corneal and endothelium-Descemet's complex thickness in dogs with CED versus age-matched controls at 1019 (485-1550) or 536 (464-650) μm and 32 (22-56) or 25 (15-34) μm, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Corneal endothelial dystrophy in BTs is a bilateral, adult-onset condition that shares many similarities with FECD. Thus, CED could serve as a spontaneous disease model to study the pathogenesis of and develop novel treatments for FECD
() Jackknife results for the PD- and FD- libraries: yellow squares indicate hits detected from the PD- library, blue squares indicate hits detected from the FD- library and green squares indicate hits detected from both the libraries
No full text<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Detecting DNA-binding helix–turn–helix structural motifs using sequence and structure information"</p><p>Nucleic Acids Research 2005;33(7):2129-2140.</p><p>Published online 14 Apr 2005</p><p>PMCID:PMC1079965.</p><p>© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved</p> Incorrectly aligned hits are highlighted with slashes and crosses: forward slashes (/) indicate incorrectly aligned hits detected from the FD- library, backward slashes (\) indicate incorrectly aligned hits detected from the PD- library and crosses (X) indicate incorrectly aligned hits detected from both the libraries. () Jackknife results for the combination of PD- and FD- libraries and the method of 3D-templates. Green squares indicate hits detected from either the FD- library or the PD- library or both; red squares indicate hits detected from the method of 3D-templates; and brown squares indicate hits detected from all the three methods
Risk of screening adherence by category of FD practices.
No full textA. FDs (the markers correspond to the practice baricenter and marker colors to adherence category) plotted against SARs for small triangular areas (about 0.50 km2). B. Top panel: crude adherence rates (left) and (right) by FD practices. Bottom panel: marginal predicted adherence probability for low adherence FDs and high participation FDs and, for comparison, adherence probability for a generic person at average level of covariates. Figure was created by the author Bianconi F. combing the caterpillar, bar plots and maps generate with GeCO-sys an extension of [21].</p
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