cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intralesional corticosteroid injections are less painful without local anesthetic: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background Corticosteroid injections are a commonly used treatment for dermatologic pathologies. Although the injectable is often prepared with a local anesthetic, we hypothesize that patients receiving an injection with anesthetic will experience no decrease in pain at the time of injection. Methods Patients requiring a corticosteroid injection were prospectively randomized into two cohorts to receive a corticosteroid (triamcinolone acetonide) combined with either lidocaine with epinephrine 1:100 000 (anesthetic) or bacteriostatic normal saline. Both patient and clinician were blinded to the treatment arm. The primary outcome was pain associated with the injection measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) immediately following the injection. Results Thirty-one patients were enrolled with 18 in the saline group and 13 in the lidocaine with epinephrine group. Pain scores were significantly higher for injections containing lidocaine with epinephrine versus saline (VAS 5.0 vs 2.0, p = .0056). Conclusions For various dermatologic pathologies, corticosteroid injections are effective and have relatively little associated pain. Counterintuitively, we found that there is more injection-associated pain when lidocaine with epinephrine is included with the corticosteroid. Therefore, clinicians should omit this anesthetic or dilute corticosteroids with normal saline, rather than with lidocaine and epinephrine. This will minimize injection pain as well as decrease the risk of pharmacologic adverse reactions from an unnecessary additional medication. Due to the small sample size, additional research may be necessary for generalization to other indications. Clinicaltrials.gov listing: NCT03630198.
Influence of context on spatial expanse of color spreading in the watercolor illusion

The watercolor illusion (WCI) occurs when a physically non-colored region surrounded by contrasting contour and fringe appears filled in with a hue similar to the fringe. The present experiments explored how local and global stimulus factors influence the spatial expanse of WCI color spreading. Experiment 1 utilized two- and three-dimensional-appearing stimuli with the WCI in only one part of each stimulus. Some conditions fully enclosed the color-spreading region with fringe on all sides. Others removed fringe from one side, opening up the color-spreading region to another part of the stimulus. Regardless of perceived dimensionality or enclosure, color did not spread beyond the fringed color-spreading region as confirmed by illusion magnitude ratings and handwritten shading. Experiment 2 consisted of transparent “wireframe” versions of the opaque-appearing stimuli used in Experiment 1. This altered the local context by adding physical contours inside the fringed color-spreading region. As in Experiment 1, color did not spread beyond physically open regions. Furthermore, illusory color filled a space bound by a combination of physical and illusory contours depending on the fringe end-cuts and other perceptual organization cues within the stimulus. Our main focus in these experiments was to determine where color spreads in a variety of contexts. Perceptual organization factors other than perceived depth seem more likely to impact the spatial expanse of WCI color spreading. These are some of the first experiments to explore the impact of changes to local and global context on the spatial expanse of the WCI.
The pathogenic mechanism of oral bacteria and treatment with inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to introduce the evidence obtained through extensive research that periodontitis increases risk of many systemic diseases. METHOD Analysis of some oral bacteria (P. gingivalis, T. denticola, T. forsythia, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and F. nucleatum) and its related treatments and mediators by the specific methods (western blot, ELISA, etc). RESULTS This article reviews in detail the evidence obtained through extensive research that periodontitis increases risk of many systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease. These diseases are known to be associated with some certain specific gram-negative bacteria as periodontal pathogens, which induce inflammation and related diseases through TLR receptors, kinases, transcriptional factors and other cytokines. We also reviewed the latest research for inhibitors against inflammation and related diseases that have potential to be further applied clinically. In addition, based on a large amount of research evidence, we draw two tables about the mechanism of disease caused by periodontal bacteria, so that readers can easily search and analyze these research results. DISCUSSION This review details how the periodontal bacteria and their virulence factors can trigger host immune defense and induce many systemic diseases via inflammation and invasion. This Review also addressed the latest research around inhibitors against inflammation.
Searching for a Solid-State Terahertz Technology

Advances in device fabrication are facilitating production and detection of electromagnetic radiation at terahertz frequencies.
Concerted Feedback Inhibition of Aspartokinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus I. CATALYTIC AND REGULATORY PROPERTIES

Abstract Aspartokinase from the thermophilic bacterium Bacillus stearothermophilus has been partially purified and characterized. The enzyme has a temperature optimum near 55°, a pH optimum of 8.0, and requires both Mg++ and a monovalent cation for maximum activity. The enzyme is feedback inhibited by both lysine and threonine in a concerted manner and by each of the inhibitors individually. The sensitivity of the enzyme to the end products added individually or together decreases as the assay temperature is increased from 23 to 55°. This effect is most pronounced with respect to threonine inhibition. However, even at 55° the sensitivity of the enzyme to concerted feedback inhibition is comparable to that found at much lower temperatures for aspartokinases of mesophilic bacteria. Lysine and threonine singly or together act as noncompetitive inhibitors with respect to ATP and as mixed competitive-noncompetitive inhibitors with respect to aspartate at either 37 or 55°. Homotropic interactions could not be shown for either substrate in the presence or absence of the inhibitors. However, homotropic interactions with respect to threonine were observed as the assay temperature was increased. No such effect was shown for lysine over the same temperature range. The enzyme can be desensitized to feedback inhibition by a variety of treatments. With the exception of mercaptoethanol treatment, each desensitizing alteration results in decreased catalytic activity. These results suggest that regulatory sites for both lysine and threonine, in addition to the substrate sites, exist on the enzyme molecule.
Institutions in transition : reliability of rules and economic performance in former Socialist countries

Building reliable institutions that support a market system is widely believed to be critical to a successful economic transition. The authors present indicators on the predictability of the institutional framework across twenty transition economies -including indicators of the predictability of rules, political stability, the security of property rights, the reliability of the judiciary, and the lack of corruption. They then investigate whether those indicators can explain differences in economic performance. The results suggest that the predictability of the framework may indeed explain a large part of differences in foreign direct investment and in economic growth among transition economies. Political stability and secure property rights are particularly important to entrepreneurial confidence in the economy.
Bacteriophage K20 requires both the OmpF porin and lipopolysaccharide for receptor function.

Abstract Mutations which prevent absorption of the bacteriophage K20 to Escherichia coli K-12 were selected by using an altered OmpF protein which confers the ability to grow on maltodextrin in the absence of the LamB maltoporin. The mutations map in the rfa gene cluster and alter the structure of the lipopolysaccharide core.
Atypical cytologic diagnostic category in EUS-FNA of the pancreas: Follow-up, outcomes, and predictive models

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to assess how atypical diagnostic category (ADC) is followed up, its outcomes, and the predictors that are associated with subsequent diagnosis of neoplasm/malignancy. METHODS We reviewed pancreatic endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) with ADC and compared the rate of detection of neoplasms after a repeat FNA, a biopsy/resection, or a clinical follow-up following ADC. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with the diagnosis of a neoplastic or a malignant lesion following ADC. Predictive probability for each case was calculated on the basis of the significant predictors, and whether it improved diagnostic performance was assessed. RESULTS Of 3832 cases that received pancreatic EUS-FNAs, 187 (4.9%) were ADC. A total of 93 neoplasms (55%), including 61 carcinomas (36%), were detected after an atypical cytologic diagnosis. Similar rates of detecting neoplasms were observed after repeat FNA or biopsy/resection but higher than after clinical follow-up. The presence of a mass, history of alcohol use, and absence of a history of pancreatitis were significant predictors of a higher rate of diagnosis of neoplasm. Weight loss and bile flow obstruction were more likely to be associated with higher rates of carcinoma. Predictive probability demonstrated a wide range of risk and changed the ambiguous diagnosis to informative in 30% of cases. CONCLUSIONS ADC of pancreas is associated with a high risk of benign and malignant neoplasms regardless of the method of follow-up. The presences of a mass, alcohol use, and absence of a history of pancreatitis are significant predictors of a diagnosis of neoplasm, whereas weight loss and bile duct obstruction are significant predictors of ductal carcinoma following an ADC. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:428–434. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Chapter 12 The coupled transport of water

Publisher Summary The transport of salt solutions by epithelia has been the focus of active physiological investigation for over a century. Part of the impetus for this activity was the early recognition that, with respect to water transport, epithelia differed from passive membranes. The transepithelial movement of water is a process that is coupled to the vital activity of the living tissue. Many of the early observations on water transport were made on experimental preparations of mammalian intestine, a tissue whose natural function includes the transfer of large volumes of salt solution from the intestinal lumen to the blood. A necessary condition for this transport was an intact layer of healthy epithelial cells lining the luminal surface. Indeed, transfer of water from lumen to blood could occur against an adverse osmotic gradient. The phenomenological models of transport are considered. The chapter presents a general mathematical framework with which the basic notions of coupled water transport may be defined, and which may be applied to more detailed models. The linear phenomenology of non-equilibrium thermodynamics is developed within this general framework. The deterministic models of intraepithelial solute–solvent coupling are discussed. The effect of introducing a permeable tight junction is discussed for the compartment model of the interspace and some of the efforts to elaborate more comprehensive simulations are indicated.
Electronic connection to the interior of a mesoporous insulator with nanowires of crystalline RuO2

Highly porous materials such as mesoporous oxides are of technological interest1 for catalytic, sensing and remediation applications: the mesopores (of size 2–50 nm) permit ingress by molecules and guests that are physically excluded from microporous materials. Connecting the interior of porous materials with a nanoscale or ‘molecular’ wire would allow the direct electronic control (and monitoring) of chemical reactions and the creation of nanostructures for high-density electronic materials2. The challenge is to create an electronic pathway (that is, a wire) within a mesoporous platform without greatly occluding its free volume and reactive surface area3. Here we report the synthesis of an electronically conductive mesoporous composite—by the cryogenic decomposition of RuO4—on the nanoscale network of a partially densified silica aerogel. The composite consists of a three-dimensional web of interconnected (∼4-nm in diameter) crystallites of RuO2, supported conformally on the nanoscopic silica network. The resulting monolithic (RuO2∥SiO2) composite retains the free volume of the aerogel and exhibits pure electronic conductivity. In addition to acting as a wired mesoporous platform, the RuO2-wired silica aerogel behaves as a porous catalytic electrode for the oxidation of chloride to molecular chlorine.
Ecological momentary assessment of sleep, symptoms, and mood during chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Objective This study examined the association of sleep before and during a chemotherapy (CT) cycle for breast cancer with symptoms and mood during a CT cycle. Methods Twenty women undergoing CT for breast cancer completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 1 h prior to a CT infusion. For 3 weeks following infusion, participants estimated sleep efficiency, minutes to sleep (sleep latency), number of nocturnal awakenings (sleep fragmentation (SF)), and sleep quality (SQ) each morning and rated symptoms (nausea, fatigue, numbness, and difficulty thinking) and mood three times daily (morning, afternoon, and evening) via ecological momentary assessments using automated handheld computers. Results The results showed that disturbed sleep (PSQI score > 5) prior to CT infusion was associated with greater fatigue, and more negative and anxious mood throughout the 3-week CT cycle, and good pre-CT infusion sleep (PSQI score < 5) buffered anxious mood in the first days following infusion. Time-lagged analyses controlling for mood/symptom ratings reported the previous evening revealed that longer sleep latency and greater SF were associated with greater daytime fatigue; poorer SQ and greater SF were antecedents of worse morning negative mood, and greater SF was associated with feeling more passive and drowsy. No evening symptom or mood ratings were related to subsequent SQ. Conclusions These findings suggest that disturbed sleep before and after a CT infusion exacerbates fatigue, and negative, anxious, and drowsy mood during a CT cycle. Reducing sleep disturbance may be an important way to improve quality of life during CT. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How Does the Director’s Social Network Matter? Evidence from Structure Estimation

In this paper, I evaluate the impact of board interlock networks (i.e. boards are connected by interlocked directors – individuals who are officers and/or directors at two or more ﬁrms) on directorship market outcomes and ﬁrm values by estimating a dynamic structural model. The model features endogenous network formation and network learning and predicts that, under certain restrictions, the structure of board interlock networks can fully reveal previously unidentiﬁed objectives (e.g. whether the board is the ﬁrm value maximizers or social alliance to the CEO). The model’s parameters are estimated by applying Bayesian Markov-Chain-Monte-Carlo methods to longitudinal interlock network data of U.S. public traded ﬁrms over ten years (1996-2006). I ﬁnd that social network connections are important in determining who gets which directorship. Speciﬁcally, the possibility of obtaining board seat increases by 30-150 times if the director has a tie to the hiring board, while other variables (e.g. director’s demographic characteristics, the performance of his current ﬁrm, his professional title, his compensation, how often the director attends a board meeting, etc.) have negligible effects. I also ﬁnd that boards discount the value of directors with a large number of outside directorships, indicating a desire for effective monitors. Finally, I ﬁnd that interlock connections decrease ﬁrms’ values pre-Sarbances-Oxley Act (SOX) and increase post-SOX. Overall, this model provides the ﬁrst study in the dynamic relationship between board interlock network, director appointment and ﬁrm value.
A hierarchical modeling of availability in distributed systems

A two-level hierarchical model is proposed to analyze the availability of distributed systems as perceived by their users. At the higher level (user level), the availability of the tasks (processes) is analyzed in terms of the availability of the system components. At the lower level (component level), detailed Markov models are developed to analyze the component availabilities. These models take into account the hardware/software failures, congestion and collisions in communication links, allocation of resources, and the redundancy level. Also presented is the availability analysis of some of the services provided by the unified workstation environment (UWE) currently being implemented at AT&T Bell Laboratories. >
Genetics of childhood disorders: XVIII. ADHD, Part. 2: Norepinephrine has a critical modulatory influence on prefrontal cortical function.

Dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a hndamental component of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The PFC uses working memory to intelligently guide behavior, inhibiting inappropriate impulses or distractions and allowing us to plan and organize effectively (see previous column). Individuals with ADHD are consistently impaired on tests of frontal lobe function, and both structural and functional imaging studies have shown evidence of altered PFC function in individuals with ADHD. In particular, the right PFC has been shown to be consistently smaller in
Neuroimmunophilin ligand enhances neurite outgrowth and effect of fetal dopamine transplants.

Abstract Neuroimmunophilin ligands have been shown to enhance neurite outgrowth in several neuronal systems in culture, including primary dopaminergic neurons from fetal ventral mesencephalon. We investigated the ability of neuroimmunophilin ligands to enhance outgrowth of transplanted fetal dopamine neurons in vivo . Rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the nigrostriatal dopamine system were transplanted with rat embryonic day 14 ventral mesencephalon into the striatum, then treated orally with a neuroimmunophilin ligand (15 mg/kg) or vehicle once per day for 14 days. All transplanted animals regained dopamine function over a 10 week behavioral test period, as indicated by decrease and reversal of amphetamine-induced rotation. In addition, neuroimmunophilin ligand-treated animals showed a more pronounced motor response during the first 10 min after amphetamine injection, possibly reflecting increased striatal reinnervation or increased functional capacity. At post-mortem analyses, neuroimmunophilin ligand-treated rats showed a significantly higher density of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive fibers reinnervating the lesioned striatum, both immediately surrounding the transplant (92% of unlesioned density in neuroimmunophilin-treated rats vs 67% of unlesioned levels in vehicle-treated rats) and at some distance from the transplant/host interface. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells within the transplants was not different between groups. This study demonstrates that short-term oral administration of a neuroimmunophilin ligand can enhance neurite outgrowth from fetal dopamine neuronal transplants.
The ‘preference factor’ and isotope effect in the loss of hydrogen or deuterium from labeled toluenes

Metastable ion decompositions involving the loss of hydrogen and deuterium from partially deuterated toluene ions were studied using a double focusing mass spectrometer. The electric sector voltage was adjusted so that the only ions transmitted were those which lost a particular fraction of their kinetic energy in decompositions taking place in front of the electric sector. Transitions involving loss of mass 1 or mass 2 from the molecular ions of toluene-α-d3 and toluene-2,3,4,5,6-d5 were studied. The results showed that in these slow reactions, the ‘preference factor’ defined as the ratio of the probability of loss of a hydrogen atom from a side-chain position to loss of a hydrogen atom from a ring position was 1.00. The ‘isotope factor,’ defined as the ratio of the probability of loss of a hydrogen atom from any position to that for the loss of a deuterium atom from the same position was found to be 3·50.
Diversity and Distribution of Marine Synechococcus: Multiple Gene Phylogenies for Consensus Classification and Development of qPCR Assays for Sensitive Measurement of Clades in the Ocean.

Marine Synechococcus is a globally significant genus of cyanobacteria that is comprised of multiple genetic lineages or clades. These clades are thought to represent ecologically distinct units, or ecotypes. Because multiple clades often co-occur together in the oceans, Synechococcus are ideal microbes to explore how closely related bacterial taxa within the same functional guild of organisms coexist and partition marine habitats. Here we perform multi-locus sequencing of cultured strains to confirm the congruency of clade classifications between the 16S-23S rDNA internally transcribed spacer (ITS), 16S rDNA, narB, ntcA, and rpoC1, loci commonly used in Synechococcus diversity studies. We designed quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays that target the ITS for ten Synechococcus clades, including four clades, XV, XVI, CRD1, and CRD2, not covered by previous assays employing other loci. Our new qPCR assays are very sensitive and specific, detecting as few as tens of cells per ml. Application of these qPCR assays to field samples from the northwest Atlantic showed clear shifts in Synechococcus community composition across a coastal to open ocean transect. Consistent with previous studies, clades I and IV dominated cold, coastal Synechococcus communities. Clades II and X were abundant at the two warmer, off-shore stations, and at all stations multiple Synechococcus clades co-occurred. qPCR assays developed here provide valuable tools to further explore the dynamics of microbial community structure and the mechanisms of co-existence.
Atrial Laceration Caused by Removal of a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Necessitates Emergent Cardiopulmonary Bypass during Liver Transplant: A Case Report

In situ transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS) can complicate liver transplantation. We present a case where an intraoperative attempt to remove a malpositioned TIPS resulted in atrial laceration. Massive transfusion and emergent institution of cardiopulmonary bypass allowed patient resuscitation and completion of surgery. We describe our surgical and anesthesiologic management, and discuss the absence of criteria to predict when TIPS may become adherent to the inferior vena cava or the right atrium and difficult to remove.
Segmentectomy for Lung Cancer

Experience reported in the literature increasingly supports the notion that segmentectomy is comparable with lobectomy for small tumors (≤2 cm), provided that the lesion is located centrally and affords a 2-cm parenchymal surgical margin. In a recent retrospective study that compared video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy to VATS segmentectomy, the authors concluded that segmentectomy yields excellent oncological results with comparable morbidity, mortality, locoregional recurrence, and 3-year survival. Moreover, patients in both surgical groups were discharged after similar length hospital stays although patients undergoing VATS segmentectomy had worse pulmonary function before surgery. Perceived difficulties with new applications of minimally invasive surgeries disappear as experience increases, permitting application to technically more challenging operations. A technical description of VATS segmentectomy is provided, including 2 new methods for ensuring the exact delineation of the fissure.
Effect of cyclosporine and steroids on canine bile flow

Cyclosporine and hydrocortisone are the main immunosuppressants used in transplant surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intravenous administration of cyclosporine and hydrocortisone on bile flow in dogs. Cyclosporine in doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg.kg-1.hr-1 were administered along with 18 mumol/min intravenous sodium taurocholate to dogs with chronic biliary and gastric fistulas. Bile volume and bile chloride concentration and output were increased by cyclosporine in a dose-related manner, whereas bile salt concentration decreased and bile salt output was unchanged. Hydrocortisone produced small but significant increases in bile flow only at the highest dose of hydrocortisone administered. Subsequently, experiments were performed when sodium taurocholate was administered in progressively increasing doses (9, 18 and 36 mumol/min), with the dose changed every hour. Bile volume, [14C]erythritol clearance in bile and bile salt concentrations were measured with and without cyclosporine and hydrocortisone administration. Cyclosporine increased the bile salt-independent fraction of canalicular bile flow and ductular bile flow. Experiments evaluating the role of the cyclosporine carrier polyoxyethylated castor oil (Cremophor EL) demonstrated that this substance had no independent choleretic activity, whereas cyclosporine dissolved in ethanol and administered without Cremophor EL significantly increased bile flow. The results of this study indicate that cyclosporine stimulates chloride-rich choleresis independent of bile salt secretion.
Ultrasensitive gas detection by quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy in the fundamental molecular absorption bands region

A trace gas sensor based on quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy with a quantum cascade laser operating at 4.55 μm as an excitation source was developed. The sensor performance was evaluated for the detection of N2O and CO. A noise-equivalent (1σ) sensitivity of 4 ppbv N2O with 3 s response time to (1-1/e) of the steady-state level was demonstrated. The influence of the relevant energy transfer processes on the detection limits was analyzed. Approaches to improve the current sensor performance are also discussed.
SKIN HOMOGRAFTS: TOLEROGENIC VERSUS IMMUNOGENIC INFLUENCES IN MICE

In strain combinations involving multiple non-H-2 disparities, neonatal skin grafts may survive significantly longer than adult grafts of similar genotype on normal adult hosts, and repeatedly outlive grafts of adult origin on immunosuppressed recipients. Moreover, newborn grafts of long-standing may render their hosts unresponsive to adult skin grafts from the same donor strain. With some H-2-compatible strain combinations in which homozygous neonatal grafts are rejected, F1 hybrid (heterozygous) grafts of similar age not only may survive indefinitely, but also may induce tolerance of subsequent adult parental strain homografts. These tolerogenic and gene dosage effects, although much weaker, can likewise be revealed with H-2-incompatible neonatal skin grafts.
Ceftiofur Sodium: Monoclonal Antibody Development and Cross-Reactivity Studies with Structurally Related Cephalosporins

Monoclonal antibodies were prepared against ceftiofur using its hydrolyzed form, desfuroylceftiofur, as the hapten. Desfuroylceftiofur was prepared in situ and conjugated directly to maleimide-activated carrier proteins bovine serum albumin and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Balb/c mice were immunized with the desfuroylceftiofur−KLH conjugate (KLH-SMCC−desCef). Splenic lymphocytes from these mice were fused with SP2/0 myeloma cells to produce hybridomas. Two stable monoclonal antibodies, Cef-68 and Cef-116, of subclasses IgG2a and IgG1, respectively, were isolated. An indirect competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ciELISA) was developed for the quantitative detection of ceftiofur in liquid samples using a heterologous assay system to provide a more sensitive ELISA. Detection limits for ceftiofur were 32 and 0.3 ppb for the two clones Cef-68 and Cef-116, respectively. The ciELISA described here provides a sensitive assay for the detection of ceftiofur. Cross-reactivity studies with a ...
Effects of hyperosmolarity and ion substitutions on amino acid efflux from the ischemic rat cerebral cortex.

The contributions of sodium and chloride ions and of osmotic stresses to the ischemia-evoked efflux of excitotoxic and other amino acids were explored using a rat four vessel occlusion model. Replacement of Na+ with choline or N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG) and of Cl- with sulfate or gluconate was used to evaluate the contribution that these ions make to amino acid efflux. The contribution of ischemia-evoked swelling to amino acid release was studied by applying mannitol or sucrose to minimize the cell volume increases and the compensatory regulatory volume decrease evoked efflux of amino acids. Aliquots of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), appropriately adjusted for ion replacement or 150 mM mannitol or sucrose, were pipetted into cortical cups 35 min prior to ischemia and perfusate samples were obtained prior to, during and following ischemia (20 min) and reperfusion (40 min). Replacement of Na+ by NMDG depressed basal (normoxic) efflux of most amino acids, with choline substitution having little effect. During ischemia NMDG substitution increased glutamate and GABA efflux and choline enhanced the release of aspartate, glutamate, GABA and taurine. A reduction in extracellular Na+ would facilitate reversal of Na+-dependent transporters with extrusion of amino acids. Another possible explanation for the elevated release is that the absence of Na+ would inhibit the Ca2+/Na+ counter transport system, with a deleterious accumulation of intracellular Ca2+. Chloride replacement with sulfate or gluconate enhanced the efflux of aspartate, glutamate, GABA and taurine during ischemia. Removal of Cl- would depolarize cells, and block the Cl--dependent action of inhibitory amino acid transmitters, with both actions enhancing the ischemic injury and, consequently, amino acid release. Exposure to hyperosmotic mannitol (150 mM) aCSF enhanced ischemia-evoked release of some amino acids (taurine, GABA) and decreased that of aspartate and phosphoethanolamine. Sucrose aCSF enhanced the ischemia-evoked release of most amino acids. A potential explanation for these observations is that both agents may be able to rapidly penetrate the plasma membranes of ischemic neurons, actually contributing to the release of other osmolytes. The unanticipated nature of many of the observations made during these manipulations of the aCSF serves to accentuate the complex nature of the mechanisms responsible for the ischemia-evoked amino acid efflux into the interstitial spaces.
Collision-free trajectory generation on assistive robot Neptune

This work demonstrates the integration of existing open source robotics tools to develop a collision free trajectory generation system for assistive environments and evaluates its performance. Trajectory generation and obstacle avoidance abilities were applied in the Neptune assistive robot developed in our lab. Such abilities are essential for safe operation of the robot in an assistive living environment. The Robot Operating System (ROS) is used as the software framework within which collision-free algorithms are executed. Prior to deploying the code on the Neptune hardware, the kinematics was modeled and simulated. Furthermore, a Kinect sensor was used to gain information about the environment and detect obstacles. Experiments were then performed on the robotic system to demonstrate the obstacle avoidance behavior during trajectory generation between randomly generated and selected end effector poses.
Case simulation language: an example of local development of a problem oriented language

Case Simulation Language or CSL is a programming language which facilitates the production of simulated medical cases for training students at the University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham. CSL was developed in two months by one programmer and is executed interpretively by a small program (occupying less than 20,000 bytes) on a Hewlett-Packard 2000 Time Share System. The language features a curious assemblage of old techniques such as fixed fields in each line of source code and numeric labels, juxtaposed to relatively new concepts such as case statements.Modular programming is encouraged by the enforced division of the program into sections. Each section can be reached by a go to line (> line) or a call line (>
Coping with loss of perfection in the MHC class I peptide repertoire

The MHC class I molecules present thousands of peptides (pMHC I) on the cell surface for immune surveillance by CD8 T cells. The pMHC I repertoire normally contains peptides of perfect length and sequences suitable for binding each MHC I. The peptides are made by first fragmenting cytoplasmic proteins. The fragments are then transported into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where they are trimmed to appropriate length by the ER aminopeptidase associated with antigen processing (ERAAP) to generate the final pMHC I. Here, we review studies on the role of ERAAP in generating pMHC I from endogenous or viral proteins and their ability to elicit CD8 T cell responses. The absence of ERAAP profoundly disrupts the pMHC I repertoire which can have major consequences on the immune responses to endogenous and viral antigens.
RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF HUMAN PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS TYPE 1 INFECTION BY QUANTITATIVE RT-PCR-EHA. † 1008

RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF HUMAN PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS TYPE 1 INFECTION BY QUANTITATIVE RT-PCR-EHA. † 1008
Maxillary canine/third premolar transposition in a prehistoric population from Santa Cruz Island California

Canine/premolar transposition is rare in both historic and prehistoric Homo sapiens with a known occurrence of less than 0.10%. This report describes a prehistoric population sample from one site (SCrI-3) on Santa Cruz Island, California in which the rate of C/P3 transposition is greater than eight percent, based on nine of 106 adult crania which exhibit the anomaly either uni- or bilaterally. As a means of investigating the etiology of this anomaly, the location of the canine root in adult crania was studied. Root location should indicate tooth bud origin, a factor likely to be under genetic control. In crania with normally erupted canines, the superior portion of the root averages 4.43 mm from alare, while this distance is 8.96 mm for anomalous roots. This difference suggests that during ontogeny the tooth buds for the canine and premolar arose in the wrong (or reversed) places, causing the teeth to erupt anomalously. It is suggested that inbreeding in a small island community resulted in a short-lived appearance of this anomaly at a high frequency. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
What Happened to the Promise?: A Critical (Re)orientation of Two Sociocultural Learning Traditions

Cleary it is no longer possible to think about learning without context. Although context cannot be ignored anymore, educators often struggle to explain how people learn in and with various contexts. Situated cognition and cultural—historical activity theory (CHAT) hold promise for understanding how adult learners are cultural and historical agents embedded within and constituted by socially structured relationships and tool-mediated activity. This promise, however, is not yet realized as the politicized nature of learning in practice that is foundational to both situated cognition and CHAT remains overlooked in adult learning literature. To move toward fulfilling the promise, this literature review emphasizes the neglected dimensions of recursivity and power within situated cognition and CHAT frameworks.
Area Sampling Buffer: Tracing Rays with Z‐Buffer Hardware

An algorithm that allows the use of z-buffer hardware in assisting area sampling for a ray tracing style renderer is described. The implementation issues involved in discretizing the sampling area and light source area are discussed and solutions are proposed. The effects of the hardware-assisted ray tracing approach on frame-buffer systems and image synthesis processes are considered.
Timbal muscle physiology in the endothermic cicada Tibicen winnemanna (Homoptera: Cicadidae)

Abstract The operative muscle temperature and contraction kinetics are described for the endothermic cicada Tibicen winnemanna (Davis). Measurements of timbal muscle temperature in the field demonstrate that timbal muscle temperature is elevated above ambient temperature during activity. Timbal muscle temperature increases as the acoustic output progresses from a ‘warm-up’ buzz (27.9–29.7°C) to full song production (36.3–39.5°C). Mean muscle-ambient temperature difference increases from 5.8°C in buzzing animals to 13.1°C in animals producing a full calling song. Twitch rise time and onset to 50% relaxation time decrease while tension production increases with increasing temperature to 40°C. Mean force production at 20°C was determined to be 0.22±0.06 N/cm 2 . The characteristics of T . winnemanna muscle are similar to those reported in other cicada species. Analysis of the songs produced by animals with one timbal destroyed and the sounds produced by mechanical manipulation suggest that the timbals alternately contract and relax in the sequence IN 1 –IN 2 –OUT 1 –OUT 2 . Measurements of the inferred period of muscle contraction from song recordings and the contraction kinetics of isolated timbal muscles measured in the laboratory show that the temperature of the timbal muscle must be elevated in order for the cicada to be able to produce the calling song.
PEGylated interferon-β modulates the acute inflammatory response and recovery when combined with forced exercise following cervical spinal contusion injury

Abstract Secondary degeneration leads to an expansion of the initial tissue damage sustained during a spinal cord injury (SCI). Dampening the cellular inflammatory response that contributes to this progressive tissue damage is one possible strategy for neuroprotection after acute SCI. We initially examined whether treatment with a PEGylated form of rat interferon-beta (IFN-β) would modulate the expression of several markers of inflammation and neuroprotection at the site of a unilateral cervical level 5 contusion injury. Adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were injured using the Infinite Horizon Impactor at a force of 200 kdyn (equivalent to a severe injury) and a mean displacement of 1600–1800 μm. A single dose (5 × 10 6 units) of PEGylated IFN-β or vehicle was administered 30 min following SCI. Here we demonstrate temporal changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels and the expression of heat shock proteins and iNOS (involved in neuroprotection) at the lesion epicenter and one segment caudally after SCI and PEG IFN-β treatment. The results suggested a potential therapeutic treatment strategy for modulation of secondary damage after acute SCI. Therefore, we examined whether acute treatment with PEG IFN-β would improve forelimb function alone or when combined with forced exercise (Ex). Animals began the Ex paradigm 5 days post SCI and continued for 5 days/week over 8 weeks. Locomotion (forelimb locomotor scale [FLS], hindlimb BBB, and TreadScan) and sensorimotor function (grid walking) was tested weekly. Additional outcome measures included lesion size and glial cell reactivity. Significant FLS improvements occurred at 1 week post SCI in the PEGylated IFN-β-treated group but not at any other time point or with any other treatment approaches. These results suggest that this acute neuroprotective treatment strategy does not translate into long term behavioral recovery even when combined with forced exercise.
3D-T1rho quantitation of patellar cartilage at 3.0T.

Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) T1ρ-weighted imaging of human knee joint at 3.0T without exceeding the specific absorption rate (SAR) limits and the measurement of the baseline T1ρ values of patellar cartilage and several muscles at the knee joint. Materials and Methods 3D gradient-echo sequence with a self-compensating spin-lock pulse cluster of 250 Hz power was used to acquire 3D-T1ρ-weighted images of the knee joint of five healthy subjects. Global and regional analysis of patellar cartilage T1ρ were performed. Furthermore, T1ρ of several periarticular muscles were analyzed. Results The global average T1ρ value of the patellar cartilage varied from 39 to 43 msec. The regional average T1ρ values varied from 38 to 42 msec, and from 42 to 44 msec for medial and lateral facets, respectively. In vivo reproducibility of average T1ρ of patellar cartilage was found to be 5% (coefficient of variation). Similarly, the global average T1ρ values for biceps femoris, lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and sartorius varied between 31–46, 29–49, 35–48, and 32–50 msec, respectively. Conclusion We demonstrated the feasibility of 3D-T1ρ-weighted imaging of the knee joint at 3.0T without exceeding SAR limits. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
MEMS-based and switched-capacitor approaches for miniature power supply applications

This paper summarizes work towards creating mm-scale power converters using high-frequency CMOS as well as MEMS and micro-machined passives. Reducing the converter size is largely motivated by creating power supplies for micro-robotic platforms (with millimeter and milligram scales) without negatively impacting robotic system functionality. MEMS power passives are first presented where thin-film piezoelectric transformers and resonators are shown as an electromechanical approach to achieve ultra-miniature passives at the chip scale. Piezoelectric transformers fabricated with thin-film lead zirconate titanate (PZT) on silicon are measured and show ~60% efficiencies with 240 and 75 Ω loads. These transformers have resonant frequencies ranging between 14 and 20 MHz. Work towards creating transmission lines fabricated with air-core inductors and ferroelectric capacitors is also presented. Finally, a fullyintegrated bi-directional converter in CMOS is shown driving mm-scale robotic wings made with PZT. The converter’s maximum efficiency is 77% at ~800μW load with 9V output and demonstrates <3x voltage boost in 0.13-μm triple-well CMOS.
Pathophysiologic approach to therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

Two general approaches to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been advocated. 1 ) A “guideline” approach that advocates sequential addition of antidiabetes agents with “more established use” (1); this approach more appropriately should be called the “treat to failure” approach, and deficiencies with this approach have been discussed (2). And 2 ) a “pathophysiologic” approach using initial combination therapy with agents known to correct established pathophysiologic defects in T2DM (3). Within the pathophysiologic approach, choice of antidiabetes agents should take into account the patient’s general health status and associated medical disorders. This individualized approach, which we refer to as the ABCD(E) of diabetes treatment (4), has been incorporated into the updated American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines (5). Even though physicians must be cognizant of these associated conditions (ABCDE) when initiating therapy in newly diagnosed T2DM patients, we believe that the most important consideration is to select antidiabetes agents that correct specific pathophysiologic disturbances present in T2DM and that have complementary mechanisms of action. Although it has been argued that the pathogenesis of T2DM differs in different ethnic groups (6), evidence to support this is weak. Although the relative contributions of β-cell failure and insulin resistance to development of glucose intolerance may differ in different ethnic groups (6), the core defects of insulin resistance in muscle/liver/adipocytes and progressive β-cell failure (3) are present in virtually all T2DM patients and must be treated aggressively to prevent the relentless rise in HbA1c that is characteristic of T2DM. In subsequent sections, we provide a review of the natural history of T2DM, specific pathophysiologic abnormalities responsible for T2DM, currently …
Influence of age, exercise, and dietary restriction on oxidative stress in rats.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of exercise, dietary restriction (DR) and aging on the formation of reactive oxidant species (ROS), antioxidant defenses, and membrane fluidity. Tests were performed on hepatic microsomes, mitochondria, and cytosol from 9- and 20- month-old male Fischer 344 rats, which were divided into four groups: ad libitum fed, sedentary (AS); restricted, sedentary (RS); ad libitum fed, exercised (AE); and restricted, exercised (RE). Results show that both exercise and DR suppressed microsomal ROS production, but not mitochondrial ROS production, which increased with age in all groups. Exercise and DR increased catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and maintained cytosolic ascorbic acid concentration at high levels. Exercise led to significantly higher levels of cytosolic glutathione (GSH). Activity of cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD) remained unchanged, whereas glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activity significantly increased with DR. The fluidity of the mitochondrial membrane from exercised and DR rats deteriorated less with age than the membrane from AS rats. Exercise alone was found to improve fluidity, but was more effective when coupled with DR. These results suggest for the first time that the combination of exercise training and DR is the most effective means of preserving membrane fluidity and suppressing microsomal ROS production.
Structure of Staphylococcal α-Hemolysin, a Heptameric Transmembrane Pore

The structure of the Staphylococcus aureus α-hemolysin pore has been determined to 1.9 A resolution. Contained within the mushroom-shaped homo-oligomeric heptamer is a solvent-filled channel, 100 A in length, that runs along the sevenfold axis and ranges from 14 A to 46 A in diameter. The lytic, transmembrane domain comprises the lower half of a 14-strand antiparallel β barrel, to which each protomer contributes two β strands, each 65 A long. The interior of the β barrel is primarily hydrophilic, and the exterior has a hydrophobic belt 28 A wide. The structure proves the heptameric subunit stoichiometry of the α-hemolysin oligomer, shows that a glycine-rich and solvent-exposed region of a water-soluble protein can self-assemble to form a transmembrane pore of defined structure, and provides insight into the principles of membrane interaction and transport activity of β barrel pore-forming toxins.
Lyme disease associated with optic neuropathy

A 53-year-old man is described in whom ischemic optic neuropathy was part of the clinical picture of Lyme disease. This finding has not previously been reported as a neurologic manifestation of the disease. Such a complication could result from direct tissue invasion of the causative spirochete or may be due to immune-mediated inflammation.
Simulataneous Measurement of Plasma Dehydroepiandrosterone and 16a-Hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone by Radioimmunoassay

Abstract Combining a simple chromatographic system on celite microcolumns with partially specific antisera as binding reagents, simultaneous radioimmunoassay of dehydroepiandrosterone and 16a-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone could be performed on the same aliquot of plasma. These steroids have been measured in plasma samples obtained from subjects of both sexes under various conditions.