cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring the perceptions of male nursing students enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program

Objective: To gain understanding about the factors that drew men to an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program, the challenges they faced, and the support they need to complete the program. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study explored the perceptions of male nursing students enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program. The study design used semi-structured questions in a focus group format comprised of a sample of male nursing students currently enrolled in the ABSN program of a southeastern academic health sciences center. Relatively few studies have examined male nursing students, and those enrolled in a non-traditional program typically have unique circumstances. The significance of this study to nursing science is that the results will add to the growing body of knowledge regarding the recruitment and retention of males into nursing schools. Results: Following data analysis, four themes emerged from the participant responses related to sacrifice, knowledge gain, organization for survival, and opportunities for men in nursing. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the attraction of accelerated BSN programs since many men opt for nursing as a second career choice. Results of this study may be used to improve recruitment and retention of male nursing students.
Der Einfluß der Schwingung auf verbotene Elektronenübergänge

Bei Molekulen mit hoher Symmetrie kommt es vor, das gewisse Elektronenubergange an sich verboten sind, durch uberlagerte Schwingungen aber schwach erlaubt gemacht werden. Hierher gehort z. B. die Benzolabsorption um 2600 A. Der Effekt der Schwingungist zweifach: a) Die Kerne werden verschoben; b) dadurch werden die Koeffizienten in der Elektronenwellenfunktion geandert. In dieser Arbeit wird Effekt a) allein berechnet, aber als viel zu schwach gefunden. Der Hauptteil der Intensitat ruhrt daher von b) her.
Sales-Advertising Cross-Elasticities and Advertising Competition:

The measurement of the effect of one brand's advertising on the sales of another brand is accomplished using improved estimation procedures. The interpretation of parameter estimates is enhanced th...
Early Adopters as "Conformists" and Later Adopters as "Pragmatists": Lead Director Adoption

This study extends the two-stage model of new practice adoption motivations built on voluntary adoption to mandatory adoption. We contend that early adopters of mandatory practices attach greater i...
mTORC2 mediates CXCL12-induced angiogenesis

The chemokine CXCL12, through its receptor CXCR4, positively regulates angiogenesis by promoting endothelial cell (EC) migration and tube formation. However, the relevant downstream signaling pathways in EC have not been defined. Similarly, the upstream activators of mTORC2 signaling in EC are also poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that CXCL12 regulation of angiogenesis requires mTORC2 but not mTORC1. We find that CXCR4 signaling activates mTORC2 as indicated by phosphorylation of serine 473 on Akt and does so through a G-protein- and PI3K-dependent pathway. Significantly, independent disruption of the mTOR complexes by drugs or multiple independent siRNAs reveals that mTORC2, but not mTORC1, is required for microvascular sprouting in a 3D in vitro angiogenesis model. Importantly, in a mouse model, both tumor angiogenesis and tumor volume are significantly reduced only when mTORC2 is inhibited. Finally, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), which is a key regulator of glycolytic flux, is required for microvascular sprouting in vitro, and its expression is reduced in vivo when mTORC2 is targeted. Taken together, these findings identify mTORC2 as a critical signaling nexus downstream of CXCL12/CXCR4 that represents a potential link between mTORC2, metabolic regulation, and angiogenesis.
The Molecular Basis of Sustainability

Professor Paul T. Anastas holds the Teresa and H. John Heinz II Chair in Chemistry for the Environment at Yale University and serves as director of the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale. He has published widely on the subject of green chemistry and has served in the administration of three US presidents. Professor Julie Zimmerman is an internationally recognized engineer whose work is focused on advancing innovations in sustainable technologies. Dr. Zimmerman is a professor at Yale University and has joint appointments at the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
S. Weir Mitchell and William Hammond: Colleagues in Early American Neurology (P2.396)

Prominent in the development of American neurology stand S. Weir Mitchell (SWM) and William Hammond (WH). While known for their achievements independently, they also have a history of collaboration which played a role in the growth of neurology. Born one year apart, both Mitchell and Hammond were raised in 1830-40s Pennsylvania. Mitchell followed his graduation from Jefferson Medical College with training in Paris. Hammond studied at New York University, subsequently practicing as a military surgeon in the American Midwest. Through shared academic interests the two met and first collaborated in 1859, crafting a paper on snake venom. In 1862 Hammond, then Surgeon General of the US Army, established Turners Lane Military Hospital for Nervous Diseases in Philadelphia, and appointed Mitchell director. With observations made there, Mitchell was able to produce the classic textbook, Injuries to Nerves and their Consequences, which he in turn dedicated to Hammond. It was during this time that Mitchell created his famous writings on causalgia, as well as his “rest cure,” a controversial practice that Hammond would later defend through letters to the editor. They continued their practices separately but in 1874 joined with others to found the American Neurological Association (ANA) of which Mitchell became the first president and Hammond the fourth. Hammond also became professor of mental disease at Bellevue Hospital, the first American to do so. There he notably described athetosis and wrote his Treatise on diseases of the Nervous System - the first American textbook on neurology. SWM did not practice academically, but did receive many honorary degrees. Both continued to write outside of medicine, including short stories, novels, poems, and one opera. SWM and WH were two early practitioners of American neurology. Their friendship was a boon to the field’s development, leaving a legacy including the ANA and extensive writings. Disclosure: Dr. Prince has nothing to disclose. Dr. Massey has nothing to disclose.
Abstract C15: Differences in the characteristics of those receiving smoking cessation advice

Clinical practice guidelines recommend that healthcare providers assess the tobacco use status of their patients and advise those that smoke to quit. Studies show that advice to stop smoking delivered by a doctor is associated with a 2-fold increase in smoking cessation. However, not all smokers who are seen by a doctor get advised to stop smoking. This study describes the characteristics of smokers who received advice to stop smoking when they were seen by a health care provider. Based upon previous studies, we hypothesized that older smokers with poorer self-reported health, and greater nicotine addiction would be more likely to report receiving advice to stop smoking when seen by a health provider. Data for this analysis are from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) US adult smoker cohort (N=6,669) survey conducted annually from 2002-2011. Participants who reported having visited a healthcare provider within the past year of survey were eligible for inclusion. Trends in the prevalence of participants reporting cessation advice and quit assistance were assessed. Repeated measures logistic regression using generalized estimating equations (GEE) was used to model receipt of counseling. Predictors of receipt of advice to stop smoking included demographic characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and household income), heaviness of smoking (a measure of nicotine dependence), previous quit attempts, and self-reported health status. Over 60% of respondents reported having been seen by a healthcare provider, with over 60% receiving advice to stop smoking. Those who received advice to stop smoking were more likely to be older, report ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ health, and to have reported a quit attempt since their previous interview. Among those who received advice to quit, less than one third received a referral or quit prescription, and less than one half received a stop smoking pamphlet from their healthcare provider. Results indicate that not all smokers get advice to stop smoking when seen by their doctor and those who do appear to be older and less healthy, and more receptive to a quitting message based upon past quit attempts. These data suggest that health care providers may be profiling their patients in terms of those who are in need of cessation counseling rather than uniformly providing this advice to all patients. Among those who received advice to stop smoking the majority received no other type of assistance suggesting that delivery of cessation services to smokers is inadequate. Citation Format: Monica E. Cornelius, K Michael Cummings. Differences in the characteristics of those receiving smoking cessation advice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr C15.
Familial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Twins

A new syndrome of familial temporal lobe epilepsy is described in 38 subjects from 13 unrelated families and was first identified in 5 concordant monozygotic twin pairs at the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Twin Registry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
Electrocardiographic characteristics in individuals with cocaine use disorder

Background and Objectives Chronic cocaine use has been linked to several abnormalities in cardiac functioning. The objective of this study was to further characterize baseline heart rate and electrocardiograph (ECG) profiles of individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD) by evaluating demographic and drug use variables that may impact cardiovascular profiles. Methods Participants with CUD (n = 335, primarily African-American males) provided demographic and drug use data and ECG profiles (eg, heart rate, PR Interval, QRS, and QTc) were obtained via 12-lead ECG. Results Forty-eight percent and ten percent of cocaine users met criteria for sinus bradycardia (heart rate ≤60) and severe bradycardia (heart rate ≤50), respectively. Females had significantly higher heart rate (p = .020, d = .30) and QTc (p < .001, d = .75) and significantly lower QRS (p = .002, d = .42) in comparison to males. Those who were cocaine positive had higher QTc (p = .025, d = .26) with a higher prevalence of bradycardia (chi-square = 3.91, p = .048) than those who were negative. Cocaine users who also used alcohol had significantly lower PR Interval (p = .003, d = .36), QRS (p = .014, d = .29), and QTc (p = .037, d = .25) than those who denied alcohol use. Conclusions These findings characterize the baseline heart rate and ECG profiles of individuals with CUD, confirm previous reports of cocaine-induced alterations in cardiovascular function, and demonstrate factors impacting cardiovascular profiles. Scientific Significance While exploratory, these results suggest the presence of bradycardia may serve as a useful biomarker for initiating therapy for individuals with CUD and averting potential adverse cardiovascular events. Future prospective studies are needed to assess this possibility. (Am J Addict 2017;26:221–227)
Factors affecting distribution and abundance of jellyfish medusae in a temperate estuary: a multi-decadal study

Three hydrozoan species, reputedly from the Black Sea (Maeotias marginata, Blackfordia virginica, Moerisia lyonsi), are now found throughout the San Francisco Estuary, California, but long-term and seasonal patterns of distribution and abundance have been poorly documented. We evaluated trends from 35 years of monthly otter trawl data and from a 2-year macrozooplankton survey in Suisun Marsh, a brackish region with extensive tidal sloughs and channels that is part of the San Francisco Estuary. Medusae of all three hydrozoans occurred primarily during the dry season (summer–fall). Abundance of M. marginata medusae significantly increased since the 1980s. Moerisia lyonsi was the most abundant hydrozoan in the macrozooplankton medusa survey followed by M. marginata and B. virginica. Salinity and temperature were strongly positively associated with medusa abundance. Maeotias marginata occurred in the lowest salinity range (2.3–9.1 ppt), while M. lyonsi (2.8–9.9 ppt) and B. virginica (5.6–10.3 ppt) occupied slightly higher salinities. Overall, abundance and distribution of medusae of these three hydrozoans in Suisun Marsh depended on seasonal stability of environmental conditions that favored blooms. While harmful effects have yet to be demonstrated, they could become more of a problem as both sea level and water temperatures rise, especially given the combined range of environmental conditions at which the three species occur.
EEG fluctuations of wake and sleep in mild cognitive impairment

Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), a condition in which the memory functions of cognition are significantly impaired, is an established risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a tool capable of measuring the dynamics of the brain's neural networks, and is thus an important means in analysis and understanding of aMCI. In this proof-of-concept study, we compared the brain activation patterns of ten aMCI subjects with those of four healthy subjects during sleep by employing a 64-channel EEG data collection system. The power spectrum was analyzed to identify sleep stages, while spectral topography and source imaging techniques were employed to study the fluctuating patterns of the brain. Results of this study show an increase in activation power across all sleep stages in the delta and theta frequency bands alongside a decrease in alpha band activity for aMCI subjects. Source imaging analysis of the resting EEG identified default mode network, which becomes decoupled as sleep stages deepen. In the proof-of-concept study, our exploratory analysis demonstrated the feasibility of imaging dynamic network organization using EEG in aMCI.
Thermodynamic cooperativity of cosubstrate binding and cation selectivity of Salmonella typhimurium MelB

The Na+-coupled melibiose symporter MelB, which can also be coupled to H+ or Li+ transport, is a prototype for the glycoside-pentoside-hexuronide:cation symporter family. Although the 3-D x-ray crystal structure of Salmonella typhimurium MelB (MelBSt) has been determined, the symport mechanisms for the obligatory coupled transport are not well understood. Here, we apply isothermal titration calorimetry to determine the energetics of Na+ and melibiose binding to MelBSt, as well as protonation of this transporter. Studies of the thermodynamic cycle for the formation of the Na+-MelBSt-melibiose ternary complex at pH 7.45 reveal that the binding of Na+ and melibiose is cooperative. The binding affinity for one substrate (Na+ or melibiose) is increased by the presence of the other by about eightfold. The coupling free energies (ΔΔG) of either substrate binding are ∼5 kJ/mol, and binding of both substrates releases a free energy of ∼35 kJ/mol. Measurements of the Na+-binding enthalpy at three different pH values, including the pKa value of MelB, indicate that the binding of one Na+ displaces one H+ per MelBSt molecule. In addition, the absolute dissociation constants for Na+ and H+, determined by competitive binding, show that MelBSt is selective for H+ over Na+ by ∼1,000-fold at a pKa of 6.25. Thus, the Na+ coupling in MelBSt is based not on ion selectivity but on ion concentrations and competitive binding because of a much higher Na+ concentration under physiological conditions. Such a selectivity feature seems to be common for membrane transport proteins that can bind both H+ and Na+ at a common site.
Texas Heart Institute International Symposium on Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine.

The first Texas Heart Institute International Symposium on Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine was held September 16 to 17, 2017, in the Denton A. Cooley auditorium at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, Texas. In attendance were 40 distinguished faculty members from leading US and international academic institutions, members from the Duke/US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Cardiac Safety Research Consortium, and the FDA/Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Also in attendance was Texas State Senator Paul Bettencourt. The audience included clinicians, clinical scientists, and basic scientists interested in the latest advances in the field of cell therapy. Several attendees and faculty were members of the Transnational Alliance for Cell-based Regeneration Therapies in Cardiovascular Syndromes (TACTICS) group, an international alliance of investigators in the field of regenerative medicine, now associated with the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiovascular and Regenerative and Reparative Medicine (Figure). …
Liver Transplant Pathology

Histopathologic evaluation plays an integral role in the overall assessment of the liver transplant. Pathologists are often asked to evaluate donor liver biopsies to assist in the determination of whether a marginal donor liver is suitable for transplantation. In addition, histopathologic assessment of allograft liver biopsies plays an important role in identifying the cause of allograft dysfunction and therefore in initiation of the appropriate therapeutic intervention. A detailed histopathologic evaluation is mandated, including histologic comparison with any previous biopsies as well as incorporation of all pertinent clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings with histologic assessment.
Evaluation of prostate cancer risk in men with PSA < 1.5.

64Background: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening remains controversial primarily because of over detection and treatment. There is an unmet clinical need to identify patients at increased risk for high-grade (HG – Gleason Score ≥7) prostate cancer (PCa) since PSA has low sensitivity. Combining PSA with well-validated prostate cancer biomarkers (PCM) can improve risk assessment. We investigated the performance of three PCMs (phi – prostate health index, 4KScore, and SelectMDx) on patients with PSA levels < 1.5 ng/mL that represent a “safe zone” where risk of any PCa is rare Methods: 652 men were screened for PCa during the annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Week at the University of Colorado Hospital. This study was supported by Prostate Condition Education Council and the Schramm Foundation. phi is evaluated using p2PSA, total PSA, and free PSA in serum. Phi < 52.7 suggests absence of HG PCa. 4KScore incorporates four kallikrein protein biomarkers: total PSA, free PSA, intact PSA, human kallikrein pr...
Immune regulation by Tim-3.

T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) is a transmembrane protein that in both mice and humans has been shown to possess various functions in a context-dependent manner. Thus, Tim-3 has been associated with both inhibitory and co-stimulatory function, depending in part on the specific cell type and immune response course. Though originally described on T cells, Tim-3 is now known to be expressed by both lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells within the immune system and even by non-immune cells. In addition, though widely thought of as a negative regulator of immunity, Tim-3 has been shown in more recent studies to have a positive function on both myeloid and lymphoid cells, including T cells. Tim-3 is often expressed at a high level on exhausted T cells in tumors and chronic infection and may engage in crosstalk with other so-called “checkpoint” molecules such as PD-1. Thus, Tim-3 has emerged as a possible therapeutic target, which is being actively explored both pre-clinically and clinically. However, recent research suggests a more complex in vivo role for this protein, compared with other targets in this area.
Enigmatic Unicellular Protista: Are they Really Enigmatic? The Algae Case

The Oxford Dictionary describes “enigmatic” as “puzzling”. This contribution could perhaps then be retitled. Are there any truly puzzling algae? Such algae would be those that are distinguished from their presumptive relatives by differences in their physiological, biochemical, structural/ultrastructural and other cellular and molecular features such that their phylogeny and evolution does not seem to fit into any obvious pattern. Frequently phycologists are tempted to place an algal oddity in a pigeon-hole ( = taxon ) before all the data are assembled or sufficient knowledge is available to make and informed decision. These algae often do not seem to fit into the existing delineations of the higher taxa, particulary those of Class and Division. This lack of a comfortable fit or pigeon hole is often a result of our own lack of flexibility, our own slowness in assembling the necessary data needed to make the informed decision, our reluctance to embrace new techniques of analysing the questions and to challenge established dogma. Much of this is steeped in historical precedent. Current algal classification has its origins in the system proposed by Pascher (1931) some 65 years ago. The tools available at that time were those of light microscopy and very rudimentary and basic chemical analyses. Later, improved methods of chemical analyses provided a measure of increased detail and refinement. These provided the data bases upon which the system was built and subjected to minor modifications. The next level of improved sophistication, applied in the early 1960’s was that of electron microscopy and greatly improved chemical analyses brought about by the physical techniques of nmr and mass spectrometry.
THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF AVULSION AS A FAILURE MODE OF PERCUTANEOUS IMPLANTS

ABSTRACT Biological spacers were used to prevent epidermally induced failure modes. Percutaneous devices (PDs) can still fail due to mechanical trauma (avulsion). The pathophysiology of this failure mode using Dacron® velour covered Silastic® implants is discussed.
Immobilization of Hydroperoxide Lyase from Chlorella for the Production of C13 Oxo-Carboxylic Acid

The hydroperoxide, 13-(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid (HPOD), obtained from the lipoxygenase (LOX, EC 1.13.11.12) catalyzed reaction of oxygen with linoleic acid (LA), can be cleaved enzymatically to an oxo-carboxylic acid by hydroperoxide lyase (HPLS). Depending upon the source of HPLS, the enzymatic cleavage of (HPOD) produces either a C12 or C13 oxo-carboxylic acid, and a C6 or C5 fragment respectively. Membrane-bound HPLS from higher plants produces the C12 oxo-carboxylic acid (1), whereas the water soluble HPLS from the unicellular algae Chlorella and Oscillatoria sp. gives the C13 acid (2,3). The C13 oxo-carboxylic acid can be chemically converted to a C13 dicarboxylic acid. This dicarboxylic acid can be used to produce a polyamide similar to nylon 13,13, a polymer that has excellent dimensional stability, low affinity for moisture, high dielectric constant and good melting properties (4).
Periosteal Osteosarcoma: A Single-Institutional Study of Factors Related to Oncologic Outcomes.

Background. Periosteal osteosarcoma is a rare surface-based variant with a lower propensity to metastasis and better prognosis than conventional osteosarcoma. The literature supporting survival benefit with adjuvant chemotherapy is lacking. Our institutional practice is for chemotherapy to be offered to patients with high-grade disease. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients managed for periosteal osteosarcoma from 1970 to 2015 analyzing the survival outcomes and assessing for any relationship of survival to patient- or treatment-related factors. 18 patients were included. The study population presented at a mean of 20.8 years and was followed for a mean of 10.7 years. Factors assessed for an association with survival included age, size of tumor, use of chemotherapy, presence of medullary involvement, presence of high-grade disease, local recurrence, and site of disease. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression were performed to calculate the survival rates and to assess for the effect of any factor on survival. Results. 10-year overall survival rate was 77.1%, and 10-year event-free survival rate was 66.4%. No factor was found to have an association with overall or event-free survival. Conclusion. These findings add to the available evidence which has failed to find any survival benefit from chemotherapy; patients with this rare disease and their families should be counselled regarding the unclear role of chemotherapy in this rare subtype of osteosarcoma.
Emotion-related brain organization and behavioral responses to socioemotional stimuli in pediatric cancer survivors with posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Background Pediatric cancer is a life-changing, stressful experience for children and their families. Although most children adjust well, psychologically, a significant subset report posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), with nearly 75% reexperiencing traumatic parts of cancer and/or its treatment. However, little research has examined the effects of pediatric cancer and related PTSS on emotional processing, and on functional properties of key emotional centers in the brain (e.g., amygdala). Procedure We examined cancer-related PTSS, behavioral responses during an emotion-processing task, and resting-state functional connectivity of the amygdala in 17 pediatric cancer survivors (ages 6-11) and 17 age- and sex-matched controls. Results Cancer survivors, relative to controls, were more likely to rate ambiguous (i.e., neutral) faces as negative (i.e., "negativity bias"). Higher reexperiencing PTSS was associated with faster responses to neutral faces. Although there were no group differences in amygdala centrality, within survivors, both higher reexperiencing PTSS and faster reaction times were associated with increased centrality of the amygdala-a functional property associated with hubs of information processing in the brain. In an exploratory mediation analysis, we found that amygdala centrality mediated the link between reaction time and PTSS, suggesting that changes in the brain may be a proximal marker of the expression of emotion-related symptomology. Conclusions Negativity bias in cancer survivors may reflect their stressful experiences with cancer and/or its treatment. This negativity bias may represent a susceptibility to changes in emotion-related brain functioning, which may, in turn, lead to PTSS.
Adult Canine Intestinal Derived Organoids: A Novel In Vitro System for Translational Research in Comparative Gastroenterology

Background: Large animal models, such as the dog, are increasingly being used over rodent models for studying naturally occurring diseases including gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Dogs share similar environmental, genomic, anatomical, and intestinal physiologic features with humans. To bridge the gap between currently used animal models (e.g. mouse) and humans, and expand the translational potential of the dog model, we developed a three dimensional (3D) canine GI organoid (enteroid and colonoid) system. Organoids have recently gained interest in translational research as this model system better recapitulates the physiological and molecular features of the tissue environment in comparison with two-dimensional cultures. Results: Organoids were propagated from isolation of adult intestinal stem cells (ISC) from whole jejunal tissue as well as endoscopically obtained duodenal, ileal and colonic biopsy samples of healthy dogs and GI cases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal carcinomas. Intestinal organoids were comprehensively characterized using histology, immunohistochemistry, RNA in situ hybridization and transmission electron microscopy, and organoids mimicked the in vivo tissue environment. Physiological relevance of the enteroid system was defined using functional assays such as Optical Metabolic Imaging (OMI), the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) function assay, and Exosome-Like Vesicles (EV) uptake assay, as a basis for wider applications of this technology in basic, preclinical and translational GI research. Conclusions: In summary, our findings establish the canine GI organoid systems as a novel model to study naturally occurring intestinal diseases in dogs and humans. Furthermore, canine organoid systems will help to elucidate host-pathogen interactions contributing to GI disease pathogenesis.
Focusing National Policy on All Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis: A Paradigm Shift

As the options for how we treat severe aortic stenosis (AS) evolve, so does the way we organize and deliver health care with these patients. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is a...
The effectiveness of a life story program on stress reduction among chinese american family caregivers of older adults

The study aims to examine the effectiveness of a life story program on reducing Chinese American family caregivers’ stress due to the burden of caregiving. This study conducted a quasi-experimental...
To Cure Sometimes, To Relieve Often, and To Comfort Always.

Since Dr. Kubler-Ross’s seminal publication in 1969, we have seen significant growth in palliative and hospice care. We have also learned that palliative care can decrease medical costs and the tim...
Antibiotic hypersensitivity and adverse reactions: management and implications in clinical practice.

Studies have shown the discrepancy between self-reported antibiotic allergies and true allergies. Inaccurate reporting of antibiotic hypersensitivities can limit treatment options and result in use of more expensive antibiotics and contribute to resistance. This retrospective cohort chart review obtained data on 16,515 patients after obtaining IRB approval. Patients who had an antibiotic adverse reaction were identified, recorded, and their management reviewed. 7926 patients were selected from inpatient internal medicine clinics, 8042 patients from outpatient internal medicine clinics, and 547 from orthopedic clinics. The prevalence of reported antibiotic sensitivity in our study was 9.89% (n = 1624). Reported antibiotic sensitivity was 8.88% (n = 704) in inpatient settings as compared to 11.2% (n = 902) and 5.12% (n = 28) in medicine and orthopedic outpatient settings respectively. The top five antibiotic adverse reactions reported were penicillins (42%), sulfonamides (25%), fluoroquinolones (4.3%), tetracyclines (4.2%), and macrolides (3.5%). In all settings, penicillins and sulfonamides adverse reactions were the top two reportings. 11.88% (n = 193) of patients with reported adverse reactions reported sensitivities to multiple antibiotics. Our study demonstrated high prevalence of reported antibiotic sensitivity in three clinical settings. However, a significant portion of these patients may not be truly hypersensitive to these antibiotics. There is a need for increased awareness among medical professionals about the importance of detailed history taking and management of self-reported antibiotic allergies to combat unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Evaluation of an advanced practice provider emergency department critical care step-down unit.

Objective In response to concerns about patient care and safety, our urban, tertiary care, Level 1 trauma center adult emergency department (ED) created an advanced practice provider-staffed critical care step-down unit (CCSU). We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the CCSU's impact on patient care, safety, and ED operations. Methods We compared ED length of stay, return visits to the ED within 72 hours, billing code assignments (current procedural terminology evaluation and management [CPT E&M] codes), and quality of electronic health record documentation per QNOTE for the 2 years after the CCSU was initiated (CCSU period) versus before its initiation (pre-CCSU period). Results There were 31,418 critical care ED patient visits in the pre-CCSU period and 33,396 in the CCSU period. Median ED length of stay did not change overall between the CCSU versus pre-CCSU period (∆1 [95% confidence interval (CI) = -2.4, 4.4] minutes), but decreased for patients who remained in the critical care suites (∆-4 [95% CI = -7.8, -0.2] minutes). 72-hour return ED visits also did not change overall (∆0% [95% CI = -0.1, 0]), but decreased for patients who remained in the critical care suites (∆0.4% [95% CI = -0.05, -0.4]). CPT E&M billing increased for highest-level visits (99,291: ∆1.3% [95% CI= 0.5, 2.0]). Quality of electronic health record documentation as measured by QNOTE also improved (∆11.5% [95% CI = 4.9, 18.1]). Conclusion This ED's CCSU performance metrics indicate at least moderate improvement in ED length of stay, 72-hour return visits, critical care patient billing, and electronic health record documentation. EDs elsewhere can consider implementation of this advanced practice provider-staffed solution to improvement in critical care in ED.
Four coupled SYK models and Nearly AdS$_2$ gravities: Phase Transitions in Traversable wormholes and in Bra-ket wormholes

We study four coupled SYK models and nearly AdS$_2$ gravities. In the SYK model side, we construct a model that couples two copies of two coupled SYK models. In nearly AdS$_2$ gravity side, we entangle matter fields in two copies of traversable wormholes. In both cases, the systems show first order phase transitions at zero temperature by changing couplings, which is understood as the exchange of traversable wormhole configurations. In nearly AdS$_2$ gravity cases, by exchanging the role of space and time the wormholes are interpreted as bra-ket wormholes. In Lorentzian signature, these bra-ket wormholes lead to two closed universes that are entangled with each other as well as matter fields in the flat space without dynamical gravity. We study the effect of projection or entangling operation for matters on flat spaces and they cause phase transitions in bra-ket wormholes, which leads to the pair annihilation of closed universes. Using these bra-ket wormholes, we discuss the way to embed states in 2d holographic CFTs into Hilbert space of many 2d free fields.
Domain-driven models yield better predictions at lower cost than reservoir computers in Lorenz systems

Recent advances in computing algorithms and hardware have rekindled interest in developing high-accuracy, low-cost surrogate models for simulating physical systems. The idea is to replace expensive...
Gene Therapies for Primary Immune Deficiencies

Gene therapy is an innovative treatment for Primary Immune Deficiencies (PIDs) that uses autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to deliver stem cells with added or edited versions of the missing or malfunctioning gene that causes the PID. Initial studies of gene therapy for PIDs in the 1990-2000's used integrating murine gamma-retroviral vectors. While these studies showed clinical efficacy in many cases, especially with the administration of marrow cytoreductive conditioning before cell re-infusion, these vectors caused genotoxicity and development of leukoproliferative disorders in several patients. More recent studies used lentiviral vectors in which the enhancer elements of the long terminal repeats self-inactivate during reverse transcription ("SIN" vectors). These SIN vectors have excellent safety profiles and have not been reported to cause any clinically significant genotoxicity. Gene therapy has successfully treated several PIDs including Adenosine Deaminase Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), X-linked SCID, Artemis SCID, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, X-linked Chronic Granulomatous Disease and Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I. In all, gene therapy for PIDs has progressed over the recent decades to be equal or better than allogeneic HSCT in terms of efficacy and safety. Further improvements in methods should lead to more consistent and reliable efficacy from gene therapy for a growing list of PIDs.
Variable inbreeding depression may explain associations between the mating system and herbicide resistance in the common morning glory.

Inbreeding depression is a central parameter underlying mating system variation in nature and one that can be altered by environmental stress. Although a variety of systems show that inbreeding depression tends to increase under stressful conditions, we have very little understanding across most organisms how the level of inbreeding depression may change as a result of adaptation to stressors. In this work we examined the potential that inbreeding depression varied among lineages of Ipomoea purpurea artificially evolved to exhibit divergent levels of herbicide resistance. We examined inbreeding depression in a variety of fitness-related traits in both the growth chamber and in the field, and paired this work with an examination of gene expression changes. We found that, while inbreeding depression was present across many of the traits, lineages artificially selected for increased herbicide resistance often showed no evidence of inbreeding depression in the presence of herbicide, and in fact, showed evidence of outbreeding depression in some traits compared to non-selected control lines and lineages selected for increased herbicide susceptibility. Further, at the transcriptome level, the resistant selection lines had differing patterns of gene expression according to breeding type (inbred vs outcrossed) compared to the control and susceptible selection lines. Our data together indicate that inbreeding depression may be lessened in populations that are adapting to regimes of strong selection.
Association of arterial stiffness with incident atrial fibrillation: a cohort study

Stiff arteries increase left ventricular (LV) end-systolic workload, leading over time to left atrial and ventricular remodeling, and providing the substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF) development. We investigated if carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), a measure of central arterial stiffness, is associated with incident AF. In 2011–2013, cfPWV was measured in 3882 participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Cohort Study (ARIC) without prevalent AF. Participants were followed through 2017 for the incidence of AF. Individuals were categorized in cfPWV quartiles based on visit measurements. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association of cfPWV with incident AF. Mean age was 75 years (SD 5), 60% were female and 20% were African American. Over a median follow-up of 5.5 years we identified 331 incident cases of AF. cfPWV demonstrated U-shaped associations with AF risk. In models adjusted for age, race, center, sex, education levels, and hemodynamic and clinical factors, hazard ratios (HR) of AF for participants in the first, third and fourth quartiles were 1.49 (95% CI 1.06, 2.10), 1.59 (1.14, 2.10), and 1.56(1.10, 2.19), respectively, compared to those in the second quartile. Among community-dwelling older adults, low and high central arterial stiffness is associated with AF risk.
Abstract PR-011: Loss of compensatory feedback mechanism involving splicing factor SRSF1 accelerates KrasG12D-mediated pancreatic cancer initiation

KRAS is recurrently mutated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), triggering the formation of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN). However, the majority of pancreatic cells from KC (LSL-KrasG12D/+; Pdx-1-Cre) mice carrying the KrasG12D mutation remain morphologically normal for a long time, suggesting the existence of compensatory feedback mechanisms that buffer KrasG12D signaling, and that additional steps are required for disrupting cell homeostasis and promoting transformation. Here we found that splicing factor SRSF1, which is associated with cell transformation, is downregulated in the majority of morphologically normal pancreas cells with the KrasG12D mutation as a compensatory feedback mechanism. To assess the role of SRSF1 in PDAC, we generated a transgenic mouse strain (SC) with Dox-inducible pancreatic-specific expression of SRSF1 protein. Elevated SRSF1 alone is sufficient to induce pancreatitis and ADM transformation. By further crossing the SC strain with KrasG12D alone (KSC) or together with Trp53R172H (KPSC), we found that increasing SRSF1 accelerated KrasG12D-mediated tumor initiation and resulted in more aggressive PDAC. To address the underlying mechanisms of SRSF1’s involvement in the homeostatic response to KrasG12D mutation and in PDAC initiation, we generated organoid lines from the above mouse strains. Following Dox induction, elevated SRSF1 with Kras WT or KrasG12D consistently activated MAPK signaling, which is one of the top negatively enriched pathways in response to KrasG12D. Furthermore, SRSF1 promoted the expression of Il1r1—an IL1 receptor associated with the activation of MAPK signaling—by regulating an alternative-splicing event in the 5’UTR to generate a more stable mRNA isoform. We conclude that decreased SRSF1 is a compensatory feedback mechanism in pancreatic cells against the KrasG12D mutation, whose disruption facilitates PDAC initiation. Citation Format: Ledong Wan, Kuan-Ting Lin, Mohammad A. Rahman, Zhikai Wang, Youngkyu Park, David A. Tuveson, Adrian R. Krainer. Loss of compensatory feedback mechanism involving splicing factor SRSF1 accelerates KrasG12D-mediated pancreatic cancer initiation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2021 Sep 29-30. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(22 Suppl):Abstract nr PR-011.
Getting published in Radiology: A Deputy Editor’s perspective

Radiology has been the official journal of the Radiological Society of North America since 1923. In 2014 it had an impact factor of 6.867, the highest for general radiology journals. The journal attracts a world-wide readership of approximately 54,000. Contributions from Japanese radiologists, radiographers, and radiological scientists are greatly welcomed. This article explains how we process the manuscripts submitted to the journal and describes the factors that can contribute to the decision to accept or reject.
Hodges‐Lehman Estimator: Basic

The Hodges–Lehmann one-sample procedure provides an efficient alternative to the sample median as an estimator of the location of a population, while the two-sample procedure estimates the location shift parameter linking two populations. Keywords: median; Walsh averages; location estimator; asymptotic relative efficiency; location shift parameter; signed-ranks test; rank-sum test
Kalman filter formulation of the nonuniform image motion estimation in transformed-domains

This paper is concerned with the development and implementation of a new pixel-recursive algorithm for nonuniform image motion estimation. Using a unitary transformation, the motion vector is described by a coefficient vector. Since the motion field is typically low-pass, the dimension of the coefficient vector is significantly reduced; the resultant truncated and constant vector is then easily modeled in state-space. A Kalman filter is subsequently implemented to estimate the motion coefficients. Additionally, the paper presents a detection scheme for identification of (detectable) moving pixels from noisy data using a composite likelihood ratio test (LRT). Simulation experiments are presented using real images; results of the simulations are presented. >
Vertical Integration and Assurance of Markets

Four incentives for the vertical integration of firms have frequently been mentioned in the literature. Mergers may result from market power in either the primary-resource, intermediate-product or final- product markets.1 Technological advantages accruing to combination can arise through increasing returns,2 information advantages3 or decreased transactions costs, when firms place themselves in a cooperative rather than an adversarial relationship.4 Tax avoidance provides a third reason for integration.5 More generally, integration opens up a wider range of strategies in the face of regulation and more flexibility in implementing them. Finally, imperfections in the market for the intermediate product may lead firms to combine in order to bypass these problems by transferring goods internally.6 This chapter addresses the last of these issues. In particular, it studies the problem of price inflexibility in an intermediate-product market which is beset by stochastic demands, and the temporary shortages and gluts of this product that result. We hypothesise that firms choose to integrate if the expected profit from doing so exceeds that of the separate divisions acting independently. Both descriptive and normative conclusions regarding such an industry are drawn on the basis of the model presented.
Nuclear Charge Distributions of Isotone Pairs. 2. K-39 and Ca-40

Cross sections for electron elastic scattering from $_{19}^{39}\mathrm{K}$ and $_{20}^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$ are given for the momentum-transfer range from 0.6 to 3.4 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The data were analyzed by means of a phase-shift code using phenomenological Fermi charge distributions modified with small undulations. The difference of the $^{39}\mathrm{K}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$ distributions has been compared with a $1{d}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ proton distribution and with other nuclear models.
Early Functional Mutants of Coliphage λ

The early functional mutants of λ, belonging to cistrons N, O, and P, are known to be blocked prior to vegetative multiplication of the λ genome. Superinfection of heteroimmune defective lysogens by these mutants failed to elicit the function required for replication of the superinfecting phage. The mutants among themselves also showed poor cooperation on a nonpermissive host. Studies on the effects of different multiplicities of infection for bacterial lysis showed identical responses for mutants of different cistrons.
Nocturia in women

Nocturia, the complaint of waking at night to void, is a bothersome condition known to affect Quality of Life. In addition sleep deprivation is also known to affect daytime functioning and productivity. Whilst recently recognised as a discrete clinical entity nocturia is also a symptom of those women complaining of Overactive Bladder (OAB) syndrome. The causes of nocturia are multifactorial although in clinical practice nocturia is generally associated with either increased nocturnal urine production, problems related to bladder storage or sleep pattern abnormalities. When evaluating women complaining of nocturia a urinary diary and clinical examination is integral to making the diagnosis prior to commencing treatment. Having excluded and treated any underlying cause behavioural modification, such as moderation of fluid intake or timing of taking anti-diuretic medication, should be considered first line therapy. Should this conservative approach fail then treatment with antimuscarinic agents or desmopressin, a nona-peptide analogue of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) is often helpful.
Investigation of CO2 gas breakdown using optical emission spectroscopy

CO 2 gas dissociation through optical and plasma collision breakdown was investigated by optical emission spectroscopy (OES), using an Andor Mechelle monochromator with an iStar intensified charge coupled device (ICCD). A pulsed Nd:YAG laser was used to provide energy for the gas breakdown processes. The evolution of the luminous plasmas was examined by time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Emission lines of carbon and oxygen species, such as atomic C (I), ionic C (II) and atomic O (I), were observed to understand the process of CO 2 dissociation. Effects of background gas pressure on plasma propagation in the experiments were studied. Some emission lines could be obviously distinguished, indicating that the emitting species had different behaviors in the evolution. They were frequently ionized and excited after the laser irradiation.