cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Knee flexor strength after ACL reconstruction: comparison between hamstring autograft, tibialis anterior allograft, and non-injured controls

Hamstring muscle group dysfunction following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) using a semitendinosus-gracilis autograft is a growing concern. This study compared the mean peak isometric knee flexor torque of the following three groups: subjects 2 years following ACL reconstruction using semitendinosus-gracilis autografts (Group 1), subjects 2 years following ACL reconstruction using tibialis anterior allografts (Group 2), and a non-injured, activity-level-matched control group (Group 3). We hypothesized that Group 1 would have greater mean involved lower extremity peak isometric knee flexor torque deficits than the other groups. Handheld dynamometry with subjects in prone and the test knee at 90 degrees flexion was used to determine bilateral peak isometric knee flexor torque. Group 1 (86.4 +/- 11) and Group 2 (80.5 +/- 13) had similar 2000 IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation Form scores (P = NS). Group 1 had a mean involved lower extremity peak isometric knee flexor torque deficit of -17.0 +/- 14 Nm. Group 2 had a mean involved lower extremity peak isometric knee flexor torque deficit of -0.8 +/- 9 Nm. Group 3 (control) had a mean left and right lower extremity peak isometric knee flexor torque difference of -0.7 +/- 14 Nm. Group 1 had decreased involved lower extremity peak isometric knee flexor torque compared to Groups 2 and 3 (two-way ANOVA; group x side interaction P < 0.05, Tukey HSD = 0.008). Long-term knee flexor strength deficits exist following hamstring autograft use for ACL reconstruction that does not occur when a tibialis anterior allograft is used. Early identification of impaired knee flexor strength among this group and modified rehabilitation may reduce these deficits. Adding quantitative biomechanical testing of sprinting and sudden directional change movements to the standard physical therapy evaluation will better elucidate the clinical and functional significance of the observed knee flexor strength impairments and aid in determining sport specific activity training readiness.
Cerebrovascular dynamics with head-of-bed elevation in patients with mild or moderate vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

• BACKGROUND In patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, elevation of the head of the bed during vasospasm has been limited in an attempt to minimize vasospasm or its sequelae or both. Consequently, some patients have remained on bed rest for weeks. • OBJECTIVES To determine how elevations of the head of the bed of 20o and 45o affect cerebrovascular dynamics in adult patients with mild or moderate vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and to describe the response of mild or moderate vasospasm to head-of-bed elevations of 20o and 45o with respect to variables such as grade of subarachnoid hemorrhage and degree of vasospasm. • METHODS A within-patient repeated-measures design was used. The head of the bed was positioned in the sequence of 0o-20o-45o-0o in 20 patients with mild or moderate vasospasm between days 3 and 14 after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Continuous transcranial Doppler recordings were obtained for 2 to 5 minutes after allowing approximately 2 minutes for stabilization in each position. • RESULTS No patterns or trends indicated that having the head of the bed elevated increases vasospasm. As a group, there were no significant differences within patients at the different positions of the head of the bed. Utilizing repeated-measures analysis of variance, P values ranged from .34 to .97, well beyond .05. No neurological deterioration occurred.
Social Network Assessments and Interventions for Health Behavior Change: A Critical Review

Social networks provide a powerful approach for health behavior change. This article documents how social network interventions have been successfully used for a range of health behaviors, including HIV risk practices, smoking, exercise, dieting, family planning, bullying, and mental health. We review the literature that suggests the relationship between health behaviors and social network attributes demonstrates a high degree of specificity. The article then examines hypothesized social influence mechanisms including social norms, modeling, and social rewards and the factors of social identity and social rewards that can be employed to sustain social network interventions. Areas of future research avenues are highlighted, including the need to examine and to adjust analytically for contamination and social diffusion, social influence versus differential affiliation, and network change. Use and integration of mhealth and face-to-face networks for promoting health behavior change are also critical research areas.
Formate Acts as a Diffusible Signal To Induce Salmonella Invasion

To infect an animal host, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium must penetrate the intestinal epithelial barrier. This process of invasion requires a type III secretion system encoded within Salmonella pathogenicity island I (SPI1). We found that a mutant with deletions of the acetate kinase and phosphotransacetylase genes (ackA-pta) was deficient in invasion and SPI1 expression but that invasion gene expression was completely restored by supplying medium conditioned by growth of the wild-type strain, suggesting that a signal produced by the wild type, but not by the ackA-pta mutant, was required for invasion. This mutant also excreted 68-fold-less formate into the culture medium, and the addition of sodium formate to cultures restored both the expression of SPI1 and the invasion of cultured epithelial cells by the mutant. The effect of formate was pH dependent, requiring a pH below neutrality, and studies in mice showed that the distal ileum, the preferred site of Salmonella invasion in this species, had the appropriate formate concentration and pH to elicit invasion, while the cecum contained no detectable formate. Furthermore, we found that formate affected the major regulators of SPI1, hilA and hilD, but that the primary routes of formate metabolism played no role in its activity as a signal.
Self-involvement modulates the effective connectivity of the autobiographical memory network

Neuroimaging studies have revealed a consistent overlap between brain regions involved in self-processing and those implicated in autobiographical memory. However, no study has directly tested how the degree of self-involvement with an event being remembered alters the neural circuitry engaged during memory retrieval. The present study compared hockey players’ memories for game elements in which they were highly involved (e.g. scoring a goal) versus less involved (e.g. watching a goal from the bench). Specifically, we examined how the effective connectivity of a network of brain regions known to be involved in autobiographical memory retrieval varied based upon the players’ level of self-involvement with the remembered event. During remembering of high self-involvement events, connections between the left hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex were ’in synchrony’ with connections between the medial prefrontal cortex and the right amygdala–hippocampal complex. By contrast, the hippocampal–prefrontal connection was ’out-of-sync’ with the prefrontal–amygdala connection during retrieval of low selfinvolvement memories. This result is discussed in terms of two memory systems (one that is hippocampal-based and one that is amygdala–hippocampal-based) that may be involved to varying degrees depending upon the characteristics of a remembered event.
Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis is independent of eosinophils

Eosinophils have been shown to increase in tissues during many fibrotic conditions and consequently have been suggested to contribute to the development of fibrosis. This study tested the hypothesis that eosinophils are essential in the development of lung fibrosis in mice in response to bleomycin (BLM). Anti-IL-5 antibody was administered intraperitoneally into mice 2 h prior to endotracheal BLM inoculation and thereafter, every other day. Lung eosinophilia was evaluated by measurement of eosinophil peroxidase activity and confirmed by eosinophil counts in histologic sections. Lung fibrosis was evaluated by hydroxyproline content and confirmed by collagen staining in histological sections. Results demonstrated that BLM induced pronounced lung eosinophilia, which was maximal 7 days after BLM treatment and remained elevated through day 14, in C57B1/6 SCID mice and CBA/J mice. In contrast, eosinophilia was a minor component in the lungs of wildtype C57B1/6 mice after BLM treatment, although lung fibrosis developed similarly in all three strains of mice. Treatment with anti-IL-5 completely abrogated eosinophilia but failed to block pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM in all mouse strains, including C57B1/6 SCID, wildtype C57B1/6 mice, and CBA/J mice. Analysis of cytokine mRNA by RNase-protection assay in C57B1/6 SCID mice indicated that BLM treatment caused enhanced expression of the cytokines, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 at days 3, 7, and 14 post-BLM inoculation, regardless of whether eosinophils were depleted by anti-IL-5. Finally, the importance of eosinophils in lung fibrosis was examined in IL-5 gene knockout mice (IL-5tm1Kopf). BLM treatment induced significant lung fibrosis in IL-5 knockout mice in the absence of eosinophilia. These findings indicate that eosinophils are not an absolute requirement for BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in the mouse.
Bile Acid Sequestrants

The bile acid sequestrants, cholestyramine and colestipol, are the drugs of choice for the treatment of patients with hypercholesterolemia caused by increases in LDL-cholesterol levels without concurrent hypertriglyceridemia (type IIA and type IIB hyperlipoproteinemia). Longitudinal clinical studies with these drugs have shown their ability to slow the progression of atherosclerosis and to limit the consequences of the disease. Bile acid sequestrants can be used with other lipid-lowering drugs such as nicotinic acid or HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, to maximize the cholesterol-lowering effects. The side effect profile of the bile acid sequestrants is tolerable, with most complaints related to effects on the gastrointestinal tract and the bulkiness of the resins.
In vitro proteolysis of nematode FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs) by preparations from a free-living nematode (Panagrellus redivivus) and two plant-parasitic nematodes (Heterodera glycines and Meloidogyne incognita).

Proteolytic activities in extracts from three nematodes, the plant parasites Heterodera glycines and Meloidogyne incognita, and the free-living Panagrellus redivivus, were surveyed for substrate preferences using a battery of seven FRETmodified peptide substrates, all derived from members of the large FMRF-amide like peptide (FLP) family in nematodes. Overall protease activity in P. redivivus was four- to fivefold greater than in either of the parasites, a result that might reflect developmental differences. Digestion of the M. incognita FLP KHEFVRFa (substrate Abz-KHEFVRF-Y(3-NO2)a) by M. incognita extract was sevenfold greater than with H. glycines extract and twofold greater than P. redivivus, suggesting species-specific preferences. Additional species differences were revealed upon screening 12 different protease inhibitors. Two substrates were used in the screen, Abz-KHEFVRF-Y(3-NO2)a and Abz-KPSFVRF-Y(3-NO2)a), which was digested equally by all three species. The effects of various inhibitor, substrate and extract source combinations on substrate digestion suggest that M. incognita differs significantly from P. redivivus and H. glycines in its complement of cysteine proteases, particularly cathepsin L-type protease.
Transition from Foster Care to Independent Living: Ecological Predictors Associated with Outcomes

Nationally, the outcomes for youth aging out of foster care are dismal. Most children leaving foster care do not have the financial, medical, or social support tools necessary to bridge this transition successfully, placing a significant burden on youth leaving care (Courtney, Piliavin, Grogan, & Nesmith in Child Welfare 80:685–717, 2001; Kools & Kennedy in Pediatric Nursing 29(1):39–45, 2003; Simms, Dubowitz, & Szilagyi in Pediatrics 106:909–918, 2000). Given the poor outcomes for youth aging out of foster care, and the small body of literature on what works to improve outcomes, the purpose of this study was twofold. First to examine youth characteristics associated with better outcomes, and secondly to explore what program characteristics were correlated with outcomes. A causal comparative research design was used, employing pre-existing data. Records were collected from an agency in a large urban/suburban area in the State of Texas. Data was collected from both the Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC) and Children’s Protective Services databases. To determine outcomes, both TRAC’s Self-Sufficiency Matrix and case records were used. TRAC’s Self-Sufficiency Matrix has five domains: Education, Employment, Employability, Financial Literacy, and Shelter. t tests were used to examine differences in outcomes between youth who received TRAC services before and after leaving care. t tests were also used to examine changes in overall Self-Sufficiency Matrix scores. Furthermore, linear and stepwise regressions were conducted to determine which variables were predictive of scores on the Self-Sufficiency Matrix. The results of this study indicate that TRAC is having a positive influence on the youth receiving services. Youth show significant improvement across four of the five identified domains and maintained on the fifth domain, employment. Implications for research practice and policy are presented.
UbiqStack: a taxonomy for a ubiquitous computing software stack

This paper describes a taxonomy for a ubiquitous computing software stack called UbiqStack. Through the lens of the UbiqStack taxonomy we survey a variety of subsystems designed to be the building blocks from which sophisticated infrastructures for ubiquitous computing are assembled. Our experience shows that many of these building blocks fit neatly into one of the five UbiqStack categories, each containing functionally-equivalent components. Effectively identifying the best-fit “Lego pieces”, which in turn determines the composite functionality of the resulting infrastructure, is critical. The selection process, however, is impeded by the lack of convention for labeling these classes of building blocks. The lack of clarity with respect to what ready-made subsystems are available within each class often results in naive re-implementation of ready-made components, monolithic and clumsy implementations, and implementations that impose non-standard interfaces onto the applications above. This paper describes the UbiqStack classes of subsystems and explores each in light of the experience gained over 2 years of active development of both ubiquitous computing applications and software infrastructures for their deployment.
Treatment strategies for acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition that has been treated with anticoagulation for almost 50 years. Objectives: To review the current treatment options for PE and discuss recently published new features. Methods: We reviewed literature involving the treatment strategies for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and in particular pulmonary embolism. Specific attention was drawn towards the evidence of the present treatment and of drugs being studied in Phase III trials. Results/conclusions: Treatment of acute PE consists of parenteral administration of heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin or fondaparinux overlapped and followed by oral vitamin K antagonists for a minimum of 3 months. Contemporary features include the emergence of new anticoagulant drugs such as oral synthetic inhibitors of thrombin or factor Xa. The duration of anticoagulation for unprovoked VTE remains highly debated.
Cell-free DNA fetal fraction and preterm birth.

Background Cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is increasingly being used to screen for fetal aneuploidy. The majority of fetal cell-free DNA in the maternal blood results from release from the syncytiotrophoblast as a result of cellular apoptosis and necrosis. Elevated levels of fetal cell-free DNA may be indicative of underlying placental dysfunction, which has been associated with preterm birth. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that fetal cell-free DNA is increased in pregnancies complicated by spontaneous preterm birth. There are limited data on the association between fetal cell-free DNA levels and fetal fraction and preterm birth in asymptomatic women in the first and second trimesters. Preliminary studies have failed to find an association between first-trimester cell-free DNA levels and preterm birth, whereas there is conflicting evidence as to whether elevated second-trimester cell-free DNA is associated with a subsequent spontaneous preterm birth clinical event. Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between first- and second-trimester cell-free DNA fetal fraction and preterm birth. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of women with singleton pregnancies at increased risk for aneuploidy who had cell-free DNA testing at 10–20 weeks' gestation between October 2011 and May 2014. The cohort was subdivided by gestational age at the time of cell-free DNA testing (10–14 weeks or 14.1–20 weeks). The primary outcome was preterm birth less than 37 weeks' gestation, and the secondary outcomes were preterm birth at less than 34 weeks' gestation and spontaneous preterm birth at less than 37 and 34 weeks' gestation. Results Among 1349 pregnancies meeting inclusion criteria 119 (8.8 %) had a preterm birth prior to 37 weeks with 49 cases (3.6 %) delivering prior to 34 weeks. Whereas there was no significant association between fetal fraction and the preterm birth outcomes for those who underwent cell-free DNA testing at 10–14 weeks' gestation, there were significant associations among those screened at 14.1–20.0 weeks' gestation. Fetal fraction greater than or equal to the 95th percentile at 14.1–20.0 weeks' gestation was associated with an increased risk for preterm birth less than 37 and 34 weeks' gestation (adjusted odds ratio, 4.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.39–15.2; adjusted odds ratio, 22.0; 95% confidence interval, 5.02–96.9). Conclusion Elevated fetal fraction levels at 14.1–20.0 weeks' gestation were significantly associated with an increased incidence of preterm birth. Our findings warrant future exploration including validation in a larger, general population and investigation of the potential mechanisms that may be responsible for the initiation of preterm labor associated with increased fetal cell-free DNA.
484 Can Respiratory Questionnaire Completion by Parents Obviate the Need for Outpatient Assessment

Background and Aims Continuing care of asthmatic children is traditionally provided in outpatients settings. This study evaluated the effectiveness of both asthma and upper airway cough syndrome assessment by questionnaire and its acceptability to parents. Methods The parents of children aged 4–13 years, attending an asthma clinic, were requested to complete the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Respiratory Assessment Proforma (RAP). The RAP assessed the symptoms of upper airway cough syndrome, asthma medication use and associated risk factors. Parents were asked their views of these assessments as an alternative to attending clinic utilising a Likert questionnaire cuing at 1 not at all and at 6 a lot. All children performed pulmonary function tests at the clinic and these were compared to the ACT scores. The RAP was compared to Physician assessment of Asthma and associated co morbidities. Results One hundred and nine questionnaires were distributed with 102 fully completed. The M: F was 1.8:1. The mean age was 9.1. Asthma severity was mild in23 (23%), moderate in 59(59%) and severe in 18 (18%).The positive predictive value of ACT versus pulmonary function tests was 89%. The RAP identified 19 (18.6%) children with good asthma control but significant UACS symptoms. Fifty six (55%) parents would utilise the questionnaire to obviate a clinic visit, if rapid access to the clinic was available. Conclusion Questionnaire assessment can adequately identify the absence of asthma and UACS symptoms in children and is acceptable to more than half of parents attending an asthma clinic.
Disappearance of radioactive iron from plasma by day and by night.

ConclusionThese findings provide support for the hypothesis that the plasma iron level rises by night because of diminished utilization of iron for hemoglobin synthesis during sleep in the individual with normal erythropoietic activity. The conclusion is inferential in that no actual measurement of the newly formed hemoglobin was made but is clearly suggested by the findings of Wasserman and others(5) who interpret rate of removal of iron from the plasma as providing an index of erythropoietic activity. Bothwell and Mallett(9) found that plasma iron turnover varied throughout the day and was significantly affected by the plasma iron level. It is probable that an important consideration in assessing the findings of these authors concerns the state of the plasma iron level, i.e., whether it is rising or falling at the time of plasma iron turnover determination. An interesting finding by Bothwell and Mallett was that the fraction of iron removed per hour from the plasma was uniformly large in both morning an...
The empirical content of games with bounded regressors

This paper develops a strategy for identification and estimation of complete information games that does not require a regressor that has large support or a parametric specification for the distribution of the unobservables. The identification result uses a nonstandard but plausible condition on the unobservables: the assumption that the joint density of the unobservables of all agents is unimodal in the sense of achieving the global maximum at a unique point. Also, a three‐step semiparametric estimator is proposed. Under mild regularity conditions, the estimator is consistent and asymptotically normally distributed. The estimator is nonstandard in the sense that the estimators of the intercept and interaction effect parameters converge at slower than the parametric rate. An intermediate result concerns identification and estimation of the direction of the interaction effect. Identification nonstandard estimation strategic interaction entry game C14 C31 C57 C72 L13
On Discipline-based Information Service of Hospital Library

The paper introduces development of the discipline-based service and disciplinary librarian,describes the current situation of disciplinary librarian system in the hospital library in China,and raises the measures in strengthening its discipline-based services,including promoting the quality of hospital library workers,strengthening disciplinary construction of hospital library,increasing publicity of hospital library,and developing user training channels,etc.
Frequency of feeding, weight reduction, and body composition.

Do more frequent, small meals really result in greater success in weight reduction, as some studies have indicated? These authors report a study with college men fed six, three, and one meal(s) a day during successive periods for comparisons of the effect on * weight loss; body composition; and nitrogen, sodium, and potassium balances.
Reaction of Fibrinogen with Homocysteine Thiolactone Mimics the Dysfibrinogenemia Produced by Hyperhomocysteinemia.

Elevated plasma homocysteine (HCys) is associated with atherosclerosis and thrombosis. We have previously found that clots from plasma, whole blood and purified fibrinogen from homocysteinemic rabbits are composed of thin, tightly-packed fibers and are resistant to fibrinolysis. HCys thiolactone is a metabolite of Hcys that can react with lysine residues under physiologic conditions. This reaction introduces a new free sulfhydryl group into the protein. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that HCys thiolactone modifies key lysines in fibrinogen, thereby causing the alterations in fibrin structure and susceptibility to fibrinolysis that characterize the homocysteine-induced dysfibrinogenemia. We examined the effect of incubation of HCys thiolactone with purified human fibrinogen. The control and homocysteine thiolactone treated fibrinogen (HCys-fibrinogen) samples were added to fibrinogen-deficient plasma, which was then clotted by addition of thrombin and calcium in the presence of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Clots from HCys-fibrinogen lysed more slowly than control clots and the magnitude of this effect depended on the concentration of HCys thiolactone used. At 300 μM Hcys thiolactone, the fibrinogen formed clots with characteristics similar to fibrinogen from hyperhomocysteinemic rabbits. These clots 1) had thinner fibers than controls; 2) the reduced fiber thickness could be partially corrected by increasing calcium and 3) were more resistant to fibrinolysis than controls. In addition, the HCys-fibrinogen formed disulfide-stabilized high molecular weight forms, which are also found in the plasma of hyperhomocysteinemic rabbits. Mass spectrometric analysis of Hcys-fibrinogen revealed 12 different HCys-modified lysines - primarily in the D- and alpha-C-domains. Some of these are close to sites of tPA and plasminogen binding and/or plasmin cleavage. Two of them are very close to sites of naturally-occurring prothrombotic mutations that introduce a new cysteine into the alpha-C-domain. A new Cys at these sites mediates mixed disulfide formation with albumin in the plasma - a structural modification that is thought to underlie their prothrombotic effects. Similarly, we find that HCys-fibrinogen forms mixed disulfides with human albumin. Our data suggest that homocysteinylation of fibrinogen could lead to abnormal resistance of fibrin clots to lysis and thus might contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in hyperhomocysteinemia.
Optical characterization of van der Waals materials via near-field microscopy

We demonstrate a novel characterization method of van-der-Waals' materials by performing near-field-microscopy of hexagonal-boron-nitride thin films on single-crystal silver. Beyond determining dispersion of optical modes, this technique also enables the direct study of light-matter interactions.
How to Bridge Research Results to Everyday Clinical Care

Laboratory and clinical studies are essential to the advancement of sciences. However, a significant gap exists between the research findings and clinical practice. Therefore, research findings can be of little importance if their outcome cannot be directly or indirectly applied to everyday clinical care or readily translated. This paper focuses on how we can shorten the gap between the generation of new knowledge and their implementation into everyday clinical care. A new model is discussed where clinicians are the ones generating the research idea are paired with researchers. They collaborate on studies whose results are readily applicable to everyday practice. Partnering with health providers on studies that address everyday clinical research questions is a potential solution to speed up the translation of the research findings. Generating clinically applicable results can better improve the health of the public. Quoting Dr. Lawrence W. Green: "If we want more evidence-based practice, we need more practice-based evidence." This paper presents the practice-based research model as a solution to address this knowledge gap.
Injuries and rehabilitation

The physical demands of most performing artists match demands experienced by elite athletes. Performing artist medicine is a growing field of specialization that draws upon the established practices in sport medicine. While training or working professionally, performers are at high risk for injury, whether from chronic repetitive overuse or from acute traumatic incidents. Unfortunately, many performers are reticent to seek treatment, fearing they will be forced to take time off and/or lose employment opportunities. Most musculoskeletal injuries are caused by intrinsic (structural and functional characteristics of the performers anatomy or technical usage) or extrinsic (environmental) influences. Medical specialists must fully understand the technical demands of performers so that they can target specific movement exercises designed to strengthen weakened areas, repattern inefficient motor movements, and increase confidence in performers.
In a Blue (State) Mood.

Edited by: Jacquelyn H Flaskerud, RN, PhD, FAANSchool of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA Janna Lesser, RN, PhD School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science ...
Cancer of unknown primary in adolescents and young adults: Clinicopathologic features, prognostic factors, and survival outcomes.

4140 Background: Cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) (15-39 yrs) is increasingly recognized as a distinct clinical and biological entity. Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) although rare in ...
Using phytosterol as a target compound to identify edible animal fats adulterated with cooked oil

Abstract Incidents of edible oil adulteration have increased all over the world, and improving analytical methods that are capable of identifying adulterated oils has become more important. In this study, we developed an analytical method that uses 4 target compounds belong to phytosterol family to identify lard that has been adulterated with cooked oils. For this, we used five kinds of animal fat, including lard, tallow, duck fat, goose fat, and chicken fat, to estimate the matrix effect, and lard samples were used to verify this analytical method. Specifically, samples inspected by sanitation authorities in a 2014 lard adulteration incident in Taiwan were saponified, and phytosterols were extracted and analyzed by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (LC/MS/MS) equipped with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source. Parameters for sample extraction, including temperature, concentration of alkaline solution, and duration of saponification, were optimized. Our proposed method was then validated for linearity, matrix effect, precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ). After using our proposed method to analyze 28 lard samples, we determined that the phytosterol contents of inspected lard obtained from companies that had been found guilty in the 2014 lard adulteration incident were ranged from 19.5 to 205.3 μg/g in campesterol and 17.3–408.8 μg/g in β-sitosterol, and were at most 270-fold higher than that of homemade lard, commercial lard, and inspected lard (ranged from 4.5 to 29.6 μg/g in campesterol and 1.5–44.2 μg/g in β-sitosterol) obtained from companies that had not been found guilty in the 2014 adulteration incident. Therefore, our proposed method should be useful to discriminate between adulterated and unadulterated animal fats.
STIM1 Ca2+ Sensor Control of L-type Ca2+-Channel-Dependent Dendritic Spine Structural Plasticity and Nuclear Signaling

Potentiation of synaptic strength relies on postsynaptic Ca2+ signals, modification of dendritic spine structure, and changes in gene expression. One Ca2+ signaling pathway supporting these processes routes through L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCC), whose activity is subject to tuning by multiple mechanisms. Here, we show in hippocampal neurons that LTCC inhibition by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ sensor, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), is engaged by the neurotransmitter glutamate, resulting in regulation of spine ER structure and nuclear signaling by the NFATc3 transcription factor. In this mechanism, depolarization by glutamate activates LTCC Ca2+ influx, releases Ca2+ from the ER, and consequently drives STIM1 aggregation and an inhibitory interaction with LTCCs that increases spine ER content but decreases NFATc3 nuclear translocation. These findings of negative feedback control of LTCC signaling by STIM1 reveal interplay between Ca2+ influx and release from stores that controls both postsynaptic structural plasticity and downstream nuclear signaling.
The End of Eternity

A popular critique of the kalām cosmological argument is that one argument for its second premise (what I call the Impossible Formation Argument, IFA) illicitly assumes a finite starting point for the series of past temporal events, thereby begging the question against opponents. Rejecting this assumption, opponents say, eliminates any objections to the possibility that the past is infinitely old and undermines the IFA’s ability to support premise 2. I contend that the plausibility of this objection depends on ambiguities in extant formulations of the IFA and that we may resolve these ambiguities in a way that does not presuppose a finite staring point. I also argue that this disambiguation allows us to construct an argument demonstrating that the concept of an infinite past entails a contradiction.
Assessing eRNAs associated with a cytokine-sensing mammary super-enhancer

Enhancers are transcription factor platforms that also bind RNA polymerase II and generate enhancer RNAs (eRNA). Although eRNAs have been suggested as predictors of enhancer activities and possibly key components facilitating transcription, there is little genetic evidence to support this. We address the biology of eRNAs in vivo and investigate eRNA patterns, expression levels and possible functions within a mammary-specific super-enhancer that is composed of three units with distinct transcriptional capacities. We show that eRNA levels do not correspond with the activities of their respective enhancer units. However, changes in eRNA expression upon deletion of individual enhancer units reflect the change in overall super-enhancer activity. These data provide genetic evidence that eRNA levels are not a reliable readout of individual enhancers, but they predict super-enhancer activity in the absence of constituent elements.
A Meta-Analysis of GLP-1 After Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: Impact of Surgical Technique and Measurement Strategy

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is an effective treatment for diabetes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut hormone that is important to glucose homeostasis. This study aimed to assess GLP-1 level and its predictors after RYGB. The study design was a meta-analysis. The data sources were MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Databases. The study selection composed of studies with pre- and post-RYGB levels. The main outcomes were as follows: Primary outcome was the change in postprandial GLP-1 levels after RYGB. Secondary outcomes included the changes in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and fasting GLP-1 levels after RYGB. Meta-regression to determine predictors of changes in GLP-1 levels was performed. Outcomes were reported using Hedge’s g. Twenty-four studies with 368 patients were included. Postprandial GLP-1 levels increased after RYGB (Hedge’s g = 1.29, p < 0.0001), while fasting GLP-1 did not change (p = 0.23). Peak postprandial GLP-1 levels gave the most consistent results (I 2 = 9.11). Fasting glucose and insulin levels decreased after RYGB (p 0.05). Postprandial GLP-1 levels increase after RYGB, while fasting levels remain unchanged. Shorter Roux limb length is associated with greater increase in postprandial GLP-1, which may lead to better glycemic control in this population.
The Emperor Nero: A Guide to the Ancient Sources

The name “Nero” provokes strong adverse judgments by even lightly educated persons world-wide, though perhaps not quite the same horror as “Caligula,” Nero’s deranged maternal uncle. The latter you...
High inbreeding and low connectivity among Ambystoma texanum populations in fragmented Ohio forests.

Habitat loss and fragmentation negatively impact the size and diversity of many natural populations. Woodland amphibians require connected aquatic and terrestrial habitats to complete their life cycle, and often rely on metapopulation structure for long-term persistence. Wetland loss and deforestation fragment amphibian populations, which may result in population isolation and its negative effects. The aim of this research was to analyze the population genetic structure of small-mouthed salamanders (Ambystoma texanum) in western Ohio, where agriculture is now the dominant land use. Salamander tail tissue was collected from eight breeding pools. Three pools occur in the same forest; the other five are in forest patches at distances ranging from 250 m to 20 km from one another. Eight microsatellite loci were amplified by PCR and genotyped for allele size. Observed heterozygosities were lower than expected in all sampled populations; the two most isolated sites (Ha1, Ha2) had the highest inbreeding coefficients. Ha2 also had the lowest mean number of alleles and was found to be genetically differentiated from populations to which our data analysis indicates it was historically connected by gene flow. The most distant site (Ha1) had the highest number of private alleles and showed genetic differentiation from other populations both historically and currently. Geographic distance between pools was strongly correlated with the number of private alleles in a population. The results suggest that population isolation results in decreased genetic diversity and that a breakdown of metapopulation structure due to landscape change may contribute to differentiation between once-connected populations.
Effect of Resin-modified Glass Ionomer Cement Dispensing/Mixing Methods on Mechanical Properties

Clinical Relevance Automix resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGIs) may be easier and more efficient than a hand mix version of the same RMGI, but they may not have the same favorable mechanica...
Long term changes in flooding and heavy rainfall associated with North Atlantic tropical cyclones: Roles of the North Atlantic Oscillation and El Niño-Southern Oscillation

Abstract The aim of this study is to examine the contribution of North Atlantic tropical cyclones (TCs) to flooding and heavy rainfall across the continental United States. Analyses highlight the spatial variability in these hazards, their temporal changes in terms of frequency and magnitude, and their connection to large-scale climate, in particular to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We use long-term stream and rain gage measurements, and our analyses are based on annual maxima (AMs) and peaks-over-threshold (POTs). TCs contribute to ∼20–30% of AMs and POTs over Florida and coastal areas of the eastern United States, and the contribution decreases as we move inland. We do not detect statistically significant trends in the magnitude or frequency of TC floods. Regarding the role of climate, NAO and ENSO do not play a large role in controlling the frequency and magnitude of TC flooding. The connection between heavy rainfall and TCs is comparable to what observed in terms of flooding. Unlike flooding, NAO plays a significant role in TC-related extreme rainfall along the U.S. East Coast, while ENSO is most strongly linked to the TC precipitation in Texas.
An interfacial isotope effect

RADIOACTIVE carbon is utilised commonly to tag compounds used in interfacial studies. As is usual in studies with isotopes of carbon, it has been assumed tacitly that the radioactive surfactant behaves exactly like the untagged or inactive compound. During a study1 of condensed monolayers at the water–air interface, however, a significant kinetic isotope effect was observed in their stability behaviour.
Control and audit of electronic data interchange

Electronic data interchange (EDI) is the movement of information electronically between a buyer and seller for purposes of facilitating a business transaction. EDI represents a powerful application of computer-communications technology. Its value includes such benefits as reduced paperwork, elimination of data entry overheads, improved accuracy, timely information receipt, accelerated cash flow, and reduced inventories. EDI brings with it, however, new and important control considerations. This article discusses, in a non-technical fashion, the control architectures and concerns associated with EDI. Audit considerations in the EDI environment, as well as related audit tools, are also outlined.
Emotion words: Facing change

Abstract We assessed the role that language plays in detecting a change in a transitioning emotional face. In two experiments, participants were presented with emotion or control words prior to seeing a transitioning face from one emotion to another (e.g., anger-disgust). In the first experiment, participants (n = 42) took less time to detect a change in a transitioning emotion face following a congruent emotion word (to the first face) compared to a control word. Participants also took more time to detect the same change following an incongruent emotion word (to the first face) compared to a control word. Our results suggest that depending on the relationship between the face and word, emotion words affect the point at which participants see the face as transitioning between emotional categories. In the second experiment (n = 39), we replicated the behavioral effects and calculated event-related potentials (ERPs), which were time-locked to the onset of the transitioning faces. We found that participants' N400 ERP responses appeared earlier following a congruent emotion word, providing additional neural evidence for emotion words impacting category distinctions of affective information. In a third experiment, we ruled out previous methodological concerns as well as showed that our effects are specific to emotion words and not more generalized emotion stimuli.
Lorcaserin — Elixir or Liability?

More than 1.9 billion adults worldwide (39%) are overweight; of these adults, more than 650 million (13%) are obese, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States alone, recent studies suggest that more than 40% of adults are obese.1 A nonpharmacologic approach consisting of exercise, diet, and behavior modification remains the cornerstone of treatment.2 However, many affected patients cannot lose or maintain their weight loss with that approach. Hence, medical and surgical options (e.g., bariatric surgery) have been developed to reduce and maintain weight loss. Among the patients who are considering their options, the long-term safety of any . . .
Resonance-Frequency Modulation for Rapid, Point-of-Care Ebola-Glycoprotein Diagnosis with a Graphene-Based Field-Effect Biotransistor

Recent outbreaks of Ebola-virus infections in several countries demand a rapid point-of-care (POC)-detection strategy. This paper reports on an innovative pathway founded on electronic-resonance-frequency modulation to detect Ebola glycoprotein (GP), on the basis of a carrier-injection–trapping–release–transfer mechanism and the standard antibody–antigen-interaction principle within a dielectric-gated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) field-effect transistor (GFET). The sensitivity of Ebola detection can be significantly enhanced by monitoring the device’s electronic-resonance frequency, such as its inflection frequency (fi), where the phase angle reaches a maximum (θmax). In addition to excellent selectivity, a sensitivity of ∼36–160% and ∼17–40% for 0.001–3.401 mg/L Ebola GP can be achieved at high and low inflection-resonance frequencies, respectively, which are several orders of magnitude higher than the sensitivity from other electronic parameters (e.g., resistance-based sensitivity). Using equivalent cir...
Significance of osteoporosis: a growing international health care problem.

The international incidences of osteoporosis and the hip fracture syndrome are increasing at alarming rates. The estimated increases in rates of fracture over the next decade may also prove to be conservative, because of progressive increases in numbers of elderly people who will fall because of muscular degeneration, failing vision, postural hypotension, and loss of cognitive function resulting from the ever-increasing abuse of mixtures of drugs. Changing patterns of hip fracture care, including extended use of hospital beds and of rehabilitation and nursing-home beds could lead to substantial and escalating annual costs in national health care budgets. Such a budget currently approximates 10 billion dollars in the United States alone!
Impact of Medicare Office Visit Payment Reform on Urologic Practices.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which modifies reimbursement for office evaluation and management (E&M) visits. This policy moves payment to a single rate for levels 2 through 4 office E&M visits, regardless of complexity. Methods Using a 20% sample of 2015 National Medicare claims, we identified urologic practices and their practice organization, academic affiliation, and degree of office focus (ie, proportion of revenues from office visits). Using billing data for each practice, we calculated the revenues expected under the current system and the new policy (both E&M payments and a new add-on code). For each practice, we determined the impact of new payment rates on total Medicare payments. Results We identified 2822 practices: 1372 (48.6%) solo practices, 1033 (36.6%) multispecialty groups, 322 (11.4%) small urology groups, and 95 (3.4%) large urology groups. Under the new reimbursement rates, the median practice would have a 0.9% increase in Medicare Part B payments (range −20.4% to +50.3%) and, with the add-on code, an increase of 6.8% (range −7.5% to +74.9%). Solo practices had the most heterogeneity, with a quarter losing at least 2.3%. The median multispecialty group would increase payments by 0.4% (range −13.7% to 50.3%). However, the 107 (10.4%) academic multispecialty groups had a median gain of only 0.1% (range −2.8% to +8.1%). Conclusion Urology groups would, on average, benefit from the anticipated change in Medicare office E&M visit payments. However, solo practices with a high office focus and academic multispecialty practices may see reduced Medicare payments.
Management of Anal Cancer

Anal and anal margin cancers can arise in many clinical settings and are commonly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Surgical treatment is limited and restricted to very low grade, local disease, and salvage therapy after the failure of chemoradiation. Close clinical follow-up during and after therapy is necessary to ensure proper surveillance.
Long-range collectivity in small collision systems with two- and four-particle correlations at STAR

Abstract New STAR measurements of two- and four-particle (c2{4}) azimuthal angle correlations are reported for p+Au collisions at 200 GeV and d+Au collisions from 19.6 to 200 GeV. A negative c2{4}, consistent with collective anisotropic flow, is observed in high multiplicity d+Au events at 62.4 and 200 GeV where the statistical significance of the data allows an analysis. A template fitting method, employed to subtract non-flow contributions to the two-particle correlations, allows the extraction of the anisotropy coefficients (ν2) for these systems at their respective energies. The ν2 results for different energies show a common dependence on the charged particle multiplicity density (〈dNch/dη〉), which provide important insight on the nature of collective behavior in small collision systems.