cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cosmeceutical Contact Dermatitis—Cautions To Herbals

The global appeal of cosmetic products to the consumer is unmistakable, with a reach that extends virtually across every household in the USA. There has been increasing interest in natural remedies containing plant-based ingredients, popularly perceived to be less harmful than products made from synthetic chemical ingredients. The true prevalence of allergic reactions to cosmetics in the general population remains unknown, as reactions are often not reported because those affected simply discontinue use of the agent instead of seeking medical care. Herbal ingredients in cosmetics may be associated with allergic contact dermatitis, a type IV hypersensitivity reaction resulting in inflammatory skin eruptions characterized by pruritis, erythematous vesicles, and papules. Preservatives and fragrances are responsible for many cases of allergic contact dermatitis, but it is important for clinicians to recognize less common allergens and be suspicious of certain ingredients in plant-based products. This article aims to emphasize risks associated with use of cosmetics marketed as “natural” and to review specific botanical allergens implicated in causing allergic contact dermatitis. Key points 1. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a type IV (delayed) hypersensitivity reaction which can occur to naturally derived products.2. Extracts derived from Compositae plants, propolis, and limonene, along with a number of essential oils and waxes, are popular in cosmetics and serve as botanical sources increasingly implicated in causing adverse skin reactions.3. Pinpointing the allergen through patch testing and instituting avoidance measures is the definitive treatment for ACD.
IT-32DIVERGENCE OF INTRATUMORAL AND SYSTEMIC T CELL REPERTOIRES REFLECTS LOCAL MONOCYTE PROFILES DURING GLIOMA PROGRESSION

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma (GBM) remains prognostically dismal, with relatively modest gains in survival from conventional therapies motivating research into how its characteristic immunosuppression might be reversed with minimal damage to brain tissue. We sequenced the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires of tumor tissue and peripheral lymphocytes from human low-grade gliomas (LGG) and GBM, and PDGF-driven murine gliomas at timepoints and with targeted signaling blockade, leveraging innovative whole-repertoire methods to elucidate the relationship between the microenvironment and systemic effector T cells. METHODS: TCR libraries were generated from cryfrozen tumor tissue and corresponding peripheral lymphocytes, using reverse transcription and PCR (iRepertoire) of the TCR-alpha and TCR-beta chains, then sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq. We developed a computational pipeline for V-J cassette mapping, in silico translation, and sequence error correction, and profiled gene expression in tumor samples by RNAseq. We calculated TCR repertoire divergence (Jensen-Shannon divergence metric) between matched brain and blood samples, and analyzed its correlation with pathway and cell type-specific gene expression in tumor tissue. RESULTS: While the blood-brain TCR divergence was characteristically low in healthy humans and mice, it was distinctively high with a strong contribution from amino acid identity, suggesting antigen-driven selection, in early-stage (D21) glioma-bearing mice which decreased and was more variable in late-stage (D42+) glioma mice. A similar trend was observed in human LGG and GBM. ComparingTCR divergence with local gene expression revealed anticorrelation with inflammation, immune response, and cytokine signaling pathways, which we attributed to microglia/monocytes. Blockade of CCL2-dependent monocyte chemoattraction/activation in mouse tumors prevented progressive decrease blood-brain TCR divergence. CONCLUSION: The divergence of the glioma TCR repertoire from the blood offers a novel, massively-parametric biomarker of tumor progression, mechanistically linked to monocyte/microglial states, both indicating a potential target for and providing a potential predictor of personalized immunotherapy for high- and low-grade glioma patients.
Reporting of violence against children and adolescents in a protective institution in southern Brazil.

This study aimed to analyze the reports of violence against children and adolescents in the period between January 2009 and May 2014 in a municipality protection institution of Rio Grande, RS. Methods. This is a descriptive and documentary study with a quantitative approach that analyzed 800 medical records of Specialized Reference Center for Social Assistance (CREAS), from the development of a research instrument containing the study variables. Results. The results show that 44.5% of the notifications sent to the protection of organs were carried out by family members and evidence of physical signs was the reason that triggered them (34%). The dismissing by abandonment of families is very present in the institution (36.9%), which possibly supports the maintenance of the cycle of violence. Conclusion. The results of this study show that although there were improvements regarding the notification by the family, the number of notifications made by the health and education sectors are still reduced, thereby increasing the need for more effective and articulated actions in these sectors.
Analysis of the Measles Surveillance in Zhoushan City During 1998-2003

Objective In order to understand the epidemiologic features of measles since implementing the measles surveillance in Zhoushan City. Methods We analyzed the measles epidemic situation and surveillance system operation during 1998-2003. Results The resusts showed that 196 measles cases were reported in the whole city during 1998-2003,122 were confirmed by laboratory,110 were local cases.The measles annual average incidence was 1.87/105.The high incidence period was in Spring,and the most measles cases were young adults,52.46% cases had no clear immunization history and 20.49% cases had immunization history. Conclusion The measles survillance system was running normally,and the sensitivity was relatively high.Measles had been controlled at relatively low level.We should improve the timely coverage of measles vaccine among children aged 8 months in the future.
Diabetic foot care: Problems and practical suggestions

Foot problems in diabetics most often arise from vascular disease, neuropathy, or infection, which may be especially persistent and difficult to treat. A sensible program of foot care may help reduce the need for amputation. Recommended measures include daily inspection, comfortable footwear, and proper management of corns and ingrown toenails.
PENTOSE FERMENTATION BY YEASTS

ABSTRACT A method has been developed which overcomes the limitation possessed by yeasts of being unable to ferment aldopentoses. The method allows the conversion of D-xylose to ethanol. It depends on the isomerization in the growth medium of D-xylose to D-xylulose by the enzyme glucose isomerase, followed by fermentation of the D-xylulose to ethanol by selected yeasts. KEYWORDS Yeast pentose fermentation, yeast D-xylose fermentation, yeast D-xylulose fermentation
Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone Promote Erythropoiesis in Both Normal and RPS14 and RPS19 shRNA Infected Human CD34+ Cells: Implications for Therapy of Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Diamond-Blackfan Anemia.

Abstract 1092 Poster Board I-114 Lenalidomide, a derivative of thalidomide, induces erythroid responses in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome while dexamethasone induces erythroid responses in patients with Diamond Blackfan anemia. In vitro, both lenalidomide and dexamethasone have been shown to stimulate erythropoiesis. In the present study, we explored the activity of lenalidomide and dexamethasone in stimulating erythroid differentiation of primary hematopoietic progenitor cells and CD34+ cells expressing RPS19 or RPS14 shRNAs. Both agents increase the absolute number of erythroid cells produced from normal human CD34+ bone marrow cells by 1.3 to 1.6-fold. Importantly, both lenalidomide and dexamethasone increased the diminished erythroid proliferative capacity of CD34+ cells expressing either RPS19 or RPS14 shRNAs. However, the drugs have distinct effects on the production of erythroid progenitor colonies, Blast Forming Units – Erythroid (BFU-E) and Colony Forming Units – Erythroid (CFU-E). Dexamethasone caused a dose-dependent and statistically significant increase in the number of BFU-E colonies by 2-fold, while it had little effect on CFU-E. In marked contrast, lenalidomide caused a dose-dependent and statistically significant increase in the number of CFU-E colonies by 2.5-fold but had no effect on BFU-E colonies. In addition, the combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone had an additive effect on the production of erythroid cells and on erythroid colony formation. Our findings imply that lenalidomide and dexamethasone regulate different stages of erythropoiesis and lend support to the concept that combination therapy may be effective in minimizing the potential toxicity of these two drugs in the clinical management of patients. These findings have important implications for the treatment of patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome as well as with Diamond Blackfan Anemia. Disclosures Off Label Use: Lenalidomide is approved for 5q- MDS. We are investigating its possible use in Diamond Blackfan Anemia.
How Does Ethics Institutionalization Reduce Academic Cheating

Extant research on academic cheating primarily focuses on the impact of honor codes on academic cheating. However, the influence of ethics institutionalization is curiously missing in past research...
“Not exactly a model of good hygiene”: theorizing an aesthetic of disgust in the Occupy Wall Street movement

ABSTRACTThis article explores the pathologizing of social protesters by theorizing an aesthetic of disgust in Occupy Wall Street media coverage. By cataloguing the hygienic deviance of the Occupy movement, I aim to illuminate an important countermobilization technique that disciplines and contains the grotesque function of the Occupy encampments. Examining media coverage of the Occupy movement, I show how aesthetic dimensions—including visual and olfactory sensations related to the bodies of the protesters and their encampments—were used to establish a relationship among hygienic deviance, moral impurity, economic failure, and ultimately the disposal of the protesters. I close by connecting an aesthetic of disgust to larger conceptual issues related to the viability of social protest in an era of neoliberal governmentality.
Bone Marrow Macrophage Galectin-3 Regulates Platelet Production through Recognition of O-Glycans on Megakaryocytes

Bone marrow (BM) macrophages maintain both survival and retention of hematopoietic stem cells and regulate erythropoiesis. The role of macrophage lectins and glycans in thrombopoiesis remains unclear. We report a novel role for bone marrow macrophage galectin-3 in maintaining platelet counts, by phagocytosing megakaryocytes (MKs) expressing the Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen, which is often exposed under pathological conditions, such as cancer and malignancies. The TF antigen is a disaccharide presented in cryptic form on O-glycans and covered by a sialic acid moiety. The sialyltransferase ST3Gal1 transfers sialic acid onto the TF antigen. To investigate the role of O-glycans in thrombopoiesis, we generated mice with increased TF antigen in MKs by generating St3gal1loxP/PF4+ mice specifically lacking ST3Gal1 in the MK lineage. As expected, St3gal1loxP/PF4+ circulating platelets and BM MKs had increased TF antigen expression, compared to controls, as evidenced by peanut agglutinin (PNA) binding. Other blood cell lineages had no increase in TF antigen expression. St3gal1loxP/PF4+ mice developed mild thrombocytopenia, but surprisingly had virtually normal platelet clearance. BM MK colony forming units and in vitro proplatelet production were normal in St3gal1loxP/PF4+ mice, suggesting that extrinsic factors in the St3gal1loxP/PF4+BM environment affected platelet production. St3gal1loxP/PF4+ BM smears revealed increased hemophagocytosis, indicative of an increase in phagocytic macrophages. In vivo macrophage ablation by injection of clodronate-encapsulated liposomes significantly reduced the numbers of activated macrophages, thereby normalizing blood platelet counts and size. Flow cytometric phenotypic analysis of BM-derived macrophages showed an increased population of activated macrophages in St3gal1loxP/PF4+ mice, compared to controls, specifically macrophages with increased galectin-3 expression, a ligand for the TF antigen. Immunofluorescence staining of BM sections using a specific antibody towards the TF antigen showed that MK progenitors and pro-platelet-like structures expressed TF antigen in control BMs, which is significantly increased in St3gal1loxP/PF4+ mice and co-localized with galectin-3 expressing macrophages, supporting the notion that MK O-glycans and macrophage galectin-3 play a role in thrombopoiesis under steady state and pathological conditions. Consistent with this notion, galectin-3 deficient mice have slightly, but significantly increased blood platelet counts. We conclude that galactin-3 plays a minor role in normal thrombopoiesis. Activation of galectin-3 expressing macrophages by the MK TF antigen leads to MK phagocytosis, inhibition of platelet formation and thrombocytopenia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Giving Voice To Values: A global partnership with UNGC PRME to transform management education

Abstract Giving Voice To Values (GVV), an innovative approach to values-driven leadership development, was initiated at almost the same time as the launch of the United Nations Global Compact's Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). In 2007 at the Global Compact Leaders Summit, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched PRME with the goal of aligning management education with the broader goals of the Global Compact and its commitment to values and corporate responsibility.: Similarly, as GVV was initiated, also a decade ago, with support from The Aspen Institute Business & Society Program (also the Incubator for the work) and Yale School of Management, its purpose was to transform the pedagogy and curriculum for values-driven leadership and business ethics around the globe. It is fitting therefore that GVV and the UNGC PRME have found many ways to partner in this work. The following pages outline: the conceptual foundations for Giving Voice To Values; the impact it is having in business education (and beyond); a number of formative collaborations with PRME over the past decade; and finally opportunities for future collaboration in the service of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Discrimination-Learning Sets

Publisher Summary This chapter describes two types of learning functions: (1) one representing changes in performance as a result of successive trials within problems, known as intra-problem learning, and (2) the other representing changes in performance as a function of number of problems presented, known as inter-problem learning. The chapter presents a discrimination procedure, with some similarity to serial verbal-and maze-learning techniques, that requires concurrent learning of several different discriminations. Rather than the usual method of presenting one pair of objects for a prescribed number of consecutive trials, a list of paired objects is presented for a prescribed number of runs, with each pair appearing for just one trial during each run.
PIM1 kinase protects cells from death induced by oxidative stress: Potential role of PRDX5 phosphorylation

3747 The PIM1 kinase is regulated by a wide variety of cellular stresses, and promotes cell survival. It functions as a true oncogene for hematologic malignancies and possibly for prostate cancer. We have used yeast two-hybrid screening to identify new binding partners and substrates through which the PIM1 kinase may enhance survival. Peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5) was identified as a PIM1 binding partner. The PRDX5 is an intracellular antioxidant enzyme that utilizes two redox - active cysteines (a peroxidatic and a resolving cysteine) for peroxide decomposition. Overexpression of PRDX5 is observed in several cancers, and is correlated with resistance to apoptosis induced by radiation therapy or the anticancer drugs etoposide and adriamycin. PRDX5 is expressed as precursor (long, 21 kDa) and mature (short, 17 kDa) forms that are located in mitochondria, or in cytosol and peroxisomes, respectively. Here we report that PIM1 kinase can bind to both long and short forms of PRDX5, as assayed by GST-pull down and co-immunoprecipitation studies of mammalian cell lysates. In addition, both forms of PRDX5 can be phosphorylated by PIM1 in vitro and in vivo . In contrast, PIM2 kinase was much less active at phosphorylating PRDX5 in vitro, suggesting that PIM1 and PIM2 may show differential specificity for certain substrates. PRDX5 was a preferred substrate for PIM1 compared with other members of the peroxiredoxin family (PRDX1, PRDX2, and PRDX3). Site-directed mutagenesis and mass spectrometry analysis were used to identify PIM1 phosphorylation sites. We identified Ser-49, Ser-130, Thr-148, Thr-151 and Ser-153 as being phosphorylated in vitro . The Ser-130 site is in a reasonable context for a PIM1 consensus substrate (RRLKRFpS(130)MV). Interestingly, the other PRDX5 amino acids phoshorylated by PIM1 flank the peroxidatic (Cys 48) and resolving (Cys 152) cysteine residues, suggesting that phosphorylation may affect on peroxiredoxic activity. We showed that phoshorylation of PRDX5 by PIM1 led to the formation of redox-independent stable dimers as analyzed by PAGE and autoradiograthy, indicating the possible conformational changes triggered by phosphorylation. Further investigation revealed that phosphorylated PRDX5 possessed higher activity for hydrogen peroxide decomposition compared to non-phosphorylated PRDX5, as measured by in vitro assays. Knockdown of PIM1 by siRNA increased sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to tert -butylhydroperoxide induced cell death. We are now studying phosphorylation site mutants of PRDX5 to identify roles for PIM1-PRDX5 interactions in vivo . Collectively, these results establish a novel role of PIM1 kinase in oxidative stress and suggest that phosphorylation of PRDX5 by PIM kinase is a survival mechanism against oxidative damage.
UV-sensitized Sm3+ visible and near-IR photoluminescence in phosphate glass melted with multi-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract Phosphate glass doped with Sm3+ ions was prepared by melting in ambient atmosphere with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) added to batch materials to evaluate their impact on material optical properties. An enhanced UV transparency occurs similar to that of a glass melted just with MWCNTs. However, the glass melted only with MWCNT shows evidence of carbon-related luminescent defects, whereas the luminescence of these becomes suppressed in the Sm3+-doped glass melted with the MWCNTs. A comparison with the photoluminescence (PL) of a Sm3+-doped reference (i.e., not melted with MWCNTs) shows that addition of MWCNTs produces an improvement in Sm3+ PL in the visible and near-IR regions. The enhanced PL is observed for resonant excitation in the UV and non-resonantly under 300 nm excitation. It is suggested that the reduced host absorption contributes to the improved PL for resonant excitation of Sm3+ in the UV, while the non-resonant pathway may be related to an energy transfer from the luminescent defects produced in the host. It is the first time to our knowledge that this type of sensitized emission is reported.
Impact of an auditory stimulus on baseline cortisol concentrations in clinically normal dogs.

Abstract Baseline cortisol concentrations are routinely used to screen dogs for hypoadrenocorticism (HOC); this diagnosis must then be confirmed with an ACTH stimulation test. A baseline cortisol concentration less than 55 nmol/L (2 μg/dL) is highly sensitive for HOC but lacks specificity, with a false positive rate >20%. Many dogs with nonadrenal disease are therefore subjected to unnecessary additional testing. It was hypothesized that exposure to an unpleasant auditory stimulus before sample collection would improve the specificity of baseline cortisol measurements in dogs with nonadrenal disease by triggering cortisol production. Twenty-eight healthy client-owned dogs were included in the study, with a median age of 4 yr (range 2–9 yr) and a median weight of 20 kg (range 10–27 kg). Dogs were ineligible for inclusion if they had received short- or long-acting glucocorticoids within the previous 30 and 90 d, respectively. Dogs were randomly assigned to group 1 (control; no noise; n = 7), group 2 (brief noise: n = 10), or group 3 (long noise: n = 11). Each dog and owner were directed to a secluded area for approximately 15 min. Group 1 sat in relative quiet, exposed only to the background sounds of a veterinary hospital. Group 2 were exposed to the sound of a wet-dry vacuum in an adjacent hallway during the first 3 min of this period. Group 3 were exposed to random bursts of wet-dry vacuum noise during this period. At the end of the test interval, each dog was escorted to an adjacent examination room for blood collection. Samples were processed within 15 min; serum was frozen at −80°C before measurement of cortisol concentrations. Median serum cortisol concentrations and the proportion of dogs with results
Engagement in online pain self-management improves pain in adults on medication-assisted behavioral treatment for opioid use disorders.

Abstract Introduction Persistent pain has been recognized as an important motivator that can lead individuals to misuse opioids. New approaches are needed to test pain treatments that can improve outcomes for people with persistent pain in medication-assisted behavioral treatment for opioid use disorder. This study piloted an online pain self-management program to explore acceptability and treatment effects. Methods A sample of 60 adults diagnosed with chronic non-cancer pain and receiving medication-assisted behavioral treatment at one of two clinics were randomized into either treatment group with access to an online pain management program or waitlist attention control. Participants received online surveys via email at baseline and post-treatment at week 8. Results The majority of participants (n = 44; 73%) reported that their first use of opioids was in response to a painful event. Those who engaged in the online program had significantly lower pain interference, pain severity, opioid misuse measures, and depressive symptoms after eight weeks while pain self-efficacy was increased. Conclusion Our results suggest the online pain self-management program content may be helpful for managing physical and emotional symptoms experienced by individuals with co-occurring pain and opioid use disorders. To improve online engagement, more support is necessary to assist with technology access and completion of online activities.
Critical Points Via Minimization

One of the most basic minimization problems one can pose is the following: Given a functional ϕ: E → ℝ on a Hilbert space E and a closed, convex subset C ⊂ E on which ϕ is bounded from below, find u 0 ∈ C such that $$ \phi \left( {u_0 } \right) = \mathop {\inf }\limits_{u \in C} \phi \left( u \right). $$ Of course, the problem as stated is much too general and one should be careful and make additional hypotheses! Nowadays, any good calculus student is aware of the fact that a function ϕ: ℝ → ℝ which is bounded from below on a closed interval C ⊂ ℝ does not necessarily attain its infimum in C. In fact, in learning the classic Weierstrass theorem, the student might have discovered that this delicate question of attaining the infimum is intimately connected to “continuity” of the functional ϕ and “compactness” of the set C! More precisely, the result that follows is well known and standard in a first course on Topology. For that, we recall that a functional ϕ: X → ℝ on a topological space X is lowersemicontinuous (l.s.c.) if ϕ−1(a, ∞) is open in X for any a ∈ ℝ (that is, ϕ−1(− ∞, a] is closed in X for any a ∈ ℝ). And if X satisfies the first countability axiom (for example, if X is a metric space), then ϕ: X → ℝ is l.s.c. if and only if ϕ(u) ≤ lim inf ϕ(un) for any u ∈ X and sequence u n converging to u.
Communication: An Overview

Communication is an extremely important aspect of the lives of many organisms. It involves a sender constructing and transmitting information packaged into a signal sent through some medium to a receiver who decodes that information and acts accordingly. Here, we give an overview of the articles on Animal Communication. The articles are broadly organized into four parts: signaling mode, signal type, adaptation and signal evolution, and communication across species.
Shear Layer Dynamics in a Supersonic Rectangular Multistream Nozzle with an Aft-Deck

Large-eddy simulations are employed to analyze the flowfield generated by a multistream propulsion system, comprised of a core Mach 1.6 single-sided expansion ramp stream separated by a splitter pl...
Driving the Next Generation: Paternal Lifetime Experiences Transmitted via Extracellular Vesicles and Their Small RNA Cargo.

Abstract Epidemiological studies provide strong evidence for the impact of diverse paternal life experiences on offspring neurodevelopmental disease risk. While these associations are well established, the molecular mechanisms underlying these intergenerational transmissions remain elusive, though recent studies focusing on the influence of paternal experience before conception have implicated germ cell epigenetic programming. Any model accounting for the germline transfer of nongenetic information from sire to offspring must include certain components, such as 1) a vector to carry any signal from the paternal compartment to the maternal reproductive tract and future embryo; 2) a molecular signal, encoded by a paternal experience, to carry this memory and enact downstream responses; and 3) a target cell or tissue to receive the signal and convert it into an effect on embryonic development. We explore the current understanding of the potential processes and candidate factors that may serve as these components. We specifically discuss the growing appreciation for the importance of extracellular vesicles in these processes, beginning with their known role in delivering potential signals, including small RNAs, to sperm, the prototypical vector, during their posttesticular maturation. Finally, we explore the possibility that paternal extracellular vesicles could themselves serve as vectors, delivering signals not only to gametes or the zygote but also to tissues of the maternal reproductive tract to influence fetal development.
Determining the optimal number of MEG trials: A machine learning and speech decoding perspective

Advancing the knowledge about neural speech mechanisms is critical for developing next-generation, faster brain computer interface to assist in speech communication for the patients with severe neurological conditions (e.g., locked-in syndrome). Among current neuroimaging techniques, Magnetoencephalography (MEG) provides direct representation for the large-scale neural dynamics of underlying cognitive processes based on its optimal spatiotemporal resolution. However, the MEG measured neural signals are smaller in magnitude compared to the background noise and hence, MEG usually suffers from a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the single-trial level. To overcome this limitation, it is common to record many trials of the same event-task and use the time-locked average signal for analysis, which can be very time consuming. In this study, we investigated the effect of the number of MEG recording trials required for speech decoding using a machine learning algorithm. We used a wavelet filter for generating the denoised neural features to train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for speech decoding. We found that wavelet based denoising increased the SNR of the neural signal prior to analysis and facilitated accurate speech decoding performance using as few as 40 single-trials. This study may open up the possibility of limiting MEG trials for other task evoked studies as well.
Pathogenicity of Phoma betae isolates from red beet (Beta vulgaris) at seed farms in Canterbury, New Zealand

Phoma betae is an economically important pathogen of red beet causing preemergence seedling damping, leaf spot and root rot. However, the pathogenicity of P. betae is unknown in New Zealand despite the economic importance of this pathogen. Twenty-five isolates were collected from a survey of red beet seed farms in Canterbury, New Zealand during 2016/2017 and three of these PB101 (from seeds), PB103 (from roots) and PB106 (from leaves) were used for pathogenicity testing of two red-beet cultivars. Isolate PB106 was further used to investigate its effects on spinach and fodder beet as well as red beet under greenhouse conditions. All three P. betae isolates were pathogenic on both red-beet cultivars tested, causing leaf-spot symptoms. Isolates PB101 and PB106 produced significantly larger leaf-spot lesions (P<0.001) compared with PB103. Phoma betae isolate PB106 was pathogenic to both red-beet cultivars, spinach and fodder beet but fodder beet was less susceptible than the other species tested. Regardless of cultivar, P. betae is an important pathogen of beets and is capable of causing leaf spots.
GaSb-based heterostructure with buried vacuum pocket photonic crystal layer

The vacuum pocket retaining molecular beam epitaxial regrowth of the nano-patterned GaSb surface was demonstrated. The high contrast 2D photonic crystal layer was incorporated into the test 2 µm emitting laser heterostructure. The photonic dispersion determined from angle-resolved electroluminescence experiment showed four well-resolved bands corresponding to the model predictions for the square lattice. The single-mode lasing near 2 µm has been observed at the temperature corresponding to the alignment of the photonic crystal band-edge states and the quantum well gain peak. The reference devices without the photonic crystal layer emitted trivial spectra and did not lase at any temperature.
Development and evaluation of a novel protein-based assay for specific detection of KPC β-lactamases from Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates

ABSTRACT Carbapenemases confer resistance to nearly all β-lactam antibiotics. The extensive spread of carbapenemase-producing multidrug-resistant bacteria contributes significantly to hospital-acquired infections. We have developed a novel protein-based binding assay that identifies KPC β-lactamases from clinical isolates. We used the protein-protein interaction between KPCs and a soluble β-lactamase inhibitory protein (BLIP) variant, BLIPK74T/W112D, which specifically inhibits KPCs but not other β-lactamases. In this assay, BLIPK74T/W112D was allowed to form complexes with KPC-2 in bacterial cell lysates and then extracted using His tag binding resins. We demonstrated the presence of KPC-2 by monitoring the hydrolysis of a colorimetric β-lactam substrate. Also, to further increase the accuracy of the method, a BLIPK74T/W112D-mediated inhibition assay was developed. The binding and inhibition assays were validated by testing 127 Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates with known genome sequences for the presence of KPC. Our assays identified a total of 32 strains as KPC-2 producers, a result in 100% concordance with genome sequencing predictions. To further simplify the assay and decrease the time to obtain results, the BLIPK74T/W112D protein was tested in combination with the widely used Carba-NP assay. For this purpose, the genome-sequenced K. pneumoniae strains were tested for the presence of carbapenemases with the Carba-NP test with and without the addition of BLIPK74T/W122D. The test accurately identified carbapenemase-producing strains and the addition of BLIPK74T/W112D allowed a further determination that the strains contain KPC carbapenemase. Thus, the BLIPK74T/W112D protein is an effective sensor to specifically detect KPC β-lactamases produced by clinical isolates. IMPORTANCE Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are associated with high therapeutic failure and mortality rates. Thus, it is critical to rapidly identify clinical isolates expressing KPC β-lactamases to facilitate administration of the correct antibiotic treatment and initiate infection control strategies. To address this problem, we developed a protein-based, KPC-specific binding assay in combination with a cell lysate inhibition assay that provided a 100% identification rate of KPC from clinical isolates of known genomic sequence. In addition, this protein sensor was adapted to the Carba-NP assay to provide a rapid strategy to detect KPC-producing isolates that will facilitate informed treatment of critically ill patients.
Chapter 58 – Endocrine System

The endocrine glands are an important group of organs that are susceptible to chemical-induced changes that occur in short-term and long-term preclinical toxicology studies. It is important to differentiate spontaneous and stress-related changes from compound-induced effects. There are multiple examples of drugs that are approved for human use that have been associated with degenerative or neoplastic changes in the endocrine glands of laboratory animals, but the weight of evidence regarding the pathogenesis and mode of action has demonstrated a lack of relevance for humans. The mode of action of chemicals on the toxicology of the endocrine glands can be direct or indirect. Therefore, studies on the modes of action require knowledge and experimental interrogation of physiological control and feedback mechanisms, hormone distribution and receptors on diverse target cells, the primary endocrine cells, and peripheral metabolism and excretion of hormones. In addition, there is a significant interspecies difference in the physiology and pathology of the endocrine glands, which makes it imperative to understand the mode of action of chemicals in order to compare preclinical toxicology findings in different species and predict human relevance. This chapter reviews the pathophysiology of the endocrine glands in the species typically used for preclinical toxicology studies, and includes toxicologic mechanisms, classic examples of chemical-induced changes and their modes of action, and spontaneous diseases.
Answer to June 2020 Photo Quiz.

Answer: Mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus species. A feared opportunistic invasive fungal infection of the immunocompromised host, mucormycosis typically presents as rhinocerebral, pulmonary, or cutaneous disease in patients with diabetes or hematological malignancies. Rhizopus and Mucor are the most
Political Freedom and Social Justice

This chapter completes the discussion by exploring the implications the norm of political freedom has for social justice. The argument is that the norm inspires and informs a political morality that is central to, though not necessarily exhaustive of, the concerns of social justice. Honoring the opportunity of those individuals who live by certain norms, beliefs, and convictions that others (perhaps the dominant groups in society) find disgusting, immoral, or objectionable according to their own norm systems is the fundamental requirement of political freedom. Unpacking and developing the implications of this commitment is a matter of the first importance for social justice. The discussion ends, then, with an admittedly introductory sketch of nature of the challenge associated with the pursuit of social justice thus understood.
Augmenting exposure therapy with pre-extinction fear memory reactivation and deepened extinction: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Background Pre-extinction fear memory reactivation (PE-FMR) and deepened extinction (DE) enhance long-term extinction of shock-conditioned fear, and may also enhance long-term extinction of naturally acquired fear. Preliminary data suggest that PE-FMR may additionally boost the speed of fear reduction during exposure therapy. Design Randomized controlled trial, factorial design. Methods Participants with elevated fears of either spiders or snakes were randomized to (1) exposure therapy alone (n = 41), (2) exposure therapy + PE-FMR (n = 42), (3) exposure therapy + DE (n = 41), or (4) exposure therapy + PE-FMR + DE (n = 42). Participants were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and one-week follow-up on subjective and behavioral indices of phobia. Because treatment length was tailored to speed of fear reduction, survival analyses were used to examine the speed of fear reduction during treatment. Results DE did not improve clinical outcomes at post-treatment or follow-up, whereas PE-FMR produced more rapid fear reduction and was able to achive equivalent outcomes even when the duration of exposure therapy (tailored to speed of fear reduction) was shortened by an average of 21%. Conclusions Data suggest that PE-FMR is a promising strategy for reducing the overall duration of exposure-based therapies. Clinical trial registration ( clinicaltrials.gov )NCT02160470.
Magnetic field noise analyses generated by the interactions between a nitrogen vacancy center diamond and surface and bulk impurities

Abstract We investigated the mechanism of magnetic noise due to both surface and bulk impurities. For surface noise, we apply the Langevin method to spin fluctuation theory to calculate the noise for paramagnetic surface impurities absorbed in a thin layer of water. We find that the mechanisms generating noise are spin flip and spin precession which depend on impurity spin relaxation and spin precession time. For the bulk noise, we consider carbon-13 and nitrogen as impurities and employ the correlated-cluster expansion to calculate noise. Carbon-13 noise is a few orders of magnitude larger than nitrogen due to the higher impurity density in the typical NV center diamond system. We also find that the noise in the secular approximation underestimates noise under low applied magnetic field. Overall, the major source of magnetic field noise is spin precession noise, which is more than five orders of magnitude larger than the spin flip noise.
Deciphering the Motives for Equity Carve‐Outs

I analyze 181 equity carve-outs to determine whether the transactions are motivated by potential efficiency improvements or by an opportunity to sell overvalued equity. Carve-out operating performance peaks at issue, declining significantly thereafter. Parents sell a greater percentage of shares when subsequent performance is poor. A negative relation also exists between long-term excess returns and the percentage of shares sold. If subsequent performance is correlated with the degree to which parent managers believe carve-out subsidiaries are over- or undervalued, results imply that many carve-outs are conducted, not to improve efficiency, but to sell potentially overvalued equity.
The Clinical Utility of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in Predicting Postoperative Complications and Long-Term Survival in Elderly Patients with Colorectal Cancer after Curative Surgery.

Research on the relationship between the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and postoperative complications/oncological outcomes in elderly colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is limited. This study investigated the prognostic value of the GNRI in aged CRC patients. We retrospectively analyzed 1206 consecutive CRC patients aged over 75 years who underwent curative-intent surgery from January 2008 to December 2015 and categorized them into high GNRI (≥98) and low GNRI (<98) groups according to a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore the association of the GNRI with postoperative complications. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses and the Cox proportional hazard model were used to explore the association between GNRI and survival. We discovered that GNRI is an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (HR: 1.774, p = 0.037). Surgical site infection, wound dehiscence and pneumonia were more common in patients with GNRI < 98. Survival analysis showed significantly worse overall survival and disease-free survival in the low GNRI group (both p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, GNRI < 98 was an independent risk factor for OS (HR: 1.329, p = 0.031) and DFS (HR: 1.312, p = 0.034). Thus, preoperative GNRI can be effectively used to predict postoperative complications and long-term survival in elderly CRC patients after curative surgery.
Uniform resource visualization

Computing environments continue to increase in scale, heterogeneity, and hierarchy, with resource usage varying dynamically during program execution. Computational and data grids and distributed collaboration environments are examples. To understand performance and gain insights into developing applications that efficiently use system resources, performance visualization has proven useful. Performance visualization tools, however, often are specific to a particular resource at a certain level of the system, possibly with fixed views. Thus, they limit a user's ability to observe a performance problem associated with multiple resources across system levels and platforms. To address this limitation, information integration is necessary. In this research, we propose a new performance visualization framework, Uniform Resource Visualization (URV), focusing on integration of performance information into system-level visualizations. The goal of URV research is to systemize the performance visualization of resources with reusable and composable visualizations.
Abstract 2505: Exposure to a therapeutically relevant dose of ionizing radiation reveals colorectal cancer biomarker and associated receptor alterations

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Purpose: Diagnostic and therapeutic radiation exposure to humans is inevitable, and radiation exposure is known to enhance risks of colorectal cancer (CRC) and inflammatory bowel diseases. Radiation exposure has also been observed to promote obesity in humans as well as in rodents. While altered levels of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1), leptin, and adiponectin have been reported as potential markers of obesity-related CRC risk, there is a paucity of long-term radiation-risk-markers for intestinal pathologies. The goal of the current study was to evaluate in mice whether obesity-related CRC risk markers have the potential to serve as radiation-associated CRC risk markers after exposure to a clinically relevant γ radiation dose. Methods and materials: Mice (C57BL/6J, 6-8 week old, female; n= 8 per group) were exposed to a γ radiation dose of 2 Gy, commonly used in fractionated radiotherapy. Serum and intestinal tissues were collected two and twelve months after radiation. Serum levels of IGF-1, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), leptin, and adiponectin were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry was performed on small intestine and colon sections for IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), obesity receptor (OB-R), adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1), adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2) and proliferative marker Ki-67. Results: The levels of free IGF1 and free leptin measured by calculating IGF1/IGFBP3 and leptin/adiponectin ratio showed a distinct pattern. While significantly higher free IGF1 was observed twelve months post-radiation, higher free leptin was observed two months after radiation exposure. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated increased IGF1R and OB-R, decreased AdipoR1 and R2, and increased Ki67 in intestinal as well as in colonic sections at both the time points. Conclusions: Considering that one fraction of 2 Gy showed significant alterations in risk markers, we believe exposure to a higher total dose using more fractions will show more pronounced effects. Taken together, this study demonstrates that adipogenic risk markers of CRC could be effective tools to assess CRC risks after therapeutic γ radiation exposures. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Shubhankar Suman, Albert J. Fornace, Kamal Datta. Exposure to a therapeutically relevant dose of ionizing radiation reveals colorectal cancer biomarker and associated receptor alterations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2505. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2505
Retroviral gene delivery

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the properties of retroviruses and the affect of these properties on the properties of retrovirus-based vectors. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of retroviral vectors to those of several other gene transfer techniques are compared. The chapter describes the retroviral vector system based on the avian leukosis virus (ALV) retrovirus family. The ALV-based retroviral vector system can be used to deliver and express genes in avian and mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo. The system can be used to exploit the advantages of both the avian and murine animal models. Replication-competent ALV-based vectors can be grown to high titer on avian cells but are replication-defective after infecting susceptible mammalian cells. The system offers advantages for experiments that require either widespread or tissue-specific gene delivery. If the target cells continue to divide, multiple experimental genes can be delivered sequentially by multiple retroviral infections. Other gene-delivery methods could be used in combination with the ALV-based retroviral vector system to deliver a second gene in cells that have stopped dividing.
A Framework for Creating Value Propositions

A value proposition is the statement of those few points of difference that create a compelling reason for a customer to select one market offering relative to competing alternatives. The primary factors in constructing value propositions that target customers find persuasive are frame of reference, points of parity, and points of difference. The frame of reference is the set of potential competing alternatives that a customer considers. Points of parity are the elements of the market offering on which the customer views the offerings as essentially the same. Points of difference are the elements of the offering on which the customer views one offering as noticeably superior. Potential value propositions can be evaluated on three criteria: distinctiveness, measurability, and sustainability. Distinctiveness captures the extent to which the value proposition is uniquely able to deliver on a claim relative to alternative offerings. Measurability is the extent to which the value proposition can be substantiated in tangible ways, such as in monetary terms. Sustainability captures how long the uniqueness the value proposition conveys is expected to last. Keywords: value propositions; points of difference
Regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor gene expression by retinoic acid and epidermal growth factor

Abstract In normal rat kidney fibroblasts, retinoic acid increases the level of epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding and synergizes with EGF and transforming growth factor-beta to stimulate anchorage-independent growth. We now demonstrate that retinoids act by increasing the rate of transcription of the EGF receptor gene, resulting in elevated mRNA levels. No effect of retinoic acid on EGF receptor mRNA half-life, measured after actinomycin D treatment, was observed. In the same system, EGF was also able to increase expression of its own receptor through an elevation in mRNA levels. These effects were specific since retinoids and EGF did not alter transcript levels for fibronectin, alpha-tubulin, or beta 2-microglobulin. These results demonstrate that the EGF receptor gene is a target for regulation by multiple growth-stimulating factors.