cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical criteria for COVID-19-associated hyperinflammatory syndrome: a cohort study.

Summary Background A subset of patients with COVID-19 develops a hyperinflammatory syndrome that has similarities with other hyperinflammatory disorders. However, clinical criteria specifically to define COVID-19-associated hyperinflammatory syndrome (cHIS) have not been established. We aimed to develop and validate diagnostic criteria for cHIS in a cohort of inpatients with COVID-19. Methods We searched for clinical research articles published between Jan 1, 1990, and Aug 20, 2020, on features and diagnostic criteria for secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, macrophage activation syndrome, macrophage activation-like syndrome of sepsis, cytokine release syndrome, and COVID-19. We compared published clinical data for COVID-19 with clinical features of other hyperinflammatory or cytokine storm syndromes. Based on a framework of conserved clinical characteristics, we developed a six-criterion additive scale for cHIS: fever, macrophage activation (hyperferritinaemia), haematological dysfunction (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio), hepatic injury (lactate dehydrogenase or asparate aminotransferase), coagulopathy (D-dimer), and cytokinaemia (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, or triglycerides). We then validated the association of the cHIS scale with in-hospital mortality and need for mechanical ventilation in consecutive patients in the Intermountain Prospective Observational COVID-19 (IPOC) registry who were admitted to hospital with PCR-confirmed COVID-19. We used a multistate model to estimate the temporal implications of cHIS. Findings We included 299 patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 between March 13 and May 5, 2020, in analyses. Unadjusted discrimination of the maximum daily cHIS score was 0·81 (95% CI 0·74–0·88) for in-hospital mortality and 0·92 (0·88–0·96) for mechanical ventilation; these results remained significant in multivariable analysis (odds ratio 1·6 [95% CI 1·2–2·1], p=0·0020, for mortality and 4·3 [3·0–6·0], p Interpretation We proposed and validated criteria for hyperinflammation in COVID-19. This hyperinflammatory state, cHIS, is commonly associated with progression to mechanical ventilation and death. External validation is needed. The cHIS scale might be helpful in defining target populations for trials and immunomodulatory therapies. Funding Intermountain Research and Medical Foundation.
The relationship between sleep, obesity, and metabolic health in adolescents: A review

In this literature review, we discuss the importance of adequate sleep and the various effects of suboptimal sleep on weight maintenance and metabolic health specifically for adolescents. Two major contributors to adolescents experiencing decreased sleep duration and quality, and thus increasing the risk for developing metabolic syndrome in adolescence as well as later in adulthood, are increased electronic screen time particularly at night and early school start times. The less time adolescents spend sleeping, the less quality sleep they obtain, and the greater the disruption of endocrine hormone function. As another consequence, adolescents are more prone to making poor food choices, from choosing relatively nutrient-poor foods to consuming excess calories without necessarily increasing their energy expenditure. These choices put adolescents at greater risk for becoming obese throughout their lifespan.
24th international symposium on shiftwork and working time: innovations in research and practice improving shiftworker health & safety.

In September 2019, a group of 189 shiftwork and working time professionals convened in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA to participate in the 24th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time (“S...
The Association between PCAOB Revenue-Related Inspection Deficiencies and Revenue Quality

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) annually inspects Big Four auditors. The PCAOB summarizes its findings (labeled ‘audit deficiencies’) in publicly available reports on its website. While the PCAOB claims that its inspection findings and process are designed to increase audit quality, there is limited empirical evidence to support this claim. We examine whether changes in revenue-related audit deficiencies are associated with subsequent year changes in client revenue quality. In doing so, we use revenue quality – a common financial reporting quality proxy – to infer audit quality. We predict that auditors will react asymmetrically to changes in revenue-related audit deficiencies: increases in deficiencies will prompt audit quality improving actions, whereas decreases will not. Briefly, our results support our prediction. We also document that auditors' primary means to increase revenue quality is audit effort, as proxied by audit fees.
An 800-kyr record of global surface ocean δ18O and implications for ice volume-temperature coupling

Abstract The sequence of feedbacks that characterized 100-kyr glacial cycles of the past million years remains uncertain, hampering an understanding of the interconnections between insolation, ice sheets, greenhouse gas forcing, and climate. Critical to addressing this issue is an accurate interpretation of the marine δ 18 O record, the main template for the Ice Ages. This study uses a global compilation of 49 paired sea surface temperature-planktonic δ 18 O records to extract the mean δ 18 O of surface ocean seawater over the past 800 kyr, which we interpret to dominantly reflect global ice volume. The results indicate that global surface temperature, inferred deep ocean temperature, and atmospheric CO2 decrease early during each glacial cycle in close association with one another, whereas major ice sheet growth occurs later in glacial cycles. These relationships suggest that ice volume may have exhibited a threshold response to global cooling, and that global deglaciations do not occur until after the growth of large ice sheets. This phase sequence also suggests that the ice sheets had relatively little feedback on global cooling. Simple modeling shows that the rate of ice volume change through time is largely determined by the combined influence of insolation, temperature, and ice sheet size, with possible implications for the evolution of glacial cycles over the past three million years.
Rainfall variability and violence in rural Kenya: investigating the effects of drought and the role of local institutions with survey data

Abstract In the debate about possible linkages between global environmental change and violent conflict, the research is overwhelmingly based on analysis of aggregate data for administrative areas, towns or villages, and geographic grids. With some exceptions, researchers rarely examine social and political processes that might link climate anomalies and violence experiences at the scale of individuals or households. We remedy this shortcoming by analyzing survey data for 504 Kenyans living in three counties collected in November 2013. We probe respondents’ attitudes concerning perceived precipitation irregularities and their beliefs and economic activities. We find that in areas with reported worsening drought conditions, inter-community dialogue between ethnic groups has a pacifying conditional influence on support for the use of violence. The presence of local official rules regulating natural resource use consistently has no effect on beliefs about using violence where droughts are reported. To reduce possible bias in the reporting of drought conditions, our statistical models are estimated with controls for changes in measured vegetation health over time in survey sample areas. The moderating effect of inter-community dialogue on attitudes about violence under circumstances of environmental stress points to the importance of social and political contexts in studying connections between environmental change and conflict.
14 The Quantification of Arbuscules and Related Structures Using Morphometric Cytology

Publisher Summary This chapter primarily discusses cytological parameters of arbuscules, but briefly considers total fungal biovolume and surface area. The arbuscule is the most characteristic structure of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal complex. This “little tree” begs to be considered the site of host-fungus metabolite exchange. The large number of hyphal branches and concomitant cortical protoplast surface area make the sum total of the arbuscules as important as the entire external mycelium. They are the business end of the system. Many vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas are characterized cytologically and, in general, arbuscular structure and development are very similar across host-fungus combinations. Physiological studies on vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza are primarily concerned with host growth and phosphorus uptake in whole plants. By their nature, data from physiological studies are numerical and yield information on quantities of nutrients and host growth rates. In contrast to this, most cytological and ultrastructural studies on arbuscules are largely qualitative. Using the techniques of morphometric cytology, arbuscular parameters can be quantified. Cytological parameters can then be correlated with physiological processes. Correlations and possibly cause and effect relationships can be established if cytological and physiological data can be integrated; morphometric analysis makes this possible. The chapter also discusses approximation of the arbuscular cycle using morphometric techniques.
Increased turnover of the messenger RNA encoding tyrosine aminotransferase can account for the desensitization and de‐induction of tyrosine aminotransferase by 8‐bromo‐cyclic AMP treatment and removal.

Treatment of H-4 rat hepatoma cells with 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (8-Br-cAMP) resulted in a transient induction of the gluconeogenic enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase. Synthesis of tyrosine aminotransferase and the level of its corresponding mRNA peaked 2 h after the addition of the cyclic nucleotide and declined thereafter. Tyrosine aminotransferase synthesis and mRNA failed to respond to the readdition of fresh 8-Br-cAMP, a process which we defined as desensitization. Removal of 8-Br-cAMP resulted in a decrease in tyrosine aminotransferase synthesis and mRNA, a process defined as de-induction. The relative transcription rate of the tyrosine aminotransferase gene and the turnover of its mRNA were determined by labeling intact cells with [3H]uridine. 8-Br-cAMP led to an increase in the rate of tyrosine aminotransferase transcription which was sustained for at least 4 h. The transcription rate declined upon de-induction. In addition, 8-Br-cAMP increased the turnover rate of tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA, but only after a 1.5-3 h time lag. This increased degradation rate persisted for at least 1.5 h after the removal of 8-Br-cAMP. These two contrasting and temporally distinct processes could account for the observed changes in tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA levels in response to 8-Br-cAMP treatment and removal.
FUNCTIONS FOR THE CALCULATION OF ENTROPY, ENTHALPY, AND INTERNAL ENERGY FOR REAL FLUIDS USING EQUATIONS OF STATE AND SPECIFIC HEATS

Several recent publications [1–5] from this laboratory on the calculation of thermodynamic properties of cryogenic fluids contain various relations for the determination of entropy, enthalpy, and internal energy. Considerable interest has been expressed about the derivation and application of these equations; this interest generally results from the fact that standard texts on thermodynamics are, almost without exception, inadequate in the presentation of material on the calculation of thermodynamic properties. The purpose of this paper is to derive the functions necessary for the calculation of these properties. These derivations are intended to give the reader a better understanding of the methods of calculating thermodynamic properties and thus of the limitations of the tables so produced.
Disulphide bonds in wheat gluten: cystine peptides derived from gluten proteins following peptic and thermolytic digestion

Gluten from the wheat variety Rektor was extracted with 70% aqueous ethanol. The insoluble portion (whole glutenin) was partially hydrolysed with trypsin at pH 6.5 and separated on a Sephadex G25 column. The high molecular weight fraction 1 was further hydrolysed with pepsin at pH 2.0. To remove low molecular weight proteins, a portion of whole glutenin was extracted with dilute acetic acid. The residue (enriched glutenin), which contained mostly LMW and HMW subunits of glutenin, was hydrolysed with thermolysin at pH 6.5. The peptic and tryptic hydrolysates were separated on a Sephadex G25 column and the peptide fractions with the highest cystine content were separated further by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Cystine peptides were detected by differential chromatography (RP-HPLC prior to and after reduction of disulphide bonds) and then isolated by preparative RP-HPLC. After reduction, cysteine peptides were alkylated and analysed for their amino acid sequence. Altogether, 19 cystine peptides were characterized and assigned to known sequences of gluten proteins; 16 peptides confirmed the positions of disulphide bonds present in LMW subunits and gamma-gliadins, as described previously. For the first time, a cystine peptide has been isolated, representing an intermolecular disulphide bond between the y-type of HMW and LMW subunits. Furthermore, a cystine peptide was assigned to gamma-gliadins; thus, all cysteine residues of gamma-gliadins are documented by at least one cystine peptide. One peptide analysed came from the alpha-amylase inhibitor CM 16. Altogether the results indicate that the intramolecular linkages of gluten proteins are not formed at random, but are strongly directed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Anisotropic outflows from LBVs and Ofpe/WN9 stars

In the past decade, the increasing sophistication of the high resolution techniques from the ground, and the advent of HST have allowed a systematic study of the outflows around evolved massive stars. It has been established (Nota & Clampin 1997) that most LBVs and Ofpe/WN9 stars are surrounded by associated circumstellar nebulae which have been ejected in some previous phase of their evolution. These nebulae are the fossil record of the interactions of previous winds and of the violent ejections in which the stars most likely have shed their outer layers. The study of the morphology, kinematics and chemical composition of the ejected material has allowed us to gain deep insight in the ejection and shaping mechanism.
Effects of milk and milk components on calcium, magnesium, and trace element absorption during infancy

During early life, infants usually consume a diet that is heavily dominated by milk. It is generally believed that breast-fed infants absorb adequate quantities of minerals and trace elements, whereas there is some concern about how well infants can utilize these nutrients from cow's milk formula and other infant diets. Therefore, most infant formulas contain much higher concentrations of minerals and trace elements than those of breast milk. Our knowledge of how infants can utilize these nutrients from different diets is very limited. This paper critically reviews the effects of various components in breast milk, cow's milk, and infant formula and how they either facilitate or inhibit the absorption of minerals and trace elements. Particular emphasis is put on milk proteins such as lactoferrin, casein, and whey proteins, but phytate in soy formula is also discussed. Competition among minerals for absorptive pathways as well as other nutrient-nutrient interactions are considered in the context of infant nutrition. The difficulties involved in assessing mineral and trace element status in infants, as well as the potential consequences of suboptimal and excessive intakes of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium are also discussed, particularly in the light of infant requirements.
Aluminum toxicity perturbs long bone calcification in the embryonic chick.

Long bone calcification in chick embryos acutely- or chronically-treated with aluminum (Al) citrate was investigated. Acutely treated embryos received 100 μl of 60 mM Al citrate, 60 mM sodium (Na) citrate, or 0.7% sodium chloride on day 8 of incubation. Chronically treated embryos received a daily 25 μl dose of the above solutions beginning on day 8. Following 2–8 days of additional incubation, blood was collected, embryos killed, hind limbs radiographed, and tibias collected. Radiography indicated that Al administration resulted in a persistent angulation in the mid-diaphysis of tibias and femurs and a transient mineralization defect during the 10- to 12-day period of incubation. Tibias from 10- to 12-day embryos which were administered Al contained significantly less (P < 0.005) bone calcium (Ca) compared with tibias from NaCl-treated embryos. By day 14 there were no significant differences among the Ca content of tibias from embryos acutely treated with Al citrate, Na citrate or NaCl. Similarly, the rate of 45Ca uptake by tibias of embryos treated with Al was significantly lower on days 10 (acute) and 12 (chronic) with no significant differences in Ca uptake rate among the three treatment groups by day 16. In each treatment group bone alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity increased approximately tenfold between days 10 and 16. At all stages, bone ALPase activity was consistently higher and significantly different (chronic) compared with levels in NaCl-treated embryos. In contrast, Al had no significant effect on the rate of tibia collagen and noncollagenous protein synthesis or serum levels of procollagen carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP), osteocalcin, and parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Setting response of Alaska pollock surimi compared with beef myofibrils

Physicochemical properties of surimi after preincubation at 25-50 o C and beet myofibrils at 25-60 o C for up to 8 hr prior to cooking at 80 o C for 20 min were evaluated by a torsion test and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Shear stress and true shear strain of surimi were more sensitive to pH changes than beet myofibrils. Maximum gel strength was found at ≃pH 7 for surimi and pH 6 for beet myogibrils. The myogibrils showed no setting effect at any preincubation temperatures examined, while surimi showed an optimum setting effect at 25 o C. Incorporation of beet myofibrils into sur imi resulted in decrease of shear stress and true shear strain values
Giant cell tumor of a lumbar vertebra in a 7-year-old child: a case report.

Study design This case provides a rare occurrence of a giant cell tumor (GCT) in posterior elements of a lumbar vertebra in a 7-year-old child with successful outcome after surgical excision and regular follow-ups. Objective To present a unique case report of a pediatric GCT in the vertebral column and results. Summary of background data GCT is a rare bone tumor seen in 3% to 5% of primary bone neoplasm. Approximately 7% of GCTs are found in the vertebral column. GCT of the spine is found in only 5% to 7% of cases and can occur in any region of the spine but are believed to be predominantly in the sacrum. Despite its benign nature, expansion in a confined space makes early detection of spinal GCTs important to prevent occurrence of compressive myelopathy/radiculopathy. The presence of a GCT in a child younger than 10 years of age, in posterior elements of a lumbar vertebral body, has not been reported earlier. Methods On the basis of the clinical history, radiograph of the thoracolumbar spine, computed tomography of lumbar spine, and magnetic resonance imaging, a preliminary diagnosis of osteoblastoma was made. Results The patient presented with a lytic lesion with involvement of posterior elements, 1 side the pedicle extending into the body of a lumbar vertebra (L3) and had extension into the paraspinal muscles. Intraoperative exploration and frozen section showed the presence of a typical histologic picture of a GCT. Ipsilateral pedicle, posterior elements, and the superior articular facet were excised. En bloc resection was found not to be feasible due to the friable nature of the tumor and involvement of the soft tissues. In addition, fusion was avoided with consideration of the young age of the patient. Conclusions The patient has been free of any recurrence as of his last follow-up visit.
The 'other STDs': do they really matter?

ACQUIRED immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)—it seems to dominate all else. Do the other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) matter? Whatever happened to gonorrhea... or syphilis? How about infection with chlamydia, which has hardly had a well-earned day in court? Does anyone remember herpes? Even concerns about human papilloma-virus causing cervical cancer cannot rally much enthusiasm. The other STDs clearly do matter... in fact, they matter more today than ever before. In this commentary, I contend that we create a false dichotomy between AIDS and the other STDs by considering them separately—a dichotomy that does more harm than good by detracting from the commonality of primary/secondary STD prevention activities. These activities taken together should ultimately potentiate reduction of all STDs, not just human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydial infection, or any of the others. Why should we use a common approach for all STDs, including HIV infection? For simplicity, I will
Discharge as the major consequence in a hospitalized patient's behavior management program: A case study

While there are numerous reports of effective behavior change projects for institutionalized patients, few address the real goal for treatment, namely, discharge of the patient. The present paper describes a patient's token reinforcement system in which discharge itself was one of the purchasable reinforcers. Inclusion of discharge as a reinforcer requires those responsible for a patient objectively to define desired and undesired behaviors and then to convey this information to the patients. Advantages and limitations of this method are discussed.
Awake craniotomy for malignant glioma resection

Abstract There is mounting evidence that gross total resection (GTR) of the MRI contrast-enhancing portions of malignant gliomas (WHO grades III and IV) improves survival. Any survival benefits gained from the aggressive resection of high-grade gliomas suspected of lying near or involving eloquent cortex, however, may be outweighed by the risk of causing permanent neurological deficits. As a result, tumors near eloquent cortex may be subtotally resected under general anesthesia or referred for conservative management. By applying techniques developed for epilepsy surgery, several authors have demonstrated that awake cortical and subcortical mapping techniques can be used to guide aggressive resections in patients with various histopathological diagnoses while minimizing the rate of postoperative deficits. Though there has been some evidence that this aggressive approach may involve greater risks in the subset of patients with malignant gliomas while at the same time leading to less extensive resections, we have found that a GTR can be achieved in the majority of these patients while maintaining an acceptably low risk of permanent neurological deficits.
Differences in stimulated androgen levels in black and white obese adolescent females.

Study Objective Little is known about racial differences in androgen levels among obese children. The objective of this pilot study was to compare basal and stimulated androgen levels in a cross-sectional sample of obese black and white pubertal females.
Protein-mediated autoreduction of gold salts to gold nanoparticles

Here we report for the first time that proteins can function as unique reducing agents to produce gold nanoparticles from gold salts. We demonstrate that three different proteins, namely, bovine serum albumin (BSA), Rituximab (RIT--an anti-CD20 antibody) and Cetuximab (C225--anti-EGFR antibody), reduce gold salts to gold nanoparticles (GNP). Interestingly, among all the three proteins tested, only BSA can reduce gold salts to gold nanotriangles (GNT). BSA-induced formation of GNT can be controlled by carefully selecting the reaction condition. Heating or using excess of ascorbic acid (AA) as additional reducing agent shifts the reaction towards the formation of GNP with flower-like morphology, whereas slowing down the reaction either by cooling or by adding small amount of AA directs the synthesis towards GNT formation. GNT is formed only at pH 3; higher pHs (pH 7 and pH 10) did not produce any nanoparticles, suggesting the involvement of specific protein conformation in GNT formation. The nanomaterials formed by this method were characterized using UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This is an important finding that will have uses in various nanotechnological applications, particularly in the green synthesis of novel nanomaterials based on protein structure.
Solubilization of lecithin in antibiotic preparations by a nonionic surfactant

A nonionic surfactant (alkyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol) solubilizes antibiotic preparations containing up to 1 per cent lecithin. Toxicity studies showed that the surfactant at a concentration of 0.1 per cent (v/v) in 0.1 per cent peptone solution (w/v) permits recovery from a low inoculum of vegetative cells when membrane filtration sterility tests are performed. The addition of the surfactant to peptone diluting fluid makes it possible to perform membrane filtration tests on many antibiotic preparations that otherwise could only be tested by the direct method. The use of surfactant-peptone diluting fluid also makes it possible to use 300 mg. from each of 20 vials instead of 50 mg. when testing oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, or tetracycline for sterility.
Kinetic Evidence for a Nucleic Acid which regulates RNA Biosynthesis

THE rate of synthesis of nucleic acids in Escherichia coli strain Bu− has been examined in a variety of situations by measuring the incorporation into TCA insoluble material of 20-sec pulses of 14C-8-guanine. In most cases the 20-sec pulses are long enough to give useful amounts of incorporations. However, extensive washing of the ‘Millipore’ filters must be carried out and frequently long counting times must be used. There is a short lag in the utilization of 14C-8-guanine, but under most conditions 20 sec gives about half the radioactivity which would have been estimated from the rate of incorporation at later times, that is, there is about 10–13 sec worth of materials in pools already present in the cell, or made before feed-back inhibition becomes effective. Incorporation of radioactivity is the same at 0.1 the external concentration of 14C-8-guanine as that standardly employed (5 µM), implying that feed-back inhibition is under both conditions maximal and rapid.
Dual receptor-targeting 99mTc-labeled Arg-Gly-Asp-conjugated Alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone hybrid peptides for human melanoma imaging

Introduction The aim of this study was to examine whether the substitution of the Lys linker with the aminooctanoic acid (Aoc) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker could substantially decrease the non-specific renal uptake of 99mTc-labeled Arg-Gly-Asp-conjugated α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) hybrid peptides.
Rhabditis maupasi: Occurrence in food snails and cultivation

Abstract Rhabditis maupasi, a nematode, inhabits the mantle cavity of terrestrial snails, Helix aspersa, that are imported from Morocco and sold in the food markets of New York City. Most of the nematodes found in living snails are stage-3 larvae which mature and reproduce after the snail has died and decayed. The nematodes were isolated from snails and cultivated with a microflora and then in species isolation, i.e., axenically. Sterile slices of rabbit kidney supported by agar slants served as the initial culture system. Subsequently, a liquid medium was used that contained raw rabbit liver extract. When, instead, raw snail extract was substituted in the liquid medium, nematode larvae did not mature unless the snail extract was digested secondarily or inactivated by heating. Nematodes grow abundantly in dead snails and in treated snail extract but not in living snails or in raw snail extract. The reason is probably not the nematodes' lack of suitable digestive enzymes for snail tissue nor the absence of adequate nutrients in living, microbially poor snails, but rather the presence of an inhibitor in snails.
The role of the maxillofacial prosthodontist in detection of recurrent head and neck cancer

Abstract Maxillofacial prosthodontists are in a unique position to aid in the detection of recurrent and secondary malignancies of the head and neck cancer patient. This is related directly to their intimate knowledge of normal and abnormal oral anatomy and to the large amount of time they spend with patients during treatment and follow-up. I have detected many recurrent and secondary tumors during the few years I have been in a relatively low volume maxillofacial prosthetics practice. The patient's recall visits to the maxillofacial prosthodontist should be evenly spaced between the patient's visits to the head and neck surgeon when possible. By earlier detection and immediate referral to the surgeon, there is the possibility of a higher long-term cure rate in head and neck cancer patients who are receiving maxillofacial prosthetic treatment.
Nitric oxide enhances aggrecan degradation by aggrecanase in response to TNF-α but not IL-1β treatment at a post-transcriptional level in bovine cartilage explants

Summary Objective The objective of this study was to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced matrix damage, compared to interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), in bovine cartilage explant cultures. Methods Cartilage explants were subjected to treatment with TNF-α (100ng/ml), IL-1β (10ng/ml) and to the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N -methyl-arginine (l-NMA; 1.25mM) for 26, 50 or 120h (5 days). The collected medium was analyzed for sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG), nitrate and nitrite, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity by zymography, and aggrecan degradation by immunoblotting of aggrecan-G1 and aggrecan-G1-NITEGE fragments. RNA was extracted from the 26 and 50h treated explants for real time quantitative PCR analyses. Results TNF-α and IL-1β treatment caused a 3–5 fold increase in sGAG release with an increase in aggrecanase-specific aggrecan breakdown and an increase in nitrate and nitrite production. l-NMA treatment inhibited almost 50% of the sGAG release caused by TNF-α treatment, with concomitant decrease in the aggrecanase-specific-NITEGE neo-epitope of aggrecan released into the medium. No l-NMA effect was identified with IL-1β. TNF-α and IL-1β both increased a disintegrin and matrix metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif (ADAMTS)4 and ADAMTS5 transcription with no effect by l-NMA, suggesting that NO regulates aggrecanase activity at a post-transcriptional level in response to TNF-α. TNF-α and IL-1β both caused an increase in protease transcription ( MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 ) and in pro-inflammatory enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, as well as a decrease in matrix protein transcription, including collagen II, aggrecan, fibromodulin and link protein (IL-1β only), and an increase in MMP-3 and MMP-9 secretion. l-NMA had no effect on gene transcription or MMP secretion. Conclusion NO regulates aggrecanase activity at a post-transcriptional level in response to TNF-α treatment while having no effect on IL-1β treated cartilage explants.
Wild Type and Mutant p53 Differentially Regulate the Gene Expression of Human Collagenase-3 (hMMP-13)

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of secreted or transmembrane proteins that can degrade all the proteins of the extracellular matrix and have been implicated in many abnormal physiological conditions including arthritis and cancer metastasis. Recently we have shown for the first time that the human MMP-1 gene is a p53 target gene subject to repression by wild type p53 (Sun, Y., Sun, Y. I., Wenger, L., Rutter, J. L., Brinckerhoff, C. E., and Cheung, H. S. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 11535-11540). Here, we report that cotransfection of fibroblast-like synoviocytes with p53 expression and hMMP13CAT reporter plasmids revealed that (i) hMMP13, another member of the human MMP family, was down-regulated by wild type p53, whereas all six of the p53 mutants tested lost the wild type p53 repressor activity in fibroblast-like synoviocytes; (ii) this repression of hMMP-13 gene expression by wild type p53 could be reversed by overexpression of p53 mutants p53-143A, p53-248W, p53-273H, and p53-281G; (iii) the dominant effect of p53 mutants over wild type p53 appears to be a promoter- and mutant-specific effect. An intriguing finding was that p53 mutant p53-281G could conversely stimulate the promoter activity of hMMP13 up to 2-4-fold and that it was dominant over wild type p53. Northern analysis confirmed these findings. Although the significance of these findings is currently unknown, they suggest that in addition to the effect of cytokines activation, the gene expression of hMMP13 could be dysregulated during the disease progression of rheumatoid arthritis (or cancer) associated with p53 inactivation. Since hMMP13 is 5-10 times as active as hMMP1 in its ability to digest type II collagen, the dysregulation or up-modulation of MMP13 gene expression due to the inactivation of p53 may contribute to the joint degeneration in rheumatoid arthritis.
Chronic postherniorrhaphy pain following inguinal hernia surgery: Etiology, risk factors, anatomy, and treatment options

Despite recent advances in surgical technique for inguinal hernia repair, chronic groin pain following the surgical repair of an inguinal hernia is not uncommon. Injury to the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, or genitofemoral nerves is the most common etiology. Specific risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing chronic groin pain have been identified. Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks may play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic groin pain. As in many pain syndromes, early diagnosis and early treatment are crucial. Evidence-based management of chronic groin pain is poorly studied, although cryotherapy and neuromodulation techniques show potential efficacy.
What is the optimal antiretroviral regimen for the prevention of perinatal HIV transmission

OF PERINATAL HIV TRANSMISSION? AMANDA COTTER, LUNTHITA DUTHELY, VICTOR HUGO GONZALEZ QUINTERO, MARY JO O’SULLIVAN, University of Miami, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Miami, Florida, University of Miami, OB/GYN Research, Miami, Florida, University of Miami, Dept of Ob/ Gyn-MFM Division, Miami, Florida OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal antiretroviral (ART) regimen for the prevention of perinatal transmission (PNT) of HIV in women who do not require ART for their own health. STUDY DESIGN: Using prospectively gathered data from our perinatal database, women diagnosed HIV positive prior to or during pregnancy with care at our prenatal clinic from 1999-2004 were identified. Inclusion criteria were women requiring ART only for prevention of PNT and neonatal HIV status. Women were categorized according to ART use in pregnancy: Trizivir, Combivir/Nevirapine (NVP), Combivir/Nelfinavir (NFV). RESULTS: The cohort comprised 634 deliveries of whom 155 women required ART only for prevention of PNT: Trizivir n = 61, Combivir/NVP n = 88, Combivir/NFV n = 6. A VL!1000 at delivery was achieved by 82% on Trizivir, 76% on Combivir/NVP and 83% on Combivir/NFV. The mean duration of therapy was 15.9, 15.3 and 20.9 weeks for Trizivir, Combivir/NVP and Combivir/NFV respectively.There was one case of hepatotoxicity associated each with Combivir/NVP and Combivir/NFV. All infants were liveborn except for 2 stillbirths and 2 spontaneous abortions in the Combivir/NVP group. There was only one case of PNT and this was in a woman on Trizivir. CONCLUSION: Although rarely utilized outside of pregnancy, Trizivir is an ideal ART regimen associated with similar pregnancy outcomes to other popular regimens without a significant risk of toxicity or adherence issues while reserving other ART regimens for later when required for maternal health.
How to Publish Qualitative Research in JSGW: A Couple More Voices in the Conversation

If you've read Kim Asner-Self's (2009) recent guest editorial on writing quantitative manuscripts for publication in JSGW you know how excited she, Sheri Bauman, and we are about publishing more re...
Late Complications of Retrolental Fibroplasia

A modified classification of cicatricial RLF has been presented. Particular emphasis is placed on myopia, one of the hallmarks of grade i cicatricial RLF. Whether or not this is axial myopia is still open to question, but since the more myopic eye was usually longer by ultrasonic measurement than the less myopic eye, actual enlargement of the eye must play some role. Other features noted in grade I RLF were retinal pigmentation, vitreous membranes, and equatorial retinal folds. In grade II the most significant finding was dragging of the retina. It was noted that in all cases of dragging of the retina there were also peripheral retinal changes. Even more important, however, was the fact that peripheral retinal changes are often present when there are no changes in the posterior pole. Neovascularization, elevated retinal vessels, lattice degeneration, and retinal breaks were other features of grade II retinopathy. Significant was the fact that the incidence of lattice in patients with cicatricial RLF (15%) was more than twice that of the normal population. Grade III RLF was characterized by falciform retinal folds, and grade IV, by retinal detachment. Thirty-nine retinal detachments were rhegmatogenous and usually had temporal retinal breaks. Retinal detachments of a tractional exudative variety (14 eyes) tended to occur earlier in life than the rhegmatogenous variety. In infants, they were preceded by increased tortuosity of the vessels in the posterior pole and, sometimes, accumulation of exudation, both ominous prognostic signs.
Validity of Anthropometric Regression Equations for Predicting Changes in Body Fat of Obese Females

The validity of ten popular anthropometric percent fat prediction equations for estimating changes in percentage of body fat for obese females was studied. Thirty-one obese females (mean ± SEM, %fat = 36.7 ± 1.1%, body mass = 75.6 ± 1.7 kg, age = 32.8 ± 1.1 years) participated in a diet-only, diet-plus-exercise, or exercise-only program. Subjects lost 2.7 ± 0.3 fat percentage points and 3.0 ± 0.3 kg body mass during the 8-week study. While many of the equations had acceptable validity before and after body mass loss, when applied to the prediction of changes in body fat none of the equations was acceptable. It was concluded that use of anthropometric prediction equations to estimate individual percent fat change scores results in large errors and is not recommended.
Gate-all-around silicon nanowire MOSFETs and circuits

We demonstrate undoped-body, gate-all-around (GAA) Si nanowire (NW) MOSFETs with excellent electrostatic scaling. These NW devices, with a TaN/Hf-based gate stack, have high drive-current performance with NFET/PFET I DSAT = 825/950 µA/µm (circumference-normalized) or 2592/2985 µA/µm (diameter-normalized) at supply voltage V DD = 1 V and off-current I OFF = 15 nA/µm. Superior NW uniformity is obtained through the use of a combined hydrogen annealing and oxidation process. Clear scaling of short-channel effects versus NW size is observed. Additionally, we observe a divergence of the nanowire capacitance from the planar limit, as expected, as well as enhanced device self-heating for smaller diameter nanowires. We have also applied this method to making functional 25-stage ring oscillator circuits.
High-Voltage Phenomena in Thunderstorms

Lightning phenomena are analyzed in the light of laboratory experience with high-voltage phenomena in the atmosphere. Special emphasis is placed on the effect of space charges in producing high local stresses when mobilized through channels of high conductivity caused by high temperatures. A detailed analysis is included of the steps through which air at atmospheric pressure passes when, due to applied electric stresses, its electric properties change from those of a non-conductor to those of a highly conducting body,?perhaps many times as conducting as a metallic conductor at ordinary temperature,?and then again resumes its original nonconducting properties.
Protein structure alignment using elastic shape analysis

In this paper we present a method for flexible protein structure alignment based on elastic shape analysis of backbones, in a manner that can incorporate different characteristics of the backbones. In particular, it can include the backbone geometry, the secondary structures, and the amino-acid sequences in the matching process. As a result, a formal distance can be calculated and geodesic paths, showing optimal deformations between conformations/structures, can be computed for any two backbone structures. It can also be used to average shapes of conformations associated with similar proteins. Using proteins from SCOP and PDB databases we demonstrate the matching and clustering of proteins using the backbone geometries, the secondary labels and the primary sequences. We demonstrate almost 92% success rate in automatic clustering of 100 proteins from SCOP database.
Physical activity as a predictor of body composition in American Indian children.

Objective: To examine physical activity in second grade American Indian children as a predictor of percentage body fat 3 years later. Research Methods and Procedures: Physical activity was assessed as average vector magnitude (AVM) counts from an accelerometer in 454 second grade children as part of the Pathways study. BMI was assessed, and skinfolds and bioelectrical impedance were used to estimate fat mass, fat-free body mass, and percentage body fat in validated prediction equations. Associations were examined using mixed models regression controlling for baseline body composition. Results: In normal-weight children, higher AVM counts were significantly associated with decreases in percentage body fat. Among overweight children, higher AVM counts were significantly associated with increases in BMI, fat mass, and fat-free mass but not percentage body fat. Discussion: Higher physical activity levels in second grade were associated with lower levels of percentage body fat in fifth grade in normal-weight but not in overweight children. BMI showed no association with physical activity among normal-weight children, and increases in BMI were associated with increasing amounts of physical activity among overweight children. These findings emphasize the importance of valid body composition measures and may indicate important differences in associations between physical activity and adiposity in normal-weight as compared with overweight children.
Longitudinal threshold changes in older men with audiometric notches.

Abstract Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is a multifactorial process that results chiefly from the accumulating effects of noise damage and aging on the cochlea. Noise damage is typically evidenced clinically by a discrete elevation (notch) of the auditory thresholds in the 3–6 kHz region of the audiogram whereas aging affects the highest frequencies first. To determine whether the presence of such high-frequency notches influences auditory aging, we examined the 15 year change in audiometric thresholds in 203 men from the Framingham Heart Study cohort. The mean age at the first hearing test was 64 years (range 58–80). Occupational and recreational noise exposure over the 15 years was assumed to be minimal due to the age of the subjects. The presence or absence of a notch was determined using a piecewise linear/parabolic curve fitting strategy. A discrete elevation of the pure-tone thresholds of 15–34 dB in the 3–6 kHz region was deemed a small notch (N1), and elevations of 35 dB or greater were deemed large notches (N2). Absence of a notch (N0) was encoded those ears with
Structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract of the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris

Background The Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris (Sirenia: Trichechidae), is the largest herbivorous marine mammal. Previously, components of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the species have been described, but no comprehensive descriptions of the gross and microscopic anatomy existed. This study integrates function and structure of the entire Florida manatee GI tract. Methods The GI tracts of several recently dead Florida manatees were examined from the following viewpoints: gross anatomical studies of preserved and unpreserved specimens, histology and histochemistry, and ultrastructure. Results The manatee GI tract has an enlarged hindgut, as do other non-ruminant herbivores (i.e., hindgut digesters such as horses), but it also has important adaptations not seen in most other mammals. These structural adaptations include a discrete accessory digestive gland (the cardiac gland), submucosal mucous glands along the greater curvature of the stomach, and unkeratinized, stratified squamous epithelial cells overlying the glandular mucosae of the pyloric antrum, midgut cecum, colon, and rectum. Conclusions The adaptations described above may relate to osmoregulation as well as to herbivory. The Florida manatee GI tract is most similar to those of other members of the Order Sirenia and to that of the herbivorous green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), but it also shows superficial similarities to those of phylogenetically close Orders, the Proboscidea and Hyracoidea. The immense size of both the manatee and its large intestine suggests that, relative to smaller hindgut digesters, manatees have a slow rate of passage of digesta and efficient breakdown of fibrous plant material. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Viability of Notocotylus attenuatus (Trematoda: Notocotylidae) metacercariae under adverse conditions.

The viability of Notocotylus attenuatus metacercariae was 80% at 20 wk post-encystment (PE) and decreased to 10% at 24 wk PE. Cyst viability was influenced by the duration of cercarial swimming activity prior to encystment, by the occurrence of cyst associations, and by the type of cyst storage. This is the first report on cyst associations formed by Notocotylidae cercariae. Cyst associations were formed only by cercariae encysting shortly after their emergence from snails. In cyst associations metacercariae did not overlap, but were separated by regular distances ranged from 20.4 to 24.5 μm x = 22.3 μm, SE = 0.41. The mucoid materials which formed the external cyst wall covered the areas between parasites seven if distances were comparable with the cyst size. In cyst associations, metacercariae in the water and those located close to the water were viable up to 24 wk PE. Cercariae with extended swimming activity did not form associations even when present in numbers, ≤50 cercariae per cm3. The cysts est...
Employer Expectations from a Business Education

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the underlying dimensions of employer expectations from an ideal business education program and compares the importance of thirteen education-related attributes. Factor analysis identified four factors, research skills, interpersonal skills, basic skills, and quantitative skills as the dimensions of an ideal business education.
Screening Torture: media representations of state terror and political domination

In their introduction, the editors foreground the seismic impact the events of 9/11 had on media representations of torture. They note that ‘in the post-September 11 era [onscreen] torture has been...
Conservative management of an ileal neobladder-enteric fistula

We present a case of an early ileal neobladder-enteric fistula after radical cystectomy with Studer pouch creation for muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. This patient was treated conservatively on an outpatient basis with prolonged catheter drainage, a low-residue diet, and oral antibiotics, with complete resolution by 8 weeks. The rationale for this approach in selected patients is discussed.