cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of tumor size on survival in T3 non-small cell lung-cancer with direct extension.

e20033Background: Tumor size is an important prognostic variable that affects clinical decision-making in NSCLC including the use of adjuvant therapy. However, the association between tumor size an...
American Politics Course Redesigns: The Effect of Propensity Score Matching on Predicting Learning Outcomes

Faculty at many colleges and universities are redesigning courses to address differences in student learning preferences. In this study, the researchers surveyed students in two similar American Po...
Folding, Assembly, and Persistence: The Essential Nature and Origins of Biopolymers.

Life as we know it requires three basic types of polymers: polypeptide, polynucleotide, and polysaccharide. Here we evaluate both universal and idiosyncratic characteristics of these biopolymers. We incorporate this information into a model that explains much about their origins, selection, and early evolution. We observe that all three biopolymer types are pre-organized, conditionally self-complementary, chemically unstable in aqueous media yet persistent because of kinetic trapping, with chiral monomers and directional chains. All three biopolymers are synthesized by dehydration reactions that are catalyzed by molecular motors driven by hydrolysis of phosphorylated nucleosides. All three biopolymers can access specific states that protect against hydrolysis. These protected states are folded, using self-complementary interactions among recurrent folding elements within a given biopolymer, or assembled, in associations between the same or different biopolymer types. Self-association in a hydrolytic environment achieves self-preservation. Heterogeneous association achieves partner-preservation. These universal properties support a model in which life’s polymers emerged simultaneously and co-evolved in a common hydrolytic milieu where molecular persistence depended on folding and assembly. We believe that an understanding of the structure, function, and origins of any given type of biopolymer requires the context of other biopolymers.
The Measurement and Meaning of the Implicit Power Motive

The implicit power motive is a major component of personality and social behavior. Traditional measurement requires the manual content analysis of text, a process that is difficult to learn and ted...
Abstract P542: Association of Psychosocial Factors With Heart Rate Variability: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Introduction: Psychosocial factors are associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but our understanding of causal mechanisms is limited. Understanding such mechanisms may help formulat...
Laboratory evaluation of thyroid function

Abstract The thyroid gland, one of the largest endocrine glands in the body, is responsible for a long list of biological functions, including regulation of metabolism, development, cardiovascular output, even sexual function and sleep. This chapter provides an overview of the thyroid by first describing the relevant anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. Second, the clinical states of excessive and deficient thyroid hormone production, along with special considerations for the pregnant state and thyroid cancer, are described. Finally, laboratory methods used to assess thyroid function are detailed, including points to consider regarding their overall performance and utility.
Brazilian maize yields negatively affected by climate after land clearing

Over 50% of the Brazilian Cerrado has been cleared, predominantly for agropastoral purposes. Here, we use the Weather Research and Forecasting model to run 15-year climate simulations across Brazil with six land-cover scenarios: (1) before extensive land clearing, (2) observed in 2016, (3) Cerrado replaced with single-cropped (soy) agriculture, (4) Cerrado replaced with double-cropped (soy–maize) agriculture, (5) eastern Amazon replaced with single-cropped agriculture and (6) eastern Amazon replaced with double-cropped agriculture. All land-clearing scenarios (2–6) contain significantly more growing season days with temperatures that exceed critical temperature thresholds for maize. Evaporative fraction significantly decreases across all land-clearing scenarios. Altered weather reduces maize yields between 6% and 8% compared with the before-extensive-land-clearing scenario; however, soy yields were not significantly affected. Our findings provide evidence that land clearing has degraded weather in the Brazilian Cerrado, undermining one of the main reasons for land clearing: rain-fed crop production. Half of Brazil’s tropical Cerrado savannah has been cleared for agropastoral use. Using models, this study finds that this clearing is degrading regional weather, reducing maize yields there.
Temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid channels: structural insights into ligand-dependent activation.

Temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid ion channel subtypes 1-4 (thermoTRPV1-thermoTRPV4) play important roles in a wide range of physiological processes, including temperature sensing and body temperature regulation, inflammation, pain, itch, maintenance of skin, bone and hair, along with osmotic regulation. ThermoTRPV function is modulated by numerous natural product compounds, such as capsaicin, camphor and cannabinoids. Because of their physiological importance and their druggability, these channels have made attractive potential targets for drug development. Since the beginning of the cryo-electron miscroscopy (cryo-EM) "resolution revolution," a lot of progress has been made towards dissecting the activation mechanisms of thermoTRPVs and mapping the binding sites for modulatory compounds. Here, we review the thermoTRPV physiology and pharmacology and summarize the current knowledge of their mechanisms of gating and ligand binding sites.
Natural history of noninfectious, ibrutinib-attributable adverse events in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Noninfectious, ibrutinib-attributable adverse events resulting in discontinuation signifies an area of unmet need for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemiaPatients discontinuing ibrutinib for ...
1.22 – Deep Earth Structure: Lower Mantle and D″

The thick layer of rock extending from the base of the transition zone near 650–800 km depth down to the core–mantle boundary (CMB) at a depth of 2891 km comprises most of Earth's volume and is called the lower mantle. In general, the physical properties of this vast region inferred from seismology are indicative of relatively uniform composition material, with increasing pressure and temperature with depth accounting for systematic increases in density, incompressibility, rigidity, and associated seismic wave velocities. The bulk mineralogy is believed to be relatively simple as well, with the predominant mineral form being (Mg0.85,Fe0.15)SiO3 magnesium silicate perovskite, with perhaps 20% (Mg0.85,Fe0.15)O ferropericlase and several percent calcium perovskite. In detail, however, the structure of the lower mantle is found to have both large-scale complexity and small-scale complexity indicative of thermal and chemical heterogeneities that are manifestations of a complex dynamic regime. There are also complexities expected due to changes from high spin to low spin for iron in both perovskite and ferropericlase minerals. Large-scale regions of anomalously high or anomalously low seismic velocities have been detected, as well as spatially concentrated structures with distinctive seismic velocities, likely related to upwelling and downwelling regions of the mantle thermal convection system. The lowermost few hundred kilometers of the lower mantle are particularly anomalous in its seismological properties and are identified as the D″ region. Abrupt seismic velocity increases are observed at the top of the D″ region in many places, probably due to a phase transition in perovskite. Large volumes of apparently chemically distinct material have been characterized in the lowermost mantle; these may be relics of Earth's early chemical stratification or possibly accumulations of subducted oceanic slab materials. Dramatic drops in seismic velocities are observed in thin layers at the bottom of D″ adjacent to the CMB, with partial melting probably being involved. Seismic wave anisotropy has been detected in this lowermost layer of the mantle, providing a possible probe of boundary layer deformation. The lower mantle appears to host complex thermochemical dynamic processes that likely have played a key role in mantle evolution throughout the history of planet Earth.
Lessons from an HIV denialist in the hills of Thailand

I spent a month volunteering with Dr. Mark,* a physician in the hill tribe villages of northern Thailand, in the summer of 2010. He was born in Myanmar, graduated from medical school in India and founded a small grassroots organization dedicated to the health of hill tribe villagers. He spent the last five years moving from village to village along the mountainous Thai-Burmese border, working on sanitation projects and seeing patients in makeshift clinics. He is hard working, humble and is known for his fluency in eight languages, including all six of the local hill tribe dialects. During my month with Dr. Mark and his organization, I helped build toilets, collect water supplies and run medical clinics. Through this experience and my discussions about HIV/AIDS with Dr. Mark, I was exposed to the concept of HIV denialism: what it is, how it is perpetuated and what possibly led Dr. Mark to believe in it. I also reflected on the importance of fundamental science, research methods and epidemiology in the training of physicians, and how such topics affect their ability to engage with medical developments.
Bayesian Spanning Tree: Estimating the Backbone of the Dependence Graph

In multivariate data analysis, it is often important to estimate a graph characterizing dependence among (p) variables. A popular strategy uses the non-zero entries in a (p\times p) covariance or precision matrix, typically requiring restrictive modeling assumptions for accurate graph recovery. To improve model robustness, we instead focus on estimating the {\em backbone} of the dependence graph. We use a spanning tree likelihood, based on a minimalist graphical model that is purposely overly-simplified. Taking a Bayesian approach, we place a prior on the space of trees and quantify uncertainty in the graphical model. In both theory and experiments, we show that this model does not require the population graph to be a spanning tree or the covariance to satisfy assumptions beyond positive-definiteness. The model accurately recovers the backbone of the population graph at a rate competitive with existing approaches but with better robustness. We show combinatorial properties of the spanning tree, which may be of independent interest, and develop an efficient Gibbs sampler for Bayesian inference. Analyzing electroencephalography data using a Hidden Markov Model with each latent state modeled by a spanning tree, we show that results are much more interpretable compared with popular alternatives.
Increased Smoking Cessation among Veterans with Large Decreases in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Severity.

BACKGROUND Improvement in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with better health behavior such as better medication adherence and greater use of nutrition and weight loss programs. However, it is not known if reducing PTSD severity is associated with smoking cessation, a poor health behavior common in patients with PTSD. METHODS Veterans Health Affairs (VHA) medical record data (2008 to 2015) were used to identify patients with PTSD diagnosed in specialty care. Clinically meaningful PTSD improvement, was defined as ≥20 point PTSD Checklist (PCL) decrease from the first PCL ≥ 50 and the last available PCL within 12 months and at least 8 weeks later. The association between clinically meaningful PTSD improvement and smoking cessation within 2-years after baseline among 449 smokers was estimated in Cox proportional hazard models. Entropy balancing controlled for confounding. RESULTS On average, patients were 39.4 (SD=12.9) years of age, 86.6% were male and 71.5% were white. We observed clinically meaningful PTSD improvement in 19.8% of participants. Overall, 19.4% quit smoking in year 1 and 16.6% in year 2. More patients with vs. without clinically meaningful PTSD improvement stopped smoking (n=36, cumulative incidence=40.5% vs. 111, cumulative incidence=30.8%; respectively). After controlling for confounding, patients with vs. without clinically meaningful PTSD improvement were more likely to stop smoking within 2-years (HR=1.57; 95%CI:1.04-2.36). CONCLUSIONS Patients with clinically meaningful PTSD improvement were significantly more likely to stop smoking. Further research should determine if targeted interventions are needed or whether improvement in PTSD symptoms is sufficient to enable smoking cessation. IMPLICATIONS Patients with PTSD are more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Poor health behaviors, including smoking, partly explain the risk for chronic disease in this patient population. Our results demonstrate that clinically meaningful PTSD improvement is followed by greater likelihood of smoking cessation. Thus, PTSD treatment may enable healthier behaviors and reduce risk for smoking related disease.
Targeting Parasympathetic Activity to Improve Autonomic Tone & Clinical Outcomes.

In this review we will briefly summarize the evidence that autonomic imbalance, and more specifically, reduced parasympathetic activity to the heart generates and/or maintains many cardiorespiratory diseases; and discuss mechanisms and sites, from myocytes to the brain, that are potential translational targets for restoring parasympathetic activity and improving cardiorespiratory health.
Qualitative Process Theory Using Linguistic Variables

Qualitative Process (QP) theory, developed by K. Forbus, describes the form of qualitative theories about the dynamics of physical systems. Qualitative descriptions are important because they provide the ability to reason with incomplete information, and can guide the application of more detailed quantitative theories when additional information is available. Forbus has demonstrated that QP theory can be used to derive many significant deductions given only weak qualitative descriptions of variable values and relationships. However, there are several limitations to the current ability to analyze situations using QP theory: (1) QP theory can not be used to estimate how likely a possible situation is. (2) QP theory is unable to analyze many situations involving conflicting influences. (3) QP theory provides little basis for reasoning about continuous control actions. In this thesis, we explore the possibility of using linguistic variables as a semi-quantitative extension to the qualitative value and relationship representations in QP theory. These extensions can reduce the ambiguity of its analyses both in terms of the number of situations which may be occurring and the magnitude, time scale, etc., over which situations occur. These extensions reason at the appropriate level of detail for the kinds of questions typically asked in reasoning about the control of engineered systems, are computationally tractable, and can reason with the imprecise or uncertain data typically available. The extensions are motivated by an examination of the potential use of QP theory in reasoning about the control of physical systems. Examination of a detailed example reveals a number of limitations similar to those listed earlier. The source of these limitations is traced to the restricted model of qualitative mathematics contained in QP theory. The proposed extensions to this mathematics are then described and demonstrated capable of eliminating many of these limitations at the price of requiring additional system specific information about the system being modelled.
SU-E-J-207: Effect of Pulse Sequence Parameters On Geometric Distortions Induced by a Titanium Brachytherapy Applicator

Purpose: To investigate the effect of readout bandwidth and voxel size on the appearance of distortion artifacts caused by a titanium brachytherapy applicator. Methods: An acrylic phantom was constructed to rigidly hold a MR conditional, titanium Fletcher-Suit-Delclos-style applicator set (Varian Medical Systems) for imaging on CT (Philips Brilliance) and 1.5T MRI (Siemens Magnetom Aera). Several variants of MRI parameters were tried for 2D T2-weighted turbo spin echo imaging in comparison against the standard clinical protocol with the criteria to keep relative SNR loss less than 20% and imaging time as short as possible. Two 3D sequences were also used for comparison with similar parameters. The applicator tandem was segmented on axial CT images (0.4×0.4×1.5mm 3 resolution) and the CT images were registered to the 3D MR images in Eclipse (Varian). The applicator volume was then overlaid on all MRI sets in 3D-Slicer and distances were measured from the tandem tip to the MRI artifact edge in right/left/superior and anterior/posterior/superior directions from coronal and sagittal 2D acquisitions, respectively, or 3D data reformats. Artifact regions were also manually contoured in coronal/sagittal orientations for area measurements. Results: As would be expected, reductions in voxel size and increases in readout bandwidth reduced artifact size (average max artifact length decreased by 0.95 mm and average max area decrease by 0.27 cm2). Interestingly, bandwidth increases yielded reductions in area (0.19 cm2) and in distance measurements (1 mm) even with voxel increases, as compared to a standard protocol. This could be useful when high performance protocols are not feasible due to long imaging times. Conclusion: We have characterized artifacts caused by cervical brachytherapy applicator across multiple sequence parameters at 1.5T. Future work will focus on finalizing an optimal protocol that balances artifact reduction with imaging time and then testing this new protocol in patients.
Economic Implications of Discontinuing the Texas High Plains Boll Weevil Suppression Program

The federal government has supported and continues to support or share in the support, financially and technically, of several regional pest management programs. Implicit in continued federal support is the concept that the benefits of the program to society exceed the governmental portion of the costs. As these programs are evaluated and consideration is given to discontinuing federal support, improved estimates of program benefits, or costs of discontinuing, are needed.The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the expected effects in terms of agricultural output, insecticide use, and production costs of discontinuing a regional boll weevil suppression program on the Texas High Plains. Results of this study are useful to governmental decision makers, local producers, environmentalists and economists.
WHEN PARADIGMS COLLIDE

For the past 25 years, helping professionals have wrestled with the task of adapting their practices to incorporate new information about abuse and responsibilities toward its victims. Despite a growing body of helpful research, increasing training opportunities and extensive legislative reform, significant obstacles still confront adult and child victims of partner violence in the family court system. This article groups those obstacles into three categories: naming the problem, identifying victims of abuse, and prioritizing victim safety. In each problem area, the author suggests that progress depends on increased integration at the level of theory and increased professional collaboration at the level of practice.
A technique to facilitate delivery of the high-floating head at cesarean section

When cesarean section is performed before labor has lengthened and attenuated the lower uterine segment one may encounter considerable difficulty delivering the floating fetal head. The result is often either traumatic or deliberate extension of the uterine incision and undue delay in delivering the infant. This report describes a practical technique to facilitate delivery of the infant in this difficult circumstance.
Supported eText: Effects of Text-to-Speech on Access and Achievement for High School Students with Disabilities.

Students with disabilities often lack the skills required to access the general education curriculum and achieve success in school and postschool environments. Evidence suggests that using assistive technologies such as digital texts and translational supports enhances outcomes for these students (Anderson-Inman & Horney, 2007). The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of a text-to-speech screen reader program on the academic achievement of high school students with disabilities in an online transition curriculum emphasizing information literacy. The text-to-speech support was introduced and withdrawn in a reversal design across 10 curriculum units. Findings suggest that the text-to-speech support increased unit quiz and reading comprehension performance with large effect sizes. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Toxin YafQ increases persister cell formation by reducing indole signalling.

Summary Persister cells survive antibiotic and other environmental stresses by slowing metabolism. Since toxins of toxin/antitoxin (TA) systems have been postulated to be responsible for persister cell formation, we investigated the influence of toxin YafQ of the YafQ/DinJ Escherichia coli TA system on persister cell formation. Under stress, YafQ alters metabolism by cleaving transcripts with in-frame 5′-AAA-G/A-3′ sites. Production of YafQ increased persister cell formation with multiple antibiotics, and by investigating changes in protein expression, we found that YafQ reduced tryptophanase levels (TnaA mRNA has 16 putative YafQ cleavage sites). Consistently, TnaA mRNA levels were also reduced by YafQ. Tryptophanase is activated in the stationary phase by the stationary-phase sigma factor RpoS, which was also reduced dramatically upon production of YafQ. Tryptophanase converts tryptophan into indole, and as expected, indole levels were reduced by the production of YafQ. Corroborating the effect of YafQ on persistence, addition of indole reduced persistence. Furthermore, persistence increased upon deleting tnaA, and persistence decreased upon adding tryptophan to the medium to increase indole levels. Also, YafQ production had a much smaller effect on persistence in a strain unable to produce indole. Therefore, YafQ increases persistence by reducing indole, and TA systems are related to cell signalling.
Careers in a non‐Western context: An exploratory empirical investigation of factors related to the career success of Chinese managers

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to conduct an exploratory empirical examination to determine if factors (e.g. demographic, human capital, motivational, and organizational) associated with career success in Western countries are also related to the career outcomes of Chinese managers.Design/methodology/approach – Survey data were obtained from 139 managers working in China. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship among common predictors of career success and the actual outcomes of Chinese managers.Findings – Predictors of two career outcomes were explored: total compensation and career satisfaction. Although some of the findings were similar to the findings of studies on the career outcomes of managers in Western countries, there were some surprising differences. The results showed that women and top‐level decision makers had higher total compensation. Furthermore, holding a middle management (as opposed to a line management) position, and perceptions that one's or...
Phorbol myristate acetate stimulates macrophage differentiation and replication and alters granulopoiesis and leukemogenesis in long-term bone marrow cultures

The effects of the tumor-promoter phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on normal hemopoiesis and Friend leukemia virus (FLV) granulocytic leukemogenesis in long-term bone marrow cultures were examined. FLV-anemia-inducing strain (FLV-A) infected, Rauscher R-MuLV clone M52R infected, or uninfected control NIH Swiss mouse marrow cultures were treated weekly with PMA or 4-O-methyl-PMA at 2.0 ng/ml or 200.0 ng/ml. Addition of PMA to control uninfected or R-MuLV-infected cultures decreased production of nonadherent granulocytic cells and granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (GM-CFU-c), and increased the numbers of adherent macrophages. Addition of PMA to FLV-A-infected cultures did not inhibit generation of granulocytic leukemia cell lines even though the numbers of adherent adipocytes were decreased and adherent macrophages were increased. PMA treatment of freshly explanted whole bone marrow but not purified nonadherent GM-progenitor cells from long-term bone marrow cultures stimulated GM-CFU-c and cluster formation in the absence of added colony-stimulating factor (CSF). The sensitivity of purified GM-progenitor cells to L929 or WEHI-3 CSF was not altered by PMA; however, PMA treatment of bone marrow macrophages or peritoneal exudate macrophages stimulated detectable GM-CFU-c and cluster formation by purified GM-progenitor cells under conditions where equal numbers of untreated macrophages failed to be stimulatory. Thus, several PMA effects on hempoietic stem cells in vitro are mediated through indirect action on adherent stromal cells including macrophages.
Abstract P207: Sociodemographic Predictors of Overweight or Obese Incidence Among Normal Weight 18-Year Olds

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is associated with increased risk for excess weight gain. Transitioning adults are relatively difficult to study, however, because unless they matriculate to secondary education there are few opportunities to track them. Thus, demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with overweight obesity are not well-documented, much less so among adolescents who have maintained normal weight throughout adolescence. We examined the incidence of overweight and obesity among 10,723 healthy, normal weight (body mass index [BMI] 2 )18-year olds in 2008 who remained members of Kaiser Permanente Southern California through 2012. Sex, race/ethnicity, height, and weight were recorded in electronic medical records; BMI was calculated. Neighborhood education was determined from US 2000 Census block group data, and quartiles defined by the proportion of adults with an education below high school. We followed 3,677 men (BMI: 21.5±1.96) and 7,046 women (BMI: 21.2±2.0). Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, neighborhood education, and smoking history. During 34,660 person-years of follow-up (mean 3.23±1.34 years), we documented 2,672 incident cases of overweight (24.9%) and 237 of obesity (2.2%). The RR of overweight was 1.25 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.38) in the lowest quartile of neighborhood education compared with the highest quartile (test for trend p=0.001). The RR for obesity was 1.50 (95% CI: 1.00, 2.25; test for trend p=0.025). While women were less likely to become overweight than men (RR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.94), they were twice as likely to become obese (RR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.72). Hispanics had greater risk of overweight (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.18) and Blacks had greater risk of obesity (RR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.00, 2.15) than non-Hispanic whites. Compared with their non-Hispanic white peers, Asians had lower risk of overweight and obesity (RR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.93 and RR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.99, respectively). In conclusion, normal weight adolescents are at risk for becoming overweight as they transition to adulthood. Sociodemographic factors predict incidence of overweight and obesity. Women and Blacks are at particular risk for excessive weight gain trajectories.
Reducing Bedtime Tantrums: Comparison Between Positive Routines and Graduated Extinction

A total of 36 toddlers and preschool children exhibiting bedtime tantrum activity were randomly assigned to one of three groups: positive routines, graduated extinction, or control. Positive routines involved changing the child's bedtime to coincide with when he naturally fell asleep, as well as parent and child engaging in a series of four to seven enjoyable activities before the child being placed in bed. During the treatment period, bedtimes were systematically scheduled earlier such that the child went to bed at the time parents had originally used. Graduated extinction consisted of the parent putting the child to bed and ignoring the tantrum activity for increasingly longer amounts of time throughout the treatment. Children in these two treatment groups had tantrums less frequently and for shorter periods than control subjects during 6 weeks of treatment and during two follow-up observations 3 and 6 weeks after treatment. Although both treatments were more effective than waiting for the child to outgrow this problem, parents of the positive routine group reported significantly improved marital satisfaction, suggesting additional benefits of this treatment strategy.
Expected scientific results on ballistic spacecraft missions to comet Encke during the 1980 apparition

Summarized are three proposed ballistic spacecraft missions to intercept P/Encke during the 1980 apparition. A baseline physical activity model for P/Encke is established and the performances of the neutral mass spectrometer and of the imaging experiment on each intercept mission are assessed.
Social Media and Social Service: Are Nonprofits Plugged In to the Digital Age?

Social media has become ubiquitous in everyday life as well as a part of many organizational cultures and communications plans. However, in the nonprofit sector, in which technology adaption has hi...
Analysis of atmospheric water vapor measurements using a Raman lidar

An analysis of atmospheric water vapor profiles measured by a multiple wavelength Raman lidar system often shows a great deal of fine structure. In this paper the scales of this structure are examined with respect to both the temporal variability and the variation with respect to altitude. The authors have observed that the water vapor profiles exhibit structure on the order of the resolution of the lidar (75 m). Using two independent wavelengths this structure was verified. The study of temporal variations of water vapor on a fine scale are more difficult to quantify. In an effort to do this a model was created using minimum square error techniques and the deviations from this model are studied. >
Macrophage‐Associated Osteoactivin/GPNMB Mediates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Survival, Proliferation, and Migration Via a CD44‐Dependent Mechanism

Although MSCs have been widely recognized to have therapeutic potential in the repair of injured or diseased tissues, it remains unclear how functional activities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are influenced by the surrounding inflammatory milieu at the site of tissue injury. Macrophages constitute an essential component of innate immunity and have been shown to exhibit a phenotypic plasticity in response to various stimuli, which play a central role in both acute inflammation and wound repair. Osteoactivin (OA)/Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB), a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a role in cell differentiation, survival, and angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of OA/GPNMB in macrophage-induced MSC function. We found that reparative M2 macrophages express significantly greater levels of OA/GPNMB than pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages. Furthermore, using loss of function and rescue studies, we demonstrated that M2 macrophages-secreted OA/GPNMB positively regulates the viability, proliferation, and migration of MSCs. More importantly, we demonstrated that OA/GPNMB acts through ERK and AKT signaling pathways in MSCs via CD44, to induce these effects. Taken together, our results provide pivotal insight into the mechanism by which OA/GPNMB contributes to the tissue reparative phenotype of M2 macrophages and positively regulates functional activities of MSCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1511-1521, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Essential role of Elmo1 in Dock2-dependent lymphocyte migration.

Elmo1 and Elmo2 are highly homologous cytoplasmic adaptor proteins that interact with Dock family guanine nucleotide exchange factors to promote activation of the small GTPase Rac. In T lymphocytes, Dock2 is essential for CCR7- and CXCR4-dependent Rac activation and chemotaxis, but the role of Elmo proteins in regulating Dock2 function in primary T cells is not known. In this article, we show that endogenous Elmo1, but not Elmo2, interacts constitutively with Dock2 in mouse and human primary T cells. CD4 + T cells from Elmo1 −/− mice were profoundly impaired in polarization, Rac activation, and chemotaxis in response to CCR7 and CXCR4 stimulation. Transfection of full-length Elmo1, but not Elmo2 or a Dock2-binding mutant of Elmo1, rescued defective migration of Elmo1 −/− T cells. Interestingly, Dock2 protein levels were reduced by 4-fold in Elmo1 −/− lymphocytes despite normal levels of Dock2 mRNA. Dock2 polyubiquitination was increased in Elmo1 −/− T cells, and treatment with proteasome inhibitors partially restored Dock2 levels in Elmo1 −/− T cells. Finally, we show that Dock2 is directly ubiquitinated in CD4 + T cells and that Elmo1 expression in heterologous cells inhibits ubiquitination of Dock2. Taken together, these findings reveal a previously unknown, nonredundant role for Elmo1 in controlling Dock2 levels and Dock2-dependent T cell migration in primary lymphocytes. Inhibition of Dock2 has therapeutic potential as a means to control recruitment of pathogenic lymphocytes in diseased tissues. This work provides valuable insights into the molecular regulation of Dock2 by Elmo1 that can be used to design improved inhibitors that target the Elmo-Dock-Rac signaling complex.
Correlation Effects in the Compton Profile of Silicon

Ab initio nonlocal pseudopotential variational quantum Monte Carlo techniques are used to compute the correlation effects on the valence momentum density and Compton profile of silicon. Our results for this case are in excellent agreement with the Lam-Platzman correction computed within the local density approximation. Within the approximations used, we rule out valence electron correlations as the dominant source of discrepancies between calculated and measured Compton profiles of silicon.
Complete Isolated Axillary Nerve Palsy in College and Professional Football Players: A Report of Six Cases

Abstract: Axillary nerve injuries are infrequently sustained in football and are most often a consequence of glenohumeral instability. We present six cases of football players who sustained complete axillary nerve palsies secondary to a direct blow to the lateral aspect of the shoulder from a football helmet. This study is the first to document this injury. The initial presentation, physical examination, treatment, and anatomy are discussed. All lesions were complete, as documented by physical examination and serial EMGs. All patients had an electromyographic/nerve conduction velocity examination 3 weeks following the date of injury and follow-up EMG/NCV at 5 months. Initial electromyographic studies revealed fibrillation potentials with no voluntary motor activity, compatible with a complete axillary nerve injury. All patients were initially treated nonoperatively, emphasizing strengthening of the rotator cuff and electrical stimulation of the deltoid. One patient was treated with exploration of the axillary nerve after a delay in evidence of axillary nerve return. All patients returned to their high level of athletic activity. The time to return to competitive sports was prolonged, averaging 9 months, with maximal recovery occurring at 12 months. The overall follow-up has ranged from 2 to 4 years.
CT image reconstruction from fan-parallel data

Third generation fan-beam computerized tomography(CT) scanners acquire data one entire projection at a time. The associated filtered-backprojection algorithm requires a computationally expensive pixel-dependent weight factor in the backprojector. Methods of simplifying the reconstruction include rebinning the fan-beam data to parallel projections. The rebinning can be separated into two steps: azimuthal interpolation, leading to the fan-parallel geometry, where data are unevenly spaced on radial lines through the origin of Radon space, and a subsequent axial interpolation to parallel data. Under appropriate view and projection sampling conditions, the azimuthal interpolation can be replaced by either data resorting or projection channel-dependent delays. This article investigates an arcsin algorithm to reconstruct an image directly from the fan-parallel data. Although it is shown that the algorithm cannot be exact, a natural approximation is described. The pre- and postconvolution weights, and the reconstruction filter, are derived analytically. Imaging results demonstrate that arcsin image quality matches that of parallel reconstruction. The fan-parallel reconstruction method eliminates the resolution-compromising axial interpolation and the costly pixel-dependent backprojection weight. Further, an arcsin detector design is proposed for direct parallel reconstruction from fan-beam data.
Free Agency and the Allocation of Labor in Major League Baseball

In this paper we examine the allocation of labor under free agency by developing and testing a model to predict the migration of free agents. Data for individual players are used in a logit model that estimates the probability that a free agent will change teams as a function of several independent variables. Along with other authors, we find that free agents tend to migrate to big cities. In addition, we find evidence that the allocation of labor may be different under free agency than under the reserve clause and suggest a reason why Coase's theorem may not be applicable to this labor market.
Physical activity increases mRNA for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in rat brain

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) support the viability and function of many types of neurons, and are likely mediators of activity-dependent changes in the CNS. We examined BDNF and NGF mRNA levels in several brain areas of adult male rats following 0, 2, 4, or 7 nights with ad libitum access to running wheels. BDNF mRNA was significantly increased in several brain areas, most notably in the hippocampus and caudal 1/3 of cerebral cortex following 2, 4, and 7 nights with exercise. Significant elevations in BDNF mRNA were localized in Ammon's horn areas 1 (CA1) and 4 (CA4) of the hippocampus, and layers II-III of the caudal neocortex and retrosplenial cortex. NGF mRNA was also significantly elevated in the hippocampus and caudal 1/3 of the cortex, affecting primarily the dentate gyrus granular layer (DG) and CA4 of the hippocampus and layers II-III in caudal neocortex.
Comment on Temperature dependence of the 4f quadrupole moment of Yb in YbCu 2 Si 2

A Comment on the Letter by V. Zevin, G. Zwicknagl, and P. Fulde, Phys. Rev. Lett. 60, 2331 (1988).
The behavior of the high-latitude F-region neutral thermosphere in relation to IMF parameters

Abstract Ground based incoherent scatter radar (ISR) and Fabry Perot interferometer (FPI) studies in the northern high latitudes during the period 1983 to 1989 have shown that the F-region neutral wind field pattern depends upon the sign of the IMF parameters. For example, the cell structure of the northern hemisphere high latitude neutral wind field during periods of low geomagnetic activity depends to a large degree upon the sign of the IMF B y parameter. Long term monitoring of the F-region thermosphere by FPI in Thule, Greenland, and by both FPI and ISR in Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland, have made it possible to produce maps of average meridional and zonal wind fields for various IMF configurations for northern high latitudes. Comparison of observations with theoretical wind field modelling, such as the Vector Spherical Harmonic model, indicates that most observed features are consistent with the models.
Biochemical studies in the vole, Microtus montanus. I. The daily variation of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase and liver glycogen.

Abstract 1. 1. Significant diurnal variations in hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase and liver glycogen were demonstrated in the vole, Microtus montanus, maintained under alternating artificial illumination with the lights on from 0600 to 1800. 2. 2. The phase relationships of glucose-6-phosphatase activity and glycogen levels were compared, the peaks being approximately 4 hr out of phase. This suggests a response of Microtus to the need for blood glucose. 3. 3. Three methods of expressing glucose-6-phosphatase activity in Microtus are discussed. For Microtus, glucose-6-phosphatase specific activity is the most reliable means of expression of enzymic activity.
Making computers safer

As computer technology accelerates in use and application, the supportive functions that make the technology safe to use lags behind. Four of these functional areas are to be addressed by sessions in the conference.
Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate for premedication of children undergoing laceration repair

Study objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of twodoses of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) for premedication of children undergoing laceration repair. Design: Prospective, randomized, nonblinded study. Setting: Urban pediatric emergency department. Participants: Thirty children aged 2 to 8 years requiring laceration repair. Interventions: Premedication with either 10 to 15 μg/kg or 15to 20 μg/kg of OTFC. Results: Activity score, vital signs, oxygen saturation, and painscores were recorded before and after administration of OTFC. Activity scores decreased significantly 15 to 60 minutes after OTFC. The physician suturing the wound rated the child's sedation/pain control as excellent or good in 83% of patients. Vital signs changes were not clinically remarkable. Oxygen saturations remained at 95% or more except in one child who experienced a transient decrease to 91%. Adverse effects were not serious but included vomiting in 20% of the lower-dose group and 47% of the higher-dose group. There were no significant differences between dose groups for activity or pain score changes, physician assessment, discharge times, or adverse events. Conclusion: Both doses of OTFC reduced activity with comparableefficacy, with no serious vital signs changes. However, the higher-dose group had a greater number ( P =NS) of adverse effects.
Neurotransmitters and their metabolites in the brains of fetal and newborn lambs.

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that there is an orderly progressive increase in neurotransmitters in the brains of fetal and neonatal sheep. The preganant ewes or newborns were killed with an intravenous overdose of pentobarbitone. Brains were removed immediately and frozen at −80°C for later dissection and measurement of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT), homovanillic acid (HVA) and hydroxyindole acetic acid (HIAA). Fetuses were studied at 130–135 days gestation (term gestation 147 days), 140–145 days gestation and 1–5 days after birth. The only compound that was significantly different at the three ages was HIAA. Significant regional differences for NE, DA, and HVA, but not for 5HT were demonstrated.
Parthenogenetic activation of mouse and pig oocytes matured in vitro

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if mouse and pig oocytes matured in vitro undergo parthenogenetic activation following exposure to various activation stimuli. Cumulus-intact, germinal vesicle-stage mouse oocytes (n = 151) were collected from pregnant mare serum gonadotropin primed mice and incubated overnight in Brinster's medium. This culture system allowed an 85% maturation to Metaphase II. Pig oocytes (n = 242) were gathered from ovaries collected at an abbattoir and incubated in vitro for 48 h to allow maturation to occur (51% maturation to Metaphase II). Following maturation, mouse and pig oocytes were exposed to various activation stimuli. Mouse oocytes were treated with medium containing ethanol (7%), electricity (85 V, 30 us, one time), or medium; then they were incubated for 6 to 8 h to allow for activation. Pig oocytes were treated with medium containing ethanol (10%), electricity (85 V, 30 us once or twice), ethanol followed by electricity, or medium then incubated for 18 h to allow for activation. A portion of the mouse and pig oocytes were fixed immediately after maturation to serve as a control. The nuclear status of the oocytes was examined after staining with Hoechst 33342. Chi-square procedures were used to analyze the data. The proportion of mouse oocytes which underwent activation was higher (P
Microdetermination of organic peroxides: Comparison of iodometric and titanous chloride reduction methods

Abstract Iodometric and titanous chloride micromethods are presented for determining peroxides. Sample weights for all determinations arranged from 3 to 15 mg. The iodometric microprocedure includes the use of a ferric catalyst for the determination of alkyl hydroperoxides, peroxyesters, diacyl peroxides, bicyclic peroxides, and ketone peroxides. The use of the catalyst enabled most of the peroxides tested to be determined in 5 min. at room temperature. This compares to a previous microiodometric procedure which required 15 hr. for a determination. The titanous chloride method employs a stabilized titanous reagent dispensed from a modified Machlett microburet. Reaction time required is also 5 min. It is shown by comparison of the micromethods that the iodometric procedure is preferred.
An efficient method for in vitro labeling proteins to high specific radioactivity using 3H-NaBH4 in dimethylformamide

Abstract A method for labeling proteins or insoluble protein matrices to high specific radioactivity using 3 H-NaBH 4 in anhydrous dimethylformamide without the presence of formaldehyde or other aldehydes and ketones is presented. Chemical analysis of the labeled proteins suggests that the labeling mechanism involves methylation of lysyl residues. The procedure is simple and the labeled protein products retain their size and charge characteristics.
Inpatient Management of Status Asthmaticus

We examined physician management of patients hospitalized for status asthmaticus at a university hospital. A retrospective review of consecutive admissions for status asthmaticus covering a 13-month period yielded 130 charts for review. We found that practice patterns with respect to documentation of severity of illness, medications, and documentation of efficacy of therapy fell short of the current state of knowledge with respect to treatment of asthma. Asthma is a treatable disease, and physician education needs to bridge the gap between current practice patterns and standards of optimal therapy as defined in the literature. (Chest 1992; 102:1392-96)
Antimicrobial properties of 6,7-dihydroxy-, 7,8-dihydroxy-, 6-hydroxy- and 8-hydroxycoumarins

Abstract The effects of daphnetin, aesculetin, scopoletin, 6-hydroxycoumarin and 8-hydroxycoumarin and their alkyl and acyl derivatives on the growth of bacteria and fungi are reported.
Achalasia: a brief review of treatment options and efficacy.

Achalasia is the most commonly encountered and best known of the primary esophageal motility disorders. Despite over half a century of research, the etiology of achalasia remains unknown. Since the first successful mechanical dilation in 1674 using a sponge tip on a whalebone, treatment continues to focus on relief of symptoms. This paper will briefly review the diagnosis of achalasia and the evolution of treatment for achalasia prior to the advent of minimally invasive surgery.
The effect of diphenylhydantoin on sodium efflux from single barnacle muscle fibers

Abstract Diphenylhydantoin is shown to reduce the Na efflux in single bernacle muscle fibers. The magnitude of the inhibiting effect is 38%, which is slightly more than half that of ouabain. The results are explained by supposing that the action of diphenylhydantoin on the transport enzyme is incomplete or that its main point of action is the T-system.