Cytokine Registry Database of Stroke Patients (CRISP)

Purpose/Background: The aim of the study is to identify molecular biomarkers involve in patients who present with stroke and to determine their clinical usefulness as potential biomarkers in stroke patients as compared to patients without stroke. Materials & Methods: All patients presenting with ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) will be screened for potential participation in this study based on following inclusion and exclusion criteria: Inclusion criteria: male/female of ages ≥ 18 years, patients whose standard stroke admission order sets are obtained for clinical care. Exclusion criteria: Patients \u3c18 year, with the history of prior stroke or any neurodegenerative or neuroinflammatory disease except multiple sclerosis (MS), pregnant women and prisoners. Cytokines will be measured in serum at two different time points: on admission and after 24 hours of admission. The biomarkers which will measured in serum will include interleukin (IL)-1, 4, 6, 10, 17, 23, 33, 36, 37, PDGF, VEGFM, TNF-a, ANNULIN, MMP-9, 12, NFk-B, MPO and glial factors; GMF, SI000-B and GM-6001. These biomarkers will be evaluated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Twenty-five percent of the total stroke patient serum samples will be matched by controls without ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The study was approved by UNM institutional review board (IRB). All sample and data collection is being done after patient or legally authorized individual sign the informed consent form. All the data is being collected on secured RedCAP database. Results: A total of 105 patients will be enrolled during the study period. Two sets of samples; one at baseline and the other after 24 hours of admission, will collected from each enrolled patient. At present, two patients are enrolled and their samples have been collected and stored per study protocol. The study is currently under recruitment phase and it is anticipated that the enrollment will be completed within next 2 months. Biomarker analysis will be done sequentially as patients will be enrolled per study protocol. Discussion/Conclusion: The CRISP study will give us understanding about the role of various cytokines and/or other biomarkers in the pathogenesis of formation of stroke. These biomarkers can potentially serve as identifiers in the clinical surveillance for acute stroke patients. The data from this study can be beneficial in the acute management of stroke patients

Potentials for Generating Alternative Fuels from Empty Palm Fruit Bunches by Pyrolysis

The threat that the disposal of empty palm fruit bunches constitute to communities in oil palm processing areas in Nigeria coupled with the current global focus on alternative energy is the trigger for this work. An existing pyrolytic reactor consisting of a reactor unit, condensate receiver, copper pipe connectors and gas receiver was modified and adapted for converting empty palm fruit bunches to alternative fuels. The average char yield was 44.9%, and the percentage of feedstock converted into pyrogas and tar oil was 55.1%. The char yield decreased gradually as temperature was increased from 300-700°C. Char yield was highest (39.78%) when the temperature was 300°C and the lowest char yield was 25.05% at 700°C The calorific values of char ranged between 21.12 and 23.76 MJ/kg. Apart from the potential of generating energy from pyrolysed EFB, it abates the disposal problem that EFB constitutes in the oil palm industry

Teen Births: Examining the Recent Increase

This research brief explores whether the data reflect a short-term blip or a true reversal in the decline of the U.S. teen birth rate. It also considers potential explanations for the uptick in teen births, and raises data and research gaps that must be filled to inform public and private prevention efforts. Among the findings: --Declines in teen contraceptive use may have played some role in the teen birth rate increase. Between 2003 and 2005, a slightly greater percentage of high school girls reported using no method of birth control the last time they had sex. --Recent declines in teen sexual activity have stalled. --Economic hardship and the rising cost of certain birth control methods may also have made contraception less affordable for some teens.--National data indicate a significant decline between 1995 and 2002 in the percentage of students who report having received formal contraceptive education.This brief is based on a paper by Kristin Anderson Moore, Ph.D., that resulted from a meeting of experts and researchers convened by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy

Teacher Education As Democratic Public Sphere

Being a proficient and professional teacher in Australia and similar countries is one of the most difficult and complex occupations imaginable. All teachers are confronted with carefully analysing the mix of socio-economic and cultural factors that present and design appropriate learning strategies that engage all students. Within this context, the following essay considers the purpose and structure of initial teacher preparation and possible changes to more traditional arrangements. It advocates a new type of school-university partnership where reflective cycles of practice-theory establish a close relationship with knowledge for all participants and where personal practice is the necessary condition of learning. Schools and classrooms are theorised as democratic public spheres where participants pursue understanding of serious issues for equity and the public good. Implications of partnership and public sphere for a new form of educational practice are discussed

On Losing One\u27s Illusions

Non-fiction by Connie Jenkins