cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parametric study of acceleration insensitivity of doubly rotated circular quartz resonators

The purpose of the study was to search for potentially acceleration-insensitive circular quartz resonators by computing the combined effect from various resonator parameters in order to reduce or minimize acceleration sensitivity. Initial displacement gradients and strains that were caused by the steady acceleration of an arbitrary direction acting on a crystal disk are calculated from the finite-element solution of Mindlin's two-dimensional first-order equations of equilibrium of crystal plates. These initial displacement gradients and strains are then taken into account as known functions in the frequency equation of incremental thickness vibrations which is, in turn, solved for frequency changes by a perturbation method. >
VIRAL PROTEASES: AN EMERGING THERAPEUTIC TARGET

Only a few viral diseases are presently treatable because of our limited knowledge of specific viral target molecules. An attractive class of viral molecules toward which chemotherapeutic agents could be aimed are proteases coded by some virus groups such as retro- or picornaviruses (poliomyelitis, common cold virus). The picornavirus enzymes were discovered first, and they have now been characterized by a combination of molecular-genetic and biochemical approaches. Several laboratories have expressed the picornaviral enzymes in heterologous systems and have reported proteolytic activity, as well as the high cleavage fidelity diagnostic of the viral proteases. After dealing with several technical difficulties often encountered in standard genetic engineering approaches, one viral protease is now available to us in quantity and is amendable to mutagenic procedures. The initial outcome of the mutagenesis studies has been the confirmation of our earlier work with inhibitors, which suggested a cysteine active-site class. There is a clustering of active-site residues which may be unique to these viruses. The requirement for an active-site cysteine-histidine pair in combination with detailed information on the viral cleavage sites has permitted design of selective inhibitors with attractive antiviral properties. Future goals include investigation of the structural basis for selective processing and application of the cleavage specificity to general problems in genetic engineering.
The effect of class imbalance on case selection for case-based classifiers, with emphasis on computer-aided diagnosis systems

In this paper the effect of class imbalance in the case base of a case-based classifier is investigated as it pertains to case base reduction and the resulting classifier performance. A k-nearest neighbor algorithm is used as a classifier and the Random Mutation Hill Climbing (RMHC) algorithm is used for case base reduction. The effects at various levels of positive class prevalence are tested in a binary classification problem. The results indicate that class imbalance is detrimental to both case base reduction and classifier performance. Selection with RMHC generally improves the classification performance regardless of the case base prevalence.
Effects of sialylation of influenza virions on their interactions with host cells and erythrocytes.

Abstract Influenza virions can be sialylated by incubating purified virus with sialyltransferase and CMP-sialic acid. Sialic acid residues are added only to the virion hemagglutinin. Both portions of the hemagglutinin subunit have terminal galactose residues which accept sialic acid, with the HA 1 region being preferentially sialylated early in the reaction. The rate of sialylation depends on the source of the virus; virions derived from chick embryo fibroblasts are sialylated at approximately 20 times the rate of virus from an established line of bovine kidney cells. Sialylation destroys the hemagglutinating activity of the particles but leaves the neuraminidase activity unchanged. The ability of these preparations to form plaques on MDBK cells is either enhanced or unchanged depending on the amount of sialic acid added to the virions. Maximum enhancement is observed when approximately 1250 sialic acid residues are added per virion. Addition of more residues decreased the amount of enhancement. Heavily sialylated virus shows the same infectivity as unsialylated virus although it has an isoelectric point below pH 4.0; that of unsialylated virus is 6.0 to 6.5. In an attempt to determine the basis for the loss of hemagglutinating activity and the enhancement of infectivity, we have measured the ability of sialylated and control virions to bind to erythrocytes and to host cells under conditions of either virus or cell excess. Identical results are obtained with sialylated and control virus at all virus to cell ratios tested, indicating that the changes induced by sialylation do not reflect changes in the ability of virus to bind to cellular receptors. The results suggest that the formation of infectious units by aggregation of randomly defective particles along with changes in step(s) following binding are responsible for the observed alterations in biological activities.
Randomized controlled trial testing an internet physical activity intervention for sedentary adults.

Objective: Internet-based physical activity (PA) interventions have shown promise, although findings remain equivocal. We used formative research to enhance a previously demonstrated program (Step into Motion) with the goal of developing an Internet program poised for dissemination. Methods: We conducted focus groups to identify Internet features targeted to theoretical constructs (social cognitive theory) predictive of PA behavior and rated as “useful for increasing PA.” We identified 5 theorytargeted Internet features as useful for increasing PA: (1) a PA tracking/logging calendar targeting self-monitoring and goal setting; (2) geographic mapping tools targeting perceived environment; (3) a discussion forum targeting social support; (4) exercise videos targeting observational learning; and (5) regular updates of peer PA progress targeting situation. We then tested the efficacy of the enhanced program (enhanced Internet, EI; N 25) in relation to publicly available PA Websites (standard Internet, SI; N 28) among 53 participants in a randomized controlled trial. Results: The EI arm increased PA in relation to the SI arm at 3 months (18.4 to 186.0 min/wk vs. 20.9 to 57.3 min/wk; p .03) but between-groups differences were not observed at 6 months (176.8 vs. 133.5 min/wk; p .44). EI participants maintained PA from 3 to 6 months (186.0 to 176.8 min/wk), and the SI group increased PA (57.3 to 133.5 min/wk). Conclusion: The EI program was efficacious at improving PA levels in relation to publicly available Websites initially, but differences in PA levels were not maintained at 6 months. Future research should identify Internet features that promote long-term maintenance.
Free-radical toxicity and antioxidant medications in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons located in the substantia nigra.1,2 These neurons synthesize and secrete dopamine, and the loss of dopaminergic influence on other structures in the basal ganglia leads to the classic parkinsonian symptoms of resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability.1,3 Pharmacologic treatment of Parkinson's disease traditionally has centered on administering medications that restore dopaminergic influence in the basal ganglia. The cornerstone of treatment usually consists of levodopa (L-dopa), which is the immediate precursor to dopamine.1,2 Levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it is then converted to dopamine, thus helping reestablish dopaminergic effects, The administration of L-dopa can often produce dramatic improvements in parkinsonian symptoms, especially during the early stages of the disease.1
An inelastic analysis of a welded aluminum joint

Butt weld joints are most commonly designed into pressure vessels by using weld material properties that are determined from a tensile test. These properties are provided to the stress analyst in the form of a stressvs strain diagram. Variations in properties through the thickness of the weld and along the width of the weld have been suspect but not explored because of inaccessibility and cost. The purpose of this study is to investigate analytical and computational methods used for analysis of multiple pass aluminum 2219-T87 butt welds. The weld specimens are analyzed using classical plasticity theory to provide a basis for modeling the inelastic properties in a finite element solution. The results of the analysis are compared to experimental data to determine the weld behavior and the accuracy of currently available numerical prediction methods.
Inhibition of High Affinity Calcium Binding by Salsolinol

Recently, the discovery of endogenous opiate peptides has reawakened new interest in the possibility that an endogenous chemical may mediate actions of alcohol and lead to ethanol dependence.
Very high voltage photoemission electron guns

There are a growing number of applications for CW electron accelerators, many requiring high average current and small transverse and longitudinal emittances. Very high voltage DC electron guns with photoemission cathodes are a natural choice for generating the beams for these machines. High average current applications require high quantum efficiency photocathodes at practical wavelengths. The necessary lasers are state-of-the-art systems that must be considered in choosing a photocathode. Field emission from the electrode structures limits the operating voltage and cathode field gradient in these guns. The photocathode operational lifetime is limited by the gun vacuum and by ion back bombardment. Recent developments in areas as diverse as vacuum technology, CW lasers with RF time structure, and the reduction of field emission from large area electrodes show promise for the development of a new generation of DC photoemission electron guns, operating at very high voltage and cathode field strengths well above those obtainable in the past. These developments, and various designs for very high voltage photoemission electron guns, will be reviewed.
Possibly v. Actually the Case: Davidson's Omniscient Interpreter at Twenty

The publication of Davidson 2001, anthologizing articles from the 1980s and 1990s, encourages reconsidering arguments contained in them. One such argument is Davidson’s omniscient-interpreter argument (‘OIA’) in Davidson 1983. The OIA allegedly establishes that it is necessary that most beliefs are true. Thus the omniscient interpreter, revived in 2001 and now 20 years old, was born to answer the skeptic. In Part I of this paper, I consider charges that the OIA establishes only that it is possible that most beliefs are true; if correct, then it is also possibly the case that most beliefs are false—the skeptic’s very position. Next, I consider two responses on Davidson’s behalf, showing that each fails. In Part II, I show that the OIA establishes neither that it is necessarily merely possibly but actually the case that most beliefs are true. I then conclude that this is enough to answer the skeptic.
Evaluating the Effects of Automobile Safety Regulation

CRITIQUE OF STATISTICAL MODEL USED BY SAM PELTZMAN IN: EFFECTS OF AUTOMOBILE SAFETY REGULATION (JOURNAL OF POLITICAL ECONOMY, V. 83, NO. 4, AUG. 1975)
Coccidioidomycosis: Host Response and Vaccine Development

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the dimorphic fungi in the genus Coccidioides. These fungi live as mycelia in the soil of desert areas of the American Southwest, and when the infectious spores, the arthroconidia, are inhaled, they convert into the parasitic spherule/endospore phase. Most infections are mild, but these organisms are frank pathogens and can cause severe lethal disease in fully immunocompetent individuals. While there is increased risk of disseminated disease in certain racial groups and immunocompromised persons, the fact that there are hosts who contain the initial infection and exhibit long-term immunity to reinfection supports the hypothesis that a vaccine against these pathogens is feasible. Multiple studies have shown that protective immunity against primary disease is associated with T-helper 1 (Th-1)-associated immune responses. The single best vaccine in animal models, formalin-killed spherules (FKS), was tested in a human trial but was not found to be significantly protective. This result has prompted studies to better define immunodominant Coccidioides antigen with the thought that a subunit vaccine would be protective. These efforts have defined multiple candidates, but the single best individual immunogen is the protein termed antigen 2/proline-rich antigen (Ag2/PRA). Studies in multiple laboratories have shown that Ag2/PRA as both protein and genetic vaccines provides significant protection against mice challenged systemically with Coccidioides. Unfortunately, compared to the FKS vaccine, it is significantly less protective as measured by both assays of reduction in fungal CFU and assays of survival. The capacity of Ag2/PRA to induce only partial protection was emphasized when animals were challenged intranasally. Thus, there is a need to define new candidates to create a multivalent vaccine to increase the effectiveness of Ag2/PRA. Efforts of genomic screening using expression library immunization or bioinformatic approaches to identify new candidates have revealed at least two new protective proteins, expression library immunization antigen 1 (ELI-Ag1) and a β-1,3-glucanosyltransferase (GEL-1). In addition, previously discovered antigens such as Coccidioides-specific antigen (CSA) should be evaluated in assays of protection. While studies have yet to be completed with combinations of the current candidates, the hypothesis is that with increased numbers of candidates in a multivalent vaccine, there will be increased protection. As the genome sequences of the two Coccidioides strains which are under way are completed and annotated, the effort to find new candidates can increase to provide a complete genomic scan for immunodominant proteins. Thus, much progress has been made in the discovery of subunit vaccine candidates against Coccidioides and there are several candidates showing modest levels of protection, but for complete protection against pulmonary challenge we need to continue the search for additional candidates.
Adhesion of epithelial cells to fibronectin or collagen I induces alterations in gene expression via a protein kinase C‐dependent mechanism

Adhesion of human salivary gland (HSG) epithelial cells to fibronectin- or collagen I gel-coated substrates, mediated by beta1 integrins, has been shown to upregulate the expression of more than 30 genes within 3-6 h. Adhesion of HSG cells to fibronectin or collagen I for 6 h also enhanced total protein kinase C (PKC) activity by 1.8-2.3-fold. HSG cells expressed PKC-alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon, mu, and zeta. Adhesion of HSG cells to fibronectin or collagen I specifically activated PKC-gamma and PKC-delta. Cytoplasmic PKC-gamma and PKC-delta became membrane-associated, and immunoprecipitated PKC-gamma and PKC-delta kinase activities were enhanced 2.5-4.0-fold in HSG cells adherent to fibronectin or collagen I. In addition, adhesion of fibronectin-coated beads to HSG monolayers co-aggregated beta1 integrin and PKC-gamma and PKC-delta but not other PKC isoforms. Thus, integrin-dependent adhesion of HSG cells to fibronectin or collagen I activated PKC-gamma and PKC-delta. The role of this PKC upregulation on adhesion-responsive gene expression was then tested. HSG cells were treated with the specific PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I, cultured on non-precoated, fibronectin- or collagen I-coated substrates, and analyzed for changes in adhesion-responsive gene expression. Bisindolylmaleimide I strongly inhibited the expression of seven adhesion-responsive genes including calnexin, decorin, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, steroid sulfatase, and 3 mitochondrial genes. However, the expression of two adhesion-responsive genes was not affected by bisindolylmaleimide I. Treatment with bisindolylmaleimide I did not affect cell spreading and did not significantly affect the actin cytoskeleton. These data suggest that adhesion of HSG cells to fibronectin or collagen I induces PKC activity and that this induction contributes to the upregulation of a variety of adhesion-responsive genes.
The hyper-fluorescent trichome phenotype of the brt1 mutant of Arabidopsis is the result of a defect in a sinapic acid: UDPG glucosyltransferase.

Summary Sinapoylmalate is a major phenylpropanoid that is accumulated in Arabidopsis. Its presence causes the adaxial surface of leaves to fluoresce blue under UV light, and mutations that lead to lower levels of sinapoylmalate decrease UV-induced leaf fluorescence. The Arabidopsis bright trichomes 1 (brt1) mutant was first identified in a screen for mutants that exhibit a reduced epidermal fluorescence phenotype; however, subsequent examination of the mutant revealed that its trichomes are hyper-fluorescent. The results from genetic mapping and complementation analyses showed that BRT1 (At3g21560) encodes UGT84A2, a glucosyltransferase previously shown to be capable of using sinapic acid as a substrate. Residual levels of sinapoylmalate and sinapic acid:UDP-glucose glucosyltransferase activity in brt1 leaves suggest that BRT1 is one member of a family of partially redundant glycosyltransferases that function in Arabidopsis sinapate ester biosynthesis. RTPCR analysis showed that BRT1 is expressed through all stages of plant life cycle, a result consistent with the impact of the brt1 mutation on both leaf sinapoylmalate levels and seed sinapoylcholine content. Finally, the compound accumulated in brt1 trichomes was identified as a sinapic acid-derived polyketide, indicating that when sinapic acid glycosylation is reduced, a portion of it is instead activated to its CoA thioester, which then serves as a substrate for chalcone synthase.
Asymmetrical dimethylarginine regulates endothelial function in methionine-induced but not in chronic homocystinemia in humans: effect of oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines

Background: Homocystinemia is a metabolic abnormality associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular disease risk. The underlying mechanisms of these effects, however, are obscure. Objective: We examined the effect of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) on endothelial dysfunction in methionine-induced and chronic homocystinemia and evaluated the regulatory role of oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines on the release of ADMA. Design: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study, 30 subjects of both sexes (15 with homocystinemia and 15 healthy controls) underwent methionine loading, with simultaneous administration of a combination of vitamin C (2 g) plus α-tocopherol (800 IU) or placebo. Endothelial function in forearm resistance vessels and concentrations of ADMA, oxidized LDL, and proinflammatory cytokines were determined at baseline and 4 h after methionine loading. Results: Both chronic and methionine-induced homocystinemia were associated with increased oxidized LDL (P < 0.01), higher expression of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (P < 0.05), and endothelial dysfunction (P < 0.01). Although ADMA rapidly increased in acute homocystinemia (P < 0.01) and was correlated with forearm hyperemic response at 4 h after methionine loading (r = -0.722, P = 0.0001), it was not higher in subjects with high versus low fasting homocysteine. High-dose antioxidant treatment prevented methionine-induced elevation of oxidized LDL and interleukin 6 but failed to prevent the increase in ADMA or endothelial dysfunction. Conclusions: Both chronic and methionine-induced homocystinemia are characterized by increased oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines, which may contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction. However, the ADMA pathway is activated only in acute homocystinemia by mechanisms not mediated by oxidized LDL or proinflammatory stimuli.
The Option to Withdraw From Chronic Dialysis Treatment

This multidisciplinary discussion focuses on the case of a young diabetic woman who chose to stop chronic hemodialysis during a long and complicated illness. The perspectives presented here include an academic lawyer's view of such medical decisions; a hospital chaplain's view of the religious framework for end-of-life situations; a clinical psychiatrist's considerations when consulted to evaluate patients in such straits; a transplant nurse's view of the opportunities for personal interaction that such clinical situations present; and a renal social worker's approach to chronic illness, advance directives, and death in the dialysis patient population. The discussion is intended to address objectively some important issues associated with death in this population, aimed at increasing our willingness to discuss these issues more openly with patients and with our colleagues.
p53 nuclear protein overexpression in colorectal cancer: a dominant predictor of survival in patients with advanced hepatic metastases.

PURPOSETo determine whether p53 protein expression is similar within primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and synchronous regional and distant metastases and to assess whether p53 nuclear protein expression could predict outcome in patients with synchronous unresectable liver metastases treated by hepatic artery infusional (HAI) chemotherapy.MATERIALS AND METHODSParaffin sections from tumor and corresponding normal mucosa representative of 50 consecutive advanced CRC cases were examined for p53 nuclear protein expression by immunohistochemistry using the monoclonal antibody PAb 1801. Patterns of p53 nuclear expression were correlated with standard clinicopathologic variables and outcome, including response to HAI and survival. In a subset analysis, the pattern of nuclear p53 immunoreactivity was compared between primary CRC and lymph node and liver metastases.RESULTSPositive nuclear immunoreactivity for p53 protein was found in 72% of cases. The pattern of p53 protein expression in lymph node and liver metasta...
Moist versus dry dentin: its effect on shear bond strength.

Abstract This study compared the shear bond strengths of dentin bonding systems applied to air dried and blot (moist) dried dentin. Five systems with primers possessing hydrophilic properties were evaluated. Three contained acetone. All Bond, Amalgambond, Mirage Bond and Tenure all produced significant statistical improvement in shear bond strength values when applied to moistened dentin. Mirage Bond values quadrupled. Bond strength values with Gluma were compromised by the presence of moisture. It was concluded that acetone probably facilitated deeper and more complete penetration of resin into dentin to enhance micro-mechanical retention. Amalgambond, while free of acetone is strongly hydrophilic and is known to form substantial mechanical bonding through the formation of a resin rich superficial layer of dentin (hybridization). Gluma while hydrophilic does not appear to possess the same behavioral characteristics embodied in the other systems as evidenced from lack of a bond to moist dentin.
Implications of Epigenetic Variability within a Cell Population for "Cell Type" Classification.

Here we propose a new approach to defining nerve ‘cell types’ in reaction to recent advances in single cell analysis. Among cells previously thought to be equivalent, considerable differences in global gene expression and biased tendencies among differing developmental fates have been demonstrated within multiple lineages. The model of classifying cells into distinct types thus has to be revised to account for this intrinsic variability. A ‘cell type’ could be a group of cells that possess similar, but not necessarily identical properties, variable within a spectrum of epigenetic adjustments that permit its developmental path toward a specific function to be achieved. Thus, the definition of a cell type is becoming more similar to the definition of a species: sharing essential properties with other members of its group, but permitting a certain amount of deviation in aspects that do not seriously impact function. This approach accommodates, even embraces the spectrum of natural variation found in various cell populations and consequently avoids the fallacy of false equivalence. For example, developing neurons will react to their microenvironments with epigenetic changes resulting in slight changes in gene expression and morphology. Addressing the new questions implied here will have significant implications for developmental neurobiology.
Developmental Coordination Disorder in School-Age Children

The prevalence of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in children, at 7 years of age, in a large UK birth cohort was determined using DSM-IV criteria, in a study at the University of Bristol, UK; and Utrecht University, Netherlands.
Limiting the Duration of Opioid Prescriptions: Balancing Excessive Prescribing and the Effective Treatment of Pain

Prescription opioid misuse is a major public health issue in the United States. Since the late 1990s, sales of prescription opioids have risen 4-fold, and the rates of admissions for substance use treatment and of death from opioid overdose have grown proportionately. 1 In response, training programs about the appropriate prescribing of opioid therapy have been developed, prescription monitoring programs implemented, and access to naloxone facilitated to reduce deaths among people who overdose. In general, these strategies focus on detecting and preventing harm in those who are already dependent on or misusing opioids. Although the impact of many of these programs is uncertain, the opi
SIGNIFICANCE OF FEMININITY IN HUMAN FIGURE DRAWINGS OF GIRLS

Support for the validity of the human figure drawing as a measure of personality functioning has been mixed despite its extensive use by clinicians (Klopfer & Taulbee, 1776). This study examined the relationship between femininity of such drawings by adolescent girls and their self-esteem. Previous works have made mention of "feminine" items (Koppitz, 1966; Burns & Kaufman, 1972; Machover, 1949). but there has been no systematic investigation--other than case study-of their association with self-esteem. There has been no objective study of the measurement and meaning of over-all femininity scores in figure drawings by girls. This research is based on the developmental theory of Erikson (1968) - who discussed the necessity of resolving bisexual conflicts in adolescence and seeing one's self as essentially male or female. There is a positive relationship between a socially desirable self-definition and self-esteem. The idea for the present study grew out of a study by Delatte and Hendrickson (1982) which yielded an association berween size of human figure drawing and selfesteem ,but only for boys. This investigation examined the possibility of another variable that might reflect girls' self-esteem. The same data gathered by Delatte and Hendrickson (1982) were analyzed in the present study. While size may symbolize strength and worth to boys, girls may equate attractiveness or femininity with worth. Expanding on Erikson's (1968) ideas, perhaps those who project femininity in human drawings have self-images as socially valued and would consequently view themselves with higher self-esteem. The present study explored over-all femininity in drawings. It was a systematic investigation ,using somewhat more objective means of measurement than case study. Subjects were 38 girls, aged 16 to 18 yr., who were tested in groups of three or four. They were first instructed to draw a person, and then they completed the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale.
Susceptibility of Hereford cattle to sheep scab mites after recovery from psoroptic scabies.

Cattle scabies is caused by Psoroptes ovis (Hering), and Hereford cattle with a history of psoroptic scabies were as susceptible after reexposure to P. ovis as cattle exposed for the first time. The first reexposure of cattle to P. ovis after a 5-month latency period failed to cause psoroptic scabies. But a second reexposure resulted in body scab as extensive as that on naive cattle. Cattle free of P. ovis infestation for 4 months after toxaphene treatment developed scabies with as many mites as cattle exposed for the first time. Two cattle had severe scabies with many mites only while stanchioned and unable to groom. The data indicate that cattle after a 2- to 5-month period of latency or recovery from scabies because of pesticide treatment are as susceptible to P. ovis as cattle exposed for the first time. Self grooming behavior was the only factor which consistently limited the size of P. ovis populations.
Future directions in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects over 170 million people worldwide. While interferon is currently the most used single agent therapy, this drug may result in a sustained loss of virus from the blood in only up to 15% of patients; new options for treatment are needed. With the release of ribavirin in North America and Europe, a viral clearance rate or ‘cure’ may be attained in up to 40% of patients. Developing successful antiviral therapy that prevents or delays the development of cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer as well as decreasing the demand for liver transplantation are clearly identified goals. Unfortunately, there is no complete in vitro model of HCV replication or translation. Due to the lack of an animal or cell culture model of HCV infection, in vitro translation screening systems to identify inhibitors of HCV protein translation are being evaluated by a large number of biotechnology companies. With advancing computer technology, high throughput screening processes are now possible and can be joined to specific in vitro model testing systems. Along with examining some of the information known about HCV therapy and the HCV genome, the present review discusses potential targets for new therapies and identifies therapeutic agents that are nearing clinical application
FRI0380 Efficacy and Safety of Leflunomide Therapy in Lupus Nephritis:A Meta-Analysis

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of leflunomide in treating lupus nephritis (LN). Methods According to the requirements of meta-analysis, a literature search about efficacy and safety of leflunomide therapy in LN was performed among Cochrane clinical controlled trials database, PubMed, BMJ-Clinical Evidence, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang data from the establishment of the database till December 2010.All included RCTs were graded in term of randomization, allocation concealment and blinding and non-RCTs were graded in term of grouping method, blinding, withdrawal and loss of follow-up, baseline comparability, diagnostic criteria and bias control. RevMan 5.0 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 828 literatures were included. Five RCTs and 2 non-RCTs were enrolled for meta-analysis. Four RCTs described the method of random allocation, 1 literature used double blind method. Five RCTs were all lack of information about allocation concealment, selectively reporting and other bias, but reported withdrawal and loss of subjects. Two non-RCTs were lack of grouping method and blinding, but reported withdrawal and loss of subjects, also used established diagnostic criteria. Leflunomide group was treated with leflunomide and glucocorticoid, while control group was given cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoid or placebo. 1. There was no significant difference in complete remission rate (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 0.90-2.54), partial remission rate (OR=1.06, 95%CI: 0.70-1.61) or overall remission (OR=1.63, 95%CI: 0.98-2.71) between leflunomide group and cyclophosphamide group. 2. The 24 h urine protein, SCr and SLEDAI scores of leflunomide group were significantly lower than that of cyclophosphamide group. There was no significant difference in C3,positive rate of anti-ds DNA between leflunomide group and cyclophosphamide group. 3. There was no significant difference in infection, herpes zoster,hypertension, palpitations, leukopenia, alopecial, elevation in ALT, memoxenia, rashes, or the incidence of gastrointestinal reactions between the two groups. Conclusions Based on the current evidence, the efficacy and safety of leflunomide for treatment of LN are close to cyclophosphamide. Further evidence from RCT studies is needed to elucidate the efficacy and safety of leflunomide for LN. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.5566
Low Back Injury

Low back injuries occur commonly in tennis, but the pathophysiologic, biomechanical, and clinical characteristics are not well defined. Tennis players may be at an increased risk of lumbar disc pathology from rotational and hyperextension shearing effects. Treatment of low back injury at present is empiric, but sport-specific lumbar stabilization and unloading of the lumbar disc should be developed. Prospective longitudinal research protocols are needed to study the lumbar spine in tennis players.
Human Phosphoglycerate Dehydrogenase Produces the Oncometabolite d-2-Hydroxyglutarate

Human d-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), the first enzyme in the serine biosynthetic pathway, is genomically amplified in tumors including breast cancer and melanoma. In PHGDH-amplified cancer cells, knockdown of PHGDH is not fully rescued by exogenous serine, suggesting possible additional growth-promoting roles for the enzyme. Here we show that, in addition to catalyzing oxidation of 3-phosphoglycerate, PHGDH catalyzes NADH-dependent reduction of α-ketoglutarate (AKG) to the oncometabolite d-2-hydroxyglutarate (d-2HG). Knockdown of PHGDH decreased cellular 2HG by approximately 50% in the PHGDH-amplified breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-468 (normal concentration 93 μM) and BT-20 (normal concentration 35 μM) and overexpression of PHGDH increased cellular 2HG by over 2-fold in non-PHGDH-amplified MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which normally display very low PHGDH expression. The reduced 2HG level in PHGDH knockdown cell lines can be rescued by PHGDH re-expression, but not by a catalytically inact...
A PRINCIPLE FOR ALMOST EVERYWHERE CONVERGENCE OF MULTIPARAMETER PROCESSES

Publisher Summary The proofs of ergodic and martingale theorems are similar. The passage from weak to strong maximal inequalities can be done by a general argument applicable to harmonic analysis, ergodic theory, and martingale theory. This chapter presents an assumption where, if a martingale is defined as a block-martingale, then the independence of martingale theory can be dispensed with. Conversely, under the independence assumption every martingale is a block martingale. However, the case of block martingale is reduced to successive applications of the conditional expectation operator that allows the application of the principle and simplifies the proofs. The chapter presents a superadditive variant of the multiparameter Chacon–Ornstein theorem.
Flora in Newborn Infants

Marked annual variations in prevalence of several bacteria in the nares and umbilicus of newborns were observed in a four-year survey that included 1,804 infants. Significant differences between highest and lowest seasonal prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus occurred nearly every year among both premature and full-term infants, with a decline in autumn as the most consistent trend. Similar fluctuations occurred, mainly among premature newborns, in prevalence of Escherichia coli and streptococci. In contrast, S epidermidis and Enterobacter organisms showed no cyclical variation. Hexachlorophene was used only minimally in cleaning the newborns. Skin infections were infrequent, mild, and not seasonal in distribution. The basis for prevalence variations is uncertain, but ambient temperature, humidity, and gestational age can be excluded. These data suggest that cyclical fluctuation in S aureus and other bacteria be considered in evaluating efficacy of routine hexachlorophene bathing or other antibacterial mea...
Unsettling Time: Persistence and Memory in Spanish Colonial Peru

In this paper, I explore the politics of memory during the Toledan reforms—a series of ambitious administrative changes legislated in colonial Peru between 1569 and 1581, by viceroy Francisco de Toledo. At the center of Toledo’s project was an initiative to resettle the entire native population of the audiencias of Lima and Charcas into a series of planned towns called reducciones. This movement—reduccion—sought to transform Andean indigenous peoples into subjects of the Catholic Church and the Spanish crown through a series of explicitly spatial operations, including regional population nucleation and settlement planning. But the terms of these changes were also temporal: as reduccion shaped landscapes and built environments, it also sought to transform indigenous historicity, bringing native peoples into the Era of Christ and carefully regulating the social institutions and practices by which they accounted for their pasts. The Toledan reforms therefore present a clear example of one empire’s attempts to subjugate conquered peoples through mnemonic practices. Yet archaeological research in one corner of the viceroyalty—Peru’s Zana valley—suggests that the story of how indigenous memories were actually shaped during the course of resettlement and its aftermath was far from straightforward. To understand these transformations, I argue that we must explore not only the short-term dialectic of Spanish designs and their indigenous responses, but also the “afterlives” of reduccion in the 17th and 18th centuries. Over the longer term, reduccion achieved staying power through a series of unanticipated pathways, in which landscape change, demography, and indigenous agency all played essential roles. I argue that these developments ultimately resulted in much more complex forms of remembering than those implicit in reduccion legislation and that they underscore the importance for archaeological studies of memory of attending both to the materiality of imperial landscapes and long-term processes of subject formation.
BELMiner: adapting a rule-based relation extraction system to extract biological expression language statements from bio-medical literature evidence sentences

Extracting meaningful relationships with semantic significance from biomedical literature is often a challenging task. BioCreative V track4 challenge for the first time has organized a comprehensive shared task to test the robustness of the text-mining algorithms in extracting semantically meaningful assertions from the evidence statement in biomedical text. In this work, we tested the ability of a rule-based semantic parser to extract Biological Expression Language (BEL) statements from evidence sentences culled out of biomedical literature as part of BioCreative V Track4 challenge. The system achieved an overall best F-measure of 21.29% in extracting the complete BEL statement. For relation extraction, the system achieved an F-measure of 65.13% on test data set. Our system achieved the best performance in five of the six criteria that was adopted for evaluation by the task organizers. Lack of ability to derive semantic inferences, limitation in the rule sets to map the textual extractions to BEL function were some of the reasons for low performance in extracting the complete BEL statement. Post shared task we also evaluated the impact of differential NER components on the ability to extract BEL statements on the test data sets besides making a single change in the rule sets that translate relation extractions into a BEL statement. There is a marked improvement by over 20% in the overall performance of the BELMiner’s capability to extract BEL statement on the test set. The system is available as a REST-API at http://54.146.11.205:8484/BELXtractor/finder/ Database URL: http://54.146.11.205:8484/BELXtractor/finder/
Properties of dynamical electromagnetic metamaterials

Electromagnetic metamaterials consist of two or three dimensional arrays of tailored metallic and/or dielectric inclusions and provide unprecedented sub-wavelength control over light–matter interactions. Metamaterials are fashioned to yield a specific response to the electric and magnetic components of light and may be treated as effective media, described by effective optical constants and , and have realized a multitude of exotic properties difficult to achieve with natural materials. An inductive-capacitive unit cell geometry provides enhanced values of optical constants, as well as the ability to dynamically control the novel responses exhibited by electromagnetic metamaterials. The ability of metamaterials to achieve real-time dynamic properties has realized novel applications and has made them relevant for the next revolution in advanced materials and related devices.
Chemical control of the invasive Jackson's chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii xantholophus) in Hawaii

Invasive reptiles cause global ecosystem damage and are difficult to control once established. Visual detection and manual capture are time consuming and largely ineffective at eradication, particu...
Laryngeal timing and phonation onset in utterance-initial English stops

Abstract This study examined the timing of vocal fold adduction and phonation onset during the production of bay and pay by ten male speakers of English. There did not appear to be any evidence of phonetic ‘enhancement’ of the phonetic contrast between /p/ and /b/ when these two sounds occurred in minimal pairs, either in terms of laryngeal or supralaryngeal timing. As expected, a variation in the presence/absence of prevoicing during the production of /b/ was noted. The laryngeal timing data indicated that only two of the three speakers who produced exclusively short-lag /b/ did so because vocal fold adduction was timed to coinicide with stop release. Most of the remaining speakers produced both prevoiced and short-lag stops but nonetheless showed a consistent pattern of laryngeal timing when producing both phonetic varieties of /b/. For those speakers who did prevoice /b/ a lag between vocal fold adduction and the onset of glottal pulsing was noted in most cases. These results are discussed in terms of aerodynamic and laryngeal factors which may influence the onset of phonation at the beginning of utterances as well as the linguistic role of pre-voicing in English.
Existential Trauma Therapy with Men After a Heart Attack

An existential trauma therapy treatment approach with men who are recovering from a heart attack is described as well as the treatment elements within the approach. Single-subject design case material is provided to evaluate and illustrate the described treatment approach.
Telomerase and Retrotransposons: Which Came First?

A report in this week9s issue by Nakamura et al. reports the sequence of telomerase, the enzyme that synthesizes the specialized structures on the ends of chromosomes, from fission yeast and humans, complementing an earlier report from the same group reporting this sequence from Euplotes and baker9s yeast. All four sequences show that these enzymes closely resemble the reverse transcriptases, which synthesize DNA from RNA. In his Perspective, Eickbush argues that telomerases may have evolved from early retrotransposons, DNA elements that can autonomously move around the genome.
The Total Work of Art: From Bayreuth to Cyberspace

The Total Work of Art provides a broad survey that incorporates many canonical artists into a single narrative. With particular attention to the influence of the Total Work of Art on modern theatre and performance, this brief introduction will also be of interest to students in such fields as film studies, music history, history of art, cultural studies, and modern European literatures.
Point-Counterpoint: SLCO1B1 Genotyping for Statins.

There is a great deal of interest in understanding genes that predict drug response. In January, South Dakota Medicine began publishing a series of monthly articles dedicated to reviewing the pros and cons of gene-based drug dosing. The first article in this series was a point-counterpoint argument by local content experts exploring the utility of CYP2C19 (cytochrome P450 gene, subfamily 2C19) genotyping for patients taking clopidogrel. The second article explored genotype-guided warfarin therapy. We now present the third article in this series, a discussion of the genes that impact patient risk for myopathy on statins.
Severe scurvy in an adult male without clear risk factors for nutritional deficiency.

Scurvy is a nutritional disease manifesting with sequelae of collagen defects caused by a deficiency of ascorbic acid. Because ascorbic acid cannot be synthesized endogenously, dietary consumption is crucial. Recent surveys in the United States have found 7.1% of middle-class participants were deficient and 13.7% were deplete, which opposes the common belief that scurvy is chiefly an archaic disease.1 Patients who are elderly, developmentally delayed, alcoholics, malnourished, or of low socio-economic status are at particular risk.2 Patients typically present with symptoms 1 to 3 months after deficiency of ascorbic acid. Mild decreases in ascorbic acid are associated with nonspecific, constitutional symptoms including fatigue, irritability, and loss of appetite. More significant depletions can result in multiple affected organ systems manifesting as hemorrhagic diastasis, musculoskeletal symptoms, gingival hypertrophy, and the classic cutaneous stigmata of perifollicular hemorrhage, corkscrew hairs, and ecchymoses.3, 4 The wide, stage-dependent spectrum of disease presentation coupled with the low incidence in developed nations make the diagnosis of scurvy often elusive. Despite this complexity, most patients present with some historical risk factor for nutritional deficiency.2 Here we present the case of an adult male with severe scurvy without clear risk factors, manifesting as severe musculoskeletal pain and subtle skin changes.
Relaxation-guided imagery reduces perioperative anxiety and pain in children: a randomized study.

Several studies have shown the efficacy of psychological interventions in reducing preoperative anxiety in children undergoing surgery. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a specific non-pharmacological technique, the relaxation-guided imagery, in reducing both preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain in a sample of 60 children (6–12 years old) undergoing minor surgery who were randomly assigned to the experimental group (N = 30) or the control group (N = 30). The first group received the relaxation-guided imagery, before the induction of general anesthesia; the second group received standard care. The levels of preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain were assessed using, respectively, the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability Scale. The results showed a statistically significant difference between groups, with less anxiety and less pain for children included in the experimental group (p < .001; p < .001). Conclusion: Results suggest that relaxation-guided imagery reduces preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain in children. Future studies should focus on developing protocols and studying the eventual reduction of administered drugs for anesthesia and pain.
Daily rumination about stress, sleep, and diurnal cortisol activity.

Rumination is an involuntary cognitive process theorized to prolong arousal and inhibit proper emotion regulation. Most available research has examined individual differences in cognitive dispositi...
Numerical Examinations of the Stability of FDTD Subgridding Schemes

Abstract : The stability of two-dimensional Finite-Difference Time-Domain subgridding schemes was numerically examined. Both the same-time-step and the multiple-time-step schemes were considered. Results show that the multiple-time-step subgridding scheme is late-time unstable due to larger-than-unity eigenvalues. As to the same-time-step subgridding schemes, stability is related to the treatment of comer regions.