cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enostosis-like lesions in the long bones of 10 horses: scintigraphic and radiographic features

Summary Ten horses admitted for lameness evaluation including bone scintigraphy had enostosis-like lesions, described scintigraphically as focal or multifocal areas of intense increased radioisotope uptake within the medullary cavity of one or more long bones, and radiographically as one or multiple round to irregularly shaped radiopacities within the medullary cavity, often in close proximity to the nutrient foramen. There were 6 Thoroughbreds, one male, one female and 4 geldings, 3 Standardbreds, all geldings and one Appaloosa gelding; age 3–10 years. Enostosis-like lesions were seen in the tibia (5 horses), radius (3 horses), humerus (one horse) and third metatarsal bone (MT-III) (4 horses). The number of affected bones in each horse was 1–3. Of 16 affected limbs, there were 9 hindlimbs and 7 forelimbs. Enostosis-like lesions were considered a possible cause of lameness in 5 horses, but were considered incidental findings in the other horses. Lesions thought to cause lameness were seen in the tibia (2 horses), MT-III (one horse) and in the radius (4 horses). Lameness resolved after horses were rested (2–6 months) and given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (4 horses). Follow-up scintigraphic examination in 3 horses (2, 6 and 9 months later, respectively) revealed normal radioisotope uptake in the affected areas.
Sex difference in blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats influenced by perinatal NaCl exposure

Abstract Our prior study showed that the basal blood pressure level and pressor response to peripheral angiotensin II of adult Sprague-Dawley rats were enhanced by perinatal exposure to a high NaCl diet. The purpose of the present study was to assess further the relationship between NaCl-sensitivity of blood pressure and perinatal NaCl exposure. We tested the hypothesis that the basal blood pressure level and pressor responses to angiotensin II could be increased by perinatal exposure to high NaCl in NaCl-resistant spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-R). Adult female SHR-R were maintained on a diet containing either basal 1% or high 8% NaCl throughout pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were continued on these same diets to 30 days postpartum. Thereafter, all offspring were maintained on a diet containing 1% NaCl. After being adapted to restraint, systolic blood pressure was measured indirectly by the tail-cuff procedure when the rats were 30, 44, and 58 days of age. Subsequently, baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pressor responses to intravenous administration of angiotensin II (20, 40, 80, and 120 ng/kg body weight) were obtained from the catheterized femoral artery in conscious unrestrained rats. The MAP levels of adult female SHR-R exposed perinatally to 8% NaCl were significantly greater than those of females exposed to 1% NaCl. This elevated blood pressure was accompanied by an elevation in plasma osmolality. Perinatal exposure to 8% NaCl did not raise the blood pressure and plasma osmolality levels of adult male SHR-R, but did enhance pressor responses to angiotensin II. On the basis of previous observations from other laboratories, we suggest that dietary NaCl manipulation during perinatal development modulates the sensitivity of central angiotensin II receptors and possibly central arginine vasopressin receptors and/or synthesis and release.
Comet assay in murine bone-marrow cell line (FDC-P2).

Abstract The comet assay, also known as the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay, is a rapid, simple, visual and sensitive technique for measuring DNA damage in mammalian cells. In the present study, Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), 4-Nitrosoquinoline-Oxide (4NQO), Cyclophosphamide (CPA), and Benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced DNA damage was assayed in vitro in a murine bone-marrow cell line (FDC-P2), with or without an activation mixture (rat liver S9). All compounds caused significant DNA damage. With MMS and 4NQO, the frequency of comet tails, scored manually under a fluorescence microscope, increased dose-dependently, and reached a maximum of 53.2 and 74.8% respectively. Three parameters indicating DNA damage in the comet assay with the two-layer method, tail length, %DNA in tail, and tail moment, calculated using the automated image analysis software “Comet Analyzer v1.5” increased with all compounds. With MMS and 4NQO, all parameters increased at concentrations over 40 and 0.25 μmol/L, respectively. The in vitro comet assay with rat liver S9 could detect DNA damage caused by the metabolites of CPA and BP. The comet assay using the two-layer method is easy and efficient, and so can be conducted on a routine as basis. The assay with FDC-P2 cells was highly sensitive in detecting DNA damage with the frequency of comet tails, tail moment, %DNA in tail and tail length as indicators of the damage. Metabolism-mediated DNA damage could be detected with the addition of a rat S9 mixture at a final concentration of 6% for 6 h exposure.
Unilateral Competitive Effects and the Test for Merger Control

(2008). Unilateral Competitive Effects and the Test for Merger Control. European Competition Journal: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 95-101.
Evolution of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase: Emergence and divergence

The melatonin rhythm-generating enzyme, arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) is known to have recognizable ancient homologs in bacteria and fungi, but not in other eukaryotes. Analysis of new cDNA and genomic sequences has identified several additional homologs in other groupings. First, an AANAT homolog has been found in the genome of the cephalochordate amphioxus, representing the oldest homolog in chordates. Second, two AANAT homologs have been identified in unicellular green algae. The homologs in amphioxus, unicellular green algae, fungi and bacteria are similarly primitive in that they lack sequences found in vertebrate AANATs that are involved in regulation and that facilitate binding and catalysis. In addition, all these sequences are intronless. These features are consistent with horizontal transfer of the AANAT ancestor from bacteria to green algae, fungi and chordates. Lastly, a third AANAT gene has been found in teleost fish, suggesting that AANAT genes serve multiple functions in addition to melatonin synthesis.
Anchored Wilkinson Catalyst: Hydrogenation of β Pinene

The hydrogenation of β pinene over homogeneous and anchored Wilkinson’s catalysts was studied. Phosphotungstic acid was used to anchor the Wilkinson catalyst to an alumina support by an interaction between the heteropoly acid and the rhodium atom of the complex. The hydrogenation of β pinene over the anchored catalyst was accompanied by some isomerization to α-pinene which was subsequently hydrogenated along with the β pinene to the pinanes with selectivities to the cis (endo) pinane in the 85–88 % range at near 100 % conversion. With the homogeneous Wilkinson catalyst an 88 % selectivity to cis pinane was also observed but only at 82 % conversion. The use of a 1 % Rh/Al2O3 catalyst for this hydrogenation gave some unexpected results. There was a facile isomerization to α pinene which was not hydrogenated further. The reaction stopped at about 30 % conversion at which time the cis and trans pinanes were present in near equal amounts in about 16–18 % yields.
Precipitation Enhancement—A Scientific Challenge

Schaefer’s 1946 cloud seeding experiment initiated a quest for weather modification techniques. Progress has been slow; but there are several reasons for believing that useful precipitation augmentation may be possible.
Symposium introduction: Governing the global workplace

“G lobalization ” is here to stay :  t defines the expandingeconomic integration among workers, corporations and nation-states aroundthe world. With the spread of free market capitalism, the ability of France,Germany, or the United Kingdom to create jobs and attract foreigninvestments can be adversely affected by their contemporary bargainingstructures and relatively restrictive layoff laws. The advance in communicationtechnologies has transformed the labor market for high-skilled workersfrom domestic to global, which has affected their income and employmentin Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and the same istrue for wage changes in China, India, and Mexico. As such, employmentconditions in the world’s ofﬁces, stores, ﬁelds, call centers, and factories areinﬂuenced by globalization. Thomas Friedman (2005:8) argues that theworld is ﬂat because “it is now possible for more people than ever tocollaborate and compete in real time with more other people on moredifferent kinds of work from more different corners of the planet and on amore equal footing than at any previous time in the history of the world”—a proposition that is hard to dispute.
Individual Canine Airways Responsiveness to Aerosol Histamine and Methacholine in Vivo

Inhalational challenges to histamine and methacholine (Mch) are commonly used to measure airway reactivity. In this study, we investigated the serial distribution of individual airway responsiveness in vivo following stimulation with histamine or methacholine by directly measuring airway area with high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Anesthetized dogs were challenged on separate days to increasing aerosol concentrations of histamine or Mch. Airway areas of 13 or 14 individual airways in each dog ranging in size from 1.1 to 16.9 mm in diameter at baseline were measured. Dose response curves for each agonist showed a similar responsiveness to each agonist over all airway sizes measured. There was a slightly greater individual airway responsiveness to Mch throughout the airway tree, and this greater responsiveness was also present in those airways that are responsible for the decreased Cdyn observed with Mch challenge. We conclude that in vivo aerosol challenges with histamine or methacholine do not l...
Effect of ration level on nitrogen excretion, nitrogen retention and efficiency of nitrogen utilization for growth in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) with an average weight of 45.5 g were used to study ration level effects on nitrogen excretion, nitrogen retention, and gross efficiency of utilization of nitrogen for growth. Bass were starved 3 to 4 days and then each bass was placed into an aquarium containing a known volume of water. One day after the fishes were placed in aquaria, nitrogen excretion rates were determined; this rate is the maintenance nitrogen excretion. Each fish was then fed one or more shiners (Notropis cornutus); fish were fed only once. Nitrogen excretion measurements were made daily until the rates were similar to maintenance rates. The nitrogen excretion rates for each day after feeding which were above the maintenance nitrogen excretion were combined and reflect the total nitrogen excretion for a given ration level. All ration levels were converted to nitrogen consumption in mg and nitrogen absorption was calculated from subtracting the average faecal nitrogen from nitrogen consumption. From data on nitrogen consumption, nitrogen absorption, nitrogen excretion, and faecal nitrogen, calculations were made for nitrogen retention and gross efficiency of utilization of nitrogen for growth. As ration level and nitrogen absorption increased, nitrogen excretion increased and is described by the equation, Y= 8.56+0.40 X, where Y is total nitrogen excretion and X is nitrogen absorption. Nitrogen retention also increased with nitrogen absorption and is described by the equation, Y=–8.57+0.60 X, where Y is nitrogen retention and X is nitrogen absorption. Efficiency increases rapidly above maintenance, but levels off at higher ration levels and approaches an asymptote of 60%.
Cigarette Smoking and Facial Wrinkles: A Review of the Literature

Research studies indicate that smoking cigarettes is related to a premature development of facial wrinkles. Given that facial wrinkles may act as motivation for people to quit smoking, it is crucial that smoking cessation professionals be able to accurately inform clients about research concerning smoking and wrinkles. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide an updated overview of the literature which can be used by cessation clinicians as a practical reference on smoking and facial wrinkles. Databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles that study the association with smoking and wrinkles. In all, 17 articles were located and reviewed for research methods and results. Although facial wrinkles and smoking were measured inconsistently between studies, the overall literature indicates that those who smoke have a higher risk of developing premature facial wrinkles as compared to those who do not smoke. The implications of this review for smoking cessation professionals are described.
Optical Implementations Of Digital Algorithms For Pattern Recognition

Optical processing over the past 10 years has made significant advances in implementing a great number of digital pattern recognition algorithms. Especially important are optical implementations of digital algorithms that involve global operations on 2-D patterns. Such applications of optical processing will significantly speed up the response time of the pattern recognition systems while maintaining the reliability offered by digital methods. This paper summarily describes some of these advances, for example, in preprocessing, feature extraction, and statistical pattern recognition. It is proposed that a microcomputer-based hybrid system be developed in which digital implementations of algorithms involving neighborhood operations can be combined with optical implementations of algorithms involving global operations on 2-D patterns.
Heart rates, breathing rates and the effects of atropine and acetylcholine on white-footed mice (Peromyscus sp.) during daily torpor

Abstract 1. 1. Heart rates and breathing rates fall during torpor, and the levels to which they fall are correlated with both the body temperature and the ΔT . 2. 2. Heart rates and breathing rates appear to be under predominantly parasympathetic influence during entrance into torpor and sympathetic influence during arousal. 3. 3. Atropine blocks the cardiac arrhythmia which normally occurs throughout torpor. 4. 4. Acetylcholine causes immediate asystoles during torpor. 5. 5. There are no clear differences between the species.
Water Sustainability: Anthropological Approaches and Prospects

Water has become an urgent theme in anthropology as the worldwide need to provide adequate supplies of clean water to all people becomes more challenging. Anthropologists contribute by seeing water not only as a resource, but also as a substance that connects many realms of social life. They trace the different forms of valuing water, examine the often unequal distribution of water, explore the rules and institutions that govern water use and shape water politics, and study the multiple, often conflicting knowledge systems through which actors understand water. They offer ethnographic insights into key water sites—watersheds, water regimes, and waterscapes—found in all settings, though with widely varying characteristics. Anthropologists provide a critical examination of a concept called integrated water resource management (IWRM), which has become hegemonic in the global discourse of sustainable development.
Design and reliability challenges in nanometer technologies

CMOS technology scaling is causing the channel lengths to be sub-wavelength of light. Parameter variation, caused by sub-wavelength lithography, will pose a major challenge for design and reliability of future high performance microprocessors in nanometer technologies. In this paper, we present the impact of these variations on processor functionality, Predictability and reliability. We propose design and CAD solutions for variation tolerance. We conclude this paper with sofi error rate scaling trends and sofl error tolerant circuits for reliabilitv enhancement.
Redoing the health care quilt. Patches or whole cloth

The current health care system of the United States, like a quilt that is tattered and full of holes, badly needs attention. The question is whether we should repair it with patches or replace it with a new quilt of whole cloth. That the system needs fixing is evident; the deficiencies have been described by abundant commentaries. The major deficiencies include those cited below. The Uninsured. —An estimated 37 million people in the United States do not have health insurance. Of these, about 12 million are children; another major segment comprises pregnant women. These numbers are estimated to have increased approximately 30% in the last decade. This reflects lack of employee coverage, particularly in small businesses, and a high rate of job turnover. It also reflects an inadequate Medicaid program that varies by state but that generally leaves a significant fraction of indigent families uncovered. The problem of uninsured children
Low-grade gliomas: to treat or not to treat? A radiation oncologist's viewpoint.

To make a rational decision regarding the proper course of treatment for an adult with a supratentorial low-grade glioma, the physician must understand the pathology, natural history, and modern treatment options. In this regard, three commonly held beliefs may lead to the policy of routine observation, 1 which may be inappropriate. The first commonly held belief is that low-grade gliomas are a homogeneous group of neoplasms. In fact, they are not. Recent studies have divided the low-grade gliomas into two distinct groups, the pilocytic astrocytomas and the ordinary astrocytomas (including oligoastrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas). Patients with pilocytic astrocytomas enjoy 10-year survivals of 80% or more following complete or even incomplete excision. 24 On the other hand, ordinary astrocytomas are associated with 10-year survivals of 20%. This dismal prognosis challenges the second commonly held belief, which is that low-grade gliomas are benign 5-6 or indolent. 1 In an earlier study from my
Mechanical support of patients with heart failure: What are the future hurdles?

The article “Ventricular assist devices: The future is now” by Lima et al. [1] presents the current status of mechanical circulatory support for the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure. The authors review patient selection, discuss the basic technical aspects of current assist devices, including the total artificial heart, and give an overview of expected outcomes including patient survival and quality of life. Indeed, it is remarkable that for over 40 years surgeons and physiologists have explored many aspects of cardiac assist device design, biomaterials compatibility, and physiologic responses, but until the last decade, use of mechanical cardiac support was limited largely to patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock or candidates for cardiac transplantation who had profound circulatory failure. The importance of this article for clinicians and especially for cardiologists who specialize in heart failure is that mechanical assistance is now an accepted alternative for many patients with end-stage heart failure who are not necessarily candidates for transplantation and have had maximal medical therapy. So, what limits wider application of current mechanical support systems for treatment of end-stage heart failure? First is patient selection. In contrast to cardiac transplantation where recipient selection is relatively standardized, identification of candidates who will receive maximum benefit from a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for destination therapy continues to evolve. Lima et al. briefly discuss the Interagency Registry for Mechanical Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) [2] composite score which describes 7 profiles of patient categories taking into account functional characteristics, need for inotropic support, nutrition, and organ function. While these variables and derived scores
Greenhouse gas production and emission from a forest nursery soil following fumigation with chloropicrin and methyl isothiocyanate

Soil fumigation is commonly used to control soil-borne pathogens and weeds. Our aim was to examine the effects of soil fumigation with chloropicrin (CP) and methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) on CH4 ,N 2O and CO2 production and emission. These effects on a SE USA forest nursery soil were examined in field and laboratory experiments. Following field fumigation, CH4 surface emissions and concentrations in the soil atmosphere were unaffected. Both fumigants increased N2O emissions rates significantly compared to nonfumigated controls, and the effects were still evident after 48 d. These findings are in contrast to fertilizer-induced N2O emissions, which generally return to background within 2 wk after application. Depths of N2O production were different for the two fumigants as determined by soil gas sampling, suggesting fumigant-specific stimulation mechanisms. CO2 emissions (0‐15 d) were not altered significantly, although sub-surface CO2 concentrations did increase following fumigation with CP or MITC and remained elevated for CP treatment on d 48. CP-induced N2O production was also stimulated in aerobic laboratory incubation studies, with surface soils exhibiting 10 to 100-fold greater production rates. MITC and a combination of CP/MITC also stimulated N2O production, but the effect was significantly less than for CP alone. MITC suppressed and CP did not effect CO2 production in the laboratory incubation. By comparing sterilized to non-sterile soils, O95% of these effects appear to be of biotic origin. q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The National Clinical Trials Network: Conducting Successful Clinical Trials of New Therapies for Rare Cancers.

Rare cancers account for 27% of neoplasms diagnosed each year, and 25% of cancer-related deaths in the United States. However, rare cancers show some of the highest response rates to targeted therapies, probably due to identification of oncogenic drivers with little interpatient variability. Although the low incidence of rare cancers makes large-scale randomized trials involving single histologies difficult to perform, drugs have been successfully developed in rare cancers using clinical trial designs that combine microscopic histologies. Such trials are being pursued within the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), which possesses unique qualifications to perform widespread molecular screening of tumors for patient enrollment onto therapeutic clinical trials. When larger clinical trials are needed to determine optimum treatment strategies in rare cancers, the NCTN’s broad reach in North America and internationally, and their ability to partner with both United States–based and international research organizations, can make these challenging studies feasible.
Interfacial Layer Effects in Ba1-xSrxTiO3 Thick Films prepared by Plasma Spray

Abstract : The dielectric properties of high k dielectric thick films prepared by thermal spray were investigated. BaTiO3 and Ba(0.68)Sr(0.32)TiO3 thick films were deposited using plasma spray on Ag-Pd screen-printed alumina substrates. The sprayed films were predominantly polycrystalline but contained an amorphous second phase. The dielectric constants of the films decreased with decreasing film thickness in 10 approx. 60 micrometer range. This was attributed to the presence of an interfacial layer between the film and the substrate as determined by capacitance measurements. The capacitance density of the interfacial layer was determined to be approx. 2.7 nF/sq cm. The capacitance density of the interfacial layer increased to 12 nF/sq cm after post heat treatment at 500 deg. C for 20 hours.
Synthesis of Discontinously Reinforced Metal matrix Composites Using Spray Atomisation and Co injection

A variety of processing techniques have evolved over the last two decades to optimize the structure and properties of particulate reinforced metal-matrix composites (MMCs). Among these, spray processes offer a unique opportunity to combine the benefits associated with fine particulate technology with in situ processing, and in some cases, near-net shape manufacturing. Spray processing generally involves mixing reinforcements and matrix under highly non-equilibrium conditions, and as a result, these processes offer the opportunity to modify the properties of existing alloy systems, and develop novel alloy compositions. In principle, such an approach will inherently avoid the extreme thermal excursions, with concomitant macrosegregation, normally associated with casting processes. Furthermore, this approach also eliminates the need to handle fine reactive particulates, normally associated with powder metallurgical processes. The present paper discusses recent developments in the area of spray atomisation and deposition processing of discontinuously reinforced MMCs, with particular emphasis on the synergism between microstructure, mechanical properties and processing.
Effects of expectancy-confirmation processes and applicants' qualifications on recruiters evaluations

The present study examined the simultaneous effects of 53 college recruiters' preinterview impressions regarding expected applicants and their assessments of applicants' actual qualifications on their postinterview evaluations of 145 actual applicants. Path analysis indicated that expectancy-confirmation processes were marginally present in recruiters' evaluations of applicants, such that recruiters who evaluated expected applicants more favorably prior to receipt of information on applicants also gave more favorable evaluations to actual applicants. However, applicants' qualifications had far greater effect on evaluations of applicants.
Atrial Fibrillation and Other Clinical Manifestations of Altered TBX5 Dosage in Typical Holt–Oram Syndrome

To the editor: We were pleased to read the recent study in Circulation Research by Postma et al1 that describes an activation mutation in TBX5 that causes Holt–Oram syndrome. These exciting findings validate prior studies (reviewed elsewhere2) showing that cytogenetic abnormalities that produce TBX5 duplication (and presumed TBX5 overexpression) result in phenotypes that include Holt–Oram syndrome associated abnormalities. Moreover, we3,4 and others5 have previously demonstrated in experimental models that cell biological consequences of diminished and augmented Tbx5 expression are similar. In aggregate, these prior findings and the current data support a model6 in which Tbx5 dosage must …
Effects of Wall Flexibility on the Rotordynamic Coefficients of Turbulent Cryogenic Annular Seals

A theory for analyzing the effects of elastic deformations of the seal wall on the dynamic characteristics of high pressure cryogenic annular seals under concentric operation is presented. The bulk flow continuity, axial and circumferential momentum, and the energy transport equations are utilized to determine the pressure distribution in the seal. Thermophysical properties of the cryogenic fluid are assumed to be functions of the local pressure and temperature. The wall deformations are obtained using an iso-parametric, axi-symmetric Finite Element formulation of the seal wall. A perturbation analysis is employed to arrive at the first order solution which yields the rotordynamic coefficients. Results obtained for the case of Space Shuttle Main Engine Oxygen Turbopump (SSME-HPOTP) Preburner Seal show a significant impact of seal flexibility on the dynamic coeffcients.
Performance enhancements in the superscalar i960MM embedded microprocessor

Continued research into Intel's i960 architecture has resulted in the development of performance improvements beyond those implemented in the i960CA microprocessor. These improvements allow additional superscalar dispatch opportunities, reduce memory access delays, and enhance the performance of specific instructions. The i960MM microprocessor is an implementation of these performance enhancements. Together, these enhancements can increase the performance of certain applications by 25% to 100%. Additionally, the i960MM includes an implementation of a full-function floating-point unit. Performance of 27 MFLOPs (single precision) and 16 MFLOPS (double precision) was achieved on the Linpack benchmarks at 40 MHz. >
Global evaluation of CCN formation by direct emission of sea salt and growth of ultrafine sea salt

[1] The contribution of both the sea-salt emissions and specifically the ultrafine (dry Dp < 0.1 μm) component of these emissions to global CCN was assessed with a global model of aerosol microphysics. Four sea-salt emissions parameterizations were incorporated into the GISS II-prime general circulation model with the size-resolved aerosol microphysics module, TOMAS. The results of the four simulations were compared to observations of monthly average PM10 sea-salt mass, sea-salt mass size distributions, and marine aerosol number distributions. The agreement of the simulations with the observations varied greatly based on the sea-salt emissions parameterization used, but validation of the parameterizations is limited by uncertainty in the model's wind speeds. The impact of sea-salt aerosols on CCN concentrations was assessed by looking at the percent change in CCN(0.2%) concentrations between a simulation including both sea salt and sulfate and a simulation including sulfate alone. Two of the emissions parameterizations included ultrafine sea-salt particles, and the contribution of the ultrafine particles to CCN(0.2%) formation was assessed by sensitivity studies. Depending on the emissions estimate used, the addition of sea salt increased CCN(0.2%) over the Southern Ocean by 150% to 500%. The highest increases resulted from the simulations that included ultrafine emissions where it was found that the ultrafine sea salt can increase CCN(0.2%) concentrations over both the Southern Ocean and Antarctica by more than 50% relative to the same parameterizations with ultrafine sea salt excluded. The sensitivity of CCN(0.2%) to ultrafine sea-salt emissions enhances the importance of reducing the uncertainty of sea-salt emissions parameterizations and their subsequent treatment in aerosol models.
Protein Kinase C-θ Inhibits Inducible Regulatory T Cell Differentiation via an AKT-Foxo1/3a–Dependent Pathway

Protein kinase C (PKC)-θ has been shown to be a critical TCR signaling molecule that promotes the activation and differentiation of naive T cells into inflammatory effector T cells. In this study, we demonstrate that PKC-θ-mediated signals inhibit inducible regulatory T cell (iTreg) differentiation via an AKT-Foxo1/3A pathway. TGF-β-induced iTreg differentiation was enhanced in PKC-θ(-/-) T cells or wild-type cells treated with a specific PKC-θ inhibitor, but was inhibited by the PKC-θ activator PMA, or by CD28 crosslinking, which enhances PKC-θ activation. PKC-θ(-/-) T cells had reduced activity of the AKT kinase, and the expression of a constitutively active form of AKT in PKC-θ(-/-) T cells restored the ability to inhibit iTreg differentiation. Furthermore, knockdown or overexpression of the AKT downstream targets Foxo1 and Foxo3a was found to inhibit or promote iTreg differentiation in PKC-θ(-/-) T cells accordingly, indicating that the AKT-Foxo1/3A pathway is responsible for the inhibition of iTreg differentiation of iTregs downstream of PKC-θ. We conclude that PKC-θ is able to control T cell-mediated immune responses by shifting the balance between the differentiation of effector T cells and inhibitory Tregs.
Validation of a new method for estimating resting energy expenditure of non-ambulatory tube-fed patients with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We assessed the bias and precision of the Arlington Developmental Center (ADC) equations derived from our previous study and the Harris-Benedict equations for estimating resting energy expenditure in non-ambulatory, tube-fed patients with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities. METHODS: Fifteen non-ambulatory patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities referred to the nutrition consult service for evaluation of enteral tube feeding via a permanent ostomy who had a steady-state resting energy expenditure measurement performed by indirect calorimetry were included in the study. The predicted energy expenditure values were compared with the measured resting energy expenditure values and evaluated for bias and precision. RESULTS: Both ADC equations were more precise (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9–22% and 10–18% error, respectively) for the total population than the Harris-Benedict equations (95% CI: 17–40% error). The ADC-2 equation was precise (95% CI: 7–15% error) and unbiased (95% CI: −5 to 139 kcal/d) in contrast to the Harris-Benedict equations (95% CI: 23–54% error; bias, +230 to 365 kcal/d) for patients with cerebral palsy and fixed upper extremity contractures. The Harris-Benedict equations were precise and unbiased (95% CI: 3–14% error; bias, −182 to 39 kcal/d) for patients with cerebral palsy with preservation of upper body movement, whereas the ADC equations were biased toward underprediction and associated with greater error (95% CI: −367 to −73 kcal/d and 7–26% error; 95% CI: −379 to −109 kcal/d and 9–27% error, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The ADC-2 equation was unbiased and more precise in non-ambulatory adult patients with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities and fixed upper extremity contractures, whereas the Harris-Benedict equations were more precise and unbiased for those with preservation of limited functional and non-functional upper extremity movement.
Developmental changes in the electrophysiological properties of brain stem trigeminal neurons during pattern (barrelette) formation.

Guido, William, Emine Gunhan-Agar, and Reha S. Erzurumlu. Developmental changes in the electrophysiological properties of brain stem trigeminal neurons during pattern (barrelette) formation. J. Neu...
Does Seeing “Eye To Eye” Affect Work Engagement and Organizational Citizenship Behavior? A Role Theory Perspective on LMX Agreement

Despite meta-analytic evidence demonstrating that leader–member exchange (LMX) agreement (consensus between leader and subordinate perceptions) is only moderate at best, research on LMX typically e...
Analysis of Impact of Post-Treatment Biopsies in Phase I Clinical Trials

PurposeThe use of biopsy-derived pharmacodynamic biomarkers is increasing in early-phase clinical trials. It remains unknown whether drug development is accelerated or enhanced by their use. We examined the impact of biopsy-derived pharmacodynamic biomarkers on subsequent drug development through a comprehensive analysis of phase I oncology studies from 2003 to 2010 and subsequent publications citing the original trials.MethodsWe conducted a search to identify and examine publications of phase I oncology studies including the use of biopsy-derived pharmacodynamic biomarkers between 2003 and 2010. Characteristics of those studies were extracted and analyzed, along with outcomes from the biomarker data. We then compiled and reviewed publications of subsequent phase II and III trials citing the original phase I biomarker studies to determine the impact on drug development.ResultsWe identified 4,840 phase I oncology publications between 2003 and 2010. Seventy-two studies included a biopsy-derived pharmacodyna...
Clustering by Left-Stochastic Matrix Factorization

We propose clustering samples given their pairwise similarities by factorizing the similarity matrix into the product of a cluster probability matrix and its transpose. We propose a rotation-based algorithm to compute this left-stochastic decomposition (LSD). Theoretical results link the LSD clustering method to a soft kernel k-means clustering, give conditions for when the factorization and clustering are unique, and provide error bounds. Experimental results on simulated and real similarity datasets show that the proposed method reliably provides accurate clusterings.
Cognitive and Behavioral Aspects of Childhood Hypertension

Primary hypertension in childhood is associated with evidence of target-organ damage. Most studies have concentrated on hypertensive cardiovascular effects, showing that children with primary hypertension demonstrate left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and increased carotid intima-media thickness (Belsha CW. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and hypertensive target-organ damage in children. Blood Press Monit. 1999;4 3–4:161–4; Lande MB, Carson NL, Roy J, Meagher CC. Effects of childhood primary hypertension on carotid intima media thickness: a matched controlled study. Hypertension 2006;48 1:40–4). By contrast, there has been a paucity of studies of the effects of hypertension on the brain, with most reports in children being limited to the most obvious neurological manifestations of severe hypertension, such as stroke, seizure, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (Sharma M, Kupferman JC, Brosgol Y, Paterno K, Goodman S, Prohovnik I, et al. The effects of hypertension on the paediatric brain: a justifiable concern. Lancet neurol 2010; 9 9:933–40; Wong LJ, Kupferman JC, Prohovnik I, Kirkham FJ, Goodman S, Paterno K, et al. Hypertension impairs vascular reactivity in the pediatric brain. Stroke 2011; 42 7:1834–8). This chapter reviews emerging preliminary evidence that children with hypertension may also manifest more subtle adverse effects on the brain.
Effect of L-alanine and ouabain on membrane conductances and apical membrane potential in Aplysia intestine

The proximal intestine of Aplysia californica was employed to assess the effect of alanine absorption on apical membrane K+ conductance (GKa) and basolateral membrane conductance (Gb) and the role of the electrogenic Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (Na+ pump) in the repolarization of apical membrane electrical potential difference (Va) after alanine-induced depolarization. Addition of 50 mM L-alanine (isosmotic substitution for mannitol) to the apical superfusate depolarized Va, reduced the ratio of apical to basolateral membrane resistances (Ra/Rb), and stimulated short-circuit current (Isc). Following these initial events, Va repolarized, Ra/Rb increased, and there was a slight decline in Isc. Apical high-K+ artificial seawater revealed an alanine-induced increase in GKa. Washout of alanine from the apical solution increased Ra/Rb above the prealanine control value. Thus alanine absorption is accompanied by an increase in Gb. Basolateral 0.1 mM ouabain abolished alanine-stimulated Isc but had little effect on Va ( < 3 mV depolarization) either before or after exposure to alanine. The repolarization of Va was not affected in tissues superfused with 0.1 mM basolateral ouabain for approximately 3 min even though the alanine-stimulated increase in Isc was abolished. Therefore, the electrogenic Na+ pump contributes minimally to the repolarization of Va in sea hare intestine. The origin of the hyperpolarization of Va resides therefore, at least in part, in the increase in GKa, which restores the driving force for Na(+)-alanine cotransport and prevents K+ accumulation in the enterocytes.
Computer-assisted single-stage cranioplasty

Cranioplasty treats and repairs cranial defects with a custom craniofacial implant (CCI). Typically, surgeons know the defect size prior to surgery. Recent efforts consider single-stage cranioplasty—performing the bony resection and fixating the CCI in a single operation. This paper develops a computer-assisted technique to perform single-stage cranioplasty. Intraoperatively, the surgeon traces the bony resection. The outline of the bony cuts is projected on a preoperatively-designed CCI to guide the surgeon during the resizing. A cadaveric case study showed good fit with minimal gaps between the implant and remaining skull. Moreover, the procedure reduced the time to resize the implant by an order of magnitude compared to manual resizing without the use of the computer-assisted technique. This approach represents the next step in quickly, effectively, and robustly performing single-stage CCI to treat craniofacial defects.
Ontogenetic changes in forager polymorphism and foraging ecology in the leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes

In the leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes (L.) small colonies produce a relatively narrow size-range of small workers, whereas large colonies produce a much wider size-range of workers. In this study, I compared the foraging of four small A. cephalotes colonies (fewer than 5000 workers) with published data on foraging of large colonies to examine how colony size and worker size-range may be related to foraging ecology in leaf-cutting ants. I found that the foraging ecology of small A. cephalotes colonies is very different from that of large colonies. In small colonies, a relatively narrow size-range of foragers (1.4–6.7 mg, mean 3.3 mg) cut primarily “herbs” (ferns, grasses, and other small herbaceous plants) located within 7 m of the nest. In contrast, in large colonies, a broader size-range of workers (1.4–30 mg, mean 7.3 mg) participate in foraging, generally harvesting from trees 20–80 m from the nest, with larger workers cutting on trees with thicker and tougher leaves. Small colonies' dependence on small herbaceous plants near the nest may have a profound impact on distribution of A. cephalotes. A. cephalotes colonies are rarely found in primary forest, where the low occurrence of small herbaceous plants in the understory may preclude the establishment of young colonies.
The use of intravenous immunoglobulin in rheumatic diseases

The postulated immunomodulating effects of high-dose IVIg therapy make it an attractive alternative to corticosteroids or cytotoxic agents, but cost is an important issue, especially when efficacy is uncertain.
Effects of media, carbon sources and cytokinins on shoot organogenesis in the Christmas tree Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

SummarySignificant effects of seven basal media and three carbon sources (sucrose, glucose and fructose) on the induction of adventitious buds from embryos of Pinus sylvestris L. were observed. Moreover, hyperhydricity of expiants and shoot regenerants was observed on basal media containing fructose, especially with half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS), MS, and woody plant medium (WPM). Expiants grown on a Gresshoff and Doy (GD) medium with sucrose produced the highest frequency of regeneration (81%) and with no hyperhydricity observed of developing adventitious shoots. Among three cytokinins tested including BA, BPA, and TDZ (at four concentrations each), 5 μM BA resulted in the highest regeneration frequency and mean number of adventitious shoots per embryo. Shoot regenerants were elongated after transfer to a GD medium containing 2 g-l–1 activated charcoal and no growth regulators. After one month, rooting was induced on 10% of expiants.
Six Weeks of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Therapy for Patients With Elevated Serum Prostate-specific Antigen Is Not Clinically Beneficial: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective To evaluate asymptomatic men with elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to determine whether a 6-week course of fluoroquinolone antibiotics lowers serum PSA and affects recommendations for prostate biopsy. Materials and Methods A randomized, single-center prospective trial of 150 men with an initial elevated PSA was conducted. Patients were randomized to 6 weeks of ciprofloxacin or observation. Those patients with persistently elevated PSA were recommended to proceed with transrectal ultrasound-guided 12-core biopsy. Those with reduced PSA were offered transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy but could opt to continue serial digital rectal examination/PSA. Patients were followed an average of 4.6 years to assess trends in PSA and biopsy results. Results Of 136 men who completed the trial, 63 were in the treatment and 73 were in the observation group. The average PSA change from baseline was borderline statistically significant with a change of −0.68 ng/mL in the treatment arm and 0.01 ng/mL in the observation arm ( P = .052). Of those who underwent biopsy, prostate cancer was diagnosed in the first biopsy in 24 (63%) of the treatment vs 27 (52%) of the observation group ( P = .60) over follow-up. Conclusion In a cohort of asymptomatic men with elevated PSA, there was only a borderline statistically significant change in serum PSA between patients randomized to a 6-week course of fluoroquinolones vs observation, and there was no difference in positive prostate biopsy results. Our clinical recommendation is one should not treat patients with elevated serum PSA with antibiotics in the absence of clinical symptoms of prostatitis.
Survey on a Serious Occupational Hazard Event Caused by Silica Dust

Objective To find out the causes and the harm extent of this serious Silica dust hazard event and discuss the prevention and control measures for small scale quartz workplace.Methods The hygienic survey of the workplace was conducted.Incidence of silicosis was analyzed statistically.Results The dust concentration was beyond the hygienic standard.The highest concentration reached to 180mg/m2.The SiO2 in the dust was up to 96.28%.There were 18 silicosis cases among 28 workers.The proportion accounted for 64.29%.Conclusions High content of SiO2 and the tiny granule in the dust has strong effect on inducing the pulmonary fibrosis.Thus quartz powder processing was a high occupational hazard industry.Preventive supervision and administration should be strengthened to avoid the unqualified enterprise producing quartz powder.For those enterprises,if their improvement does not reach the hygienic requirements,they should be asked to stop producing or change their production in order to protect the workers' health.
Neurovascular Complications of the Upper Extremity Following Cardiovascular Procedures.

Background Cardiovascular procedures are common and are trending toward endovascular interventions. With this increase in endovascular procedures, there is also increasing awareness of upper extremity morbidity resulting from treatment. Methods Articles indexed within PubMed between the years 1975 and 2015 that discussed such complications were reviewed. Results Percutaneous radial artery access can lead to nerve ischemia, especially in the setting of an incomplete arterial arch, whereas radial artery harvesting for bypass surgery more commonly causes frank tissue ischemia and radial neuropathy. Transulnar catheterization may cause ischemic hand injuries, while transbrachial angiography has resulted in compartment syndrome. Injuries to the nerves themselves often result from surgical equipment, such as sternal retractors, or from patient positioning leading to compression of the ulnar nerve. For percutaneous radial artery access, the incidence of ischemic injury is as high as 24%, whereas nerve injury is too rare to be estimated. In the setting of radial artery harvesting, ischemic injury is limited to case reports, and radial neuropathy is estimated to occur in as many as 25% of patients at discharge. Open heart surgery is the primary setting in which equipment or patient positioning plays a role, affecting 10% of patients with brachial plexus injuries and 15% with ulnar neuropathies. Conclusion Complications following cardiovascular interventions are varied and are typically associated with specific procedures. Careful preoperative and postoperative assessments of patients may aid in preventing, minimizing, and treating these often undiagnosed complications.
Teacher and Teaching Effects on Students’ Attitudes and Behaviors:

Research has focused predominantly on how teachers affect students' achievement on tests despite evidence that a broad range of attitudes and behaviors are equally important to their long-term success. We find that upper-elementary teachers have large effects on self-reported measures of students' self-efficacy in math, and happiness and behavior in class. Students' attitudes and behaviors are predicted by teaching practices most proximal to these measures, including teachers' emotional support and classroom organization. However, teachers who are effective at improving test scores often are not equally effective at improving students' attitudes and behaviors. These findings lend empirical evidence to well-established theory on the multidimensional nature of teaching and the need to identify strategies for improving the full range of teachers' skills.