cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Syndrome and Periodontal Disease Progression in Men

Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of 3 or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, is associated with periodontal disease, but few studies have been prospective in design. This study’s aim was to determine whether metabolic syndrome predicts tooth loss and worsening of periodontal disease in a cohort of 760 men in the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study and Normative Aging Study who were followed up to 33 y from 1981 to 2013. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Waist circumference was measured in units of 0.1 cm following a normal expiration. Fasting blood samples were measured in duplicate for glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein. Calibrated periodontists served as dental examiners. Periodontal outcome events on each tooth were defined as progression to predefined threshold levels of probing pocket depth (≥5 mm), clinical attachment loss (≥5 mm), mobility (≥0.5 mm), and alveolar bone loss (≥40% of the distance...
N-Butyl methacrylate and paraffin as an embedding medium for light microscopy.

A method of tissue embedding using n-butyl methacrylate and paraffin is described. Following alcohol dehydration and infiltration with the methacrylate monomer, tissues are embedded in gelatin capsules in a mixture consisting of 3.5 g of paraffin for each 10 ml of methacrylate. Benzoyl peroxide (0.2 g for each 10 ml of monomer) is added as the catalyst and the methacrylate polymerized in a 50 C oven for 18-24 h. Following polymerization the block is trimmed and embedded in paraffin to provide a firm support during sectioning. A water trough attached to the microtome knife is essential to facilitate the handling of sections and ribbons. For serial sections a mixture of equal weights of beeswax and paraffin is used to make the sections adhere to each other. Usual staining procedures can be used since the embedding medium is readily soluble in xylene.
On Relationship between Brand and Scale Performance

By passing the fixed amount and way that qualitative analysis combine together, the paper is roughly to the brand size system from the evaluation main factor good reputation a type for with popularity commencing, analyzes scale performance of the brand, announces the relationship between public the brand and the relation of the scale performance.
General Theory: An Empirico-Judgmental Discourse

In some respects general theory in social science approximates the philosopher’s model of science. As in the model, the theory has the demonstrated capacity to make significant generalizations: empirical generalizations about observable reality, that, because they are about the world out there, can be tested by reference to our shared experience: tested, directly or through inferential prediction. Having been made and tested, such statements sometimes fail the test. They are in Popper’s terms, falsified. What the statement inferred need not occur. What the statement denied, may happen. In these respects the generalizing theory of the social sciences is like the philosopher’s model of science.
Analysis of Gastric Lavage Reported to a Statewide Poison Control System.

Abstract Background As decontamination trends have evolved, gastric lavage (GL) has become a rare procedure. The current information regarding use, outcomes, and complications of GL could help refine indications for this invasive procedure. Objectives We sought to determine case type, location, and complications of GL cases reported to a statewide poison control system. Methods This is a retrospective review of the California Poison Control System (CPCS) records from 2009 to 2012. Specific substances ingested, results and complications of GL, referring hospital ZIP codes, and outcomes were examined. Results Nine hundred twenty-three patients who underwent GL were included in the final analysis, ranging in age from 9 months to 88 years. There were 381 single and 540 multiple substance ingestions, with pill fragment return in 27%. Five hundred thirty-six GLs were performed with CPCS recommendation, while 387 were performed without. Complications were reported for 20 cases. There were 5 deaths, all after multiple ingestions. Among survivors, 37% were released from the emergency department, 13% were admitted to hospital wards, and 48% were admitted to intensive care units. The most commonly ingested substances were nontricyclic antidepressant psychotropics (n = 313), benzodiazepines (n = 233), acetaminophen (n = 191), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n = 107), diphenhydramine (n = 70), tricyclic antidepressants (n = 45), aspirin (n = 45), lithium (n = 36), and antifreeze (n = 10). The geographic distribution was clustered near regions of high population density, with a few exceptions. Conclusions Toxic agents for which GL was performed reflected a broad spectrum of potential hazards, some of which are not life-threatening or have effective treatments. Continuing emergency physician and poison center staff education is required to assist in patient selection.
Teratogenic Potential of Antiepileptic Drugs

The effect of antiepileptic drugs on intrauterine growth is reviewed from the Center for Human Molecular Genetics, Nebraska, and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Evidence-Based Cancer Imaging

With the advances in the field of oncology, imaging is increasingly used in the follow-up of cancer patients, leading to concerns about over-utilization. Therefore, it has become imperative to make imaging more evidence-based, efficient, cost-effective and equitable. This review explores the strategies and tools to make diagnostic imaging more evidence-based, mainly in the context of follow-up of cancer patients.
Path Selection in a Poisson field

A criterion for path selection for channels growing in a Poisson field is presented. We invoke a generalization of the principle of local symmetry. We then use this criterion to grow channels in a confined geometry. The channel trajectories reveal a self-similar shape as they reach steady state. Analyzing their paths, we identify a cause for branching that may result in a ramified structure in which the golden ratio appears.
On Flow-Induced Vibration of a Circular Cylinder Placed near a Plane Boundary

Experimental investigations were carried out to examine the flow features around an elastically supported circular cylinder placed near a plane boundary in a uniform stream and the associated flow-excited vibrations. The experiment was conducted in a recirculating water channel. The undisturbed uniform cross stream is parallel to the plane boundary and normal to the axis of the cylinder. The flow field was visualized using hydrogen bubble technique. Time sequential photography was used to quantify the development of the vortex pattern and the vibrational characteristics of the cylinder.
Duration of triple antithrombotic therapy and outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

In the July 2016 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions , Koskinas et al . used observational registry data to compare the safety and efficacy outcomes of triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) prescribed for one month versus longerduration TAT in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a clear indication for oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy (1).
Faculty Best Practices to Support Students in the ‘Virtual Doctoral Land’:

Online students face numerous challenges in successfully completing doctoral programmes. The aim of this article is to explore the best practices that can be employed by faculty to support students...
Risk of second primary malignancy (SPM) and survival of adult patients with polycythemia vera (PV): A U.S. population-based study.

e18081 Risk of Second Primary Malignancy (SPM) and Survival of Adult Patients with Polycythemia Vera (PV): A US population-based study Background: Although the median survival in PV is as high as 1...
Recent Developments in US Hardwood Lumber Markets and Linkages to Housing Construction

The housing industry has long provided important markets for the higher-value hardwood lumber used in fixtures such as cabinets, flooring, and millwork. These markets have become even more important in the face of the decline in furniture manufacture in the USA. The importance of housing and other construction markets to the US hardwood industry is the focus of the current review. The housing crisis that began in 2007 (from a construction data perspective) has had a profound impact on the hardwood industry by reducing demand for many products and hardwood industry employment, metrics that recently have started to recover. For higher-value hardwoods, exports have become a critical market in the face of historically low US housing starts. Industrial markets such as pallets and railway ties, traditionally markets for lower-value products, also have increased in relative importance in recent years. While housing starts are expected to eventually return to the long-term trend, an analysis of the current marketplace illustrates the importance of the construction markets to the hardwood industry. Potential new markets for emerging products that can make use of hardwoods also are derived from construction-based sectors, so the overall importance of housing and building construction to the hardwood industry is not likely to wane for the foreseeable future.
Top-down fabrication meets bottom-up synthesis for nanoelectronic barcoding of microparticles

Traditional optical and plasmonic techniques for barcoding of micro-particles for multiplexed bioassays are generally high in throughput, however bulky instrumentation is often required for performing readout. Electrical impedance based detection allows for ultra-compact instrumentation footprint necessary for wearable devices, however to date, the lack of ability to electronically barcode micro-particles has been a long standing bottleneck towards enabling multiplexed electronic biomarker assays. Nanoelectronic barcoding, which to the best of our knowledge is the first impedance based solution for micro-particle barcoding, works by forming tunable nano-capacitors on the surface of micro-spheres, effectively modulating the frequency dependent dielectric properties of the spheres allowing one bead barcode to be distinguished from another. Nanoelectronic barcoding uses a well-known, but unexplored electromagnetic phenomenon of micro-particles: the Clausius–Mossotti (CM) factor spectrum of a Janus particle (JP) shifts depending on the zeta (wall) potential of the metallic half of the microsphere, and the fact that the complex impedance spectrum of a particle directly corresponds to the CM factor spectrum. A one-to-one correspondence will be established between each biomarker and the corresponding engineered microsphere. This transformative new method for barcoding will enable a new class of handheld and wearable biosensors capable of multiplexed continuous temporal bio-monitoring. The proposed nano-electronically barcoded particles utilize both bottom-up synthesis and top-down fabrication to enable precisely engineered frequency dependent dielectric signatures. Multi-frequency lock-in measurements of the complex impedance, in conjunction with multi-variate analysis of impedance data, allows for particle differentiation using a fully functional ultra-compact electronic detector.
Angiotensin II Increases Vesicular Trafficking in Live Noradrenergic Brain Neurons

P1 Angiotensin II (Ang II) interacts with the AT 1 receptor subtype and stimulates turnover of norepinephrine (NE) by regulating its synthesis, release, and uptake. The cellular mechanism by which Ang II regulates this neurotransmission is not well understood. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that Ang II increases vesicular trafficking to increase synaptic release of NE. cDNA encoding full length rat dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DβH) fused to Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) was cloned in pCl-Neo vector under the control of CMV promoter and used to tag synaptic vesicles. Transfection of cells with this plasmid resulted in the expression of green fluorescence and GFP-DβH fusion protein which was functional as judged by an increase in DβH activity. Transfected neurons expressed bright green fluorescence representing GFP-DβH that was predominantly localized in the cell soma. Few neurites also displayed the fluorescence. Real time confocal microscopic examination of live neurons indicated that Ang II caused a time-dependent increase in both the intensity and the number of neurites depicting green fluorescence. An increase in GFP-DβH in the neurites became apparent within one minute and persisted for 15-20 minutes. A 2.5 fold increase in the GFP-DβH positive neurites was observed by 100 nM Aug II in 15 min [control, 2±0.5 (n=20) versus Ang II treatment, 5±0.4 (n=25)]. Ang II-induced GFP-DβH redistribution was punctate, co-localized with synaptophysin and was blocked by losartan, and not by PD123319. Release of Ang II induced NE paralleled its effect on GFP-DβH distribution. PMA treatment caused translocation of GFP-DβH in a fashion comparable with Ang II. In addition, inactivation of protein kinase C by a prolonged incubation of neurons with PMA, completely blocked the translocation of GFP-DβH from the cell body to neurites. These observations demonstrate that Ang II stimulates trafficking of NE vesicles by a PKC-dependent mechanism. Thus, an increased trafficking of NE containing vesicles from the neuronal cell body to the neurites may be key to Ang II stimulated release of NE from a noradrenergic neuron.
Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Response to Oral Corticosteroid Bursts: An Observational Study of Patients in an Academic Community-Based PANS Clinic.

Abstract Background: Sudden-onset severe obsessive-compulsive symptoms and/or severely restrictive food intake with at least two coinciding, similarly debilitating neuropsychiatric symptoms define Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). When associated with Group A Streptococcus, the syndrome is labeled Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS). An abnormal immune response to infection and subsequent neuroinflammation is postulated to play an etiologic role. Most patients have a relapsing-remitting course. Treatment outcome data for youth with PANS and PANDAS are limited. Methods: One hundred seventy-eight consecutive patients were seen in the Stanford PANS clinic between September 1, 2012 and January 15, 2016, of whom 98 met PANS or PANDAS criteria, had a single episode of PANS or relapsing/remitting course, and collectively experienced 403 flares. Eighty-five flares were treated with 102 total courses of oral corticosteroids of eithe...
Pardon the Interruption: An Interrupted Inferior Vena Cava Discovered During Attempted Implantation of a Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device

A 76-year-old woman with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (CHA2DS2-VASc score 4) and recurrent nose and gastrointestinal bleeds was referred for a Watchman left atrial appendage closure device (Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts) implantation. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a mildly
The Rise of Market-Based Job Search Institutions and Job Niches for Low-Skilled Chinese Immigrants

Increasingly, market-based job search institutions, such as employment agencies and ethnic media, are playing a more important role than migrant networks for low-skilled Chinese immigrants searching for jobs. We argue that two major factors are driving this trend: the diversification of Chinese immigrants’ provinces of origin, and the spatial diffusion of businesses in the United States owned by Chinese immigrants. We also identify some new niche jobs for Chinese immigrants and assess the extent to which this development is driven by China’s growing prosperity. We use data from multiple sources, including a survey of employment agencies in Manhattan’s Chinatown, job advertisements in Chinese-language newspapers, and information on Chinese immigrant hometown associations in the United States.
Ratio profiling: the discursive construction of the continuum of alternative placements

This study highlights how the continuum of alternative placements, a requirement of U.S. federal legislation to ensure that students with disabilities are educated in the least restrictive environment, becomes a discursive tool to exert power. Using institutional ethnography, the researcher investigates the experiences of one set of parents who are experiencing conflict with their school district’s special education administrator over the placement of their child with autism. The use of Critical Discourse Analysis to examine the discussion shows how the continuum of alternative placements is used to create problematic, one-dimensional profiles of students with disabilities.
Shaping eosinophil identity in the tissue contexts of development, homeostasis, and disease

Eosinophils play homeostatic roles in different tissues and are found in several organs at a homeostatic baseline, though their tissue numbers increase significantly in development and disease. The morphological, phenotypical, and functional plasticity of recruited eosinophils are influenced by the dynamic tissue microenvironment changes between homeostatic, morphogenetic, and disease states. Activity of the epithelial-mesenchymal interface, extracellular matrix, hormonal inputs, metabolic state of the environment, as well as epithelial and mesenchymal-derived innate cytokines and growth factors all have the potential to regulate the attraction, retention, in situ hematopoiesis, phenotype, and function of eosinophils. This review examines the reciprocal relationship between eosinophils and such tissue factors, specifically addressing: (1) tissue microenvironments associated with the presence and activity of eosinophils; (2) non-immune tissue ligands regulatory for eosinophil accumulation, hematopoiesis, phenotype, and function (with an emphasis on the extracellular matrix and epithelial-mesenchymal interface); (3) the contribution of eosinophils to regulating tissue biology; (4) eosinophil phenotypic heterogeneity in different tissue microenvironments, classifying eosinophils as progenitors, steady state eosinophils, and Type 1 and 2 activated phenotypes. An appreciation of eosinophil regulation by non-immune tissue factors is necessary for completing the picture of eosinophil immune activation and understanding the functional contribution of these cells to development, homeostasis, and disease.
Outcomes Following Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery in the Elderly: A Retrospective Single-Center Review

Background Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for pituitary adenomas (PAs) is performed on elderly patients with increasing frequency. More research is necessary to assess the risk factors that are associated with TSS in an aging population. Objective To perform a retrospective study on postoperative safety outcomes following TSS in the elderly population stratified by decade of life. Methods A retrospective chart review of the USC Pituitary Database was conducted to identify patients ≥70 yr, who underwent TSS for PAs between 1995 and 2017. Surgical outcomes were analyzed in elderly (≥70 yr) vs nonelderly ( Results The cohorts included 115 elderly patients (70-79 yr: 94 patients; ≥80 yr: 21 patients) and 770 nonelderly patients. Elderly patients presented with more vision loss (62% vs 38%, P Conclusion Patients >70 yr are appropriate surgical candidates for TSS given the similar safety outcomes as younger patients. Given the higher propensity for surgical complications; however, a higher level of operative selectivity should be maintained in octogenarian patients.
Spinal Stenosis in the Absence of Spondylolisthesis: Can Interlaminar Stabilization at Single and Multi-levels Provide Sustainable Relief?

Abstract Background In the absence of spondylolisthesis, fusion procedures are generally not recommended. However, decompression alone often does not provide long-term clinical success of intractable leg and back pain. Decompression with interlaminar stabilization (ILS) offers a new option within the clinical continuum of care by providing a nonfusion surgical alternative. The objective of this study is to examine the sustainability of decompression with ILS and to understand the clinical success at either 1 or 2 levels as a surgical treatment for nonspondylolisthesis patients with spinal stenosis. Methods Under an FDA-regulated investigational device exemption (IDE) study, a total of 322 patients were enrolled in the prospective, randomized trial. This investigation focuses only on the subset of patients (116 total) from this overall cohort who were treated with decompression plus ILS at 1 or 2 levels and who did not present with spondylolisthesis preoperatively. The patients were assessed before and after surgery up to 60 months. Results At 60-month follow up, there was no statistically significant difference in ODI ≥ 15 point improvement between patient populations (81.6% of 1 level, 90.3% of 2 level). At 60 months, 83.1% of 1 level and 86.3% of 2 level patients did not require a secondary surgical procedure. At 60 months, 94.7% of 1 level and 100% of 2 level reported ≥20 mm improvement in Visual Analogue Scale leg pain. Patients reported improvement in their physical state according to Short Form-12 scores (89.3% of 1 level, 88.9% of 2 level). Patient satisfaction at 60 months was 97.4% for 1 level and 93.3% for 2 level. Conclusions The therapeutic sustainability for the treatment of spinal stenosis without spondylolisthesis with ILS at 1 or 2 levels in the lumbar region has been shown to be safe and efficacious for patients who have failed conservative treatment. Clinical Relevance Decompression with ILS offers a nonterminal surgical option for the treatment of the symptomology of spinal stenosis, a progressive degenerative condition, that potentially can provide longer durability and stability than decompression alone.
Secularist Rituals in the US: Solidarity and Legitimization

In a responding to the new atheism, some secularist groups and leaders have been advocating a more positive atheism that seeks to create non-theist alternatives to traditional religion. These alternatives include rites-of-passage usually associated with religious services, such as funerals, These rituals can also include secularist public events ridiculing and protesting religion in order to foster a positive atheist group identity. We examine specific secular rituals organized by secular humanist groups, arguing that such rituals serve both a function of creating solidarity among participants as well as legitimizing secularism to the wider society. We specifically look at the celebration of Darwin Day and how it plays a legitimizing function among secularist groups. At the same time, the use of rituals has divided American secularists.
Conflict of evolutionary interests between plants and pollinators revealed through functional exploration of flower morphospace

The explosive evolutionary diversification of flowering plants traditionally is attributed to the coevolution of plants and their animal pollinators. Plant-pollinator interactions are held as classical examples of mutualisms, beneficial to both parties, in spite of the fact that most other cases of rapid coevolution are the result of conflicts of interest (e.g., predator-prey, host-parasite, sexual conflict, competition for resources). Could the co-diversification of plants and their pollinators be driven by conflict rather than by mutualism? To address this question, we employed the theoretical morphospace paradigm using a combination of 3D printing, electronic sensing, and machine vision technologies to determine the influence of two flower morphological features (corolla curvature and nectary diameter) on the fitness of both parties: the artificial flower and its hawkmoth pollinator. We found that the two parties have almost opposite interests in corolla curvature evolution, with non-overlapping fitness peaks in flower morphospace, suggesting that the evolutionary radiation of flowering plants and their pollinators could be the result of conflict instead of mutualism.
How Language Variety and Motivation Impact Language Acquisition in Adult Heritage Learners of Portuguese

Portuguese is a language rich in varieties. Some adult heritage learners of Portuguese acquire it quickly and easily, while others students display negative attitudes towards the instructor’s dialect and withdraw from classes altogether, despite both groups receiving the same linguistic input. The dearth of research on this topic begged the research question, How does linguistic variety affect motivation in adult heritage learners of Portuguese? This study used semistructured interviews with 20 adult heritage learners to provide insight into the question, and aspects of adult learning, the L2 motivational self-system, and L2 acquisition theory as theoretical frameworks . Overlapping themes of identity, ideal selves, and language attitudes related to motivation towards Portuguese varieties, as well as their profound influence on a heritage learner’s motivation and acquisition success, emerged. These results suggest placing greater importance on consideration of linguistic variety in the classroom when assessing adult heritage learners. Article visualizations:
Systemic Bacterial Infection and Immune Defense Phenotypes in Drosophila Melanogaster

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the premier model organisms for studying the function and evolution of immune defense. Many aspects of innate immunity are conserved between insects and mammals, and since Drosophila can readily be genetically and experimentally manipulated, they are powerful for studying immune system function and the physiological consequences of disease. The procedure demonstrated here allows infection of flies by introduction of bacteria directly into the body cavity, bypassing epithelial barriers and more passive forms of defense and allowing focus on systemic infection. The procedure includes protocols for the measuring rates of host mortality, systemic pathogen load, and degree of induction of the host immune system. This infection procedure is inexpensive, robust and quantitatively repeatable, and can be used in studies of functional genetics, evolutionary life history, and physiology.
Diagnostic Utility of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-Reactive Protein in Osteomyelitis of the Foot in Persons Without Diabetes.

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in differentiating foot osteomyelitis (OM) from soft tissue infection (STI) in persons without diabetes. We evaluated 102 patients in a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic patients admitted to our institution with OM (n = 51) and with STI (n = 51). Patient diagnosis was determined through bone culture and/or histopathology for OM and magnetic resonance scan and/or single-photon emission computed tomography for STI. Cutoffs for ESR and CRP to predict OM as identified by receiver operating characteristic were 45.5 mm/h and 3.45 mg/dL, respectively. The ESR cutoff demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 49% and 79%, while the values for CRP were 45% and 71%, respectively. The combined sensitivity and specificity for ESR and CRP were 33% and 84%. The positive and negative predictive values were 68% and 60% for ESR and 61% and 56% for CRP, respectively. In conclusion, ESR and CRP demonstrate poor sensitivity and specificity for detecting OM in the nondiabetic foot. These markers have little diagnostic utility in the nondiabetic foot.
Cosmic tau neutrino detection via Cherenkov signals from air showers from Earth-emerging taus.

We perform a new, detailed calculation of the flux and energy spectrum of Earth-emerging $\ensuremath{\tau}$-leptons generated from the interactions of tau neutrinos and antineutrinos in the Earth. A layered model of the Earth is used to describe the variable density profile of the Earth. Different assumptions regarding the neutrino charged- and neutral-current cross sections as well as the $\ensuremath{\tau}$-lepton energy loss models are used to quantify their contributions to the systematic uncertainty. A baseline simulation is then used to generate the optical Cherenkov signal from upward-moving extensive air showers generated by the $\ensuremath{\tau}$-lepton decay in the atmosphere, applicable to a range of space-based instruments. We use this simulation to determine the neutrino sensitivity for ${E}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}10\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{PeV}$ for a space-based experiment with performance similar to that for the Probe of Extreme MultiMessenger Astrophysics (POEMMA) mission currently under study.
Photochemical synthesis of dendritic silver nano-particles for anti-counterfeiting

High-trust anti-counterfeit methodologies that tag only genuine goods are in high demand globally in manufacturing and security. However, prevalent tagging methods often face challenges in manufacturing cost, structural reliability, and simplifying readout procedures. Here we report a one-pot photochemical synthetic method to produce large quantities of dendritic silver nano-particles (AgNPs) within 20 minutes and under ambient conditions, promising for large-scale manufacturing of physical taggants. By tuning the experimental conditions, such as the UV illumination time and the concentration of silver-reducing agent, poly(allylamine), we demonstrate the feasibility of creating unique dendritic AgNPs with distinctive morphological characteristics. Our investigation illustrates the significant impact of the interplay between silver nucleation and growth that is critical in producing the dendritic AgNP taggants with controlled shape and sizes. Importantly, we verify by simple optical imaging and image analysis that all the dendrites possess a singular set of minutiae that lead to a vast number of unclonable features, suitable for anti-counterfeiting labels.
Neuropatia induzida pelo tratamento: uma complicação iatrogénica da diabetes

Introducao: A neuropatia induzida pelo tratamento da diabetes, ate agora denominada neurite insulinica, e uma neuropatia aguda, que surge em doentes diabeticos quando sao submetidos a um controlo glicemico estrito num curto espaco de tempo. Descricao do caso: Mulher de 66 anos de idade com diagnostico de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 desde 1990 com nefropatia e retinopatia como complicacoes e mau controlo glicemico. Apresentava, ainda, como problemas de saude ativos hipertensao arterial e dislipidemia, sem outros antecedentes relevantes. Em junho de 2016 foi introduzida insulina isofânica com vista a alcancar um melhor controlo glicemico. Duas semanas depois recorre a consulta por hipersudorese intensa, nauseas, tonturas e sensacao de desmaio quer em periodos pre como pos-prandiais, o que foi interpretado como um quadro de possiveis hipoglicemias. Uma semana depois recorreu, novamente, a consulta com queixas de parestesias e disestesias dos membros inferiores e manutencao dos sintomas autonomicos. Pelo exame fisico, encontraram-se achados compativeis com neuropatia periferica e, pela consulta do processo clinico, verificou-se uma descida da hemoglobina glicada de 2,1% em 3 meses. Perante este quadro, a doente foi medicada com pregabalina em doses crescentes para alivio sintomatico e explicado o caracter reversivel desta situacao. Na consulta de vigilância, realizada em setembro, a doente encontrava-se assintomatica sem medicacao analgesica. Comentario: Este caso permite relembrar esta entidade, muitas vezes, confundida com neuropatia diabetica e alertar para o potencial iatrogenico de um regime terapeutico intensivo num curto espaco de tempo.
CuO shell as a protective layer to improve the stability of ZnO nanorods-based photoelectrode in DSSCs

Abstract The dissolution of Zn atom in the acidic dye solution during the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells leads to low performance of ZnO-based photoelectrodes. Herein, we present the utilization of a CuO shell on ZnO nanorods, as an effective method to increase the power conversion efficiency of fabricated devices by improving the stability of the photoelectrode. Under 1-sun illuminated conditions, fabricated devices with a ZnO-CuO core-shell photoelectrode soaked in acidic N-719 dye for prolonged periods of time; show a more than 2 times higher conversion efficiency than devices utilizing pure ZnO nanorods photoelectrode. The higher power conversion efficiency is attributed to both the prevention of the dissolution of Zn atoms at the ZnO core surface and the formation of a Zn2+/dye complex at the photoelectrode/electrolyte interface. Additionally, results suggest that the CuO shell also contributes towards the improvement of light harvesting characteristics by increasing the absorption of dye molecules onto the photoelectrode. Experimental results support that a ZnO nanorods-based photoelectrode protected by a CuO shell is a good candidate to increase the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells.
Airless bodies of the inner solar system

I absolutely love discovering books like this, one that rewards the curious reader. It’s a highly engaging account of a specialised, somewhat obscure, technical field that has a clear application t...
Quantum Dot Lasers

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the status of semiconductor quantum dot (QD) lasers. Many of the ideal features of QDs are realized by self organized III-V nanostructures, and these have made an enormous impact in the research area of semiconductor lasers. The three-dimensional (3D) confinement of charge to dimensions of its wavelength leads to discrete energy levels for electrons and holes, and lasers operating on these discrete levels exhibit new phenomena when compared to planar quantum well lasers. QD lasers can be temperature insensitive in their threshold current. For small inhomogeneous line widths a QD active layer's optical gain can exceed that of a planar quantum well, and do so at an order of magnitude lower current density. This combination also gives rise to very high differential gain, and the prospect of very high speed. Furthermore, the rate equations describing QD laser operation are derived from a Hamiltonian that describes the electronic system coupled to the crystal phonons and electromagnetic field.
Automated annotation of learner English: An evaluation of software tools

Abstract This paper explores the use of natural language processing (NLP) tools and their utility for learner language analyses through a comparison of automatic linguistic annotation against a gold standard produced by humans. While there are a number of automated annotation tools for English currently available, little research is available on the accuracy of these tools when annotating learner data. We compare the performance of three linguistic annotation tools (a tagger and two parsers) on academic writing in English produced by learners (both L1 and L2 English speakers). We focus on lexico-grammatical patterns, including both phrasal and clausal features, since these are frequently investigated in applied linguistics studies. Our results report both precision and recall of annotation output for argumentative texts in English across four L1s: Arabic, Chinese, English, and Korean. We close with a discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of using automatic tools to annotate learner language.
Impact of Treatment Sequencing on Survival for Patients with Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer

Data are limited concerning the survival outcomes of locally advanced gastric cancer patients according to the multimodality therapy (MMT) administered. Single institution, retrospective analysis of 235 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer from 2001 to 2015. All patients met criteria for curative-intent surgery and chemotherapy ± radiation therapy. Treatment regimens were: (1) surgery first with adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (S + Adj); (2) perioperative chemotherapy + surgery (Periop); and (3) total neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery (TNT + S). One hundred twenty-eight (60.0%) patients received S + Adj, 69 (26.8%) Periop, and 38 (13.2%) TNT + S. Of the 235 patients, 222 (94.5%) received surgery. All intended therapy was received by 81.6% of TNT + S, 44.5% of S + Adj, and 42.0% of Periop patients. MMT was significantly more likely to be completed by TNT + S patients (HR 6.67, p < 0.001). At a median follow-up of 37 months, survival rates on an intention-to-treat basis with TNT + S, Periop, and S + Adj were 52.6%, 59.4%, and 45.3%, respectively. Regimen and completion of MMT significantly affected overall mortality risk. Compared with Periop, TNT + S had similar mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, p = 0.421), whereas S + Adj had increased mortality risk (HR 1.64, p = 0.027). The choice of treatment sequencing has a major impact on completion rates of multimodal therapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Less than 50% of patients treated with upfront surgery or perioperative chemotherapy receive all intended therapies. TNT has higher intended therapy completion rates and comparable survival compared with perioperative therapy in our data. Further prospective investigations of TNT are warranted.
Case report of combination therapy with Azacytidine, Enasidenib and Venetoclax in primary refractory AML

Optimal treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arising in elderly patients remains a challenge. FDA approval of Ivosidenib and Enasidenib, small molecule inhibitors of isocitrate dehydrogenase enzymes (IDH1 and 2) have opened new avenues of treatment. We present a 60-year-old woman with refractory AML, achieving complete response to the combination therapy of hypomethylating agent, Azacytidine with the IDH2 inhibitor, Enasidenib, and BCL2 inhibitor, Venetoclax. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with IDH2 mutated refractory AML achieving complete response to combination therapy with azacytidine, enasidenib and venetoclax.
Globalization, Inequality and Welfare

This paper studies the welfare implications of trade opening in a world in which trade raises aggregate income but also increases income inequality, and in which redistribution needs to occur via a distortionary income tax-transfer system. We provide tools to characterize and quantify the effects of trade opening on the distribution of disposable income (after redistribution). We propose two adjustments to standard measures of the welfare gains from trade: a 'welfarist' correction inspired by the Atkinson (1970) index of inequality, and a 'costly-redistribution' correction capturing the efficiency costs associated with the behavioral responses of agents to trade-induced shifts across marginal tax rates. We calibrate our model to the United States over the period 1979-2007 using data on the distribution of adjusted gross income in public samples of IRS tax returns, as well as CBO information on the tax liabilities and transfers received by agents at different percentiles of the U.S. income distribution. Our quantitative results suggest that both corrections are nonnegligible: trade-induced increases in inequality of disposable income erode about 20% of the gains from trade, while the gains from trade would be about 15% larger if redistribution was carried out via non-distortionary means.
Chiral properties of the zero-field spiral state and field-induced magnetic phases of the itinerant kagome metal YMn 6 Sn 6

Applying a magnetic field in the hexagonal plane of $\mathrm{Y}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{6}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{6}$ leads to a complex magnetic phase diagram of commensurate and incommensurate phases, one of which coexists with the topological Hall effect (THE) generated by a unique fluctuation-driven mechanism. Using unpolarized neutron diffraction, we report on the solved magnetic structure for two previously identified, but unknown, commensurate phases. These include a low-temperature, high-field fanlike phase and a room-temperature, low-field canted antiferromagnetic phase. An intermediate incommensurate phase between the fanlike and forced ferromagnetic phases is also identified as the last known phase of the in-plane field-temperature diagram. Additional characterization using synchrotron powder diffraction reveals extremely high-quality, single-phase crystals, which suggests that the presence of two incommensurate magnetic structures throughout much of the phase diagram is an intrinsic property of the system. Interestingly, polarized neutron diffraction shows that the centrosymmetric system hosts preferential chirality in the zero-field double-flat-spiral phase, which, along with the THE, is a topologically nontrivial characteristic.
Clinical outcomes in prone positioning for percutaneous fixation of posterior column acetabular fractures.

Percutaneous retrograde fixation of posterior column acetabular fractures is becoming a commonly practiced technique. Prone positioning provides reliably reproducible intraoperative fluoroscopic images necessary for precise preparation of the osseous fixation corridor necessary for accurate and safe implant placement. Additionally, the prone position facilitates an open posterior approach if an open reduction is necessary. The purpose of this study was to analyze the radiographic and clinical outcomes of retrograde posterior column fixation utilizing the prone position. From 2017 to 2020, 41 patients were included in the retrospective study. Clinical outcomes were collected for a minimum of 6 months. Implant placement was assessed on post-operative pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans and fracture union was assessed on routine follow-up radiographs. All (100%) cases achieved union by 4 months, with an average time to union of 3.2 months. Every post-operative CT scan demonstrated screw placement contained throughout the posterior column with no intrusion into the hip joint or sciatic notch. Clinically, one patient reported pain with sitting. No patients required additional surgical intervention. Prone positioning is a versatile and effective approach for retrograde percutaneous fixation of posterior column acetabular fractures. This study is the first to report clinical outcomes utilizing this technique and contributes to a growing body of the literature supporting the value and safety of percutaneous fixation of acetabular fractures appropriate for this fixation strategy.
35336 Effect of Nuclear Soluble Adenylyl Cyclase (sAC) on Melanoma Treatment Response

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Our data identify a novel candidate for combination strategy in melanoma treatment, and can inform clinicians in their decision-making process regarding therapeutic intervention for melanoma patients. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) is a novel source of cyclic AMP (cAMP). In melanoma, nuclear sAC localization has an established diagnostic utility and we newly found that nuclear sAC functions as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting Hippo pathway, which affects treatment response. Here, we examine the effect of nuclear sAC on melanoma treatment response. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We developed a doxycycline inducible system for increasing sAC activity only in the nucleus. We assessed whether nuclear sAC activity affects treatment response, using BRAFV600 human melanoma cell lines. Using a clonogenic assay, we examined how nuclear sAC activity affects growth inhibition in the presence of a BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib. Our findings will be confirmed in vivo using tumor xenografts. After tumor formation in NSG mice, mice will be randomized to be fed normal or doxycycline chow for nuclear sAC induction, then subdivided to receive vehicle or vemurafenib to examine the effect of nuclear sAC activity on treatment response in vivo. We will also compare melanoma biopsies collected before and after treatment with BRAF inhibitors to assess how nuclear sAC staining affects tumor morphology in vivo. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: So far, nuclear sAC activity has rendered SkMel178 and M263 cell lines more susceptible to vemurafenib. Cell viability was inversely correlated both with vemurafenib and with doxycycline concentration. Cell viability after vemurafenib treatment was dramatically reduced when nuclear sAC was activated. It appears that nuclear sAC enhances the sensitivity of BRAF mutant melanomas to vemurafenib in vitro. We anticipate that xenografts of these cells in mice will be more susceptible to vemurafenib when nuclear sAC is activated. We also anticipate that positive nuclear sAC staining will correlate with a favorable response to therapy. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Targeted therapy with BRAF inhibitors is used in late-stage melanomas, but its use is limited as patients invariably acquire resistance. Here, we identified nuclear sAC activation as a novel candidate for combination strategy. Our data will also inform clinicians how best to integrate this biomarker into their decision-making regarding therapy.
Is Geo-Location Information Helpful in Trading the Spread Between Under Armour and Nike? (Presentation Slides)

In this work we examine fundamental linkages between “location data” (a.k.a. “human movement data”) and financial market equity price behavior. We concentrate our study on a popular hedge fund trading strategy known as pairs-trading. In pairs-trading, one stock is purchased while another stock is sold-short, resulting in a bet on the price spread between these two stocks. We computed the price spread between Under Armour and Nike and examined this spread behavior with respect to several variables. We also investigated the relative volume of human traffic visiting each physical store location, as proxied from anonymous cell phone geolocation traffic. The geolocation positions were recorded intraday and cover the time span from January 1, 2018 to July 17, 2018. The data set is massive, consisting of over 47.2 billion rows. Longitude and latitude coordinates are employed to create economically distinct, yet competitive, paired-physical store locations of Under Armour and Nike, respectively. We monitored the relative activities in these non-overlapping ring-fenced locations to use as a proxy for the consumers’ competing fundamental demands. In the midst of our monitoring, we gleaned the following fascinating results regarding relative location data: (1) relative location data is a statistically significantly feature at the daily frequency, but not at the intra-day frequency, (2) it is a contrarian indicator, with higher/lower relative location ratios predicting next day contraction/expansion in spreads, and (3) it is consistently in the top five features across the usual suspect of machine learning algorithms. Given our limited data set, we disclaim our findings accordingly, but these initial results show that geolocation data should be a significant factor when building professional-grade pairs-trading models.
Enhanced Mechanical Properties by Ionomeric Complexation in Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels of Hydrolyzed Poly (N-vinyl Formamide) and Polyacrylamide.

Tough hydrogels were made by hydrolysis of a neutral interpenetrating network (IPN) of poly (N-vinyl formamide) PNVF and polyacrylamide (PAAm) networks to form an IPN of polyvinylamine (PVAm) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAAc) capable of intermolecular ionic complexation. Single network (SN) PAAm and SN PNVF have similar chemical structures, parameters and physical properties. The hypothesis was that starting with neutral IPN networks of isomeric monomers that hydrolyze to comparable extents under similar conditions would lead to formation of networks with minimal phase separation and maximize potential for charge–charge interactions of the networks. Sequential IPNs of both PNVF/PAAm and PAAm/PNVF were synthesized and were optically transparent, an indication of homogeneity at submicron length scales. Both IPNs were hydrolyzed in base to form PVAm/PAAc and PAAc/PVAm IPNs. These underwent ~5-fold or greater decrease in swelling at intermediate pH values (3–6), consistent with the hypothesis of intermolecular charge complexation, and as hypothesized, the globally neutral, charge-complexed gel states showed substantial increases in failure properties upon compression, including an order of magnitude increases in toughness when compared to their unhydrolyzed states or the swollen states at high or low pH values. There was no loss of mechanical performance upon repeated compression over 95% strain.