cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipoxygenase Products of Arachidonic Acid: their Role in Inflammatory Events Mediated by Human Basophils and Mast Cells

ABSTRACT The crosslinking of cell surface IgE molecules on basophils and mast cells by a specific antigen to which an individual has been sensitized leads to cell activation, eventually culminating in the release of potent inflammatory mediators. Included among these mediators are products of arachidonic acid derived by lipoxygenation. This report describes the production of lipoxygenase products by purified preparations of human basophils and pulmonary mast cells and the possible role of lipoxygenase products in the mechanism of release and in the modulation of the release process in these cells.
Combining Circuit and Packet Switching in Next Generation Internet Backbone Networks

Traditional digital telephone networks utilize time-division-multiplex circuit switching to share physical network links among multiple telephone connections. In addition, circuit switching, in the form of re-arrangable time-division-multiplexed paths, is commonly utilized to provide dedicated (but re-arrangable via network management functionality) capacity between pairs of router ports in packet networks. When one employs byte-by-byte time division multiplexing (e.g., as in SONET), to create circuit switched paths between pairs of router ports, one can achieve the benefits of deterministic (as opposed to statistical) sharing of the capacity of the fibers or wavelengths that make up the physical interconnection fabric of a network. But this comes at the expense of deploying and operating both conventional byte-by-byte time division multiplexing equipment, and packet switching equipment; i.e., two, overlaid networks.
Abstract 2589: Sulfated hyaluronic acid: A possible targeted therapy for prostate cancer

Tumor cell-derived hyaluronidase HYAL1, which degrades hyaluronic acid (HA), promotes tumor growth and metastasis. In prostate cancer (CaP), HYAL1 expression in biopsy and prostatectomy specimens is an independent prognostic marker for predicting disease progression. Sulfated hyaluronic acid (sHA) inhibits HYAL1 activity through a mixed inhibition mechanism. Antitumor activity of sHA has not been evaluated. In this study we evaluated effects of sHA on CaP cells. The effect of sHA (0-40 ug/ml) on cell proliferation and apoptosis was examined in CaP cells (PC3-ML, LNCaP, LNAI, C4-2B, LAPC-4, DU145, RWPE1) by cell counting and Cell Death ELISA kit. Matrigel invasion and Boyden chamber assays were used to test the effect of sHA on invasive activity. Effect of sHA on signaling, apoptosis cascade, androgen receptor activity, VEGF, NFkB activity, and HA receptor levels, was evaluated by immunoblotting, Q-PCR and reporter assays. Athymic mice bearing LNAI xenografts were treated with sHA (25 and 50 mg/kg) by i.p. injection. sHA inhibited proliferation, motility and invasion in CaP cells. At IC 50 for HAase activity inhibition (∼ 10-μg/ml), sHA induced > 3-fold apoptosis and inhibited invasive activity of CaP cells, which could be partially reversed by HA-fragments. sHA induced caspase-3, -8, -9 activation, up-regulation of Fas, Fas-L, FADD, and DR4 and down regulated bcl-2, phospho-bad, bcl-XL, phospho-Akt, phospho-IkB, and phospho-AR. At IC 50 , sHA caused > 90% inhibition of NFKB-reporter activity, PSA-promoter activity and transcriptionally down regulated HA-receptors (CD44 and RHAMM) and VEGF. Effect of sHA could be reversed by overexpression of m-Akt. Down regulation of CD44 and RHAMM, together with sHA synergistically inhibited cell proliferation and Akt activation. sHA significantly inhibited LNAI tumor growth. The majority of the animals did not form palpable tumors at 50-mg/kg dose even after 70 days when the treatment was stopped on 42 nd day. No weight loss or serum and organ toxicity was observed in sHA treated animals. Tumors showed reduced microvessel density (∼3-fold) and increased TUNEL positive cells (> 5-fold). This is the first study that shows targeting HYAL1 (by sHA – a novel non-toxic agent), may control CaP growth and progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2589. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2589
Physical Distribution Development, Current Status, and Potential:

Physical distribution, one of the oldest facets of commercial enterprise, has historically been one of the most neglected of business subjects. A flurry of attention has focused upon the concept of...
Seeking Redress for Violations of the Rights of Human Rights Lawyers Before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Lawyers, as a result of their education, occupation and profile, often find themselves targeted by government actors for attempting to ensure clients are afforded their basic human rights, insisting a government comport with its own laws, or simply carrying out basic legal tasks. Bringing a claim before the Commission is not the answer for every situation. There must be a substantive violation of a right guaranteed by the Charter and local remedies must be exhausted, among other requirements. And the process can take a very long time. But, in some cases, it may be the best option for a lawyer, who, in defending others or attempting to advance human rights, has found his or her own rights violated. A well drafted communication (and subsequently submitted materials), cognizant of Commission rules and jurisprudence, could result in a recommendation from the Commission that facilitates the recognition of the lawyer’s rights when the state has previously refused to do so.
Oxidative red blood cell membrane injury in the pathophysiology of severe mouse beta-thalassemia

In severe human beta-thalassemia, the pathophysiology relates to accumulation of excess alpha-globin chains at the membrane. One hypothesis is that membrane-associated alpha-globin by virtue of it's iron or hemichromes produces oxidation of adjacent membrane proteins. The availability of a mouse model of severe beta-thalassemia, as well as a transgenic (thalassemic-sickle) mouse that expresses 12% of human beta s-chain, has allowed us to study the effect of graded accumulation of alpha-chains at the red blood cell (RBC) membrane on the clinical status of the animal and on the material properties of its RBCs. Proteins from control, beta-thalassemic, and transgenic mouse RBC membranes were analyzed for evidence of oxidation, as measured by thiol-disulfide exchange chromatography, which detects intramolecular sulfhydryl oxidation. Ratios of oxidized globin to protein 7 were calculated and increased amounts were seen in thalassemic mice as compared with control mice and transgenic mice. Furthermore, there were increased amounts of thiol-free protein 4.1 in the thalassemic mice, compared with very small amounts in the control mice and intermediate amounts in the transgenic mice. Membrane mechanical stability as assessed by ektacytometry showed that the thalassemic mouse RBCs were markedly unstable. Transgenic mouse RBCs showed intermediate levels of membrane instability compared with the controls. We propose that this oxidized globin, in conjunction with oxidized protein 4.1, accounts (at least in part) for membrane instability. A 12% increase in beta s-globin chain synthesis (by decreasing excess globin available) confers considerable protection against both oxidative damage and the consequent membrane instability.
Use of magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography in diagnosis of sigmoid sinus thrombosis

Magnetic resonance angiography is an established radiologic technique which is rapidly becoming useful in imaging the head and neck. Currently, this imaging modality is important in the diagnosis of sigmoid sinus thrombosis caused by otologic disease. Since the introduction of antibiotic therapy, the percentage of deaths attributed to intracranial complications from otitic disease has decreased from 2.5 to approximately 0.25% of documented deaths. Also, the incidence of sinus thrombosis within this group has decreased, but it is still a serious and potentially lethal condition. Sinus thrombosis is suspected clinically when mastoid disease progresses, with picket fence fever pattern, chills, headaches and signs of papilledema. Definitive diagnosis is necessary before surgical treatment. The Queckenstedt test is unreliable, computed tomography is better suited for demonstrating thrombosis of the sagittal sinus rather than the sigmoid sinus, and conventional angiography (although it provides excellent visualization) has the hazard of ionizing radiation and requires vessel puncture and the use of intraarterial contrast agents. We present two cases of thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus as an intracranial otologic complication which were diagnosed definitively with magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography. The combination of magnetic resonance imaging, which showed the thrombosis displaying abnormal signal intensity, and magnetic resonance angiography, which demonstrated the absence of flow in the sinus, was an ideal diagnostic tool. For both patients, treatment consisted of mastoidectomy, sigmoid sinus decompression and antibiotics.
Social Class Inequities and the Body

This chapter familiarizes readers with the empirical landscape surrounding the study of social class and the body. Three orientations to this research are explored: two bidirectional orientations (1) different kinds of bodies experience different types of stratification and (2) social stratification constructs certain bodily outcomes, and a third, co-constitutive point of view (bodies and stratifying practices mutually influence one another). This chapter reviews research on adults and then summarizes recent findings relative to children in all three empirical orientations. It concludes by arguing that the co-constitutive point of view is the most promising for elucidating the relationship between social class and children’s bodies, due to its focus on children’s agentic capacities.
Exploring circuit robustness to power supply variation in low-voltage latch and register-based digital systems

This paper compares the impact of power supply variation on the performance of register-based and latch-based digital circuits. A 32-tap, 16-bit FIR filter is fabricated using both flip-flops and latches in a 130nm CMOS process. Measurements show 25–37% improvement in energy-efficiency for the latch-based implementation operating below 0.6V subject to 44–120mV, 1 kHz peak-peak VDD ripple. This paper also presents a low-power, low-frequency droop measurement technique using digital circuits, which consumes 0.9pW at 0.75V.
Community-Based Participatory Research-Speed Dating: An Innovative Model for Fostering Collaborations Between Community Leaders and Academic Researchers.

Developing meaningful community-based participatory relationships between researchers and the community can be challenging. The overall success of a community-based participatory relationship should be predicated on commitment and respect from empowered stakeholders. Prior to developing the technique discussed in this article, we hypothesized that the process of fostering relationships between researchers and the community was much like a social relationship: It has to develop organically and cannot be forced. To address this challenge, we developed a community-based participatory research-speed dating technique to foster relationships based on common interests, which we call CBPR-SD. This article describes the logistics of implementing CBPR-SD to foster scholarly collaborations. As part of a federally funded community-based research project, the speed dating technique was implemented for 10 researchers and 11 community leaders with a goal of developing scholarly collaborative groups who will submit applications for community-based research grants. In the end, four collaborative groups developed through CBPR-SD, three (75%) successfully submitted grant applications to fund pilot studies addressing obesity-related disparities in rural communities. Our preliminary findings suggest that CBPR-SD is a successful tool for promoting productive scholarly relationships between researchers and community leaders.© 2016 Society for Public Health Education. Language: en
Coronary Artery Calcium Progression and Residual Risk

The ability to monitor the success or failure of treatment is an essential component of every aspect of medicine. Tumor progression is tracked in cancer therapeutics either through imaging or biomarkers, and therapy is often titrated on the basis of changes in these markers. Similar strategies are
Compression Fracture Pain

Bone pain remains one of the most common sources of chronic pain in the elderly population. Over 30 % of women over the age of 65 are estimated to suffer from osteoporosis and are at risk for bone fractures. Fractures occur in vertebrae most often in this population, followed by wrist and hip fractures. However, only one-third seek medical attention for related back pain. The incidence of radiographically identified vertebral body fractures nearly doubles in women every 10 years starting from age 50. It is thought that women show a significant increase in osteoporosis risk after estrogen production decreases at menopause. Changes in bone metabolism and a longer expected life span compared to men are thought to be contributory. In men, the incidence of vertebral fractures also increases with age, but at a slower rate. The lifetime risk for vertebral fractures is thought to be as high as 40 % for women while only 13 % for men.
The True Rule of The Marquis de Condorcet

The problem of the collective choice from individual opinions is one of the central problem of the decision theory. The more classic case is certainly the one where voters give individually their opinion of preference on n candidates under the form of a (linear) ranking of these candidates. From the set of these different rankings one has to deduce a collective (linear) ranking, thanks to an aggregation rule.
Methodological Advances on Pulse Measurement through Functional Imaging

The blood pressure and velocity rise rapidly as a result of the opening of the aortic valve in early systole. This spike in blood pressure and momentum travels the length of the aorta and is passed on to peripheral arteries such as the brachial, the carotid, and beyond. The thus formed pulse is an example of a traveling wave in a fluid medium that involves transport of mass and heat. The alteration of the electric field that moves the heart’s muscle and the thermo-mechanical effects of pulse propagation in the vascular network creates opportunities for measurement across different modalities. The method that is considered to be the gold standard for pulse measurement is electrocardiography (ECG) [12]. It produces crisp results because it focuses on the source (heart). Other commonly used methods, such as piezoelectric probing [4], photoplethysmography [13] and Doppler ultrasound [9], focus on the vascular periphery. One main characteristic of all these methods is that they require contact with the subject. There are clinical applications, however, where a contact-free method is desirable. Such applications usually involve sustained physiological monitoring of patients who are in delicate state or form; examples range from sleep studies to neonatal monitoring.
Club Cell Protein 16 (Cc16) Deficiency Increases Inflamm-Aging in the Lungs of Mice

Low serum CC16 levels are associated with accelerated lung function decline in human population studies, but it is not known whether low serum CC16 levels contribute to lung function decline, or are an epiphenomenon. We tested the hypothesis that unchallenged Cc16-/- mice develop accelerated rates of pulmonary function test abnormalities and pulmonary pathologies over time compared with unchallenged WT mice. Respiratory mechanics, airspace enlargement, and small airway fibrosis were measured in unchallenged wild-type (WT) versus Cc16-/- mice over 6-18 months of age. Lung leukocyte counts and lung levels of metalloproteinases (Mmps), cytokines, oxidative stress, cellular senescence markers (p19 and p21), and lung cell apoptosis, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured in age-matched WT versus Cc16-/- mice. Unchallenged Cc16-/- mice developed greater increases in lung compliance, airspace enlargement, and small airway fibrosis than age-matched WT mice over 6-18 months of age. Cc16-/- mice had greater: (1) lung leukocyte counts; (2) lung levels of Ccl2, Ccl-5, interleukin-10, Mmp-2, and Mmp-9; (3) pulmonary oxidative stress levels, (4) alveolar septal cell apoptosis and staining for p16 and p21; and (5) serum CRP levels. Unchallenged Cc16-/- mice had greater nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in their lungs than age-matched WT mice, but similar lung levels of secretory phospholipase-A2 activity. Cc16 deficiency in mice leads spontaneously to an accelerated lung aging phenotype with exaggerated pulmonary inflammation and COPD-like lung pathologies associated with increased activation of NF- κB in the lung. CC16 augmentation strategies may reduce lung aging in CC16-deficient individuals.
An Empirical Study Investigating the Effectiveness of Integrating Anecdotal Patient Experiences into Healthcare Public Reports

Public reports provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provide information on the per-formance and quality of the healthcare professionals and hospitals, as a way to help consumers...
Dioxopiperazines: chemistry and biology.

Dioxopiperazines have three regioisomeric forms (1–3) which are derived from fundamentally different bond-disconnection precursors. The 2,3-dioxopiperazines (1) may be viewed as resulting from reaction of a disubstituted ethylenediamine and an α-dicarbonyl fragment such as oxalate. 2,5-Dioxopiperazines (2) are cyclodipeptides obtained via condensation of two α-amino acids. 2,6-Dioxopiperazines (3) may be viewed as cyclized imide derivatives of the corresponding di(carboxymethyl)amines. Hopefully, this review shall serve investigators not only as a summary of important progress, but as a catalyst for new biomedical research initiatives involving one or more classes of these interesting heterocycles.
Design and Analysis of Clinical Trial Simulations

Clinical trial simulation is a powerful tool for supporting decision making in designing clinical trials, and plays an important role in clinical research and drug development. In clinical trial simulation, however, the design is often not well-considered and the results are empirically assessed. In this chapter, we present points to consider when planning a clinical trial simulation, and discuss how to design a clinical trial simulation employing a fractional factorial design and how to analyze the simulation results.
Maverick: A Stand-Alone CAD Flow for Partially Reconfigurable FPGA Modules

This paper presents Maverick, a proof-of-concept computer-aided design (CAD) flow for generating reconfigurable modules (RMs) which target partial reconfiguration (PR) regions in field-programmable gate array (FPGA) designs. After an initial static design and PR region are created with Xilinx's Vivado PR flow, the Maverick flow can then compile and configure RMs onto that PR region—without the use of vendor tools. Maverick builds upon existing open source tools (Yosys, RapidSmith2, and Project X-Ray) to form an end-to-end compilation flow. This paper describes the Maverick flow and shows the results of it running on a PYNQ-Z1's ARM processor to compile a set of HDL designs to partial bitstreams. The resulting bitstreams were configured onto the PYNQ-Z1's FPGA fabric, demonstrating the feasibility of a single-chip embedded system which can both compile HDL designs to bitstreams and then configure them onto its own programmable fabric.
The management of low-grade gliomas in adults

Low grade gliomas (LGGs) are WHO grade II tumors that affect mostly adult patients and include diffuse astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. New diagnostic criteria based on histology and molecular characterization with IDH mutation status and 1p/19q codeletion status have provided further categorization of these tumors and additional insights into prognosis and treatment response. In general, the current management of LGG favors maximum upfront resection with consideration of combined chemoradiation for patients deemed "high risk." In this review, we summarize the defining molecular features, important prognostic factors, recommended pre-operative imaging work-up, as well as therapeutic management of WHO Grade II low grade gliomas in adults.
Sarcopenia supersedes subjective global assessment as a predictor of survival in colorectal cancer.

Background Sarcopenia, the presence of skeletal muscle mass depletion, can be objectively quantified, whereas subjective global assessment (SGA) is a widely utilized subjective instrument to assess nutritional status. Both the presence of sarcopenia and SGA-assessed malnutrition, in isolation, have been shown to be associated with worse overall survival in a wide range of cancers. However, there is no research evaluating the independent prognostic significance of both the presence of sarcopenia and malnutrition as part of the same analysis. We investigated the impact of sarcopenia on overall survival in colorectal cancer specifically controlling for malnutrition. Methods We examined a consecutive case series of 112 patients with colorectal cancer first seen at our institution between August 2012 and October 2017. Using computed tomography (CT) imaging, the cross-sectional area of muscles at the L3 vertebral level was measured and then divided by height squared to calculate skeletal muscle index (SMI). Sarcopenia was defined as SMI ≤38.5 cm2/m2 for women and ≤52.4 cm2/m2 for men. SGA assessments were completed within 2 weeks of CT imaging. The association of sarcopenia and malnutrition with overall survival was assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results Median age at presentation was 53.3 years. Sixty-six (58.9%) patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis. Using SMI, 46 (41.1%) patients were sarcopenic, while 66 (58.9%) were non-sarcopenic. Using SGA, 69 (61.6%) patients were assessed as well-nourished, while 43 (38.4%) were malnourished. Of 69 patients classified as well-nourished by SGA, 22 (31.9%) were sarcopenic. Similarly, of 43 patients categorized as malnourished by SGA, 19 (44.2%) were non-sarcopenic. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, gender, tumor stage, BMI, treatment history and SGA, patients with sarcopenia had 3 times greater risk of mortality compared to those without sarcopenia (p = 0.001). The median survival of patients with both sarcopenia and malnutrition (n = 24) was 14.6 months (95% CI: 10.5 to 18.6) compared to the median survival of 25.9 months (95% CI: 7.8 to 44.0) in patients who were either sarcopenic or malnourished but not both (n = 41; p = 0.001). The median survival of patients who were non-sarcopenic and well nourished (n = 48; p = 0.001) was 38.6 months (95% CI: 25.6 to 51.6). Conclusions The exploratory study suggests that presence of sarcopenia supersedes the presence of malnutrition as a predictor of survival in colorectal cancer. Co-existence of sarcopenia and malnutrition is associated with worse survival in colorectal cancer compared to just one of those conditions being present. Prospective studies with large sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.
An Examination of Okot p’Bitek’s Song of Lawino as a Mega Metaphor for the African Indigenous Languages

In his book Metaphor, Zoltan Kovecses (2010) explains how metaphors allow us to compare abstract concepts with more concrete terms in order to make sense of our world. Using his theoretical framework and definition of conceptual metaphors, this chapter treats Lawino, the main character in Okot p’ Bitek’s Song of Lawino as a “mega metaphor” for African indigenous languages and argues that the properties and characteristics of African indigenous languages are understood in terms of the characteristics of Lawino. Lawino’s trials and experiences are compared to those of African indigenous languages in contemporary Africa. This chapter argues that it is possible for African language users to embrace and support a peaceful coexistence of both indigenous African languages and languages of wider communication.
Immunohistochemical Examination of Trophoblast Syncytialization during Early Placentation in Sheep

During the peri-implantation period, multinucleated syncytia are formed in the sheep placenta. For over 20 years the scientific consensus has been that during trophoblast syncytialization in sheep, binucleate trophoblast giant cells (BNCs) differentiate from mononuclear trophoblast cells, and individual BNCs fuse with individual luminal epithelial (LE) cells to form trinucleate cells. These trophoblast–LE syncytial plaques then grow through continued BNC migration and fusion. Therefore, LE cells are thought to be incorporated into syncytial plaques. However, these ideas were based on electron microscopy studies, without benefit of molecular markers for BNC and LE cells to support conclusions. The aim of this study was to observe interactions between BNCs and uterine LE cells using immunohistochemical localization for molecular markers for BNCs and uterine LE cells. We performed immunofluorescence staining, laser capture microdissection, and TUNEL staining on the uterine–placental tissues of sheep during early placentation. We observed: (1) syncytial cells containing more than two nuclei within the trophoblast cell layer; (2) depolarized LE cells that express caspase 3 and stain positively for TUNEL; (3) engulfment of caspase 3-positive LE cells by trophoblast giant cells (TGCs) and empty spaces within the LE layer at sites of implantation; (4) rapid enlargement of syncytial plaques; and (5) E-cadherin and TUNEL-positive cells within the uterine stroma underlying degenerating LE was coincident with accumulation of CD45-positive cells at these sites. These data suggest that during early placentation: (1) fusion between trophoblasts is not limited to the formation of BNCs, and the term ‘trophoblast giant cell (TGC)’ may be appropriate; (2) LE cells undergo apoptosis; (3) apoptotic LE cells are eliminated by TGCs; (4) fusion is not limited to the incorporation of new BNCs but involves the lateral fusion between growing syncytial plaques; and (5) TGCs carry apoptotic LE cells away from the uterine–placental interface for elimination by immune cells within the stroma. These data indicate that uterine LE cells are not incorporated into syncytial plaques, but are engulfed and eliminated, and that early placentation in sheep is more similar to early placentation in humans than is currently understood in that both develop mononucleated cytotrophoblast and multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast layers of entirely placental origin. The elimination of LE cells by sheep TGCs might provide insights into elimination and penetration of LE cells during human embryo implantation.
Multiple Circinate, Sterile, Flaccid, Relapsing Pustules

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD), also known as Sneddon-Wilkinson disease, is a rare chronic and recurring flaccid sterile pustular eruption SPD is classified within the “neutrophilic dermatoses” and develops mainly in middle-aged women SPD has been associated with benign IgA gammopathy or IgA elevation without gammopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, pyoderma gangrenosum, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel diseases, hyperthyroidism, and apudoma Systemic or topical steroids are used as monotherapy or in combination with dapsone, are first choice treatments for SPD
Utilizing the ICF to Enable Evidence-Based Practice Among Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors:

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides an appropriate framework for conceptualizing cases within vocational rehabili...
The Theophilus Legend in Medieval Text and Image

The legend of Theophilus stages an iconic medieval story, its widespread popularity attesting to its grip on the imagination. A pious clerk refuses a promotion, is demoted, becomes furious and makes a contract with the Devil. Later repentant, he seeks out a church and a statue of the Virgin; she appears to him, and he is transformed from apostate to saint. It is illustrated in a variety of media: texts, stained glass, sculpture, and manuscript illuminations. Through a wide range of manuscript illuminations and a selection of French texts, the book explores visual and textual representations of the legend, setting it in its social, cultural and material contexts, and showing how it explores medieval anxieties concerning salvation and identity. The author argues that the legend is a sustained meditation on the power of images, its popularity corresponding with the rise of their role in portraying medieval identity and salvation, and in acting as portals between the limits of the material and the possibilities of the spiritual world Jerry Root is Associate Professor of French and Comparative Literature, University of Utah.
The Sensitivity of Respiratory Tract Specimens for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2: A Protocol for a Living Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Highly sensitive, non-invasive, and easily accessible diagnostics for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are essential for the control of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. There is a clear need to establish a gold standard diagnostic for SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans using respiratory tract specimens. METHODS: Searches will be conducted in the bibliographic databases Medline, Embase, bioRxiv, medRxiv, F1000, ChemRxiv, PeerJ Preprints, Preprints.org, Beilstein Archive, and Research Square. Relevant government documents and grey literature will be sought on the FDA's Emergency Use Authorizations website, the ECDC's website, and the website of the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics. Finally, papers categorized as diagnosis papers by the EPPI Centre's COVID-19 living systematic map will be added to our screening process;those papers are tagged with the diagnosis topic based on human review, rather than database searches, and thus this set of papers might include ones that have not been captured by our search strategy.
Phosphorylation-Dependent Conformations of the Disordered Carboxyl-Terminus Domain in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a receptor tyrosine kinase, regulates basic cellular functions and is a major target for anticancer therapeutics. The carboxyl-terminus domain is a disordered region of EGFR that contains the tyrosine residues, which undergo autophosphorylation followed by docking of signaling proteins. Local phosphorylation-dependent secondary structure has been identified and is thought to be associated with the signaling cascade. Deciphering and distinguishing the overall conformations, however, have been challenging because of the disordered nature of the carboxyl-terminus domain and resultant lack of well-defined three-dimensional structure for most of the domain. We investigated the overall conformational states of the isolated EGFR carboxyl-terminus domain using single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer and coarse-grained simulations. Our results suggest that electrostatic interactions between charged residues emerge within the disordered domain upon phosphorylation, producing a looplike conformation. This conformation may enable binding of downstream signaling proteins and potentially reflect a general mechanism in which electrostatics transiently generate functional architectures in disordered regions of a well-folded protein.
Special Considerations: Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a rare complication of pregnancy affecting 0.3–3% of all pregnancies and characterized by severe nausea and vomiting that can last throughout pregnancy. HG is one of the most common causes of hospitalization in early pregnancy. The psychosocial burden of HG is immense for many women, and women with HG report significantly higher levels of anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy than women without HG. Psychosocial burden and treatment options are discussed.
Are they being authentic? The effects of self-disclosure and message sidedness on sponsored post effectiveness

The importance of social media for advertising and marketing has brought growing interest and investment into sponsored influencers. However, much is unknown about the effectiveness of influencers,...
Managing e-commerce and mobile computing technologies

E-Commerce Adoption in Small Firms: A Study on Online Share Trading Web-Based Supply Chain Integration Model An E-Channel Development Framework for Hybrid E-Retailers Deploying Java Mobile Agents in a Project Management Environment Corporate Profitability and Electronic Commerce: A Business Value Complementarity Framework Strategic Issues in Implementing Electronic-ID Services: Prescriptions for Managers Mobile Computing Business Factors and Operating Systems Conceptualizing the SMEs' Assimilation of Internet-Based Technologies Potential Roles for Business-to-Business Marketplace Providers in Service-Oriented Architectures An Evaluation of Dynamic Electronic Catalog Models in Relational Database Systems Factors Influencing Users' Adoption of Mobile Computing M-Commerce: A Location-Based Value Proposition
Towards a More Inclusive Conception of Gender-Diversity for Intersex Advocacy and Ethics

assist those families to assign each child a gender at birth so that the child grows up a gendered person (masculine or feminine, boy or girl) as society requires. However, they stipulate that all involved should consider the assignment provisional. They stress that the family and the child should have counseling, and that the child, in particular, should be educated in age-appropriate ways regarding the provisional nature of his or her gender-assignment. Then, when the young person is able to do so thoughtfully, he or she should select his or her own gender on the basis of his or her experience of gender-identity. Intersex advocates are also well known to urge that surgery designed solely to address gender concerns should not be performed until the intersex person is able to thoughtfully choose or decline it. In urging this approach to rearing and gendering intersex children, intersex advocates readily acknowledge that a person’s experience of his or her genderidentity is not something easily understood or articulated. This is especially true for a person in his or her early teens, ordinarily a time when the awareness of one’s gender identity is just becoming strong enough to guide one’s conduct and to shape one’s choices concerning the future. Even among mature adults, a person’s experience of his or her gender-identity is often quite subtle: the experience is complexly constructed out of self-awareness and self-reflection, out of social interaction reviewed inwardly, and out of others’ perceptions, communicated to the individual, of the person as gendered. Gender-identity is not something simply given to a person; it is something achieved, and, for intersex persons and many others, achieved only with effort. The subtlety of these matters and the need for careful education and counseling suggests that the literature of intersex advocacy should be paying serious attention to the conceptions of gender, gender-identity, gender-assignment, and genderexpression that it employs. The alternative is to accept such conceptions as they are
Introduction: An Overview of the Role of Metabolism in Drug Toxicity

The scientific knowledge of drug-mediated toxicities and the role that drug metabolites play in those toxicities has increased dramatically over the last 50 years. Advances in systems biology approaches to better define the most important factors in drug-metabolism-based toxicities should identify new biomarkers that can provide early signals of potential drug toxicities and lead to improvements in drug safety. Keywords: drugs; metabolism; toxicity; reactive metabolites
Computer Audio Recording: A Practical Technology for Improving Survey Quality

In interviewer-administered surveys, some aspects of total survey error (Biemer, 2010) can be managed through use of computer audio-recorded interviewing (CARI) technology by addressing faulty question wording or translation, mode effects, inconsistent question presentation, field data entry errors, and some aspects of item non-response. CARI helps detect, quantify, and control error especially when audio recordings can be matched with response data or screen capture from the interview. In this article, we examine how the use of CARI will reduce or mitigate errors at each step of conducting a survey, and we provide a description of the CARI system currently deployed at the US Census Bureau.
Utilizing Symmetry when Model Checking under Fairness Assumptions: An Automata-theoretic Approach

One useful technique for combating the state explosion problem is to exploit symmetry [ID93, CFJ93, ES93] when performing temporal logic model checking [CE81, CES86]. In [CFJ93] [ES93] it is shown how, using some basic notions of group theory, symmetry may be exploited for the full range of correctness properties expressible in the very expressive temporal logic CTL*. Surprisingly, while fairness properties are readily expressible in CTL*, these methods are not powerful enough to admit any amelioration of state explosion, when fairness assumptions are involved. We show that it is nonetheless possible to handle fairness efficiently by trading some group theory for automata theory. Our automata-theoretic approach [VW86] depends on detecting fair paths subtly encoded in a permutation annotated quotient structure, using a threaded structure to “physically” reflect coordinate permutations.
Syntheses of two isotopically labeled CB1 receptor antagonists

Synthesis of deuterium-labeled CB1 receptor antagonist 2-d9 was accomplished in three steps by alkylation of 2-nitrophenylacetonitrile with cyclopentyl-d9 bromide, reductive cyclization of the resulting secondary nitrile into the 3-cyclopentyl indole-d9 and its N-sulfonylation with corresponding p-amidosulfonyl chloride. Another, structurally related, CB1 receptor antagonist 1 was radiolabeled with carbon-14 by oxidative cleavage of 3-cyclopentyl indole followed by the ring closure of o-acyl substituted N-formylaniline with potassium cyanide-[14C], in situ reduction-elimination of the intermediate amino alcohol, and N-sulfonylation of the resulting 3-cyclopentyl indole-2-[14C].
Legal Integration in the Andes: Law‐Making by the Andean Tribunal of Justice

The Andean Tribunal of Justice (ATJ) is a copy of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), and the third most active international court. This paper reviews our findings based on an original coding of all ATJ preliminary rulings from 1984 to 2007, and over 40 interviews in the region. We then compare Andean and European jurisprudence in three key areas: whether the Tribunals treat the founding integration treaties as constitutions for their respective communities, whether the ATJ and ECJ have implied powers for community institutions that are not expressly enumerated in the founding treaties and how the Tribunals conceive of the relationship between community law and other international agreements that are binding on the Member States.
Anatomy and Strength of the Tunica Albuginea: Its Relevance to Penile Prosthesis Extrusion

AbstractIn 7 male cadavers the anatomical structure, thickness and tensile strength of the tunica albuginea of the penis, measured at specific locations, were determined. The tunica is composed of inner circular and outer longitudinal layers made up of collagen bundles. The outer layer appears to determine, to a large extent, the variation in thickness and strength of the tunica. The ventral groove (found between the 5 and 7 o’clock positions), which houses the corpus spongiosum, lacks outer bundles and appears vulnerable to perforation. The thickness of the tunica measured at the 7, 9 and 11 o’clock positions was 0.8 ± 0.1mm., 1.2 ± 0.2mm. and 2.2 ± 0.4mm., respectively. Differences in the thickness of the tunica at specific locations were statistically significant (all p ≦0.018). Symmetrical measurements were nearly identical in a mirror image arrangement (3, 5 and 1 at the 9, 7 and 11 o’clock positions, respectively). The stress on the tunica at penetration (breaking point pressure) measured at the 7, ...
A ‘Race’ for Equality: Print Media Coverage of the 1968 Olympic Protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos

Abstract During the Summer Olympics in 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos made history. Although they won the gold and bronze medals, respectively, in the 200-meter dash, their athletic accomplishments were overshadowed by their silent protest during the medal ceremony. Images of Smith and Carlos each holding up a single, closed, gloved fist have become iconic reminders of the Civil Rights movement. What met the two men after their protest was criticism from the press, primarily sportswriters. This article examines media coverage of the protest and its aftermath, and looks at how reporters dealt with Smith's and Carlos's political and racial statement within the context of the overall coverage of the Olympic Games.
Pile Load Tests

This chapter discusses pile load tests that are conducted to assess the capacity of piles. Pile load test procedures can change slightly from region to region depending on local building codes. A pile is driven, and a load is applied to the pile. Generally, to conduct a pile load test, one needs a driven pile, a load (usually steel and timber), a hydraulic jack, a deflection gauge, and a load indicator. The chapter presents pile load test procedures. Generally, total test load is twice the design load.
Telomere length alterations unique to invasive lobular carcinoma.

Summary Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes located at the extreme ends of eukaryotic chromosomes and protect chromosomal ends from degradation and recombination. Dysfunctional telomeres contribute to genomic instability, promote tumorigenesis, and, in breast cancer, have been associated with increased cancer risk and poor prognosis. Short telomere lengths have been previously associated with triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her2)--positive ductal carcinomas. However, these investigations have not specifically assessed invasive lobular carcinomas (ILCs), which accounts for 5% to 15% of all invasive breast cancers. Here, we evaluate telomere lengths within 48 primary ILCs with complete characterization of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Her2 status, including 32 luminal/Her2− (ER+/PR+/Her2−), 8 luminal/Her2+ (ER+/PR+/Her2+), 3 Her2+ (ER−/PR−/Her2+), and 5 triple-negative (ER−/PR−/Her2−) carcinomas. A telomere-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization assay, which provides single-cell telomere length resolution, was used to evaluate telomere lengths and compare with standard clinicopathological markers. In contrast to breast ductal carcinoma, in which more than 85% of cases display abnormally short telomeres, approximately half (52%) of the ILCs displayed either normal or long telomeres. Short telomere length was associated with older patient age. Interestingly, 3 cases (6%) displayed a unique telomere pattern consisting of 1 or 2 bright telomere spots among the normal telomere signals within each individual cancer cell, a phenotype that has not been previously described. Additional studies are needed to further evaluate the significance of the unique bright telomere spot phenotype and the potential utility of telomere length as a prognostic marker in ILC.
Ethos and Worldview Reconsidered: Geertz, Normativity, and the Comparative Study of Religions

This paper examines Clifford Geertz’s theory of religion in terms of its fruitfulness as a resource for the comparative study of religions. Given the recent spate of critiques that have excoriated Geertz’s theory as theologically driven, epistemologically incoherent, and naive in regard to the relations of power, its value for comparative work would seem limited at best. I argue that even with its limitations Geertz’s theory of religion, especially his reflections on “ethos” and “worldview,” can help guide contemporary discussions in the comparative study of religions, particularly comparative religious ethics. Although many of the recent critiques, particularly by Asad and Penner and Frankenberry, have taken Geertz to task for his putative metaphysical inclinations and dubious epistemological views, I want to suggest that we can read Geertz more productively by seeing ethos and worldview as part of a unified normative order rather than viewing them as two separate dimensions. To this end, the paper will develop Geertz’s notions of ethos and worldview in the context of an economy of normativity.
A phase II, randomised, placebo controlled trial of 12 weeks treatment with an oral p38 inhibitor in patients with COPD on a background of ICS/LABA

Despite the recognized role of pulmonary inflammation in the pathogenesis of the disease, anti-inflammatory drugs have demonstrated only limited efficacy in COPD. Inhibitors of the p38 MAP kinase may have an important role in treating inflammation in COPD. Here we extend previous findings (MacNee et. al. Eur Resp J 2010 36Suppl 54 718s) to report the effect of a novel oral p38 inhibitor (PH-797804) on top of a background of salmeterol/fluticasone. 377 subjects with moderate-severe COPD, currently on stable doses of ICS/LABA combination were randomized to receive either 6 mg of oral PH-797804 or placebo once daily orally for 12 weeks. Baseline trough FEV1 was similar in both groups (0.50 -2.92L). Over the 12 week treatment period, trough FEV1 demonstrated an improvement in PH-797804 treated subjects compared with placebo; at 12 weeks, statistically significant effects (mean ± SE) of 27 ± 18 mL was noted. The average difference from placebo over the 12 week treatment period was 31 mL. A statistically significant increase was observed on the Transitional Dyspnea Index at 12 weeks (0.57 ± 0.28 points). hs-C-reactive protein showed a decrease at week 2 that was consistent throughout the dosing period, indicating maintenance of the anti-inflammatory effect. PH-797804 was generally safe and well tolerated. The rate of discontinuations due to adverse events was somewhat higher in PH-797804 treated patients. Mild-moderate rash was observed in approximately 8% of PH-797804 treated patients. Our findings suggest that p38 inhibition could represent a potentially useful anti-inflammatory treatment for COPD.Study Sponsored by Pfizer.
Social impacts of sporhase in the arid West

Abstract The United States Supreme Court decision in Sporhase v. Nebraska (458 U.S. 941 [1982]) has changed the way groundwater is distributed in western United States. Since water is a crucial factor for economic development, the change has generated social impacts at the individual, community, and state levels. Adjustments are being made which might alter the balance of power in the western United States for years to come.