Comparative evaluation of triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein between ischemic stroke and healthy control group

Background: Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) are predictive of the start of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Dyslipidemia is a multifactorial disorder that exacerbates the vascular pathology associated with stroke. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are elevated in people with a higher prevalence of stroke risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. This study aims to compare and analyze the values of lipid ratio such as TG/HDL-C and inflammatory marker, CRP in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: This study was conducted at Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute in Thrissur, Kerala. The duration of the research period was 2022 September to 2024 July. It was a prospective comparative cross sectional study. Data collection included physical, medical examinations and laboratory investigations. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: The comparison of inflammatory marker, CRP and lipid profile ratio such as TG/HDL-C showed an increased level in AIS than control. No correlation was observed between CRP and TG/HDL-C in AIS group. Conclusions: Our study observed that inflammatory markers especially CRP have strong predictive potential in diagnosing AIS. The lipid profile ratio such as TG/HDL-C have moderate predictive potential in AIS

Effect of increasing dialysate flow rate on diffusive mass transfer of urea, phosphate and β2-microglobulin during clinical haemodialysis

Background. Diffusive clearance depends on blood and dialysate flow rates and the overall mass transfer area coefficient (KoA) of the dialyzer. Although KoA should be constant for a given dialyzer, urea KoA has been reported to vary with dialysate flow rate possibly because of improvements in flow distribution. This study examined the dependence of KoA for urea, phosphate and β2-microglobulin on dialysate flow rate in dialyzers containing undulating fibers to promote flow distribution and two different fiber packing densities

Dirac electrons in graphene-based quantum wires and quantum dots

In this paper we analyse the electronic properties of Dirac electrons in finite-size ribbons and in circular and hexagonal quantum dots made of graphene.Comment: Contribution for J. Phys.: Cond. Mat. special issue on graphene physic

Electrostatic deposition of graphene in a gaseous environment: A deterministic route to synthesize rolled graphenes?

The synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of desired diameters and chiralities is critical to the design of nanoscale electronic devices with desired properties.1-6 The existing methods are based on self-assembly, 7-16 therefore lacking the control over their diameters and chiralities. The present work reports a direct route to roll graphene. Specifically, we found that the electrostatic deposition of graphene yielded: (i) flat graphene layers under high vacuum (10-7 Torr), (ii) completely scrolled graphene under hydrogen atmosphere, (iii) partially scrolled graphene under nitrogen atmosphere, and (iv) no scrolling for helium atmospheres. Our study shows that the application of the electrostatic field facilitates the rolling of graphene sheets exposed to appropriate gases and allows the rolling of any size graphene. The technique proposed here, in conjunction with a technique that produces graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) of uniform widths, will have significant impact on the development of carbon nanotube based devices. Furthermore, the present technique may be applied to obtain tubes/scrolls of other layered materials

Impact of functional status on outcomes of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: Risks and opportunities for patient benefit

Background. The impact of functional status on survival among simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPKT) candidates and recipients is not well described. Methods. We examined national Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) data for patients listed for SPKT in the United States (2006-2019). Functional status was categorized by center-reported Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS). We used Cox regression to quantify associations of KPS at listing and transplant with subsequent patient survival, adjusted for baseline patient and transplant factors (adjusted hazard ratio,(95% LCL)aHR(95%UCL)). We also explored time-dependent associations of SPKT with survival risk after listing compared with continued waiting in each functional status group. Results. KPS distributions among candidates (N = 16 822) and recipients (N = 10 316), respectively, were normal (KPS 80-100), 62.0% and 57.8%; capable of self-care (KPS 70), 23.5% and 24.7%; requires assistance (KPS 50-60), 12.4% and 14.2%; and disabled (KPS 10-40), 2.1% and 3.3%. There was a graded increase in mortality after listing and after transplant with lower functional levels. Compared with normal functioning, mortality after SPKT rose progressively for patients capable of self-care (aHR,(1.00)1.18(1.41)), requiring assistance (aHR,(1.06)1.31(1.60)), and disabled (aHR,(1.10)1.55(2.19)). In time-dependent regression, compared with waiting, SPKT was associated with 2-fold mortality risk within 30 days of transplant. However, beyond 30 days, SPKT was associated with reduced mortality, from 52% for disabled patients (aHR,(0.26)0.48(0.88)) to 70% for patients with normal functioning (aHR,(0.26)0.30(0.34)). Conclusions. While lower functional status is associated with increased mortality risk among SPKT candidates and recipients, SPKT can provide long-term survival benefit across functional status levels in those selected for transplant

Prescription opioid use before and after kidney transplant: Implications for posttransplant outcomes

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146648/1/AJT14714-sup-0001-AppendixS1.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146648/2/ajt14714_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146648/3/ajt14714.pd

The impact of direct‐acting antiviral agents on liver and kidney transplant costs and outcomes

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146297/1/ajt14895_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146297/2/ajt14895.pd

Impacts of center and clinical factors in antihypertensive medication use after kidney transplantation

Hypertension guidelines recommend calcium channel blockers (CCBs), thiazide diuretics, and angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARBs) as first‐line agents to treat hypertension. Hypertension is common among kidney transplant (KTx) recipients, but data are limited regarding patterns of antihypertensive medication (AHM) use in this population. We examined a novel database that links national registry data for adult KTx recipients (age > 18 years) with AHM fill records from a pharmaceutical claims warehouse (2007‐2016) to describe use and correlates of AHM use during months 7‐12 post‐transplant. For patients filling AHMs, individual agents used included: dihydropyridine (DHP) CCBs, 55.6%; beta‐blockers (BBs), 52.8%; diuretics, 30.0%; ACEi/ARBs, 21.1%; non‐DHP CCBs, 3.0%; and others, 20.1%. Both BB and ACEi/ARB use were significantly lower in the time period following the 2014 Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC‐8) guidelines (2014‐2016), compared with an earlier period (2007‐2013). The median odds ratios generated from case‐factor adjusted models supported variation in use of ACEi/ARBs (1.51) and BBs (1.55) across transplant centers. Contrary to hypertension guidelines for the general population, KTx recipients are prescribed relatively more BBs and fewer ACEi/ARBs. The clinical impact of this AHM prescribing pattern warrants further study.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154651/1/ctr13803.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154651/2/ctr13803_am.pd