cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integration of C–C coupling reactions of biomass-derived oxygenates to fuel-grade compounds

Ceria-zirconia mixed oxides with different compositions including pure ceria and pure zirconia were prepared and characterized using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of CO2 and NH3, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and BET surface area measurements. Bi-functional catalysts for C–C coupling of ketones by aldol condensation/hydrogenation were prepared by depositing palladium on these ceria-zirconia mixed oxides, and these catalysts were studied for the conversion of 2-hexanone, a representative ketone that can be derived from sugars in biomass. The Pd/ZrO2 catalyst showed the best resistance to inhibition by CO2, an important factor in catalyst performance because of the presence of CO2 in biomass-derived feed streams. Furthermore, this catalyst displayed high activity for aldol condensation, as well as good resistance to inhibition by water. These properties make Pd/ZrO2 a desirable catalyst for integration in a single reactor of aldol condensation/hydrogenation reactions with ketonization processes, the latter of which convert carboxylic acids to ketones plus CO2 and H2O. The feasibility of this integration was studied with the mixture of a carboxylic acid (butanoic acid) and a ketone (2-hexanone) in a double bed system, and the integrated process showed high activity as well as selectivity to C–C coupling products.
Lines in space: Part 4: Back to the diagrams [Jim Blinn's Corner]

In this series of articles we've found that we can represent an arbitrary line in projective 3-space with six numbers. We can construct this line either from two points on it or as the intersection of two planes. If we construct the line from two points S and T, with homogeneous coordinates S=[x S y S z S w S ] T=[x T y T z T w T ].
A deferred cleansing method for RFID data analytics

Radio Frequency Identification is gaining broader adoption in many areas. One of the challenges in implementing an RFID-based system is dealing with anomalies in RFID reads. A small number of anomalies can translate into large errors in analytical results. Conventional "eager" approaches cleanse all data upfront and then apply queries on cleaned data. However, this approach is not feasible when several applications define anomalies and corrections on the same data set differently and not all anomalies can be defined beforehand. This necessitates anomaly handling at query time. We introduce a deferred approach for detecting and correcting RFID data anomalies. Each application specifies the detection and the correction of relevant anomalies using declarative sequence-based rules. An application query is then automatically rewritten based on the cleansing rules that the application has specified, to provide answers over cleaned data. We show that a naive approach to deferred cleansing that applies rules without leveraging query information can be prohibitive. We develop two novel rewrite methods, both of which reduce the amount of data to be cleaned, by exploiting predicates in application queries while guaranteeing correct answers. We leverage standardized SQL/OLAP functionality to implement rules specified in a declarative sequence-based language. This allows efficient evaluation of cleansing rules using existing query processing capabilities of a DBMS. Our experimental results show that deferred cleansing is affordable for typical analytic queries over RFID data.
Cancer chemopreventive activity and bioavailability of tea and tea polyphenols

Consumption of tea (Camellia sinensis) has been associated with many health benefits including the prevention of cancer. Based on in vitro experiments, many mechanisms have been proposed to account for the cancer chemopreventive activity. The importance of some of these mechanisms in vivo remains in question due to an incomplete understanding of the bioavailability of the polyphenolic compounds in tea. In this article, the literature on the cancer chemopreventive activity of tea and the tea polyphenols is discussed as well as some of the possible mechanisms for this activity. Whereas studies in animal models and with cell lines have demonstrated cancer preventive activity, the epidemiological data remain mixed. This discrepancy may arise from several factors including lifestyle, correlation between animal models and humans, and differences in metabolism among individuals. Results on the bioavailability and biotransformation of the tea polyphenols help explain some of the differences. We hope this article will spark research efforts on some of the important questions regarding tea polyphenol bioavailability and cancer chemoprevention.
Heterogeneity of the Silent Phenotype of Human Butyrylcholinesterase - Identification of Eight New Mutations

The silent phenotype of human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; E.C. 3.1.1.8) is characterized by the absence or very low levels of enzyme activity. Heterogeneity of this phenotype was recognized soon after the first apparently homozygotes were identified (Goedde and Altland, 1968).
Sociocultural Perspectives on Interpersonal Relationships in Schools.

This incident happened in my junior year: I got into a confrontation with another girl and ended up getting suspended during the process. While I was still at school, I was taken into a counselor’s office and was introduced to Ms. Costello. We started talking and found out that we had a lot in common. Our moms died about the same year, and I remember her saying “Oh, now I’ll never forget you!” And she took a post note, wrote my name on it and stuck it on her computer. A lot of things were happening in my life at that time so, yes, it made me put a smile on my face.
Same place, different experiences: exploring the influence of gender on students’ science museum experiences

Providing learning environments that are motivating for female students and male students alike is a challenge for science educators. This overview of the research conducted in science museums provides initial insights into informal educational settings that allow female visitors to have experiences which foster development of science interest and learning. The discussion of the influence of gender on learning experiences in informal science environments raises questions and calls for further research and more comprehensive reporting of research results. Findings related to gender‐equitable learning in settings such as science museums would be beneficial and extend the present knowledge base in science education.
Beyond Stafford and Warr's Reconceptualization of Deterrence: Personal and Vicarious Experiences, Impulsivity, and Offending Behavior

Recently, Stafford and Warr identified four categories of experiences hypothesized to underlie judgments about the risk of legal sanctions: personal punishment experience, personal punishment avoidance, vicarious punishment experience, and vicarious punishment avoidance. Using original data to test the Stafford and Warr model, five key findings emerge. First, both personal and vicarious avoidance experiences relate positively to offending. Second, punishment and avoidance experiences affect behavior by influencing sanction risk perceptions. Third, the combination of low personal and vicarious punishment avoidance strongly dissuades offending. Fourth, prior offending conditions the influence of punishment and avoidance experiences in a manner consistent with Stafford and Warr. Fifth, while impulsive individuals are influenced primarily by their own experiences, individuals who are not as impulsive tend to attend more to the experiences of others. Finally, punishment experiences appear to encourage rather t...
The Effect of Moderate Epididymal Aging on the Kinetics of the Acrosome Reaction and Fertilizing Ability of Hamster Spermatozoa

Spermatozoa within one sample do not appear to complete the capacitation process at the same rate. This could reflect a population composed of cells of different absolute age and thus of different maturational state, or the existence of inherent programmed differences among subpopulations of spermatozoa in regard to their capacitation potential. To explore this question, hamster spermatozoa aged within the range of their viable life in the cauda epididymidis were assessed, in comparison with controls, for onset of the acrosome reaction (AR) and hyperactivation as a function of capacitation time in vitro. Aging spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis beyond the normal period did not synchronize onset of the AR among them. Such aging merely suppressed the ability of a major (late-reacting) segment of the motile population to react and, coincidentally, reduced their fertilization performance in vivo. Experiments using the calcium ionophore A 23187 indicate that these subtle epididymal aging effects reflected in the function--but not motility--of spermatozoa probably are exerted on the regulation of ion channels in the plasmalemma. We conclude that the asynchrony of onset of the AR and hyperactivation during capacitation probably reflects inherent or programmed differences among spermatozoa. The fact that moderate aging tends to suppress the ability of many motile spermatozoa to react and to fertilize in vivo suggests that an optimal functional state can persist in the cauda for not much longer than spermatozoa remain there before normal replacement by younger cells.
Role of axial muscles in powering mouth expansion during suction feeding in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Suction-feeding fishes capture food by fast and forceful expansion of the mouth cavity, and axial muscles probably provide substantial power for this feeding behavior. Dorsal expansion of the mouth cavity can only be powered by the epaxial muscles, but both the sternohyoid, shortening against an immobile pectoral girdle to retract the hyoid, and the hypaxial muscles, shortening to retract both the pectoral girdle and hyoid, could contribute ventral expansion power. To determine whether hypaxial muscles generate power for ventral expansion, and the rostrocaudal extent of axial muscle shortening during suction feeding, we measured skeletal kinematics and muscle shortening in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The three-dimensional motions of the cleithrum and hyoid were measured with X-ray reconstruction of moving morphology (XROMM), and muscle shortening was measured with fluoromicrometry, wherein changes in the distance between radio-opaque intramuscular markers are measured using biplanar X-ray video recording. We found that the hypaxials generated power for ventral suction expansion, shortening (mean of 6.2 mm) to rotate the pectoral girdle caudoventrally (mean of 9.3 deg) and retract the hyoid (mean of 8.5 mm). In contrast, the sternohyoid shortened minimally (mean of 0.48 mm), functioning like a ligament to transmit hypaxial shortening to the hyoid. Hypaxial and epaxial shortening were not confined to the rostral muscle regions, but extended more than halfway down the body during suction expansion. We conclude that hypaxial and epaxial muscles are both crucial for powering mouth expansion in largemouth bass, supporting the integration of axial and cranial musculoskeletal systems for suction feeding.
Pharmacologic Control of Ventricular Rate: American College of Chest Physicians Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery

While there is a deficiency in the number of randomized control studies dealing with the pharmacologic control of the ventricular response to atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) after cardiac surgery, evidence-based recommendations are presented from those studies that are available. Because of the hyperadrenergic state after surgery, beta-blockers are recommended as the first line of therapy for patients with AF or AFL who do not require urgent cardioversion. Calcium channel blockers are recommended as second-line therapeutic agents. Digoxin has little efficacy because of the heightened adrenergic tone that is present postoperatively. Agents that are proarrhythmic, such as dofetilide, or agents that are contraindicated in patients with coronary artery disease, such as flecainide and propafenone, are not recommended.
Teaching Discipline and Classroom Management: An Annotated Guide Through the Literature

(1994). Teaching Discipline and Classroom Management: An Annotated Guide Through the Literature. Teaching Education: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 167-178.
Presence of B7–2 (CD86) and lack of B7–1 (CD(80) on myelin phagocytosing MHC-II-positive rat microglia is associated with nondestructive immunity in vivo

SPECIFIC AIMSMyelin-specific autoimmune T cells can induce both destructive and neuroprotective autoimmunity and it is likely that differences in peripheral T cell stimulation account for the induc...
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: recent advances in diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a low-grade Blineage lymphoid malignancy but may have more heterogeneity than previouthougny cases require no treatment at all because of an indolent course, while other patients become symptomatic or develop signs of rapid progression. Treatment is usually noncurative and is directed at reducing the symptoms. Some molecular risk features may help delineate, at initial diagnosis, which patients will have a more aggressive course. Newer CLL treatment regimens incorporating purine nucleoside analogues and monoclonal antibodies have
Fish granulocytes: Morphology, distribution, and function

Abstract In the last 20 years interest in fish granulocyte identification, distribution, and function has burgeoned, as evidenced by the increasing number of reports in scientific literature. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are present in peripheral blood and certain organs of fish. Some species of fish have all three cell types, while other species may only possess one cell type. Granulopoiesis in fish occurs in the spleen, kidneys, epigonal organ, organ of Leydig, and other specialized tissue, with the specific locations depending on the species. In some fish, neutrophils are actively phagocytic. In vitro assays indicate phagocytosis, mobilization in response to chemotaxins, detectable chemiluminescence, and an active respiratory burst when appropriately stimulated. In fish species without neutrophils, the eosinophil may be responsible for phagocytosis. Eosinophils also function in antiparasite immunity in certain species. Basophil function has not been investigated. Responses of fish neutrophils and eosinophils can be altered by season of the year, environmental pollutants, disease, and others stressors. Differences among fish species in type, cellular distribution, and function of granulocytes are the focus of this review.
Attenuation of neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease pathology by liver x receptors

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive cognitive impairment. The initiation and progression of AD has been linked to cholesterol metabolism and inflammation, processes that can be modulated by liver x receptors (LXRs). We show here that endogenous LXR signaling impacts the development of AD-related pathology. Genetic loss of either Lxralpha or Lxrbeta in APP/PS1 transgenic mice results in increased amyloid plaque load. LXRs regulate basal and inducible expression of key cholesterol homeostatic genes in the brain and act as potent inhibitors of inflammatory gene expression. Ligand activation of LXRs attenuates the inflammatory response of primary mixed glial cultures to fibrillar amyloid beta peptide (fAbeta) in a receptor-dependent manner. Furthermore, LXRs promote the capacity of microglia to maintain fAbeta-stimulated phagocytosis in the setting of inflammation. These results identify endogenous LXR signaling as an important determinant of AD pathogenesis in mice. We propose that LXRs may be tractable targets for the treatment of AD due to their ability to modulate both lipid metabolic and inflammatory gene expression in the brain.
Contour Completion and Relative Depth: Petter's Rule and Support Ratio

The ability to see complete objects despite occlusion is critical to humans' visual success. Human vision can amodally complete visual objects that are partially occluded, and modally complete visual objects that occlude other objects. Previous experiments showed that the perceived strength of a completed contour depends on its support ratio: the ratio of the length of the physically specified contour to the total length of the contour. Other experiments showed that human vision prefers to make modal completions as short as possible, an effect known as Petter's rule. The experiment reported here examined the relationship between Petter's rule and support ratio, showing that both affect modal completion in figures of homogeneous color, but that when they compete Petter's rule dominates. Finally, our results confirm that Petter's rule is an effect of relative gap lengths and not of relative size.
Continuous queries over data streams

In many recent applications, data may take the form of continuous data streams, rather than finite stored data sets. Several aspects of data management need to be reconsidered in the presence of data streams, offering a new research direction for the database community. In this paper we focus primarily on the problem of query processing, specifically on how to define and evaluate continuous queries over data streams. We address semantic issues as well as efficiency concerns. Our main contributions are threefold. First, we specify a general and flexible architecture for query processing in the presence of data streams. Second, we use our basic architecture as a tool to clarify alternative semantics and processing techniques for continuous queries. The architecture also captures most previous work on continuous queries and data streams, as well as related concepts such as triggers and materialized views. Finally, we map out research topics in the area of query processing over data streams, showing where previous work is relevant and describing problems yet to be addressed.
Relationship of Neurovascular Elements to Neuron Injury during Ischemia

Occlusion of flow to the brain regions identifies regions of vulnerability within the vascular territory at risk, which coalesce to become the mature ischemic lesion. A large number of unsuccessful clinical trials have focused on neuron and extravascular targets in humans that have shown apparent salvage in preclinical models. However, the observation that microvessel and neuron responses to ischemia occur simultaneously in these regions suggest that the responses could be coordinated. This presentation examines evidence in support of the conceptual ‘neurovascular unit’ and its application to the setting of acute intervention trials in ischemic stroke. There are no uniform reasons for which nonvascular interventions, as a class, have not been successful in clinical trials, but both the clinical observations and the hypothesis imply the need to understand interactions with the neurovascular unit as a prelude to further neuron protectant trials.
The trigger circuit for the 80-In. bubble chamber light source

A circuit was designed to trigger a high-power flashtube at one per second repetition rate. It also increased the life of the tube by a factor of ~100 from its rated life.
High specificity, not degeneracy, allows T cell alloresponses

Alloreactive T cell responses are considered the product of 'degenerate' recognition by T cells of many different complexes of peptide and major histocompatibility complex. New work shows instead that T cell receptor alloresponses are highly 'polyspecific' for such complexes.
Short-term prognosis after a TIA: A simple score predicts risk

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are ominous and call for acute interventions, including hospitalization. TIAs are defined by complete resolution of an acute neurologic deficit, but any amount of recovery is probably the most important defining feature and, paradoxically, is strongly predictive of a subsequent event. Most patients should be hospitalized after a TIA, to provide an opportunity to monitor, thoroughly evaluate, and treat conditions promptly if indicated.
Salt and Hypertension: An Evolutionary Perspective

Despite overwhelming evidence linking increased salt intake to hypertension, the relation is still disputed in some circles. Viewing the introduction of salt to human diet on an evolutionary time scale would help us better understand the role of salt in hypertension. Humans and related species evolved in a salt-free environment over millions of years with intense evolutionary pressure for the selection of salt conserving genes. The recorded history confirms how rare and inaccessible salt has been until recently. Thrusting the species that has exquisitely adapted to very low salt intake into salt surfeit conditionsrepresents evolutionary mismatch with catastrophic health consequences. More than a quarter of human populations suffer from hypertension. World Health Organization (WHO) and many governments have now taken action to reduce dietary intake of salt in an effort to reduce the incidence of hypertension and the associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
AN OVERVIEW OF AQUACULTURE RESEARCH IN THE SOUTHEAST FISHERIES CENTER'S GALVESTON LABORATORY1

The Aquaculture Program at the Galveston Laboratory of the National Marine Fisheries Service's Southeast Fisheries Center is divided into 2 phases, experimental and demonstration. The experimental phase includes maturation and reproduction, grow-out and economical and biological evaluation. Positive economic and biological evaluation in the experimental phase will lead to phase 2, the demonstration of a pilot operation. Successful completion of the demonstration phase, which will be conducted in cooperation with industry, will eventually lead to commercial rearing of marine animals for either food, bait or seeding of wild stocks. The major thrust of this program has been to rear shrimp for bait, a research investment warranted by the demand for bait shrimp and prospects for success. Results to date indicate that shrimp can be reared in closed systems to a size suitable for sale in the northern Gulf of Mexico as bait shrimp. In addition, studies are being conducted to culture marine sea turtles, specifically loggerhead, and release the cultured juveniles into the wild in an attempt to increase wild populations of depleted, threatened or endangered species. Further, studies have been successful in rearing finfish in closed systems, and future work will be concentrated on the rearing of striped bass, redfish, and snapper for release in the marine environment as juveniles in an attempt to increase or augment wild populations.
On the size-dependent phase transformation in nanoparticulate zirconia

Abstract We have studied the structures of zirconia nanoparticles formed by plasma-spraying an organo-metallic precursor. Inspection of the particles in the TEM reveals that they adopt one of two distinct crystal structures, depending upon their size. The smallest particles have the tetragonal structure, while larger ones are monoclinic. Interpolation of the data reveals a critical size above which the monoclinic structure is stable. Upon annealing, the zirconia particles coarsen and undergo a phase transformation when the particle size is of the order of 18 nm, for reasons associated with the surface energy, and the occurrence of this phase transformation produces a sudden change in the driving force for coarsening. Grain size distributions below the critical size for the transforrnation are log-normal, but as the transformation occurs, the size distribution changes to a markedly less skewed form. The development of this distribution is followed to establish whether it grows self-similarly, or returns to log-normality once normal driving forces are restored after the phase transformation is complete.
E-008 Novel approach to endovascular repair of complex iatrogenic V3 vertebral AVF using amplatzer II plug and PGLA- coated coils: a case report

The concomitant vertebral artery injury as a complication during posterior C1&2 screw fixation has been described before and found to occur in approximately 3% of cases and may remain asymptomatic (30%) or cause sequelae that include an arterial steal phenomenon with cerebral hypoperfusion, increased flow in cerebral veins resulting in intracranial venous congestion or hemorrhage, headaches, a bruit, tinnitus or vertigo. The nature of the fistula and its associated symptoms, the onset and nature of the injury and the concurrent clinical status of the patient, and the necessity of treatment, these factors influence choosing the treatment modality and approach which range between conservative management, endovascular techniques to occlude the fistula, and/or on rare occasions direct surgical clipping could be used also, see Abstract E-008 table 2 in (Endovascular therapy of arteriovenous fistulae with electrolytically detachable coils. 1999), E-008 tables 1 and 2 in (Herrera et al., 2008). Variable endovascular techniques have been described in many publications, (Kattner, Roth, Nardone, & Giannotta, 2004), (Gonzalez et al., 2001), (Lee et al., 2007), (Beaujeux et al), (Feyyaz Baltacioglu, 2009), (Chuhan Jiang, Xianli Lv, Youxiang Li, Jingbo Zhang, Zhongxue Wu, 2009), (Macdonald, Millar, & Barker, 2010), (Andreou, Ioannidis, & Nasis, 2008), (Li et al., 2007), (Guo et al., 1998). In this case, we are first to report the practical use of Amplatzer Vascular Plug (II), which has been only known to be used in treating peripheral vascular AVF, and it has never been reported to be used in treating AVFs until the time of submitting this case-report. Amplatzer Vascular Plug Family, are designed to provide optimal embolization of peripheral veins and arteries through single device occlusion, full cross-sectional vessel coverage, controlled and precise deployment. Using the Amplatzer Vascular plug is a very efficient and cost-effective alternative to coils or surgery. It can also be repositioned or recaptured, if necessary. The Amplatzer Vascular Plug (II), is a unique multi-segmented, multilayered device, that reduces the time to occlusion for transcatheter embolization procedures. Its adjustable lobes are designed to better conform to vessel landing zone. (AGA medical corporation, 2010), (Cil B, Peynircioglu B, Canyiglit M, Geyik S, Ciftci T., 2008). Conclusion Using Amplatzer Vascular Plug (II) in treating vertebral AVFs has never been previously reported. In this case; the large size of the AVF and the and the altered and complicated vertebral vascular anatomy secondary to the previous cervical surgeries were strong indications to choose a larger vascular plug in attempt to cause a complete occlusion of the AVF and attempt complete cure of its clinical sequelae on our patient.
Chronic ethanol intake alters circadian phase shifting and free-running period in mice.

Chronic alcohol intake is associated with widespread disruptions in sleep and circadian rhythms in both human alcoholics and in experimental animals. Recent studies have demonstrated that chronic and acute ethanol treatments alter fundamental properties of the circadian pacemaker—including free-running period and responsiveness to photic and nonphotic phase-shifting stimuli—in rats and hamsters. In the present work, the authors extend these observations to the C57BL/6J mouse, an inbred strain characterized by very high levels of voluntary ethanol intake and by reliable and stable free-running circadian activity rhythms. Mice were housed individually in running-wheel cages under conditions of either voluntary or forced ethanol intake, whereas controls were maintained on plain water. Forced ethanol intake significantly attenuated photic phase delays (but not phase advances) and shortened free-running period in constant darkness, but voluntary ethanol intake failed to affect either of these parameters. Thus, high levels of chronic ethanol intake, beyond those normally achieved under voluntary drinking conditions, are required to alter fundamental circadian pacemaker properties in C57BL/6J mice. These observations may be related to the relative ethanol insensitivity displayed by this strain in several other phenotypic domains, including ethanol-induced sedation, ataxia, and withdrawal. Additional experiments will investigate chronobiological sensitivity to ethanol in a range of inbred strains showing diverse ethanol-related phenotypes.
α-Synuclein fibrillogenesis as target for drug development

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are the two most frequent neurodegenerative disorders. Current symptomatic treatment of PD is useful for a limited period during disease progression, and the state-of-the-art symptomatic treatment of AD with cholinesterase inhibitors is only marginally effective. Thus, a major unmet medical need exists for both diseases and the ideal therapeutic would halt disease progression and not just alleviate symptoms. Development of a disease-modifying treatment requires some understanding of the disease etiology. For AD the amyloid cascade hypothesis [1] can serve as a framework from which targets for therapeutic intervention can be developed. In contrast, there has been no unifying hypothesis for the pathogenesis of PD, and therapeutic targets still have to be defined. Here we describe basic mechanistic studies which lead us to propose α-synuclein fibrillogenesis as a target for therapeutic intervention for PD and other α-synucleinopathies, e.g., dementia with Lewy bodies.
Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography: a survey of practices in the United States.

Objective Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) is a simplified method for continuous monitoring of brain activity in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our objective was to describe current aEEG use in the United States. Study Design An online survey was distributed to the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Perinatal Pediatrics' list serve. Result A total of 654 surveys were received; 55% of respondents reported using aEEG. aEEG was utilized more often in academic and levels III and IV NICUs; hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and suspected seizures were the most common indications for use. aEEG was primarily interpreted by neonatologists (87%), with approximately half reporting either self-teaching or hospital-based training for interpretation. For those not using aEEG, uncertain clinical benefit (40%) and cost (17%) were reported as barriers to use. Conclusion More than half of neonatologists utilize aEEG, with practice variation by NICU setting. Barriers to wider adoption include education regarding potential benefit, training, and cost.
Epidemic Survey Echinococcosis for Human and Livestock in ABa Prefecture of Sichuan Province of Year 2008

Objective To survey and analyze the epidemiological and distribution situation of echinococcosis for human and livestock in Aba Prefecture of Sichuan Province.Methods According to the Standard WS257-2006 of Diagnose Hydatidosis which was published by the WHO,the residents from 141 countrysides of 13 counties where echinococcosis prevailed were examined by B-ultrasound.Sera anti-echinococcosis IgG of children under 12 years old and dejecta-antigen of dogs were examined by ELISA.Visceral of yaks and sheep were examined in slaughter places to make sure their infection.Results Human surveillance:48 288 people were examined by B-ultrasound,470 of which were patients.The positive rate was 0.97%;19 people was Alveolar Echinococcus,and 451 people was Cystic Echinococcus.Sera of 5 372 children was examined,358 of which were positive.The positive rate was 6.67%.Livestock surveillance:5814 dejecta-antigens of dogs were examined,989 of which were positive.The positive rate was 17.01%.3 336 yaks and sheep were examined,113 of which were positive.The rate was 3.39% (113/3 336).Conclusion Alveolar and Cystic Echinococcus exist and prevail among humans and cattles in Aba Prefecture of Sichuan Province,with a larger proportion of Cystic Echinococcus.
Crystallographic Analysis of Small Ribozymes and Riboswitches

Ribozymes and riboswitches are RNA motifs that accelerate biological reactions and regulate gene expression in response to metabolite recognition, respectively. These RNA molecules gain functionality via complex folding that cannot be predicted a priori, and thus requires high-resolution three-dimensional structure determination to locate key functional attributes. Herein, we present an overview of the methods used to determine small RNA structures with an emphasis on RNA preparation, crystallization, and structure refinement. We draw upon examples from our own research in the analysis of the leadzyme ribozyme, the hairpin ribozyme, a class I preQ(1) riboswitch, and variants of a larger class II preQ(1) riboswitch. The methods presented provide a guide for comparable investigations of noncoding RNA molecules including a 48-solution, "first choice" RNA crystal screen compiled from our prior successes with commercially available screens.
Radioimmunoassay of pregnanediol concentrations in early morning urine specimens for assessment of luteal function in women.

A radioimmunoassay has been developed that employs a readily available radioligand 3 H-20 α -hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one for the determination of pregnanediol glucuronide in urine. The unextracted steroid is assayed directly after dilution of urine with the use of an antiserum produced to a thyroglobulin conjugate of pregnanediol glucuronide. The assay has been validated, and the ability to assess luteal function by measurement of the concentration of pregnanediol glucuronide in early morning urine specimens has been demonstrated.
Quercetin inhibits LPS-induced adhesion molecule expression and oxidant production in human aortic endothelial cells by p38-mediated Nrf2 activation and antioxidant enzyme induction.

Atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of ischemic heart disease and stroke, is an inflammatory disease of arteries in a hyperlipidemic milieu. Endothelial expression of cellular adhesion molecules, such as endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. The dietary flavonoid, quercetin, has been reported to inhibit expression of cellular adhesion molecules, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. In this study, we found that quercetin dose-dependently (5–20 µM) inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mRNA and protein expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1 in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). Incubation of HAEC with quercetin also significantly reduced LPS-induced oxidant production, but did not inhibit activation of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB). Furthermore, quercetin induced activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and subsequent mRNA and protein expression of the antioxidant enzymes, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1, and glutamate-cysteine ligase. The induction of Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes was partly inhibited by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) inhibitor, SB203580. Our results suggest that quercetin suppresses LPS-induced oxidant production and adhesion molecule expression by inducing Nrf2 activation and antioxidant enzyme expression, which is partially mediated by p38; and the inhibitory effect of quercetin on adhesion molecule expression is not due to inhibition of NF-κB activation, but instead due to antioxidant-independent effects of HO-1.
HIV-1 and HIV-2 exhibit divergent interactions with HLTF and UNG2 DNA repair proteins

HIV replication in nondividing host cells occurs in the presence of high concentrations of noncanonical dUTP, apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing, enzyme-catalytic, polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) cytidine deaminases, and SAMHD1 (a cell cycle-regulated dNTP triphosphohydrolase) dNTPase, which maintains low concentrations of canonical dNTPs in these cells. These conditions favor the introduction of marks of DNA damage into viral cDNA, and thereby prime it for processing by DNA repair enzymes. Accessory protein Vpr, found in all primate lentiviruses, and its HIV-2/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) SIVsm paralogue Vpx, hijack the CRL4(DCAF1) E3 ubiquitin ligase to alleviate some of these conditions, but the extent of their interactions with DNA repair proteins has not been thoroughly characterized. Here, we identify HLTF, a postreplication DNA repair helicase, as a common target of HIV-1/SIVcpz Vpr proteins. We show that HIV-1 Vpr reprograms CRL4(DCAF1) E3 to direct HLTF for proteasome-dependent degradation independent from previously reported Vpr interactions with base excision repair enzyme uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG2) and crossover junction endonuclease MUS81, which Vpr also directs for degradation via CRL4(DCAF1) E3. Thus, separate functions of HIV-1 Vpr usurp CRL4(DCAF1) E3 to remove key enzymes in three DNA repair pathways. In contrast, we find that HIV-2 Vpr is unable to efficiently program HLTF or UNG2 for degradation. Our findings reveal complex interactions between HIV-1 and the DNA repair machinery, suggesting that DNA repair plays important roles in the HIV-1 life cycle. The divergent interactions of HIV-1 and HIV-2 with DNA repair enzymes and SAMHD1 imply that these viruses use different strategies to guard their genomes and facilitate their replication in the host.
Neuroendocrine profiles associated with discrete behavioural variation in Symphodus ocellatus, a species with male alternative reproductive tactics.

The molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity are not well understood. Identifying mechanisms underlying alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) in species for which the behavioral and fitness consequences of this variation are well-characterized provides an opportunity to integrate evolutionary and mechanistic understanding of the maintenance of variation within populations. In the ocellated wrasse Symphodus ocellatus, the behavioral phenotypes of three distinct male morphs (sneakers, satellites, nesting males), which arise from a single genome, have been thoroughly characterized. To determine the neuroendocrine and genomic mechanisms associated with discrete phenotypic variation and ARTs in S. ocellatus in their natural environment, we constructed a whole brain de novo transcriptome and compared global patterns of gene expression between sexes and male morphs. Next we quantified circulating cortisol and 11-ketotestosterone (11-kt), mediators of male reproductive behaviors, as well as stress and gonadal steroid hormone receptor expression in the preoptic area (POA), ventral subpallial division of the telencephalon (VS), and dorsolateral telencephalon (DL), critical brain regions for social and reproductive behaviors. We found higher levels of 11-kt in nesting males and higher levels of cortisol in sneaker males relative to other male morphs and females. We also identified distinct patterns of brain-region specific hormone receptor expression between males such that most hormone receptors are more highly expressed in satellites and nesting males relative to sneakers and females. Our results establish the neuroendocrine and molecular mechanisms that underlie ARTs in the wild and provide a foundation for experimentally testing hypotheses about the relationship between neuromolecular processes and reproductive success. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Reward-related neural activity and structure predict future substance use in dysregulated youth.

Background Identifying youth who may engage in future substance use could facilitate early identification of substance use disorder vulnerability. We aimed to identify biomarkers that predicted future substance use in psychiatrically un-well youth. Method LASSO regression for variable selection was used to predict substance use 24.3 months after neuroimaging assessment in 73 behaviorally and emotionally dysregulated youth aged 13.9 (s.d. = 2.0) years, 30 female, from three clinical sites in the Longitudinal Assessment of Manic Symptoms (LAMS) study. Predictor variables included neural activity during a reward task, cortical thickness, and clinical and demographic variables. Results Future substance use was associated with higher left middle prefrontal cortex activity, lower left ventral anterior insula activity, thicker caudal anterior cingulate cortex, higher depression and lower mania scores, not using antipsychotic medication, more parental stress, older age. This combination of variables explained 60.4% of the variance in future substance use, and accurately classified 83.6%. Conclusions These variables explained a large proportion of the variance, were useful classifiers of future substance use, and showed the value of combining multiple domains to provide a comprehensive understanding of substance use development. This may be a step toward identifying neural measures that can identify future substance use disorder risk, and act as targets for therapeutic interventions.
Signal-to-Noise Optimization of HPLC-Fluorometric Systems and their Application to the Analysis of Indoles

The signal-to-noise optimization of high performance liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) flow-cell fluorometric systems is described and the possibilities for further improving limits of detection for indoles is discussed. Application of HPLC-fluorometry to analyses in rat cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), human lumbar CSF, and human blood is presented. Finally, the intriguing clinical finding of hyperserotonemia in autism is discussed.
Fighting for my Dream.

I stood in front of my research poster, anxiously waiting for the last judge to come around. Graduate school application season was looming. This was my last chance to impress the judges and find a Ph.D. program that would accept me. “Whenever you're ready,” the judge said. This was it, my
Abstract 17560: Statins Modify the Risk Relationship Between Systolic Blood Pressure Goal and Total Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease: SPRINT

Background: Ideal management of CKD includes management of hypertension and statin therapy. It however remains unclear if there is a positive interaction between more aggressive blood pressure control and the use of statins. Methods: We conducted a post-hoc analysis focusing on patients with CKD from the SPRINT study. These patients had been originally randomized to either an intensive SBP goal 2 . Our goal was to evaluate the added value of statins on the relationship between SBP goal and total mortality using Cox models. Subgroup models were adjusted for age, gender, race, SBP and eGFR at baseline. Results: 2646 patients with CKD were included in our analysis; of these, 1,354 (51%) were not on statins and 1,273 (49%) patients were on a statins at baseline. CKD patients on statins were predominantly non-Hispanic white (71.6%) men (64.1%), former smokers (51.3%); were often on aspirin (68.8%) and at least one other antihypertensive drug (97%). In a Cox model, the effect of SBP goal on total mortality was modified by the use of statins at baseline (interaction p=0.014). For the CKD subgroup on statins, the total mortality risk was significantly lower in the intensive SBP goal group compared to the standard SBP goal group (1.16 vs. 2.50 deaths/100 patients-years; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.46 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28-0.73]). For the CKD subgroup not on statins, the mortality risk was similar between the two SBP goal groups (2.01 vs. 1.95 deaths/100 patients-years; aHR 1.06 [95% CI 0.69-1.65]) (fig. 1). Conclusion: Statin therapy modify the risk relationship between SBP goal and total mortality in the SPRINT trial. Patients randomized to intensive SBP goal using statins at baseline had the lowest mortality rate compared to other groups. Efforts should be directed towards the implementation of statin therapy altogether with optimal blood pressure control in individuals with CKD.
ASD Screening Measures for High-Ability Youth With ASD: Examining the ASSQ and SRS:

High-ability youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) historically have been neglected within samples validating ASD screening measures, and consensus for what constitutes high ability has not been established. The Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) are two common screening tools for ASD used within research and practice settings. We investigated the accuracy of the ASSQ and SRS for ASD identification among a sample of 23 high-ability youth previously diagnosed with ASD. Results suggest both ASSQ and SRS measures inconsistently screened for ASD. The high-ability students with ASD scored significantly lower on the SRS total score and social cognition, communication, and motivation subscales, suggesting potential phenotypic differences among high-ability youth with ASD that could inform assessment and intervention strategies.
La involvement in tRNA and other RNA processing events including differences among yeast and other eukaryotes.

Abstract The conserved nuclear RNA-binding factor known as La protein arose in an ancient eukaryote, phylogenetically associated with another eukaryotic hallmark, synthesis of tRNA by RNA polymerase III (RNAP III). Because 3′-oligo(U) is the sequence-specific signal for transcription termination by RNAP III as well as the high affinity binding site for La, the latter is linked to the intranuclear posttranscriptional processing of eukaryotic precursor-tRNAs. The pre-tRNA processing pathway must accommodate a variety of substrates that are destined for both common steps as well as tRNA-specific events. The order of intranuclear pre-tRNA processing steps is mediated in part by three activities derived from interaction with La protein: 3′-end protection from untimely decay by 3′ exonucleases , nuclear retention and chaperone activity that helps prevent pre-tRNA misfolding and mischanneling into offline pathways. A focus of this perspective will be on differences between yeast and mammals in the subcellular partitioning of pre-tRNA intermediates and differential interactions with La. We review how this is most relevant to pre-tRNA splicing which occurs in the cytoplasm of yeasts but in nuclei of higher eukaryotes. Also divergent is La architecture, comprised of three RNA-binding domains in organisms in all examined branches of the eukaryal tree except yeast, which have lost the C-terminal RNA recognition motif-2α (RRM2α) domain. We also review emerging data that suggest mammalian La interacts with nuclear pre-tRNA splicing intermediates and may impact this branch of the tRNA maturation pathway. Finally, because La is involved in intranuclear tRNA biogenesis we review relevant aspects of tRNA-associated neurodegenerative diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: SI: Regulation of tRNA synthesis and modification in physiological conditions and disease edited by Dr. Boguta Magdalena.
Emotion Regulation Compensation Following Situation Selection Failure

We conducted two within-subjects experiments to determine whether people use alternative emotion regulation (ER) strategies to compensate for failure of situation selection, a form of ER in which one chooses situations based on the emotions those situations afford. Participants viewed negative and neutral (Study 1, N = 58) or negative, neutral, and positive pictures (Study 2, N = 90). They indicated for each picture whether they wanted to terminate presentation (Study 1) or view it again (Study 2). We manipulated the outcome of this decision to be congruent with participants' wishes (success) or not (failure), and measured self-reported ER strategies and emotional responses. Although participants terminated negative situations more often than neutral situations (Study 1), or chose to view positive pictures more frequently than neutral, and neutral more frequently than negative (Study 2), there was little evidence of compensation in the wake of situation selection failure. Overall, we conclude that although people choose situations based on affect (i.e., attempt to end or avoid high-arousal negative situations and pursue high-arousal pleasant ones), they do not generally use the alternative ER strategies that we assessed (rumination, reappraisal, distraction) to compensate when the situations they select fail to materialize in this experimental context.