cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation of stem cell up-regulation/mobilization: a cardiovascular risk in both mice and humans with implications for liver disease, psoriasis and SLE

Experimentally induced injury triggers up-regulation and mobilization of stem cells in Apoe -/- mice that causes accelerated atherosclerosis. Abca1 -/- Abcg1-/- mice have chronic activation of stem cell up-regulation/mobilization and accelerated atherosclerosis. In addition, the Abca1 -/- Abcg1-/- mice have elevation of serum cytokines G-CSF, IL-17 and IL-23, each necessary for stem cell mobilization. IL-17 and IL-23 are elevated in two human illnesses that have cardiovascular (CV) risk independent of traditional risk factors-SLE and psoriasis. Serum G-CSF, which can be elevated in liver disease, predicts major adverse cardiovascular events in humans. These serum cytokine elevations suggest activation of the stem cell mobilization mechanism in humans that results, as in mice, in accelerated atherosclerosis. Efforts to reduce CV disease in these patient populations should include mitigation of the diseases that trigger stem cell mobilization. Since activation of the stem cell up-regulation/mobilization mechanism appears to accelerate human atherosclerosis, use of stem cells as therapy for arterial occlusive disease should distinguish between direct administration of stem cells and activation of the stem cell up-regulation/mobilization mechanism.
Structural Interpretation of Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange with Maximum-Entropy Simulation Reweighting

Abstract Hydrogen-deuterium exchange combined with mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) is a widely applied biophysical technique that probes the structure and dynamics of biomolecules in native environments without the need for site-directed modifications or bio-orthogonal labels. The mechanistic interpretation of measured HDX data, however, is often qualitative and subjective, owing to a lack of quantitative methods to rigorously translate observed deuteration levels into atomistic structural information. To help address this problem, we have developed a methodology to generate structural ensembles that faithfully reproduce HDX-MS measurements. In this approach, an ensemble of protein conformations is first generated, typically using molecular dynamics simulations. A maximum-entropy bias is then applied post-hoc to the resulting ensemble, such that averaged peptide-deuteration levels, as predicted by an empirical model of a value called the protection factor, agree with target values within a given level of uncertainty. We evaluate this approach, referred to as HDX ensemble reweighting (HDXer), for artificial target data reflecting the two major conformational states of a binding protein. We demonstrate that the information provided by HDX-MS experiments, and by the model of exchange, are sufficient to recover correctly-weighted structural ensembles from simulations, even when the relevant conformations are observed rarely. Degrading the information content of the target data, e.g., by reducing sequence coverage or by averaging exchange levels over longer peptide segments, reduces the quantitative structural accuracy of the reweighted ensemble but still allows for useful, molecular-level insights into the distinctive structural features reflected by the target data. Finally, we describe a quantitative metric with which candidate structural ensembles can be ranked based on their correspondence with target data, or revealed to be inadequate. Thus, not only does HDXer facilitate a rigorous mechanistic interpretation of HDX-MS measurements, but it may also inform experimental design and further the development of empirical models of the HDX reaction. Statement of significance HDX-MS experiments are a powerful approach for probing the conformational dynamics and mechanisms of proteins. However, the mechanistic implications of HDX-MS observations are frequently difficult to interpret, due to the limited spatial resolution of the technique as well as the lack of quantitative tools to translate measured data into structural information. To overcome these problems, we have developed a computational approach to construct structural ensembles that are maximally diverse while reproducing target experimental HDX-MS data within a given level of uncertainty. Using artificial test data, we demonstrate that the approach can correctly discern distinct structural ensembles reflected in the target data, and thereby facilitate statistically robust evaluations of competing mechanistic interpretations of HDX-MS experiments.
Patient selection and outcomes of laparoscopic transabdominal versus posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy among surgeons in the Collaborative Endocrine Surgery Quality Improvement Program (CESQIP).

Abstract Background Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be performed using a transabdominal or posterior retroperitoneal approach. Choosing the optimal approach can be challenging. Methods Using data from the Collaborative Endocrine Surgery Quality Improvement Program (2014–2018), baseline patient characteristics and outcomes were compared with bivariate methods; univariate and multivariate analyses were used to estimate the association between operative approach and complication risk. Results Among 833 patients, 35.3% underwent posterior retroperitoneal. Median age was 54 years. Patients undergoing posterior retroperitoneal had lesser rates of body mass index >40 (9.2% vs 17.4%, P = .001), smaller nodules (median 2.4 vs 3.2 cm, P Conclusion This study revealed a greater rate for capsular disruption during posterior retroperitoneal even for small tumors. Our findings from the Collaborative Endocrine Surgery Quality Improvement Program (2014–2018) suggests that posterior retroperitoneal should be used selectively, especially when a malignancy is suspected.
Prospective Risk for Incapacitated Rape among Sexual Minority Women: Hookups and Drinking

Sexual minority women (SMW), including lesbian and bisexual women, are at greater risk for heavy drinking and sexual victimization than heterosexual women. Risk factors for alcohol-related sexual victimization, such as incapacitated rape (IR), include frequent heavy drinking and hookups among heterosexual women, but it is less clear whether these risk factors extend to SMW. This current study was designed to address this gap. In a national sample of SMW (N = 1,057), logistic regressions were used to test whether heavy drinking and hookups in the first year of the study were risk factors for IR during the second year. After controlling for history of prior sexual victimization, subsequent IR was predicted by an interaction between heavy drinking and the number of male hookup partners. Specifically, more frequent heavy drinking was associated with increased risk for subsequent IR, but only among SMW who reported more than one male hookup partner, indicating exposure to more potential perpetrators. When examined separately, this finding held for bisexual women, but was not significant for lesbian women, likely because they reported fewer male hookup partners. Overall, findings from this longitudinal study highlight that in combination, heavy drinking and hookups with multiple men elevate risk for IR.
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Virtual reality (VR) is a novel method that can be used for achieving symptom provocation in OCD in a controlled environment. In the current project, we aim to validate a virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) as a tool for provoking symptoms in people with OCD. We developed a virtual environment in which different kinds of OCD-specific items typical for home setting are displayed. We used dimensional approach to create specific tasks for patients suffering from symptoms of the following domains: ‘contamination/cleaning’, ‘symmetry/ordering’ and ‘fear-of-harm/checking’. We hypothesize that the degree of anxiety and tendency to perform compulsive behavior in people with OCD would be different from that of matched healthy controls. Specifically, we are interested in how would the symptoms change over time if the patient is repeatedly exposed to these OCD-provocative tasks and scenarios.
Cancer of the Skin

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide. In the United States, among the ten most common cancer diagnoses, malignant melanoma is the one most rapidly increasing in incidence. A cancer rehabilitation physiatrist is more likely to work with populations that are prone to rare skin cancers, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, angiosarcoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Beyond managing impairments from local and systemic skin cancer treatment, a cancer rehabilitation physiatrist can provide lasting impact by mitigating risk factors implicated in the development of skin cancer. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, both naturally occurring and associated with indoor tanning (IT), older age, fair skin, and immunosuppression have been implicated in the development of all skin neoplasms. Local excision with or without micrography (Mohs’ surgery) is the primary treatment modality for most types of resectable skin cancer. Some of the commonly encountered local adverse effects include fibrosis, lymphedema, and nerve palsies with associated musculoskeletal problems. Careful review of operative and radiotherapy records must be undertaken to gain insight into potential treatment morbidity, as radiation doses can be high (66–70Gy) and extend up to 5 cm beyond involved area.
Surgical Treatment for Metastatic Lesions in Pelvis

Primary epithelial cancers can metastasize to distant organs of the body through hematogenous or lymphatic spread. Bone is the third most common metastatic site after the lung and liver. In fact, metastatic cancer is the most common malignancy of bone overall. Of the cancers that spread to bone, approximately 80% of bone metastases are caused by either prostate, breast, kidney, lung, or thyroid cancer [1]. The pelvis is the second most common osseous metastasis site after the spine and of all pelvic metastases; the most common sites are the ilium, ischium, and pubis, in descending order of frequency [2].
Adam Smith on moral judgment: Why people tend to make better judgments within liberal institutions

Abstract In The Theory of Moral Sentiments Adam Smith explores how sympathy, propriety, and spectators help human beings form moral judgments that promote social harmony. Following Smith's progression through three levels of context exposited in Part IV, Ch. 1 of TMS—trinkets, private life, and political life—I explore how the prevalence of moral corruption depends significantly on the level of context. Moving from clearly defined contexts to more general and abstract contexts worsens our moral judgment. That, in turn, suggests that devolving power, authority, and decision-making to lower levels of context will generally improve moral judgment. Unsurprisingly, Smith's work includes many examples advocating such devolution, from local financing and governance of public works to “the liberal plan” in general which allows people to act “of their own accord.” I conclude that in addition to their economic benefits, Smith advocates liberal institutions as a means of improving our impartiality and our moral judgment.
Predicting Domain Specific Personal Attitudes and Sentiment

Microblog activity logs are useful to determine user’s interest and sentiment towards specific and broader category of events such as natural disaster and national election. In this paper, we prese...
Overlooked Benefits of Nutrient Reductions in the Mississippi River Basin

Improvements in local surface water quality in the Mississippi River Basin (MRB) can contribute to the regional environmental goals of reducing hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. To inform estimates of the benefits of water quality policy, we use a choice experiment survey in a typical subwatershed of the MRB to estimate willingness to pay for local environmental improvements and helping to reduce hypoxia far downstream. We find that residents place large values on reduced local algal blooms, improved local fish populations and diversity, and meeting local commitments to help with the regional environmental problem.
Reconstructing Cardiac Wave Dynamics From Myocardial Motion Data

Various models exist to predict the active stresses and membrane potentials within cardiac muscle tissue. However, there exist no methods to reliably measure active stresses, nor do there exist ways to measure transmural membrane potentials that are suitable for in vivo usage. Prior work has devised a linear model to map from the active stresses within the tissue to displacements [1]. In situations where measurements of tissue displacements are entirely precise, we are able to naively solve for the active stresses from the measurements with ease. However, real measurement processes always carry some associated random error and, in the presence of this error, our naive solution to this inverse problem fails. In this work we propose the use of the Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter to more reliably solve this inverse problem. This technique is faster than other related Kalman Filter techniques while still generating high quality estimates which improve on our naive solution. We demonstrate, using in silico simulations, that the Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter produces errors whose standard deviation is an order of magnitude smaller than the least-squares solution.
Unpacking the Challenges and Future of Assistive Technology Adaptation by Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) suggest or prescribe assistive technologies (AT) for use by a particular patient. OTs often need to modify, refine, or repurpose existing, off-the-shelf ATs in order to better address the specific health-related conditions, needs, and abilities of their patients. These practices typically involve piecemeal modification of ATs and various improvisational methods that use found objects and everyday materials at hand. In this study, we investigated the current practices of AT adaptation by conducting semi-structured interviews with expert OTs (N=10), studying examples of AT adaptation made by OTs (N=17) as well as collected AT samples from secondary resources (N=80) to further analyze OTs’ improvisational processes. This research contributes to the HCI research community by (a) providing/extending comprehensive knowledge about the current challenges and processes of AT adaptation by OTs based on recurring themes and categories, and (b) proposing guidelines and recommendations for clinical computer-aided design (CAD) software tools that support OTs in AT adaptation.
The analysis and forecasting COVID-19 cases in the United States using Bayesian structural time series models

In this paper, the Bayesian structural time series model (BSTS) is used to analyze and predict total confirmed cases who infected COVID-19 in the United States from February 28, 2020 through April ...
Treatment of Persistent Erythema Multiforme With Janus Kinase Inhibition and the Role of Interferon Gamma and Interleukin 15 in Its Pathogenesis

Importance Persistent erythema multiforme (PEM) is poorly understood and lacks effective therapies other than glucocorticoids. Objective To report outcomes following treatment of PEM with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibition and to elucidate cytokine drivers of erythema multiforme (EM). Design, Setting, and Participants This was a retrospective case series of 4 patients with PEM treated with tofacitinib and/or upadacitinib in 2015 to 2021 at the dermatology clinics of 2 major tertiary referral centers. Four consecutive patients with PEM refractory to multiple treatment approaches were treated. In 1 patient, skin biopsy specimens were obtained for RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis before and during treatment. Molecular findings were validated through RNA in situ hybridization analysis of cytokine expression in biopsy specimens from a total of 12 patients with EM (3 treated with tofacitinib in this study and 9 historic samples). Interventions Treatment with tofacitinib, 5 to 10 mg, twice daily or upadacitinib, 15 mg, once daily. Main Outcomes and Measures Change in PEM activity was assessed in all 4 patients treated with a JAK inhibitor. Median (range) follow-up was 20.5 months (10.0-36.0 mo). Results The study population of 4 female patients had a mean (SD) age of 46.2 (13.7) years and a mean (SD) disease duration of 21.75 (11.30) years. Marked clinical improvement was noted in all 4 patients. In 1 patient with a robust improvement following treatment with tofacitinib, RNA sequencing identified interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 15 (IL-15) as cytokines with activity both highly upregulated at baseline in lesional skin and subsequently suppressed following tofacitinib treatment. Measurement ofIFNG- andIL15-positive cells in additional EM biopsy specimens of 12 patients showed significant upregulation ofIFNG(8.72 cells per mm; 95% CI, 2.60-14.84) andIL15(14.13 cells per mm; 95% CI, 0.14-28.11) compared with normal skin (P = .008 andP = .045, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance The results of this case series study suggest that JAK inhibition may be effective in treating PEM and that IFN-γ and IL-15 may be important cytokine mediators of the disease.
The Interaction between Individuals’ Destination Choice and Occupational Choice: A Simultaneous Equation Approach

International development goals moved beyond increasing food production to include poverty reduction and protecting the environment in a sustainable way. Degradation of natural resources due to exploitation coupled with population pressure in developing countries causing food insecurity and environmental degradation further. Participatory watershed management approach is proposed to address this problem effectively.
High Field Sodium MRI Assessment of Stem Cell Chondrogenesis in a Tissue-Engineered Matrix

The development of non-invasive assessment techniques in vitro and in vivo is essential for monitoring and evaluating the growth of engineered cartilage tissues. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the leading non-invasive imaging modality used for assessing engineered cartilage. Typical MRI uses water proton relaxation times (T 1 and T 2) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to assess tissue growth. These techniques, while excellent in providing the first assurance of tissue growth, are unspecific to monitor the progress of engineered cartilage extracellular matrix components. In the current article, we present high field (11.7 T, 1H freq. = 500 MHz) sodium MRI assessment of tissue-engineered cartilage at the early stage of tissue growth in vitro. We observed the chondrogenesis of human bone marrow derived stromal cells seeded in a gradient polymer-hydrogel matrix made out of poly(85 lactide-co-15 glycolide)—PuraMatrix™ for 4 weeks. We calculated the sodium concentration in the engineered constructs using a model of sodium MRI voxels that takes into account scaffold volume, cell density and amount of glycosaminoglycan (GAG). The sodium concentration was then converted to the fixed charge density (FCD) and compared with FCD derived from biochemical GAG analysis. Despite the small amount of GAG present in the engineered constructs, the sodium MRI derived FCD is found to be correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient R = 0.79) with the FCD derived from biochemical analysis. We conclude that sodium MRI could prove to be an invaluable tool in assessing engineered cartilage quantitatively during the repair or regeneration of cartilage defects.
Novel Thermo-Mechanical Testing Method of Nuclear Fuel Cladding at Elevated Temperature

Ceramic composites are being developed as the next generation accident tolerant fuel cladding for light water reactors. In this study, we report a novel method to evaluate thermo-mechanical robustness of ceramic nuclear fuel cladding tube under simulated accident conditions. A ceramic surrogate core is used as the “pressurizing media” inside the cladding tube. To mimic accident condition, the surrogate core is electrically heated up to 1,200°C to create a temperature gradient; stress in the cladding tube is generated by the mechanical interference of the surrogate core and the cladding tube. In order to apply digital image correlation (DIC) technique for surface strain measurement, a method to produce temperature-resistance speckle pattern was developed. By using a narrow bandpass filter and a LED source, stable reflective images of speckle pattern was achieved from room temperature up to over 1,000°C. This enabled the first successful full field strain mapping of nuclear fuel cladding at high temperature using 3D DIC technique. The surface strain distribution as well as the temperature data obtained can be used to validate numerical simulation models of nuclear fuel cladding.
Produce Contamination by Other Wildlife

Publisher Summary Wildlife has been implicated as possible sources of contamination in produce-borne illness including several outbreaks of disease. The probability that wildlife has been and will continue to be a source of contamination of produce that subsequently cause human illnesses is high; however, the extent to which wildlife contributes to the contamination of produce resulting in human illness is not known. There is a huge number of zoonotic pathogens that have the potential to infect humans through a fresh produce vehicle. Many of these organisms are rarely associated with human illness; however, several are among the current knowledge of most significant emerging foodborne pathogens. Extensive studies have been carried out to indicate that some human illnesses with zoonotic pathogens are directly linked to wild animals. Environmental reservoirs are critical components to the ecology and epidemiology of produce-borne illness in humans, and programs aimed at reducing human illness associated with consuming fresh produce must account for a variety of real and potential environmental reservoirs. Wildlife and feral domestic animals are components of these environmental reservoirs, and control measures aimed at the environmental level could very well reduce the incidence of certain zoonotic pathogens in wildlife.
Scales of equilibrium and disequilibrium during cleavage formation in chlorite and biotite‐grade phyllites, SE Vermont

Detailed electron microprobe analyses of phyllosilicates in crenulated phyllites from south-eastern Vermont show that grain-scale zoning is common, and sympathetic zoning in adjacent minerals is nearly universal. We interpret this to reflect a pressure-solution mechanism for cleavage development, where precipitation from a very small fluid reservoir fractionated that fluid. Multiple analyses along single muscovite, biotite and chlorite grains (30–200 μm in length) show zoning patterns indicating Tschermakitic substitutions in muscovite and both Tschermakitic and di/trioctahedral substitutions in biotite and chlorite. Using cross-cutting relationships and mineral chemistry it is shown that these patterns persist in cleavages produced at metamorphic conditions of chlorite-grade, chlorite-grade overprinted by biotite-grade and biotite-grade. Zoning patterns are comparable in all three settings, requiring a similar cleavage-forming mechanism independent of metamorphic grade. Moreover, the use of 40Ar/39Ar geochronology demonstrates this is true regardless of age. Furthermore, samples with chlorite-grade cleavages overprinted by biotite porphyroblasts suggest the closure temperatures for the diffusion of Al, Si, Mg and Fe ions are greater than the temperature of the biotite isograd (>∼400 °C). Parallel and smoothly fanning tie lines produced by coexisting muscovite–chlorite, and muscovite–biotite pairs on compositional diagrams demonstrate effectively instantaneous chemical equilibrium and probably indicate simultaneous crystallization. These results do not support theories suggesting cleavages form in fluid-dominated systems. If crenulation cleavages formed in systems in which the chemical potentials of all major components are fixed by an external reservoir, then the compositions of individual grains defining these cleavages would be uniform. On the contrary, the fine-scale chemical zoning observed probably reflects a grain-scale process consistent with a pressure-solution mechanism in which the aqueous activities of major components are defined by local dissolution and precipitation. Thus the role of fluids was probably limited to one of catalysing pressure-solution and fluids apparently did not drive cleavage development.
Metabolic Activation of Cyclopenta(cd)pyrene to 3,4-Epoxycyclopenta(cd)pyrene by Rat Liver Microsomes

Cyclopenta(cd)pyrene (CPP), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon without a bay region, is a potent bacterial mutagen. The experiments reported in this paper demonstrate that the major CPP metabolite generated by liver microsomes prepared from either phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene pretreated rats is the optically active trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrocyclopenta(cd)pyrene. Other experiments indicate that formation of the trans-3,4-dihydrodiol of CPP probably proceeds via enzymatic hydrolysis of 3,4-epoxycyclopenta(cd)pyrene by opening of the O--C(3) bond. (a) The racemic 3,4-epoxycyclopenta(cd)pyrene has been synthesized via the bromohydrin of CPP and shown to hydrolyze primarily to 3,4-dihydrocyclopenta(cd)pyrene-4-one and to mixtures of the trans- and cis-3,4-dihydrodiols. Detection of 3,4-dihydrocyclopenta(cd)pyrene-4-one as the major acid catalyzed rearrangement product indicates the opening of the epoxide at the C(3) position to yield a carbonium ion followed by an NIH shift. (b) The synthetic epoxide is potently mutagenic to bacteria with a similar spectrum of mutagenicity against Salmonella typhimurium strains carrying base-pair substitution or frameshift mutations as was seen with CPP in the presence of liver enzymes. These results indicate that 3,4-epoxycyclopenta(cd)pyrene is the major microsomal and mutagenic metabolite of CPP.
Intracellular collagen and protocollagen from embryonic tendon cells.

Abstract When matrix-free tendon cells from chick embryos were incubated with [14C]proline and then extracted with sodium dodecyl sulfate and mercaptoethanol, a major part of the newly synthesized 14C-protein was found to consist of collagen polypeptides which were complete in that their content of [14C]hydroxyproline and their size was the same as that of polypeptides of the precursor form of collagen secreted into the medium. When the cells were incubated with 0.3 mm α,α'-dipyridyl so as to inhibit protocollagen proline hydroxylase and protocollagen lysine hydroxylase, secretion of 14C-protein was inhibited and [14C]protocollagen accumulated within the cells. [14C]Protocollagen extracted from the cells was comprised of polypeptides which were of the same size as polypeptides of the intracellular collagen or about 125,000 as estimated by gel filtration in sodium dodecyl sulfate. In contrast, the small amount of peptide-bound 14C still secreted in the presence of α,α'-dipyridyl was shown to consist of small peptides which were in part derived from the intracellular degradation of [14C]protocollagen. The results demonstrated therefore that in freshly isolated tendon cells protocollagen itself is not secreted. Since the rate of protein synthesis in the presence of α,α'-dipyridyl was the same as under control conditions for about 90 min, the data suggested that the intracellular [14C]protocollagen accumulated in some postribosomal compartment. Extraction of control cells with acetic acid solubilized a large fraction of the intracellular collagen, and amino acid analyses indicated that 40 to 50% of the protein in the extracts was collagen. The protein extracted from cells incubated with α,α'-dipyridyl was similar in amino acid composition, but it contained essentially no hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline and was correspondingly rich in lysine and proline. In addition, 40% of the proline in the protein extract was converted to hydroxyproline after incubation with pure protocollagen proline hydroxylase. Experiments involving limited pepsin digestion provided the first demonstration that intracellular collagen and proto-collagen are largely in a native, triple-helical conformation. After acetic acid extracts from control cells and from cells incubated with α,α'-dipyridyl were dialyzed against ATP, segment long spacing aggregates were obtained. The aggregates were similar to those formed by extracellular, fibrillar collagen except that they had a 130-A NH2-terminal extension which was indistinguishable from that seen in aggregates of the precursor form of collagen secreted by the same cells.
CXCR2 is critical for dsRNA-induced lung injury: relevance to viral lung infection

Respiratory viral infections are characterized by the infiltration of leukocytes, including activated neutrophils into the lung that can lead to sustained lung injury and potentially contribute to chronic lung disease. Specific mechanisms recruiting neutrophils to the lung during virus-induced lung inflammation and injury have not been fully elucidated. Since CXCL1 and CXCL2/3, acting through CXCR2, are potent neutrophil chemoattractants, we investigated their role in dsRNA-induced lung injury, where dsRNA (Poly IC) is a well-described synthetic agent mimicking acute viral infection. We used 6–8 week old female BALB/c mice to intratracheally inject either single-stranded (ssRNA) or double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into the airways. The lungs were then harvested at designated timepoints to characterize the elicited chemokine response and resultant lung injury following dsRNA exposure as demonstrated qualititatively by histopathologic analysis, and quantitatively by FACS, protein, and mRNA analysis of BAL fluid and tissue samples. We then repeated the experiments by first pretreating mice with an anti-PMN or corresponding control antibody, and then subsequently pretreating a separate cohort of mice with an anti-CXCR2 or corresponding control antibody prior to dsRNA exposure. Intratracheal dsRNA led to significant increases in neutrophil infiltration and lung injury in BALB/c mice at 72 h following dsRNA, but not in response to ssRNA (Poly C; control) treatment. Expression of CXCR2 ligands and CXCR2 paralleled neutrophil recruitment to the lung. Neutrophil depletion studies significantly reduced neutrophil infiltration and lung injury in response to dsRNA when mice were pretreated with an anti-PMN monoclonal Ab. Furthermore, inhibition of CXCR2 ligands/CXCR2 interaction by pretreating dsRNA-exposed mice with an anti-CXCR2 neutralizing Ab also significantly attenuated neutrophil sequestration and lung injury. These findings demonstrate that CXC chemokine ligand/CXCR2 biological axis is critical during the pathogenesis of dsRNA-induced lung injury relevant to acute viral infections.
Increases in human plasma antioxidant capacity after consumption of controlled diets high in fruit and vegetables

Background The putative beneficial effects of an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables have been associated with antioxidant nutrients. However, the effect of fruit and vegetable consumption on the overall antioxidant status in humans is unclear. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate whether a diet rich in fruit and vegetables would affect the antioxidant capacity of human plasma. Design Thirty-six healthy nonsmokers resided in a metabolic research unit and consumed 2 sets of controlled diets. Diet A contained 10 servings of fruit and vegetables each day for 15 d. Diet B was the same as diet A, except diet B also provided 2 servings of broccoli each day on days 6-10. There was a free-living period of a minimum of 6 wk between the 2 experiments using either diet A or diet B. Fasting plasma antioxidant capacity, measured as oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and alpha-tocopherol concentrations were determined on days 1, 6, 11, and 16. Results The fasting baseline plasma ORAC of these subjects was significantly correlated with their estimated daily intake of total antioxidants from fruit and vegetables during the previous year. Plasma ORAC of these subjects was significantly increased by both diets A and B. This increase in ORAC could not be explained by the increase in the plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration. Conclusion Increased consumption of fruit and vegetables can increase the plasma antioxidant capacity in humans.
Influence of adolescence and obesity on the rate of stillbirth.

Background We hypothesise that the rate of stillbirth is increased in mothers younger than 18 years of age compared to adult mothers, and that obesity further increases the risk of stillbirth in this population. Methods We conducted a population-based cohort study comparing rates of stillbirth between adolescent, defined as young women under the age of 18 and adult women. We then compared the rate of stillbirth in normal weight vs. obese adolescents. These effects were stratified according to gestational age. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate the effect of adolescence and obesity on stillbirth risk while adjusting for important confounders. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals [CI]were calculated. Results We reviewed data from 650 760 births in Missouri between 1998 and 2005. Stillbirth rates were 6.7 and 4.1 per 1000 in adolescents and adult women, respectively (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.03–1.5). A higher proportion of stillbirths occurred prior to 28 weeks in adolescents vs. adults (53% vs. 37% respectively, P = 0.002). The risk of stillbirth in obese adolescents was further increased over normal weight adolescents (adjusted RR [aRR] 1.7, 95% CI 1.02–2.9). Conclusion Adolescent pregnancies, particularly obese adolescents, are at an increased risk of stillbirth.
Heat-Shock Response in Heat-Tolerant and Nontolerant Variants of Agrostis palustris Huds

The heat-shock response in heat-tolerant variants (SB) and non-tolerant variants (NSB) of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) was investigated. Both variants were derived from callus initiated from a single seed of the cultivar Penncross. SB and NSB synthesized heat-shock proteins (HSPs) of 97, 83, 70, 40, 25, and 18 kD. There were no major differences between SB and NSB in the time or temperature required to induce the heat-shock response. When the HSPs synthesized by SB and NSB were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, it was apparent that SB synthesized two to three additional members of the HSP27 family, which were smaller (25 kD) and more basic than those synthesized by NSB. Analysis of F1 progeny of NSB x SB indicated that 7 of the 20 progeny did not synthesize the additional HSP25 polypeptides. These progeny were significantly less heat tolerant than progeny that did synthesize the additional HSP25 polypeptides. The X2 test of independence (X2 = 22.45, P
Introduction to artificial neural networks

A neural network is a data processing system consisting of a large number of simple, highly interconnected processing elements in an architecture inspired by the structure of the cerebral cortex portion of the brain. Hence, neural networks are often capable of doing things which humans or animals do well but which conventional computers often do poorly. Neural networks have emerged in the past few years as an area of unusual opportunity for research, development and application to a variety of real world problems. Indeed, neural networks exhibit characteristics and capabilities not provided by any other technology. Examples include reading Japanese Kanji characters and human handwriting, reading typewritten text, compensating for alignment errors in robots, interpreting very "noisy" signals (e.g. electrocardiograms), modeling complex systems that cannot be modelled mathematically, and predicting whether proposed loans will be good or fail. This paper presents a brief tutorial on neural networks and briefly describes several applications.
Mucosal uptake and whole-body retention of dietary manganese are not altered in beta2-microglobulin knockout mice.

To further examine the interrelationships between manganese and iron absorption, the mucosal uptake, initial rate of loss, wholebody retention, and tissue distribution of an orally administered 54Mn radiotracer were compared between normal and β2-microglobulin knockout [β2m(-/-)] mice. These mutant mice are commonly used as a model for the study of human hemochromatosis, a hereditary ironoverload disease. Initial uptake of 54Mn by the intestinal mucosa, the liver, and the brain was not different between the two strains. The mutant mice had much higher concentrations of nonheme and total iron in the liver, but hepatic manganese, copper, magnesium, and zinc concentrations were similar between the two strains. In summary, the mucosal uptake and whole-body retention of manganese and tissue manganese concentrations were not altered in β2m(-/-) mice; this suggests that normal homeostasis of manganese is not affected by the altered HFE protein-β2m complex in these mice.
Alphaherpesvirus Infection Disrupts Mitochondrial Transport in Neurons

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that are essential for cellular metabolism but can be functionally disrupted during pathogen infection. In neurons, mitochondria are transported on microtubules via the molecular motors kinesin-1 and dynein and recruited to energy-requiring regions such as synapses. Previous studies showed that proteins from pseudorabies virus (PRV), an alphaherpesvirus, localize to mitochondria and affect mitochondrial function. We show that PRV and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection of rodent superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons disrupts mitochondrial motility and morphology. During PRV infection, glycoprotein B (gB)-dependent fusion events result in electrical coupling of neurons and increased action potential firing rates. Consequently, intracellular [Ca2+] increases and alters mitochondrial dynamics through a mechanism involving the Ca2+-sensitive cellular protein Miro and reduced recruitment of kinesin-1 to mitochondria. This disruption in mitochondrial dynamics is required for efficient growth and spread of PRV, indicating that altered mitochondrial transport enhances alphaherpesvirus pathogenesis and infection.
Heavy ion backscattering analysis with a time-of-flight detector

We describe a time-of-flight spectrometer for heavy ion RBS. Start and stop signals for the flight time measurement are obtained by detecting the secondary electrons emitted from two thin foils traversed by the ions. MicroChannel plates are used to provide very fast timing signals. The achieved energy resolution of the system is 30 keV (FWHM) at 2 MeV and 75 keV at 10 MeV for ^(35)Cl, which permits a depth resolution of approximately 100 A for indium profiles in GaAs (normal beam incidence). For ^(16)O the energy resolution is 45 keV at 6 MeV and 110 keV at 12 MeV. We present RBS spectra of thin-layer multielement targets. As possible applications we show indium profiles in In_xGa_(1−x)As heterostructures, As and Ga profiles in a thin layer GaAs sample and a measurement of the silver isotopic ratio in a sputtering experiment.
A greater society: The transformation of the federal role in education

The federal role in education will soon be transformed in ways that could produce an even greater society than President Lyndon B. Johnson envisioned. The authors identify underlying principles of this new role and describe how it represents a significant departure from the past. Historically, for example, the federal government has been prescriptive about the kinds of practices that states and districts must adopt as a condition of receiving federal funds, but it has not specified outcomes. Under the new approach, the federal government would specify the goals and outcomes while allowing states, districts, and schools flexibility in how they use federal funds to innovate and adopt best practices. The authors argue for immediate action. Every day of delay, they note, yields another seven thousand dropouts and leaves schools and communities without the tools and resources that can help turn the situation around.
Free vascularized fibular transfer with langenskiöld procedure for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the forearm.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the radius or ulna is a rare entity. It is associated with neurofibromatosis, but occurs much less commonly than congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia. Pseudarthrosis of the forearm can lead to pain, deformity, and limited forearm rotation. Nonsurgical management leads to poor results, as do surgical treatments such as open reduction internal fixation and conventional bone grafting. The transfer of a free vascularized fibula to the forearm pseudarthrosis has been more successful, and it is our preferred method of treatment for children with this condition. Because the transfer is often performed in young children, there is the potential for valgus deformity at the ankle after the fibula is removed. We describe here our technique for the transfer, including the technique for distal tibiofibular fusion (Langenskiold procedure) after removal of the fibular graft. In addition, we present the results of 5 patients who have undergone this combination of procedures for pseudarthrosis of the forearm at our institution.
Is there Unruh radiation

We present an exact analysis of an oscillator (the detector) moving under a constant force with respect to zero-temperature vacuum and coupled to a one-dimensional scalar field. We show that this system does not radiate despite the fact that it thermalizes at the Unruh temperature. We remark upon a differing opinion expressed regarding a system coupled to the electromagnetic field.
INTRANASAL VIRULENCE OF PNEUMOCOCCI FOR MICE

1. Smooth colony pneumococci fresh from human beings, instilled in small doses into the nasal passages of special mice raised under standard conditions, brought about a characteristic infection and this spread to healthy contacts inciting in them the carrier state or fatal infection. 2. Differences in individual host response to the same dose of a given culture ranged from a complete refractory or nasopharyngeal carrier state, or a local cervical lymphadenitis, to fatal lobular or lobar pneumonias with or without pleurisy, empyema, and pericarditis, and acute fatal septicemia. 3. Pneumococci exhibited consistent individual strain differences with respect to ability to infect, when instilled intranasally into mice, and also differences in the spread to contacts. Degree of intranasal virulence paralleled demonstrable ability to spread to contacts. 4. Degree of intranasal virulence of strains did not parallel intraperitoneal virulence in 50 per cent of strains-high intranasal was accompanied by either high or moderate intraperitoneal virulence, and low intranasal by high, moderate, or low intraperitoneal virulence. 5. Type III strains were of relatively high intranasal and intraperitoneal virulences; Type II strains mostly low in intranasal but high or moderate in intraperitoneal virulence; Type I strains all low in intranasal but either high or moderate in intraperitoneal virulence. Most strains of other types were low both in intranasal and intraperitoneal virulences. 6. The intranasal virulence of pneumococci was not enhanced by animal passage. Nasal passage reduced the intranasal virulence to zero but did not affect intraperitoneal virulence, colony form, and agglutinative specificity. Passage by the intraperitoneal method maintained the characteristic level of intranasal virulence for a period, increased intraperitoneal virulence in some instances, but did not affect colony form or agglutinative properties.
Connections of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) I. Substantia nigra afferents

These studies were designed to determine whether or not substantia nigra (SN) neurons project to the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR). An attempt was made to activate SN neurons antidromically from the same site which induced locomotion on a treadmill following a precollicular-postmammillary transection in the same animal. Less than 10% of posterior SN neurons were activated antidromically from the physiologically-identified MLR. These results support previous anatomical findings describing a sparse projection from the SN to the MLR [5]. Locomotion on a treadmill was elicited at low current strengths (20-50 muA) from an area around the cuneiform nucleus in the posterior mesencephalon. This area included the lateral central gray, mesencephalic trigeminal root, dorsal brachium conjunctivum and nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus (NTPP) and perhaps anterodorsal locus coeruleus. Stimulation of the area just described induced a complete stepping cycle with a flexion phase and a three-part extension phase. Stimulation of the posterior SN produced spastic locomotion on a treadmill at higher current strengths (70 muA) in cats with a precollicular-postmammillary transection.
Sarcoidosis: a cause of innominate vein obstruction and massive pleural effusion.

Obstruction of the major venous channels from the upper body is rarely due to benign disorders. We report a 53-year-old man with a ten year history of sarcoidosis who developed acute symptomatic left innominate vein obstruction and massive left-sided pleural effusions. Left neck exploration revealed obstruction of the innominate vein and thoracic duct by the matted sarcoid lymph nodes. Symptoms of left innominate vein obstruction and the massive effusion subsided shortly after lymphadenectomy. In view of the frequency of sarcoid cervical lymphadenopathy, this disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign causes of symptomatic obstruction of the venous drainage of the upper part of the body.
Enhanced depth perception using hyperstereo vision

Recent stereo vision experiments demonstrated the enhancement of depth perception over single line of sight vision for improved vehicular navigation and target acquisition processes. The experiments involves the use of stereo vision headsets connected to visible and 8 - 12 micrometers IR imagers. The imagers were separated by up to 50 m (i.e., wider platform separation than human vision, or hyperstereo) and equipped with telescopes for viewing at ranges of tens of meters up to 4 km. The important findings were: (1) human viewers were able to discern terrain undulations for obstacle avoidance for vehicular navigation, and (2) human viewers were able to detect depth features within the scenes that enhanced the target acquisition process over using monocular or single line of sight viewing. For vehicular navigation improvement, stereo goggles were developed for headset display and simultaneous see through instrumentation viewing for vehicular navigation enhancement. For detection, the depth cues can be used to detect even salient target features.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Efficient Neutron Production Using 12 MeV Electrons

A comparison of (?,n) and atomic cross sections shows that neutron production with an electron beam can be as energy efficient with 12-MeV electrons as with the conventionally used 30- to 100-MeV electrons. Neutron production from tungsten using 100-MeV electrons is compared with a thin tungsten converter followed by a deuterium-containing target using electrons near 12 MeV. For a BeD2 target a yield of 2×1012 neutrons per kilojoule of beam power is predicted.
Minireview: Regulation of Gap Junction Dynamics by Nuclear Hormone Receptors and Their Ligands

Gap junctions are plasma membrane channels comprising connexin proteins that mediate intercellular permeability and communication. The presence, composition, and function of gap junctions can be regulated by diverse sets of physiological signals. Evidence from many hormone-responsive tissues has shown that connexin expression, modification, stability, and localization can be targeted by nuclear hormone receptors and their ligands through both transcriptional and nontranscriptional mechanisms. The focus of this review is to discuss molecular, cellular, and physiological studies that directly link receptor- and ligand-triggered signaling pathways to the regulation of gap junction dynamics.