cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reverse Genetic Generation of Recombinant Zaire Ebola Viruses Containing Disrupted IRF-3 Inhibitory Domains Results in Attenuated Virus Growth In Vitro and Higher Levels of IRF-3 Activation without Inhibiting Viral Transcription or Replication

The VP35 protein of Zaire Ebola virus is an essential component of the viral RNA polymerase complex and also functions to antagonize the cellular type I interferon (IFN) response by blocking activation of the transcription factor IRF-3. We previously mapped the IRF-3 inhibitory domain within the C terminus of VP35. In the present study, we show that mutations that disrupt the IRF-3 inhibitory function of VP35 do not disrupt viral transcription/replication, suggesting that the two functions of VP35 are separable. Second, using reverse genetics, we successfully recovered recombinant Ebola viruses containing mutations within the IRF-3 inhibitory domain. Importantly, we show that the recombinant viruses were attenuated for growth in cell culture and that they activated IRF-3 and IRF-3-inducible gene expression at levels higher than that for Ebola virus containing wild-type VP35. In the context of Ebola virus pathogenesis, VP35 may function to limit early IFN-β production and other antiviral signals generated from cells at the primary site of infection, thereby slowing down the host's ability to curb virus replication and induce adaptive immunity.
Novel Regimens Identified in Mice for Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Contacts of Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Preventing the development of tuberculosis (TB) in contacts of patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) by the treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) is highly desirable. However, few safe, well tolerated, and effective drugs are available to treat MDR-LTBI and the published guidance is limited. Fortunately, six new chemical entities from four classes developed to treat TB have entered clinical trials in the past decade. We tested three of these drugs alone and in combination in an experimental paucibacillary LTBI chemotherapy model using BALB/c and C3HeB/FeJ mice immunized with a recombinant strain of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (rBCG30) and then challenged with a low-dose aerosol of M. tuberculosis H37Rv. The regimens tested contained bedaquiline (TMC), PA-824 (Pa), sutezolid (PNU), and/or one of two fluoroquinolones. Control mice received rifampin (RIF) or isoniazid (INH). In BALB/c mice, TMC-containing regimens and the Pa-PNU combination were the most active test regimens and were at least as effective as RIF. Pa, PNU, and levofloxacin had activity comparable to that of INH. Virtually identical results were observed in C3HeB/FeJ mice. This study confirms the potent activity of TMC observed previously in BALB/c mice and highlights Pa alone or in combination with either PNU or a fluoroquinolone as a regimen worthy of evaluation in future clinical trials of MDR-LTBI. Given their closer pathological representation of human TB lesions, C3HeB/FeJ mice may become a preferred model for the experimental chemotherapy of LTBI. Future studies should evaluate additional clinically relevant LTBI regimens in this strain including relapse as an endpoint.
Hippocampal Volumes and the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor val66met Polymorphism in Geriatric Major Depression

Objectives Structural abnormalities in the hippocampus have been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). The brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ) val66met polymorphism may contribute to these abnormalities and therefore confer vulnerability to MDD. This study examined whether there is a relationship among BDNF genotype, hippocampal volumes, and MDD in older adults. Methods Thirty-three older adults with MDD and 23 psychiatrically normal comparison subjects were studied. Structural magnetic resonance imaging analysis was used to quantify hippocampal volumes. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance examined the relationships among BDNF val66met (val/val, met carrier), diagnosis (depressed, nondepressed), and hippocampal volumes (right, left). Age, gender, education, and whole brain volume were included as covariates. Results Elderly MDD BDNF val/val homozygotes had significantly higher right hippocampal volumes compared with nondepressed val/val subjects. However, there was no difference between the depressed and healthy nondepressed met carriers. In addition, depressed met carriers had an earlier age of onset of depressive illness than val/val homozygotes, but age of onset did not moderate the relationship between hippocampal volumes and MDD diagnosis. Conclusion These results provide preliminary evidence of a neuroprotective role of the val/val genotype, suggesting that neurotrophic factor production protects against pathophysiological processes triggered by depression in older adults with later age of onset of MDD. The BDNF val66met polymorphism may play a salient role in structural alterations of the hippocampus in older adults with MDD.
Hypomagnesemic Effect of Avian Calcitonin

Abstract PLASMA magnesium levels are maintained within very narrow limits in most organisms. The factors regulating the concentration of magnesium, however, are obscure (Arkawa, 1960). Thyroid status has been implicated in the control of plasma magnesium levels in human beings (Jones et al., 1966) and Care (1965) has stated that thyroxine infusion produced hypomagnesemia in the thyroparathyroidectomized sheep, but did not alter net absorption from the ileum. Further, Inskeep and Kenny (1968) reported that thyroidectomy in sheep was accompanied by hypermagnesemia. Most of the published evidence indicates that calcitonin does not modify the concentration of plasma magnesium in mammalian species (Foster et al., 1964Foster et al., 1966; and Bell et al., 1966). Chausmer et al. (1966) found variable responses of plasma magnesium levels to porcine calcitonin in the dog. Recently, Palmeri et al. (1969), using a more sensitive assay for calcitonin, demonstrated a slight but significant hypomagnesemic effect of calcitonin when it was. . .
An approach for preference ranking of alternatives

Abstract An approach for determining the ranking of a set of alternatives is developed. It is based on concepts of conditional probability. The approach evaluates the set of alternatives and arrives at a preference ranking of either the entire set or a subset of available alternatives. Results of preliminary tests involving generated problems are favorable.
Destruction of specific heterochromatic chromosomes during spermatogenesis in the Comstockiella chromosome system (Coccoidea: Homoptera)

In male coccids with the Comstockiella chromosome system, the set of chromosomes of paternal orgin becomes heterochromatic (H) during early cleavage. Just prior to prophase I of spermatogenesis, some of the H chromosomes are destroyed; the rest are eliminated following meiosis. In this report a Comstockiella sequence is described from Dactylopius opuntiae (2n=10) in which one chromosome pair is about three times longer than the others. During prophase I the number of small H chromosomes present varied from cyst to cyst, but the long H chromosome was present in every cyst. These observations provide the best evidence to date that in the Comstockiella system a particular chromosome may always escape destruction. An analysis of Kitchin's (1975) data about the frequency of prophase I cysts with 1–4 H chromosomes in three species of Parlatoria with 2n = 8 suggested that in these species chromosomes of similar size may have very different probabilities of being destroyed. Evidence that in other species with the Comstockiella system a particular H chromosome is always retained is reviewed, and the possibility that in Ancepaspis tridentata the variation in the length of the H chromosome retained is due to the partial destruction of the longest chromosome is discussed.
Flux flow current-voltage characteristics and their magnetic field dependence in a type II superconductor☆

Abstract Experimental flux flow V-I characteristics are compared with our previous model which assumes flux motion is interrupted by local pinning interactions. Quantitative changes in these characteristics occur at the field at which the peak in the pinning force occurs.
Conjunctive use of models to design cost-effective ozone control strategies.

The management of tropospheric ozone (O3) is particularly difficult. The formulation of emission control strategies requires considerable information including: (1) emission inventories, (2) available control technologies, (3) meteorological data for critical design episodes, and (4) computer models that simulate atmospheric transport and chemistry. The simultaneous consideration of this information during control strategy design can be exceedingly difficult for a decision-maker. Traditional management approaches do not explicitly address cost minimization. This study presents a new approach for designing air quality management strategies; a simple air quality model is used conjunctively with a complex air quality model to obtain low-cost management strategies. A simple air quality model is used to identify potentially good solutions, and two heuristic methods are used to identify cost-effective control strategies using only a small number of simple air quality model simulations. Subsequently, the resulting strategies are verified and refined using a complex air quality model. The use of this approach may greatly reduce the number of complex air quality model runs that are required. An important component of this heuristic design framework is the use of the simple air quality model as a screening and exploratory tool. To achieve similar results with the simple and complex air quality models, it may be necessary to “tweak” or calibrate the simple model. A genetic algorithm-based optimization procedure is used to automate this tweaking process. These methods are demonstrated to be computationally practical using two realistic case studies, which are based on data from a metropolitan region in the United States.
Identification of sublimation-type thermal contraction crack polygons at the proposed NASA Phoenix landing site: Implications for substrate properties and climate-driven morphological evolution

[1] We identify a surface within the NASA Phoenix landing site Area D characterized by boulder-topped, polygonally-patterned mounds comparable in radius and cross-sectional morphology to terrestrial sublimation polygons found in Antarctica. Both Martian and Antarctic polygons display topographic asymmetry, with shallow equator-facing slopes and steep pole-facing slopes, interpreted to indicate insolation-dependent, differential sublimation of buried ice. On the basis of morphological similarities, we classify the Phoenix Box 1 polygons as sublimation polygons. Terrestrial sublimation polygons form where ice volumes exceeding available pore space occur in the shallow subsurface and where near-surface conditions are too cold and dry to permit the development of saturated active layers: conditions comparable to those recently modeled for Mars in the Phoenix landing site Area D, Box 1. The identification of sublimation polygons on Mars would provide direct evidence for shallow, ground ice exceeding pore-ice volumes and shed light on the emplacement mechanism of this ice.
Developing Academic Language in English Language Learners Through Sheltered Instruction

This article describes a study examining the effects of Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model instruction on the academic language performance of middle and high school English language learners. The SIOP model is an approach for teaching content curriculum to students learning through a new language. Teachers employ techniques that make the content concepts accessible and also develop students’ skills in the new language. Using a quasiexperimental design, the research was conducted in content area and English as a second language classes in two districts in northern New Jersey over 2 years. The analysis presents student achievement data from state-mandated language proficiency tests in the final year of the intervention, after most of the treatment teachers had completed their professional development in the SIOP model. There were statistically significant differences in the average mean scores in favor of the treatment student group on Writing, Oral Language, and Total English scores of the IDEA Language Proficiency Tests with small to medium effect sizes. The results from this study show that the SIOP model offers a promising approach to professional development that can improve the quality of instruction to English language learners and increase their English language achievement.
Membrane-associated methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath).

An active preparation of the membrane-associated methane monooxygenase (pMMO) from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath was isolated by ion-exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography using dodecyl beta-D-maltoside as the detergent. The active preparation consisted of three major polypeptides with molecular masses of 47,000, 27,000, and 25,000 Da. Two of the three polypeptides (those with molecular masses of 47,000 and 27,000 Da) were identified as the polypeptides induced when cells expressing the soluble MMO are switched to culture medium in which the pMMO is expressed. The 27,000-Da polypeptide was identified as the acetylene-binding protein. The active enzyme complex contained 2.5 iron atoms and 14.5 copper atoms per 99,000 Da. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of the enzyme showed evidence for a type 2 copper center (g perpendicular = 2.057, g parallel = 2.24, and magnitude of A parallel = 172 G), a weak high-spin iron signal (g = 6.0), and a broad low-field (g = 12.5) signal. Treatment of the pMMO with nitric oxide produced the ferrous-nitric oxide derivative observed in the membrane fraction of cells expressing the pMMO. When duroquinol was used as a reductant, the specific activity of the purified enzyme was 11.1 nmol of propylene oxidized.min-1.mg of protein-1, which accounted for approximately 30% of the cell-free propylene oxidation activity. The activity was stimulated by ferric and cupric metal ions in addition to the cytochrome b-specific inhibitors myxothiazol and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide.
Reduced Length of Stay and Hospital Cost for Unruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms Treated with Endovascular Coiling or a Minimally Invasive Thumb-Sized Pterional Craniotomy: Single Center Experience and Nationwide Inpatient Sample Data Analysis

Cost-benefit analysis of endovascular treatment compared to open-surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms in the setting of global economic restrictions is of growing importance. We present our experience with coil embolization and a modified thumb-sized pterional craniotomy for clip ligation of unruptured anterior circulation cerebral aneurysms performed in a major tertiary cerebrovascular center; our experience is then compared to a matched dataset from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). In our institutional analysis, all patients were aged � 55 years and treated electively for unruptured anterior circulation aneurysms. A matched dataset from the NIS was constructed using patients � 55 years with unruptured aneurysms. At our institution, length of stay was half that of NIS for both the surgical clipping group and the endovascular group. Additionally, hospital charges were reduced by one-third for surgical clipping and by approximately one-fourth for endovascular coiling. The cost of clipping vs coiling for unruptured cerebral aneurysms should not undermine the ethics of decision making, but rather should be used as a guide in allocation of hospital resources, manpower and funds. Thumb-sized craniotomies without use of cerebral retractors for clipping provide excellent recovery and show a significant decrease in the postoperative hospital stay as well as a lower cost of hospitalization compared to the national average. High volume centers for treatment of cerebral aneurysms, like ours which is managed by the same neurovascular staff for both treatment options, is an important factor in lowering the length of stay and hospitalization cost.
Legitimacy and Institutional Replacement: The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the Emergence of the Mine Ban Treaty

When and under what conditions is an existing international institu- tion most likely to be replaced by a new one? Conventional international relations theories offer only partial insights into this question and seldom address it directly+ But replacement occurs in a variety of important international contexts+ For exam- ple, the United Nations replaced the League of Nations, the WTO replaced the GATT, and most recently, the Ottawa Convention banning landmines replaced Protocol II of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons ~CCW!+ I argue that the concept of legitimacy, commonly defined as "the belief that an institution ought to be obeyed," and careful attention to the development of the existing institution are necessary to understand replacement+ After developing a theoretical framework to conceptualize the relationship between legitimacy and replacement, this article traces the origins and development of the largely overlooked institutional predecessor to the Ottawa Convention: the CCW+ It then shows how ideational change, driven by transnational efforts to delegitimate the CCW, paved the way for a shift in discourse from control to disarmament that made the creation of a new institution possible+ The article con- cludes by seeking to generalize from the CCW experience through a preliminary dis- cussion of other ways and cases in which legitimacy might affect institutional replacement and persistence+
Modulation Extension Control of Hybrid Cascaded H-bridge Multilevel Converters with 7-level Fundamental Frequency Switching Scheme

This paper presents a modulation extension control algorithm for hybrid cascaded H-bridge multilevel converters. The hybrid cascaded H-bridge multilevel motor drive using only a single DC source for each phase is promising for high power motor drive applications since it can greatly decrease the number of required DC power supplies, has high quality output power due to its high number of output levels, and has high conversion efficiency and low thermal stress by using fundamental frequency switching scheme. But one disadvantage of the 7-level fundamental frequency switching scheme is that its modulation index range is too narrow when capacitor's voltage balance is maintained. The proposed modulation extension control algorithm can greatly increase capacitors' charging time and decrease the capacitors' discharging time by injecting triplen harmonics to extend the modulation index range of the hybrid cascaded H-bridge multilevel converters.
Potential Variables Affecting the Use of Reachers by the Elderly

The purpose of this study was to determine the way in which grip strength, coordination, and hand size affect the ability of persons 65 years of age or older to use a reacher. A sample of 51 volunteers living in various communities in Indiana was evaluated. The results of this study indicate that coordination is the only predictor of the time required to complete a reacher activity, explaining 25.6% of the variance in reacher activity times (r= -.506, p< .001). By focusing intervention on coordination, therapists may increase reacher use thereby increasing the independence of elderly individuals.
Prevalence of the diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome among human immunodeficiency virus type 1‐positive outpatients

Objective To ascertain the prevalence of the diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome (DILS) in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-positive outpatients. Methods The presence of sicca symptoms and visible salivary gland enlargement was determined by interview and physical examination, and the clinical stage was determined by chart review, in 523 HIV-positive patients. The diagnosis of DILS was established in those with parotid gland enlargement by minor salivary gland biopsy or radionuclide scintigraphy. Results Definite DILS was found in 15 (3%) of the 523 patients, and possible DILS in 18 (3.4%). The prevalence of definite DILS was significantly higher in African Americans (4.5%). Self-reported facial swelling and xerophthalmia that was not explained by the effects of medication were found more frequently in those with DILS than in the non-DILS patients. Patients with DILS had higher CD8 counts (mean ± SD 1,456 ± 813/mm3) compared with those without DILS (934 ± 624/mm3; P < 1 × 10−6), and were less advanced in their HIV clinical stage (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stages A or B in 76% compared with 60% of the non-DILS group; P = 0.01). Conclusion DILS is an important problem in HIV-infected outpatients and tends to occur in patients whose clinical disease is at a less advanced stage. Patients with parotid gland enlargement accompanied by sicca symptoms should be screened for HIV infection.
Non-Similarity-Based Conceptualization in Pigeons via Secondary or Mediated Generalization

We used a three-step procedure to produce and disclose non-similarity-based conceptualization in pigeons. Merely by being associated with the same response in the first step, classes of perceptually dissimilar stimuli, like cars and chairs, appear to amalgamate into a new category of functionally equivalent Stimuli. Thus, requiring a new response to be made to only one of these two stimulus classes in the second step transfers to the other stimulus class in the third step. This case of non-similarity-based conceptualization in pigeons is relevant to the construction of superordinate categories and to the role of language in secondary or mediated generalization.
A quantitative method for the evaluation of three-dimensional structure of temporal bone pneumatization

Temporal bone pneumatization has been included in lists of characters used in phylogenetic analyses of human evolution. While studies suggest that the extent of pneumatization has decreased over the course of human evolution, little is known about the processes underlying these changes or their significance. In short, reasons for the observed reduction and the potential reorganization within pneumatized spaces are unknown. Technological limitations have limited previous analyses of pneumatization in extant and fossil species to qualitative observations of the extent of temporal bone pneumatization. In this paper, we introduce a novel application of quantitative methods developed for the study of trabecular bone to the analysis of pneumatized spaces of the temporal bone. This method utilizes high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) images and quantitative software to estimate three-dimensional parameters (bone volume fractions, anisotropy, and trabecular thickness) of bone structure within defined units of pneumatized spaces. We apply this approach in an analysis of temporal bones of diverse but related primate species, Gorilla gorilla, Pan troglodytes, Homo sapiens, and Papio hamadryas anubis, to illustrate the potential of these methods. In demonstrating the utility of these methods, we show that there are interspecific differences in the bone structure of pneumatized spaces, perhaps reflecting changes in the localized growth dynamics, location of muscle attachments, encephalization, or basicranial flexion.
Comparison of SNP tagging methods using empirical data: association study of 713 SNPs on chromosome 12q14.3-12q24.21 for asthma and total serum IgE in an African Caribbean population.

Few comparison studies have been performed on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) tagging methods to examine their consistency and effectiveness in terms of inferences about association with disease. We applied several SNP tagging methods to SNPs on chromosome 12q (n=713) and compared the utility of these methods to detect association for asthma and serum IgE levels among a sample of African Caribbean families from Barbados selected through asthmatic probands. We found that a high level of information regarding association is retained in Clayton's htSNP, Stram's TagSNP, and de Bakker's Tagger. We also found a high degree of consistency between TagSNP and Tagger. Using this set of 713 SNPs on chromosome 12q, our study provides insight towards analytic strategies for future studies of complex traits. Genet. Epidemiol. 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Solutions for the MIMO Gaussian Wiretap Channel With a Cooperative Jammer

We study the Gaussian MIMO wiretap channel with a transmitter, a legitimate receiver, an eavesdropper and an external helper, each equipped with multiple antennas. The transmitter sends confidential messages to its intended receiver, while the helper transmits jamming signals independent of the source message to confuse the eavesdropper. The jamming signal is assumed to be treated as noise at both the intended receiver and the eavesdropper. We obtain a closed-form expression for the structure of the artificial noise covariance matrix that guarantees a secrecy rate larger or at least equal to the secrecy capacity of the wiretap channel with no jamming signal. We also describe how to find specific realizations of this covariance matrix expression that provide good secrecy rate performance, even when there is no nontrivial null space between the helper and the intended receiver. Unlike prior work, our approach considers the general MIMO case, and is not restricted to SISO or MISO scenarios.
Abilities of Oropharyngeal pH Tests and Salivary Pepsin Analysis to Discriminate Between Asymptomatic Volunteers and Subjects With Symptoms of Laryngeal Irritation

Background & Aims It has been a challenge to confirm the association between laryngeal symptoms and physiological reflux disease. We examined the ability of oropharyngeal pH tests (with the Restech Dx-pH system) and salivary pepsin tests (with Peptest) to discriminate between asymptomatic volunteers (controls) and subjects with a combination of laryngeal and reflux symptoms (laryngeal ± reflux). Methods We performed a physician-blinded prospective cohort study of 59 subjects at a single academic institution. Adult volunteers were recruited and separated into 3 groups on the basis of GerdQ and Reflux Symptom Index scores: controls (n = 20), laryngeal symptoms (n = 20), or laryngeal + reflux symptoms (n = 19). Subjects underwent laryngoscopy and oropharyngeal pH tests and submitted saliva samples for analysis of pepsin concentration. Primary outcomes included abnormal acid exposure and composite (RYAN) score for oropharyngeal pH tests and abnormal mean salivary pepsin concentration that was based on normative data. Results Complete oropharyngeal pH data were available from 53 subjects and complete salivary pepsin data from 35 subjects. We did not observe any significant differences between groups in percent of time spent below pH 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, or RYAN scores or percent of subjects with positive results from tests for salivary pepsin (53% vs 40% vs 75%; P = .50, respectively). The laryngeal + reflux group had a significantly higher estimated mean concentration of salivary pepsin (117.9 ± 147.4 ng/mL) than the control group (32.4 ± 41.9 ng/mL) or laryngeal symptom group (7.5 ± 11.2 ng/mL) ( P = .01 and P = .04, respectively). Conclusions By using current normative thresholds, oropharyngeal pH testing and salivary pepsin analysis are not able to distinguish between healthy volunteers and subjects with a combination of laryngeal and reflux symptoms.
An Apple a Day Keeps Shareholder Suits at Bay: An Examination of a Corporate Officer’s Legal Duty to Disclose Health Problems to Shareholders

This paper examines both constitutional and practical problems with proposed regulation to require corporate officers to disclose health problems to shareholders. In doing so, the paper addresses the following questions, which are especially timely given the recent controversy surrounding Apple CEO Steve Jobs: To what extent should officers of public companies be required to disclose personal health problems to shareholders? Does a timely failure to disclose such information constitute securities fraud if the stock price is adversely affected once the information becomes public? Can shareholders’ rights to accurate information relevant to a company’s likely future performance trump an officer’s right to privacy? To what extent do the answers to these questions depend on how closely the officer’s identity is aligned with his/her brand, i.e., how "iconic" the officer is perceived to be? Are these issues for regulators to address ex ante or the courts to handle ex post? And in either case, can an objective rights-balancing framework be developed?
Infrared Spectroscopy of Deuterated a-Si, Ge:D, F Alloys Prepared by DC Glow Discharge Deposition

Deuterated and fluorinated amorphous silicon-germanium alloys, a-Si, Ge:D, F, were studied by Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy. No Ge.-F modes are observed. The intensity of the Si-F and Si-F 2 modes increases with Ge concentration. So does thae intensity of SiF 4 which is trapped as isolated molecules. No DF (IR) or F 2 (Raman) is observed. The IR spectra of alloys annealed at 300, 400, 500 and 600° C show that the fluorine in the Si-F and Si-F 2 groups and in the SiF 4 molecules is in thermochemical equilibrium.
46 URINARY ZINC LOSSES IN RATS WITH ALDOSTERONISM: PREVENTION BY ACETAZOLAMIDE.

Purpose Hypozincemia has been found in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and may contribute to the appearance of oxidative stress through reduced activity of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant defense oxidoreductase. In rats with aldosteronism, urinary Zn excretion is increased leading to reduced plasma Zn levels. Mechanisms responsible for the hyperzincuria remain unclear. An acidification of urine with increased ammonia excretion accompanies aldosteronism and leads to its characteristic metabolic alkalosis. Herein we tested the hypothesis that urinary acidification contributes to hyperzincuria and could be attenuated by cotreatment with acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that increases urinary HCO3 excretion and pH. Methods and Results Twenty-four-hour urinary Zn excretion and urine pH were monitored together with serum pH and plasma Zn and Cu/Zn-SOD activity in three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: unoperated, untreated, age-/gender-matched controls and uninephrectomized rats receiving aldosterone (0.75 μg/h) and 1% NaCl in drinking water (ALDOST) alone or together with acetazolamide cotreatment (75 mg/kg body weight/day by gavage) for 4 weeks. In contrast to controls (mean ± SEM), with ALDOST (p Conclusions The hyperzincuria that accompanies aldosteronism and that contributes to hypozincemia and reduced Cu/Zn-SOD activity is related to urinary acidification, which can be attenuated by a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide.
A Molecular Look at Membranes

Due to the recent advances in computer hardware and software, we can now use molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo computer simulation techniques to study systems with large conformational spaces. It is demonstrated here that computer simulations allow us to get a glimpse at the structural and dynamical properties of membranes and also at the interaction of membranes with other molecules. Specifically two examples are considered: (1) structural properties of lipid rafts in model membranes and (2) interaction of model membranes with an antimicrobial peptide, melittin.
Theoretical Calculation of ClONO2 and BrONO2 Bond Dissociation Energies

CCSD(T) basis set limit bond dissociation energies by extrapolation for ClONO2 and CCSD(T)/cc-pV5Z estimates of bond dissociation energies for BrONO2 were calculated by determining correction factors to MP2/cc-pVXZ (X = 2−5) basis set energies. To obtain the MP2 basis set limit energies, MP2/cc-pVXZ (X = 2−5) level calculations were extrapolated to the basis set limit using either polynomial or exponential functional forms. Correlation effects were taken into account by calculating the difference in energies at the MP2/cc-pVTZ and CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ levels. Subsequent corrections for the spin−orbit energy of the atomic fragment and zero point energy were applied to yield the final bond dissociation energies. The theoretical results are in good agreement with available experimental values and theoretical values calculated using isodesmic methods.
131 EFFECT OF PROLONGED PROGESTERONE EXPOSURE OF BEEF COWS ON THE EXPRESSION OF OOCYTE DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE-ASSOCIATED GENES

Progesterone is a key hormone in reproduction and plays a crucial regulatory role during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. The effect of progesterone on the developmental competence of bovine oocytes is yet to be fully understood. Molecular tools might provide further information on the role of progesterone on expression of developmentally important genes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the prolonged exposure of beef cows (days = 32) to different progesterone levels on the expression of genes associated with oocyte developmental competence. Fifteen cows were used in the experiment and were divided in 3 treatment groups (group n = 5). Treatment 1 consisted of no progesterone supplementation, treatment 2 consisted of supplementation by insertion of one controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) per animal, and treatment 3 consisted of supplementation with the insertion of 2 CIDR per animal. All cows were subjected to follicle ablation 4 days before initiation of the experiment. At Day 0, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α, 25 mg of dinoprost tromethamine, i.m., Lutalyze®) was administered and CIDR devices were inserted in cows designated to treatments 2 and 3. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected through ovum pickup where follicles >2 mm were aspirated. Samples evaluated were obtained at Day 0, 8, 16, 24, and 32. The oocyte developmental competence-associated genes METAP2, FOXM1, HMGA1 were analysed in the study. Polyadenylate polymerase was used as normalization gene. Relative gene expression was calculated utilising a comparative CT method (2−ΔΔCT) where data were calculated as fold increase (>1) or decrease ( 0.05). Similarly, no significant differences between treatments was detected in relative expression of METAP2, FOXM1, or HMGA1 across time (P > 0.05). Prolonged exposure of progesterone at different levels does not affect the expression of METAP2, FOXM1, and HMGA1 genes in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes as indicated by the results of this experiment.
Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Lower GI bleeding can range from indolent, self-limited bleeds in a hemodynamically stable patient to massive hemorrhage requiring rapid, aggressive resuscitation and expeditious control with endoscopic modalities or operative intervention. Most commonly due to diverticulosis, cancer, colitis, and angiodysplasia, every acute care general surgeon will have to face this problem emergently where surgical approaches are warranted when all else fails. This overview focuses on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of major LGIB.
Correction to: Vasvári, Louise O. “The Yellow Star and Everyday Life under Exceptional Circumstances: Diaries of 1944-1945 Budapest.” Hungarian Cultural Studies. e-Journal of the American Hungarian Educators Association, Volume 9 (2016) DOI: 10.5195/ahea.2016.260

Changing the name Margit Stellar (Mrs. Jozsef Krauss) to Anna, a pseudonym, Mrs. Sandor Devenyi, the real name of the writer whose journal is discussed in the article. Also, changing the name Szebenyi to Szebeny. The original article can be found via the DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/ahea.2016.260
Weaving evaluation into the Waipā ecosystem: Placing evaluation in an indigenous place-based educational program

Abstract Indigenous environmental education programs offer learning, while also serving as vehicles for cultural resurgence and perpetuation. Like any educational program these initiatives require evaluation to improve their quality, assess progress and meet obligations to funders. However, evaluation tools must be tailored to such programs, which tend to be values based, holistic, and often focused on group, family and community empowerment rather than individual student learning. At the same time, evaluation tools developed specifically for indigenous education programs may be difficult to compare across programs. In this case, we investigate how the logic model, an established and widely used western evaluation tool, can be adapted and applied effectively to evaluate a place based Native Hawaiian education program, Waipā Foundation’s summer environmental program aimed at youth entitled Mai uka a i kai (from the uplands to the sea). In a pilot evaluation of Waipa Mai uka a I kai environmental summer program found that short-and medium-term outcomes associated with the program’s logic model were generally met, particularly if qualitative assessment tools were used. The use of quantitative evaluation tools and incorporating long-term outcomes requires much more involvement from program staff, participants and the broader community. These findings offer lessons for application of logic models, as well evaluation more broadly, within indigenous education contexts.
Adrenal Ablation: Primary Tumors and Metastatic Disease

Adrenal neoplasms are common, estimated to occur in approximately 1% of the general population. Adrenal tumors represent a diverse group of neoplasms that can be separated into primary versus metastatic disease. The most common adrenal neoplasm is a nonfunctioning adenoma, which is usually discovered incidentally on cross-sectional imaging examinations. Primary neoplasms of the adrenal gland include nonfunctioning or cortisolproducing adenomas, adrenal cortical carcinomas, pheochromocytomas, and aldosteronomas. Primary adrenal cortical carcinoma is a rare tumor originating in the adrenal cortex and up to 40–70% of patients have metastases at the time of diagnosis. Adrenal cortical carcinomas do not respond well to chemotherapy or radiation therapy and surgery has been the primary preferred method of treatment. Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor originating in the chromaf fi n cells of the adrenal medulla. Generally, the treatment for functioning adrenal neoplasms and adrenal cortical carcinoma is surgical resection. The adrenal gland is a common site of metastases and metastasis to the adrenal gland is the most common malignant adrenal neoplasm. Lung carcinoma is the most common primary tumor that metastasizes to the adrenal gland. Other primary tumors with a propensity to metastasize to the adrenal gland include renal cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal tumors, and melanoma. Although controversial, isolated adrenal metastatic disease can be treated by surgical resection. Less-invasive techniques to treat adrenal neoplasms have been used includin percutaneous chemical ablation through the injection of alcohol or acetic acid, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and cryoablation.
Nuclear stress testing in elderly patients : A review of its use in the assessment of cardiac risk, particularly in patients undergoing preoperative risk assessment

Stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) plays an important role in the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients of all age groups who are undergoing assessment prior to non-cardiac surgery. MPI may utilise exercise treadmill or pharmacological stress testing. While MPI has been evaluated in a wide variety of patient subpopulations, there are very limited data on its prognostic value in the elderly population, particularly those >75 years of age, who are making up an ever increasing proportion of the patient population. Because of the higher prevalence and greater severity of CAD in older patients, the sensitivity of noninvasive MPI increases with age, whereas specificity tends to decline. In addition, maximal aerobic exercise capacity tends to decrease with age, making it common practice for elderly patients being assessed for CAD to undergo pharmacological MPI to evaluate their cardiovascular risk. In this article, we review the literature with respect to cardiac risk estimation in elderly patients undergoing MPI, particularly with respect to making prognostic assessments prior to undergoing surgery. Current data allow for the proper application of stress MPI in the elderly population. Use of MPI facilitates identification of the severity and extent of ischaemia as well as left ventricular dilatation and systolic function in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
Edges, Surfaces and Boundaries

What are surfaces? The question is more difficult than it seems. A simple answer is that they are boundaries, the upper or outer limits of things. This answer is correct as far as it goes, but it doesn’t go very far. It doesn’t tell us, for instance, what sorts of boundaries they are. Even if they are boundaries they must be special sorts of boundaries, since not every boundary is a surface. Edges are boundaries that are not surfaces. An ivory die is bounded by twelve edges and six surfaces, so some of its bundaries are not surfaces. The simple answer thus raises a question about boundaries; and it also suggests that in being the upper or outer limit of a thing a surface is always a part of that thing: but there are different ways in which parts function as parts of things.1 The simple answer also suggests that boundaries are limits — but it doesn’t tell us of what sort. The simple answer thus raises a host of questions about the function of a number of notions in what might be called “the geometry of ordinary speech,” a concept I shall discuss later. Nevertheless, in order to see where the simple answer eventually takes us let us start where it does, with a discussion of boundaries.
Association of Injury Energy Level and Neurovascular Injury Following Knee Dislocation

Objective To describe the associations between mechanism of injury energy level and neurovascular injury (NVI) following knee dislocation (KD) using a large representative sample of trauma patients and to examine risk factors within these groups. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Trauma centers participating in the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank. Participants Adult patients with KD without lower extremity fracture. Intervention Patients were grouped as ultra-low, low, or high-energy based on injury mechanism. Univariate/multivariate analyses assessed associations of energy level with NVI and of patient characteristics with NVI within energy-level groups. Main outcome measurements Rate of nerve and blood vessel injury. Results One hundred twenty-four patients with KD were identified; 181 sustained ultra-low-energy mechanisms, 275 low-energy, and 868 high-energy. Nerve injury occurred in 6% of ultra-low-energy injuries, 7% in low-energy, and 3% in high-energy (P = 0.03). Vessel injury occurred in 21% of ultra-low-energy injuries, 17% in low-energy, and 13% in high-energy (P = 0.01). On multivariate analyses, obesity was associated with nerve injury in the ultra-low-energy group (OR 4.9; 95% CI 1.0-24.0) but not with other energy levels. Obesity was also associated with vessel injury in the ultra-low-energy group (OR 4.0; 95% CI 1.6-9.7). Smoking, hypertension, and diabetes were not associated with NVI. Conclusions NVI following KD is more common after lower energy-level mechanisms. Obesity is associated with NVI in lower energy-level mechanisms. Physicians should be vigilant in screening for NVI in the setting of KD even with seemingly benign mechanisms of injury, especially in patients with obesity. Level of evidence Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Developing a novel continuum model of static and dynamic contact angles in a case study of a water droplet on micro-patterned hybrid substrates

Modeling static and dynamic contact angles is a great challenge in studying wetting and de-wetting. We propose a new slip boundary model based on the Navier-Stokes equations, and establish a realistic continuum approach to simulate the contact line dynamics in 3-D. To validate our model, a water droplet interacting with micrometer-sized patterns of a hybrid hydro-phobic/-philic surface is studied numerically and compared with experimental measurements. Good agreement has been observed with four pillar spacings in the static, receding, and advancing modes. Moreover, details of the droplet-surface interaction are revealed, i.e., penetrations, sagging, local, and global contact angles.
(207) Oxaliplatin Depolarizes Isolectin B4-Negative Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons to Initiate Neuropathic Pain in Mouse

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-limiting neurotoxicity caused by chemotherapy drugs. CIPN is frequently associated with neuropathic pain that significantly impairs the quality of life and work capability of cancer patients. Use of oxaliplatin for colorectal cancer is associated with a characteristic cold-sensitive pain in addition to mechanical allodynia. The objectives of this work were to study 1) effects of oxaliplatin on membrane excitability in Isoletcin B4-positive and –negative (IB4+ and IB4-) subpopulations of dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and 2) targeting oxaliplatin-induced membrane hyperexcitability to relief neuropathic pain. The effects of oxaliplatin on membrane excitability were examined by whole-cell patch clamping in small sized DRG neurons dissociated from adult C57BL/6 mice in vitro. Pain and motor behaviors were tested in mice treated with oxaliplatin. Cold, heat, mechanical sensitivity, and motor function were assessed by acetone spray, Hargreaves, Von-Frey, and Rotarod tests, respectively. In vitro experiments found that oxaliplatin selectively caused membrane depolarization in IB4-, but not IB4+ neurons. Oxaliplatin also reduced threshold for action potentials (APs), and increased firing numbers of APs in IB4- neurons. The oxaliplatin-induced membrane depolarization and hyperexcitability was completely reversed by retigabine, an FDA approved anti-epileptic drug and a KCNQ/M channel opener. In vivo, oxaliplatin induced cold and mechanical hypersensitivity while it did not change heat sensitivity or motor function. Co-treatment of retigabine inhibited oxaliplatin-induced cold and mechanical hypersensitivity without changing heat sensitivity or motor function. These results suggest that oxaliplatin initiates neuropathic pain through depolarizing IB4- neurons and targeting membrane depolarization can prevent oxaliplatin-induce neuropathic pain.
Trauma, War, and Managing Vascular and Orthopedic Injuries

The anesthetic evaluation and management of wartime casualties differs from routine trauma in the USA and developed countries as compared to the lesser developed countries (LDC). Focusing on key similarities and differences between the LDC patient population and care environment in the developed world, a review of injury patterns for different patient groups, including orthopedic and vascular injuries, is presented. There is also a review of preoperative considerations, beginning with initial intake of the patient, airway management, and resuscitation with blood products, along with the intraoperative phase emphasizing the concepts of damage control surgery and damage control resuscitation, as well as maintenance of anesthesia. An examination of the postoperative period includes both management and medical evacuation considerations. The indications for blood products and adjunctive agents are reviewed. The implications of regional anesthesia for pain management in the wartime environment are also considered.