cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thoracoscopy without lung isolation utilizing single lumen endotracheal tube intubation and carbon dioxide insufflation.

Background This study evaluated the feasibility of performing thoracoscopy without lung isolation employing single lumen endotracheal tube (SLET) intubation and carbon dioxide insufflation. Methods Eighty-two patients underwent a variety of thoracoscopic procedures without lung isolation using SLET intubation and carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation between January and December 2012. Sixty-five of these patients underwent wedge resections and were isolated for analysis. Operations were accomplished using percutaneously placed laparoscopic trocars and insufflation up to 15 mm Hg. Operative times, length of stay, and vital signs were compared with 52 patients who underwent thoracoscopic wedge resections with double lumen endotracheal tube (DLET) intubation. Results A retrospective analysis was performed on 65 patients (30 females, mean age 58) who underwent thoracoscopic wedge resections with SLET intubation compared with 52 patients undergoing the same procedure with DLET intubation. Operating room time (111 ± 4.74 minutes), time to incision (49 ± 1.91 minutes), and operative time (48 ± 2.89 minutes) were significantly decreased in the SLET group ( p Conclusions Single lumen endotracheal tube intubation is a feasible and safe airway management alternative for thoracoscopic procedures. This method resulted in shorter operative times, no aberrant hemodynamic shifts, low complication rates, and similar hospital stays as compared with traditional DLET intubation.
Reconsidering the asymptotic null distribution of likelihood ratio tests for genetic linkage in multivariate variance components models under complete pleiotropy

S UMMARY Accurate knowledge of the null distribution of hypothesis tests is important for valid application of the tests. In previous papers and software, the asymptotic null distribution of likelihood ratio tests for detecting genetic linkage in multivariate variance components models has been stated to be a mixture of chi-square distributions with binomial mixing probabilities. For variance components models under the complete pleiotropy assumption, we show by simulation and by theoretical arguments based on the geometry of the parameter space that all aspects of the previously stated asymptotic null distribution are incorrect— both the binomial mixing probabilities and the chi-square components. Correcting the null distribution gives more conservative critical values than previously stated, yielding P values that can easily be 10 times larger. The true mixing probabilities give the highest probability to the case where all variance parameters are estimated positive, and the mixing components show severe departures from chi-square distributions. Thus, the asymptotic null distribution has complex features that raise challenges for the assessment of significance of multivariate linkage findings. We propose a method to generate an asymptotic null distribution that is much faster than other empirical methods such as permutation, enabling us to obtain P values with higher precision more efficiently.
Growth of GaN films with controlled out-of-plane texture on Si wafers

article i nfo Article history: GaN films were deposited on Si (400) wafers by a pulsed laser deposition technique, and it was shown that out-of-plane texture of the film is controllable although the film and the substrate do not have any interface epitaxy. The texture of the film can be set either in c-axis or a-axis direction, thereby achieving polar or nonpolar film surfaces as desired. The GaN film and Si substrate were found to be separated by a thin amorphous interface layer consisting of Si, Ga, and O atoms, that can enhance the bonding between GaN and Si. This study shows the possibility of depositing GaN films on Si wafers at low cost and the potential of integrating Si based electronics with GaN based optoelectronics.
Induction of olfactory mucosal and liver metabolism of lidocaine by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

Formulation of drugs for administration via the nasal cavity is becoming increasingly common. It is of potential clinical relevance to determine whether intranasal drug administration itself, or exposure to other xenobiotics, can modulate the levels and/or activity of nasal mucosal metabolic enzymes, thereby affecting the metabolism and disposition of the drug. In these studies, we examined changes in several of the major metabolic enzymes in nasal epithelial tissues upon exposure to the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), as well as the impact of these changes on the metabolism of a model intranasally administered drug, lidocaine. Results of these studies show that TCDD can induce multiple metabolic enzymes in the olfactory mucosa and that the pattern of induction in the olfactory mucosa does not necessarily parallel that which occurs in the liver. Further, increases in enzyme levels noted by Western blot analysis were associated with increased activities of several nasal mucosal enzymes as well as with enhanced conversion of lidocaine to its major metabolite, monoethyl glycine xylidide (MEGX). These results demonstrate that environmental exposures can influence the levels and activity of nasal mucosal enzymes and impact the pharmacology of drugs administered via the nasal route. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 16:128–134, 2002. DOI 10.1002/jbt.10032
Reversals in Language: The Importance of Kinaesthetic Feedback Mechanisms

In this paper the orthodox hypotheses relating reversals in language to developmental defects of visuo-spatial or temporal orientation are criticised and greater emphasis is placed upon the accuracy of stimulus perception.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL FAILURE WAVES AND IGNITION FRONTS IN PREMIXED COMBUSTION

This paper is a continuation of our work on edge-flames in premixed combustion. An edge-flame is a two-dimensional structure constructed from a one-dimensional configuration that has two stable solutions (bistable equilibrium). Edge-flames can display wavelike behavior, advancing as ignition fronts or retreating as failure waves. Here we consider two one-dimensional configurations: twin deflagrations in a straining flow generated by the counterflow of fresh streams of mixture: and a single deflagration subject to radiation losses. The edge-flames constructed from the first configuration have positive or negative speeds, according to the value of the strain rate. But our numerical solutions strongly suggest that only positive speeds (corresponding to ignition fronts) can exist for the second configuration. We show that this phenomenon can also occur in diffusion flames when the Lewis numbers are small. And we discuss the asymptotics of the one-dimensional twin deflagration configuration. an overlooked problem from the 70s.
Analysis of long-term electrocardiographic data in a rabbit model of heart failure

The goal of this research is to explore techniques with which long-term physiologic time-series data can be analyzed, so that relevant changes in physiological signals, particularly the electrocardiogram signal, can be captured, processed, quantified and stored. A new experimental model was developed such that the electrocardiogram can be monitored continuously over thirteen weeks. Cardiotoxicity was progressively induced with doxorubicin in a rabbit model, and electrocardiographic progressions from normal state to diseased state were continuously tracked. Automated methods for analyzing the data were developed to manage and control the extensive electrocardiogram dataset. A significant challenge to this work is the sheer mass of data. This experiment generated 180 megabytes per day per rabbit, totaling around 66 gigabytes for the entire study. Classical ECG parameters significant for the evaluation of heart rate variability were calculated by computer for the entire period of the recordings, and visualized with several different methods.
The Returns to Attending a Prestigious Law School

We measure the returns to attending a highly ranked law school using the “After the JD” survey of lawyers …rst passing the Bar Exam in 2000. In 2002 and 2007, those lawyers that went to top 10 law schools made, on average, 25% more than those that went to schools ranked 11-20 and over 50% more than those that went to schools ranked 21-100. Graduates of Top 10 schools were also much more likely to work in large law …rms in leading law markets. We use two methods to assess the degree of selection in the law school prestige premium – the methods developed by Altonji, Elder, and Taber (2005), who focus on the relationship between observable and unobservable variables, and propensity score matching. We …nd that at least a third of the large returns to law school reputation are due to selection, but this selection is almost entirely on a single variable –quality of the undergraduate institution attended. Selection on other background characteristics is trivial. Whatever unobservables lead to selection into top undergraduate schools may also lead to selection into top law schools. Our results are consistent
Tumor at the Shoulder Point

Tumors at the shoulder point arising in the subcutaneous tissue are apt to be detected when they are small because of their prominence and accessibility to self-inspection and palpation. The acromioclavicular arch and the adjacent muscles may be removed, providing some margin around the tumor, without causing significant interference with the shoulder joint and range of motion.
Homesteading the Unassigned District: Political Entrepreneurship and the Political Process

The paper examines the political economy process culminating in the first Oklahoma Land Run; it adapts Schumpeter's theory of the entrepreneur to the political process, and uses the "political entrepreneur"; to dynamically link the theories of Peltzman and Olson. The Land Rush is analyzed as political entrepreneurship on the part of the railroads and David Payne to coalesce a new interest group which alters the martinal pressure on politicians, thereby altering the political outcome. HARD COPY PAPER REQUESTS: Contact chlavink@gmu.edu
Alcohol abuse in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament offers significant lessons in the use and abuse of alcohol and may also contain pertinent clues as to why Jews, rarely abstinent, evince a remarkably low incidence of addictive drinking. Some observations are offered within the context of a modem classificatory system suggested in the Major and Minor Criteria for the Diagnosis of Alcohol outlined in 1972 by the National Council of Alcoholism in the United States.
FOXA1 defines cancer cell specificity

A transcription factor functions differentially and/or identically in multiple cell types. However, the mechanism for cell-specific regulation of a transcription factor remains to be elucidated. We address how a single transcription factor, forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1), forms cell-specific genomic signatures and differentially regulates gene expression in four human cancer cell lines (HepG2, LNCaP, MCF7, and T47D). FOXA1 is a pioneer transcription factor in organogenesis and cancer progression. Genomewide mapping of FOXA1 by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing annotates that target genes associated with FOXA1 binding are mostly common to these cancer cells. However, most of the functional FOXA1 target genes are specific to each cancer cell type. Further investigations using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology indicate that cell-specific FOXA1 regulation is attributable to unique FOXA1 binding, genetic variations, and/or potential epigenetic regulation. Thus, FOXA1 controls the specificity of cancer cell types. We raise a "flower-blooming" hypothesis for cell-specific transcriptional regulation based on these observations.
Presence of Human Papilloma Viral Antigens in Juvenile Multiple Laryngeal Papilloma

Juvenile laryngeal papillomas, solitary laryngeal papillomas of the adult, and cylindric cell papillomas of the nose and sinuses were examined for the presence of papillomavirus antigens by means of immunocytbchemistry. By using an antiserum capable of recognizing a common group antigen that reacts with papillomavirus antigens of different species, it was found that half of the juvenile laryngeal papillomas studied contained cells staining for papillomavirus antigens. No positive cells were found in adult solitary papillomas or cylindric cell papillomas. These results strongly implicate a human papillomavirus as the causative agent of juvenile multiple laryngeal papillomas.
Corn Contaminated with Deoxynivalenol: Effects on Performance of Poultry

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding corn contaminated naturally with deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) on performance of laying hens and growing chicks. Ten dietary regimens used in the laying hen experiment contained incremental levels of 0-2.1 ppm DON and 0-0.42 ppm zeralenone. Six dietary regimens used in the growing chick experiment contained 0 or 2.1 ppm DON and 0-0.42 ppm zeralenone. The criteria used for evaluating the effect of dietary treatments were body weight, body weight gain, egg production, feed consumption, feed conversion, egg weight, egg grades, shell quality, albumen quality, fertility and hatchability, organ weight, and presence of lesions in the mouth. No adverse effects were observed in laying hens or growing chicks for any of these parameters even at the highest levels of DON contamination, which provided 2.1 ppm DON and 0.42 ppm zeralenone in the finished feeds. The data indicate that growing chicks and laying hens are relatively insensitive to corn contaminated naturally with 2-3 ppm DON and 0.4-0.6 ppm zeralenone, and having specifications similar to the corn samples used in this study. The results do not support the notion that corn contaminated with more than 0.5 ppm DON should be rejected for use in poultry feeds.
Constraints on geographic variation in fiddler crabs (Ocypodidae: Uca ) from the western Atlantic

A key question in evolutionary biology is how intraspecific variation biases the evolution of a population and its divergence from other populations. Such constraints potentially limit the extent to which populations respond to selection, but may endure long enough to have macroevolutionary consequences. Previous studies have focused on the association between covariation patterns and divergence among isolated populations. Few have focused on geographic variation among semi-connected populations, however, even though this may be indicative of early selective pressures that could lead to long-term divergence and speciation. Here, we test whether covariation in the shape of the carapace of fiddler crabs (genus Uca Leach, 1814) is important for structuring geographic variation. We find that morphological divergence among populations is associated with evolvability in the direction of divergence in only a few species. The shape of the ancestral covariation matrix in these species differs from other species in having notably more variation concentrated along fewer directions (i.e. higher eccentricity). For most species, there is some evidence that covariation has constrained the range of directions into which populations have diverged but not the degree of divergence. These results suggest that even though fiddler crab populations have diverged morphologically in directions predicted by covariation, constraints on the extent to which divergence has occurred may only be manifested in species where variation patterns are eccentric enough to limit populations' ability to respond effectively in many directions.
Breeding and Application of New Blast-resistant Hybrid Rice Combination Guyou Hang 148

Guyou Hang 148 is a new three-line hybrid rice combination developed by Rice Research Institute,Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences,with its own blast-resistant CMS line Gufeng A and a new restorer line Fuhui 148.Guyou Hang 148 exhibits some advantages such as good resistances to rice blast and rice false smut.It was registered by the National Crop Variety Appraisal Committee of China in 2009.
Rethinking Panethnicity and the Race-immigration Divide: An Ethnoracialization Model of Group Formation

Although demographic shifts continue to spark interest in the racially transformative effects of immigration, researchers routinely lament the lack of dialogue between race and immigration scholars...
Interest Group Politics and Government-Business Relations

In everyday language the labels sector publico (public sector), and iniciativa privada (private sector, sometimes given simply as I.P.) denote two distinct sub-cultures that have increasingly come into conflict since the early 1970s. The single most important domestic issue confronting the Mexican government in the 1980s is the renegotiation of a workable set of government-business agreements that will overcome mutual distrust and clear the way for resumed domestic investment, assuming that investible capital becomes available in the continuing liquidity squeeze.1 A renewed pact is critical because growth was a requisite of the previous order and there is no other obvious source of investment: petroleum revenues are highly mortgaged to interest payments on the foreign debt, there is little likelihood of substantial voluntary foreign private lending and increased direct foreign investment will be insufficient.
Implicit finite incompressible elastodynamics with linear finite elements: A stabilized method in rate form

Abstract We propose a stabilization method for linear tetrahedral finite elements, suitable for the implicit time integration of the equations of nearly and fully incompressible nonlinear elastodynamics. In particular, we derive and discuss a generalized framework for stabilization and implicit time integration that can comprehensively be applied to the class of all isotropic hyperelastic models. In this sense the presented development can be considered an important extension and complement to the stabilization approach proposed by the authors in previous work, which was instead focused on explicit time integration and simple neo-Hookean models for nearly-incompressible elasticity. With the goal of computational efficiency, we also present a two-step block Gauss–Seidel strategy for the time update of displacements, velocities and pressures. Specifically, a mixed system of equations for the velocity and pressure is updated implicitly in a first stage, and the displacements are updated explicitly in a second stage. The proposed mixed formulation is then embedded in Newton-type strategies for the nonlinear solution of the equations of motion. Various implicit time integration strategies are considered, and, particularly, we focus on high-frequency dissipation time integrators, which are preferable in transient mechanics applications. An extensive set of numerical computations with linear tetrahedral elements is presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach.
Photovoltaic energy converter as a chipscale high efficiency power source for implanted active microelectronic devices

We report the development of a microscale photovoltaic energy converter which has been designed and implemented to deliver power to CMOS-based microelectronic chips. The design targets the delivery of voltages on the order of 3V with power levels in excess of 10 mW. The geometry of the prototype device, which has been fabricated and tested, is specifically designed for coupling to an optical fiber, to facilitate remote power delivery in implantable component environment.
Clinical outcomes in patients with generalized periodic discharges.

Abstract Purpose Generalized periodic discharges (GPDs) are frequently identified in the EEGs of hospitalized patients but their prognostic significance remains unclear. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data in patients with GPDs to elucidate factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Method We reviewed data from inpatients at three different hospitals affiliated with our institution in whom GPDs were reported on routine EEGs by fellowship-trained electroencephalographers during the years 2010–2012. Cox regression was used to determine statistical association between in-hospital death and demographics, medical comorbidities, neurological and neuroimaging abnormalities and antiepileptic drug use. Results We identified 113 patients with GPDs. The mean age was 70.4 years and 70 (61.9%) were women. There were 60 inpatient deaths (53.1%). The variables significantly associated with in-hospital mortality were dementia, poor mental status at the time of the EEG, chronic focal abnormalities on neuroimaging, cardiac arrest and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Conclusion Dementia, poor mental status during EEG, chronic focal abnormalities on neuroimaging, cardiac arrest and COPD are independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality in patients with GPDs ( P
Malignant astrocytic tumor progression potentiated by JAK-mediated recruitment of myeloid cells

Purpose: While the tumor microenvironment has been known to play an integral role in tumor progression, the function of nonresident bone marrow-derived cells (BMDC) remains to be determined in neurologic tumors. Here we identified the contribution of BMDC recruitment in mediating malignant transformation from low- to high-grade gliomas.Experimental Design: We analyzed human blood and tumor samples from patients with low- and high-grade gliomas. A spontaneous platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) murine glioma model (RCAS) was utilized to recapitulate human disease progression. Levels of CD11b+/GR1+ BMDCs were analyzed at discrete stages of tumor progression. Using bone marrow transplantation, we determined the unique influence of BMDCs in the transition from low- to high-grade glioma. The functional role of these BMDCs was then examined using a JAK 1/2 inhibitor (AZD1480).Results: CD11b+ myeloid cells were significantly increased during tumor progression in peripheral blood and tumors of glioma patients. Increases in CD11b+/GR1+ cells were observed in murine peripheral blood, bone marrow, and tumors during low-grade to high-grade transformation. Transient blockade of CD11b+ cell expansion using a JAK 1/2 Inhibitor (AZD1480) impaired mobilization of these cells and was associated with a reduction in tumor volume, maintenance of a low-grade tumor phenotype, and prolongation in survival.Conclusions: We demonstrate that impaired recruitment of CD11b+ myeloid cells with a JAK1/2 inhibitor inhibits glioma progression in vivo and prolongs survival in a murine glioma model. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); 3109-19. ©2016 AACR.
Early DCE-MRI changes after longitudinal registration may predict breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

To monitor tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, investigators have begun to employ quantitative physiological parameters available from dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). However, most studies track the changes in these parameters obtained from the tumor region of interest (ROI) or histograms, thereby discarding all spatial information on tumor heterogeneity. In this study, we applied a nonrigid registration to longitudinal DCE-MRI data and performed a voxel-by-voxel analysis to examine the ability of early changes in parameters at the voxel level to separate pathologic complete responders (pCR) from non-responders (NR). Twenty-two patients were examined using DCE-MRI pre-, post one cycle, and at the conclusion of all neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The fast exchange regime model (FXR) was applied to both the original and registered DCE-MRI data to estimate tumor-related parameters. The results indicate that compared with the ROI analysis, the voxel-based analysis after longitudinal registration may improve the ability of DCE-MRI to separate complete responders from non-responders after one cycle of therapy when using the FXR model (p = 0.02).
Ribosome profiling to investigate in vivo molecular mechanisms of immune function (TECH2P.906)

Genomic analyses of gene expression of immune cells have so far focused on their transcriptional program by quantifying mRNA abundance, measured by microarray or more recently by RNA-seq. The mRNA abundance is often presumed as a proxy of the gene expression, but the correlation between mRNA abundance and protein level, which is the true end point of gene expression, frequently shows lack of sufficient correlation due to the apparent regulation of gene expression at the layer of translation. Here, we present the applications of an emerging technique, Ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq), on primary immune cells derived from various genetic mutant mice developing immune diseases. This directly captured genome-wide maps of protein synthesis (translatome) by allowing quantification of ribosome footprint of each mRNA with high resolution and depth. Side-by-side comparison of transcriptome and translatome in the disease models revealed the signaling pathways that are predominantly regulated in translation levels are prevalent, highlighting the critical roles of translational control in immune function.
The Role of Skin-to-Skin Contact and Breastfeeding on Postpartum Hemorrhage

Objectives: were to (a) determine incidence of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in all women delivering between 2009 and 2015, and (b) determine the amount of Estimated Blood Loss (EBL) and duration of the third stage of labor in each subgroup for women with or without PPH, and (c) compare EBL and duration of 3rd stage of labor between subgroups in groups of women with or without PPH. Design: A retrospective chart review conducted using codes for atonic PPH. Setting: Records from a University based tertiary setting, 264 charts were reviewed and data from 154 charts were analyzed. One-way ANOVAs followed with post-hocs and a 2-way ANOVA were conducted. Results: PPH rate increased by 47.50% from 2009–2015. For women with PPH, EBL was lower in skin to skin contact (SSC) + Breastfeeding (BF) subgroup. For women without PPH, EBL was lower in SSC only subgroup. Third stage of labor duration was longer in women with PPH. Conclusions: Study confirmed the increasing trends of PPH due to uterine atony and proposed role of SSC and BF in decreasing EBL and shorten the duration of the 3rd stage of labor for PPH women, usefulness of SSC and BF as physiologic practices merit further study.
Recent advances in analytical methods for the therapeutic drug monitoring of immunosuppressive drugs

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs) with a narrow therapeutic index is an increasingly popular tool for minimizing drug toxicity while maximizing the prevention of graft loss and organ rejection. This review focuses on trends regarding analytical methods for the TDM of ISDs since 2011. The five most commonly prescribed immunosuppressive medications are critically reviewed: cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, sirolimus (rapamycin), everolimus, and mycophenolic acid. This review introduces the general background of TDM and ISDs and presents the recent developments in using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and immunoassays for the TDM of ISDs. Finally, a future perspective for these analytical methods is briefly discussed.
Discovering community structures in power system networks using voltage — Reactive power sensitivity

For most large-scale systems, centrality is simply not feasible because it requires expensive and sophisticated data acquisition and communication networks. Moreover, with the integration of large-scale distributed energy resources into the power systems, it is desired to divide a one large system into multiple small systems to make the analysis and control feasible and comparatively easier. In this paper, an optimal power system network partitioning algorithm was presented which detects community structures (the partition of a group of network vertices into densely connected subgroups) in power system networks and divides the system into communities while minimizing intercommunity V-Q sensitivities and reactive power imbalance (because this partitioning was mainly done for decentralized voltage control). The presented algorithm was tested on three test power systems: 9bus, 39 bus and 118 bus systems.
An Introduction to Embodied Cognitive Phonology: Claw-5 Hand-shape Distribution in ASL and Libras

While the arbitrariness of the sign has occupied a central space in linguistic theory for a century, counter-evidence to this basic tenet has been mounting. Recent findings from cross-linguistic studies on spoken languages have suggested that, contrary to purely arbitrary distributions of phonological content, languages often exhibit systematic and regular phonological and sub-phonological patterns of form-meaning mappings. To date, studies of distributional tendencies of this kind have not been conducted for signed languages. In an investigation of phoneme distribution in American Sign Language (ASL) and Lingua Brasileira de Sinais (Libras), tokens of the claw-5 handshape were extracted and analyzed for whether the handshape contributed to the overall meaning of the sign. The data suggests that distribution of the claw-5 handshape is not randomly distributed across the lexicon, but clusters around six form-meaning patterns: convex-concave, Unitary-elements, non-compact matter, hand-as-hand, touch, and interlocking. Interestingly, feature-level motivations were uncovered as the source of the mappings These findings are considered within a new cognitive framework to better understand how and why sub-morphemic units develop and maintain motivated form-meaning mappings. The model proposed here, Embodied Cognitive Phonology, builds on cognitive and usage-based approaches but incorporates theories of embodiment to address the source of the claw-5 mappings. Embodied Cognitive Phonology provides a unifying framework for understanding the perceived differences in phonological patterning and organization across the modalities. Both language-internal and language-external sources of motivation contribute to the emergence of form-meaning mappings. Arbitrariness is argued to be but one possible outcome from the process of emergence and schematization of phonological content, and exists alongside motivation as a legitimate state of linguistic units of all sizes of complexity. Importantly, because language is dynamic, these states are not fixed, but are in continuous flux, as language users reinvent and reinterpret form and meaning over time.
Perinatal outcomes associated with abnormal cardiac remodeling in women with treated chronic hypertension.

Background Adverse maternal outcomes associated with chronic hypertension include accelerated hypertension and resultant target organ damage. One example is long-standing hypertension leading to maternal cardiac dysfunction. Our group has previously identified that features of such injury manifest as cardiac remodeling with left ventricular hypertrophy. Moreover, these features of cardiac remodeling identified in women with chronic hypertension during pregnancy were associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Recent definitions of maternal cardiac remodeling using echocardiography have been expanded to include measurements of wall thickness. We hypothesized that these new features characterizing cardiac remodeling in women with chronic hypertension may also be associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Objective There were 3 aims in this study of women with treated chronic hypertension during pregnancy: to (1) apply the updated definitions of maternal cardiac remodeling; (2) elucidate whether these features of cardiac remodeling were associated with adverse perinatal outcomes; and (3) determine which, if any, of the newly defined cardiac remodeling strata were most damaging when compared to women with normal cardiac geometry. Study Design This was a retrospective study of women with treated chronic hypertension during pregnancy delivered from January 2009 through January 2016. Cardiac remodeling was categorized by left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness into 4 groups determined using the 2015 American Society of Echocardiography guidelines: normal geometry, concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric hypertrophy. Perinatal outcomes were analyzed according to each category of cardiac remodeling compared with outcomes in women with normal geometry. Results A total of 314 women with treated chronic hypertension underwent echocardiography at a mean gestational age of 17.9 weeks. There were no differences between maternal age (P = .896), habitus (P = .36), or duration of chronic hypertension (P = .212) among the 4 groups. Abnormal cardiac remodeling was found in 51% and was significantly associated with increased rates of superimposed preeclampsia (P = .015), preterm birth (P Conclusion Using current American Society of Echocardiography guidelines, 51% of women with treated chronic hypertension during pregnancy have some degree of abnormal cardiac remodeling. Any suggestion of maternal cardiac remodeling, regardless of subtype, was associated with increased risks for superimposed preeclampsia and preterm birth with its resultant perinatal sequelae. Eccentric ventricular hypertrophy, previously thought to mimic exercise physiology, appears to be the most associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Despite evidence of cardiac remodeling, ejection fraction was preserved.
Visible light-promoted alkylation of imines using potassium organotrifluoroborates

A mild, redox-neutral, alkylation of imines with potassium alkyltrifluoroborates is described. The reaction proceeds under photoredox conditions at ∼30 °C with primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyltrifluoroborates, leading to alkylation products in moderate to good yield in most cases. Aryl-, vinyl-, and cyclopropyltrifluoroborates failed to react under the reported conditions.
Congenital diverticulum of the right ventricle: Association with pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defect

Abstract Two cases of congenital diverticulum of the right ventricle are presented. In each case, the diverticulum was demonstrated by angiocardiography (venous in one and selective in the other). In the single case with selective right ventriculograms, pulsation of paradoxical nature was evident in the diverticulum. Fibrosis of the wall of the diverticulum was present in this case. In the other case, the wall contained normal myocardial tissue. In this case, venous angiocardiography was not adequate to demonstrate pulsation. In both cases the clinical features were like those of tetralogy of Fallot and the anatomic features like those of ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis. One case was typical anatomically for tetralogy of Fallot; the other was classified as double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis.
Comparison of the adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test with and without prior dexamethasone suppression in the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

A comparison was made of the ACTH stimulation test with and without prior dexamethasone suppression in 10 patients, each of whom served as her own control. It was found that it is not necessary to administer DEX before the test, the specificity and sensitivity of both tests being the same in the diagnosis of CAH, although the calculated values are lower when DEX is given. Further investigation with HLA typing and ACTH stimulation testing is necessary to establish whether either or both types of ACTH stimulation tests are capable of discriminating between the heterozygotic and homozygotic varieties of CAH.
Effects of simulated insect defoliation and annual weed competition on soybean and velvetleaf development

The separate and combined effects of velvet!eaf competition and simu­ lated green cloverworm defoliation on soybean morphological development were evaluated in a 3-year field study. Statistical confirmation of velvetleaf competition stress was limited to soybeans in weed-proximate posi­ tions. Pre-harvest, weed-induced reductions in nodes with unrolled and fully-developed leaves (1981 only) and transient effects on leaf area de­ velopment were determined statistically significant. In comparison, the SGCW defoliation procedure reduced soybean leaf area, height, pre-harvest lodging, and lower-leaf abscission (1 of 2 years). Nodal development lagged slightly in 1980 defoliated plots. No treatment altered soybean stand counts, branching, reproductive phenology, or gravimetric soil mois­ ture determinations significantly. Although limited evidence of apparent weed-altered SGCW effects was noted, actual statistical confirmation of velvetleaf x SGCW treatment interactions was not realized in this study.
Mathematical features of lessons in the TIMSS video study

The video component of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study marked the first time that national samples of teachers were videotaped at work in their classrooms. In this article we review some of the results of the study, with special attention to the nature of the mathematics evident in these eighth-grade lessons from Germany, Japan, and the United States. We conclude by proposing that many lessons within a country follow a cultural pattern of teaching, and that differences among countries on individual indicators of teaching must be understood in reference to these patterns.
5.7 – The Cellular Basis of Cardiac Contractility

This chapter begins with the mechanism of force generation by cardiac muscle, describing the structure of the cardiomyocytes, their contractile filaments and the organelles that turn them on, and off, and supply them with energy. It distinguishes cardiac muscle from skeletal muscle in terms of its excitation–contraction coupling, long action potential duration that prohibits tetany, and maximal recruitment for every heart beat. Thus, contraction is regulated by recruitment of myofilaments either through the size of the Ca2+ transient or through regulation of Ca2+ sensitivity. The mechanism of sympathetic positive ionotropy is described in detail. The force–frequency relation is described. The lusitropic effect is introduced. The mechanism of action of cardiac glycosides is discussed. Finally, the modulation of cardiac force by stretch is described.
Abstract 1071: Targeted therapy evaluation in novel pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo models of Richter transformation

Richter Transformation (RT) is the development (in up to 15%) of aggressive DLBCL in patients with antecedent or concurrent CLL. By comparing immunoglobin gene rearrangements, 80% of RT-DLBCL (mostly ABC type) are clonally related (CR) to the underlying CLL, exhibiting poor median survival (MS) of 1 year, whereas 20% of RT-DLBCLs are clonally unrelated (CUR), exhibiting MS of 5 years. Lack of availability of in vitro cultured RT-DLBCL cells or PD xenograft models had prevented pre-clinical testing of novel targeted agents against RT-DLBCL. Here, we report the establishment of 3 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of RT-DLBCL (CR: RT15 and RT17, CUR: RT5) generated by tail-vein infusion and engraftment of luciferase-transduced CD19+ RT-DLBCL cells in NSG mice. RT-DLBCL xenografts grew in the bone marrow and spleen, causing marked splenomegaly and requiring euthanasia 4 to 6 weeks after engraftment. All three RT-DLBCL cells were EBV-negative by genomic and EBNA2 protein expression analyses. NextGen DNA sequencing of RT5 and RT15 cells showed mutations in TP53, ATM, NOTCH2, TET2 and MLL3 genes with a high VAF. Array-CGH showed DNA copy gains or losses in multiple chromosomes including 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 17 and 18. Anti-H3K27Ac ChIP-Seq analysis showed increased average, normalized read-densities across all super-enhancers/enhancers (SEs/Es), with several SEs/Es exhibiting high scores. ATAC-Seq showed markedly increased signal intensity in RT-DLBCL cells compared to CD34+ normal progenitors, with high peak numbers in specific loci. Western analyses showed that RT15 and RT17 expressed high levels of BCL2, Bcl-xL and MCL1, whereas RT5 lacked BCL2 expression. RT15 and RT17 cells were more sensitive than RT5 cells to anti-BCL2 venetoclax-induced apoptosis (p Citation Format: Warren C. Fiskus, Abhishek Maiti, Dyana T. Saenz, Christopher P. Mill, Joseph D. Khoury, Kapil N. Bhalla. Targeted therapy evaluation in novel pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo models of Richter transformation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1071.
Biologics in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

Objective Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a common and heterogeneous inflammatory condition, for which the drivers of the underlying inflammation are not yet fully understood. The use of biologic therapies to target specifically relevant effector cells or cytokines in CRSwNP is a growing field of interest. The objectives of this review are to provide an update on the existing studies of biologics in CRSwNP and to identify potential future areas for further research. Data Sources An initial literature review of biologic therapies in CRS was performed through publications gathered from a PubMed search for title/abstract containing “biologic” and “chronic rhinosinusitis”. Further manuscripts describing scientific premise for each biologic were then reviewed. Study Selections A detailed review of all studies describing biologic therapies targeting inflammation in CRSwNP was performed. Results Biologic therapies targeting IL-4Ra, IL-5, IL-5Ra, IL-33, IgE, and TSLP have all been developed and have been investigated for treatment in CRSwNP or current research suggests that they may have utility in this area. Thus far only dupilumab, which inhibits IL-4Ra, has gained FDA approval for the treatment of adults with inadequately controlled CRSwNP. Conclusion Recent advances in our understanding of the fundamental drivers of the chronic respiratory inflammation in CRSwNP has led to the identification of several potential therapeutic targets for this disease. Future clinical success will rely on the availability of biomarker-based endotyping and responder analyses so that clinicians can precisely match each patient to the appropriate biologic, thereby optimizing the proper treatment strategy.
Role of liquid backfilling in reducing solidification cracking in aluminium welds

The solidification cracking susceptibility of aluminium alloys 2024, 2219, 6061 and 7075 was evaluated recently by the transverse motion weldability test (the lower sheet moved in the transverse di...
A non-anhydrous, minimally basic protocol for the simplification of nucleophilic 18 F-fluorination chemistry

Fluorine-18 radiolabeling typically includes several conserved steps including elution of the [18F]fluoride from an anion exchange cartridge with a basic solution of K2CO3 or KHCO3 and Kryptofix 2.2.2. in mixture of acetonitrile and water followed by rigorous azeotropic drying to remove the water. In this work we describe an alternative “non-anhydrous, minimally basic” (“NAMB”) technique that simplifies the process and avoids the basic conditions that can sometimes limit the scope and efficiency of [18F]fluoride incorporation chemistry. In this approach, [18F]F− is eluted from small (10–12 mg) anion-exchange cartridges with solutions of tetraethylammonium bicarbonate, perchlorate or tosylate in polar aprotic solvents containing 10–50% water. After dilution with additional aprotic solvent, these solutions are used directly in nucleophilic aromatic and aliphatic 18F-fluorination reactions, obviating the need for azeotropic drying. Perchlorate and tosylate are minimally basic anions that are nevertheless suitable for removal of [18F]F- from the anion-exchange cartridge. As proof-of-principle, “NAMB” chemistry was utilized for the synthesis of the dopamine D2/D3 antagonist [18F]fallypride.
The role of PPARα in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Purpose of review Metabolic reprogramming is a prominent feature of cyst epithelial cells in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a transcription factor that regulates many aspects of cellular metabolism. The purpose of this review is to understand the role of PPARα in ADPKD. Recent findings PPARα expression is reduced in ADPKD kidneys of mice and humans. This downregulation is in part secondary to microRNA mediated translational repression and leads to impairment of fatty acid metabolism. Genetic studies demonstrate that deletion of Pparα aggravates cyst growth in a slowly progressive mouse model of ADPKD. Recent studies also show that administration of Pparα agonists ameliorates cyst burden in mice. Summary Abnormal reduction of PPARα affects cellular metabolism in ADPKD. Pparα is a modulator of cyst progression in mouse models of ADPKD. These studies establish PPARα as an exciting new drug target for the treatment of individuals with ADPKD.
Using and Intensifying Video Modeling for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Video modeling (VM) is a powerful and effective tool to support skill acquisition and generalization for students with and without emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). Video models can include...
Outcomes of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair with extensive scleral-depressed vitreous removal and dynamic examination

There are multiple surgical approaches to the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Here, we evaluated the outcomes of small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), alone or in combination with scleral buckle (SB-PPV), for RRD repair using a standardized technique by 3 vitreoretinal surgeons: "extensive" removal of the vitreous with scleral depression and dynamic examination of the peripheral retina. One hundred eighty seven eyes of 180 consecutive patients treated for primary RRD by three vitreoretinal surgeons at a tertiary academic medical center from September 2015 to March 2018 were analyzed. Most RRDs occurred in males (134 [71.3%] eyes), affected the left eye (102 [54.3%]), and were phakic (119 [63.3%]). PPV alone was performed in 159 eyes (84.6%), with a combined SB-PPV used in the remaining 29 eyes (15.4%); focal endolaser was used in all (100%) cases. The single surgery anatomic success rate was 186 eyes (99.5%) at 3 months, and 187 (100%) at last follow up. Overall best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) had significantly improved at 3 months ([Snellen 20/47] P<0.00005) and last follow up ([Snellen 20/31] P<0.00005), as compared to day of presentation ([Snellen 20/234]). Our findings suggest that "extensive" removal of the vitreous and dynamic peripheral examination with scleral depression may lead to high single surgery success in primary uncomplicated RRD repair.
Health Disparities and Geographic Clusters of Perforated Appendicitis in California Children

Background/Purpose: While geographic disparities in perforated appendicitis have been demonstrated in other states, it is unknown if clusters of pediatric perforated appendicitis exist in California. Understanding where these clusters occur may help improve healthcare quality. We aimed to identify these clusters in California. Methods: California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) provided risk adjusted perforated appendicitis rates per …