cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel therapeutic strategies and targets in advanced uveal melanoma.

Purpose of review Currently, there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved or effective treatment options for advanced-stage uveal melanoma. In this article, we focus on therapeutic targets in pathways/mechanisms associated with common mutations in uveal melanoma. We review the challenges associated with targeting of these pathways and novel treatment strategies. Recent findings Common mutations that promote uveal melanoma initiation and progression include alterations in G protein subunit alpha q/11 (GNAQ/GNA11) and breast cancer gene 1-associated protein 1 (BAP1). Mutant GNAQ/GNA11 induces constitutive activation of tumorigenic pathways such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and yes-associated protein. Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) downstream of ERK1/2, however, was shown in trials to have limited clinical benefit. Recent reports suggested that combination therapies of MEK inhibition and modulators of mechanisms of drug resistance may improve tumor responses to MEK inhibitors. BAP1 has been shown to be involved in modulating chromatin dynamics and deubiquitination of proteins. Hence, epigenetic inhibitors are being investigated in BAP1 mutant uveal melanoma. However, other functions of BAP1, such as in DNA damage repair and cell cycle regulation, indicate additional targets for treatment of BAP1 mutant uveal melanoma. In addition, the frequent delayed development of uveal melanoma macrometastases is likely due to cellular dormancy mechanisms. Nuclear receptor subfamily 2, group F, member 1 and transforming growth factor beta 2 were among factors that have been shown in other cancers to induce dormant phenotypes. Summary Findings from studies in uveal melanoma and in other cancers provide evidence for potential strategies that may be tested preclinically and clinically in advanced-stage uveal melanoma to improve treatment outcome and overall survival of patients.
Non-destructive automatic quality evaluation of fresh-cut iceberg lettuce through packaging material

Abstract Non-destructive evaluation of vegetables by Computer Vision Systems (CVSs) makes possible to check their quality level in an objective and consistent way along the whole supply chain up to the final users. CVSs have been proven to be successful when applied to unpackaged products. The proposed approach aimed to enable this analysis on packaged fresh-cut lettuce with minimum constraints on the acquisition phase and without any care to flatten the surface of the bag facing the camera. A deep-learning architecture, based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), was used to identify regions of the image where the vegetable was visible with minimum colour distortions due to packaging. To meaningfully assess the performance of the system, each lettuce's sample was acquired both through packaging material and without packaging material. The image analysis was applied to both the resulting images to automatically grade their quality level. The results showed that the performance loss due to the presence of packaging is negligible (83% instead of 86%) and that the proposed system can be used to monitor the quality level of fresh-cut lettuce regardless of packaging at all the critical check points along the supply chain.
A rapid stress-testing protocol for the detection of coronary artery disease: comparison of two-stage transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography with dobutamine stress echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES We compared a new two-stage transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography (TAPSE) protocol with a standard dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) protocol. BACKGROUND Transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography has been proposed as an efficient alternative to DSE. METHODS Two-stage TAPSE (85% and 100% of age-predicted maximum heart rate) and DSE (5 to 40 μg/kg/min at 3-min stages with or without atropine) were both performed, in random sequence, in each patient of a study group of 36 patients. Regional wall-motion analysis, patient acceptance (1 = low, 5 = high), hemodynamics and duration for performing and interpreting tests were compared. RESULTS Transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography was successful in 35 of the 36 patients (feasibility 97%). More TAPSE than DSE studies were called “ischemic” (37% vs. 14%; p = 0.005). Peak heart rate was higher with TAPSE (144 ± 18 vs. 129 ± 15 beats/min, p = 0.0001). Peak cardiac index (4.6 ± 2.1 vs. 5.1 ± 1.9 liters/min/m2, p = 0.14), patient acceptance score (4.2 ± 0.7 vs. 3.8 ± 1.3, p = 0.17) and study duration (14.2 ± 9.3 vs. 13.3 ± 3.3 min, p = 0.59) were similar. Recovery time (7.1 ± 7.6 vs. 16.2 ± 15.9 min, p = 0.0003) and interpretation time (9.1 ± 2.8 vs. 13.5 ± 4.4 min, p = 0.0001) were shorter for TAPSE than for DSE. CONCLUSIONS Two-stage TAPSE permits rapid evaluation of cardiac patients. Peak cardiac index and patient acceptance scores were similar for TAPSE and DSE. Ischemia was detected more often with TAPSE; this result was attributed to the higher peak heart rate obtained with this protocol.
Producción, comercio y potencialidades de la mora colombiana en el mercado internacional

Mediante este articulo, se explora la situacion de la produccion de mora en Colombia, su comercio en mercados extranjeros, y las posibilidades que le ofrece el mercado Internacional, para Incrementar sus exportaciones. Entre las mas importantes, se concluye que la mora de castilla producida en Colombia, presenta caracteristicas de uso terapeutico como un atractivo para destinos en el exterior. Ademas, que su produccion ha crecido sustancialmente en los ultimos veinte anos. Tambien, que los destinos mas relevantes en el exterior son Panama, Antillas Holandesas y Aruba; y que Europa, particularmente Espana, es un mercado potencial importante para este producto.
Measuring Education Inequality

This chapter describes the measurement of education inequality that Torpey-Saboe has developed: a Gini coefficient for years of schooling. This Gini coefficient is derived using data from Barro and Lee (Journal of Development Economics 2013, pp. 184–198) on educational attainment for various portions of the population and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) data on the duration of primary and secondary schooling in countries around the world. Using these datasets, Torpey-Saboe calculates the shares of the population that have attained corresponding shares of the total years of education in the country and constructs a Gini coefficient for education inequality. This measure is unique in that it is the only measure of education inequality suitable for looking at changes in the distribution of education over time and for exploring potential causes, rather than consequences, of education inequality.
Abstract 5552: Bioactive Gas/Drug Co-encapsulation and Release Improve Attenuation of Intimal Hyperplasmia Following Acute Arterial Injury

Introduction: Evidence suggests that vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, clot formation and inflammation play important roles in early vascular injury following intervention. A strategy with pleiotropic actions is more likely to be effective in limiting neointimal proliferation. Echogenic liposomes (ELIP) have the ability to encapsulate both bioactive gases (nitric oxide -NO) and pharmaceutics allowing attenuation of intimal hyperplasia following vascular injury. Methods: Cationic liposomes containing nitric oxide (NO) and rosiglitazone were prepared by hydration, sonication and freeze-thawing. Pressurization of the lipid dispersion with NO/argon after sonication permits co-encapsulation of NO into the rosiglitazone-loaded ELIP. Acute arterial injury was created in rabbits using balloon injury to the common carotid artery. NO and rosiglitazone loaded ELIP were administered intraarterially into the common carotid artery. Fourteen days later the carotid arteries were removed for histologic examination. Results: The technique resulted in 100 μg rosiglitazone and 10 μl NO/argon co-encapsulated into 1 mg of liposomes. The liposomes were rendered echogenic allowing ultrasound imaging of ELIP delivery and distribution. The combined NO-rosiglitazone delivery provided greater attenuation of intimal proliferation when compared to NO or rosiglitazone delivery alone (88±15% vs. 75±13% or 51±6%). Conclusion: This novel methodology has the ability to direct two quite different agents to limit neointimal proliferation at the time acute intervention.
Measuring the Child’s Pain

In order to test any hypotheses about factors related to the child’s pain, the clinician must have a good sense of when the child is in pain, and how the child’s subjective pain experience as well as the child’s observable pain behaviors vary, depending on different aspects of the situation. These variations will provide some of the most important evidence supporting or refuting hypotheses regarding the child’s pain problem. Data regarding pain behaviors can be obtained from multiple sources, including the observations of adults in the environment and direct observation. However, by definition, information about subjective experiences can only be obtained from the child. Therefore, it is important to develop an assessment approach that measures the child’s pain experience as accurately as possible.
β-Site APP Cleaving Enzyme mRNA Expression in APP Transgenic Mice: Anatomical Overlap with Transgene Expression and Static Levels with Aging

The principal enzyme responsible for the β-site cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain is a membrane-bound aspartyl protease β-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE). We examined human APP (hAPP) and BACE mRNA expression by in situ hybridization in young and old hAPP transgenic mice from two lines: Tg2576, hAPP KM670–671NL (hAPPSw) at 4 and 15 months; and PDAPP, hAPP V717F, at 4 and 11 months. In transgene-positive mice from both lines, hAPP expression was most prominent in cortical, cerebellar, and hippocampal neuronal populations. Cingulate, entorhinal, and hippocampal amyloid burden in transgene-positive 16-month Tg2576 mice was 4 to 8%, and in 12-month PDAPP mice, 2 to 4%; there was no cerebellar amyloid deposition. BACE expression in transgenic and nontransgenic mice was highest in the cerebellar granule cell layer and hippocampal neuronal layers, intermediate in cortex, lower in subcortical regions, and minimal or absent in white matter of the cerebellum. Emulsion-dipped sections confirmed a predominantly neuronal pattern of expression. The amount of hybridization signal did not differ between transgenic and nontransgenic mice, or young and old mice, within each line. Thus, hAPP and endogenous BACE expression in similar anatomical localizations allow for processing of hAPP and Aβ formation in hAPP transgenic mice, but these are modified by additional age-related and anatomical factors.
Bacteria-Based Vectors for Oral Gene Therapy

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is ubiquitous all over the world. In the USA, it is known that over 50 % of total population and nearly 90 % of urban population are seropositive. Especially, 0.5–2.5 % of newborns are congenitally infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV). Among different antiviral interference technologies, ribozyme M1GS catalytic RNA has proved to be very effective and specific in blocking CMV gene expression and replication in vitro and in vivo. Compared with other nucleic acid-based interference approaches, M1GS ribozyme possesses several unique features such as high catalytic efficiency, high target specificity, no detectable cytotoxicity, and low target sequence requirement. Before the prephase clinical trial stage can be reached, several technical barriers have to be overcome, particularly, how to deliver the ribozyme to CMV-infected cells in a safe and efficient way. The hunting for such delivery system led us to Salmonella, a unique and attractive gene delivery tool. Salmonella-based vector is convenient to prepare, store, and transport. The administration of the bacteria via oral route is considered as patient compliant, efficient and cost-effective. This chapter describes our effort to set up Salmonella-based M1GS delivery system to improve the application of M1GS antiviral methodology in tissue culture cells and live animals.
Additional Applications of Transesophageal Echocardiography

While the majority of this book addresses the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the evaluation of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), there are a number of other conditions in which TEE can play a significant role in pediatric and young adult patients. Some conditions, such as infective endocarditis, can occur in patients with a history of CHD. Other pathologies, such as cardiac tumors, can be seen in the absence of coexisting CHD. This chapter addresses additional applications of TEE in the pediatric and young adult population.
Ehrlichiosis presenting as severe sepsis and meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent adult.

Introduction. Ehrlichia are obligate intracellular pathogens transmitted to vertebrates by ticks. Case presentation. We report the case of a 59-year-old man who presented to the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Medical Center (Lexington, KY, USA) after being found fallen down in the woods. A lumbar puncture revealed what appeared to be bacterial meningitis, yet cerebrospinal fluid cultures, Gram stains and a meningitis/encephalitis panel were inconclusive. However, an Ehrlichia DNA PCR of the blood resulted as being positive for Ehrlichia chaffeensis antibodies. The patient received a 14 day course of doxycycline, and recovered from his multiple organ failure. The aetiology of the ehrlichial meningoencephalitis was likely transmission through a tick-bite, due to the patient’s outdoor exposure. Conclusion. While it is rare to see Ehrlichia as a cause of meningitis, this illness can progress to severe multisystem disease with septic shock, meningoencephalitis or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Those with compromised immunity are at a higher risk of developing the more severe form of the disease and have higher case fatality rates.
Factors Influencing (Mal)adaptive Responses to Natural Disasters: The Case of Hurricane Matthew

AbstractClimate-related disasters are on the rise, with a 44% increase between 1994 and 2013, and the population at risk is ever growing. The need to help people protect their well-being, families,...
Digoxin plus trametinib therapy of BRAF wild type metastatic melanoma patients.

9527Background: A 200,000 small molecule library was screened for cytotoxicity with an in vitro 2D and 3D culture of primary human melanoma cells and other normal human cells. Several cardiac glyco...
RIGHT VENTRICULAR STRAIN PREDICTS PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN END STAGE LIVER DISEASE PATIENTS

Portopulmonary hypertension in end stage liver disease (ESLD) patients carries poor prognosis with increased mortality during surgery and post orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). ESLD patients often need invasive right heart catheterization to assess pulmonary pressures as transthoracic
Compliance With Fluoxetine Use in Men With Primary Premature Ejaculation.

Abstract Background Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction for which selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been used effectively for treatment. However, compliance with therapy and predictors of long-term SSRI use in the treatment of PE are not well known. Aim To analyze our experience with drop-out rates with fluoxetine in the primary PE population and to identify predictors of continued use of this agent. Methods Men with primary PE constituted who used fluoxetine and had at least 12 months follow-up constituted the study population. Subjects underwent a comprehensive interview to ascertain self-reported (non-stopwatch) intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), self-rated control over ejaculation, and personal and patient-reported partner distress due to PE. Patients were treated with fluoxetine 20 mg daily, with the possibility of dose titration up or down based on efficacy and side effects. Outcomes The PE parameters of interest included self-reported IELT, self-rated control over ejaculation, personal and partner distress due to PE, and medication adherence. Results 130 men were included in the study. Dropout rates at 6 and 12 months were 56% and 72%. Self-rated “poor” ejaculatory control decreased from 98%–41% (P Clinical Implications Compliance with SSRIs is a well-described problem in the depression literature, but data are sparse regarding continued use of SSRIs in the treatment of PE. Strengths and Limitations We report on 12-month compliance with SSRIs for the treatment of PE. Our early compliance rates were more encouraging than what has been reported in the past. However, IELT was self-reported and not measured objectively, and we did not use validated patient-reported outcomes but rather self-reported ejaculatory control and distress levels, which have limitations. Conclusions Fluoxetine is an effective agent for the treatment of PE with significant improvement realized in IELT, ejaculatory control, and distress levels for both men and their partners. Despite its efficacy, continued use of fluoxetine beyond 6 months is poor. Jenkins LC, Gonzalez J, Tal R, et al. Compliance with Fluoxetine Use in Men with Primary Premature Ejaculation. J Sex Med 2020;16:1895–1899.
Cell stimulation and calcium mobilization by picosecond electric pulses

Abstract We tested if picosecond electric pulses (psEP; 190 kV/cm, 500 ps at 50% height), which are much shorter than channel activation time, can activate voltage-gated (VG) channels. Cytosolic Ca 2 + was monitored by Fura-2 ratiometric imaging in GH3 and NG108 cells (which express multiple types of VG calcium channels, VGCC), and in CHO cells (which express no VGCC). Trains of up to 100 psEP at 1 kHz elicited no response in CHO cells. However, even a single psEP significantly increased Ca 2 + in both GH3 (by 114 ± 48 nM) and NG108 cells (by 6 ± 1.1 nM). Trains of 100 psEP amplified the response to 379 ± 33 nM and 719 ± 315 nM, respectively. Ca 2 + responses peaked within 2–15 s and recovered for over 100 s; they were 80–100% inhibited by verapamil and ω-conotoxin, but not by the substitution of Na + with N-methyl-D-glucamine. There was no response to psEP in Ca 2 + -free medium, but adding external Ca 2 + even 10 s later evoked Ca 2 + response. We conclude that electrical stimuli as short as 500 ps can cause long-lasting opening of VGCC by a mechanism which does not involve conventional electroporation, heating (which was under 0.06 K per psEP), or membrane depolarization by opening of VG Na + channels.
Using Process Improvement and Systems Redesign to Improve Rheumatology Care Quality in a Safety Net Clinic.

Objective To develop and evaluate interventions to improve quality of care in four priority areas in an urban safety net adult rheumatology clinic serving a racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse patient population. Methods The Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Model for Improvement was used to redesign clinical processes to achieve pre-specified benchmarks in the following areas from 2015-2017: 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) administration among immunocompromised patients; disease activity monitoring with the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening for new biologic users with RA; and reproductive health counseling among women receiving potentially teratogenic medications. We measured performance for each using standardized metrics, defined as the proportion of eligible patients receiving recommended care. Results 1,205 patients were seen in the clinic between 2015 and 2017. 71% were women, 88% identified as racial/ethnic minorities and 45% were eligible for at least one of the quality measures. Shewart charts for the PCV13 and CDAI measures showed evidence of improved healthcare delivery over time. Benchmarks were achieved for the CDAI and LTBI measures with 93% and 91% performance, respectively. Performance for the PCV13 and reproductive health counseling measures was 78% and 46%, respectively, but did not meet pre-specified improvement targets. Conclusion Through an interprofessional approach, we were able to achieve durable improvements in key rheumatology quality measures largely by enhancing workflow, engaging non-physician providers and managing practice variation.
Interpersonal Violence Against Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals with Disabilities

Both people with disabilities and people who are gender and sexual minorities (GSM; i.e., LGBTQ+) experience elevated rates of violence victimization across the lifespan. However, there has been very little research on violence against people who are members of both the disability and GSM communities despite evidence that these individuals may be at even greater risk of victimization as a result of intersecting marginalized identities. In the present chapter, I provide an overview of the research on GSM people with disabilities, explore considerations specific to violence against people with disabilities, review the small body of literature on violence against this GSM people with disabilities, and discuss the challenges inherent in conducting this research. I also provide suggestions for research-supported best practices in working with GSM clients with disabilities.
Incidence of Posterior Shoulder Instability in the United States Military: Demographic Considerations From a High-Risk Population.

Background:Relatively little is known about the true incidence of posterior shoulder instability in the United States.Purpose/Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to characterize the incidence ...
Comparison between Lipase Performance Distributed at the O/W Interface by Membrane Emulsification and by Mechanical Stirring

Multiphase bioreactors using interfacial biocatalysts are unique tools in life sciences such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology. In such systems, the formation of microdroplets promotes the mass transfer of reagents between two different phases, and the reaction occurs at the liquid–liquid interface. Membrane emulsification is a technique with unique properties in terms of precise manufacturing of emulsion droplets in mild operative conditions suitable to preserve the stability of bioactive labile components. In the present work, membrane emulsification technology was used for the production of a microstructured emulsion bioreactor using lipase as a catalyst and as a surfactant at the same time. An emulsion bioreaction system was also prepared by the stirring method. The kinetic resolution of (S,R)-naproxen methyl ester catalyzed by the lipase from Candida rugosa to obtain (S)-naproxen acid was used as a model reaction. The catalytic performance of the enzyme in the emulsion systems formulated with the two methods was evaluated in a stirred tank reactor and compared. Lipase showed maximum enantioselectivity (100%) and conversion in the hydrolysis of (S)-naproxen methyl ester when the membrane emulsification technique was used for biocatalytic microdroplets production. Moreover, the controlled formulation of uniform and stable droplets permitted the evaluation of lipase amount distributed at the interface and therefore the evaluation of enzyme specific activity as well as the estimation of the hydrodynamic radius of the enzyme at the oil/water (o/w) interface in its maximum enantioselectivity.
Genome Sequence of the Virulent Model Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Strain McKrae Demonstrates the Presence of at Least Two Widely Used Variant Strains.

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) strain McKrae was isolated in 1965 and has been utilized by many laboratories. Three HSV-1 strain McKrae stocks have been sequenced previously, revealing discrepancies in key genes. We sequenced the genome of HSV-1 strain McKrae from the laboratory of James M. Hill to better understand the genetic differences between isolates.
Reflections on the Experience of Introducing a New Learning Tool in Hospital Settings

Event reporting systems are widely prevalent across healthcare organizations and are used as tools to learn about a variety of negative outcomes and near misses. As artifacts of the traditional approach to safety, their scope is mostly limited to learning how things go wrong based on specific episodes or incidents. In order to expand the learning focus to include descriptions of everyday contexts characterized by variability and adaptation, the Resilience Engineering Tool to Improve Patient Safety (RETIPS) was developed. RETIPS was implemented on a pilot basis focusing on anesthesia residents at a large multispecialty hospital. Participants self-reported lived experiences of workflows and adaptations in ‘everyday’ situations, regardless of whether these narratives were associated with any incidents. The chapter reflects on the authors’ experience of developing the tool and implementing at the hospital, and offers insights for transforming organizational learning from traditional approaches toward more proactive learning of how things work in daily practice.
Pharmacokinetics of oral meloxicam in ruminant and preruminant calves.

Mosher, R. A., Coetzee, J. F., Cull, C. A., Gehring, R., KuKanich, B. Pharmacokinetics of oral meloxicam in ruminant and preruminant calves. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 35, 373–381. The pharmacokinetics of oral meloxicam has been studied in ruminant, but not preruminant calves. Oral meloxicam was administered at 0.5 mg/kg to six ruminant calves via gavage (RG); to six preruminant calves via gavage (PRG); and to six preruminant calves via suckling in milk replacer (PRF). Plasma drug concentrations, determined over 120-h postadministration, were analyzed by compartmental and noncompartmental methods. The rate of drug absorption was faster (P < 0.01) in PRF (0.237 ± 0.0478/h) than RG calves (0.0815 ± 0.0188/h), while absorption in PRG calves (0.153 ± 0.128/h) was not different from other groups. Cmax was lower (P = 0.03) in PRF (1.27 ± 0.430 μg/mL) than in PRG calves (2.20 ± 0.467 μg/mL), while Cmax of RG calves (1.95 ± 0.955 μg/mL) was not different from other groups. V/F was higher in PRF calves (365 ± 57 mL/kg) than either PRG (177 ± 63 mL/kg, P < 0.01) or RG (232 ± 83 mL/kg, P = 0.01) calves. These observations were likely due to differences in bioavailability, physiological maturity, and timing of the drug delivery into different compartments of the ruminant gastrointestinal tract. Results suggest that an adjustment in meloxicam dose may be necessary when administered with milk replacer.
Total knee arthroplasty in diabetic patients. Comparison to a matched control group.

Between January 1980 and July 1989, 63 total knee arthroplasties were performed on 48 patients who had a clinical history of diabetes mellitus. Six patients died prior to completing the 2-year follow-up period and two patients (3 knees) were lost, leaving 53 knees in 40 patients available for review. The patients were considered as a total group, and were also divided into two subgroups: (1) insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (9 knees) and (2) noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (44 knees). There were 10 men and 30 women in the series with an average age of 67. Patients were followed from 24 to 126 months (average, 54 months). The Porous Coated Anatomic total knee system (Howmedica, Rutherford, NJ) was used without cement in 30 knees and with cement in 23 knees. Diabetic patients were matched to a nondiabetic control group using a computer-generated selection process to match the following parameters: (1) age at surgery, (2) sex, (3) arthritic diagnosis, (4) length of follow-up period, (5) mode of fixation, and (6) preoperative deformity. Statistical analysis was performed using regression analysis and chi-square tests. In the diabetic group, there was an average clinical score of 85, with 43 knees (82%) rated excellent or good. Ten knees (18%) were rated fair, poor, or required revision (4 revisions, 7%). This was statistically different from the control group, which had an average clinical score of 92, with 51 knees (96%) rated excellent or good, 1 fair rating, and 1 revision (P < .001). The results were similar when the IDDM and NIDDM groups were compared (average clinical scores of 84 and 86, respectively) (P = .6). Of the four revisions in the diabetic group, three involved deep wound infections in cemented total knee arthroplasties. Diabetic patients who have a total knee arthroplasty are at increased risk for a worse final outcome than their nondiabetic counterparts.
Is Vaginal Douching Related to Cervical Carcinoma

The association between cervical carcinoma and vaginal douching was examined in a population-based case-control study conducted in the low-risk population of Utah between 1984 and 1987. The authors compared 266 cases of in situ and invasive cervical carcinoma with 408 group-matched controls by vaginal douching behavior, controlled for age, lifetime number of sex partners, cigarette smoking history, religious activity, and educational level. Essentially no association was found in women who douched once per week or less, but in those who douched more than once per week, a consistent relation was demonstrated (adjusted odds ratio = 4.7, 95% confidence interval 1.9-11). Few differences were found with type of douching preparation used. The authors hypothesize that frequent douching alters the vaginal chemical environment, making the cervix more susceptible to pathologic change.
Cardiac differentiation of cardiosphere-derived cells in scaffolds mimicking morphology of the cardiac extracellular matrix.

Abstract Stem cell therapy has the potential to regenerate heart tissue after myocardial infarction (MI). The regeneration is dependent upon cardiac differentiation of the delivered stem cells. We hypothesized that timing of the stem cell delivery determines the extent of cardiac differentiation as cell differentiation is dependent on matrix properties such as biomechanics, structure and morphology, and these properties in cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) continuously vary with time after MI. In order to elucidate the relationship between ECM properties and cardiac differentiation, we created an in vitro model based on ECM-mimicking fibers and a type of cardiac progenitor cell, cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs). A simultaneous fiber electrospinning and cell electrospraying technique was utilized to fabricate constructs. By blending a highly soft hydrogel with a relatively stiff polyurethane and modulating fabrication parameters, tissue constructs with similar cell adhesion property but different global modulus, single fiber modulus, fiber density and fiber alignment were achieved. The CDCs remained alive within the constructs during a 1 week culture period. CDC cardiac differentiation was dependent on the scaffold modulus, fiber volume fraction and fiber alignment. Two constructs with relatively low scaffold modulus, ∼50–60 kPa, most significantly directed the CDC differentiation into mature cardiomyocytes as evidenced by gene expressions of cardiac troponin T (cTnT), calcium channel (CACNA1c) and cardiac myosin heavy chain (MYH6), and protein expressions of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and connexin 43 (CX43). Of these two low-modulus constructs, the extent of differentiation was greater for lower fiber alignment and higher fiber volume fraction. These results suggest that cardiac ECM properties may have an effect on cardiac differentiation of delivered stem cells.
Inhibition of metastasis of syngeneic murine melanoma in vivo and vasculogenesis in vitro by monoclonal antibody C11C1 targeted to domain 5 of high molecular weight kininogen.

Metastasis of malignant tumors is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Inhibition of tumor growth in distant organs is of clinical importance. We have demonstrated that C11C1, a murine monoclonal antibody to the light chain region of high molecular weight kininogen (HK), reduces growth of murine multiple myeloma in normal mice and human colon cancer in nude mice. C11C1 inhibits angiogenesis by reducing tumor microvascular density by blocking binding of HK to endothelial cells. We now evaluate the anti-metastatic effect of C11C1 on C57BL/6 mouse lung metastatic model using B16F10 melanoma cells. The tail veins of mice were injected with 0.5 × 106 cells of melanoma B16F10. One group received C11C1 and the other received saline (control) intraperitoneally. When mice were killed at 28 days, 6 of 10 control mice had detectable metastatic pulmonary nodules which stained positive with an antibody against S-100 protein, a tumor antigen present in malignant melanoma cells. In the C11C1 groups, none of the mice showed metastatic foci in their lungs. We showed that C11C1 inhibits endothelial cell tube formation in a 3-D collagen fibrinogen gel model by inhibiting the rate of cleavage of HK by plasma kallikrein without changing the binding affinity for HK. These studies demonstrate that a monoclonal antibody to HK has the potential to prevent metastasis with minimal side effects.
Advanced virtualization capabilities of POWER5 systems

IBM POWER5TM systems combine enhancements in the IBM PowerPCTM processor architecture with greatly enhanced firmware to significantly increase the virtualization capabilities of IBM POWERTM servers. The POWER hypervisor, the basis of the IBM Virtualization EngineTM technologies on POWER5 systems, delivers leading-edge mainframe virtualization technologies to the UNIX® marketplace. In addition to being able to create computing-intensive partitions with dedicated resources (processors, memory, and I/O adapters), customers can harness idle processor capacity to configure micropartitions with virtualized resources in order to consolidate many AIXTM, i5/OSTM, and Linux® servers onto a single platform. The POWER hypervisor provides support for virtualized processors, an IEEE virtual local area network (VLAN)- compatible virtual Ethernet switch, virtual small computer system interface (VSCSI) adapters, and virtual consoles. Many of these features are dependent upon, or take advantage of the new facilities provided in the POWER5 processor, including the hypervisor decrementer, a fast page mover, and simultaneous multithreading support. The technology behind the virtualization capabilities that are available on the POWER5 servers, enabling customers to better utilize the industry-leading computing capacity of the POWER5 processor, is discussed in this paper.
Determination of follicle regulatory protein levels in urine during the normal menstrual cycle using an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay.

A protein from follicular fluid [referred to as follicle regulatory protein (FRP)] which inhibits aromatase activity in granulosa cells was recently isolated and partially characterized. The purified FRP was used to produce a monoclonal antibody which was used to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay suitable for quantitation of FRP in urine. Twelve normal premenopausal women underwent daily collection of blood and first morning urine samples, beginning on the 1st day of menses, as well as daily ultrasonographic evaluation of follicular diameter, beginning on the 10th day of the menstrual cycle, until the onset of the next menses. Serum estradiol, progesterone, LH, and FSH levels were determined by RIA. Urinary FRP levels increased in the midfollicular phase, reached their zenith in the midluteal phase [mean, 0.38 ± 0.03 (±se) immunoreactive units; 1 immunoreactive unit = ∼1 ng FRP/mL·mg creatinine], and then declined to reach their nadir (not detectable) during the early follicular phase. Immunohi...
A Note on the Antibracket Formalism

Certain aspects of the antifield-antibracket formalism for quantization of gauge theories are clarified. In particular, we discuss the geometrical meaning of the antifields, the geometric meaning of the antibracket, and the geometric meaning of the operator Δ that appears in the quantum correction to the master equation. Finally, we point out that the antibracket formalism contains most of the ingredients that would be needed to formulate an abstract Chern-Simons Lagrangian, as in open string field theory.
Alternative reality and art: the creative world of walter inglis anderson

Both mental illness and creativity run in families. This observation suggests the possibility of genetic predisposition; in light of the known dynamic interrelationships among the environment, the personality, and the brain, however, it does not diminish the possibility of significant environmental influence on personal development. An examination of the biological, psychological, and social forces impacting the life ofWalter Inglis Anderson (1903-1965), the South's most important artist, serves as a case in point. Anderson's upbringing, including his mother's determination that her sons become artists and her beliefs about the shamanistic role of artists in society, might have played a large part in establishing an unusual and indelible frame of reference in a family whose history insinuated the possibility of untoward outcomes.Walter Anderson's life as an artist—one who lived at times in an alternative reality—raises questions about how a different set of circumstances might have affected his mental state as well as his talent. This essay discusses some of the important relationships, events, and circumstances in Walter Anderson's life from a biopsychosocial perspective, with emphasis on psychodynamic implications of his illness and its questionable diagnosis as schizophrenia.
Quality-by-design: An integrated process analytical technology approach to determine the nucleation and growth mechanisms during a dynamic pharmaceutical coprecipitation process

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of using an integrated process analytical technology (PAT) approach to determine nucleation and growth mechanisms of a dynamic naproxen (drug)-Eudragit L100 (polymer) coprecipitation process. The influence of several thermodynamically important formulation and process variables (drug/polymer ratio, alcohol, and water usages) on coprecipitation process characteristics was investigated via real-time in situ focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) monitoring and near real-time particle vision microscopy measurement. The final products were characterized by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and NIR chemical imaging microscopy. The coprecipitation nucleation induction time (t(ind) ) was measured by both FBRM trend statistics and process trajectory method, respectively. Furthermore, nucleation kinetics was evaluated based on t(ind) measurement and corresponding supersaturation ratio (S) estimated. It was found that plots of ln(t(ind) ) versus (ln(2) S)(-1) consist of two linear segments and are consistent with classical primary nucleation mechanisms. Apparently, the coprecipitation process is governed by heterogeneous primary nucleation mechanism at low S (14 ≤ S ≤ 503) and by homogeneous primary nucleation mechanism at high S (1216 ≤ S ≤ 3649). Off-line characterizations collectively supported this statement. Therefore, it demonstrated that integration real-time PAT process monitoring with first-principles modeling and off-line product characterization could enhance understanding to coprecipitation process dynamics and nucleation/growth mechanisms, which is impossible via off-line techniques alone.
An in vitro study of flow response by cells.

Abstract Living cells grown as an attached, confluent monolayer are subjected to a steady, uniform laminar flow. The cells are grown in a specially designed cell culture chamber in which the flow conditions over the cells may be precisely defined and are experimentally verified. The flow conditions at the cell proximity are described, and the cellular and subcellular responses to the observed flow conditions are presented. The observed responses of the cells in the attached geometry are described for shear stresses ranging from 10 −3 to 10 1 dyn/cm 2 . The relative importance of the rheological properties of the cellular components is seen to vary with the magnitude of the shear stress applied. The significance of such flow studies is presented in relation to their possible use in evaulating mechanical site predilection in atherosclerosis.
Functional Disparities in the Socio-Political Traditions of Spring and Autumn China

In the first two installments of this study 1) I investigated the distribution of official positions among the various types of lineages of the five major states of the lower Yellow River valley. The results showed that in two of these states (Sung and Lu) kinsmen of the princes (members of the ruling lineage and its collateral lineages) held a majority of the offices. This was especially so in Sung, where the proportion held by kinsmen was seven or eight out of every ten positions 2). Yet, in Chou and Ch'i, kinsmen held only about one-fifth of all positions. It was also found that in Cheng the pattern was that of Chou and Ch'i (non-kinsmen favored) in the early Spring and Autumn period, but that of Lu and Sung (kinsmen favored) in the later part of the era, while in the aggregate it fell into the Sung-Lu pattern. From this it was concluded that, at least in terms of the patterns of social distribution of offices, the lower Yellow River valley (the "core area") was not a consistent cultural region. It was also found that, contrary to traditional generalizations, princes did not necessarily favor non-kinsmen in their attempts to regain power for themselves. It is clear that this would have been counter-productive in
Developmental PCB exposure increases susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in adulthood.

Abstract Developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) causes auditory deficits. Thus, we recently conducted a study to investigate if developmental PCB exposure would exacerbate noise-induced hearing loss in adulthood. Unexpectedly, some PCB-exposed rats exhibited seizure-like behaviors when exposed to loud noise. Therefore, we conducted the current experiment to determine if adult rats perinatally exposed to PCBs are more susceptible to audiogenic seizures when tested in a standard audiogenic seizure paradigm. Adult male and female rats exposed to PCBs during gestation and lactation (0, 1, 3 or 6 mg/kg/day) and previously tested in the noise-induced hearing loss study were presented with a 100 dB noise stimulus. If they did not exhibit clonus in response to the 100 dB noise, they were exposed to a 105 dB stimulus 24–48 h later. This was followed by an 110 dB stimulus 24–48 h later if they did not exhibit clonus at 105 dB. Female and male rats exposed to either 3 or 6 mg/kg PCBs exhibited a significantly higher incidence of audiogenic seizures, shorter latency to onset of seizures, and greater severity of seizures compared to controls. Thyroxine measured in littermates at weaning was significantly lower in all PCB groups compared to controls, suggesting a potential mechanism for the increased incidence of audiogenic seizures. This is the first study to show that developmental PCB exposure increases the susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in adulthood.
The electrical dispersion of liquids as aerosols

Abstract The dispersibility of a series of liquids at high electric potentials was investigated experimentally and theoretically. Large electrostatic pressure plays a predominant part in the process of dispersion and is a function of dielectric constant and radius of curvature of the liquid in the capillary. Nonpolar organic liquids having small dielectric constants could not be dispersed. Prediction of the dispersibility of a liquid can be made from knowledge of the value of its dielectric constant.
Crystalline Silver Nanowires by Soft Solution Processing

This paper describes a soft, solution-phase approach to the large-scale synthesis of uniform nanowires of bicrystalline silver whose lateral dimensions could be controlled in the range of 30−40 nm, and lengths up to ∼50 μm. The first step of this procedure involved the formation of platinum nanoparticles by reducing PtCl2 with ethylene glycol heated to ∼160 °C. Due to their close match in crystal structure and lattice constants, these platinum nanoparticles could serve as seeds for the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of silver that was produced in the solution via the reduction of AgNO3 with ethylene glycol. When surfactants such as poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) were present in this solution, the silver could be directed to grow into uniform nanowires with aspect ratios as high as ∼1000. Measurements of transport property at room temperature indicated that these nanowires were electrically continuous with a conductivity of approximately 0.8 × 105 S/cm.
The Assessment of Product Archaeology as a Platform for Contextualizing Engineering Design

Many engineering departments struggle to meet “the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context” (Outcome h) that is required for ABET. As a result, engineering students receive meaningful contextual experiences in piecemeal fashion and graduate with a lack of concrete competencies that bridge knowledge and practice in the global world in which they will live and work. By considering products as designed artifacts with a history rooted in their development, our product archaeology framework combines concepts from archaeology with advances in cyber-enhanced product dissection to implement pedagogical innovations that address the significant educational gap. In this paper, we focus on assessing elements of a sustainable and scalable foundation that can support novel approaches aimed at educating engineering students to understand the global, economic, environmental, and societal context and impact of engineering solutions. This foundation is being developed across a network of partner institutions. We present recent results from freshman, sophomore, and senior courses at two of the partners in the national network of institutions.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Fabrication of Chitosan Porous Structure and Applications on Artificial Photosynthesis Device

Research and development on artificial photosynthesis provide a new direction to obtain sustainable energy. To increase the artificial photosynthesis reaction rates and the efficiency of collecting the energy product, a novel artificial photosynthesis device was designed and developed to constrain the photosynthesis reactions in chitosan porous structure. Both 3D printing and molding-casting could be used in fabrication of chitosan structure on artificial photosynthesis devices. In molding and casting, the molds were made by acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Concurrently, 3D interconnected chitosan channels were built with a user-made heterogeneous 3D rapid prototyping machine, and the lyophilization method was used to generate the micro or nano pores inside the chitosan scaffold. After lyophilization, the pore size and porosity was generated by MATLAB image processing. CO2 absorption was simulated based on porous structures properties when import the chitosan into the artificial photosynthesis devices. The results suggested that chitosan porous structure is a good candidate to be an interface between atmosphere and micro-fluidic devices with biochemical reactions.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A parallel iterative system solver

Abstract We study the adoption of iterative methods for numerically solving linear systems of the form Au=b on parallel machines. A new class of first order iterative schemes possessing a high level of parallelism is originated by the approximation of the Neumann series to A−1. A preliminary study of the case where the sequence of parameters involved are constant and equal to unity reveals that the series is best approximated by its first two terms. This results in the derivation of a new iterative method which under certain conditions possesses an exceptionally high rate of convergence.