459 research outputs found
Infliximab in ulcerative colitis
No full textAvi Levin, Oren ShiboletGastroenterology and Liver Units, Division of Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical center, Jerusalem, IsraelAbstract: Infliximab, a monoclonal anti-TNF-α antibody, is commonly used for treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (CD). Its role in the treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC) remains controversial. We review the role of TNF-α in the pathogenesis of UC and describe the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and systematic reviews that assess the efficacy of infliximab in the treatment of moderate to severe UC.Keywords: infliximab, ulcerative colitis, anti-TNF-α antibody, crohn’s diseas
2014 CSWA Awards Reception
No full text2014 CSWA Awards Luncheon. 28th Annual California Social Welfare Archives Awards Reception Luncheon, Galen Center (3400 South Figueroa Street), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 2014 April 2. Speakers were Esther Gillies, Ron Avi Astor, R. Paul Maiden, Marvin J. Southard, Areta Crowell, Amy Levin, Jean E. Daniels. ❧ The California Social Welfare Archives hosted its annual awards reception on April 2, 2014 at the Galen Center to honor Dr. Ron Avi Astor, Dr. Areta Crowell, and Dr.Jean E. Daniels for their commitment to the advancement of social welfare. CONTENTS: (1:05) Introduction by CSWA President Esther Gillies; (10:45) Dr. Ron Avi Astor's presentation "Military-Connected School Children: Challenges and Solutions"; (43:08) George D. Nickel Award presentation to Dr. Ron Avi Astor; (54:19) George D. Nickel Award presentation to Dr. Areta Crowell; (1:06:26) Frances Lomas Feldman Excellence in Education Award presentation to Dr. Jean E. Daniels. ❧ Ron Avi Astor, an internationally renowned expert in school violence and safety and military social work, was the keynote speaker and was presented the George D. Nickel Award for Outstanding Professional Services by a Social Worker by Executive Vice Dean R. Paul Maiden. Areta Crowell, who worked to improve the lives of countless Californians through her efforts as an educator and in public mental health policy and service delivery arenas, was presented with the George D. Nickel Award for Outstanding Contributions to Social Welfare by Marvin Southard, D.S.W Director of Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Jean E. Daniels, whose ongoing efforts as an educator, innovator, and mentor has paved the way for the success of countless social workers and their clients, was awarded the Frances Lomas Feldman Excellence in Education Award. She was introduced by Amy Levin, Ph.D Department Chair, CSU, Northridge
Vitamin D and Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Narrative Review.
No full textCalcitriol (1,25(OH)2D3) performs various activities throughout the body. Although low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels are associated with several disease processes such as risk of fractures and falls, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus, recent evidence attests that this important hormone also regulates several cellular pathways involved in cancer development and progression. Calcitriol modulates several genes controlling gut physiology and calcium homeostasis and also maintains the integrity of epithelial barriers, regulates the absorption of phosphate and calcium, and modulates host defense against pathogens and inflammatory response by interplaying with several types of secretory and immune cells. Vitamin D deficiency is significantly related to increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. This deficiency can be prevented by vitamin D supplementation which is both economical and safe. This can lower the risk of developing cancer and also improve the prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal malignancy, but epidemiological data remain inconsistent. Several retrospective observational studies have demonstrated the benefits of vitamin D supplementation, but a few randomized controlled trials have not seemingly supported the beneficial role of vitamin D supplementation in gastrointestinal cancers. Therefore, in this literature review, we aimed to examine the possible role of vitamin D in gastrointestinal malignancies, including gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, hepatic, and colorectal cancers
FINANCIAL RATIOS: CONSIDERATIONS OF THEIR RELEVANCE TO CORPORATE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE MAJOR ERRORS OFTEN MAR THESE RATIOS.
No full textAbstract
This article focuses on financial ratios, a topic that is often considered obsolete. This leads many scholars and companies to underestimate the danger of incorrect calculations and interpretations of these ratios. Sometimes, in some articles and books, it can be perceived how the author, while addressing the issue of a company's financial situation, considers Financial ratios as obsolete analysis tools and proposes the use of much more sophisticated and complex instruments for financial analysis. This behaviour is to be stigmatised because we know that more refined and complex instruments must supplement financial ratios for a company's financial analysis to be complete. However, we disagree with considering Financial ratios as obsolete instruments. Further investigations may be performed alongside these ratios, but these ratios can never replace by any complex and, perhaps, more structured financial tool. And it should note that underestimating the importance of financial ratios frequently leads to the quantitative determination of incorrect values and the interpretation of data, even if determined correctly, that is entirely misleading and far removed from the reality that the ratios are intended to portray. For the writer, therefore, financial ratios are not only not obsolete but represent the starting point of a financial analysis that provides company management with indispensable information on the development of the financial situation of the company to which they belongAnalysis of a company's financial situation is not feasible except by comparing specific data with other values. Absolute values do not allow one to judge the 'trend of the company's financial situation. For this reason, it is well-known that particular ratios are used to understand whether the enterprise enjoys excellent health or has more or less severe problems financially. Often the determination of these ratios starts foot, by some scholars and by many companies, using aggregates, unsuitable for the analysis to be complete and correct. In some instances, it is also noticeable how ratios are determined whose informational value is practically null. As a result, a calculation of them is an interpretation that can be downright misleading regarding the situation being experienced, at a given instant, the enterprise under analysis. And it should be noted how using ratios alone is insufficient to carry out a financial analysis point. The completion of proportions with dynamic analysis is essential, and therefore, for this reason, the preparation of a cash flow statement should be considered indispensable completion of purely financial ratios
Encapsulated Mesenchymal stromal cells for spinal cord injury repair
No full textSpinal cord injury affects a significant portion of the population and unfortunately, current clinical therapeutic options are limited. The progression of SCI pathology is driven by several cellular and molecular post injury events which culminate in an inhibitory scar. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) robustly produce paracrine factors which successfully attenuate tissue damage and therefore represent a promising cellular SCI therapy. However, current transplantation modalities do not provide control or ensure long term persistence of the cells. To circumvent these limitations, we investigated the efficacy of alginate microencapsulation in developing an implantable vehicle for MSC delivery. We demonstrate that MSCs remain viable after electrostatic encapsulation with alginate and retain paracrine function. Encapsulated MSCs (eMSCs) promote immunomodulatory macrophage action and prevent degradation of hippocampal tissue in an organotypic model of secondary injury. Pre-clinical animal studies demonstrate the feasibility of transplanting eMSC via lumbar puncture (LP). Capsules localize within the intrathecal space for at least 6 weeks after transplantation, without any observable degradation. Free MSC (fMSC) transplants were not detectable 1 week after transplantation, while eMSC persisted for at least 2 weeks after injury. eMSC transplantation led to marked improvements in white matter sparing and locomotor function. Overall, these observations support the inclusion of eMSC for post-SCI therapy. Syringomyelia after SCI can be attributed, in part, to a non-resolving inflammatory presence at the injury site. The Stromal cell represents a key cellular regulator of immune specific functions. Therefore studies were designed to evaluate the regulatory action of MSCs on macrophages during inflammation. MSC secretion of PGE2 promoted macrophage reprogramming by attenuating pro-inflammatory M1 cytokine secretion and enhancing expression of M2 CD206. PGE2 reprogramming was mediated through the EP4 receptor and CREB signaling indirectly, via GSK3-α inhibition. Lastly, MSCs led to a marked increase in CD206 expressing cells at the injury site 1 week after transplantation. The data here support the role of stromal derived PGE2 in facilitating macrophage reprogramming and establishes GSK3-CREB interactions as a possible regulatory checkpoint in macrophage reprogramming. In conclusion, MSC regulation of immune cell plasticity may be responsible, in part, for their efficacy observed post-SCI transplantation.Ph. D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Jeffrey Avi Barmink
Concurrent Validity of the Beery–Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual–Motor Integration and the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency in the Assessment of Children Ages 5 to 12 Years Referred for Occupational Therapy
No full textAbstract
Date Presented 3/31/2017
This study provides clinicians with a comparative analysis of the psychometric property of concurrent validity of two tests of motor proficiency, the Beery–Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual–Motor Integration, sixth edition, and the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency–2 and to assess their usefulness in the evidence-based clinical decision-making process.
Primary Author and Speaker: Doris Obler
Additional Authors and Speakers: Tamara Avi-Itzhak</jats:p
Proposals for International Tax Reform: Is There a Middle Road
No full textIn this article, Avi-Yonah looks at two recent tax reform proposals and discusses plausible avenues for post-election tax reform, suggesting two proposals for solving the problems of the U.S. international tax regime. This article was originally prepared for the Century Foundation\u27s November 17 conference, Paying for Progress: A Tax Reform Agenda for the Next President. See https://tcf.org/content/report/proposals-international-tax-reform/. The author would like to thank Jeff Madrick and the Century Foundation staff for hosting the conference and revising the article
Proposals for International Tax Reform: Is There a Middle Road
No full textIn this article, Avi-Yonah looks at two recent tax reform proposals and discusses plausible avenues for post-election tax reform, suggesting two proposals for solving the problems of the U.S. international tax regime. This article was originally prepared for the Century Foundation\u27s November 17 conference, Paying for Progress: A Tax Reform Agenda for the Next President. See https://tcf.org/content/report/proposals-international-tax-reform/. The author would like to thank Jeff Madrick and the Century Foundation staff for hosting the conference and revising the article
ALL THE MORE: A Merged List of 72 Qal Vachomer Arguments in the Tanakh
No full textALL THE MORE, by Avi Sion, Ph.D., comprises a merged list of 72 qal vachomer arguments in the Tanakh, i.e. of a fortiori arguments in the Hebrew Bible. This listing brings together lists proposed in past rabbinic literature and in more recent studies by the author.
The literature research for it was carried out mainly by R. Yaakov Gabay, who looked into works in Hebrew by five rabbis who had proposed lists, namely: R. Shmuel Yaffe Ashkenazi (Yefeh Toar, 1597), R. Zvi Hirsch Katzenellenbogen (Netivot Olam, 1822), R. Zeev Wolf Einhorn (Midrash Tannaim, 1839), R. Mattityahu Strashun (Mattat Yah, 1892), R. Chaim Hirschensohn (Berure HaMidot, 1928). The author of the present essay brought additional information from the Tanakh commentary of R. Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi, 11th Cent.) and an essay by R. Louis Jacobs (2005), as well as from his own past works (Judaic Logic, 1995, and A Fortiori Logic, 2013).
The information thus gathered is here presented in a systematic manner, after careful evaluation by the author of each case with reference to narrative context, language used, and logical form. Efforts are made to identify which cases were known to each of the past authors, and to determine who found each case first and whether subsequent listings of the case (if any) were independent or derivative
AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE IN THE TRANSITION FROM SOCIALIST COLLECTIVE FARMING
No full textCooperative enterprise has appeal as a means of filling gaps in the economic institutions of the rural sectors of the transition economies of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. But in addition to problems that have faced cooperatives in the West because of their inherent characteristics, the Soviet-era legacy created cultural burdens that cooperatives will have to overcome. A review of countries’ experiences since 1989 indicates some commonalities in attempts to create “new cooperatives,” but also instructive differences across countries. The evidence so far is unfavorable for cooperatives in agricultural production. In marketing and input supply the current situation is more promising. In both production and marketing, the economic institutions remain in flux. Unique approaches involving cooperatives may take permanent root, but their long-term prospects are in doubt.Agribusiness,
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