cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Calcium and Antiarrhythmic Drugs on Palmitate Uptake by Rabbit Heart Slices

Nonesterified fatty acids diffuse into myocardial cells at a rate which is proportional to the concentration of unbound acid, and are used in intracellular oxidative and synthetic reactions. Quinidine is known to inhibit cellular oxidative processes. The effects of quinidine, disopyramide, and pronethalol on oxygen consumption and palmitate uptake by rabbit ventricle slices were determined by standard Warburg manometric techniques. In the absence of Ca++, all three drugs in concentrations of 10−5–10−4 moles/l. induced marked increases in the rate of palmitate uptake from its albumin-bound form in incubation media without significant changes in tissue Qo2. This effect was not seen at drug concentrations of 10−6 or 10−3 moles/l., or when 2 mM Ca++ was present. A relationship is suggested between palmitate, Ca++, antiarrhythmic drugs, and extracellular protein, which may involve the binding of fatty acid to the protein moiety.
Image-derived input function from cardiac gated maximum a posteriori reconstructed PET images in mice.

The purpose of this study was to determine if accurate image-derived input functions (IDIF) can be measured from cardiac gated positron emission tomography (PET) images reconstructed using ordered subset expectation maximization–maximum a posteriori (OSEM-MAP) without further correction. IDIFs from the left ventricle were measured from cardiac gated PET images reconstructed using OSEM-MAP with computed tomography (CT)-based attenuation correction for five C57/BL6 mice. The accuracy of the IDIF was tested against blood samples using Bland–Altman analysis. Image-derived blood radioactivity concentration values were not significantly different from sampled blood values at two late time points as determined by a paired t test (P = 0.97). Bland–Altman analysis revealed a mean difference of 0.06 μCi/ml (1%). Using kinetic analysis, the mean myocardial 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose uptake rate constant based on the IDIF was comparable to values reported in the literature based on physical blood sampling. Accurate IDIFs can be obtained non-invasively. Although reconstruction times are increased, no further spillover corrections are necessary for IDIFs derived from gated, OSEM-MAP reconstructed images with attenuation correction.
Material identification using real and simulated thermal cues

The objective of this study was to develop a thermal display for simulating the thermal cues associated with making contact with materials with different thermal properties. The thermal display was designed based on a semiinfinite body model. The performance of subjects using this display was compared to that with real materials in a material identification experiment. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in material identification when subjects were presented with real or simulated materials. The decreases in skin temperature were also comparable in the two experiments and were related to the contact coefficient of the material palpated, which is consistent with the semiinfinite body model. These findings suggest that thermal feedback in a haptic display can facilitate object recognition when visual cues are limited.
Response of decomposing litter and its microbial community to multiple forms of nitrogen enrichment

Despite the importance of litter decomposition for ecosystem fertility and carbon balance, key uncertainties remain about how this fundamental process is affected by nitrogen (N) availability. Resolving such uncertainties is critical for predicting the ecosystem consequences of increased anthropogenic N deposition. Toward that end, we decomposed green leaves and senesced litter of northern pin oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) in three forested stands dominated by northern pin oak or white pine (Pinus strobus) to compare effects of substrate N (as it differed between leaves and litter) and externally supplied N (inorganic or organic forms) on decomposition and decomposer community structure and function over four years. Asymptotic decomposition models fit the data equally well as single exponential models and allowed us to compare effects of N on both the initial decomposition rate (ka) and the level of asymptotic mass remaining (A, proportion of mass remaining at which decomposition approaches zero, i.e., the ...
Comparing Distance Measures for Hidden Markov Models

In this paper, several distance measures for hidden Markov models (HMMs) are compared. The most commonly used distance measure between two HMMs is Kullback-Leibler divergence (KLD). Since there is no closed form solution, Monte-Carlo method is usually applied to calculate the KLD. However, the computational complexity in Monte-Carlo estimation may be prohibitive in practical applications, which motivated researchers to propose new distance measures for HMMs. Numerical examples are presented comparing three such distance measures against the Monte-Carlo method. Results show that it is possible to approximate the KLD with a saving of hundreds of times in computational complexity
The Role of Geography in Development

This article assesses how the tension between centripetal forces (such as forward and backward linkages in production and increasing returns in transportation) and centrifugal forces (such as factor immobility and land rents) can produce a process of self-organization in which symmetric locations end up playing very different economic roles. The article discusses geographic models of the division of the world into industrial and developing countries, of the emergence of regional inequality within developing countries, and of the emergence of giant urban centers. It argues that the conflict between “predestination” and “self-organizing” approaches to economic geography may be more apparent than real and briefly discusses policy—mainly in terms of why it is so hard to draw policy conclusions from economic geography models.
A Developmentally Regulated Gene, ASI2, Is Required for Endocycling in the Macronuclear Anlagen of Tetrahymena

Ciliated protozoa contain two types of nuclei, germ line micronuclei (Mic) and transcriptionally active macronuclei (Mac). During sexual reproduction, the parental Mac degenerates and a new Mac develops from a mitotic product of the zygotic Mic. Macronuclear development involves extensive endoreplication of the genome. The present study shows that endoreplication of macronuclear DNA in Tetrahymena is an example of endocyling, a variant of the mitotic cycle with alternating S and G phases in the absence of cell division. Thus, endocycling is conserved from ciliates to multicellular organisms. The gene ASI2 in Tetrahymena thermophila encodes a putative signal transduction receptor. ASI2 is nonessential for vegetative growth, but it is upregulated during development of the new Mac. Cells that lack ASI2 in the developing Mac anlagen are arrested in endoreplication of the DNA and die. This study shows that ASI2 is also transcribed in the parental Mac early in conjugation and that transcription of ASI2 in the parental Mac supports endoreplication of the DNA during early stages of development of the Mac anlagen. Other molecular events in Mac anlage development, including developmentally regulated DNA rearrangement, occur normally in matings between ASI2 knockouts, suggesting that ASI2 specifically regulates endocycling in Tetrahymena.
Resource allocation in distributed factory scheduling

A distributed factory scheduling model that is based on the concept of constraint-directed search within a centralized framework is presented. A set of texture measures that quantify several characteristics of the problem space being searched has been developed into heuristics that direct the searches conducted by scheduling agents. The heuristics have been used to direct the searches of a centralized activity-based scheduler, achieving good schedule quality and minimizing the likelihood of backtracking. The model discussed uses textures to direct distributed scheduling, optimizing decisions in the global search space by allowing agents to focus and direct searches in their individual search spaces. Experimental results are presented and confirm the effectiveness of the approach. >
Electromagnetic scattering and radiation by surfaces of arbitrary shape in layered media. I. Theory

An accurate and general procedure for the analysis of electromagnetic radiation and scattering by perfectly conducting objects of arbitrary shape embedded in a medium consisting of an arbitrary number of planar dielectric layers is developed. The key step in this procedure is a formulation of the so-called mixed-potential electric field integral equation (MPIE) that is amenable to an existing advanced solution technique developed for objects in free space and that employs the method of moments in conjunction with a triangular-patch model of the arbitrary surface. Hence, the goal is to immediately increase analysis capabilities in electromagnetics, yet remain compatible with the large existing base of knowledge concerning the solution of surface integral equations. Three alternative forms of the MPIE in plane-stratified media are developed, and their properties are discussed. One of the developed MPIEs is used to analyze scatterers and antennas of arbitrary shape that penetrate the interface between contiguous dielectric half-spaces. >
Applications of Automatic Mesh Generation and Adaptive Methods in Computational Medicine

Important problems in Computational Medicine exist that can benefit from the implementation of adaptive mesh refinement techniques. Biological systems are so inherently complex that only efficient models running on state of the art hardware can begin to simulate reality. To tackle the complex geometries associated with medical applications we present a general purpose mesh generation scheme based upon the Delaunay tessellation algorithm and an iterative point generator. In addition, automatic, two- and three-dimensional adaptive mesh refinement methods are presented that are derived from local and global estimates of the finite element error. Mesh generation and adaptive refinement techniques are utilized to obtain accurate approximations of bioelectric fields within anatomically correct models of the heart and human thorax. Specifically, we explore the simulation of cardiac defibrillation and the general forward and inverse problems in electrocardiography (ECG). Comparisons between uniform and adaptive refinement techniques are made to highlight the computational efficiency and accuracy of adaptive methods in the solution of field problems in computational medicine.
HR Issues and Activities in Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions are increasingly being used by firms to strengthen and maintain their position in the market place. They are seen by many as a relatively fast and efficient way to expand into new markets and incorporate new technologies. Yet their success is by no means assured. To the contrary, a majority fall short of their stated goals and objectives. While some failure can be explained by financial and market factors, a substantial number can be traced to neglected human resource issues and activities. Numerous studies confirm the need for firms to systematically address a variety of human resource issues and activities in their merger and acquisition activities. This article proposes a three-stage model of mergers and acquisitions that systematically identifies several human resource issues and activities. Numerous examples are offered to illustrate the issues and activities in each of the three stages. The article concludes with a description of the role and importance of the HR department and leader.
Left-to-right shunt at atrial level after rupture of papillary muscle from acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Clinical and necropsy observations are described in a patient who developed a large left-to-right shunt at atrial level after rupture of a papillary muscle during acute myocardial infarction. Attention is called to the importance of differentiating this combination from rupture of the ventricular septum and from mitral regurgitation resulting from papillary muscle necrosis with or without rupture.
Global optimization for coupled detection and data association in multiple object tracking

Coupling detection and data association of object tracking in a single function.A new sparsity-driven object detection method that infers mutual occlusions.An optimization scheme to suppress false alarms without non-maximum suppression. We present a novel framework for tracking multiple objects imaged from one or more static cameras, where the problems of object detection and data association are expressed by a single objective function. Particularly, we combine a sparsity-driven detector with the network-flow data association technique. The framework follows the Lagrange dual decomposition strategy, taking advantage of the often complementary nature of the two subproblems. Our coupling formulation avoids the problem of error propagation from which traditional "detection-tracking approaches" to multiple object tracking suffer. We also eschew common heuristics such as "non-maximum suppression" of hypotheses by modeling the joint image likelihood as opposed to applying independent likelihood assumptions. Our coupling algorithm is guaranteed to converge and can resolve the ambiguities in track maintenance due to frequent occlusion and indistinguishable appearance between objects. Furthermore, our method does not have severe scalability issues but can process hundreds of frames at the same time. Our experiments involve challenging, notably distinct datasets and demonstrate that our method can achieve results comparable to or better than those of state-of-art approaches.
Waltzing around cofactors

The metallocofactor involved in fixing nitrogen is not a rigid scaffold, as was previously thought.
The Dualistic Model of Ovarian Carcinogenesis: Revisited, Revised, and Expanded.

Since our proposal of a dualistic model of epithelial ovarian carcinogenesis more than a decade ago, a large number of molecular and histopathologic studies were published that have provided important insights into the origin and molecular pathogenesis of this disease. This has required that the original model be revised and expanded to incorporate these findings. The new model divides type I tumors into three groups: i) endometriosis-related tumors that include endometrioid, clear cell, and seromucinous carcinomas; ii) low-grade serous carcinomas; and iii) mucinous carcinomas and malignant Brenner tumors. As in the previous model, type II tumors are composed, for the most part, of high-grade serous carcinomas that can be further subdivided into morphologic and molecular subtypes. Type I tumors develop from benign extraovarian lesions that implant on the ovary and which can subsequently undergo malignant transformation, whereas many type II carcinomas develop from intraepithelial carcinomas in the fallopian tube and, as a result, disseminate as carcinomas that involve the ovary and extraovarian sites, which probably accounts for their clinically aggressive behavior. The new molecular genetic data, especially those derived from next-generation sequencing, further underline the heterogeneity of ovarian cancer and identify actionable mutations. The dualistic model highlights these differences between type I and type II tumors which, it can be argued, describe entirely different groups of diseases.
Nonglucose substrates increase glycogen synthesis in vivo in dog heart.

The effects of circulating nonglucose substrates on insulin-stimulated cardiac glycogen synthesis were studied in the dog heart in vivo using13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance (-NMR) and arteriovenous...
LONG-TERM PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF DOBUTAMINE STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WALL MOTION RESPONSES: MONOPHASIC/NORMAL, ISCHEMIC, BIPHASIC AND NONPHASIC/SCAR

Dobutamine stress echo (DSE) can be used for risk stratification and prognosis. Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of various types of DSE wall motion responses. We evaluated 2533 patients (64 ± 13 years; 42%male) undergoing DSE grouped by: monophasic/normal
Scanning Culture: A History of Modern Culture: Vol. 1, the Great Renewal (1543–1687)

(1931). Scanning Culture: A History of Modern Culture: Vol. 1, the Great Renewal (1543–1687) The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 164-164.
Morphologic studies in a recently described dyserythropoietic state.

Studies of fetal hemoglobin and bone marrow ultrastructure were performed on a patient with a recently described syndrome consisting of lymphosarcoma, short stature, defective cellular immunity, hypogammaglobulinemia, and mosaicism for a marker chromosome. Abnormalities of the erythroid cells, including multinucleated erythroblasts, nuclear bodies, megaloblasts, and frayed cytoplasm, were seen by light microscopy. Ultrastructure confirmed the findings by light microscopy and showed in greater detail nuclear malformation, loss of nuclear membrane, and loss of cytoplasmic background, as well as peculiar cytoplasmic inclusions. An increased level of fetal hemoglobin (Hb F), ranging between 12%-15%, was detected. The Hb F was discreetly distributed, occurring in a small per cent of the red blood cells. It is speculated that a clone of chromosomally abnormal erythroid precursors might be responsible for producing the erythroblasts with the structural abnormalities described and the erythrocytes with the high hemoglobin F content.
Bipolar Junction Transistors

The bipolar junction transistor (BJT) was invented by a research team at Bell Laboratories in 1947. In 1948 John Bardeen and Walter Brattain announced the development of the point-contact transistor (Bardeen and Brattain, 1948). In the following year William Shockley’s paper on junction diodes and transistors was published (Shockley, 1949). The development of conventional bipolar theory and fabrication was very active from the 1950s to 1960s. Because of the need for low power dissipation and high packaging density for VLSI applications, major R & D efforts focused on the study of complementary metal—oxide semiconductor (CMOS) field-effect transistors in the 1970s. R & D in BJT technology became dormant for approximately a decade. The activity of bipolar development was revitalized when the polysilicon emitter was introduced in the BJT at IBM’s Watson lab in the early 1980s (Ning et al., 1981a). Conventional bipolar theory was reexamined and improved for advanced polysilicon bipolar transistor design and fabrication.
Norms and normative change in world politics: an analysis of land rights and the Sustainable Development Goals

ABSTRACTThe Millennium Development Goals guided international poverty reduction efforts from 2000 until 2015 and they will be succeeded by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which will be guided by a new set of goals, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is argued here that since the process of formulating SDGs, targets, and indicators for their implementation brought together actors with different (and sometimes competing) issue frames, values, and agendas for discussions that clarify the content of norms and their scope, this process can bring about norm contestation and norm change. This article uses an issue that was raised in the context of the SDGs – land rights – to illustrate processes of international norm contestation, evolution, and change. In doing so, it contributes to the growing body of literature that views norms and their content and boundaries as dynamic.
Distributed torque control of deloaded wind DFIGs: Power reference tracking via fair dynamic dispatching

In this paper, we address the problem of dynamically dispatching a group of deloaded wind generators (WGs) in an equal sharing manner while their total power is tracking a given reference. With the term dynamic dispatching, we refer to the WGs being able to continuously self-organize and self-dispatch in real time by tracking dynamic power set-points that depend on both their local wind-speed conditions and total power reference. On the other hand, by equal load-sharing we refer to the WGs being dispatched such that the ratio of the mechanical power over its maximum value is equal for all of them. Initially, we introduce a leader-follower consensus protocol that WGs can incorporate into their rotor-side converter (RSC) control scheme to accomplish two objectives: 1) asymptotic consensus on their loading levels (equal load-sharing); 2) wind farm (WF) total power reference tracking. By combining singular perturbation and Lyapunov theories, we study the asymptotic behavior of the protocol, and prove that its equilibrium point is asymptotically stable under certain conditions. Moreover, we develop a distributed Control Lyapunov Function-based (CLF) torque controller for the RSC that realizes the protocol in practice through peer-to-peer communication. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol and corresponding controller through simulations on the IEEE 24-bus Reliability Test System (RTS).
A Test of Autonomous Navigation Using Near Laser Rangefinder Data

Ground-based navigation of spacecraft missions currently involves intensive manpower and inherent downlink-uplink time delays. It would be beneficial to have autonomous navigation to determine the flight path in real-time, compute maneuvers, and control science instrument pointing during the orbiting phase of a mission. Laser altimetry is an accurate data type that requires neither the two-way communication of Doppler nor the human identification of landmarks that optical data currently requires. The NEAR mission has offered the first opportunity to compare navigation by laser altimetry to navigation using the standard data types. The test would be whether laser altimetry provides sufficient information to perform orbit determination within mission requirements. To assess the effectiveness of laser altimetry-based navigation, questions of what constitutes an effective estimation strategy, the accuracy of spacecraft position and velocity estimates, the required accuracy of shape and gravity models, the speed of recovery from maneuver errors, and the accuracy with which position may be mapped (predicted), are examined.
SES Gradients Among Mexicans in the United States and in Mexico: A New Twist to the Hispanic Paradox?

Recent empirical findings have suggested the existence of a twist in the Hispanic paradox, in which Mexican and other Hispanic foreign-born migrants living in the United States experience shallower socioeconomic status (SES) health disparities than those in the U.S. population. In this article, we seek to replicate this finding and test conjectures that could explain this new observed phenomenon using objective indicators of adult health by educational attainment in several groups: (1) Mexican-born individuals living in Mexico and in the United States, (2) U.S.-born Mexican Americans, and (3) non-Hispanic American whites. Our analytical strategy improves upon previous research on three fronts. First, we derive four hypotheses from a general framework that has also been used to explain the standard Hispanic paradox. Second, we study biomarkers rather than self-reported health and related conditions. Third, we use a binational data platform that includes both Mexicans living in Mexico (Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006) and Mexican migrants to the United States (NHANES 1999–2010). We find steep education gradients among Mexicans living in Mexico’s urban areas in five of six biomarkers of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and in the overall MetS score. Mexican migrants living in the United States experience similar patterns to Mexicans living in Mexico in glucose and obesity biomarkers. These results are inconsistent with previous findings, suggesting that Mexican migrants in the United States experience significantly attenuated health gradients relative to the non-Hispanic white U.S. population. Our empirical evidence also contradicts the idea that SES-health gradients in Mexico are shallower than those in the United States and could be invoked to explain shallower gradients among Mexicans living in the United States.
Translational Correlation: Limbic Encephalitis

Our understanding of the normal and abnormal functioning of the limbic system continues to expand. The study of patients with limbic encephalitis caused by either herpes simplex virus or autoimmune disorders or paraneoplastic syndromes provided important insights into the anatomy and function of memory and emotions with regards to the limbic system. The better clinical characterization of these various syndromes and modern neuroimaging tools enable clinicians recognize the early symptoms and to visualize pathological changes in the limbic system allowing for early interventions. Most importantly, research on specific causes and mechanisms of limbic encephalitis has opened the door to promising immunotherapies for some of the immune-mediated limbic encephalitis.
The Limitations of Transforming Very High Body Mass Indexes into z-Scores among 8.7 Million 2- to 4-Year-Old Children

Objective To examine the associations among several body mass index (BMI) metrics ( z -scores, percent of the 95th percentile (%BMI p95 ) and BMI minus 95th percentile (ΔBMI p95 ) as calculated in the growth charts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is known that the widely used BMI z -scores (BMIz) and percentiles calculated from the growth charts can differ substantially from those that directly observed in the data for BMIs above the 97th percentile ( z = 1.88). Study design Cross-sectional analyses of 8.7 million 2- to 4-year-old children who were examined from 2008 through 2011 in the CDC's Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System. Results Because of the transformation used to calculate z -scores, the theoretical maximum BMIz varied by >3-fold across ages. This results in the conversion of very high BMIs into a narrow range of z -scores that varied by sex and age. Among children with severe obesity, levels of BMIz were only moderately correlated (r ~ 0.5) with %BMI p95 and ΔBMI p95 . Among these children with severe obesity, BMIz levels could differ by more than 1 SD among children who had very similar levels of BMI, %BMI p95 and ΔBMI p95 due to differences in age or sex. Conclusions The effective upper limit of BMIz values calculated from the CDC growth charts, which varies by sex and age, strongly influences the calculation of z -scores for children with severe obesity. Expressing these very high BMIs relative to the CDC 95th percentile, either as a difference or percentage, would be preferable to using BMI-for-age, particularly when assessing the effectiveness of interventions.
Strengthening Regional Trade and Production Networks Through Transport Connectivity in South and South-West Asia

South and South-West Asia (SSWA) region has been able to improve intra-regional trade during the last decade. However, much is left to be done to realise the full trade potential between SSWA countries, which also share important complementarities that can become the basis of region-wide production networks. Such networks would enhance the combined productivity and competitiveness of SSWA, but their development is stifled by poor intra-regional connectivity status. The quality and capacity of the subregions infrastructure, both on the national and crossborder levels, is certainly a matter of concern. SSWA regional economic cooperation programmes have to be made much stronger to address regional infrastructure needs and build enabling institutions and policies. This paper observes, in the light of a case study of regional trade in parts and components, that SSWA countries must improve its supply chain connectivity considerably in order to effectively link their production units with global value chains. Further, a comparative analysis of efficiency across different modes of cross-border transportation in the subregion shows that overland transport corridors such as TIPI-BM and ITIDKD proposed by ESCAP can play important role in the development of regional production networks. In order to improve overland connectivity, a comprehensive and cooperative approach is needed to address the physical (hard) and non-physical (soft) infrastructure issues. The paper also supports the need of a regional connectivity masterplan to guide most optimal development of its connectivity requirements.
Comparison Between Carbapenems and β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitors in the Treatment for Bloodstream Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND Carbapenems are widely used for the management of bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE). However, the wide use of carbapenems has been associated with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae development. METHODS We searched the PubMed and Scopus databases (last search date was on June 1, 2016) looking for studies that reported mortality in adult patients with ESBL-PE BSIs that were treated with carbapenems or β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors (BL/BLIs). RESULTS Fourteen studies reported mortality data in adult patients with ESBL-PE BSI that were treated with carbapenems or BL/BLIs. Among them, 13 studies reported extractable data on empiric therapy, with no statistically significant difference in mortality of patients with ESBL-PE BSI that were treated empirically with carbapenems (22.1%; 121 of 547), compared with those that received empiric BL/BLIs (20.5%; 109 of 531; relative risk [RR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-1.37; I2 = 20.7%; P = .241). In addition, 7 studies reported data on definitive therapy. In total, 767 patients (79.3%) received carbapenems and 199 patients (20.6%) received BL/BLIs as definitive therapy, and there was again no statistically significant difference (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.25-1.52; I2 = 84.6%; P < .001). Regarding specific pathogens, the use of empiric BL/BLIs in patients with BSI due to ESBL-Escherichia coli was not associated with a statistically significant difference in mortality (RR, 1.014; 95% CI, 0.491-2.095; I2 = 62.5%; P = .046), compared with the use of empiric carbapenems. CONCLUSIONS These data do not support the wide use of carbapenems as empiric therapy, and BL/BLIs might be effective agents for initial/empiric therapy for patients with BSI caused by likely ESBL-PE, and especially ESBL-E coli.
Abstract P315: S-Glutathiolation of Low-Molecular-Weight PTP Regulates VEGF-Angiogenic Signal

While reparative angiogenesis improves outcome of stroke and myocardial infarction; pathological angiogenesis aggravates tumors, psoriasis and diabetic retinopathy. We have previously shown that low levels of peroxynitrite (PN, 1µM) are required to mediate VEGF’s angiogenic signal. Prior studies showed that low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) can regulate activation of VEGFR2 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), key proteins involved in VEGF angiogenic signal. Here, we test the hypothesis that VEGF-induced peroxynitrite regulates LMW-PTP activity via reversible S-glutathiolation. Our results using human microvascular endothelial (HME) cells showed that VEGF (20 ng/ml) caused immediate (1,5 min) and transient negative shift in redox-state assessed by reduced-glutathione (GSH) level that was restored back to baseline by 15–30 minutes. In parallel, total free thiols of LMW-PTP; assessed by 5-iodoacetamide; were immediately oxidized (1, 5 min) and recovered after 15–30 minutes. PN (1μM) mimicked VEGF’ actions by inducing oxidative inhibition of LMW-PTP and FAK phosphorylation that peaked at 15 min. Studies using anti-GSH antibody demonstrated strong s-glutathiolation of LMW-PTP thiols that peaked at (5–10min) under non-reducing conditions and were completely abrogated in DTT-treated samples. These effects were associated with impaired tyrosine phosphorylation of LMW-PTP. PN caused concentration-dependent significant inhibition of LMW-PTP phosphatase activity reaching maximum at 0.5mM. Under pathological conditions recapitulated by combining with peroxynitrite (0.5mM), VEGF caused immediate yet permanent negative shift in cellular redox-state, LMW-PTP inactivation and sustained FAK activation in HME cells. Modulating cellular redox-state to reductive stress using N-acetyl cysteine (NAC, 1mM) or FeTPPS (2.5μM) prevented VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo using hypoxia-induced neovascularization mouse model. Taken together, shifting redox-state to oxidative stress or reductive stress can impair VEGF’s signal and achieving a balanced redox-state is critical to facilitate VEGF’ angiogenic signal.
Enzymes in Polymers and Polymers from Enzymes

The interface of biology and materials encompasses a wide array of topics. The two main categories inclusive to this subject are materials applied in biological systems and materials produced through biological means. Materials associated with the former topic can include medical implants, polymeric drug carriers, and surgical glues while the latter category can include synthetic materials usually formed chemically. In this chapter, two areas of increasing interest will be reviewed: first, the enzymatic synthesis of polymers, and second, the incorporation of enzymes into polymers.
Technologische Spillovers in sukzessiven Oligopolmodellen

Der Literaturuberblick hat gezeigt, das sich interindustrielle Spillovers in okonometrischen Untersuchungen als bedeutender Einflusfaktor auf die unternehmerischen Innovationsaktivitaten und das Ausmas der Kostenreduzierung herausgestellt haben. Trotz dieser empirischen Evidenz haben interindustrielle Spillovers zwischen funktional verbundenen Markten in der spieltheoretischen Innovationsforschung jedoch kaum Beachtung gefunden. Aufgrund dieses Defizits sollen in diesem Kapitel innerhalb eines komplexen Zwei-Markte-Modells die unterschiedlichen Einflusse und strategischen Aspekte interindustrieller Spillovers auf die Mengen- und Innovationsentscheidungen funktional verbundener Markte analysiert werden.
Case 10-2018: An 84-Year-Old Man with Painless Unilateral Testicular Swelling

A Man with Painless Unilateral Testicular Swelling An 84-year-old man presented with a 6-week history of painless right testicular swelling. He had no fever or systemic symptoms. Ultrasonography revealed marked asymmetric enlargement and hypervascularity of the right testicle. A diagnostic procedure was performed.
Visual Diagnosis: Newborn Girl with Congenital Unilateral Eye Opacity.

1. Brandon Wang, BA* 2. Elizabeth Kubota, DO* 3. Adrian Bayona, MD* 1. *Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX A newborn infant girl born small for gestational age (SGA) at 39 weeks via spontaneous vaginal delivery to a 17-year-old gravida 1 para 1 woman from El Salvador who has no significant medical history presents with a unilateral right eye opacity. The mother’s pregnancy was complicated by hyperemesis in the first trimester, urinary tract infection during the second trimester, and poor weight gain (only 1.8 kg). The mother reports no sexually transmitted infections or other previous infections. The mother does report a history of marijuana use before this pregnancy but no other drug, tobacco, or alcohol use. The mother also has no history of recent travel or contact with anyone who has traveled outside the United States. No structural or anatomical abnormalities were detected on prenatal ultrasonography at 11, 18, 21, 34, and 37 weeks' gestation. The baby had Apgar scores of 8 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minutes, normal resuscitation, and maternal laboratory screenings that were negative for infections. The patient is noted to have a right corneal opacity and small growth parameters based on the World Health Organization growth standards for girls aged 0 to 2 years (microcephaly with fronto-occipital circumference at the sixth percentile and SGA with length at the 36th percentile and weight at the fifth percentile). On physical examination, the patient is small and alert, with normal facies and normally set ears. The patient’s skin is pink, warm, and without rashes. She appears microcephalic, with the anterior fontanelle open soft and flat, nares patent, …
The Future of Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy

Early diagnosis and disease prevention, thorough visualization and understanding of disease and societal affordability, are the focus of medicine in the years to come. The goals in treatments are precision, accuracy, non-invasive techniques, efficacy of treatment and no side effects. Radiosurgery’s impact on the field of radiotherapy has imposed these goals over the last 60 years. The ingredients for the evolution of medicine hinges on our increasing ability to non-invasively see the intricacies of the human body, initially only bones, then soft-tissues, inside of organs, and now at the cellular and molecular level. Are we ready in the life science field for what society asks of us, to decrease suffering and enhance human life? There has been much progress in the last several decades in the technology and applicability of radiation and its uses in medicine. Since the first description of radiosurgery by Lars Leksell, the field has blossomed to include the treatment of tumors, vascular lesions, and various functional disorders (Leksell 1951). There is no doubt that the application of this technology has impacted the field of medicine and neurosurgery more than any other single modality. However, until now radiation has largely been used as an ablative technique, and its ability to modify cellular function at the genetic level continues in early stages of development.
Breast cancer patients with brain metastasis undergoing GKRS.

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cause of brain metastasis in the United States. Compared to whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), treatment with gamma-knife radiosurgery (GKRS) offers a better chance at neurocognitive preservation. The goal of our retrospective study is to report the overall survival (OS) in patients receiving GKRS and to identify factors that improve survival outcomes. The records of 80 patients with primary BC treated with GKRS at the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center between 2000 and 2013 were reviewed. OS was calculated from the date of first GKRS treatment. Other factors studied were age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), tumor subtype, having WBRT and/or surgical resection pre- or post-GKRS, and number of brain metastases treated with GKRS. Median age was 56.2 years. OS from first GKRS was 13.1 months (95% CI 7.6–21.9). On univariate analysis, improved survival was associated with HER-2 subtype (p = 0.026), KPS score > 80 (p = 0.009), and good control of systemic disease at time of GKRS (p = 0.020). Multivariable analysis detected a significantly longer survival with HER-2 positivity (HR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.76, p = 0.017) and a strong trend in patients with craniotomy prior to GKRS (HR 0.13, 95% CI 0.01–1.11, p = 0.06). GKRS is a promising therapy for treating brain metastasis from BC, particularly in those with HER-2 positivity and high-performance scores even in those patients with > 5 brain metastases. Furthermore, GKRS may also be a useful adjunct to surgical resection in such patients. High rates of neurological death remain from BC brain metastases; however, and need further investigation.
Molecular regulation of peripheral B cells and their progeny in immunity.

Mature B lymphocytes are crucial components of adaptive immunity, a system essential for the evolutionary fitness of mammals. Adaptive lymphocyte function requires an initially naive cell to proliferate extensively and its progeny to have the capacity to assume a variety of fates. These include either terminal differentiation (the long-lived plasma cell) or metastable transcriptional reprogramming (germinal center and memory B cells). In this review, we focus principally on the regulation of differentiation and functional diversification of the "B2" subset. An overview is combined with an account of more recent advances, including initial work on mechanisms that eliminate DNA methylation and potential links between intracellular metabolites and chromatin editing.
Lessons Learned from Faculty Service-Learning Mentoring

Service-learning and institutions of higher education share the goal of helping students become transformational citizens, who deeply question and try to change unjust and ineffective social systems. Unfortunately, challenges to growing and sustaining service-learning pedagogy at institutions of higher education are many. This project discusses challenges and makes recommendations based on a pilot mentoring program at an urban four-year university in the Northeast for faculty interested in integrating service-learning into their curriculum.
Protein Amounts of the MYC Transcription Factor Determine Germinal Center B Cell Division Capacity

High-affinity B cell selection in the germinal center (GC) is governed by signals delivered by follicular helper T (Tfh) cells to B cells. Selected B cells undergo clonal expansion and affinity maturation in the GC dark zone in direct proportion to the amount of antigen they capture and present to Tfh cells in the light zone. Here, we examined the mechanisms whereby Tfh cells program the number of GC B cell divisions. Gene expression analysis revealed that Tfh cells induce Myc expression in light-zone B cells in direct proportion to antigen capture. Conditional Myc haplo-insufficiency or overexpression combined with cell division tracking showed that MYC expression produces a metabolic reservoir in selected light-zone B cells that is proportional to the number of cell divisions in the dark zone. Thus, MYC constitutes the GC B cell division timer that when deregulated leads to emergence of B cell lymphoma.
Fake medical news: avoiding pitfalls and perils.

In the present-day digital world, it is challenging to function comprehensively, given our increasing reliance on the internet, which has touched every aspect of our lives, including healthcare. We are constantly inundated by false information, including medical information—purposefully deployed
Adverse drug reactions and adverse drug events associated with use of psychotropic, antiepileptic, antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs in pregnancy

Abstract This literature review includes studies, meta-analyses, and case reports on the use of psychotropic, antiepileptic, anticoagulant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs in pregnancy. The classes included in the review of psychotropic drugs including antidepressants, antiepileptics, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics; antihypertensive drugs including beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin system blockers, nifedipine and methyldopa; antidiabetic drugs including insulin, metformin, and glyburide; and diuretics. For this update on the use of these medications in pregnancy, we focused primarily on literature from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. If this search led us to relevant material published prior or shortly after those dates and was not included in the previous version of this chapter (see SEDA 40 chapter 43 [1R]), it was also included in the review.
Political Reaction and Global Pressures

This chapter discusses the uneven and varied character of political globalization in Russia. Kochtcheeva examines the imbalance in the extent and outcomes of globalization, including the role of the state, the opportunities and challenges of democratization, and formation of new regional and global regimes and configurations of power. The question of Russia’s place in the world becomes ever more acute taking into account the protracted Ukrainian crisis, NATO expansion, the increasing collaboration with China, and the possible scenarios for Russia’s international standing. The chapter argues that the intention of sovereign domestic development, protection of geopolitical and internal interests, as well as noninterference in Russia’s affairs became stronger over time. Internationally, Russia continues to stress the concept of new world politics based on the reinstatement of a multipolar international political system in which all major powers have legitimate voice.
Chemistry of a human monocyte-derived cell line (U937): identification of the angiotensin I-converting activity as leukocyte cathepsin G

Angiotensin-converting enzyme, a dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase, catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II. The finding of angiotensin-converting enzyme in dexamethasone- stimulated cultured monocytes and alveolar macrophages prompted the examination of a human monocyte-like cell line (U937) for angiotensin I- converting activity. Conversion of angiotensin I (5 X 10(-5) mol/L) to angiotensin II by U937 cell extracts (10(4) - 4 X 10(6) cells) was detected, and the pH optimum for the reaction was 7.0 to 8.0. The U937 cell angiotensin I-converting activity was purified to homogeneity by carboxymethylcellulose chromatography and trasylol affinity chromatography. The purified protein performed similarly to purified human neutrophil cathepsin G on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-gradient PAGE), elicited a reaction of complete identity with neutrophil cathepsin G when diffused against anti-cathepsin G antiserum, and had quantitatively similar angiotensin I-converting activity as neutrophil cathepsin G. Neutrophils and U937 cells had 143 and 52 times greater angiotensin I- converting capability than cultured monocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells, suggesting the relative importance of mobile cells containing cathepsin G in the local generation of angiotensin II. These data identify the angiotensin I-converting activity of the U937 cell as leukocyte cathepsin G and provide evidence that the U937 cell has neutrophil-like as well as monocyte-like characteristics.
Computational model of neurodegenerative damage in the olfactory bulb: role of bulb and damage geometry, damage site, and identification of a potential non-invasive marker of early Parkinson's disease onset

Abstract Objectives Epigenetic mechanisms influence the development and maintenance of complex phenotypes and may also contribute to the evolution of species-specific phenotypes. With respect to skeletal traits, little is known about the gene regulation underlying these hard tissues or how tissue-specific patterns are associated with bone morphology or vary among species. To begin exploring these topics, this study evaluates one epigenetic mechanism, DNA methylation, in skeletal tissues from five nonhuman primate species which display anatomical and locomotor differences representative of their phylogenetic groups. Materials and Methods First, we test whether intra-specific variation in skeletal DNA methylation is associated with intra-specific variation in femur morphology. Second, we identify inter-specific differences in DNA methylation and assess whether these lineage-specific patterns may have contributed to species-specific morphologies. Specifically, we use the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip to identify DNA methylation patterns in femur trabecular bone from baboons (n=28), macaques (n=10), vervets (n=10), chimpanzees (n=4), and marmosets (n=6). Results Significant differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were associated with a subset of morphological variants, but these likely have small biological effects and may be confounded by other variables associated with morphological variation. Conversely, several species-specific DMPs were identified, and these are found in genes enriched for functions associated with complex skeletal traits. Discussion Overall, these findings reveal that while intra-specific epigenetic variation is not readily associated with skeletal morphology differences, some inter-specific epigenetic differences in skeletal tissues exist and may contribute to evolutionarily distinct phenotypes.