cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Illness characteristics and their association with prescription patterns for bipolar I disorder.

INTRODUCTION: The present study explores the relationships among psychotropic medications, illness-related parameters, patient demography, suicidality, and levels of functioning in a voluntary bipolar case registry. METHODS: Four hundred and fifty-seven subjects with bipolar I disorder were selected from a voluntary registry for subjects with bipolar illness. Demographic characteristics, psychotropic medications, age at onset of illness, duration of illness, number of hospitalizations, the ability to live independently, employment and driving status as well as the history of suicidal attempts were obtained through a structured phone interview. RESULTS: Subjects treated with antidepressants had a shorter duration of illness, while patients treated with antipsychotic drugs had an earlier onset of illness. The number of hospitalizations for mania was fewer among patients taking a combination of lithium and carbamazepine as compared to patients not receiving them, while subjects taking neuroleptics had more hospitalizations as compared to subjects not receiving them. The number of psychotropic agents prescribed correlated positively with the number of hospitalizations for depressive episodes. Curiously, no correlations were found between the types of psychotropic agents prescribed and the levels of functioning or a history of suicidal attempts. Interestingly, our results suggest that more than half of the subjects were unable to live independently or to work due to their illness. Also, more than 50% of the subjects had at least one suicidal attempt, the majority occurred during depressive episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that subjects with bipolar I disorder have high rate of suicidal attempts and may have serious functional impairments. Language: en
A Shared Path Protection Mechanism Based on Delay Constraint in the Optical Network

Survivability is an important concern in the optical network. In order to offer an effective and efficient protection mechanism that meeting both delay constraint and availability guarantees for real-time services in the optical network, a shared path protection mechanism based on delay constraint is proposed in this paper. Thinking of the processing delay and the propagation delay as main factors which have great effect on the delay of real-time services, the mechanism designs the routing and wavelength assignment schemes for the working path and the protection path. Simulation results show that the proposed mechanism is both feasible and effective.
Spatial Heterogeneity in Response of Male Greater Sage-Grouse Lek Attendance to Energy Development

Landscape modification due to rapidly expanding energy development, in particular oil and gas, in the westernUSA, have prompted concerns over how such developments may impact wildlife. One species of conservation concern across much of the Intermountain West is the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercusurophasianus). Sage-grouse have been petitioned for listing under provisions of the Endangered Species Act 7 times and the state of Wyoming alone represents 64% of the extant sage-grouse population in the eastern portion of their range. Consequently, the relationship between sage-grouse populations and oil and gas development in Wyoming is an important component to managing the long-term viability of this species. We used 814 leks from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's lek survey database and well pad data from the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to evaluate changes in sage-grouse lek counts as a function of oil and gas development since 1991.From 1991-2011 we found that oil and gas well-pad density increased 3.6-fold across the state and was associated with a 24% decline in the number of male sage-grouse. Using a spatial and temporally structured analysis via Geographically Weighted Regression, we found a 1-to-4 year time lag between development density and lek decline. Sage-grouse also responded to development densities at multiple spatial neighborhoods surrounding leks, including broad scales of 10 km. However, sage-grouse lek counts do not always decline as a result of oil and gas development. We found similar development densities resulting in different sage-grouse lek count responses, suggesting that development density alone is insufficient to predict the impacts that oil and gas development have on sage-grouse. Finally, our analysis suggests a maximum development density of 1 well-pad within 2 km of leks to avoid measurable impacts within 1 year, and <6 well-pads within 10 km of leks to avoid delayed impacts.
The Katanin Microtubule Severing Protein in Plants

Katanin is a heterodimeric microtubule (MT) severing protein that uses energy from ATP hydrolysis to generate internal breaks along MTs. Katanin p60, one of the two subunits, possesses ATPase and MT-binding/severing activities, and the p 80 subunit is responsible for targeting of katanin to certain subcellular locations. In animals, katanin plays an important role in the release of MTs from their nucleation sites in the centrosome. It is also involved in severing MTs into smaller fragments which can serve as templates for further polymerization to increase MT number during meiotic and mitotic spindle assembly. Katanin homologs are present in a wide variety of plant species. The Arabidopsis katanin homolog has been shown to possess ATP-dependent MT severing activity in vitro and exhibit a punctate localization pattern at the cell cortex and the perinuclear region. Disruption of katanin functions by genetic mutations causes a delay in the disappearance of the perinuclear MT array and results in an aberrant organization of cortical MTs in elongating cells. Consequently, katanin mutations lead to defects in cell elongation, cellulose microfibril deposition, and hormonal responses. Studies of katanin in plants provide new insights into our understanding of its roles in cellular functions.
Aphidicolin-induced FRA3B breakpoints cluster in two distinct regions

The common fragile site at chromosomal band 3p14.2 (FRA3B) is the most sensitive single site in the human genome to induced chromosomal lesions. This fragile site may predispose chromosome 3p to breakage that is commonly observed in lung, renal, and many other cancers. We previously used aphidicolin induction of FRA3B expression in a chromosome 3-only somatic cell hybrid to generate a series of hybrids with breakpoints in the 3p14.2 region. These breakpoints were localized to two distinct clusters, separated by 200 kb, that lie on either side of a region of frequent breakage within FRA3B as observed by FISH analysis. Seven proximal aphidicolin-induced breakpoints were localized at or near the end of a THE element. The THE-1 element is flanked by LINE and Alu repetitive elements. The eight distal aphidicolin-induced breakpoints clustered in a region capable of forming multiple hairpin-like structures. Thus repetitive elements and hairpin-like structures may be responsible for chromosome fragility in this region.
Comparative Performance Analysis of On- and Off-Campus Video-Based Engineering Graduate Students

Early analyses and anecdotal data support the efficacy of graduate engineering education delivered to off-campus students studying in moderately-sized groups with ``tutorial'' support. However, data now indicate that off-campus learners often study individually or in very small groups of three or fewer viewers. This trend will only develop further as increased uses of satellite technology affords teachers and learners cost-effective mechanisms of addressing the educational needs of single individuals spread throughout the nation. The following study addresses this concern by determining how well off-campus viewer/learners, studying in very small groups, perform in comparison to their on-campus peers.
Conscientious objection gone awry--restoring selfless professionalism in medicine.

A new rule from the Department of Health and Human Services aims to raise awareness of and ensure compliance with federal health care conscience protection statutes. Dr. Julie Cantor writes that, taken to its logical extreme, the rule could cause health care to grind to a halt.
An optimized disaggregation method for human lung tumors that preserves the phenotype and function of the immune cells

Careful preparation of human tissues is the cornerstone of obtaining accurate data in immunologic studies. Despite the essential importance of tissue processing in tumor immunology and clinical medicine, current methods of tissue disaggregation have not been rigorously tested for data fidelity. Thus, we critically evaluated the current techniques available in the literature that are used to prepare human lung tumors for immunologic studies. We discovered that these approaches are successful at digesting cellular attachments and ECMs; however, these methods frequently alter the immune cell composition and/or expression of surface molecules. We thus developed a novel approach to prepare human lung tumors for immunologic studies by combining gentle mechanical manipulation with an optimized cocktail of enzymes used at low doses. This enzymatic digestion cocktail optimized cell yield and cell viability, retrieved all major tumor-associated cell populations, and maintained the expression of cell-surface markers for lineage definition and in vivo effector functions. To our knowledge, we present the first rigorously tested disaggregation method designed for human lung tumors.
Investigations of Particle Penetration in Fibrous Filters: Part II. Theoretical

This article is the second part of a two-part series. The first part, "Investigation of Particle Penetration in Fibrous Filters: Experimental," appeared in the January/February, 1999, issue of the Journal of the IEST.The performance of seven state-of-the-art air cleaning filter media having a wide range of filter efficiencies is described. The figure of merit values have been obtained to compare the performance of different media. The experimentally obtained pressure drops and the theoretically calculated fiber drags are used in deriving an expression to calculate an equivalent fiber diameter for different media. The theoretical values of fiber diameter compare well with the experimental observations. Use of the equivalent fiber diameter values in calculating the parameters of the dimensionless correlation model results in better agreement between the experiments and theory. The calculated equivalent fiber diameter is useful in predicting the most penetrating particle size of different media.
Gold as a hydrogen sensing electrode forin situ measurement of dissolved H2 in supercritical aqueous fluid

Potentiometric studies of the Au-YSZ(Hg/HgO) (YSZ=yttrium stabilized zirconia) cell were conducted to investigate the suitability of gold as a sensing element forin situ determination of dissolved H2 in aqueous fluids at 375–400°C and 400 bars. Experimental results indicate that the gold electrode responds rapidly and reversibly to variations in dissolved H2, even at H2<0.1 mmol-kg−1. Nernstian response of the cell to dissolved H2 was demonstrated at 400°C and 400 bars $$\Delta E = 0.9815 + 0.0668 \log m_{H_2 } $$
Stochastic bifurcation in non-linear structural systems near 1 : 1 internal resonance

Abstract This paper examines the problem of stochastic bifurcation and response statistics of a clamped-clamped beam in the neighborhood of 1 : 1 internal resonance. The beam is initially exposed to an axial static load and subjected to a lateral wide band random excitation. The static load exceeds the Euler buckling load and thus results in the internal resonance condition 1 : 1 between the first two modes. The Fokker-Planck equation is used to generate a general first-order differential equation in the joint moments of response coordinates. Gaussian and non-Gaussian closure schemes are used to close the infinite coupled moment equations. The closed equations are then solved for response statistics and bifurcation boundaries in terms of system and excitation parameters. The theoretical results are compared with those determined by Monte Carlo simulation. The numerical simulation is also used to estimate the marginal probability density of response coordinates. It is found that the numerical simulation results are in good agreement with those obtained by the Gaussian closure, particularly in predicting stochastic bifurcation of the second mode. Under relatively higher excitation levels the Monte Carlo simulation exhibits the occurrence of snap-through phenomenon in the first mode. Both Gaussian and non-Gaussian closures fail to predict the snap-through.
Surrogate Mothers: Not So Novel After All

KIE: A law professor examines the legal, psychological, social, and ethical issues that arise in surrogate mothering and the problems that this procedure may create for the biological and adoptive parents, the child, and the state. Robertson considers the central issue of this and other "collaborative reproduction" methods to be the extent and nature of third party involvement rather than the deliberate separation of biologic and social parentage. He believes that the state's power to regulate surrogate arrangements may be limited by a couple's constitutional right to make procreative decisions. An insert on page 31 of Robertson's article summarizes the guidelines on "Ethical Issues in Surrogate Motherhood" issued in May 1983 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Androgens May Mediate a Relative Preservation of IGF-I Levels in Overweight and Obese Women Despite Reduced Growth Hormone Secretion

Context: Obesity is characterized by reduced GH secretion, but data regarding IGF-I levels and their determinants are conflicting. Objectives: The objectives were to determine whether IGF-I levels are reduced and to investigate determinants of GH and IGF-I in healthy overweight and obese women. Design: A cross-sectional study was performed. Setting: The study was conducted at a General Clinical Research Center. Study Participants: Thirty-four healthy women without pituitary/hypothalamic disease participated, including 11 lean [body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2], 12 overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and <30 kg/m2), and 11 obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) women of comparable age (overall mean age, 30.7 ± 7.8 yr). Intervention: There was no intervention. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures were frequent sampling (every 10 min for 24 h) for GH, peak GH after GHRH-arginine stimulation, IGF-I, IGF binding protein-3, estrone, estradiol, testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resis...
Sheaths, Guides, and Catheters

When planning a case, thoughtful development of a strategy for sheaths, guides, and catheters is arguably the most important contributor to a successful outcome free of complications, yet these comparatively unglamorous considerations are frequently given inadequate attention.
Evaluation of a locally homogeneous flow model of spray combustion

A model of spray combustion which employs a second-order turbulence model was developed. The assumption of locally homogeneous flow is made, implying infinitely fast transport rates between the phase. Measurements to test the model were completed for a gaseous n-propane flame and an air atomized n-pentane spray flame, burning in stagnant air at atmospheric pressure. Profiles of mean velocity and temperature, as well as velocity fluctuations and Reynolds stress, were measured in the flames. The predictions for the gas flame were in excellent agreement with the measurements. The predictions for the spray were qualitatively correct, but effects of finite rate interphase transport were evident, resulting in a overstimation of the rate development of the flow. Predictions of spray penetration length at high pressures, including supercritical combustion conditions, were also completed for comparison with earlier measurements. Test conditions involved a pressure atomized n-pentane spray, burning in stagnant air at pressures of 3, 5, and 9 MPa. The comparison between predictions and measurements was fair. This is not a very sensitive test of the model, however, and further high pressure experimental and theoretical results are needed before a satisfactory assessment of the locally homogeneous flow approximation can be made.
Estrogen Receptor Function as Revealed by Knockout Studies: Neuroendocrine and Behavioral Aspects

Abstract Estrogens are an important class of steroid hormones, involved in the development of brain, skeletal, and soft tissues. These hormones influence adult behaviors, endocrine state, and a host of other physiological functions. Given the recent cloning of a second estrogen receptor (ER) cDNA (the ERβ), work on alternate spliced forms of ERα, and the potential for membrane estrogen receptors, an animal with a null background for ERα function is invaluable for distinguishing biological responses of estrogens working via the ERα protein and those working via another ER protein. Data generated to date, and reviewed here, indicate that there are profound ramifications of the ERα disruption on behavior and neuroendocrine function. First, data on plasma levels of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in wild-type (WT) versus ERα−mice confirm that ERα is essential in females for normal regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary gonadal axis. Second, ovariectomized female ERα−mice do not display sexual receptivity when treated with a hormonal regime of estrogen and progesterone that induces receptivity in WT littermates. Finally, male sexual behaviors are disrupted in ERα−animals. Given decades of data on these topics our findings may seem self-evident. However, these data represent the most direct test currently possible of the specific role of the ERα protein on behavior and neuroendocrinology. The ERα−mouse can be used to ascertain the specific functions of ERα, to suggest functions for the other estrogen receptors, and to study indirect effects of ERα on behavior via actions on other receptors, neurotransmitters, and neuropeptides.
Men who have sex with men inadequately addressed in African AIDS National Strategic Plans

Through an analysis of AIDS National Strategic Plans (NSPs), this study investigated the responses of African governments to the HIV epidemics faced by men who have sex with men (MSM). NSPs from 46 African countries were systematically analysed, with attention focused on (1) the representation of MSM and their HIV risk, (2) the inclusion of epidemiologic information on the HIV epidemic among MSM and (3) government-led interventions addressing MSM. Out of 46 NSPs, 34 mentioned MSM. While two-thirds of these NSPs acknowledged the vulnerability of MSM to HIV infection, fewer than half acknowledged the role of stigma or criminalisation. Four NSPs showed estimated HIV prevalence among MSM, and one included incidence. Two-thirds of the NSPs proposed government-led HIV interventions that address MSM. Those that did plan to intervene planned to do so through policy interventions, social interventions, HIV-prevention interventions, HIV-treatment interventions and monitoring activities. Overall, the governments of the countries included in the study exhibited little knowledge of HIV disease dynamics among MSM and little knowledge of the social dynamics behind MSM's HIV risk. Concerted action is needed to integrate MSM into NSPs and governmental health policies in a way that acknowledges this population and its specific HIV/AIDS-related needs.
DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE-MIMETIC ACTION OF AMMONIATED GLYCYRRHIZIN IN RATS

The desexycorticosterone-mimetic action of ammoniated glycyrrhizin on electrolyte and water metabolism and on pituitary-adrenal function, was demonstrated in rats. Retention of sodium and water was observed in both intact and adrenalectomized rats during 4 hour minerosteroid assays, the degree of retention being a function of log dose. In intact rats, the antidiuretic effect of glycyrrhizin was immediate and cumulative, while retention of sodium appeared only after a latent period and did not increase with time. Adrenalectomized rats, 3 days after the operation, showed a more marked antidiuretic effect than intact rats, but no greater retention of sodium. Rats receiving glycyrrhizin prior to histamine stress showed a marked decrease in adrenal ascorbic acid depletion, suggesting that glycyrrhizin had suppressed the output of ACTH. Whether glycyrrhizin acts on the same target organ as desoxycorticosterone in producing sodium and water retention is still an open question. However, the fact that it is capable of producing a pituitary-adrenal inhibition which resembles that of naturally occurring adrenal steroids is further evidence of the strong pharmacological resemblance between glycyrrhizin and desoxycorticosterone.
EDP conversion consideration

Conversion from one manufacturer to another is a simple phrase that embodies a myriad of changes. There are large changes in the obvious. That is, changes in hardware and software. This, however, is only the beginning. There are sweeping changes to be made in concept, DP management, machine operation, systems programming, forms and forms control, methods and procedures to mention a few. The changes in this case are not analogous at all to a change from one automobile manufacturer to another. Rather, the change is analogous to a change from an automobile to a helicopter.The conversion, if it is successfully done, then has a sweeping effect on all operations. Special purpose leased or written software packages will not work. Extensive Systems software that allows the unity of processing on multiple machines will not work. Systems and systems programmer groups will no longer be backed up to each other nor can their efforts be coordinated and shared. This will create multiple problems on systems instead of duplicate problems for the same equipment. One for one conversion will not be a satisfactory method of program change. A complete redesign of application program systems would be necessary to best utilize the hardware and software capabilities of a new system.
Wavefunctions and counting formulas for quasiholes of clustered quantum Hall states on a sphere

The quasiholes of the Read-Rezayi clustered quantum Hall states are considered, for any number of particles and quasiholes on a sphere, and for any degree $k$ of clustering. A set of trial wavefunctions, that are zero-energy eigenstates of a $k+1$-body interaction, and so are symmetric polynomials that vanish when any $k+1$ particle coordinates are equal, is obtained explicitly and proved to be both complete and linearly independent. Formulas for the number of states are obtained, without the use of (but in agreement with) conformal field theory, and extended to give the number of states for each angular momentum. An interesting recursive structure emerges in the states that relates those for $k$ to those for $k\ensuremath{-}1$. It is pointed out that the same numbers of zero-energy states can be proved to occur in certain one-dimensional models that have recently been obtained as limits of the two-dimensional $k+1$-body interaction Hamiltonians, using results from the combinatorial literature.
Comparative genomics of closely related salmonellae

As the number of completed genome sequences increases, there is increasing emphasis on comparative genomic analysis of closely related organisms. Comparison of the similarities and differences between the five publicly available Salmonella genome sequences reveals extensive sequence conservation among the Salmonella serovars. However, horizontal gene transfer has provided each genome with between 10% and 12% of unique DNA. Genome comparisons of the closely related salmonellae emphasize the insights that can be gleaned from sequencing genomes of a single species.
A laboratory investigation into the effects of slope on lava flow morphology

Abstract In an attempt to model the effect of slope on the dynamics of lava flow emplacement, four distinct morphologies were repeatedly produced in a series of laboratory simulations where polyethylene glycol (PEG) was extruded at a constant rate beneath cold sucrose solution onto a uniform slope which could be varied from 1° through 60°. The lowest extrusion rates and slopes, and highest cooling rates, produced flows that rapidly crusted over and advanced through bulbous toes, or pillows (similar to subaerial “toey” pahoehoe flows and to submarine pillowed flows). As extrusion rate and slope increased, and cooling rate decreased, pillowed flows gave way to rifted flows (linear zones of liquid wax separated by plates of solid crust, similar to what is observed on the surface of convecting lava lakes), then to folded flows with surface crusts buckled transversely to the flow direction, and, at the highest extrusion rates and slopes, and lowest cooling rates, to leveed flows, which solidified only at their margins. A dimensionless parameter, Ψ , primarily controlled by effusion rate, cooling rate and flow viscosity, quantifies these flow types. Increasing the underlying slope up to 30° allows the liquid wax to advance further before solidifying, with an effect similar to that of increasing the effusion rate. For example, conditions that produce rifted flows on a 10° slope result in folded flows on a 30° slope. For underlying slopes of 40°, however, this trend reverses, slightly owing to increased gravitational forces relative to the strength of the solid wax. Because of its significant influence on heat advection and the disruption of a solid crust, slope must be incorporated into any quantitative attempt to correlate eruption parameters and lava flow morphologies. These experiments and subsequent scaling incorporate key physical parameters of both an extrusion and its environment, allowing their results to be used to interpret lava flow morphologies on land, on the sea floor, and on other planets.
Blood and Mast Cell Histamine Levels in Magnesium-Deficient Rats

The number and morphology of mast cells (MCs) in the duodenal submucosa and the histamine content of blood and isolated peritoneal mast cells were estimated sequentially in male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats magnesium (Mg)-depleted for up to 48 days. Blood histamine levels increased 4--5-fold by 14 days of Mg depletion and subsequently declined to levels similar to those in pair-fed Mg-adequate controls. In the same period, the submucosal MCs continuously increased in number, beginning to plateau at 6--7 times the control number between days 36--48 of Mg deficiency. Massive MC degranulation was seen in the early stages of Mg-depletion but subsided after 16--20 days. Subsequently, the submucosal MCs appeared small and rounded. They showed reduced staining with toluidine blue indicating a deficiency in the mucopolysaccharide component of the storage granules. Histamine content of purified peritoneal MCs from Mg-deficient rats was reduced by 10 days of Mg depletion and remained at or below one-third the control level throughout the depletion period. The data suggest that the MCs remaining or developed during chronic Mg depletion are deficient in their capacity to store and secrete histamine.
Scattering of Light in the Lower Atmosphere

The optical scattering coefficient has been measured at Woomera at ground level, and at altitudes up to 14 000 ft, using two integrating nephelometers. The principle and the construction of a nephelometer are described. Results obtained over a period of 12 months are given.
Cerebral autoregulatory changes in hypertensive states assessed by beat to beat cerebral blood velocity changes

BY BEAT TO BEAT CEREBRAL BLOOD VELOCITY CHANGES KEITH WILLIAMS, FRANCE GALERNEAU, MARIA SMALL, Yale University, Obstetrics & Gynecology, New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University, Obstetrics and Gynecology, New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have identified significant changes in cerebral autoregulation in preeclampsia (PET). We chose to examine pulsatile fluctations in in the Middle Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity. (MCBFV) by assessing the beat to beat systolic variation with changes in RR interval and Systolic MCBFV Variability. This study investigates the usefulness as a test of cerebral autoregulation the beat-to-beat changes in MCBFV with changes in RR intervals. STUDY DESIGN: Transcranial Doppler monitoring of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was performed for 2 minutes on 20 normotensive, 10 PET, 5 chronic hypertensive and 7 Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) patients were assessed. We measured beat-to-beat systolic, diastolic, and mean MCBFV velocity and RR intervals. Offline using software we calculated the beat-to-beat change in Systolic MCBFV associated with changes RR in each of the groups. In addition the Systolic MCBFV variability was calculated as the square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences in Systolic MCBFV between adjacent RR intervals. All continuous data was compared between the four groups using ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: We identified a significant difference the Systolic MCBFV change with the RR interval among the normotensive PET, Chronic Hypertensive and PIH groups (33.6G14.6, vs 16G10.2, vs, 44G14.8, vs 31.9G17.8)(P!.004) There was no significant difference in Systolic MCBFV variability (1.96G63, vs 1.63G.49, vs1.91G.52, vs 1.58G.29)(P!.30). CONCLUSION: We evaluated cerebral function in various pregnant hypertensive states by examining spontaneous fluctuations and rythmicity of RR interval and systolic MCBFV. Our data suggest that in PET unlike chronic hypertension acts to diminish spontaneous beat to beat oscillations in MCBFV. The loss of the dynamic complexity of the variability signal may be an indication of loss of vessel adaptability to continuously changing environmental requirements.
On the viscoelastic characterization of thin tissues via surface-wave sensing

This paper establishes a theoretical and computational framework for the development of a novel piezoelectric sensor array for the monitoring of surficial tissue motion that can be used as a basis for the reconstruction of layered viscoelastic skin properties. This is accomplished by the scale reduction of the so-called Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), a methodology that is successfully used in engineering geophysics for the seismic-wave reconstruction of vertical geological profiles. The utility of the new sensor, containing an array of hair-like PVDF sensors that are sensitive to surficial tissue motion, is enhanced through a systematic solid-fiber interaction analysis that furnishes integral information, cumulative over the length of each fiber, about the attenuation and dispersion of surface waves. On employing such a predictive model as a lynchpin of the full waveform back-analysis used to interpret electric charges generated by the fibers, the methodology allows for an effective reconstruction and viscoelastic characterization of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue sublayers on a millimeter scale. The performance of the proposed sensor array and data interpretation framework is illustrated through numerical simulations, which point to the feasibility of cost-effective, in vivo mechanical characterization of skin sublayers.
Nanometer-sized Bismuth Crystallites Synthesized from a High-temperature Reducing System

Nanometer-sized bismuth has successfully been prepared using a high-temperature organic reducing system by presence of proper capping/stabilizing agents. Self-assembly of bismuth was, at the first time, obtained using size-selected nanoparticles (15nm in size). Various synthetic conditions, which may significantly affect the formation of self-assembled nanocrystalline bismuth, have been optimized and discussed in this paper. The as-prepared nanocrystallites exist in a single rhombohedral phase with high crystallinity, and oxidation problem has been efficiently overcome within limited period by employing this method.
Stressing Rac, Ras, and Downstream Heat Shock Protein 70

Stress proteins (also known as heat shock proteins) regulate fundamental cellular processes, such as protein folding, protein sorting, protein degradation, assembly of proteins into larger complexes, and resolubilization of aggregates.1 2 3 4 Heat shock proteins (hsps) are divided into 6 subfamilies based on molecular mass: large hsps (110 to 100 kDa), hsp90, hsp70, hsp60, hsp40, and small hsps (30 to 18 kDa).5 Members of the hsp70 group are abundant in eukaryotic cells, and most research to date has focused on stress-inducible hsp70. hsp70 is induced by a number of stress stimuli, and its expression is regulated at the transcriptional level by heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1). HSF1, which normally exists as a monomer, trimerizes after activation and binds to a specific DNA recognition sequence (heat shock element) in the hsp70 promoter. HSF1 seems to require phosphorylation for full activity; however, the identity of the putative HSF1-activating kinase remains to be elucidated. It has been shown that HSF1 can be phosphorylated by extracellular signal–regulated protein kinases (ERKs) of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family in a Ras-dependent manner; however, this represses rather than stimulates transcriptional activity.6 7 8 It is also possible that HSF1 is activated by mechanisms that do not rely on phosphorylation, or that dephosphorylation of inhibitory phosphorylation sites stimulates the transcriptional activity of HSF1. Although the first evidence of existence of hsps dates back to the early 1960s,9 hsps have recently received substantial attention in the field of cardiovascular research after several important and interesting observations. hsp70 has been shown to protect cells from apoptosis and necrosis induced by various stimuli, induce cross-tolerance of stressed cells exposed to …
IL-10 Released by Concomitant TLR2 Stimulation Blocks the Induction of a Subset of Th1 Cytokines That Are Specifically Induced by TLR4 or TLR3 in Human Dendritic Cells

Recognition of microbial products through TLRs triggers the expression of several cytokines that regulate innate and adaptive immunity. Signaling by various TLRs is not equivalent and leads to differential gene induction. This study analyzed the responses of human dendritic cells (DCs) and PBMCs stimulated with agonists of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR7, first individually and then in combination. Several cytokines were equally induced by all TLR agonists, but four genes, IFN-beta, IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), IL-12p35, and IL-15, showed a very restricted pattern of induction. Thus, each TLR appears to possess a distinctive ability to activate DCs or PBMCs, suggesting that TLR-mediated responses cannot be simply cataloged as resembling either TLR2 (MyD88 dependent) or TLR4 (MyD88 independent) and that other signaling modalities may exist. The analysis of DC and PBMC activation by combinations of TLR agonists revealed that TLR2 agonists are able to block the induction of IP-10, IL-12p35, and IFN-gamma, but not IL-15 and IFN-beta, by TLR3 and TLR4. TLR2 stimulation led to rapid release of IL-10 that is responsible for inhibition of IP-10 and IL-12p35 induction. Cross-talk between different TLRs may modify the primary responses of TLR to their agonist, adding a further level of complexity to the regulation of innate immunity.
Design of layered transformation-optics devices of arbitrary shape

Transformation-optics devices of arbitrary shapes usually result in material parameters inside the device that feature level sets of different shapes. Consequently, these devices cannot easily be implemented using a layered architecture and thus are, generally, more difficult to realize in practice. We present a method of designing two-dimensional transformation-optics devices of arbitrary shapes characterized by material parameters of same-level sets, thus suitable to be implemented through concentric layers, each layer being made of a single type of material or metamaterial. Remarkably, we show that transformations leading to such designs are obtained from solutions to the well-known eikonal equation. This approach allows fabrication techniques developed for cylindrical designs of circular cross section to be directly applied to devices of other shapes.
Psychosocial characteristics associated with frequent physical fighting: findings from the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The goal of the current study was to determine the prevalence and psychosocial correlates associated with frequent fighting among US high school students. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N=16 410). Multivariate logistic regression analyses determined associations between demographic and psychosocial correlates of frequent fighting. Among students, 13.6% reported fighting once, 15.3% reported fighting 2-11 times and 2.6% reported fighting 12 or more times in the past year. Risk factors associated with frequent fighting were weapon carrying (adjusted OR=10.55; 95% CI 7.40 to 15.05), suicide attempt (adjusted OR=6.16; 95% CI 3.70 to 10.28), binge drinking (adjusted OR=3.15; 95% CI 2.16 to 4.59) and feeling too unsafe to go to school (adjusted OR=3.09; 95% CI 2.00 to 4.77). There is a clear need to better understand the patterns and psychosocial characteristics of frequent physical fighting and the prevention and interventions strategies that may be most relevant for these vulnerable youth.
Introduction: Examining the many potential reasons why euploid blastocysts do not always result in viable pregnancies: part 1

The environment of the oocyte and embryo includes the metabolic effects of aging, lifestyle issues, psychological stress, nutritional supplements/replacements, cellular energy levels, endocrine and paracrine factors, the cumulus, exogenous gonadotropins and adjunctive medications, culture media, and the in vitro fertilization laboratory's conditions and manipulations. These complex factors, which will be examined in the following series of reviews, explain in part why not all euploid blastocysts result in viable pregnancies.
Sequential homoharringtonine and interferon-α in the treatment of early chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia

Homoharringtonine (HHT) is a novel plant alkaloid that produced a complete hematologic remission (CHR) in 72% of patients with late chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Cytogenetic (CG) remissions were noted in 31%. In this study, six courses of HHT were administered to 90 patients with early chronic phase CML (< 1 year from diagnosis). Patients then received interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) with a target dose of 5 MU/m2 daily. Results were compared with those in a prior group of patients treated with IFN-alpha-based therapy between 1982 and 1990. Ninety-two percent of patients achieved CHR with HHT; CG responses were observed in 60% and were major in 27%. Both CHR and CG response rates were significantly higher than those seen in historical control patients after 6 months of IFN-alpha therapy. After receiving HHT, patients required lower doses of IFN-alpha to maintain a CHR. The median dose delivered was 2.4 MU/m2. This reduction in IFN-alpha dose was associated with a lower incidence of myalgia and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances than that seen in patients treated at the 5 MU/m2 dose. Overall, CG responses were seen in 66% of the patients who received HHT and IFN-alpha compared with 61% of the historical control patients. HHT is a very effective treatment of early chronic phase CML, and ongoing trials are investigating the simultaneous administration of HHT and IFN-alpha, as well as that of HHT and low-dose cytosine arabinoside in patients failing IFN-alpha therapy.
Anticardiolipin Wet Workshop Report: Fifth International Symposium on Antiphospholipid Antibodies

An anticardiolipin wet workshop was conducted at the Fifth International Antiphospholipid Symposium (San Antonio, Texas, September 9-12, 1992). The workshop had four objectives: 1. to determine variability in measurement of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM, and IgA anticardiolipin of eight unknown sera; 2. to examine the correlation between three commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and the Antiphospholipid Standardization Laboratory; 3. to examine protocols by which anticardiolipin binding to phospholipid antigens and beta 2 glycoprotein 1 (beta 2GP1) might be compared; and 4. to examine the beta 2GP1 effect on cardiolipin binding activity. Results showed good overall correlation of quantitative anticardiolipin measurements between workshop participants and the Antiphospholipid Standardization Laboratory. Correlation with individual ELISA kits was also good. With respect to the third objective, all participants showed comparable binding to cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine but none to phosphatidylcholine or beta 2GP1. Finally, beta 2GP1 enhanced, but was not essential for, anticardiolipin binding. This workshop will not settle controversies about anticardiolipin measurement and specificity, but suggests protocols to resolve these issues.
Evaluation of the efficacy of a nurse practitioner-led home-based congestive heart failure clinical pathway

Frequent exacerbations of symptoms and financial penalties for 30-day hospital readmissions of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) have led to new disease management approaches. A nurse practitioner (NP)-led interdisciplinary program for CHF management that included home telemonitoring and early NP assessments and interventions was piloted by a home health agency. A 4-month evaluation of the efficacy of a clinical pathway for CHF patients resulted in the enrollment of 22 CHF patients in the program. Two clients were readmitted within 30 days. The new program was effective in reducing 30-day readmission rates to 9% compared to the national average of 23%.
Influence of hypophysis and of adrenal cortex upon tissue mast cell of the hamster.

SummaryMast cell counts were made on skin, mesentery, and cheek pouch of Syrian hamsters subjected to adrenalectomy, hypophysectomy, and treatment with ACTH or cortisone. None of the treatments influenced the total number of mast cells. Neither adrenalectomy nor hypophysectomy affected the number of abnormal (vacuolation and conglomeration of cytoplasmic granules) mast cells. Both cortisone and ACTH administration were followed by increases in the number of abnormal mast cells, these being especially great in the mesentery. ACTH was without influence when administered to adrenalectomized animals.
Azithromycin and ceftriaxone combination treatment for relapsed Salmonella Paratyphi A bacteraemia.

To the Editor-in-Chief: The treatment of relapsed Salmonella Paratyphi A bacteraemia remains uncertain. A 26-year-old Indian American woman presented with fever, chills and diarrhoea for 6 days prior to presentation, 7 days after returning from a 2-week trip to India. Initial physical examination was unrevealing, and laboratory values were unremarkable. Blood cultures grew a non-lactose fermenting Gram-negative rod on MacConkey agar. Biochemical analysis using the MicroScan Neg/Urine Combo 51 panel (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA) identified Salmonella Paratyphi A with >99% confidence. The isolate was found to have an MIC ≤ 1 µg/ml for ceftriaxone by microdilution. Intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g daily was started. She had clinical improvement with resolution …
A rhesus macaque model of Asian-lineage Zika virus infection

Infection with Asian-lineage Zika virus (ZIKV) has been associated with Guillain–Barre syndrome and fetal abnormalities, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Animal models of infection are thus urgently needed. Here we show that rhesus macaques are susceptible to infection by an Asian-lineage ZIKV closely related to strains currently circulating in the Americas. Following subcutaneous inoculation, ZIKV RNA is detected in plasma 1 day post infection (d.p.i.) in all animals (N=8, including 2 pregnant animals), and is also present in saliva, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. Non-pregnant and pregnant animals remain viremic for 21 days and for up to at least 57 days, respectively. Neutralizing antibodies are detected by 21 d.p.i. Rechallenge 10 weeks after the initial challenge results in no detectable virus replication, indicating protective immunity against homologous strains. Therefore, Asian-lineage ZIKV infection of rhesus macaques provides a relevant animal model for studying pathogenesis and evaluating potential interventions against human infection, including during pregnancy. Animal models of infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) are urgently needed for a better understanding of pathogenesis and for testing potential therapies. Here, the authors describe infection of rhesus macaques with an Asian-lineage ZIKV strain as a relevant animal model for studying ZIKV pathogenesis.
Sirtuin 1 activation alleviates cholestatic liver injury in a cholic acid-fed mouse model of cholestasis.

Sirtuin1 (Sirt1; mammalian homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzyme Sir2) is a transcriptional and transactivational regulator of murine farnesoid X receptor (Fxr), which is the primary bile acid (BA) sensor, and critical regulator of BA metabolism in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Previous studies have suggested compromised Sirt1 expression in rodent models of cholestatic liver injury. We hypothesized that Sirt1 could be potentially targeted to alleviate cholestatic liver injury. In cultured primary human hepatocytes, SIRT1 messenger RNA was down-regulated after GCA treatment, potentially through induction of microRNA (miR)-34a, whereas tauroursodeoxycholic acid induced SIRT1 expression without affecting miR-34a expression. Sirt1 expression was also significantly down-regulated in three mouse models of liver injury (bile duct ligation, 1% cholic acid [CA] fed, and the Mdr2-/- mouse). Mice fed CA diet also demonstrated hepatic FXR hyperacetylation and induction of the Janus kinase/p53 pathway. Mice fed a CA diet and concurrently administered the Sirt1 activator, SRT1720 (50 mg/kg/day, orally), demonstrated 40% and 45% decrease in plasma alanine aminotransferase and BA levels, respectively. SRT1720 increased hepatic BA hydrophilicity by increasing tri- and tetrahydroxylated and decreasing the dihydroxylated BA fraction. SRT1720 administration also inhibited hepatic BA synthesis, potentially through ileal fibroblast growth factor 15- and Fxr-mediated inhibition of cytochrome p450 (Cyp) 7a1 and Cyp27a1, along with increased hepatic BA hydroxylation in association with Cyp2b10 induction. SRT1720 administration significantly induced renal multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 and 4, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α, and constitutive androstance receptor expression along with ∼2-fold increase in urinary BA concentrations. Conclusion SRT1720 administration alleviates cholestatic liver injury in mice by increasing hydrophilicity of hepatic BA composition and decreasing plasma BA concentration through increased BA excretion into urine. Thus, use of small-molecule activators of Sirt1 presents a novel therapeutic target for cholestatic liver injury. (Hepatology 2016;64:2151-2164).