cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatio–Temporal Reconstruction of Bilateral Auditory Steady-State Responses Using MEG Beamformers

A rapidly growing number of neuromagnetic studies focus on the analysis of auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) in relation to a diverse array of factors including age, selective attention, and presence of psychopathology. The objectives of these studies require accurate spatio-temporal estimation of the underlying neural generators, a challenging task due to the relatively low signal strength and high correlation between bilateral auditory cortical sources. This paper evaluates the performance of two beamforming schemes that can potentially overcome such difficulties: 1) the linearly constrained minimum variance beamformer with partial sensor coverage (LCMV-PSC), and 2) the multiple constrained minimum-variance beamformer with coherent source region suppression (MCMV-CSRS). Simulation experiments are conducted to assess the impact of source parameters on the reconstruction accuracy. The results indicate that the LCMV-PSC method is prone to localization errors that essentially occur along medio-lateral directions, increase with source depth, and are associated to amplitude and phase distortions of the estimated time courses of activity. Comparatively, the MCMV-CSRS method exhibits precise localization and minimal amplitude and phase distortion for a broad range of relative interferer's positions within the suppression region. The results from the numerical experiments are validated on real magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data collected from a 40-Hz ASSR paradigm.
Introductory discussion and comments on the four papers by Charles H. Lee, George Hardman and Cruz Venstrom, P. B. Rowe, and J. Bjerknes

These four papers, of such wide range and significance, present important aspects of rainfall and runoff and go back to the fundamentals of various hydrologic problems of the Sierra Nevada and Southern California mountains. They should provoke lively discussion. Mr. Lee, active for many years in the accumulation and analysis of the precipitation-records, at previous meetings has given us progress-reports on this work. His tabulations show that the runoff for the San Joaquin River in 1881–82 was equal to the precipitation and in 1910–11 was slightly greater. This appears to indicate a building up of soil-moisture and snow during wet years and the possibility of an appreciable carry-over of precipitation-runoff from wet to dry years. Important also, it seems to me, is the showing of the possibility of estimating the available water that might be expected from the Sierra Nevada during wet and dry periods and the amount of water to be handled in time of flood-years. Such estimates are essential in watershed-management which must be directed in large part toward finding ways and means of saving water in years of abundance for use during years of deficiency.
Bedside chest radiography.

Bedside chest radiography is one of the most frequently performed radiologic examinations, yet it is the examination with the most variation in image quality. The need to improve the quality of this examination has long been recognized, but it is a difficult problem to solve. Critically ill patients must undergo bedside chest radiography almost daily. These examinations are useful 76%-94% of the time. A national survey revealed that there is a wide variation in the methods used to perform bedside chest radiography, indicating that there is no excellent preferred technique. The reduced image quality is due to scatter radiation. The scatter fraction is about 0.95 in the mediastinum and is about 0.66 in the lung. When grids are used, the image quality is improved; acceptance has been slow, however, because the grid is frequently misaligned. Storage phosphor imaging/computed radiography with grids is a technology improvement that almost completely solves this problem. Radiologists should be sure to optimize t...
Slice Normalized Dynamic Markov Logic Networks

Markov logic is a widely used tool in statistical relational learning, which uses a weighted first-order logic knowledge base to specify a Markov random field (MRF) or a conditional random field (CRF). In many applications, a Markov logic network (MLN) is trained in one domain, but used in a different one. This paper focuses on dynamic Markov logic networks, where the size of the discretized time-domain typically varies between training and testing. It has been previously pointed out that the marginal probabilities of truth assignments to ground atoms can change if one extends or reduces the domains of predicates in an MLN. We show that in addition to this problem, the standard way of unrolling a Markov logic theory into a MRF may result in time-inhomogeneity of the underlying Markov chain. Furthermore, even if these representational problems are not significant for a given domain, we show that the more practical problem of generating samples in a sequential conditional random field for the next slice relying on the samples from the previous slice has high computational cost in the general case, due to the need to estimate a normalization factor for each sample. We propose a new discriminative model, slice normalized dynamic Markov logic networks (SN-DMLN), that suffers from none of these issues. It supports efficient online inference, and can directly model influences between variables within a time slice that do not have a causal direction, in contrast with fully directed models (e.g., DBNs). Experimental results show an improvement in accuracy over previous approaches to online inference in dynamic Markov logic networks.
High-dose cyclophosphamide–irinotecan–vincristine for primary refractory neuroblastoma

Abstract Background We used a novel regimen for neuroblastoma (NB) that had responded inadequately to standard chemotherapy which now includes topotecan in induction or second-line therapy. Patients and methods We retrospectively studied 38 patients who received one or two courses of high-dose cyclophosphamide (140 mg/kg)-irinotecan (CPT-11) (250 mg/m2)-vincristine (HD-CCV) as treatment for NB that had responded incompletely to induction but had never progressed. Treatment was outpatient and was preceded and followed by extent-of-disease and toxicity evaluations because the patients were being considered for enrolment on formal protocols. Progression-free survival (PFS) was calculated from day 1 of HD-CCV. Results Common toxicities were grade 4 myelosuppression and grade 2 diarrhoea. Responses – 5 complete (CR), 3 partial (PR), 4 mixed (MR) – occurred in 12/28 (43%) patients treated ⩽9 months, and in 1/10 (10%) patients treated >10 months, from diagnosis. HD-CCV was the initial salvage regimen after topotecan-containing induction in 5 patients, achieving 1 CR, 1 MR and 3 stable disease (NR). HD-CCV produced responses (2 PR, 3 MR) in all 5 patients previously treated with CPT-11/ temozolomide. In contrast, all 6 patients treated post-HD-CCV with CPT-11/temozolomide had NR to the latter. Post-HD-CCV treatments included immunotherapy, targeted radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. PFS was 64% (±8%) at 24 months, with 20 patients progression-free at 2+-to-36+ (median 16+) months and 10 in first CR at 9+-to-36+ (median 16+) months. Conclusions HD-CCV offers a treatment option against topotecan-resistant NB. Results support the concept that combining CPT-11 with very high doses of alkylators can yield greater antitumour effect.
Nurture versus Nature: The Microenvironment in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Intrinsic factors such as genetic lesions, anti-apoptotic proteins, and aberrant signaling networks within leukemia cells have long been the main focus of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) research. However, over the past decade, it became increasingly clear that external signals from the leukemia microenvironment make pivotal contributions to disease progression in CLL and other B-cell malignancies. Consequently, increasing emphasis is now placed on exploring and targeting the CLL microenvironment. This review highlights critical cellular and molecular pathways of CLL-microenvironment cross-talk. In vitro and in vivo models for studying the CLL microenvironment are discussed, along with their use in searching for therapeutic targets and in drug testing. Clinically, CXCR4 antagonists and small-molecule antagonists of B cell receptor (BCR)-associated kinases (spleen tyrosine kinase [Syk], Bruton's tyrosine kinase [Btk], and PI3Kδ) are the most advanced drugs for targeting specific interactions between CLL cells and the miocroenvironment. Preclinical and first clinical evidence suggests that high-risk CLL patients can particularly benefit from these alternative agents. These findings indicate that interplay between leukemia-inherent and environmental factors, nature and nurture determines disease progression in CLL.
Robust stability of systems with multi-structured uncertainties

Abstract A sufficient condition for the robust stability of systems with structured uncertainty is derived. At the same time, the upper bounds measured by H-infinity norm for the sensitivity function and the closed-loop transfer function of the system are given. This offers a way to deal with the robust stability of the system with multi-structured uncertainties, as shown in the given example.
Autophagy in response to photodynamic therapy: cell survival vs. cell death

Autophagy (or more properly, macroautophagy) is a pathway whereby damaged organelles or other cell components are encased in a double membrane, the autophagosome, which fuses with lysosomes for digestion by lysosomal hydrolases. This process can promote cell survival by removing damaged organelles, but when damage is extensive, it can also be a mechanism of cell death. Similar to the Kessel and Agostinis laboratories, we have reported the vigorous induction of autophagy by PDT; this was found in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells whether or not they were able to efficiently induce apoptosis. One way to evaluate the role of autophagy in PDT-treated cells is to silence one of the essential genes in the pathway. Kessel and Reiners silenced the Atg7 gene of murine leukemia L1210 cells using inhibitory RNA and found sensitization to PDT-induced cell death at a low dose of PDT, implying that autophagy is protective when PDT damage is modest. We have examined the role of autophagy in an epithelium-derived cancer cell by comparing parental and Atg7-silenced MCF-7 cells to varying doses of PDT with the phthalocyanine photosensitizer Pc 4. In contrast to L1210 cells, autophagy-deficient MCF-7 cells were more resistant to the lethal effects of PDT, as judged by clonogenic assays. A possible explanation for the difference in outcome for L1210 vs. MCF-7 cells is the greatly reduced ability of the latter to undergo apoptosis, a deficiency that may convert autophagy into a cell-death process even at low PDT doses. Experiments to investigate the mechanism(s) responsible are in process.
Twisting and Bending of Biological Beams: Distribution of Biological Beams in a Stiffness Mechanospace

Most biological beams bend and twist relatively easily compared to human-made structures. This paper investigates flexibility in 57 diverse biological beams in an effort to identify common patterns in the relationship between flexural stiffness and torsional stiffness. The patterns are investigated by mapping both ideal and biological beams into a mechanospace defined by flexural and torsional stiffness. The distribution of biological beams is not random, but is generally limited to particular regions of the mechanospace. Biological beams that are stiff in bending are stiff in torsion, while those that bend easily also twist easily. Unoccupied regions of the mechanospace represent rare combinations of mechanical properties, without proving that they are impossible. The mechanical properties of biological beams closely resemble theoretical expectations for ideal beams. Both distributions are potentially being driven by the interdependence of the material and structural properties determining stiffness. The mechanospace can be used as a broadly comparative tool to highlight systems that fall outside the general pattern observed in this study. These outlying beams may be of particular interest to both biologists and engineers due to either material or structural innovations.
Autonomic nervous system activity during myocardial ischemia in man estimated by power spectral analysis of heart period variability

Abstract Ambulatory patients with coronary artery disease exhibit a nearly universal increase in heart rate during episodes of ST depression. 1 The cause of the increase in heart rate presumably represents an increase in sympathetic nervous activity, a decrease in parasympathetic nervous activity, or both. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the cause of increased heart rate during ambulatory ischemic episodes using power spectral analysis of normal RR intervals. An increase in sympathetic nervous activity causes an increase in low frequency power and an increase in the low to high frequency ratio. A decrease in parasympathetic nervous activity causes a decrease in both low and high frequency power, that is, no change or a decrease in the low to high frequency ratio.
Cryoprotective effects of thermal hysteresis protein on survivorship of frozen gut cells from the freeze‐tolerant centipede Lithobius forficatus

Thermal hysteresis proteins (THPs), which depress the freezing point of water by a non-colligative process, are common in freeze-avoiding polar marine fish and terrestrial arthropods where they function as antifreezes. However, some freeze-tolerant arthropods and plants also produce THPs in winter, raising the question of whether these proteins are involved in the abilities of these organisms to survive the freezing of their extracellular fluids. The centipede Lithobius forficatus is one of these freeze-tolerant, THP-producing organisms. Cells isolated from the midgut of both winter- and summer-collected L. forficatus were frozen at various temperatures, either with or without the addition of THPs purified from the beetle Dendroides canadensis, and the survival of the cells was evaluated. The presence of THPs (0.02 mg/ml) in the bathing medium produced a statistically significant increase in cell survival, indicating a cryoprotective function for the THPs. The LT50 (temperature of 50% survival) of cells for summer centipedes was shifted from −8.2°C to −15.0°C, and that of cells of winter centipedes was shifted from −12.1°C to −15.1°C by addition of THPs. Also, cells from summer-collected centipedes which had been incubated in media containing THPs and then washed in buffer without THPs to remove the protein from the media prior to freezing demonstrated significantly increased survivorship after freezing (LT50 = −14.5). Immunofluorescence studies of these cells indicated that the THPs were present in the cells and/or on the cell membrane. The presence of THPs in the medium also provided some protection to cells frozen under conditions designed to promote the potentially damaging process of recrystallization. (THPs are well known for their ability to inhibit recrystallization.) Therefore, THPs do appear to function as a component in the suite of adaptations which permit freeze tolerance in L. forficatus. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Investigation of Molten/Oxidized Aluminum Powder Deposition on Stainless Steel 304

Accidents involving solid propellants containing aluminum can be difficult to model due to the additional heat transfer from molten aluminum or aluminum combustion and impingement/deposition of oxide on target objects. A series of tests has been carried out using a commercially available oxy-acetylene torch and powder feeder to investigate the effects of molten/oxidized aluminum on stainless steel 304 substrates. SEM and EDS have been used to determine diffusion/interaction of aluminum with the stainless steel and characterize the constituents of the resulting interfacial layers. These techniques indicated that at the test conditions, aluminum was undetectably oxidized before it deposited on the substrate surface. However, temperature data from thermocouples attached to backside of each substrate detected an increased heat flux to the substrate when aluminum is introduced into the flame spray. Results also indicate that the boundary layers of the aluminum and stainless steel were well defined implying that little diffusion or solution of the aluminum with the stainless steel occurred.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
SHARK: Architectural support for autonomic protection against stealth by rootkit exploits

Rootkits have become a growing concern in cyber-security. Typically, they exploit kernel vulnerabilities to gain root privileges of a system and conceal malwarepsilas activities from users and system administrators without any authorization. Once infected, these malware applications will operate completely in stealth, leaving no trace for administrators and anti-malware tools. Current anti-rootkit solutions try to either strengthen the kernel by removing known vulnerabilities or develop software tools at the OS or virtual machine monitor levels to monitor the integrity of the kernel. Seeing the failure of these software techniques, we propose, in this paper, an autonomic architecture called SHARK, or secure hardware support against rootkit by employing hardware support to provide system-level security without trusting the software stack, including the OS kernel. SHARK enhances the relationship between the OS and the hardware architecture, making the entire system more security-aware in defending rootkits. SHARK proposes new architectural support to provide a secure association between each software context and the underlying hardware. It helps system administrators to obtain feedback directly from the hardware to reveal all running processes, even when the OS kernel is compromised. We emulated the functionality of SHARK by using x86 Bochs and modifying the Linux kernel version 2.6.16.33 based on our proposed architectural extension. Several real rootkits were installed to compromise the kernel and conceal malware processes on our emulated environment. SHARK is shown to be highly effective in identifying a variety of rootkits employing different software schemes. In addition, the performance analysis based on our Simics simulations shows a negligible overhead, making the SHARK architecture highly practical.
The Biosynthesis of Cell Wall Lipopolysaccharide in Escherichia coli VII. CHARACTERIZATION OF HETEROGENEOUS "CORE" OLIGOSACCHARIDE STRUCTURES

The core portion of the cell wall lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli J-5, an UDP-Gal epimerase-less mutant of E. coli 0111:B4, was subjected to detailed structural analysis. Lipopolysaccharide was isolated from cell envelope preparations by extraction with hot aqueous phenol followed by ultracentrifugation of the aqueous phase. Mild acid (pH 3.5) hydrolysis of lipopolysaccharide yielded a mixture of phosphorylated core oligosaccharides which were dephosphorylated by treatment with hydrofluoric acid at 0°. The mixture of dephosphorylated core oligosaccharides was resolved by paper chromatography, paper electrophoresis, and ion exchange chromatography into three components, designated A, B and C. Each of the oligosaccharides was shown to possess a single titratable carboxyl group and a single terminal reducing 3-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonate (KDO) residue. Analyses indicated the following molar ratios of constituents: A, glucose, heptose, glucosamine, and KDO (2:2:1:1); B, glucose, heptose, and KDO (1:3:1); and C, glucose, heptose, and KDO (1:2:1). The presence of unsubstituted glucosamine in A was confirmed by formation and subsequent isolation of dinitrophenylated glucosamine after treatment of the oligosaccharide with dinitrofluorobenzene and by demonstration of a titratable, free amino group in the polymer. The hexosamine isolated from A by hydrolysis was shown to be glucosamine by degradation to arabinose with ninhydrin. Linkage of the glucosamine moiety to heptose was established by isolation and characterization of glucosaminyl-heptose by controlled hydrolysis of A. Oligosaccharides A and C were characterized structurally by Smith degradation and specific enzymatic and chemical techniques as follows: [see PDF for equation] Because of uncertainty regarding the homogeneity of oligosaccharide B, its detailed structure was not determined unequivocally although it is tentatively proposed to be identical to oligosaccharide C except for a third heptose moiety substituting the heptose linked to KDO at position 6 or 7. Using cell envelope particulate fractions as a source of galactosyl transferase, it was demonstrated that [14C]galactose is incorporated into core oligosaccharides A and C with identical efficiency whereas no detectable quantity of galactose was incorporated into the B structure. The galactosyltransferase system exclusively transfers galactose residues from UDP-galactose to terminal nonreducing glucose residues of oligosaccharides A and C.
The Most Metal-Poor Stars in the Galaxy

The most metal-poor stars provide important constraints on a number of problems, including the modeling of the early stages of galaxy assembly, the nature of first stars and the reionization. I present here numerical results on the distribution of metal-poor stars in stellar halos formed in a ΛCDM cosmology. I then discuss the results in light of current observational data of very metal-poor stars in the halos of Milky Way, Andromeda and neighboring dwarf galaxies.
THE MECHANISM BY WHICH TRIVALENT AND TETRAVALENT IONS PRODUCE AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE ON ISOELECTRIC PROTEIN.

1. Experiments on anomalous osmosis suggested that salts with trivalent cations, e.g. LaCl3, caused isoelectric gelatin to be positively charged, and salts with tetravalent anions, e.g. Na4Fe(CN)6, caused isoelectric gelatin to be negatively charged. In this paper direct measurements of the P.D. between gels of isoelectric gelatin and an aqueous solution as well as between solutions of isoelectric gelatin in a collodion bag and an aqueous solution are published which show that this suggestion was correct. 2. Experiments on anomalous osmosis suggested that salts like MgCl2, CaCl2, NaCl, LiCl, or Na2SO4 produce no charge on isoelectric gelatin and it is shown in this paper that direct measurements of the P.D. support this suggestion. 3. The question arose as to the nature of the mechanism by which trivalent and tetravalent ions cause the charge of isoelectric proteins. It is shown that salts with such ions act on isoelectric gelatin in a way similar to that in which acids or alkalies act, inasmuch as in low concentrations the positive charge of isoelectric gelatin increases with the concentration of the LaCl3 solution until a maximum is reached at a concentration of LaCl3 of about M/8,000; from then on a further increase in the concentration of LaCl3 diminishes the charge again. It is shown that the same is true for the action of Na4Fe(CN)6. From this it is inferred that the charge of the isoelectric gelatin under the influence of LaCl3 and Na4Fe(CN)6 at the isoelectric point is due to an ionization of the isoelectric protein by the trivalent or tetravalent ions. 4. This ionization might be due to a change of the pH of the solution, but experiments are reported which show that in addition to this influence on pH, LaCl3 causes an ionization of the protein in some other way, possibly by the formation of a complex cation, gelatin-La. Na4Fe(CN)6 might probably cause the formation of a complex anion of the type gelatin-Fe(CN)6. Isoelectric gelatin seems not to form such compounds with Ca, Na, Cl, or SO4. 5. Solutions of LaCl3 and Na4Fe(CN)6 influence the osmotic pressure of solutions of isoelectric gelatin in a similar way as they influence the P.D., inasmuch as in lower concentrations they raise the osmotic pressure of the gelatin solution until a maximum is reached at a concentration of about M/2,048 LaCl3 and M/4,096 Na4Fe(CN)6. A further increase of the concentration of the salt depresses the osmotic pressure again. NaCl, LiCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, and Na2SO4 do not act in this way. 6. Solutions of LaCl3 have only a depressing effect on the P.D. and osmotic pressure of gelatin chloride solutions of pH 3.0 and this depressing effect is quantitatively identical with that of solutions of CaCl2 and NaCl of the same concentration of Cl.
Could moderate alcohol intake be recommended to improve vaccine responses

The impact of alcohol consumption on human health is complex and modulated by several factors such as patterns and amount of drinking, genetics, the organ system studied, as well as the sex and age of the user. There is strong evidence that chronic ethanol abuse is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to both bacterial and viral infections. In contrast, moderate alcohol consumption exerts positive effects including decreased mortality, and improved cardiovascular disease and insulin sensitivity. Interestingly, accumulating evidence also supports an immune-boosting effect of moderate alcohol. In this editorial, we summarize the findings that support a positive effect of moderate alcohol on host immunity. We also discuss the limitations of the previous data and emphasize the importance of additional studies to uncover mechanisms for these immune-stimulating effects in order to extend these benefits to vulnerable segments of the population who cannot consume alcohol.
Caged Naloxone Reveals Opioid Signaling Deactivation Kinetics

The spatiotemporal dynamics of opioid signaling in the brain remain poorly defined. Photoactivatable opioid ligands provide a means to quantitatively measure these dynamics and their underlying mechanisms in brain tissue. Although activation kinetics can be assessed using caged agonists, deactivation kinetics are obscured by slow clearance of agonist in tissue. To reveal deactivation kinetics of opioid signaling we developed a caged competitive antagonist that can be quickly photoreleased in sufficient concentrations to render agonist dissociation effectively irreversible. Carboxynitroveratryl-naloxone (CNV-NLX), a caged analog of the competitive opioid antagonist NLX, was readily synthesized from commercially available NLX in good yield and found to be devoid of antagonist activity at heterologously expressed opioid receptors. Photolysis in slices of rat locus coeruleus produced a rapid inhibition of the ionic currents evoked by multiple agonists of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), but not of α-adrenergic receptors, which activate the same pool of ion channels. Using the high-affinity peptide agonist dermorphin, we established conditions under which light-driven deactivation rates are independent of agonist concentration and thus intrinsic to the agonist-receptor complex. Under these conditions, some MOR agonists yielded deactivation rates that are limited by G protein signaling, whereas others appeared limited by agonist dissociation. Therefore, the choice of agonist determines which feature of receptor signaling is unmasked by CNV-NLX photolysis.
Impact of Pathologists and Evaluation Methods on Performance Assessment of the Kidney Injury Biomarker, Kim-1:

Attempts to characterize and formally qualify biomarkers for regulatory purposes have raised questions about how histological and histopathological methods impact the evaluation of biomarker performance. A group of pathologists was asked to analyze digitized images prepared from rodent kidney injury experiments in studies designed to investigate sources of variability in histopathology evaluations. Study A maximized variability by using samples from diverse studies and providing minimal guidance, contextual information, or opportunities for pathologist interaction. Study B was designed to limit interpathologist variability by using more uniform image sets from different locations within the same kidneys and allowing pathologist selected interactions to discuss and identify the location and injury to be evaluated but without providing a lexicon or peer review. Results from this study suggest that differences between pathologists and across models of disease are the largest sources of variability in evaluations and that blind evaluations do not generally make a significant difference. Results of this study generally align with recommendations from both industry and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and should inform future studies examining the effects of common lexicons and scoring criteria, peer review, and blind evaluations in the context of biomarker performance assessment.
Global Funder, Grassroots Litigator—Judicialization of the Environmental Movement in Thailand

This case study of a Thai “environmental lawyer” examines assumptions about legal institutions of developing societies made by the lawyer’s New York based funder. The funder provides support for anti-pollution litigation in developing societies, its lawyer and court-centered assumptions about accountability under law, while not unknown in the developing world, play a far less important role there. As the case study shows, the Thai lawyer is uniquely situated, pursuing goals that are not strictly environmental as that term is understood by advocates in the United States, and deploying the influence of law and courts in sophisticated ways that contrast with “playing for rules” in Western paradigms of impact litigation. The lawyer’s career and use of courts strategically on behalf of communities resisting encroaching development reinforce the understanding that legal evolution in the developing world is path-dependent, that is contingent on history, politics, and culture, rather than converging with legal archetypes of Western practice or ideology.
ERβ decreases the invasiveness of triple-negative breast cancer cells by regulating mutant p53 oncogenic function.

// Igor Bado 1 , Fotis Nikolos 1 , Gayani Rajapaksa 1 , Jan-Ake Gustafsson 1 , Christoforos Thomas 1 1 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA Correspondence to: Christoforos Thomas, e-mail: chthomas@uh.edu Keywords: estrogen receptor β, mutant p53, triple-negative breast cancer, cell invasion, p63 Received: November 05, 2015 Accepted: January 29, 2016 Published: February 10, 2016 ABSTRACT Most (80%) of the triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) express mutant p53 proteins that acquire oncogenic activities including promoting metastasis. We previously showed that wild-type ERβ (ERβ1) impedes epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and decreases the invasiveness of TNBC cells. In the present study we searched for signaling pathways that ERβ1 uses to inhibit EMT and invasion in TNBC cells. We show that ERβ1 binds to and opposes the transcriptional activity of mutant p53 at the promoters of genes that regulate metastasis. p63 that transcriptionally cooperates with mutant p53 also binds to ERβ1. Downregulation of p63 represses the epithelial phenotype of ERβ1-expressing cells and alters the expression of mutant p53 target genes. These results describe a novel mechanism through which ERβ1 can disturb oncogenic signals to inhibit aggressiveness in TNBCs.
Pedicle versus free flap reconstruction in patients receiving intraoperative brachytherapy

Introduction This study compared complication rates between pedicle flaps and free flaps used for resurfacing of intraoperative brachytherapy (IOBT) implants placed following head and neck tumour extirpation to help clarify the ideal reconstructive procedure for this scenario. Patients and methods A retrospective review of reconstructions with IOBT at our institution was conducted. Patient and treatment details were recorded, as were the number and type of flap complications, including re-operations. Logistic regressions compared complications between flap groups. Results Fifty free flaps and 55 pedicle flaps were included. On multivariate analysis, free flap reconstruction with IOBT was significantly associated with both an increased risk of having any flap complication (OR = 2.9, p = 0.037) and with need for operative revision (OR = 3.5, p = 0.048) compared to pedicle flap reconstruction. Conclusions In the setting of IOBT, free flaps are associated with an increased risk of having complications and requiring operative revisions.
Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on baby spinach, using electron beam radiation.

The effect of low-dose electron beam (e-beam) radiation on the reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in spinach was studied. Fresh baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea) was inoculated with a bacterial cocktail containing multiple strains of rifampin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 and rifampin-resistant Salmonella. Inoculated samples were exposed to e-beam radiation from a linear accelerator and tested for counts of both E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. Irradiated spinach was also stored for 8 days at 4°C, and counts were made at 2-day intervals to determine if there was any effect of radiation on the survival trend of both pathogens. When no pathogens were detected on plates, additional enrichment plating was conducted to verify total destruction. Respiration rates were measured on spinach samples exposed to e-beam radiation. Each dose of e-beam radiation significantly reduced the numbers of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from initial levels of 7 log CFU/g. Treatment by e-beam radiation at a dose of 0...
Provider and Patient Perceptions of an External Medication History Function.

OBJECTIVES To determine the awareness and use of an external medication history (EMH) function within an electronic health record and its impact on patient perception of medication adherence. METHODS Two self-administered surveys were given: one to providers and one to patients. Participants included providers from an academic medical center and patients from 2 general internal medicine clinics. RESULTS Of 154 completed provider surveys, 61% were aware the EMH existed. More of the respondents aware of the EMH were primary care and medicine subspecialty providers (79.1%) when compared with surgical providers (20.9%, P < 0.0001). The most common reasons chosen for looking at the EMH included checking for medication adherence (44%), questions about a specific medication (40%), and checking controlled substance prescription history (37%). Of those aware of the EMH, 65% found medications on the EMH that they were not aware their patient was getting filled. Of the 94 patient surveys, 34% felt the EMH feature might change their medication taking behavior, and 48% responded that it already had. Patients with a history of depression and/or anxiety were less likely to report the intent to change their medication taking behavior, OR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.13-0.87]. CONCLUSION An external medication history function can provide further insight about a patient's medication profile and prescription filling. Knowledge attained from the EMH may improve patient safety by helping to uncover nonadherence, dosing discrepancies, and medications prescribed by other providers. Additionally, patient knowledge of this feature might improve medication adherence. Although further studies are needed to obtain objective data, the external medication history function may have significant impact on both providers and patients, and its benefit should be widely publicized.
Effect of bilateral carotid-body resection on ventilatory control at rest and during exercise in man.

Abstract To investigate the role of the carotid bodies in the control of ventilation during rest and moderate exercise, seven asthmatic subjects who had undergone bilateral carotid-body resection (the barostatic reflexes remained intact) were studied while they were breathing air and hypoxic, hypercapnic, and hyperoxic gas. During breathing of air and 25 per cent oxygen, ventilation was not different between this group and control subjects either at rest or during exercise. The hyperpnea of hypoxia was absent, and the ventilatory response to increased arterial carbon dioxide tension was reduced 30 per cent after carotid-body resection. These studies indicate that ventilation with the subject breathing air during rest and steady-state exercise is not affected by the operation, the carotid bodies appear to be responsible for the hyperpnea of hypoxia, and this response is not enhanced by moderate exercise, and the ventilatory response to increased arterial carbon dioxide tension is reduced after bilateral ca...
Hochschullehrerprivileg—A Modern Incarnation of the Professor’s Privilege to Promote University to Industry Technology Transfer

Technology transfer offices are ubiquitous institutions within American universities. Most are underfunded and understaffed, will never turn a profit, drain limited university resources and potentially hinder innovation and knowledge transfer. Yet, inexplicably, new offices continue to be established. This article suggests that the continued hype over rare but lucrative blockbuster patents fuels much of this unnecessary expansion. These new offices, essentially mandated to discover the next big one, tend to make poor patenting and licencing decisions that effectively impinge on university knowledge transfer capabilities. This article suggests that although these offices may be necessary for some major research institutions, the bulk of academic research universities ought to share regional transfer offices that can benefit from economies of scale and experienced technology transfer officers. This article further suggests that the current status quo is the result of the somewhat arbitrary granting of paten...
Accidental and Nonaccidental Head Injuries in Infants: Distinguishing Characteristics

One hundred fifty infants hospitalized with head injury over a 3-year period, 57 (38%) due to child abuse, were studied prospectively at the Departments of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neuro-ophthalmology, and Legal Medicine, CHRU de Lille, France.
Plasma enzyme changes in Listeria monocytogenes-infected mice.

ported by numerous investigators (reviewed by Seeliger, 1961; Gray and Killinger, 1966). In contrast, until recently there has been very little known about the biochemical and physiological changes occurring during Listeria monocytogenes infections. Mcllwain et al (1964) described changes such as abnormalities in electrocardiogram tracings, hyperglycemia followed by hypoglycemia, and increases in blood pyruvate and lactate in rabbits following injection with a proteinaceous fraction of L. monocytogenes. Alterations of serum proteins, including haptoglobin and transferrin, in mice infected with Listeria were reported by Sword (1966a). Subsequent studies showed that iron compounds caused a reduction in the LD50 of Listeria for mice and were stimulatory for the in vitro growth of the pathogen. Growth of L. monocytogenes and mortality from experimental infection appeared to be correlated with availability of iron to the bacteria and suggested the possibility that host iron metabolism plays a part in the in-
Cell swelling increases membrane conductance of canine cardiac cells: evidence for a volume-sensitive Cl channel.

Cardiac cell swelling occurs under abnormal conditions. Currents through volume-sensitive channels, if present in heart, will affect the cardiac electrical activity. Single canine ventricular myocy...
Quality monitoring of Swimming Pool Water of 2004～2007 in Xiamen

Objective To understand the hygienic qualities and trends of swimming pool water of 2004-2007 in Xiamen and to provide background information for the promotion of water hygienic qualities.Methods According to the GB/T 18204-2000 (Hygienic Standard Examination Methods for public Places),655 swimming pool water samples were determined for the total bacterial count, coli group, haziness, Ph value, free residual chlorind and carbamide by Xiamem Inspection Center. Results The pass rate was 36.52 % for 2004, 45.85% for 2005,51.15% for 2006 and 74.49% for 2007, respectively.Conclusion Although the hygienic qualities of swimming pool water become better year after year, the situation is not optimistic.It is necessary to strengthen supervision and improve the hugienic qualities of swimming pool water to protect the health of swimmers.
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Blood Monocytes and Alveolar Macrophages

Pulmonary monocytes and macrophages are believed to function in a wide range of biological roles, including host defense against foreign organisms, maintenance of immunological homeostasis in the lung, presentation of antigen to lymphocytes, and migration to sites of tissue injury and inflammation (1). There is also mounting evidence that recruited blood monocytes and resident alveolar macrophages (AM) in lung disease express an activated phenotype, suggesting that they may play important roles in chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and interstitial lung diseases (2-6).
What Happened to Formal Methods for Security

A panel of seven experts discusses the state of the practice of formal methods (FM) in software development, with a focus on FM's relevance to security.
A Racial Equity Toolkit for Midwifery Organizations

Midwifery associations are increasing awareness and commitment to racial equity in the profession and in the communities we serve. Moving these commitments from words into action may be facilitated by a racial equity toolkit to help guide midwifery organizations to consider all policies, initiatives, and actions with a racial equity lens. Racial equity impact analyses have been used in recent years by various governmental agencies in the United States and abroad with positive results, and emerging literature indicates that nonprofit organizations are having similarly positive results. This article proposes a framework for midwifery organizations to incorporate a racial equity toolkit, starting with explicit intentions of the organization with regard to racial equity in the profession. Indicators of success are elucidated as the next step, followed by the use of a racial equity impact analysis worksheet. This worksheet is applied by teams or committees when considering new policies or initiatives to examine those actions through a racial equity lens. An organizational change team and equity advisory groups are essential in assisting organizational leadership to forecast potential negative and positive impacts. Examples of the components of a midwifery-specific racial equity toolkit are included.
The Association Between Changes in Employee Sleep and Changes in Workplace Health and Economic Outcomes.

Abstract Sleep disturbance is negatively associated with workplace productivity. This study sought to identify whether or not changes in sleep from 2012 to 2013 were associated with changes in health risks, medical conditions, or workplace economic outcomes. Employees of a Fortune 100 financial services corporation were categorized based on changes in self-reported hours of sleep from 2012 to 2013 and compared based on their health risk factors, medical conditions, health care costs, and productivity measures. Consistently poor sleepers had more health risks and medical conditions compared to consistently optimal sleepers. Sleep improvers had a significant reduction in lost on-the-job productivity while consistently poor sleepers and downgraders had significantly more lost productivity compared to optimal sleepers. Employers may wish to incorporate sleep education initiatives as part of their overall health and wellness strategy.
Role of computed tomography angiography in the differentiation of feline truncus arteriosus communis from pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect

Two domestic shorthair cats, a 6-month-old castrated male and a 7-month-old intact female, were diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease. Transthoracic echocardiography in both cats revealed a dilated arterial trunk overriding the interventricular septum with a large ventricular septal defect. The pulmonary trunk and branch pulmonary arteries were not visible using standard echocardiographic views in either cat. The differential diagnosis for both cats included truncus arteriosus communis vs. pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect. Each cat underwent computed tomography angiography to determine the origin and extent of the pulmonary blood supply and to better define extra-cardiac anatomy. Computed tomography angiography led to a diagnosis of truncus arteriosus communis with unrestricted pulmonary blood flow in one cat, whereas the other cat was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collaterals serving as the primary source of pulmonary blood flow. Computed tomography angiography allowed for the ante mortem differentiation of truncus arteriosus communis from pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect in these two cats, leading to an accurate diagnosis and providing valuable information to therapeutic decision-making for each case.
7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amine based inhibitors of calcium dependent protein kinase 1 have distinct inhibitory and oral pharmacokinetic characteristics compared with 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine based inhibitors

Selective inhibitors of Cryptosporidium calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CpCDPK1) based on the 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine (pyrazolopyrimidine, PP) scaffold are effective in both in vitro and in vivo models of cryptosporidiosis. However, the search for distinct safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties has motivated our exploration of alternative scaffolds. Here, we describe a series of 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amine (pyrrolopyrimidine, PrP)-based analogs of PP CpCDPK1 inhibitors. Most of the PrP-based inhibitors described potently inhibit the CpCDPK1 enzyme, demonstrate no toxicity against mammalian cells, and block proliferation of the C. parvum parasite in the low micromolar range. Interestingly, certain substituents that show reduced CpCDPK1 potency when displayed from a PP scaffold provided notably enhanced efficacy in the context of a PrP scaffold. PK studies on these paired compounds show that some PrP analogs have distinct physiochemical properties compared with their PP counterpar...
Characterization of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prescribing patterns in the United States.

Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third-leading cause of death in the United States. Guideline recommendations for medication therapy include the use of inhaled medications for management of stable COPD. There are limited data available describing prescribing percentages of medications in patients with COPD. Aim To determine the prescribing percentages of medications for COPD in a national, cross-sectional study. Methods This was a national, cross-sectional study using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) in 2013. Patients were included if they had an International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9 code for COPD and were greater than 18 years of age. Data describing patient demographics, provider demographics and prescribed medications were collected. Data were analyzed using sample weights to account for the multi-stage sample design. Results On weighted analysis, 15,821,000 patient visits were included. Patients were predominantly female, greater than 40 years of age and white, non-Hispanic. The most common provider type was primary care provider. At least one COPD medication was prescribed to 64.8% of included patients. Prescription of short-acting bronchodilators was most common in this cohort and observed at a percentage of 42.5%. A long-acting bronchodilator or inhaled corticosteroid was prescribed to 32.3% of included patients. The most common long-acting bronchodilator used was long-acting beta-agonist therapy in 21.3% of patients. Conclusion This study describes patients with COPD from a nationally representative sample. The percentage of maintenance medication prescribing indicates further opportunity for medication optimization in the outpatient setting for patients with COPD.