The evolutionary state and fundamental parameters of metallic A-F giants

Using Hipparcos parallaxes, we show that the metallic A-F giants found by Hauck (1986) on the basis of their high Delta m_2 index in Geneva photometry are on average more evolved than their non-metallic counterparts. Their mass distribution, rate of binaries and vsini are shown to be incompatible with those of Am stars, so that they cannot be descendants of the latter. They might be former normal stars going through a short metal-rich phase at the very end of their life on the Main Sequence.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, to appear in: Proc. of the 26th workshop of the European Working Group on CP stars, eds. P. North, A. Schnell and J. Ziznovsky, Contrib. Astr. Obs. Skalnate Pleso Vol. 27, No

Is Your Kidney for Sale? An Economic and Policy Perspective on the Legalization of a Living Kidney Vendor Program in the United States

            The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 (hereinafter NOTA) was an attempt to regulate, streamline, and encourage legal organ donation. NOTA has undergone some amendments since its enactment, including attempts to modernize the registry process and create a unified donation and transplant network. However, the regulation on the sale of organs has remained steadfast. We continue to have an organ shortage, and the statistics on the number of individuals dying each day awaiting transplants is only getting worse. An additional amendment to NOTA is necessary to solve our organ donation crisis. This Article identifies the relevant NOTA provisions, identifies some significant court decisions, and explores the policy and economic arguments in support of and against creating a living organ trade in the United States. In addition, this Article explains the Iranian Living- Unrelated donor program, and the government regulations necessary to create a living kidney vendor program in the United States. 

Making supportability a reality : applying the principles of organizational transformation

This study applies change management theories and models to analyze what organizational changes will best support the DOD implementation of the Armyαs policy making Supportability equal to Cost, Schedule, and Performance in all acquisition programs. Post-production support factors are a major element of the total ownership cost of defense systems. The policy will save defense dollars by increasing accuracy of total ownership cost predictions in the design phase, and improve the product delivered from acquisition programs that our war fighters will use to fight wars and win.http://archive.org/details/makingsupportabi109456306US Navy (USN) autho

Accuracy of diagnostic tests for Schistosoma mansoni infection in asymptomatic Eritrean refugees: serology and POC-CCA against stool microscopy

The unprecedented increase in number of African refugees arriving in Europe is confronting clinicians and general practitioners with the question of whether or not and how to screen migrants from endemic regions for Schistosoma mansoni infection.; We assessed the accuracy of 3 different diagnostic tests for S. mansoni infection (stool microscopy [samples prepared by sedimentation technique], serology, and point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen [POC-CCA] urine cassette test) in 107 newly arrived asymptomatic Eritrean refugees in Switzerland.; Sixty-three study participants (59%) tested positive by at least 1 of the 3 methods. Thirty-seven participants (35%) were considered to have active schistosomiasis, either due to the detection of parasite eggs in stool and/or the presence of a concordant positive serology and urine POC-CCA test, which we consider to be a suitable surrogate marker of active infection. Of 23 microscopy-positive participants, 22 were positive by serology (95.7% sensitivity) and 21 were positive by the urine POC-CCA test (91.3% sensitivity). The combination of serology and urine POC-CCA testing detected all 23 microscopy-positive study participants (100% sensitivity).; With a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval, 82.2%-100%), the combination of serology plus urine POC-CCA testing appears to be the most sensitive screening option for asymptomatic S. mansoni infection in Eritrean refugees, compared with stool sedimentation microscopy

Downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in nasal polyposis

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α, βδ and γ are nuclear receptors activated by fatty acid metabolites. An anti-inflammatory role for these receptors in airway inflammation has been suggested. METHODS: Nasal biopsies were obtained from 10 healthy volunteers and 10 patients with symptomatic allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps were obtained from 22 patients, before and after 4 weeks of local steroid treatment (fluticasone). Real-time RT-PCR was used for mRNA quantification and immunohistochemistry for protein localization and quantification. RESULTS: mRNA expression of PPARα, PPARβδ, PPARγ was found in all specimens. No differences in the expression of PPARs were obtained in nasal biopsies from patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy volunteers. Nasal polyps exhibited lower levels of PPARα and PPARγ than normal nasal mucosa and these levels were, for PPARγ, further reduced following steroid treatment. PPARγ immunoreactivity was detected in the epithelium, but also found in smooth muscle of blood vessels, glandular acini and inflammatory cells. Quantitative evaluation of the epithelial immunostaining revealed no differences between nasal biopsies from patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy volunteers. In polyps, the PPARγ immunoreactivity was lower than in nasal mucosa and further decreased after steroid treatment. CONCLUSION: The down-regulation of PPARγ, in nasal polyposis but not in turbinates during symptomatic seasonal rhinitis, suggests that PPARγ might be of importance in long standing inflammations

Expression of Stretch-Activated Two-Pore Potassium Channels in Human Myometrium in Pregnancy and Labor

Background: We tested the hypothesis that the stretch-activated, four-transmembrane domain, two pore potassium channels (K2P), TREK-1 and TRAAK are gestationally-regulated in human myometrium and contribute to uterine relaxation during pregnancy until labor. Methodology: We determined the gene and protein expression of K2P channels in non-pregnant, pregnant term and preterm laboring myometrium. We employed both molecular biological and functional studies of K2P channels in myometrial samples taken from women undergoing cesarean delivery of a fetus. Principal Findings: TREK-1, but not TREK-2, channels are expressed in human myometrium and significantly up-regulated during pregnancy. Down-regulation of TREK-1 message was seen by Q-PCR in laboring tissues consistent with a role for TREK-1 in maintaining uterine quiescence prior to labor. The TRAAK channel was unregulated in the same women. Blockade of stretch-activated channels with a channel non-specific tarantula toxin (GsMTx-4) or the more specific TREK-1 antagonist L-methionine ethyl ester altered contractile frequency in a dose-dependent manner in pregnant myometrium. Arachidonic acid treatment lowered contractile tension an effect blocked by fluphenazine. Functional studies are consistent with a role for TREK-1 in uterine quiescence. Conclusions: We provide evidence supporting a role for TREK-1 in contributing to uterine quiescence during gestation an

Toxocariasis: a silent threat with a progressive public health impact

Background: Toxocariasis is a neglected parasitic zoonosis that afflicts millions of the pediatric and adolescent populations worldwide, especially in impoverished communities. This disease is caused by infection with the larvae of Toxocara canis and T. cati, the most ubiquitous intestinal nematode parasite in dogs and cats, respectively. In this article, recent advances in the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and pharmacotherapies that have been used in the treatment of toxocariasis are reviewed. Main text: Over the past two decades, we have come far in our understanding of the biology and epidemiology of toxocariasis. However, lack of laboratory infrastructure in some countries, lack of uniform case definitions and limited surveillance infrastructure are some of the challenges that hindered the estimation of global disease burden. Toxocariasis encompasses four clinical forms: visceral, ocular, covert and neural. Incorrect or misdiagnosis of any of these disabling conditions can result in severe health consequences and considerable medical care spending. Fortunately, multiple diagnostic modalities are available, which if effectively used together with the administration of appropriate pharmacologic therapies, can minimize any unnecessary patient morbidity. Conclusions: Although progress has been made in the management of toxocariasis patients, there remains much work to be done. Implementation of new technologies and better understanding of the pathogenesis of toxocariasis can identify new diagnostic biomarkers, which may help in increasing diagnostic accuracy. Also, further clinical research breakthroughs are needed to develop better ways to effectively control and prevent this serious disease

Cardiovascular and renal outcomes of renin-angiotensin system blockade in adult patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review with network meta-analyses

Medications aimed at inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) have been used extensively for preventing cardiovascular and renal complications in patients with diabetes, but data that compare their clinical effectiveness are limited. We aimed to compare the effects of classes of RAS blockers on cardiovascular and renal outcomes in adults with diabetes