Association of major and minor ECG abnormalities with coronary heart disease events

In populations of older adults, prediction of coronary heart disease (CHD) events through traditional risk factors is less accurate than in middle-aged adults. Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are common in older adults and might be of value for CHD prediction.

Antipyretic, analgesic and anti-oxidative activities of Aquilaria crassna leaves extract in rodents

In Thailand, the leaves of Aquilaria crassna have been used traditionally for the treatments of various disorders, but without any scientific analysis. In this study, the antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of A. crassna leaves extract were investigated at a wide dose range in rodents. Experimental animals were treated orally with an aqueous extract of Aquilaria crassna leaves (ACE). They were tested for antipyretic (Baker′s yeast-induced fever in rats), analgesic (hot plate test in mice) and anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats) activities. An anti-oxidative effect of ACE was evaluated by using the DPPH anti-oxidant assay. The results showed that, after 5 hours of yeast injection, 400 and 800 mg/kg ACE significantly reduced the rectal temperature of rats. Mice were found significantly less sensitive to heat at an oral dose of 800 mg/kg ACE, after 60 and 90 min. No anti-inflammatory activity of ACE at an 800 mg/kg dose could be observed in the rat paw assay. An anti-oxidative activity of ACE was observed with an IC 50 value of 47.18 g/ ml. No behavioral or movement change could be observed in mice after oral administration of ACE (800 or 8,000 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days. Interestingly, from the second day of treatment, animals had a significant lower body weight at the 8,000 mg/kg dose of ACE compared to the control. No toxicity was identified and the results of this study state clearly that Aquilaria crassna leaves extracts possess antipyretic, analgesic and anti-oxidative properties without anti-inflammatory activity.

Author Han Suyin at Chinese Women's Day International conference

General note: Title and date provided by Bettye Lane.

The role of religion and spirituality in coping with kidney disease and haemodialysis in Thailand

BACKGROUND: People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face various problems including psychological, socioeconomic and physical effects associated with CKD and its treatment. They need to develop strategies to help them cope with CKD and life challenges. Religion and spirituality are important coping strategies, but their role in helping people cope with CKD and haemodialysis (HD) in Thailand is relatively unknown.

AIMS: To investigate the role of religion and spirituality in coping with CKD and its treatment in Thailand.

DESIGN: An exploratory, qualitative approach was undertaken using semistructured individual interviews.
METHOD: Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Face-to-face, in-depth individual interviews using open questions were conducted during January and February 2012. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using the framework method of qualitative data analysis.

FINDINGS: Twenty people receiving HD participated: age range 23-77 years, mean 53.7 (±16.38 SD). Ten were women. Participants reported use of religious and spiritual practices to cope with CKD and its treatment, including religious and spiritual explanations for developing CKD, karmic disease, making merit, reading Dharma books, praying and chanting to save life and making a vow to Pran-Boon.

CONCLUSION: Religion and spirituality provide powerful coping strategies that can help Thai people with CKD overcome the associated distress and difficulties. Religion and spirituality cannot be separated in Thai culture because Thai people are both religious and spiritual.

Discurs de presentació del professor Eric J. Hobsbawm, a càrrec de la Dra. Anna Maria García

Eric J. Hobsbawm, l’historiador més conegut i reconegut del segle XX i un dels més grans de tots els temps. Fill de pare britànic i mare austríaca, jueus tots dos, Eric John Ernest Hobsbawm va néixer a Alexandria d’Egipte el 1917, “l’any de la revolució russa”

Discurs del Dr. Eric J. Hobsbawm com a doctor honoris causa per la Universitat de Girona

Eric J. Hobsbawm rep el títol de doctor honoris causa per la seva condició d’historiador compromès amb el present, a partir de la interpretació crítica dels esdeveniments que han configurat la societat contemporània, i pel seu mestratge, estès arreu del món i en el si de la UdG, a través d’una extensa producció bibliogràfica i d’una docència impartida des de posicions ideològiques progressistes, segons acord del Consell de Govern de la Universitat de Girona, en la sessió 7/08 del dia 25 de setembre de 2008, a proposta de la Facultat de Lletres de la Universitat de Girona

Discurs de la rectora de la Universitat de Girona, Dra. Anna M. Geli, en l'acte d'investidura com doctors honoris causa d' Eric J. Hobsbawm i Miquel Roca i Junyent

En el discurs d'investidura dels doctors honoris causa, Eric J. Hobsbawm i Miquel Roca i Junyent, la rectora explica que aquests actes tracten de proclamar a quin tipus d’ensenyament o d’exemple ens remetem, quins són els referents intel·lectuals o morals als quals s’acull una institució com la Universitat de Girona. Comenta que per al Claustre Universitari, la investidura de doctors honoris causa significa el compromís d’acceptar, de manera crítica i constructiva, la transmissió de saber i de coneixement que ens lleguen les persones que han merescut l’elogi públic, el compromís de treballar amb aquest llegat i d’introduir-lo en el debat universitari

A COMUNICAÇÃO E A MEMÓRIA DO PEQUENO LAVRADOR DO MUNICÍPIO DE RIBEIRÃO GRANDE NO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO 2016

Estudo do processo comunicacional e o registro de fragmentos de memória do pequeno agricultor na localidade de Ribeirão Grande, região do Vale do Paranapanema, Estado de São Paulo. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivos mostrar a realidade do pequeno agricultor; investigar sobre os processos comunicacionais que influenciam na preservação dos valores ou na perda deles, conhecer a opinião dos pequenos agricultores e moradores do município de Ribeirão Grande no Estado de São Paulo, sobre sua realidade, sua comunicação, seu modelo de vida e de produção, entender como se produz a comunicação no dia a dia do pequeno agricultor, e se há uma relação de proximidade com o jornal regional, sobre a existência ou não de um meio de comunicação que trabalhe os sentimentos de pertencimento e os interesses da ―comunidade���. A metodologia deste trabalho incorpora a pesquisa bibliográfica, pesquisa documental e o estudo do caso de um jornal regional local, além de entrevistas semiestruturadas com os lavradores. Conclui-se que o pequeno lavrador e seu estilo de vida na região tratada não possui perscpectiva de futuro, imersos nas circunstancias que se encontram