cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased Incidence and Altered Risk Demographics of Childhood Lead Poisoning: Predicting the Impacts of the CDC’s 5 µg/dL Reference Value in Massachusetts (USA)

In May 2012, the CDC adopted a new sliding scale reference value for childhood lead poisoning, reducing the former 10 µg/dL benchmark by half. Using Massachusetts (MA) as a model state, we estimated the change in the population of 9–47 month-olds at risk for lead poisoning. We then examined the impact of the 5 µg/dL reference value on the demographic characteristics of lead risk in MA communities. We find that the new CDC benchmark will lead to a 1470% increase in childhood lead poisoning cases among 9–47 month-olds in MA, with nearly 50% of the examined communities experiencing an increased prevalence of lead poisoning. Further, the top 10 MA communities with BLLs ≥5 µg/dL have significantly fewer foreign-born residents and significantly larger white populations than the highest risk communities formerly identified by the MA Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. The CDC’s new 5 µg/dL lead poisoning benchmark will drastically increase the number of children with elevated BLLs and alter the distribution and demographics high-risk communities in MA.
Biphasic response of cardiac NO synthase isoforms to ischemic preconditioning in conscious rabbits

In conscious rabbits, a sequence of six 4-min coronary occlusion/4-min reperfusion cycles, which elicits late preconditioning (PC), caused rapid activation of calcium-dependent nitric oxide (NO) sy...
Keyhole Technique for Tenodesis of the Biceps Tendon

Recently, there have been many articles citing the benefits of tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon for pathology of the proximal portion of that tendon. Tenodesis prevents the "Popeye deformity" of the arm and prevents the cramping pain many patients with biceps tenotomy have complained about. Though many techniques are available, we will present the keyhole technique, one of the simplest techniques with a long track record of success. It is a method to secure the biceps tendon in which the patient's own tendon is used to provide stable fixation in the bicipital groove. The strength of this fixation method has been proven in the laboratory and clinical setting, allowing for early motion and return to work and sports when tenodesed in an isolated setting.
HISTORICAL TRANSFORMATION OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN: EVOLUTIONARY MORPHOLOGY OF FEEDING MECHANISMS IN LORICARIOID CATFISHES

The current hypothesis of relationship among the Loricarioidea (a diverse group of Neotropical catfishes) is used as the basis for a case study of historical transformation in the feeding mechanism in this monophyletic clade. The historical approach to functional mor- phology is discussed and is used in this analysis as a means of examining the evolutionary sequence of structure-function transformation. The distribution of structural novelties in the feeding mechanism and their functional correlates are mapped onto the current hypothesis of loricarioid phylogeny. Three major steps in the transformation of the feeding mechanism are identified. The first was the acquisition of highly mobile premaxillae in the lineage leading to the Callichthyidae, Astroblepidae, and Loricariidae. The second step occurred in the lineage leading to the Astroblepidae and Loricariidae: both families possess highly mobile premaxillae with new muscular insertions and movements that are independent of maxillary mobility. Another specialization at this level was the loss of the interoperculo-mandibular ligament and the ac- quisition of independent bilateral lower jaw mobility via loss of the tight connection between right and left sides of the lower jaws. The third major step occurred in the lineage leading to the Loricariidae. Further subdivision of the jaw adductor muscle resulted in an additional mesial subdivision with a direct muscle insertion onto the premaxillae. A neomorphic structure, the intermandibular cartilage plug (also shared by astroblepids) is specialized in loricariids with a direct attachment to the hyoid, resulting in an additional biomechanical linkage between the hyoid and mandible. A major trend in the evolution of the loricarioid feeding mechanism is the increase in the number of biomechanical linkages. This is hypothesized to be causally related to morphological and trophic diversity. Two explicit predictions are made testing the hypothesis that decoupling of primitively constrained biomechanical elements is related to increased mor- phological and functional diversity in descendant species. (Historical analysis; feeding mecha- nisms; evolutionary morphology; catfishes; biomechanics.) The analysis of pattern and process in
Partial Purification of Antigen E from Mixed Stems and Leaves of Short Ragweed Plant

Short ragweed leaves stems, roots, and seeds were examined for the presence of the most potent pollen allergen, antigen E. Soluble proteins were precipitated by ammonium sulfate and partially purified by a combination of dialysis and anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Immunodiffusion, disk electrophoresis, and skin testing of short ragweed pollen-sensitive individuals indicated that antigen E was present in leaves-stems portion of this plant as well as the pollen.
Three-Dimensional Position Sensitive CdZnTe Detector Array for PNNL

A new CdZnTe gamma-ray spectrometer system that employs two layers of modular detector arrays is being developed under the collaboration between the University of Michigan and PNNL. Each layer can accommodate up to three by three 3-dimensional position sensitive CdZnTe gamma-ray spectrometers. This array system is based on the newly developed VAS_UM/TAT4 ASIC readout electronics. Each of the nine detector modules consists of a pixellated CdZnTe detector and a VAS_UM/TAT4 ASIC front-end board. Each 1.5times1.5times1.0 cm3 CdZnTe detector employs an array of 11 by 11 pixellated anodes and a planar cathode. The energy depositions and 3-dimensional positions of individual interactions of each incident gamma ray can be obtained from pulse amplitude, location of each pixel anode and the drift time of electrons. This is the first system that multiple 3D CdZnTe detector modules can be tiled together to achieve detection volume greater than 40 cm3. This configuration allows the expansion of detector area to achieve higher detection efficiency while maintaining the excellent energy resolution. Experimental results of individual detectors and the array system are presented and discussed.
Localized unfolding of collagen explains collagenase cleavage near imino-poor sites.

Collagenases cleave all three chains of type III collagen at specific sites characterized by a Gly-Leu or a Gly-Ile bond that is upstream from an imino acid-poor region. Molecular dynamics trajectories were used to calculate the free energy of unfolding for collagen-like model peptides. The free energy profiles suggest that such imino-poor regions can adopt a low-energy, partially unfolded state where one of the peptide chains forms a solvent-exposed loop. The results are consistent with a model for collagenase cleavage where partial unfolding of imino-poor regions enables collagenases to gain access to their cleavage sites.
Determining the optimal mix of federal and contract fire crews: A case study from the Pacific Northwest

Federal land management agencies in the United States are increasingly relying on contract crews as opposed to agency fire crews. Despite this increasing reliance on contractors, there have been no studies to determine what the optimal mix of contract and agency fire crews should be. A mathematical model is presented to address this question and is applied to a case study from the Pacific Northwest. Results show that the optimal number of agency crews is sensitive to assumptions about fire season severity and the availability of alternative work for agency crews on nonsuppression days.
Excesses in cosmic ray positron and electron spectra from a nearby clump of neutralino dark matter

In this letter, we suggest that a nearby clump of 600--1000 GeV neutralinos may be responsible for the excesses recently observed in the cosmic ray positron and electron spectra by the PAMELA and ATIC experiments. Although neutralino dark matter annihilating throughout the halo of the Milky Way is predicted to produce a softer spectrum than is observed, and violate constraints from cosmic ray antiproton measurements, a large nearby (within 1--2 kiloparsecs of the Solar System) clump of annihilating neutralinos can lead to a spectrum which is consistent with PAMELA and ATIC, while also producing an acceptable antiproton flux. Furthermore, the presence of a large dark matter clump can potentially accommodate the very large annihilation rate required to produce the PAMELA and ATIC signals. We estimate the probability of a sufficiently large clump being present to be $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ or less.
A robust linear regression based algorithm for automated evaluation of peptide identifications from shotgun proteomics by use of reversed-phase liquid chromatography retention time.

Background Rejection of false positive peptide matches in database searches of shotgun proteomic experimental data is highly desirable. Several methods have been developed to use the peptide retention time as to refine and improve peptide identifications from database search algorithms. This report describes the implementation of an automated approach to reduce false positives and validate peptide matches.
OBJECT‐ORIENTED MODELING IN REGIONAL SCIENCE: AN ADVOCACY VIEW

As socioeconomic systems become more complex, we must be alert to new and innovative conceptual approaches. Among these, object orientation is argued to have especially high potential for modeling in fields where simulation can play an important role. Programming languages and graphical software tools supporting object-oriented modeling are beginning to dominate. The three-prolonged development of conceptual approach, supporting software, and computing hardware enhances our ability to model and understand the behaviour of increasingly complex socioeconomic systems. This paper presents the fundamental elements of object oriented modeling, and advocated its use in Regional Science.
The Phytochrome Response of the Lemna gibba NPR1 Gene Is Mediated Primarily through Changes in Abscisic Acid Levels

Two important signaling systems involved in the growth and development of plants, those triggered by the photoreceptor phytochrome and the hormone abscisic acid (ABA), are involved in the regulation of expression of the NPR1 gene of Lemna gibba . We previously demonstrated that phytochrome action mediates changes in ABA levels in L. gibba , correlating with changes in gene expression evoked by stimulation of the phytochrome system. We have now further characterized phytochrome- and ABA-mediated regulation of L. gibba NPR1 gene expression using a transient particle bombardment assay, demonstrating that regulatory elements controlling responses to both stimuli reside within 156 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start. Linker scan (LS) analysis of the region from −156 to −70 was used to identify two specific requisite and nonredundant cis -acting promoter elements between −143 to −135 (LS2) and −113 to −101 (LS5). Mutation of either of these elements resulted in a coordinate loss of regulation by phytochrome and ABA. This suggests that, unlike the L. gibba Lhcb2*1 promoter, in which phytochrome and ABA regulatory elements are separable, the phytochrome response of the L. gibba NPR1 gene can be attributed to alterations in ABA levels.
Tracer transport along and across coherent jets in two-dimensional turbulent flow

A theory for the transport of a tracer in flow dominated by turbulence and jets is developed and tested. Such a system can be taken as a model either for the stirring of true tracers in the atmosphere and ocean, or, less obviously, for the stirring of baroclinic potential vorticity by non-zonal flow in the ocean. The flow is generated by two-dimensional turbulence with a mean vorticity gradient (β) and forced randomly and isotropically at small scales. The tracer transported by the flow is forced by a mean tracer gradient that is arbitrarily oriented with respect to the mean vorticity gradient. Such a tracer can be decomposed into two independent tracers: one forced by a gradient that is parallel to the vorticity gradient (and so is stirred across jets), and another that is forced by a mean gradient that is perpendicular to the mean vorticity gradient (and so is stirred along jets). The turbulent transport of the tracer across jets has been discussed in previous research, and is well-described by mixing-length theory. Here it is shown that the transport of the tracer along the jets is described by shear dispersion, but with a diffusivity determined by the across-jet mixing. Even at only moderate levels of anisotropy, the along-jet transport is much larger than the corresponding across-jet transport, consistent, for example, with observations from surface floats in the Pacific.
Patient perception of ideal body weight and the effect of body mass index.

Objective. Despite much effort, obesity remains a significant public health problem. One of the main contributing factors is patients’ perception of their target ideal body weight. This study aimed to assess this perception. Methods. The study took place in an urban area, with the majority of participants in the study being Hispanic (65.7%) or African-American (28.0%). Patients presented to an outpatient clinic were surveyed regarding their ideal body weight and their ideal BMI calculated. Subsequently they were classified into different categories based on their actual measured BMI. Their responses for ideal BMI were compared. Results. In 254 surveys, mean measured BMI was 31.71 ± 8.01. Responses to ideal BMI had a range of 18.89–38.15 with a mean of 25.96 ± 3.25. Mean (±SD) ideal BMI for patients with a measured BMI of <18.5, 18.5–24.9, 25–29.9, and ≥30 was 20.14 ± 1.46, 23.11 ± 1.68, 25.69 ± 2.19, and 27.22 ± 3.31, respectively. These differences were highly significant (, ANOVA). Conclusions. Most patients had an inflated sense of their target ideal body weight. Patients with higher measured BMI had higher target numbers for their ideal BMI. Better education of patients is critical for obesity prevention programs.
Science, New Media, and the Public

Nine in 10 internet users in the United States turn to search engines to find information ( 1 ), and 60% of the U.S. public seeking information about specific scientific issues lists the Internet as their primary source of information ( 2 ). This has created a new urgency for scientists to pay attention to these trends and to the emerging scholarly literature about communicating science in this brave new “online” world.
Dietary protein intake and skeletal-muscle protein metabolism in rats. Studies with salt-washed ribosomes and transfer factors

1. Aspects of skeletal muscle protein synthesis in vitro were studied in young rats given a low-protein diet for up to 10 days and during re-feeding with an adequate diet. 2. Partially purified muscle transfer factors (transferases I and II), crude and purified (NH4Cl-washed) ribosomes and a pH5 enzyme fraction were prepared for this purpose. 3. A marked decrease in the capacity of crude ribosomes to carry out cell-free polypeptide synthesis occurred within 4 days of feeding the low-protein diet. 4. The capacity of salt-washed ribosomes to promote amino acid polymerization, in the presence of added transfer factors and aminoacyl-tRNA, was only slightly decreased by the dietary treatment. 5. However, the capacity of salt-washed ribosomes to bind 14C-labelled aminoacyl-tRNA was decreased by feeding the low-protein diet. 6. The capacity of the pH5 enzyme fraction to promote amino acid incorporation in a complete cell-free system was decreased within 2 days of feeding the low-protein diet. There is no evidence that the change is associated with aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase or binding enzyme activities of the pH5 fractions. 7. These changes are discussed in relation to the diminished rate of protein synthesis in the intact muscle cell when rats are given a low-protein diet.
Batch Fabrication of Nanopillars for Autonomous Nanofluidic SERS Arrays

Research was supported by DARPA. One of the authors(MSP) was supported by th (DOD) National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship
MER-104 tablets: a dose-ranging study of an oral formulation of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, acyline.

B83 Introduction MER-104 (acyline) is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist which effectively suppresses luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion in man. Injectable forms have been administered successfully in man in Phase II studies as part of a potential contraceptive regimen. MER-104 is an enteric coated acyline tablet developed by Merrion Pharmaceuticals using GIPET™ I technology to enable the oral administration of this decapeptide. GIPET™ I is based on proprietary penetration enhancers which improve the uptake of such drugs in the small intestine. There is no chemical modification to the active drug. The enhancer system is comprised of food-based material on the US GRAS list. These aspects are important factors in reducing regulatory requirements and the time to market. GIPET™ technology is equally applicable to small molecules, peptides and other macromolecules, and is broadly applicable over a wide range of marketed and emerging products. Experimental Procedures Eight healthy men were enrolled in the study at a single site. After determination of baseline gonadotropin levels, MER-104 10mg enteric coated tablets were administered at weekly intervals over a 3 week period. A single dose of 10, 20, and 40mg was given in order over the 3 week period. Blood levels were taken pre-dose, and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours after dosing for assay of serum LH, FSH, testosterone, and acyline. Side effects were assessed by exam and routine laboratory tests. Data Summary Treatment with oral MER-104 tablets resulted in measurable serum levels of drug at all doses and dose-related suppression of serum LH and serum testosterone. Laboratory assessments, including liver function tests and creatinine, were unaffected by treatment. Conclusions Therapeutically-effective levels of a decapeptide GnRH antagonist, acyline, can be achieved using an oral delivery platform, GIPET™. These data indicate that MER-104 tablets may have potential in the treatment of prostate and breast cancer, endometriosis, prostate hypertrophy, and as part of a male contraceptive regimen. Acknowledgement: The authors wish to thank the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development for their donation of the acyline used to carry out this work.
Improved Mode Assignment for Molecular Crystals Through Anisotropic Terahertz Spectroscopy

We report the anisotropic terahertz response of oxalic acid and sucrose crystals in the 0.2-3.0 THz range using terahertz time domain spectroscopy on large, single crystals. We compare the observed anisotropic response with the response calculated using solid-state density functional theory and find good agreement in the orientation dependence and relative intensities of the crystal phonons. It was found that oxalic dihydrate can be reversibly converted to anhydrous by controlled relative humidity. In addition, oxalic acid was found to have a large birefringence with Δn = 0.3, suggesting the material may be useful for terahertz polarization manipulation. Sucrose has a smaller birefringence of Δn = 0.05, similar to that of x-cut quartz. The anisotropic measurements provide both mode separation and symmetry determination to more readily achieve mode assignment for the more complex sucrose spectrum.
Methane Storage in Metal-Substituted Metal−Organic Frameworks: Thermodynamics, Usable Capacity, and the Impact of Enhanced Binding Sites

van der Waals density functional theory (vdW-DFT) and semiempirical grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) calculations are used to predict the thermodynamics and methane storage capacity of 18 metal-substituted variants of the metal–organic framework (MOF) M-DOBDC (DOBDC = 2,5-oxidobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylate). Methane adsorption enthalpies (ΔH) on the benchmark Mg- and Ni-DOBDC systems were calculated using several vdW-DFT methods. The vdW-DF2 scheme was found to yield the best agreement with experiments, with a mean absolute deviation (MAD) of 2.7 kJ/mol. Applying this functional across the entire M-DOBDC series, it is observed that ΔH varies from −16 to −34 kJ/mol. These enthalpies are 10–20 kJ/mol less exothermic than that for CO2 adsorption in M-DOBDC, consistent with a weaker, dispersion-based CH4–MOF interaction. In parallel with these thermodynamic analyses, methane adsorption isotherms for five benchmark M–DOBDC MOFs were evaluated using several established interatomic potentials. An uncharged, single...
Effect of short fiber filler on the properties of NBR-matrix insulator

A new type of NBR-matrix insulator filled with non-asbestos fiber filler was developed. By comparing several synthetic fibers such as polyacrylonitrile pre-oxidation fiber,viscose staple fiber, Metamax fiber and so on, phenolic fiber was selected as the short fiber filler. Effect of the amount of phenolic fiber on the ablation-resistant and physical properties of NBR was investigated and the heat affecting mechanism was analyzed. The result show that the properties of the material will be well balanced when phenolic fiber/NBR weight radio of 25/100 is used. Linear ablation rate, tensile strength, elongation-to-break, and density of the material is 0.04mm/s, 8.12MPa, 794%and 1.114g/cm~3respectively.
Cloning and SNP Analysis of rDNA-ITS2 of Anopheles anthropophagus

Objective To clone and analyse rDNA-ITS2 of Anopheles anthropophagus, study the unique feature and Single Nuclear Polymorphism of rDNA-ITS2. Methods DNA was extracted from Anopheles anthropophagus and the rDNA-ITS2 sequences of Anopheles anthropophagus was amplified by PCR. The PCR products were purified and ligated to T-vector. The positive clones were selected by plating on amp+LB agar plate and identified by PCR, EcoR-Ⅰdigestion and DNA sequencing. Results 556 bp full fragment of rDNA-ITS2 of Anopheles anthropophagus was cloned. The six cloned ITS2 sequences of Anopheles anthropophagus showed 99.6% homology,with transversion and insertion Single Nuclear Polymorphism. There were one A→T transversion,one G→T transversion and one T insertion. Conclusion SNPs were found in the rDNA-ITS2 gene of Anopheles anthropophagus.
Neurochemical studies: an update on Alzheimer's disease

A cascade of molecular and cellular events probably leads to the formation of the lesions that characterize Alzheimer's disease. The author reviews a representative selection of the extensive literature documenting protein abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease, using two broad categories of abnormality--changes in protein concentrations and changes in the molecular nature of proteins. The possible mechanisms of aberrations of the major proteins implicated in plaque and tangle formation--amyloid peptide precursor, tau, other microtubule-associated proteins, neurofilaments, and ubiquitin--are considered in neuritic plaque, the neurofibrillary tangle, other neuronal inclusions, and neurotransmission. The importance of a gene in the q21 band of chromosome 21 in familial Alzheimer's disease is discussed. The voluminous data on Alzheimer's disease raise intriguing possibilities about the key event in the pathogenesis of the disease, but further investigation is necessary to identify the event conclusively.
Relationships between uterine length and number of fetuses and prenatal mortality in pigs.

Relationships between the length of uterine horn and number of fetuses and prenatal mortality were characterized in 320 pregnant pigs at 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 wk of gestation in a cross-sectional design. Genital tracts of all pregnant animals available on the days of collection were measured. Length of each uterine horn, numbers of fetuses and corpora lutea (CL) were recorded and prenatal mortality was calculated. With each additional fetus, length of the uterus increased 10 cm regardless of stage of gestation (P less than .001). The association of number of fetuses and uterine length was local and confined to that horn in which the fetus resided and did not extend to the opposite horn. As number of CL increased, number of fetuses also increased as did prenatal mortality. There was a significantly negative correlation between uterine length and prenatal mortality when animals were classified into four groups on the basis of number of CL; less than 10, 10 to 14, 15 to 18 and greater than 18. Results indicated that the number of fetuses and prenatal mortality were closely correlated with length of the uterus. Length of the uterus appeared to be an important limiting factor to litter size as number of CL increased.
Role of Voltage-Gated K+ Currents in Mediating the Regular-Spiking Phenotype of Callosal-Projecting Rat Visual Cortical Neurons

Locke, Rachel E. and Jeanne M. Nerbonne. Role of voltage-gated K+ currents in mediating the regular-spiking phenotype of callosal-projecting rat visual cortical neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 2321–2...
Impact of Acute Energy Drink Consumption on Blood Pressure Parameters: A Meta-analysis

Objective: Hospitalizations associated with energy drinks have increased in the past decade. Whereas energy drinks are suspected to cause hemodynamic effects, the magnitude of risk remains controversial. We evaluated the effects of acute energy drink consumption on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and heart rate (HR). Data Sources: A search in PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane database through December 31, 2015, was performed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Prospective clinical studies assessing the effects of commercially available energy drinks on BP and HR were included. A weighted mean change from baseline was calculated using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model for all end points. Data Synthesis: In all, 15 studies were included, encompassing a total of 340, 322, and 340 individuals for SBP, DBP, and HR, respectively. SBP and DBP increased significantly by 4.44 mm Hg (95% CI = 2.71 to 6.17; Cochrane Q P = 0.001) and 2.73...
Synthesis of tunable tellurium nanoparticles

Tellurium is a chalcogenide element, essential, in the development of renewable energy solutions. However, substantial problems remain to synthesize zero-dimensional tellurium nanostructures in a facile and environmentally friendly way. This communication reports the first successful synthesis of pure tellurium nanoparticles by laser ablation in liquids. Two solvents were used i.e. de-ionized water and acetone. The effect of wavelength on the size and crystallinity of the produced nanoparticles has been investigated. The thermal stability and the size-dependent energy bandgap has also been predicted using nano-thermodynamics. Finally, the most stable colloidal solution as well as the smallest size distribution was obtained in acetone.
Renal Function and Outcomes With Use of Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation and Inotropes in End-Stage Heart Failure: A Retrospective Single Center Study.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and inotrope therapy serve as a bridge to transplant (BTT) or as destination therapy in patients who are not heart transplant candidates. End-stage heart failure patients often have impaired renal function, and renal outcomes after LVAD therapy versus inotrope therapy have not been evaluated. Methods: In this study, 169 patients with continuous flow LVAD therapy and 20 patients with continuous intravenous inotrope therapy were analyzed. The two groups were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after LVAD or inotrope therapy was started. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), BTT rate, and mortality for 6 months following LVAD or inotrope therapy were studied. Results between the groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square with continuity correction or Fischer’s exact at the significance level of 0.05. Results: Mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was not statistically different between the two groups, with P = 0.471, 0.429, and 0.847 at baseline, 3 and 6 months, respectively. The incidence of AKI, RRT, and BTT was not statistically different. Mortality was less in the inotrope group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Intravenous inotrope therapy in end-stage heart failure patients is non-inferior for mortality, incidence of AKI, need for RRT, and renal function for 6-month follow-up when compared to LVAD therapy. Further studies are needed to compare the effectiveness of inotropes versus LVAD implantation on renal function and outcomes over a longer time period. J Clin Med Res. 2017;9(7):596-604 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr3039w
A system of systems approach to patient treatment with the Left Ventricular Assist Device

Patients with congestive heart failure are often implanted with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) as a mechanism to help the left ventricle in pumping blood into the circulatory system. The resulting system of systems (SoS) consisting of a biological system (the heart) and a mechanical system (the LVAD) represents a challenge for systems engineers to model and control. The interdependence and interactions of these two systems to accomplish the common objective of keeping the patient alive with an improved quality of life represents a formidable challenge to biomedical systems engineers. The device is typically used as a bridge to transplantation and is removed when a donor heart becomes available. For patients who are not transplantation candidates the LVAD may be kept permanently in the patient as a destination therapy device. For a small number of patients whose hearts may recover as a result of the treatment, the LVAD is used as a bridge to recovery and is removed when their heart recovers. In this paper, we will review these two systems including their interactions and interdependency as a unified SoS and discuss some of the challenges that the LVAD technology will face as its usage becomes more and more frequent in the future of healthcare.
Contextual Facilitators and Barriers of Community Reintegration Among Injured Female Military Veterans: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract Objective To understand the facilitators and barriers to community reintegration (CR) among injured female veterans. Design Phenomenologic qualitative design. Setting Community. Participants Community-dwelling female veterans with physical and/or psychological injury (N=13). Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures None. Results Conventional content analysis revealed 3 types of facilitators, including (1) strong social support, (2) impactful programs, and (3) protective personal beliefs. Six types of barriers included (1) inadequate services, (2) lack of access to services, (3) poor social support, (4) difficulty trusting others, (5) nonsupportive personal beliefs, and (6) injury factors. Multiple environmental and personal factors acted as facilitators and barriers to CR. Findings are relatively consistent with previous veteran and civilian community reintegration research that indicates the importance of health-related services, attitudes of others, and social support. However, women in this study reported being effected by many of these facilitators and barriers because of their sex. Conclusions This study supports the need to foster social support among injured female veterans throughout the rehabilitation process to promote CR. Long-term social support can be gained by incorporating services (eg, adjunctive therapies, recreation, other social programming) into the rehabilitation repertoire to help with CR for all veterans, particularly women.
A case of recurrent and progressive respiratory failure

Introduction Patients presenting with dyspnea are common. Often times, patients carry previously anchored diagnoses, such as COPD, as a cause of their pulmonary symptoms. It is important, however, to perform a thorough history and physical examination in order to consider less common causes of dyspnea, such as in the case of this patient who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The typical course for this disease process includes progressive limb and bulbar muscular weakness with eventual involvement of the respiratory musculature, ultimately leading to respiratory failure - the most frequent cause of death in ALS within 2 to 5 years of diagnosis. Case description A 68-year-old woman presented to the hospital with recurrent episodes of dyspnea and carbon dioxide retention. She has a history of type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cervical stenosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring home oxygen therapy. Her medications included the following COPD regimen: short acting anticholinergic/beta agonist inhaler, mucolytic, steroid, long acting beta agonist nebulizers, and a Trilogy adaptive servo-ventilation device for nighttime breathing assistance. In the ED, workup showed pH 7.34, pCO2 95mmHg, and HCO3 of 50mmHg; chest x-ray was significant for mild hyperexpansion. On examination, she had mild proximal upper extremity weakness, bilateral thenar atrophy, and a nasal voice. She was in the ICU for 24-48 hours for intensive positive pressure therapy because of her severe carbon dioxide retention. Results and conclusions Bedside pulmonary function testing was consistent with a restrictive process, and she was diagnosed with obesity hypoventilation. However, her BMI was only 39, and given her history of weakness and thenar atrophy, we were concerned for a neurologic process. Neurology found fibrillations with insertion and prominent fasciculations within the proximal right upper limb muscles on needle electromyography. Ultrasound examination with phrenic nerve stimulation showed reduced recruitment of large, complex motor unit potentials in both hemidiaphragms and intercostal muscles. With this constellation of symptoms, ALS was diagnosed. Other possible diagnoses were ruled out with neuroimaging, serologic, and cerebrospinal fluid studies. Take-home message Progressive dyspnea as the major presenting symptom of ALS is exceedingly rare, occurring in less than 1% according to literature. It is important to keep ALS in the differential diagnosis in patients who present with progressive dyspnea and restrictive lung disease on pulmonary function testing because this diagnosis has significant prognostic difference compared to other entities such as obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
Decreased Pretreatment Amygdalae Serotonin Transporter Binding in Unipolar Depression Remitters: A Prospective PET Study

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating condition that affects over 14 million Americans. Remission occurs only in a minority of individuals after first-line antidepressant treatment (∼35%); predictors of treatment outcome are therefore needed. Using PET imaging with a radiotracer specific for the serotonin transporter (5-HTT), 11C-McN5652, we found that patients with MDD who did not achieve remission after 12 mo of naturalistic treatment had lower pretreatment midbrain and amygdala binding than healthy volunteers. Here, using a superior 5-HTT tracer, 11C-DASB, we repeated this study with a prospective design with 8 wk of standardized treatment with escitalopram. As this same cohort also underwent 11C-WAY100635 scans (serotonin-1A receptor [5-HT1A]), we examined whether using both pretreatment 5-HTT and 5-HT1A binding could improve prediction of posttreatment remission status. Methods: Thirty-one healthy controls (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 item [HDRS-24] = 1.7) and 26 medication-free patients with MDD (HDRS-24 = 24.8) underwent PET scanning using 11C-DASB. MDD subjects then received 8 wk of standardized pharmacotherapy with escitalopram. The relationship between pretreatment binding and posttreatment clinical status was examined. Arterial blood samples were collected to calculate the metabolite-corrected arterial input function. The outcome measure was VT/fP (VT is volume of distribution in region of interest, fP is free fraction in plasma). Remission was defined as a posttreatment depression score of less than 10 as well as 50% or more reduction in the score from baseline, resulting in 14 nonremitters (HDRS-24 = 17.6) and 12 remitters (HDRS-24 = 5.3). Results: A linear mixed-effects model comparing group differences in the a priori regions of interest (amygdala and midbrain) revealed a significant difference in amygdala binding between controls and remitters (P = 0.03, unadjusted), where remitters had an 11% lower amygdala binding than controls. Differences in amygdala binding between remitters and nonremitters approached significance (P = 0.06). No additional differences were found between any groups (all P > 0.05). Additionally, we found no relationship between pretreatment amygdala binding and posttreatment depression score, and were unable to predict posttreatment depression severity using both pretreatment 5-HTT (in the amygdala) and 5-HT1A binding (in the raphe). Conclusion: These results suggest 5-HTT amygdala binding should be examined further, in conjunction with other measures, as a potential biomarker for remission after standardized escitalopram treatment.
Religiosity, Crime, and Drug Use Among Juvenile Offenders: A Latent Growth Modeling Approach

This study tests whether a juvenile offender’s religious involvement or religiosity is inversely related to crime (i.e., non-drug offending) and use of licit and illicit drug when their trajectories are examined. It also tests whether the relationships are attributable in part to psychosocial correlates of religiosity as well as crime and drug use. This paper analyzes 11-wave panel data from the Pathways to Desistance study of adjudicated youths from the juvenile and adult court systems in Maricopa County, Arizona, and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Using a 19-item index of aggressive and income offending and alternative measures of religiosity (objective and subjective religiosity) and drug use (binge drinking and marijuana use), this study applies latent growth modeling to test hypotheses. As hypothesized, between-intercept and between-slope relationships of religiosity—subjective and, to a lesser extent, objective religiosity—and crime/drug use—non-drug offending, binge drinking, and, to a greater extent, marijuana use—are found to be negative in direction. It is also found that the inverse relationships are attributable in part to between-intercept and between-slope relationships of religiosity and psychosocial variables of moral disengagement, legal cynicism, impulse control, and suppression of aggression and those relationships of psychosocial variables and crime/drug use. This study provides evidence that religiosity and crime/drug use tend to be inversely related when their rates of change over an extended period of time as well as levels or changes between discrete points of time are examined.
The discovery of the ability of rod photoreceptors to signal single photons

Vertebrate rod photoreceptors evolved the astonishing ability to respond reliably to single photons. In parallel, the proximate neurons of the visual system evolved the ability to reliably encode information from a few single-photon responses (SPRs) as arising from the presence of an object of interest in the visual environment. These amazing capabilities were first inferred from measurements of human visual threshold by Hecht et al. (1942), whose paper has since been cited over 1,000 times. Subsequent research, in part inspired by Hecht et al.'s discovery, has directly measured rod SPRs, characterized the molecular mechanism responsible for their generation, and uncovered much about the specializations in the retina that enable the reliable transmission of SPRs in the teeth of intrinsic neuronal noise.
Evolution of the Renin-Angiotensin System and Its Role in Control of Cardiovascular Function in Fishes

Renin, a protein enzyme synthesized by the juxtaglomerular cells in the kidney, is released into the circulation and possibly into the renal lymph (Morgan et al., 1982). In mammals, renin acts on angiotensinogen (renin substrate), an a -globulin in plasma, to form angiotensin I, a decapeptide, which is subsequently converted by converting enzymes to active octapeptide angiotensin II (ANG II), which plays an important role in maintaining cardiovascular and hydromineral homeostasis (Fig. 1) (for review, see Peach, 1977; Skeggs et al., 1974; Vane, 1974). A similar renin-angiotensin system has been shown in teleost and nonmammalian tetrapods (for review, see Sokabe et al., 1969; Nishimura et al., 1973), but evolution and function of this enzyme cascade among more primitive fishes is uncertain (Nishimura et al., 1970).
Peanut Consumption in Malawi: An Opportunity for Innovation

Peanuts are a valuable source of nutrients, but peanut consumption patterns, consumption frequencies, and the factors influencing peanut consumption in Malawi are not known. This study surveyed consumers to fill this knowledge gap and to assess Malawian consumers' readiness to try new food products. Out of the 489 respondents surveyed, all but three consumed peanuts (in any form). The majority (70.4%) consumed peanuts at least three times in a week. Chi-square test showed that demographic and socioeconomic variables had significant effects (p < 0.05) on peanut product preferences, the frequency of peanut consumption, and readiness to try new foods. For instance, women mostly preferred peanut flour compared to men, and peanut butter was the most preferred form for younger consumers. Logistic regression analysis showed that consumers with high school education or below were 2.35 times more likely to eat peanuts more often than consumers with post high school education. Among the participants that were ready to try new foods (54%), men and those with post high school education were 1.90 and 2.74 times more likely to try new foods than their respective counterparts. In general, the diversity of peanut products on the Malawian market is limited, and socioeconomic restrictions override consumer preferences. Therefore, future peanut-based food products innovations should explore ways to overcome such restrictions.
PW 1795 Qualitative evaluation of high school implementation strategies for youth sports concussion laws

Background All 50 states and the District of Columbia in the United States enacted laws between 2009 and 2014 governing concussion management and education. These concussion laws, featuring common tenets regarding removal from play, return to play, and concussion education, have shaped school policies. Objective To evaluate strategies commonly used to implement concussion laws at high schools in the United States, and to discuss these strategies in an international context. Methods: We interviewed 71 high school athletic directors (ADs) or certified athletic trainers (ATs) (one per school) who were the most involved in their school’s policy. These participants, selected from a nationally representative sample, were asked about their schools’ implementation of the three core tenets of concussion laws. Research team members independently evaluated the interview transcripts and field notes to identify common themes in implementation strategies. Findings Of the 71 schools represented, 91.5% were public schools, 88.8% had more than 15 sports, and all schools employed at least one AT and had a written concussion policy. Four commonly used strategies to implement ‘removal from play’ were identified, including reliance on coaches, immediate response, referral and guidance after injury, and notification of key individuals. Use of assessment or baseline tests, communication among parties involved, reliance on AT assessments, and return-to-learn policies were four common strategies to implement ‘return to play’. Finally, three major implementation strategies to effectuate ‘concussion education’ were use of existing educational tools, timing of education, and concussion training for school professionals. Conclusion While concussions laws were enacted at different times and varied in content across the United States, common themes in implementation strategies emerged across jurisdictions. The identification of strategic approaches to implementation can have implications for proper concussion management and education, both in the United States and internationally to reducing negative health outcomes among concussed youth.
High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of 2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxythymidine (d4T) in human and rabbit plasma and urine and its application to pharmacokinetic studies in the rabbit.

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatographic assay for 2′,3′-didehydro-3′-deoxythymidine (d4T) in plasma and urine is described. This assay uses thymidine oxetane (TO), a synthetic precursor of d4T, as internal standard. Sample preparation involves a simple extraction of plasma or urine with 5% isopropyl alcohol in methylene chloride. The method is specific and sensitive, allowing a linear response over a 2000-fold range of concentrations in human plasma (5 ng/ml to 10 µg/ml) and urine (50 ng/ml to 100 µg/ml). This assay, developed for human plasma and urine, is also applicable to rabbit samples with minor modification. Intravenous bolus doses of 10 mg/kg d4T to rabbits showed that the plasma concentration–time profile followed a biexponential decay. Estimates of the distribution and elimination half-lives were 6.7 ± 0.9 and 51 ± 6 min, respectively. The total-body and renal clearances were 23.4 ± 3.6 and 8.82 ± 3.9 ml/min · kg, respectively. That the renal clearance exceeds the glomerular filtration rate in the rabbit suggests that d4T is actively secreted in the renal tubule. The fraction excreted unchanged in the urine was 36 ± 8%. Similar results were obtained in the same rabbits at steady state during constant-rate intravenous infusion. Noncompartmental analysis estimates of the MRT and V dss were 46 ± 5 min and 1.08 ± 0.13 L/kg, respectively.
Epstein—Barr Virus and Malignant Lymphomas

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a versatile DNA herpesvirus associated with a wide variety of clinical syndromes. It has been called a “virus for all seasons” because of this varying role in so many conditions.(66) Primary infection is characterized by infectious mononucleosis (IM) (Chapter 10), and reactivated infections are associated with a wide variety of malignant conditions involving both epithelial and lymphoproliferative disorders. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the major epithelial tumor and is discussed in Chapter 31. This chapter will deal primarily with Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL), the first and most extensively evaluated EBV-related malignant lymphoma. In addition, other EBV-associated lymphomas will be briefly discussed. These include Hodgkin’s disease (HD), and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), either de novo or occurring in immunosuppressed states including post-organ transplantation, the X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome, and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). EBV plays differing pathogenetic roles in these malignancies, and the molecular events responsible for these differences are just being unraveled. The epidemiologic criteria on which the virus—cancer relationships are based have been recently reviewed,(10) and Zur Hau- sen(312) has summarized knowledge at the molecular level.