cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunization of Cancer Patients with a HER-2/neu, HLA-A2 Peptide, p369–377, Results in Short-lived Peptide-specific Immunity

Ideally, vaccines should be designed to elicit long-lived immunity. The goal of this study was to determine whether HER-2/neu peptide-specific CD8+ T-cell immunity could be elicited using an immunodominant HER-2/neu-derived HLA-A2 peptide alone in the absence of exogenous help. Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was used as adjuvant. Six HLA-A2 patients with HER-2/neu-overexpressing cancers received 6 monthly vaccinations with a vaccine preparation consisting of 500 microg of HER-2/neu peptide, p369-377, admixed with 100 microg of GM-CSF. The patients had either stage III or IV breast or ovarian cancer. Immune responses to the p369-377 were examined using an IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay. Before vaccination, the median precursor frequency (range), defined as precursors per 10(6) peripheral blood mononuclear cell, to p369-377 was 0 (no range). After vaccination, the median precursor frequency to p369-377 in four evaluable patients was 0 (0-116). Overall, HER-2/neu peptide-specific precursors developed to p369-377 in two of four evaluable subjects. The responses were short-lived and not detectable at 5 months after the final vaccination. Immunocompetence was evident, because patients had detectable enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot responses to tetanus toxoid and influenza. These results demonstrate that HER-2/neu MHC class I epitopes can induce HER-2/neu peptide-specific IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells. However, the magnitude of the responses were low, as well as short-lived, suggesting that CD4+ T-cell help is required for lasting immunity to this epitope.
Design and participant characteristics for a randomized effectiveness trial of an intensive lifestyle intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes: The I-D-HEALTH study

Intervening in Diabetes with Healthy Eating, Activity and Linkages To Healthcare (I-D-HEALTH) is a community-based randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of a group-based adaption of the Look AHEAD intensive lifestyle intervention. Most potentially eligible patients were identified through electronic medical record queries or referral to a diabetes resource hub. Trial enrollees had a usual source of primary care, elevated body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes. I-D-HEALTH participants were randomized to either standard care alone or standard care plus free-of-charge access to a group-based lifestyle intervention (GLI) offered by the YMCA. GLI participation was encouraged, but not required, for the latter group. The primary outcome is percent weight change over 6, 12 and 24months. Secondary outcomes include direct intervention costs and direct medical and non-medical expenditures, as well as changes in systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c and cholesterol. Among 331 I-D-HEALTH participants, 167 were randomized to standard care and 164 to GLI. The mean age (±standard deviation) in each group was 57.1years (±12.2) and 57.6years (±10.5), respectively. Mean BMI was 34.9kg/m(2) (±7.3) among standard care participants and 36.2kg/m(2) (±7.8) among GLI participants. In both groups, approximately one third of participants were non-Hispanic Whites. We detected no significant differences between groups in mean systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c or total cholesterol (P >0.05 for all characteristics above). The I-D-HEALTH study enrolled a diverse sample of adults with diabetes and offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of offering a community-based intensive lifestyle intervention.
Studies on the Renal Handling of Taurine: Changes during Maturation and After Altered Dietary Intake

The main route for the removal of taurine from the body is by urinary excretion. As a consequence, the renal tubular transport and handling of taurine is important in regulating the taurine content in the remainder of the body. In our previous report, we have described the use of stop-flow, free-flow micropuncture, continuous microperfusion and endogenous clearance as techniques to examine the renal handling of taurine (6). This chapter also covered our studies on the accumulation of taurine by thin cortex slices of mouse (4) and rat (5) kidney. These studies indicate that under normal conditions taurine excretion is 4 to 10% of the filtered load and that uptake by slices occurs by two processes: a low-Km, high-affinity uptake system and a high-Km, low-affinity uptake system. The kinetics of taurine accumulation are determined by Lineweaver-Burk analysis and the Eadie-Augustinson transformation. Other characteristics of taurine accumulation include transport by the β-amino acid transport system (such that β-amino acids but not α-amino acids will block uptake), sodium dependency of uptake, dependency on oxidative metabolism for active accumulation and enhanced efflux of taurine when incubated in a solution containing other β-amino acids.
Temperature and Dose Dependence of an Amorphous Layer Formed By Ion Implantation

A model is formulated to predict the width of an amorphous layer in Si produced by ion implantation. The dependency of the amorphous Si layer width on the ion implantation energy, dose, and temperature is computed.
1,3-Oxazin-6-one Derivatives and Bohemamine-Type Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from a Marine-Derived Streptomyces spinoverrucosus

Two new 1,3-oxazin-6-one derivatives (1 and 2) and six new bohemamine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloids (3–8) were isolated from the marine-derived Streptomyces spinoverrucosus strain SNB-048. Their structures including the absolute configurations were fully elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, ECD spectra, quantum chemical calculations, and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 2 possess a γ-lactam moiety and a 1,3-oxazin-6-one system.
Abstract 4788: Modulation of T lymphocytes by tumor-released survivin

Introduction: The role of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the progression of cancer has become an important area of research. Recent studies have shown that T lymphocytes within the tumor microenvironment have decreased activation and proliferation. Our lab has shown survivin is released from tumor cells within exosomes, and is capable of altering the phenotype of malignant cells. We hypothesize that this exosomally-released survivin prevent TIL activation and proliferation in T cell subsets and that Th2 type cytokines will be released in higher levels than Th1 cytokines. Methods: HeLa-S-WT cells that produce Flag-HA tagged survivin were growth in a bioreactor and survivin isolated from the media using Flag-HA tandem affinity purification. T lymphocytes from normal donors were cultured in control or survivin-containing media and activated with anti-CD28-anti-CD3 microbeads (32 ul/ml). Flow cytometric analysis of activation marker CD69 and the proliferation marker Ki-67 were performed at 24h and 6 days, respectively. Cytokine release was evaluated using a Cytokine Bead Array (BD Bioscience) for IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10. Results: CD69 expression was decreased significantly in CD8+ T cells after incubation with survivin (Control = 72 MFU, Treated = 57 MFU; p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4788.
Components of the Stilbene Optical Brightener Tinopal LPW as Enhancers for the Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Baculovirus

The optical brightener Tinopal LPW is a derivative of triazinyldiaminostilbene sulfonic acid, and consists of 1,3,5-triazine, stilbene, and sulfonic acid components. These components and derivatives were compared with Tinopal LPW to determine the source of activity enhancement for the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), nauclear polyhedrosis virus. None of the components or derivatives was as active as Tinopal LPW.
Measuring Campaign Message Exposure and Public Communication Environment Exposure: Some Implications of the Distinction in the Context of Social Media.

ABSTRACTThe comments in this article suggest that the measurement differences associated with the distinction between assessing exposure to specific campaign messages and assessing exposure to ideas in the public communication environment may become sharper in the context of social/digital media, compared to traditional media. The argument: using social media to deliver specific campaign messages to a large targeted audience is hard, and measurement of exposure will be more demanding than with conventional media sources. In contrast, when the goal is to capture exposure to information in the pubic communication environment, “big data” based content analyses of social media streams may be a valuable approach; still there is much more work to do to establish the validity of these approaches and their usefulness in accounting for behavior.
Prevalence, predictors and outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospitalized adult stem cell transplant recipients in the United States: Not just opening the black box but exploring an opportunity to optimize

Prevalence, predictors and outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospitalized adult stem cell transplant recipients in the United States: not just opening the black box but exploring an opportunity to optimize!
Enzymatic Formation of 3α-Hydroxysteroids

BUTENANDT1 isolated the first crystalline androgen, androsterone, from human urine and determined its structure. The 3α-hydroxysteroids, androsterone (androstan-3α-ol-17-one) and etiocholan-3α-ol-17-one, are the principal metabolites of endogenous androgens and of administered testosterone2. The enzymatic mechanisms responsible for these interconversions have only been partly identified, and in particular the direct enzymatic interconversion of 19-carbon 3-ketosteroids and 3α-hydroxysteroids has not been previously demonstrated. We wish to describe the isolation and purification of a steroid-induced (adaptive) 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of bacterial origin which catalyses freely reversible interconversions of the type: where DPN+ and DPNH refer to oxidized and reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotides respectively.
From words to action: comparing the disparities between national drug policy and local implementation in Tijuana, Mexico and Vancouver, Canada

In 2009, Mexico passed a national drug policy reform decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of certain drugs for personal use with the aim of diverting drug-dependent individuals from prison and towards addiction treatment. However, the public health approach codified by the reform has not yet led to a meaningful change in local police practices nor contributed to the meaningful scale-up of harm reduction and addiction treatment services in many Mexican cities. Specifically, in Tijuana, Baja California, there continues to be a variety of local level barriers – including arbitrary police behaviours – that hinder the ability of people who inject drugs (PWID) from accessing vital harm reduction services. This has implications for the growing HIV epidemic in Mexico’s northern border region, given that access to harm reduction interventions has been shown to effectively reduce the risk of HIV infection among PWID. In contrast to the largely enforcement-based local response seen in Tijuana, the municipal Four Pillars approach implemented in Vancouver, Canada in 2001 was passed as a public-health oriented response to the rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS among PWID in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Centered on the balancing of four approaches – harm reduction, treatment, prevention and enforcement – the Four Pillars approach in Vancouver has led to a well-resourced local harm reduction and addiction treatment system. This local emphasis on harm reduction contrasts with the Canadian federal government’s opposition to harm reduction approaches. However, police-public health partnerships along with strong political support have led to the substantial scale up of harm reduction services as well as the reduction of HIV/AIDS among people who inject drugs in Vancouver, unlike what has been observed in Tijuana. This commentary therefore aims to assess the discrepancies between federal policy and local responses to drug-related harms in order to fully understand the impact and implications of national drug policies in shaping local response to drug related harms among populations of PWID. Through a comparison of the drug policy landscape in two cities linked by a large North American drug trafficking route—Tijuana, Mexico and Vancouver, Canada—this commentary suggests that drug policy reform in and of itself will have little impact at the local level unless it is appropriately resourced and meaningfully supported by key stakeholders.
Two-Stage Fowler-Stephens Orchiopexy in the Management of Intra-Abdominal Testes

Of 22 boys with an intra-abdominal testis 8 (12 testes) underwent the 2-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. During stage 1 the testicular artery and internal spermatic vein were ligated in situ 2 to 3 cm. superior to the intra-abdominal testis. The testicular vessels were transected inferior to the ligatures 6 months later and the testis was brought to the scrotum with the standard Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy technique. Patient age ranged from 1 to 6 years (mean 3.2 years). At followup 11 of 12 testes (92%) are in the scrotum and have a normal consistency and size, while 1 (8%) is atrophic. In this preliminary series the 2-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy has a success rate equal or possibly superior to the standard Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. Whether ultimate testicular function is improved, however, remains to be determined.
Abstract 916: Slit2 inhibits breast cancer growth and metastasis by modulating tumor microenvironment

Breast cancer (BC) continues to be a major health issue particularly in developed countries. The Slit2 gene is hyper-methylated in BC and acts through Roundabout Homolog1 (Robo1) receptor. Slit2/Robo1 signaling has been shown to inhibit the migration of a variety of cells including BC cells. Recently, it has also been reported to improve chemotherapy outcome in intestinal cancer. However, Slit2/Robo1-mediated mechanisms that regulate tumor growth and metastasis are not well known. Using syngeneic mouse model, we report that the over-expression of Slit2 using Adeno-Slit2 transduction successfully restrains tumor growth and also restrict the metastasis to lung, compared to Adeno-null control. To explore the Slit2 mediated cellular events, we analyzed the stromal cells recruitment to the tumor and observed reduced number of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) in the Adeno-Slit2 group compared to Adeno-null group. We further analyzed the underlying molecular mechanisms and found that the soluble Slit2 inhibits TGF-β1 mediated alternative activation of macrophages to TAMs. Treatment with TGF-β1 significantly enhances the markers of TAMs by upregulating β-catenin levels. Interestingly, we observed that Soluble Slit2 inhibits TGF-β1 mediated activation of TAMs by inhibiting downstream signaling molecules Smad2 and β-catenin. We also analyzed Slit2 expression in human breast cancer TMA and an inverse correlation of Slit2 expression was observed with the incidence of breast cancer, metastasis and macrophage recruitment. This study highlights the ability of Slit2 to prevent macrophage alternative activation to TAMs, thereby restrict tumor growth and lung metastasis. Anti-cancer activity of Adeno-Slit2 suggests therapeutic potential of Slit2 to treat advanced breast cancer. Citation Format: Dinesh K. Ahirwar, Mohd W. Nasser, Mohamad Elbaz, Kontestine Shilo, Ramesh Ganju. Slit2 inhibits breast cancer growth and metastasis by modulating tumor microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 916.
Modeling of Coastal Waves and Hydrodynamics

This chapter presents an overview of the available methods for modeling coastal waves. First, an overview of the relevant coastal processes, from shoaling to turbulent mixing, is provided to establish a basis to compare the various modeling approaches. The bulk of the discussion centers on modeling wind waves and includes a brief overview of the linear and analytical theory available to quantify coastal transformation, and then follows with a summary of spectral and phase-resolving approaches. Modeling long waves is discussed next, with a focus on tsunami simulation. Finally, the chapter summarizes techniques to couple the various models and reviews recent advances in the topic.
The Mediterranean Diet Versus a Low-Fat Diet, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Obesity

Abstract The Mediterranean diet (MedD) has been shown to decrease biomarkers associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Further, numerous studies have demonstrated that the MedD diet improves insulin resistance, raises HDL cholesterol, and decreases plasma triglycerides as well as inflammatory markers and blood pressure. There are also a fair number of publications that promote and support low-fat diets as the best alternative for decreasing biomarkers associated with CVD and metabolic syndrome. However, there are fundamental differences between the MedD, characterized by high consumption of oleic acid and N-fatty acids, versus the low-fat diet, which focuses in decreasing saturated fat intake. This chapter will concentrate on the comparisons between a low-fat diet and MedD regarding their effects in decreasing obesity and protecting against heart disease risk as supported by epidemiological data and clinical interventions. Future studies should focus on the efficacy of either dietary approach in preventing the development of CVD.
Zielgerichtete kovalente Inhibitoren für das Wirkstoffdesign

Abweichend vom ublichen Arzneimittelwirkmechanismus einer reversiblen, nichtkovalenten Wechselwirkung eines Liganden mit seinem biologischen Zielmolekul wird ein zielgerichteter kovalenter Inhibitor (TCI) so entwickelt, dass nach einer anfanglichen reversiblen Assoziation eine kovalente Bindung zwischen einem Elektrophil auf dem Liganden und einem nucleophilen Zentrum auf dem Protein geknupft wird. Obwohl diese Methode einige potenzielle Vorteile bietet (hohe Wirksamkeit, verlangerte Wirkung), haben Bedenken wegen moglicher toxikologischer Folgen durch Proteinhaptenisierung die Entwicklung des TCI-Konzepts aufgehalten. Neue Ansatze zur Verringerung des Risikos ernster ungunstiger Reaktionen regten das Interesse an diesem Gebiet an und fuhrten zur Vertriebsgenehmigung fur eine erste Serie von TCIs. Der Zugang uber kovalente Inhibitoren wird daher rasch als nutzliches Mittel in der Arzneimittelforschung akzeptiert werden und grosen Einfluss auf das Design von Enzyminhibitoren und Rezeptormodulatoren ausuben.
Integrating Behavioral and Physical Health Care in New Jersey: Legal Requirements for the Sharing of Patient Health Information Among Treatment Providers

The chorus in favor of integrating behavioral and physical health services is strong and diverse, both at the federal level and in New Jersey. Providers, payers, regulators, patients, and academics are uniting behind the strong clinical behavioral health literature highlighting integration’s positive effects on access and clinical outcomes. But integration requires providers to share health information so they may coordinate care. Health care providers often report experiencing barriers to the exchange of health information with other providers. As care has been siloed, so too have many patient records, and it is not always clear who has the legal authority to access them. The Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy at Seton Hall University School of Law (the Center) was asked to conduct a legal analysis, as part of New Jersey’s State Innovation Model Grant, of the barriers related to the sharing of patient health information in connection with the integration of physical and behavioral health care. To inform the legal analysis, the Center conducted a number of interviews with providers, regulators, health information exchanges (HIEs), health information organizations (HIOs), trade and professional associations, consultants, privacy attorneys, advocates, and researchers, to learn more about the specific problems providers face and the questions that need answering. This Report has three main goals: 1. To summarize the Center’s legal analysis of federal and New Jersey laws regarding the sharing of patient health information among treatment providers; 2. To identify challenges to health information sharing among treatment providers that relate to these legal requirements; and 3. To suggest opportunities for the State to support provider exchange of treatment information for integration.
Cellulose and lignin colocalization at the plant cell wall surface limits microbial hydrolysis of Populus biomass

Biorefining of plant feedstocks into fuels and specialty chemicals, using biological conversion, requires the solubilization of lignocellulosics into simpler oligomeric compounds. However, non-pretreated woody biomass has shown high resistance to hydrolysis by cellulolytic microbes or purified cellulases. We investigate the limited solubilization of Populus deltoides by the cellulolytic thermophile Clostridium thermocellum in the absence of solute inhibitors. Compared to control samples, fermented poplar revealed that the hydrolysis of carbohydrates in secondary cell walls ceased prematurely as the presence of lignin increased at the surface. In quantitative fluorescence colocalization analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy, the Manders’ coefficient of the fractional overlap between lignin and cellulose signals increased from an average of 0.67 to a near-maximum of 0.92 in fermented tissue. Chemical imaging by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry revealed a 49% decline in surface cellulose and a compensatory 30% and 11% increase in surface S- and G-lignin, respectively. Although 72% of the initial glucan was still present in the lignocellulose matrix of this feedstock, subsequent treatments with cell-free purified cellulases did not significantly restore hydrolysis. This confirmed that biomass surfaces had become non-productive for the C. thermocellum hydrolytic exoproteome. This study provides direct evidence for an explicit definition of feedstock recalcitrance, whereby depletion of surface carbohydrate increases lignin exposure which leads to inhibition of enzyme activity, while the bulk residual biomass retains significant undigested carbohydrate content. The analysis presented here establishes a novel method for the quantitation of lignocellulose recalcitrance.
Ranking predatory journals in dermatology: distinguishing the bad from the ugly

Background The scientific community depends on high-quality peer-reviewed research, which is being polluted with pseudoscience published in fake journals that have exploited the open-access model. This “predatory publishing” has made its way into the field of dermatology. In a recent study, we identified and listed these journals. Methods The “predatory rate” was calculated for 76 journals in order to rank the journals based on specific criteria associated with unethical publishing. Results Of the 76 journals, 89.5% were classified as predatory journals and the remaining as journals involved in predatory practices. Conclusion The field of dermatology is not immune to predatory publishers. This study validates Beall's list as well as other previous studies. Strategies to a solution include spreading awareness throughout academic institutions and dermatology departments as well as avoiding publishers that are involved in predatory practices. However, some journals may be able to make necessary adjustments and become legitimate contributors to the field.
Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 Chromosome and Plasmids, Generated by Long-Read Sequencing.

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 was sequenced using a long-read method to generate a complete genome sequence, including some plasmid sequences. Some differences from the previously generated short-read sequence of this nonpathogenic and non-biofilm-forming strain were noted. The assembly size was 2,570,371 bp with a total G+C% content of 32.08%.
Gypsy Moth Management in Suburban Parks: Program Evaluation

A specialized gypsy moth management program for urban parks was implemented in six state and county parks and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Maryland in 1990 and 1991. Decisi...
The Life Course, Cohort Dynamics, and International Differences in Aging Trajectories

In recent years, population health research has focused on understanding the determinants of later-life health. Two strands of that work have focused on (1) international comparisons of later-life health and (2) assessing the early-life origins of disease and disability and the importance of life course processes. However, the less frequently examined intersection of these approaches remains an important frontier. The present study contributes to the integration of these approaches. We use the Health and Retirement Study family of data sets and a cohort dynamic approach to compare functional health trajectories across 12 high-income countries and to examine the role of life course processes and cohort dynamics in contributing to variation in those trajectories. We find substantial international variation in functional health trajectories and an important role of cohort dynamics in generating that variation, with younger cohorts often less healthy at comparable ages than the older cohorts they are replacing. We further find evidence of heterogeneous effects of life course processes on health trajectories. The results have important implications for future trends in morbidity and mortality as well as public policy.
SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS AND VISUAL OUTCOME AFTER TREATMENT FOR VITREOMACULAR TRACTION.

PURPOSE To evaluate the capacity of spectral domain optical coherence tomography macular findings to predict best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes after treatment for symptomatic vitreomacular traction. METHODS This consecutive, retrospective study included 24 patients (29 eyes) who experienced vitreomacular traction release with pneumatic vitreolysis (n = 9), intravitreal ocriplasmin (n = 6), or pars plana vitrectomy (n = 14). Preoperative and postoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography images were used to determine the cone outer segment tips (COST) line, inner segment/outer segment line, and other frequently used features. Correlations between optical coherence tomography findings and BCVA were determined using regression analyses. RESULTS Postoperative BCVA was correlated with length of the COST line and inner segment/outer segment line defects at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05) by simple linear regression analysis. However, multivariable regression analysis showed that only length of the COST line defect was significantly correlated with BCVA preoperatively and postoperatively (P < 0.05). Postoperative BCVA improvement at 12 months was significantly correlated with preoperative length of the COST line defect (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Recovery of the COST line and inner segment/outer segment line defects as observed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography is positively correlated with visual acuity improvement after successful vitreomacular traction treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity improvement may be predicted using the length of the preoperative COST line defect.
Anterior centre-edge angle on sagittal CT: a comparison of normal hips to dysplastic hips.

Purpose:The anterior centre-edge angle (ACEA) describes anterior acetabular coverage on false profile radiographs. Variability associated with pelvic tilt, radiographic projection, and identifying ...
Therapeutic lessons from traditional Oriental medicine to contemporary Occidental pharmacology

An extract of Radix Puerariae (RP), an herb long used in traditional Chinese medicine for alcohol addiction and intoxication, was shown to suppress the free-choice ethanol intake of ethanol-preferring Syrian golden hamsters. Two isoflavones, diadzein (4',7-dihydroxyisoflavone) and daidzin (7-glucoside of daidzein), isolated from the extract were shown to account for this effect. Daidzin administered intraperitoneally at 150 mg/kg/day suppressed free-choice ethanol intake by > or = 50%. Such effect has been confirmed in a total of 79 consecutive hamsters studied over a period of more than a year. Daidzein was less potent and a higher dose (230 mg/kg/day) was required to produce similar effect. RP-, daidzin-, and daidzein-treated hamsters appeared to remain healthy and exhibited no significant change in body weight and water or food intake. In vitro, daidzin and daidzein inhibited human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2) and gamma gamma-alcohol dehydrogenase (gamma gamma-ADH), respectively. However, at doses that suppressed ethanol intake, daidzin and daidzein had no effect on overall acetaldehyde and ethanol metabolism in hamsters. These findings clearly distinguish the action(s) of daidzin and daidzein from those of the classic, broad acting inhibitors of ALDH (e.g. disulfiram) and class I ADH isozymes (e.g. 4-methylpyrazole), and identify them as a new class of compounds that offer promise as safe and effective therapeutic agents for alcohol abuse.
Ocular motor systems. Part 2: Nuclear and supranuclear systems.

This review covers selected articles dealing with the physiology of eye movements and their disorders. The articles appeared in the world medical and scientific literature during 1993. The subject matter and the review are divided into two parts. Part 1, which appeared in a previous issue of this journal, reviewed those articles concerned with infranuclear systems. Part 2, presented here, reviews those articles that deal with brainstem and cerebral processes mediating supranuclear and nuclear control of eye movements.
The characterization of tungsten-oxide-modified zirconia supports for dual functional catalysis

The results of catalytic titration measurements indicated that WOx/ZrO2 catalysts prepared by coprecipitation have higher acid site density and strength, and are more active for pentane isomerization, than catalysts prepared by impregnation. The coprecipitated WOx/ZrO2 contains ∼0.004 meq-H+/g-catalyst. XPS of chemisorbed 2,6-dimethylpyridine and pyridine revealed the presence of Lewis acid sites as well as strong and weak Bronsted acid sites on the surface of these catalysts. The concentration of strong Bronsted sites was close to the concentration of Lewis sites, suggesting that the high acidity of these materials may originate from a conjugate Bronsted–Lewis site. Pt/WOx/ZrO2 undergoes a reversible loss of hydrogen chemisorption capacity with increasing hydrogen pretreatment temperature, accompanied by a reversible loss of pentane isomerization activity. This loss can be attributed to a strong Pt-reduced tungsten oxo species interaction (SMSI). Room temperature hydrogen spillover is observed in the Pt/WOx/ZrO2 (∼16% W) catalyst, consistent with the presence of bulk WO3 in this material as observed by TPR.
Resistance strain gages as physiological transducers on trees - Foil strain gages are bonded directly to the bark of a living tree to measure its relative physiological changes by monitoring changes in the circumference of the stem

A tree responds to its environment in several ways. One important way is through changes in the rate of transfer of water through the stems of the tree as it transpires. These changes induce extremely small variations in internal water stress and, therefore, in the size of the capillaries through which the water moves. The overall effect is minute changes in the diameter of the stems. By monitoring these changes, it is possible to observe an immediate response of the tree to its environment.
Physical properties and physiology of bone

Bone is a living organism composed of mineral substances and tissues. The latter consist of cells, fat substances, natural polymers (like polysaccharides, collagen, polyphosphates) and other substances. Although the properties of bone vary from point to point and the proportion of the diverse substances varies according to the different parts of the skeleton, bone tissue contains about two-thirds inorganic and one-third organic substances on average.
Safety and Tolerability of Pharyngeal High-Resolution Manometry

Purpose Pharyngeal high-resolution manometry is an emerging practice for diagnosis of swallowing disorders in the upper aerodigestive tract. Advancement of a catheter through the upper esophageal s...
Supplemental Fixation of Inner Graft Limbs in All-Inside, Quadrupled, Single-Tendon Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Graft Construct Yields Improved Biomechanical Properties.

Purpose To compare the time-zero load to failure of a quadrupled, single-tendon, all-inside anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction graft construct with (supplemented) and without the incorporation of inner-limb whipstitch sutures (control) into a tibial suspensory fixation button. Methods Eight matched pairs of peroneus longus tendons were prepared according to a quadrupled, all-inside ACL soft-tissue graft technique with 1 side serving as a control and the contralateral side supplemented. The constructs were biomechanically tested for strain in the inner and outer limbs during a preconditioning protocol, single-cycle load to failure, and elongation of the whole construct. Results Ultimate load to failure was significantly higher in the supplemented group: 797.5 ± 49.6 N (95% confidence interval [CI], 763.13-831.87 N) versus 719.6 ± 69.6 N (95% CI, 671.38-767.82 N; P = .044). Less graft elongation at failure was observed in the supplemented group (3.1 ± 1.5 mm; 95% CI, 2.07-4.17 mm) versus the control group (21.0 ± 21.2 mm; 95% CI, 6.31-35.69 mm; P = .052). The number of grafts undergoing a 5-mm or greater change in length at failure was 1 of 8 in the supplemented group versus 5 of 8 in the control group (P = .038). Conclusions Inner-limb supplemental tibial fixation results in higher time-zero load to failure and decreased graft elongation in a quadrupled, single-tendon, all-inside ACL reconstruction graft construct. Clinical Relevance The weak point of a single-tendon, quadrupled, all-inside ACL graft construct is the tendon-to-tendon suturing to secure the inner limbs of the graft. Adding supplemental fixation by incorporating the sutures from the inner limb to the tibial suspensory fixation button leads to a higher time-zero load to failure and decreased graft elongation.
Conclusion: The Human Viewpoint Methodology for Socio-technical Systems

The final chapter in the book reiterates the need for the Human Viewpoint methodology to collect human focused data, complete pertinent analyses, and provide Fit for Purpose models that identify the human considerations of the socio-technical system. It identifies the contributions of the Human Views to both system architecting and to Human System Integration. It provides insights to the use of the Human Views in achieving executable architectures, i.e., simulations derived directly from the static views. Finally, the chapter summarizes the main points of the book.
Non-transecting bulbar urethroplasty is favored over transecting techniques

To present current evidence supporting the vessel sparing technique to reconstruct bulbar urethral strictures via primary anastomosis. English literature review of presented series of transecting and non-transecting bulbar urethroplasty from 2000 to 2018. Since its introduction in 2007, vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis (VS-EPA) has been utilized in multiple centers across the world. Success rates range from 90 to 98%, comparable to traditional transecting EPA. Complication rates and erectile function outcomes are similar or better in VS-EPA, according to recent publications. Non-transection excision and primary anastomosis is a well-tolerated, highly successful reconstructive option for short bulbar urethral strictures in appropriately selected patients. Results are comparable with traditional transecting anastomosis and mid-term multinational follow-up has proven efficacy and safety of the technique. Further well-designed multi-institutional studies are necessary to determine superiority to traditional EPA in terms of surgical outcomes and erectile function preservation.
No Touch Pig!: Investigating Child-Parent Use of a System for Training Executive Function

Strengthening early executive function (EF) skills has the potential to improve an individual's quality of life throughout their lifetime, a fact that has led to many EF-training suites. In this work, we empirically investigate how children and parents engaged with Cookie Monster's Challenge (CMC), a tablet game designed to train EF in preschoolers. Through analysis of child-parent co-play with CMC, we describe children's and parents' thematic behaviors, documenting their effective and ineffective strategies for engaging with the game, particularly when it challenged children's EF skills. We further show that these behaviors led to a small but significant short-term increase in an unrelated EF task. Drawing on these patterns of interaction, we propose design directions for EF training interfaces, such as increasing contextual relevance and specific forms of scaffolding. Our work is the first illustration of how preschoolers exercise their EF and inhibitory control by collaboratively using a commercial tablet app together with a parent.
The LBL 1–2 GeV synchrotron radiation source☆

Abstract The design of the 1–2 GeV Synchrotron Radiation Source to be built at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory is described. The goal of this facility is to provide very high brightness photon beams in the ultraviolet and soft X-ray regions. The photon energy range to be served is from 0.5 eV to 10 keV, with the brightest beams available in the 1 eV–1 keV interval. For time-resolved experiments, beam pulses of a few tens of picoseconds will be available. Emphasis will be on the use of undulators and wigglers to produce high quality, intense beams. Initially, four of the former and one of the latter devices will be installed, with six long straight sections left open for future installations. In addition, provision is being made for 48 beamlines from bending magnets.
Prevalence and determinants of breast cancer screening in four sub-Saharan African countries: a population-based study.

Objectives Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women after cervical cancer in much of sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to examine the prevalence and sociodemographic–socioeconomic factors associated with breast cancer screening among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa. Design A weighted population-based cross-sectional study using Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data. We used all available data on breast cancer screening from the DHS for four sub-Saharan African countries (Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Namibia). Breast cancer screening was the outcome of interest for this study. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to identify independent factors associated with breast cancer screening. Setting Four countries participating in the DHS from 2010 to 2014 with data on breast cancer screening. Participants Women of reproductive age 15–49 years (N=39 646). Results The overall prevalence of breast cancer screening was only 12.9% during the study period, ranging from 5.2% in Ivory Coast to 23.1% in Namibia. Factors associated with breast cancer screening were secondary/higher education with adjusted prevalence ratio (adjusted PR)=2.33 (95% CI: 2.05 to 2.66) compared with no education; older participants, 35–49 years (adjusted PR=1.73, 95% CI : 1.56 to 1.91) compared with younger participants 15–24 years; health insurance coverage (adjusted PR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.47 to 1.68) compared with those with no health insurance and highest socioeconomic status (adjusted PR=1.33, 95% CI : 1.19 to 1.49) compared with lowest socioeconomic status. Conclusion Despite high breast cancer mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of breast cancer screening is substantially low and varies gradually across countries and in relation to factors such as education, age, health insurance coverage and household wealth index level. These results highlight the need for increased efforts to improve the uptake of breast cancer screening in sub-Saharan Africa.
Injectivity index: a powerful tool for characterizing CO2 storage reservoirs—a technical note

Injectivity index is a powerful tool that can be easily calculated from field injection and pressure data. Theoretically, injectivity index is linked to reservoir properties such as permeability, thickness of pay, and size of the reservoir. Consequently, injectivity index data can serve as a powerful tool to assess changes in reservoir quality and performance. In this article, we have looked at field data from notable global carbon sequestration projects in order to identify a correlation between injectivity index (J) and the product of reservoir permeability and thickness (kh). Results suggested that there is a linear relationship between J and kh with field data confirming to lower and upper bounds of J = 0.03×kh and J = 0.23×kh respectively. Average trend was calculated to be J = 0.08×kh. This correlative approach can be extremely beneficial when there is a need to estimate pressure buildup corresponding to a target injection or vice versa. The approach can also be used to understand reservoir flowability and performance at a broader scale prior to the need for expensive or time consuming flow and pressure transient testing. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of dose and route of administration of the P-glycoprotein inhibitor, valspodar (PSC-833) and the P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein dual-inhibitor, elacridar (GF120918) as dual infusion in rats.

Transporters can play a key role in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. Understanding these contributions early in drug discovery allows for more accurate projection of the clinical pharmacokinetics. One method to assess the impact of transporters in vivo involves co-dosing specific inhibitors. The objective of the present study was to optimize the dose and route of administration of a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor, valspodar (PSC833), and a dual P-gp/breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) inhibitor, elacridar (GF120918), by assessing the transporters' impact on brain penetration and absorption. A dual-infusion strategy was implemented to allow for flexibility with dose formulation. The chemical inhibitor was dosed intravenously via the femoral artery, and a cassette of known substrates was infused via the jugular vein. Valspodar or elacridar was administered as 4.5-hour constant infusions over a range of doses. To assess the degree of inhibition, the resulting ratios of brain and plasma concentrations, Kp's, of the known substrates were compared to the vehicle control. These data demonstrated that doses greater than 0.9 mg/hr/kg valspodar and 8.9 mg/hr/kg elacridar were sufficient to inhibit P-gp- and BCRP-mediated efflux at the blood-brain barrier in rats without any tolerability issues. Confirmation of BBB restriction by efflux transporters in preclinical species allows for subsequent prediction in humans based upon the proteomic expression at rodent and human BBB. Overall, the approach can also be applied to inhibition of efflux at other tissues (gut absorption, liver clearance) or can be extended to other transporters of interest using alternate inhibitors.
The Shelf Registration Process

This note covers U.S. SEC Rule 415, more widely known as shelf registration. It briefly discusses the rationale and historical origins of the rule in 1982 and then discusses several reforms—the introduction of universal registration statements in 1992 and well-known seasoned issuers in 2005—which have greatly expanded shelf-registered equity issuance. The more frequent use of shelf registration has led to the development of alternative methods of selling seasoned or follow-on equity offers, such as fully marketed offers, accelerated book building offers, and overnight offers. Excerpt UVA-F-1701 Rev. Nov. 19, 2015 The Shelf Registration Process Over the past several decades, most financial regulatory bodies have recognized that investors differ in their need for financial information and their abilities to acquire and process it. Regulators should ideally focus their attention on issuers (and their respective security offerings) that investors know little about and limit their scrutiny of issuers that already provide extensive disclosure and are well known to investors. Accordingly, in the United States and other developed countries, initial public offerings receive the greatest scrutiny and require the most complete disclosure of information. But as firms grow larger and become more frequent issuers in the capital markets, the regulatory requirements and oversight are typically reduced. The easing of restrictions on larger and better known issuers is commonplace across many countries but all these regulations have their origins in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 415. This note provides a brief historical review the origins of Rule 415, or as it is more widely known as shelf registration, and some of the important revisions to it that have increased its use over time. The more frequent use of shelf registration has led to the development of alternative methods of selling seasoned or follow-on equity offers, such as fully marketed offers, accelerated book building offers, and overnight offers. . . .
The Effect of Freedom on the Net, Human Right and Economic Freedom on Socioeconomic Progress; A Case Study Empirical Analysis in Eastern Africa

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of freedom on the net, human right and economic freedom on the socioeconomic progress of East Africa. The research contributes to understanding the influence of the predictor variables on the social progress specific to the study area. The study looks at the effect of an obstacle to internet access, access to information and communication, personal freedom and choice, and economic freedom on the level of social progress index. It’s found that these predictor variables have a significant and positive influence on the socioeconomic level of the study area. The study employed multiple regression analysis to realize the relationship amongst the variables. The study uncovered evaluating the value of the monetary contribution of each independent variable to the social progress and quality of life of the region. This calls for future researchers to undertake an in-depth comprehensive study using advanced statistical methodologies.
Negative Memory Mobilization: Moments of Journalistic Failure as an Interpretive Lens

While ample scholarly attention has focused on how, through commemorative journalism during anniversaries, deaths or retirement, the journalistic community mobilize past accomplishments to bolster ...