cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of prostaglandis in the control of renin secretion in the dog (II)

Abstract Infusion of prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ) into the renal artery of anesthetized dogs (1.03 μg/min) caused increases in urine flow rate (V), renal plasma flow (RPF) and renin secretion rate without any change in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), whereas infusion of prostaglandin F 2 α (PGF 2α ), (1.03 μg/min) caused no consistent change in V, RPF, or renin secretion rate. Infusion of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) (1.03 μg/min) into the renal artery of “non-filtering” kidneys caused renin secretion rate to rise from 567.7 ± 152.0 U/min(M ± SEM) during control periods to 1373.6 ± 358.5 U/min after 60 minutes of infusion of PGE 2 (P 0.1). The data suggest that PGE 1 and PGE 2 play a role in the control of renin secretion. The data further suggest that PGE may control renin secretion through a direct effect on renin-secreting granular cells.
Extent and Nature of Sexual Harassment in the Fashion Retail Workplace: 10 Years Later

Sexual harassment continues to be a pervasive and costly problem for businesses, government, and educational institutions. In the past 15 years, workplace sexual harassment has become prominent in the public consciousness. In fashion retailing, an industry with a large number of young, unmarried female employees and relatively large power differentials between organizational levels, sexual harassment is an important issue. The purpose of this study was to replicate Workman's 1993 article “Extent and Nature of Sexual Harassment in the Fashion Retail Workplace.” The same instrument was administered to 144 female clothing and textile students at a large state university. One hundred six participants (73.6%) had experienced at least one incident of sexual harassing behavior. This was consistent with Workman's finding of 73.5%. In the majority of the variables tested, very little had changed between 1993 and 2003.
The Wisdom of Tacit Knowing-in-Action and Mission Command.

Adult learners regularly confront complex and dynamic challenges in moments of crisis that require self-efficacy of intuition and immediate decision. Such “snap decision-making” requires highly dev...
From the editor's desk: Benefits of open-access publishing

Open-access publishing, which removes monetary and legal restrictions from Internet reading, provides benefits for readers and publishers alike. Radiology Case Reports has used an open-access publishing model from its inception.
Congenital Malformations in Infants Born to Women with Epilepsy at Boston Medical Center (S59.002)

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of major congenital malformations in offspring of women with epilepsy exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy in a tertiary care center. Background: Approximately 0.3-0.5% of all pregnancies involve women with epilepsy. The risk of congenital malformations associated with AED therapy ranges from 4-10% as compared to a rate of 3% in the general population. However, the incidence in a high-risk population, such as an inner city tertiary care center, with multiple co-morbidities is not as well known. Design/Methods: Using the Boston Medical Center Database between the years of 2003 and 2010, a list of all infants born with major congenital malformations (MCMs) to mothers on AEDs was compiled. MCMs were defined as cleft lip and/or palate, ventricular or atrial septal defect, other cardiac malformations, and urogenital defects. During pregnancy, AED exposure including serum levels, other medication exposures, breakthrough seizure frequency, positive toxicology tests, and other maternal co-morbidities were also analyzed. Results: Of 17,246 live births between 2003 and 2010, 363 of those births demonstrated a MCM (malformation rate of 2.10%). Of those births, 64 mothers had epilepsy and were exposed to AED therapy during pregnancy, accounting for 0.37% of all births during this time period. Overall, three pregnancies in women with epilepsy resulted in a baby with a MCM, accounting for a 4.7% malformation rate in this patient population. Of those three women, one had repetitive breakthrough seizures and one had co-morbid psychiatric conditions. Conclusions: Between 2003 and 2010, the rate of major congenital malformations was 4.7% in children born to women with epilepsy and on AEDs in our patient population, consistent with known national data, despite having a high-risk profile. Further studies are needed to better characterize the causative role for AED use and MCM incidence in medically complex pregnancies. Disclosure: Dr. Deck has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lovett has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nadkarni has nothing to disclose. Dr. Montouris has received personal compensation for activities with UCB Pharma, Eisai Inc., Lundbeck Research USA Inc., Meridian, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Montouris has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Epilepsia.
Mycotoxins: Contemporary Issues of Food Animal Health and Productivity

Modern agriculture and production animal medicine require attention to high-quality feeds that are free from mycotoxin contamination that can cause economically important decreases in productivity. Maintaining current information about effects of mycotoxins on feed intake and growth, reproductive efficiency, and possible immunosuppression aid in effective consultation with livestock producers. Investigation and determination of potential production losses related to mycotoxins should use historical, clinical, laboratory, and experimental information to objectively evaluate whether mycotoxin contamination is clinically relevant. The practicing veterinarian or veterinary consultant can provide valuable clinical and interpretive assistance to producers who may have a real or potential mycotoxin contamination. Thorough diagnostic evaluation of animals, appropriate testing of feeds and forages, and rational consideration of differential diagnoses help to put mycotoxins in the proper perspective as a production-related management problem.
Enigmata Figurarum: Biblical Exegesis and Liturgical Exposition in Durand's Rationale

William Durand's (ca. 1230–1296) Rationale divinorum officiorum (ca. 1292/1296) is unquestionably the longest and most thorough commentary on the liturgy produced by a medieval liturgiologist. From the time of its appearance at the end of the thirteenth century to the Catholic Restorationist liturgical revival in mid-nineteenth-century France, it was hailed by admirers as the quintessential expression of the medieval church's understanding of the divine offices. The bishop of Mende's Rationale treats, among other things, the various parts of the church building, the ministers of the church, liturgical vestments, and the Mass and the canonical hours. It thus stands as the epitome of a four-hundred year tradition of allegorical liturgical exposition which was inaugurated in the West with the extended liturgical commentaries of the Carolingian bishop, Amalarius of Metz (died 852/853).
The effect of experimentally induced sedentariness on mood and psychobiological responses to mental stress

Background Evidence suggests a link between sedentary behaviours and depressive symptoms. Mechanisms underlying this relationship are not understood, but inflammatory processes may be involved. Autonomic and inflammatory responses to stress may be heightened in sedentary individuals contributing to risk, but no study has experimentally investigated this. Aims To examine the effect of sedentary time on mood and stress responses using an experimental design. Method Forty-three individuals were assigned to a free-living sedentary condition and to a control condition (usual activity) in a cross-over, randomised fashion and were tested in a psychophysiology laboratory after spending 2 weeks in each condition. Participants completed mood questionnaires (General Health Questionnaire and Profile of Mood States) and wore a motion sensor for 4 weeks. Results Sedentary time increased by an average of 32 min/day ( P = 0.01) during the experimental condition compared with control. Being sedentary resulted in increases in negative mood independent of changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (ΔGHQ = 6.23, ΔPOMS = 2.80). Mood disturbances were associated with greater stress-induced inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) responses (β = 0.37). Conclusions Two weeks of exposure to greater free-living sedentary time resulted in mood disturbances independent of reduction in physical activity. Stress-induced IL-6 responses were associated with changes in mood.
Reactivity-Based Detection of Copper(II) Ion in Water: Oxidative Cyclization of Azoaromatics as Fluorescence Turn-On Signaling Mechanism

An oxidative cyclization reaction transforms nonemissive azoanilines into highly fluorescent benzotriazoles. We have found that introduction of multiple electron-donating amino groups onto a simple o-(phenylazo)aniline platform dramatically accelerates its conversion to the emissive polycyclic product. Notably, this chemistry can be effected by μM-level concentrations of copper(II) ion in water (pH = 6–8) at room temperature to elicit >80-fold enhancement in the green emission at λem = 530 nm. Comparative kinetic and electrochemical studies on a series of structural analogues have established that the accelerated reaction rates correlate directly with a systematic cathodic shift in the oxidation onset potential of the azo precursors. In addition, single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis on the most reactive derivative revealed the presence of a five-membered ring intramolecular hydrogen-bonding network. An enhanced contribution of the quinoid-type resonance in such conformation apparently facilitate...
Self-perceptions of creativity among academic inventors and non-inventors.

Among white collar industrial employees, those engaged in research activities are more likely to see themselves as creative than are non-research employees (Bergum, 1973) . They are also less interested in changing their work, show an aversion to careers in law enforcement and administration, and have a hiscory of high academic achievement. In addition, among the researchers themselves, the patent-holding inventors tended to typify this "creative" syndrome more clearly than the non-inventors. The present study is an extension of the earlier work to an academic population in order to determine the validity and generality of these findings. Approximately 450 technical and scientific faculty members of Texas A&M University were asked to respond co a group of: questions employed earlier with an industrial population (Bergum, 1973) . A total of 279 individuals responded to the request, of which 40, or slightly more than 14%, claimed one or more patented inventions, for an average of 3.1 inventions each. Statistical comparisons were made between the 40 inventors and 239 noninventors in terms of the seven discriminating icems in the earlier study. Of the seven comparison items, two yielded statistically significant differences ( p < .05) between the inventors and non-inventors. These items were "Do you participate in team sports such as baseball, football, basketball, or hockey?" (x2 = 5.13, 1 d f ) , and "Do you think of yourself as creative?" (x2 = 5.08, 1 d f ) . As in the case of the researchers in the earlier study, the inventors in the present study were less oriented toward team activities (25% vs 46%) and saw themselves as more creative than the non-inventors among the faculty. These results are also generally in line with those of a recent study employing selfdescriptive adjectives in a comparison of faculcy members with eirher high or low publication rates (Bergum, 1974) . In this case, the persons with high rates of publishing perceived of themselves as more original (42% vs 2 6 % ) than their less excitable and less efficient colleagues. In general, the results of all three studies suggesc that the more creative/productive members of these professional groups tend to be relatively independent-minded and self-sufficient, and confidently aware of their creative abilities.
Rates of Growth and Morphological Dimensions of Bottle-Raised Pronghorns

Effective hand-raising protocols for neonatal ungulates should strive to produce animals that are physiologically similar to maternally raised conspecifics. Young pronghoms ( An-tilocapra americana ) were sucessfully bottle-raised on a formula of three parts evaporated milk and one part water for participation in physiological and behavioral research. Neonatal growth was assessed by monitoring changes in body weight, length of leg and, surface area of body. Body weights increased linearly with age to 16 weeks; growth rates (g/d) were not significantly different from those of maternally raised young. Lengths of leg, which affect the efficiency of locomotion and maximal running speed, and surface area of body, which affects heat exchange with the environment, increased with increasing body weight.
Treaty Enforcement in U.S. Courts: An Empirical Analysis

This is a chapter on the United States for a book that provides a comparative perspective on the role of domestic courts in treaty enforcement. Analysis of judicial decision-making in treaty cases is problematic because U.S. courts apply two mutually inconsistent models: the "nationalist" and "transnationalist" models. Current doctrine provides support for both the nationalist and transnationalist approaches. Accordingly, this chapter combines doctrinal and empirical analysis in an effort to explain when courts are most likely to adopt a nationalist approach and when they are most likely to adopt a transnationalist approach. The empirical analysis demonstrates that, in litigation between private parties, courts are more likely to apply a transnationalist approach than a nationalist approach. However, in cases where private parties are adverse to government actors, courts are more likely to apply a nationalist approach than a transnationalist approach. The empirical analysis also demonstrates that there is a statistically significant correlation between case outcomes and a court's discretionary decision to adopt a nationalist or transnationalist approach. The party invoking a treaty wins more than 50 percent of the cases in which courts apply a transnationalist approach. In contrast, the party invoking a treaty wins fewer than 20 percent of the cases in which courts apply a nationalist approach. The fact that the party invoking a treaty has a higher winning percentage when courts adopt a transnationalist approach holds true for both private party litigation and for cases where private parties are adverse to government actors. However, if one divides the governmental cases into civil and criminal cases, the observed pattern does not apply to criminal cases. The government wins approximately 98 percent of the criminal cases in which one party invokes a treaty in support of a claim or defense. In this category of cases, there is no significant correlation between case outcomes and a court's discretionary choice to apply nationalist or transnationalist tools.
Blood glucose levels and cortical thinning in cognitively normal, middle-aged adults.

Abstract Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) increases risk for cognitive decline and is associated with brain atrophy in older demented and non-demented individuals. We investigated (1) the cross-sectional association between fasting blood glucose level and cortical thickness in a sample of largely middle-aged, cognitively normal adults, and (2) whether these associations were modified by genes associated with both lipid processing and dementia. To explore possible modifications by genetic status, we investigated the interaction between blood glucose levels and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele and the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOMM) 40 '523 genotype on cortical thickness. Cortical thickness measures were based on mean thickness in a subset of a priori-selected brain regions hypothesized to be vulnerable to atrophy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) (i.e., ‘AD vulnerable regions’). Participants included 233 cognitively normal subjects in the BIOCARD study who had a measure of fasting blood glucose and cortical thickness measures, quantified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. After adjustment for age, sex, race, education, depression, and medical conditions, higher blood glucose was associated with thinner parahippocampal gyri (B = − 0.002; 95% CI − 0.004, − 0.0004) and temporal pole (B = − 0.002; 95% CI − 0.004, − 0.0001), as well as reduced average thickness over AD vulnerable regions (B = − 0.001; 95% CI − 0.002, − 0.0001). There was no evidence for greater cortical thinning in e4 carriers of the APOE gene or in APOE e3/3 individuals carrying the TOMM40 VL/VL genotypes. When individuals with glucose levels in the diabetic range (≥ 126 mg/dL), were excluded from the analysis, the associations between glucose levels and cortical thickness were no longer significant. These findings suggest that glucose levels in the diabetic range are associated with reduced cortical thickness in AD vulnerable regions as early as middle age.
Managing mitral regurgitation: focus on the MitraClip device

Based on the principle of surgical edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (MVR), the MitraClip percutaneous MVR technique has emerged as a minimally invasive option for MVR. This catheter-based system has been widely demonstrated to be safe, although inferior to surgical MVR. Studies examining patients with ≥3+ mitral regurgitation (MR) show that, for all patients treated, freedom from death, surgery, or MR ≥3+ is in the 75%-80% range 1 year following MitraClip implantation. Despite its inferiority to surgical therapy, in high-risk surgical patients, data suggest that the MitraClip system can be employed safely and that it can result in symptomatic improvement in the majority of patients, while not precluding future surgical options. MitraClip therapy also appears to reduce heart failure readmissions in the high-risk cohort, which may lead to an economic benefit. Ongoing study is needed to clarify the impact of percutaneous mitral valve clipping on long-term survival in high-risk populations, as well as its role in other patient populations, such as those with functional MR.
Incorporating pharmacodynamic considerations into caffeine therapeutic drug monitoring in preterm neonates.

This study sought to assess the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships of caffeine citrate therapy in preterm neonates who had therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the post-extubation period. A retrospective observational study was conducted in preterm neonates who received caffeine citrate therapy for apnea of prematurity and had TDM done in the post-extubation period between January 2006 and October 2011. The relationships between pharmacodynamic effects (heart rate, respiratory rate, episodes of apnea, adverse events) and caffeine serum concentrations were explored. A total of 177 blood samples were obtained from 115 preterm neonates with a median (range) gestational age of 29 (24 – 33) weeks and birth weight of 1230 (607 – 2304) kg. Caffeine citrate therapy was initiated at a median (interquartile range) postnatal age of 1 (1 – 3) day and TDM was performed at a postnatal age of 15 (10 – 24) days. No direct correlations were found between respiratory rate or apneic episodes and caffeine serum concentrations; however, heart rate and caffeine serum concentrations were significantly correlated (p < 0.05). Dosing regimen of 40/5 mg/kg q12h (loading dose/maintenance dose, time interval) led to similar endotracheal re-intubation rate but increased percentage of patients experiencing tachycardia compared to the standard regimen of 20/5 mg/kg q24h (44.7 % vs 10.2 %, p < 0.001). Based on this retrospective study, no correlation between episodes of apnea and caffeine serum concentrations was found in neonates who had TDM of caffeine citrate therapy in the post-extubation period, whereas a significant association between tachycardia and concentrations existed. Notwithstanding the absence of severe adverse reactions, TDM should be considered in critically ill neonates with unexplained adverse effects, such as tachycardia.
Implementation of ECG Data Compression Algorithmusing with LabVIEW

This paper describes how to use LabVIEW and Matlab to design program through the example of ECG signal compression algorithm evaluation system implementation. The designed ECG compression algorithm evaluation system use MIT-BIH arrhythmia database standard ECG signal as the experimental data,the proposed compression algorithm is implemented based on empirical mode decomposition( EMD) or wavelet decomposition. The system realizes ECG signal display,storage,compression,de-compression and compression algorithm assessment experiments.
The effect of fluoride on the reaction of acetylcholinesterase with carbamates.

The effect of fluoride on the rates of carbamylation and decarbamylation of acetylcholinesterase was studied using dimethylcarbamyl fluoride, dimethylcarbamylcholine, and monomethylcarbamylcholine as carbamylating agents. In all cases concentrations of fluoride between 10 -4 M and 10 -3 M, which markedly decreased the rate of hydrolysis of acetylcholine, also markedly decreased the rate of carbamylation. On the other hand, concentrations of fluoride as high as 0.1 M failed to affect the rate of decarbamylation of the dimethylcarbamyl-enzyme and the monomethylcarbamyl-enzyme. Fluoride was also without effect on the nucleophilic decarbamylation or reactivation caused by hydroxylamine and choline.
Is it ethical to involve patients in state board examinations

It is argued that the state becomes an ethical agent when it requires that candidates for licensure perform dentistry on patients. As an ethical agent, the state is required to give full information, obtain true voluntary cooperation of patients, not expose patients to increased risk, and provide oversight while unlicensed dentists are practicing and follow-up care where untoward outcomes occur. The possibility of unsuccessful outcomes is known in advance, and there is no evidence showing that known exposure of individual patients to risk is compensated by decreased risk to patients generally.
Hepatic lipids of dogs fed an arteriosclerosis-inducing diet

Abstract Lipid composition of liver in dogs was investigated after feeding them either an arteriosclerosis-inducing diet which contained 16% hydrogenated coconut oil and 5% cholesterol, the same diet but without cholesterol supplement, or meat-chow. Animals fed the last diet did not develop vascular lesions and were regarded as controls. The composition and concentration of free fatty acid and phospholipid fractions of hepatic lipids from dogs fed either experimental diet for 4 months were similar but differed from controls. However, cholesteryl oleate, total cholesteryl ester and triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in liver of the group with cholesterol supplement than in the group without cholesterol added to their diet. In addition, the cholesterol supplemented diet fed for 12–16 months caused greater hepatic lipid changes than those induced by the same diet in 4 months. Unlike adipose tissue, kidney, or myocardial and skeletal muscle, hepatic cholesterol esters showed a profound difference between the four month feedings of cholesterol supplemented and cholesterol free diets. These findings suggest that the liver may play a predominant regulatory role in the onset of diet-induced hyperlipemia and that exogenous cholesterol enhances the effects seen by feeding saturated medium chain fatty acids without cholesterol. Lipid changes observed in mitochondrial and microsomal fractions generally were similar, and also like those observed in lipid extracts of whole liver.
Effects of xanthine oxidase inhibition on ischemic acute renal failure in the rat.

To assess the effects of xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition on ischemic injury, rats were pretreated with oxypurinol (OXY, 5 mg/kg) and subjected to 30 min of bilateral renal artery occlusion. OXY9s effect on adenine nucleotide-nucleoside-purine base concentrations was determined at 10 and 30 min of ischemia and during reperfusion (5 and 30 min). To assess whether XO-mediated oxidant stress influences the severity of ischemic acute renal failure (IARF), the effects of 1) OXY pretreatment and 2) hypoxanthine infusion were assessed. During ischemia OXY inhibited XO activity (more than fourfold rise in hypoxanthine-xanthine ratios) and induced quantitatively trivial but significant increases in ATP and total adenine nucleotide concentrations (by 30 min). Increased OXY dosage (15 mg/kg) or allopurinol (40 mg/kg) had no greater effects. At 5 min of reflow, OXY maintained XO inhibition but did not influence adenine nucleotide levels. By 30 min of reflow, 17–20% increments in ATP-total adenine nucleotides resulted. Nevertheless, OXY did not lessen the severity of IARF (assessed by azotemia-histology at 24 h). Hypoxanthine infusion increased end-ischemic hypoxanthine concentrations by 47%, but it did not change the severity of renal damage. Conclusions include 1) OXY-allopurinol induces intrarenal XO inhibition; 2) XO inhibitors slightly increase late ischemic-reperfusion adenine nucleotide concentrations; and 3) neither XO inhibition nor intrarenal hypoxanthine loading alters the severity of IARF, suggesting that XO-mediated oxidant stress is not a critical, consistent mediator of ischemic renal injury.
STAT3 Inhibition as a Therapeutic Strategy for Chordoma.

Objective Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins regulate key cellular fate decisions including proliferation and apoptosis. STAT3 overexpression induces tumor growth in multiple neoplasms. STAT3 is constitutively activated in chordoma, a tumor with a high recurrence rate despite maximal surgical and radiation treatment. We hypothesized that a novel small molecule inhibitor of STAT3 (FLLL32) would induce significant cytotoxicity in sacral and clival chordoma cells. Methods Sacral (UCh1) and clival (UM-CHOR-1) chordoma cell lines were grown in culture (the latter derived from primary tumor explants). FLLL32 dosing parameters were optimized using cell viability assays. Antitumor potential of FLLL32 was assessed using clonal proliferation assays. Potential mechanisms underlying observed cytotoxicity were examined using immunofluorescence assays. Results FLLL32 induced significant cytotoxicity in UCh1 and UM-CHOR-1 chordoma cells, essentially eliminating all viable cells, correlating with observed downregulation in activated, phosphorylated STAT3 upon administration of FLLL32. Mechanisms underlying the observed cytotoxicity included increased apoptosis and reduced cellular proliferation through inhibition of mitosis. Conclusion As a monotherapy, FLLL32 induces potent tumor kill in vitro in chordoma cell lines derived from skull base and sacrum. This effect is mediated through inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation, increased susceptibility to apoptosis, and suppression of cell proliferation.
Stick Force and Control-Free Stability

This chapter discusses the concepts of hinge-moment coefficients, restoring tendency and floating tendency, control-free static stability, and aerodynamic balance. For simple mechanical control systems, where the pilot is linked only by proportional devices to the control surface, the force he must exert is proportional to the hinge moment at the surface. Usually the control surface is mass-balanced so that the only hinge moment is aerodynamic. The relation between the hinge moment, measured in foot-pounds at the control surface, and force exerted at the stick is given by the gearing constant. It may be evaluated as the control surface deflection in radians per foot of stick motion. Its order of magnitude is usually about unity. The stick-force gradients for trim, or the CG position for zero gradient, can be altered by a number of devices that exert hinge moments on the elevator. The most common of these are the downspring and the bob-weight. The former is equivalent to a long spring that exerts a forward force on the stick independent of stick position. The bob-weight is just a mass-unbalance of the control system, and as long as the flight path is straight, a constant force is exerted, just as by the downspring. This constant force is balanced by an aerodynamic moment when the net force is trimmed to zero—as by a tab—and the aerodynamic moment varies with airspeed.
The Pathogenesis of Dupuytren's Contracture

1. Sixty-nine additional specimens of Dupuytren's contracture have been studied. These specimens were fixed with the fascia under normal tension and sectioned longitudinally. 2. The lesion of Dupuytren's contracture begins as an area of fibrous-tissue proliferation and ends as a band of thick collagen fibers. Hemosiderin deposits in the cellular areas are believed to be evidence of previous hemorrhage into the areas. Abrupt termination of collagen fibers at the edge of the cellular nodules has been observed. 3. Partial rupture of the palmar and plantar fascia was produced in twelve monkeys, together with appropriate control operations. By this method a lesion which resembles the cellular stages of Dupuytren's contracture has been produced. The monkey lesion matures into dense collagenous tissue in the same way that the cellular stages of Dupuytren's contracture mature. Contracture of the finger did not develop in the monkeys in these experiments. 4. One patient has been encountered in whom a nodule developed within the palmar fascia after laceration of the fascia. The nodule had the microscopic characteristics of the cellular stage of Dupuytren's contracture. 5. A similar fibrous-tissue proliferation has been provoked by partial rupture of the anterior rectus sheath of a dog. The response in the dog was less intense than in the monkey and the lesion healed more rapidly. 6. These observations lead us to believe that partial rupture of the palmar aponeurosis is one way in which the type of fibrous-tissue proliferation observed in Dupuytren's contracture can be provoked.
GLOSSARY OF OBSOLETE MINERAL NAMES.By Peter Bayliss. The Mineralogical Record Inc. Tucson, Arizona, 2000, 235 p. Hardbound $32.00 (plus $2.00 postage).

Nomenclature is fundamental in any science. New terms and names are coined as need arises and discarded when they become obsolete. The mineral kingdom is approaching 4000 recognized species but keeping current is easy because Fleischer’s Glossary of Mineral Species , begun in 1971 and now in its 8th edition, has become the standard reference list for mineral names accepted as valid species by the International …
A poetic of exile? Review and Spanish republican exile in Latin America

The comparative analysis —from literary, historical and aesthetic perspectives— of two Latinoamerican publications gives an account of two different cases of Spanish republican exile and, therefore, two different outcomes of the same phenomenon: Futuro (Mexico, 1933-1946), founded by Vicente Lombardo Toledano and Timon: sintesis de orientacion politico-social (Argentina, 1939-1940), publication directed by Diego Abad de Santillan. In this respect, the question which arises is that of the constitution of a poetics of exile, where the poetics is characterized by the discourse of action. In this context, the press is a discursive and creative oasis to enunciate, denounce and ‘do’ something against the imposed silence.
Public Perception of Cosmetic Surgeons versus Plastic Surgeons: Increasing Transparency to Educate Patients.

Background:The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ “Do Your Homework” campaign strives to educate the public on how to identify providers who can safely perform aesthetic/cosmetic/plastic surgery. Although the campaign continues to heighten awareness, misperceptions remain in determining who these
Tetracyclines and Penicillins

The tetracyclines are useful drugs for the obstetrician-gynecologist. They are broad spectrum antibiotics with a wide range of activity against many gram positive and gram negative organisms, both aerobes and anaerobes. In view of the multibacterial etiology of many soft tissue pelvic infections, this family of antibiotics has great theoretical appeal, and clinical studies have indicated effectiveness. Tetracyclines are bacteriostatic in their antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens. They act by inhibiting protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria at the 30 S ribosomal level within the cell.
Genetic induction of hypometabolism by ablation of MC4R does not suppress ALS-like phenotypes in the G93A mutant SOD1 mouse model

Dysfunction and death of motor neurons leads to progressive paralysis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Recent studies have reported organism-level metabolic dysfunction as a prominent but poorly understood feature of the disease. ALS patients are hypermetabolic with increased resting energy expenditure, but if and how hypermetabolism contributes to disease pathology is unknown. We asked if decreasing metabolism in the mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mouse model of ALS (G93A SOD1) would alter motor function and survival. To address this, we generated mice with the G93A SOD1 mutation that also lacked the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). MC4R is a critical regulator of energy homeostasis and food intake in the hypothalamus. Loss of MC4R is known to induce hyperphagia and hypometabolism in mice. In the MC4R null background, G93A SOD1 mice become markedly hypometabolic, overweight and less active. Decreased metabolic rate, however, did not reverse any ALS-related disease phenotypes such as motor dysfunction or decreased lifespan. While hypermetabolism remains an intriguing target for intervention in ALS patients and disease models, our data indicate that the melanocortin system is not a good target for manipulation. Investigating other pathways may reveal optimal targets for addressing metabolic dysfunction in ALS.
Control of modular multilevel converters as virtual synchronous machines

Modular multilevel converters (MMC) have been a research focus in high-voltage power conversion, covering modulation techniques, capacitor voltage balancing and circulating current control. In this paper, a control method is proposed to control MMCs to behave like virtual synchronous machines (VSM). It can be operated in the set mode and the droop mode. The dynamics, implementation and operation of the VSM-like MMC are introduced and analyzed. In particular, how the VSM control algorithm works with the circulating current control in MMC is proposed. In this paper, three proportional-resonant (PR) controllers are adopted to inject second-order harmonics to the MMC in order to suppress second-order circulating current. The simulation results are provided to verify the frequency and voltage droop mechanisms, the circulating current suppression of the VSM-like MMC.
Implementing a Childhood Cancer Outcomes Surveillance System Within a Population-Based Cancer Registry.

PurposeApproximately 80% of cases of childhood cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries and are associated with high mortality rates. Assessing outcomes is essential for designing effective strategies to improve outcomes equally worldwide. We implemented a real-time surveillance system, VIGICANCER, embedded in a population-based cancer registry (PBCR) to assess childhood cancer outcomes.MethodsVIGICANCER was established in 2009 as an integral part of Cali’s PBCR to collect real-time data on outcomes of patients (age < 19 years) with a new diagnosis of cancer treated in pediatric oncology units in Cali, Colombia. Baseline and follow-up data (death, relapse, treatment abandonment, second neoplasms) were collected from medical records, hospital discharge logs, pathology reports, death certificates, and the National Public Health Insurance database. A quality assurance process was implemented for the system.ResultsFrom 2009 to 2013, data from 1,242 patients were included in VIGICANCER: 32% of patients...
Mobile Technology Dependence and Mobile Technostress

Rapid development in mobile technologies has brought about changes in human behavior and social relationships. The mobile revolution has brought about changes in technology dependence. It has also ...
Experience with the tension-free hernioplasty for primary inguinal hernias in men.

BACKGROUND Tension-free inguinal hernioplasties have been highly touted and aggressively promoted by the initiators of the procedures and manufacturers of the prosthesis. Beginning in 1990, these procedures were adopted for the treatment of primary groin hernias in men. STUDY DESIGN This experience involved 1,252 tension-free hernioplasties that were performed in 1,076 men who were then followed up for one to six years. Lichtenstein's tension-free hernioplasty and Gilbert's sutureless hernioplasty were the techniques used, usually in combination and tailored to the problem at hand. The mesh was polypropylene. Anesthesia was local in 97 percent of the operations. Antibiotics were not used as prophylaxis for wound infections. RESULTS Fifteen complications occurred for a rate of 1.2 percent. They were one wound infection, one seroma, 12 hematomas, and one ilioinguinal neuralgia. In none was it necessary to remove the mesh. Six recurrences occurred for a rate of 0.5 percent. Of these, four were indirect, one was direct, and one was femoral. The indirect recurrence followed repair of primary indirect hernias. No indirect recurrences have occurred since the procedure has included placing Gilbert's cone-shaped plug in the deep ring when an indirect hernia was present. CONCLUSIONS Tension-free hernioplasties consisting of a patch of polypropylene mesh partially fixed to the perimeter of the floor of the inguinal canal, plus a cone-shaped plug of the same material placed in the deep ring when an indirect hernia is present, produce excellent results however they are measured and are the preferred methods to manage most primary inguinal hernias in men.
Utilization of Carbon Dioxide Angiography and Percutaneous Balloon Angioplasty for Treatment of Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis.

Background Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) may lead to graft dysfunction and failure. Progressive deterioration of renal allograft function may be exacerbated by contrast-induced nephrotoxicity during iodine contrast administration for renovascular imaging of allografts. We present our institutional experience of endovascular management for TRAS using CO2 digital subtraction angiography (CO2-DSA) and balloon angioplasty to manage failing renal transplants. Methods Four patients with renal allografts from March 2017–May 2018 were referred for graft dysfunction and pending renal transplant failure. Indications for referral included refractory hypertension, decreasing renal functioning, and elevated renovascular systolic velocities. Results Median age of the four patients was 41.5 years (22–60 years). There were two male and female patients. Chronic hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. An average total of 75 mL of CO2 was used, supplemented with 17.4 mL of iodinated contrast. All patients had improvements in renal function following intervention with a mean decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 25.8% and 21.4%, respectively. We also observed a mean decrease of BUN by 13.6% and creatinine by 37.4%. Additionally, eGFR increased by 37.7%. All allografts survived after surgery, and only one patient required repeat angioplasty for recurrence. Conclusions CO2-DSA with balloon angioplasty can be successfully utilized to salvage deteriorating kidney allograft function in patients with TRAS.
Reducing Foodborne Pathogens in Organic Poultry: Challenges and Opportunities

Organic poultry production is becoming increasingly popular in the United States with a steady increase in the sales of organic meat and poultry. Although organic food products may represent a safer alternative with regards to chemical contamination of the product, control of foodborne pathogens in organic poultry is particularly important because consumers of these products perceive them as being safer and choose them for children, the elderly and immunocompromised people. Salmonella and Campylobacter are two major foodborne pathogens epidemiologically linked to the consumption of chicken and eggs which together account for most of the laboratory-confirmed cases of bacterial gastroenteritis in the United States. Although the conventional poultry industry is equipped with several interventions to control these pathogens on meat and eggs, organic poultry producers have access to only a limited number of antibacterials (eg. weak organic acids, chlorine, oxidizing compounds) that are safe, effective and approved for improving the product safety and shelf-life of poultry meat and/or eggs. This is a concern for organic producers because they cannot control proper cooking and other food safety practices of consumers once the poultry products are sold. This chapter discusses the food safety challenges and potential strategies to reduce pathogens both in preharvest and postharvest conditions while conforming to organically approved methods.
Establishment of Sperm Surface Topography During Development Analyzed with Monoclonal Antibodies

The establishment of sperm surface topography may occur at different times in sperm development. For instance, it might be superimposed on the shaping of spherical spermatid cells into asymmetric sperm during spermiogenesis or the topography may change after the sperm leaves the testis, during passage through the epididymis. Establishment of final topography could result from surface molecules being directed to a particular region as they appear on the surface. Alternatively, molecules may originally appear on the surface in a pattern that is altered during subsequent stages of maturation.
A Nationwide Snapshot of the Predictors of and Barriers to School Garden Success

Abstract Objective To explore the degree and predictors of and barriers to school garden integration (termed success). Design A 30-item online survey consisting of demographic, garden characteristic, and barrier questions, as well as the School Garden Integration Scale, was conducted in 266 school garden organizations (13 national, 8 regional, and 245 state or local). Participants A total of 414 school gardeners from 38 states and Puerto Rico. Main Outcome Measures School garden success using the GREEN Tool. Analysis Descriptive statistics were used to determine the degree of success of school garden programs and explore barriers. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine independent predictors of school garden success. Results The average score was 37 (range 1–53, of a possible 57 points), indicating moderate success. Operating budget (P Conclusions and Implications Results indicate that success of school garden programs may be more difficult for the schools located in a rural area or in the absence of school or community-at-large interest. This study found that race/ethnicity of students and socioeconomic status are not related to success score, which is promising as other research indicates that successful school gardens may be especially impactful for low-income people of color. Causal research is needed to identify strategies that increase school garden success, with a focus on engaging key stakeholders (administrators, teachers, parents, the community at large, and garden coordinators).
Partitioning the Real Line into an Uncountable Collection of Everywhere Uncountably Dense Sets

A recent paper showed that given any positive integer k, the real line can be partitioned into k subsets, each of which is uncountable in every nonempty open interval in the real line. This article...
Dust and Water Resistance Testing Methodology for Environmental Sensors

Abstract This paper explores the “IEC standard 60529 International Protection Marking” also sometimes referenced as Ingress Protection Marking and how it applies to mobile and wearable electronics ...
Structure-function relationships of the soluble form of the antiaging protein Klotho have therapeutic implications for managing kidney disease

The fortuitously discovered antiaging membrane protein αKlotho (Klotho) is highly expressed in the kidney, and deletion of the Klotho gene in mice causes a phenotype strikingly similar to that of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Klotho functions as a co-receptor for fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) signaling, whereas its shed extracellular domain, soluble Klotho (sKlotho), carrying glycosidase activity, is a humoral factor that regulates renal health. Low sKlotho in CKD is associated with disease progression, and sKlotho supplementation has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for managing CKD. Here, we explored the structure-function relationship and post-translational modifications of sKlotho variants to guide the future design of sKlotho-based therapeutics. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)- and human embryonic kidney (HEK)-derived WT sKlotho proteins had varied activities in FGF23 co-receptor and β-glucuronidase assays in vitro and distinct properties in vivo. Sialidase treatment of heavily sialylated CHO-sKlotho increased its co-receptor activity 3-fold, yet it remained less active than hyposialylated HEK-sKlotho. MS and glycopeptide-mapping analyses revealed that HEK-sKlotho is uniquely modified with an unusual N-glycan structure consisting of N,N′-di-N-acetyllactose diamine at multiple N-linked sites, one of which at Asn-126 was adjacent to a putative GalNAc transfer motif. Site-directed mutagenesis and structural modeling analyses directly implicated N-glycans in Klotho's protein folding and function. Moreover, the introduction of two catalytic glutamate residues conserved across glycosidases into sKlotho enhanced its glucuronidase activity but decreased its FGF23 co-receptor activity, suggesting that these two functions might be structurally divergent. These findings open up opportunities for rational engineering of pharmacologically enhanced sKlotho therapeutics for managing kidney disease.
Management of Patient Undergoing Carotid Stenting

Carotid artery atherosclerosis and the resulting stenosis is one of the major and important causes of stroke. Early recognition of symptoms and treatment is appropriate to minimize long-term morbidity. Carotid artery stenting is one of the surgical techniques employed to treat this condition. This problem-based learning discussion highlights the high-risk patient population, appropriate preoperative risk stratification, and intraoperative neuromonitoring and anesthetic considerations for carotid artery stenting.
Clinician, caregiver and patient perspectives of the continuum of care for autism

A Focus Group Study Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex, multi-faceted diagnosis. The research team sought to understand ASD through perspectives of stakeholder groups related to barriers in services for individuals with ASD. Stakeholders were recruited to participate in focus groups including patients with ASD, caregivers, health care providers, education specialists and insurance providers. Transcripts from each focus group were coded and themed using a systematic qualitative research methodology. Four themes emerged: burden of care; one size does not fit all; the need is more than the system supports; and coordination and centralization of services is the ideal but seems impossible with the current complexity. The research team now has clearer vision of the challenges of ASD to design a collaborative care model.