cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
O3-03-06: Rate of hippocampal atrophy in the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI): Effects of APOE4 and value of additional MRI scans

Study underwent determination of ApoE allele status, comprehensive cognitive testing in the last year of life, and brain autopsy at death. The percentage area of cortex occupied by amyloid beta and the density of neurofibrillary tangles were quantified from six brain regions and averaged to yield summary measures of amyloid load and neurofibrillary tangles. Cognitive function tests were Z scored and averaged to yield a global and five specific measures of cognitive function. Mediation analyses were used to examine whether separate pathways exist from the 4 allele to cognitive function, adjusting for age, sex, education, and the amyloid and tangles pathway. Results: Results were consistent with previous findings showing that the 4 allele works through amyloid and tangles to cause cognitive impairment. We estimated that the amyloid pathway accounted for 27% of the total association. The 4 allele had a significant direct effect on tangles that accounted for 20% of the total association. The remaining 53% of the total association was accounted for by a significant direct effect from the 4 allele to global cognition, suggesting other as yet unidentified pathways. Similar findings were found for episodic memory, semantic memory, working memory, perceptual speed, and visuospatial ability. Conclusions: Multiple biologic pathways appear to link the 4 allele to cognitive function; some of which are currently unidentified.
Commentary: Liver cancer and the epidemiological and cancer transition theories

in this issue investigates themost common form of liver cancer in Japan, hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC). Using log-linear Poisson regression models andaddressing the problem of non-identifiability, the authors attemptto tease out the influence of age, period, and cohort effects on HCCmortality. An important conclusion of the article is that HCC deathrates are highest in cohorts born around 1930. Another conclusionat the opposite end of the spectrum also deserves to be stressed.That is, the lowest levels of HCC belong to the most recent cohorts.Hepatitis is spread by infection, and steep declines of HCC areexpected in 5–10 years in Japan largely because of the widespreadvaccination for hepatitis B virus and more recently institutedprograms screening donated blood (to be used in transfusions) forhepatitis C virus. Exploiting what is known about the successfullyimplemented public health efforts that have benefited more recentcohorts to try to make firmer predictions of future death rateswould make an additional useful contribution.In providing a context for the Shibuya and Yano piece, it isuseful to consider an extension of the epidemiological transitiontheory proposed by Gersten and Wilmoth.
The third P-loop domain in cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain is essential for dynein motor function and ATP-sensitive microtubule binding

Sequence comparisons and structural analyses show that the dynein heavy chain motor subunit is related to the AAA family of chaperone-like ATPases. The core structure of the dynein motor unit derives from the assembly of six AAA domains into a hexameric ring. In dynein, the first four AAA domains contain consensus nucleotide triphosphate-binding motifs, or P-loops. The recent structural models of dynein heavy chain have fostered the hypothesis that the energy derived from hydrolysis at P-loop 1 acts through adjacent P-loop domains to effect changes in the attachment state of the microtubule-binding domain. However, to date, the functional significance of the P-loop domains adjacent to the ATP hydrolytic site has not been demonstrated. Our results provide a mutational analysis of P-loop function within the first and third AAA domains of the Drosophila cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain. Here we report the first evidence that P-loop-3 function is essential for dynein function. Significantly, our results further show that P-loop-3 function is required for the ATP-induced release of the dynein complex from microtubules. Mutation of P-loop-3 blocks ATP-mediated release of dynein from microtubules, but does not appear to block ATP binding and hydrolysis at P-loop 1. Combined with the recent recognition that dynein belongs to the family of AAA ATPases, the observations support current models in which the multiple AAA domains of the dynein heavy chain interact to support the translocation of the dynein motor down the microtubule lattice.
Ambient stability of chemically passivated germanium interfaces

Abstract The stability of any semiconductor surface passivating layer is key to applications. Second harmonic generation (SHG) can be used to probe the chemical state of semiconductor interfaces, as well as investigate the mechanisms of chemical transformation. While the SHG rotational anisotropy changes upon sulfidation or alkylation of Ge surfaces, SHG appears far less sensitive to H and Cl passivation of germanium surfaces than to silicon surfaces. Investigation of the stability of chemically modified germanium surfaces using a number of additional techniques, including atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), reveals that H- and Cl-terminated Ge(1 1 1) rapidly re-oxidize in ambient. S- and alkyl-terminations are more robust, showing little sign of oxide formation after a month in ambient.
Atorvastatin Does Not Improve Liver Biochemistries or Mayo Risk Score in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Statin treatment reduces hypercholesterolemia and may be anti-inflammatory. Case reports noted decreased alkaline phosphatase and histological improvement following statin treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effects of statin treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis. A retrospective analysis compared clinical and biochemical data from 15 hypercholesterolemic individuals with primary biliary cirrhosis who were treated long-term with atorvastatin with an age and gender matched, primary biliary cirrhosis control group. A significant decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (p 0.050). No significant changes were noted in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and Mayo Risk Score in either group (p > 0.05). Long-term atorvastatin treatment reduced LDL-cholesterol in primary biliary cirrhosis, but there was no evidence of any anti-inflammatory effect.
Administration of Oral Chemotherapy: Results From Three Rounds of the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative

The collection of oral chemotherapy test measure data is feasible, and improvement opportunities exist for patients who are prescribed oral chemotherapy.
Architecture of a cyberphysical avatar

This paper introduces the concept of a cyberphysical avatar which is defined to be a semi-autonomous robotic system that adjusts to an unstructured environment and performs physical tasks subject to critical timing constraints while under human supervision. Cyberphysi-cal avatar integrates the recent advance in three technologies: body-compliant control in robotics, neuroevolution in machine learning and QoS guarantees in real-time communication. Body-compliant control is essential for operator safety since cyberphysical avatars perform cooperative tasks in close proximity to humans. Neuroevolution technique is essential for “programming” cyberphysical avatars inasmuch as they are to be used by non-experts for a large array of tasks, some unforeseen, in an unstructured environment. QoS-guaranteed real-time communication is essential to provide predictable, bounded-time response in human-avatar interaction. By integrating these technologies, we have built a prototype cyberphysical avatar testbed.
Associations between urinary phthalate concentrations and semen quality parameters in a general population

STUDY QUESTION Are urinary phthalate concentrations associated with altered semen quality parameters among males recruited from the general population? SUMMARY ANSWER Urinary levels of metabolites of phthalate diesters are associated with lower total sperm counts, larger sperm head sizes, and higher percentages of morphologically abnormal sperm. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY High dose experiments in rats implicate phthalates as anti-androgens. Studies involving infertile men seeking care suggest that phthalates influence measures of semen quality raising concern about the implications for men in the general population. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This prospective cohort study comprised 501 male partners in couples discontinuing contraception to become pregnant, who were recruited from 16 US counties using population-based sampling frameworks from 2005 to 2009. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Urine and semen samples were obtained at baseline from 473 (94%) men, of whom 378 (80%) men provided a second sample the following month. Urine was analyzed for 14 monoester metabolites of phthalate diesters by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Semen samples were analyzed for 34 quality parameters categorized as general, motility, morphology, sperm head and sperm chromatin structure. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Urinary mono-[2-(carboxymethyl) hexyl] phthalate (MCMHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), and mono-isononyl phthalate (MNP) were significantly associated with lower total sperm counts and concentrations, larger sperm head sizes, higher proportions of megalo head sperm morphology, and/or other morphological changes. Urinary mono-methyl phthalate (MMP) and mono-cyclohexyl phthalate (MCPP) were significantly associated with lower sperm motility, and urine mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) was significantly associated with higher sperm motility. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION While adverse associations were observed, the implications of the findings for couple fecundity and fertility remain to be established. Cautious interpretation is needed in light of reliance on a single measurement of phthalate measure and no correction for multiple comparisons.
The Role of Legal Writing Faculty in an Integrated Curriculum

Reporter's Notes on "The Integration of Theory, Doctrine, and Practice in Legal Education."
The Consistency Assumption for Causal Inference in Social Epidemiology: When a Rose Is Not a Rose

The assumption that exposures as measured in observational settings have clear and specific definitions underpins epidemiologic research and allows us to use observational data to predict outcomes in interventions. This leap between exposures as measured and exposures as intervened upon is typically supported by the consistency assumption. The consistency assumption has received extensive attention in risk factor epidemiology but relatively little emphasis in social epidemiology. However, violations of the consistency assumption may be especially important to consider when understanding how social and economic exposures influence health. Efforts to clarify the definitions of our exposures, thus bolstering the consistency assumption, will help guide interventions to improve population health and reduce health disparities. This article focuses on the consistency assumption as considered within social epidemiology. We explain how this assumption is articulated in the causal inference literature and give examples of how it might be violated for three common exposure in social epidemiology research: income, education and neighborhood characteristics. We conclude that there is good reason to worry about consistency assumption violations in much of social epidemiology research. Theoretically motivated explorations of mechanisms along with empirical comparisons of research findings under alternative operationalizations of exposure can help identify consistency violations. We recommend that future social epidemiology studies be more explicit to name and discuss the consistency assumption when describing the exposure of interest, including reconciling disparate results in the literature.
Radiation-induced changes in DNA methylation of repetitive elements in the mouse heart

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism, needed for proper control over the expression of genetic information and silencing of repetitive elements. Exposure to ionizing radiation, aside from its strong genotoxic potential, may also affect the methylation of DNA, within the repetitive elements, in particular. In this study, we exposed C57BL/6J male mice to low absorbed mean doses of two types of space radiation-proton (0.1 Gy, 150 MeV, dose rate 0.53 ± 0.08 Gy/min), and heavy iron ions ((56)Fe) (0.5 Gy, 600 MeV/n, dose rate 0.38 ± 0.06 Gy/min). Radiation-induced changes in cardiac DNA methylation associated with repetitive elements were detected. Specifically, modest hypomethylation of retrotransposon LINE-1 was observed at day 7 after irradiation with either protons or (56)Fe. This was followed by LINE-1, and other retrotransposons, ERV2 and SINE B1, as well as major satellite DNA hypermethylation at day 90 after irradiation with (56)Fe. These changes in DNA methylation were accompanied by alterations in the expression of DNA methylation machinery and affected the one-carbon metabolism pathway. Furthermore, loss of transposable elements expression was detected in the cardiac tissue at the 90-day time-point, paralleled by substantial accumulation of mRNA transcripts, associated with major satellites. Given that the one-carbon metabolism pathway can be modulated by dietary modifications, these findings suggest a potential strategy for the mitigation and, possibly, prevention of the negative effects exerted by ionizing radiation on the cardiovascular system. Additionally, we show that the methylation status and expression of repetitive elements may serve as early biomarkers of exposure to space radiation.
Participatory adaptation

Expert users of programs that handle complicated data management problems develop methods for coping with data overload, multi-user cooperation, and real-time situations. These expert methods incorporate domain and/or user interface knowledge. If such methods were inherent in a system, then novice users could benefit from the expert's experience, the learning curve would be shortened and a more effective system would result. Defining and implementing a complete set of expert methods at design time is a daunting task. Collecting such information from a system's usage, after it has been deployed, should provide a more accurate database of expert methodologies, Current adaptive systems attempt to capture and automate such features during run-time. However, these systems can never evolve very far beyond their original design, since the adaptations occur within the scope of that design. Our method is to offer the expert's usage database as input to the designer, reintroducing the designer in the development cycle after a system has been deployed initially, so that a more effective system can be produced in the next generation.
Effect of Angiotonin on the Gall Bladder and the Duodenum

ConclusionAngiotonin stimulates contraction of the isolated gall bladder of the guinea pig and of the in situ gall bladder and duodenum of the dog.
Motivational correlates of self-reported persistent pain in young adults.

Objective: We sought to illustrate that personal goals can provide a meaningful context within which to interpret physical pain and that persistent (nonclinical) pain correlates with dysfunctional goal evaluation for young adults. Design: A total of 127 college students reporting either no pain or persistent physical pain completed the Goal System Assessment Battery, a set of questionnaires designed to gauge stable and accessible representations of self-regulated goal pursuit. Results: The results supported the general contention that persons experiencing persistent pain (at subclinical levels) tend to evaluate their important life goals in a "problematic" fashion. Specifically, the presence of persistent pain was associated with lower ratings of self-efficacy, self-monitoring, self-reward, and less positive arousal. Conclusions: The pattern of goal construal produced by this young and generally healthy group of college students reflects cognitive-motivational dysfunctions possibly presaging pain-schemes in later life.
A 7000-Year Record of Environmental Change, Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, USA

Few long-term records of the fire history of Rocky Mountain National Park exist. Data from a lake sediment core was used to reconstruct changes in vegetation and fire frequencies over the last 7000 cal yr. Bear Lake is a high-elevation lake surrounded by subalpine vegetation in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Pollen data indicate that a warm and dry climate prevailed between ca. 7000 and 5000 cal yr BP. Temperatures increased until shortly before ca. 3500 cal yr BP when evidence for a marked decline is seen. Cooler-than-present conditions were maintained until ca. 1700 cal yr BP, when conditions transitioned to more like those of the present-day climate. Based on macroscopic charcoal analyses, fire frequency had varied between two and five episodes per 1000 years. The largest peak in charcoal was at ca. 590 cal yr BP. The fire return interval has varied with climate over time; however, we calculate a fire return interval of 325 years over the past 7000 years. Given these results, fire activity is ...
Calorimetric investigation of copper binding in the N-terminal region of the prion protein at low copper loading: evidence for an entropically favorable first binding event.

Although the Cu2+-binding sites of the prion protein have been well studied when the protein is fully saturated by Cu2+, the Cu2+-loading mechanism is just beginning to come into view. Because the Cu2+-binding modes at low and intermediate Cu2+ occupancy necessarily represent the highest-affinity binding modes, these are very likely populated under physiological conditions, and it is thus essential to characterize them in order to understand better the biological function of copper–prion interactions. Besides binding-affinity data, almost no other thermodynamic parameters (e.g., ΔH and ΔS) have been measured, thus leaving undetermined the enthalpic and entropic factors that govern the free energy of Cu2+ binding to the prion protein. In this study, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to quantify the thermodynamic parameters (K, ΔG, ΔH, and TΔS) of Cu2+ binding to a peptide, PrP(23–28, 57–98), that encompasses the majority of the residues implicated in Cu2+ binding by full-length PrP. Use of th...
Self-harm to preferentially harm the pathogens within: non-specific stressors in innate immunity

Therapies with increasing specificity against pathogens follow the immune system's evolutionary course in maximizing host defence while minimizing self-harm. Nevertheless, even completely non-specific stressors, such as reactive molecular species, heat, nutrient and oxygen deprivation, and acidity can be used to preferentially harm pathogens. Strategic use of non-specific stressors requires exploiting differences in stress vulnerability between pathogens and hosts. Two basic vulnerabilities of pathogens are: (i) the inherent vulnerability to stress of growth and replication (more immediately crucial for pathogens than for host cells) and (ii) the degree of pathogen localization, permitting the host's use of locally and regionally intense stress. Each of the various types of non-specific stressors is present during severe infections at all levels of localization: (i) ultra-locally within phagolysosomes, (ii) locally at the infected site, (iii) regionally around the infected site and (iv) systemically as part of the acute-phase response. We propose that hosts strategically use a coordinated system of non-specific stressors at local, regional and systemic levels to preferentially harm the pathogens within. With the rising concern over emergence of resistance to specific therapies, we suggest more scrutiny of strategies using less specific therapies in pathogen control. Hosts' active use of multiple non-specific stressors is likely an evolutionarily basic defence whose retention underlies and supplements the well-recognized immune defences that directly target pathogens.
Partitioning-Defective 1a/b Depletion Impairs Glomerular and Proximal Tubule Development

The kidney is a highly polarized epithelial organ that develops from undifferentiated mesenchyme, although the mechanisms that regulate the development of renal epithelial polarity are incompletely understood. Partitioning-defective 1 (Par1) proteins have been implicated in cell polarity and epithelial morphogenesis; however, the role of these proteins in the developing kidney has not been established. Therefore, we studied the contribution of Par1a/b to renal epithelial development. We examined the renal phenotype of newborn compound mutant mice carrying only one allele of Par1a or Par1b. Loss of three out of four Par1a/b alleles resulted in severe renal hypoplasia, associated with impaired ureteric bud branching. Compared with kidneys of newborn control littermates, kidneys of newborn mutant mice exhibited dilated proximal tubules and immature glomeruli, and the renal proximal tubular epithelia lacked proper localization of adhesion complexes. Furthermore, Par1a/b mutants expressed low levels of renal Notch ligand Jag1, activated Notch2, and Notch effecter Hes1. Together, these data demonstrate that Par1a/b has a key role in glomerular and proximal tubule development, likely via modulation of Notch signaling.
Asynchronous, Online, GMM-free Training of a Context Dependent Acoustic Model for Speech Recognition

We propose an algorithm that allows online training of a context dependent DNN model. It designs a state inventory based on DNN features and jointly optimizes the DNN parameters and alignment of the training data. The process allows flat starting a model from scratch and avoids any dependency on a GMM/HMM model to bootstrap the training process. A 15k state model trained with the proposed algorithm reduced the error rate on a mobile speech task with 24% compared to a system bootstrapped from a CI HMM/GMM and with 16% compared to a system bootstrapped from a CD HMM/GMM system.
Exploring, Understanding, and Designing Innovative Socio-Technical Environments for Fostering and Supporting Mass Collaboration

Mass collaboration involving large number of people working and learning together is emerging in the digitally networked environment. Socio-technical environments fostering mass collaboration are facilitated by the technical infrastructure of the Internet, and they support collaborating participants to solve problems, share information, and engage in the joint construction of artifacts and knowledge. Based on our conceptual, empirical, and design-based research over the last decade, this chapter (1) explores needs and opportunities for mass collaboration, (2) outlines theoretical frameworks (including cultures of participation, meta-design, richer ecologies of participation, and different models for knowledge creation, accumulation, and sharing), (3) describes specific application domains (including CreativeIT Wiki, SAP Community Network, and massive open online courses), and (4) identifies research challenges grounded in findings “how things are” to provide design requirements for “how things could or should be” in the years to come.
The CRO kernel: Using Concomitant Rank Order hashes for sparse high dimensional randomized feature maps

Kernel methods have been shown to be effective for many machine learning tasks such as classification, clustering and regression. In particular, support vector machines with the RBF kernel have proved to be powerful classification tools. The standard way to apply kernel methods is to use the ‘kernel trick’, where the inner product of the vectors in the feature space is computed via the kernel function. Using the kernel trick for SVMs, however, leads to training that is quadratic in the number of input vectors and classification that is linear with the number of support vectors. We introduce a new kernel, the CRO (Concomitant Rank Order) kernel that approximates the RBF kernel for unit length input vectors. We also introduce a new randomized feature map, based on concomitant rank order hashing, that produces sparse, high dimensional feature vectors whose inner product asymptotically equals the CRO kernel. Using the Hadamard transform for computing the CRO hashes ensures that the cost of computing feature vectors is very low. Thus, for unit length input vectors, we get the accuracy of the RBF kernel with the efficiency of a sparse high dimensional linear kernel. We show the efficacy of our approach using a number of standard datasets.
Semantic and Phonological Ability to Adjust Recoding: A Unique Correlate of Word Reading Skill?

ABSTRACTThis study addresses whether reading involves a process termed semantic and phonological ability to adjust recoding (SPAAR). It was hypothesized that SPAAR helps readers link inaccurate pronunciations to lexical entries (e.g., spynitch to spinach). Psychometric properties of the Mispronunciation Correction Task (MCT), a measure of SPAAR, were investigated using a sample of 206 elementary-age children. The 25-item MCT appeared to measure a single construct, and the items discriminated well across the range of ability. Based on a sample of 94 children, construct validity analyses indicated that phonological awareness and decoding skill predicted MCT performance. Hierarchical regressions were used to test the relationship between SPAAR and word reading. After controlling for other skills, SPAAR showed a relationship with both timed and untimed word reading. Phonological awareness did not. These data suggest that SPAAR may be a reading-related ability involving phonological processing and some form of...
Contractile Proteins of Vascular Endothelium and Smooth Muscle

This chapter will review immunologic and immunohistochemical data concerning the nature and distribution of contractile proteins in endothelial and smooth muscle cells in different segments of the human vascular tree. Evidence will also be presented indicating that the content of actomyosin in endothelial cells of cerebral vessels can increase in hypertension. This data will be reviewed in the light of a body of knowledge gained largely over the past decade concerning the nature of contractile proteins of “non-muscle” cells and their role in cell motility, maintenance of cell shape, secretory processes, movement of subcellular organelles, attachment to matrix, and cell division.
Towards bulk syntheses of nanomaterials: a homeostatically supersaturated synthesis of polymer-like Bi2S3 nanowires with nearly 100% yield and no injection

This paper reports the implementation of a one-pot strategy for the synthesis of polymer-like Bi2S3 nanowires from supersaturated precursors. These conditions result in (i) a homeostatically regulated supersaturation of the growing phase during most of the reaction, (ii) a nearly 100% conversion of the limiting reagent, and (iii) an improved colloidal stability and polydispersity of the product (when compared to the hot-injection product) that allows the identification of three new exciton transitions in the absorption spectrum (one of them, importantly, being a weakly absorbing ground state at 1.64 eV). Three different commercial sources of ligands do not yield significantly different conversion rates. Scalability is further improved by lack of stirring after the initial stage of reaction and a lower reaction temperature (90 °C).
Detection and Correction of Legal Publication Bias

Judges, attorneys, and academics commonly use case law surveys to ascertain the law and to predict or make decisions. In some contexts, however, certain legal outcomes may be more likely to be published (and thus observed) than others, potentially distorting impressions from case surveys. In this paper, I propose a method for detecting and correcting legal publication bias based on ideas from multiple systems estimation (MSE), a technique traditionally used for estimating hidden populations. I apply the method to a simulated dataset of admissibility decisions to confirm its efficacy, then to a newly collected dataset on false confession experts, where the model estimates that the observed 16% admissibility rate may be in reality closer to 28%. The article thus identifies and draws attention to the potential for legal publication bias, and offers a practical statistical tool for detecting and correcting it.
micrornas : Clinical trials and potential applications

MicroRNAs are novel biomolecules with a crucial function in normal cellular physiology and in pathophysiologic conditions, including cancer. Since the first report on the link between microRNAs and cancer was published in 2002, research has revealed the potential clinical implications of microRNAs. Oncology nurses play an important role in educating patients and their families about possible applications of microRNAs in oncology. .
Science to Practice: Can Functional MR Imaging Be Useful in the Evaluation of Cardiorenal Syndrome?

Chang and colleagues provide mechanistic insight into the pathophysiology of type I and type II cardiorenal syndrome, finding that the extent and severity of myocardial infarction correlates with the degree of renal hypoxia (both acutely and chronically).
Functional gradient descent optimization for automatic test case generation for vehicle controllers

A hierarchical framework is proposed for improving the automatic test case generation process for high-fidelity models with long execution times. The framework incorporates related low-fidelity models for which certain properties can be analytically or computationally evaluated with provable guarantees (e.g., gradients of safety or performance metrics). The low-fidelity models drive the test case generation process for the high-fidelity models. The proposed framework is demonstrated on a model of a vehicle with Full Range Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Avoidance (FRACC), for which it generates more challenging test cases on average compared to test cases generated using Simulated Annealing.
Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: Does stage impact survival?

693Background: Sarcomatoid differentiation is associated with poor clinical outcomes and is present in approximately 4% of patients with renal cell carcinoma (sRCC). However, limited studies have evaluated the impact of sarcomatoid differentiation among patients, especially with lower stage pT1−2 disease. Methods: This study evaluated 3,850 patients with RCC who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy between 2000−2017. Patients were divided into four groups for analysis: pT1−2NxMx RCC without sarcomatoid features, pT1−2NxMx sRCC, pT3−4 RCC without sarcomatoid features and pT3−4 sRCC. Clinicopathological outcomes including sex, race, age, primary histology, lymph node involvement and margin status were compared between groups using Chi−squared and T-tests. Overall survival rates were analyzed by constructing Kaplan−Meier curves, p−values were calculated using log−rank tests and fitting Cox proportional hazards models for adjusted analyses. Results: Among 3,850 cases, 168 (4.4%) sRCC patients were identif...
Selective Enrichment and Direct Analysis of Protein S-Palmitoylation Sites

S-Fatty-acylation is the covalent attachment of long chain fatty acids, predominately palmitate (C16:0, S-palmitoylation), to cysteine (Cys) residues via a thioester linkage on proteins. This post-translational and reversible lipid modification regulates protein function and localization in eukaryotes and is important in mammalian physiology and human diseases. While chemical labeling methods have improved the detection and enrichment of S-fatty-acylated proteins, mapping sites of modification and characterizing the endogenously attached fatty acids are still challenging. Here, we describe the integration and optimization of fatty acid chemical reporter labeling with hydroxylamine-mediated enrichment of S-fatty-acylated proteins and direct tagging of modified Cys residues to selectively map lipid modification sites. This afforded improved enrichment and direct identification of many protein S-fatty-acylation sites compared to previously described methods. Notably, we directly identified the S-fatty-acylat...
The Selection Stage

The Selection Stage chooses the appropriate data structures and router algorithms to implement the required routing tasks given the preliminary problem description produced by the Input Stage. Note, however, that one algorithm choice does not comprise an entire router. Indeed, there exists tens of possibilities for each of the many algorithms and data structures comprising a real router that matches any typical user specification. Hence, decision-making in this stage requires information on such topics as data structure capabilities, data structure efficiencies, and algorithm suitability. This stage integrates the router structure knowledge, router phase requirement knowledge, data structure implementation knowledge and design interaction knowledge sources to select and refine implementation candidates for both data structures and algorithms.
Immunopharmacological approach to the study of chronic brain disorders

During the past few years increasing attention has been paid to a structural-functional relationship between the central nervous system (CNS) and the immune system (IS). This is very important since almost all neuropsychiatric disorders were formerly thought to be related to such factors as familial-link (genetic predisposition), mental attitudes (CNS derived) and resistance to natural environment or immunity [1]. Among other properties such as cell-cell interactions and fine cellular specificity, only these two systems (i.e. CNS and IS) have highly specialized property of ‘memory’ and they establish their communication network through soluble factors like neurotransmitters and lymphokines. A term ‘immunotransmitter’ synonymous with ‘neurotransmitter’ was recently implied by some [2] to denote the soluble products of immune system. Evidently, there is neuroendocrine (hypothalamic-pituitary) control of the immune functions, and conversely, the cells of the immune system can control the CNS functions [3, 4]. This line of thinking is potentially of pathophysiological importance since it enunciates the possible existence of immune dysfunctions in chronic organic brain syndromes and related neuropsychiatric diseases.
Inference About the Point of Change in A Regression Model With A Stationary Error Process

Abstract Inference about the point of change in a regression model with an autoregressive error process of order one is considered. Expressions for the exact and for an approximate joint maximum likelihood function for the point of change “ 1 and the autocorrelation coefficient p are derived, and iterative procedures for the estimation of n1 and p are given. The two likelihood functions are shown to give approximately the same results when the number of observations is large. For the number of observations odd, a conditional procedure is used to eliminate the dependency between the random variables, and thus, to permit the derivation of a likelihood function for n1 alone. The performance of the above procedures and the likelihood function obtained assuming no autocorrelation are compared in a Monte Carlo study, where the samples generated mimic a change in mean level of the volume of discharge of a river.
Late onset reactions following venom immunotherapy and venom skin tests

This report describes patients who had late onset reactions following venom immunotherapy and venom skin tests. Six adult patients had symptoms of fatigue, malaise, fever, headache, and joint ache, starting four to six hours after venom immunotherapy and lasting up to four days. Two of the patients had prolonged reactions at or adjacent to the skin test sites. All of these patients had a history of venom anaphylaxis; four had severe cardiovascular symptoms. All received yellow jacket venom immunotherapy and four honeybee venom immunotherapy. In four patients, the reactions occurred following small venom doses, 0.1 to 2 micrograms. Two patients reacted after maintenance doses of 50 micrograms. There was no relationship to the serum IgE or IgG antibody titers. All but one patient had serum venom-specific IgE but the titers covered a wide range. Serum venom-specific IgG was present in four patients. There was no response in lymphocyte culture to bee venom stimulation in two patients. Two of these patients stopped venom immunotherapy; one had reached the maintenance dose. In three patients, prophylactic parenteral steroids have ameliorated the reactions. After a temporary dose reduction, the sixth patient is now asymptomatic. A seventh patient developed asthma, 12 hours following a maintenance dose of 50 micrograms of yellow jacket venom. Concomitant steroid administration has effectively prevented the reaction. Another patient, a 6-year-old boy, developed fever, edema of the face and lips, erythema of the leg, and a large, tender right inguinal node eight hours following venom skin tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Detection of Transforming Genes from Radiation Transformed Human Epidermal Keratinocytes by a Tumorigenicity Assay

Carcinogenic action of ionizing radiation in humans has been well recognized from epidemiological data. There have been, however, very few studies on radiation-induced neoplastic transformation of human cells, particularly, those of epithelial origin, in culture. Recently, we have developed an in vitro human keratinocyte multistep model suitable for the study of human epithelial cell carcinogenesis (1). This was developed following an infection of primary human epidermal keratinocytes with Ad12-SV40 virus leading to the acquisition of an indefinite lifespan in culture, but not the development of malignant phenotype. These immortalized human keratinocytes (RHEK-1) when treated subsequently with either Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (Ki-MSV) (1) or chemical carcinogens, (2) led to the induction of morphological alterations and the development of a malignancy. The availability of this human keratinocyte system led us to determine the potential of X-rays as a carcinogenic agent in human epithelial cells and to characterize the molecular events involved in the development of a radiation-induced malignancy.
Cell Surface ATP Synthase: A Potential Target for Anti-Angiogenic Therapy

Since the presence of F1F0 adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase was discovered on the surface of human cells, numerous studies have elucidated new functions for this molecule that classically functions as part of the electron transport chain in mitochondria. Like mitochondrial ATP synthase, the cell surface form of this molecule functions as an energy-producing proton pump, coupling the production of extracellular ATP with the transport of protons outside the cell. ATP synthase also acts as an endothelial cell surface receptor for angiostatin, which has led several groups to examine this molecule as a target for inhibiting angiogenesis. Given its involvement in proton transport and the pH-dependent activity of angiostatin and antibodies directed against it, ATP synthase likely functions in part to regulate pH for endothelial cells existing in an acidic microenvironment. In addition, it catalyzes the synthesis and hydrolysis of ATP in the extracellular milieu, potentially affecting purinergic signaling. ATP synthase also plays a role in endothelial cell signaling in response to flow-induced shear stress. Recently, ATP synthase on the surface of endothelial cells has been identified as the receptor for two additional proteins: coupling factor 6 and endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II. This chapter will focus on the role of endothelial cell surface ATP synthase in angiogenesis, shear stress response, and as a receptor.
GENETIC CONSEQUENCES OF LARVAL RETENTION: THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Abstract To the extent that larvae of estuarine organisms are retained in their estuary of origin, population genetic theory predicts differences will develop among conspecific populations inhabiting different estuaries. The rate at which these differences evolve depends most importantly on genetically effective population sizes, the intensity of diversifying natural selection, the magnitude of larval “leakage” among estuaries, and the demographic history and stability of extant populations. While electrophoretic techniques are now routinely employed to gather gene frequency data from natural populations, lack of information on these ecological, demographic, and historical factors often renders interpretation of such genetic data equivocal. Larval leakage cannot be inferred from genetic similarities among populations in different estuaries because populations may be large, diversifying selection weak, or time since divergence insufficient for evolution by random genetic drift. Where differences do exist among estuaries, closer inspection of gene frequencies in larval populations and in new recruits, together with experimental manipulation of these, may help narrow the limits on some of the parameters affecting divergence. Genetics is thus a necessary, but not a sufficient, component in the investigation of larval retention in estuaries.
Hematoma Evacuation to Improve Closed Reduction of Bennett Fracture.

Dear Sir, The Bennett fracture is an intra-articular fracture of the base of the thumb and is the most common first metacarpal fracture [1, 2]. The mechanism of injury is axially-directed force through the partially flexed first metacarpal which causes an intra-articular fracture with a single volar ulnar fragment. Closed reduction and casting, closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, and open reduction and internal fixation are described as the possible treatment options. The goal of the reduction is to achieve less than a 1 mm gap at the articular surface of the first metacarpal [1, 3]. The technique of the closed reduction is described as first metacarpal extension and protonation while applying longitudinal traction and manual pressure to the base of the metacarpal in order to reduce the fracture. If adequate reduction cannot be achieved with a closed reduction, open reduction and fixation can be considered [3]. Before resorting to open reduction, however, hematoma evacuation may help with a closed reduction by decreasing the intra-articular pressure and allowing for better reduction in acute cases. A 61-year-old male sustained a right Bennett fracture after a fall. Closed/open reduction and percutaneous pinning/internal fixation for the right Bennett fracture was indicated. Despite several attempts of a closed reduction, congruent joint surface could not be achieved. Before moving to an open reduction, an 18-gauge needle was inserted into the first carpal metacarpal joint (Fig. 1). Less than 1 cc hematoma was evacuated. The needle was removed and closed reduction was performed according to previously described technique [3] . After hematoma evacuation, anatomic closed reduction was successfully achieved (Fig. 2). Two 1.2 mm K-wires were used for fracture fixation. The bone healed and patient recovered without complications. Fig. 1 Intraoperative fluoroscopy image of right first metacarpal. Please note that the 18-gauge needle was inserted to drain hematoma Fig. 2 Post-reduction fluoroscopy image of right first metacarpal fracture. Successful closed reduction was achieved Hematoma evacuation and bone reduction has previously been described [4], however, according to our best knowledge, it has not been described for the closed reduction of Bennett fracture. We believe that intra-articular hematoma could be a possible barrier to a successful closed reduction. Because of joint distraction caused by the intra-articular hematoma, an 18-gauge needle is relatively easy to insert in the joint and has shown to be successful in evacuating the hematoma.
Transplant Outcomes in Destination Therapy Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) can be implanted as either a bridge to transplantation (BTT) or destination therapy (DT). This definition is fluid, as some DT patients undergo transplantation. This study compared posttransplant outcomes between BTT and DT LVAD patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of LVAD patients who underwent cardiac transplantation from 2010 to 2016. Outcomes including mortality, rejection, infection, and overall readmission were assessed with univariable Cox analyses. This cohort included 92 LVAD patients underwent transplantation: 57 BTT, mean age 52 years, and 79% male. The DT group had a longer LVAD support time (median support 406 versus 161 days, p < 0.001) with no significant difference in 1-year survival (BTT 86% and DT 92%, p = 0.52) or survival time (HR 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-2.41, p = 0.82). Rates of nonfatal adverse events were also similar between BTT and DT patients. In our cohort, DT patients had similar long-term survival and rates of adverse events as compared with BTT, despite a longer time to transplant. This study suggests that transplant outcomes are acceptable for patients initially labeled DT and that a longer duration of LVAD support may not adversely affect posttransplant outcomes.
Self-efficacy and importance of participation reasons as predictors for prostate cancer screening intention in African American men

Objective: African American men have higher lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa), and face more health burdens from this disease due in part to limited participation in cancer screenin...
Inter-rater reliability data of classroom observation: Fidelity in large-scale randomized research in education

Abstract This dataset belongs to a large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) in educational research targeting English learning students and their teachers' instructional capacity. The dataset includes ratings conducted through classroom observations of 45-minute English as a Second language (ESL) blocks. Each coder rated 60 recorded video segments collected from each teacher. During the 20-second segment, ratings of six domains of teachers' instruction (i.e., ESL Strategies, Group, Activity Structure, Mode, Language Content, Language of Teacher, Language of Student) were collected. The dataset is organized by teacher, by coder, and by domain, for researchers to analyze inter-rater reliability among coders by domain and/or cross-domain. This data article is related to the research article Tong et al. [3] on “The determination of appropriate coefficient indices for inter-rater reliability: using classroom observation instruments as fidelity measures in large-scale randomized research”.
Bone Health and Orthopedic Surgery

Traditionally, orthopedists have not evaluated the quality of bone prior to orthopedic procedures. Nonetheless, in recent years an assortment of pharmacological agents targeting bone quality have been developed and are in common use, mainly in the treatment of osteoporosis. Growing evidence suggests that the maximization of bone quality and health perioperatively will result in better surgical outcomes. This chapter reviews current knowledge concerning this clinical experience, examining specifically vitamin D, its putative role in orthopedic surgery; the use of various medications in the setting of total joint arthroplasty, in spinal fusion, and in the fracture repair is presented.