cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a High Throughput Functional Assay for Structure-Activity Studies of Neurokinin A Analogs

A great variety of functional assays are in use to evaluate novel ligands of tachykinin receptors. These techniques, however, are generally labor and time consuming and hardly suitable for high throughput screening. Using human recombinant NK-2 receptors expressed in CHO cells, we have developed an assay based on direct measurement of guanine nucleotide exchange on G-proteins. [35S]GTPγS, which cannot be hydrolyzed by the intrinsic GTPase activity of the α-subunit of heterotrimeric G-protein, was employed. Six ligands of NK-2 receptors including both natural neurokinins and neurokinin A analogs were used for the assay validation. The assay was shown to discriminate successfully between partial and full agonism, as well as between agonism and antagonism of the peptides. Besides the exquisite specificity and high throughput, the assay obviates the need for laboratory animals and cumbersome muscle-bath techniques for conventional tachykinin pharmacology. The functional GTPγS assay is a specific and reliable ...
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with low level of physical activity: a population-based study

Summary Background High intensity exercise improves metabolic status and may potentially mobilise hepatic fat. Aim To assess the level of physical activity (PA) of subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Data were obtained from NHANES (2003–2006). Activity counts obtained from accelerometer readings (ActiGraph, Fort Walton Beach, FL), from 7 consecutive days quantified total PA and time spent engaged in different levels of activity. All measures were counts/minutes/day: (sedentary 60 (FLI) in the absence of other chronic liver disease. Subjects with NAFLD were compared to controls using stratum-specific Chi-squared and t-tests. Simple linear regression analyses (with Taylor series linearised variance estimation and weighting) were used to determine the association between PA levels and NAFLD. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Statistical analyses were conducted using sudaan version 10.1 and sas version 9.1. Results We included 3056 participants. NAFLD patients were older, had higher BMI, larger waist circumference, higher sum of skinfolds, more likely to have insulin resistance (HOMA > 3.0) and type-2 diabetes (all P-values <0.01). Average PA for NAFLD subjects was about 28.7 counts/minute/day less than controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, NAFLD subjects spent less time participating in activity at any level (P < 0.01). Subjects with NAFLD and DM were in the lowest quartile of average PA as well as moderate-vigorous PA (P < 0.01). Conclusions Data from this study show that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients have low level of physical activity and, when they have diabetes mellitus, they perform at the lowest quartile of physical activity and moderate-vigorous physical activity.
Improving Seed Germination of Saltgrass under Saline Conditions

Saltgrass [Distichlis spicata var. stricta (Greene)] has a great potential for use as a turfgrass and as a revegetation species of saline sites. Experiments were conducted to test the effect of the application of different concentrations of ethephon, fusicoccin, kinetin, thiourea, and Proxy on saltgrass seed germination under three salinity levels. Saltgrass germination percentage was 56% under nonsaline condition, which was reduced to 46 and 26% at 15 and 30 dS m -1 salinity levels, respectively. Ethephon application (5 mM) increased saltgrass germination percentage under the highest salinity treatment (30 dS m-1) only. However, Proxy (at 5 mM a.i.) increased saltgrass germination under all salinity treatments, reaching 97, 76, and 40% under control, 15 dS m -1 , and 30 dS m -1 salinity levels, respectively. Kinetin at 0.5 to 1.0 mM did not increase saltgrass germination under nonsaline conditions but increased germination percentage by 35% at 15 dS m -1 and by 89% at 30 dS m -1 salinity. Fusicoccin (at 10 μM) and thiourea (at 30.0 mM) also increased germination percentage under all salinity treatments. Our investigation showed that 5.0 mM ethephon, 10 μM fusicoccin, 0.5 to 1.0 mM kinetin, 30 mM thiourea, and Proxy (at 5 mM a.i.) increased saltgrass seed germination under saline conditions. Proxy was the most effective in improving saltgrass germination percentage under saline conditions, followed by thiourea, fusicoccin, ethephon, and kinetin.
Pharmacological analyses of two naturally occurring porcine melanocortin-4 receptor mutations in domestic pigs.

Abstract The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is critical in regulating mammalian food intake and energy expenditure. Numerous mutations in the MC4R gene have been identified from obese humans. So far two naturally occurring porcine MC4R (pMC4R) mutations, D298N and R236H, have been identified from various strains of pigs and D298N is being utilized as a genetic marker to screen performance traits of pigs. In this study, we performed functional analyses of pMC4R D298N and R236H, including their ligand binding and signaling properties in transiently transfected HEK293T cells. Ligand binding assays showed that both D298N and R236H pMC4Rs had similar binding capacities and affinities for the natural agonist α-MSH and the natural antagonist Agouti-related protein as wild-type pMC4R. In signaling assays, both mutants had normal EC 50 and maximal signaling to α-MSH. In summary, pMC4R mutants D298N and R236H do not have any overt functional defects; therefore we suggest caution using these mutations as selection markers in breeding programs.
Some Aspects of Coupled and Resonant Circuits

An analysis is presented of the coupled impedance and its components in the two-mesh, inductively coupled circuit with a tuned secondary. A similar analysis is made of the impedance and its components in the parallel-resonant circuit having dissipation in the inductive branch.
Paley type group schemes and planar Dembowski-Ostrom polynomials

In this paper we give some necessary and sufficient conditions for Dembowski-Ostrom polynomials to be planar. These conditions give a simple explanation of the Coulter-Matthews and Ding-Yin commutative semifields and enable us to obtain permutation polynomials from some of the Zha-Kyureghyan-Wang commutative semifields. We then give a generalization of Feng's construction of Paley type group schemes in extra-special p-groups of exponent p and construct a family of Paley type group schemes in what we call the flag groups of finite fields. We also determine the strong multiplier groups of these group schemes. In the last section of this paper, we give a straightforward generalization of the twin prime power construction of difference sets to a construction of Hadamard designs from twin Paley type association schemes.
Isoform-specific knockout of FE65 leads to impaired learning and memory.

FE65 is a multimodular adapter protein that is expressed predominantly in brain. Its C-terminal phosphotyrosine interaction domain (PID) binds to the intracellular tail of the (3-amyloid precursor protein (βPP), a proteinof central importance to the pathogenesis of dementias of the Alzheimer type. To study the physiological functions of FE65, we generated a line of FE65 knockout mice via gene targeting. By Western analysis with a panel of FE65-specific antibodies, we demonstrate that the 97-kDa full-length FE65 (p97) was ablated in the mutant mice, and that a previously undescribed FE65 isoform with apparent molecular mass of 60 kDa (p60) was expressed in both wild-type and mutant mice. p60 had a truncated N-terminus and was likely to be generated through alternative translation. Expressions of the two isoforms appeared to be brain region distinct and age dependent. The p97FE65 - / - mice were viable and showed no obvious physical impairments or histopathological abnormalities. However, p97FE65 - / - and p97FE65 + / - mice exhibited poorer performances than wild-type mice on a passive avoidance task when tested at 14 months (P <.05). p97FE65 - / - mice at 14 months also exhibited impaired hidden-platform acquisition (P < .05) and a severe reversal-learning deficit (P <.002) but normal visual-platform acquisition in the Morris water maze tests. Probe trials confirmed impairments in p97FE65 - / - mice in relearning of new spatial information, suggesting a hippocampus-dependent memory-extinction deficit. Reduced secretion of Aβ peptides was observed in primary neuronal cultures of hybrids of p97FE65 - / - /βPP transgenic (Tg2576) mice. These studies suggest an important and novel function of FE65 in learning and memory.
System and parametric tradeoffs of forward looking automotive radar systems

The introduction of radar systems on commercial automobiles has finally arrived in a cost and form factor which is feasible for widespread deployment. However, the unique detection environment in which these radars must operate is strikingly different than that of traditional fire control/surveillance/tracking/imaging radar systems deployed by the military and aerospace industry. In this paper we describe some of the system and parametric tradeoffs involved in designing a forward looking automotive radar system. These parameters include, but are not limited to, the field of view, scan rate, beamwidth, and dwell times which affect the ability of the sensor to detect and discriminate objects in range, azimuth angle, and velocity. The paper concentrates on the radar sensor tradeoffs.
Plains Prickly Pear Response to Fire: Effects of Fuel Load, Heat, Fire Weather, and Donor Site Soil

Plains prickly pear (Opuntia polyacantha Haw.) is common throughout the Great Plains and often becomes detrimental to agricultural production on noncultivated lands. We examined direct fire effects on plains prickly pear and mechanisms of tissue damage to facilitate development of fire prescriptions. Cladodes from clones on three soils (claypan, gravelly, silty) were subjected to fire with two weather conditions (moderate, severe) at four fuel loads (1500, 3000, 4500, and 6000 kg ?ha 21 ) and a nonburned control. Fire was simulated with field-collected grass, and heat was measured using thermocouples at the soil surface and 8 cm above. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse and monitored for cladode mortality or growth. Cactus response to fire was examined in a field experiment with four nonburned and four summer-burned 0.75-ha plots. Some plants from each treatment sprouted new cladodes. Donor site soil and fire weather effects were limited to mass of new sprouts as they interacted with fuel load. Fire under any condition reduced cactus mass and survival. Reduction in cactus mass increased from 42% with 1500 kg ?ha 21 to 92% with fuel loads of 3000 kg ?ha 21 or more. Fuel load, duration of heat, maximum temperature, and degree-seconds were each positively related to mortality, but duration of heat greater than 60uC was the best predictor. Plant mortality was 15% in the field, but number of live cladodes was initially reduced 91%. After one year, number of live cladodes in burned plots was 43% of that in nonburned plots because burned plants sprouted more new cladodes than nonburned plants. Insect and browsing damage occurred on 83% of cladodes in burned plots and only 8% for nonburned plots. Lack of fire weather effects suggests prickly pear control can be achieved under broad fire prescriptions, given the amount of combustible fuel is adequate.
Binomial Searching for a Random Number of Multinomially Hidden Objects

Suppose N objects are hidden in m boxes where m is known and N is unknown; for example, suppose that we are hunting for defects objects in a system having several components boxes. Let p = p1, p2,... denote the probability distribution of N where pn = PN = n. The objects are independently placed in the boxes such that the probability that any particular object is placed in box j is πj. Each time box j is searched we pay cost cj > 0, and if x objects are in box j when it is about to be searched, the distribution of the number of objects removed is binomial with parameters x and αj. The numbers α1,..., αm and costs c1,..., cm are known and the initial state p, π is given where π = π1,..., πm. Let T be the random total cost required to find all the objects. A major result is that to minimize the expectation ET when in state p, π where p is positive-Poisson with parameter λ > 0 Pn = e-λ λn/n!1-e-λ for n = 1, 2,..., it is optimal to search a box with maximal value of [expλjπjλ-1]/cj. Results are obtained for problems such as minimizing E1-e-T when is positive-Poisson or minimizing a utility function of the total number of searches.
Age-period-cohort analysis of repeated cross-section surveys: Fixed or random effects?

Yang and Land (2006) and Yang (forthcoming-b) developed a mixed (fixed and random) effects model for the age–period–cohort (APC) analysis of micro data sets in the form of a series of repeated cross-section sample surveys that are increasingly available to demographers. The authors compare the fixedversus random-effects model specifications for APC analysis. They use data on verbal test scores from 15 cross sections of the General Social Survey (GSS), 1974 to 2000, for substantive illustrations. Strengths and weaknesses are identified for both the random- and fixed-effects formulations. However, under each of the two data conditions studied, the random-effects hierarchical APC model is the most appropriate specification. While additional analyses and comparisons of random- and fixed-effects APC models using other data sets are necessary before generalizations can be drawn, this finding is consistent with results from other methodological studies with unbalanced data designs.
Manipulating the permeation of charged compounds through the MscL nanovalve

MscL is a bacterial mechanosensor that serves as a biological emergency release valve, releasing cytoplasmic solutes to the environment on osmotic downshock. Previous studies have recognized that this channel has properties that make it ideal for use as a triggered nanovalve for vesicular-based targeted drug-release devices. One can even change the modality of the sensor. Briefly, the introduction of charges into the MscL pore lumen gates the channel in the absence of membrane tension; thus, by inserting compounds that acquire a charge on exposure to an alternative stimulus, such as light or pH, into the pore of the channel, controllable nanoswitches that detect these alternative modalities have been engineered. However, a charge in the pore lumen could not only encourage actuation of the nanopore but also have a significant influence on the permeation of large charged compounds, which would thus have important implications for the efficiency of drug-release devices. In this study, we used in vivo and electrophysiological approaches to demonstrate that the introduction of a charge into pore lumen of MscL does indeed influence the permeation of charged molecules. These effects were more drastic for larger compounds and, surprisingly, were related to the orientation of the MscL channel in the membrane.—Yang, L-M, Blount, P. Manipulating the permeation of charged compounds through the MscL nanovalve.
Dissolved Organic Phosphorus Production during Simulated Phytoplankton Blooms in a Coastal Upwelling System.

Dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) is increasingly recognized as an important phosphorus source that can support primary production in a variety of marine systems. Despite its importance, the production rate and fate of DOP is poorly understood. In this study, four shipboard nutrient addition experiments were conducted during the upwelling summer season off the coast of Oregon (USA) to track DOP production. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions were used to decouple DOP production and hydrolysis by inducing or repressing, respectively, community alkaline phosphatase activity. In order to examine the progression of nutrient uptake and DOP production under upwelling versus relaxation conditions, two experiments were initiated with waters collected during upwelling events, and two with waters collected during relaxation events. Increases in DOP concentration occurred by day-5 in control treatments in all experiments. Nitrogen treatments had increased chlorophyll a, and yielded lower net DOP production rates relative to controls, as well as increased alkaline phosphatase activity, suggesting that DOP levels were depressed as a consequence of increased hydrolysis of bioavailable DOP substrates. Phosphorus additions resulted in a significant net production of DOP at all stations, but no increase in chlorophyll a relative to control treatments. Taken together these data suggest that changes in DIN:DIP will influence DOP production, which in turn may impact the potential export of DOP to offshore ecosystems. A comparison of experimental data from the four sites also suggests that geographic/physiographic conditions exert greater control on DOP production than physical (upwelling versus relaxation) conditions.
Bone Marrow Stem Cells Prevent Left Ventricular Remodeling of Ischemic Heart Through Paracrine Signaling

In this study, we hypothesized that bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) protect ischemic myocardium through paracrine effects that can be further augmented with preconditioning. In in vitro experiments, cell survival factors such as Akt and eNOS were significantly increased in BMSCs following anoxia. In the second series of experiments following coronary ligation in mice, left ventricles were randomly injected with the following: DMEM (G-1), BMSCs (G-2), and preconditioned BMSCs (G-3). Four days after myocardial infarction, BMSCs were observed within injured myocardium in G-2 and G-3. Apoptotic cardiomyocytes within periinfarct area were significantly reduced in G-3. Four weeks after myocardial infarction, smaller left ventricular (LV) dimension and increased LV ejection fraction were observed in G-3. Infarct area was significantly reduced in G-3. However, GFP+ cardiomyocytes were observed in low numbers within periinfarct area in G-2 and G-3. In conclusion, BMSCs secreted cell survival factors under ischemia, and they prevented apoptosis in cardiomyocytes adjacent to the infarcted area. Preconditioning of BMSCs enhanced their survival and ability to attenuate LV remodeling, which was attributable, in part, to paracrine effects.
Feeling caught as a mediator of co-parental communication and young adult children’s mental health and relational satisfaction with parents

This study tested young adults’ feelings of being caught between their parents as mediators of co-parental communication (i.e., supportive and antagonistic communication) and young adults’ mental health and relational satisfaction with parents. Participants included 493 young adult children from intact and divorced families. For participants from intact families, feeling caught mediated indirect effects for both supportive and antagonistic co-parental communication on satisfaction with mothers and mental health symptoms, though direct effects for supportive co-parental communication on all three outcomes remained. For participants from divorced families, however, feeling caught emerged as a mediator only of antagonistic co-parental communication and mental health symptoms. Collectively, the results suggest that feeling caught may function as a mechanism linking co-parental communication to children’s adjustment.
The isocohomological property, higher Dehn functions, and relatively hyperbolic groups

Abstract The property that the polynomial cohomology with coefficients of a finitely generated discrete group is canonically isomorphic to the group cohomology is called the (weak) isocohomological property for the group. In the case when a group is of type HF ∞ , i.e. that has a classifying space with the homotopy type of a polyhedral complex with finitely many cells in each dimension, we show that the isocohomological property is geometric and is equivalent to the property that the universal cover of the classifying space has polynomially bounded higher Dehn functions. If a group is hyperbolic relative to a collection of subgroups, each of which is polynomially combable, respectively HF ∞ and isocohomological, then we show that the group itself has these respective properties. Combining with the results of Connes–Moscovici and Druţu–Sapir we conclude that a group satisfies the strong Novikov conjecture if it is hyperbolic relative to subgroups which are of property RD, of type HF ∞ and isocohomological.
Distributed control design for a class of compartmental systems and application to eulerian models of air traffic flows

We consider compartmental systems described by conservation equations. We give sufficient conditions, in the form of linear matrix inequalities, for the existence of decentralized controllers guaranteeing a prescribed level of closed-loop performance, in the context of model-matching. This decentralized design method is new in that it allows to directly handle the natural constraints on the state and input of such systems, with no added conservatism. The control design method is illustrated by an application to an Eulerian model of air traffic flow.
School Discipline in Moral Disarray.

It is argued that current school disciplinary policies are ineffective instruments for delivering moral messages: they are poorly justified; fail to distinguish moral violations (violence, vandalism, deception) from conventional school‐limited violations (attendance, dress codes, eating venues), leaving the impression that dress code violations and forgery are equivalent; conflate sanctions, including presumed punishments (detentions and suspensions), with other forms of corrections (parent‐conferences, positive and negative reinforcement) and apply them without distinction to moral and non‐moral wrongdoing. To be morally instructive school disciplinary codes should separate three types of infractions – moral, derivatively moral and conventional. The derivatively moral include rules that while not moral in isolation (eating outside the cafeteria) become imbued with moral attributes under particular interpretations; conventional wrongs have no moral valence but are rules designed for orderly school managem...
A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Instrumental and Emotional Social Support on Physical Activity in Underserved Adolescents in the ACT Trial

Background Few previous studies have examined the influence of instrumental and emotional social support on physical activity (PA) longitudinally in underserved adolescents.
Phosphate Precipitation in Corrosion Protection: Reaction Mechanisms

Abstract The precipitation of phosphate is an important problem in both scale formation and corrosion inhibition. The formation of zinc phosphate barrier films in the latter case is a well-known technique, but the mechanism of the process is still poorly understood. Calcium phosphate phases which precipitate in solutions containing calcium and phosphate are markedly dependent upon such factors as pH, supersaturation, ionic strength, temperature, and the nature and extent of solid phases already present. Their formation may be determined much more by kinetic factors than by pure thermodynamic considerations. Metastable phases may persist for considerable periods in supersaturated solutions. In this paper, methods are described for the highly reproducible kinetic study of the precipitation reactions of the phosphates in the presence of solid surfaces. A recently developed constant composition technique throws new light on the mechanism of calcium phosphate precipitation and enables solid stoichiometry and r...
Testicular macrophages: isolation, characterization and hormonal responsiveness.

Macrophages were isolated from rat testes with trypsin treatment and established in culture using a differential attachment technique. The cells were maintained in culture in Medium 199 at 32#{176}C. The cells were then characterized for their ability to express traditional immunological function as well as to secrete lactate under the regulation of various hormones, The results indi- cate that viable cultures of macrophages were obtained since: 1) the cells stained intensely for nonspecific esterase, 2) they possessed Freceptors on their cytoplasmic membranes, 3) they were capable of phagocytosing H-labeled E. coli and carbon particles, and 4) they were highly resistant to the effects of trypsin to induce detachment from the culture substrate. These cultures were not contaminated with Leydig cells or Sertoli cells since they were negative for 3p-hydroxy- steroid dehydrogenase and did not secrete androgen-binding protein (ABP). Most importantly, these cells were capable of responding to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a dose-dependent manner by increasing the secretion of lactate. Maximal stimulation was observed with 1 pg FSH/ml which resulted in a 2.5-fold increase over control values. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) also caused a dose-related increase in lactate production by these cells. Luteinizing hormone (LH), insulin, testosterone or 1 713-estradiol had no similar effect on lactate production by these cells. Peritoneal macrophages were not responsive to FSH or dbcAMP. These studies demonstrate that a highly enriched population of testicular macrophages can be maintained in culture and express several immunological characteristics traditionally ascribed to macrophages. In addition, these cells were capable of responding to FSH in a specific manner.
Fine needle aspiration biopsy of an osteoclast-rich undifferentiated urothelial carcinoma: A cytology case report and review of the literature

Osteoclast-rich undifferentiated carcinoma of urinary bladder (ORUCUB) is a very rare and an unusual variant of high-grade urothelial carcinoma. Here, we report an extraordinary case of metastatic ORUCUB, diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, in a 74-year-old Hispanic male who presented with a palpable, tender left groin mass and a known previous history of high-grade carcinoma of urinary bladder and prostatic cancer. To the best of our knowledge, diagnosis of ORUCUB by FNA is the first case report in FNA cytology to be published to date. A review of the literature is emphasized on the cytological, histological and immunohistochemical features and differential diagnoses of giant cell tumor.
Excess Mortality for the Unmarried in Rural Bangladesh

In developed countries being married is considered to be related to lower mortality risks compared with the widowed divorced and never married. In this study mortality differences are examined by marital status for 31415 men and 32848 women aged 15-44 years in rural Bangladesh. The Matlab demographic surveillance system provided longitudinal data between 1974 and 1982 on disability status educational level and household assets. Discrete time hazard models with 1-year time intervals were developed based on the log odds of dying in any given year. The female population is described as 84.35% married before the age of 24 years; 85.45% of males were married before the age of 34 years. The proportion divorced was 0.76% for men and 1.63% for women; the proportion widowed was 0.25% for men and 5.10% for women. 68% of men remarried within the 8 years of the study and 46% of the females remarried. Divorce occurred primarily for men between the ages of 25-34 years and 15-24 years for women. There were more disabled men and then women; of the disabled more were never married or divorced than currently married. For the never married the proportion disabled increased with age. Economically those who were never married for the 8-year study period were the same or better off than their married peers. The lowest economic status was among the widowed. Higher mortality rates were found among the never married and divorced persons than among the currently married peers. Widower deaths were too small in number for analysis. Women had significantly higher mortality up to the age of 30 years which was probably due to maternal mortality. Although the number of never married decreases over time the excess mortality risk of the never married increased with age for men and women. The odd ratios confirmed that the never married and divorced females and males had a higher risk of dying than married; adding economic status did not significantly modify the risk for women but improved the risk for never married men. Educational status did not significantly predict mortality for men. Remarried men has lower risks of mortality than their peers in a first marriage. A very small tenuous sample of mortality among divorced males showed significantly higher mortality within the first year after divorce than in subsequent years. Access to resources and low socioeconomic status may account for excess female mortality under <30 years of age.
Estimation of Vaccine Efficacy in Non‐Randomly Mixing Populations

A deterministic model for the transmission of an acute infectious disease in a heterogeneous, nonrandomly mixing population is developed. This model facilitates the estimation of transmission probabilities from the observed attack rates. If some of the members of the population are vaccinated, then the vaccine efficacy (VE), defined as the relative reduction in the transmission probability due to vaccination, can be estimated. We provide several estimators of VE, depending on the amount of information available on the mixing pattern and on the action of the vaccine. We show that if vaccinated persons increase the frequency of their contacts with infectious persons, then estimators ignoring this change in behavior may substantially underestimate the VE.
The relative importance of cancer-related and general health worries and distress among older adult, long-term cancer survivors.

Objective This research examines the relative importance that cancer-related and non-cancer illness factors play in generating general health worries and/or cancer-related worries. The analysis also examines how these in turn impact anxiety and depression among older adult, long-term cancer survivors. Methods Data from a longitudinal study of 245 older-adult (age 60+ years), long-term survivors (5 or more years after diagnosis) of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer are examined to identify the measurement properties and structure of general health and cancer-related health worries. Based on that measurement analysis, structural equation models (SEM) are used to estimate the relative importance of cancer-related and other illness predictors on cancer-related worry and general health worry and how these two forms of worry affect both anxiety (POMS) and depression (CES-D). Results The results from the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of health worries identify two relatively independent measures of health worry, one of general health worry and a second of cancer-related worries that includes fears of recurrence, new cancers, and follow-up testing. SEM analyses identified the importance of current cancer-related symptoms and comorbidities on cancer-related worry. It also documents the primacy of non-cancer symptoms and general health worry as predictors of anxiety and depression among older survivors. Conclusions The fact that cancer-related symptoms continue to be associated with cancer-related worries years after diagnosis speaks to the significance of these continuing sequelae. While the findings suggest the relative independence of cancer-related worries and general health worries, both are correlated with anxiety and depression. This may be particularly problematic as survivors age and symptoms related to new health problems increase, while cancer-related symptoms persist. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Populist radical right parties in Europe: From conceptualization to classification: which parties?

Though formal definitions or derivations based on the history of ideas largely failed to provide a convincing concept for ‘right-wing extremism’, research work on political parties of the right has not had serious problems in selecting appropriate cases. (Von Beyme 1988: 3) Introduction Both the academic and public debate about the “extreme right” lends credence to Von Beyme's assertion that we know who they are, even though we do not know exactly what they are. However, I fundamentally disagree with the belief that “the extreme right is easily recognizable” (Anastasakis 2000: 4). Practice certainly reveals that we do not know who they are (also Mudde 2000a): while there is consensus with regard to the inclusion of some parties in this category, the proper classification of many others remains contested. Indeed, there are some special circumstances that make the implications of this assumption especially problematic for this particular party family. Some scholars consider the Scandinavian Progress Parties to be the first of the recent wave of “right-wing populist” parties (e.g. Decker 2004; Betz 1994), whereas others exclude them from their analysis on the grounds that they are not “extreme right” (e.g. Mudde 2000a). Similarly, while the Italian Lega Nord (Northern League, LN) is included in most comparative studies of the populist radical right party family, at least one prominent scholar (Ignazi 1992; 2003) has consistently excluded it. The confusion with respect to classifying the parties in Eastern Europe is even more striking.
GATA4 Regulates Epithelial Cell Proliferation to Control Intestinal Growth and Development in Mice

Background & Aims The embryonic small intestinal epithelium is highly proliferative, and although much is known about mechanisms regulating proliferation in the adult intestine, the mechanisms controlling epithelial cell proliferation in the developing intestine are less clear. GATA4, a transcription factor that regulates proliferation in other developing tissues, is first expressed early in the developing gut in midgut endoderm. GATA4 function within midgut endoderm and the early intestinal epithelium is unknown. Methods By using Sonic Hedgehog Cre to eliminate GATA4 in the midgut endoderm of mouse embryos, we determined the impact of loss of GATA4 on intestinal development, including epithelial cell proliferation, between embryonic day (E)9.5 and E18.5. Results We found that intestinal length and width were decreased in GATA4 mutants compared with controls. GATA4-deficient intestinal epithelium contained fewer cells, and epithelial girth was decreased. We further observed a decreased proportion of proliferating epithelial cells at E10.5 and E11.5 in GATA4 mutants. We showed that GATA4 binds to chromatin containing GATA4 consensus binding sites within cyclin D2 (Ccnd2), cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (Cdk6), and frizzled 5 (Fzd5). Moreover, Ccnd2, Cdk6, and Fzd5 transcripts were reduced at E11.5 in GATA4 mutant tissue. Villus morphogenesis was delayed, and villus structure was abnormal in GATA4 mutant intestine. Conclusions Our data identify GATA4 as an essential regulator of early intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. We propose that GATA4 controls proliferation in part by directly regulating transcription of cell-cycle mediators. Our data further suggest that GATA4 affects proliferation through transcriptional regulation of Fzd5, perhaps by influencing the response of the epithelium to WNT signaling.
An Atypical Presentation of a Small Bowel Obstruction in a Young Woman with a Congenital Omental Defect.

1The two most common etiologies for SBO are postoperative adhesions and hernias; additional risk factors include tumors, foreign body ingestion, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Prolonged obstruction can lead to bowel dilatation proximal to the obstruction, coupled with edematous bowel wall and loss of normal absorptive functions. 2 If untreated, SBO can progress to compromised intestinal perfusion, causing perforation, infection, and death; up to 42% of SBO are complicated by ischemia with significantly increased mortality. 3-4 Initial symptoms include periumbilical cramping, nausea, vomiting, obstipation and abdominal distention, while sudden onset of sharp, focalized abdominal pain is suggestive of peritoneal irritation secondary to acute perforation. 5-6
An Ensemble Approach to Instance-Based Regression Using Stretched Neighborhoods

Instance-based methods generate solutions from local estimates, based on prior solutions which fall within a neighborhood of the input query. Such approaches have proven useful, but maximizing performance depends on both the criteria for neighborhood selection and the method used to generate a solution value from the values of prior instances in that neighborhood. This paper proposes a new approach to addressing both problems for regression tasks. In this approach, values for input queries are generated by an ensemble of solutions of local linear regression models built for a collection of “stretched” neighborhoods of the current problem. Each neighborhood is generated by relaxing a different dimension of the problem space. The rationale for this relaxation is to enable major change trends along that dimension to have increased influence on the corresponding model. The performance of this approach for two candidate relaxation approaches, gradient-based and based on fixed profiles, is compared to the baseline of using a radius-based spherical neighborhood in n-dimensional space. Results in four test domains show up to 15 percent improvement over baselines of k-NN and using local radius-based spherical neighborhood for training a linear regression model. They suggest that the new methods could be particularly useful in domains for which the set of prior instances is sparse.
Quantitative Imaging Of Alveolar Recruitment With Hyperpolarized Gas MRI

M. F. Cereda, K. Emami, S. J. Kadlecek, Y. Xin, P. Mongkolwisetwara, H. Profka, A. Barulic, S. Pickup, N. N. Kuzma, M. Ishii, H. Hamedani, B. M. Pullinger, R. Ghosh, J. Rajaei, C. S. Deutschman, and R. R. Rizi Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Abstract 1118: Nuclear-mediated function of Chmp1A in the regulation of ATM signaling activity for the control of human pancreatic tumor cell growth

The American Cancer Society estimated that pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death, following lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, and breast. However, the survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients is the lowest among all the cancer types combined. This poor prognosis underscores the need for innovative understanding of its molecular mechanisms, which would aid in the development of new therapeutics for pancreatic cancer patients. Chromatin modifying protein 1A/Charged multivesicular body protein (Chmp1A) is a member of the Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT-III) family that functions in the sorting and/or degradation of receptor mediated proteins via the endocytic pathway. However, recent reports indicate that Chmp1A has additional functions: Howard9s group reported that Chmp1A regulates cell cycle progression and chromatin condensation. We demonstrated that Chmp1A over-expression leads to inhibition of cell and xenograft tumor growth, and that nuclear localization of Chmp1A is required for the mediation of the inhibitory effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) of human pancreatic tumor cells. Chmp1A appears to regulate tumor growth through the stabilization of P53. P53 is a substrate of an ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, and ATM activation is closely related to chromatin modification. Thus, we hypothesize that Chmp1A, through its nuclear localization, regulates nuclear ATM signaling activity and subsequent pancreatic tumor growth. We are in the process of testing our hypotheses in human pancreatic ductal tumor (PanC-1) cells. Our preliminary data indicates that Chmp1A over-expression led to an increase in phospho-ATM at serine 1981 (an indicator of activation) in the nucleus. Immuno-staining identified the co-localization of ectopically induced Chmp1A with phospho-ATM and its target P53 whose intensity was closely reflecting that of Chmp1A expression. ATM kinase assay indicated that Chmp1A over-expression increased ATM kinase activity as evidenced by an increase in the level of phospho-P53 compared to control. In addition, ATM inhibitor-treated PanC-1 cells de-repressed Chmp1A mediated-growth inhibition and P53 stabilization. To test the significance of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) domain of Chmp1A we generated NLS-deletion and minimal NLS-domain of Chmp1A that was detected mainly in the cytoplasm and nucleus, respectively. We are in the process of generating stable clones of PanC-1 cells to conditionally over-express these deletion constructs. Once it is generated, we will test the effect of the NLS domain of Chmp1A on signaling activity of ATM and P53, and pancreatic tumor cell growth. 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 1118.
Spectral Characteristics of Domestic and Wild Mammals

Few studies have recorded the spectral signatures of domesticated live animals and in particular few have examined wild species. Using in situ radiometry we acquired visual and near infrared spectr...
Administering medication by the Z-track method.

YOU SHOULD USE the Z-track method for all I.M. injections in adults. By leaving a zigzag path that seals the needle track, this technique prevents drug leakage into the subcutaneous tissue, helps seal the drug in the muscle, and minimizes skin irritation.
Abstract 4068: A novel antiglycolytic small compound inhibits cancer growth in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting glut1

This is an anticancer mechanism and an in vivo anticancer efficacy studies of a novel antiglycolytic inhibitor. Increased aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells, known as the Warburg effect, is an important biological hallmark in tumorigenesis. However, the real mechanisms and functional significance of the effect, the switch from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells have just begun to be understood. As a result, glycolysis and cancer metabolism have become new cancer research focuses and anticancer targets. Using the glucose uptake and cell viability as well as clonogenic assays, we recently reported the identification of a group of novel small compounds that inhibit basal glucose transport and reduce cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest using a glucose deprivation-like mechanism. Additional analysis revealed that these two activities were correlated. Furthermore, these compounds inhibit basal glucose transport in various the cancer cell lines tested. Based on these and other results, we hypothesized that the compounds inhibit cancer growth by inhibiting Glut1 and they are efficacious in vivo as anticancer agents. To test the hypotheses, the representative compound WZB117, human red blood cells (RBC) as well as their derived plasma membrane vesicles were used in the protein target study. The results of the study showed that, at 10-30 μμ range, WZB117 inhibited glucose uptake in both RBC and the vesicles in a similar manner as the anti-Glut1 antibody, indicating that the inhibiting target of the compound is Glut1, as Glut1 is the only glucose transporter expressed in RBC. When treated with the compound, a reduced intracellular NADH concentration was observed in cancer cells, suggesting that glycolysis in the treated cancer cells was inhibited. Tested in nude mice grafted with human A549 non-small cell lung cancer, a more than 70% reduction in the tumor growth rate was observed when the tumor-bearing mice were treated with daily ip injection of WZB117 at 10 mg/kg body weight for 10 weeks and compared to the mock-treated control mice. Over the treatment period, these tumor-bearing mice demonstrated an average food intake similar to that of the control mice. Small but significant changes in body weight and in complete blood counts (CBC) were also observed, although various types of blood cells were all in the normal ranges. All these results indicate that WZB117 is both efficacious and safe in treating cancers in the nude mice. This is the first in vivo report on the anticancer efficacy of a Glut1and glucose transport inhibitor, which shows the potential as a prototypic compound for developing anticancer therapeutics targeting Glut1 and glycolysis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4068. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4068
Pre-evaluation of Occupational Hazards in A Plastic Products Construction Projects

[Objective]To identify and analyze the potential occupational hazards in the construction project,to evaluate the degree of the risks,to identify the Occupational hazard category,from the view of occupational disease prevention to evaluate the feasibility of the project,and provide necessary occupational hazard protection measures and recommendations for the project design,[Methods]Analogy,check list method and experience-based estimating were applied in the project evaluation.[Results]The occupational hazards existed in this project were nitrogen oxides,carbonmonoxide,ozone,manganese and its inorganic compound,welding fumes,zincoxide,other dust,hydrochloric acid,sulfuric acid,hydrofluoric acid,chromium oxide,soluble nichel compounds,ammonia,nitric acid,phosphoric acid,boric acid,cyanide,toluene,xylene,trichlorethylene,cyclohexanone,acetone,butyl acetate,sodium hydroxide,sodium carbonate,noise,high temperature,ultraviolet light,power-frequency electric field and so on.The constructive project was classified as severe occupational hazard project.[Conclusion]The potential occupational hazards in this project can be controlled,it is feasible to set up this project in consideration of occupational health.
156 THE IMPACT OF PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINES IN ADULTS WITH SINOPULMONARY INFECTIONS AND LOW PNEUMOCOCCAL ANTIBODY TITERS: PILOT OBSERVATIONS

Rationale The studies on the impact of pneumococcal vaccines in recurrent respiratory infections in patients with low pneumococcal antibody titers were performed only in children. This pilot project is focused on adult patients. Methods Four patients with recurrent sinopulmonary infections and low pneumococcal antibody titers but normal immunoglobulins were studied. All of the patients received pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines. Repeat titers were obtained 4 weeks after the vaccines. Three patients demonstrated three-fold increases or above 1.5 μg/mL in more than 70% of the serotypes of pneumococcal titers, which was considered a good response. The fourth patient, who failed to respond to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, did respond to pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The patients were followed every 3 months up to a year. Results Significant clinical improvements had already been noted in 2 out of the 4 patients. One patient with a history of sinusitis with 6 to 7 sinus infections per year in the previous 5 years had only one episode 6 months after the vaccine was given. Another patient had 2 episodes of pneumonia and numerous sinus infections 4 years prior to the vaccine. This patient has had no evidence of pneumonia or sinusitis 1 year after the vaccination. The follow-up period in the remaining patients has been too short to draw meaningful conclusions. Conclusions The observations suggest that adults with low pneumococcal antibody titers and recurrent respiratory infections may show serological and clinical improvements after use of pneumococcal vaccines.