cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harmonizing Eec-Cmea Relations : Never the Twain Shall Meet

Recent developments have taken the question of relations between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA, unofficially known as Comecon) off the diplomatic back burner. Some of the reasons for the CMEA's current interest in the question are economic: most CMEA countries continue to have difficulties with their hard currency debt, and it may appear that formal relations between the two economic blocs can help to open the EEC up to Eastern imports, thus increasing the CMEA countries' hard currency earnings. Also, since 1980 the volume of trade between the two blocs has been increasing, and some in the East may think that this makes the absence of formal inter-bloc relations illogical. Yet some in the West have suggested that because the present arrangements seem to be working satisfactorily, formal inter-bloc links would have little practical value. Clearly, there are also political motives: it is only since the accession to power of Mr Mikhail Gorbachev that these new moves have occurred. This article aims to analyse recent developments in order to gain a perspective on the costs and benefits to both the EEC and the CMEA of formal organizational relations. To this end, some recent historical background is necessary.
Management of New Anticoagulants in the ICU

The development of novel anticoagulant drugs, namely factor Xa and factor IIa inhibitors, has proceeded at a remarkable pace over the past 15 years. Because of their ease of administration, predict...
Thioaziridine Chemosterilants: Uptake, Persistence, and Sterility in Pupae and Adults of Anopheles albimanus

Uptake and persistence of 3 thioaziridines, ENT-61581 ( P, P -bis(l-aziridinyl)- N -methylphosphinothioic amide); ENT-61585 ( P, P ,-bis (1-aziridinyl)- N -methylphosphinothioic amide); and ENT-24916 (tris(l-aziridinyl)phosphine sulfide), which also is known as thiotepa, in pupae of Anopheles albimanus wiedemann were studied by using gas chromatography. Uptake of ENT-61581 was greater than uptake of the other two chemicals. Conversion of the thioaziridines to the corresponding oxygen analogues was observed. Metabolism of the compounds was rapid, and no detectable residues were present 2–3 days after eclosion.
The Influence of Hold Times on LCF and FCG Behavior in a P/M Ni-Base Superalloy

The relative importance of creep and environmental interactions in high temperature fatigue behavior has been investigated for as-HIP Rene 95. Strain-controlled low cycle fatigue and load-controlled fatigue crack growth tests were performed at elevated temperatures in argon, followed by fractographic analyses of the fracture surfaces by scanning electron microscopy. Fatigue lives were drastically reduced and crack growth rates increased one hundred fold as a result of superposition of hold times on continuous cycling. A change in fracture mode with hold time also was noted. Chromium oxide was detected on the fracture surface by Auger electron spectroscopy. The drastic changes in fatigue resistance due to hold times were attributed primarily to environmental interactions with fatigue processes.
Detecting Instability Potentials in Regularization for Fast Affine Projection Algorithms

In fast affine projection (FAP) adaptation algorithms, it is needed to explicitly or implicitly perform a matrix inversion, during which a small positive regularization factor plays an important role in keeping the algorithm stable and optimized. While existing schemes choose the regularization factor based on certain system criteria not related to the inversion, this paper proposes a simple scheme that dynamically diagnoses the inversion process itself for potentials of instability. This work paves the way for further studies on "minimal regularization and step-size control" technique. A FAP adopting this technique can be compared with FAPs with existing regularization schemes for convergence and steady state performance.
Genetic Basis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer, and despite cure rates exceeding 90% in children, it remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adults. The past decade has been marked by extraordinary advances into the genetic basis of leukemogenesis and treatment responsiveness in ALL. Both B-cell and T-cell ALL comprise multiple subtypes harboring distinct constellations of somatic structural DNA rearrangements and sequence mutations that commonly perturb lymphoid development, cytokine receptors, kinase and Ras signaling, tumor suppression, and chromatin modification. Recent studies have helped to understand the genetic basis of clonal evolution and relapse and the role of inherited genetic variants in leukemogenesis. Many of these findings are of clinical importance, and ongoing studies implementing clinical sequencing in the management of leukemia are expected to improve diagnosis, monitoring of residual disease, and early detection of relapse and to guide precise therapies. Here, we provide a concise review of genomic studies in ALL and discuss the role of genomic testing in clinical management.
Case study of custom virtual reality system for post stroke rehabilitation

Virtual reality was evaluated as a supplemental technology for treadmill based rehabilitation techniques for stroke victims. Over the course of eight weeks, the participant received treadmill based gait training with the addition of a virtual reality headset with the aim to improve walking. Lateral and anteroposterior pelvic tilt, cadence, and step length were observed using a Qualisys motion capture system. The results show improvement in step length, though results for the other parameters were inconclusive. Though it is difficult to extrapolate these trends to larger populations, this study adds to the body of evidence indicating that virtual reality can increase the efficacy of treadmill based rehabilitation, however further research is still needed.
Access to routine care and risks for 30-day readmission in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Background Studies have shown that access to routine medical care is associated with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases. However, studies have not examined whether patient-reported difficulties in access to care are associated with rehospitalization in patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods Electronic medical records and a standardized survey were used to examine cardiovascular patients admitted to a large medical center from January 1, 2015 through January 10, 2017 (n = 520). All-cause readmission within 30 days of discharge was the primary outcome for analysis. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between access to care and 30-day readmission while adjusting for patient demographics, socioeconomic status, healthcare utilization, and health status. Results Nearly 1-in-6 patients (15.7%) reported difficulty in accessing routine medical care; and those who were younger, male, non-white, uninsured, with heart failure, and had low social support were significantly more likely to report difficulty. Patients who reported difficulty in accessing care had significantly higher rates of 30-day readmission than patients who did not report difficulty (33.3% vs. 17.9%; P = .001); and the risks remained largely unchanged after accounting for nearly two dozen covariates (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.29; 95% CI, 1.46-3.60 vs. adjusted OR = 2.17; 95% CI, 1.29-3.66). Risks for readmission were especially high for patients who reported issues with transportation (OR = 3.24; 95% CI, 1.28-8.16) and scheduling appointments (OR = 3.56; 95% CI, 1.43-8.84), but not for other reasons (OR = 1.47; 95% CI, 0.61-3.54). Conclusions Cardiovascular patients who reported difficulty in accessing routine care had substantial risks of readmission within 30 days after discharge. These findings have important implications for identifying high-risk patients and developing interventions to improve access to routine medical care.
Donald trump’s challenge to the study of elections, public opinion and parties

The 2016 US presidential contest, and Donald Trump’s election, present challenges to political science. This special issue explores some of what political science got “right” and “wrong” in terms o...
Impact of intensive care unit attending physician training background on outcomes in children undergoing heart operations.

Background : The existing training pathways to become a pediatric cardiac intensivist are very variable with physicians coming from varied training backgrounds of pediatric critical care, pediatric cardiology, neonatology, or pediatric anesthesia. Aim : To evaluate the impact of cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICU) attending physician training background on outcomes in children undergoing heart operations. Setting and Design : Patients in the age group from 1 day to 18 years undergoing heart operation at a Pediatric Health Information System database participating hospital were included (2010–2015). Patients and Methods : Based on the training background of majority of attending physicians in an ICU, the participating ICUs were divided into three groups: critical care medicine (CCM), cardiology, and indeterminate. Statistical Analysis : Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the association of ICU physician training background with study outcomes. Results : A total of 54,935 patients from 42 ICUs were included. Of these, 31,815 patients (58%) were treated in the CCM group (26 ICUs), 19,340 patients (35%) were treated in the cardiology group (12 ICUs), and 3780 patients (7%) were treated in the indeterminate group (4 ICUs). In adjusted models, no specific group based on ICU attending physician training background was associated with lower mortality (CCM vs. cardiology, odds ratio: 0.75, 95% confidence interval: 0.48–1.18), or lower incidence of cardiac arrest, or prolonged hospital length of stay, or prolonged mechanical ventilation. Conclusions : This large observational study did not demonstrate any impact of ICU attending training background on outcomes in children undergoing heart operations.
Construction and analysis of web-based computer science information networks

With the rapid development of the Web, huge amounts of information are available on the Web in the form of Web documents, structures, and links. It has been a dream of the database and Web communities to harvest information exhibited on the Web and reconcile the unstructured nature of the Web with the semi-structured schemas of the database paradigm. This is a challenging task. Even though databases are currently used to generate Web content in some sites, the schemas of these databases are rarely consistent across a domain. However, with the recent research in Web structure mining and information network analysis, major progress has been made at discovering Web hidden structures, constructing heterogeneous information networks by integration of information from structured databases and Web contents, and performing in-depth analysis for systematic harvesting of such rich information on the Web.
Oxy radical-initiated protein S-thiolation and enzymic dethiolation.

It has often been suggested that protein S-thiolation/dethiolation (Figure 1) is an important form of metabolic regulation 1,2 . This suggestion usually arises from experiments in which a thiol-disulfide exchange mechanism is considered to be the basis for this process. Since cellular glutathione is normally very reduced, the thiol-disulfide exchange mechanism requires a significant oxidation of this thiol to account for appreciable protein modification in vivo. In addition, both S-thiolation and dethiolation by thiol-disulfide exchange probably require catalysis to occur at significant rates in vivo. These considerations make thiol-disulfide exchange less appealing than a direct oxy radical-initiated mechanism of S-thiolation. This paper describes experiments with electrofocusing technology to assess various mechanisms of protein S-thiolation and dethiolation.
Optical pulsars and black arrows: discovery's work in 'hot' and 'cold' science

Prior research in science education has explored differences in professional scientific inquiry and classroom science, what has been characterized as hot and cold discovery. We compare here two previously analyzed instances of 'doing discovery.' The first is the discovery of an optical pulsar reported by Cocke, Disney, and Taylor (1969) and analyzed in some detail by Garfinkel, Lynch, and Livingston (1981). The second is an example of practical reasoning performed by two students working in a microworld analyzed by Roschelle (1992). One can observe differences across the two cases in the nature of the things discovered and in the practices of inquiry that led to their discovery, though the interactional of doing discovery is remarkably similar. It is a work of noticing, of directing partners' attention, and of seeking, negotiating, and securing ratification of an understanding. We propose further inquiry into the interactional organization of discovery's work.
Employment and fiscal policy in a Marxian model

This article presents a simple formalization of Marx's circuit of capital framework, but with some modern additions: a public sector, an investment function that shifts over time in reaction to disequilibria, and a ‘wage curve’ linking income distribution to the size of the reserve army of labor. The dynamics can gravitate toward either a low‐employment trajectory in which public spending has expansionary long‐run effects, or a high‐employment trajectory characterized by a profit squeeze. The stability of the different trajectories depends on the investment function.
Abstract 4836: Targeting transcriptional regulation in multiple myeloma with a covalent CDK7 inhibitor THZ1

Previous studies have shown that certain tumors such as MYCN-driven neuroblastoma and T-cell ALL may be sensitive to CDK7 inhibition. However, the impact of CDK7 disruption on the proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma (MM) cells, which are regulated, at least in part, by c-Myc, has not as yet been examined. To address this issue, the effects of THZ1, a selective covalent inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase CDK7, a component of the general transcription factor TFIIH, was examined in MM cells. Virtually all MM cell lines tested were sensitive to the growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects of very low (e.g., nM) THZ1 concentrations administered for 24 hr, including H929, OPM2, RPMI8226, and U266 cells, as well as bortezomib- or revlimid- resistant cells. THZ1 induced G2/M arrest and inhibited CDK7-mediated phosphorylation of CDK1/2 at T161 and T160 sites. Notably, THZ1 significantly inhibited general transcription by blocking the phosphorylation of the CTD (carboxy-terminal domain) of RNA Pol II at Ser5, Ser7, and Ser2 sites. Washout studies, in which cells were washed free of THZ1 and resuspended in drug-free medium, demonstrated thatTHZ1 acted irreversibly in blocking CTD phosphorylation. CDK7 inhibition was accompanied by down-regulation of MCL-1, c-Myc (L-myc in U266) and BCL-XL gene expression, all of which exert pro-survival effects. Concordant results were obtained when protein levels were monitored. Moreover, ectopic expression of c-Myc, MCL-1, or BCL-XL in MM cells markedly diminished THZ1 lethality, documenting the functional significance of down-regulation of these proteins in THZ1 activity. CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the CDK7 gene was them utilized to confirm the on-target impact of CDK7 disruption. Cells treated with constructs encoding two independent small guiding RNAs targeting CDK7 (sgCDK7) displayed markedly reduced CDK7 protein levels and sharply diminished H929 and OPM2 cell growth. Furthermore, co-culture with HS-5 cells failed to protect MM cells from THZ1, indicating that THZ1 can circumvent micro-environment forms of drug- resistance. Notably, THZ1 alone showed pronounced antitumor effects (e.g., inhibition of viability), and significantly enhanced proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib or carfilzomib) lethality in human primary CD138+ MM cells and primitive MM cells (CD138-/19+/20+/27+), but not normal hematopoietic cells (e.g., CD34+ cord blood cells). Finally, administration of THZ1 reduced tumor burden and significantly enhanced survival (P Citation Format: Liang Zhou, Yu Zhang, Kanika Sharma, Jacquelyn McCarter, William Craun, Steven Grant. Targeting transcriptional regulation in multiple myeloma with a covalent CDK7 inhibitor THZ1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4836.
Insulin enhances presynaptic glutamate release in the nucleus accumbens via opioid receptor-mediated disinhibition

Insulin influences learning and cognition and activity in brain centers that mediate reward and motivation in humans. However, very little is known about how insulin influences excitatory transmission within brain reward centers such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Further, insulin dysregulation that accompanies obesity is linked to cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, and aberrant motivation that also rely on excitatory transmission in the NAc, but potential mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we show that insulin receptor activation increases presynaptic glutamate release via a previously unidentified form of opioid receptor-mediated disinhibition, whereas activation of IGF receptors by insulin decreases presynaptic glutamate release in the NAc. Furthermore, obesity results in a loss of the insulin receptor-mediated increases and a reduction in NAc insulin receptor surface expression, while preserving reductions in excitatory transmission mediated by IGF receptors. These results provide the first insights into how insulin influences excitatory transmission in the adult brain and have broad implications for the regulation of motivation and reward related processes by peripheral hormones.
Moving beyond tracing: The nature, availability and quality of digital apps to support children’s writing:

Young children’s use of tablets and smartphones has proliferated in recent years. Furthermore, apps are being developed at breakneck pace, often designed to support children’s learning in a variety...
MC1.3 - Spatio-temporal Correlations in Multimode Fibers for Pulse Delivery

We discover spatiotemporal intensity correlations for an optical pulse propagating through multimode fibers with random mode coupling. Positive long-range correlations arise from multiple scattering in fiber mode space. By optimizing the incident wavefront of a pulse, we maximize the power transmitted at a selected time.
Innovative Information Literacy Landscapes: Leveraging the Specialized Knowledge of LGBTQ+ Communities in Research and Practice

This paper examines how Knowledge School principles can help libraries develop a more nuanced understanding of how social and cultural differences shape knowledge production and dissemi-nation within LGBTQ+ communities. I focus on information literacy (IL), in which practitioners teach individuals to seek, evaluate, and use information. IL can empower communities by enhancing education, confidence, and decision-making. However, libraries often approach IL from a deficit, skills-based perspective by envisioning communities as lacking the requisite knowledge to fulfill their information needs. As a Knowledge School, we need to move away from one-size-fits-all approaches to librarianship. Through research, we can understand how communities produce and disseminate know-ledge on their terms. Such understanding can open up new, inclusive, and relevant possibilities for community-oriented practice. In this paper, I offer a lens through which to see how this occurs within a Knowledge School.
Pretreatment with Yeast-Derived Complex Dietary Polysaccharides Suppresses Gut Inflammation, Alters the Microbiota Composition, and Increases Immune Regulatory Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production in C57BL/6 Mice

BACKGROUND β-Glucans (BGs), a group of complex dietary polysaccharides (CDPs), are available as dietary supplements. However, the effects of orally administered highly purified BGs on gut inflammation are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of orally administering highly purified, yeast-derived BG (YBG; β-1,3/1,6-d-glucan) on susceptibility to colitis. METHODS Eight-week-old C57BL/6 (B6) mice were used in a series of experiments. Experiment (Expt) 1: male and female mice were treated every day, for 40 d, with saline (control) or 250 μg YBG, followed by 2.5% (wt:vol) dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water during days 30-35; and colitis severity and intestinal immune phenotype were determined. Expt 2: female B6 mice were treated with saline or YBG for 30 d and intestinal immune phenotype, gut microbiota composition, and fecal SCFA concentrations were determined. Expt 3: female B6 mice were treated as in Expt 2, given drinking water with or without antibiotics [Abx; ampicillin (1 g/L), vancomycin (0.5 g/L), neomycin (1 g/L), and metronidazole (1 g/L)] during days 16-30, and gut immune phenotype and fecal SCFA concentrations were determined. Expt 4: female B6 Foxp3-green fluorescent protein (-GFP) reporter mice were treated as in Expt 3, and intestinal T-regulatory cell (Treg) frequencies and immune phenotypes were determined. Expt 5: female mice were treated as in Expt 1, given drinking water with or without antibiotics during days 16-40, and colitis severity and intestinal cytokine production were determined. RESULTS Compared with controls, the YBG group in Expt 1 exhibited suppressive effects on features of colitis, such as loss of body weight (by 47%; P 100%; P < 0.01) and colonic inflammation score (by 42%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Studies using B6 mice show that dietary BGs are beneficial for promoting intestinal health when the gut microbiota is intact. However, these CDPs may produce adverse effects if gut microbiota is compromised.
The Generalized ANOVA: A Classic Song Sung with Modern Lyrics

The widely used analysis of variance (ANOVA) suffers from a series of flaws that not only raise questions about conclusions drawn from its use, but also undercut its many potential applications to modern clinical and observational research. In this paper, we propose a generalized ANOVA model to address the limitations of this popular approach so that it can be applied to many immediate as well as potential applications ranging from an age-old technical issue in applying ANOVA to cutting-edge methodological challenges. By integrating the classic theory of U-statistics, we develop distribution-free inference for this new class of models to address missing data for longitudinal clinical trials and cohort studies.
A novel tissue culture model for evaluating the effect of aging on stem cell fate in adult microvascular networks.

In vitro models of angiogenesis are valuable tools for understanding the underlying mechanisms of pathological conditions and for the preclinical evaluation of therapies. Our laboratory developed the rat mesentery culture model as a new tool for investigating mechanistic cell–cell interactions at specific locations across intact blood and lymphatic microvascular networks ex vivo. The objective of this study was to report a method for evaluating the effect of aging on human stem cell differentiation into pericytes during angiogenesis in cultured microvascular networks. DiI labeled exogenous stem cells were seeded onto harvested adult Wistar rat mesenteric tissues and cultured in alpha-MEM + 1% serum for up to 5 days according to four experimental groups: (1) adult human adipose–derived stem cells (hASCs), (2) aged hASCs, (3) adult human bone marrow-derived stem cells (hBMSCs), and (4) aged hBMSCs. Angiogenesis per experimental group was supported by observation of increased vessel density and capillary sprouting. For each tissue per experimental group, a subset of cells was observed in typical pericyte location wrapped along blood vessels. Stem cell differentiation into pericytes was supported by the adoption of elongated pericyte morphology along endothelial cells and positive NG2 labeling. The percentage of cells in pericyte locations was not significantly different across the experimental groups, suggesting that aged mesenchymal stem cells are able to retain their differentiation capacity. Our results showcase an application of the rat mesentery culture model for aging research and the evaluation of stem cell fate within intact microvascular networks.
Search for Ionization-Induced Modulation of Light Polarization for a New Direction to Improve Time Resolution of PET

In this work, we study whether ionizing radiation can induce a small component of non-polarized light in a crosspolarizer setup, where usually no light transmission would occur. Such ionization-induced modulation of polarization occurs at a sub-picosecond time scale, which could be exploited for fast timing applications, such as time of flight in positron emission tomography. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach using ionization produced from a laser diode in high Z, high-density crystals. Results indicate that the signal strength, quantified by induced cross-polarized light due to ionization from 20 MHz UV pulses in BSO is 10x higher than that in CdTe.
Plasmin cascade mediates thrombolytic events in SARS-CoV-2 infection via complement and platelet-activating systems

Recently emerged beta-coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in the current pandemic designated COVID-19. COVID-19 manifests as severe illness exhibiting systemic inflammatory response syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), thrombotic events, and shock, exacerbated further by co-morbidities and age. Recent clinical reports suggested that the pulmonary failure seen in COVID-19 may not be solely driven by acute ARDS, but also microvascular thrombotic events, likely driven by complement activation. However, it is not fully understood how the SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms mediate thrombotic events, and whether such mechanisms and responses are unique to SARS-CoV-2 infection, compared to other respiratory infections. We address these questions here, in the context of normal lung epithelia, in vitro and in vivo, using publicly available data. Our results indicate that plasmin is a crucial mediator which primes interactions between complement and platelet-activating systems in lung epithelia upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a potential for therapeutic intervention.
Outcomes of Endovascular Management of Isolated Profunda Femoris Artery Occlusive Disease.

Background Endovascular management of isolated profunda femoris artery occlusive disease has not been well studied. Our aim is to analyze the outcomes of endovascular management of profunda artery occlusive disease. Methods This is a retrospective analysis using data from the Vascular Quality Initiative. All patients from 2013 to 2018 treated percutaneously for isolated profunda artery occlusive disease were included. Endovascular treatment included plain balloon alone, stent, stent graft, atherectomy, and drug-coated balloon without any concomitant endovascular or surgical treatment. Demographic, procedural, and follow-up data were obtained. Primary end points were primary patency, improvement of symptoms, and need for reintervention. Univariate and multivariable analysis was used to assess for significant variables. Results Of the 105,568 lower extremity endovascular interventions performed during this time period, there were 361 procedures (0.3%) performed on 341 patients for isolated profunda artery occlusive disease. The average age of these patients was 67.8 years (+/− 11.8), with 59.8% being men. The most common indication for treatment of the profunda artery was claudication (44.8%), followed by tissue loss (28.5%) and rest pain (26.0%). The most common treatment modality was plain balloon (58.5%), followed by stent (18.6%), drug-coated balloon (10.0%), atherectomy (9.4%), and stent graft (3.6%). At a mean follow-up of 13 months (+/−4.6), data were available for 238 patients (69.7%). Overall primary patency at 13 months was 92.9%. There was no significant difference in terms of patency for each treatment modality (Table I). Preoperative ambulatory status, aspirin, and statin were significantly associated with patency. At most recent follow-up, 67% of patients had improvement of their symptoms, whereas 29% were unchanged. Reintervention data were available for 247 patients, with a reintervention rate of 15.8% (n = 39) and a mean reintervention time of 226 days (+/− 173), with the majority of reinterventions (62%) occurring in the plain balloon group. Reinterventions were primarily endovascular (64%) with 9 patients (23%) undergoing surgical reintervention. Conclusions Endovascular management of profunda femoris artery occlusive disease has acceptable one-year patency rates with low reintervention rates. Endovascular treatment may be an acceptable alternative to selected patients who are high-risk for surgery.
Intracranial and extracranial vascular manifestations of patients with a clinical diagnosis of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.

While numerous reports have demonstrated intracranial CNS anomalies associated with Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome, to our knowledge, there has not been a large consecutive study examining these anomalies. The aim of this study was to determine the spectrum of intracranial neurovascular manifestations in patients with a clinical diagnosis of Klippel–Tranaunay syndrome. Consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome, as defined by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies, who underwent brain contrast-enhanced CT/computed tomography angiography, MRI/magnetic resonance angiography, or digital subtraction angiography at our institution from 2000 to 2019 were included. Studies were evaluated by a neuroradiologist and a senior radiology resident for the presence of cavernous malformations, developmental venous anomalies, venous sinus developmental abnormalities, craniofacial venous malformations, intraosseous venous malformations, and intracranial/extracranial venous abnormalities. Fifty patients with definite KTS were included. Thirty-four neurovascular anomalies were found in 17 patients (34.0%), including 8 with multiple anomalies. Nine patients had developmental venous anomalies (18.0%), 7 had craniofacial venous malformations (14.0), 6 had venous sinus developmental abnormalities (12.0%), 7 had intraosseous venous malformations (14.0%), and 2 had cavernous malformations (4.0%), and 9 patients had both intracranial venous abnormalities and craniofacial or calvarial findings (13.0%). Our findings demonstrate that Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome can involve a wide spectrum of intracranial neurovascular anomalies predominantly involving the venous system
Human CD36hi monocytes induce Foxp3+ CD25+ T cells with regulatory functions from CD4 and CD8 subsets

The fetal and neonatal immune systems are uniquely poised to generate tolerance to self, maternal, and environmental antigens encountered in the womb and shortly after birth. However, the tolerogenic nature of fetal and neonatal immunity can be detrimental in the context of pathogens, leading to overwhelming bacterial infections or chronic viral infections. A variety of mechanisms contribute to fetal and neonatal tolerance, including a propensity to generate Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells). However, the mechanism(s) of fetal Foxp3+ T cell differentiation, the specific antigen-presenting cells required, and factors that inhibit Treg generation after the neonatal period are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that a subset of CD14+ monocytes expressing the scavenger molecule, CD36, can generate CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that co-express Foxp3 and T-bet from both umbilical cord blood. These Foxp3+ T-bet+ T cells potently suppress T cell proliferation and ameliorate xenogeneic graft versus host disease. CD14+ CD36+ monocytes provide known Treg-inducing signals: membrane-bound transforming growth factor-beta and retinoic acid. Unexpectedly, adult peripheral blood monocytes are also capable of inducing Foxp3+ T cells from both cord blood and adult peripheral naive T cells. The induction of Foxp3+ T cells in umbilical cord blood by monocytes was inhibited by the lymphoid fraction of adult peripheral blood cells. These studies highlight a novel immunoregulatory role of monocytes and suggest that antigen presentation by CD36hi monocytes may contribute to the peripheral development of Foxp3+ T-bet+ T cells with regulatory functions in both neonates and adults.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and body size and composition trajectories in midlife women: the study of women's health across the nation 1999-2018.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been suggested as obesogens but epidemiologic evidence is limited. We examined associations of serum PFAS concentrations with longitudinal trajectories of weight, waist circumference (WC), fat mass, and proportion fat in midlife women. This study included 1,381 midlife women, with a total of 15,000 repeated measures from the multi-racial/ethnic Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation between 1999 and 2018. The average follow-up was 14.9 (range: 0–18.6) years. Body size (objectively measured weight and WC) and body composition from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were assessed at near-annual visits. Linear mixed models with piecewise linear splines were utilized to model non-linear trajectories of body size and composition. After multivariable adjustment, PFAS concentrations were positively associated with weight, WC, fat mass, and proportion fat at baseline and during follow-up. Comparing the highest to the lowest tertiles of PFAS concentrations, adjusted geometric mean weight was 73.9 kg vs. 69.6 kg for PFOS (P < 0.0001), and 74.0 vs. 69.4 kg for linear PFOA (P < 0.0001) at baseline. Women with the highest tertile of PFOS had an annual increase rate of 0.33% (95% CI: 0.27%, 0.40%) in weight, compared to the lowest tertile with 0.10% (95% CI: 0.04%, 0.17%) (P < 0.0001). PFOS was also significantly related to higher increase rates in WC (difference = 0.12% per year, P = 0.002) and fat mass (difference = 0.25% per year, P = 0.0002). EtFOSAA and MeFOSAA showed similar effects to PFOS. Although PFHxS was not related to body size or fat at baseline, PFHxS was significantly associated with accelerated increases in weight (P < 0.0001), WC (P = 0.003), fat mass (P < 0.0001), and proportion fat (P = 0.0009). No significant results were found for PFNA. Certain PFAS were positively associated with greater body size and body fat, and higher rates of change over time. PFAS may be an underappreciated contributing factor to obesity risk.
Linking Adaptation and Mitigation in Climate Change Policy

How people privately and collectively adapt to climate risk can affect the costs and benefits of public mitigation policy (e.g., Kyoto); an obvious point often neglected in actual policy making. Herein we use the economic theory of endogenous risk to address this optimal mix of mitigation and adaptation strategies, and examine how increased variability in climate change threats affects this mix. We stress that a better understanding of the cross-links between mitigation and adaptation would potentially make it possible to provide more risk reduction with less wealth. Policies that are formulated without considering the cross-links can unintentionally undermine the effectiveness of public sector policies and programs because of unaddressed conflicts between the strategies. We also discuss the cross-disciplinary lessons to be learned from this literature, and identify important research questions to spur discussion in the next round of inquiry.
Sensitivity and specificity of the Swedish interactive threshold algorithm for glaucomatous visual field defects.

Abstract Purpose To determine the sensitivity and specificity of two new visual field algorithms in detecting glaucomatous visual field defects: (1) Swedish interactive threshold algorithm (SITA) standard and (2) SITA fast. Design Prospective observational case series. Participants Ninety normal subjects and 82 glaucoma patients. Testing Central 30° fields were performed with the Humphrey visual field analyzer 30-2 program (Humphrey Systems, Dublin, CA) using full threshold, SITA standard, and SITA fast algorithms on the same day for two or more sessions within a 1-month period. Main outcome measures Sensitivity and specificity in detecting glaucomatous visual field defects with SITA standard and SITA fast using full threshold testing as the reference standard. Results The sensitivity of SITA standard and SITA fast in detecting glaucomatous defects overall was 98% and 95%, respectively. In the subset of mild glaucomatous field defects (26 patients), sensitivity of SITA standard was 92% versus 85% with SITA fast. Sensitivity was 100% for both algorithms in moderate to severe glaucomatous defects. Specificity for glaucoma defects using SITA standard and SITA fast was 96% for both algorithms. SITA standard reduced test-taking time from full threshold by 52% in normal subjects and 47% in glaucoma patients ( P P P P Conclusions The new algorithms for measuring visual fields, SITA standard and SITA fast, have excellent sensitivity and specificity for glaucomatous visual field loss with considerable savings in time.
Working versus nonworking wives' psychographic profiles: A longitudinal analysis

Abstract This article examines the proposition that working and nonworking wives' psychographic profiles related to the purchase, preparation, and consumption of food items may have changed during the recent years. With the use of economic conditions, marketing efforts, and general sociological changes during the past few years, postulates are developed that suggest converging, diverging, or paralleling psychographical profiles. With the use of data collected in 1980 and 1986, these postulates are examined and implications provided accordingly.
HIV and HIV dementia

Lentiviruses, a group of retroviruses that includes HIV-1, have been known to be neurovirulent since landmark studies by Sigurdsson and others, who showed that chronic lentiviral infections could take hold in the central nervous system (CNS; reviewed in ref. 1). Since their discovery, HIV-1 and, to a lesser extent, HIV-2 have been recognized as CNS pathogens that can cause a subcortical dementia (HIV-associated dementia; HAD) in a significant proportion of infected patients (2). In HAD, as distinct from conventional cortical dementias, memory impairment typically occurs either in association with or following other cognitive symptoms like inattention, apathy, and psychomotor slowing. Motor symptoms such as lack of coordination are also characteristic of this condition. The neuropathological changes induced by HIV-1 infection of the CNS include pallor of the myelin sheaths, proliferation or prominence of astrocytes, and the formation of multinucleated giant cells (syncytia). Microglia and brain macrophages are the main cellular targets for HIV infection in the CNS, and syncytium formation is a signature finding for this infection, since it results from interactions between the viral glycoproteins gp120 and gp41 and the principal cellular HIV-1 receptors in microglia, CD4 and CCR5. The presence of multinucleated giant cells in the CNS is the most specific finding in HIV infection, and it is roughly correlated with the antemortem diagnosis of HAD (3).
Feasible region approximation using convex polytopes

A new technique for polytope approximation of the feasible region for a design is presented. This method is computationally less expensive than the simplicial approximation method. Results on several circuits are presented. It is shown that the quality of the polytope approximation is substantially better than an ellipsoidal approximation. >
Exploring contemporary issues in genetics & society: Karyotyping, biological sex, & gender

In this two-part activity, high school biology students examine human karyotyping, sex-chromosome-linked disorders, and the relationship between biological sex and gender. Through interactive simulations and a structured discussion lab, students create a human karyotype and diagnose chromosomal disorders in hypothetical patients, as well as formulate a scientifically based argument distinguishing biological sex from gender. This activity reinforces biology concepts such as DNA structure and function, meiosis, and the inheritance of traits. In their arguments, students integrate prior knowledge with science content. This lesson connects the world of science with issues important in their own lives.
Collagen Single Fibril Elastic Modulus Measurement Technique

We develop an experimental technique that allows precise measurement of the longitudinal component of the elastic modulus of single fibril in conditions close to in vivo. Using freshly extracted fibrils, avoiding a drying-soaking cycle and keeping deformations below 0.5%, we use a combination of optical tweezers and AFM techniques, and exploit Euler-Bernoulli elasticity theory for data analysis. We found that elastic modulus of rat tail collagen type I cannot be represented by a single quantity but rather is a distribution, significantly broader than the uncertainty of our experimental technique. Additionally, we used AFM to find variations in the fibril diameter. Since bending forces depend on the diameter to the fourth power, this variation is important for estimating the modulus. However, there still exist sources of variation that are not yet accounted for.
First Report of Fludioxonil Resistance in Botrytis cinerea from a Strawberry Field in Virginia.

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr. is one of the most economically important diseases of cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) worldwide. Control of gray mold mainly depends on fungicides, including the phenylpyrrole fludioxonil, which is currently marketed in combination with cyprodinil as Switch 62.5WG (Syngenta Crop Protection, Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, NC). In 2012, 790 strains of B. cinerea were collected from 76 strawberry fields in eight states, including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Strains were collected from sporulating flowers and fruit and sensitivity to fludioxonil was determined using a conidial germination assay as previously described (2). Only one isolate from a farm located in Westmoreland County, Virginia, grew on medium amended with the discriminatory dose of 0.1 μg/ml fludioxonil and was therefore considered low resistant. The isolate did not grow on 10 μg/ml. All other 789 isolates did not grow at...
Functional and Molecular Aspects of Biotin Uptake via SMVT in Human Corneal Epithelial (HCEC) and Retinal Pigment Epithelial (D407) Cells

Sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) is a vital transmembrane protein responsible for translocating biotin and other essential cofactors such as pantothenate and lipoate. Unlike primary cultures of corneal and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, immortalized cells can be subcultured many times, yet maintain their physiological properties. Hence, the purpose of this study was to delineate the functional and molecular aspects of biotin uptake via SMVT on immortalized human corneal epithelial (HCEC) and RPE (D407) cells. Functional aspects of [3H] biotin uptake were studied in the presence of different concentrations of unlabeled biotin, pH, temperature, metabolic inhibitors, ions, substrates, structural analogs and biotinylated prodrug (Biotin-Acyclovir (B-ACV)). Molecular identity of SMVT was examined with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Biotin uptake was found to be saturable in HCEC and D407 cells with K m of 296.2 ± 25.9 and 863.8 ± 66.9 μM and V max of 77.2 ± 2.2 and 308.3 ± 10.7 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. Uptake was found to be pH, temperature, energy, and sodium-dependent. Inhibition of biotin uptake was observed in the presence of structural analogs and specific substrates. Further, uptake was lowered in the presence of B-ACV indicating the translocation of biotinylated prodrug by SMVT. A distinct band at 774 bp confirmed the molecular existence of SMVT in both the cells. This study shows for the first time the functional and molecular presence of SMVT in HCEC and D407 cells. Therefore, these cell lines may be utilized as in vitro models to study the cellular translocation of biotin-conjugated prodrugs.
Prospectively randomized trial of adjuvant active-specific immunotherapy for human colorectal cancer.

Over the last four years a guinea pig model of active-specific immunotherapy (ASI) with a syngeneic tumor celhbacillus calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine was translated into a prospectively randomized, controlled clinical trial in patients with colorectal cancer. Primary tumors from patients undergoing standard surgical resection were dissociated enzymatically and cryopreserved by techniques that maintain cell viability. Patients with transmural extension of tumor or nodal metastases were randomized into groups treated by resection alone (control) or resection plus ASI. With a mean follow-up of 28 months (range, 14–24), only 3 of 20 treatment patients had recurrences and none have died, whereas 9 of 20 control patients had recurrences and 4 died. These differences are statistically significant and are sufficiently encouraging to warrant expansion of these studies into other research centers. Cancer 55:1236-1243, 1985.
Incorporation of amino acids into a lipid fraction of kidney cortex

Abstract The incorporation of radioactive lysine and leucine into rat kidney-cortex phospatidopeptide is reported. Studies were assigned to test the possibility that an amino acid transport intermediate occurs in this lipid fraction. The time course of incorporation was linear during 1 h; non-metabolized transport model amino acids were not incorporated; neither transport competitors nor high concentration chase studies markedly altered incorporation; puromycin and anaerobic inhibition of protein synthesis were accompanied by diminished amino acid incorporation into phosphatidopeptide. The results indicate that the lipid-amino acid complex present in the phosphatidopeptide fraction does not have the characteristics predicted for an amino acid transport carrier.