cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathologic and molecular characterization of myeloid neoplasms with isolated t(6;9)(p23;q34)

Introduction The t(6;9)(p23;q34);DEK-NUP214 [t(6;9)] abnormality is found in 0.7-1.8% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). FLT3-ITD mutations are detected in t(6;9) patients. The t(6;9) abnormality is associated with poor outcomes. We studied the clinicopathologic and molecular profiles of patients with AML/MDS carrying t(6;9). Methods We collected clinical data of nine patients with AML/MDS with isolated t(6;9) (median age = 41 years; male/female = 4/5) and genotyped DNAs using whole exome, Sanger, and targeted sequencing. Results Our cohort was characterized by frequent multilineage dysplasia (56%), absence of phospho-STAT3/STAT5 expression, presence of myeloid markers (CD13, CD33, CD34, CD117, HLA-DR) with an aberrant expression of CD7, and poor outcome (median survival of 20 months). Although basophilia has been described in association with t(6;9), we observed lack of marrow basophilia in our cohort. Molecularly, 83% (5/6) of patients with AML/MDS with t(6;9) were characterized by at least one somatic mutation. Among them, four patients showed multiple mutations. FLT3-ITD mutations were detected in 33% of patients (2/6); 80% (4/5) of mutant patients died even after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that AML/MDS patients with t(6;9) have diverse molecular mutations regardless of the presence of FLT3 mutations, which may contribute to their poor survival outcomes.
The importance of standardization of stimuli for functional MRI tasks to evaluate substance use disorder pathology.

Despite over 2 decades of work using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to characterize the neural circuitry underlying substance use disorder (SUD), our field is still unable to definiti...
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Associated With Pregnancy

AbstractBackground: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is the most common cause of pregnancy-associated myocardial infarction and remains poorly characterized.Objectives: This study soug...
Physically crosslinked salicylate-based poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels for protein delivery:

Physically crosslinked hydrogels were developed via solvent casting methods using a temperature-sensitive polymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid), and a therapeutic polymer, salicylate-based poly(anhydride-esters), to concurrently release salicylic acid and bovine serum albumin in a sustained manner. The physical interactions between the two polymer systems were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The crosslinked polymers were porous, thus able to encapsulate bovine serum albumin (23 wt%) and then released the protein in a sustained fashion over 96 h. Concurrently, the hydrogel releases salicylic acid in a sustained manner up to 120 h. Hydrogel systems were cytocompatible at relevant therapeutic concentrations. These hydrogel systems can be used for simultaneous delivery of salicylic acid and protein to achieve synergic effects.
Frequency shifting reduces but does not eliminate acoustic interference between echolocating bats: A theoretical analysis

Bats have been observed to shift the frequency of their echolocation calls in the presence of other echolocating bats, ostensibly as a way to reduce acoustic interference. Few studies, however, have examined the theoretical efficacy of such jamming avoidance responses. The present study uses the wideband ambiguity function to analyze the effects of acoustic interference from conspecifics and congeneric heterospecifics on the target acquisition ability of Myotis californicus and Myotis yumanensis, specifically whether unilateral or bilateral frequency shifts reduce the effects of such interference. Model results suggest that in conspecific interactions, M. yumanensis recovers its target acquisition ability more completely and with less absolute frequency shift than does M. californicus, but that alternative methods of jamming avoidance may be easier to implement. The optimal strategy for reducing heterospecific interference is for M. californicus to downshift its call and M. yumanensis to upshift its call,...
Laser Ablation Facilitates Closure of Chronic Enterocutaneous Fistulae

This report describes the use of laser ablation for treatment of chronic enterocutaneous fistulae (ECFs) after failure of conservative therapy. Three patients underwent laser ablation for treatment of 8 ECFs. Mean duration of fistula patency was 28 months with mean fistula output of 134 mL/day. The initial technical success was 100% with no major or minor complications. Three ECFs required repeat treatment. At mean follow-up of 53 days, 7 of the fistulae were occluded. One fistula showed a markedly reduced output of 10 mL/day.
Description of a pediatric degree option program in a doctorate of pharmacy curriculum and its impact on pediatric-focused advanced pharmacy practice experience rotations and faculty scholarly productivity.

Abstract Purpose To describe the development of a Pediatric Degree Option program and its impact on pediatric-focused advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) and faculty scholarly productivity. Educational activity The Pediatric Degree Option program was established in 2011 and requires 16 h of didactic coursework and APPEs. The number of pediatric-focused APPEs and mean number of APPEs per pediatric faculty per year was compared pre- (2005–2010) and post-implementation (2011–2016). In addition, the median number of scholarship activities per student pre- and post-implementation was compared. The initial position obtained by graduates completing the degree option was collected. Findings Thirty students have completed the program. There were 146 pediatric-focused APPEs for the pre-implementation period and 259 post-implementation. However, there was an increase in pediatric faculty during the post-implementation, so there was no difference in the mean number of pediatric-focused APPEs per pediatric faculty in the pre- versus post-implementation period, 8.4 + 2.7 versus 6.9 +1.0, p = .224. A significant increase in the median number of pediatric-focused scholarly activities per student was observed pre-versus post-implementation, 3 (2–5) versus 5 (3–7), p = .005. Twenty-six (86.7%) students in the post-implementation period participated as a research assistant or coauthor in an original research or manuscript writing project. Students accepted a variety of positions after graduation including twelve (40%) accepting a PGY1 residency and eight (36.7%) as community pharmacists. Summary Although the number of pediatric-focused APPEs increased in the post-implementation, this did not result in an increase in the mean number of mean pediatric-focused APPEs per pediatric faculty member. However, it did allow a unique opportunity for 30 students with interest in pediatrics and allowed for content and skill development. The Pediatric Degree Option program allowed students to gain experience with pediatric-focused scholarly activities that also enhanced faculty productivity in scholarship and research.
ASSESSMENT OF CEREBRAL HEMODYNAMICS BY NO-TOUCH OCULAR PULSE

Abstract The ocular pulse (OP) is a small displacement of the cornea caused by arterial pressure pulsations in the eye acting on the corneal compliance. Several workers [1 , 2] have shown that features of the OP waveform can be used as diagnostic signs to detect cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and to indicate potential stroke victims. Atherosclerotic occulsions of the common-carotid, carotid sinus and lower internal carotid arteries can be diagnosed non-invasively using OP methods. Northrop and Nilakhe [3] have developed a no-touch, ocular pulse measurement (NOTOPM) instrument which can measure the binocular OP's to ± 0.25 μm. Their NOTOPM system uses 850kHz, CW ultrasound reflected from the corneas to measure the OP's without physical contact with the eyes. An innocuous level of ultrasound energy is absorbed by the eyes. Two, phase-tracking servo loops are used, the conditioned outputs of which may be sown to be proportional to the corneal displacements which are typically ca. 30 μm peak-to-peak. Details of the NOTOPM System and a review of the use of the OP in the diagnosis of CVD are given in reference [3] .
Nanobelts and Nanostructures of Transparent Conducting Oxides

Transparent conducting metal oxides are fundamental to the development of smart and functional materials, which are candidates for optics, optoelectronics, and chemical, biochemical and environmental sensors as well as transducers. The oxides have two unique structural features: switchable and/or mixed cation valences, and adjustable oxygen deficiency, which are the bases for creating many novel materials with unique electronic, optical, and chemical properties. The oxides are usually made into nanoparticles or thin films in an effort to enhance their surface sensitivity, and they have recently been successfully synthesized into nanowire-like structures. Utilizing the high surface area of nanowire-like structures, it may be possible to fabricate nanoscale devices with superior performance and sensitivity.
Swine Veterinary Internship Program: Enhancing the Value of the Veterinary Internship

The Swine Veterinary Internship Program (SVIP) at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (ISU CVM) was developed and implemented to provide students an opportunity to obtain swine specific skills and knowledge that complements the veterinary curriculum early in their veterinary education, to learn how to conduct field research, and communicate the results in written and oral forms. The expertise obtained from the program makes students more attractive to future employers and more likely to exceed in their careers.
Introduction to Art and Literature as Components of Person-Centered Care

The article brings the attention of mental health professionals to the theoretical framework underpinning the contemporary understanding of the dynamics of psychiatric art. Using the semiotics approach to art production and perception, the article makes the connection between the dialogical mechanisms of art and the potential uses of art to counteract stigma, including self-stigmatization. Creative works by patients have long been acknowledged a key source of information in the clinical diagnostic process. Furthermore, because all artistic activity is a communicative act, working with patient art aids the clinician to gain a better understanding of the preserved aspects of a patients’ personality, beyond the pathological syndromes, and build a better rapport, resulting in more successful therapeutic approaches. Gaining an insight into patient art allows the clinician to be more effective in planning specific medical and social rehabilitation strategies. At the community level, outsider art is a powerful tool in anti-stigma campaigns because the dialogic potential inherent in art is conducive to stopping the “vicious cycle” of stigmatization.
Demonstration of separate binding sites for the folate coenzymes and deoxynucleotides with inactivated Lactobacilluscasei thymidylate synthetase

Abstract In contrast to (+)5,10-methylenetetrahydropteroylmonoglutamate which does not bind to Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthetase, the corresponding tetraglutamate analog binds to a single site with a KD = 2 × 10−5 M. Alkylation of one of the enzyme's four cysteines with N-ethylmaleimide or iodoacetate prevented the binding of dUMP, but did not affect the binding of the pteroyltetraglutamate. Inactivation of the synthetase with carboxypeptidase A, however, prevented the binding of (+)5,10-methylenetetrahydropteroyltetraglutamate but not that of dUMP. The binding of (+)5,10-methylenetetrahydropteroyltetraglutamate to native enzyme was associated with the appearance of a positive circular dichroic band at 303 nm ([θ] = 7 × 104 deg·cm2dmol−1). The latter effect was not impaired by the inhibition of the enzyme with N-ethylmaleimide, whereas formation of the ternary complex, coenzyme-synthetase-FdUMP, was prevented by alkylation. These studies reveal that thymidylate synthetase can be inactivated in a manner that does not prevent the binding of the substrates individually.
Global change: Dishing the dirt on coral reefs.

Sediment is bad news for coral reefs. In Australia, large increases in sedimentation were a by-product of introducing intensive agricultural practices, and that may also apply to other parts of the world.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Addition to Polyethylenimine (PEI)-Impregnated Silica Increases Amine Accessibility during CO2 Sorption

Amine-impregnated sorbents can be applied in CO₂ sequestration, but they suffer from low amine utility due to slow diffusion of CO₂, leading to reduced accessibility of buried amines. We examined silica-supported polyethylenimine (PEI) sorbents and blended them with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an additive to study the role of PEG in modifying sorption performance. We report an increase in amine efficiency, a decrease in the heat of sorption and regeneration temperature, and a change CO₂ amine speciation with the addition of PEG. The increase in viscosity due to CO₂ sorption leads to greater diffusion resistance; increases in viscosity were lower during CO₂ sorption in blends with higher PEG composition. ¹³C NMR results on CO₂-saturated PEI–PEG blends revealed the formation of carbamic acid and carbamate and showed a larger fraction of carbamic acid in PEG-rich samples. We propose PEG increases the amine efficiency by enabling the diffusion of CO₂ due to viscosity reduction and changes in the CO₂-amine speciation (carbamate versus carbamic acid), which modifies the theoretical CO₂/amine stoichiometry.
Sideband mode competition in a gyrotron oscillator

We reported the first observation of sideband mode competition in a gyrotron with an overmoded open waveguide resonator. Further experiments were conducted in a gyrotron operating in the TE16,2 mode at 146 GHz. A pair of sidebands was excited corresponding to the TE15,2 and TE17,2 modes offset by +5 GHz. A multirnode, multifrequency, self-consistent time-dependent code predicts the excitation of the sidebands with good accuracy. A new cavity with a higher Q was designed to eliminate the sidebands. Tests with this cavity found no detectable sideband power. Up to 1.3 MW of power was generated in 3 ,us pulses at 80 kV beam voltage and 40 A beam current.
The phosphorelay BarA/SirA activates the non-cognate regulator RcsB in Salmonella enterica

To survive an environmental stress, organisms must detect the stress and mount an appropriate response. One way that bacteria do so is by phosphorelay systems that respond to a stress by activating a regulator that modifies gene expression. To ensure an appropriate response, a given regulator is typically activated solely by its cognate phosphorelay protein(s). However, we now report that the regulator RcsB is activated by both cognate and non-cognate phosphorelay proteins, depending on the condition experienced by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The RcsC and RcsD proteins form a phosphorelay that activates their cognate regulator RcsB in response to outer membrane stress and cell wall perturbations, conditions Salmonella experiences during infection. Surprisingly, the non-cognate phosphorelay protein BarA activates RcsB during logarithmic growth in Luria-Bertani medium in three ways. That is, BarA's cognate regulator SirA promotes transcription of the rcsDB operon; the SirA-dependent regulatory RNAs CsrB and CsrC further increase RcsB-activated gene transcription; and BarA activates RcsB independently of the RcsC, RcsD, and SirA proteins. Activation of a regulator by multiple sensors broadens the spectrum of environments in which a set of genes is expressed without evolving binding sites for different regulators at each of these genes.
Transient Spectral Peak Analysis Reveals Distinct Temporal Activation Profiles for Different Functional Brain Networks

Employing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from a large schizophrenia study, we use wavelets and frequency-specific spectral thresholding to transform each of the functional network timecourses (TCs) produced by group independent component analysis (GICA) into sparse multivariate spectral timeseries that consist only of zeros except at time-frequency points where power exceeds the 95th percentile for that frequency, i.e. masked to retain only frequency-specific extremal spectral events. From this characterization of network timeseries in terms of transient spectral peaks, we identify new distinctions between the temporal behavior of different functional networks and domains, new anomalies of meso-scale brain activation in schizophrenia patients and relationships between transient muti-network spectral extrema and time-varying network connectivity that have not been reported previously.
Causality and explanations in databases

With the surge in the availability of information, there is a great demand for tools that assist users in understanding their data. While today's exploration tools rely mostly on data visualization, users often want to go deeper and understand the underlying causes of a particular observation. This tutorial surveys research on causality and explanation for data-oriented applications. We will review and summarize the research thus far into causality and explanation in the database and AI communities, giving researchers a snapshot of the current state of the art on this topic, and propose a unified framework as well as directions for future research. We will cover both the theory of causality/explanation and some applications; we also discuss the connections with other topics in database research like provenance, deletion propagation, why-not queries, and OLAP techniques.
Hazards of the Cytokine Storm and Cytokine-Targeted Therapy in Patients With COVID-19: Review.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has challenged medicine and health care on a global scale. Its impact and frightening mortality rate are in large part attributable to the fact that there is a lack of available treatments. It has been shown that in patients who are severely ill, SARS-CoV-2 can lead to an inflammatory response known as cytokine storm, which involves activation and release of inflammatory cytokines in a positive feedback loop of pathogen-triggered inflammation. Currently, cytokine storm is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in SARS-CoV-2, but there is no proven treatment to combat this systemic response. Objective: The aim of this paper is to study the cytokine storm response in SARS-CoV-2 and to explore the early treatment options for patients who are critically ill with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the early stages of the pandemic by reviewing the literature. Methods: A literature review was performed from December 1, 2000, to April 4, 2020, to explore and compare therapies that target cytokine storm among SARS-CoV-2 and prior coronavirus cases. Results: A total of 38 eligible studies including 24 systematic reviews, 5 meta-analyses, 5 experimental model studies, 7 cohort studies, and 4 case reports matched the criteria. Conclusions: The severity of the cytokine storm, measured by elevated levels of interleukin-1B, interferon-γ, interferon-inducible protein 10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, was associated with COVID-19 disease severity. Many treatment options with different targets have been proposed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, ranging from targeting the virus itself to managing the systemic inflammation caused by the virus and the excessive cytokine response. Among the different agents to manage cytokine storm in patients with COVID-19, there is developing support for convalescent plasma therapy particularly for patients who are critically ill or mechanically ventilated and resistant to antivirals and supportive care. Treatment options that were proposed in the beginning phases of the pandemic were multidimensional, and further research is needed to develop a more established treatment guideline.
Accelerating Surgical Site Infection Abstraction With a Semi-automated Machine-learning Approach.

OBJECTIVE To demonstrate that a semi-automated approach to health data abstraction provides significant efficiencies and high accuracy. BACKGROUND Surgical outcome abstraction remains laborious and a barrier to the sustainment of quality improvement registries like ACS-NSQIP. A supervised machine learning algorithm developed for detecting SSI using structured and unstructured electronic health record data was tested to perform semi-automated SSI abstraction. METHODS A Lasso-penalized logistic regression model with 2011-3 data was trained (baseline performance measured with 10-fold cross-validation). A cutoff probability score from the training data was established, dividing the subsequent evaluation dataset into "negative" and "possible" SSI groups, with manual data abstraction only performed on the "possible" group. We evaluated performance on data from 2014, 2015, and both years. RESULTS Overall, 6188 patients were in the 2011-3 training dataset and 5132 patients in the 2014-5 evaluation dataset. With use of the semi-automated approach, applying the cut-off score decreased the amount of manual abstraction by ≥90%, resulting in <1% false negatives in the "negative" group and a sensitivity of 82%. A blinded review of 10% of the "possible" group, considering only the features selected by the algorithm, resulted in high agreement with the gold standard based on full chart abstraction, pointing towards additional efficiency in the abstraction process by making it possible for abstractors to review limited, salient portions of the chart. CONCLUSION Semi-automated machine learning-aided SSI abstraction greatly accelerates the abstraction process and achieves very good performance. This could be translated to other post-operative outcomes and reduce cost barriers for wider ACS-NSQIP adoption.
Identifying profiles of brain structure and associations with current and future psychopathology in youth.

Brain structure is often studied as a marker of youth psychopathology by examining associations between volume or thickness of individual regions and specific diagnoses. However, these univariate approaches do not address whether the effect of a particular region may depend on the structure of other regions. Here, we identified subgroups of individuals with distinct profiles of brain structure and examined how these profiles were associated with concurrent and future youth psychopathology. We used latent profile analysis to identify distinct neuroanatomical profiles of subcortical region volume and orbitofrontal cortical thickness in the ABCD study (N = 9376, mean age = 9.91, SD = 0.62). We identified a five-profile solution consisting of a reduced subcortical volume profile, a reduced orbitofrontal thickness profile, a reduced limbic and elevated striatal volume profile, an elevated orbitofrontal thickness and reduced striatal volume profile, and an elevated orbitofrontal thickness and subcortical volume profile. While controlling for age, sex, and intracranial volume, profiles exhibited differences in concurrent psychopathology measured dimensionally and categorically and in psychopathology at 1-year follow-up measured dimensionally. Results show that profiles of brain structure have incremental validity for associations with youth psychopathology beyond intracranial volume.
Defect Production in Compressed Filament Bundles.

We discuss the response of biopolymer filament bundles bound by transient cross-linkers to compressive loading. These systems admit a mechanical instability at stresses typically below that of traditional Euler buckling. In this instability, there is thermally activated pair production of topological defects that generate localized regions of bending---kinks. These kinks shorten the bundle's effective length, thereby reducing the elastic energy of the mechanically loaded structure. This effect is the thermal analog of the Schwinger effect, in which a sufficiently large electric field causes electron-positron pair production. We discuss this analogy and describe the implications of this analysis for the mechanics of biopolymer filament bundles of various types under compression.
Cross-Cultural Modification Strategies for Instruments Measuring Health Beliefs About Cancer Screening: Systematic Review.

Background: Modification is an important process by which to adapt an instrument to be used for another culture. However, it is not fully understood how best to modify an instrument to be used appropriately in another culture. Objective: This study aims to synthesize the modification strategies used in the cross-cultural adaptation process for instruments measuring health beliefs about cancer screening. Methods: A systematic review design was used for conducting this study. Keywords including constructs about instrument modification, health belief, and cancer screening were searched in the PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases. Bowling’s checklist was used to evaluate methodological rigor of the included articles. Results were reported using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) approach with a narrative method. Results: A total of 1312 articles were initially identified in the databases. After removing duplications and assessing titles, abstracts, and texts of the articles, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria for the study. Based on Flaherty’s cultural equivalence model, strategies used in the modification process included rephrasing items and response options to achieve semantic equivalence; changing subjects of items, changing wording of items, adding items, and deleting items to achieve content equivalence; adding subscales and items and deleting subscales and items to achieve criterion equivalence. Solutions used to resolve disagreements in the modification process included consultation with experts or literature search, following the majority, and consultation with the author who developed the scales. Conclusions: This study provides guidance for researchers who want to modify an instrument to be used in another culture. It can potentially give cross-cultural researchers insight into modification strategies and a better understanding of the modification process in cross-cultural instrument adaptation. More research could be done to help researchers better modify cross-cultural instruments to achieve cultural equivalence.
Research Experience and Future Criminalists

With research as its distinguishing characteristic, graduate education in the United States provides the philosophical foundation which, when properly focused, may prepare future criminalists to address significant problems in and advance successfully the practice of criminalistics. Graduate research is the source of much of the knowledge explosion responsible for many state-of-the-art forensic science techniques. In particular, the discoveries and other contributions made by forensic science researchers at universities have been abundant. Graduate research experiences exemplify one of the means proposed to accomplish goals through the encouragement of creative problem solving ability. The paper includes examples of questions confronting criminalistics with emphasis on the ways the graduate research process may contribute to piloting the profession through transition with sensitivity and understanding.
VI. Subfamily Pooideae Benth. (1861)

Annuals or perennials, caespitose, rhizomatous or stoloniferous. Culms hollow. Ligule membranous, sometimes with a ciliolate margin but not long ciliate. Leaf blades lacking pseudopetioles. Leaf sheaths lacking auricles. Inflorescence unbranched, or of primary branches only, or the branches branched. Spikelets with 1 to many flowers, reduced flowers, if present, distal to the fertile ones. Rachilla generally breaking up between the flowers, i.e., disarticulation above the persistent glumes. Lemma awned or not. Palea with 2 veins, often keeled. Lodicules 2, membranous, not vascularized. Stamens 3. Stigmas 2, borne on style branches that are inserted separately into the ovary apex. Fruit with a linear hilum. Embryo small, with an epiblast, lacking an internode between the coleoptilar and scutellar vein, the embryonic leaf margins overlapping. C3. Fusoid cells and arm cells absent. Leaf epidermal papillae absent.
Constraint relaxation, cost-sensitive learning and bagging for imbalanced classification problems with outliers

Supervised learning consists in developing models able to distinguish data that belong to different categories (classes). When data are available in different proportions the problem becomes imbalanced and the performance of standard classification methods deteriorates significantly. Imbalanced classification becomes even more challenging in the presence of outliers. In this paper, we study several algorithmic modifications of support vector machines classifier for tackling imbalanced problems with outliers. We provide computational evidence that the combined use of cost sensitive learning with constraint relaxation performs better, on average, compared to algorithmic tweaks that involve bagging, a popular approach for dealing with imbalanced problems or outliers separately. The proposed technique is embedded and requires the solution of a single convex optimization problem with no outlier detection preprocessing.
Control Coordination for Large Scale Systems

A control strategy, which allows some level of autonomous component control, for large scale systems is presented. The approach requires that component interactions be suitably limited so that variational methods can be used to determine component controls.
Molecular paleontology of transposable elements from Arabidopsis thaliana.

We report results of a comprehensive computer-assisted analysis of new transposable elements (TEs) from Arabidopsis thaliana. Our analysis revealed several previously unknown pogo- and En/Spm-like families and two novel superfamilies of DNA transposons, Arnold and Harbinger. One of the En/Spm-like families (Atenspm) was found to be involved in generating satellite arrays in paracentromeric regions. Of the two superfamilies reported, Harbinger is distantly related to bacterial IS5-like insertion elements, and Arnold contains DNA transposons without terminal inverted repeats (TIRs), which were never reported in eukaryotes before. Furthermore, we report a large number of young and diverse copia-like autonomous and nonautonomous retroelements and discuss their potential evolutionary relationship with mammalian retroviruses. The A. thaliana genome harbors copia-like retroelements which encode a putative env-like protein reported previously in the SIRE-1 retrotransposon from soybean. Finally, we demonstrate a nonrandom chromosomal distribution of the most abundant A. thaliana TEs clustered in the first half of chromosome II, which includes the centromeric region. The families of TEs from A. thaliana are relatively young, extremely diverse and much smaller than those from mammalian genomes. We discuss the potential factors determining similarities and differences in the evolution of TEs in mammals and A. Thaliana.
Partial Esophageal Transplantation Is Possible as Part of a Multivisceral Graft

We report a case of a 9-year-old female with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), which involved the upper retroperitoneum, visceral vessels, stomach and distal esophagus. Complete resection of the tumor required a multivisceral (MV) transplant. Due to tumor involvement, resection of the distal third of recipient esophagus was necessary. Gastrointestinal continuity was subsequently established via esophagoesophagostomy to donor esophagus en bloc with a standard MV graft. After 1.9 years of follow-up, the patient has no symptoms of dysphagia or reflux. This case illustrates the feasibility of including the distal donor esophagus as part of an MV graft.
A Proposed Cure to the Carbuncle Phenomenon

A new finite volume methodology is introduced to combat the carbuncle. The method features a more accurate treatment of entropy in the flux formulation at the cost of a small computational overhead. This new flux function is tested on a hypersonic flow past a circular cylinder on both structured quadrilateral and unstructured triangular grids, producing encouraging results.
Fluorescent Cell-Counting Neutralization Test for Psittacosis.

Hahon, Nicholas (Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.), and Kenneth O. Cooke. Fluorescent cell-counting neutralization test for psittacosis. J. Bacteriol. 89:1465-1471. 1965.-A sensitive, precise, and specific serological procedure, the fluorescent cell-counting neutralization test, was developed to detect and to measure quantitatively psittacosis serum-neutralizing antibodies within 24 hr. The test is based on the reduction of fluorescent cells in McCoy cell monolayers resulting from the neutralization of infective agent particles by specific antiserum. Small but significant rises in neutralizing titers were measured in serum specimens from monkeys previously exposed to the psittacosis agent and from humans with diagnoses of subclinical or established psittacosis infections.
Olvido de los fenómenos psicológicos en la relación médico-paciente anciano.

Para evaluar las publicaciones sobre la relacion medico-paciente anciano, se hizo una revision sistematica de ese tema en el MEDLINE (1966-1995). Se buscaron los articulos de investigacion que tenian que ver con los componentes de la relacion medico-paciente anciano. De los 57 articulos que se incluyeron, 33% se enfocaban en las barreras actitudinales, 25% en los resultados, 23% en las capacidades de comunicacion, 16% en asuntos eticos, y solo 3% en los fenomenos psicologicos. Aspectos como la transferencia, la contratransferencia y la empatia son esenciales para entender la relacion medico-paciente anciano. Se concluyo que los fenomenos psicologicos entre los medicos y sus pacientes ancianos a menudo no se incluyen en la investigacion.
Classical Communication Cost of Quantum Teleportation

Quantum teleportation schemes in which operations are performed before establishing the quantum channel are not constrained by resource limits set in H.K.Lo and Bennett et al. We compare the standard teleportation protocol to the one proposed by Kak on the basis of the classical communication cost. Due to its unique architecture we study the problems in implementing Kak teleportation protocol.
Interactions of the renin–angiotensin system and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in regulation of cyclooxygenase‐2 in the macula densa

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in rat kidney is localized to the macula densa and the immediately proximal cTALH and increases after salt restriction. Either ACE inhibitors or AT 1 receptor blockers increase COX-2 expression in both control and salt-restricted animals, suggesting that the RAS activation feedback inhibits renal cortical COX-2 expression. To determine whether increased COX-2 expression in response to ACE inhibition mediated increases in renin production, rats were treated with Captopril for 1 week with or without the specific COX-2 inhibitor, SC58236. Plasma renin activity increased significantly in the Captopril group. This increase was partially reversed by simultaneous treatment with SC58236. Kidney renin activity also increased in the Captopril group compared with control, which was also significantly inhibited by SC58236 treatment. Because of the localization of bNOS to MD and surrounding cTALH, the current study investigated the role of NO in the regu ation of COX-2 expression. Rats were fed a normal diet, low salt diet or low salt diet combined with captopril and half of them were treated with the neuronal NOS inhibitor, 7-NI, and half with vehicle. After 7 days, mRNA was extracted and the microsome proteins purified from renal cortex. COX-2 mRNA expression was measured by Northern-blot and normalized with GAPDH. 7-NI treatment decreased COX-2 mRNA and immunoreactive COX-2 expression in each group. In , these studies indicate that COX-2 from macula densa/cTALH is a regulator of renin production and release. Angiotensin II may be a negative regulator of cTALH/macula densa COX-2 expression, and NO may mediate increased renal cortical COX-2 expression seen in volume depletion. These studies suggest important interactions between the NO and COX-2 systems in the regulation of arteriolar tone and the renin-angiotensin system by the macula densa.
Reciprocal Expression and Signaling of TLR4 and TLR9 in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common and often fatal inflammatory disorder affecting preterm infants that develops upon interaction of indigenous bacteria with the premature intestine. We now demonstrate that the developing mouse intestine shows reciprocal patterns of expression of TLR4 and TLR9, the receptor for bacterial DNA (CpG-DNA). Using a novel ultrasound-guided in utero injection system, we administered LPS directly into the stomachs of early and late gestation fetuses to induce TLR4 signaling and demonstrated that TLR4-mediated signaling within the developing intestine follows its expression pattern. Murine and human NEC were associated with increased intestinal TLR4 and decreased TLR9 expression, suggesting that reciprocal TLR4 and TLR9 signaling may occur in the pathogenesis of NEC. Enteral administration of adenovirus expressing mutant TLR4 to neonatal mice reduced the severity of NEC and increased TLR9 expression within the intestine. Activation of TLR9 with CpG-DNA inhibited LPS-mediated TLR4 signaling in enterocytes in a mechanism dependent upon the inhibitory molecule IRAK-M. Strikingly, TLR9 activation with CpG-DNA significantly reduced NEC severity, whereas TLR9-deficient mice exhibited increased NEC severity. Thus, the reciprocal nature of TLR4 and TLR9 signaling within the neonatal intestine plays a role in the development of NEC and provides novel therapeutic approaches to this disease.
Nature and extent of left/right axis defects in TWis/TWis mutant mouse embryos

Background: Mutations in the T-box gene Brachyury have well known effects on invagination of the endomesodermal layer during gastrulation, but the gene also plays a role in the determination of left/right axis determination that is less well studied. Previous work has implicated node morphology in this effect. We use the TWis allele of Brachyury to investigate the molecular and morphological effects of the T locus on axis determination in the mouse. Results: Similar to embryos mutant for the T allele, TWis/TWis embryos have a high incidence of ventral and/or reversed heart looping. In addition, heterotaxia between the direction of heart looping and the direction of embryo turning is common. Scanning electron microscopy reveals defects in node morphology including irregularity, smaller size, and a decreased number of cilia, although the cilia appear morphologically normal. Molecular analysis shows a loss of perinodal expression of genes involved in Nodal signaling, namely Cer2, Gdf1, and Nodal itself. There is also loss of Dll1 expression, a key component of the Notch signaling pathway, in the presomitic mesoderm. Conclusions: Morphological abnormalities of the node as well as disruptions of the molecular cascade of left/right axis determination characterize TWis/TWis mutants. Decreased Notch signaling may account for both the morphological defects and the absence of expression of genes in the Nodal signaling pathway. Developmental Dynamics 243:1046–1053, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of squash leaf trichome exudates and honey on adult feeding, survival, and fecundity of the squash bug (Heteroptera: Coreidae) egg parasitoid Gryon pennsylvanicum (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine whether leaf exudates could be used as a source of adult nutrition for the squash bug, Auasa tristis (De Geer), egg parasitoid, Gryon pennsylvanicum (Ashmead), and to compare adult and progeny fitness traits when female Wasps were provided with squash leaves, a standard honey diet, a combination of leaves and honey, or water only Results showed that fecundity, progeny developmental rates, and progeny survival did not differ significantly when females were exposed to different dietary sources. Adult longevity was shorter on squash leaves without honey than on leaves with honey or the honey–only diet. However, reproductive fitness was not reduced because oviposition had been completed before death of the adult females. When only water was provided, parasitoid females lived only a few days. Observations showed that squash leaves have two kinds of trichomes (hair–like and peg–like), both of which produce droplets that are fed on by both sexes of G. pennsylvanicum. Nutrient analyses revealed that exudates from the hair–like trichomes are composed predominantly of monosaccharides (mainly glucose and galactose), and that the peg–like trichomes produce glucose and some protein. Thus, these trichomes appear to serve as extrafloral nectaries and may provide an important energy source for augmentatively released G. pennsylvanicum .
Fatigue crack growth study of SCS6/Ti-15-3 composite

A study was performed to determine the fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior and the associated fatigue damage processes in a (0)(8) and (90)(8) oriented SCS(6)/Ti-15-3 composite. Companion testing (CT) was also done on identically processed Ti-15-3 unreinforced material. The active fatigue crack growth failure processes were very similar for both composite orientations tested. For both orientations, fatigue crack growth was along the fiber direction. It was found that the composite constituent most susceptible to fatigue damage was the interface region and in particular the carbon coating surrounding the fiber. The failure of the interface region lead to crack initiation and also strongly influenced the FCG behavior in this composite. The failure of the interface region was apparently driven by normal stresses perpendicular to the fiber direction. The FCG rates were considerably higher for the (90)(8) oriented CT specimens in comparison to the unreinforced material. This is consistent with the scenario in which the interface has lower fatigue resistance than the matrix, causing lower composite fatigue resistance. The FCG rates of the (0)(8) composite could not be directly compared to the (90)(8) composite but were shown to increase with an increase in the crack length.
Porcin xenograft dressing for facial burns: beware of the mesh imprint

It creates an environment which facilitates migration and proliferation of epithelial cells whilst also protecting against bacterial invasion and evaporative water loss. It is a temporary biological dressing that does not become vascularised [4]. It is rejected by surface-activated rejection mechanism and/or mechanically dislodged by the growth of the epithelium underneath. We have used E-Z Derm dressing for partial thickness facial burns in the Paediatric burns unit for many years. Our main reasons for its use have been the ease of application, avoidance of frequent dressing changes and for patient comfort. We have used perforated sheets of E-Z Derm to allow exudate drainage. E-Z Derm once adherent, has been left in situ until it dries and lifts off, when it is trimmed as per the product information. The manufacturer’s literature states “after the E-Z Derm adheres to the wound, leave it in place until it sloughs.” “In most cases, partial thickness wounds will heal beneath the E-Z Derm dressing in 7–10 days.” Here, we report
SOL-GEL SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBON/CERAMIC COMPOSITE ELECTRODES

We have fabricated carbon/ceramic composite electrodes with an interconnected network of carbon particles in a silica-based gel. The resulting electrodes were porous and electrically conductive and...
The development of a simplified epithelial tissue phantom for the evaluation of an autofluorescence mitigation algorithm

Previously we developed an ultrathin, flexible, multimodal scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) for concurrent white light and fluorescence imaging. Autofluorescence (AF) arising from endogenous fluorophores (primarily collagen in the esophagus) act as major confounders in fluorescence-aided detection. To address the issue of AF, a real-time mitigation algorithm was developed and has been show to successfully remove AF during SFE imaging. To test our algorithm, we previously developed flexible, color-matched, synthetic phantoms featuring a homogenous distribution of collagen. In order to more rigorously test the AF mitigation algorithm, a phantom that better mimicked the in-vivo distribution of collagen in tissue was developed.
Sulfur constituents of sediments and their relationship to lake acidification

Sulfate is a major component of acid precipitation in the Northeastern United States. Transformations and fluxes of S may be important indices of the effect of acidification on limnetic systems. Sulfur constiuents and respiration rates were compared in sediments among Oneida, Deer and South Lakes in New York which exhibit a range of buffering capacity and pH from high to low, respectively. Total S in Deer and South was higher near their major inlets. Sulfide was highest in Oneida sediment, which had a lower redox potential (Eh). Ester sulfate was a major portion of the S in the three lakes. Oxygen consumption was highest in Oneida and lowest in South sediments. The low ester sulfate and an elevated C/N ratio of South sediment may indicate that acidification inhibits decomposition
Missing Each Other

In “Seeking Father” (Adams, 2006), I used a relational perspective to understand the relationship I have with my father—a perspective that conceived of our relationship as a co-constitutive endeavo...
Regulation of the Activity of Chloroplast Translational Initiation Factor 3 by NH2- and COOH-Terminal Extensions

The mature form of the chloroplast translational initiation factor 3 (IF3chl) from Euglena gracilis consists of an internal region homologous to prokaryotic IF3 flanked by long NH2- and COOH-terminal extensions. Sequences in these extensions reduce the activity of the homology domain in promoting initiation complex formation with chloroplast mRNAs and 30 S ribosomal subunits. A series of deletions of the NH2- and COOH-terminal extensions of IF3chl were constructed and tested for their effects on the activity of the homology domain. About half of the inhibitory effect arises from sequences within 9 residues of the junction between the NH2-terminal extension and the homology domain. The remaining inhibitory effect is the result of sequences in the COOH-terminal extension. The equilibrium constant governing the binding of the homology domain of IF3chl to 30 S subunits is estimated to be 1.3 x 10(7) M-1. Sequences close to the junction of the NH2-terminal extension and the homology domain reduce this binding constant about 10-fold. Sequences in the COOH-terminal extension have a similar negative effect. The negative effects of these two regions are cumulative, resulting in a 100-fold reduction of the binding constant. The 9 residues at the NH2-terminal extension effectively prevent the proofreading activity of IF3chl. The entire COOH-terminal extension reduces the proofreading ability by about half. These results are discussed in terms of the proposed three-dimensional structure of the homology domain of IF3chl.