cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictive validity of the braden scale for pressure sore risk in a nursing home population

The predictive validity of the Braden Scale and the timing of assessment for optimal prediction of pressure sore development (PS) were studied in a nursing home population. Subjects (N = 102) over age 19, free of PS and admitted within the previous 72 hr, were randomly selected from consecutive admissions to a skilled nursing facility. Subjects were assessed for risk and skin condition every 48 to 72 hr for 4 weeks. Twenty-eight subjects (27.5%) developed a PS. A cut score of 18 used at the observation prior to the first recorded PS maximized prediction, producing a sensitivity of 79%, a specificity of 74%, a 54% predictive value of a positive test, 90% predictive value of a negative test, and 75% correct classification rate.
Satire as counter-discourse: Dissent, cultural citizenship, and youth culture in Morocco

This article explores user-generated satirical YouTube videos as forms of citizen-made, participatory cultural production in the context of post-protest Morocco. Using a combined method of textual and critical discourse analysis, I map out the issues most satirized in these alternative cultural forms, then examine their counter-discursive ideological positions, and last explore the consequences of online satire on political culture in Morocco. I argue that the emergence of the web as a participatory medium and a competing cultural form is giving rise to new articulations of dissenting political culture through the enabling of (counter)publics, and the invitation of global, cosmopolitan practices of cultural citizenship.
Phase II study of bendamustine in relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.

Purpose Limited data exist regarding the activity of bendamustine in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). This phase II study evaluated the efficacy of bendamustine in relapsed and refractory HL. Patients and Methods Patients with relapsed and refractory HL who were ineligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT), or for whom this treatment failed, received bendamustine 120 mg/m 2 as a 30-minute infusion on days 1 and 2 every 28 days with growth factor support. The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR). A secondary end point was referral rate to allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (alloSCT) for patients deemed eligible for alloSCT at the time of enrollment. Results Of the 36 patients enrolled, 34 were evaluable for response. Patients had received a median of four prior treatments, and 75% had relapsed after ASCT. The ORR by intent-to-treat analysis was 53%, including 12 complete responses (33%) and seven partial responses (19%). The response rate among evaluable patients was 56%. Responses were seen in patients with prior refractory disease, prior ASCT, and prior alloSCT; however, no responses were seen in patients who relapsed within 3 months of ASCT. The median response duration was 5 months. Five patients (20% of those eligible) proceeded to alloSCT after treatment with bendamustine. Grade 3 adverse events were infrequent and most commonly included thrombocytopenia (20%), anemia (14%), and infection (14%). Conclusion This study confirms the efficacy of bendamustine in heavily pretreated patients with HL. These results support current and future studies evaluating bendamustine combinations in relapsed and refractory HL. J Clin Oncol 31:456-460. © 2012 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
Effect of visuomotor colocation on 3d fitts' task performance in physical and virtual environments

Given the ease that humans have with using a keyboard and mouse in typical, non-colocated computer interaction, many studies have investigated the value of colocating the visual field and motor workspaces using immersive display modalities. Significant understanding has been gained by previous work comparing physical tasks against virtual tasks, visuomotor colocation versus non-colocation, and even visuomotor rotational misalignments in virtual environments (VEs). However, few studies have explored all of these paradigms in context with each other, and it is difficult to perform interstudy comparisons because of the variation in tested motor tasks. Therefore, using a stereoscopic fish tank display setup, the goal for the current study was to characterize human performance of a 3D Fitts' point-to-point reaching task using a stylus-based haptic interface in the physical, colocated/non-colocated, and rotated VE visualization conditions. Five performance measures---throughput, efficiency, initial movement error, corrective movements, and peak velocity---were measured and used to evaluate task performance. These measures were studied in 22 subjects (11 male, 11 female, ages 20--32) performing a 3D variant of Fitts' serial task under 10 task conditions: physical, colocated VE, non-colocated VE, and rotated VEs from 45---315° in 45° increments. Hypotheses: All performance measures in the colocated VE were expected to reflect significantly reduced task performance over the real condition, but also reflect increased performance over the non-colocated VE condition. For rotational misalignments, all performance measures were expected to reflect the highest performance at 0°, reduce to the lowest performance at 90°, and rise again to a local maximum at 180° (symmetric about 0°). Results: All performance measures showed that the colocated VE condition resulted in significantly lower task performance than the physical condition and higher mean performance than the non-colocated VE condition, but the difference was not statistically significant. Also, rotation misalignments showed that task performance was mostly reduced to a minimum at 90°, 135°, and 225°. We conclude that colocated VEs may not significantly improve point-to-point reaching performance over non-colocated VEs. Also, visual rotations of ±45° affected throughput, efficiency, peak velocity, and initial movement error, but the number of corrective movements were not affected until ± 90°.
Some models of agreement and disagreement in repeated measurements of occupation

Measures used by the U.S. Bureau of the Census to assay misclassification and correct marginal distributions—the net difference rate and the index of inconsistency—may produce misleading results and do not fully use information about inconsistency in repeated measurements. We show how multiplicative models of classifications of repeated measurements can be used to locate sources of inconsistency in marginal classifications, sources of discrepancies in classification, and differences between categories in levels of agreement and disagreement. The models are illustrated with an occupational classification from the 1970 CPS-Census Match. Some of our results differ from those reported earlier by the Bureau of the Census.
Lipid regulation of BK channel function.

This mini-review focuses on lipid modulation of BK (MaxiK, BKCa) current by a direct interaction between lipid and the BK subunits and/or their immediate lipid environment. Direct lipid-BK protein interactions have been proposed for fatty and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, phosphoinositides and cholesterol, evidence for such action being less clear for other lipids. BK α (slo1) subunits are sufficient to support current perturbation by fatty and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, glycerophospholipids and cholesterol, while distinct BK β subunits seem necessary for current modulation by most steroids. Subunit domains or amino acids that participate in lipid action have been identified in a few cases: hslo1 Y318, cerebral artery smooth muscle (cbv1) R334,K335,K336, cbv1 seven cytosolic CRAC domains, slo1 STREX and β1 T169,L172,L173 for docosahexaenoic acid, PIP2, cholesterol, sulfatides and cholane steroids, respectively. Whether these protein motifs directly bind lipids or rather transmit the energy of lipid binding to trigger protein conformation change remains unresolved. The impact of direct lipid-BK interaction on physiology is briefly discussed.
Rapid Word Learning Under Uncertainty via Cross-Situational Statistics:

There are an infinite number of possible word- to-word pairings in naturalistic learning environments. Previous proposals to solve this mapping problem have focused on linguistic, social, representational, and at- tentional constraints at a single moment. This article dis- cusses a cross-situational learning strategy based on computing distributional statistics across words, across referents, and, most important, across the co-occurrences of words and referents at multiple moments. We briefly exposed adults to a set of trials that each contained mul- tiple spoken words and multiple pictures of individual objects; no information about word-picture correspon- dences was given within a trial. Nonetheless, over trials, subjects learned the word-picture mappings through cross-trial statistical relations. Different learning condi- tions varied the degree of within-trial reference uncer- tainty, the number of trials, and the length of trials. Overall, the remarkable performance of learners in vari- ous learning conditions suggests that they calculate cross- trial statistics with sufficient fidelity and by doing so rapidly learn word-referent pairs even in highly ambigu- ous learning contexts. Quine (1960) famously presented the core problem for learning word meanings from their co-occurrence with perceived events in the world. He imagined an anthropologist who observes a speaker saying ''gavagai'' while pointing in the general direction of a field. The intended referent (rabbit, grass, the field, or rabbit ears, etc.) is indeterminate from this experience. The solution to this indeterminacy problem requires that the learning system be somehow constrained. Research on children's word learning has concentrated on how this learning might be constrained in a single trial, such that the word is correctly mapped to the referent on that trial. This literature suggests that attentional (Smith, 2000), social (Bald- win, 1993; Tomasello, 2000), linguistic (Gleitman, 1990), and representational (Markman, 1990) constraints enable learners to ''fast map'' words to referents in a single encounter. However, the indeterminacy problem may also be solved cross-situation- ally, not in a single encounter with a word and potential referent but across multiple encounters and learning trials. A learner who is unable to unambiguously decide the referent of a word on any single learning trial might nonetheless store possible word-referent pairings across trials, evaluate the statistical evidence, and ultimately map individual words to the right
A New Form of Inherited Red-Blindness Identified in Zebrafish

A red-blind zebrafish mutant, partial optokinetic response b (pob), has been isolated by measuring eye movements of larvae in a three-generation screen for recessive mutations affecting the visual system. pob larvae exhibit eye movements in response to rotating black and white stripes illuminated with white light, but they do not move their eyes when the stripes are illuminated with red light. Physiological, immunohistochemical, andin situ hybridization analyses of pobretinas showed a selective loss of red-sensitive cones at 5 days postfertilization (dpf). At 3 dpf, cells expressing red opsin are present, suggesting that red-sensitive cones form initially but then disappear rapidly, whereas other photoreceptors remain. Linkage analysis indicated that the mutation identified in thepob mutant is not at the red opsin locus. Because red opsin is the only known molecule unique to red cones, these data suggest that a novel gene is required for the maintenance or function of red cones.
The logistics and cost-effectiveness of circulatory support: advantages of the ABIOMED BVS 5000

Abstract Background . In 1994, the ABIOMED BVS 5000 was incorporated into our acute cardiac assist armamentarium. This report is a general overview of our experience. A hypothetical cost analysis focusing on specific devices and device-related personnel contrasted the BVS 5000 with our prior model of centrifugal pump use. Methods . In 3 years, 22 patients were supported with the BVS 5000, as a biventricular assist device in 40%, right ventricular assist device in 27%, and left ventricular assist device in 32%. Indications were postcardiotomy support in 12, acute myocarditis in 2, bridge to transplant in 4, and failed heart transplant in 4. The cost analysis was performed retrospectively. The actual cost of disposable blood pumps, including replacement pumps, and cannulae constituted the BVS cost. The hypothetical centrifugal costs included the disposables, replacement cones, as well as the labor costs of the continuous perfusionist coverage. Results . Of the 22 patients, 10 (45%) were weaned and 13 (59%) were successfully discharged. Five patients were transplanted while on BVS 5000 support, accounting for a higher rate of discharge. Comparison of "actual" BVS costs with "projected" centrifugal costs revealed differences based upon the intended application of the BVS. In bridge-to-transplant patients with long duration of support, the daily cost of support was dramatically lower with the BVS 5000. For short-term postcardiotomy support, acute myocarditis, or failed transplant, the differences were small. Conclusions . Because the BVS 5000 was readily managed by the intensive care unit nursing staff, this system displaced centrifugal systems in our program. Outcome measures of weaning and successful discharge were improved relative to our prior experience with centrifugal pumps. Even without taking indirect costs into account, the hypothetical cost analysis supported continued use of the BVS system for acute cardiac assistance.
Consent and Informed Consent: Their Ongoing Evolutions in Clinical Care and Research on Humans

The dual concepts of ‘consent’ and ‘informed consent’ continue to have three evolutions. The primary evolution of consent in the patient–physician relationship began in Great Britain in 1767 in the British case, Slater v. Baker and Stapleton, in the judge-made law of consent. The term ‘informed consent’ within the patient–physician relationship entered the judicial lexicon in the 1957 California appellate case, Salgo v. Leland Stanford Junior University. In its second evolution within research on humans following the Nuremberg trials that included experimental atrocities on humans, there is a key focus on clarifying the purpose of research and specifying the reasons for the need for an even more extensive risk disclosure to individuals considering volunteering for study participation. This second evolution continues with the further refinement of the Declaration of Helsinki and, within the USA, a focus on the Belmont Report. In its third evolution in research in the social science, there has been a recognition of problems with informed consent to questionnaire research. When questionnaires involve patients with moderate or severe posttraumatic stress disorder or abused individuals, there needs to be intense consideration focused on how to best protect the participants with these conditions during the questionnaire study.
Estrogen Regulates Adrenal Angiotensin Type 1 Receptors by Modulating Adrenal Angiotensin Levels

Estrogen inhibits adrenal angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) binding sites and attenuates the adrenal responsivity to angiotensin II (Ang II). Ang II modulates AT1R expression. Here, we determined if estrogen-induced down-regulation of adrenal AT1Rs involves modulation of adrenal Ang II. Female rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and injected with 17β-estradiol benzoate (E2; 40 μg/kg) or vehicle for 7 d. Adrenal Ang II was separated from other angiotensin peptides by HPLC and measured by RIA. Scatchard analysis of radioligand binding curves showed that E2 or captopril (Cap; 0.5 g/liter water) significantly reduced adrenal AT1R binding (maximum binding capacity) by 22% and 19%, respectively, compared with OVX (276 ± 2.09 fmol/mg protein). E2 and Cap lowered adrenal Ang II levels by 39% and 21%, respectively, compared with OVX (4.10 ± 0.44 pmol/g). E2 caused no further reductions in adrenal AT1R binding or in Ang II levels in Cap-treated OVX rats. High-dose Ang II infusion (1000 ng/kg·min) increased adrenal Ang ...
Plant virtues are in the eyes of the beholders: A comparison of known palm uses among indigenous and folk communities of Southwestern Amazonia

Despite its central importance to tropical forest conservation, the understanding of patterns in traditional resource use still is incipient. To address this deficiency, we compared known palm uses among two indigenous (Yawanawd and Kaxinawa) and two folk (rubber tapper and ribeirinho) communities in Southwestern Amazonia (Acre, Brazil). We conducted one-hundred-and -forty semi-structured “checklist” interviews about palm uses with male and female adults in the four communities. The knowledge of each community about the uses of the 17 palm species common to all communities was compared by testing for significant differences in the mean number of uses cited per informant and by calculating the Jaccard similarity index of known uses of palm species among the four communities. The following three hypotheses were confirmed: 1) the use of palms differs according to the cultural preferences of each community; 2) indigenous communities know significantly more about palm uses than folk communities; and 3) part of the indigenous knowledge was acquired through contact with Amazonian folk communities.
Noninvasive imaging of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel photoreceptor mosaic

Ground squirrels are an increasingly important model for studying visual processing, retinal circuitry, and cone photoreceptor function. Here, we demonstrate that the photoreceptor mosaic can be longitudinally imaged noninvasively in the 13-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) using confocal and nonconfocal split-detection adaptive optics scanning ophthalmoscopy using 790 nm light. Photoreceptor density, spacing, and Voronoi analysis are consistent with that of the human cone mosaic. The high imaging success rate and consistent image quality in this study reinforce the ground squirrel as a practical model to aid drug discovery and testing through longitudinal imaging on the cellular scale.
Role of paclitaxel in the treatment of head and neck cancer.

Paclitaxel is among the most promising agents developed in the past 15 years for the treatment of solid tumors. Two phase II trials have shown that paclitaxel has significant single-agent activity in patients with head and neck cancer. Preclinical data suggest that alterations in dose and schedule may have a significant influence on clinical response; studies are underway, therefore, to determine the best schedule for administering paclitaxel. Furthermore, studies to define the most effective method of combining paclitaxel with other fagents such as cisplatin, 5-FU, methotrexate, edatrexate and ifosfamide are being completed. Finally, efforts are under way to define the role of paclitaxel in combination with radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Our hope is that the addition of this active new agent to current therapeutic approaches will lead to an improvement in the overall survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Initiation of Sexual Intercourse and Safe Sex Practices: An Evidence-Based Replication of "Reducing the Risk"

Purpose and Background: This study aimed to (1) identify predictors of initiation of sexual intercourse before program implementation, and (2) assess the one-year impact of Reducing the Risk (RTR) on the delay of sexual intercourse initiation and safe sex practices among a predominantly Latino sample of 9 th graders in Tulare County. RTR is an evidence-based program designed to delay initiation of adolescent sexual intercourse, and increase safe practices among those who are already sexually active. The program was implemented in Tulare County; whose average teen birth rate for 2009-2011 was 60.2 per 1,000 teens aged 15-19. Methods: Baseline and one-year follow-up data were collected on 390 students, beginning in their 9 th grade year (53% female, 72.2% Latino/Hispanic). Students participated in a school-based pregnancy prevention program (RTR) and answered questions on HIV/STIs knowledge, attitudes about abstinence and teen pregnancy, parent communication, sexual intercourse, and safe sex practices. Results: Over one in eight students were sexually active at baseline. Overall, students reported long-term increases in HIV/STI knowledge and parent communication, decreases in intentions to have sexual intercourse and positive attitudes about teen pregnancy. Controlling for baseline differences, sexually active students reported fewer positive attitudes about abstinence. Conclusion: RTR may be more effective in preventing pregnancy and HIV/STIs among students who are not yet sexually active. Further, RTR does appear to successfully impact students who have already initiated sexual intercourse decisions to practice safe sex; however, not to become abstinent.
Effects of intracellular acidosis on Ca2+ activation, contraction, and relaxation of frog skeletal muscle

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of intracellular acidosis (pH approximately 6.3) of frog skeletal muscle on force and on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i; measured at 20 degrees C using indo 1 fluorescence). Acidosis reduced tetanic force by only 11 +/- 2% (mean +/- SE, n = 8) but increased tetanic [Ca2+]i by 33 +/- 6%, suggesting that acidosis reduced the maximum Ca(2+)-activated force. During relaxation, the [Ca2+]i at half-maximal force was doubled with acidosis, suggesting that acidosis altered the Ca(2+)-force relationship. Acidosis markedly slowed force relaxation and [Ca2+]i decline (time constants fitted to force and [Ca2+]i during relaxation increased by 133 +/- 20 and 68 +/- 13%, respectively, with acidosis), suggesting that slowed force relaxation with acidosis may arise from slowed Ca2+ clearance from the cytosol. Late in relaxation, at approximately 30% of initial force, there was a transient phase of [Ca2+]i increase that was delayed with acidosis in proportion to the slowing of force relaxation. This is consistent with previous suggestions that dissociation of cross-bridges from the thin filament during relaxation promotes Ca2+ release to the cytosol from troponin. This study concludes that in skeletal muscle acidosis has little effect on tetanic force and that the major effects are decreased Ca2+ sensitivity and slower relaxation.
Origin and Differentiation of Epithelium of Urinogenital Sinus in the Opossum

Summary and Conclusions1. Those epithelia in the urinogenital tract of the opossum which respond to estrogens by squamous metaplasia and cornification, have a common origin from the lining of the urinogenital sinus. 2. The sinus epithelium itself is apparently derived at an early stage of development from the ectodermal cloaca or uro-proctodeum, and perhaps in part from the urethral plate. 3. The primitive cloacal endoderm is eventually restricted to the bladder proper. 4. A common ectodermal origin best explains the histological and physiological likenesses of the tissues involved, and the occurrence of stratified squamous epithelium in the lower urinogenital tract of mammals generally. Early development in higher mammals needs reinvestigation with respect to this point. 5. The use of hormones (particularly estrogens) in the immature organism is a valuable method of precociously differentiating tissues not so readily delimited in normal development of the urinogenital tract.
Student affect during learning with a MOOC

This paper presents affect data collected from periodic emotion detection surveys throughout an introductory Statistics MOOC called "I Heart Stats." This is the first MOOC, to our knowledge, to capture valuable student affect data through self-reported surveys. To collect student affect, we used two self-reporting methods: (1) The Self-Assessment Manikin and (2) A discrete emotion list. We found that the most common reported MOOC emotion was Hope followed by Enjoyment and Contentment. There were substantial shifts in affective states over the course, notably with Anxiety and Pride. The most valuable result of our study is a preliminary description of the methods for collecting self-reported student affect at scale in a MOOC setting.
Micromolar calcium decreases affinity of inositol trisphosphate receptor in vascular smooth muscle.

Abstract The mechanism by which Ca2+ inhibits InsP3-induced Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum of vascular smooth muscle was investigated. InsP3 binding to sarcoplasmic-reticulum vesicles from dog aortic smooth muscle was inhibited by 51 +/- 6% by 2 microM Ca2+ in the presence of 10 nM [3H]InsP3. Scatchard analysis indicated the presence of two InsP3-binding sites in the absence of Ca2+ (Kd = 2.5 +/- 0.9 and 49 +/- 8 nM InsP3), though the low-affinity site was more prevalent (representing 92 +/- 3% of the total number of binding sites). Ca2+ (2 microM) did not alter InsP3 binding to the high-affinity site (P > 0.05), but increased the Kd of the low-affinity site 3-fold (Kd = 155 +/- 4 nM InsP3; P < 0.001). The possibility that the apparent decrease in InsP3 affinity was caused by Ca(2+)-dependent activation of an endogenous phospholipase C could be excluded, because the Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of InsP3 binding was completely reversible and insensitive to an inhibitor of phospholipase C. Moreover, Ca2+ did not inhibit InsP3 binding to InsP3 receptor partially purified by heparin-Sepharose chromatography, though another fraction (devoid of InsP3 receptor) restored Ca(2+)-sensitivity of the partially purified InsP3 receptor. Thus Ca2+ binding to a Ca(2+)-sensitizing factor associated with the InsP3 receptor decreases the affinity of the receptor complex for InsP3. This Ca(2+)-sensitizing factor may provide a negative-feedback mechanism for regulating the rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in vascular smooth muscle after hormone activation of the phosphoinositide cascade.
Abstract B53: The role of RPL39 induced autophagy in resistance of breast cancer stem cells

Introduction: Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved lysosomal pathway for degradation of cytoplasmic proteins, macromolecules, as well as organelles, and is a survival pathway under nutrient and environmental stress. Tumor initiating cells (TICs) survive standard radiation, and chemotherapy that ultimately cause breast tumor recurrence and metastasis. Our previous studies have identified autophagy as the mechanism of survival in treatment-resistant populations in patient samples. Recent evidence from our group has defined for the first time two previously unidentified cancer genes, ribosomal protein L39 (RPL39) and myeloid leukemia factor 2 (MLF2) that play a crucial role in tumor initiation and metastasis. Additionally, RPL39 and MLF2 genes in TIC self-renewal utilize hypoxia and reactive nitrogen species for their action. In this study, we aim to determine the mechanism by which RPL39 and MLF2 modulate TICs and their relationship to tumor microenvironment. Experimental Procedures: Analysis of clinical samples was performed using low density array analysis. This data was then confirmed using real time PCR analysis. The mechanism of action of RPL39 as related to autophagy was identified utilizing western analysis. Results and Discussion: We confirmed our in silico bioinformatics based findings by using a real time PCR low density array of 84 genes related to autophagy in 9 paired pre- vs. post-treatment clinical samples, where 60 out of 84 genes demonstrated a statistically significant change (p Citation Format: Bhuvanesh Dave, Dong Soon Choi, Helen Wong, Yi Liu, Prem Siddharth Gunamalai, Jenny C. Chang. The role of RPL39 induced autophagy in resistance of breast cancer stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Metabolism and Cancer; Jun 7-10, 2015; Bellevue, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(1_Suppl):Abstract nr B53.
Molecular and Functional Effects of a Splice Site Mutation in the MYL2 Gene Associated with Cardioskeletal Myopathy and Early Cardiac Death in Infants.

The homozygous appearance of the intronic mutation (IVS6-1) in the MYL2 gene encoding for myosin ventricular/slow-twitch skeletal regulatory light chain (RLC) was recently linked to the development of slow skeletal muscle fiber type I hypotrophy and early cardiac death. The IVS6-1 (c403-1G>C) mutation resulted from a cryptic splice site in MYL2 causing a frameshift and replacement of the last 32 codons by 19 different amino acids in the RLC mutant protein. Infants who were IVS6-1+/+-positive died between 4 and 6 months of age due to cardiomyopathy and heart failure. In this report we have investigated the molecular mechanism and functional consequences associated with the IVS6-1 mutation using recombinant human cardiac IVS6-1 and wild-type (WT) RLC proteins. Recombinant proteins were reconstituted into RLC-depleted porcine cardiac muscle preparations and subjected to enzymatic and functional assays. IVS6-1-RLC showed decreased binding to the myosin heavy chain (MHC) compared with WT, and IVS6-1-reconstituted myosin displayed reduced binding to actin in rigor. The IVS6-1 myosin demonstrated a significantly lower Vmax of the actin-activated myosin ATPase activity compared with WT. In stopped-flow experiments, IVS6-1 myosin showed slower kinetics of the ATP induced dissociation of the acto-myosin complex and a significantly reduced slope of the kobs-[MgATP] relationship compared to WT. In skinned porcine cardiac muscles, RLC-depleted and IVS6-1 reconstituted muscle strips displayed a significant decrease in maximal contractile force and a significantly increased Ca2+ sensitivity, both hallmarks of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-associated mutations in MYL2. Our results showed that the amino-acid changes in IVS6-1 were sufficient to impose significant conformational alterations in the RLC protein and trigger a series of abnormal protein-protein interactions in the cardiac muscle sarcomere. Notably, the mutation disrupted the RLC-MHC interaction and the steady-state and kinetics of the acto-myosin interaction. Specifically, slower myosin cross-bridge turnover rates and slower second-order MgATP binding rates of acto-myosin interactions were observed in IVS6-1 vs. WT reconstituted cardiac preparations. Our in vitro results suggest that when placed in vivo, IVS6-1 may lead to cardiomyopathy and early death of homozygous infants by severely compromising the ability of myosin to develop contractile force and maintain normal systolic and diastolic cardiac function.
Characterization of a MEMS Pressure Sensor By a Hybrid Methodology

Recent advances in surface micromachining and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology have led to development of a MEMS pressure sensor, Fig. 1a. In this sensor, pressure changes are detected by deformations of a diaphragm, Fig. 1b. This diaphragm is about 400 µm long, 100 µm wide, and about 2 µm thick, made of several different materials, each having different properties, especially different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE). As a result, as the sensor is exposed to the environment, where in addition to pressure changes temperature changes also, its measurements will be affected by thermomechanical response.
Novel Treatment of Residual Peri-MitraClip Regurgitation With an Amplatzer Vascular Plug II

Significant residual mitral regurgitation (MR) may persist after MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) implantation in up to 7% of patients with degenerative MR [(1)][1]. Treatment of the residual MR with an adjacent MitraClip may not be feasible, because of commissural location,
Glucuronidation and UGT isozymes in bladder: new targets for the treatment of uroepithelial carcinomas?

// Vikram L. Sundararaghavan 1 , Puneet Sindhwani 2 and Terry D. Hinds Jr. 1,2 1 Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA 2 Department of Urology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA Correspondence to: Terry D. Hinds Jr., email: // Keywords : UGT, UDP-G glycosyltransferase, glucuronidation, bladder cancer, nuclear receptors Received : July 22, 2016 Accepted : September 20, 2016 Published : September 27, 2016 Abstract Bladder cancer has been linked to numerous toxins which can be concentrated in the bladder after being absorbed into the blood and filtered by the kidneys. Excessive carcinogenic load to the bladder urothelium may result in the development of cancer. However, enzymes within the bladder can metabolize carcinogens into substrates that are safer. Importantly, these proteins, namely the UGT’s (uridine 5’-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases), have been shown to possibly prevent bladder cancer. Also, studies have shown that the UGT1 expression is decreased in uroepithelial carcinomas, which may allow for the accumulation of carcinogens in the bladder. In this review, we discuss the UGT system and its’ protective role against bladder cancer, UGT genetic mutations that modulate risk from chemicals and environmental toxins, as well as targeting of the UGT enzymes by nuclear receptors.
Multimodal biometric collection and evaluation architecture

The size and scope of standoff multimodal biometric datasets can be increased through the adoption of a common architecture to collect, describe, archive, and analyze subject traits. The Extendable Multimodal Biometric Evaluation Range (EMBER) system developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory is a field-ready, easily adaptable architecture to streamline collections requiring multiple biometric devices in environments of interest. Its data architecture includes a fully featured metadata-rich relational database that supports the aggregation of biometric data collected with proliferated systems into a single corpus for analytical use.
Effects of Interactions With Animals On Human Psychological Distress.

Context Human–animal interaction (HAI) is widely used as a method of reducing psychological distress. However, research findings in support of HAI have not kept pace with the widespread prevalence in practice. Objective I review and synthesize the quantitative evidence for the influence of HAI on psychological distress and outline future directions for research. Results The evidence suggests that HAI has a small-to-medium effect on distress but does not clarify whether animals account for the treatment effects. Research also has not determined whether positive effects observed in circumscribed HAI programs extend to companion animal ownership. Conclusion HAI research needs to address methodological limitations and expand the focus beyond treatment outcome studies. By increasing our understanding of the processes through which HAI reduces distress, the circumstances under which it is most effective at doing so, and the influence HAI has on the animals, we can enhance the impact of HAI.
Temporal and Directional Patterns of Nymphal Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Movement on the Trunk of Selected Wild and Fruit Tree Hosts in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive and polyphagous herbivore that has been problematic in Mid-Atlantic fruit orchards, many of which are adjacent to woodlands containing its wild hosts. Our tree census in woodlands bordering 15 Mid-Atlantic apple orchards revealed 47 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, 76.6% of which were recorded hosts of H. halys. Tree of heaven was most common and abundant overall. Halyomorpha halys nymphs have a substantial walking dispersal capacity, and their fitness is enhanced by feeding on multiple hosts. Directional and temporal patterns of nymphal H. halys movement on selected wild hosts and apple and peach trees at the orchard-woodland interface were monitored in 2014 and 2015 using passive traps to capture nymphs walking up and down tree trunks. Weekly captures from mid-May to late September or mid-October were compared among hosts across both seasons. Despite higher total nymphal captures in 2014 than 2015, the seasonal trends for both years were similar and indicated bivoltine H. halys populations. In both years, more nymphs were intercepted while walking up than down and captures of upward- and downward-walking nymphs varied significantly among the hosts. All instars were captured, but captures of second instars predominated. Captures reflected seasonal changes in instar distribution and consisted predominantly of younger and older nymphs, early and later in the season, respectively. Results are discussed in relation to host and seasonal effects on the movement of nymphs at the orchard-woodland interface, and the implications for H. halys management.
How Do We Get People to Interact? International Students and the American Experience.

American colleges and universities consider diversity a way to foster personal growth and a healthy society, challenge stereotypes, encourage critical thinking, and help students communicate and feel comfortable with people they may perceive to be different. Quality interaction that has the potential to grow into authentic relationships between Americans and international students may be the bridge to affecting these outcomes, but how do we get people to interact? In this article, based on research as well as her own experience as an international student, the author explores some of the challenges international students face and suggests ideas for sparking interaction between international students and Americans.
Short term cost of care for the surviving periviable neonate.

OBJECTIVE To determine the hospital cost and distribution of financial charges for the initial hospitalization of the surviving periviable neonate. STUDY DESIGN In this retrospective case series, we analyzed medical records and financial data for neonates 23-25 weeks' gestational age in a single tertiary care NICU over 42 months. A detailed breakdown of hospital cost components and charges was determined for all survivors during their initial hospitalization. Statistical significance was determined using the Bonferroni-Sidak method. RESULTS Overall survival was 78% in infants born at 23-25 weeks' gestational age. Survival increased and length of stay and hospital costs decreased with increased gestational age (p < 0.05 for all). Hospital charges were distributed as: NICU 56%, respiratory 11%, pharmacy 6%, laboratory 6%, radiology 6%, surgery 1%, neonatology 13% and miscellaneous 1%. CONCLUSION Our study describes the hospital cost and distribution of charges for the periviable neonate during the initial hospitalization. These economic data may guide clinicians in quality improvement and cost management.
Rare Causes of Cholestasis

Cholestasis is an important manifestation of a variety of liver diseases. Intrahepatic cholestasis can result from genetic defects of liver epithelial cells. Molecular studies in humans have provided insight into rare cholestatic syndromes such as Alagille syndrome, progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis, and Aagenaes syndrome to name a few. Further characterization of these rare cholestatic disorders and the defective genes associated with them will aid in understanding hepatobiliary biology and other more common causes of intrahepatic cholestasis.
Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a polio-like syndrome characterized by acute inflammatory anterior horn cell disease. A widespread incidence of such cases in the United States in 2014 led to the coining of this new term. The features of AFM include a rapid onset of asymmetric extremity weakness with a proximal predominance that nadirs in 2–3 days, decreased or flaccid tone, and absent deep tendon reflexes in the affected extremities. Bulbar symptoms may occur, while mental status, sensation, and bladder and bowel function are typically preserved. A viral prodrome is typically associated. Prompt evaluation is critical for differentiating acute flaccid myelitis from other treatable causes of acute flaccid paralysis as proven treatments exist for other disorders. Supportive and neuro-rehabilitative therapy is central to the management of AFM; various immune-modulating treatments have been tried but have not shown to be effective. Long-term outcomes vary widely. A specific pathogen has not been identified in recent cases of AFM although several pathogens are known to cause a similar pattern of injury.
Accurate fluid force measurement based on control surface integration

Nonintrusive 3D fluid force measurements are still challenging to conduct accurately for freely moving animals, vehicles, and deforming objects. Two techniques, 3D particle image velocimetry (PIV) and a new technique, the aerodynamic force platform (AFP), address this. Both rely on the control volume integral for momentum; whereas PIV requires numerical integration of flow fields, the AFP performs the integration mechanically based on rigid walls that form the control surface. The accuracy of both PIV and AFP measurements based on the control surface integration is thought to hinge on determining the unsteady body force associated with the acceleration of the volume of displaced fluid. Here, I introduce a set of non-dimensional error ratios to show which fluid and body parameters make the error negligible. The unsteady body force is insignificant in all conditions where the average density of the body is much greater than the density of the fluid, e.g., in gas. Whenever a strongly deforming body experiences significant buoyancy and acceleration, the error is significant. Remarkably, this error can be entirely corrected for with an exact factor provided that the body has a sufficiently homogenous density or acceleration distribution, which is common in liquids. The correction factor for omitting the unsteady body force, $${{{ {\rho _{\text{f}}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{1 - {\rho _{\text{f}}}} {\left( {{\rho _{\text{b}}}\;+\;{\rho _{\text{f}}}} \right)}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {\left( {{{{\rho }}_{\text{b}}}\;+\;{\rho _{\text{f}}}} \right)}}} ,$$ depends only on the fluid, $${\rho _{\text{f}}}$$ , and body, $${{\rho }}_{\text{b}}$$ , density. Whereas these straightforward solutions work even at the liquid–gas interface in a significant number of cases, they do not work for generalized bodies undergoing buoyancy in combination with appreciable body density inhomogeneity, volume change (PIV), or volume rate-of-change (PIV and AFP). In these less common cases, the 3D body shape needs to be measured and resolved in time and space to estimate the unsteady body force. The analysis shows that accounting for the unsteady body force is straightforward to non-intrusively and accurately determine fluid force in most applications.
Mesotocin influences pinyon jay prosociality

Many species exhibit prosocial behaviour, in which one individual9s actions benefit another individual, often without an immediate benefit to itself. The neuropeptide oxytocin is an important hormonal mechanism influencing prosociality in mammals, but it is unclear whether the avian homologue mesotocin plays a similar functional role in birds. Here, we experimentally tested prosociality in pinyon jays ( Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus ), a highly social corvid species that spontaneously shares food with others. First, we measured prosocial preferences in a prosocial choice task with two different pay-off distributions: Prosocial trials delivered food to both the subject and either an empty cage or a partner bird, whereas Altruism trials delivered food only to an empty cage or a partner bird (none to subject). In a second experiment, we examined whether administering mesotocin influenced prosocial preferences. Compared to choices in a control condition, we show that subjects voluntarily delivered food rewards to partners, but only when also receiving food for themselves (Prosocial trials), and administration of high levels of mesotocin increased these behaviours. Thus, in birds, mesotocin seems to play a similar functional role in facilitating prosocial behaviours as oxytocin does in mammals, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved hormonal mechanism for prosociality.
Immunology of Varicella-Zoster Virus

The present decade should witness significant advances in the understanding and control of varicella-zoster (V-Z) infection. In vitro assays for examining the many aspects of the host’s immune responses have recently been developed, and immunotherapy including zoster immune globulin (ZIG), hyperimmune plasma, varicella-zoster vaccine, and transfer factor are now being examined for therapeutic efficacy. Previous attempted modes of treatment such as antiviral chemotherapeutic agents have generally been inadequate, yet preliminary results indicate that various aspects of immunotherapy may provide the clinical armamentarium so long awaited for combating this ubiquitous viral agent. An understanding of the immunology of V-Z virus disease is of course essential for guiding efforts at therapy and such investigations are currently developing.
DD74: Was ist noch neu? (September 2008)

Sie haben eine neue Idee, eine Erfindung oder den genialen wissenschaftlichen Einfall? Dann googeln Sie erst einmal, ob es das schon gibt. Meistens irgendwie schon, aber nicht genauso. Es bleibt das schale Gefuhl, nichts ist richtig neu. Die Leute lugen ja auch und behaupten, was sie irgendwann zu wissen glauben. Wer blickt da noch durch?
Worst Headache and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Prospective, Modern Computed Tomography and Spinal Fluid Analysis

Study objective This study investigated the hypothesis that modern computed tomographic (CT) imaging is sufficient to exclude subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in patients with severe headache. Methods All 38,730 adult patients who presented to Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, during a 16-month period were prospectively screened to detect those with "the worst headache of my life." Two neuroradiologists blinded to the study hypothesis interpreted the CT scans. Patients with negative scans underwent comprehensive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis including cell count in first and last tubes, visual and spectrophotometric detection of xanthochromia, and CSF D-dimer assay. Results A chief complaint of headache was elicited in 455 patients, and 107 of these had "worst headache" and were enrolled in the study. CT-confirmed SAH was found in 18 of the 107 (17%). Only 2 patients (2.5%, 95% confidence interval, .3% to 8.8%) had SAH detected by CSF analysis among those with negative CT imaging result. CSF spectrophotometric detection was the most sensitive test for blood. Three patients with less than 6 red blood cells in tube 1 had positive spectrophotometric results, but in all 3, tube 4 was negative on spectrophotometric analysis, suggesting a high false-positive rate. Conclusion Modern CT imaging is sufficient to exclude 97.5% of SAH in patients presenting to the ED with "worst headache" symptoms.