cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
S-nitrosothiols dilate the mesenteric artery more potently than the femoral artery by a cGMP and L-type calcium channel-dependent mechanism.

S-nitrosothiols (SNOs) are metabolites of NO with potent vasodilatory activity. Our previous studies in sheep indicated that intra-arterially infused SNOs dilate the mesenteric vasculature more than the femoral vasculature. We hypothesized that the mesenteric artery is more responsive to SNO-mediated vasodilation, and investigated various steps along the NO/cGMP pathway to determine the mechanism for this difference. In anesthetized adult sheep, we monitored the conductance of mesenteric and femoral arteries during infusion of S-nitroso-l-cysteine (L-cysNO), and found mesenteric vascular conductance increased (137 ± 3%) significantly more than femoral conductance (26 ± 25%). Similar results were found in wire myography studies of isolated sheep mesenteric and femoral arteries. Vasodilation by SNOs was attenuated in both vessel types by the presence of ODQ (sGC inhibitor), and both YC-1 (sGC agonist) and 8-Br-cGMP (cGMP analog) mediated more potent relaxation in mesenteric arteries than femoral arteries. The vasodilatory difference between mesenteric and femoral arteries was eliminated by antagonists of either protein kinase G or L-type Ca(2+) channels. Western immunoblots showed a larger L-type Ca(2+)/sGC abundance ratio in mesenteric arteries than in femoral arteries. Fetal sheep mesenteric arteries were more responsive to SNOs than adult mesenteric arteries, and had a greater L-Ca(2+)/sGC ratio (p = 0.047 and r = -0.906 for correlation between Emax and L-Ca(2+)/sGC). These results suggest that mesenteric arteries, especially those in fetus, are more responsive to SNO-mediated vasodilation than femoral arteries due to a greater role of the L-type calcium channel in the NO/cGMP pathway.
Taking it on the chin: recognizing and accounting for lower face asymmetry in chin augmentation and genioplasty

During the course of thousands of preoperative facial analyses, it has become apparent that the chin, in most individuals, appears weaker on the left than on the right. This previously unreported disparity spans age, sex, and ethnicity. To document this finding, frontal and lateral photographs of 20 random patients from the senior author's practice were subjected to a battery of soft-tissue measurements. Analysis of four celebrities further demonstrated the ubiquity of relative left chin weakness. Precedent for asymmetry in human anatomy is abundant (e.g., handedness). Asymmetry, moreover, often is conserved throughout the population (e.g., sidedness of visceral orientation). Left-sided chin weakness appears to be another example of well-preserved anatomical asymmetry. The presence of this asymmetry should be considered in planning chin augmentation and genioplasty.
Temporal changes in core body temperature in anesthetized adult horses.

OBJECTIVE To examine temporal patterns of core body temperatures in adult horses during general anesthesia and to determine the efficacy of forced-air warming blankets in attenuating decreases in core body temperatures. ANIMALS 5 clinically normal adult horses. PROCEDURE Horses were assigned to each of 2 trials, warmer and no-warmer, in a randomized crossover design. Horses were instrumented with a thermistor-tipped pulmonary arterial catheter to measure core body temperature. Induction and maintenance of and recovery from general anesthesia were performed in an air-conditioned surgical suite where room temperature and relative humidity were maintained at approximately 21 C and 40%, respectively. Core body temperature measurements were recorded every 5 minutes during 2.5 hours of anesthesia and during recovery until horses could stand. Data were analyzed, using ANOVA for repeated measures. RESULTS Without warming, mean core body temperature decreased steadily (0.37+/-0.18 C/h). Forced-air warming significantly decreased that rate to 0.19+/-0.09 C/h. In both trials, there was an additional, rapid, significant decrease in core body temperature when horses were moved to the recovery area, which was apparently the result of conductive heat loss to the cold floor. Recovery time and time required for core body temperature to return to baseline were unaffected by forced-air warming during anesthesia and recovery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Core body temperature decreases steadily in adult horses anesthetized in a cool, dry environment. Forced-air warming devices can attenuate this decrease. Additional body heat can be lost rapidly when anesthetized horses are positioned on cold surfaces during recovery.
Surgery for Gastrinoma and Insulinoma in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1

The surgical management of pancreatic endocrine tumors in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 remains controversial. Gastrinoma and insulinoma are the 2 most common functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Gastrinomas cause gastric acid hypersecretion and peptic ulcer disease that are best managed using proton pump inhibitors. Surgery to remove the gastrinoma in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is seldom curative unless a more extensive Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy is performed. Because the prognosis is excellent, aggressive resections such as a Whipple procedure are only indicated for large, locally metastatic, advanced tumors. Furthermore, surgery to remove imageable tumors that are 2 cm in diameter is associated with excellent outcomes and decreased probability of liver metastases. Because gastrinomas are commonly multiple and most originate in the duodenum and develop lymph node metastases, the duodenum should be opened and all tumors and lymph nodes excised. Insulinomas cause hypoglycemia that results in neuroglycopenic symptoms. Medical management of the hypoglycemia is less effective than that of the gastric acid hypersecretion. Fortunately, the insulinoma is usually clearly identified using routine pancreatic imaging studies. There is a high likelihood of cure when the insulinoma is excised surgically. However, recurrent hypoglycemia may occur, and careful follow-up is indicated.
Genetic Susceptibility to Cardiovascular Diseases: From Mendelian Disorders to Common Variants

Abstract It is widely accepted that the classic risk factors for atherosclerosis only partly explain the incidence of coronary artery disease and the development of acute coronary syndromes. Therefore, genetic factors that vary among human populations seem to be involved in the clinical manifestations of such patients. Substantial data suggest that a significant proportion of genetic polymorphisms involved in endothelial function, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and thrombosis/fibrinolysis are often present in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Despite the well-established contribution of candidate gene studies to complex cardiovascular diseases such as acute coronary syndromes, the clinical impact and the pathophysiological implications of polymorphisms are elusive. With the evolution of genomic technologies, the necessary genetic tools may be soon available to introduce novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that will alter cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Patterns of antimicrobial resistance in lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa

Background Antibiotic therapy is commonly used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Although concern for antibiotic resistance exists, data examining the association between antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance in HS lesions are limited. Objective We sought to determine the frequency of antimicrobial resistance in HS lesions from patients on antibiotic therapy. Methodology A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 239 patients with HS seen at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions from 2010 through 2015. Results Patients using topical clindamycin were more likely to grow clindamycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus compared with patients using no antibiotics (63% vs 17%; P = .03). Patients taking ciprofloxacin were more likely to grow ciprofloxacin-resistant methicillin-resistant S aureus compared with patients using no antibiotics (100% vs 10%; P = .045). Patients taking trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were more likely to grow trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole-resistant Proteus species compared with patients using no antibiotics (88% vs 0%; P Limitations Data on disease characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibilities for certain bacteria were limited. Conclusions Antibiotic therapy for HS treatment may be inducing antibiotic resistance. These findings highlight the importance of stewardship in antibiotic therapy for HS and raise questions regarding the balance of antibiotic use versus potential harms associated with antibiotic resistance.
Led Astray Leaders and the Duration of Civil War

This article examines the impact that rebel and state leaders have on civil war duration. It argues that leaders’ incentives to avoid punishment at the hands of internal audiences and opponents inf...
Remodeling Brain Activity by Repetitive Cervicothoracic Transspinal Stimulation after Human Spinal Cord Injury.

Interventions that can produce targeted brain plasticity after human spinal cord injury are needed for restoration of impaired movement in these patients. In this study, we tested the effects of repetitive cervicothoracic transspinal stimulation in one person with cervical motor incomplete spinal cord injury on cortical and corticospinal excitability, which was assessed via transcranial magnetic stimulation with paired- and single-pulses, respectively. We found that repetitive cervicothoracic transspinal stimulation potentiated intracortical facilitation in flexor and extensor wrist muscles, recovered intracortical inhibition in the more impaired wrist flexor muscle, increased corticospinal excitability bilaterally, and improved voluntary muscle strength. These effects may have been mediated by improvements in cortical integration of ascending sensory inputs and strengthening of corticospinal connections. Our novel therapeutic intervention opens new avenues for targeted brain neuromodulation protocols in individuals with cervical motor incomplete spinal cord injury.
Spatial Analysis of Multichannel Surface EMG in Hemiplegic Stroke

We investigated spatial activation patterns of upper extremity muscles during isometric force generation in both intact persons and in hemispheric stroke survivors. We used a 128-channel surface electromyogram (EMG) grid to record the electrical activity of biceps brachii muscles during these contractions. EMG data were processed to develop 2-D root mean square (RMS) maps of muscle activity. Our objective was to determine whether motor impairments following stroke were associated with changes in the muscle activity maps and in the spatial distribution of muscular activation. We found that, for a given subject, spatial patterns in muscle activity maps were consistent across all measured contraction levels differing only the RMS EMG. However, the maps from opposite arms (stroke-affected versus non-affected) of stroke survivors were significantly different from each other, especially when compared with the differences observed intact participants. Our analyses revealed that chronic stroke altered the size and location of the active region in these maps. The former is potentially related to disruption of fiber and tissue structure, possibly linked to factors such as extracellular fat accumulation, connective tissue infiltration, muscle fiber atrophy, fiber shortening, and fiber loss. Changes in spatial patterns in muscle activity maps may also be linked to a shift in the location of the innervation zone or the endplate region of muscles. Furthermore, the textural analysis of EMG activity maps showed a larger pixel-to-pixel variability in stroke-affected muscles. Alterations in the muscle activity maps were also related to functional impairment (estimated using Fugl-Meyer score) and to the degree of spasticity (estimated using the modified Ashworth scale). Overall, our investigation revealed that the muscle architecture and morphology were significantly altered in the chronic stroke.
USE AND EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL SPECTRAL UV WEIGHTING FUNCTIONS FOR THE OZONE REDUCTION ISSUE

The use of BSWF in assessing the ozone reduction issue is clearly highly important. Even small differences among BSWF can have large consequences when employed in various predictions of RAF values, latitudinal gradients and in experimental design involving lamp systems. It is unlikely that the same BSWF will be appropriate for all responses to UV radiation. Thus, realistic testing of these BSWF under polychromatic radiation, especially under field conditions, is critical.
Acrolein Yields in Mainstream Smoke From Commercial Cigarette and Little Cigar Tobacco Products

Introduction Many carbonyls are produced from the combustion of tobacco products and many of these carbonyls are harmful or potentially harmful constituents of mainstream cigarette smoke. One carbonyl of particular interest is acrolein, which is formed from the incomplete combustion of organic matter and the most significant contributor to non-cancer respiratory effects from cigarette smoke. Sheet-wrapped cigars, also known as "little cigars," are a type of tobacco products that have not been extensively investigated in literature. Methods This study uses standard cigarette testing protocols to determine the acrolein yields from sheet-wrapped cigars. Sheet-wrapped cigar and cigarette products were tested by derivatizing the mainstream smoke with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) solution and then quantifying the derivatives using conventional analytical systems. Results The results demonstrate that sheet-wrapped cigars can be tested for acrolein yields in mainstream smoke using the same methods used for the evaluation of cigarettes. The variability in the sheet-wrapped cigars and cigarettes under the International Organization for Standardization smoking regimen is statistically similar at the 95% confidence interval; however, increased variability is observed for sheet-wrapped cigar products under the Health Canada Intense (CI) smoking regimen. Conclusion The amount of acrolein released by smoking sheet-wrapped cigars can be measured using standard smoking regimen currently used for cigarettes. The sheet-wrapped cigars were determined to yield similar quantity of acrolein from commercial cigarette products using two standard smoking regimens. Implications This article reports on the measured quantity of acrolein from 15 commercial sheet-wrapped cigars using a validated standard smoking test method that derivatizes acrolein in the mainstream smoke with DNPH solution, and uses Liquid Chromatography/Ultra-Violet Detection (LC/UV) for separation and detection. These acrolein yields were similar to the levels found in the smoke from 35 commercial cigarette products measured in the same manner. Although sheet-wrapped cigar data were slightly more variable than those found for the cigarette data, this article reports that the production of acrolein is similar to cigarettes. The results demonstrate that sheet-wrapped cigars can be tested for acrolein yields in mainstream smoke using the same methods used for the evaluation of cigarettes.
FLOW-INDUCED VARIATION IN TRANSPORT AND DEPOSITION PATHWAYS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY: THE EFFECT ON PHYTOPLANKTON DOMINANCE AND ANOXIA

Comparison of data from the drought year 1981 and the moderately high flow year 1983 revealed the influence of streamflow on stratification, anoxia and phytoplankton dominance in the Chesapeake Bay. In 1981, the low flow resulted in a weakly stratified system with considerable mixing between surface and bottom waters. This produced: (1) increased dominance of the diatom Rhizosolenia baywide due to increased turbulent mixing; (2) abbreviation of the typical episodes of anoxia throughout the summer period; (3) up-estuary penetration of phytoplankton species normally confined to the southern bay (Heterocapsa triquetra) due to the abnormally high salinity in the northern bay; and (4) flow-mediated transfer of the dinoflagellate Katodinium rotundatum from its origin in the northern bay (Patapsco River) into the Delaware Bay through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. In 1983, the high flow intensified the stratification providing and effective barrier to vertical mixing in the system. This reduction in mixing led to (1) the early onset, and persistence of anoxia that originated just south of the bay bridge in mid-May and spread bay wide by mid-June; and (2) the early transport and deposition of the late winter Rhizosolenia bloom into benthic sediments in the northern and mid-bay due to the reduction in mixing in the system.
Autism Intervention Every Day! Embedding Activities in Daily Routines for Young Children and Their Families

The purpose of this text is to provide a practical handbook about autism spectrum disorders (ASD) for providers working with young children and families in early intervention settings. The hope of ...
Frequency of In-Home Internet Use Among Prekidney and Postkidney Transplant Patients-Facilitators and Barriers to Use and Trends Over Time.

Background As health-related communications become digitized, strategies to increase adoption of these Web-based platforms are needed. The purpose of this study was to assess facilitators and barriers to in-home Internet use among prekidney and postkidney transplant patients. Methods A single center, cross-sectional survey of 240 consecutive patients of all levels of technological proficiency who presented to an urban transplant center in the United States. The Patient Information and Technology Assessment consists of 6 demographic questions, 3 disease-related questions, and 8 technology-related questions. Results Much of the sample was African American, male with a mean age of 51 years, and median income of $53 800/year. Logistic regression analysis was undertaken, and after adjusting for covariates, we found Smartphone ownership (odds ratio [OR], 4.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.32-10.52), a higher number of Internet users in the home (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.11-3.62), and having college education and beyond (OR, 4.88; 95% CI, 2.03-11.74) increased the likelihood of being a frequent Internet user. African American or Hispanic/Latino patients were less likely to be frequent Internet users compared with white patients (OR, 0.26 and 0.24, respectively, compared with whites, all P < 0.05). As the total number of people in the household increased, frequent Internet use decreased (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29-0.92). As age increased, reports of frequent Internet use decreased. Conclusions Lower rates of Internet use among African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos in urban areas in the United States remains a problem despite a significant increase in access to the Internet and Smartphone ownership. The finding that Internet use increases as the number of Internet users in the household increases indicates that leveraging the patient's social support network and/or the development of patient information champion programs may aid with patient's adoption of health technology and patient engagement in self-care.
Multi-spectral terahertz interferometric imaging based on a monolithic retroactive silicon chip

This paper presents a multi-spectral interferometric method to coherently emit and detect multiple terahertz tones on the same antenna equipped silicon chip without the need of external elements. The method consists of exploiting the reciprocal properties of optical, electromagnetic and electrical components of a silicon integrated terahertz harmonic oscillator allowing it to operate as a source and detector in the same time. We name this method retroactive detection or imaging in contrast with traditional active terahertz imaging systems where a distinct source and detector are needed, this retroactive approach eliminate the need of additional terahertz components. By detecting the reflected terahertz waves on a remote target, images of a coin surface are produced at 0.35 THz, 0.7 THz, 1.05 THz and 1.4 THz. The device operates at room temperature in a continuous-wave mode.
Second Metatarsal Stress Fractures

Abstract Metatarsal fractures are a common occurrence for the orthopedic surgeon. Some of these injuries are secondary to trauma or acute events. Other times, these fractures are a chronic issue for patients. It becomes a chronic issue when it is an overuse type of injury that leads to a stress fracture. In this chapter you will be able to identify the risks associated with second/third metatarsal stress fractures and treat them appropriately. Diagnosing these injuries in the clinical setting can sometimes be difficult given their vague symptoms. Rarely do these injuries require operative fixation and this will be further explained within the chapter. Occasionally vitamin supplementation is adequate to push these injuries into healing. With the advent of more laboratory tests, diagnosing osteoporosis or osteopenia has become a standard work up to direct treatment. The bigger issue is usually determining why these injuries occurred in the first place, which is the more challenging aspect. The metabolic concerns will be described in depth and alternative methods to healing these fractures will also be discussed. New modalities have been developed over the years and they have led to improved healing potentials in these types of fractures. Clinical cases will show the patho-anatomy of these injuries and their typical course for recovery, both physically and radiographically.
Minding the Gaps: Exploring the intersection of political economy, colonial ideologies, and cultural practice in early modern Ireland

SUMMARY: Examinations of the imposition of colonial ideologies actualized through the mechanism of plantation, or enforced settlement, in Ireland often highlight plantation as a stark process that ...
THE INFLUENCE OF A SLOW RATE ON DETONATION FLOW

We present the results of several one-dimensional hydrodynamic studies of detonation, looking for the influence of a slow chemical rate on the flow. Such slow rates can be justified by the diffusion limited chemistry of carbon in the detonation products. We contrast the flow properties with and without the slow rate, and for the energy being released with an exponential or algebraic rate, i.e., e−αt or t−γ. Our studies show that for explosives of practical size with reasonable run distances, such slow rates are not consistent with the standard simple ZND picture.
Instrument for the Assessment of Prodromal Symptoms and States

Certain constellations of prodromal symptoms have recently been shown to predict the onset of psychosis with a high degree of accuracy, thus making treatment intervention in the prodromal phase more feasible scientifically and ethically. Here we present a structured interview, the Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS) and a severity scale, the Scale of Prodromal Symptoms (SOPS), to identify operationally the presence of these prodromal constellations and to measure their severity over time, including their conversion to actively psychotic states.
The gaze stability of 4- to 10-week-old human infants

The relationship between gaze stability, retinal image quality, and visual perception is complex. Gaze instability related to pathology in adults can cause a reduction in visual acuity (e.g., Chung, LaFrance, & Bedell, 2011). Conversely, poor retinal image quality and spatial vision may be a contributing factor to gaze instability (e.g., Ukwade & Bedell, 1993). Though much is known about the immaturities in spatial vision of human infants, little is currently understood about their gaze stability. To characterize the gaze stability of young infants, adult participants and 4- to 10-week-old infants were shown a dynamic random-noise stimulus for 30-s intervals while their eye positions were recorded binocularly. After removing adultlike saccades, we used 5-s epochs of stable intersaccade gaze to estimate bivariate contour ellipse area and standard deviations of vergence. The geometric means (with standard deviations) for infants' bivariate contour ellipse area were left eye = -0.697 ± 0.534 log(°2), right eye = -0.471 ± 0.367 log(°2). For binocular vergence stability, the infant geometric means (with standard deviations) were horizontal = -1.057 ± 0.743 log(°), vertical = -1.257 ± 0.573 log(°). These values were all not significantly different from those of the adult comparison sample, suggesting that gaze instability is not a significant limiting factor in retinal image quality and spatial vision during early postnatal development.
Molecular epidemiology of breast cancer in Puerto Rico

1729 Breast cancer (BC) represented 32% of the cancer cases diagnosed in Puerto Rican women in the year 2000. The DNA repair capacity (DRC) of the body is a critical system aimed at protecting the integrity and stability of the genome. Individual susceptibility to cancer may result from several factors including differences in DNA repair. A large scale case-control population study has been recently been undertaken to test the hypothesis that a low DNA repair capacity (DRC) is a risk factor for BC. The focus of this study is to examine the relationship between DNA repair, changes in the expression of DNA repair genes, and key pathological and epidemiological characteristics in terms of how these factors influence the risk of breast carcinoma in Puerto Rican women. Informed consent was solicited from all participants in order to obtain blood samples and pathology data. An epidemiological questionnaire was utilized for soliciting information on BC risk factors in relation to familial, occupational, nutritional, and other variables. DRC was measured in lymphocytes utilizing a host cell reactivation assay with a luciferase reporter gene. Based on the ongoing analysis of data of 41 cases (36 analyzed) and 80 controls (47 analyzed), there is a statistically significant (p
Room temperature d0 ferromagnetism in PbS films: nonuniform distribution of Pb vacancies.

Because of the importance of ferromagnetism at room temperature, we search for new materials that can exhibit a non-vanishing magnetic moment at room temperature and at the same time can be used in spintronics. The experimental results indicate that d0 ferromagnetism without any magnetic impurities takes place in PbS films made of close-packed lead sulfide nanoparticles of 30 nm. To explain the existence of the d0 ferromagnetism, we propose a model where various PbS bulk and surface configurations of Pb-vacancies are analyzed. The bulk configurations have a zero magnetic moment while the two surface configurations with Pb vacancies with the same non-vanishing magnetic moments and lowest ground state energies contribute to the total magnetization. Based on the experimental value of the saturation magnetization, 0.2 emu g−1, we have found that the calculated Pb vacancy concentration should be about 3.5%, which is close to typical experimental values. Besides being very important for applications, there is one feature of PbS d0 ferromagnetism that makes this material special for fundamental research: PbS ferromagnetism can exhibit topologically driven spatial magnetic moment distributions (e.g., magnetic skyrmions) due to large spin–orbit coupling.
Percent-Level Test of Isotropic Expansion Using Type Ia Supernovae.

We propose and implement a novel, robust, and nonparametric test of statistical isotropy of the expansion of the Universe and apply it to around 1000 type Ia supernovae from the Pantheon sample. We calculate the angular clustering of supernova magnitude residuals and compare it to the noise expected under the isotropic assumption. We also test for systematic effects and demonstrate that their effects are negligible or are already accounted for in our procedure. We express our constraints as an upper limit on the rms spatial variation in the Hubble parameter at late times. For the sky smoothed with a Gaussian with $\mathrm{FWHM}=60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$, less than 1% rms spatial variation in the Hubble parameter is allowed at 99.7% confidence.
Expansion of moments of Bernstein polynomials

Abstract In this paper we give expansions of moments and absolute moments of the Bernstein polynomials. The results are applied to derive a new expansion of the Bernstein polynomials in increasing powers of 1 / n and a Voronovskaya-type theorem.
An unusual recurrent high-grade glioneuronal tumor with MAP2K1 mutation and CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion.

Author(s): Cheaney, Barry; Bowden, Stephen; Krause, Katie; Sloan, Emily A; Perry, Arie; Solomon, David A; Han, Seunggu Jude; Wood, Matthew D
Social by Default: Characterizing the Social Functions of the Resting Brain:

Social-neuroscience research has identified a set of medial frontoparietal brain regions that reliably engage during social cognition. At the same time, cognitive-neuroscience research has shown th...
Abstract P160: Dual-Specificity Protein Phosphatase 5 Regulates Renal Vessel Myogenic Response via Direct Modulating Extracellular Signal-Related Kinase and Protein Kinase C

Dual-specificity protein phosphatase 5 (DUSP5) is a serine-threonine phosphatase that regulates intracellular signal transduction by dephosphorylating extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2) a...
Old Urbanites as New Urbanists? Mixing at an Ancient Maya City:

New Urbanists advocate for, among other things, spaces in cities where people of various backgrounds can interact. Yet not all interactions lead to the strong social bonds that make diverse communi...
Reply to Zhao et al.: NOMO1 is a potential target gene of MRTFB.

Our recent article reports the important suppressing role of MRTFB (myocardin-related transcription factor B) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and reveals several target genes of MRTFB’s transcription activity, including SPDL1 and MCAM (1). We initiated the study because Mrtfb was identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene in a forward genetic screen using the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system (2). We do not investigate whether single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) contributes to MRTFB’s function in CRC, as the SB transposon system does not generate point mutations (3). Zhao et al. (4) propose a new target gene, NOMO1 … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: zwei{at}houstonmethodist.org. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Professionals’ Identification Within and Across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Fields:

Professional identity, for many, is a substantial component of their career choices and development. In this study, we utilized data from an online survey completed by 1,867 participants living acr...
PBPK modeling of impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on toxicokinetics of perchloroethylene in mice.

Abstract Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a major cause of chronic liver disease in the Western countries with increasing prevalence worldwide, may substantially affect chemical toxicokinetics and thereby modulate chemical toxicity. Objectives This study aims to use physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to characterize the impact of NAFLD on toxicokinetics of perchloroethylene (perc). Methods Quantitative measures of physiological and biochemical changes associated with the presence of NAFLD induced by high-fat or methionine/choline-deficient diets in C57B1/6 J mice are incorporated into a previously developed PBPK model for perc and its oxidative and conjugative metabolites. Impacts on liver fat and volume, as well as blood:air and liver:air partition coefficients, are incorporated into the model. Hierarchical Bayesian population analysis using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to characterize uncertainty, as well as disease-induced variability in toxicokinetics. Results NAFLD has a major effect on toxicokinetics of perc, with greater oxidative and lower conjugative metabolism as compared to healthy mice. The NAFLD-updated PBPK model accurately predicts in vivo metabolism of perc through oxidative and conjugative pathways in all tissues across disease states and strains, but underestimated parent compound concentrations in blood and liver of NAFLD mice. Conclusions We demonstrate the application of PBPK modeling to predict the effects of pre-existing disease conditions as a variability factor in perc metabolism. These results suggest that non-genetic factors such as diet and pre-existing disease can be as influential as genetic factors in altering toxicokinetics of perc, and thus are likely contribute substantially to population variation in its adverse effects.
The embarrassments of confession: Reading Margery Kempe today

An underexplored but key point of critical and affective response to Margery Kempe’s Book is its perceived double excess: an over-eagerness to over-share the self that can potentially ‘embarrass’ the reader. Insomuch as triggers for embarrassment – what counts as excessive or inappropriate – are coded according to gendered and racialized social norms, undercurrents of embarrassment silently perpetuate the power relations behind traditional negative responses to the text, responses we like to believe we’ve left behind. This essay takes Kempe’s text as a case study for analyzing the habits of interpretation that lead to ‘embarrassed’ readings of confession, and explores the implications of such habits for how we read confessions and self-revelations today, particularly those from speakers marked as different from the mainstream, as Kempe persistently has been. A closer look at the embarrassment response highlights for us the intersections of confessional practice, the reading of intentions (hidden or otherwise), and the struggle for rights to interpretation itself.
Social media use while listening to new material negatively affects short-term memory in college students

Abstract Increased access to electronic devices and the ubiquity of social media has resulted in a rapid rise in the prevalence of students “multitasking” while in a classroom setting. While some data indicate the use of electronic devices in class can improve the classroom environment, other studies demonstrate the opposite finding. Moreover, it remains unclear if using social networking sites such as Instagram impacts performance on cognitive tasks when students are presented new material and, if so, what features of Instagram modulate this response. Therefore, in the current study we examined if social media use during or after being presented new information affected short-term memory in college students. Additionally, we assessed if the type or quantity of topics displayed had a modulatory impact on memory. Forty-five college-aged (18–24 years of age) students completed the Logical Memory Immediate Recall (LM I) component of the Wechsler Memory Scale IV, a measure of auditory recognition memory. Subjects were randomly divided into a group that completed the LM I without distraction (controls), a group that completed the LM I while scrolling through their Instagram feed, or a group that completed the LM I after scrolling through their Instagram feed. Subjects that used Instagram while being presented new information demonstrated worse short-term memory recall ability compared to subjects that did not use Instagram during the presentation (71.56% correct answers vs. 80.89%; p = 0.01). Recall ability in the group that used Instagram after hearing the story was not statistically different from the controls. Differences were not observed in the number of topics appearing in subjects’ Instagram feeds and no correlation was found between the number of topics on a subject's Instagram feed and memory recall ability. Collectively, these results suggest that individuals who use their phones to browse Instagram during class or in social settings might have a reduced ability to retain the information given to them when compared to those that are not using their phones scrolling on social media.
Factors affecting cancer patients' electronic communication with providers: Implications for COVID-19 induced transitions to telehealth.

Abstract Objective Because of the pandemic, electronic communication between patients and clinicians has taken on increasing significance in the delivery of cancer care. The study explored personal, clinical, and technology factors predicting cancer survivors’ electronic communication with clinicians. Methods Data for this investigation came from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS5, Cycle 2) that included 593 respondents who previously or currently had cancer. Multivariate regression analyses were used to predict electronic communication with clinicians. Predictors included demographic variables and health status, technology use (online health information-seeking behavior, tracking of health-related data such as using a Fitbit), and quality of past communication experiences with clinicians. Results In this pre COVID-19 sample, 42 % respondents (N = 252) did not engage in any type of electronic communication (e.g., emailing, texting, data sharing) with providers. In multivariate analyses, predictors of more electronic communication with clinicians included frequency of seeking health-related information online (s = .267, p Conclusions Access and past experience with interactive media technologies are strong predictors of cancer patients’ electronic communication than with clinicians. Adoption of telehealth technology likely depends as much on patients’ relationships with technology as it does their relationships with clinicians. Practice implications Since Covid-19, cancer care providers have turned to telehealth provide patients with needed cancer care services. Enhancing patients’ digital competence and experience with electronic communication will help them more easily navigate telehealth care. Providers can leverage their relationship with patients to facilitate more effective use of telehealth services.
Enhancing cardiac reprogramming via synthetic RNA oligonucleotides.

Reprogramming scar fibroblasts into new heart muscle cells has the potential to restore function to the injured heart. However, the effectiveness of reprogramming is notably low. We have recently demonstrated that the effectiveness of reprogramming fibroblasts into heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) is increased by the addition of RNA-sensing receptor ligands. Clinical use of these ligands is problematic due to their ability to induce adverse inflammatory events. To overcome this issue, we sought to determine whether synthetic analogs of natural RNA-sensing receptor ligands, which avoid generating inflammatory insults and are nuclease resistant, would similarly enhance fibroblast reprogramming into cardiomyocytes. Indeed, one such stabilized RNA, ICR2, increased the expression of cardiomyocyte-specific mRNAs in reprogrammed fibroblasts. Moreover, ICR2 enhanced the ability of reprogramming factors to produce cardiomyocytes with mature sarcomeres. Knockdown assays indicated that the effects of ICR2 were mediated by the RNA-sensing receptors Rig-I and TLR3. In addition, ICR2 reduced the effective dose and number of reprogramming factors needed for efficient reprogramming. In summary, the synthetic RNA oligonucleotide ICR2 is a potential therapeutic agent to enhance cardiac reprogramming efficiency.
State- and County-Level COVID-19 Public Health Orders in California: Constructing a Dataset and Describing Their Timing, Content, and Stricture

Abstract Without vaccines, non-pharmaceutical interventions have been the most widely used approach to controlling the spread of COVID-19 epidemics. Various jurisdictions have implemented public health orders as a means of reducing effective contacts and controlling their local epidemics. Multiple studies have examined the effectiveness of various orders (e.g. use of face masks) for epidemic control. However, orders occur at different timings across jurisdictions and some orders on the same topic are stricter than others. We constructed a county-level longitudinal data set of more than 1,800 public health orders issues by California and its 58 counties pertaining to its 40 million residents. First, we describe methods used to construct the dataset that enables the characterization of the evolution over time of California state- and county-level public health orders dealing with COVID-19 from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Public health orders are both an interesting and important outcome in their own right and also a key input into analyses looking at how such orders may impact COVID-19 epidemics. To construct the dataset, we developed and executed a search strategy to identify COVID-19 public health orders over this time period for all relevant jurisdictions. We characterized each identified public health order in terms of the timing of when it was announced, went into effect and (potentially) expired. We also adapted an existing schema to describe the topic(s) each public health order dealt with and the level of stricture each imposed, applying it to all identified orders. Finally, as an initial assessment, we examined the patterns of public health orders within and across counties, focusing on the timing of orders, the rate of increase and decrease in stricture, and on variation and convergence of orders within regions.
Isoflurane Potentiation of GABAA Receptors Is Reduced but Not Eliminated by the β3(N265M) Mutation.

Background: Mice carrying the GABAA receptor β3(N265M) point mutation, which renders receptors incorporating β3-subunits insensitive to many general anesthetics, have been used experimentally to link modulation of different receptor subtypes to distinct behavioral endpoints. Remarkably, however, the effect of the mutation on the susceptibility to modulation by isoflurane (a standard reference agent for inhalational vapors) has never been tested directly. Therefore, we compared the modulation by isoflurane of expressed α5β3(N265M)γ2L receptors with their wild type counterparts. Methods: Using whole-cell electrophysiological recording and rapid solution exchange techniques, we tested the effects of isoflurane at concentrations ranging from 80 μM to 320 μM on currents activated by 1 μM GABA. We measured drug modulation of wild-type α5β3γ2L GABAA receptors and their counterparts harboring the β3(N265M) mutation. Results: Currents elicited by GABA were enhanced two- to four-fold by isoflurane, in a concentration-dependent manner. Under the same conditions, receptors incorporating the β3(N265M) mutation were enhanced by approximately 1.5- to two-fold; i.e., modulation by isoflurane was attenuated by approximately one-half. Direct activation by isoflurane was also present in mutant receptors but also attenuated. Conclusions: In contrast to the complete insensitivity of β3(N265M) mutant receptors to etomidate and propofol, the mutation has only a partial effect on receptor modulation by isoflurane. Therefore, the persistence of isoflurane effects in mutant mice does not exclude a possible contribution of β3-GABAA receptors.
The evolving energy and capacity values of utility-scale PV-plus-battery hybrid system architectures

Abstract In this study, we explored how the value of hybrid systems comprising solar photovoltaics (PV) and lithium-ion battery storage could evolve over time. Using a price-taker model with hourly energy and capacity prices projected to 2050, we simulated the revenue-maximizing dispatch of three PV-plus-battery architectures, with fixed component sizing, in three locations. The architectures reflect different coupling types, which vary in terms of whether the PV and battery systems have separate inverters or a shared inverter and whether the battery can charge from the grid. We found that the highest-value architecture today varies largely based on PV penetration and the magnitude and timing of peak-price periods. As PV penetration increases over time—based on the evolution of the bulk power system—two trends emerge that indicate a convergence of the values of the systems studied. First, the energy values of the three architectures converge as an increasing fraction of energy from the coupled PV is used to charge the battery. Second, their capacity values converge to that of the battery as the capacity credit of stand-alone PV approaches zero. Of the systems studied, no single architecture has the highest year-one benefit-cost ratio in every region and year, and benefit-cost ratios of PV-plus-battery systems range from a 15% reduction to a 25% increase compared to separate PV and battery systems. Understanding the factors that influence the performance and economics of PV-plus-battery systems will help system planners and researchers evaluate the potential benefits of these hybrid resources to future power systems.
Changes in kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis during gait: systematic review.

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions and affects more than half a million people over the age of 65 in the US. Patients with LSS have gait dysfunction and movement deficits due to pain and symptoms caused by compression of the nerve roots within a narrowed spinal canal. PURPOSE The purpose of the current systematic review was to summarize existing literature reporting biomechanical changes in gait function that occur with LSS, and identify knowledge gaps that merit future investigation in this important patient population. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This study is a systematic literature review. OUTCOME MEASURES The current study included biomechanical variables (e.g., kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activity parameters). METHODS Relevant articles were selected through MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. Articles were included if they: 1) included participants with LSS or LSS surgery, 2) utilized kinematic, kinetic, or muscle activity variables as the primary outcome measure, 3) evaluated walking or gait tasks, and 4) were written in English. RESULTS A total of 11 articles were included in the current systematic review. The patients with LSS exhibited altered gait function as compared to healthy controls. Improvements in some biomechanical variables were found up to one year after surgery, but most gait changes were found within one month after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Although numerous studies have investigated gait function in patients with LSS, gait alterations in joint kinetics and muscle activity over time remain largely unknown. In addition, there are limited findings of spinal kinematics in patients with LSS during gait. Thus, future investigations are needed to investigate longer-term gait changes with regard to spinal kinematics, joint kinetics, and muscle activity beyond one month after LSS surgery.