Diversity and Modern Politics

Over the years, the concept of diversity has emerged to be an issue of concern in terms of political challenges across the globe. In this regard, it has been widely argued by the political thinkers that it typically stems from a number of intricate factors. The most prominent of these factors is considered to be globalization (Clarke 2008). Moreover, it has also been observed that there is a stark difference between the ancient and modern political theories that study the problems of diversity. The present study aims to highlight the aspects of modern approach to diversity with specific focus on the work of three renowned political thinkers

Transcriptional regulators of nestin in the rat central nervous system

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biology, 1996.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-157).by Richard Eric Josephson.Ph.D

Isolated LAD Revascularization in the Modern Era: Demographics and Preliminary Outcomes

Author Institution: Summa Health System, Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine ; The University of AkronRevascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery is an important, evolving and controversial topic. There are differences in patient selection, hospital stay and readmission, and hospital cost

Current Perspectives on the Use of Meditation to Reduce Blood Pressure

Meditation techniques are increasingly popular practices that may be useful in preventing or reducing elevated blood pressure. We reviewed landmark studies and recent literature concerning the use of meditation for reducing blood pressure in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive individuals. We sought to highlight underlying assumptions, identify strengths and weaknesses of the research, and suggest avenues for further research, reporting of results, and dissemination of findings. Meditation techniques appear to produce small yet meaningful reductions in blood pressure either as monotherapy or in conjunction with traditional pharmacotherapy. Transcendental meditation and mindfulness-based stress reduction may produce clinically significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. More randomized clinical trials are necessary before strong recommendations regarding the use of meditation for high BP can be made

Cardiac Rehabilitation Intervention and Quality of Life Indicators: A Validation Estimate of Ware's Model

Author Institution: Dept. of Counseling & Mental Health Services, University of Toledo, OHAuthor Institution: Dept. of Educational Foundations & Leadership, University of Akron, OHAuthor Institution: Dept. of Counseling, Summa Health System, University of Akron, OHAuthor Institution: Cardiac Rehabilitation Institute, Summa Health System, University of Akron, OHThe present study tests Ware’s (1987, 1990) prediction that patient evaluations of quality of life (QOL) are related to physical ability. QOL data from 302 patients were collected prior to initiation and upon completion of a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program. Physical ability was measured in metabolic equivalents (METS). Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were calculated for the variables under study. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test these relationships covarying patient diagnosis, and pre-treatment QOL score and patient demographics. Significant improvements from pre- to post-CR were found for METs and all QOL variables. Improvements in physical ability were significantly correlated with improvements in physical health related QOL indices, but not with mental health QOL indices. These relationships were present even when moderating variables were co-varied. Improvements in physical ability were predictive of decreased expectations that physical health would interfere with work or other daily activities. As the physical capabilities of our patients increased, they reported feeling less physical pain and were less limited by any pain they did experience. And, increased physical ability was associated with a brighter outlook on current and expected future health status. These findings provide support for Ware’s theory of QOL

Insights from Monitoring Aspirin Adherence: A Medication Adherence Cascade Tool

Background: Adherence to recommended medications is a key issue in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and barriers to adherence are well established during the medication adherence cascade, the processes of prescribing, obtaining, taking, and maintaining medication use. Aspirin avoids many of the barriers in the medication adherence cascade as it does not require a prescription (prescribing) and is inexpensive, easily accessible (obtaining), prescribed once-daily (taking) as an over-the-counter medication and is generally perceived by patients as safe (maintaining). The purpose of this paper is to report aspirin adherence and propose the Medication Adherence Cascade Tool to assist clinicians to consider all aspects of medication adherence. Methods: Adherence to aspirin was monitored with an electronic pillbox. Frequency analysis, independent T-tests, and ANOVA were completed on 151 patients with underlying heart failure who were prescribed aspirin within a larger parent study. Chi-square tests were completed to assess differences in baseline demographic characteristics. Findings: Mean aspirin adherence was 82.2% overall, with 11.9% of sample with adherence ≤ 50%, 18.5% with adherence 50–80%, and 69.5% with adherence ≥80%. Greater adherence was observed in self-identified White as compared to Black patients (84.47% vs 73.53%; p = 0.014), and patients ≥70 years of age compared to \u3c70 years (87.00% vs 77.49%; p = 0.009). Interpretation: Aspirin adherence was suboptimal despite the fact that it addresses most of the barriers on the medication adherence cascade (ie, relatively easy access, low cost, and low risk). A Medication Adherence Cascade Tool (MACT) is proposed as a clinical guide to facilitate patient–provider co-production of strategies to address medication adherence. The tool can assist patients and providers to co-produce adherence to achieve optimal medication benefits

Administration of a Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Blocker with a Thienopyridine Derivative Does Not Increase the Risk of Thrombocytopenia

Author Institution: Akron Cardiology Consulltants, OHAuthor Institution: Dept. of Educational Foundations & Leadership, University of Akron, OHAuthor Institution: Summa Health System, University of Akron, OHAuthor Institution: Dept. of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, OHAuthor Institution: Cardiac Rehabilitation Institute, Summa Health Syste, University of Akron, OHThe combination of aspirin, a thienopyridine derivative, and a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor has become standard therapy for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recent studies have shown an increased incidence of thrombocytopenia in those patients receiving a high loading dose of clopidogrel (thienopyridine) with abciximab (IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor) prior to coronary intervention. We reviewed the records of 504 patients who underwent PCI at a large tertiary care hospital and noted an incidence of thrombocytopenia of 4.8%, comparable to published historical controls who received abciximab without clopidogrel. In patients undergoing PCI, there was no difference in thrombocytopenia or bleeding complications between patients receiving a high or a low dose of a thienopyridine. We conclude that a high loading dose of a thienopyridine derivative prior to PCI may be administered safely and efficaciously in the setting of concomitant administration of abciximab without an undue risk of thrombocytopenia