cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is the mode of occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux A prognostic factor for spontaneous resolution

Purpose Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) may occur in response to increased pressure in the bladder either during filling or voiding, or it may be passive. In this study we investigate whether the mode of occurrence during infancy can be used as a predictor for spontaneous resolution of the reflux. Material and methods 103 infants with grade 4-5 reflux were included (70% bilateral). Investigations with videocystometry were performed at median 5, 20 and 42 months, and reflux was registered as occurring at unstable contraction during filling (UC), without change in pressure during filling (passive, P) or at micturition (M). Only the side with the highest grade of reflux was included when bilateral. Spontaneous resolution was 38% during the observation period. Results At the investigation during infancy reflux occurred in response to UC, P and M in 28%, 35% and 37%, respectively. VUR in response to UC was mainly seen in boys. Reflux that was still dilated at the latest follow-up, appeared in response to UC in 11% only and was P in 69%. This explains the significant correlation between high age and passive reflux when including all investigations (p = 0.0002). High bladder capacity was also significant correlated to passive reflux at all follow-up investigations (p Conclusions Reflux occurrence characteristics changed during the first years in boys, from a high proportion of pressure induced reflux during infancy to passive reflux. This change was correlated to a change in urodynamics, from high pressure to low pressure bladder pattern, but also to the higher spontaneous resolution rate in pressure induced reflux, most evident in the micturition reflux.
Dual-Loaded Modulated Dipole Scatterer as an Embedded Sensor

The modulated scatterer technique (MST) has shown great promise as an embedded sensor for material characterization and flaw detection in nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDTE each has its own advantages and drawbacks with respect to system complexity, signal processing requirements, and accuracy. To improve on the previous designs, in this paper, we introduce a new probe that simultaneously utilizes two p-i-n diodes. Using the four possible combinations of the measured backscattered signals from such a probe, in conjunction with a differential measurement scheme and subsequent ratio calculation, simultaneously results in the desired independence from several measurement parameters and the removal of the static terms. The operation of the proposed dual-loaded probe is described and analyzed in this paper. Experimental verification of the probe performance is also reported herein.
Engineering microbial chemical factories to produce renewable "biomonomers".

By applying metabolic engineering tools and strategies to engineer synthetic enzyme pathways, the number and diversity of commodity and specialty chemicals that can be derived directly from renewable feedstocks is rapidly and continually expanding. This of course includes a number of monomer building-block chemicals that can be used to produce replacements to many conventional plastic materials. This review aims to highlight numerous recent and important advancements in the microbial production of these so-called ‘biomonomers’. Relative to naturally-occurring renewable bioplastics, biomonomers offer several important advantages, including improved control over the final polymer structure and purity, the ability to synthesize non-natural copolymers, and allowing products to be excreted from cells which ultimately streamlines downstream recovery and purification. To highlight these features, a handful of biomonomers have been selected as illustrative examples of recent works, including polyamide monomers, styrenic vinyls, hydroxyacids, and diols. Where appropriate, examples of their industrial penetration to date and end-product uses are also highlighted. Novel biomonomers such as these are ultimately paving the way towards new classes of renewable bioplastics that possess a broader diversity of properties than ever before possible.
Ciprofloxacin plus piperacillin is an equally effective regimen for empiric therapy in febrile neutropenic patients compared with standard therapy

The purpose of this study was to test the comparative efficacy and toxicity of empiric gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, in combination with piperacillin, in febrile patients with treatment-induced neutropenia. Fifty patients were prospectively randomized to receive piperacillin plus gentamicin (PG), and 46 were randomized to receive piperacillin plus ciprofloxacin (PC). The groups were similar in age, sex, diagnosis, duration of neutropenia, and incidence of positive cultures. The two antibiotic regimens were associated with comparable rates of defervescence in the patients with gram-positive bacteremia. In the patients with gram-negative bacteremia and those with negative cultures, however, defervescence was more prompt in the PC group. In particular, 27% of the culture-negative patients on PC, compared to only 5% of those on PG, defervesced within 72 hr (P = 0.015). Because of the more prompt defervescence in the PC group, amphotericin B was used less frequently; 78% of the patients on PG compared with only 56% of those on PC were started on amphotericin B (P = 0.025). PC is an effective alternative to the more traditional PG for treatment of febrile neutropenic hosts who have not been given prophylactic quinolones. More important, PC appears to hasten defervescence compared with PG, especially in culture-negative patients and those with gram-negative bacteremia, and may decrease the necessity of additional antimicrobial agents such as amphotericin B.
The utility of delayed-enhancement and t2-weighted cardiovascular mri for predicting clinical outcomes in patients at high risk for cardiac sarcoidosis

The utility of delayed-enhancement (DE) has been extensively studied in patients with sarcoidosis who are asymptomatic or at low risk for cardiac involvement. However, there is lack of data regarding the utility of DE in patients with sarcoidosis who present with high grade cardiovascular symptoms. Also, the utility of T2-weighted imaging has not been evaluated in these patients.
Canal preparation for prosthetic radial head replacement: rasping versus reaming

Background While many design-specific features of radial head prostheses have been studied (ie, geometry and surface coating), the optimum technique for canal preparation has not been determined. We hypothesized that preparation of the radial canal with a reamer would allow for the accommodation of a larger stem diameter versus following canal preparation with a rasp, and would provide acceptable stem-bone micromotion. Methods Paired proximal radii from 7 cadavers were prepared by a rasp on one side and a reamer on the contralateral side. Cementless radial head stems of increasing diameter were sequentially implanted up to the maximum size or until a fracture occurred and the micromotion between the stem and bone was recorded. Results In 3 of 5 pairs, at least a 1 mm larger stem size fit into the canal after reaming versus after rasping (P = .04). 5 of 7 radii fractured secondary to intentional stem oversizing. For the optimally-sized stems, similar micromotion values were observed whether the canal was rasped (41 ± 6 μm) or reamed (44 ± 6 μm) (P = .72). Discussion This study investigated an aspect of radial head arthroplasty technique about which little has currently been published. It is possible that use of a reamer rather than a rasp, while providing similar initial stability, might expand the stem size options for initial press-fit stability, and decrease the risk of fracture. Conclusion Radial canal preparation with a reamer allows for implantation of a 1 mm larger stem diameter versus rasping, while providing comparable initial stability to that achieved after rasping.
Linear Electrode Arrays for Stimulation and Recording Within Cardiac Tissue Space Constants

In this paper, we document a fabrication process that yields linear arrays of rectangular platinum black electrodes spaced 25 mum apart with edge-to-edge separation of 20 mum. The spatial arrangement is therefore sufficiently fine to insure stimulation and recording within cardiac tissue space constants, as six electrodes with dimensions of either, 5x100 mum2, 5x250 mum2 or 5x500 mum2 were positioned in a 130-mum span in the arrays. Despite the small electrode sizes and available surface areas, favorable impedance characteristics were identifed. Averages ranged from 111 kOmega to 146 kOmega at 0.5 Hz and from 14 kOmega to 39 kOmega at 500 Hz. Differences in impedances between the electrode sizes tested were small. Potential differences (deltaPhis) recorded using the two central electrodes during stimulation with combinations at separations of only 75 mum , 100 mum , and 125 mum had low signal noise. As a preliminary test of the use of these arrays for possible application to impedance measurements in cardiac tissue, the deltaPhis recorded during stimulation were compared to deltaPhis obtained from finite-difference simulations using an isotropic volume conductor model. Anticipated decays in with widening electrode separation identified in those simulations matched the decays in the recorded s closely. These findings are significant because they suggest intracellular and interstitial microimpedance mesurements in heart experiments will be straightforward.
Radiation Dose for 345 CT-Guided Interlaminar Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: CT guidance is increasingly being used to localize the epidural space during epidural steroid injections. A common concern is that CT may be associated with significantly higher radiation doses compared with conventional fluoroscopy. The goal of this retrospective study was to determine the average dose-length product and effective dose delivered while interlaminar epidural steroid injections are performed and allow comparison with other modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 281 patients who had undergone 345 consecutive CT-guided epidural steroid injections of the lumbar spine were evaluated for radiation exposure. The dose-length product for each scan was derived from the CT dose index volume and scan length. Effective dose was then calculated from the dose-length product and a κ coefficient of 0.015. Procedure time was calculated from the PACS time stamp on the scout image to the last CT image of the last image series. RESULTS: The average dose-length product across all procedures was 89.6 ± 3.33 mGy·cm, which represents an effective dose of 1.34 ± 0.05 mSv. No complications from the procedure were observed, and average procedure time was 8 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a stationary table and an intermittent scanning technique allow for short procedures and doses that are significantly lower than those of conventional diagnostic CT scans. Furthermore, because CT dose index overestimates radiation dose in stationary table procedures, the actual radiation dose may be even lower than stated here.
Present Trends in Luminescence Research

The present trends in research on luminescence are discussed with regard to unusual materials, recent phenomena and applications. The principal emphasis appears to be on cooperative effects at high intensities of excitation. Complex associated defects are increasingly investigated. Luminescent properties of magnetic materials and of amorphous substances are being studied. In general, the research is becoming more sophisticated, both in concepts and techniques, but is also becoming more applied.
GEM, ANL 4-GeV CW Electron Microtron Design

A six-sided hexagonal microtron has been chosen as the accelerator to generate the beams required to pursue a national research program at a CW 4 GeV electron laboratory. This option has the advantage of superior beam quality, low capital and operating cost, and promise of furnishing beams of several electron energies simultaneously. Only moderate rf power is required because of the basic feature of all microtron designs, recirculation of the electron beam through the same rf accelerating section many times. The hexatron design has the additional feature of compatibility with an existing accelerator complex at Argonne which is currently unoccupied and available.
Group Influence and the Likelihood of a Unanimous Majority

Abstract The relationship of peer pressure and group size has often been reported as being a negatively accelerating function, with groups of 4 to 6 members producing maximal influence on single deviant minorities. This study was designed to investigate the possibility that this group size effect is related to pre-experimental subject awareness of the likelihood of encountering naturally occurring unanimous opposition. The likelihood of chance occurrence of a unanimous majority opinion with a single minority opinion was studied in groups of 3 to 9 U.S. college students responding to 35 topics of current social interest. Frequencies of occurrence of a unanimous majority opinion opposing a single minority opinion were plotted for the various group sizes and compared with empirical results for social influence and group size reported in the conformity literature. The similarity of present and past results suggested a possible relationship of pre-experimental subject variables to social influence outcomes.
Zinc Intake Is Associated with Lower Cadmium Burden in US Adults

Background: Cadmium is a toxic transition metal whose absorption and accumulation might depend on zinc intake. Objective: We sought to determine whether zinc intake and serum zinc would be inversely associated with cadmium exposure. Methods:This study used data from NHANES 2003–2012, from which there were 6678 and 6488 participants with urinary and blood cadmium data, respectively, and 1195 participants with serum zinc data. Mean blood and urinary cadmium were reported by quintiles of zinc intake and by the dose and duration of zinc supplement use. The associations between zinc intake from diet and supplements, serum zinc, and blood and urinary cadmiumwere determined using multiple regression. Analyses were adjusted for age, body mass index, race/ethnicity, gender, income-to-poverty ratio, education, smoking status, and mean intakes of energy, calcium, and iron. Results: Urinary cadmium concentrations were 0.04 mg/g creatinine lower among participants in the highest vs. lowest quintile of total zinc intake (P-trend = 0.0041). Zinc supplement dose and duration were inversely associated with blood cadmium (P = 0.0372) and serum zinc (P-trend = 0.0017), respectively. In adjusted regression models, a 10% increase in total zinc intake corresponded to a predicted decrease in blood cadmium of 0.42% (95% CI: 20.79%, 20.06%; P= 0.0260) and in urinary cadmium of 0.42% (95% CI: 20.81%, 20.04%; P = 0.0340). A 10% increase in serum zinc was associated with a predicted 1.99% (95% CI: 23.17%, 20.81%; P = 0.0012) decrease in blood cadmium and a predicted 4.09% (95% CI: 2.14%, 6.04%, P = 0.0001) increase in urinary cadmium. Conclusions: Dietary and serum zinc in US adults are associated with cadmium exposure, presumably by influencing the absorption and accumulation of cadmium. Whether the degree of reduction in cadmium exposure from greater zinc intake and status is causal or relevant from a public health perspective needs further investigation. JN utrdoi: 10.3945/jn.115.223099.
Effect of inapparent murine hepatitis virus infections on macrophages and host resistance.

Inapparent infections of mice with murine hepatitis virus (MHV) altered host resistance to experimental infection with a second virus, encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC), reduced the protective effects of exogeneously administered interferon against EMC infections, and it altered macrophage ectoenzyme phenotypes in two macrophage populations. Resident peritoneal macrophages from mice experimentally infected with one of two strains of MHV also demonstrated altered ectoenzyme phenotypes. These data demonstrate that inapparent infections with MHV alter several host resistance and macrophage parameters and directly demonstrate that effects of inapparent MHV infection on macrophage parameters can be reproduced experimentally.
New Evidence on the Green House Model of Nursing Home Care: Synthesis of Findings and Implications for Policy, Practice, and Research.

Objective To synthesize new findings from the THRIVE Research Collaborative (The Research Initiative Valuing Eldercare) related to the Green House (GH) model of nursing home care and broadly consider their implications. Data Sources Interviews and observations conducted in GH and comparison homes, Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments, Medicare data, and Online Survey, Certification and Reporting data. Study Design Critical integration and interpretation of findings based on primary data collected 2011–2014 in 28 GH homes (from 16 organizations), and 15 comparison nursing home units (from 8 organizations); and secondary data derived from 2005 to 2010 for 72 GH homes (from 15 organizations) and 223 comparison homes. Principal Findings Implementation of the GH model is inconsistent, sometimes differing from design. Among residents of GH homes, adoption lowers hospital readmissions, three MDS measures of poor quality, and Part A/hospice Medicare expenditures. Some evidence suggests the model is associated with lower direct care staff turnover. Conclusions Recommendations relate to assessing fidelity, monitoring quality, capitalizing opportunities to improve care, incorporating evidence-based practices, including primary care providers, supporting high-performance workforce practices, aligning Medicare financial incentives, promoting equity, informing broad culture change, and conducting future research.
The use of palliative sedation for intractable symptoms in a palliative care unit (PCU) in a comprehensive cancer center

8577 Background: There is wide variation in the frequency of reported use of palliative sedation (PS) to control intractable and refractory symptoms. Institutions have established policies for mida...
Clinicopathologic Study of Hematologic Malignancies Involving the Female Genital Tract and a Role of Additional Immunohistochemistry in Discriminating Between Primary and Secondary Cases

Introduction: Hematologic malignancies (HM) of the genital tract (GT), notably primary, are exceedingly unusual. Small biopsies often pose diagnostic challenges, especially in the absence of known HM. Methods: Twenty-seven cases of various HM diagnosed in the GT for the past 21 years were reviewed for clinicopathologic characteristics and divided into two groups: primary (localized without bone marrow involvement), and secondary (diagnosed in the …
Operational Planning and Scheduling

In the optimal power flow (OPF) problem the optimization process is static. The cost of production is an instantaneous function of demands. Since the load varies on a continuous basis with fairly predictable patterns, optimization over certain time ranges becomes necessary for some time-dependent functions. For the purposes of this chapter the focus will be on the unit commitment (UC) and hydrothermal coordination (HTC) problems. In both of these one is concerned with minimizing the cost of production over a specified time horizon (e.g., several days). This requires three basic tools: (a) an efficient dynamic optimization technique, (b) a good load forecast and (c) the ability to adjust for forecasting errors. In this chapter one deals with the first tool in its applications to the UC and HTC problems. Forecasting is dealt with later in this book. Adjustments for forecasting errors belongs to the domain of stochastic (or adaptic) control and is beyond the scope of this book.
Optical studies of drug-protein complexes. V. The interaction of phenylbutazone, flufenamic acid, and dicoumarol with acetylsalicylic acid-treated human serum albumin.

When acetylsalicylic acid is incubated at 37° with human serum albumin the protein is acetylated by the drug. Acetylation of human serum albumin by acetylsalicylic acid does not appear to cause any conformational changes, since the intrinsic optical activity of the protein is unaltered. However, the positive extrinsic Cotton effect generated at 287 mµ by the binding of phenylbutazone to human serum albumin increased in amplitude after the protein had been acetylated by acetylsalicylic acid. In contrast, the strong positive extrinsic circular dichroic band which appears at 296 mµ when flufenamic acid binds to human serum albumin decreased in amplitude when the protein was acetylated by acetylsalicylic acid, while the weaker negative band at 345 mµ was unchanged. Acetylsalicylic acid treatment of human serum albumin did not affect the strong negative extrinsic circular dichroic band at 305 mµ generated by the binding of dicoumarol. These results suggest that acetylation of human serum albumin by acetylsalicylic acid specifically modifies the binding sites for phenylbutazone and flufenamic acid. No change in the extrinsic optical activity of bound phenylbutazone or flufenamic acid was observed when acetylsalicylic acid was replaced by salicylic acid or by other acylating agents such as benzylpenicillin, benzylpenicillenic acid, and acetic anhydride. Equilibrium dialysis measurements showed that acetylation by acetylsalicylic acid also increased the affinity of human serum albumin for phenylbutazone but decreased its affinity for flufenamic acid. The affinity of the acetylsalicylic acid-treated human serum albumin for dicoumarol was the same as that of albumin incubated alone. Thus the plasma binding of phenylbutazone or flufenamic acid in a patient may be altered by the prior ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid.
Miscellaneous Notes on Economic Theory

This Part reproduces various notes or fragments which are of interest either intrinsically, or for the light they throw on Marshall’s thinking and its development. The notes fall into three groups and are presented in sections with the following headings (see the Table of Contents for a detailed listing): IV.2 Notes on other economists, c. 1868–81 IV.3 Pages from a mathematical notebook, c. 1867–72 IV.4 Miscellaneous notes on economic theory, c. 1873–87 IV.5 Fragments for the Principles Datings are approximate. The notes in Sections IV.2 and IV.3 have, to a considerable extent, the role of appendixes to Sections I.2 and II, whilst IV.5 is essentially an appendix to Section I.6. The notes in IV.4 have, however, considerable independent interest, as they show Marshall pioneering in hitherto unexpected areas in the process of dealing with questions of indirect taxation, economic growth and social welfare. We also find him developing original results on marginal-productivity theory.
Multiphoton Polarization Ratio as a Sensitive Indicator of Specific Intensity Effects

Direct observation of specific field-intensity effects in elementary processes has proven to be elusive. For example, in multiphoton ionization of low pressure noble gases, it has been found1 that the total transition probability retains its In° dependence up to very high intensity I, where no is the lowest multiphoton order in which ionization can occur. It had been expected that a logarithmic plot of transition probability W versus intensity would show a departure from the straight line behavior d (log W)/d (log I) = no at high intensity.
The Deep Blue Sea: Venus Loses Adonis

Rattigan continues his engagement with Shakespeare by using Venus and Adonis as the skeleton of his play The Deep Blue Sea, which may be summarized as a Racinian plot as follows: a woman tries to prevent her lover from leaving her; he leaves her. Shakespeare’s narcissistic Adonis has one obsession while Venus tries to keep him dallying with her: to be with his male comrades on the boar hunt. Rattigan translates Adonis into a carefree, nonreflective, self-absorbed ex-Royal Air Force pilot. Adonis is killed by the boar after he leaves Venus, and the play strongly suggests that Freddie, having taken a job in South America as a test pilot, will meet his doom that way because he’s too old and too much of a drinker to survive such a dangerous activity. Hester’s tragedy is Venus’s: “She’s Love, she loves, and yet she is not loved.” Hester, though, after two suicide attempts and with the help of an ex-doctor (an exile from polite society as Hester is), learns to live beyond hope—by giving herself over to the making of paintings and art. Rattigan makes this play one of his most personal statements about his tragic sense of life and what his art represented to him. The final scene where Hester says goodbye to Freddie is an apogee of Rattigan’s art of understatement: all stillness, low voices, resignation to unhappiness.
What CHF Trials have Shown to Date and What is Needed

Improving the situation for the growing number of CHF patients is a major and growing public health issue. It has been estimated that approximately 2 million Americans suffer from CHF (1). This number is likely to increase over the next decades with the improvement of the average life expectancy since the prevalence of CHF is highly associated with increased age. Moreover, advances in the medical treatment of arterial hypertension and myocardial infarction and the surgical treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease and congenital and valvular heart disease have life-saving potential. Many of these patients will ultimately develop CHF, a common endstage of most cardiovascular conditions.
Training student pharmacists to administer emergency pediatric influenza vaccine: A comparison of traditional vs. just-in-time training

Abstract Introduction This study compared traditional training (TT) and just-in-time training (JITT) of P3 student pharmacists regarding interest, confidence, and comfort pre- and post-training (primary objective); and assessment and administration competency (secondary objective) during a simulated influenza vaccination clinic. Methods Student pharmacists were randomized 1:1 to receive either TT or JITT, completed pre- and post-training surveys assessing interest, confidence and comfort; and evaluated on performance during a simulated emergency infant vaccination. An infant manikin simulated a child Results Pre-training interest was high and maintained post-training. Pre-training confidence and comfort levels were low and improved in both groups. Mean competency scores were comparable between the TT and JITT groups. Comparing groups, TT students more commonly missed proper injection site selection and care; while JITT missed distracting the infant and administration documentation. Discussion and conclusions JITT for student pharmacists to learn skills required to immunize infants elicits similar outcomes (interest, confidence, comfort, and administration competency) as TT for emergency pediatric influenza vaccination.
Injury-induced maladaptation and dysregulation of calcium channel α 2 δ subunit proteins and its contribution to neuropathic pain development.

Voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) play important roles in physiological functions including modulations of neurotransmitter release, neuronal network activities, intracellular signaling pathways, and gene expression. Some pathological conditions, including nerve injuries, can cause dysregulation of VGCCs and their subunits. This in turn can lead to functional maladaption of VGCCs and their subunits, which can contribute to development of disorders such as pain sensations. This review summarized recent findings related to maladaptive changes of dysregulated VGCC alpha-2-delta-1 subunit (Cavα2δ1) with a focus on exploration of mechanisms underlying contribution of Cavα2δ1 to pain signal transduction. At least under neuropathic pain conditions, dysregulated Cavα2δ1 can modulate VGCC functions as well as other plasticity changes. The latter includes abnormal excitatory synaptogenesis resulting from its interactions with injury-induced extracellular matrix glycoprotein molecule thrombospondins, which is independent from VGCC functions. Blocking Cavα2δ1 with gabapentinoids can reverse neuropathic pain significantly with relatively mild side effects, but only in a small population of neuropathic pain patients due to reasons yet to be explored. Emerging data suggest that early preventive treatment with gabapentinoids can prevent aberrant excitatory synapse formation and pain state development. After further clinical validation, this could be an attractive approach for neuropathic pain management.
Naloxone use among overdose prevention trainees in New York City: A longitudinal cohort study.

Abstract Background Providing naloxone to laypersons who are likely to witness an opioid overdose is now a widespread public health response to the national opioid overdose epidemic. Estimating the proportion of individuals who use naloxone can define its potential impact to reduce overdose deaths at a population level. We determined the proportion of study participants who used naloxone within 12 months following training and factors associated with witnessing overdose and naloxone use. Methods We conducted a prospective, observational study of individuals completing overdose prevention training (OPT) between June and September 2013. Participants were recruited from New York City's six largest overdose prevention programs, all operated by syringe exchange programs. Questionnaires were administered at four time points over 12 months. Main outcomes were witnessing or experiencing overdose, and naloxone administration. Results Of 675 individuals completing OPT, 429 (64%) were approached and 351 (52%) were enrolled. Overall, 299 (85%) study participants completed at least one follow-up survey; 128 (36%) witnessed at least one overdose. Of 312 witnessed opioid overdoses, naloxone was administered in 241 events (77%); 188 (60%) by the OPT study participant. Eighty-six (25%) study participants administered naloxone at least once. Over one third of study participants (30, 35%) used naloxone 6 or more months after training. Conclusions Witnessing an overdose and naloxone use was common among this study cohort of OPT trainees. Training individuals at high risk for witnessing overdoses may reduce opioid overdose mortality at a population level if sufficient numbers of potential responders are equipped with naloxone.
Biology of Satellites

Abstract Satellite viruses and satellite nucleic acids depend on their helper viruses for replication and other essential functions, but are dispensable for the virus infectious cycle. Satellites may influence the host range and the transmission of the helper virus, and by adaptation to different helpers, they may induce the outbreak of new devastating diseases. The most attractive feature of satellites stands in their ability to alter helper virus-induced symptoms, either attenuating them, or exacerbating the disease caused by the helper virus alone. In addition, some satellites may produce new symptoms, different from those incited by the cognate virus. In the relationship between satellites and their helper viruses, host plants play a major role in the elicitation of diseases.
Coming technical advances in radiation oncology

Zusammenfassung Ziel: Dieser Artikel soll eine Ubersicht uber die technisch bedingten Grenzen der Wirksamkeit gegenwartiger Radiotherapie (RT) sowie eine Einschatzung der Moglichkeiten neuer Technologien geben. Methoden und Materialien: Dieser Artikel beurteilt generell die Wirksamkeit der gegenwartigen Radiotherapie (RT) sowie zukunftigen Strategien zu deren Verbesserung. Er liefert eine historische Darstellung der technischen Entwicklungen, Argumente fur eine weitere Reduktion des Bestrahlungsvolumens und unterstreicht die Bedeutung einer genauen Definition des Nicht-Zielgewebes und seines Aus-schlusses vom Behandlungsvolumen. Die grundlegenden Fakten fur das Interesse an der Protonenstrahl-RT werden dargelegt und die relativen Dosisverteilungen der intensitatsmodulierten Radiotherapie (IMRT) und der intensitatsmodulierten Protonen-RT (IMPT) diskutiert. Die Entdeckung des Protons und der erste Vorschlag zur Anwendung von Protonen in der RT werden vorgestellt. Dem folgt ein kurzer Abriss der klinischen Studien zur Protonen-RT. Es werden die voraussichtlichen technischen Entwicklungen besprochen, die sich in die fortgeschrittene Protonen-RT integrieren lassen, insbesondere die vierdimensionale Bestrahlungsplanung und -durchfuhrung. Abschliesend wird die Kostensteigerung durch einige dieser Entwicklungen diskutiert. Ergebnisse: Fur die definitive RT werden die Dosislimite durch die Toleranz von Normalgewebe bestimmt, das an das Zielvolumen angrenzt oder ihm nahe liegt. Bildfusion von CT, MRI, Positron-Emissionstomografie, Magnetresonanz-Spektroskopie-Bildgebung und anderen Untersuchungsmethoden wird zu einer verbesserten Definition der Grenzen des Zielvolumens fuhren. Es ist wahrscheinlich, dass die Protonenbestrahlung die Photonenbestrahlung aufgrund ihrer physikalischen Eigenschaften ablosen wird. Denn fur jede Einstrahlrichtung ist die Dosis hinter dem Zielvolumen praktisch Null, im Zielvolumen homogen und vor dem Zielvolumen niedriger. Wie bei der Photonentherapie konnen auch fur die Protonentherapie mehrere Felder, unterschiedliche Einstrahlwinkel, nicht-koplanare Feldanordnungen, dynamische sowie statische Techniken und Intensitatsmodulation eingesetzt werden. Die Genauigkeit der ortlichen Abgrenzung des Zielvolumens wird in Zukunft deutlich verbessert werden konnen, und es wird moglich sein das Zielvolumen relativ zum Strahlenfeld und unabhangig von seiner Bewegung zwischen und wahrend der Dosisfraktionen zu positionieren. Dabei werden die Kosten der Protonen-RT nur geringfugig uber denen einer vergleichbar hochtechnisierten Photonentherapie liegen. Schlussfolgerung: Offensichtlich erlebt die RT-Technologie bezuglich der Bestrahlungsplanung und deren Durchfuhrung eine Phase intensiven und schnellen technischen Fortschritts. Es ist abzusehen, dass die radikale RT sich zu einer Protonenstrahl-Technologie entwickeln und die Bestrahlung vierdimensional durchgefuhrt werden wird (die vierte Dimension ist die Zeit). Die Folge wird sein, dass die Tumorkontrollwahrscheinlichkeit steigt und gleichzeitig die Haufigkeit und Schwere der bestrahlungsbedingten Morbiditat sinken.
Mycobacterium abscessus disease in lung transplant recipients: Diagnosis and management.

Abstract Mycobacterium abscessus complex ( MAbsC ) disease in lung transplant recipients is increasingly being recognized as an important cause of graft function decline and suboptimal outcomes. Lung transplant recipients appear to be at the highest risk of MAbsC among solid organ transplant recipients, as they have more intense immunosuppression, and the organisms preferentially inhabit the lungs. MAbsC is the most resistant species of rapidly growing mycobacteria and difficult to treat, causing considerable mortality and morbidity in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Herein we describe the risk factors, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostics, and treatment strategies of MAbsC in lung transplant candidates and recipients.
HIV care initiation: A teachable moment for smoking cessation?

Introduction Tobacco use among persons living with HIV represents an important risk factor for poor treatment outcomes, morbidity, and mortality. Thus, efforts designed to inform the development of appropriate smoking cessation programs for this population remains a public health priority. To address this need, a study was conducted to longitudinally assess the relationship between intention to quit smoking and cessation over the 12-month period following initiation of HIV care. Methods Patients initiating HIV care at a large inner city safety net clinic were enrolled (n = 378) in a 12-month prospective study. Audio computer-assisted self-interviews were conducted at baseline, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-enrollment, and HIV-related clinical data were collected from participants' electronic medical records. Variables of interest included intention to quit smoking, 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence (biochemically verified), and stage of HIV. Data were collected in Houston, Texas from 2009 to 2015. Results The sample was 75% male and 62% Black. Findings indicated that intention to quit smoking increased between baseline and 3 months, and subsequently trended downward from 3 to 12 months. Results from linear and generalized linear mixed models indicated that participants with advanced HIV disease (vs. not advanced) reported significantly (p < .05) higher intention to quit smoking at 3, 6, and 12 months post-study enrollment. A similar though nonsignificant pattern was observed in the smoking abstinence outcome. Conclusions HIV treatment initiation appears to be associated with increases in intention to quit smoking thus serves as a potential teachable moment for smoking cessation intervention. Implications This study documents significant increases in intention to quit smoking in the 3-month period following HIV care initiation. Moreover, quit intention trended downward following the 3-month follow-up until the 12-month follow-up. In addition, a marked effect for HIV disease stage was observed, whereby participants with advanced HIV disease (vs. those without) experienced a greater increase in intention to quit. HIV treatment initiation appears to be associated with increases in intention to quit smoking, thus serves as a crucial teachable moment for smoking cessation intervention for people living with HIV.
Family Farmers’ Cooperative from Ibiúna, São Paulo State, Brazil: An Example of Social Capital as a Driver for Ecological Sustainability Change

It has been argued over the years that sustainable agriculture must encompass the “triple bottom line” framework towards a more sustainable bioeconomy. However, much emphasis has been placed on the ecological component (“planet”) of the trifecta, neglecting the economical (“profit”) and social (“people”) dimensions, especially in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. This transition from traditional agriculture to a more sustainable system has excluded family and small farmers, which make up more than 50% of total farmers in Brazil. Social capital literature brings us some insights about how to enable these excluded farmers to more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Empowerment and participation of local farmers have been proven themselves to be powerful strategies for building the social and economical dimensions of family farmers, equipping them to engage in more ecologically sustainable agricultural practices. This paper shows a practical initiative of a group of family farmers in Ibiuna, Sao Paulo, Brazil, that were empowered and became successful in their activities toward a more sustainable agriculture path, and, ultimately, leading to a more sustainable bioeconomy future in their region.
Evaluation of floor cooling on lactating sows under mild and moderate heat stress

ABSTRACT The effectiveness of sow cooling pads during lactation was evaluated under mild and moderate heat stress conditions. The moderate heat stress room was targeted to achieve 32°C from 0800 to 1600 h and 27°C for the rest of the day. The mild heat stress room was targeted to achieve 27 and 22°C for the same periods, respectively. Sows received a constant cool water flow of 0.00 (CON, n = 9), 0.25 (LWF, n = 12), or 0.50 (HWF, n = 10) L/min. Respiration rates, rectal temperatures, and skin temperatures were recorded every day (0700 and 1500 h) from the second day in the farrowing room to weaning. The respiration rates of CON sows were 23, 56, 41, and 89 breaths/min, of LWF sows were 21, 24, 29, and 41 breaths/min, and of HWF sows were 18, 20, 24, and 27 breaths/min, and respiration rate increased (P
The Role of Management Talent in the Production of Informative Regulatory Filings

This study examines the extent to which managerial talent plays a role in shaping the clarity of regulated financial disclosures and a firm’s information environment. Consistent with the notion that clear thinking leads to clear writing, we find more able management teams produce clearer and more concise financial filings. Additional analyses provide evidence that the association is distinct from the impact of overall performance on clearer writing. Further, mediation (path) analyses reveal that talented management teams positively impact the post-filing information environment (i.e., lower analyst forecast errors and dispersion) through clearer writing. Lastly, we find that the positive influence of management talent on financial filing readability is decreasing in the management team’s insider selling incentives. Overall, this study highlights how an essential managerial characteristic, talent, shapes the informativeness of regulatory filings.
Chapter II.6 – Cell-Synthetic Surface Interactions

Publisher Summary Both animal and microbial cell adhesions are viewed as a two-stage process. In bacterial adhesion, cells initially exhibit Brownian motion, as they are deposited near a surface. Cell adhesion is an important phenomenon in a wide variety of biological processes, including platelet deposition at sites of vascular injury, recruitment of neutrophils and monocytes at inflammatory or infectious sites, and metastasis of cancer cells. Cell adhesion plays a significant role in tissue and organ formation and in the generation of traction for the migration of cells and is important in determining the biocompatibility of synthetic implant materials. The adhesion of microbial cells to surfaces is believed to be a crucial step in the pathogenesis of device-centered infections. This chapter discusses the mechanisms for adhesion of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, as well as the principles governing protein adsorption and the subsequent influence on cellular interactions with surfaces. Strategies for surface modification of synthetic materials are addressed, such as the grafting of adhesion peptides or other molecules designed to promote or inhibit the adsorption of specific proteins and cells.
Pharmacotherapeutic strategies for treating pancreatic cancer: advances and challenges

Introduction: Despite many efforts to improve the outcome of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), its prognosis remains poor, which is mostly related to late diagnosis and drug resistance. Impr...
The etiology, diagnosis, and management of hyperhidrosis: A comprehensive review: Therapeutic options

Hyperhidrosis (HH) is a chronic disorder of excess sweat production that may have a significant adverse effect on quality of life. A variety of treatment modalities currently exist to manage HH. Initial treatment includes lifestyle and behavioral recommendations. Antiperspirants are regarded as the first-line therapy for primary focal HH and can provide significant benefit. Iontophoresis is the primary remedy for palmar and plantar HH. Botulinum toxin injections are administered at the dermal-subcutaneous junction and serve as a safe and effective treatment option for focal HH. Oral systemic agents are reserved for treatment-resistant cases or for generalized HH. Energy-delivering devices such as lasers, ultrasound technology, microwave thermolysis, and fractional microneedle radiofrequency may also be utilized to reduce focal sweating. Surgery may be considered when more conservative treatments have failed. Local surgical techniques, particularly for axillary HH, include excision, curettage, liposuction, or a combination of these techniques. Sympathectomy is the treatment of last resort when conservative treatments are unsuccessful or intolerable, and after accepting secondary compensatory HH as a potential complication. A review of treatment modalities for HH and a sequenced approach are presented.
TIGIT signaling restores suppressor function of Th1 Tregs

Th1 Tregs are characterized by the acquisition of proinflammatory cytokine secretion and reduced suppressor activity. Th1 Tregs are found at increased frequency in autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS). We have previously reported that in vitro stimulation with IL-12 recapitulates the functional and molecular features of MS-associated Th1 Tregs, revealing a central role for hyperactivation of the Akt pathway in their induction. TIGIT is a newly identified coinhibitory receptor that marks Tregs that specifically control Th1 and Th17 responses. Here, we report that signaling through TIGIT counteracts the action of IL-12 in inducing the Th1 program. Specifically, TIGIT signaling represses production of IFN-γ and T-bet expression and restores suppressor function in Tregs treated with IL-12. FoxO1 functional inhibition abolishes the protective effect of TIGIT, indicating that TIGIT signaling promotes FoxO1 nuclear localization. Consistent with this observation, signaling through TIGIT leads to a rapid suppression of Akt function and FoxO1 phosphorylation. Finally, TIGIT stimulation reduces the production of IFN-γ and corrects the suppressor defect of Tregs from patients with MS. Our results indicate an important role for TIGIT in controlling the functional stability of Tregs through repression of Akt, suggesting that the TIGIT pathway could be targeted for immunomodulatory therapies in human autoimmune disorders.
Clonally expanded alpha-chain T-cell receptor (TCR) transcripts are present in aneurysmal lesions of patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening immunological disease responsible for 1 to 2% of all deaths in 65 year old or older individuals. Although mononuclear cell infiltrates have been demonstrated in AAA lesions and autoimmunity may be responsible for the initiation and account for the propagation of the disease, the information available about the pathogenesis of AAA is limited. To examine whether AAA lesions from patients with AAA contain clonally expanded α-chain TCR transcripts, we amplified by the non-palindromic adaptor-PCR (NPA-PCR)/Vα-specific PCR and/or the Vα-specific PCR these α-chain TCR transcripts. The amplified transcripts were cloned and sequenced. Substantial proportions of identical α-chain TCR transcripts were identified in AAA lesions of 4 of 5 patients, demonstrating that clonally expanded T cells are present in these AAA lesions. These results were statistically significant by the bimodal distribution. Three of 5 of these patients were typed by DNA-based HLA-typing and all three expressed DRB1 alleles containing the DRβGln70 amino acid residue that has been demonstrated to be associated with AAA. All three patients exhibited clonally expanded T cells in AAA lesions. Four of the 5 patients with AAA who exhibited clonal expansions of α-chain TCR transcripts, also exhibited clonal expansions of β-chain TCR transcripts in AAA lesions, as we have demonstrated previously (J Immunol 192:4897, 2014). αβ TCR-expressing T cells infiltrating AAA lesions contain T-cell clones which have undergone proliferation and clonal expansion in vivo in response to as yet unidentified specific antigens that may be self or nonself. These results provide additional evidence supporting the hypothesis that AAA is a specific antigen-driven T-cell autoimmune disease.
Demand Shocks and Resource Allocation in Innovation: Evidence from the Pharmaceutical Industry

This paper explores how firms respond strategically to shocks in expected demand. While past research suggests that firms create more products for a market as that segment increases, the way in whi...