cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemically detected tumor cells in the sentinel lymph nodes of patients with breast carcinoma: biologic metastasis or procedural artifact?

BACKGROUND Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a new standard of care for patients with breast carcinoma, and allows enhanced pathologic analysis with serial sections and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for cytokeratins to be performed on a routine basis. However, the significance of SLN micrometastases detected only by IHC is uncertain. Are these tumor cells truly markers of metastatic potential, or simply evidence of passive displacement by preoperative instrumentation of the tumor site? Here we evaluate whether the pattern of SLN metastasis in breast carcinoma is related to the degree of manipulation at biopsy before surgery, independently of other known predictors. METHODS Among 4016 consecutive eligible patients with breast carcinoma registered in a prospective SLN database at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, we noted patient/tumor characteristics, pathologic status of the SLN (negative, positive by hematoxylin and eosin [H&E], or positive only on IHC), and method of previous biopsy (none, fine-needle aspiration biopsy [FNAB], core needle biopsy, or surgical biopsy). RESULTS Multivariate analysis showed that the likelihood of an H&E-positive SLN was significantly associated with lymphovascular invasion, tumor size, tumor type, and tumor location, but not with the method of biopsy. In contrast, the likelihood of finding an SLN positive only on IHC was unassociated with any of the four variables above, but was significantly associated with the method of biopsy. After no previous biopsy, FNAB, core needle biopsy, or surgical biopsy, IHC-positive SLN were present in 1.2%, 3.0%, 3.8%, and 4.6% of patients, respectively (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the frequency of IHC-positive SLN in patients with breast carcinoma 1) is unrelated to conventional predictors of lymph node positivity, 2) is increased after instrumentation of the tumor site, and 3) is increased approximately proportionate to the degree of manipulation. A proportion of IHC-positive SLN were present before biopsy and therefore less likely to be artifactual. Cancer 2004;100:929–34. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Ultrasound-guided extracranial radiosurgery: technique and application.

Abstract Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery is an effective treatment modality for many intracranial lesions, but target mobility limits its utility for extracranial applications. We have developed a new technique for extracranial radiosurgery based on optically guided three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS). The 3DUS system provides the ability to image the target volume and critical structures in real time and determine any misregistration of the target volume with the linear accelerator. In this paper, we describe the system and its initial clinical application in the treatment of localized metastatic disease. Methods and Materials: The extracranial stereotactic system consists of an ultrasound unit that is optically tracked and registered with the linear accelerator coordinate system. After an initial patient positioning based on computed tomographic (CT) simulation, stereotactic ultrasound images are acquired and correlated with the CT-based treatment plan to determine any soft-tissue shifts between the time of the planning CT and the actual treatment. Optical tracking is used to correct any patient offsets that are revealed by the real-time imaging. Results: Preclinical testing revealed that the ultrasound-based stereotactic navigation system is accurate to within 1.5 mm in comparison with an absolute coordinate phantom. Between March 2001 and March 2002, the system was used to deliver extracranial radiosurgery to 17 metastatic lesions in 16 patients. Treatments were delivered in 1 or 2 fractions, with an average fractional dose of 16 Gy (range 12.5–24 Gy) delivered to the 80% isodose surface. Before each fraction, the target misalignment from isocenter was determined using the 3DUS system and the misalignments averaged over all patients were anteroposterior = 4.8 mm, lateral = 3.6 mm, axial = 2.1 mm, and average total 3D displacement = 7.4 mm (range = 0–21.0 mm). After correcting patient misalignment, each plan was delivered as planned using 6–11 noncoplanar fields. No acute complications were reported. Conclusions: A system for high-precision radiosurgical treatment of metastatic tumors has been developed, tested, and applied clinically. Optical tracking of the ultrasound probe provides real-time tracking of the patient anatomy and allows computation of the target displacement before treatment delivery. The patient treatments reported here suggest the feasibility and safety of the technique.
Spontaneously Proliferating Human B Lymphocytes Make Autoantibodies

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 29 patients with autoimmune diseases and eight normal controls were cultured in vitro. Several weeks later, lymphocyte proliferation was observed in many of these cultures. Cell lines were obtained from about half of the donors, at a frequency of approximately 1 in 10(7) lymphocytes. Outgrowth occurred only in cultures from patients who had antibodies to the viral capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The proliferating cells also contained EBV nuclear antigen, an occurrence confirming that proliferation was a result of latent EBV infection of the donors. Supernatants from these cell lines were tested for autoantibodies by screening against normal tissues. About 30% of the cell lines made autoantibodies, many of which reacted with smooth muscle or epithelial cells. Because EBV is harbored in a latent form in the majority of the adult population, reactivation of latent EBV infection in vivo may explain the production of autoantibodies seen in a variety of immunoregulatory disorders.
The WFDC1 gene encoding ps20 localizes to 16q24, a region of LOH in multiple cancers

We previously identified ps20 protein as a secreted growth inhibitor and purified the protein from fetal rat prostate urogenital sinus mesenchymal cell conditioned medium. The rat cDNA was subsequently cloned, and ps20 was found to contain a WAP-type four-disulfide core motif, indicating it may function as a protease inhibitor. We now report cloning and characterization of the mouse ps20 gene (designated Wfdc1), the human homolog cDNA, and the human gene (designated WFDC1). Both the mouse and human WFDC1 genes consist of seven exons and encode respective ps20 proteins sharing 79.1% identity and nearly identical WAP motifs in exon 2. The WFDC1 gene was mapped by FISH analysis to human Chromosome (Chr) 16q24, an area of frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) previously identified in multiple cancers including prostate, breast, hepatocellular, and Wilms' tumor. Identification and characterization of the WFDC1 gene may aid in better understanding the potential role of this gene and ps20 in prostate biology and carcinogenesis.
Equity Audits: A Practical Leadership Tool for Developing Equitable and Excellent Schools

Persistent achievement gaps by race and class in U.S. public schools are educationally and ethically deplorable and, thus, need to be eliminated. Based on their research on schools and districts that haven arrowed these gaps, the authors have developed a simplified reconceptualization of equity auditing, a concept with a respected history in civil rights, in curriculum auditing, and in some state accountability systems. This reconceptualized equity auditing is a leadership tool that can be used to uncover, understand, and change inequities that are internal to schools and districts in three areas—teacher quality, educational programs, and student achievement.
Humanistic Cognitive Behavioral Theory, a Value-Added Approach to Teaching Theories of Personality

Abstract Humanistic Cognitive Behavioral Theory (HCBT) is an emerging theory based on providing a value-added component to traditional reciprocal determinism. In this paper, HCBT is described and explained as a concept and as a teaching component for introductory psychology. In addition, the results of a study in which HCBT was presented as a component of a course are detailed. The results of this study demonstrate HCBT to be an approach which aids in student understanding the content typicallytaught in introductory psychology classes (specifically personality). This article briefly describes the HCBT model as a valueadded approach incorporating courage in the learning environment.
Effects of ramp-rate limits on unit commitment and economic dispatch

The authors propose an algorithm to consider the ramp characteristics in starting up and shutting down the generating units as well as increasing and decreasing power generation. They consider the inclusion of ramping constraints in both unit commitment and economic dispatch. Since implementing ramp-rate constraints is a dynamic process, dynamic programming (DP) is a proper tool to treat this problem. To overcome the computational expense which is the main drawback of DP, this study initially employs artificial intelligence techniques to produce a unit commitment schedule which satisfies all system and unit operation constraints except unit ramp-rate limits. Then, a dynamic procedure is used to consider the ramp properties as units are started up and shut down. According to this adjustment, maximum generating capabilities of units will change the unit operation status instead of following a step function. Finally, a dynamic dispatch procedure is adopted to obtain a suitable power allocation which incorporates the unit generating capability information given by unit commitment and unit ramping constraints, as well as the economical considerations. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the method. >
The Multiple Listing Service, Commission Splits, and Broker Effort

This paper examines the impact of split commissions on broker effort in MLS sales. The joint effort of brokers to find a buyer for a given listing is maximized when the broker who locates a buyer first receives the entire commission. In contrast, splitting the commission between the listing and finding broker (when they differ) maximizes the joint profits of brokers. When competition among brokers to acquire listings is considered, however, the split brokers most prefer entails a smaller (though still positive) share for the listing broker in order to reduce wasteful competition for listings. While sellers still prefer to pay only the broker who finds a buyer, brokers may not be willing to acquire and share listings under such an arrangement.
On the absolute configuration of gephyrotoxin

Abstract It appears that the absolute configuration assigned to gephyrotoxin should be revised based on the chemical synthesis of optically active gephyrotoxin from L-pyroglutamic acid.
Chromosomal alterations in the course of viral leukemogenesis in the rat

Abstract A cytogenetic study of 35 primary thymic lymphomas induced in rats by the Gross leukemia virus revealed the presence of widespread aneuploidies, ranging from cells with 35 chromosomes or less to triploid and tetraploid cells. Analysis by G banding revealed that chromosomes No. 1, 2, 9, 12, 18–20, X in females, and Y in males were lost preferentially; unidentified marker chromosomes of various morphology and length were present in a high percentage of aneuploid mitoses. Similar alterations were observed in preleukemic thymi from rats sacrificed 30 days after virus injection, when clinical or histologic signs of the disease had not yet appeared. In rats that were sacrificed 7 or 15 days after virus injection, chromosomal anomalies were much more limited, although significantly more abundant than in the controls. Rats that were free of tumor at 130–160 days after virus injection showed a regression of the chromosomal anomalies, suggesting that these are not irreversible and are not necessarily followed by the development of a lymphoma.
Redesigning an integrated forward–reverse logistics system for a third party service provider: an empirical study

This paper models the logistics business for a large third party service provider and incorporates both forward and reverse product flows for the company. The model that we propose in this paper incorporates price, transportation mode and outsourcing cost. We compare our model with a reduced model that was obtained from past literature and show through Monte Carlo simulation the superiority of the full model in profit generation for the third party service provider. The full model considers multiple transportation modes across the forward and reverse logistics network based on the firm's business structure, whereas the reduced model has only one transportation option from point to point. Additionally, the full model allows for an option to outsource remanufacturing unlike the reduced model that does not permit such outsourcing options. One of the major contributions of this paper is a thorough analysis through the incorporation of pricing and transportation mode of an integrated forward and reverse logist...
An Examination of the Relationship between Use of the Internet as a Recruitment Source and Student Attitudes.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the extent to which applicant use of the Internet during recruitment was related to post-entry attitudes. Based on the extant organizational recruitment literature, a primary hypothesis was that Internet recruitment would be perceived as presenting less realistic information to applicants as compared to informal forms of recruitment. In addition, greater applicant use of Internet-based recruiting information was expected to be associated with lower satisfaction with the organization. The data did not support the hypotheses; however, study limitations that may explain the observed findings are described. Finally, suggestions for future research involving theory building and Internet recruitment are offered.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Dependent Regression of Pulmonary Metastasis from Ewing’s

Introduction: Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is the second most common bone tumor in children. Survival has not improved over the last decade and once pulmonary metastatic disease is present, survival is dismal. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy has shown potential benefit for Kaposi's sarcoma; however, the role of progenitor cell therapies for cancer remains controversial. MSC treatment of ES or pulmonary metastatic disease has not been demonstrated. We have developed an orthotopic xenograft model of ES in which animals develop spontaneous pulmonary metastases. Within this model, we demonstrate the use of MSCs to target ES lung metastasis. Materials and MethodsHuman ES cells were transfected with luciferase and injected into the rib of nude mice. Development of pulmonary metastases was confirmed by imaging. After flow cytometry based characterization, MSC’s were injected into the tail vein of nude mice with established local ES tumor or pulmonary metastasis. Mice were treated with intravenous MSCs weekly followed by bioluminescent imaging.ResultsThe intravenous injection of MSCs in an ES model decreases the volume of pulmonary metastatic lesions; however, no effect on primary chest wall tumor size is observed. Thus verifying the MSC preferential homing to the lung. MSCs are found to ‘home to’ the pulmonary parenchyma and remain engrafted up to 5 days after delivery. DiscussionMSC treatment of ES slows growth of pulmonary metastasis. MSC’s have more affinity for pulmonary metastasis and can effect a greater decrease in tumor growth in the lungs compared to the primary tumor site
Letter to the Editor-Age Replacement with Discounting

We consider age replacement with discounting. For known failure distribution, our principal results are for the case when the failure rate is continuous and strictly increasing to ∞. We also show what happens for small discount rate. For unknown failure distribution, we give the mini-max strategy.
Bipolar Disorder in a Prepubescent Child

ABSTRACT Early onset bipolar affective disorder (BAD) is a relatively rare psychiatric disturbance in childhood and early adolescence. Its diagnosis is difficult due to the presentation of symptoms suggestive of other psychiatric illnesses. The literature on BAD in children is reviewed with emphasis on the clinical picture, predictive factors, and pharmacotherapy. Illustrations of these points are made through the use of a case report of a boy who first presented with symptoms at age 7.
Karyotypic heterogeneity and its relation to labeling index in interphase breast tumor cells

We have used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome-specific probes and immunofluorescent detection of in vivo bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) incorporation to evaluate simultaneously numerical chromosome aberrations and proliferative activity of breast cancers. The number of distinct hybridization domains specific for repetitive pericentromeric sequences on chromosomes 1,7,11,15,17, and X was used as an indicator of copy number of these chromosomes in interphase tumor cells from 23 human breast cancers. Every tumor analyzed showed a heterogeneous distribution of copy number for at least one chromosome type. The copy number distribution for different chromosomes within a tumor frequently showed differing patterns. Major cell populations showing monosomy were relatively rare, occurring only in five cases for chromosome 17, once for chromosome 1, and once for chromosome 15. Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy correlated well with FISH analysis, although flow cytometry failed to detect aneuploidy when only a few chromosomes were affected. To determine whether cell populations with different chromosomal copy numbers have identical proliferation characteristics in vivo, BrdUrd incorporation and centromeric copy numbers were detected simultaneously. Comparison of the chromosome copy number distribution in BrdUrd-positive cells vs. the distribution of the entire cell population showed different distributions in seven of the 20 casesmore » analyzed. This study demonstrates the common occurrence of chromosome copy number heterogeneity and suggests that a cell phenotype (proliferation) may be associated with genotypic subpopulations. 52 refs., 7 figs., 4 tabs.« less
Nutrient intake and use of dietary supplements among US adults with disabilities

Abstract Background Physical, mental, social, and financial hurdles in adults with disabilities may limit their access to adequate nutrition. Objective To examine the impact of dietary supplement use on daily total nutrient intake levels among US adults 20 years and older with disabilities. Methods Study sample came from 2007–2008 and 2009–2010 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative repeated cross-sectional survey. Disability was classified into 5 categories using standardized indices. Nutrient intakes from foods and dietary supplements were calculated from 2 nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. Two-sample proportion tests and multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the adherence rates to the recommended daily nutrient intake levels between dietary supplement users and nonusers in each disability category. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and dietary supplement use was assessed using multiple logistic regressions, accounting for complex survey design. Results A substantial proportion of the US adult population with disabilities failed to meet dietary guidelines, with insufficient intakes of multiple nutrients. Over half of the US adults with disabilities used dietary supplements. Dietary supplement use was associated with higher adherence rates for vitamin A, vitamin B 1 , vitamin B 2 , vitamin B 6 , vitamin B 12 , vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc intake among adults with disabilities. Women, non-Hispanic Whites, older age, higher education, and higher household income were found to predict dietary supplement use. Conclusions Proper use of dietary supplements under the guidance of health care providers may improve the nutritional status among adults with disabilities.
Spatial predictability and resource specialization of bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) at a superabundant, widespread resource

Abstract For reciprocal specialization (coevolution) to occur among floral visitors and their host plants the interactions must be temporally and spatially persistent. However, studies repeatedly have shown that species composition and relative abundance of floral visitors vary dramatically at all spatial and temporal scales. We test the hypothesis that, on average, pollen specialist bee species occur more predictably at their floral hosts than pollen generalist bee species. Taxonomic floral specialization reaches its extreme among species of solitary, pollen-collecting bees, yet few studies have considered how pollen specialization by floral visitors influences their spatial constancy. We test this hypothesis using an unusually diverse bee guild that visits creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata ), the most widespread, dominant plant of the warm deserts of North America. Twenty-two strict pollen specialist and 80+ generalist bee species visit Larrea for its floral resources. The sites we sampled were separated by 0.5 to >1450 km, and spanned three distinct deserts and four vegetation zones. We found that species of Larrea pollen specialist bees occurred at more sites and tended to be more abundant than generalists. Surprisingly, spatial turnover was high for both pollen specialist and generalist bee species at all distances, and species composition of samples from sites 1–5 km apart varied as much as repeat samples made at single sites. Nevertheless, the pattern of bee species turnover was not haphazard. As distance among sites increased faunal similarity of sites decreased. Faunal similarities among sites within 250 km of each other were generally greater than if randomly distributed over all sites (the null model). No single ecological category of species (widespread, localized, Larrea pollen specialist, floral generalist) accounted for this spatial predictability. Evidently, concordant local distribution patterns of many ecologically diverse species contribute to the non-random spatial pattern. The ecological dominance of creosote bush does not confer obvious ecological advantages to its specialist floral visitors. Spatial turnover is comparable to that found for bee guilds from other biogeographic regions of the world and is not therefore limited to those bee species that inhabit highly seasonal climates, such as deserts. Philopatry and differences in bloom predictability among sites are probably more important causes for spatial turnover of bee species than are interspecific competition for nest sites or floral resources.
Structural biology: How fluorescent RNA gets its glow.

Fluorescent tags are proving invaluable for tracking RNA molecules in cells. Two sets of crystal structures for one such tag — an RNA motif that fluoresces when bound to a dye — will aid the development of even better markers.
Overcorrection: A further evaluation of restitution and positive practice

Abstract Foxx and Azrin's overcorrection technique employs two distinct procedures, restitution and positive practice, for treating inappropriate disruptive behaviors. While the efficacy of overcorrection when both procedures are used concurrently has been documented, little research has demonstrated the relative effectiveness of each procedure when used alone. The purpose of the present study was to compare restitution and positive practice in the treatment of 20 young children exhibiting highly resistant and disruptive behavior. Results indicated that both procedures rapidly eliminated the inappropriate behaviors. Mean decreases in inappropriate behaviors from baseline to follow-up were 89% for restitution and 84% for positive practice. It was demonstrated that each procedure was effective with numerous problem behaviors. Self-reports of children indicated that they preferred overcorrection compared to other forms of punishment.
Novel lignan derivatives as selective inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase II

Abstract Rabdosiin ( 1 ) and its isomer ( 2 ), isolated from Arnebia euchroma , were potent non-selective inhibitors of mammalian DNA topoisomerases in vitro . Evaluation of synthetic analogs led to the discovery of 3 – 5 as selective inhibitors of topoisomerase II. Unlike etoposide, which inhibits by preventing the DNA rejoining process, compounds 1 – 5 did not induce DNA breakage in either cellular or in vitro assay systems.
Further studies on the activation of glucocerebrosidase by a heat-stable factor from Gaucher spleen.

Using Sephadex G-75 and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, an 8270-Da glycopeptide (designated Fragment II) has been isolated from a cyanogen bromideformic acid digest of a heat-stable factor from Gaucher spleen which activates a lipid-depleted preparation of lysosomal glucocerebrosidase from human liver. Fragment II contains all of the activity present in the native heat-stable factor. Compared with the parent factor, Fragment II contains four fewer cysteine and methionine residues and one less of each of the following: aspartic acid, threonine, serine, valine, isoleucine, and leucine. Nearly all of the monosaccharides present in the parent heat-stable factor can be accounted for in Fragment II, including three glucosamine, three mannose, one sialic acid, and one fucose. By itself, Fragment II has little or no stimulatory activity; its major effect is to markedly increase the sensitivity of glucocerebrosidase to activation by phosphatidylserine. A mixture of 1 μg phosphatidylserine and 2 μg of the cyanogen bromide fragment activates the lipid-depleted preparation of glucocerebrosidase 50% more than 30 μg phosphatidylserine alone. Analysis of the Km and Vmax of glucocerebrosidase at various hydrogen ion concentrations revealed that the heat-stable factor and phosphatidylserine together dramatically increase the catalytic efficiency (VmaxKm) of glucocerebrosidase while making apparent three ionizable groups that participate in the catalysis. Phosphatidylserine alone recruits two ionizable groups, but catalytic efficiency is lower than when heat-stable factor is also present. Heat-stable factor alone has no discernable effect on the ionization of functional groups on the enzyme or on catalytic efficiency. By sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, it was shown that preincubation of rat liver glucocerebrosidase with phosphatidylserine and heat-stable factor shifted the enzyme completely from a 56,600-Da form to a 188,100-Da form. The activity of the slower sedimenting form of glucocerebrosidase was totally dependent upon exogenous bile salt activator, whereas the faster sedimenting form exhibited the same activity in the presence or absence of sodium taurocholate. It appears that the heat-stable factor promotes the transfer of phosphatidylserine to glucocerebrosidase, which, in turn, results in an increase in both the catalytic efficiency and size of the enzyme.
Integration or segregation of theoretical frameworks: A challenge in psychiatric eduction

SYCHIATRY TODAY finds itself without an orthodox philosophy, but divided by factions each espousing their own self-evident truths and viewing skeptics within the discipline as adversaries rather than as allies in the search for a more complete conceptualization of the process of intrapsychic function and subsequent behavior. The major dichotomy in theoretical thinking is presently polarized between the psychoanalytic framework and the models of learning theory. Attempts at amalgamation or isolation have been made with a variety of motives. Firth’ outlines some of the parameters which separate the purists of these two schools and reiterates some of the traditional accusations. Behaviorists charge that dynamic psychiatry lacks experimental validation. On the other hand, the analytically oriented psychotherapists tend to minimize behavioral theory as having been derived from infrahuman experimental research which has produced simplistic models which are inapplicable to the more complex circumstances of human patients. Complicating the matter further is the question of ethical considerations which arise from the greater overt manipulations of behavioral therapists, resulting in diminished personal freedom of individual patients. Unfortunately, these charges and countercharges do little to bring greater understanding between the two factions and instead foster a protective isolationistic position. One consequence of assuming such an isolated stance is that there is a lack of exchange of information between two large segments of the psychiatric community. The effect is that a large body of experienced, well-trained psychotherapists becomes unavailable to review critically the work and theoretical conceptualization of the alternative schools of thought. If only to minimize this elimination of critical review of our work, it would seem to be a valid premise that psychiatric residency programs of high caliber would prepare the psychotherapists of the future at least to be able to conceptualize the basic psychopathological problems to be dealt with in both frameworks. Unfortunately, this is not the case in most programs today and is not even a projected goal for some in the future, as demonstrated by Chessick.* While describing an idealized training program he states, “There must be agreement on the philosophy of training and orientation reaching from the director of the program all the way down to the aides on the ward . . . frequent meeting, formal
Point Spectrum: Reduction to Finite-Rank Eigenvalue Problems

The word bifurcation refers to changes in the number and stability of equilibria supported by a governing system as its parameters are varied. The classical bifurcation problem begins with an analysis of the point spectrum of the linearized operator associated with the equilibria under investigation. In this chapter we investigate finite-rank bifurcations for which a finite number of point eigenvalues cross the imaginary axis, either transversely or more degenerately, as the system parameters are varied. In particular, we derive the perturbative motion of such point spectra. This analysis is most informative in those cases for which the associated linearized operator initially has purely imaginary eigenvalues, and a small change in parameters moves the eigenvalues decisively off the imaginary axis.
Ultrafiltration of Calcium and Strontium from Sera of Patients with Protein Abnormalties Studied with the Radioisotope Technique1

The ultrafilterability of calcium and strontium from sera of patients with multiple myeloma and of patients with Boeck's sarcoidosis was studied by the use of tracer doses of Ca45 and Sr85. The results were compared with those obtained with sera of normals. The average values of ultrafilterable calcium and strontium for normals were 55.1% for Ca45 and 67.1% for Sr85, with an average Sr85/Ca45 ratio of 1.22. The filtration of Ca45 from sera of patients with multiple myeloma was somewhat higher than that of normals, and the ultrafiltration of Sr85 was slightly but not significantly increased. This indicated decreased binding of both elements to the abnormal proteins. The Sr85/Ca45 ratio was lower than that of normals because of the relatively higher filtration of Ca45. Sera of patients with Boeck's sarcoidosis with normal and abnormal serum protein distribution had approximately the same filterability of Sr85 as normals and a lower filterability of Ca45 (at a 5% level of significance). However, the lower fi...
Development and evaluation of WillTry. An instrument for measuring children's willingness to try fruits and vegetables

Abstract This paper describes the development and evaluation of the WillTry instrument, a psychometric tool designed to measure children's willingness to try fruits and vegetables. WillTry surveys were interviewer-administered to 284 children in an elementary school and summer day camps located in rural Mississippi and Arkansas (United States) communities. Factor analysis was used to determine construct dimensionality. Additional evaluation included internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and predictive validity. Factor analysis suggested a single dimension for the food items. The WillTry food scale had substantial reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.61 and 0.80) and sufficient internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.70). Results of the regression analysis for percent consumption of foods offered on WillTry response confirmed the predictive validity of the instrument. The results of these analyses provide psychometric evidence for the use of the WillTry instrument as a measure of willingness to try fruits and vegetables in rural, southern US children 5–14 years of age.
Comparison of effects of gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch on weight loss and body composition 1–2 years after surgery

Abstract Background Gastric bypass (GB) is the most common surgical procedure for weight loss in the United States. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) is less routinely performed, perhaps because of its technical difficulty and metabolic concerns. The objective of this study was to determine whether these procedures had differential effects on weight loss and body composition. Methods Body composition was measured by bioimpedance (Tanita 310) at the initial consultation, and follow-up measurements were completed 1–2 years after surgery. Results Of the 72 patients in the study, 50, aged 46.2 ± 8.5 years, had undergone GB and were measured 15.5 ± 5.2 months after surgery and 22, aged 40.6 ± 7.9 years, had undergone BPD/DS and were measured 19.5 ± 7.5 months after surgery. Patient age and time after surgery were significantly different between the 2 groups. The body mass index (BMI) for the BPD/DS group was 53.6 ± 11.9 kg/m 2 , significantly greater than the BMI of the GB group (48.0 ± 6.3 kg/m 2 ; P = .009). However, the percentage of body fat did not differ between the 2 groups ( P = .515). Postoperatively, the BMIs for the GB group (31.5 ± 5.0 kg/m 2 ) and BPD/DS group (30.3 ± 6.1 kg/m 2 ) were not significantly different ( P = .384). The percentage of body fat for the GB and BPD/DS groups had changed from 49.2% ± 8.3% to 32.1% ± 10.6% and 47.9% ± 5.9% to 23.8% ± 10.4%, respectively ( P = .002). The BMI had decreased by 16.5 ± 4.8 kg/m 2 after GB and 23.3 ± 6.8 kg/m 2 after BPD/DS ( P P Conclusion The BPD/DS procedure is more effective in reducing the BMI and promoting fat loss than is GB. The assessment of the impact of these two operations on an individualized basis offers additional information to assist in the evaluation of these procedures.
siah-1 Protein Is Necessary for High Glucose-induced Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase Nuclear Accumulation and Cell Death in Müller Cells

The translocation and accumulation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in the nucleus has closely been associated with cell death induction. However, the mechanism of this process has not been completely understood. The E3 ubiquitin ligase siah-1 (seven in absentia homolog 1) has recently been identified as a potential shuttle protein to transport GAPDH from the cytosol to the nucleus. Previously, we have demonstrated that elevated glucose levels induce GAPDH nuclear accumulation in retinal Muller cells. Therefore, this study investigated the role of siah-1 in high glucose-induced GAPDH nuclear translocation and subsequent cell death in retinal Muller cells. High glucose significantly increased siah-1 expression within 12 h. Under hyperglycemic conditions, siah-1 formed a complex with GAPDH and was predominantly localized in the nucleus of Muller cells. siah-1 knockdown using 50 nm siah-1 small interfering RNA significantly decreased high glucose-induced GAPDH nuclear accumulation at 24 h by 43.8 ± 4.0%. Further, knockdown of siah-1 prevented high glucose-induced cell death of Muller cells potentially by inhibiting p53 phosphorylation consistent with previous observations, indicating that nuclear GAPDH induces cell death via p53 activation. Therefore, inhibition of GAPDH nuclear translocation and accumulation by targeting siah-1 promotes Muller cell survival under hyperglycemic conditions.
Effective preemptive scheduling scheme for optical burst-switched networks with cascaded wavelength conversion consideration

We introduce a new preemptive scheduling technique for next-generation optical burst switching (OBS) networks considering the impact of cascaded wavelength conversions. It has been shown that when optical bursts are transmitted all optically from source to destination, each wavelength conversion performed along the lightpath may cause certain signal-to-noise deterioration. If the distortion of the signal quality becomes significant enough, the receiver would not be able to recover the original data. Accordingly, subject to this practical impediment, we improve a recently proposed fair channel scheduling algorithm to deal with the fairness problem and aim at burst loss reduction simultaneously in OBS environments. In our scheme, the dynamic priority associated with each burst is based on a constraint threshold and the number of already conducted wavelength conversions among other factors for this burst. When contention occurs, a new arriving superior burst may preempt another scheduled one according to their priorities. Extensive simulation results have shown that the proposed scheme further improves fairness and achieves burst loss reduction as well.
Possible long-term improvements to the Advanced Photon Source

Although third-generation light sources like the Advanced Photon Source (APS) already deliver very high performance, there are many user experiments that could benefit from further improvements. Improved brightness, improved beam stability, higher single-bunch current, more beamlines, and shorter bunches are all of interest to certain user groups. In this paper, we outline some possibilities to meet some of these needs. Presently, the APS has an effective horizontal emittance of 3.0 nm-rad, achieved by allowing dispersion in the straight sections. Top-up allows us to go lower in spite of the poor lifetime, which we could do by adding pole-face windings to the dipoles to reduce the emittance to 1.8 nmrad. A more dramatic effort would involve shortening the dipoles, which would have the added benefit of increasing the straight-section length from 5 m to 9 m. Beyond this, several much more speculative ideas have been explored. One of these is to use the APS ring as part of an energy recovery linac facility, with single- or multi-turn circulation of a high-brightness linac beam in the existing ring. We present some preliminary simulations of the performance of this option. Another possibility is replacement of the APS storage ring with a next-generation ring capable of ultra-low emittance and making full use of top-up. We present a concept for a facility that promises 75 pm-rad horizontal emittance and 10m-long straight sections.
Scalable Units for Building Cardiac Tissue

Scalable units for building cardiac tissue are fabricated from biodegradable elastomeric polymers by pairwise stacking of heart-cell scaffolds with sinusoidal internal pore architectures and dedicated perfusable microvessels with rapidly degrading porous interfaces in a parallel flow configuration. This platform supports viable heart cells in vitro and, if validated in vivo, may aid in the regenerative repair of vascularized tissues.
Learning to Talk: Conversation Across Religious Difference

Abstract Bringing adults to speak about their religious belief and practice requires moving beyond what is deemed socially polite. Yet the plural nature of U.S. society increasingly demands that adults develop just such conversational capacities. This article offers a description of conversation as suggested by Nicholas Burbules, and reports on the findings of a qualitative research study set in an adult interreligious learning project involving Roman Catholics and Conservative Jews. This article reports on the study's primary finding, that conversation across difference is a learned activity, and suggests educational strategies for promoting conversation among learners.
Depletion of muscle mitochondrial DNA in AIDS patients with zidovudine-induced myopathy

Long-term zidovudine therapy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause a destructive mitochondrial myopathy with histological features of ragged-red fibres (RRF) and proliferation of abnormal mitochondria. In 9 zidovudine-treated patients with this myopathy we found severely reduced amounts (up to 78% reduction vs normal adult controls) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in muscle biopsy specimens by means of Southern blotting. In 2 HIV-positive patients who had not received zidovudine, muscle mtDNA content did not differ from that in the 4 controls. Depletion of mtDNA seems to be reversible, since 1 patient showed a substantial reduction in RRF and a concomitant pronounced increase in muscle mtDNA content after zidovudine therapy was discontinued. Depletion of muscle mtDNA is probably due to zidovudine-induced inhibition of mtDNA replication by DNA polymerase gamma and is not a secondary effect of HIV infection.
Microbial community phylogenetic and trait diversity declines with depth in a marine oxygen minimum zone

Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are natural physical features of the world's oceans. They create steep physiochemical gradients in the water column, which most notably include a dramatic draw down in oxygen concentrations over small vertical distances (<100 m). Microbial communities within OMZs play central roles in ocean and global biogeochemical cycles, yet we still lack a fundamental understanding of how microbial biodiversity is distributed across OMZs. Here, we used metagenomic sequencing to investigate microbial diversity across a vertical gradient in the water column during three seasons in the Eastern Tropical South Pacific (ETSP) OMZ. Based on analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene fragments, we found that both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity declined steeply along the transition from oxygen-rich surface water to the permanent OMZ. We observed similar declines in the diversity of protein-coding gene categories, suggesting a decrease in functional (trait) diversity with depth. Metrics of functional and trait dispersion indicated that microbial communities are phylogenetically and functionally more overdispersed in oxic waters, but clustered within the OMZ. These dispersion patterns suggest that community assembly drivers (e.g., competition, environmental filtering) vary strikingly across the oxygen gradient. To understand the generality of our findings, we compared OMZ results to two marine depth gradients in subtropical oligotrophic sites and found that the oligotrophic sites did not display similar patterns, likely reflecting unique features found in the OMZ. Finally, we discuss how our results may relate to niche theory, diversity-energy relationships and stress gradients.
Inflammatory and Glutamatergic Homeostasis Are Involved in Successful Aging

Whole body studies using long-lived growth hormone receptor gene disrupted or knock out (GHR-KO) mice report global GH resistance, increased insulin sensitivity, reduced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and cognitive retention in old-age, however, little is known about the neurobiological status of these mice. The aim of this study was to determine if glutamatergic and inflammatory markers that are altered in aging and/or age-related diseases and disorders, are preserved in mice that experience increased healthspan. We examined messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels in the brain of 4- to 6-, 8- to 10-, and 20- to 22-month GHR-KO and normal aging control mice. In the hippocampus, glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) and anti-inflammatory nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB)-p50 were elevated in 8- to 10-month GHR-KO mice compared with age-matched controls. In the hypothalamus, NFκB-p50, NFκB-p65, IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST), and 2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo 2,3-dihydro-1,2 oxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid receptor subunit 1 (GluA1) were elevated in 8- to 10- and/or 20- to 22-month GHR-KO mice when comparing genotypes. Finally, interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) mRNA was reduced in 4- to 6- and/or 8- to 10-month GHR-KO mice compared with normal littermates in all brain areas examined. These data support the importance of decreased brain inflammation in early adulthood and maintained homeostasis of the glutamatergic and inflammatory systems in extended longevity.
Impact of individualized pain plan on the emergency management of children with sickle cell disease

Background Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) the hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD) is often treated inadequately in the emergency department (ED). We hypothesized that pain management plans individualized for each patient can improve pain management and lead to high levels of patient satisfaction. Procedure Starting in 2002, we treated all patients with SCD reporting to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP) ED with VOC using a structured algorithm. We recorded regimens used successfully for each patient as an “individualized pain plan” and implemented it during subsequent VOC visits and adjusted it to patient response. We compared rates of hospitalization following an ED visit with VOC and readmission within 1 week after discharge for CHP with that of four comparable hospitals from Pediatric Health Information (PHIS) database. Patients and parents completed surveys of satisfaction with pain management and with care. Results Between 2002 and 2008 there was a greater decline in the rate of admission of patients presenting to the ED at CHP (78% to 52%) as compared to PHIS (71% to 68%), (P < 0.05) and readmission rates at CHP (7.3% to 3.2%) as compared to PHIS (6.5% to 5.1%) (P < 0.05). Improvement in pain score during ED management was 2.0 or more on a Wong Baker scale of 0–5 (P < 0.01). Participants on average, rated quality of pain management as very good or higher. Conclusion Individualized pain management plans in the ED are effective in delivering high quality management of VOC and are associated with a high level of patient satisfaction and decreased avoidable hospitalizations. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014; 61:1747–1753. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.