cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Modern Clinicopathological Approach to Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract The clinicopathological method is a time-honored approach in scientific medicine that links bedside and pathological observations to pathophysiological hypotheses which then can be tested in models and turn up more refined hypotheses or, in best case scenarios, new diagnostics and therapeutics. Some neurological conditions, for example, neurodegenerative diseases and multiple sclerosis have already been through this cycle and, as a result, we now have an improved understanding of these illnesses and in some of them, for example, multiple sclerosis, we have significant therapeutic developments. The field of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is early in the clinicopathological process. Part of the reason is that TBI is an adversity, rather than single illness, that gives rise to diverse problems, many of which behave as chronic disease with varied outcomes. Achieving greater clarity in distinct morbidities, causes, mechanisms, hypotheses, and models is key before progress is made. The present stalemate in the field is partly due to failures in the implementation of the principles of scientific medicine.
Long Term Survival Using Intensive Multiagent Chemotherapy for Relapses of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).

Relapses of childhood ALL that occur on therapy are associated with a dismal survival. To improve the prognosis for these patients, we developed an intensive multiagent chemotherapy protocol consisting of an induction with idarubicin, vincristine (VCR), dexamethasone (DEX), and peg-asparaginase (PEG). Consolidation included high-dose cytarabine (ARA-C), etoposide (VP-16), and PEG followed by VCR and methotrexate (MTX). After an interim maintenance (IM), induction and consolidation were repeated followed by maintenance therapy lasting two years. Maintenance and IM consisted of alternating two week cycles of VP-16, ARA-C, and PEG, with MTX ,VCR, DEX, and PEG. Between 1992 and 2002, 53 pts (32M, 21F) received treatment according to this protocol, 21 of whom were treated as part of the original study (Leahey AM et al., Med Ped Onco34(5):313–8, 2000). Median time to relapse was 37 months from diagnosis (range 12–86 mos). Twenty-one pts were on therapy at relapse and 25 pts were 36 months CR1 is associated with an EFS of 70% +/−9% (CI 50%–84%). Of the events in all pts who initiated therapy,13 were from refractory/recurrent ALL (25%), and 10 pts died of toxicity (19%). Four pts died from chemotherapy induced toxicity (8%), and 6 died from transplant (BMT) related toxicities (11%). Fourteen pts in second remission proceeded to BMT at a mean of 5 months from relapse (range 4.5–8 mos), and 7 of these pts remain in CR2. Of the 39 pts who continued on chemotherapy, 6 pts (35%) with CR1 36 months remain in CR2 or 3. The 19 pts who were treated on modern standard risk (SR) protocols (CCG-1881 to present) were more salvagable than their 20 high risk (HR) counterparts (CCG-1882 to present). Five year EFS for SR and HR pts is 67% +/−8% (CI 48%–80%) and 38% +/−12% (CI 16%–59%) respectively. Intensive rotating therapy with reinduction and reconsolidation improves EFS. Children with early EM relapses of ALL, CR1 > 36 months, and SR patients all have very good long term survival. Novel therapies need to be integrated into intensive relapse protocols for children with early BM relapse and children treated upfront on HR protocols.
The Educational Potential of YouTube

The objective of this paper was to examine the educational potential and effectiveness of a 3 min video clip of a simulation of schizophrenia published online at YouTube. Researchers examined the 267 public comments published on the video-sharing website YouTube over 8 years by viewers of a schizophrenia simulation video titled “virtual hallucinations” made in the Second Life game platform. Comments were independently categorized into six groupings, then cooperatively finalized, and qualitatively analyzed. The six categories of style of comments were “Emotional” (n = 76), “Identification” (n = 62), “Educational Interest” (n = 45), “Mocking/Displeased” (n = 36), “Game Interest” (n = 32), and “Other” (n = 25). Without any advertising or marketing by the creators, over 194,400 views of the video were recorded in 8 years, an average of about 1500 views per month. The use of YouTube with its viral marketing potential has created a vastly amplified reach for this educational offering that would otherwise have been impossible. Qualitative analysis of publically posted comments in response to the video, which were generally positive, has led to a greater understanding of public reactions to such educational offerings. YouTube videos are already a rich source of data for psychiatric researchers, and psychiatric educators should consider posting high quality video clips on publically available social media platforms such as YouTube in order to reduce public stigma about psychiatric disorders and patients.
Renal Failure After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Do We Know the Full Story?∗

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has long been identified as a risk factor for patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). This is relevant not only to the perioperative period, for which it predicts 30-day mortality, but also to the longer-term prognosis. Data from the Society of
Television Viewing Time, Physical Activity, and Mortality Among African Americans.

BACKGROUND Prolonged television viewing time, a marker of sedentary activity, is independently associated with increased all-cause mortality; however, this association has rarely been studied in African Americans. The objective of our study was to examine the association between television viewing time and mortality among African Americans by using data from the Jackson Heart Study (JHS). METHODS We studied 5,289 participants from the JHS study who reported television viewing time (h/day) in the JHS baseline questionnaire from 2000 through 2004. Using multivariable Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, nutrition, prevalent coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension, we computed hazard ratios to examine the association between television viewing time (≤2 h/day, 2-4 h/day, and ≥4 h/day) and mortality. RESULTS Participants had a mean age of 55 years, and 64% were women. After a median follow-up of 9.9 years (interquartile range, 9.0-10.7), 615 deaths occurred (data analysis conducted in 2017). Hazard ratios for mortality were 1.08 (0.86-1.37) for television time of 2 to 4 hours per day and 1.48 (95% CI: 1.19-1.83) for television time of greater than or equal to 4 hours per day when compared with those who watched television less than 2 hours per day (P trend = .002). When we restricted analyses to those who performed leisure-time activities, the hazard ratios for mortality were 1.10 (95% CI, 0.84-1.45) for television viewing of 2 to 4 hours per day and 1.45 (95% CI, 1.13-1.86) for more than 4 hours per day compared with the less than 2 hours per day. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that greater television viewing time, even among those who perform leisure-time physical activities, is associated with increased all-cause mortality among African Americans. Thus, it may serve as an indicator of a sedentary lifestyle with potential for intervention.
Tidal Marshes in the Saco River Estuary, Maine: A Study of Plant Diversity and Possible Effects of Shoreline Development

abstract We surveyed plant diversity in the tidal fresh, brackish and salt marshes of the 10-km long Saco River estuary in southern Maine. We also investigated possible relationships between shoreline development in the estuary, nitrogen levels in marsh sediments, and marsh plant species composition. Plant species cover was determined in 1 m2 quadrats along transects in sixteen marsh study sites, and land cover was mapped in a 100-m buffer around each site. Nitrogen content (total nitrogen, nitrate and ammonium) of marsh sediments was measured at ten sites. Marsh porewater salinities were determined to range from 0.2±0.1 to 18.6±2.9 ppt (mean±1 SE), with species diversity the greatest in marshes where salinity was less than 8 ppt. We identified 72 vascular plant species in the estuary's marshes, including ten that are listed as threatened or of special concern in the state of Maine. Ordination results showed that the extent of development along the shoreline correlated with the variation in plant species ...
A Comparative Report on Intracranial Tumor-to-Tumor Metastasis and Collision Tumors.

Background The incidence of 2 distinct tumor types occupying the same anatomic location is rarely observed and may be accounted for by 2 separate mechanisms: tumor-to-tumor metastasis and collision tumors, where 2 adjacent tumors invade one another. These rare phenomena arise from distinct mechanisms, which may affect their preoperative recognition, surgical approach, and postoperative care. We review 2 cases, highlighting their identification and perioperative management. Case Descriptions In case 1, a 71-year-old patient with a history of sphenoid wing meningioma presented with headache, nausea, and vomiting and was found to have a mass with meningioma and glioblastoma (GBM) characteristics. In case 2, a 61-year-old man with worsening dysmetria in the setting of unintentional weight loss presented with multiple masses in the pelvis, abdomen, lung, and brain. The brain masses were classified as meningioma with intratumoral metastatic adenocarcinoma foci. Conclusions Preoperative recognition of collision tumor and tumor-to-tumor metastasis is imperative for surgical planning, including selecting regions for tissue biopsy and goals of care. Meticulous evaluation of history and imaging and thorough pathologic analysis allow for effective diagnosis and optimal patient outcomes.
The slope of cortisol from awakening to 30 min post-wake in post-institutionalized children and early adolescents.

Abstract This study examined the association between early life adversity, in the form of early rearing in an institution (orphanage), and the slope of cortisol in the first thirty minutes after waking in 277 children, aged 7 through 15 years old, who had either been adopted between 6 and 60 months of age into well-resourced homes in the United States or born into similar homes. The adopted youth were divided at the median (age 16 months) into those adopted earlier (earlier-adopted, EA) and later (later-adopted, LA). The purpose of this study was to examine the post-waking slope in cortisol in post-institutionalized youth, predicting that it would be blunted, especially in later-adopted youth, when compared to the non-adopted (NA) youth. A secondary goal was to examine whether there would be some evidence of less blunting of the first 30 min of the cortisol awakening response among the children further along in pubertal development (i.e., Pubertal Recalibration Hypothesis). Pubertal stage was determined by nurse exam. Salivary cortisol was assessed at 0 and 30-min post-awakening on three days. The results showed that LA children had a blunted wake-30 min cortisol slope relative to NA and EA children. Neither the age by group nor pubertal stage by group analyses were significant. However, the majority of the sample were in early stages of puberty (56% in stages 1 & 2), thus the power was low for detecting such an interaction. This is the first year of a cohort-sequential longitudinal study examining early experiences and pubertal influences on the HPA axis, so it will be important to re-examine this question as the sample ages.
Roots of Identity

According to “Miss Manners,” most families have at least one relative who “can give you the provenance of your entire face, telling you the source of your eye color, curls, freckles and the angle of your ears. Furthermore, they can tell you why you are so stubborn, passive or restless, whether you will turn out to be no good, and at what age you can expect to lose your figure, hair, teeth, and memory” (Martin, 2000, p. F5).
Renal Handling of Magnesium

Each day, approximately l800 mg of magnesium (Mg) is lost from plasma into the glomerulus but only 3–5% of filtered Mg is excreted in the urine. This conservation process is due to an effective tubular reabsorption of Mg. The normal concentration of Mg in blood is 1.7–2.2 mg/dl and is present in two forms. A diffusible fraction constitutes (75±9%, mean ± SD) of the total level, and it is this fraction which is filtered at the glomerulus; and a non-diffusible moiety which is bound to protein. The relationship between these two forms follows the simple mass action equilibrium.
Cancer susceptibility gene mutations in type I and II endometrial cancer

Abstract Objectives To determine the incidence of germline cancer predisposition gene mutations in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) subtypes. Methods Germline DNA was extracted from whole blood collected from consenting patients undergoing primary surgery for EC between 5/2005 and 11/2016. DNA samples were evaluated by product sequencing from a targeted multiplex PCR panel including 21 known/suspected cancer predisposition genes. Variants were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic based on allele frequency ( Results Germline panel testing was performed on 1170 cases of EC; 849 (72.6%) were type I, and 321 (27.4%) were type II EC, including 135 (11.5%) uterine serous cancers (USC). BRCA1 mutations were enriched in Type II EC compared to Type I EC (0.93% vs. 0.12%, p = 0.07). Lynch Syndrome (LS) mutations were identified in 1.4% of type I and 1.6% of type II EC (p = 0.79), including 1.5% for USC. In total, predisposition gene mutations were present in 4.2% of type I and 5.3% of type II EC, as well as 6.7% of patients with USC). Conclusions BRCA1/2 and Lynch mutations were rare in this cohort of unselected patients with type I and II EC, including USC. However, the presence of predisposition gene mutations in 4.2% of EC type I, 5.3% of EC type II, and 6.7% of USC suggests that somatic mutation testing should be considered for all EC patients.
Technology shocks and the restructuring of an industry: a social network analysis application for the music business

The music industry has seen aggressive mergers and acquisitions in the past 180 years, favouring an oligopolistic model controlling the entire supply chain from content producer to consumer. However, technology disruption and convergence has influenced the path dependency of the industry and led to a drastic redefinition of business models. We examine industry relationships using social network analysis (SNA) and determine that new technology agents in the digital era are displacing the traditional distribution channels within the music industry. We show that the industry experienced technology shocks contributing to the phasing out of traditional elements of the industry's value delivery, creating three areas of opportunity for tech entrepreneurs: 1) manufacturing; 2) distribution; 3) transaction(s). Currently, the post-shocks music industry is dependent on technology companies for the connection to consumers. These relatively new technology companies in the digital era are significantly reorganising the network expanding their control of music consumption.
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Acquisition in a Tertiary Care Hospital: Testing the Roles of Antibiotic Use, Proton Pump Inhibitor Use, and Colonization Pressure.

Background Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, and asymptomatic colonization precedes infection. VRE continues to spread despite widespread application of pathogen-specific control guidelines. A better understanding of the risk factors for transmission is needed. Methods A retrospective matched case-control study was performed from June 2013 through December 2016 in a single institution. Patients in 6 intensive care units, 1 hematology and oncology unit, and 1 bone marrow transplant unit were screened by means of rectal swab sampling on admission and weekly thereafter. Case patients had a negative swab sample followed by a positive sample >3 days after admission. Controls were closely matched to case patients based on time from admission to the second swab sample, unit in which the second sample was obtained, and date of admission. Comorbidity data, procedures, healthcare settings and exposures, culture data, and duration of antibiotic and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy were abstracted from the electronic medical record. A multivariable risk factor model for conversion was generated using purposeful selection. Results A total of 551 case patients were matched with controls. The largest modifiable effects on VRE acquisition were ≥1 day of vancomycin therapy (odd ratio, 1.98; P < .001), ≥1 day of aerobic antibiotic therapy (1.90; P < .001), and a dose-dependent effect of PPI therapy (odds ratio per day of therapy, 1.09; P < .001). Colonization pressures from patients identified to be carriers and placed in contact precautions did not confer increased risk. Conclusions Decreasing PPI use and preventing the inappropriate initiation of antibiotic therapy are modifiable targets to decrease VRE transmission in the hospital.
United States Jewish Population, 2018

This chapter examines the size, geographic distribution, and selected characteristics of the Jewish population of the US. Section 6.1 addresses the procedures employed to estimate the Jewish population of more than 900 local Jewish communities and parts thereof. Section 6.2 presents the major changes in local Jewish population estimates since last year’s Year Book. Section 6.3 presents a brief migration history of American Jews and examines population estimates for the country as a whole, each state, the four US Census Regions, the nine US Census Divisions, the 21 largest US Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), the 21 largest Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs), and the 52 Jewish Federation service areas with 20,000 or more Jews. Section 6.4 examines changes in the size and geographic distribution of the Jewish population at national, state, and regional scales from 1980 to 2018. Section 6.5 presents a description of local Jewish community studies completed in the past year (Indianapolis, St. Petersburg). Section 6.6 presents comparisons of Jewish communities on antisemitism. Section 6.7 presents an atlas of local American Jewish communities, including a national map of Jews by county and 14 regional and state maps of Jewish communities.
Schmallenberg Disease-A Newly Emerged Culicoides-borne Viral Disease of Ruminants.

First appearing in 2011 in Northern Europe, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), an Orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup, is associated with clinical disease mainly in ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats. The clinical signs are characterized by abortion and congenital deformities in newborns. The virus is transmitted by Culicoides midges of the Obsoletus complex. SBV infection induces a solid protective immunity that persists for at least 4 or 6 years in sheep and cattle, respectively. SBV infection can be diagnosed directly by real-time RT-qPCR and virus isolation or indirectly by serological assays. Three vaccines are commercially available in Europe. This article provides a comprehensive literature review on this emerging disease regarding pathogenesis, transmission, diagnosis, control and prevention. This review also highlights that although much has been learned since SBV’s first emergence, there are still areas that require further study to devise better mitigation strategies.
Chemoselective Tertiary C-H Hydroxylation for Late-Stage Functionalization with Mn(PDP)/Chloroacetic Acid Catalysis.

Aromatic and heterocyclic functionality are ubiquitous in pharmaceuticals. Herein, we disclose a new Mn(PDP)catalyst system using chloroacetic acid additive capable of chemoselectively oxidizing remote tertiary C(sp3)-H bonds in the presence of a broad range of aromatic and heterocyclic moieties. Although catalyst loadings can be lowered to 0.1 mol% under a Mn(PDP)/acetic acid system for aromatic and non-basic nitrogen heterocycle substrates, the Mn(PDP)/chloroacetic acid system generally affords 10-15% higher isolated yields on these substrates and is uniquely effective for remote C(sp3)-H hydroxylations in substrates housing basic nitrogen heterocycles. The demonstrated ability to perform Mn(PDP)/chloroacetic acid C(sp3)-H oxidations in pharmaceutically relevant complex molecules on multi-gram scales will facilitate drug discovery processes via late-stage functionalization.
Enhancing chemical stability of tetranitro biimidazole-based energetic materials through co-crystallization

Co-crystallization technology was employed as a way of solving two problems hampering the usefulness of 4,4′,5,5′-tetranitro-2,2′biimidazole (TNBI) as a viable energetic material, namely hygroscopi...
Benzodiazepine Overuse in Elders: Defining the Problem and Potential Solutions.

Objective To determine the prevalence of benzodiazepine use in adults aged 65 and older at two West Virginia academic medical centers as phase one of a benzodiazepine deprescribing strategy. Design Cross-sectional Setting Two academic hospitals in West Virginia with 107,504 hospitalized adults age 65 and older from the years 2010 to 2018 with information on admission medication use. Measurements Use of benzodiazepines based on presence on the admission medication list. Demographics, select co-morbidities, and laboratory tests were also recorded. Results The prevalence of benzodiazepine use was 13.5% and use remained relatively constant with increasing age over 65, even in those over age 89. Conclusion Efforts aimed at assessing the true need for benzodiazepine use and deprescribing need to be employed, particularly with advancing age.
Development of the middle-range theory of wound itch

The problem of itch occurring with chronic wounds has been recognised, but is often ignored in practice. This paper describes the process of how the 'theory of wound itch' was formulated from Levine's conservation model. Concepts and propositions from the conceptual model were used to develop the theory. The theory will provide a basis for nursing research and practice.
Addictive Technology and Its Implications for Antitrust Enforcement

The advent of mobile devices and digital media platforms in the past decade represents the biggest shock to cognition in human history. Robust medical evidence is emerging that digital media platforms are addictive and, when used in excess, harmful to users’ mental health. Other types of addictive products, like tobacco and prescription drugs, are heavily regulated to protect consumers. Currently, there is no regulatory structure protecting digital media users from these harms. Antitrust enforcement and regulation that lowers entry barriers could help consumers of social media by increasing competition. Economic theory tells us that increased choice in digital media will increase the likelihood that some firms will vie to offer higher quality and safer platforms. For this reason, evaluating harm to innovation (especially safety innovation) and product variety may be particularly important in social media merger and conduct cases. A critical element to enforcement of the antitrust laws in this space is a correct accounting of social media’s addictive qualities. Standard antitrust analysis seeks to prohibit conduct that harms consumer welfare. Economists have taught the antitrust bar that a reliable proxy for consumer welfare is the output of a product or service. However, output and welfare do not have this relationship when a product is addictive. In social media markets, increased output is often harmful, making this assumption incorrect. We argue that antitrust analysis must reject the output proxy and re-turn to a focus on consumer welfare itself in cases involving addictive social media plat-forms. In particular, courts should reject defenses that rely only on gross output measures without evidence that any alleged increases in output actually benefit consumers.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Predicting Outcomes Among Patients at Risk for Cardiac AL Amyloidosis.

Introduction: Patients with systemic AL amyloidosis (AL) should be evaluated for cardiac amyloidosis (CA), as prognosis is strongly related to cardiac involvement. We assessed the characteristics of patients referred to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with suspected CA from a cancer center and determine predictors of mortality/heart failure hospitalizations (HFH). Methods: Forty-four consecutive patients referred for CMR with suspected CA were retrospectively included. Variables collected included cardiac biomarkers, in addition to echocardiographic and CMR variables. Survival analyses were performed to determine which variables were more predictive of mortality and HFH. Results: Of the 44 patients included, 55% were females. 73% of patients were diagnosed with CA by CMR; 56% of them had an established diagnosis of AL. Patients with CA by CMR had higher native T1, higher extracellular volume (ECV) fraction, higher T2, less negative GLS by Echo, and higher troponin I and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the following were predictive of mortality: an ECV ≥ 0.50 (p = 0.0098), CMR LVEF 0.03 (p = 0.0025). In a stepwise conditional Cox logistic regression model, the only variable predictive of a composite of mortality and HFH was ECV (HR: 1.17, 95% CI = 1.02-1.34 p = 0.030). Conclusion: ECV seems to be an important biomarker that could be a predictor of outcomes in cardiac AL amyloidosis. In combination, CMR and serum cardiac biomarkers might help to establish prognosis in patients with CA.
Integrated Cognitive-Behavioral Social Skills Training and Compensatory Cognitive Training for Negative Symptoms of Psychosis: Effects in a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE Negative symptoms and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia (SZ) remain unmet treatment needs as they are highly prevalent, associated with poor functional outcomes, and resistant to pharmacologic treatment. The current pilot randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of an integrated Cognitive-Behavioral Social Skills Training and Compensatory Cognitive Training (CBSST-CCT) intervention compared to Goal-focused Supportive Contact (SC) on negative symptoms and cognitive performance. METHODS Fifty-five adults with SZ or schizoaffective disorder with moderate-to-severe negative symptoms were randomized to receive 25 twice-weekly, 1-h manualized group sessions (12.5 weeks total duration) of either CBSST-CCT or SC delivered by master's level clinicians in five community settings. Assessments of negative symptom severity (primary outcomes) and neuropsychological performance, functional capacity, social skills performance, and self-reported functional ability/everyday functioning, psychiatric symptom severity, and motivation (secondary outcomes) were administered at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS Mixed-effects models using baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment data demonstrated significant CBSST-CCT-associated effects on negative symptom severity, as assessed by the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (p = .049, r = 0.22), with improvements in diminished motivation driving this effect (p = .037, r = 0.24). The CBSST-CCT group also demonstrated improved verbal learning compared to SC participants (p = .026, r = 0.36). The effects of CBSST-CCT appeared to be durable at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS CBSST-CCT improved negative symptom severity and verbal learning in high-negative-symptom individuals relative to SC. CBSST-CCT warrants larger investigations to examine its efficacy in treating negative symptoms, along with other symptoms, cognition, and, ultimately, real-world functional outcomes. Clinical Trial registration number NCT02170051.
The Oxford companion to women's writing in the United States

From Anne Bradstreet's The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America in the seventeenth century, to Toni Morrison's Nobel Prize in 1993, women writers have woven a rich tapestry of voices across four centuries of American history. Their writings have embraced a marvellous diversity of visions, including those of Emily Dickinson, Gertrude Stein, Maya Angelou, Edith Wharton, Adrienne Rich, and Willa Cather. The Oxford Companion to Women's Writing in the United States provides a comprehensive, authoritative, and highly informative survey of these writers and their work as it illuminates the issues that fired their imaginations. Over eight hundred entries, ranging from brief identifications to extensive essays, offer a goldmine of information about women's writing, women's history, and women's concerns. The contributors - many of whom are well-known writers such as Susan Faludi, Deborah Tannen, Jane Gallop, and Nell Irvin Painter - provide not only biographical entries on poets, novelists, and playwrights, but also offer extensive coverage of the many personal, cultural, and historical issues that have been explored by and have influenced the lives and productivity of women writers. AIDS, race and racism, violence and sexual harassment, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement are just some of the subjects examined. From Betty Friedan to Alice Walker, children's literature to lesbian drama, The Oxford Companion to Women's Writing in the United States paints a fascinating and remarkably diverse portrait of women and women's writing in America.
The T Cell Receptor SLAPs Integrins Together

Most receptors transmit extracellular signals to the cytoplasm, but integrins can also be stimulated in the reverse direction. A recent pair of Science papers report that “inside-out” signaling from the TCR is mediated by a newly identified protein called SLAP-130 or Fyb.
Nutrition and Vigor

(1923). Nutrition and Vigor. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 28, No. 10, pp. 462-469.
Gram-positive bacterial superantigen outside-in signaling causes toxic shock syndrome

Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci) are Gram-positive pathogens capable of producing a variety of bacterial exotoxins known as superantigens. Superantigens interact with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T cells to induce T cell proliferation and massive cytokine production, which leads to fever, rash, capillary leak and subsequent hypotension, the major symptoms of toxic shock syndrome. Both S. aureus and group A streptococci colonize mucosal surfaces, including the anterior nares and vagina for S. aureus, and the oropharynx and less commonly the vagina for group A streptococci. However, due to their abilities to secrete a variety of virulence factors, the organisms can also cause illnesses from the mucosa. This review provides an updated discussion of the biochemical and structural features of one group of secreted virulence factors, the staphylococcal and group A streptococcal superantigens, and their abilities to cause toxic shock syndrome from a mucosal surface. The main focus of this review, however, is the abilities of superantigens to induce cytokines and chemokines from epithelial cells, which has been linked to a dodecapeptide region that is relatively conserved among all superantigens and is distinct from the binding sites required for interactions with APCs and T cells. This phenomenon, termed outside-in signaling, acts to recruit adaptive immune cells to the submucosa, where the superantigens can then interact with those cells to initiate the final cytokine cascades that lead to toxic shock syndrome.
Metabolism of vitamin C in health and disease.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on three aspects of Vitamin C—recent studies where a change in the status of vitamin C is associated with a disease state, evidence regarding the proposed mechanism(s) for the observed changes in vitamin C status in disease states, and the effectiveness of vitamin C as a therapeutic or preventative agent. In normal, healthy tissues, dehydroascorbic acid generally appears to be recycled immediately back to ascorbic acid. Maintenance of a high ratio of ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid in a particular tissue may be an indicator of the health of that tissue; for that a normal recycling between the oxidized and the reduced forms of the vitamin is necessary. Dysfunction in ascorbic acid metabolism might have a role in aging and in diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, ocular disease, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Alterations in vitamin C levels may be because of either a disease-related depletion or an impairment of the recycling mechanisms for ascorbic acid. The implication of dysfunction in recycling implies is that cells and tissues are exposed to low levels of ascorbic acid and elevated levels of dehydroascorbic acid, resulting in increased susceptibility of the cell or tissue to oxidative damage. Researchers in diabetes have found decreased leukocyte, plasma, and selected tissue concentrations of ascorbic acid, and persistently increased concentrations of dehydroascorbic acid. High glucose levels can interfere with the action of ascorbic acid and may explain partially the low levels of ascorbate observed in certain tissues. Ascorbic acid levels were observed to be significantly decreased in mucosa from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients. The chapter discusses transport and accumulation of Vitamin C, importance and the process of recycling/regeneration of Vitamin C, also existence of a specific dehydroascorbate reductase and a specific semidehydroascorbate reductase. Adequate vitamin C levels are essential in maintaining optimal health.
A Comparative Study of Financial Performance Between Conventional and Islamic Banking in United Arab Emirates

The purpose of this study is to compare the financial performance of two UAE based Islamic and conventional banks between the years 2002 and 2006. Quantitative analysis was undertaken by looking at various sets of financial ratios that are routinely used to measure bank performance. The main ratios that were employed put a particular focus on the banks liquidity, profitability, management capacity, capital structure and share performance as reliable indicators of a bank performance. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to rank the performance, measuring the dispersion and the stability-variability of the indicators. The research goes one step further and measures the financial stability of the two banks. Conclusions were then drawn from the computation of the relevant ratios that allowed the author to make an effective comparison of said banks. Subsequently, each bank’s performance was then ranked via the use of descriptive statistical analysis. This type of analysis was used to summarize the performance of each bank based on three criteria, mean, coefficient of variation and the overall stability of each banks performance. The findings showed that both banks performed reasonably well during the period studied. While the bank of Sharjah benefitted by having an overall higher degree of liquidity, profitability, management capacity and capital structure, Dubai Islamic bank was better off in relation to share indicators performance and in terms of overall stability.
Nutritional Dimorphism in New Guinea Dioecious Figs

The life history of figs (Ficus, Moraceae) involves pollination by specialized insects and seed dispersal by vertebrate frugivores. This three-way interaction raises the possibility of conflict between pollinators and seed dispersers over fig resources. The conflict might be mediated in dioecious figs by the segregation of inflorescences with specialized male and female sexual functions, termed gall figs and seed figs, on separate trees. In dioecious figs, pollinators are intimately associated with gall figs, whereas vertebrate frugivores prefer seed figs and disperse the seeds they contain. Optimal foraging theory predicts that frugivore preference for ripe seed figs is associated with superior nutritional quality when compared to gall figs. We tested this prediction comparing nutrient and mineral properties of ripe figs in 12 functionally dioecious and two monoecious species from New Guinea. Analyses of variance indicated that gall figs contain more fiber and minerals, whereas seed figs contain significantly more carbohydrates and fat. Fruit bats, the primary dispersers of dioecious figs in New Guinea, prefer carbohydrate-rich diets, and from this perspective, seed figs offer a greater nutritional reward than gall figs. More nondigestible fiber in gall figs than seed figs would appear to discourage frugivory. Parallel differences between ripe gall figs and seed figs occur in each independent dioecious lineage whereas nutritional content in monoecious figs is more similar to seed figs. This suggests that sexual dimorphism in nutritional quality might be adaptive and associated with the maintenance of functional dioecy in figs.
Time course of endothelial dysfunction and neutrophil adherence and infiltration during murine traumatic shock.

Traumatic shock in rats has been shown to induce endothelial dysfunction, and to increase intestinal myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) indicative of neutrophil infiltration. To examine the time course of endothelial dysfunction and neutrophil adherence and infiltration, pentobarbital anesthetized rats, subjected to Noble-Collip drum trauma, were studied prior to and 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min following drum trauma. Superior mesenteric artery rings obtained from traumatized rats were tested for responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh), a receptor-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilator, and to NaNO2 an endothelium-independent vasodilator. ACh-induced relaxation was not impaired immediately after the induction of trauma (time 0). However, 15-30 min after trauma, responses to ACh were significantly depressed (p < .05) and were further reduced (p < .01) 90-180 min after trauma. No significant changes occurred in response to the direct vasodilator NaNO2 at any of the times studied, indicating no vascular smooth muscle injury. Moreover, the adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to the post-traumatic mesenteric vascular endothelium also showed an increase that peaked 30 min post-trauma. Intestinal MPO activity, indicative of neutrophil infiltration, was characterized by a continuous and sustained increase from 30-180 min. Our findings suggest that endothelial dysfunction resulting in reduced NO release occurs in the early phase of murine traumatic shock, and that this phenomenon is followed by a time-dependent increase in adhesivity of neutrophils to the vascular endothelium leading to a progressive accumulation of PMNs in injured tissues (e.g., intestine).
Crystal forms and subunit stoichiometry of serine hydroxymethyltransferase.

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase catalyzes the formation of one-carbon units essential for anabolic processes leading to the formation of such essential cellular components as purines, pyrimidines, amino acids, and lipids. Crystal structure determinations of several forms of the enzyme are under way, and to expand the comparative scope of these studies, we have crystallized the rabbit cytosolic and mitochondrial enzymes. Crystallization of serine hydroxymethyltransferase from different sources has often been problematic, and we report studies addressing these difficulties that may have more general application. The crystal lattice symmetry and the stoichiometry of the crystal asymmetric units and of the enzyme in solution suggest that serine hydroxymethyltransferase may exist as dimers, trimers, and possibly higher order complexes and that their aggregation state is affected by ionic strength.
Pneumatosis intestinalis in children after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Four children, ages 3 to 8 years, developed pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for acute leukemia or severe aplastic anemia. PI was detected at a median of 48 days (range, 10–63 days) after BMT and was associated with abdominal symptoms and clinical signs. All patients had severe systemic and/or high-grade cutaneous acute graft-versus-host disease (AGVHD) at some time after BMT and were receiving corticosteroids at the time of development of PI; however, PI was associated with concomitant severe AGVHD in only one patient. One patient with PI hadHafnia alvei bacteremia and another patient had gastroenteritis due to rotavirus and adenovirus. All patients were treated with supportive care and systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics, and PI resolved 2–16 days after onset. Two patients died with BMT-associated complications unrelated to PI. Multiple factors contribute to the development of PI after BMT, and the prognosis for recovery from PI is good with medical management alone. Overall survival in these patients is dependent on the frequency and severity of other conditions, such as AGVHD and opportunistic infections, after BMT.
Role of the second intradiscal loop of peripherin/rds in homo and hetero associations

Peripherin/rds (P/rds) is a disk rim protein that assembles into homo and hetero complexes with its nonglycosylated homologue, Rom-1, to maintain the integrity of the photoreceptor outer segment. Mutations in the rds gene have been identified in a variety of human retinal degenerative diseases. More than 70% of these mutations are located in the second intradiscal (D2) loop, highlighting the functional importance of this region. This study examines the involvement of different regions of the D2 loop in protein associations using a GST pull-down assay and a heterologous coexpression system. The pull-down assay suggests an association of the N-terminal portion (Phe(120)-Phe(187)) of the D2 loop with Rom-1 as well as with other P/rds molecules. Through peptide competition experiments, the region between Cys(165) and Asn(182) of the D2 loop has been identified as the domain for these associations. In a COS-1 cell heterologous expression system, coexpression of the D2 loop along with the intact P/rds and Rom-1 hindered the association of the two full-length proteins. In contrast to the homo association of P/rds molecules, it seems that the hetero association of P/rds with Rom-1 has a more stringent structural requirement. This work defines the crucial domain of the D2 loop, which mediates homo and hetero associations, specifically the regions that lay between Cys(165) and Asn(182). Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms behind the protein-protein associations of P/rds and its partners may reveal the pathogenic defects arising from the most common mutations in this gene.
On the structure of the 30 to 50 day mode over the globe during FGGE

6 vertical levels of the entire 365-day global FGGE Illb analysis for 5 variables are subjected to a time-series analysis and a frequency filter to investigate the structure of the 30- to 50-day mode. This study isolates regions where the amplitude of these low-frequency oscillations are large; the vertical structures across these large amplitude regions are also presented. The seasonal variation of the maximum 30–50 day filtered wind in the lower troposphere is highlighted. The major results for the FGGE year show that the 30- to 50-day mode has its largest amplitude in the upper troposphere of polar latitudes and in the summer monsoon region. During the northern winter, active regions are also located over the equatorial belt of the central Pacific ocean. The phase propagation on the pressure surfaces are examined simply from an analysis of a time sequence of low-frequency weather maps. The vertical phase propagation is illustrated by pressure-time plots of the low-frequency data sets at individual locations. This analysis suggests vertical propagation over convective areas and a lack of it over most other regions. A highlight of this study is a phenomenon we have labelled as “low-frequency storms”. Here we illustrate long-lasting, low-frequency, weather systems that propagate meridionally (1) over the summer monsoon regions from the equator to the Himalayas and (2) over the eastern Pacific ocean from the equator northwards during the northern winter season. An example of such a long-lasting system is traced to 60° N; subsequently, it appears to move zonally from the gulf of Alaska across the Canadian Arctic, north Atlantic, and Europe prior to its dissipation over Siberia. The potential for interactions between these low-frequency systems and polar front cyclones is another interesting aspect of this investigation. The low-frequency oscillations and motions are considered important since their amplitude in the troposphere is large (8 ms -1 ) and they are well-defined within their scales of motion (on the order of 4000 km or larger). DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1985.tb00432.x
Integrated flood hazard delineation in Pakistan using satellite derived and discharge gauges data

This paper describes a preliminary study for the integration of different data sources to support flood hazard definition and detection at a basin level. The study aims at providing a methodology for defining potential flood indicators and the possible effect on the ground comparing discharge data with water bodies extent derived by an automatic procedure for the classification of water bodies based on MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data and rainfall values derived by TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission). A case study of application of this methodology is provided for the northern part of Pakistan and presented as a table summarizing the relationship between the three parameters (peak discharge, flood extent and precipitation).
Evolving paradigms and perceptions of cancer.

As our understanding of cancer evolves, the perceptions and prevailing paradigms that define this disease have also changed. The molecular basis of cancer has helped to influence oncology clinical practice; however, paradigms affect both the focus and design of research and also impact upon patient care. A clear recognition of how these varying perceptions of cancer affect and limit communication among the cancer-related disciplines as well as between these disciplines is needed. Both professionals and the general public should consider cancer as a group of diseases for which cure is related to tumor type, stage and available treatment. The word cancer produces widely differing perceptions between the general public, and the scientific and medical communities. These different ideas lead to very diverse understandings of the disease. The paradigms affect both the focus and design of research and also impact upon patient care. The cultural perception is very pessimistic: a relentless, incurable, extremely painful disease, the treatment of which is conceived as difficult, with little chance of a simple cure. Within the medical and scientific communities, however, there are a number of quite different views of the disease. Both the orderly extension of disease described by Halsted, and the systemic nature of cancer even when it appears to be localized, are perceptions within the professional community. The promise of a 'magic bullet' is in sharp contrast to the incremental advances seen in clinical oncology. What is needed is a clear recognition of how these varying perceptions of cancer affect and limit communication among the cancer-related disciplines as well as between these disciplines and the public. Both professionals and the general public should consider cancer as a group of diseases for which cure is related to tumor type, stage and available treatment.
NUCLEIC ACID METABOLISM AND THE LETHAL EFFECT OF RADIATION ON CULTURED HUMAN CELLS (HELA)

Results are presented on studies that show that the defect (if any) induced in DNA metabolism by radiation exposure of cells has little or nothing to do with the effects causing mitotic delay and death. Moreover, irradiation does not appear to have any effect on the rate of entry of cells into DNA synthesis and ribonucleic acid metabolism is almost completely unaffected by highly lethal doses of x radiation. (auth)