cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sugammadex versus neostigmine for routine reversal of rocuronium block in adult patients: A cost analysis.

Abstract Study objective This report analyzes the comparative costs, efficacy and side effects of a newer, more expensive reversal drug, sugammadex, with its generic counterpart, neostigmine combined with glycopyrrolate, or no reversal agent when used routinely to reverse rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in adult patients. Design Cost analysis. Methods We constructed a decision model to analyze the costs associated with the choice of reversal drug and differences in reversal time, occurrence of postoperative nausea or vomiting (PONV), and residual blockade requiring unplanned postoperative mechanical ventilation (UPMV). We selected variables that demonstrated meaningful differences in meta-analyses of published studies and/or had significant associated costs. We used data from local hospital system information, meta-analysis of published studies, and the general literature to construct base-case scenarios and sensitivity analyses. We performed the analysis from the perspective of a single hospital system. Costs were in 2019 U.S. dollars. Results Cost analysis suggested that reversal with sugammadex is preferable to neostigmine or no reversal drug when operating room (OR) time was valued at ≥$8.60/min (base case $32.49/min). Net costs of sugammadex were less than no treatment or neostigmine reversal when the probability of UPMV exceeded 0.019 and 0.036, respectively. Neither sugammadex nor neostigmine reversal was preferable to no treatment in a base-case analysis that considered the effect of the reversal agent on only drug and PONV costs, disregarding costs of OR time or UPMV. Conclusions Routine reversal with sugammadex is preferable to choosing neostigmine or no reversal drug when accounting for potential savings in OR time. Sugammadex might also be a reasonable choice for patients at high risk of UPMV. If the cost of OR time is not considered, the analysis does not support the routine use of sugammadex in patients with perceived increased risk or solely to reduce PONV.
Child welfare workers and peritraumatic distress: The impact of COVID-19.

Whilst there is broad consensus that COVID-19 has had a pernicious impact on child welfare services, in general, and child welfare workers, specifically, this notion has not been thoroughly examined in the literature. This exploratory study examined COVID-19 related peritraumatic distress among child welfare workers (N = 1996) in one southeastern state in the United States (U.S.). Findings suggest that the study sample was experiencing distress levels above normal ranges; 46.4% of participants were experiencing mild or severe distress. Sexual orientation, self-reported physical and mental health, relationship status, supervision status, and financial stability impacted distress levels experienced by child welfare workers. Overall, data suggest that COVID-19 is impacting child welfare workers and there is a need to conceptualize, implement, and evaluate initiatives aimed at assuaging distress among child welfare workers.
Dietary simple sugars alter microbial ecology in the gut and promote colitis in mice.

The higher prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Western countries points to Western diet as a possible IBD risk factor. High sugar, which is linked to many noncommunicable diseases, is a hallmark of the Western diet, but its role in IBD remains unknown. Here, we studied the effects of simple sugars such as glucose and fructose on colitis pathogenesis in wild-type and Il10-/- mice. Wild-type mice fed 10% glucose in drinking water or high-glucose diet developed severe colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium. High-glucose-fed Il10-/- mice also developed a worsened colitis compared to glucose-untreated Il10-/- mice. Short-term intake of high glucose or fructose did not trigger inflammatory responses in healthy gut but markedly altered gut microbiota composition. In particular, the abundance of the mucus-degrading bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides fragilis was increased. Consistently, bacteria-derived mucolytic enzymes were enriched leading to erosion of the colonic mucus layer of sugar-fed wild-type and Il10-/- mice. Sugar-induced exacerbation of colitis was not observed when mice were treated with antibiotics or maintained in a germ-free environment, suggesting that altered microbiota played a critical role in sugar-induced colitis pathogenesis. Furthermore, germ-free mice colonized with microbiota from sugar-treated mice showed increased colitis susceptibility. Together, these data suggest that intake of simple sugars predisposes to colitis and enhances its pathogenesis via modulation of gut microbiota in mice.
Predicting coliform presence in private wells as a function of well characteristics, parcel size and leachfield soil rating.

Public water systems must be tested frequently for coliform bacteria to determine whether other pathogens may be present, yet no testing or disinfection is required for private wells. In this paper, we identify whether well age, type of well, well depth, parcel size, and soil ratings for a leachfield can predict the probability of detecting coliform bacteria in private wells using a multivariate logistic regression model. Samples from 1163 wells were analyzed for the presence of coliform bacteria between October 2017 and October 2019 across Gaston County, North Carolina, USA. The maximum well age was 30 years, and bored wells (median age = 24 years) were older than drilled wells (median age = 19 years). Bored wells were shallower (mean depth = 18 m) compared to drilled wells (mean depth = 79 m). We found coliform bacteria in 329 samples, including 290 of 1091 drilled wells and 39 of 72 bored wells. The model results showed bored wells were 4.76 times more likely to contain bacteria compared to drilled wells. We found that the likelihood of coliform bacteria significantly increased with well age, suggesting that those constructed before well standards were enforced in 1989 may be at a higher risk. We found no significant association between poorly rated soils for a leachfield, well depth, parcel size and the likelihood of having coliform in wells. These findings can be leveraged to determine areas of concern to encourage well users to take action to reduce their risk of drinking possible pathogens in well water.
Cell-free Expression of Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter in the Presence of Nanodiscs

The Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter (PCFT) is a transmembrane transport protein that controls the absorption of dietary folates in the small intestine. PCFT also mediates uptake of chemotherapeutically used antifolates into tumor cells. PCFT has been identified within lipid rafts observed in phospholipid bilayers of plasma membranes, a micro environment that is altered in tumor cells. The present study aimed at investigating the impact of different lipids within Lipid-protein nanodiscs (LPNs), discoidal lipid structures stabilized by membrane scaffold proteins, to yield soluble PCFT expression in an E. coli lysate-based cell-free transcription/translation system. In the absence of detergents or lipids, we observed PCFT quantitatively as precipitate in this system. We then explored the ability of LPNs to support solubilized PCFT expression when present during in-vitro translation. LPNs consisted of either dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC), or dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG). While POPC did not lead to soluble PCFT expression, both DMPG and DMPC supported PCFT translation directly into LPNs, the latter in a concentration dependent manner. The results obtained through this study provide insights into the lipid preferences of PCFT. Membrane-embedded or solubilized PCFT will enable further studies with diverse biophysical approaches to enhance the understanding of the structure and molecular mechanism of folate transport through PCFT. HighlightsO_LICell free expression of PCFT without any lipids or detergents resulted in quantitative precipitation of in-situ synthesized PCFT. C_LIO_LIAdditives for expression of PCFT in the soluble fraction were identified. C_LI
Designing the Virtual SPIKEY-20 Epidemic: Engaging Youth in Seeking Information and Using Personal Protection

In this paper, we share the design of a virtual epidemic with recognizable similarities to the real-life COVID-19 pandemic in order to engage children and youth in seeking information about the outbreak and practicing usage of personal protection equipment. In our research we sought to create a safe space in the virtual world, Whyville, for youth to “play” with serious topics of infection, asymptomatic disease transmission, prevention measures, and research and reporting of public health information. We examined the logfiles of 1,022 youth aged 10-18 years (mean = 13.7 years) who participated in an outbreak of a virtual virus, SPIKEY-20, in October and November 2020. Analyzing log files, we found that player engagement in productive infectious disease practices increased, including information seeking as well as purchases and usage of personal protective equipment during the virtual epidemic. In the discussion, we address the potential for virtual epidemics to provide a safe, playful space to practice and learn how to productively confront infectious disease and build promising connections between virtual and real-life epidemics.
The Biology of Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries

The provider caring for the child with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) must be familiar with both the normal neonatal neuromuscular system and the biological perturbations caused by BPBI. In the normal nervous system, synaptogenesis and myelination occur postnatally in an activity-dependent manner. Neonatal peripheral nerve pathways have redundancy that is pruned during infancy but can be maintained following BPBI, producing atypical motor patterns that confound patient assessment. Primitive reflexes can assist in neurologic evaluation following BPBI and can be a clue to neuropathology when abnormal. Neonates have delayed Wallerian degeneration of axons compared to adults but worse motor and sensory neuron cell death in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia following peripheral axotomy. Following BPBI, the brain increases activation and connectivity of multiple cortical regions, highlighting the importance of brain remodeling. Contractures following BPBI, once thought to be a purely mechanical consequence of altered limb mobility, have been recently proven to result from a denervation-induced increase in muscle protein degradation that impairs postnatal longitudinal muscle growth. Finally, bone homeostasis depends on signaling from sensory and sympathetic neurons, although the role of bone neuroregulation in the glenohumeral dysplasia and limb length discrepancy caused by BPBI is unknown.
Infantile Macrocephaly: Complicated Familial Benign Enlargement of Subarachnoid Space in Twins of Suspected Nonaccidental Injury.

A 3-month-old first of dizygotic male twins, born at 34 + 5 weeks gestational age, presented with a 4-week history of increasing head circumference and vomiting. He had a tense anterior fontanelle and a head circumference above the 97th percentile. Magnetic resonance imaging showed large bilateral subdural collection with hemosiderin deposits suggestive of hemorrhage. Nine days of bilateral subdural drainage reduced the collection size and blood load. On postoperative day 16, magnetic resonance imaging confirmed persistent but smaller subdural collections, unmasking the underlying subarachnoid space enlargement. On day 18, a right subdural-peritoneal valveless shunt was inserted as definitive treatment. As part of a nonaccidental injury investigation, Twin 2 was also found to have macrocephaly secondary to benign enlargement of subarachnoid space, which was managed conservatively. Benign enlargement of subarachnoid space has an assumed autosomal/multifactorial inheritance and predisposes to subdural hemorrhage. Ultimately, no safeguarding issues were raised. Both twins continued to be neurologically stable at 2-year follow-up with head circumferences between the 98th and 99th percentiles.
Federal Intent for State Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares, Cost Shares, and the Realities of Shared Parenting

Presumptive guidelines for the determination of child support orders have been in effect in every state since 1990. Child support guidelines are as complicated and varied as the families to which they apply. The purpose of this article is to compare the extent to which existing income shares guidelines and proposed cost shares guidelines comply with such intent as expressed in relevant federal regulations. The article argues that income shares guidelines are much more likely than cost shares guidelines to advance federal intent for state child support guidelines. Part II outlines federal intent for state child support guidelines. Part III describes the calculation of support under income shares and cost shares guidelines. Part IV evaluates the relationship of each model to the principal components of federal intent. Part V discusses the growing impact of shared parenting arrangements on child support guidelines. Part VI summarizes our principal conclusions and offers recommendations to the states.
The clinical use of ovarian follicular hormone with special reference to functional sterility

Abstract Of a total number of 17 cases, five were treated for menstrual disorder primarily, with no result in two of the five. Of the twelve potential mothers, six complained of marked reduction in menstruation, yet all were improved, and three of this six conceived, following the female sex hormone injections. Of the six remaining potential mothers, showing no menstrual reduction, two conceived, giving five pregnancies out of twelve possibles, one woman conceiving twice.
Organometallic chemistry : XIII. Steric and conformational aspects of alkyl aryl ether metalation☆☆☆

Abstract Treatment for 22-24 hours at room temperature of the methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, and 3-pentyl ethers of phenol with n-butyllithium in hexane/ tetrahydrofuran, followed by carbonation and acidification, provided the corresponding o-alkoxybenzoic acids in conversions of 50,42,25, and 17% respectively. Under these conditions, phenyl tert-butyl ether gave only salicylic acid (27% conversion) although at lower temperature, a quantitative conversion to this acid was noted. 2-Phenylethyl methyl ether produced mainly polystyrene (51%% conversion). 3-Phenylpropyl and 4-phenylbutyl methyl ethers provided negligible amounts of acidic products even though visual evidence of reaction of the former ether with butyllithium was observed. Benzyl, α-methylbenzyl and α,α-dimethylbenzyl methyl ethers gave only small amounts of acidic products which were uncharacterized and the former two ethers afforded the Wittig rearrangement products in conversions of 26 and 16%, respectively.
Golgi apparatus of rat kidney. Preparation and role in sulfatide formation.

Abstract A procedure has been developed for the isolation of morphologically recognizable, largely intact, Golgi apparatus from rat kidneys. The fraction contains both uridine diphosphogalactose: N-acetylglucosamine galactosyltransferase and 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate: cerebroside sulfotransferase activities enriched 50- to 80-fold over the original homogenate. Comparison of the Golgi-rich fraction with plasma membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and nuclei isolated from rat kidney indicates that the Golgi apparatus is the main locus of both of these enzymes in kidney cells. Golgi apparatus from rat liver, although rich in galactosyltransferase, appears to be devoid of the sulfotransferase. The cerebroside sulfotransferase of kidney Golgi forms sulfatide from added galactocerebrosides. Both hydroxyfatty acid and normal fatty acid-containing cerebrosides are sulfated. The enzyme is activated almost maximally by the addition of as little as 0.1% Triton X-100. The presence of 60 mm Mn2+ stimulates the activity about 3-fold. The apparent Km for cerebrosides was 1.3 x 10-4, m, while that for 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate was 2.1 x 10-3 m. These results show that the Golgi apparatus in kidney cells can function to modify glycolipids as well as glycoproteins.
Computer-assisted, interactive fundus image processing for macular drusen quantitation.

Abstract Purpose To design and validate a software package to quantitate the area subtended by drusen in color fundus photographs for the conduct of efficient, accurate clinical trials in age-related macular degeneration. Design Algorithm and software development. Comparisons with manual methodologies. Participants Evaluation and testing on color fundus photographs from patient records and from eyes enrolled in the Choroidal Neovascularization Prevention Trial. Methods Fundus photographs of eyes with drusen were digitized. The green channel was selected for maximum contrast and preprocessed with filtering and shade correction to minimize noise, improve contrast, and correct for illumination and background inhomogeneities. Local thresholding and region-growing algorithms identified drusen. Multiple levels of supervision were incorporated to maximize robustness, accuracy, and validity. Validation studies compared computer-assisted with manual grading by an experienced grader. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated as a measure of the concordance between manual and computer-assisted fundus gradings. Main outcome measures Drusen area and concordance with manual grading. Results Automated supervised image analysis offers extreme robustness and accuracy. Most images were segmented with little or no supervision, with processing times on the order of 5 seconds. More complicated images required supervision and a total analysis time varying from 20 seconds to 5 minutes, with most of this time devoted to inspection and comparison. Interactive image processing affords arbitrarily close concordance with manual drusen identification, with calculated intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.92 and 0.93 for comparison of manual with automated, supervised grading by two observers. Conclusions Automated supervised fundus image analysis is an efficient, robust, valid technique for drusen quantitation from color fundus photographs. This approach should prove useful in the conduct of efficient accurate clinical trials for age-related macular degeneration.
Here Come the Naval Gazers - Definitions and Defenses for Auto/Ethnography

I present several definitions of auto/ethnography by the leading academics that have championed and co-created the method; I also discuss critical positions against it. I offer both my own response and the defenses of others, and then reveal modest proposals for new definitions, theories, and methods for auto/ethnography. I voice a call to action for what is now the Eighth Moment in qualitative inquiry with a 15-point plan (or manifesto) that urges a rejection of all "experts" and suggests that a/e, as a method of the subaltern, should rebel against the old order, "the colonists" of social science. There are many new approaches to the method in the Eighth Moment, and each individual auto/ethnographer must find (or create) his or her method that best suits each lived experience, regardless of what the critics and "methodologists" say is the right or wrong way.
Using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) in Social Work Assessment

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) in measuring the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and improvement with treatment in clients already diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). A comprehensive review of the literature currently available on the Y-BOCS was conducted. Research revealed that the Y-BOCS was a reliable and valid measure. However, the Y-BOCS was rather limited in discriminating severity of OCD from severity of depression or anxiety. Conclusions indicate that the Y-BOCS is a useful instrument for social work practitioners and should be used in conjunction with a structured clinical interview.
Web-based tool for estimating the environmental impacts of telework

This paper describes a WWW-based decision support tool for analyzing the environmental and economic impacts of telework over a set of likely parameters and scenarios, exposing crucial system components and sensitivities. It is expected that the analysis provided by this web tool will enable commuters, employees, company managers, and regulators to gain a better understanding of telework-related environmental impacts.
Sequence-specific 1HN, 13C, and 15N backbone resonance assignments of the 34 kDa Paramecium bursaria Chlorella virus 1 (PBCV1) DNA ligase

Chlorella virus DNA ligase (ChVLig) is a minimal (298-amino acid) pluripotent ATP-dependent ligase composed of three structural modules—a nucleotidyltransferase domain, an OB domain, and a β-hairpin latch—that forms a circumferential clamp around nicked DNA. ChVLig provides an instructive model to understand the chemical and conformational steps of nick repair. Here we report the assignment of backbone 13C, 15N, 1HN resonances of this 34.2 kDa protein, the first for a DNA ligase in full-length form.
Postscript to the Special Issue on Gossip

It is tempting to ask about the origins and functions of gossip, but this temptation should be resisted. From a psychological perspective, gossip is likely to be an arbitrary and unnatural category...
Pomalidomide (CC4047) plus low dose dexamethasone (Pom/dex) is active and well tolerated in lenalidomide refractory multiple myeloma (MM)

Patients with multiple myeloma progressing on current therapies have limited treatment options. Pomalidomide (CC4047), an immunomodulatory drug, has significant activity in relapsed myeloma and previous studies suggest activity in lenalidomide refractory disease. To better define its efficacy in this group, we treated a cohort of lenalidomide refractory patients. Pomalidomide was given orally (2 mg) daily, continuously in 28-day cycles along with dexamethasone (40 mg) given weekly. Responses were assessed by the International Myeloma Working Group Criteria. Thirty-four patients were enrolled. The best response was very good partial response in 3 (9%), partial response (PR) in 8 (23%), best responses (MR) in 5 (15%), stable disease in 12 (35%) and progressive disease in 6 (18%), for an overall response rate of 47%. Of the 14 patients that were considered high risk, 8 (57%) had responses including 4 PR and 4 MR. The median time to response was 2 months and response duration was 9.1 months, respectively. The median overall survival was 13.9 months. Toxicity was primarily hematologic, with grade 3 or 4 toxicity seen in 18 patients (53%) consisting of anemia (12%), thrombocytopenia (9%) and neutropenia (26%). The combination of pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pom/dex) is highly active and well tolerated in patients with lenalidomide-refractory myeloma.
Pathogenesis of the acute renal failure associated with incompatible transfusion.

Abstract Erythrocyte stroma which is free of haemoglobin and is of a compatible bloodgroup is innocuous when given intravenously, but in 2 patients acute renal damage followed the infusion of incompatible stroma. Neither intravascular haemolysis nor haemoglobinuria are necessary for the production of the renal complications seen after incompatible transfusion. The complex of the antibody with the bloodgroup antigen on the erythrocyte membrane can, by itself, induce renal failure.
Anxiety and aggression of high and low assertive persons following conflict

This experiment examined changes in anxiety and differences in aggression for high and low assertive women when different degrees of conflict were encountered. As predicted, low assertive women were intially more uneasy or anxious than high assertive women when they were placed in a conflictual situation. When the level of actual conflict was low, the level of anxiety of low assertive women decreased. However, when the actual level of conflict was high the anxiety level of low assertive women remained unchanged. These results were taken as support for the fear of conflict hypothesis which predicted that the reduction in anxiety for low assertive persons is contingent upon whether or not the anticipated conflict is actually encountered. The results also indicated that high assertive women were not significantly more aggressive than low assertive women. This finding provided support for Galassi's position that assertiveness and aggression are distinct concepts.
Rheological phenomena in polymerization reactors: Rheological properties and flow patterns around agitators in polystyrene–styrene solutions

The rheological properties (viscosity and principal normal stress difference) of poly-styrene–styrene solutions at concentrations of 15, 20, 30, 35, 43, 50 and 57 wt-% have been measured at 60°C. The flow patterns around a sphere, disc, turbine, and screw propellers in such solutions have also been determined. The second-order fluid theory of viscoelastic fluids containing parameters determined from our rheological measurements has been used to predict the flow patterns about the sphere. The observed flow patterns are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions based upon externally measured rheological properties. The implications of this study of this behavior of batch and CSTR polymerization reactors are discussed.
Pediatric laparo-endoscopic single site partial nephrectomy: Feasibility in infants and small children for upper urinary tract duplication anomalies

Abstract Objective To assess the feasibility and outcomes of laparo-endoscopic single site (LESS) partial nephrectomy (PN) in infants and small children for upper urinary tract duplication anomalies. Materials and methods The medical records of all patients undergoing LESS PN at a single pediatric institution were retrospectively reviewed for patient demographics, perioperative details, and outcomes. A cystoscopy was initially performed to place an externalized catheter into the ureter of the ipsilateral normal renal moiety. An Olympus TriPort, an Olympus Endoeye flexible tip laparoscope, standard 3- or 5-mm instrumentation, and a LigaSure Blunt were utilized. Results Four children (two boys, two girls) underwent LESS PN. Three patients underwent upper pole PN and one underwent lower pole PN. All procedures were performed for poorly functioning obstructed renal moieties (one ureterocele, one ureteropelvic junction obstruction and vesicoureteral reflux, and two ectopic ureters). Median age was 6.2 months (range 2.5–16.4 months). Median weight was 7.7 kg (range 6.1–12.6 kg). Median operative time was 126 min (range 97–180 min). No patient received inpatient postoperative narcotics. Median follow-up was 9.9 months (range 6.2–19.1 months). No postoperative complications were noted. Postoperative renal ultrasound demonstrated successful resection in all patients. Conclusions LESS PN is technically feasible, safe, and effective for upper urinary tract duplication anomalies in infants and small children.
Vitamin K: food composition and dietary intakes

Vitamin K is present in the diet in the forms of phylloquinone and menaquinones. Phylloquinone, which is the major dietary source, is concentrated in leafy plants and is the vitamin K form best characterized in terms of food composition and dietary intakes. In contrast, menaquinones are the product of bacterial production or conversion from dietary phylloquinone. Food composition databases are limited for menaquinones and their presence in foods varies by region. Dietary intakes of all forms of vitamin K vary widely among age groups and population subgroups. Similarly, the utilization of vitamin K from different forms and food sources appear to vary, although our understanding of vitamin K is still rudimentary in light of new developments regarding the menaquinones.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN EARLY BENDER-GESTALT TEST PERFORMANCE

Summary.-The relationship between sex differences and early visualmotor test performance was studied. Kindergarten children (30 girls and 30 boys) in a New York City public school were administered the Bender Visualmotor Gestalc Test. When scored by the Koppitz Developmental Scoring System, no significant differences were found. A more detailed qualitative analysis of the nature of the specific errors was also done. Using this approach, boys showed more difficulty with accurate copying of individual features of designs, e.g., angles of a diamond.
Radio occultation measurements of turbulence in the Venus atmosphere by Pioneer Venus

As in the cases of Mariner 5 and 10 and Venera 9, the Pioneer Venus radio occultation measurements of Venus show an upper region of turbulence located in the vicinity of 60 km. Estimates of the deduced intensity of turbulence are consistent with the upper bound obtained earlier from the complementary Pioneer Venus probe measurements. Comparison with the Pioneer Venus in situ temperature measurements of 1 km scale size also shows very good agreement. It is clear that for scale sizes smaller than the Fresnel size (approximately 1 km), the refractive index irregularities are represented by a continuum of scale sizes having a spatial wave number spectrum that is power law and close to Kolmogorov. These irregularities are elongated in the horizontal direction (axial ratios are large, greater than approximately 10). The fact that the upper region of turbulence coincides with a region of high stability marked by one or more peaks in the stability profile suggests that the turbulence is associated with trapped gravity waves. The amplitude scintillations appear to increase poleward of about 70 deg which is interpreted as an increase in turbulence level with latitude.
Self-epithelization of dermal grafts

THE USE of dermal grafts in head and neck surgery to protect the carotid artery from "blow outs" and to protect the esophageal suture line against fistulae was introduced by Corso and Gerald in 1963. 1 These authors noted in their report that when there was skin breakdown over the graft it became epithelized and this epithelization appeared to come from the graft itself. One of us ( G. F. Reed) has made the same clinical observation. 2 This apparent self-epithelization of dermal grafts, when exposed, becomes of great potential clinical significance. If true, one might use this grafting material to take advantage of its strength and viability in applications where it would be purposely exposed, if one could expect subsequent self-epithelization. Considerable work has been published documenting the fate of skin appendages in buried dermal implants. These studies indicate loss of hair follicles and sebaceous glands in approximately 2 to
Limit Load Analysis of API 620 Tank Roof-Shell Junction

The compression ring at a tank’s roof-shell junction has been designed using the API 620 [1] rules. The geometrical configuration of the ring is non-conventional compared to the typical shapes recommended in API 620. In order to verify the structural integrity of the roof-shell junction, a plastic FEA was conducted to establish the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) using a limit load analysis procedure. The FEA results indicated that the tank’s roof-shell junction’s MAWP is 18.7 psi which exceeds the calculated MAWP of 15 psi using the API 620 rules. This paper presents the comparisons of the MAWPs calculated using the API 620 rules and the plastic FEA.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Effects of process variables and size-scale on solidification microstructure in beam-based fabrication of bulky 3D structures

Abstract A number of laser and electron beam-based fabrication processes are under consideration for aerospace components, where the ability to obtain a consistent and desirable microstructure and resulting mechanical properties is of critical concern. To this end, this work employs a combination of analytical and numerical modeling approaches to investigate the effects of process variables and size-scale on solidification microstructure (grain size and morphology) in beam-based fabrication of bulky 3D structures. Thermal process maps are developed for predicting solidification microstructure in any material system, and results are plotted on solidification maps to investigate trends in grain size and morphology in Ti–6Al–4V. The results of this work suggest that changes in process variables (beam power and velocity) can result in a grading of the microstructure throughout the depth of the deposit, with a transition from columnar to mixed or equiaxed microstructure at higher powers.
Coherence retrieval by measuring the diffracted field from a binary planar phase mask

A simple scheme is proposed for the retrieval of the coherence properties of a field, based on far-field measurements of the intensity following diffraction by a movable planar phase mask.
A simplical 3-arrangement of 21 planes

Abstract A study of certain projective 4-arrangements associated with the cross-polytope has turned up a sporadic simplicial 3-arrangement A31(21) of 21 planes that is not included in the list recently compiled by Branko Grunbaum and G.C. Shephard. In this paper we describe this arrangement and determine the values of its various numerical counters.
Adrenal Response to Fighting in Mice: Separation of Physical and Psychological Causes

The concentration of unbound corticosterone in mice exposed to the presence of a trained fighter is much greater if the mice have previously experienced physical defeat than if they have not. There is little difference in the concentration of the hormone between mice placed in the presence of a fighter, given a background of physical defeat, and mice actually attacked and defeated. Two possible categories of stimuli which could be responsible for hyperactivity of the adrenal cortex following defeat by another mouse are psychological and physical (for example, bite wounds); the former is apparently by far the more important under the conditions of these experiments.
Two years' observational study of racial difference of breast cancer in patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital serving indigent population

Background : Breast cancer is the most common malignancy after non-melanoma skin cancers and second highest cause of cancer deaths (after lung cancer) in females. Objective : To assess racial difference of breast cancer in patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital serving indigent population. Methods : Medical records of 119 Caucasians and 146 African American women with pathologically proven breast cancer who were admitted in a tertiary care hospital serving the indigent population from January 2004 to December 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Analysis of Variance was performed for within and between group differences using SPSS 19. Results : Our study showed that mean age of cancer diagnosis was much earlier (47.6 years) in white women whose second degree relatives have breast cancer than those women whose first degree relatives have breast cancer (58.6 years). However, in the black women this differencewas not observed (p value for white is 0.002 but for black it was 0 .94). Conclusion: Family history of women with breast cancer in this study showed history of breast cancer in a second degree female relative increased the risk of breast cancer in white women; positive history was associated with earlier age of onset of the disease. We suggest future studies should look into genetic and biological markers in the second generation family members for increased risk of breast cancer. Health Renaissance, January-April 2013; Vol. 11 No.1; 102-106 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v11i2.8215
A comparative study of 6-selenopurine and 6-mercaptopurine in the Lactobacillus casei and ehrlich ascites tumor systems☆

Abstract 6-Selenopurine has antimicrobial activity exceeding that of 6-mercaptopurine. In an Ehrlich ascites tumor cell system selenopurine, like mercaptopurine, inhibits the incorporation of formate into guanine and adenine, but not into thymine, and (except at high levels) does not inhibit the uptake of adenine.
The effect of ethanol drinking on opioid analgesia and receptors in mice

Recent studies suggest substantial interactions between opioids and ethanol (EtOH). Both in vivo and in vitro experiments indicate that EtOH can regulate opioid systems and that opioids can modify EtOH consumption. In the present studies, we examined if EtOH consumption altered opioid receptors and the potency of opioid analgesics. Mice were given unlimited access to 6-7% EtOH alone for 7 days or were allowed to drink increasing concentrations (3-6%) of EtOH over 13-14 days. Controls had access to water. The EtOH groups drank significantly less volume than controls, although there were no significant differences in body weight or baseline nociception. The analgesic (tail flick) potency of SC morphine was decreased by approximately 1.6-2.0-fold in EtOH-treated mice. A single acute dose of EtOH (1 g/kg) that produced blood alcohol levels in excess of that for 7 day exposure to EtOH, did not change morphine's analgesic ED50, suggesting that chronic exposure to EtOH was necessary for the reduction in potency. The change in morphine potency was not due to pharmacokinetic differences because EtOH consumption did not modify the concentration of morphine in brain and spinal cord. The analgesic potency of a delta-opioid receptor agonist (ICV DSLET) was also decreased by approximately 2-fold. Saturation binding studies indicated no changes in the density or affinity of brain and spinal cord delta-opioid ([3H]DPDPE, [3H]DSLET, [3H]DeltorphinII) and mu-opioid ([3H]DAMGO) receptors. Similarly, there was no significant effect of EtOH on delta-opioid receptor mRNA in either brain or spinal cord preparations. Taken together, these data suggest that EtOH consumption decreases the analgesic potency of opioids in mice through a mechanism that is unrelated to pharmacokinetics or opioid receptor changes in brain and cord.
Organizational Implosion A Case Study of Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, Michigan, is on the brink: Financial mismanagement, population exodus, increasing legacy costs, and out-of-control debt have driven it to bankruptcy. City actors, both administrative and e...
Maximum power tracking in solar cell arrays using time-based reconfiguration

Abstract Directly harnessed solar power is an attractive primary energy source for integration into fully wire-free, self-sufficient, portable electronic devices. Maximum power (MPP) tracking of photovoltaic (PV) cells is an essential part of PV energy harvesting and several methods are available to track MPP efficiently. With more than one cell, power-balancing is also a significant concern and global MPP tracking, parallel connection of PV cells, and active array reconfiguration are all techniques designed to address this issue. This work shrinks array reconfiguration from two-dimensional arrays of PV cells to a single string of PV cells, which are particularly relevant to portable systems. Each string element has individual MPP tracking and power balancing at low circuit complexity using a modular, time-domain array-reconfiguration (TDAR) approach. Both, a discrete control loop that demonstrates the concept and a 150 μW microchip that implements TDAR for three PV cells were developed. The energy harvesting efficiency of the TDAR approach is more than 80% improved compared to static (non-reconfigurable) strings of PV cells. While other array reconfiguration approaches can offer comparable improvements in efficiency, the reduced complexity of the TDAR approach makes it the only scalable approach that can be practically applied to array reconfiguration in portable systems.
Chemical and Immunological Assay of the Nonreducing Terminal Residues of Chondroitin Sulfate from Human Aggrecan

Samples of aggrecan chondroitin sulfate, isolated from normal human knee cartilages of individuals from fetal to 72 years of age, were digested with chondroitin lyases. The products were analyzed by fluorescence-based anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography to separate and quantitate nonreducing terminal structures, in addition to internal unsaturated disaccharide products. The predominant terminal structures were the monosaccharides, GalNAc4S and GalNAc4,6S as they were present on 85–90% of all chains. The remaining chains terminated with the disaccharides GlcAβ1,3GalNAc4S and GlcAβ1,3GalNAc6S. Marked changes in the relative abundance of these terminals were identified in the transition from growth cartilage to adult articular cartilage. First, terminal GalNAc residues were almost exclusively 4-sulfated in aggrecan from fetal through 15 years of age, but were ∼50% 4,6-disulfated in aggrecans from adults (22–72 years of age). Second, the terminal disaccharide GlcAβ1,3GalNAc4S was on ∼7% of chains on aggrecan from fetal through 15 years of age, but on only ∼3% of chains on adult aggrecan. In contrast, the proportion of chains terminating in GlcAβ1,3GalNAc6S, ∼9%, was unchanged from fetal to 72 years of age. This terminal disaccharide is proposed to be recognized by the widely used monoclonal antibody 3B3. However, chemical quantitation of the structure together with solid phase 3B3(−) immunoassay of fetal and adult aggrecans showed that the content of the terminal disaccharide does not necessarily correlate with immunoreactivity of the proteoglycan, as chain density and presentation on the solid phase are critical factors for recognition of chain terminals by 3B3. The quantitative results obtained from chemical analyses of all nonreducing termini of aggrecan chondroitin sulfate chains revealed important changes in chain termination that occur when cellular activities are altered as adult articular cartilage is formed after removal of growth cartilage. These findings are discussed in relation to specific enzymatic steps that generate the nonreducing termini of chains in the biosynthesis pathway of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and their modulation in tissue development and pathology.
Proton-ligand stability constants of some ortho-substituted phenols

The closely related complexing agents, salicylic acid, salicylaldehyde, ethylsalicylate, salicylamide, salicylanilide, salicylalcohol, salicylhydroxamic acid, salicyloylhydrazide, salicylaldoxime, salicylaldazone, salicylamidoxime, salicylamine, salicylnitrile, salicylanil and N-methylimine-salicylaldehyde, have been studied to evaluate the relation between the first stability constants for the complexes of Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+ and Mg2+ (ions of equally spaced electronegativities) with some of these reagents while of Cu2+ with all of them, and pkOH values corresponding to the dissociation of phenolic hydrogens of the reagents. The metal-ligand stability constants have been determined at 30° ± 0·1° by the Bjerrum-Calvin pH-titration technique as adapted by Irving and Rossotti. An aqueous-dioxane medium, 75% in dioxane by volume and 0·1 M in NaClO4, was used with concentrations of metal ion ∼10−3 M and reagent = 4 × 10−3 M.
ABCB4 Disease Presenting with Cirrhosis and Copper Overload-Potential Confusion with Wilson Disease

A 2-year-old female with cirrhosis was found to have a liver copper of 248 μg/g dry weight. She was eventually diagnosed with ABCB4 disease on the basis of heterozygote A546D and R176W mutations. Her liver disease was partially responsive to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. Copper overload occurs in cholestatic liver disease and this must be considered to avoid misdiagnosis of Wilson disease.
Comparison of a cardiac mapping device with standard 12-Lead ECG in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome

Study objectives: We compare the diagnostic efficacy of an ECG cardiac mapping device (MAP) to a standard 12-lead ECG. Methods: Ninety adult patients being evaluated for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by cardiac markers and ECG were identified and enrolled. An initial ECG on emergency department (ED) admission and a MAP were obtained simultaneously for study purposes. Physicians were provided the 12-lead ECG and asked to estimate the probability the patient had AMI on an 11-point Likert scale. They were then provided the MAP and asked the same question. In addition, physicians indicated whether the MAP provided additional information and whether it would assist in patient treatment. Patients were followed up inhospital for objective evidence of ACS (positive cardiac markers, positive invasive or noninvasive tests, percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI], or coronary artery bypass graft surgery [CABG]) and at 30 days for adverse outcomes (repeated visit to the ED with ischemic symptoms, CABG, PCI, or death). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the MAP to the ECG. Results: Mean age was 51.3 years (SD 10.7 years); 42 (46.7%) patients were white, and 34 (37.8%) were women. Nineteen patients (21.1%) had objective evidence of ACS, and 19 (21.1%) patients had an adverse outcome; 2 patients had an adverse outcome and objective evidence of ACS. The area under the ROC curve for the detection of ACS by the ECG was 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55 to 0.82) and by the MAP was 0.74 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.86). Using a criterion standard of positive troponin, the sensitivity and specificity of the ECG compared with the MAP were 20.0% and 40.0% and 91.8% and 92.9%, respectively. In 51 (56.7%) cases, physicians said the MAP provided additional information, and in 53 (58.9%) cases, physicians said the MAP would assist in treating the patient. In 43 of these, the MAP resulted in an increase (N=11) or a decrease (N=32) in the likelihood of AMI. Conclusion: The MAP improves diagnostic accuracy for ACS compared to the ECG. The MAP also provides physicians with useful information that could assist in the treatment of ACS.
Nonlinear waves in optical media

In nonlinear optical systems quasi-monochromatic waves satisfy the classical, constant dispersion and dispersion managed nonlocal, nonlinear Schrodinger equations, both of which exhibit localized pulse solutions. Current research has shown that mode-locked lasers are also described by dispersion managed equations. In spatial systems recent developments have attracted considerable interest in 2D photonic lattices. A computational method is introduced to find these and other localized waves in nonlinear optical media with vanishing and non-vanishing boundary conditions.
Effects of Improvac and Bopriva on the testicular function of boars ten weeks after immunization

This study investigated the effects of Improvac and Bopriva, two anti-GnRF immunization products, on testicular function in boars. We predicted that both products would diminish testicular function; however, we specifically tested the hypothesis that the duration of efficacy for Bopriva would be longer than that of Improvac. Animals were immunized with either Improvac or Bopriva and then observed ten weeks after the second injection. Serum GnRF antibody titers rose after the second injection and peaked approximately two weeks later. At the same time testosterone concentrations decreased to undetectable levels and remained below assay detection for at least six weeks. At approximately eight weeks, testosterone began to increase in animals treated with Improvac though levels remained decreased in Bopriva treated animals throughout the ten weeks. Daily sperm production at 10 weeks was significantly reduced in both treatment groups; however, the reduction was greater in Bopriva treated boars. Examination of testes of both treatments revealed incomplete spermatogenesis with impaired spermatid production and reduced seminiferous tubule diameter. These findings were universal in Bopriva treated animals, but Improvac treated animals exhibited morphologies intermediate between Bopriva treated animals and control boars. Overall testicular function in Bopriva boars remained suppressed ten weeks post-immunization while Improvac boars appeared to be recovering.