cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphological spectrum of renal cell carcinoma, unclassified: an analysis of 136 cases

Aims Renal cell carcinoma, unclassified (RCCU) is a category that includes a morphologically and biologically heterogeneous group of tumours that are unable to be diagnosed as other well-defined entities. We aim to describe the morphological findings of tumours within this category and to determine the most frequent morphological features leading to classification difficulty. Methods and results One hundred and thirty-six cases of RCCU were examined. Patients ranged in age from 23 to 87 years. Seventy-seven patients were men and 59 were women. International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade was most commonly 3 (n = 66), followed by 2 (n = 42) and 4 (n = 28). Tumour size ranged from 0.6 to 24.9 cm. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) pathological T categories included pT1a (n = 50), pT1b (n = 14), pT2a (n = 7), pT2b (n = 4), pT3a (n = 50) and pT4 (n = 9). Forty-four cases included lymph node(s), 41% of which (n = 18) had metastases. Tumours were assessed for a variety of histological features and assigned to the following morphological groups: predominantly oncocytoma/chromophobe RCC-like; clear cell RCC-like; papillary RCC-like; collecting duct-like; and pure sarcomatoid differentiation. The majority of the oncocytoma/chromophobe and clear cell RCC-like phenotypes were low stage (pT1 or pT2). The papillary RCC-like, collecting duct-like and pure sarcomatoid phenotypes were mainly high stage (pT3 or pT4). Conclusions Renal cell carcinoma, unclassified is a term that encompasses tumours with a variety of morphological features and a wide biological spectrum. The most common source of diagnostic difficulty was tumours composed of predominantly eosinophilic cells.
Congenital Absence of the Common Bile Duct - A Rare Anomaly with an Evolving Association with Esophageal Atresia

Abstract Congenital absence of the common bile duct (CBD), also known as “cholecystohepatic duct” or “interposition of the gallbladder” is a rare extrahepatic biliary anomaly characterized by the hepatic ducts entering the gallbladder directly and the cystic duct draining the entire biliary tree into the duodenum. There have been only been four reports of children with congenital absence of the CBD, with three of these also carrying a diagnosis of esophageal atresia, suggesting an association between the two entities. We report an additional case of a child with a history of tracheoesophageal fistula and congenital absence of the CBD as well a review of the literature.
Legitimizing illegitimacy: How creating market identity legitimizes illegitimate products

This study focuses on how the creation of a new market identity, defined here by the social categories that specify what to expect of products and organizations, helps legitimize normatively illegitimate products and thereby facilitate the formation of markets for these products. A product is given a legitimate market identity by recombining existing product and status categories in a way that is both isomorphic with and differentiated from these preexisting categories. I argue that the creation of a new market identity helped create a market for feature films that combined legitimate comedy and illegitimate pornography following the legalization of pornography in Denmark in 1969. Topological analyses of the cultural content of all the film posters used to promote Danish films between 1970 and 1978, and regression analyses of the status of the actors appearing in these films document the importance of market identity in legitimizing illegitimacy.
Vietnamese Graduate International Student Repatriates: Reverse Adjustment

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of Vietnamese international students who have returned to Vietnam after graduation from a U.S. higher education institution. The findings suggest that participants found it harder to readjust to Vietnam than to adjust to the U.S. even though they had lived most of their lives in Vietnam. Time in the U.S. had changed them considerably, making it difficult for them to fit back into their old lives in Vietnam. Most of them did not expect to experience reserve culture shock, and most had made real efforts to fit back into the Vietnamese environment and culture.
Evaluating climate signal recorded in tree-ring δ13C and δ18O values from bulk wood and α-cellulose for six species across four sites in the northeastern US

RATIONALE We evaluated the applicability of tree-ring δ13 C and δ18 O values in bulk wood - instead of the more time and lab-consuming α-cellulose δ13 C and δ18 O values, to assess climate and physiological signals across multiple sites and for six tree species along a latitudinal gradient (35°97'N to 45°20'N) of the northeastern United States. METHODS Wood cores (n = 4 per tree) were sampled from ten trees per species. Cores were cross-dated within and across trees at each site, and for the last 30 years. Seven years, including the driest on record, were selected for this study. The δ13 C and δ18 O values were measured on two of the ten trees from the bulk wood and the α-cellulose. The offsets between materials in δ13 C and δ18 O values were assessed. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the strength of the climate signal across sites. Finally the relationship between δ13 C and δ18 O values in bulk wood vs α-cellulose was analyzed to assess the consistency of the interpretation, in terms of CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance, from both materials. RESULTS We found offsets of 1.1‰ and 5.6‰ between bulk and α-cellulose for δ13 C and δ18 O values, respectively, consistent with offset values reported in the literature. Bulk wood showed similar or stronger correlations to climate parameters than α-cellulose for the investigated sites. In particular, temperature and vapor pressure deficit and standard precipitation-evaporation index (SPEI) were the most visible climate signals recorded in δ13 C and δ18 O values, respectively. For most of the species, there was no relationship between δ13 C and δ18 O values, regardless of the wood material considered. CONCLUSIONS Extraction of α-cellulose was not necessary to detect climate signals in tree rings across the four investigated sites. Furthermore, the physiological information inferred from the dual isotope approach was similar for most of the species regardless of the material considered.
Neonatal Outcomes Differ after Spontaneous and Indicated Preterm Birth.

Objective Preterm birth (PTB) at Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of live-born, non-anomalous preterm infants from 2004 to 2008. Spontaneous PTB was defined as PTB from spontaneous preterm labor or preterm rupture of membranes. Indicated PTB was defined as PTB from any maternal or fetal medical complication necessitating delivery. The primary outcome was a composite of early respiratory morbidity. Secondary outcomes included late composite respiratory morbidity and other neonatal morbidities. Results Of 1,223 preterm neonates, 60.9% were born after spontaneous PTB and 30.1% after indicated PTB. Composite early respiratory morbidity was significantly higher after indicated PTB versus spontaneous PTB (1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–1.4). Composite late respiratory morbidity (1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.3) and neonatal death (2.8, 95% CI 1.5–5.1) were also significantly higher after indicated PTB versus spontaneous PTB. Conclusion Neonatal respiratory outcomes and death differ according to PTB subtype. PTB subtype should be considered while counseling families and anticipating neonatal outcomes after PTB.
1 H MRS spectroscopy in preclinical autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease

1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can reveal changes in brain biochemistry in vivo in humans and has been applied to late onset Alzheimer disease (AD). Carriers of mutations for autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD) may show changes in levels of metabolites prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. Proton MR spectra were acquired at 1.5 T for 16 cognitively asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic mutation carriers (CDR < 1) and 11 non-carriers as part of a comprehensive cross-sectional study of preclinical ADAD. Levels of N-acetyl-aspartate+N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAA), glutamate/glutamine (Glx), creatine/phosphocreate (Cr), choline (Cho), and myo-inositol (mI) in the left and right anterior cingulate and midline posterior cingulate and precuneus were compared between mutation carriers (MCs) and non-carriers (NCs) using multivariate analysis of variance with age as a covariate. Among MCs, correlations between metabolite levels and time until expected age of dementia diagnosis were calculated. MCs had significantly lower levels of NAA and Glx in the left pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, and lower levels of NAA and higher levels of mI and Cho in the precuneus compared to NCs. Increased levels of mI were seen in these regions in association with increased proximity to expected age of dementia onset. MRS shows effects of ADAD similar to those seen in late onset AD even during the preclinical period including lower levels of NAA and higher levels of mI. These indices of neuronal and glial dysfunction might serve as surrogate outcome measures in prevention studies of putative disease-modifying agents.
Methods and Strategies for Robust Combinatorial Optimization

Robust Optimization (RO) was recently proposed to provide a practical approach for handling noisy data and uncertainty. Almost all decision problems in practice contain some degree of uncertainty, e.g., rates of return for different investment opportunities, demands for products and services, the time to complete a job, the amount of resources needed to complete an activity in a large project, etc. So far, the RO approach has only been used in problems where the decision variables range in the domain of the real numbers. This paper proposes to expand the robust optimization methodology to deal with decision problems where some of the relevant variables are discrete. This is an important enhancement of the RO approach because a large number of business problems can be modeled using discrete optimization formulations (e.g., investment decisions, production and staff scheduling, air line crew scheduling, research and development project funding, etc.). Since the large size of discrete RO formulations makes the use of classical optimization techniques impractical, we propose a heuristic procedure based on a probabilistic sampling approach. The mechanics of the proposed procedure are illustrated in the context of a project funding problem.
Quantum Devices for Future CSICs

My assignment for this presentation was to convey a view of future electronics that would stimulate lively dialog. I will concentrate on the scaling of ultradense microelectronic integrated circuits. Predicting the future is a high risk behavior and invariably succeeds in stimulating debate. Those most skilled in the art usually choose a time frame that is short enough for reasonable extrapolation of data or long enough to guarantee the predictor will be out of the picture when the results are tabulated. I do not take the view that because a.300 batting average is pretty good in baseball, why not in the game of prediction? Since the purpose of this presentation is to stimulate discussion and ideas, I will begin by describing a few barriers to CMOS scaling, describe the consequences of such scaling and offer a view of what might become the ultimate smallest transistor.
Abstract TP306: Mobile Application, “WeTrain911” to Decrease Stroke Mortality by Enhancing Emergency Dispatcher Training

Background: In rural states there are shortages of medically trained public safety answering point (PSAP) 911 answering stations. Dispatchers in these rural states risk leaving out vital Medical Pr...
Fabrication and Characterization of 3D Multi-Electrode Array on Flexible Substrate for In Vivo EMG Recording from Expiratory Muscle of Songbird

This work presents fabrication and characterization of flexible three-dimensional (3D) multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) capable of high signal-to-noise (SNR) electromyogram (EMG) recordings from the expiratory muscle of a songbird. The fabrication utilizes a photoresist reflow process to obtain 3D structures to serve as the electrodes. A polyimide base with a PDMS top insulation was utilized to ensure flexibility and biocompatibility of the fabricated 3D MEA devices. SNR measurements from the fabricated 3D electrode show up to a 7x improvement as compared to the 2D MEAs.
Use of FDA‐Approved Medications: Biologics for Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients at an Urban Outpatient Rheumatology Clinic

Objective Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis that manifests as peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis, and spondylitis. Biologics, particularly tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) and some interleukin 17 (IL‐17) and interleukin 23 (IL‐23) inhibitors, are the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved treatments shown to limit joint damage in clinical trials for PsA. Conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs have also been adapted to PsA treatment. Current 2018 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines regard TNFis as first‐line therapy in treatment‐naive patients. The aim of this project is to review the prescribing practices for patients with PsA at an urban rheumatology office, with a focus on biologic prescribing.
Distributed Average Consensus over Random Networks

In this paper, the distributed consensus problem of multi-agent networked systems is considered where agents make decisions using local information in the presence of random communication topologies. This problem is included in the framework given in [31]–[32] that allows random interconnection topologies to have distributions possibly depending on each other or time. It is shown that the random Krasnoselskii-Mann iterative algorithm converges almost surely and in mean square to the average of initial states of the agents under suitable assumptions. The algorithm does not require the distribution of random interconnection topologies or B-connectivity assumption for convergence. Therefore, it applies to asynchronous updates or/and unreliable communication protocols. We also show that the algorithm converges for synchronous updates when the weighted graph matrix is periodic and irreducible. It is shown that the agents interact among themselves to approach the consensus subspace in such a way that the projection of their states onto the consensus subspace at each time is equal to the average of their initial states. Eventually, a numerical example is given to exhibit the results.
Ex Vivo Expansion of Retrovirally-Transduced Primate CD34+ Cells Results in Preferential Engraftment and Persistence of Clones with MDS1/EVI1 Insertion Sites.

There is increasing evidence that insertional activation of proto-oncogenes by retroviral vectors is a significant safety issue that must be addressed before clinical gene therapy, particularly targeting hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, can be further developed. The risk of insertional mutagenesis for replication-incompetent retroviral vectors has been assumed to be low until the occurence of T cell leukemias in children treated with HSC-directed gene therapy for X-SCID, and recent evidence that retroviral integration is more common in the promoter region of transcriptionally-active genes. The occurence of “common integration sites” in a particular gene also suggests a non-random insertion pattern, and/or immortalization or other change in the behavior of a clone harboring an insertion in these particular genes. We have previously reported a highly non-random occurence of 14 unique vector integrations in the first two introns of the MDS1/EVI1 proto-oncogene out of a total of 702 identified from myeloid cells of 9 rhesus macaques at least 6 months post-transplantion of retrovirally-transduced CD34+ cells.(Calmels et al, 2005). This same gene locus was found frequently activated by insertions in murine bone marrow cells immortalized in long-term in vitro culture after transduction with retroviral vectors.(Du et al Blood, 2005) To begin to investigate the factors contributing to this worrisome finding, particularly given the very recent report of a marked over-representation of MDS1/EVI1 insertions in a human clinical gene therapy trial for chronic granulomatous disease, we asked whether continued ex vivo expansion of transduced CD34+ cells prior to transplantation would further select for clones with insertions in MDS1/EVI1 or other proto-oncogenes. Rhesus CD34+ cells were transduced with the G1Na standard retroviral vector, identical to that used in the prior studies, using our standard 96 hour transduction protocol in the presence of Retronectin and SCF, FLT3L and thrombopoietin. At the end of transduction, all cells were continued in culture for an additional 7 days under the same culture conditions, and then reinfused into the donor animal following 1200 rads TBI. At 1 month post-transplant there were no CIS and no MDS1/EVI1 insertions identified. However, at 6 months post-transplantation 5 out of 27 (19%) of the unique insertions identified in granulocytes were within the first two introns of MDS1/EVI1, very significantly higher than the 2% of MDS1/EVI1 insertions (14 of 702) identified in animals that were transplanted with cells not subjected to additional ex vivo expansion.(p
High Civic-Mindedness Reduces Compassion Fatigue in the First 3 Years of Professional Physical Therapist Practice: A Pilot Study.

Introduction:Clinicians with compassion fatigue (CF) experience behavioral, cognitive, and emotional changes due to repeated exposure to second-hand trauma from the clients with whom they are worki...
Intramedullary rod combined with ring external fixation for treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of tibia in children

Objective To describe the surgical technique of using intramedullary rods,Ilizarov ring external fixation device,and package-autogenously iliac bone graft for treatment congenital pseudarthrosis of tibia in children,and evaluate its clinical efficacy.Methods Since March 2007 to July 2010,51 cases with congenital pseudarthrosis of tibia underwent surgery in our center via combination of intramedullary rods,Ilizarov ring external fixation device and package-autogenously iliac bone graft.The average age of patients was 3.2 years (ranging from 10 months to 12.5 years),in which 31 cases (61％) of them were less than 3 years.Referring to the Crowford classification criteria,type Ⅱ was in 5 cases,type Ⅲ was in 3 cases and type Ⅳ was in 43 cases.Johnston clinical evaluation system and Ohnishi x ray grading standards were employed for evaluation of results.Results Average followed-up time were 1.6 years (ranging from 7 months to 3.1 years) in all patients,in which more than 2 year follow up was done in 19 cases.The average time of remove to Ilizarov external fixation device were 3.5 months (rangiug from 3 to 4,5 months).Johnston clinical evaluation indicated that grade I were in 26 cases,grade Ⅱ was in 21 eases and grade Ⅲ was in 4 cases.Furthermore,Ohnishi x-ray evaluation showed that pseudarthrosis of tibial healed in 42 cases,delayed healing was in 5 cases,non-healing in 4 cases.Conclusions The combination of intramedullary rod fixation,packageautogenous iliac bone graft and Ilizarov ring external fixation,is a reliable method for treatment of congenital pseudoarthrosis of tibia in children.Initial followed-up results indicate that it not only can significantly decrease healing time,but also reduce the incidence of re-fracture,especially suitable for the cases undergoing secondary surgery. Key words: Tibia; Fracture foxation, intramedullary; Bone transplantation; External fixators
Uterine Artery Embolization and Hysterectomy: An Interesting Case of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome and Uterine Arteriovenous Malformation

Study Objective The purpose of this video is to review a case of severe pelvic congestion and uterine arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that was managed operatively with uterine artery embolization followed by immediate hysterectomy. Our objectives include: • Review the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of uterine arteriovenous malformations. • Describe the clinical course of a patient referred to our MIGS clinic for uterine artery embolization and hysterectomy. • Consider postoperative expectations for a patient after embolization and hysterectomy for pelvic congestion syndrome and AVMs. Design This is a case report. Setting Interventional radiology operating room and robotic operating room. Patients or Participants 41yo patient referred to our clinic from an interventional radiologist for surgical treatment of severe pelvic congestion syndrome with an intrauterine arteriovenous malformation. Interventions Uterine artery embolization and robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy Measurements and Main Results N/A Conclusion Our case report emphasizes that uterine artery embolization before hysterectomy can help decrease blood loss for severe pelvic congestion syndrome and known AVMs. To achieve these favorable outcomes, coordination with interventional radiology, anesthesia, and the OR staff is necessary.Postoperatively, patients may have a fever due to the uterine artery embolization. Additionally, pelvic fluid collections may be due to inflammation and increased blood flow to the area due to the known pelvic congestion. These postoperative changes may present similarly to a pelvic abscess, but our patient was successfully managed expectantly.
Śiva’s Saints: The Origins of Devotion in Kannada according to Harihara’s Ragaḷegaḷu: by Gil Ben-Herut, New York, Oxford University Press, 2018, xiii+276 pp., US$99.00 (hardback), ISBN: 978 0 1908 7884 9

Śiva’s Saints is a ground-breaking new study of the early hagiographies of the sharanas of the Virashaiva/Lingayat tradition(s). Ben-Herut’s book challenges many of our commonly held scholarly assu...
Examining the Educational and Employment Outcomes of Reverse Credit Transfer

Reverse credit transfer (RCT) is an emerging policy designed to award associate’s degrees to students who transfer from 2-year to 4-year colleges after transfer. The purpose of this study is to est...
Genome-Wide Profiling of PARP1 Reveals an Interplay with Gene Regulatory Regions and DNA Methylation

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) is a nuclear enzyme involved in DNA repair, chromatin remodeling and gene expression. PARP1 interactions with chromatin architectural multi-protein complexes (i.e. nucleosomes) alter chromatin structure resulting in changes in gene expression. Chromatin structure impacts gene regulatory processes including transcription, splicing, DNA repair, replication and recombination. It is important to delineate whether PARP1 randomly associates with nucleosomes or is present at specific nucleosome regions throughout the cell genome. We performed genome-wide association studies in breast cancer cell lines to address these questions. Our studies show that PARP1 associates with epigenetic regulatory elements genome-wide, such as active histone marks, CTCF and DNase hypersensitive sites. Additionally, the binding of PARP1 to chromatin genome-wide is mutually exclusive with DNA methylation pattern suggesting a functional interplay between PARP1 and DNA methylation. Indeed, inhibition of PARylation results in genome-wide changes in DNA methylation patterns. Our results suggest that PARP1 controls the fidelity of gene transcription and marks actively transcribed gene regions by selectively binding to transcriptionally active chromatin. These studies provide a platform for developing our understanding of PARP1’s role in gene regulation.
Organic synthesis on the microgram scale. VI

Atropine and scopolamine are converted to the corresponding apocompounds by heating on a thin-layer plate at 105° for 30 minutes. Nitration of atropine produces apoatropine and three nitro compounds. Scopolamine and apoatropine each yields one nitro derivative which forms colored complex with tetraethylammonium hydroxide. Homatropine does not undergo dehydration and its nitration products do not form colored complexes. The implication of this synthetic study to the Vitali color test is discussed.
k + decision trees

Consider a wireless sensor network in which each sensor has a bit of information. Suppose all sensors with the bit 1 broadcast this fact to a basestation. If zero or one sensors broadcast, the basestation can detect this fact. If two or more sensors broadcast, the basestation can only detect that there is a "collision." Although collisions may seem to be a nuisance, they can in some cases help the basestation compute an aggregate function of the sensors' data. Motivated by this scenario, we study a new model of computation for boolean functions: the 2+ decision tree. This model is an augmentation of the standard decision tree model: now each internal node queries an arbitrary set of literals and branches on whether 0, 1, or at least 2 of the literals are true. This model was suggested in a work of Ben-Asher and Newman but does not seem to have been studied previously. Our main result shows that 2+ decision trees can "count" rather effectively. Specifically, we show that zero-error 2+ decision trees can compute the threshold-of-t symmetric function with O(t) expected queries (and that Ω(t) is a lower bound even for two-sided error 2+ decision trees). Interestingly, this feature is not shared by 1+ decision trees. Our result implies that the natural generalization to k+ decision trees does not give much more power than 2+ decision trees. We also prove a lower bound of Ω(t) ċ log(n/t) for the deterministic 2+ complexity of the threshold-of-t function, demonstrating that the randomized 2+ complexity can in some cases be unboundedly better than deterministic 2+ complexity. Finally, we generalize the above results to arbitrary symmetric functions, and we discuss the relationship between k+ decision trees and other complexity notions such as decision tree rank and communication complexity.
The glycoproteins of Dictyostelium discoideum: Changes during development

The glycoproteins of D. discoideum were analyzed by direct binding of radio-iodinated lectins to sodium dodecyl sulfate gels of the successive developmental stages. Compared with the total pattern of proteins, many changes are found in the glycoproteins during development. WGA [wheat germ agglutinin] reacts with few gel bands from the vegetative cells and most of these, including a very intense band at the top of the gel, are lost during the first few hours of development. Approximately halfway through the developmental cycle at least 14 new glycoproteins reacting with WGA begin to appear and progressively accumulate. In contrast, concanavalin A labels many glycoproteins over the complete MW range and most are unaffected during development. Lectins which bind fucose label a single component at the top of the gel of vegetative cells and this decreases rapidly as development begins. No other reactive gel bands are revealed by fucose-binding lectins until the final stages of spore and stalk formation, when 4 high MW glycoproteins are detected. Lectins specific for terminal galactose residues and for N-acetyl-galactosamine, including the intrinsic lectins produced by D. discoideum during its development, failed to reveal any reactive glycoproteins.
Aluminum t‐Butoxide

[556-91-2] C9H27AlO3 (MW 246.32) InChI = 1S/3C4H9O.Al/c3*1-4(2,3)5;/h3*1-3H3;/q3*-1;+3 InChIKey = MDDPTCUZZASZIQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (metal alkoxide used in Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction of ketones2 and Oppenauer oxidation of alcohols3) Physical Data: white powder; mp >300 °C (sealed tube); dimeric structure in benzene; can be recryst from benzene; sublimes at 180 °C. Solubility: v sol organic solvents, especially alcohols, benzene, toluene, and xylene. Preparative Method: prepared by reacting Aluminum shavings with dry tert-butyl alcohol using a catalytic amount of Mercury(II) Chloride.1c,1e Handling, Storage, and Precautions: use in fume hood. Air and moisture sensitive; extremely destructive to tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin and should be handled with appropriate caution. Contact via inhalation route is particularly hazardous.
Late-breaking abstract: Cycloxygenase- and lypoxigenase-dependent generation of omega-3 electrophilic fatty acid-derivatives with anti-inflammatory properties

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent inflammation of the airways and extensive oxidative damage. Activated macrophages and neutrophils are elevated in the airways of COPD patients where they sustain the inflammatory response and contribute to tissue damage. During inflammatory reactions arachidonic acid (AA) is released from cell membranes and is converted into the pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes by the action of cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lypoxigenases (LO). It has been recently discovered that COX-2 and LO are able to convert alternative substrates, such as the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), into mediators that actively repress the inflammatory reactions and promote the resolution of inflammation. Herein we report the formation of new omega-3 electrophilic fatty acid oxo-derivatives by the action of COX-2 and LO in activated human macrophages and stimulated neutrophils. These compounds displayed cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory actions measured as repression of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines and activation of the Nrf2-dependent anti-oxidant response. Data presented herein strongly suggest that electrophilic derivatives of omega-3 fatty acids are generated in inflamed airways of COPD patients where they may contribute to limit tissue damage and inflammatory processes.
Enigma Prevents Cbl-c-Mediated Ubiquitination and Degradation of RETMEN2A

The Cbl proteins (Cbl, Cbl-b, and Cbl-c) are a highly conserved family of RING finger ubiquitin ligases (E3s) that function as negative regulators of tyrosine kinases in a wide variety of signal transduction pathways. In this study, we identify a new Cbl-c interacting protein, Enigma (PDLIM7). This interaction is specific to Cbl-c as Enigma fails to bind either of its closely related homologues, Cbl and Cbl-b. The binding between Enigma and Cbl-c is mediated through the LIM domains of Enigma as removal of all three LIM domains abrogates this interaction, while only LIM1 is sufficient for binding. Here we show that Cbl-c binds wild-type and MEN2A isoforms of the receptor tyrosine kinase, RET, and that Cbl-c enhances ubiquitination and degradation of activated RET. Enigma blocks Cbl-c-mediated RETMEN2A ubiquitination and degradation. Cbl-c decreased downstream ERK activation by RETMEN2A and co-expression of Enigma blocked the Cbl-c-mediated decrease in ERK activation. Enigma showed no detectable effect on Cbl-c-mediated ubiquitination of activated EGFR suggesting that this effect is specific to RET. Through mapping studies, we show that Cbl-c and Enigma bind RETMEN2A at different residues. However, binding of Enigma to RETMENA prevents Cbl-c recruitment to RETMEN2A. Consistent with these biochemical data, exploratory analyses of breast cancer patients with high expression of RET suggest that high expression of Cbl-c correlates with a good outcome, and high expression of Enigma correlates with a poor outcome. Together, these data demonstrate that Cbl-c can ubiquitinate and downregulate RETMEN2A and implicate Enigma as a positive regulator of RETMEN2A through blocking of Cbl-mediated ubiquitination and degradation.
Bioassay for Miconazole

A radial diffusion bioassay for miconazole, which employs Candida stellatoidea as the indicator organism, is described. Results from three patients treated with the drug are presented.
Observations on the Inhibitory Influence of Plethora on Erythropoietic Action of Androgens in Hypophysectomized Rats

SummaryExperiments on plethoric, androgen treated, hypophysectomized rats indicate: (a) the inhibitory effect of plethora on the erythropoietic activity of androgens is not due to a lack of ESF; (b) the manner in which the plethoric state is obtained is not a factor in the inhibitory effect; and (c) by indirect evidence, that the failure to see an erythropoietic response to testosterone propionate in hypophysectomized rats 2 weeks after surgery is related to the relative degree of plethora existing in this animal.
A Seasonal Index for Business

This paper explores the problem of obtaining a multiplicative seasonal index for forecasting sales from a small set of historical data (as is common in business applications) and in the presence of a trend. It is shown that the standard method for generating a seasonal index (from a centered moving average) contains a systematic error. This error is transmitted through to forecasts that use the seasonal index and causes higher than necessary safety stocks and other consequences. The paper presents two alternative consistent methods for estimating the seasonal index in the presence of a trend, one for a multiplicative (nonlinear) trend and one for an additive (linear) trend. These methods may be run easily on a spreadsheet program or on statistical software. The nonlinear method is suggested as a convenient alternative to the standard method in many circumstances.
The effect of 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-d-glucose on yeast fermentation and on hexokinase.

Abstract 6-Deoxy-6-fluoro- d -glucose (6FG), at molar concentrations comparable to that of glucose or fructose present, produced a marked inhibition of the rate of fermentation of intact yeast. In contrast, 6 FG has a much smaller inhibitory effect on the rate of fermentation by a cell-free yeast extract or on the activity of yeast hexokinase. The inhibition by 6FG of intact yeast fermentation was competitive with glucose or fructose, and was overcome by increasing the concentration of these substrates. The rate of fermentation of glucose or of fructose by intact yeast was decreased by reduction in substrate concentration in a concentration range where the rate of fermentation by a yeast extract or the activity of hexokinase was unaffected. These results support the postulate that 6FG inhibits a specific process, not limited by hexokinase activity, which controls the rate of entry of glucose and of fructose into the yeast cell. The uptake of glucose by rat diaphragm was much less sensitive to the presence of 6FG than was fermentation of glucose by intact yeast. Notatin oxidized 6FG at a rate about 3% of that observed with glucose. 6FG was only moderately toxic to rats and did not affect the behavior of or virus synthesis in a tissue culture preparation.
Pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered levofloxacin in men and women.

Study Objective. To characterize and compare the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in men and women after systemic administration. Design. Prospective, open-label, parallel group pharmacokinetic study. Setting. University research center. Subjects. Eleven healthy men and nine healthy women stratified by body mass index. Intervention. Subjects received levofloxacin as a single 500-mg intravenous dose. Serum and urine were collected over 36 hours. Measurements and Main Results. Levofloxacin concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed with ADAPT II software (University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA). Median (range) body mass index was 23.2 kg/m2 (19.9–28.3 kg/m2) for men and 23.6 kg/m2 (16.0–32.4 kg/m2) for women (p=0.67). A two-compartment model best fit the pharmacokinetic data: median (range) R2 was 0.996 (0.990–0.999). Women had a 24% greater exposure to levofloxacin, with a significantly smaller steady-state volume of distribution (p<0.01) and a slower clearance (p<0.01). Conclusions. Differences exist in the disposition of levofloxacin between healthy men and women after systemic administration. Fixed intravenous doses of levofloxacin will lead to greater drug exposure in women. Thus, women may have more of an increased risk of fluoroquinolone toxicity than men, and men may need higher doses to achieve similar drug efficacy than women. Levofloxacin dosage adjustments based on sex should be considered on an individual basis.
SECURITIZATION: A FINANCING STRATEGY FOR EMERGING MARKETS FIRMS

With emerging markets now in crisis, companies in developing countries are finding it difficult to obtain financing. Securitization, a transaction structure in which the securities sold to investors are backed by a company's receivables, is one of the few vehicles with at least the potential to provide financing at economic rates in the current environment of uncertainty. Unlike U.S. securitization issues, emerging markets transactions often use a structure known as “future flows” securitization, in which the securities are backed by receivables that are not expected to be generated until after issuance. This article begins by describing how the process of future flows securitization carves out securities with levels of political risk acceptable to foreign capital market investors. Then it traces the history of emerging markets securitization from its origins in Latin America to its more recent uses during the Asian crisis. Securitization helped bring foreign investors back to Latin America after its debt crisis of the early 1980s. And while the Asian crisis has sharply reduced new issuance for all kinds of emerging market financings, the volume of securitization issues appears to have declined less precipitously than other types of transactions geared to foreign investors. Moreover, investment bankers are now hard at work planning new securitization issues for companies in both Latin America and Asia. In exploring the longer-term effects of securitization on both domestic issuers and their economies, the author suggests that securitization could play a pivotal role in restoring emerging markets companies' access to global financial markets. Indeed, with a few exceptions such as Malaysia, most emerging markets are now responding to the crisis by taking measures to protect investors, such as requiring greater financial transparency and dispelling legal uncertainties that have discouraged securitization in particular and overseas investment more generally.
Human peripheral blood antibodies with long HCDR3s are established primarily at original recombination using a limited subset of germline genes.

A number of antibodies that efficiently neutralize microbial targets contain long heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (HCDR3) loops. For HIV, several of the most broad and potently neutralizing antibodies have exceptionally long HCDR3s. Two broad potently neutralizing HIV-specific antibodies, PG9 and PG16, exhibit secondary structure. Two other long HCDR3 antibodies, 2F5 and 4E10, protect against mucosal challenge with SHIV. Induction of such long HCDR3 antibodies may be critical to the design of an effective vaccine strategy for HIV and other pathogens, however it is unclear at present how to induce such antibodies. Here, we present genetic evidence that human peripheral blood antibodies containing long HCDR3s are not primarily generated by insertions introduced during the somatic hypermutation process. Instead, they are typically formed by processes occurring as part of the original recombination event. Thus, the response of B cells encoding antibodies with long HCDR3s results from selection of unusual clones from the naive repertoire rather than through accumulation of insertions. These antibodies typically use a small subset of D and J gene segments that are particularly suited to encoding long HCDR3s, resulting in the incorporation of highly conserved genetic elements in the majority of antibody sequences encoding long HCDR3s.
Gene therapy for neurologic manifestations of mucopolysaccharidoses.

Introduction: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a family of lysosomal disorders caused by mutations in genes that encode enzymes involved in the catabolism of glycoaminoglycans. These mutations affect multiple organ systems and can be particularly deleterious to the nervous system. At the present time, enzyme replacement therapy and hematopoietic stem-cell therapy are used to treat patients with different forms of these disorders. However, to a great extent, the nervous system is not adequately responsive to current therapeutic approaches.Areas covered: Recent advances in gene therapy show great promise for treating MPS. This article reviews the current state of the art for routes of delivery in developing genetic therapies for treating the neurologic manifestations of MPS.Expert opinion: Gene therapy for treating neurological manifestations of MPS can be achieved by intraventricular, intrathecal, intranasal and systemic administrations. The intraventricular route of administration appears to provide the mo...
Effects of chemical and enzymic probes on microsomal covalent binding of bromobenzene and derivatives. Evidence for quinones as reactive metabolites

1. The chemical reactivity of bromobenzene metabolite(s) responsible for its protein covalent binding was investigated by determining the effects of many chemical and enzymic probes on the metabolism and covalent binding of [3,5-3H]bromobenzene with rat liver microsomes in vitro.2. Classical cytochrome P-450 enzyme inhibitors decreased both metabolism and binding in parallel, whereas scavenging agents for reactive oxygen species and free radicals exhibited little or no effect. Sulphur nucleophiles were extremely efficient in decreasing binding with little or no effect on metabolism. Reducing agents such as ascorbate and diaphorase decreased binding slightly more than metabolism.3. UDP-Glucuronic acid inhibited neither metabolism nor binding, but all three mono-bromophenols decreased binding more than metabolism. Trichloropropene oxide was unique in decreasing metabolism more than binding.4. The effects of ascorbate, glutathione, bisulphite and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on metabolism and binding of fi...
ZnO Nanowire Arrays for Enhanced Photocurrent in PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Vertical arrays of ZnO nanowires can decouple light absorption from carrier collection in PbS quantum dot solar cells and increase power conversion efficiencies by 35%. The resulting ordered bulk heterojunction devices achieve short-circuit current densities in excess of 20 mA cm(-2) and efficiencies of up to 4.9%.
Validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis to hydrostatic weighing in male body builders

The purpose of this study was to compare bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to hydrostatic weighing (HW) in male weight lifters and body builders. Twenty-two male body builders and weight lifters, 23 ± 3 years of age (mean ± SD), were studied to determine the efficacy of BIA to HW in this population. Subjects were measured on two separate occasions, 6 weeks apart, for test–retest reliability purposes. Participants recorded 3-day dietary intakes and average work-out times and regimens between the two testing periods. Subjects were, on average, 75 ± 8 kg of body weight and 175 ± 7 cm tall. Validation results were as follows: constant error for HW–BIA = 0.128 ± 3.7%, r for HW versus BIA = −0.294. Standard error of the estimate for BIA = 2.32% and the total error for BIA = 3.6%. Percent body fat was 7.8 ± 1% from BIA and 8.5 ± 2% from HW (P > 0.05). Subjects consumed 3,217 ± 1,027 kcals; 1,848 ± 768 kcals from carbohydrates; 604 ± 300 kcals from protein; and 783 ± 369 kcals from fat. Although work-outs differed among one another, within subject training did not vary. These results suggest that measurement of percent body fat in male body builders and weight trainers is equally as accurate using BIA or HW.
Etching of 4° and 8° 4H-SiC Using Various Hydrogen-Propane Mixtures in a Commercial Hot-Wall CVD Reactor

Hydrogen etching of 4H-SiC has been performed in a hot-wall chemical vapor deposition reactor to reduce surface damage and to create a bilayer-stepped surface morphology, optimal for initiation of growth on 4H-SiC substrates offcut 4° and 8° towards the direction. To understand how step bunching evolves during the ramp to growth temperature, samples were etched ending at temperatures from 1400 to 1580°C under 0, 2 or 10 sccm of propane (C3H8) addition to hydrogen. Initial exploratory growth of 5 μm thick epilayers on the 4° etched surfaces are also discussed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Nomarski microscopy were employed to investigate changes in the surface morphology. The 8° substrates subjected to H2-C3H8 etching up to growth temperature routinely exhibited bilayer steps. However, when the 4° substrates were etched with a 10 sccm C3H8 flow, considerable step bunching was observed. At 1450°C, with a 10 sccm of C3H8 flow (partial pressure is 1.25x10-5 bar), step bunching started with the formation of ribbon-like steps. Progression to higher temperature etches have shown the coalescence of the ribbons into larger macro-steps up to 30 nm in height. Etching 4° substrates under 2 sccm of C3H8 (partial pressure is 2.5x10-6 bar) or in pure H2 up to 1500°C results in minimal step bunching.
Clinical and radiographic comparison of mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in 42 patients with long-term follow-up.

Object As minimally invasive approaches gain popularity in spine surgery, clinical outcomes and effectiveness of mini–open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) compared with traditional open TLIF have yet to be established. The authors retrospectively compared the outcomes of patients who underwent mini–open TLIF with those who underwent open TLIF. Methods Between 2003 and 2006, 42 patients underwent TLIF for degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis; 21 patients underwent mini–open TLIF and 21 patients underwent open TLIF. The mean age in each group was 53 years, and there was no statistically significant difference in age between the groups (p = 0.98). Data were collected perioperatively. In addition, complications, length of stay (LOS), fusion rate, and modified Prolo Scale (mPS) scores were recorded at routine intervals. Results No patient was lost to follow-up. The mean follow-up was 24 months for the mini-open group and 34 months for the open group. The mean estimated blood loss was 19...