cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protocadherins mediate dendritic self-avoidance in the mammalian nervous system

Dendritic arborizations of many neurons are patterned by a process called self-avoidance, in which branches arising from a single neuron repel each other. By minimizing gaps and overlaps within the arborization, self-avoidance facilitates complete coverage of a neuron’s territory by its neurites. Remarkably, some neurons that display self-avoidance interact freely with other neurons of the same subtype, implying that they discriminate self from non-self. Here we demonstrate roles for the clustered protocadherins (Pcdhs) in dendritic self-avoidance and self/non-self discrimination. The Pcdh locus encodes 58 related cadherin-like transmembrane proteins, at least some of which exhibit isoform-specific homophilic adhesion in heterologous cells and are expressed stochastically and combinatorially in single neurons. Deletion of all 22 Pcdh genes in the mouse γ-subcluster (Pcdhg genes) disrupts self-avoidance of dendrites in retinal starburst amacrine cells (SACs) and cerebellar Purkinje cells. Further genetic analysis of SACs showed that Pcdhg proteins act cell-autonomously during development, and that replacement of the 22 Pcdhg proteins with a single isoform restores self-avoidance. Moreover, expression of the same single isoform in all SACs decreases interactions among dendrites of neighbouring SACs (heteroneuronal interactions). These results suggest that homophilic Pcdhg interactions between sibling neurites (isoneuronal interactions) generate a repulsive signal that leads to self-avoidance. In this model, heteroneuronal interactions are normally permitted because dendrites seldom encounter a matched set of Pcdhg proteins unless they emanate from the same soma. In many respects, our results mirror those reported for Dscam1 (Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule) in Drosophila: this complex gene encodes thousands of recognition molecules that exhibit stochastic expression and isoform-specific interactions, and mediate both self-avoidance and self/non-self discrimination. Thus, although insect Dscam and vertebrate Pcdh proteins share no sequence homology, they seem to underlie similar strategies for endowing neurons with distinct molecular identities and patterning their arborizations.
Studies on the thermal degradation of the H and M antigens of lyophilized histoplasmin.

Lyophilized histoplasmin for the agar gel microimmunodiffusion test has been prepared as a candidate World Health Organization Biological Reference Reagent. It was subjected to elevated temperatures for given periods of time and analyzed by the capillary precipitin test and the single radial immunodiffusion test to determine the stability of the H and M antigens. H antigen showed no fall in relative potency when incubated at 48 °C for 20 days. M antigen showed a fall in relative potency after storage at 37 °C and 48 °C, but the extent of the fall was greater in the radial immunodiffusion test than in the capillary precipitin test. Half-lives of the antigens could not be calculated from the Arrhenius equation because the response curves at each temperature followed different kinetics. However, as based on zero time data, M antigen of the lyophilized histoplasmin showed a 20 % drop in relative potency when stored at -20 °C for 2 years. Other analyses suggested that M antigen of liquid histoplasmin stored at...
MUC1 upregulation promotes immune resistance in tumor cells undergoing brachyury-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a molecular and cellular program in which epithelial cells lose their well-differentiated phenotype and adopt mesenchymal characteristics. This process, which occurs naturally during embryogenesis, has also been shown to be associated with cancer progression and with tumor recurrence following conventional therapies. Brachyury is a transcription factor that mediates EMT during development, and is aberrantly expressed in various human cancers where it promotes tumor cell EMT, metastatic dissemination, and resistance to conventional therapies. We have recently shown that very high expression of brachyury can protect tumor cells against immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In seeking to elucidate mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance, we have discovered a novel positive association between brachyury and mucin-1 (MUC1). MUC1 is overexpressed in the majority of carcinomas, and it has been shown to mediate oncogenic signaling and confer resistance to genotoxic agents. We found that MUC1 is concomitantly upregulated in tumor cell lines that highly express brachyury due to an enhancement of MUC1 mRNA stability. Analysis of patient lung tumor tissues also identified a positive association between these two proteins in the majority of samples. Inhibition of MUC1 by siRNA-based gene silencing markedly enhanced the susceptibility of brachyury-expressing cancer cells to killing by tumor necrosis-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and to perforin/granzyme-dependent lysis by immune cytotoxic cells. These studies confirm a protective role for MUC1 in brachyury-expressing cancer cells, and suggest that inhibition of MUC1 can restore the susceptibility of mesenchymal-like cancer cells to immune attack.
Touchscreen assays of learning, response inhibition, and motivation in the marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus )

Recent developments in precision gene editing have led to the emergence of the marmoset as an experimental subject of considerable interest and translational value. A better understanding of behavioral phenotypes of the common marmoset will inform the extent to which forthcoming transgenic mutants are cognitively intact. Therefore, additional information regarding their learning, inhibitory control, and motivational abilities is needed. The present studies used touchscreen-based repeated acquisition and discrimination reversal tasks to examine basic dimensions of learning and response inhibition. Marmosets were trained daily to respond to one of the two simultaneously presented novel stimuli. Subjects learned to discriminate the two stimuli (acquisition) and, subsequently, with the contingencies switched (reversal). In addition, progressive ratio performance was used to measure the effort expended to obtain a highly palatable reinforcer varying in magnitude and, thereby, provide an index of relative motivational value. Results indicate that rates of both acquisition and reversal of novel discriminations increased across successive sessions, but that rate of reversal learning remained slower than acquisition learning, i.e., more trials were needed for mastery. A positive correlation was observed between progressive ratio break point and reinforcement magnitude. These results closely replicate previous findings with squirrel monkeys, thus providing evidence of similarity in learning processes across nonhuman primate species. Moreover, these data provide key information about the normative phenotype of wild-type marmosets using three relevant behavioral endpoints.
Requirements for self-magnetically insulated transmission lines

Self-magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) connect pulsed-power drivers with a load. Although the technology was originally developed in the 1970s and is widely used today in super power generators, failure of the technology is the principal limitation on the power that can be delivered to an experiment. We address issues that are often overlooked, rejected after inadequate simulations, or covered by overly conservative assumptions: (i) electron retrapping in coupling MITLs to loads, (ii) the applicability of collisionless versus collisional electron flow, (iii) power transport efficiency as a function of the geometry at the beginning of the MITL, (iv) gap closure and when gap closure can be neglected, and (v) the role of negative ions in causing anode plasmas and enhancing current losses. We suggest a practical set of conservative design requirements for self-magnetically insulated electron flow based on the results discussed in this paper and on previously published results. The requirements are not necessarily severe constraints in all MITL applications; however, each of the 18 suggested requirements should be examined in the design of a MITL and in the investigation of excessive losses.
Gene cloning,heterologous expression and decolorization study of a novel laccase gene from Cerrena sp.

To obtain a novel laccase gene from a white-rot fungal strain previously isolated in our laboratory,the Lac gene and its promoter sequence were cloned by degenerate PCR,TAIL-PCR and Site Finding PCR. The Lac coding sequence was transformed into Pichia pastoris X33,and the enzymatic properties and decolorization efficiencies of the recombinant enzyme were analyzed. The results showed that the cloned Lac genetic sequence was 3 129 bp in length,containing 10 introns and encoding 542 amino acids; the highest identity against known laccase sequence is 60%,multiple putative transcription regulatory elements were identified in 950 bp promoter sequence. A recombinant laccase( r Lac) was successfully expressed in P. pastoris and secreted into the culture medium,and the highest enzyme activity of 2. 89 U·m L-1was achieved after fermentation at 28 ℃ for 15 d in YP medium supplemented with 1 mmol · L-1copper. The optimal temperature and p H of r Lac were 55 ℃ and3. 0,respectively. The enzyme was stable at p H 4 ~ 10 and 20 ~ 40 ℃. r Lac can effectively decolorize indigo,azo and triphenylmethane dyes.
Independent sailing with high tetraplegia using sip and puff controls: integration into a community sailing center.

Background: We are continually rediscovering how adapted recreational activity complements the rehabilitation process, enriches patients’ lives and positively impacts outcome measures. Although sports for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) has achieved spectacular visibility, participation by high cervical injuries is often restricted due to poor accessibility, safety concerns, lack of adaptability, and high costs of technology.Methods: We endeavor to demonstrate the mechanisms, adaptability, accessibility, and benefits the sport of sailing creates in the rehabilitative process. Our sailor is a 27-year-old man with a history of traumatic SCI resulting in C4 complete tetraplegia.Results: The participant completed an adapted introductory sailing course, and instruction on the sip-and-puff sail and tiller control mechanism. With practice, he navigated an on-water course in moderate winds of 5 to 15 knots.Discussion: Despite trends toward shorter rehabilitation stays, aggressive transdisciplinary collabor...
Chylothorax: A Rare Complication of Metastatic Prostatic Carcinoma

Chylothorax is an uncommon condition rarely seen in urological oncology and it is an extremely rare complication of prostatic carcinoma. Such a case is described in which successful palliative management with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy was used. Alert recognition of the process and aggressive therapy would appear to be the key to management.
The Cost of Producing Higher Education: An Exploration of Theory, Evidence, and Institutional Policy

Researchers face multiple challenges when studying the cost of producing higher education, which has led many to avoid the topic altogether. As a result, higher education scholarship provides little guidance to institutional leaders aiming to reduce costs in response to financial difficulties. To encourage greater research in this area, we review prominent cost theories, examine empirical research into costs, and explore specific policies that alter costs within colleges and universities. Our theoretical overview focuses on the cost disease, the revenue theory of costs, positional arms races, and the principal-agent problem to explain cost increases within higher education. Our discussion of empirical research is organized around Brinkman’s (Higher education cost functions. In: Hoenack SA, Collins EL (eds) The economics of American universities: management, operations, and fiscal environment. State University of New York Press, Albany, pp. 107–128, 1990) five major determinants of costs: size, scope, level of instruction, discipline, and revenues. When examining institutional policies, we discuss instructional activities and non-instructional activities separately. For instructional costs, we focus our attention on how faculty composition and instructional technology alter costs in higher education. The discussion of non-instructional costs examines how costs can be decreased through reducing scope, increasing economies of scale, eliminating the cost disease, and altering incentives. We conclude the chapter by describing several promising areas for future research.
Reactions Involving Acids and Other Electrophiles

Electrophiles are electron-deficient species that are attracted to an electron-rich center. Electrophiles react by accepting an electron pair in order to form a bond to a nucleophile including the interactions of a proton and a base. Electrophiles are often positively charged as a result of possessing an atom with a positive charge or an atom that does not have an octet of electrons. The formation, stability, and fate of carbocations are described in this chapter. The addition of nucleophiles to electrophiles as well as rearrangements, hydrolysis, and substitution processes that are affected by the interaction of an electrophilic species or facilitated by a Lewis acid will be described.
Utility of Deep Inspiration Breath Hold for Left-Sided Breast Radiation Therapy in Preventing Early Cardiac Perfusion Defects: A Prospective Study.

Purpose To evaluate early cardiac single photon computed tomography (SPECT) findings after left breast/chest wall postoperative radiation therapy (RT) in the setting of deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH). Methods and Materials We performed a prospective single-institution single-arm study of patients who were planned for tangential RT with DIBH to the left breast/chest wall (± internal mammary nodes). The DIBH was done by use of a controlled surface monitoring technique (AlignRT, Vision RT Ltd, London, UK). The RT was given with tangential fields and a heart block. Radiation-induced cardiac perfusion and wall motion changes were assessed by pre-RT and 6-month post-RT SPECT scans. A cumulative SPECT summed-rest score was used to quantify perfusion in predefined left ventricle segments. The incidence of wall motion abnormalities was assessed in each of these same segments. Results A total of 20 patients with normal pre-RT scans were studied; their median age was 56 years (range, 39-72 years). Seven (35%) patients also received irradiation to the left internal mammary chain, and 5 (25%) received an additional RT field to supraclavicular nodes. The median heart dose was 94 cGy (range, 56-200 cGy), and the median V25 Gy was zero (range, 0-0.1). None of the patients had post-RT perfusion or wall motion abnormalities. Conclusions Our results suggest that DIBH and conformal cardiac blocking for patients receiving tangential RT for left-sided breast cancer is an effective means to avoid early RT-associated cardiac perfusion defects.
Insurance and Nuclear Power

The Price—Anderson Act, which establishes procedures for insuring nuclear facilities (including nuclear power plants), was enacted with the dual purpose of protecting the public and encouraging the development of a private nuclear energy industry. As with most aspects of commercial nuclear power, this insurance system has become a target of criticism in recent years, criticisms that can generally be grouped into four categories: that the Price—Anderson Act provides a federal subsidy to the nuclear power industry [1], that the public would be inadequately compensated in the event of a nuclear accident [2–4], that the exclusion from coverage of damage caused by nuclear accidents from all homeowners insurance policies represents a lack of confidence in nuclear power by private insurers [1], and that the Price—Anderson Act removes incentives for safe operation of nuclear power plants [5]. These criticisms have been reviewed in several publications [6–8], and a brief synopsis of these reviews, coupled with the most recent and authoritative review available, that of the Supreme Court (see Note 4), will be given following a description of nuclear insurance as practiced under the Price—Anderson Act.
Possible link of Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-2 with psychiatric diagnosis, ethnicity, disaster or BMI.

Abstract Background Cytokines are of increasing interest as markers for stress responses, mental disorders and general health. We assessed associations of two cytokines with several factors among relocated hurricane survivors and controls. Methods We examined 40 relocated hurricane survivors and 40 demographically matched (frequency matching) Oklahoma controls to assess relationships of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) with psychiatric diagnoses (SCID-IV), demographic variables, hurricane exposure and body mass index (BMI). Participants were predominantly African American (n = 70, 87.5%). Results Relocated Katrina survivors had higher proportions of current PTSD, major depression and psychiatric diagnoses than controls. Unexpectedly, exposure to Katrina with relocation was not by itself associated with differences in IL-2 or IL-6 levels. The mean IL-2 level was significantly higher in African American participants than other ethnicities (8 Caucasians, 2 Asians) and in those with a current psychiatric disorder. The mean IL-6 level was higher in females than males and in participants with any current psychiatric diagnosis. IL-6 level also correlated positively with participants’ BMI. Conclusions Results suggest that cytokines studied were influenced non-specifically by the presence of a mental disorder, and by demographic variables of gender, ethnicity and BMI. Implications of these findings are discussed, as well as possible long-term impact of the identified interleukin differences on immunologic, inflammatory, neuropsychiatric and other systems.
Progress in magnet design activities for the material plasma exposure experiment

Abstract One of the critical challenges for the development of next generation fusion facilities, such as a Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF) or DEMO, is the understanding of plasma material interactions (PMI). Making progress in PMI research will require integrated facilities that can provide the types of conditions that will be seen in the first wall and divertor regions of future fusion facilities. To meet this need, a new linear plasma facility, the Materials Plasma Exposure Experiment (MPEX), is proposed. In order to generate high ion fluence to simulate fusion divertor conditions, a steady-state plasma will be generated and confined with superconducting magnets. The on-axis fields will range from 1 to 2.5 T in order to meet the requirements of the various plasma source and heating systems. Details on the pre-conceptual design of the magnets and cryogenic system are presented.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy as an Alternative to Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE To conduct a large single-institution comparison of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) outcomes in similar groups of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS AND MATERIALS From 2006 to 2014, 209 patients with 1 to 2 tumors underwent TACE (n=84) to 114 tumors or image guided SBRT (n=125) to 173 tumors. Propensity score analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to compare outcomes between treatments while adjusting for imbalances in treatment assignment. Local control (LC), toxicity, and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS The TACE and SBRT groups were similar with respect to the number of tumors treated per patient, underlying liver disease, and baseline liver function. Patients treated with SBRT were older (65 vs 61 years, P=.01), had smaller tumors (2.3 vs 2.9 cm, P<.001), and less frequently underwent liver transplantation (8% vs 18%, P=.01). The 1- and 2-year LC favored SBRT: 97% and 91%, respectively, for SBRT and 47% and 23% for TACE (hazard ratio 66.5, P<.001). For patients treated with TACE, higher alpha-fetoprotein (hazard ratio 1.11 per doubling, P=.008) and segmental portal vein thrombosis (hazard ratio 9.9, P<.001) were associated with worse LC. Predictors associated with LC after SBRT were not identified. Grade 3+ toxicity occurred after 13% and 8% of TACE and SBRT treatments, respectively (P=.05). There was no difference in OS between patients treated with TACE or SBRT. CONCLUSIONS Stereotactic body radiation therapy is a safe alternative to TACE for 1 to 2 tumors and provides better LC, with no observed difference in OS. Prospective comparative trials of TACE and SBRT are warranted.
Nrf2-Inducers Counteract Neurodegeneration in Frataxin-Silenced Motor Neurons: Disclosing New Therapeutic Targets for Friedreich’s Ataxia

Oxidative stress is actively involved in Friedreich's Ataxia (FA), thus pharmacological targeting of the antioxidant machinery may have therapeutic value. Here, we analyzed the relevance of the antioxidant phase II response mediated by the transcription factor Nrf2 on frataxin-deficient cultured motor neurons and on fibroblasts of patients. The in vitro treatment of the potent Nrf2 activator sulforaphane increased Nrf2 protein levels and led to the upregulation of phase II antioxidant enzymes. The neuroprotective effects were accompanied by an increase in neurites' number and extension. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural compound of many diets and is now being used in clinical trials for other pathologies. Our results provide morphological and biochemical evidence to endorse a neuroprotective strategy that may have therapeutic relevance for FA. The findings of this work reinforce the crucial importance of Nrf2 in FA and provide a rationale for using Nrf2-inducers as pharmacological agents.
Age differences in effects of self-generated utility among Black and Hispanic adolescents

Abstract This study tested the effects on interest and achievement of a classroom intervention in which students wrote about the utility of science. Participants were predominantly Black and Hispanic students in 7th and 9th grade (N = 268). The results suggest that the self-generated utility intervention may be fairly robust to differences in students' backgrounds, but is sensitive to age. Among seventh graders, the intervention promoted interest in science for students with high success expectancies. This is in contrast to prior research with high school students, and the pattern among ninth grade students in this study, showing somewhat more positive effects among students with low expectancies. Writing content varied by students' grade level and success expectancies in terms of focus (e.g. self) and temporality (e.g. future).
Controlling the Offender: Sex, Mental Illness and the Static 99

Sexually violent predator (SVP) laws are inherently suspicious because they incarcerate people not because of what they have done, but because of what they might do. The implicit assumption that sex offenders cannot control themselves is contradicted by recidivism data published by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2003. In practice the SVP laws violate due process by relying on an instrument - the Static 99 - that is so inaccurate that it condemns seven individuals for every one that would re-offend. Furthermore, the Static 99 fails to meet the constitutional criteria laid out by the U.S. Supreme Court in Kansas vs. Hendricks, because it does not link an individual's mental illness to his dangerousness. (THIS PAPER WAS PUBLISHED UNDER A DIFFERENT TITLE. CONTROLLING SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS: CONTINUED INCARCERATION AT WHAT COST? IT IS AVAILABLE ON SSRN.)
The long‐tail of online grocery shopping

The “retail long tail” effect implies that both the level and concentration of sales moves to slower selling products in online environments, and total sales rise. We analyze the effect of assortment variation on store sales using data from an online food seller in the Eastern United States. We find that the long‐tail effect is more important in niche categories, deeper assortments are associated with a flatter distribution of sales, and total sales rise with variety. Our findings support the existence of a long tail in online food retailing. [EconLit citations: L16, L81, M31]
Endovascular Treatment of Renal Artery Stenosis

Renal artery stenosis can result in uncontrolled hypertension, kidney failure, or pulmonary edema. In this chapter, treatment of renal artery stenosis using stents is discussed. In addition, outcomes and expected results are described.
Modeling the Effects of Grain and Porosity Structure on Copper Spall Response

Ongoing efforts to characterize the incipient spallation of copper have increased the experimental fidelity at which the material’s microstructure is measured. Various imaging techniques have allowed for 3D characterization of the structure of inclusions, porosity, and crystallographic grains. This work employs a combined crystal mechanics and porosity model that, for the first time, addresses the influence of three different types of spatial distributions of second phase particles, relative to features in both experimentally-measured and synthetically-generated microstructures. With these features, the model can probe the sensitivity of copper spall response to both grain and porosity structures. The sensitivity of the model to various nucleation and porosity growth parameters is also shown. These sensitivity studies illustrate where increased experimental accuracy can most readily affect modeling results. Likewise, the model’s fidelity captures many of the key features measured experimentally and is a step toward a model capable of predicting and improving the spall resistance in many materials.
Comparative evaluation of Low Level Laser Therapy and cryotherapy in pain control and wound healing following orthodontic tooth extraction: A double blind study.

Abstract Purpose To compare and evaluate pain and healing following orthodontic tooth extraction using Low Level Laser Therapy [LLLT] and Cryotherapy. Materials and methods 62 patients referred for orthodontic extraction of bilateral bicuspids were included. Subjects were alternatively divided into two groups with 31 patients each. One of the bilateral extraction sites was subjected to either intervention, LLLT or Cryotherapy, while the other site was kept as control. Pain was assessed for 7 consecutive days by Visual Analogue Scale and Wound healing on 4th, 7th and 14th days using a modified wound healing scale. Results Pain scores were generally better for Group I [LLLT] when compared to Group II [Cryotherapy] on all days. The highest mean score for pain observed on the 1st post-extraction day was 4.00 ± 0.93 and 4.16 ± 0.93 for Group I and Group II respectively [p = 0.42]. It was also observed that LLLT helped in better wound healing as compared to cryotherapy with a significant difference in wound healing on 7th [mean score for Group I and Group II- 1.16 ± 0.52 and 1.6 ± 0.62 respectively: p = 0.01] and 14th [mean score Group I and Group II- 0.23 ± 0.43 and 1.0 ± 0.58 respectively: p = 0.00] post-extraction days. Conclusion LLLT has better analgesic and wound healing properties as compared to Cryotherapy, suggesting that LLLT should be preferred over cryotherapy whenever possible.
Signatures of multiple charge excitations in resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra of metals

We study how multiple charge excitations appear in the resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) spectra of metals. Typically, the focus is upon single excitations in the problem, the plasmons and electron-hole pairs, while the multiexcitation processes are neglected. However, at small momentum transfer the multiexcitation contributions may dominate the signal and one needs to understand how to interpret the data in such cases. In particular, we demonstrate how to ``decode'' the total multiexcitation intensity and extract the plasmon dispersion. While our calculations are based on the random phase approximation for jellium, which does not allow us to obtain quantitatively precise results in the entire region of parameters, we expect them to capture semiqualitatively all features expected for charged Fermi-liquid states, including universal and singular properties of the RIXS spectra.
Prediction of likes and retweets using text information retrieval

Abstract Twitter is one of the major social media platforms today to study human behaviours by analysing their interactions. To ensure popularity of the tweet, the focus should be on the content of the tweet that results in numerous followings of that message with sufficient number of likes and retweets. The high quality of tweets, increases the online reputation of the users who post it. If a user can get the prediction of likes and retweets on his text before posting it on the internet, it would improve the popularity of the tweet from information sharing perspective. In this paper we employed different machine learning classifiers like SVM, Naive Bayes, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Neural Network, on top of two different text processing approaches used in NLP (natural language processing), namely bag-of-words (TFIDF) and word embeddings (Doc2Vec), to check how many likes and retweets can a tweet generate. The results obtained indicate that all the models performed 10-15% better with the bag-of-word technique.
Effects of -diethylaminoethyl-diphenylpropylacetate (SKF 525-A) on biological membranes. II. SKF 525-A-induced effects on the growth and uptake of L-amino acids by Escherichia coli (diploid mutant).

Abstract Previous work has indicated that β-diethylaminoethyl-diphenylpropylacetate (SKF 525-A), a well-known inhibitor of microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes, lowers surface tension and has a biphasic hemolytic effect on the human red blood cell membrane. Present studies further investigate the effect of SKF 525-A on biological membranes and are concerned with the action of SKF 525-A on bacterial cells. A diploid mutant of Escherichia coli which has limited ability to synthesize pyrimidines due to the absence of orotidylate decarboxylase was used for these experiments. SKF 525-A at high concentrations (10 −2 and 10 −3 M) lysed E. coli (diploid mutant) cells either during the exponential or secondary growth phase. However, the rate of cell lysis was greater during the exponential than during the secondary growth phase. The magnitude of cell lysis in both growth phases correlated well with surface activities of SKF 525-A and was linear during the first 30 min. E. coli cells treated with SKF 525-A (10 −5 M) for 4 hr prior to incubation with either uracil or L -isoleucine demonstrated decreased cellular accumulation of these substrates. The degrees of inhibition by SKF 525-A on the cellular uptake of these substrates were similar in spite of the dissimilarity of structures. The phenomena of cell lyses and impaired uptake of metabolic substrates suggest that the effect of SKF 525-A concerns an alteration of the cell wall and/or cell membrane rather than a specific effect on transport mechanisms.
Electrospun Mn2O3 web electrodes: Influence of fabrication parameters on electrochemical performance

Supercapacitors are an important developing technology for renewable energy, hybrid and electric vehicles, and personal electronics. One material of interest for supercapacitor electrodes is Mn2O3, which is low cost, nontoxic, and easily fabricated. While traditional electrode fabrication involves mixing active materials with binders and conductive agents, electrospinning Mn2O3 fibers directly onto charge-collecting substrates simplifies processing and reduces overall mass. Herein, the effects of electrospinning solution composition, electrospinning duration, and calcination time on the electrochemical storage capacity of Mn2O3 web electrodes are studied. Electrode morphologies are examined, and the relationships between processing, morphology, and storage capacity are discussed. A numerical model fit to the data assesses a relative significance of the four fabrication parameters.
Public health nudges: weighing individual liberty and population health benefits

Libertarian paternalism describes the idea of nudging-that is, steering individual decision-making while preserving freedom of choice. In medicine, libertarian paternalism has gained widespread attention, specifically with respect to interventions designed to promote healthy behaviours. Some scholars argue that nudges appropriately balance autonomy and paternalistic beneficence, while others argue that nudges inherently exploit cognitive weaknesses. This paper further explores the ethics of libertarian paternalism in public health. The use of nudges may infringe on an individual's voluntary choice, autonomy and informed consent, but they are ethically justified when there is a clear public health benefit to the manipulation of choice.
Smoking as a risk factor for complications following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between smoking status and postoperative complications within 30 days of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify all patients who underwent ARCR from 2015 to 2017. Smokers were defined as patients who reported smoking cigarettes in the year prior to rotator cuff repair. Patients who used chewing tobacco, cigars, or electronic cigarettes were not included in the smoking cohort. Postoperative complications were reported within 30 days of the procedure. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to investigate the relationship between smoking status and postoperative complications. Results There were 18,594 patients included in this study. Of these patients, 2834 (15.2%) were current smokers. Smokers were more likely to be men, to be aged Conclusion Smoking may be a risk factor for surgical complications, readmission, and sepsis or septic shock within 30 days of ARCR.
Clinical outcomes of pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders and intracranial germ cell tumors.

Introduction Intracranial germ cell tumors (IGCTs) are rare tumors of the central nervous system with peak incidence around puberty. Given the developmental origins of IGCTs, we investigated the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in patients with IGCTs and characterized outcomes for patients with NDD and IGCTs. Methods A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for 111 patients diagnosed with IGCTs between 1998 and 2018 and evaluated at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test was used for survival analyses. Cox regression analyses were performed for parameters associated with progression-free survival (PFS). Results Median age at IGCT diagnosis was 12.8 years (range: 4.3-21.7) and median follow-up was 6.5 years (range: 0.2-20.5). Eighteen patients were diagnosed with NDDs prior to IGCT diagnosis, including five patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Of the 67 patients with pure germinomas, four (6.0 %) had prior ASD diagnoses. Patients with NDD had significantly inferior PFS in the nongerminomatous germ cell tumor (NGGCT) cohort. On univariate and multivariable analyses, craniospinal irradiation (CSI) was significantly associated with improved PFS in the NGGCT cohort. Conclusions Our study found an ASD prevalence in the pure germinoma cohort more than threefold greater than the national prevalence, suggesting an association between ASD and pure germinomas. Furthermore, patients with NDD and NGGCT had worse PFS, possibly due to fewer patients with NDD receiving CSI. Future prospective studies with larger cohorts are needed to examine associations between NDDs and IGCTs, and further characterize outcomes for patients with NDDs and IGCTs.
Academic Turning Points: How Microaggressions and Macroaggressions Inhibit Diversity and Inclusion in the Academy:

In this essay, I reflect upon my experiences as a student, faculty member, and editor. I argue that microaggressions and macroaggressions, in classrooms and conference rooms, facilitate academic tu...
The breathing brain: The potential of neural oscillations for the understanding of respiratory perception in health and disease

Dyspnea or breathlessness is a symptom occurring in multiple acute and chronic illnesses, however, the understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying its subjective experience is limited. In this topical review, we propose neural oscillatory dynamics and cross-frequency coupling as viable candidates for a neural mechanism underlying respiratory perception, and a technique warranting more attention in respiration research. With the evidence for the potential of neural oscillations in the study of normal and disordered breathing coming from disparate research fields with a limited history of interdisciplinary collaboration, the main objective of the review was to converge the existing research and suggest future directions. The existing findings show that distinct limbic and cortical activations, as measured by hemodynamic responses, underlie dyspnea, however, the time-scale of these activations is not well understood. The recent findings of oscillatory neural activity coupled with the respiratory rhythm could provide the solution to this problem, however, more research with a focus on dyspnea is needed. We also touch on the findings of distinct spectral patterns underlying the changes in breathing due to experimental manipulations, meditation and disease. Subsequently, we suggest general research directions and specific research designs to supplement the current knowledge using neural oscillation techniques. We argue for the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration and the converging of neuroimaging and behavioral methods to best explain the emergence of the subjective and aversive individual experience of dyspnea.
The Moth-Eaten Mandible: Osteomyelitis.

Inflammatory lesions such as osteomyelitis of the jaw may share some of the radiographic features of malignancy; however, a demonstrable dental cause for it usually exists. In addition, inflammator...
AC2P20 selectively kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis at acidic pH by depleting free thiols.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) senses and adapts to host immune cues as part of its pathogenesis. One environmental cue sensed by Mtb is the acidic pH of its host niche in the macrophage phagosome. Disrupting the ability of Mtb to sense and adapt to acidic pH has the potential to reduce survival of Mtb in macrophages. Previously, a high throughput screen of a ∼220 000 compound small molecule library was conducted to discover chemical probes that inhibit Mtb growth at acidic pH. The screen discovered chemical probes that kill Mtb at pH 5.7 but are inactive at pH 7.0. In this study, AC2P20 was prioritized for continued study to test the hypothesis that it was targeting Mtb pathways associated with pH-driven adaptation. RNAseq transcriptional profiling studies showed AC2P20 modulates expression of genes associated with redox homeostasis. Gene enrichment analysis revealed that the AC2P20 transcriptional profile had significant overlap with a previously characterized pH-selective inhibitor, AC2P36. Like AC2P36, we show that AC2P20 kills Mtb by selectively depleting free thiols at acidic pH. Mass spectrometry studies show the formation of a disulfide bond between AC2P20 and reduced glutathione, supporting a mechanism where AC2P20 is able to deplete intracellular thiols and dysregulate redox homeostasis. The observation of two independent molecules targeting free thiols to kill Mtb at acidic pH further supports that Mtb has restricted redox homeostasis and sensitivity to thiol-oxidative stress at acidic pH.
5-Arylvinyl-2,2'-bipyridyls: Bright "push-pull" dyes as components in fluorescent indicators for zinc ions.

This article reviews the zinc(II)-dependent photophysical properties of arylvinylbipyridines (AVBs), a class of fluoroionophores in which 2,2'-bipyridyl and an aryl moiety are electronically conjugated. Zinc(II) binding of an AVB may lead to an emission bathochromic shift of the fluoroionophore without diminishing its fluorescence quantum yield. This observation can be explained using the excited state model of electron donor-π bridge-electron acceptor "push-pull" fluorophores, in which the bipy moiety acts as an electron acceptor, and zinc(II)-coordination strengthens its electron affinity. The spectral sensitivity of bipy-containing fluoroionophores, such as AVBs, to zinc(II) can be exploited to prepare fluorescent indicators for this ion. In several cases, AVB moieties are incorporated in fluorescent heteroditopic ligands, so that the variation of zinc(II) concentration over a relatively large range can be correlated to fluorescence changes in either intensity or color. AVB fluoroionophores are also used to introduce an intramolecular Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) strategy for creating zinc(II) indicators with high photostability and a narrow emission band, two desired characteristics of dyes used in fluorescence microscopy.
Polyphosphazenes with Immobilized Dyes as Potential Color Filter Materials

Red, green, and blue dye molecules were linked covalently to polyphosphazenes to generate soluble, film-forming materials appropriate for the formation of patterned tricolor filters for possible use in liquid crystalline and other display devices or in camera sensors. The monofunctional dyes (a red 1-[(E)-(4-nitrophenyl)diazenyl]-2-naphthol, a green tetraphenylporphyrin [5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin], and a toluidine blue dye) were employed as representative chromophores. The cosubstituents employed included 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy with and without aryloxy groups or cyclopentanoxy groups. The optical densities were varied by adopting several dye-to-cosubstituent side group ratios. These dyes are models for a wide range of different chromophores that can be linked to polyphosphazene chains.
Deletion of a coordinate regulator of type 2 cytokine expression in mice

Mechanisms underlying the differentiation of stable T helper subsets will be important in understanding how discrete types of immunity develop in response to different pathogens. An evolutionarily conserved {approx}400 base pair non-coding sequence in the IL-4/IL-13 intergenic region, designated CNS-1, was deleted in mice. The capacity to develop Th2 cells was compromised in vitro and in vivo in the absence of CNS-1. Despite the profound effect in T cells, mast cells from CNS-1-deleted mice maintained their capacity to produce IL-4. A T cell-specific element critical for optimal expression of type 2 cytokines may represent evolution of a regulatory sequence exploited by adaptive immunity.
Abstract 12589: Quantitative Assessment of Mid-Systolic Deceleration and Notching in the Right Ventricular Ejection Doppler Envelope is Useful in Predicting Hemodynamics and Patient Outcomes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background: Increased reflective wave from pulmonary artery (PA) causes mid-systolic deceleration (MSD) and notching in Doppler flow velocity envelope of RV ejection flow. Our aim is to test whether profile of MSD and notching provides insight into hemodynamics and patient outcomes in pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH), using quantitative measurements. We hypothesized that the deceleration time of the MSD slope (DTMSD), meaning the steepness of the slope, reflects interaction between RV ejection and reflective wave, and that peak velocity of post-notching flow (Vpost) reflects RV function. Methods: We reviewed RV ejection flow envelope recordings by pulsed wave Doppler for 157 consecutive patients with PAH between 1/2008 and 3/2013 (age 57 ± 14) with an estimated RV systolic pressure of 79 ± 23 mmHg. DTMSD was measured as the time between the first peak acceleration wave and MSD slope extrapolated to zero line. We also reviewed right heart catheterization performed within one month from echocardiography in 78 of the 157 patients. Results: We identified MSD and notching in 148 patients. On multivariate regression analyses, PA capacitance was the key determinant of DTMSD (beta = -0.49, p Conclusion: Mid-systolic deceleration of RV ejection flow became steeper in the setting of lower PA compliance causing a greater reflectance wave. Reduced peak velocity of post-notching flow reflected impaired RV with reduced cardiac output. Quantitative assessment of profile of mid-systolic deceleration and notching in RV ejection flow envelope is useful in predicting hemodynamics and patient outcomes in PAH.
Decontamination of cattle hides prior to slaughter using washes with and without antimicrobial agents.

Two trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of cattle wash treatments in reducing pathogens on hides of cattle before slaughter. In trial I, live cattle (n = 120) were washed in an automated, commercial cattle wash system with one of four treatments (single water wash, double water wash, water wash with 0.5% l-lactic acid, or water wash with 50 ppm chlorine). Samples were collected at three locations (brisket, belly, and inside round) pre- and posttreatment to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments on the reduction of aerobic plate counts, coliforms, Escherichia coli and the incidence of Salmonella. For all three locations, bacterial numbers increased from 0.1 to 0.8 log CFU/cm2 posttreatment. In trial II, hide samples were inoculated in the laboratory with 6.0 log CFU/cm2 of rifampicin-resistant Salmonella serotype Typhimurium. Hide wash treatments included higher concentrations of chlorine (100, 200, and 400 ppm) and l-lactic acid (2, 4, and 6%), as well as other antimicrobial agents such as e...
MANIFESTATIONS OF INJURY IN YEAST CELLS EXPOSED TO SUBZERO TEMPERATURES I. : Morphological Changes in Freeze-Substituted and in “Frozen-Thawed” Cells

Mazur, Peter (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.). Manifestations of injury in yeast cells exposed to subzero temperatures. I. Morphological changes in freeze-substituted and in “frozen-thawed” cells. J. Bacteriol. 82:662–672. 1961.—When cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are cooled rapidly to −30 C or below, fewer than 0.01% survive. In contrast, when they are cooled slowly, up to 50% survive. The effect of cooling rate on survival was reflected in the morphological appearance of cells both before and after thawing. Appearance before thawing was observed by fixing the cells at subzero temperatures by freeze-substitution with cold ethanol. Slowly cooled freeze-substituted cells were considerably smaller and more flattened than those cooled rapidly. The differences in appearance and the differences in survival are both consistent with the view that intracellular ice formation occurs more extensively in rapidly cooled cells and is responsible for their higher mortality. In spite of the high mortality (more than 99.99% killed), rapidly cooled cells remained as intact morphological entities when they were allowed to warm and thaw instead of undergoing freeze-substitution. However, they did differ from normal living yeast in two major respects: Their volume was halved and they lacked the large vacuole found in almost all the untreated living cells. The possession of a vacuole was closely correlated with survival. Suspensions warmed after slow cooling to −30 C contained cells of normal appearance and also nonvacuolate smaller ones. The admixture of morphological types was consistent with the fact that slow cooling yielded a higher percentage of viable cells than did rapid cooling. Images