cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Burkitt Lymphoma Presenting as a Conjunctival Mass

Abstract Purpose: A sporadic Burkitt lymphoma, which presented as a primary Conjunctival mass, demonstrates the approach to clinical diagnosis, staging, and current management of this rapidly growing malignant tumor, as well as newer concepts of its pathogenesis. Patient and Methods: A 16-year-old girl had rapid development of a conjunctiva) mass 6 weeks after an infectious mononucleosis-like illness, associated with a positive monospot test. A biopsy of the tumor was immunostained for lymphocyte markers. Additional clinical workup included computed tomographic scanning, nasopharyngeal biopsy, and studies of blood, bone marrow, and spinal fluid. In situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded nuclear RNA was performed on the tumor and adenoidal tissue. Results: The conjunctival biopsy showed a typical Burkitt lymphoma with markers positive for predominantly B lymphocytes. Computed tomographic scans indicated residual tumor in the anterior orbit. Biopsy of thickened adenoidal tissue showed only benign lymphoid hyperplasia. Evidence of EBV infection was found in the adenoidal tissue but not in the tumor cells. The patient was treated with combined chemotherapy on a Pediatric Oncology Group Study protocol for localized non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and is disease-free 4 1/2 years after diagnosis. Conclusions: A sporadic Burkitt lymphoma arising in the conjunctiva appears to be the first reported in this site. The lymphoma responded well to chemotherapy, which is now the usual course in stage 1 disease. A direct role for EBV in the oncogenesis of this sporadic tumor, similar to that in the endemic form, could not be supported because EBV-encoded nuclear RNA was absent in the tumor cells.
Networking Technologies in the Developing World

In this paper, we describe the networking and distributed systems challenges and opportunities that are present in adoption of information and computing technology (ICT) in the developing world, and illustrate connections between these challenges and current distributed systems and networking research programs. We suggest that this agenda form a core element of the ambitious program of network experimentation now commencing in the United States, European Union, and Japan.
Selectivity of Fungal Sesquiterpene Synthases: Role of the Active Site's H-1α Loop in Catalysis

Sesquiterpene synthases are responsible for the cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate into a myriad of structurally diverse compounds with various biological activities. We examine here the role of the conserved active site H-α1 loop in catalysis in three previously characterized fungal sesquiterpene synthases. The H-α1 loops of Cop3, Cop4, and Cop6 from Coprinus cinereus were altered by site-directed mutagenesis and the resultant product profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and compared to the wild-type enzymes. In addition, we examine the effect of swapping the H-α1 loop from the promiscuous enzyme Cop4 with the more selective Cop6 and the effect of acidic or basic conditions on loop mutations in Cop4. Directed mutations of the H-α1 loop had a marked effect on the product profile of Cop3 and Cop4, while little to no change was shown in Cop6. Swapping of the Cop4 and Cop6 loops with one another was again shown to influence the product profile of Cop4, while the product profile of Cop6 remained identical to the wild-type enzyme. The loop mutations in Cop4 also implicate specific residues responsible for the pH sensitivity of the enzyme. These results affirm the role of the H-α1 loop in catalysis and provide a potential target to increase the product diversity of terpene synthases.
High-Temperature Deformation of Alumina Double Bicrystals

Deformation and strength of alumina double bicrystals fabricated from verneuil-grown stock were studied as functions of temperature (1210°T1820°C) and strain rate (0.0005 e 0.05 min-1). The oriented specimens had c axes parallel or perpendicular to the compressive stress axes; +a axes and c axes were matched and/or mismatched across the (1123) interfaces of the double bicrystals. Undoped (“pure”) double bicrystals in which the c axes and stress axis were coincident deformed by rhombohedral twinning and, at T1550°C, by slip. Double bicrystals containing crystal segments having c axes perpendicular to the stress axis deformed in part by basal kinking. Interfacial impurity additions of mullite or spinel thin films promoted grain-boundary fracture and sliding, whereas “pure” double bicrystals, even at stresses comparable to the ultimate strengths of single crystals in similar orientations, did not exhibit macrosliding of the grain boundary.
Experimentation with hypercube database engines

Using Intel's iPSC/2 hypercube, the authors measured the relationship between packet size, method of clustering messages, and internode traffic on the total sustained communication bandwidth. Having measured the costs associated with internode communication, they then analyzed duplicate removal algorithms. They also studied the effects of nonuniformly distributed attribute values and tuples across processors on three proposed duplicate removal algorithms. They chose algorithms to represent the several available in the literature and then evaluated the output collection time. The authors present a brief overview of the iPSC/2's hypercube message-passing system and discuss the results of their experimentation and analysis. >
On the stability of solutions of large-scale systems of impulsive differential equations in critical cases

For a large-scale system of impulsive differential equations, we obtain conditions for the stability of equilibria in the critical case. We use the second Lyapunov method with a vector function whose components are homogeneous functions.
Distribution of Binding Sites for the Progesterone Receptor Within Chick Oviduct Chromatin

Chromatin from the oviducts of estrogen-treated chicks was sheared and fractionated on sucrose gradients. This resulted in the production of several chromatin fractions which differ in their sedimentation properties, protein composition, the number of acceptor sites for the progesteronereceptor complex, and the ability to serve as a template for RNA synthesis. The pellet chromatin fraction shows an enhanced ability to bind the progesterone-receptor complex in vitro and in cell-free systems. Kinetic analysis indicates that the majority of the acceptor sites for the progesterone-receptor complex are located in the pellet chromatin fraction which is lowest in template activity. These sites may be important loci for initiating the changes in RNA synthesis following the exposure of target cells to steroid hormones.
Acinetobacter baumannii neonatal mastitis: a case report

Neonatal mastitis is a rare infection. When it does occur, infants younger than 2 months of age are typically affected and the majority of cases are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. We present the first reported case of neonatal mastitis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, an unusual organism for this type of infection. A 15-day-old full-term Caucasian male neonate presented to our emergency room following fever at home and was admitted for routine neonatal sepsis evaluation. After admission, he developed purulent drainage from his right nipple, was diagnosed with mastitis, and was started on empiric therapy with clindamycin and cefotaxime with presumed coverage for S. aureus. Drainage culture identified pan-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii/haemolyticus and antibiotic therapy was changed to ceftazidime. He was discharged after 5 days of ceftazidime with complete resolution of his symptoms. This case illustrates the importance of obtaining drainage cultures in mastitis cases because of the possibility of organisms besides S. aureus causing infection. Acinetobacter baumannii is considered part of the normal human flora and is associated with serious infections in intensive care units. This is the first case report describing Acinetobacter baumannii as an etiologic agent of neonatal mastitis and highlights the importance of including unusual organisms in the differential for infectious etiologies for general practitioners.
Contrast-enhanced MR imaging of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome: a case report.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is characterized by repeated episodes of boring retroperiorbital pain, which is separated by days or months and is accompanied by variable deficits of the third through sixth cranial nerves
Neonatal Rheumatic Disorders: View of the Pediatrician

Neonatal lupus is a unique clinical entity characterized primarily by cutaneous or cardiac injury. Dermatitis usually resolves without significant residual effects but heart block may be irreversible and life threatening during the neonatal period. SS-A/Ro and/or SS-B/La antibodies of maternal origin are present in the serum of the mother and affected infant and are markers for this syndrome. For many mothers breast feeding is the preferred choice for infant nutrition. With proper guidance, lactating mothers may safely use several antirheumatic medications such as ibuprofen, piroxicam, flurbiprofen, diclofenac, mefenamic acid, prednisone, sulfasalazine, and methotrexate.
Capacity, Stability, and Extremal Length

We begin by considering a harmonic function whose boundary behavior is a combination of L0- and L1-type behavior. This leads to a generalization of harmonic measure and capacity. In §2 we relate this function to some extremal length problems. The remaining sections treat applications to conformal mapping and stability problems.
Current Trends in 3D Printing, Bioprosthetics, and Tissue Engineering in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

3D printing represents a developing technology whose applications in plastic and reconstructive science are only in its dawn, creating devices of limitless customization presenting the possibility for uniquely tailored implantable devices for the individual patient. The advent of tissue engineering presents exciting new possibilities for conventional 3D printing in that novel approaches to reconstruction can be attempted with bioactive molecules and tissues for advanced wound healing, thereby resulting in a dramatic reduction in implantable device morbidity with improved esthetic results. The marriage of these two technologies has resulted in the creation of bioprosthetics, a field in which bioactive molecules are structured into implantable prosthetic devices through 3D printing of cells harvested or engineered in the laboratory. The historical context of conventional 3D printing modalities as well as tissue engineering is presented for discussion in the greater context of the creation of modern bioprosthetics. An outline of common materials, methods, and their utility is also introduced to serve as a framework to better understand the continuing advancements in implantable devices with examples of continuing discoveries discussed where appropriate.
Gaining insight into effective metrology height through the use of a compact CDSEM model for lithography simulation

Computer simulation of lithographic performance, including resist CD, film thickness, sidewall angle and profile has been extensively studied during the past three decades. Lithography simulation has been widely adopted as an enabling technology for high-volume chip manufacturing. However, measurement artifacts arising from CD-SEM metrology are typically ignored in simulation, due to the difficulty of accurately modeling the effect of the CD-SEM at acceptable computational speed. In this paper, we demonstrate how CD measurements can be improved by including a fast, compact CD-SEM model. For example, the variation in effective resist metrology height along contour lines extracted from a simulated CD-SEM image is characterized for a range of structures through focus. We also demonstrate how SEM settings affect the shape of extracted SEM contour and metrology height at contour edge. The Edge Placement Error (EPE) caused by SEM artifact is carefully studied.
Evaluating the Quality of Marketing Research Contractors

This article suggests an explicit system for evaluating the quality of work performed by outside suppliers of marketing research.
Andropause or male menopause? Rationale for testosterone replacement therapy in older men with low testosterone levels.

ABSTRACT Objective To provide rationale for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in older men with low testosterone levels and symptoms consistent with testosterone deficiency. Methods The relevant literature was reviewed using PubMed Results Cross-sectional and longitudinal population-based studies indicate that total and free testosterone levels fall with aging, and they may be accompanied by symptoms consistent with androgen deficiency. Testosterone treatment of younger men with very low testosterone levels and hypothalamic, pituitary, or testicular disease is associated with improvements in symptoms, body composition, bone density, and hematocrit/hemoglobin. Studies evaluating testosterone treatment of older men with low testosterone levels are limited, but they suggest some increase in fat free mass, some decrease in fat mass, and some increase in bone density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Conclusion The Testosterone Trial should provide definitive information regarding the potential benefits of TRT in men ≥ years of age. If efficacy is confirmed, we will still need more information regarding the risks of TRT in older men. (Endocr Pract. 2013;19:847-852)
CLINICAL STUDY OF BREAST CANCER PATIENT ON HEMODIALYSIS

Among 1160 patients with breast cancer who were treated at our hospital in an 11-year-period from 1986 to April 1997, 11 patients (13 breasts) on hemodialysis were subjected to a clinical study. A mean interval from induction of hemodialysis to the breast operation was 116 months. Two out of these eleven patients had a hemodialysis shunt in the upper limb on the affected side. All patients underwent radical operation. A mean operation time was 116 minutes and an average blood loss was 126ml. Neither blood trasnfusion nor emergency hemodialysis was required after the operation. Postoperative complications occurred in two cases, including hematoma under the skin flap and thrombus of dialysis shunt in each case. Two patients experienced recurrences and other two patients died of other disease. If the perioperative management is properly performed, patients with breast cancer on hemodialysis can be safely treated.
Dynamic Visco-elasticity and Adhesion Properties of Ceramic Green Sheets

Adhesive properties of alumina green sheets containing Poly vinyl butyral (PVB) and Dioctyl phthalate (DOP) were investigated. 10wt% of PVB was added while DOP was varied between 0 and 6wt%. By the dynamic visco-elasticity measurement (1 and 10Hz), the glass transition temperature (Tg) of green sheet was found to be 4.7-14.4K higher than that of binder film at the same PVB/DOP ratio. Apparent Tg of DOP was estimated to be 204K through the measurements of Tg of binder films with various PVB/DOP ratios. Adhesive properties of green sheet appeared at a temperature 30 to 40K higher than Tg of the green sheet. Scanning electron microscope observation and ATR-FTIR analysis showed that PVB and DOP were distributed on the side in contact with a PET film at a larger fraction that the opposite side. This is caused by the difference in the wetting characteristics between PVB and PET film when they are wet with DOP. In laminating process of green sheet, the adhesion force may occur by two steps. First the surface of green sheet is wet with DOP and then the adhesion force at the laminating interface grows because of the formation of binder chains between the ceramic particles.
Neutron-Induced Vaporization of Superheated Liquids: Theory and Experiment

My interest in neutron-induced nucleation began with a simple and elegant demonstration in one of David Turnbull’s classes in which a drop of water was superheated to about 250°C as it rose in a column of heated oil. As David Glaser, the inventor of the bubble chamber, so ably demonstrated, such superheated liquids are radiation sensitive. Our test system is a simple one. Halocarbon and hydrQcarbon drops are introduced into an aqueous holding gel under pressure at room temperature. As the pressure is released, the drops become superheated. Neutrons of sufficient energy will trigger vaporization of these moderately superheated drop detectors (SSDs), but gammas and x-rays will not unless the homogeneous nucleation limit is approached. We have performed measurements on the neutron energy threshold to produce nucleation in a number of different superheated materials at different temperatures. We have also developed a theory which indicates that of the energy deposited in a critical radius, only about 5% is effective in producing bubble formation. Both theory and experiment are discussed.
Visible Light Emitting Optical Fibers using Up-Conversion

Optical fibers are described that emit visible light along their length when particulate up-converters in the cladding are excited by light from semiconductor light sources propagating in the core and leaking into the cladding.
Contagious Adverse Selection - Revised November, 2010

We illustrate the corrosive effect of even small amounts of adverse selection in an asset market and show how it can lead to the total breakdown of trade. The problem is the failure of "market confidence", defined as approximate common knowledge of an upper bound on expected losses. Small probability events can unravel market confidence. We discuss the role of contagious adverse selection and the problem of "toxic assets" in the recent financial crisis.
A Method to Calculate the Maximum Temperature of SiC Demagnetization Resistance for Large Energy Test Based on Small Energy Test Data

The requirements of energy and temperature are provided by manufacturer. It is proved by experiments that the temperature of SiC demagnetization resistance is most uneven and the requirement of temperature is decisive. A method to calculate the maximum temperature of SiC demagnetization resistance for large energy absorption is presented based on the relation between the maximum surface temperature rise of resistance and energy consumed by SiC demagnetization resistance. The application example of this method is also presented.
Position and Opportunity of Natural Substance in Finding New Drug

The natural substance plays an important role in preparation of novel drug. Finding new drug has entered into new period by pulling with the basic science and high-tech. Optimized technology platform improves the efficiency in discovering new drug and in exploiting new field for novel natural substance, and the organic synthetic chemistry is extended the possibility of using natural substance as the precursor for drug.
Clinical Kidney Transplantation: Areas of Current Interest

The major problem in kidney transplantation continues to be the failure to prevent rejection of a sizable proportion of transplants from unrelated cadaver donors. Uncontrolled rejection is most frequent in presensitized recipients. Possible solutions include more sophisticated tissue typing and improvements in immunosuppression.
Understanding a Presented Problem from a Phenomenological Perspective

Social work and other helping professions utilize knowledge generated by social sciences to understand human behavior and human problems. Social sciences follow positivistic and humanistic philosophies. The former claims that methodologies applicable to natural sciences should be applicable to social sciences. The latter believes that positivistic methods are reductionist and social sciences should develop their own methodology because they deal with a unique subject matter--human beings. Phenomenology, a branch of humanistic thinking, has been offered as a perspective to understand the presented problem by the client. Several cases are utilized to highlight the role of a professional in understanding the presented problem following a phenomenological
Accelerating the weighted histogram analysis method by direct inversion in the iterative subspace

The weighted histogram analysis method (WHAM) for free energy calculations is a valuable tool to produce free energy differences with the minimal errors. Given multiple simulations, WHAM obtains fr...
Treatment of infectious hepatitis

Despite important advances in knowledge of infectious hepatitis during the past 20 years, treatment remains symptomatic and nonspecific. Gamma-globulin is effective in preventing development of the disease among contacts for six to eight weeks.Adequate caloric intake and some degree of rest in bed remain the most effective features of good management.ACT H and cortisone have not been found helpful in most instances of the disease. Abdominal surgery is contraindicated, since it is hazardous to both the patient and operating-room personnel.
Correlation of sperm granulomas and sperm autoantibodies in inbred rats.

The relationship between sperm granulomas and antisperm antibodies is speculative. Some investigators believe that sperm granulomas are the result of humoral sensitization, whereas others doubt that they represent an immunologic phenomenon at all. We performed transabdominal bilateral vasectomies by ligation or transection in Brown Norway, Lewis, Fischer, and Sprague-Dawley rats. These strains are known to differ in incidence of antisperm antibody formation following vasectomy. Serum was obtained monthly for determination of antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence. Animals were killed at 6 months and examined for the presence of antisperm antibodies and sperm granulomas. Both antibodies and granulomas were found in 71% of Brown Norway rats. Granulomas were found in all rats of other strains, whereas the incidence of antibodies ranged from 25% to 50%. Thus a specific immunologic relationship between sperm granulomas and antisperm antibodies has not been confirmed.
Organizational-Level Characteristics in Right-Wing Extremist Groups in the United States Over Time:

This study compares the organizational-level variables of violent and nonviolent far-right extremist groups. This study makes an important contribution by coding for attributes for each specific ye...
Thomas Hardy Revisited

THE DIFFICULTY in reading Thomas Hardy is that everyone knows exactly what to think. If we ask any reasonably well-read student of literature about Hardy, we will learn that he was “a gloomy philosopher … who wrote depressing but profound and technically admirable realistic novels.” 1 From an acquaintance with The Return of the Native and Tess of the D’Urbervilles—bolstered by some opinions gleaned from such critics as David Cecil, Samuel Chew, and Carl Weber, whose volumes are to be found in every library—it is easy to conclude that statements like the above are not only accurate, but cover nearly all the important issues. Hardy is suitably enshrined as a great writer, albeit no longer a very popular one; as a masterful reporter of the rural scene; as a skillful creator of a host of interesting characters; and, above all, as a deep thinker who shows us a pessimistic view of the universe.
Biologics in Chronic Urticaria.

Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as wheals, angioedema, or both, that last more than 6 weeks. Second-generation antihistamines are considered the first-line therapy for CU. Unfortunately, many patients will fail antihistamines and require alternative therapy, including immune response modifiers or biologics. Multiple biological agents have been evaluated for use in antihistamine-refractory CU, including omalizumab, rituximab, and intravenous immunoglobulin; omalizumab is the most efficacious. Because of the success of omalizumab, multiple new biologics that are directed at the IgE pathway are under investigation. This review summarizes the relevant data regarding the efficacy of biologics in antihistamine-refractory CU.
Application of IEC 61850 proxy in seamless communication between digital substation and control centre

The paper deals with application requirements of seamless communication between digital substation and control centre, especially model harmonization between IEC 61850 and 61970. The necessity and feasibility of IEC 61850 proxy acting as a communication server in substation is introduced. It also describes the proxy software design of functions and architecture. The proxy makes full consideration of IEC 61850 and 61970 application technologies, such as modeling methods, configuration tool, real-time database, IEC 61850 ACSI client, services mapping, access security, maintenance and hardware. The proxy features prefect functions, simple configuration and easy maintenance, and will become an important front-end communication device in future construction of smart substation, providing technological support for seamless connections between heterogeneous systems in smart grid.
Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells Induce a MyD88-Dependent Stromal Response to Promote a Tumor-Tolerant Immune Microenvironment

Cancer cells exert mastery over the local tumor-associated stroma (TAS) to configure protective immunity within the tumor microenvironment. The immunomodulatory character of pancreatic lysates of patients with cancer differs from those with pancreatitis. In this study, we evaluated the cross-talk between pancreatic cancer and its TAS in primary human cell culture models. Upon exposure of TAS to pancreatic cancer cell-conditioned media, we documented robust secretion of IL6 and IL8. This TAS response was MyD88-dependent and sufficient to directly suppress both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation, inducing Th17 polarization at the expense of Th1. We found that patients possessed a similar shift in circulating effector memory Th17:Th1 ratios compared with healthy controls. The TAS response also directly suppressed CD8+ T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Overall, our results demonstrate how TAS contributes to the production of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Res; 77(3); 672-83. ©2016 AACR.
Mild Adrenal Cortisol Excess

Adrenal subclinical hypercortisolism or mild adrenal cortisol excess has been defined by alterations of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in patients with adrenal adenomas and without overt Cushing syndrome. Mild hypercortisolism is the most common hormonal dysfunction in patients with incidentally diagnosed adrenal masses. Recent reports have linked mild adrenal cortisol excess with several cardiovascular, bone, and metabolic complications, as well as with increased mortality. The pathophysiological mechanisms of mild adrenal cortisol excess are poorly understood, and no consensus exists regarding the appropriate diagnostic criteria of mild adrenal cortisol excess or its management. Existing data have derived predominantly from retrospective or nonrandomized studies. This chapter overviews the most recent progress in the understanding of mild adrenal cortisol excess and highlights remaining gaps to be filled by thoughtfully designed future research.
Reversible dementia: subclinical seizure in early-onset dementia.

Key Clinical Message We report a case of early-onset dementia with subclinical seizures. Aggressive seizure control improved the patient's cognition. Commonly, an EEG is only performed following overt behavioral seizures. Therefore, subclinical seizures tend to be underdiagnosed. Serial or extended EEG should be seriously considered in patients with early-onset dementia.
Ethical Guidance for Disaster Response, Specifically Around Crisis Standards of Care: A Systematic Review

Background. Terrorism, disease outbreaks, and other natural disasters and mass casualty events have pushed health care and public health systems to identify and refine emergency preparedness protocols for disaster response. Ethical guidance, alongside legal and medical frameworks, are increasingly common components of disaster response plans.Objectives. To systematically review the prevalence and content of ethical guidance offered for disaster response, specifically around crisis standards of care (CSCs).Search methods. We systematically indexed academic literature from PubMed, Google Scholar, and ISI Web of Science from 2012 to 2016.Selection criteria. We searched for peer-reviewed articles that substantively engaged in discussion of ethical guidance for CSCs.Data collection and analysis. Researchers screened potential articles for identification and discussion of ethical issues in CSC planning. We categorized and cataloged ethical concepts and principles.Main results. Of 580 peer-reviewed articles ment...
Comparison of Pathological and Oncologic Outcomes of Favorable Risk Gleason Score 3 + 4 and Low Risk Gleason Score 6 Prostate Cancer: Considerations for Active Surveillance

Purpose: Recent NCCN® (National Comprehensive Cancer Network®) Guidelines® show that patients with biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4/Grade Group 2 but otherwise favorable features are active surveillance candidates. However, little is known about the long-term outcomes compared to that in men in the low risk Gleason score 6/Grade Group 1 group. We sought to clarify the risk of adverse features and oncologic outcomes in surgically treated, favorable Grade Group 2 vs 1 cases.Materials and Methods: We queried our prospectively maintained radical prostatectomy database for all 8,095 patients with biopsy Grade Group 1 or 2 prostate cancer who otherwise fulfilled the NCCN low risk definition of prostate specific antigen less than 10 ng/ml and cT2a or less, and who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1987 to 2014. Multivariable logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier methods were used to compare pathological and oncologic outcomes.Results: Organ confined disease was present in 93.9% and 82.6% of Grade Group 1 and favorab...
NewSTEPs: The Establishment of a National Newborn Screening Technical Assistance Resource Center

As newborn screening (NBS) programs in the US implement expanded screening panels, utilize emerging technologies and identify areas for improvement, the need to establish and maintain a community engagement based national technical assistance center becomes apparent. The Newborn Screening Technical assistance and Evaluation Program (NewSTEPs)-a program of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) in partnership with the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH), offers expertise in newborn screening program development, member connection, data analysis, and program evaluation. NewSTEPs provides a secure online data repository designed to collect comprehensive data on newborn screening programs in three strata: state profiles (description of each state program including program hours, fees, and disorders screened), quality indicators (metrics of program performance encompassing screening accuracy and timeliness) and NBS public health surveillance case definitions. NewSTEPs was created in 2012 under a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). Successful activities of NewSTEPs have resulted in the establishment of a technical assistance resource center and the organization of a network of newborn screening experts. In addition, NewSTEPs coordinates efforts with other federally funded programs in order to maximize resources and to ensure a unified approach to data collection and information sharing.
The Sinister Handed

(1999). The Sinister Handed. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings: Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 267-271.
PERMANENT PACEMAKER AVOIDED IN HIGH GRADE ATRIOVENTRICULAR BLOCK

Lyme disease is a multi-system disease caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Cardiac involvement most commonly in the form of atrioventricular (AV) conduction block occurs during the early disseminated phase of the disease. 72-year-old male with a past medical history of three vessel CABG
162 Obstructive sleep apnea screening for commercial motor vehicle drivers

Introduction In the United States in 2015, there were 4 15 000 accidents involving large trucks resulting in 3589 fatalities. The majority of fatal crashes occurred between 12 pm and 3 pm and fatigue was the number one cause of fatal crashes that involved driver impairment-related factors. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects 3 to 7 percent of the male population and sleepiness in drivers is dangerous leading to decreased alertness, judgment and slower reaction times resulting in an increase of motor vehicle accidents (MVA). Screening for OSA in commercial motor vehicle drivers was inconsistent among the seven providers certified to provide Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals in four different offices of Rochester Regional Health. Methods Implementation of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Guidelines developed by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians and the National Sleep Foundation followed education sessions for certified examiners and resources for OSA referrals if necessary. The JTF guidelines consist of measureable biometric screenings including body mass index and measurement of neck circumference; use of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale; subject evaluation of sleep symptoms; and screening for hypertension to provide an evaluation measure to screen for OSA and three criteria for driver certification based on the outcome. Results Over an 8 week period, 102 drivers were screened using the JTF guidelines resulting in 100% compliance and appropriate referrals for OSA testing or documentation of continued positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance in drivers with a history of OSA. Discussion Using a consistent screening tool to evaluate for OSA in drivers improves the practice of occupational medicine while ensuring personal and public safety by reducing the risk of motor vehicle accidents.
Nursing Shared Governance: Hospital Librarians Collaborating for Quality

Nursing Shared Governance is essentially about collaboration (Figure 1). It is also about working together ensuring processes: staff scheduling, continuing education, integrating nurses into new pr...
“My Nightmares Aren’t Just About Calculus 101”: Transitioning to College with PTSD

College students with history of sexual trauma and PTSD are at higher risk for adverse academic outcomes and worsening of their symptoms while on campus. The prevalence of sexual violence on campus further increases their exposure to trauma and risk of revictimization. This chapter describes the case of a young woman with a history of childhood sexual trauma who initially presents to treatment during her junior year of high school. She relapses soon after her transition to college and eventually has to take a leave of absence at the end of her freshman year. Discussion focuses on identifying triggers for relapse of PTSD that are unique to the college setting, outlines strategies for optimum treatment and minimizing risk while on campus, and reviews ways universities have approached sexual violence awareness and prevention. Optimizing transition planning for patients with history of trauma and PTSD is also outlined and discussed.
Single-Molecule and Ensemble Methods to Probe Initial Stages of RNP Granule Assembly

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are membraneless organelles, consisting of high local concentrations of RNA and proteins bearing intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). They are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). In neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, mutations in granule proteins such as FUS and TDP-43 accelerate abnormal liquid to solid transition of RNP granules, leading to formation of fiber-like structures. Methods to study granules must be carefully selected based on the stage of granule's life. Here we describe a strategic combination of single-molecule biophysical and ensemble biochemical techniques that may be employed to extract insightful information about early stages of RNP granule formation. Protein-RNA interaction and stoichiometry of the complex in the early soluble stage of RNP assembly can be probed by single-molecule FRET (smFRET) assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. RNP-RNP interaction that likely contributes to RNP nucleation can be reported on by a smFRET-based RNA annealing assay. The next stage in the assembly pathway, that is, phase separation from diffused to liquid-like droplets, may be monitored by a phase separation assay. Finally, RNP granules isolated from mammalian cells can be investigated using a unique single-molecule pull-down (SiMPull) assay.
Measurement of Plasma Fibrin D-Dimer Levels with the Use of a Monoclonal Antibody Coupled to Latex Beads

Recently, monoclonal antibody (DD-3B6) to fibrin D-dimer was prepared and coupled to latex beads to provide a specific test (Dimertest) for fibrinolysis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Dimertest assay as a clinical laboratory test for the measurement of plasma fibrin D-dimer derivatives. The Dimer-test assay specifically detected 2 micrograms/mL of purified fibrin D-dimer or fibrin D-dimer/fragment E complex added to afibrinogenemic plasma but did not detect 500 micrograms/mL of either fibrinogen fragments X, D, E, or 160 micrograms/mL cross-linked fibrinogen. The fibrin(ogen) degradation product (FDP) assays of American Dade or Wellcome Diagnostics detected 5.0 micrograms/mL of fibrin D-dimer and from 1 to 10 micrograms/mL of the other FDPs. Twenty-eight percent of 150 random plasma samples assayed from hospitalized patients were positive for fibrin D-dimer derivatives. Plasma samples from 152 patients suspected of having disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were assayed for serum FDP (Wellcome Diagnostics) and plasma fibrin D-dimer derivatives. Samples from 69% of patients with serum FDP levels less than 10 micrograms/mL, and more than 90% of those with serum FDP levels greater than 10 micrograms/mL, were positive for fibrin D-dimer derivatives. Dimertest results were not modified by heparin, streptokinase, freeze-thawing, or clotting plasma. Serum fibrinogen-related antigens were immunoadsorbed from Dimer-test positive sera by anti-fibrinogen antibody and formalin-fixed Cowan I strain Staphylococcus aureus. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and protein blotting with the use of monoclonal antibody DD-3B6 demonstrated a protein band with similar mobility to purified D-dimer. The measurement of plasma fibrin D-dimer derivatives by the Dimertest assay is a rapid, sensitive, and specific laboratory test for fibrinolysis. The Dimertest assay has proven to be a useful addition to the clinical laboratory and should be helpful in the diagnosis and management of patients with diseases associated with fibrinolysis.
The Epidemiology of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance: A Review

The transient production of monoclonal components of immunoglobulins (M-components) occurs normally in response to trauma, particular drug treatments, and infection with specific antigens (Haas et cd. 1990; Merlini and Aguzzi 1988). Chronic production can occur with malignancy (B cell, colon, prostate, and breast) and with rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, cirrhosis, and several other chronic inflammatory and infectious processes (Merlini and Aguzzi 1988; Saleun et cd. 1982). However, in approximately 60–90% of persons identified with elevated M-components in community-based surveys, the elevation is chronic and unexplained (Saleun et cd. 1982; Axelsson et cd. 1966; Kyle et cd. 1972). These persons are given a diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). Although MGUS is itself benign, it can evolve to amyloidosis, myeloma, or macroglobulinemia (Kyle 1993). To better understand the significance and consequences of MGUS, the author conducted a literature review. Two methodological issues that affect the interpretation of the literature are discussed first.
Dispersion Theory and Moments Relations in Magneto-Optics

In these lectures I shall focus on some rather simple, but very general aspects of magneto-optics. The material to be covered is based on recent advances in dispersion theory1–4 and the sum rule5–9 or moments analysis10, 11 of optical data which were prompted in large part by the discovery12, 13 of magneto-optical effects in defects that could not be analyzed by conventional theory. My aim is to provide both an introduction to these new methods and some insight into the physics on which they are based.
Apoptosis and its regulation.

There is only one popular way to be conceived, but a myriad of ways to die. We die from some external force, such as an accident or foul play, or else from “natural causes”. It is interesting how good the parallel is with the cells out of which we are made. All our somatic cells arise by the process of mitosis, regardless of their location in the body or their ultimate destiny. And these cells die by either of two processes, roughly equivalent to accidents and natural causes. Just as a pathologist will determine cause of death by examining the body, we distinguish the two forms of cell death by morphology1.
Abstract 1126: Exploring the roles of Suppressor of Fused in the postnatal neurogenic niche and tumorigenesis

Isolated brain tumors consist of cells with stem cell features and a tissue microenvironment similar to the neurogenic niche, implying that tumors must require the same niche factors for tumor growth and progression. Thus, a better understanding of how neural stem cell (NSC) behavior is regulated can have significant therapeutic implications in brain cancers. To this end, we examined the roles of Suppressor of Fused (Sufu) in the postnatal neurogenic niche of the forebrain, the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ), a potential site of origin for forebrain tumors. Given that recent studies showed low expression of Sufu in gliomas, we wondered how conditional deletion of Sufu using the hGFAP-Cre driver (hGFAP-cre/+;Sufu-fl/fl) influences NSC behavior in the V-SVZ. We found that Sufu critically controls NSC proliferation, since loss of Sufu in the hGFAP-cre/+;Sufu-fl/fl mice resulted in abnormal expansion of the V-SVZ. These defects were due to the increased production of DCX+ Type A cells at the expense of transit amplifying Type C and oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Furthermore, many of these cells failed to migrate out of the V-SVZ, where they remained and continued to proliferate. Nevertheless, an increase in apoptotic cells was observed, which likely prevented the formation of brain tumors from loss of Sufu function alone. Indeed, our preliminary studies showed that the combined deletion of Sufu and the tumor suppressor p53 (hGFAP-Cre/+;Sufu-fl/fl;p53-fl/fl) resulted in a more severe and sustained cell expansion phenotype in the V-SVZ. We predict that these genetic conditions predispose NSCs within the V-SVZ to form tumors at later postnatal stages. We are now investigating this and the molecular mechanisms by which Sufu exerted this effect. Of particular focus is the role of Sufu as an inhibitor of the mitogenic Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, which is highly active in various glioblastoma subtypes. Taken together, our findings point to a potential role for Sufu in preventing tumor development in the forebrain. Our studies also provide novel insights on how developmental and oncogenic signals converge to initiate tumorigenesis or tumor progression. We hope that these studies will lead to the identification of critical niche factors that may be targeted to treat brain cancers and improve patient outcome. Citation Format: Jesse Garcia Castillo, Hector G. Gomez, David Aguilar, Samuel J. Pleasure, Odessa Yabut. Exploring the roles of Suppressor of Fused in the postnatal neurogenic niche and tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1126.
Advances in Paediatric Renal Replacement Therapy

Most children who require acute renal replacement therapy (RRT) do not have primary renal diseases, but are managed in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) for renal impairment that has occurred as a consequence of being critically ill. The primary driver of their acute renal failure (ARF) is usually kidney under-perfusion due to hypotension, which may be caused by intravascular hypovolaemia, or cardiac failure, or vasodilatation associated with sepsis, or combinations of these. Many authors prefer the term acute kidney injury (AKI) to ARF as it emphasises the fact that some children acquire long-term renal damage, but this is not logical because in many cases the kidney dysfunction results from reversible, protective physiological renal responses which do not result in any tissue injury, though acute proximal tubular necrosis (ATN) and more extensive cortical necrosis are frequently seen. The two commonest paediatric indications for RRT today are recent open-heart surgery associated with fluid overload, and multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) [1–5]. Sometimes, RRT is used to augment normal kidney function to rapidly remove toxic metabolites, such as ammonia in babies born with rare genetic metabolic conditions [6].
TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT CHRONIC THROMBOCYTOPENIA: A NATIONAL INPATIENT SAMPLE ANALYSIS

Patients with chronic thrombocytopenia (cTCP) are excluded from trials evaluating transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcomes. Thus, we aimed at assessing the impact of cTCP on in-hospital outcomes following TAVR using a real-life US national database. National Inpatient Sample (NIS)
Engineering the crystallization behavior of an organic compound mixed with polymers using hidden liquid phase domains

The crystallization behavior of pyrene mixed with polystyrene, poly(ethylene-alt-propylene), or poly(2-vinylpyridine) is investigated using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique to understand the effects of polymers on the crystallization behavior of organic compounds. Extensive DSC characterization reveals that all the crystallization curves of pyrene as a function of polymer composition have upper critical crystallization temperatures. We believe the upper critical behavior suggests that the crystallization of pyrene in the polymer solutions are directed and assisted by the spinodal limits of the hidden liquid–liquid phase domains located inside the two-phase domains of pyrene crystals and polymer-rich liquid phases. We also observed that, for pyrene mixed with relatively non-polar polystyrene or poly(ethylene-alt-propylene), the crystallization temperature curves of pyrene shift with the melting temperature curves of pyrene crystals. This result is consistent with the classical Flory–Huggins theory which describes the thermodynamic behavior of polymer solutions using the chemical compatibility between the solvent and polymer. In contrast, the crystallization curve of pyrene mixed with relatively polar poly(2-vinylpyridine) is observed in the higher temperature domain despite the melting temperature curve of the pyrene crystals with poly(2-vinylpyridine) being shifted to the lower temperature domain due to the favorable chemical compatibility between pyrene and poly(2-vinylpyridine) compared to those with the other relatively non-polar polymers. We attribute the contrasting melting and crystallization behavior of pyrene in the poly(2-vinylpyridine) solutions to the high dipole moment of poly(2-vinylpyridine) that induces an enlarged hidden liquid phase domain due to the attractive interactions between poly(2-vinylpyridine) segments. These findings show that polymers are effective and versatile additives for controlled crystallization of organic compounds using the hidden liquid–liquid phase domains.