cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synergistic vascular effects of dietary sodium supplementation and angiotensin II administration

The hypertensinogenic action of dietary sodium supplementation was investigated in angiotensin II (ANG II)-treated rats. We hypothesized that high-sodium diet would potentiate ANG II-induced vasoconstriction and hypertension, including the development of structural vascular changes, through synergistic action with ANG II in stimulating sympathetic activity and vascular growth. Mesenteric vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II, norepinephrine (NE), arginine vasopressin (AVP), and periarterial nerve stimulation were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats after 7-10 days of the following treatments: 200 ng.kg-1.min-1 ip ANG II (n = 12), 4% NaCl diet (n = 11), ANG II + 4% NaCl diet (n = 7), and 0.7% NaCl diet (controls) (n = 15). Additional rats received 50 ng.kg-1.min-1 sc ANG II (n = 8), 2% NaCl diet (n = 9), ANG II + 2% NaCl diet (n = 6), or 0.7% NaCl diet (controls) (n = 10) for 12 wk. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) values were measured weekly for 4 wk and then every other week for 8 wk. Then, the wall-to-lumen ratio (W/L) of mesenteric resistance arteries (< 150 microns OD) was measured after in situ perfusion-fixation. After 7-10 days of treatment, there were no significant changes in SBP in any of the groups. High-sodium diet increased vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II (P < 0.01) and nerve stimulation (P < 0.02), but not to NE or AVP, and in combination with ANG II treatment further potentiated vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II (synergism). After 12 wk of treatment, ANG II increased W/L of small resistance arteries by 11% (P < 0.05) without a significant rise in SBP. ANG II and 2% NaCl diet in combination raised SBP by 36 mmHg (P < 0.01) and increased small artery W/L by 28% (P < 0.001) compared with values obtained in control rats. To test the specificity of the interaction between ANG II and high-sodium diet, all the experiments were repeated during phenylephrine (PE, 10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 sc) treatment of rats. PE by itself or in combination with high-sodium diet had no effect on the measured parameters. Thus short-term administration of high-sodium diet appears to potentiate vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II by facilitating sympathetic neurotransmission, and long-term administration of high-sodium diet raises SBP by potentiating the trophic vascular effects of ANG II. The interaction appears to be specific to ANG II and is occurring on the vascular level.
Expression profiling elucidates a molecular gene signature for pulmonary hypertension in sarcoidosis.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) [K23HL098454, 1R01HL111656, R01 HL127342, U01 HL112696, U01HL125208]
Left Coast City: Progressive Politics in San Francisco, 1975–1991

When Art Agnos campaigned for mayor of San Francisco in 1987, he articulated and defended the "left" isms liberalism, environmentalism, and populism. He won. Seeing Agnos as a defender of slowgrowth vs. progrowth, the city's progressives had high hopes. But to their disappointment, in the wake of the passage of Proposition M the most restrictive growth control legislation of any large U.S. city Agnos supported waterfront development and proposals to build a new baseball stadium in China Basin and a large residential and business development in Mission Bay. In 1991 Agnos ran for reelection. He lost. "Left Coast City" provides insight into how San Francisco's progressive coalition developed between 1975 and 1991, what stresses emerged to cause splintering within the coalition, and how the coalition fell apart in the 1991 mayoral campaign. Focusing on San Francisco's turbulent political history, non-conformist traditions, and ethnic and cultural diversity, political scientist Richard DeLeon analyzes the successes and failures of the progressive movement as it topples the business-dominated progrowth regime, imposes stringent controls on growth and development, and achieves political control of city hall. Although the movement has achieved national recognition as a possible vanguard of social and political change in this country, DeLeon argues that a new progressive regime has not yet emerged to replace the defunct progrowth regime. Having helped to create chaos out of order, progressive leaders now face the task of creating order out of chaos. "What the city has now is, at best, an antiregime, a transitional political order set up defensively to block the Lazarus-like re-emergence of the old progrowth regime," DeLeon writes. "Such an order cannot last." The key to survival of the progressive movement, he contends, is creation of a progressive urban regime, where public and private entities function together."
Core Biopsy Instrument in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer: Superior Accuracy to Fine Needle Aspiration

AbstractThe recent availability of an automated core biopsy gun has made the performance of core biopsies of the prostate easier and better tolerated. A prospective study was conducted to compare the efficacy of fine needle aspiration to core biopsy with the gun. Among 94 patients subjected to both biopsy techniques at the same visit 30 (32%) had a positive diagnosis of prostate cancer. Core biopsy was positive in these 30 patients (100%), while fine needle aspiration was positive in 21 (70%). This study suggests that core biopsy with the gun is superior to fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Intracranial pressure monitoring in severe isolated pediatric blunt head trauma.

Abstract Very little research regarding standard treatments for pediatric traumatic brain injury (PTBI) exists. The objective of this study was to examine the use of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring devices in PTBI and to determine if its use was associated with any outcome benefit. Data were collected from the Trauma Registry over an 11-year period (1996-2006) on all blunt trauma pediatric patients (age 3 vs. 55%, P = 0.01) than patients without monitors. However, there was no difference in mortality (28% vs. 35%, P = 0.52), discharge location (P = 0.10), and discharge capacity (P = 0.84). After multivariable analysis to adjust for the differences between the two study groups, the use of ICP monitor provided no survival benefit (adjusted odds ratio: 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3-4.1; adjusted P value = 0.85). The use of ICP monitor was, however, independently associated with a higher risk of developing extracranial complications (adjusted odds ratio: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.2-16.4; adjusted P value = 0.025). In conclusion, the use of ICP monitors in pediatric patients with severe isolated head injury provided no survival benefit and was associated with an increased risk of complications.
Bionanomaterials from Plant Sources

At the present an unprecedented interest in herbal healing is appearing everywhere. The Western world started to compare allopathic remedies (with many side effects) to the traditional ones and to acknowledge the latter as safer alternatives. In spite of their advantages, applications are slow to materialize, with poor solubility and low bioavailability being the main reasons. Natural products such as curcumin, hop extracts, essential oils are example of species with demonstrated biological activity but few applications due to unsatisfactory bioavailability correlated with low water solubility. Natural products with strong antioxidant effect, like polyphenols in teas, for example, are not widely used because of their sensitivity to oxidation (during processing and storage).
Classification of Alzheimer's disease using unsupervised diffusion component analysis.

The goal of this study is automated discrimination between early stage Alzheimer$'$s disease (AD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and healthy MRI data. Unsupervised Diffusion Component Analysis, a novel approach based on the diffusion mapping framework, reduces data dimensionality and provides pattern recognition that can be used to distinguish AD brains from healthy brains. The new algorithm constructs coordinates as an extension of diffusion maps and generates efficient geometric representations of the complex structure of the MRI data. The key difference between our method and others used to classify and detect AD early in its course is our nonlinear and local network approach, which overcomes calibration differences among different scanners and centers collecting MRI data and solves the problem of individual variation in brain size and shape. In addition, our algorithm is completely automatic and unsupervised, which could potentially be a useful and practical tool for doctors to help identify AD patients.
Patient–Provider Communication: Does Electronic Messaging Reduce Incoming Telephone Calls?

Purpose: Internet-based patient portals are increasingly being implemented throughout health care organizations to enhance health and optimize communication between patients and health professionals. The decision to adopt a patient portal requires careful examination of the advantages and disadvantages of implementation. This study aims to investigate 1 proposed advantage of implementation: alleviating some of the clinical workload faced by employees. Methods: A retrospective time-series analysis of the correlation between the rate of electronic patient-to-provider messages—a common attribute of Internet-based patient portals—and incoming telephone calls. The rate of electronic messages and incoming telephone calls were monitored from February 2009 to June 2014 at 4 economically diverse clinics (a federally qualified health center, a rural health clinic, a community-based clinic, and a university-based clinic) related to 1 university hospital. Results: All 4 clinics showed an increase in the rate of portal use as measured by electronic patient-to-provider messaging during the study period. Electronic patient-to-provider messaging was significantly positively correlated with incoming telephone calls at 2 of the clinics (r = 0.546, P Conclusions: Implementation and increased use of electronic patient-to-provider messaging was associated with increased use of telephone calls in 2 of the study clinics. While practices are increasingly making the decision of whether to implement a patient portal as part of their system of care, it is important that the motivation behind such a change not be based on the idea that it will alleviate clinical workload.
Bile acid receptor TGR5, NADPH Oxidase NOX5-S and CREB Mediate Bile Acid-Induced DNA Damage In Barrett’s Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cells

The mechanisms whereby bile acid reflux may accelerate the progression from Barrett’s esophagus (BE) to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) are not fully understood. In this study we found that bile acid taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) significantly increased the tail moment (TM) and histone H2AX phosphorylation in FLO-1 EA cells, an increase which was significantly decreased by knockdown of TGR5. Overexpression of TGR5 significantly increased TDCA-induced TM increase and H2AX phosphorylation. In addition, NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium significantly inhibited the TDCA-induced increase in TM and H2AX phosphorylation. TDCA-induced increase in TM and H2AX phosphorylation was significantly decreased by knockdown of NOX5-S and overexpression of NOX5-S significantly increased TDCA-induced increase in the tail moment and H2AX phosphorylation. Furthermore, TDCA significantly increased cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in FLO-1 cells. Knockdown of CREB significantly decreased TDCA-induced increase in NOX5-S mRNA and the tail moment. Conversely, overexpression of CREB significantly increased TDCA-induced TM increase. We conclude that TDCA-induced DNA damage may depend on the activation of TGR5, CREB and NOX5-S. It is possible that in Barrett’s patients bile acids may activate NOX5-S and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via activation of TGR5 and CREB. NOX5-S-derived ROS may cause DNA damage, thereby contributing to the progression from BE to EA.
Situating Computer Simulation Professional Development: Does It Promote Inquiry-Based Simulation Use?

ABSTRACTThis mixed-methods study sought to identify professional development implementation variables that may influence participant (a) adoption of simulations, and (b) use for inquiry-based science instruction. Two groups (Cohort 1, N = 52; Cohort 2, N = 104) received different professional development. Cohort 1 was focused on Web site use mechanics. Cohort 2 was situated in nature and provided three additional elements: (a) modeling simulation use within inquiry-based instruction; (b) collaboration; and (c) provision of content-relevant lesson planning time. There was no difference in the extent of simulation use between cohorts, χ2(1) = 0.878, p = .349, φ = −0.075. Results were inconclusive for a difference in observed inquiry instruction as Fisher's Exact Test was insignificant but had a medium effect size, p = .228, φ = 0.283. Computer-based standardized tests emerged as a novel technology integration barrier. These findings have implications for school policy, professional development, and future r...
Persistence of Villous Immaturity in Term Deliveries Following Intrauterine Transfusion for Parvovirus B19 Infection and RhD-associated Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn.

Abstract Fetal anemia and hydrops may be caused by parvovirus B19 infection and maternal alloimmunization to RhD with subsequent hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. The use of intrauterine transfusion over the last few decades has dramatically improved outcomes. Prior literature has extensively documented placental changes associated with untreated parvovirus infection and RhD HDFN in intrauterine fetal demises (IUFD) and pre-term births; however, histopathologic changes in term placentas from term infants treated with IUT have not been reported. We present placental findings in two cases of parvovirus B19-associated hydrops and two cases of RhD HDFN-associated hydrops in term infants after IUT, highlighting unique aspects that may be diagnostically useful for the examining pathologist.
Delayed reinforcement, selective learning and habit reversal

Three groups of hungry rats were trained in a T maze position response under conditions of 20-sec. delay of food reinforcement on 0, 50, and 100 per cent of the correct responses. After learning the reward was shifted to the opposite goal box and habit reversal was studied under the three conditions of delay. Performance in the original learning was inversely related to the percentage of delay. The habit reversal performance was an inverse function of percentage of delay in reversal, but was unrelated to delay during training. Perseveration responses were not affected by delay during training. The results were compared to previous findings regarding continuous and partial delay and discussed in terms of behavior theory.
Hybrid flexural components: Testing pre-stressed steel and GFRP bars together as reinforcement for flexural members

Concrete members historically have used either pre-stressed steel or steel bars. In recent years there has been an increased interest in the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials. However, the flexure behavior of a hybrid system reinforced by the combination of pre-stressed steel and glass fiber reinforced (GFRP) is still relatively unknown. The purpose of this work is to study this. Two slabs of 100 and 150-millimeter thickness, with a span of 2.1 m reinforced with both pre-stressing steel and GFRP were constructed and tested to failure using ACI 318-11 and ACI 440.1R-15. The concrete had strength of 31 MPa and the slabs were respectively reinforced with 5#4 bars and 3#5 bars. Each slab had 37.41 mm2 prestressing wire with a failure stress of 1722.5 MPa. The experimental flexural strength and deflection of slabs were compared with their respective sizes theoretical slabs. The theoretical slabs were either reinforced with pre-stressed steel or GFRP rebars, or a hybrid system. It was found that the hybrid system produces better results.
Simulating the structure and texture of solid wood

Wood is an important decorative material prized for its unique appearance. It is commonly rendered using artistically authored 2D color and bump textures, which reproduces color patterns on flat surfaces well. But the dramatic anisotropic specular figure caused by wood fibers, common in curly maple and other species, is harder to achieve. While suitable BRDF models exist, the texture parameter maps for these wood BRDFs are difficult to author---good results have been shown with elaborate measurements for small flat samples, but these models are not much used in practice. Furthermore, mapping 2D image textures onto 3D objects leads to distortion and inconsistencies. Procedural volumetric textures solve these geometric problems, but existing methods produce much lower quality than image textures. This paper aims to bring the best of all these techniques together: we present a comprehensive volumetric simulation of wood appearance, including growth rings, color variation, pores, rays, and growth distortions. The fiber directions required for anisotropic specular figure follow naturally from the distortions. Our results rival the quality of textures based on photographs, but with the consistency and convenience of a volumetric model. Our model is modular, with components that are intuitive to control, fast to compute, and require minimal storage.
The Ancients Were Open to Love

This chapter provides a historical analysis of romantic love among ancient civilizations. It explores how a few of the first human civilizations of Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome experience, expressed, and conceptualized love. This analysis within each of these civilizations takes a look at love’s relationship with sex and marriage. Therefore, this chapter highlights the differences between the ancient civilizations discussed in the context of these three concepts.
La France en terre d’islam: Empire colonial et religions, XIXe-XXe siècles

Pierre Vermeren begins his book by pointing out that during the 1950s, the Algerian ʿulamāʾ, whom he calls ‘the Salafists of that era’ (11), demanded the application of secularism (laicite) in the ...
Geschichte und Philosophie der Wissenschaften

Die Geschichte der Beziehung zwischen Wissenschaftsphilosophie und Wissenschaftsgeschichte ist turbulent. Sie begann im fruhen 19. Jahrhundert zu einer Zeit, als Philosophie und Wissenschaften sich langsam voneinander ablosten und als Forschungsrichtungen eigene Konturen gewannen.
The Near Death Experience as a Product of Isolated Subcortical Brain Function

This paper attempts to show that the sequence of a typical near death experience (NDE) is predictable and reproducible, enough to suggest that the NDE is a symptom of a specific altered mental state seen in a large number of medical and surgical conditions. I attempt to explain on an anatomical, physiologic, and psychological basis how NDEs might be caused, and suggest that NDEs might even be the basis of religion. I also describe an NDE of a 38-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic who developed hypoglycemia secondary to a lack of caloric intake to support her daily insulin usage. She did not appear to be life-threatened from a cardiovascular standpoint. During the hypoglycemic spell, the patient appeared to be in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Following resuscitation with an intravenous injection of dextrose, the patient returned to a normal mental status, but recounted a typical NDE.
The Next Generation GPS Time

The next generation Global Positioning System (GPS) ground control segment will entail a number of GPS ground system upgrades from the existing ground control segment. One of these upgrades is the inclusion of a new modernized timescale algorithm used to generate GPS Time. The timescale is currently being designed as a separate modular unit (given the acronym ETF, or Ensemble Timescale Filter) within the ground system navigation package and is based upon a U-D Kalman Filter implementation that utilizes measurements of all clocks in the ground network and satellite constellation. The new ETF module will include a number of features that improve the stability of the GPS Time timescale and provide more user/operator autonomy to include: multi-weight clock weighting for better handling of mixed clock types in the same filter; automated clock break detection and handling; robust outlier and anomalous clock behavior mitigation; admission of multiple external timescale solutions, including alternate ETF realizations; and adaptive clock parameter estimation. The preliminary results presented in this paper demonstrate some of the performance capabilities and robustness characteristics of the ETF.
Basement membranes in muscle capillaries.

Thickening of capillary basement membranes, including those of skeletal muscle, is now widely accepted as the ultrastructural hallmark of diabetic microangiopathy. Although muscle capillary basement membrane thickening has been reported in a limited number of collagen diseases, diabetes mellitus is by far the commonest disease associated with capillary basement membrane thickening. Muscle capillary basement membrane width increases in nondiabetic males essentially throughout life. In nondiabetic females, capillary basement membrane thickening tends to increase less rapidly until after the menopause. In both sexes basement membrane width increases linearly with increasing hydrostatic pressure in muscles below the heart level.
A manual for analysis of hemispherical canopy photography

Hemispherical canopy photography involves taking photographs through a hemispherical (fisheye) lens pointed upward from beneath a plant canopy. The resulting photographs can be analyzed to determine the geometry of canopy openings and to calculate potential light penetration. This manual serves as a comprehensive guide to the program CANOPY, a public domain microcomputer program for image analysis of hemispherical canopy photography. Included are discussions of theory, research applications, field methodology, hardware setup and operation, and software setup and operation. CANOPY enables video digitization of negatives, real-time display of positive images, interactive determination of a threshold to distinguish foliage from canopy openings, editing of photographs with poor exposure, rapid calculation of various measures of canopy geometry and indices of potential light penetration, and convenient output of results. A series of utility programs allow user specification of theoretical or empirical distributions of direct sunlight and diffuse skylight for a given site. _____________________________________ CHAPTER
Ovulation does not constrain egg parcel size in the simultaneous hermaphrodite Serranus subligarius

Among egg trading hermaphrodites, any factor which limits the number of eggs released by a female role hermaphrodite can potentially limit the mating success of the male role hermaphrodite fertilizing those eggs. This work examines the hypothesis that the timing of ovulation constrains the size of egg parcels and thereby limits male mating success in the egg parceling hermaphroditic fish Serranus subligarius. Two alternatives were evaluated: (1) Ovulation is a discrete event preceding spawning. It does not constrain the size of egg parcels and therefore does not limit mating success of male role partners. (2) Ovulation is an incremental process occurring throughout the spawning period. It limits the number of eggs available for release in each parcel and thereby limits mating success of the male role partner. Assessment of ovulation was conducted in a field stock of S. subligarius. Fish from size matched pairs were manually stripped at the onset of the spawning period or quarantined and sampled at the end of the spawning period. Fish sampled at either time point had the same number of eggs, suggesting that ovulation was a discrete event occurring at the onset of the spawning period. The diurnal cycle of ovulation was observed in naturally spawning hermaphrodites captured at intervals throughout the day. Ovulation began 2–4 h before spawning began. Some fish appeared to ovulate the entire day's clutch of eggs before spawning, while other fish released egg parcels before completing ovulation. I conclude that the pattern of ovulation is not uniform throughout the spawning stock. Because of the variability in timing of ovulation relative to parcel release, ovulation does not consistently limit the size of egg parcels and therefore is unlikely to be a physiological limit to male role mating success in S. subligarius hermaphrodites.
Life-Cycle Assessment of High-Strength Concrete Mixtures with Copper Slag as Sand Replacement

Aggregate consumption rates have now exceeded natural renewal rates, signaling shortages both locally and globally. Even more concerning is that the worldwide markets for construction aggregates are projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.2% in the near future. This increase is attributed to rapid population growth coupled with the economic development worldwide. In terms of material availability, one of the most vulnerable regions is the Asia-Pacific region specifically, Singapore, where there is higher demand but limited availability of natural sand and gravel for use as aggregates in concrete construction projects. This paper focuses mainly on the environmental impacts of fine aggregate alternatives used in high-strength concrete applications in Singapore, which is one of the major global importers of natural sand following China. Singapore has been experiencing political and environmental challenges linked to the shortage of natural sand use as aggregates, even while the demand is increasing in the construction sector. Copper slag, a readily available waste material from shipyards in Singapore, is a possible replacement material for a portion of the natural sand in concrete mixtures, thus sustaining the projected growth in the region. A life-cycle assessment approach is applied to investigate the environmental impacts of copper slag and its alternative use as natural sand in high-strength concrete applications in Singapore. The system boundary consists of the major production processes of concrete constituents (including Portland cement and fine and coarse aggregates, with CS considered as fine aggregate) from a cradle-to-gate perspective, consisting of relevant life-cycle phases of raw materials extraction, transportation, and production processes at the relevant facility where the production occurs. Output from the assessment is provided in terms of embodied energy use and air emissions of concrete mixes with varying percentages of copper slag as fine aggregate. Results show that environmental impacts of aggregates decrease with the increasing substitution rate of natural sand with copper slag when calculated on the basis per unit volume of the concrete mix. For example, 40% and 100% sand replacements with copper slag result in a reduction of 8% and 40% in embodied energy, 12% and 30% in global warming potential, 8% and 41% in acidification, and 7% and 35% in particulate matter formation, respectively. Normalized impacts (i.e., normalized with respect to compressive strength) are observed to remain at almost similar levels for concrete mixes with up to 40% natural sand having been replaced with copper slag. Therefore, it is recommended that replacement of fine aggregates by 40–50% of copper slag (by weight) will produce concrete mixtures with comparable environmental impacts while maintaining feasible durability and strength properties.
Discovery and characterization of a novel HCV inhibitor targeting the late stage of HCV life cycle.

Background Currently approved anti-HCV drugs, the direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), are highly effective and target the viral RNA replication stage of the HCV life cycle. Due to high mutation rate of HCV, drug resistant variants can arise during DAA monotherapy. Thus, a combination of DAAs is necessary to achieve a high response rate. Novel HCV inhibitors targeting the HCV late stage such as assembly and release may further improve combination therapy with the DAAs. Here we characterize one late stage-targeting candidate compound, 6-(4-chloro-3-methylphenoxy)-pyridin-3-amine (MLS000833705). Methods We treated HCV-infected cells with MLS000833705 and other HCV inhibitors and examined HCV RNA and infectious titres. We evaluated the colocalization of HCV core and lipid droplets by confocal microscopy. We performed HCV core-proteinase K digestion assay and several lipid assays to study the mechanism of MLS000833705. Results We showed that MLS000833705 decreased extracellular HCV RNA levels more than intracellular HCV RNA levels in HCV infectious cell culture. Similarly, MLS000833705 reduced infectious HCV titres substantially more in the culture supernatant than intracellularly. Confocal microscopy showed that MLS000833705 did not affect the colocalization of HCV core protein with cellular lipid droplets where HCV assembles. HCV core-proteinase K digestion assay showed that MLS000833705 inhibited the envelopment of HCV capsid. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that MLS000833705 is a late-stage HCV inhibitor targeting HCV morphogenesis and maturation. Therefore, MLS000833705 can be used as a molecular probe to study HCV maturation and secretion and possibly guide development of a new class of HCV antivirals.
Translational Potential of Neuroimaging Genomic Analyses to Diagnosis and Treatment in Mental Disorders

Imaging genomics focuses on characterizing genomic influence on the variation of neurobiological traits, holding promise for illuminating the pathogenesis, reforming the diagnostic system, and precision medicine of mental disorders. This paper aims to provide an overall picture of the current status of neuroimaging-genomic analyses in mental disorders, and how we can increase their translational potential into clinical practice. The review is organized around three perspectives: 1) toward reliability, generalizability, and interpretability, where we summarize the multivariate models and discuss the considerations and tradeoffs of using these methods and how reliable findings may be reached, to serve as ground for further delineation; 2) toward improved diagnosis, where we outline the advantages and challenges of constructing a dimensional transdiagnostic model and how imaging genomic analyses map into this framework to aid in deconstructing heterogeneity and achieving an optimal stratification of patients that better inform treatment planning; and 3) toward improved treatment. Here, we highlight recent efforts and progress in elucidating the functional annotations that bridge between genomic risk and neurobiological abnormalities, in detecting genomic predisposition and prodromal neurodevelopmental changes, as well as in identifying imaging genomic biomarkers for predicting treatment response. Providing an overview of the challenges and promises, this review hopefully motivates imaging genomic studies with multivariate, dimensional, and transdiagnostic designs for generalizable and interpretable findings that facilitate the development of personalized treatment.
From parts to mechanisms: research heuristics for addressing heterogeneity in cancer genetics.

A major approach to cancer research in the late twentieth century was to search for genes that, when altered, initiated the development of a cell into a cancerous state (oncogenes) or failed to stop this development (tumor suppressor genes). But as researchers acquired the capacity to sequence tumors and incorporated the resulting data into databases, it became apparent that for many tumors no genes were frequently altered and that the genes altered in different tumors in the same tissue type were often distinct. To address this heterogeneity problem, many researchers looked to a higher level of organization—to mechanisms in which gene products (proteins) participated. They proposed to reduce heterogeneity by recognizing that multiple gene alterations affect the same mechanism and that it is the altered mechanism that is responsible for the cell developing one or more hallmarks of cancer. I examine how mechanisms figure in this research and focus on two heuristics researchers use to integrate proteins into mechanisms, one focusing on pathways and one focusing on clusters in networks.
Functional and technological properties of exopolysaccharide producing autochthonous Lactobacillus plantarum strain AAS3 from dry fish based fermented food

Abstract The present study was aimed to evaluate the disparate functional and technological properties of exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing potent Lactobacillus sp. Initially, 10 autochthonous probiotic bacteria were isolated from Hentak and screened for EPS production. Among them, Lactobacillus plantarum strain AAS3 was identified as maximum producer of EPS (450.5 ± 5.8 mg/L) and assessed further for evaluating functional and technological attributes using standard methodologies. Strain AAS3 maintained its viability towards simulated gastric juice (pH 2.0) with total cell counts of 2.4 ± 0.06 log cfu/mL. The isolate showed pronounced β-galactosidase activity (18.3 ± 0.6 U/mL), bile salt hydrolase production (3.32 ± 0.5 U/mL), and cholesterol reducing property (41.6 ± 0.8%). Propitious antioxidant traits of strain AAS3 were observed in terms of scavenging hydroxyl radicals. The isolate sustained high concentrations of NaCl, fermented distinctive carbohydrates, and produced important hydrolytic enzymes. Further, strain AAS3 displayed promising autolytic property (56.4 ± 1.2%), catalase activity (22.34 ± 0.3 AU), and nitrite production (28.2 ± 0.8 mM nitrite/mg dry weight). Most importantly, the isolate showed not only negative results towards in vitro haemolytic, DNase, and gelatinase tests but also sensitivity to conventional antibiotics tested. In conclusion, pronounced EPS production, exemplary functional and technological traits, and safety aspects signify suitability of L. plantarum strain AAS3 in food processing industries as quintessential adjunct/starter culture.
Immune-Mediated Cytopenias After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies.

Discuss the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of immune-mediated cytopenias (IMC) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Key risk factors for post-HCT IMC include younger age, non-malignant disease, and umbilical cord blood stem cell source. While anemia predominates, any or all three hematopoietic cell lines can be affected. In rare cases, IMC can cause graft failure or death. IMC is hypothesized to result from immune dysregulation upon reconstitution of donor hematopoietic cells (i.e., dysfunctional regulatory T cells). Aside from blood product transfusions, IMC treatment includes immune-suppressive or ablative agents. First-line therapies, including corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, are often inadequate, prompting use of additional agents aimed at antibody production/T cell dysfunction or direct antibody removal via plasmapheresis. IMC occurs in up to 20% of high-risk HCT populations. Morbidity and mortality from IMC post-HCT have been reduced by improved recognition and aggressive early interventions.
The Great Leveler: Violence and the history of inequality from the Stone Age to the Twenty-First Century (2017). De Walter Scheidel. Princeton University Press

En The Great Leveler Scheidel argumenta que, desde la prehistoria hasta nuestros dias, la reduccion de la desigualdad economica se ha dado exclusivamente como consecuencia de eventos violentos que han reducido las disparidades entre ricos y pobres, al menos de manera temporal. El autor se concentra en cuatro tipos de rupturas violentas: guerras, revoluciones turbulentas, el colapso de civilizaciones y estructuras estatales, y epidemias devastadoras.
PPARγ inhibition boosts efficacy of PD-L1 Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy against Murine Melanoma in a sexually dimorphic manner.

Immune checkpoint blockade-based immunotherapy has become standard of care for multiple cancer types. However, the overall response rates among various cancer types still remain unsatisfactory. There is a pressing clinical need to identify combination therapies to improve efficacy of anticancer immunotherapy. We previously showed that pharmacologic inhibition of PPARγ by GW9662 boosts αPD-L1 and αPD-1 antibody efficacy in treating murine mammary tumors. In addition, we defined sexually dimorphic αPD-L1 efficacy in B16 melanoma. Here, we show a sexually dimorphic response to the combination of GW9662 and αPD-L1 immunotherapy in B16 melanoma. Combination effects were observed in female, but not male hosts. Neither female oophorectomy impairs, nor does male castration rescue the combination effects, suggesting a sex hormone-independent response to this combination therapy. In diet-induced obese females, melanoma growth remained responsive to the combination treatment, albeit less robustly than lean females. These findings are informative for future design and application of immunotherapy-related combination therapy for treating human melanoma patients by taking gender and obesity status into consideration.
NMR spectroscopy analysis reveals an altered metabolic homeostasis in Arabidopsis seedlings treated with a cytokinesis inhibitor

In plant cytokinesis, de novo formation of a cell plate evolving into the new cell wall partitions the cytoplasm of the dividing cell. Cell plate formation involves highly orchestrated vesicle accumulation, fusion, and membrane network maturation supported by the temporary integration of elastic and pliable callose. The small molecule, Endosidin 7 (ES7) arrests late cytokinesis in Arabidopsis by inhibiting callose deposition at the cell plate. Its effect is specific, as it does not broadly affect endomembrane trafficking or cytoskeletal organization. It has emerged as a very valuable tool for dissecting this essential plant process. In order to gain deeper insights regarding its mode of action and the effects of cytokinesis inhibition on overall plant growth, we investigated the effect of ES7 through a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy metabolomics approach. In this case study, profiles of Arabidopsis leaf and root tissues were analyzed at different growth stages and ES7 exposure levels. The results show tissue-specific changes in the plant metabolic profile across a developmental gradient, and the effect that ES7 treatment has on the corresponding metabolome. The ES7 induced profile suggests metabolic compensations in central metabolism pathways in response to cytokinesis inhibition. Further, this study shows that long-term treatment of ES7 disrupts the homeostasis of primary metabolism in Arabidopsis seedlings, likely via alteration of hormonal regulation.
Lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) expression is significantly higher in Hodgkin lymphoma associated with Richter syndrome relative to de novo classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abstract Lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) is consistently upregulated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and in a subset of large B cell lymphoma. Knowledge of LEF1 expression in Hodgkin lymphoma is limited. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to survey LEF1 expression in various subsets of Hodgkin lymphoma, de novo classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) (n = 43), Hodgkin lymphoma associated with Richter syndrome (HL-RS) (n = 20), and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) (n = 9). LEF1 expression was significantly higher in HL-RS compared with de novo CHL (12/20, 60% vs. 12/43, 28%; p = 0.0248). Only a single case (1/9; 11%) of NLPHL showed LEF1 expression. Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER) was detected in 17 (40%) cases of de novo CHL and 14 (70%) HL-RS. Notably, we identified a correlation between LEF1 expression and EBER positivity (p = 0.0488). We concluded that LEF1 is commonly positive in CHL but not in NLPHL, and such a distinction may be helpful in this differential diagnosis. The higher frequency of LEF1 upregulation in HL-RS relative to de novo CHL suggests that these neoplasms might have different underlying pathogenic mechanisms and warrants further investigation.
Putting Theory Into Practice: A Conceptual Framework for Career Group Counseling in School Settings

Given the known benefits of group counseling for school-aged individuals, career group counseling has arguably been an under-utilized modality for providing career development services in school se...
Diagnosis of Benign Lesions of the Maxillary Sinus

Summary The maxillary sinus can be involved directly or indirectly by a variety of benign soft and hard tissue pathology. This includes cysts, tumors, and tumor-like lesions. Although these lesions are benign, many are locally destructive or invasive. Moreover, malignancies and chronic inflammatory conditions, which may be more serious, frequently produce similar clinical and radiographic signs and symptoms. Therefore, it is important to understand the distinguishing features of these conditions and establish a definitive diagnosis, even when a benign lesion is suspected.
Social Behaviors Associated With a Positive COVID-19 Test Result

Objective To compare the social behaviors of individuals who were tested positive for COVID-19 relative to non-infected individuals. Methods We sent COVID positive cases and age/gender-matched controls a survey regarding their social behaviors via MyChart (online patient portal). We called cases if they did not complete the electronic survey within two days. Data were collected from May to June 2020. Survey responses for cases without close contact and controls were compared using Pearson chi-square or Fisher's exact tests as appropriate. Results A total of 339 participants completed the survey (113 cases, 226 controls); 45 (40%) cases had known contact with COVID-19. Cases were more likely to have recently traveled (4% vs. 0%, p = 0.01) or to work outside the home (40% vs. 25%, p = 0.02). There was no difference in the rates of attending private or public gatherings, mask/glove use, hand-washing, cleaning surfaces, and cleaning mail/groceries between cases and controls. Conclusions Sixty percent of cases had no known contact with COVID-19, indicating ongoing community transmission and underlining the importance of contact tracing. The greater percentage of cases who work outside the home provides further evidence for social distancing and remote telework when possible.
Urban parks, the growth machine, and the media: An analysis of press coverage of the high line, klyde warren park, and the rail park

News media have the power to influence public opinion and economic growth. News coverage of landmark urban parks may influence public support of such parks, potentially increasing economic growth. ...
Intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus and multifocal liver metastasis: An autopsy case

The prognosis of intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm is superior to that of conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Only a few advanced cases of intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma (IPMC) have been reported to date. We herein report the case of a 78-year-old male patient with advanced pancreatobiliary type IPMC with portal vein invasion and liver metastasis. The IPMC invaded the portal vein to form a tumor thrombus and it also metastasized to the liver via the portal vein. After receiving best supportive care, the patient succumbed to the disease following an exacerbation of IPMC 90 days after the initial presentation. On autopsy, a very long tumor thrombus was identified, along with liver metastatic lesions, which had retained the structure of the primary IPMC on histological examination.
Serum Erythroferrone During Pregnancy Is Related to Erythropoietin but Does Not Predict the Risk of Anemia

BACKGROUND Maintaining adequate iron status during pregnancy is important for the mother and her developing fetus. Iron homeostasis is influenced by 3 regulatory hormones: erythropoietin (EPO), hepcidin, and erythroferrone (ERFE). To date, normative data on ERFE across pregnancy and its relations to other hormones and iron status indicators are limited. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to characterize maternal ERFE across pregnancy and at delivery and evaluate the utility of hepcidin, ERFE, and EPO in identifying women with increased iron needs. METHODS ERFE was measured in extant serum samples collected from 2 longitudinal cohorts composed of women carrying multiple fetuses (n = 79) and pregnant adolescents (n = 218) at midgestation (∼26 wk) and delivery (∼39 wk). Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to characterize the predictive ability of serum ERFE, hepcidin, and EPO and their ratios to identify women at increased risk of iron deficiency and anemia. RESULTS In these pregnant women, mean ERFE was 0.48 ng/mL at both ∼25 wk of gestation and at delivery. ERFE was positively associated with EPO at midgestation (β = 0.14, P = 0.002, n = 202) and delivery (β = 0.12, P < 0.001, n = 225) but was not significantly associated with maternal hepcidin at any time point surveyed. Of all hormones measured at midgestation and delivery, EPO was best able to identify women with anemia (AUC: 0.86 and 0.75, respectively) and depleted iron stores (AUC: 0.77 and 0.84), whereas the hepcidin-to-EPO ratio was best able to identify women with iron deficiency anemia (AUC: 0.85 and 0.84). CONCLUSIONS Maternal ERFE was significantly associated with EPO but was not able to identify women with gestational iron deficiency. At term, the hepcidin-to-EPO ratio, an index that accounts for both iron status and erythropoietic demand, and EPO were the strongest indicators of maternal iron deficiency and anemia. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04517734 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04517734).
Feeling COVID-19: intensity, clusters, and correlates of emotional responses to the pandemic

News of the pandemic has the potential to produce an array of positive and negative emotions, all of which have potent ramifications for subsequent risk to mental and physical well-being. This proj...
Wordplay and the Discourse of Video Games: Analyzing Words, Design, and Play

In this timely new book, Christopher Paul analyzes how the words we use to talk about video games and the structures that are produced within games shape a particular way of gaming by focusing on how games create meaning, lead to identification and division, persuade, and circulate ideas. Paul examines the broader social discourse about gaming, including: the way players are socialized into games; the impact of the lingering association of video games as kid's toys; the dynamics within specific games (including Grand Theft Auto and EA Sports Games); and the ways in which players participate in shaping the discourse of games, demonstrated through examples like the reward system of World of Warcraft and the development of theorycraft. Overall, this book illustrates how video games are shaped by words, design and play; all of which are negotiated, ongoing practices among the designers, players, and society that construct the discourse of video games.
Quantitative detection of messenger RNA by solution hybridization and enzyme immunoassay.

A novel nucleic acid detection technique is described for the quantitative measurement of eukaryotic mRNA in biological samples. The procedure involves two steps: a hybridization reaction in solution with a biotinylated cDNA probe, and a conventional enzyme immunoassay that uses a monoclonal antibody for DNA.RNA hybrids to detect the specific mRNA.cDNA complexes. The method has comparable sensitivity to 32P-based methods and yields results that are quantitative and highly reproducible. Furthermore, the test can be performed using unfractionated cytoplasm without the need for extraction with organic solvents. This technique provides a rapid and quantitative method for studying changes in cellular mRNA levels, and it is suitable for testing large numbers of samples.