cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 986: Long noncoding RNA CCAT2 cooperates with miR-145 and miR-21 to regulate colon cancer stem cells

Colon cancer-associated transcript-2 (CCAT2), a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), has been reported to be over-expressed in colorectal cancer to promote tumor growth and metastasis and also reduces sensitivity to chemotherapy, a property related to cancer stem cells (CSCs). MicroRNAs, small endogenous noncoding RNAs, negatively control the expression of target genes by cleaving mRNA or through translation repression. We have recently reported cooperation of miR-21 and miR-145 to regulate colon CSCs proliferation and differentiation. Down-regulation of miR-21 enhances CSC enriched chemo-resistant colon cancer cells’ susceptibility to chemo- therapeutic regimens. Although both CCAT2 and miR-21 increase WNT signaling activity and reduce chemosensitivity to 5-FU, a critical evidence on how CCAT2 regulates stemness leading to chemo-resistance is lacking. The primary goal of this investigation was to examine whether CCAT2 associates with miR-145 and miR-21 and whether this association plays a role in regulating stemness of colon cancer cells. We have observed that CCAT2 transcript level is dependent on p53 expression and activity, as evidenced by a marked increase in CCAT2 expression in p53 wild type harboring HCT-116 colon cancer cells compared with p53 null HCT-116 and p53 mutant HT-29 cells. We further revealed that knockdown of CCAT2 increased the expression of miR-145 and negatively regulates miR-21 in HCT-116 cells and impairs proliferation and differentiation of these cells. On the other hand, upregulation of CCAT2 induces proliferation of HCT-116 cells and also increases the expression of CSC markers CD44 and CD166. We have also observed that miR-145 and miR-21 cooperation plays a role in regulating colon cancer stem cells by down-regulating Sox2 and increased activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Our current results suggest that lncRNA CCAT2 cooperates with miR-145 and miR-21 to regulate colon cancer stem cells, which provides a potential therapeutic target for chemoresistance in colorectal cancer. Citation Format: Yingjie Yu, Pratima Nangia-Makker, Lulu Farhana, Adhip P. N. Majumdar. Long noncoding RNA CCAT2 cooperates with miR-145 and miR-21 to regulate colon cancer stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 986.
Iris mammillations in a pair of twins with Cowden syndrome.

Iris mammillation is an uncommon congenital anomaly of the eye that is rarely reported in the literature; initial reports describe iris mammillations using different terminology, such as bilateral iris melanosis, dotted Swiss iris, and bilateral diffuse iris nodular nevi.1 Microscopic examination finds focal nesting of spindle-shaped melanocytes, hence, the name diffuse iris nodular nevi.1, 2 The etiology of iris mammillations is unknown and when coexisting with ocular melanocytosis, it has been associated with choroidal melanoma.2 Cowden syndrome (CS) is a hereditary cancer syndrome characterized by the development of multiple hamartomas and an increased risk of malignant neoplasms in multiple organs.3 Here we report on identical twins with CS in association with iris mammillations. To our knowledge, this is the first time this association has been reported.
Knowledge Dependence and the Formation of Director Interlocks

In this study, we examine knowledge dependence, a unique form of external dependence firms face when they pursue new technologies. Our focus is on the formation of interorganizational ties as a mea...
An Approach to the Analysis of Behavior and Sensitivity in Environmental Systems

The use of simulation models for analyzing complex natural systems can be criticized in terms of the mathematical techniques normally employed (see, for example, Berlinski, 1976) and in terms of the sophistication of representations of the “realities of the natural world” (Hedgepeth, 1977). Regardless of one’s philosophy concerning construction of “ecosystem” models, we argue that certain elements of such criticism must be addressed. In dealing with complex environmental problems in particular, the benefits of traditional systems analysis, if such exist, appear to be severely limited. Not only do the forcing inputs and parametric values of our models change with time and circumstance, but often so do their internal structures that yesterday appeared to best summarize the important causal relations in the system. Because it is virtually impossible to completely distinguish, let alone decouple, the system from its environment, model verification is itself a dynamic process which cannot be assumed to approach an equilibrium state. Thus, it seems unlikely that any moderately complex environmental system can be well defined in the traditional physical-chemical sense. This conclusion does not, in our view, destroy the appeal of applying systems analysis methods to environmental forecasting problems. It does, however, set a fairly short timescale over which models can be used to develop management strategies with any confidence. It seems, therefore, that the important issues pertaining to the forecasting problem relate to methods of making the best use of the diverse data available at any time to develop these short-term management strategies. This is not to say that long-term environmental planning is not necessary or profitable.
Cramér–Rao Lower Bounds Comparison for 2D Hybrid–MIMO and MIMO Radar

The Hybrid MIMO Phased Array Radar (HMPAR) is a multisensor radar architecture that merges the concepts of a traditional phased array radar with the colocated multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar. This radar system is composed of a large number of T/R elements, MP, organized into M subarrays of P elements each. The subarrays can be electronically steered in different directions and driven by separate transmit waveforms. Previous publications focused attention on the transmit signaling strategies and transmit beampatterns. Here, we provide the analytical Cramer–Rao lower bounds (CRLB) on the target location for a planar HMPAR. Fixing the total number of T/R elements, we create two scenarios, in order to compare the CRLB values of different HMPAR configurations to the MIMO CRLB. Moreover, we assume that the radar systems employ transmit signals that follow the intrapulse beamscan concept, namely signals that rapidly scan the field of view. Depending on the scenario, results show that the HMPAR is able to achieve lower CRLB values than the MIMO.
Novel Luminal Regulation of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor Channel Gating

The ubiquitous, mostly endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor (InsP3R) channel modulates cytoplasmic free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) to generate complex Ca2+ signals by releasing Ca2+ from the ER lumen store. Whereas cytoplasmic InsP3 activation and biphasic [Ca2+]i regulation of InsP3R channel have been well studied, the effects of ER luminal free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]ER) on InsP3R channel activity remains poorly understood and controversial. Using single-channel nuclear patch-clamp electrophysiology, we characterized a feed-through effect of [Ca2+]ER on InsP3R channel, whereby Ca2+ ion driven through an open InsP3R channel by the [Ca2+] gradient across the ER membrane can sufficiently raise the local [Ca2+]i around the channel to alter the its activity through its cytoplasmic activating and inhibitory Ca2+-binding sites. Furthermore, even in strong [Ca2+]i-buffering condition where InsP3R channel activity is not affected by Ca2+ flux across the channel, we still observed that [Ca2+]ER exerts a novel flux-independent inhibitory effect. This effect is profound, reducing InsP3R channel open probability in both saturating and sub-saturating [InsP3] by 80-90% in physiological [Ca2+]ER (∼300 μM) compared to non-physiologically low [Ca2+]ER (70 nM). The effect is observed in on-nucleus patch-clamp experiments using nuclei isolated from multiple cell types with different expression levels of various InsP3R isoforms. This effect was irreversibly abrogated when the nuclear membrane patch was excised into the luminal-side-out configuration, and the luminal side of the isolated membrane and channel was perfused with low (70 nM) [Ca2+] solution. Our observations suggest that the [Ca2+]ER inhibitory effect is likely mediated by some ER luminal peripheral accessory protein(s), which is lost during the perfusion.
Multiple Isoforms of Nesprin1 Are Integral Components of Ciliary Rootlets

Summary SYNE1 (synaptic nuclear envelope 1) encodes multiple isoforms of Nesprin1 (nuclear envelope spectrin 1) that associate with the nuclear envelope (NE) through a C-terminal KASH (Klarsicht/Anc1/Syne homology) domain (Figure 1A) [1–4]. This domain interacts directly with the SUN (Sad1/Unc84) domain of Sun proteins [5–7], a family of transmembrane proteins of the inner nuclear membrane (INM) [8, 9], to form the so-called LINC complexes (linkers of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) that span the entire NE and mediate nuclear positioning [10–12]. In a stark departure from this classical depiction of Nesprin1 in the context of the NE, we report here that rootletin recruits Nesprin1α at the ciliary rootlets of photoreceptors and identify asymmetric NE aggregates of Nesprin1α and Sun2 that dock filaments of rootletin at the nuclear surface. In NIH 3T3 cells, we show that recombinant rootletin filaments also dock to the NE through the specific recruitment of an ∼600-kDa endogenous isoform of Nesprin1 (Nes1 600kDa ) and of Sun2. In agreement with the association of Nesprin1α with photoreceptor ciliary rootlets and the functional interaction between rootletin and Nesprin1 in fibroblasts, we demonstrate that multiple isoforms of Nesprin1 are integral components of ciliary rootlets of multiciliated ependymal and tracheal cells. Together, these data provide a novel functional paradigm for Nesprin1 at ciliary rootlets and suggest that the wide spectrum of human pathologies linked to truncating mutations of SYNE1 [13–15] may originate in part from ciliary defects.
The Identification of Staff Nurses as Organizational Champions: A Dissertation

The characteristics of nurses acting as organizational champions, as well as the ways that clinical leaders systematically harness the energy of these champions in support of innovation, were explored in this qualitative descriptive study. The specific aims were guided by prior empirical evidence and identified research needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 formal nursing leaders (e.g. managers, educators, administration) in an academic medical center. This study, including the interview guide, was informed by Kouzes and Posner’s (2007) Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. Two models were developed to describe the data. Overall, participants echoed prior empirical findings identifying a need for organizational champions’ support of innovation and explained how some nurses seem to have “innate” characteristics that make them champions. Participants identified the champion as the “go to” person who can see the bigger picture and who seems to “own their own practice”. They described the importance of being truly present on the unit in order to harness the energy of these champions. Once champions are identified, leaders match the champions’ talents to the innovation planned, secure buy in from the champions, and actively work to support champions and get a culture of innovation “in the drinking water.” This work enhances the leader’s experience and makes him/her feel inspired and engaged. The two models developed based on the participants’ description of their experience working with staff nurses acting as organizational champions provide a framework for clinical leaders to identify and engage organizational champions in their clinical areas in support of innovation.
Tobacco demand, delay discounting, and smoking topography among smokers with and without psychopathology.

Abstract Introduction Tobacco demand (i.e., relative value attributed to a given reinforcer) and delay discounting (i.e., relative preference for smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards) are two behavioral economic processes that are linked to the progression of problematic substance use. These processes have not been studied among those with psychopathology, a vulnerable group of smokers. The current study examined differences in tobacco demand and delay discounting, and their association with smoking topography among smokers with (n = 43) and without (n = 64) past-year psychopathology. Method Adult daily smokers (n = 107, M age = 43.5; SD = 9.7) participated in a study on “smoking behavior.” Past-year psychological disorders were assessed via a clinician-administered diagnostic assessment. All subjects participated in an ad libitum smoking trial and then completed an assessment of delay discounting (Monetary Choice Questionnaire) and tobacco demand (Cigarette Purchase Task) approximately 45–60 min post-smoking. Results Smokers with psychopathology, compared to those without, had significantly higher demand intensity and maximum expenditure on tobacco ( O max ), but did not differ on other demand indices or delay discounting. Smokers with psychopathology had shorter average inter-puff intervals and shorter time to cigarette completion than smokers without psychopathology. Tobacco demand and delay discounting measures were significantly intercorrelated among smokers with psychopathology, but not those without. Both behavioral economic measures were associated with specific aspects of smoking topography in smokers with psychopathology. Discussion The association between tobacco demand and delay discounting is evident among smokers with psychopathology and both measures were most consistently related to smoking behavior.
Perceived social support in African American breast cancer patients: Predictors and effects.

Abstract Rationale Social support plays an important role in quality of life and health outcomes after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Objective To examine changes in perceived social support in African American women during the two years following a new breast cancer diagnosis. Methods This secondary analysis uses data collected from 2009 to 2015 from 227 newly diagnosed, African American women with breast cancer (mean age 56 [SD = 10], 59% household income Results Being married, reporting greater spirituality, and reporting fewer depressive symptoms at baseline were significantly associated with higher initial levels of perceived social support. Women whose social support declined during the first year after diagnosis reported more severe depressive symptoms and worse general health perceptions at two years. Conclusion Clinicians should periodically assess perceived social support among African American women with breast cancer to help find support resources for those who have low initial social support and for those whose support declines in the first year after diagnosis.
Alcohol Relapse After Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Cirrhosis-Impact on Liver Graft and Patient Survival: A Meta-analysis.

Aim We performed meta-analysis to determine effect of alcohol relapse after liver transplantation (LT) for alcoholic cirrhosis on graft histology and survival. Methods Studies were selected using following criteria: (a) LT for alcoholic cirrhosis, (b) reporting data on liver histology and/or patient survival among relapsers and abstainers, (c) minimum follow-up of 3 years. Random effects model was used to pool data to compare relapsers and abstainers on liver histology and patient survival. Results On analysis of seven studies, pooled prevalence of self-reported alcohol relapse was 26.3% (18.0-36.7%) over median (range) follow-up of 6.0 (3.7-8.3) years, with annual alcohol relapse rate of 4.7% (3.0-6.4%) for any alcohol use and 2.9% (0.5-5.3%) for heavy alcohol use. Relapsers compared to abstainers had higher odds for graft steatosis [4.1 (2.4-6.9)], steatohepatitis [4.5 (1.4-14.2)], alcoholic hepatitis [9.3 (1.01-85)], advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis [8.4 (3.5-20)]. Relapsers were over 3-fold more likely to die at 10 years of follow-up: [3.67 (1.42-9.50)] without differences in overall or 5-year survival. Recurrent alcoholic cirrhosis occurring in 9% of biopsied patients and 2% of all transplants was responsible for about 20% of all deaths on follow-up after LT. Extra-hepatic malignancy, and cardiovascular events were common causes for patient mortality. Conclusion Alcohol relapse after LT for alcoholic cirrhosis negatively impacts the graft and long-term patient survival. Studies are needed to develop strategies to reduce alcohol relapse after LT for alcoholic cirrhosis. Short summary Alcohol relapse in liver transplant recipients can negatively affect graft histology and patient survival. Strategies to reduce alcohol relapse are needed to preserve graft function?
Design and synthesis of pyrazolopyridine derivatives as sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 ligands.

Eleven new sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) ligands were synthesized by modifying lead compound N-(2,6-dichloropyridin-4-yl)-2-(4-isopropyl-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-6-yl)hydrazine-1-carboxamide (JTE-013) and their binding affinities toward S1PRs were determined in vitro using [32P]S1P and cell membranes expressing recombinant human S1PRs. Among these ligands, 35a (IC50 = 29.1 ± 2.6 nM) and 35b (IC50 = 56.5 ± 4.0 nM) exhibit binding potency toward S1PR2 comparable to JTE-013 (IC50 = 58.4 ± 7.4 nM) with good selectivity for S1PR2 over the other S1PRs (IC50 > 1000 nM). Further optimization of these analogues may identify additional and more potent and selective compounds targeting S1PR2.
Calcium Channel α 2 –δ Ligands: Gabapentin and Pregabalin

Gabapentin (2) and pregabalin (5) are two amino acid-based compounds that are characterized by selective high-binding affinity to calcium channel α2–δ protein subunits. This chapter reviews highlights in the development of both gabapentin and pregabalin, with special attention to the initial intended molecular target, the structure–activity studies with related compounds in the laboratory, and the biological research that eventually led to a clearer understanding of the actual molecular target.
Competition between drag and Coulomb interactions in turbulent particle-laden flows using a coupled-fluid-Ewald-summation based approach

A new method is presented for capturing charged inertial particles in turbulence. Numerical simulations show that even in dilute suspensions, particles can self-induce an electric field because of preferential concentration by the particles, resulting in particle agglomeration and enhanced clustering.
Immune Characterization of Bone Marrow-Derived Models of Mucosal and Connective Tissue Mast Cells

Purpose It is well appreciated that mast cells (MCs) demonstrate tissue-specific imprinting, with different biochemical and functional properties between connective tissue MCs (CTMCs) and mucosal MCs (MMCs). Although in vitro systems have been developed to model these different subsets, there has been limited investigation into the functional characteristics of the 2 major MC subsets. Here, we report the immunologic characterization of 2 MCs subsets developed in vitro from bone marrow progenitors modeling MMCs and CTMCs. Methods We grew bone marrow for 4 weeks in the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interleukin (IL)-9, IL-3, and stem cell factor (SCF) to generate MMCs, and IL-4, IL-3, and SCF to generate CTMCs. Results CTMCs and MMCs differed in growth rate and protease content, but their immune characteristics were remarkably similar. Both subsets responded to immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated activation with signaling, degranulation, and inflammatory cytokine release, although differences between subsets were noted in IL-10. CTMCs and MMCs showed a similar toll-like receptor (TLR) expression profile, dominated by expression of TLR4, TLR6, or both subsets were responsive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but not poly(I:C). CTMCs and MMCs express receptors for IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and respond to these cytokines alone or with modified activation in response to IgE cross-linking. Conclusions The results of this paper show the immunologic characterization of bone marrow-derived MMCs and CTMCs, providing useful protocols for in vitro modeling of MC subsets.
Overview of an emerging standard on architecture processes — ISO/IEC/IEEE 42020

A new, emerging standard on architecture practices is under development as ISO/IEC/IEEE 42020. This paper provides an overview of the key concepts in this standard and the rationale for these ideas. The standard defines six architecture-related processes: governance, management, conceptualization, evaluation, elaboration, and enablement. These are comprised of 45 activities, having five to eight tasks specified for each activity. It is expected that these processes will be incorporated into the next version of INCOSE's Systems Engineering Handbook and in the Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge. This standard can be used as a foundation for organizational training and guidebooks on architecture management and development.
Fundamental Approaches to the Decomposition of Nitric Oxide: The Transition Metal Dinitrosyl Model

A concept for the catalytic decomposition of nitric oxide to N2 and O2 has been developed and subjected to experimental verification. The model requires a cis-coplanar, gem-dinitrosyl transition metal microstructure, containing 1 bent (activated) and 1 linear nitrosyl, to overcome the M.O. symmetry restriction to the concerted decomposition of two NO molecules to N2 and O2.
Maturity mismatching, ethics and economics: Rejoinder to Bagus, Howden and Huerta de Soto

Is maturity mismatching, borrowing short and lending long, merely risky, or would it be banned in the free society as a rights violation? The pres-ent paper is the latest episode in a debate series on this issue. The present authors take the position it is unethical and should be against the law. Our debating partners subscribe to the opposite point of view. Keywords: Banking, lending, ethics, law. JEL Classification: E2, E59, P16. Resumen: ?Es el descalce de plazos, es decir, endeudarse a corto y prestar a largo plazo, simplemente arriesgado, o estaria prohibido en una sociedad libre como una violacion de derechos? El presente articulo es el ultimo episodio de una serie de debates sobre este tema. Los presentes autores toman la posi-cion de que no es etico y deberia estar en contra de la ley. Nuestros compane-ros en el debate mantienen el punto de vista contrario. Palabras clave: Banca, prestamos, etica, Derecho. Clasificacion JEL: E2, E59, P16.
Migratory gauntlets on oceanic islands: Watershed disturbance increases the cost of amphidromy

Migratory fishes can be threatened by conditions encountered along dispersal pathways that impede access to feeding or breeding grounds. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that amphidromous fishes are equally or more sensitive to conditions along dispersal pathways than conditions in primary residential habitats. We did so by conducting distribution‐wide population surveys of all five amphidromous gobies native to the Hawaiian Islands to assess responses to in‐stream habitat, invasive species and watershed land use. We used Redundancy Analyses to assess whether goby densities varied according to local, downstream or upstream conditions. We found that population densities of the two non‐climbing species (Eleotris sandwicensis, Stenogobius hawaiiensis) varied according to local land use and local habitat conditions. Greater densities of E. sandwicensis also were found in watersheds with greater forest cover upstream of survey sites. Lower densities of two species that migrate farther inland (Awaous stamineus, Sicyopterus stimpsoni) were observed in watersheds with greater anthropogenic land use downstream or at the stream mouth. Population densities of E. sandwicensis and both Sicydiine species (Lentipes concolor, S. stimpsoni) also were lower when non‐native Poeciliids were locally present or present downstream in the watershed. These findings suggest that densities of native Hawaiian amphidromous fishes are equally or more sensitive to conditions along migratory pathways relative to conditions in primary residential habitats. Thus, alleviating pressures by removing invasive species and restoring habitat along dispersal pathways could be effective approaches to increasing densities of amphidromous species, especially those that migrate farther inland to higher elevations.
Do the urban poor want household taps? Community preferences and willingness to pay for household taps in Accra, Ghana

In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 35% of the urban population has piped water on premises despite the economic (time savings) and public health benefits that household taps offer. In the urban informal settlements, even fewer people own household taps. However, while there is extensive literature on everyday urban water insecurity in the region, far less attention has focused on whether the urban poor are interested in private taps, and if so, what service attributes are important to them. We implemented a choice experiment in Nima, an urban settlement in Accra, Ghana, to investigate community preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for household taps. We used a comprehensive set of system attributes including days of service, service hours, water pressure, water quality, connection fees, monthly payment, and management, an attribute very few WTP studies have explored. Results from the choice experiment show that residents are more sensitive to time (not day) of service delivery, quality of water, connection fees, and monthly water bills. Households had no preference between a 24-h supply and 12-h supply during the day. Households preferred Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) as the service provider and were willing to pay more for a system managed by AMA, an indication of declining trust in GWCL. The findings provide valuable information that policymakers and water utilities can use to assess the feasibility and cost effectiveness of extending household taps to poor urban settlements.
Pharmacokinetic Similarity of ABP 710, a Proposed Biosimilar to Infliximab: Results From a Randomized, Single-Blind, Single-Dose, Parallel-Group Study in Healthy Subjects.

This was a randomized, single-blind, single-dose, 3-arm parallel-group study. Healthy subjects were randomized to receive ABP 710 (n = 50) or infliximab reference product (RP) sourced from the United States (infliximab US; n = 50) or the European Union (infliximab EU; n = 50) 5 mg/kg intravenously over 2 hours. The primary endpoint was area under the serum concentration-time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUCinf ) for the comparison of ABP 710 to infliximab US and infliximab EU. Secondary endpoints included safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity. AUCinf was similar across the 3 groups, showing similarity of ABP 710 to infliximab RP as well as similarity of infliximab US with infliximab EU. Geometric mean ratio of AUCinf was 0.89 between ABP 710 and infliximab US, 1.00 between ABP 710 and infliximab EU, and 1.11 between infliximab US and infliximab EU. All 90% confidence intervals of the geometric mean ratios were fully contained within the prespecified standard pharmacokinetic equivalence criteria range of 0.80 to 1.25. Treatment-related adverse events were mild to moderate and reported for 83.7%, 86.0%, and 83.7% of subjects in the ABP 710, infliximab US, and infliximab EU treatment groups, respectively; incidence of antidrug antibody rates observed across the 3 groups were similar. Results of this study demonstrated pharmacokinetic similarity of ABP 710 with infliximab RP following a single 5-mg/kg intravenous injection. The safety and tolerability of ABP 710 and infliximab RP were comparable. These results add to the totality of evidence providing further support that the proposed biosimilar ABP 710 is similar to infliximab RP. (Trial ID: ACTRN12614000903684.).
Community psychology and urban studies: Common connections and missed opportunities

Community psychology is an international subfield of psychology that focuses on encouraging well-being by examining transactions between individuals and larger social systems including organization...
Employment and Wage Distribution Investigation in the Construction Industry by Gender

AbstractThe construction industry has insufficient interest and participation from women, as well as an existing gender wage gap. To address these issues, a better understanding of the recent situa...
Hispanic Health Paradox at the Border: Substance, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use among Latinx Immigrants Seeking Free or Reduced-Cost Care in Southernmost Texas.

OBJECTIVE Although substantial research has explored the Hispanic health paradox (HHP) and suggests that Latinx immigrants experience positive health outcomes relative to those born in the United States, less research has assessed the role of immigration status. Our aim was to examine this role in Latinx health. METHODS Using survey data collected at two free/reduced-cost clinics in southernmost Texas, we examined differences in the mental and self-rated health, substance, alcohol, and tobacco use of low-income patients by undocumented/documented immigrant and US-born/naturalized citizen status (N = 588). RESULTS Based on ordinary least squares regression results, undocumented Latinx immigrants report lower negative self-rated health (coefficient -0.27, 95% confidence interval -0.50 to -0.01) and lower depressive symptoms (coefficient -0.34, 95% confidence interval -0.67 to -0.02]) compared with their US citizen peers (P < 0.05). Logistic regression results suggest that undocumented and documented Latinx immigrants do not differ in alcohol, tobacco, or substance use relative to their citizen peers. CONCLUSIONS Despite facing potentially adverse social environments, undocumented Latinx immigrants experience positive health outcomes relative to US-born/naturalized citizen peers.
Application and efficacy of total gastric transposition in long gap of esophageal atresia

Objective To explore the application and efficacy of total gastric transposition in long gap of esophageal atresia (＞3cm) in children.Methods From March 2005 to October 2010,7 cases of patients with long gap esophageal atresia underwent total gastric transposition in our centre,which included 5 males and 2 females with average 36 hours old (ranging from 2 to 96 hours).Their birth weight ranged from 1800 to 3 500 grams.The diagnosis was made based on the chest-abdominal radiograph,they were 2 cases of type Ⅰ and 5 cases of type Ⅲa.Results All procedures were completed and average operating time was 180 minutes (ranging from 150 to 200 minutes).1case died and 1case refused further treatment after operation,1case underwent drainage and nutrition supporting due to postoperative anastomotic leak,and healed which was confirmed by radiograph investigation.The follow-up time ranged from 1to 5 years,in 5 patients dilating procedures were done in 2 cases due to anastomotic stricture and GERD could be seen in all patients.4 cases had a normal height and weight,1case complaining dyspnoea had a lower weight and height.Conclusions Total gastric transposition is effective approach for long gap of esophageal atresia,some advantages can been presented involving improvement of survival for patients after treatment and reduced incidence of anastomotic stricture.Meanwhile,the occurring of GERD and Baeert's esophagus still catch the attention by surgeons. Key words: Esophageal atresia; Long gap; Esophageal reconstruction; Complication
Enabling the disabled

The October 1996 AAP News contained a surprisingly naive letter from Dr. Robert J. Snow suggesting that, "the vast majority of (learning disabled) children are well taken care of by general pediatricians in concert with the local school systems." As one of those "neuro-psycho-educational specialists" Dr. Snow referred to, as well as a Fellow in the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, I cannot help but wonder exactly what care Dr. Snow provides to children who are unable to read, write, spell or add. Perhaps he prescribes a psychotropic medicine based on parent and teacher complaints or perhaps he is aware of some special diet that magically changes the life course for these children.
A.N. Yiannopoulos: Louisiana's Great Overlooked Legal Historian

This article, part of a Memorial Issue, focuses on the legal historiography found in the scholarly works of Louisiana State University law professor Athanassios N. Yiannopoulos. Although he neither wrote essays on the methods and schools of modern legal history, nor expressed an attachment to any particular style of legal history, he was a significant contributor to the study of the history of Louisiana law.
A forgotten friend: CCNU as palliative monotherapy in relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma

While most patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are cured with initial treatment, relapse occurs in approximately 10–30% of cases [1,2]. Additionally, approximately 10% of patients have refractory d...
Looking at 2021: Key action areas to center equity issues in health communication research, policy, and practice during COVID-19 response and recovery

There is no doubt that ‘hope’ is the sentiment with which we are approaching 2021. Hope in the new COVID-19 vaccines, and a speedy rollout of immunization campaigns; hope for the kind of economic r...
The Scenario of Higher Education in India; challenge and elucidation

The role of the higher education in the national development is well established. A significant growth in this sector has been observed in the last six decades. The fact is Indian Higher Education System Network is largest in the world with maximum number of affiliated and constituent colleges or institutions. This has also contributed significantly in the economic growth of the India. When India introduced its first five year plan there were 28 Universities, 695 colleges and 1,74000 students in comparison of today’s more than 700 universities and 36,000 affiliated colleges enrolling nearly 30 million students which makes about 18 per cent Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education in India, the scene is quite complex. With all these institutions, nearly 86 per cent of students are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs with about 74 per cent enrolling in three-year B.A., B.Com. or B.Sc. degrees. One-sixth of all Indian students are enrolled in engineering/technology degrees. Education, medicine, agriculture, veterinary science and law all together accounts for less than 10 per cent of total enrollment. About 12 per cent students pursue post graduate studies whereas only 2 per cent are enrolled in doctoral degree and other diploma programs. Still the higher education system is passing through turbulent time and facing many challenges. The gross enrollment ratio of India is is very low in comparison with other countries eg. China more than 23%, UK 57% and US with 83%.
What is the Best Possible Therapy for My Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis? State-of-the-Art Therapy for Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis

Once clinical severity is determined and infectious etiologies are ruled out, the therapy to treat mild to moderate ulcerative colitis is directed by the extent of involvement during colonoscopy. The goal is to gain control of active inflammation and maintain remission once achieved. Therapies used to treat the active disease are generally combinations of topical and/or oral 5-aminosalicylic acids (5-ASAs) and corticosteroids. Looking forward, medications to maintain remission aim to limit prolonged corticosteroid use given its side effects, such as infections and osteoporosis, and include continued use of 5-ASAs and often addition of thiopurines. Regardless of therapy selection, the control of disease is ultimately important in decreasing the overall risk for developing advanced colorectal cancer in patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis by decreasing the time of severe inflammation.
The Artist as Critic: Dance Training, Neuroscience, and Aesthetic Evaluation

The dance critic Clive Barnes claimed to “doubt whether the critics should come from the normal ranks of professional dancers.” 1 And Oscar Wilde, in his dialogue, “The Critic as Artist,” goes one step further, expressing the view that critics have keen insight into the world about which they write precisely because they can only observe it from the outside. In contrast, I shall argue that an insider’s view of dance is in some ways advantageous, in particular, that there are certain aspects of dance—aspects that have to do with the way in which watching dance movements produce an “internal resonance” of these movements in an observer’s body—that tend to be missed, or not fully appreciated, by those who cannot, or at least have never danced themselves.
Orthologs, Paralogs and Xenologs in Human and Other Genomes

Homologous genes share a common evolutionary ancestor and can be orthologs (derived from speciation events), paralogs (derived from gene duplication events) or xenologs (derived from horizontal transfer or lineage fusion). Comparative analysis of the human genome indicates high levels of recent and ancient duplication at the level of nucleotides, genes and chromosome segments, and only very few, if any, examples of recent transfer from bacteria. Keywords: gene duplication; homology; orthology; paralogy; xenology
The Utility of 3D Left Atrial Volume and Mitral Flow Velocities as Guides for Acute Volume Resuscitation

Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) is the foundation of cardiac function assessment. Because of difficulties and risks associated with its direct measurement, correlates of LVEDP derived by pulmonary artery (PA) catheterization or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are commonly adopted. TEE has the advantage of being less invasive; however TEE-based estimation of LVEDP using correlates such as left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) has technical difficulties that limit its clinical usefulness. Using intraoperative acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) as a controlled hemorrhagic model, we examined various mitral flow parameters and three-dimensional reconstructions of left atrial volume as surrogates of LVEDP. Our results demonstrate that peak E wave velocity and left atrial end-diastolic volume (LAEDV) correlated with known changes in intravascular volume associated with ANH. Although left atrial volumetric analysis was done offline in our study, recent advances in echocardiographic software may allow for continuous display and real-time calculation of LAEDV. Along with the ease and reproducibility of acquiring Doppler images of flow across the mitral valve, these two correlates of LVEDP may justify a more widespread use of TEE to optimize intraoperative fluid management. The clinical applicability of peak E wave velocity and LAEDV still needs to be validated during uncontrolled resuscitation.
Upgrades of the Epithermal Neutron Beam at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor

The first epithermal neutron beam at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BMRR) was installed in 1988 and produced a neutron beam that was satisfactory for the development of NCT with epithermal neutrons. This beam was used routinely until 1992 when the beam was upgraded by rearranging fuel elements in the reactor core to achieve a 50% increase in usable flux. Next, after computer modeling studies, it was proposed that the Al and Al2O3 moderator material in the shutter that produced the epithermal neutrons could be rearranged to enhance the beam further. However, this modification was not started because a better option appeared, namely to use fission plates to move the source of fission neutrons closer to the moderator and the patient irradiation position to achieve more efficient moderation and production of epithermal neutrons. A fission plate converter (FPC) source has been designed recently and, to test the concept, implementation of this upgrade has started. The predicted beam parameters will be 12 × 109 nepi/cm2sec accompanying with doses from fast neutrons and gamma rays per epithermal neutron of 2.8 × 10−11 and < 1 × 10 cGycm2/n, respectively, and a current-to-flux ratio of epithermal neutrons of 0.78. This conversion could be completed by late 1996.
Reply from Markus Amann, Lee M. Romer and Jerome A. Dempsey

The letter to the editor and our papers that it critiques are concerned with the relative roles of peripheral and central influences on exercise performance (Amann et al. 2006a, 2007). Our published papers have already dealt with almost all of the criticisms listed in this very long letter and we will not repeat these. Rather, our response will (a) briefly clarify our findings and opinions as to how we see this complex problem; (b) address selected comments from the letter; and (c) emphasize what is needed for the further understanding of the problem.
Searching for a moving target: optimal path planning

We consider the problem of constrained path planning for one or two agents in search of a single randomly moving target such that we maximize the probability of intercepting the target at some time in its trajectory. We assume the agents operate in a receding-horizon optimization framework with some finite planning horizon. We present and compare several search path planning methods. This problem is particularly applicable in the case of wide area search munitions searching and engaging moving ground targets.
Stroke and the Law Principles and Practice

It is difficult to assess whether stroke neurology is disproportionately affected by the often adversarial relations between physicians and attorneys. Nevertheless, expansion of therapeutic options for patients with stroke has created increased potential for litigation. To address this issue rationally and productively, the stroke clinician must understand some fundamental principles of legal medicine. Knowledge of these principles will allow for their practical application to clinical settings and issues. The purpose of this article is to describe some key fundamentals of legal medicine as applied to stroke neurology in the United States. Hypothetical cases are presented, allowing for application of theory to practice. In addition, selected topics in stroke neurology will be reviewed. Competency (which may be referred to as capacity in some states) is a critical concept that allows for establishment of a vast array of legally recognized relationships. Competency is defined as the minimal mental ability necessary to perform a legally recognized act, or assume a legally recognized role.1 Competence is considered task specific, so that competence for medical decision making may differ from competence for creating a will.1 Competence is readily distinct from sanity , and an individual who does not meet the legal test of competency is considered incompetent. Competency for medical decision making is generally determined by meeting a 3-part test: (1) the patient must be able to understand the treatment that is offered, (2) the patient must be able to decide to accept or reject the offered treatment, and (3) the patient must be able to communicate that decision. For competency to be established, all 3 elements must be met.1 These elements can be quickly recalled by simply remembering that competency requires that the patient be able to understand, decide, and communicate. ### Hypothetical No. 1 Patient A has sudden onset left middle cerebral artery syndrome. …
A motivational process model of product involvement and consumer risk perception

Within consumer psychology, both product involvement and perceived risk are viewed tobe motivational constructs, influencing subsequent consumer behaviors such as information search and dissemination, as well as extensiveness of the decision‐making process. While these constructs are closely related, extant research reveals considerable ambiguity regarding the psychological mechanisms by which components of these two constructs influence one another. This article presents a conceptual motivational process model, explicating the processes by which involvement and consumer risk perceptions are caused, and influence one another, as well as subsequent behavioral responses of consumers. An empirical study, carried out to test the motivational process model and the hypothesized causal relationships finds overall support. Implications of this research for marketers and consumer psychologists are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.
A mesospheric source of nitrous oxide

In the terrestrial atmosphere, nitrous oxide (N2O) has a major role in the chemistry of ozone. Current atmospheric models assume that N2O is produced only by fixation at the earth's surface and that there are no local sources in the stratosphere or mesosphere. It is pointed out here that a significant in situ N2O source does exist above 20 km due to the excitation of the metastable N2(A 3Sigma u +) state by resonance absorption of solar UV photons that penetrate deeply into the atmosphere through the 1,800-2,200 A O2-O3 window. This source significantly affects the NO altitude distribution in the mesosphere and, in the earth's prebiological atmosphere, made N2O an important stratospheric constituent.
Effect of lung edema on the pulmonary absorption of drugs

Abstract Recent studies of the effect of pulmonary edema on drug transport and binding in the lung have indicated that absorption of lipid-insoluble compounds from damaged lungs is increased several fold. In the present study, the effect of alpha-naphthylthiourea (ANTU)-induced lung edema (5 mg/kg, i.p.) on the pulmonary absorption of lipid-soluble drugs was examined. A solution (0.1 ml) of 3H-labeled drug was administered through a tracheal cannula to anesthetized rats. After various times, the lungs were assayed for unabsorbed drug. Absorption of 3H-dexamethasone was decreased by 14–37% in ANTU-treated animals compared to controls. 3H-isoniazid showed an 8–38% decrease in absorption from edematous lungs. Neither increased binding to ANTU-damaged lung tissue nor an ANTU-induced difference in lung metabolism of the drugs appeared to account for decreased lung permeability. The results are consistent with reduced diffusion of the drugs across a thickened, fluid-filled interstitium in edematous lungs. In contrast, the absorption of 3H-DSCG, a relatively lipid-insoluble drug, was increased 19–74% in ANTU-treated animals; saturable (active) transport of 3H-DSCG was unaltered in the presence of edema. These latter findings are in agreement with previous results which have shown that, although energy-dependent drug transport mechanisms remain intact, the porosity of the respiratory tract epithelium is increased markedly in the presence of ANTU-induced edema.