cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
αB-Crystallin Modulates Protein Aggregation of Abnormal Desmin

AlphaB-crystallin (CryAB) is the most abundant small heat shock protein in the heart. Upregulation of CryAB in desmin-related myopathy and its downregulation in end-stage congestive heart failure have both been reported. We previously demonstrated via cardiac-specific transgenesis that modest increases in normal CryAB are not detrimental to the heart, whereas expression of the R120G mutation of CryAB caused a desminopathy. It is generally believed that CryAB plays an important role in protecting the intermediate filaments, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. We hypothesized that CryAB protects the desmin filaments via preventing abnormal desmin protein from aggregating adversely. To test this hypothesis in vivo, mice expressing a desmin mutation that causes a desmin-related cardiomyopathy (D7) were bred into the R120G-CryAB transgenic (TG) background to examine the accumulation and aberrant aggregation of desmin protein. Despite lower mRNA expression of D7-des than in the D7-des TG hearts, the double-TG myocardium exhibited significantly higher desmin protein levels and dramatically more aberrant desmin aggregates than the D7-des TG hearts. The double-TG mice displayed a significantly stronger cardiac hypertrophic response, with the mice dying of congestive heart failure before 7 weeks. To explore the ability of wild-type (WT) CryAB to protect against mutant desmin, a desmin mutant was expressed in both the conventional and WT-CryAB stably transfected HEK cells. Significantly less aberrant desmin aggregation was observed in the WT-CryAB-overexpressing cells than in the HEK cells. The results suggest that CryAB modulates abnormal desmin aggregation and can serve a cardioprotective role.
Brugada ECG pattern precipitated by acute pneumonia: a case report

Brugada type 1 ECG pattern is the hallmark for the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome which is a cause of sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias. We present a case of a previously healthy young man who was admitted with productive cough with greenish phlegm and right-sided chest pain which was subsequently diagnosed as acute pneumonia. A routine ECG was done as part of his evaluation and showed Brugada ECG type 1 pattern. He was treated with antibiotics and on follow up his ECG was normal. In this report we present this increasingly described phenomenon and briefly review the literature.
Evolution of the Nucleoprotein and Matrix Genes of Wild-Type Strains of Measles Virus Isolated from Recent Epidemics

Abstract To characterize the genetic properties of currently circulating strains of wild-type measles viruses, we constructed and sequenced cDNA clones of the nucleoprotein (N) and matrix (M) genes of wild-type strains isolated between 1958 and 1989. The N and M genes of wild-type isolates from the prevaccine era (before 1964) were highly related to each other and to the N and M genes of a currently used measles vaccine strain, Moraten. The N and M genes of these viruses differed by no more than 0.5% at the nucleotide level. In contrast, the N and M genes of wild-type viruses isolated between 1977 and 1989 showed genetic drift, with the greatest amount of drift occurring in the viruses isolated from recent cases in the United States. Overall, the M genes were slightly more conserved at the nucleotide level (2.6% nucleotide, 3.3% amino acid) than the N genes (4.8% nucleotide, 3.4% amino acid). Alignment of the predicted protein sequences of the N genes revealed two regions of amino acid heterogeneity. The evolutionary patterns for the N and M genes suggested that the wild-type viruses isolated in the United States in 1989 were more related to wild-type viruses isolated in the United Kingdom between 1983 and 1968 than to viruses isolated in the United States in 1983.
Sorption Behavior of Uranium onto Reillex™-HPQ Anion Exchange Resin from Nitric and Hydrochloric Acid Solutions

Experimental distribution coefficients (K′d) are reported for \({\text{UO}}_2^{2 + }\) with the nitrate form of Reillex™-HPQ anion exchange resin as a function of nitric acid concentration. The values of K′d for \({\text{UO}}_2^{2 + }\) at 1.00, 5.00, and 10.0 M HNO3 are approximately 0.5, 10, and 9.0 mL/g dry resin, respectively; the maximum value is 13 mL/g at 7 M HNO3. The plots are bell-shape curves; the interpretation is that K′d increases as UO2(NO3)− 3 — the predominant sorbing species — is formed and sorbed onto the resin, decreasing as it is displaced by NO− 3 ion under high nitric acid concentrations. Comparison data for Dowex™-1×8 and technetium are also presented. Experiments have shown that nitrate ion with sodium and aluminum as counter ions dramatically affects the sorption behavior of uranium. Sodium nitrate shifts the maximum sorption value from 7 to ~4 M NO− 3. Aluminum nitrate increases the distribution coefficient exponentially through 8 M. Plots of elution volume (defined as the number of bed volumes needed to move the maximum concentration of the eluting uranyl-nitrate solution to the end of the column) as a function of nitric acid concentration between 1.00 and 10.0 M display a similar bell-shape curve for the K′d-[HNO3] data. Breakthrough volumes were determined for 0.0100 M \({\text{UO}}_2^{2 + }\) in 2.0 to 10.0 M HNO3. The 2.00 and 4.00 M HNO3 solutions show nearly complete breakthrough at 1.5 and 2.5 bed volumes, respectively. The 6.00, 8.00 and 10.0 M solutions display similar behavior; 10% breakthrough occurs at approximately three bed volumes and 90% breakthrough at six bed volumes. Ordering of breakthrough volumes at 50% breakthrough is 8 M >10M ≈ 6 M ≫ 4M > 2 M. The elution and breakthrough behavior can be explained by the same concepts as those governing K′d trends. Sorption behavior of U(IV) and \({\text{UO}}_2^{2 + }\)> chloride complexes were determined in hydrochloric acid media. The K′d values increase from ~1 mL/g at 1.00 M HCl to ~1100 g/mL at 7 M HCl and then remain constant to 9.5 M HCl.
Noisy Splicing Drives mRNA Isoform Diversity in Human Cells

While the majority of multiexonic human genes show some evidence of alternative splicing, it is unclear what fraction of observed splice forms is functionally relevant. In this study, we examine the extent of alternative splicing in human cells using deep RNA sequencing and de novo identification of splice junctions. We demonstrate the existence of a large class of low abundance isoforms, encompassing approximately 150,000 previously unannotated splice junctions in our data. Newly-identified splice sites show little evidence of evolutionary conservation, suggesting that the majority are due to erroneous splice site choice. We show that sequence motifs involved in the recognition of exons are enriched in the vicinity of unconserved splice sites. We estimate that the average intron has a splicing error rate of approximately 0.7% and show that introns in highly expressed genes are spliced more accurately, likely due to their shorter length. These results implicate noisy splicing as an important property of genome evolution.
Role of contemporary and historic vegetation on nutrients in Missouri reservoirs: implications for developing nutrient criteria

Abstract Jones, J.R., M.F. Knowlton, D.V. Obrecht, A.P. Thorpe and J.D. Harlan. 2009. Role of contemporary and historic vegetation on nutrients in Missouri reservoirs: implications for developing nutrient criteria. Lake Reserv. Manage. 25:111–118. Using vegetative survey records from the time of Euro-American settlement (circa 1815–1850) we found the proportion of historic prairie accounted for 42% of cross-system variation in total phosphorus (TP) and 48% of total nitrogen in 156 Missouri reservoirs. When combined with dam height (surrogate for lake morphometry) and hydraulic flushing rate (TP only), 56% of variation in nutrients was explained. Consistent with previous analyses, some two-thirds of variation in nutrients was accounted for by contemporary cropland, morphometry, and hydrology (TP only). Adding prairie or historic forest cover to models based on current cropland did little to increase explained variation. The relationship between reservoir nutrients and land cover is partly an artifact of pa...
Development of a skill training program for parents of substance-abusing adolescents

This report discusses the development of a coping skill training program for parents of substance-abusing adolescents and presents preliminary data on the effects of the program on parent functioning and adolescent substance use. The behavioral-analytic model of program development was used to sample representative problematic situations experienced by parents of substance-abusing adolescents, obtain an effectiveness-scaling of responses to these situations, and derive alternate forms of a situational role-play measure of parental coping. These situations and scoring guidelines were then used to create the skill training program. Parents of substance-abusing adolescents not in treatment subsequently were randomly assigned in a pilot investigation to either a skill training or delayed treatment condition. Skill training resulted in significant improvement in parental coping skills relative to delayed treatment. Moderate to large improvement in the parent's report of their own functioning, family communication, and the teen's marijuana use also favored the skill training group.
Availability of endogenous peptides limits expression of an M3a-Ld major histocompatibility complex class I chimera.

Taking advantage of our understanding of the peptide specificity of the major histocompatibility complex class I-b molecule M3a, we sought to determine why these molecules are poorly represented on the cell surface. To this end we constructed a chimeric molecule with the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of M3a and alpha 3 of Ld thereby allowing use of available monoclonal antibodies to quantify surface expression. Transfected, but not control, B10.CAS2 (H-2M3b) cells were lysed readily by M3a-restricted monoclonal cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Thus, the chimera bound, trafficked, and presented endogenous mitochondrial peptides. However, despite high levels of M3a-Ld mRNA, transfectants were negative by surface staining. This finding was consistent with inefficient trafficking to the cell surface. Incubation at 26 degrees C, thought to permit trafficking of unoccupied heavy (H) chains, resulted in detectable cell surface expression of chimeric molecules. Incubation with exogenous peptide at 26 degrees C (but not at 37 degrees C) greatly enhanced expression of M3a-Ld molecules in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting stabilization of unoccupied molecules. Stable association of beta 2-microglobulin with the chimeric H chain was observed in labeled cell lysates only in the presence of exogenous specific peptide, indicating that peptide is required for the formation of a ternary complex. These results indicate that surface expression of M3a-Ld is limited largely by the steady-state availability of endogenous peptides. Since most known M3a-binding peptides are N-formylated, native M3a may normally be expressed at high levels only during infection by intracellular bacteria.
Food insecurity affects school children's academic performance, weight gain, and social skills

Food insecurity has been associated with diverse developmental consequences for U.S. children primarily from cross-sectional studies. We used longitudinal data to investigate how food insecurity over time related to changes in reading and mathematics test performance, weight and BMI, and social skills in children. Data were from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort, a prospective sample of approximately 21,000 nationally representative children entering kindergarten in 1998 and followed through 3rd grade. Food insecurity was measured by parent interview using a modification of the USDA module in which households were classified as food insecure if they reported > or =1 affirmative response in the past year. Households were grouped into 4 categories based on the temporal occurrence of food insecurity in kindergarten and 3rd grade. Children's academic performance, height, and weight were assessed directly. Children's social skills were reported by teachers. Analyses examined the effects of modified food insecurity on changes in child outcomes using lagged, dynamic, and difference (i.e., fixed-effects) models and controlling for child and household contextual variables. In lagged models, food insecurity was predictive of poor developmental trajectories in children before controlling for other variables. Food insecurity thus serves as an important marker for identifying children who fare worse in terms of subsequent development. In all models with controls, food insecurity was associated with outcomes, and associations differed by gender. This study provides the strongest empirical evidence to date that food insecurity is linked to specific developmental consequences for children, and that these consequences may be both nutritional and nonnutritional.
Insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C: the search for effective drug treatment continues

An estimated 200 million people are infected worldwide with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and insulin resistance (IR) is one of the pathological features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Retrospective analyses have estimated that approximately 21–24% of CHC patients are diabetic, with as many as 54% demonstrating IR
The C-type Lectin Receptor Endo180 Displays Internalization and Recycling Properties Distinct from Other Members of the Mannose Receptor Family

Endo180/urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein together with the mannose receptor, the phospholipase A2 receptor, and DEC-205/MR6-gp200 comprise the four members of the mannose receptor family. These receptors have a unique structural composition due to the presence of multiple C-type lectin-like domains within a single polypeptide backbone. In addition, they are all constitutively internalized from the plasma membrane via clathrin-mediated endocytosis and recycled back to the cell surface. Endo180 is a multifunctional receptor displaying Ca2+-dependent lectin activity, collagen binding, and association with the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, and it has a proposed role in extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling. Within their short cytoplasmic domains, all four receptors contain both a conserved tyrosine-based and dihydrophobic-based putative endocytosis motif. Unexpectedly, Endo180 was found to be distinct within the family in that the tyrosine-based motif is not required for efficient delivery to and recycling from early endosomes. By contrast, receptor internalization is completely dependent on the dihydrophobic motif and modulated by a conserved upstream acidic residue. Furthermore, unlike the mannose receptor, Endo180 does not function as a phagocytic receptor in vitro. These findings demonstrate that despite an overall structural similarity, members of this receptor family employ distinct trafficking mechanisms that may reflect important differences in their physiological functions.
Athletic Cardiac Remodeling in US Professional Basketball Players.

Importance The incidence of sudden cardiac death is higher in US basketball players compared with other athlete groups. However, the recognition of the risk for sudden cardiac death among basketball players is challenging because little is known regarding athletic cardiac remodeling in these athletes or athletes of similarly increased size. Objective To perform a comprehensive cardiac structural analysis of National Basketball Association (NBA) professional athletes. Design, Setting, and Participants Echocardiographic observational study of NBA players on the active rosters for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons was performed from December 16, 2013, to December 12, 2014. The policy of the NBA mandates annual preseason stress echocardiograms for each player. The NBA has sanctioned Columbia University Medical Center to conduct annual health and safety reviews of these echocardiograms. Data were analyzed from January to May 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures Cardiac variables assessed included left ventricular (LV) size, mass, wall thickness, and hypertrophy patterns and function; left atrial volume; and aortic root diameter. All dimensions were biometrically scaled. Results Of the 526 athletes included in the study, 406 (77.2%) were African American and 107 (20.3%) were white, with a mean (SD) age of 25.7 (4.3) years. Mean (SD) athlete height was 200.2 (8.8) cm; mean body surface area, 2.38 (0.19) m 2 . Left ventricular size and mass in NBA athletes were proportional to body size, extending to the uppermost biometrics of the cohort. Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 144 athletes (27.4%). African American athletes had increased LV wall thickness (unadjusted mean, 11.2 mm; 95% CI, 11.1-11.3 mm) and LV mass (unadjusted mean, 106.3 g/m 2 ; 95% CI, 104.6-108.0 g/m 2 ) compared with LV wall thickness (unadjusted mean, 10.5 mm; 95% CI, 10.3-10.7 mm; P 2 ; 95% CI, 99.0-105.4 g/m 2 ; P = .029) in white athletes. The maximal aortic root diameter in the cohort was 42 mm. Aortic root diameters reached a plateau at the uppermost biometric variables. Five athletes (1.0%) had an LV ejection fraction of less than 50%, and all ventricles augmented normally with exercise. Conclusions and Relevance This study provides normative cardiac data for a group of athletes with greater anthropometry than any previously studied athlete group and for a group known to have elevated rates of sudden cardiac death. These data can be incorporated into clinical assessments for the primary prevention of cardiac emergencies in basketball players and the athletic community at large.
Breathlessness in an Ex-Prem When All Is Not What It Seems

Premature infants often suffer chronic lung disease. We present a child born at 28 weeks gestation, whose deterioration in respiratory function was initially attributed to chronic lung disease. When assessed by respiratory specialists the child’s symptoms were felt to be over and above that expected for his lung disease, and a subsequent cardiac review revealed the rare condition of isolated pulmonary vein stenosis. This case illustrates the difficulties in making this diagnosis.
Epidemiological investigation of the first reported case of human infected with imported H7N9 avian influenza in Guizhou Province

Objective The study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of human infected with H7N9 avian influenza, aiming to provide a reference for the effective prevention and control of the disease. Methods An epidemiological case study was conducted on the infected case to assess in detail the patient's onset, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease; close contacts of the patient were medically observed; and PCR was used to detect the presence of H7N9 avian virus nucleic acids. Results Analysis of the patient's epidemiology history, clinical manifestation, and laboratory examination results suggested that the confirmed death was the first imported case of human infected with H7N9 avian influenza in Guizhou. The case had no definite history of poultry contact. Among the patient's close contacts, only his/her spouse and son had exhibited influenza-like symptoms, but neither was found infected with H7N9 avian influenza virus. Conclusion The route of infection with H7N9 avian influenza virus is unclear, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission at this time. Collaboration between multiple agencies is positive for the prevention and control of the epidemic.
Comparative Dimensions of Liturgy: A Conceptual Framework and Feasibility Application

Generic categories are developed at the actional, interactional, and symbolic levels of analysis and are partially operationalized in a research instrument for the observational study of liturgy. Fifty-one congregations were purposively selected, their liturgies observed, and the data probed heuristically in a search for testable propositions. Factor analysis yielded empiricistic groupings: "High Church," Mainline Protestant, Eastern Rite, Urban Black, Pentecostal, and Independent temple. Selected social variables were related to measures of Language, Gestures, Costume, Audience Size, and Proportion of Seating filled. This exploratory effort suggests that fruitful study of liturgies is possible with relatively simple instruments capable of gathering rich data.
Epigenetic Control of Genes Involved in Cancer Initiation and Progression

Aberrant changes in gene expression that regulate the cell cycle, cell division and cell death are major contributing factors to the genesis of tumors. Tumors arising from heritable epigenetic changes governed by epigenetic mechanisms are treatable by the use of compounds that reverses the epigenetic change, as the DNA sequence remains unaltered. DNA methylation and histone modifications are primary mechanisms that induce epigenetic changes and are well studied. Micro RNAs, which are about 20–25 nucleotides long RNA sequence, are also emerging as important epigenetic regulators in tumorigenesis. As evident in many cancers, tumors are heterogeneous in nature and therefore a common epigenetic signature that dictates the onset or the progression of the diseases is hard to determine. In addition to tumor heterogeneity, epigenetic processes are highly dynamic and therefore rather than single epigenetic events, the combination of epigenetic patterns obviate the changes. However, most tumors strongly exhibit epigenetic dysfunctions of genes crucial to the cell cycle. The analysis of epigenetic changes, degree of the change and reversal of epigenetic alterations is important to the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics of various cancers. The goal of this chapter is to discuss genes that are susceptible to aberrant epigenetic modifications and the influence of the altered epigenetic states in tumorigenesis. The assessment and detection of epigenetic patterns, degree of methylation of genes involved in tumorigenesis as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease will also be presented.
A new PDE approach for pricing arithmetic average Asian options

In this paper, arithmetic average Asian options are studied. It is observed that the Asian option is a special case of the option on a traded account. The price of the Asian option is characterized by a simple one-dimensional partial differential equation which could be applied to both continuous and discrete average Asian option. The article also provides numerical implementation of the pricing equation. The implementation is fast and accurate even for low volatility and/or short maturity cases.
Everything Cannot Be Equal: Ranking Priorities and Revealing Worldviews to Guide Watershed Management

Water is an integrating natural resource that connects ecosystems, economies, and societies. In large watersheds, the mismatch between environmental systems and political boundaries means that finding ways to work together is essential to make progress toward identifying shared water management goals and taking action toward them. In this lesson, students rank and explain their priorities for managing a watershed using a social science method called Q-sort. This process reveals similarities and differences among the students’ own understandings of sustainability priorities, which can lead to articulating their operational definitions of sustainability. The goal is for students to uncover the roles that their own beliefs, experiences and motivations play in shaping their perspectives about what should be done. Materials to complete the activity using the Upper Mississippi River Basin as a case study are provided. After completing the activity, students should be able to (1) identify the (parts of) worldviews of others and views of sustainability; (2) recognize ways that values, beliefs, and experiences shape how individuals interpret and organize information to form priorities; (3) explain why stakeholders committed to the same goal prioritize different actions; and (4) articulate their own views and personal definition of sustainability (in the water resource context).
Technology Is the Engine of a New Russian Revolution

There is a world of talent in a troubled land halfway around the globe, and our tech community is tapping into it. In Russia – despite difficult economic conditions, international banking scandals, the Mafia and renewed fighting in Chechnya – there are thousands of talented technicians and programmers who are either under-employed or out of work. Over the past 20 years, scientists and engineers from the former Soviet Union have emigrated to the US, Canada, Israel and other countries.
History and Context of Our Research

This chapter traces some relevant history of rural schooling in New South Wales, describes contemporary structures in rural primary schools, and summarises many of the contextual issues that have emerged from our research. These issues will be revisited in more detail in later chapters but are mentioned here to provide a foundational overview of some of what the reader can expect to explore in later parts of the book.
Context-dependent life-history variation in a pond snail (Lymnaea elodes) exposed to desiccation and a sterilizing parasite

Abstract:In this study we used a combination of field monitoring and laboratory experimentation to investigate the effects of desiccation and Echinostoma revolutum infection on life-history traits of the pond snail, Lymnaea elodes. Field-collected snails demonstrated a sharp decline in survivorship within 8 weeks of pond drying. Results from a corresponding laboratory experiment, where snails were exposed to parasites prior to aestivation, demonstrated that desiccation played a more important role in snail survival than E. revolutum infection. However, infection influenced host growth patterns as aestivated-infected snails were significantly larger at the end of the experiment relative to aestivated controls. In a second laboratory experiment, exposure after a period of aestivation resulted in higher levels of infection compared to snails that were continuously hydrated. Moreover, exposed-uninfected snails demonstrated higher mortality than either control or infected snails regardless of aestivation treat...
Impact of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) on Outcome of Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia (BAL)

Biphenotypic acute leukemia is a rare disease accounting for approximately 10% of acute leukemias using the new scoring system. No standard therapeutic approach exists for this entity. In addition, the prognosis for these patients (pts) is poor and thought to be worse than for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). ASCT may provide improved disease free survival for patients with high risk AML, but its role in BAL is unknown. We undertook a retrospective study of pts with BAL to determine if outcome was similar following ASCT to pts with AML in first remission. Between 7/93 and 2/04, nine patients with BAL who underwent ASCT were identified. Criteria for the diagnosis of BAL was based on the scoring system adapted from the European Group of Immunological Classification of Leukemia. Pts with Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were excluded. Cytogenetics at presentation included 1 pt with deletion7 and trisomy 8, 1 with 11q23, 2 with complex karytoype, 4 with normal cytogenetics ,1 unknown. Six pts were treated with an AML induction of Idarubicin/Cytarabine, two with an ALL regimen Daunorubicin/Vincristine/Prednisone and one with an Idarubicin- AML based first induction, and then a combination of an ALL/AML reinduction at first relapse. Eight pts were in first complete remission (CR) and one pt in second CR at ASCT. Median age at ASCT was 34 years (range 11–60). Median time from diagnosis to ASCT was 3.4 mos (range 1.5–5.2). Seven pts received sibling donor (SIB) and two received unrelated donor (URD) stem cells. Two pts received marrow and seven received peripheral stem cells. The conditioning regimen consisted of 1320cGy total body irradiation (TBI)+VP16 60mg/kg in 6 pts, 1320cGy TBI+Cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg in 1 pt, Fludarabine125mg/m2+Melphalan 140mg/m2 in 2 pts. Seven received a Cyclosporin- based graft versus host disease prophylaxis regimen (GVHD) and two a Tacrolimus- based regimen. Six pts developed grade III GVHD. Two patients died of pulmonary toxicity, one of GVHD, one from infection and one from disease relapse. One year overall survival (OS) is 39%( 95% CI 13–73). The relapse rate at one year was 20%. In conclusion, despite unfavorable cytogenetics in many patients, relapse rates are low following ASCT for BAL and comparable to pts undergoing ASCT for AML. Future approaches include methods to reduce transplant related mortality which was the major cause of reduced survival in this series.
Suppression of Enteric Bacteria by Bacteriophages: Importance of Phage Polyvalence in the Presence of Soil Bacteria

Bacteriophages are widely recognized for their importance in microbial ecology and bacterial control. However, little is known about how phage polyvalence (i.e., broad host range) affects bacterial suppression and interspecies competition in environments harboring enteric pathogens and soil bacteria. Here we compare the efficacy of polyvalent phage PEf1 versus coliphage T4 in suppressing a model enteric bacterium (E. coli K-12) in mixtures with soil bacteria (Pseudomonas putida F1 and Bacillus subtilis 168). Although T4 was more effective than PEf1 in infecting E. coli K-12 in pure cultures, PEf1 was 20-fold more effective in suppressing E. coli under simulated multispecies biofilm conditions because polyvalence enhanced PEf1 propagation in P. putida. In contrast, soil bacteria do not propagate coliphages and hindered T4 diffusion through the biofilm. Similar tests were also conducted under planktonic conditions to discern how interspecies competition contributes to E. coli suppression without the confoun...
Utilization of sinus stents as a novel approach for benign cystic lesions of the sella

Steroid-releasing sinus stents have emerged as a safe and effective tool in endoscopic sinus surgery. In this case report, we present two patients with recurrent cystic sellar masses. Transsphenoidal approach was used to access the sella. Following resection and drainage of the cystic pathology, a Propel (Menlo Park, CA) stent was placed through the corridor of the resection site to stent the cavity open. This is the first report where a steroid-releasing sinus stent was used in the treatment of a sellar lesion. It supports that this technology is safe and effective for use in skull base surgery.
Analyzing wireless power transfer in millimeter wave networks with human blockages

Wireless power transfer may enable remotely powered operation of low-energy devices. The use of directional antenna arrays makes millimeter wave (mmWave) band a potential candidate for wireless power transfer. The mmWave signals, however, are prone to blockage due to human bodies. This paper presents a feasibility study of using mmWave for wireless power transfer in a large-scale network consisting of power beacons and energy harvesters. Using stochastic geometry, system performance is characterized while treating the network nodes as potential blockages to mmWave signals, thus coupling the network density and blockage density. For both mmWave and sub 6 GHz bands, analytical expressions are derived for a link-level metric (energy coverage probability) and a network-level metric (success probability) when the harvesters are served using time-division multiplexing. The former characterizes the survival function of the harvested energy, while the latter also takes the network load into account. Numerical simulations suggest that network densification helps improve the performance, despite an increase in the blockage density. For a given network density, deploying an optimal fraction of nodes as power beacons maximizes the number of successful energy harvesters per unit area. Finally, mmWave may potentially outperform lower frequency solutions despite blockages.
The unusual suspects: A review of unusual benign and malignant male breast imaging cases

Male breast disease is uncommon. Men presenting with breast symptoms may represent unique diagnostic challenges for the radiologist, particularly if imaging findings are not classic for gynecomastia or carcinoma. In this paper we review 10 unusual male breast cases, 5 benign and 5 malignant, including the radiologic findings, differential diagnosis, pathology and management.
Open Problems on Eigenvalues of the Laplacian

In this paper a number of open problems for the low eigenvalues of the Laplacian on a Euclidean domain are discussed. These include problems with Neumann boundary conditions as well as Dirichlet. Some problems for the biharmonic operator (with “clamped” boundary conditions) are also included, particularly the analogs of the Faber-Krahn result for the vibrating clamped plate and buckling problems. In many of the problems presented here, it is expected that the conjectured inequality saturates at a disk in ℝ2 (or a ball in higher dimensions). For the most part, the problems listed complement those found in a prior paper of R. Benguria and the author [10], which, for example, discusses the Polya conjectures for the Dirichlet and Neumann eigenvalues of a Euclidean domain. References to related problem lists and discussions due to L.E. Payne [32], [33], [34] and S.-T. Yau [49], [50], [51] are also given.
Regulatory lymphocytes in T cell functions in chickens.

Our contemporary understanding of the immune system involves the concept of two distinct expressions of immunity as well as the division of lymphocyte types into functional subpopulations. Inherent in the development of this complexity is the discernment that some form of control mechanism must have evolved simultaneously. The study of regulatory mechanisms responsible for directing the response (normally) for the benefit of the organism has recently occupied a large number of immunologists. Their results have been frequently reviewed (1–8), and it is unnecessary to add to this literature burden. Rather, this paper will focus on the evidence which is accumulating that chicken thymocytes are capable of regulating the responsiveness of cells present in peripheral lymphoid tissue. Although these cells can regulate both T and B cell functions, emphasis will be placed on the role of these cells in the control of two phenomena which have been classically described as involving T cells.
Factoring in ℚ[x], IV: Bad Examples mod p

In Chapter II-13, it was claimed that there were polynomials in ℤ[x] which were irreducible in ℚ[x] but factored mod p for any prime p. Using the existence of a primitive element in ℤ p we can describe a class of such examples.
Field measurement in vegetable crops indicates need for reevaluation of on-farm food loss estimates in North America

Abstract Food loss and waste in the US has been estimated at 40%, a figure that does not include losses at the agricultural level. Consumer food waste is expensive and environmentally damaging as it travels the length of the supply chain and largely ends up in the landfill. Most research and campaigns emphasize the consumer level, which has resulted in the omission of data collection and development of solutions for producers of fruit and vegetable crops. The available estimates of edible produce lost in the field are based on assumptions and estimates, rather than field data. Therefore, this project aimed to measure losses in the field in order to understand if estimates are accurate. Sixty-eight fields of eight vegetable crops were evaluated on nine North Carolina farms during the 2017 production season, using a sampling and scaling method. Combining the unharvested crops of marketable quality and edible but not marketable quality (produce that does not meet appearance quality standards), the average produce volume available after the primary harvest was 5114.59 kg per hectare. Totaling an average of 42% of the marketed yield for these crops, these high figures indicate the need for a reevaluation of the food loss estimates at the agricultural level in the US, and a focus on solutions.
Deriving Neural Cells from Pluripotent Stem Cells for Nanotoxicity Testing

Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into all lineages under defined control condition. Stem cell neuronal differentiation can faithfully recapitulate stages of neural development and generate neuronal progenitors, mature neurons, and glial cells. Stem cell technology will largely allow for the replacement of animal studies and reduce costs, and will provide a new paradigm for in toxic genomics, bioinformatics, systems biology, and epigenetics studies. Here, we describe a nonadherent neuronal differentiation methodology developed in our laboratory, which can rapidly derive neurons and astrocytes from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) and use of this platform for nanoparticle neurotoxicity study.
Establishing Clinically Significant Outcomes After Meniscal Allograft Transplantation.

Background:Traditionally, the primary outcome in meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) has been long-term survivorship; however, short-term clinically significant outcomes are necessary to fully...
What are Freshwater Mussels Worth

Historically, little thought was given to the value of freshwater mussels when making decisions that affected these animals and their habitats, even though these values may be considerable, and may be greatly changed by environmental alterations. Here, I review several kinds of values provided by freshwater mussels. Direct-use (market) values of mussels were substantial when the mussels were harvested to provide buttons and pearls, amounting to about $10 billion (2017 dollars) in the USA alone. Current harvests are much smaller but still valuable. Mussels also provide indirect-use value through the ecosystem functions that they provide (water clarification, nutrient cycling, pathogen suppression, etc.). The monetary value of these functions may be substantial, but has not yet been estimated. As interesting, rare creatures, freshwater mussels may also have existence value to society. This value probably is small at present, but could be increased greatly through outreach and education, as could their option and bequest values (the value of saving them for the future). The total value of a freshwater mussel community would be the sum of direct use, indirect use, existence, option, and bequest values, and has not yet been estimated for any real mussel community. Alternatively, one could calculate the replacement value of freshwater mussels (the cost of replacing a mussel community that was damaged or destroyed); procedures for estimating replacement costs have been published. Despite uncertainty about the precise value of freshwater mussels, it is clear that they have substantial value to humans, possibly many millions of dollars in individual ecosystems, which should be taken into account in environmental decision making. Mussel ecologists and biologists can play important roles in helping society better value freshwater mussels.
Is Broadband Speed a Barrier to Internet Use in Rural Communities? An Assessment of Mobile Infrastructure and Internet Use Habits in Urban and Rural Nigeria

Developing countries are faced with a unique challenge in addressing digital inequality. Although expanding access and coverage remains a priority, the rapid advancements in technology continuously creates a gap to be filled in areas with coverage. Addressing this challenge requires an understanding of the relationship between infrastructure, adoption, and use of the Internet. Using two datasets; July 2017 billing records of 260,000 customers retrieved from a major mobile carrier in Nigeria, and survey data collected from 200 respondents in Nigeria in January 2018, this paper investigates how the relationship between Internet use and demographic/industry factors vary across urban and rural users in Nigeria. The results show that users with high-speed Internet consume significantly higher data, irrespective of their location. Older users were found to consume more data and are likely to spend more time online. Location and gender were found to impact the activities and the frequencies of the activities carried out online.
GABAAR α2-activated neuroimmune signal controls binge drinking and impulsivity through regulation of the CCL2/CX3CL1 balance

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of innate immune system receptors that respond to pathogen-derived and tissue damage-related ligands and are increasingly recognized for their impact on homeostasis and its dysregulation in the nervous system. TLR signaling participates in brain injury and addiction, but its role in the alcohol-seeking behavior, which initiates alcohol drinking, is still poorly understood. In this review, we discuss our findings designed to elucidate the potential contribution of the activated TLR4 signal located in neurons, on impulsivity and the predisposition to initiate alcohol drinking (binge drinking). Our findings indicate that the TLR4 signal is innately activated in neurons from alcohol-preferring subjects, identifying a genetic contribution to the regulation of impulsivity and the alcohol-seeking propensity. Signal activation is through the non-canonical, previously unknown, binding of TLR4 to the α2 subunit of the γ-aminobutyric 2 acid A receptor (GABAAR α2). Activation is sustained by the stress hormone corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and additional still poorly recognized ligand/scaffold proteins. Focus is on the effect of TLR4 signal activation on the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory chemokines [chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2)/chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1 (CX3CL1)] and its effect on binge drinking. The results are discussed within the context of current findings on the distinct activation and functions of TLR signals located in neurons, as opposed to immune cells. They indicate that the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory TLR4 signaling plays a major role in binge drinking. These findings have major impact on future basic and translational research, including the development of potential therapeutic and preventative strategies.
Current status of community hypertension management in China

Objective To investigate current status of community health management for hypertensive patients. Methods A total of 59 communities from 5 provinces of China were selected by cluster sampling methods, and 55 communities responded. The detailed health management for hypertensive patients was collected through structured interviews. Results (1) Self-management support in health education: the rates of diet control, physical exercise and medication guide were 100.0% (55/55), 96.4% (53/55) and 98.2% (54/55), respectively, and the rates of home blood pressure monitoring, patient-doctor cooperation, and social mental guidance were 83.6% (46/55), 85.5% (47/55) and 85.5% (47/55), respectively. (2) Delivery system redesign: the rates of doctor training, branch cooperation, routine follow-up study and health promotion were 100.0% (55/55), 67.3% (37/55), 72.7% (40/55) and 74.5% (41/55), respectively. (3) Decision support: the rates of embedding evidence-based guidelines on daily clinical practice, expert consultation and health maintenance were 72.7% (40/55), 67.3% (37/55) and 92.7% (51/55), respectively. (4) Clinical information systems: the usage rates of long-term follow-up or monitoring system were 80.0% (44/55) and 89.1% (49/55), respectively. (5) Community resources and policies: the rates of health promotion, environment supporting and community action were 96.4% (53/55), 72.7% (40/55) and 85.5% (47/55), respectively. (6) Health system support: the rates of using effective evaluation indexes, senior leader supporting, continuous policy making and increased reimbursement of medical insurance in health-care organizations were 81.8% (45/55), 85.5% (47/55), 74.5% (41/55) and 61.8% (34/55), respectively. The rates of providing incentives, increasing staff in community, encouraging general practitioner to participate in policy making and increasing the salary of general practitioner were 58.2% (32/55), 50.9% (28/55), 54.5% (30/55) and 34.5% (19/55), respectively. Conclusion The community hypertension management in some areas of China considers the principles of chronic disease models, and may play an important role in the prevention and control of high blood pressure in communities. Key words: Hypertension; Community health centers; Health management
Dual-Modality Cardiac Data Real-Time Rendering and Synchronization in Web Browsers

Multimodality medical data visualization can convey a significant amount of complementary image information from various sources into a single and meaningful display. Even though there have been publications on integrating multiple medical images into a unique 3D representation, there are no researches on rendering registered multiple medical data in web browsers and synchronizing the rendering results over Internet, especially in cardiac applications. Web-based multimodality medical data display is hampered by the large size of the dataset that makes the rendering and information streaming too slow to be applied in clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this paper, we introduce new algorithms and a software platform to address this issue. The presented research results take advantages of bidirectional network connection and hardware accelerated graphics shader processing to real-time fuse and display inner organ structures in web browsers and stream the rendering results over Internet, which will provide medical users with intuitive feedback in collaborative cardiac diagnosis and image-guided remote therapy.
“This Is Not the Hill to Die on. Even if We Literally Could Die on This Hill”: Examining Communication Ecologies of Uncertainty and Family Communication About COVID-19

As information about the public health risks surrounding COVID-19 continues to shift over time, families communicate to navigate this ongoing uncertainty. For example, families must interpret incon...
Experimental methods to study the pathogenesis of human enteric RNA viruses

Every year, millions of children are infected with viruses that target the gastrointestinal tract, causing acute gastroenteritis and diarrheal illness. Indeed, approximately 700 million episodes of diarrhea occur in children under five annually, with RNA viruses norovirus, rotavirus, and astrovirus serving as major causative pathogens. Numerous methodological advancements in recent years, including the establishment of novel cultivation systems using enteroids as well as the development of murine and other animal models of infection, have helped provide insight into many features of viral pathogenesis. However, many aspects of enteric viral infections remain elusive, demanding further study. Here, we describe the different in vitro and in vivo tools available to explore different pathophysiological attributes of human enteric RNA viruses, highlighting their advantages and limitations depending upon the question being explored. In addition, we discuss key areas and opportunities that would benefit from further methodological progress.