cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hyperhomocysteinemia on Plasma or Tissue Adenosine Levels and Renal Function

Background—Hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcys) is considered an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that hHcys produced glomerular dysfunction and sclerosis independently of hypertension. However, the mechanism mediating these pathogenic effects of homocysteine (Hcys) is poorly understood. Because Hcys and adenosine (Ado) are simultaneously produced via hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), we hypothesized that hHcys may produce its pathogenic effects by decrease in plasma or tissue Ado concentrations. Methods and Results—L-Hcys (1.5 mol/min per kilogram) was infused intravenously for 60 minutes to produce acute hHcys in Sprague-Dawley rats. Plasma Hcys levels increased from 6.70.4 to 14.70.5 mol/L, but Ado decreased from 141.715.1 to 52.46.8 nmol/L in these rats with acute hHcys. This hHcys-induced reduction of Ado was also observed in the kidney dialysate. In rats with chronic hHcys, plasma Ado levels were also significantly decreased. By kinetic analysis of the enzyme activities, decrease in renal Ado levels in hHcys was shown to be associated with inhibition of SAH hydrolase but not 5-nucleotidase. Functionally, intravenous infusion of Hcys was found to decrease renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and sodium and water excretion, which could be blocked by the Ado receptor antagonist 8-SPT. Conclusions—These results strongly suggest that hHcys decreases plasma and tissue Ado concentrations associated with inhibition of SAH hydrolase. Decrease in plasma and tissue Ado may be an important mechanism mediating the pathogenic effects of Hcys. (Circulation. 2002;106:1275-1281.)
The Mentalities of Gorillas and Orangutans: Comparative Perspectives

The Mentalities of Gorillas and Orangutans: Comparative Perspectives. Sue Taylor Parker. Robert W. Mitchell. and H. Lyn Miles. eds. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1999. 419 pp.
Refusing Alternatives: A Science of Contestation

Taking issue with the narrow vision of science the federal government’s demand for scientific-based research in education has produced, this article calls for an analysis of the power relations involved in this debate, an epistemological analysis of its politics, and resistance to its adverse effects on children and teachers in classrooms.
Phase II study of FOLFOX, bevacizumab and erlotinib as first-line therapy for patients with metastastic colorectal cancer

Abstract Background: Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor and angiogenesis have proven useful strategies against metastatic colorectal cancer. The benefit of combining inhibitors of both pathways is unknown. Patients and methods: Patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled in a phase II trial of infusional 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin (FOLFOX), bevacizumab and erlotinib. The primary end point was progression-free survival. Results: Thirty-five patients were enrolled and all came off trial for reasons other than progression; 18 (51%) had protocol-defined adverse events requiring removal, nine (26%) withdrew consent due to toxicity, six pursued surgery or localized therapies and two requested a treatment holiday. Principal toxic effects included rash, neuropathy and diarrhea. Seven patients came off trial before first restaging. By intention-to-treat analysis, one patient had a confirmed complete response, 10 had confirmed partial responses and one had an unconfirmed partial response (response rate = 34%). One patient had progressive disease at time of withdrawal from the trial, thus progression-free survival could not be calculated. Conclusion: The combination of FOLFOX, bevacizumab and erlotinib led to higher than expected early withdrawal due to toxicity, limiting conclusions regarding efficacy. These findings raise concern regarding the tolerability of adding more agents to already complex combination regimens for metastatic colorectal cancer.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH—PSYCHOLOGY: Sensitivity of the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales to Oral Therapies for Erectile Dysfunction

ABSTRACT Introduction Studies of erectile dysfunction (ED) therapies typically assess erectile function end‐ points, although other treatment outcomes may also be of value to men and their partners. Aim To examine the treatment sensitivity of the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales (PAIRS) associated with the use of two phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors with different duration of action. Methods Men with ED were recruited from three clinical trials of tadalafil and sildenafil citrate to complete post‐treatment questionnaires that included the PAIRS. In Study 1 , the PAIRS was assessed after 6 months of open‐label tadalafil (20 mg) treatment and after 2 months of real‐world sildenafil use (25–100 mg). In studies 2 and 3, the PAIRS was assessed at the end of the trial assessment phase. In Study 2 , men with a 6–24 week history of sildenafil use (25–100 mg) received 3 weeks of open‐label sildenafil treatment (dosage at study entry), and then switched to 9 weeks of tadalafil treatment. In Study 3 , a double‐blind, crossover study, men were randomized to 12 weeks of either tadalafil (20 mg) or sildenafil (50 mg) treatment, followed by 12 weeks of the alternate treatment; PAIRS scores for the second treatment period were evaluated. Main Outcome Measure Treatment outcomes were assessed with the PAIRS, a new reliable and valid self‐report measure of sexual self‐confidence, spontaneity, and time concerns before sex. Results Significant mean differences were observed on all PAIRS domain scores associated with tadalafil and sildenafil treatment. Across studies, men had significantly higher sexual self‐confidence and spontaneity scores, and lower time concerns scores in reference to tadalafil compared with their scores in reference to sildenafil. Conclusions Mean differences observed on PAIRS domains across studies support the sensitivity of the measure to differentiate between these two ED treatments.
Thioredoxin Reductase-1 Negatively Regulates HIV-1 Transactivating Protein Tat-dependent Transcription in Human Macrophages

Epidemiological studies suggest a correlation between severity of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and selenium deficiency, indicating a protective role for this anti-oxidant during HIV infection. Here we demonstrate that thioredoxin reductase-1 (TR1), a selenium-containing pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductase that reduces protein disulfides to free thiols, negatively regulates the activity of the HIV-1 encoded transcriptional activator, Tat, in human macrophages. We used a small interfering RNA approach as well as a high affinity substrate of TR1, ebselen, to demonstrate that Tat-dependent transcription and HIV-1 replication were significantly increased in human macrophages when TR1 activity was reduced. The increase in HIV-1 replication in TR1 small interfering RNA-treated cells was independent of the redox-sensitive transcription factor, NF-κB. These studies indicate that TR-1 acts as a negative regulator of Tat-dependent transcription. Furthermore, in vitro biochemical assays with recombinant Tat protein confirmed that TR1 targets two disulfide bonds within the Cys-rich motif required for efficient HIV-1 transactivation. Increasing TR1 expression along with other selenoproteins by supplementing with selenium suggests a potential inexpensive adjuvant therapy for HIV/AIDS patients.
The importance of quadriceps and hamstring muscle loading on knee kinematics and in-situ forces in the ACL.

Abstract This study investigated the effect of hamstring co-contraction with quadriceps on the kinematics of the human knee joint and the in-situ forces in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a simulated isometric extension motion of the knee. Cadaveric human knee specimens (n=10) were tested using the robotic/universal force–moment sensor (UFS) system and measurements of knee kinematics and in-situ forces in the ACL were based on reference positions on the path of passive flexion/extension motion of the knee. With an isolated 200 N quadriceps load, the knee underwent anterior and lateral tibial translation as well as internal tibial rotation with respect to the femur. Both translation and rotation increased when the knee was flexed from full extension to 30° of flexion; with further flexion, these motion decreased. The addition of 80 N antagonistic hamstrings load significantly reduced both anterior and lateral tibial translation as well as internal tibial rotation at knee flexion angles tested except at full extension. At 30° of flexion, the anterior tibial translation, lateral tibial translation, and internal tibial rotation were significantly reduced by 18, 46, and 30%, respectively (p
Does This Patient With a Pericardial Effusion Have Cardiac Tamponade

ContextCardiac tamponade is a state of hemodynamic compromise resulting from cardiac compression by fluid trapped in the pericardial space. The clinical examination may assist in the decision to perform pericardiocentesis in patients with cardiac tamponade diagnosed by echocardiography.ObjectiveTo systematically review the accuracy of the history, physical examination, and basic diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade.Data SourcesMEDLINE search of English-language articles published between 1966 and 2006, reference lists of these articles, and reference lists of relevant textbooks.Study SelectionWe included articles that compared aspects of the clinical examination to a reference standard for the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade. We excluded studies with fewer than 15 patients. Of 787 studies identified by our search strategy, 8 were included in our final analysis.Data ExtractionTwo authors independently reviewed articles for study results and quality. A third reviewer resolved disagreements.Data SynthesisAll studies evaluated patients with known tamponade or those referred for pericardiocentesis with known effusion. Five features occur in the majority of patients with tamponade: dyspnea (sensitivity range, 87%-89%), tachycardia (pooled sensitivity, 77%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 69%-85%), pulsus paradoxus (pooled sensitivity, 82%; 95% CI, 72%-92%), elevated jugular venous pressure (pooled sensitivity, 76%; 95% CI, 62%-90%), and cardiomegaly on chest radiograph (pooled sensitivity, 89%; 95% CI, 73%-100%). Based on 1 study, the presence of pulsus paradoxus greater than 10 mm Hg in a patient with a pericardial effusion increases the likelihood of tamponade (likelihood ratio, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.8-6.3), while a pulsus paradoxus of 10 mm Hg or less greatly lowers the likelihood (likelihood ratio, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.24).ConclusionsAmong patients with cardiac tamponade, a minority will not have dyspnea, tachycardia, elevated jugular venous pressure, or cardiomegaly on chest radiograph. A pulsus paradoxus greater than 10 mm Hg among patients with a pericardial effusion helps distinguish those with cardiac tamponade from those without. Diagnostic certainty of the presence of tamponade requires additional testing.
Concurrent correspondent modules: a fault tolerant Ada implementation

The authors propose the concept of concurrent correspondent modules as a strategy to implement software fault tolerance. It is based on the concurrent execution of the primary, and its redundant correspondent versions. Error detection and forward error recovery are performed by the comparative test. Using Ada tasks in conjunction with the abort facility, concurrent correspondent modules are easily and efficiently implemented. The use of concurrent Ada enhances the power of concurrent correspondent modules, making this an elegant, effective and feasible alternative to other fault-tolerant approaches. >
Hepatitis B vaccination in heart transplant candidates.

Background Various options have been proposed to expand the limited heart donor pool, including candidate vaccination permitting use of hepatitis B core antibody–positive (HbcAb + ) donors. From 2001 to 2004, 263 potential heart donors were turned down due to hepatitis B core antibody positivity. In 2001, we initiated a protocol of a routine vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) at transplant evaluation. The efficacy of HBV vaccination in patients with advanced heart failure is not known. Methods A single-center retrospective chart review was completed for patients who successfully completed the 3-dose HBV vaccine series and hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) post-vaccination titer. We reviewed post-vaccine quantitative titers, patient characteristics and donor serologies. Seroconversion was defined as a HBsAb titer >10 mIU/ml. Results Twenty-nine patients had a complete vaccine series with HBsAb quantitative titers. Thirteen patients seroconverted on the initial attempt. Sixteen were non-seroconverters. Of these, 6 were transplanted prior to repeat series with titers, 7 remain wait-listed awaiting complete repeat series, and 3 completed a repeat series, of whom 2 seroconverted. None of the Status 1B patients seroconverted. Seroconverters had higher ejection fractions (EFs), lower serum creatinine levels and higher functional status. Conclusions HBV vaccination of patients with advanced heart failure was successful in approximately 50% of patients and was most successful in Status 2 patients. Early initiation of the vaccine series may increase utilization of HBcAb + donors. HBV vaccination is unlikely to benefit Status 1 patients.
Probes of the mitochondrial cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Abstract The development of a fluorescent assay to detect activity of the mitochondrial cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is described. A peptide-based sensor was utilized to quantify the relative amount of PKA activity present in each compartment of the mitochondria (the outer membrane, the intermembrane space, and the matrix). In the process of validating this assay, we discovered that PKA activity is regulated by the protease calpain. Upon exposure of bovine heart mitochondria to digitonin, Ca2 +, and a variety of electron transport chain inhibitors, the regulatory subunits of the PKA holoenzyme (R2C2) are digested, releasing active catalytic subunits. This proteolysis is attenuated by calpain inhibitor I (ALLN). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Inhibitors of Protein Kinases (2012).
Towards a Measure of Biometric Information

This paper addresses the issue of the information content of a biometric image or system. We define biometric information as the decrease in uncertainty about the identity of a person due to a set of biometric measurements. We then show that the biometric information for a person may be calculated by the relative entropy D(pparq) between the population feature distribution q and the person's feature distribution p. The biometric information for a system is the mean D(pparq) for all persons in the population. In order to practically measure D(pparq) with limited data samples, we introduce an algorithm which regularizes a Gaussian model of the feature covariances. An example of this method is shown for PCA and ICA based face recognition, with biometric information calculated to be 45.0 bits (PCA), 39.0 bits (ICA) and 46.9 bits (fusion of PCA and ICA features). Finally, we discuss general applications of this measure
Risperidone and Hyponatremia: A Case Report

A 48 year-old white male not suffering from endocrine disease or polydipsia, not taking diuretics, and suffering from no renal disease was started on risperidone and discharged on no other drug from Western Missiouri Mental Health Center (WMMHC) after an 8-day hospitalization. Seven days later he was admitted to a university medical center with generalized seizures, hyponatremia, respiratory failure, and rhabdomyalysis. He eventually recovered, was transferred back to WMMHC, and stabilized on appropriate medication. A search of the literature indicates no case reports linking risperidone to hyponatremia. It is assumed that the mechanism of hyponatremia is similar to other psychotropic medication in that it is secondary to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).
Bilirubin-Induced Audiologic Injury in Preterm Infants.

Although hyperbilirubinemia is extremely common among neonates and is usually mild and transient, it sometimes leads to bilirubin-induced neurologic damage (BIND). The auditory pathway is highly sensitive to the effects of elevated total serum/plasma bilirubin (TB) levels, with damage manifesting clinically as auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. Compared to full-term neonates, preterm neonates are more susceptible to BIND and suffer adverse effects at lower TB levels with worse long-term outcomes. Furthermore, although standardized guidelines for management of hyperbilirubinemia exist for term and late preterm neonates, similar guidelines for neonates less than 35 weeks gestational age are limited.
Sensitivity Analysis of Multibody Dynamic Systems Modeled by ODEs and DAEs

The optimization of the dynamic response of multibody dynamic systems is a complex and open problem. It relies on using the equations of motion of the system, which amplifies the level of complexity of the problem substantially, compared to other types of optimization. In the context of this kind of optimization, the sensitivity analysis of the dynamic response of the system is a key element. Two main techniques are currently available for the sensitivity analysis of the response of a dynamical system: the direct differentiation method and the adjoint variable method. In this work, different formulations of the equations of motion with dependent coordinates are employed and their sensitivity equations obtained. Direct and adjoint sensitivities are convenient for different types of problems but both methods require accurate derivatives of the equations of motion considered. Both approaches are employed in this work; the direct and adjoint sensitivity equations are obtained for index-3 differential-algebraic equations (DAE), index-1 DAE, and penalty formulations. The adjoint sensitivity for the penalty formulations introduced here is completely novel.
Probing the Intrinsic Thermal Noise of Optical Fibers at Infrasonic Frequencies

A Mach-Zehnder-Fabry-Perot-hybrid sensing scheme is proposed for probing the fundamental thermal noise of optical fiber in the infrasonic region. A feasibility analysis is presented and experimental realization is discussed.
The dynamics of ocular aberrations in chicks

Ocular aberrations in chicks were measured regularly over three weeks from one week of age. Most aberrations decrease over this period during which emmetropization is occurring. There are also significant within-day changes in most aberrations and refractive errors, which tend to become more hyperopic from the afternoon into the evening.
Effects of forest fragmentation on burrow-site selection by the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus).

-We compared habitat variables associated with burrow sites of eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) and random sites in a reference (uncut) and a managed, fragmented (by even-aged clearcutting) forest sector in central Pennsylvania. Burrow sites typically were characterized by steeper slope, higher number of logs, and higher numbers of stumps in both forest sectors. Our findings suggest that despite differences in extent of forest fragmentation and availability of habitat variables, chipmunks select burrow sites associated with similar physical and vegetative characteristics.
To Each His Taste

“I thought of all the massacres and slaughter of persecuted insects at the hands of cruel humans and i cried aloud to heaven and i knelt on all six legs and vowed a vow of vengeance. “ These words attributed to Archie the cockroach by Don Marquis describe the essence of contemporary entomology. Peruse the published addresses delivered at the Plenary Symposium at the 1966 annual meeting under the title “Entomology Looks at its Mission.” Count and catalogue the papers being presented at this annual meeting. A conservative assessment shows that fully one third are directly concerned with control. Contrast this picture with the discussion of entomology in the eleventh edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. The entomology of Swammerdam, Malpighi, Redi, Reaumur, Lyonnet, de Geer, Strauss-Durckheim, to mention only a few of the more illustrious, is unrecognizable as the entomology of today. It is clear that entomology has advanced a long way from “the science that treats of insects” to the profession that controls insects.
Toxicity and immune effect of Gastridin tablet

Objective To study the toxicity and immune effect of Gastrodia tablet on experimental animals.Methods Acute toxicity test,bone marrow cell micronucleus test,mice sperm abnormality test and 30-day feeding test were selected to study the toxicity of this tablet.A series of experiments including: the number of antibody forming cell,the content of antibody against SRBC,proliferation of T lymphocytes,and peritoneal macrophages to chicken erythrocytes were performed to determine the immune function.Results There were no death and no clinical sign in acute toxicity test;Compared with control group,micronucleus assay on bone marrow cell,mice sperm abnormality in experimental groups had no remarkble difference(P0.05),30-day feeding test indicated the indexes of blood biochemitry were normal,the animal body weight and histopathological index had no striking difference(P0.05),the content of antibody against SRBC,and the number of antibody forming cells(/106) significently increased in high-dose group(P0.05,P0.05);the proliferation of T lymphocytes by the ConA stimulation in high-dose group greatly enhanced(P0.01);the phagocytic rate and the phagocytic index of peritoneal macrophages to chicken erythrocytes in high-dose group significantly increased(P0.05,P0.05).Conclusion No toxicity was found in Gastridin Tablet,immune function could be significantly enhanced.
321 DESCRIPTION OF NOVEL POLYMORPHISMS IN THE CODING AND PROMOTER REGIONS OF THE MELANOCORTIN 4 RECEPTOR GENE IN AFRICAN AMERICANS.

The melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is an important part of a hypothalamic pathway involved in the normal regulation of body weight. Disruption of MC4R signaling by mutation or knockout leads not only to severe obesity in humans, but affected subjects are also taller, have greater lean mass, and have greater bone density than obese matched controls. The mechanism whereby disruption of the melanocortin pathway results in altered body composition and bone density is not known, but alteration in this pathway may affect the bone and muscle mass in populations other than obese subjects, including the elderly. In a pilot study, we have determined the prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MC4R gene and its promoter in populations of older Caucasian (n = 48), African American (n = 48), and Hong Kong Chinese (n = 48) men and women. The African American cohort had the highest prevalence of SNPs (33%) and the Chinese cohort the lowest (12%). A total of nine nucleotide substitutions were detected, six previously reported and three that are novel. The novel SNPs were found in the African American cohort; of which one is in the coding region (11C>T) and two are in the noncoding region (-337 A>C and -300 G>C). All variants detected in this study were in the heterozygous form except for the -337 A>C and -300 G>C polymorphisms. The subject with the 11C>T heterozygous SNP in the African American cohort had a BMI of 31.0 kg/m2 at age 69.7, where the mean BMI for the cohort was 29.0 kg/m2 with a range of 17.6 to 50.2 kg/m2. Of particular interest is that the 11C>T variant predicts a nonconserved amino acid change at codon 4 from a serine to phenylalanine. Further functional characterization will be needed to determine the impact of this amino acid change on MC4 signaling. Exploring the relationship between mutations in the MC4R gene and its promoter on differences in body composition in these populations potentially offers new insights into central nervous regulation of lean mass and bone density.
pHi regulation in frog retinal pigment epithelium: two apical membrane mechanisms.

This study demonstrates that the apical membrane of frog retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contains two intracellular pH (pHi) regulatory mechanisms, an electrogenic Na-HCO3 cotransporter blocked by...
2. Communication in the OR between surgeon, neurophysiologists, and anesthesiologists

The operating room can be a high stress environment in which even minor mistakes may have major consequences. A key to successful management of the patient and their disease is excellent, timely communication involving all the caregivers in the room. One area that highlights this need is during intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. Knowledge of anesthetic and surgical effects on neurophysiology is imperative, as is the understanding of the strengths and limitations of the various monitoring techniques. This lecture will discuss elements of successful communication and how practitioners might work to successfully implement these techniques at their home institutions.
The Benefits of Early Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Infection: How Early is Early Enough?

The case of the “Berlin Patient” is well-known. In 2007, an HIV-infected adult with leukemia underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant and was cured of his cancer (Hutter et al., 2009). As the donor was homozygous for the CCR5Δ32 deletion (which makes CD4+ T cells difficult to infect with HIV), the repopulated immune system lacked any detectable HIV and the patient has been apparently been cured. Two subsequent allogeneic transplants performed under potent ART (which protected the donor cells from de novo infection) resulted in a dramatic reduction in the frequency of cells harboring replication-competent HIV (generally referred to as the HIV “reservoir”) (Henrich et al., 2014). This was not enough to cure these two patients, however, as both individuals experienced a delayed but robust rebound in viremia after stopping therapy. A true cure will likely require complete eradication of the entire reservoir of HIV. This is a formidable challenge.
The Legacy of Past Pandemics: Common Human Mutations That Protect against Infectious Disease.

For millennia, pathogens and human hosts have engaged in a perpetual struggle for supremacy. From the earliest recorded smallpox epidemics around 1350 B.C.E to the Black Death due to Yersinia pestis in the Middle Ages and continuing to modern times with HIV, there has been a continuous clash between pathogens and human hosts. But past pandemics are more than just ancient history—they are drivers of human genetic diversity and natural selection. Pathogens can dramatically decrease survival and reproductive potential, leading to selection for resistance alleles and elimination of susceptibility alleles. Despite this persistent struggle between host and pathogen, only in the past century have we developed an understanding of some of the human genetic differences that regulate infectious disease susceptibility and severity.
High-Risk HPV, Biomarkers, and Outcome in Matched Cohorts of Head and Neck Cancer Patients Positive and Negative for HIV.

In this study, high-risk HPV (hrHPV) incidence, prognostic biomarkers, and outcome were assessed in HIV-positive (case) and HIV-negative (control) patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). HIV-positive cases were matched to controls by tumor site, sex, and age at cancer diagnosis. A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed and DNA isolated from tumor tissue. MultiPlex-PCR MassArray, L1-PCR, and in situ hybridization were used to assess hrHPV. TMA sections were stained for p16ink4a, TP53, RB, CCND1, EGFR, and scored for intensity and proportion of positive tumor cells. The HNSCC cohort included 41 HIV-positive cases and 41 HIV-negative controls. Tumors from 11 of 40 (28%) cases, and 10 of 41 (24%) controls contained hrHPV. p16 expression, indicative of E7 oncogene activity, was present in 10 of 11 HPV-positive cases and 7 of 10 HPV-positive controls. Low p16 and high TP53 expression in some HPV-positive tumors suggested HPV-independent tumorigenesis. Survival did not differ in cases and controls. RB expression was significantly associated with poor survival ( P = 0.01). High TP53 expression exhibited a trend for poorer survival ( P = 0.12), but among cases, association with poor survival reached statistical significance ( P = 0.04). The proportion of HPV-positive tumors was similar, but the heterogeneity of HPV types was higher in the HIV-positive cases than in HIV-negative controls. High RB expression predicted poor survival, and high TP53 expression was associated with poorer survival in the HIV-positive cases but not HIV-negative controls. Implications: HIV infection did not increase risk of death from HNSCC, and HPV-positive tumors continued to be associated with a significantly improved survival, independent of HIV status. Mol Cancer Res; 15(2); 179–88. ©2016 AACR .
Sleeve gastrectomy drives persistent shifts in the gut microbiome

Abstract Background Changes in the gut microbiome following bariatric surgery have been causally linked to metabolic benefits. Objectives We sought to characterize and assess the stability of gut microbiome shifts following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Setting University laboratories. Methods Diet-induced obese mice were randomized to SG or sham surgery. Mice were housed individually or cohoused such that one SG mouse was housed with one weight-matched, sham-operated mouse. Fecal samples were collected before and on postoperative days 7 and 28. Bacterial composition in feces was characterized by using next-generation Illumina sequencing of 16 S rRNA. Results SG mice lost more weight and were more insulin sensitive than sham mice independent of housing status (P Conclusion SG results in acute and sustained shifts in the gut microbiome. SG associated shifts are not altered by reexposure to obesity-associated gut microbiota.
A Methodology for Calculating the Expected Number of Failures of a System Undergoing a Phased Mission

A procedure for determining the expected number of failures of systems undergoing phased missions is described. Approximations to this procedure are also presented. The emergency core cooling syste...
The use case based designs standardization of knowledge based qualification

The explosion in usage across many different market segments requires very clear understanding of the CPU products usage. We will describe a method to standardize the reliability qualifications base on defining use cases which will help establish a baseline for minimum reliability qualifications. Once the use case are defined the importance of multitasking is discussed for both turbo residencies and thermal mechanical requirements. The new methodology validation is discussed using client field consumer data.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Glioblastoma Multiforme-Assessing Risk and Survival: Results of a Large Retrospective Study and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Objective Despite studies showing a positive correlation between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), a modifiable risk factor, and various cancer types, the link remains controversial in the setting of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In this study, we assessed whether DM2 and DM2-associated factors were associated with a higher risk of developing GBM and also determined if DM2 affected the survival of patients with GBM. Methods A cross-sectional case-control study of 1144 GBM cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2013 of which 969 patients matched for age and sex was performed to assess the association between DM2, hyperlipidemia, and obesity with the incidence of GBM. A longitudinal study of the patients with GBM was also performed to assess the association between the effect of DM2 and GBM survival. Results No association was seen between DM2, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and GBM. DM2 was associated with poorer survival in univariate testing yet not in multivariate testing. Diabetic patients with GBM had good glycemic control. Older patients had poorer survival and overall survival improved over years of study. Conclusions DM2, hyperlipidemia, and obesity were not associated with increased risk of developing GBM, and DM2 itself does not seem to influence survival among these patients. This finding might be related to good glycemic control in this cohort. Survey of the literature consistently shows that hyperglycemia is associated with poorer survival. Our findings suggest that rather than the presence or absence of DM2, glycemic control seems to be more important in the survival of patients with GBM, which warrants future investigation.
Inactivated influenza vaccine prevented influenza in healthy adults.

Source Citation Ohmit SE, Victor JC, Rotthoff JR, et al. Prevention of antigenically drifted influenza by inactivated and live attenuated vaccines. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:2513-22. 17167134
Accuracy of self-reported smoking abstinence in clinical trials of hospital-initiated smoking interventions.

Aims To estimate the prevalence and predictors of failed biochemical verification of self-reported abstinence among participants enrolled in trials of hospital-initiated smoking cessation interventions. Design Comparison of characteristics between participants who verified and those who failed to verify self-reported abstinence. Settings Multi-site randomized clinical trials conducted between 2010 and 2014 in hospitals throughout the United States. Participants Recently hospitalized smokers who reported tobacco abstinence 6 months post-randomization and provided a saliva sample for verification purposes (n = 822). Measurements Outcomes were salivary cotinine-verified smoking abstinence at 10 and 15 ng/ml cut-points. Predictors and correlates included participant demographics and tobacco use; hospital diagnoses and treatment; and study characteristics collected via surveys and electronic medical records. Findings Usable samples were returned by 69.8% of the 1178 eligible trial participants who reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence. The proportion of participants verified as quit was 57.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 54.4, 61.2; 10 ng/ml cut-off] or 60.6% (95% CI = 57.2, 63.9; 15 ng/ml). Factors associated independently with verification at 10 ng/ml were education beyond high school education [odds ratio (OR) = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.11], continuous abstinence since hospitalization (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 2.02, 3.94), mailed versus in-person sample (OR = 3.20; 95% CI = 1.96, 5.21) and race. African American participants were less likely to verify abstinence than white participants (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.44, 0.93). Findings were similar for verification at 15 ng/ml. Verification rates did not differ by treatment group. Conclusions In the United States, high rates (40%) of recently hospitalized smokers enrolled in smoking cessation trials fail biochemical verification of their self-reported abstinence.
Are you willing or are you able? The role of motivation and creativity in entrepreneurial activity

This study links motivation and cognitive theories to the notion of entrepreneurship as a process in which individuals engage in the exposure, recognition and exploitation of opportunities. Using d...
The Order of the British Empire after the British Empire

The British government created the Order of the British Empire in 1917. In theory, the new order provided a unified trans-imperial system for marking both social status and the relative value of se...
The Failure of Consuelo’s Designs: Carlos Fuentes and Trompe l’Oeil Modernity

Este articulo estudia las tensiones entre los elementos barrocos y los elementos goticos en Aura (1962) de Carlos Fuentes. Estableciendo conexiones entre esta novela y La region mas transparente (1958), el ensayo argumenta que en Aura Fuentes radicaliza la teatralidad de las formas barrocas y las goticas para senalar sus limites. Con el uso de la segunda persona singular, la novela desarrolla un concepto de modernidad que no se subordina a los modelos politicos existentes, un modelo parecido al arte anti-teatral en su variante pastoral estudiado por Michael Fried. Palabras clave: Carlos Fuentes, lo barroco, lo gotico, la antiteatralidad, la autonomia literaria The present study examines the tensions between Baroque and Gothic elements in Carlos Fuentes’ Aura (1962). Analyzing unstudied connections between La region mas transparente (1958) and Aura, the essay argues that Fuentes radicalizes the theatricality of Baroque and Gothic forms in his novel in order to signal their limits. With his use of the second person singular to narrate the novel, he seeks to develop a new concept of modernity, one that would not be subordinated to already existing political models. This concept of literary form parallels the pastoral conception of antitheatrical art studied by Michael Fried. Keywords: Carlos Fuentes, Baroque, Gothic, antitheatricality, literary autonomy
Texture changes and protein hydrolysis in different cheeses under simulated gastric environment

Abstract The structure of food plays an important role in determining rate of digestion by influencing the disintegration rate and affecting the release of bioaccessible components. In the stomach, breakdown of food structure occurs through mechanical peristaltic forces and hydrolysis of macronutrients. The objective of this study was to investigate the gastric digestion of Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses using both static soaking method and dynamic in vitro gastric digestion model. During static soaking in simulated gastric juice, cheeses had less texture softening at lower pH. Mozzarella cheese showed texture hardening behavior, leading to the lowest rate of nutrient leaching among the three cheeses, while Parmesan cheese had the highest rate of nutrient leaching. During dynamic gastric simulation, Mozzarella cheese showed the most resistance to protein hydrolysis by generating only 6.81 g/L amino acids when compared to 12.70 g/L and 24.3 g/L amino acids released by Cheddar and Parmesan cheese, respectively. The resistance of Mozzarella cheese was attributed to the dense outside layer formed due to aggregation of the protein matrix at highly acidic environment that encapsulated the cheese particles and prevented gastric juice from further digesting the proteins.
Aronia berry (Aronia mitschurinii ‘Viking’) inhibits colitis in mice and inhibits T cell tumour necrosis factor-α secretion

Abstract Aronia berries are rich in polyphenols with anti-inflammatory activity. We hypothesized that aronia berry consumption modulates intestinal immune function and T cells. The aims of the present work were to assess the immunomodulatory potential of ‘Viking’ aronia berry (black chokeberry, Aronia mitschurinii) in vivo and to determine the extent aronia berry polyphenols or known microbial polyphenol catabolites inhibit T cell tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in vitro. Aronia berry consumption increased colonic IL-10 secretion in healthy mice, but did not inhibit ex vivo cytokine secretion of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated spleen and colon tissue. Aronia berry consumption inhibited wasting associated with T cell adoptive transfer and dextran sulphate sodium induced colitis. Aronia extracts, neutral phenols fraction, and the polyphenol catabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid inhibited TNF-α production in Jurkat T cells. Therefore, T cells and microbial catabolism partly mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of aronia consumption in the colon.
Blue light excited retinal intercepts cellular signaling

Photoreceptor chromophore, 11-cis retinal (11CR) and the photoproduct, all-trans retinal (ATR), are present in the retina at higher concentrations and interact with the visual cells. Non-visual cells in the body are also exposed to retinal that enters the circulation. Although the cornea and the lens of the eye are transparent to the blue light region where retinal can absorb and undergo excitation, the reported phototoxicity in the eye has been assigned to lipophilic non-degradable materials known as lipofuscins, which also includes retinal condensation products. The possibility of blue light excited retinal interacting with cells; intercepting signaling in the presence or absence of light has not been explored. Using live cell imaging and optogenetic signaling control, we uncovered that blue light-excited ATR and 11CR irreversibly change/distort plasma membrane (PM) bound phospholipid; phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP2) and disrupt its function. This distortion in PIP2 was independent of visual or non-visual G-protein coupled receptor activation. The change in PIP2 was followed by an increase in the cytosolic calcium, excessive cell shape change, and cell death. Blue light alone or retinal alone did not perturb PIP2 or elicit cytosolic calcium increase. Our data also suggest that photoexcited retinal-induced PIP2 distortion and subsequent oxidative damage incur in the core of the PM. These findings suggest that retinal exerts light sensitivity to both photoreceptor and non-photoreceptor cells, and intercepts crucial signaling events, altering the cellular fate.
Multiple-Time-Scale Analysis of Coherent Radiation

The Multiple-Time-Scale Perturbation Theory (MTSPT) was first developed by Krylov and Bogoliubov[1] for solving nonlinear mechanical problems. In 1963, Frieman[2] and Sandri[3] extended this method to study the kinetic theory of gases, making use of the existence of several distinct time scales in that theory.
Role of Vestibular and Neck Reflexes in Controlling Eye and Head Position

Systems that stabilize gaze may receive afferent input from visual, vestibular or proprioceptive receptors and act upon either extraocular or neck muscles. The various combinations of these inputs and outputs thus constitute six classes of compensatory gaze reflexes. This paper will describe four such reflexes: the vestibulo-ocular, cervico-ocular, vestibulocollic and cervicocollic reflexes and describe how they interact to maintain gaze stability in normal animals and in animals with vestibular lesions.
Deliberate Imagery Practice

Abstract Eleven healthy men (M age = 27 years, SD = 4) completed three cycling and three walking trials in an alternating order. During each trial, participants were allowed, within 3 min, to adjust the work rate to correspond to given rating of perceived exertion (RPE) values according to the following order: RPE 11, 13, and 15. For cycling as well as walking, at each RPE there were no significant differences between mean heart rate responses across the three trials (p > .05). Mode-specific estimates for heart rate intraclass correlation coefficient and coefficient of variation ranged between .80 and .91, and 5.6% and 8.3%, respectively. This study provides absolute reliability estimates for heart rate responses when using RPE in a production format and suggests there may be RPE- (and mode) specific practice requirements for achieving a reliable heart rate response at a given RPE.
Anomalous outbreaks of an invasive defoliator and native bark beetle facilitated by warm temperatures, changes in precipitation and interspecific interactions

Biotic disturbance agents such as insects can be highly responsive to climatic change and have widespread ecological and economic impacts on forests. Quantifying the responses of introduced and native insects to climate, including how dynamics of one agent may mediate those of another, is important for forecasting disturbance and associated impacts on forest structure and function. We investigated drivers of outbreaks by larch casebearer Coleophora laricella, an invasive defoliator, and eastern larch beetle Dendroctonus simplex, a native, tree‐killing bark beetle, on tamarack Larix laricina from 2000 to in Minnesota, USA. We evaluated the utility of temporal, spatial and climatic variables in predicting the presence/absence of outbreaks of each insect in cells of rasterized aerial survey data. The role of defoliation by larch casebearer in outbreaks of eastern larch beetle was also investigated. For both species, the most important predictors of outbreak occurrence were proximity of conspecific outbreaks in space and time. For larch casebearer, outbreak occurrence was positively associated with spring precipitation and warmer growing seasons. Outbreak occurrence of eastern larch beetle was positively associated with warmer and dryer years and was more likely in cells with prior defoliation by larch casebearer. Our results demonstrate that climate can drive large scale outbreaks of introduced and non‐native disturbance agents on a single host species, and that interactions at the tree level between such agents may scale up to manifest across large temporal and spatial scales.
Cultivating resilience in college students with a foster care background

Taking a resilience approach, this study sought to understand what strengths helped young people with foster care experience successfully transition during their first year in college. In-depth, na...
OCT-Guided Laser Treatment and Surgery

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive technique, which fulfills the needs of image-guided treatment in dermatology very well. Its use to aid with the diagnosis and decision upon the suitable therapy of non-melanoma skin cancer—towards more and more novel minimally invasive treatments, which require noninvasive imaging devices for diagnosis and therapy control—is already proven. Together with the technical development of the dynamic OCT (D-OCT), which enables the visualization of the vascularization of the skin and its tumors, D-OCT offers many possibilities for image-guided treatment such as OCT-guided laser treatment and surgery and allows for differentiation between different skin tumors and for decisions on optimal therapy for the patient.
CHAPTER 1 – General Review

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a general view on fundamental results in certain subfields of statistical inference. The emphasis in the present monograph is on modern trends and developments to avoid the prerequisite of proficiency in the theory of statistical distributions and to establish some required tools. Generally stating, statistical methods are needed in the study of stochastic or random phenomena that are not completely predictable. It cannot be generally predicted with certainty what value a variable will assume in the next hour of observation. A complete characterization of the random variable being observed is given only if the distribution function of this variable can be specified. The distribution function determines the probability that the observed random variable will assume values in specified intervals. Such a distribution function may depend on one or many parameters, which are related to the physical, biological, or other type of system that governs the observed phenomenon. Such a mathematical description of an empirical phenomenon is always an ideal representation of the real world.
Religious and Spiritual Experience in the Digital Age: Unprecedented Evolutionary Forces

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are changing what it means to be human. Given our increasing merger with machines, we have entered an era of unprecedented change. Theological reflection is needed, sooner rather than later, focusing on the potential existential risk and opportunity and what will constitute spiritual experience in an age of increasing technological enhancement. Preserving human spirituality, as we have known it, will require intentional focus on strengthening the neural circuitry associated with attentional control, mindful and compassionate awareness, and social and relational intelligence, even as we put to good use the emerging digital technologies.