cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sporadic CJD (VV2 Type) Presenting with Central Vestibular Abnormalities (P03.259)

Objective: To demonstrate that Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) VV2 may present with only isolated ataxia on exam and to discuss abnormal neuro-vestibular testing in its relation to CJD and other CNS disorders. Background CJD is a rare and invariably fatal neurodegenerative disorder associated with abnormal accumulation of the protease resistant form of the prion protein in the central nervous system. Sporadic CJD (sCJD) is idiopathic and accounts for 80-85% of prion disease. Classically, sCJD has been known for its triad of progressive dementia, generalized myoclonus, and periodic sharp and slow wave complexes on EEG. sCJD VV2 is the second most frequent genotype accounting for around 16% of cases of sCJD. Design/Methods: Case report of a 76 year old female who presented to Ohio State University Medical Center with ataxia of unknown etiology found to have Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease VV2. Results: Patient had normal labs and imaging including a MRI Brain and PET Scan. She had abnormal neurovestibular testing suggestive of a CNS process. Patient also underwent Lumbar Puncture that was unremarkable except for elevated Neuron Specific Enolase, a positive 14-3-3 protein and elevated tau protein of 6378 pg/ml. Subsequent pathology on autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease VV2. Conclusions: CJD VV2 can present with normal imaging including Brain MRI and PET scan, without the classic findings of CJD and with only isolated ataxia on exam. It is therefore of utmost importance for clinicians to remember that a lumbar puncture may be indicated in cases of isolated ataxia of unknown etiology to rule out sCJD VV2. In addition, abnormal neurovestibular testing was found to be an initial presenting abnormality in this case. Further studies on the importance of neurovestibular testing in cases of CJD and other Central Nervous System disorders may be warranted. Disclosure: Dr. Mandel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Oas has received personal compensation for activities with GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. as a speaker.
419 THE EFFECTS OF B-CELL DEPLETION ON T-CELL PROLIFERATIVE RESPONSES TO ISLET PROTEINS IN DIABETES PATIENTS.

In both human and animal models of type 1 diabetes, there is infiltration of T cells and antigen-presenting cells into the pancreatic islets. The resulting beta-cell destruction is felt to be T cell mediated. T cells from patients with autoimmune diabetes respond to multiple islet proteins, but it is unknown which cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and/or B lymphocytes present antigen to autoreactive T cells. Rituximab, a monoclonal CD20 antibody that results in transient B-cell depletion, is efficacious in treating another T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis. A clinical trial using rituximab in type 1 diabetes is under way. In this study, we examined the effects of in vitro B-cell depletion on the T-cell proliferative response to islet proteins, tetanus toxoid, and the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A. Magnetic cell separation was used to deplete B cells in vitro and cellular immunoblotting was used to assess proliferative responses to islet proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs from diabetes patients positive for T-cell proliferative responses to islet proteins, diabetes patients negative for T-cell proliferative responses to islet proteins, and normal controls were evaluated before and after B-cell depletion. The change in the mean proliferative response to islet proteins for all subjects before B-cell depletion and after B-cell depletion was not statistically significant (p = .5858). Moreover, the mean proliferative responses to tetanus toxoid and concanavalin A before and after B-cell depletion were also not found to differ significantly (p = .5081, p = .9555 respectively). Thus, the depletion of B cells in vitro does not appear to significantly affect the T-cell proliferative responses to islet proteins, tetanus toxoid, or concanavalin A. These results indicate that it is unlikely that B cells are the primary antigen-presenting cells for autoreactive T cells in autoimmune diabetes. Our results may be of importance in interpreting the results of the current clinical trial evaluating the use of rituximab to treat type 1 diabetes.
Shear-induced platelet aggregation in normal subjects and stroke patients

Elevated levels of shear stress that occur in stenotic arteries may induce platelet aggregation and initiate thrombosis. Shear-induced platelet aggregation (SIPA) was studied in groups of ischemic stroke patients and normal subjects using a viscometric-flow cytometric technique. Twenty-three patients who sustained an ischemic stroke that was not of cardiac origin were included in this study, and were classified either as atherosclerotic (n = 15) or as lacunar (n = 8) stroke patients. The results show that shear stresses at the levels which occur in arteries partially occluded by atherosclerosis or vascular spasm strongly activate and aggregate platelets, and this response is much more pronounced in non-lacunar stroke patients who had documented atherosclerotic disease of their cerebral vessels. SIPA is not affected by the time of blood drawing after the onset of stroke suggesting that these platelet abnormalities are not transient but chronic. Furthermore, the extent of platelet activation detected by an anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody and the proportion of neutrophil-platelet aggregates circulating in vivo are significantly higher in the atherosclerotic stroke patients studied at least one month after the onset of stroke. The results indicate that the enhanced platelet responses observed in atherosclerotic stroke patients are not consequences of ischemia, and therefore both platelet activation and elevated SIPA may be considered as important risk factors for stroke. The methodology developed in this work may be useful for characterization of platelet reactivity, and may contribute to our understanding of thrombotic mechanisms.
A closed system for large-scale lymphocyte purification

A method for lymphocyte purification is described. This is a closed system in which lightly heparinized blood is sedimented with Plasmagel in a plastic blood bag. The plasma layer is transferred to a second bag containing nylon powder and clotting is induced by agitation. Platelets, polymorphonuclear granulocytes, and monocytes are removed and trapped in the clot, together with the nylon powder. Lymphocyte suspension of 96 per cent purity and 61 per cent overall yield are produced. Viability of the lymphocytes is excellent and they are shown to be suitable for tissue culture. Comparison with other methods for lymphocyte isolation show this method to give higher yields and to be simpler in performance. It is particularly adaptable for large volumes of blood.
The Utility of Neuropsychological Assessments of Mentally Retarded Individuals

The preceding chapter by Fischer provides a firm foundation for conceptualizing how neuropsychology can be integrated into behavioral treatment programs for developmentally disabled individuals. He describes current approaches to neuropsychological assessment and suggests a number of important ways in which neuropsychological procedures can be used in treatment planning, behavior management, and treatment monitoring and assessment. I would like to elaborate on some of Fischer’s points, in particular the question of “organicity” and qualitative versus quantitative approaches to neuropsychological assessment, and then present a brain-based model of cognitive functioning. Finally, I would like to suggest some ways that neuropsychological assessments can be advantageously used to guide clinical, and in particular behavioral, interventions in mentally retarded individuals.
Lipopolysaccharide Domains Modulate Urovirulence.

ABSTRACT Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) accounts for 80 to 90% of urinary tract infections (UTI), and the increasing rate of antibiotic resistance among UPEC isolates reinforces the need for vaccines to prevent UTIs and recurrent infections. Previous studies have shown that UPEC isolate NU14 suppresses proinflammatory NF-κB-dependent cytokines (D. J. Klumpp, A. C. Weiser, S. Sengupta, S. G. Forrestal, R. A. Batler, and A. J. Schaeffer, Infect Immun 69:6689–6695, 2001, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/IAI.69.11.6689-6695.2001; B. K. Billips, A. J. Schaeffer, and D. J. Klumpp, Infect Immun 76:3891–3900, 2008, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00069-08). However, modification of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure by deleting the O-antigen ligase gene ( waaL ) enhanced proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Vaccination with the Δ waaL mutant diminished NU14 reservoirs and protected against subsequent infections. Therefore, we hypothesized that LPS structural determinants shape immune responses. We evaluated the contribution of LPS domains to urovirulence corresponding to the inner core ( waaP , waaY , and rfaQ ), outer core ( rfaG ), and O-antigen ( waaL , wzzE , and wzyE ). Deletion of waaP , waaY , and rfaG attenuated adherence to urothelial cells in vitro . In a murine UTI model, the Δ rfaG mutant had the most severe defect in colonization. The mutation of rfaG , waaL , wzzE , and wzyE resulted in an inability to form reservoirs in mouse bladders. Infection with the LPS mutant panel resulted in various levels of urinary myeloperoxidase. Since the Δ waaL mutant promoted Th 1 -associated adaptive responses in previous studies (B. K. Billips, R. E. Yaggie, J. P. Cashy, A. J. Schaeffer, and D. J. Klumpp, J Infect Dis 200:263–272, 2009, http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/599839), we assessed NU14 for Th 2 -associated cytokines. We found NU14 infection stimulated TLR4-dependent bladder interleukin-33 (IL-33) production. Inoculation with rfaG , waaL , wzzE , and wzyE mutants showed decreased IL-33 production. We quantified antigen-specific antibodies after infection and found significantly increased IgE and IgG1 in Δ waaP mutant-infected mice. Our studies show LPS structural constituents mediate multiple aspects of the UPEC life cycle, including the ability to acutely colonize bladders, form reservoirs, and evoke innate and adaptive immune responses.
Cerebral Glucose Metabolism and ADHD

Whole brain and regional rates of glucose metabolism were assessed by PET scanning in 25 adults with hyperactivity of childhood onset at the Section on Clinical Brain Imaging and Child Psychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD.
The Association of Daytime Maternal Napping and Exercise With Nighttime Sleep in First-Time Mothers Between 3 and 6 Months Postpartum.

Objective: This study investigated the relationship of daytime maternal napping, exercise, caffeine, and alcohol intake to objective and subjective sleep indices. Participants: Sixty healthy, nondepressed, first-time mothers between 3 and 6 months postpartum. Methods: Seven consecutive days of online behavior diaries, sleep diaries, and wrist actigraphy, collecting Total Sleep Time (TST), Sleep Onset Latency (SOL), and Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO). Results: After controlling for infant age, employment status, infant feeding method, and infant sleeping location, mixed linear models showed that longer average exercise durations were associated with longer average TST, and longer average nap durations were associated with longer average WASO durations. Significant within-person differences in TST and SOL were also observed, such that, on days when participants exercised and napped longer than average, their respective TST and SOL durations that night were longer. Conclusion: Shorter nap durations and longer...
CASE OF METASTATIC UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA OF THE RETINA AND VITREOUS.

Purpose:To report a rare case of vitreo-retinal metastasis from urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.Methods:Case report.Results:A 55-year-old man with a history of bladder cancer developed atypical vitritis and a white fundus mass. Intravenous fluorescein angiography demonstrated connection between
Pleural “drop metastases” 21 years after resection of a thymoma

Introduction We describe an unusual case of pleural drop metastases 21 years after complete resection of an encapsulated thymoma in a Southeast Asian patient with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods This investigation includes a case report and brief review of the literature. Results The patient presented in 2015 with generalized weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath, but no diplopia, ptosis, dysphagia, or dysarthria. Because these symptoms were atypical for an MG exacerbation, a de-novo work-up was performed. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed numerous pleural nodules ("drop metastases"), and CT-guided biopsy revealed metastatic thymoma. Conclusions The average disease-free interval for thymoma ranges from 68 to 86 months. Pleural and mediastinal recurrence are more common than distant hematogenous recurrence. Adverse prognostic factors include an initial higher Masaoka stage, incomplete resection, older age, and pleural or pericardial involvement. Despite apparent complete resection of thymoma, clinicians should remain vigilant for recurrence for as long as 20 years after initial management. Long-term follow-up with radiologic surveillance is recommended. Muscle Nerve 56: 171-175, 2017.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed class of medications used to treat the stress-related disorders of depression and anxiety. Stress, anxiety, and depression all seem to decrease the size of the hippocampus, an area of the brain concerned with learning and memory, and diminish the amounts of brain chemicals involved in neuronal repair and regeneration. In animal studies, SSRIs and other antidepressants seem to reverse these stress-related effects.
LSM/YSZ Button Cell Tests in Cathode Air with Measured Cr Concentrations

A test fixture and methodology was developed for testing anode-supported SOFC button cells downstream from a chromia pellet at a prescribed temperature for qualitative control of Cr volatility. An alumina foam coated with Cr-gettering Na2CO3 was placed downstream from the cell to capture Cr species from the cathode air by reacting to form Na2CrO4. The coating and reaction product are both water soluble, facilitating dissolution from the porous substrate for subsequent ICP analysis to determine the Cr concentration in the resulting solution. The mass of collected Cr is used to calculate the average Cr concentration in the known volume of air used during the test. Cells with LSM/YSZ cathodes were electrochemically tested for 600 to 1000 hours with chromia pellets at varying conditions of temperature and humidity to elicit varying levels of Cr volatility. Molar Cr concentrations of only 40 to 170 ppt caused ~4%/kh degradation.
Independent Predictors of Mortality and Resource Utilization in Viral Hepatitis Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION Hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV) are important causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim was to assess mortality and resource utilization of patients with HCC-related to HBV and HCV. MATERIAL AND METHODS National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database (2001-2009) was used. Medicare claims included patient demographic information, diagnoses, treatment, procedures, ICD-9 codes, service dates, payments, coverage status, survival data, carrier claims, and Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data. HCC related to HBV/HCV and non-cancer controls with HBV/HCV were included. Pair-wise comparisons were made by t-tests and chi-square tests. Logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used. RESULTS We included 2,711 cases of HCC (518 HBV, 2,193 HCV-related) and 5,130 non-cancer controls (1,321 HBV, 3,809 HCV). Between 2001-2009, HCC cases related to HBV and HCV increased. Compared to controls, HBV and HCV patients with HCC were older, more likely to be male (73.2% vs 48.9% and 57.1% vs. 50.5%), die within one-year (49.3% vs. 20.3% and 52.2% vs. 19.2%), have decompensated cirrhosis (44.8% vs. 6.9% and 53.9% vs. 10.4%) and have higher inpatient ($60.471 vs. $47.223 and $56.033 vs. $41.005) and outpatient charges ($3,840 vs. $3,328 and $3,251 vs. $2,096) (all P < 0.05). In two separate multivariate analyses, independent predictors of one-year mortality were older age, being male and the presence of decompensated cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS The rate of viral hepatitis-related HCC is increasing. Mortality and resource utilization related to HBV and HCV-related HCC is substantial.
Using electroretinograms and multi-model inference to identify spectral classes of photoreceptors and relative opsin expression levels

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship [DGE-0802261]; NIH IRACDA PERT fellowship through the Center for Insect Science at the University of Arizona [K12 GM000708]
Evolving emotional prosody.

Emotion is expressed by prosodic cues, and this study uses the active interactive Genetic Algorithm to search a wide space for sad and angry parameters of intensity, F0, and duration in perceptual resynthesis experiments with users. This method avoids large recorded databases and is flexible for exploring prosodic emotion parameters. Solutions from multiple runs are analyzed graphically and statistically. Average results indicate parameter evolution by emotion, and appear best for sad speech. Solutions are quite successfully classified by CART, with duration as main predictor.
Examining initial sleep onset in primary insomnia: a case-control study using 4-second epochs.

Study Objectives: To explore the sleep onset process in primary insomnia patients, new rules for scoring 4-second epochs were implemented to score sleep and artifacts during initial sleep onset. Conventional scorings in 20-second and 60-second epochs were also obtained. Methods: The start of the initial 60-second epoch of stage 1 was used to define “time zero” (t 0 ). Sleep onset periods from 11 patients and 11 individually age- and sex-matched controls spanned from 5 minutes before t 0 through 29 minutes after t 0 . Using the new rules, the periods were scored blind to group assignment. This t 0 time-referenced the data analysis to one plausible midpoint in the sleep onset process. In parallel, latencies were time-referenced from good night time. Results: Reliability in scoring sleep and artifacts was adequate (kappa = 0.68 & 0.63, respectively, p <0.001). Group differences in sleep latencies were marginal in 60-second and 20-second scoring but significant with a definition of 4-second sleep latency. Patients had more 4-second epochs scored as awake (Mantel-Haenszel χ2 = 271, d.f. = 1, p <0.001) and containing artifact (M-H χ2 = 143, p <0.001). Patients took longer to achieve 30 continuous 4-second epochs of NREM sleep (Breslow χ2 = 4.03, d.f. = 1, p = 0.045) after t 0 . Patients accumulated sleep more slowly with all 3 scoring rules after t 0 . A slower rate of accumulating sleep after t 0 was detected only with the 4-second scoring (p = 0.047). Conclusions: Evidence was present for momentary state-switching instabilities in the patients during the initial sleep onset process. Using rules for scoring small epochs may reveal such instabilities more readily than traditional scoring methods.
Pharmacological Modulation of Endogenous Opioid Activity to Attenuate Neuropathic Pain in Rats.

Abstract We showed previously that spinal metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) signaling suppresses or facilitates (depending on the stage of estrous cycle) analgesic responsiveness to intrathecal endomorphin 2, a highly mu-opioid receptor–selective endogenous opioid. Spinal endomorphin 2 antinociception is suppressed during diestrus by mGluR1 when it is activated by membrane estrogen receptor alpha (mERα) and is facilitated during proestrus when mGluR1 is activated by glutamate. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that in female rats subjected to spinal nerve ligation (SNL), the inhibition of spinal estrogen synthesis or blockade of spinal mERα/mGluR1 would be antiallodynic during diestrus, whereas during proestrus, mGluR1 blockade would worsen the mechanical allodynia. As postulated, following SNL, aromatase inhibition or mERα/mGluR1 blockade during diestrus markedly lessened the mechanical allodynia. This was observed only on the paw ipsilateral to SNL and was eliminated by naloxone, implicating endogenous opioid mediation. In contrast, during proestrus, mGluR1 blockade worsened the SNL-induced mechanical allodynia of the ipsilateral paw. Findings suggest menstrual cycle stage–specific drug targets for and the putative clinical utility of harnessing endogenous opioids for chronic pain management in women, as well as the value of, if not the necessity for, considering menstrual cycle stage in clinical trials thereof. Perspective Intrathecal treatments that enhance spinal endomorphin 2 analgesic responsiveness under basal conditions lessen mechanical allodynia in a chronic pain model. Findings provide a foundation for developing drugs that harness endogenous opioid antinociception for chronic pain relief, lessening the need for exogenous opioids and thus prescription opioid abuse.
Scripted attachment representations and adaptive functioning during early childhood.

Attachment theorists have characterized children’s internal working models, forged from early attachment relationship histories, as the link between earlier and later manifestations of competence. ...
‘Population Inversion’ at equilibrium

Abstract In traditional equilibrium statistical mechanics the upper-most energy levels in a system are less populated than those immediately below owing to the dominance of the Boltzmann factor. Here we show that, when the statistical degeneracy of a system increases rapidly enough to dominate the standard Boltzmann factor and when there is also an upper limit to allowable energies, the upper energy levels can be more populated than lower ones, creating what resembles population inversion; furthermore, the average energies of occupied states can be suprathermal ( E ≫ k T ). Numerical simulations support these predictions. Physical systems are proposed that should demonstrate this statistically supradegenerate effect. Technological applications are suggested.
Recognizing and Responding to the Health Disparities of People with Disabilities

Health status is critically important to experiencing quality of life, self-sufficiency, and full participation in society. For the 54 million Americans with disabilities, maintaining health and wellness is especially important to reduce the impact of impairment on functioning in these critical life areas. Yet, people with disabilities may be the largest underserved subpopulation demonstrating health status disparities that stem from preventable secondary conditions. Healthy People 2010, the nation’s blueprint for improved health, addresses this problem in its objectives. In 2002 and 2005, the U.S. Surgeon General asked for public health efforts to improve the health and wellness of persons with disabilities. This article examines the concepts of health and wellness, summarizes currently available information documenting disparities in health for people with disabilities, and provides a framework for policy recommendations to reduce health disparities among people with disabilities.
Using the frequency-difference autoproduct to regain coherence in rough surface scattering

Incident and reflected acoustic waves, with wavenumber k, are coherent in an ideal Lloyd’s mirror environment. However, a random rough surface, characterized by its rms roughness height h, reduces this coherence as kh increases. This presentation describes the ability of the frequency-difference autoproduct to recover reflected-field coherence, albeit at a lower frequency, even in the presence of high kh values. The frequency-difference autoproduct is a quadratic product of complex field amplitudes at different frequencies within the signal bandwidth. Prior work has shown that the frequency-difference autoproduct can mimic a below-band field at the difference frequency. Thus, by choosing a sufficiently-low difference frequency, the apparent surface roughness can be reduced so that a rough-surface scattered field resembles a flat-surface reflected one. For the theory and simulation results presented here, the surface roughness is Gaussian distributed and isotropic, and the Kirchhoff (tangent plane) approximation is used to determine the reflected sound. For 1 < kh < 6, theoretical and numerically simulated autoproducts in a rough-surface environment are compared to acoustic fields at the difference frequency in an ideal Lloyd’s mirror environment. Accompanying experimental results may be provided as well, if available. [Work supported by ONR.]
A Comparison of Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation Placement Inline With a Ventilator for Pediatric Patients

Background: Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation (IPV) is pneumatically powered; high frequency short bursts of gas applied at the airway opening. The Percussionaire (P ) IPV is a device used in the pediatric population to aid in the removal of retained airway secretions and atelectasis. In an effort to reduce VAP, bedside providers aim to limit circuit disconnections. The current disposable (P ) circuit and adapter require the circuit to be disconnected or a large adapter to remain inline which can be cumbersome in the pediatric population. A bench evaluation was conducted to assess the performance of the (P ) IPV with the circuit placed in the proximal position (requiring increased dead space or disconnection) and in the distal position with an adapter allowing for no disconnection. Methods: A Maquet Servo-i was calibrated and a circuit test was completed. The ventilator was set up with a Fisher and Paykel RT 280 circuit in adult category with the following vent settings: PRVC VT 120 R20 PEEP10 TI 0.7 FIO221%. The high-pressure limit was set at 60 cm H2O and all other alarms were set at min/max to reduce nuisance alarms. A Michigan Test Lung was utilized with a compliance of 0.04 and a resistor of RP20. A Philips NM3 with pediatric adapter interfaced the bench model directly between the test lung and ventilator circuit. A (P ) IPV-1C was set with a driving pressure of 30 cm H2O, percussion rate of 12 (full easy) with a Phasitron 5 circuit (P5C). The Phasitron T pop off was set at 40 cm H2O. Three positions of IPV placement in line with the circuit were analyzed. Position A included placing the P5C in line with the F&P circuit and IPV Phasitron T at the junction between the inspiratory limb and circuit wye. Position B included placing the P5C in line with the F&P circuit using a continuous neb adapter and a spring-T at the dry side of the heater. Position C included placing the P5C in line with the F&P circuit using the Phasitron T at the dry side of the heater. Control values were obtained prior to the insertion of the IPV device. In each position, the results were recorded three times over three minutes and averaged. Results: See Table 1 for detailed results. Conclusions: In the adult circuit bench model, Position C provided the more comparable and reproducible results to the control. In the infant model, Position A provided the most comparable and reproducible results. Further studies must be done to evaluate the treatment efficacy in these models.
Spatially Resolved and Quantitative Analysis of the Immunological Landscape in Human Meningiomas

The immunological status of human meningiomas is not well understood, hindering the development of rational immunotherapeutic strategies. We measured the levels of PD-L1, PD-L2, and immune cell subsets using multiplex quantitative immunofluorescence in a tissue microarray composed of 73 human meningiomas (56 WHO Grade 1, 13 WHO Grade 2, and 4 WHO Grade 3). We analyzed tumor-infiltrating immune cell populations, T-cell activation/dysfunction, and macrophage phenotypes. PD-L1 and PD-L2 were detected in 5.8% and 68.7% of cases, respectively. There was a higher PD-L1 expression in CD68+ macrophages compared with tumor cells (p < 0.001). There was a weak positive correlation between PD-L1 expression and CD3+ T-cell infiltration. The level of CD3+ cells and T-cell activation/proliferation in human meningiomas were highly variable with an increased CD4-to-CD8 ratio in higher grade tumors (p < 0.05). There was a stronger correlation between GZMB/Ki67 with PD-L2 than PD-L1. We found that 15.23%, 6.66%, and 5.49% of macrophages were CD163+, CD68+, and CD163+CD68+, respectively. In cases where there is high CD3+ T-cell infiltration, 23.5% and 76.5% had dormant and activated T-cell phenotypes, respectively. We conclude that human meningiomas are either PD-L1low TILlow or PD-L1low TILhigh tumors and harbor variable TIL infiltration and phenotypes.
Abstract #4222: Characterization of the promoter region of the ORF11 gene of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

Open reading frame 11 (ORF11) of Kaposi\#8217;s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus belongs to a herpesviral homologous protein family that is conserved among members of the gamma-herpesvirus subfamily. Little is known about the function of ORF11 and how this viral gene is regulated in KSHV life cycle. In this study, we have characterized the major transcript of the ORF11 gene, which is located adjacent and in the opposite orientation to a well-characterized viral IL-6 gene. Northern blot analysis revealed that the ORF11 gene is lytic viral gene with delayed-early expression kinetics. We have determined the 5\#8217; and 3\#8217; untranslated region of the unspliced ORF11 transcript and identified both the transcription start site and the transcription termination site. Core promoter region, representing ORF11 promoter activity, was mapped to a 160nt fragment 5\#8217; most proximal to the transcription start site. A functional TATA box was identified in the core promoter region. We also found that the characterized ORF11 gene promoter region is not responsive to Rta, the KSHV lytic switch protein. Our data help to elucidate transcription regulation of the KSHV ORF11 gene and to understand the biology of ORF11 in KSHV life cycle. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 4222.
The contribution of medium spiny neuron subtypes in the nucleus accumbens core to compulsive-like ethanol drinking.

Abstract Compulsive alcohol use, or drinking that persists despite negative or aversive consequences, is a defining characteristic of alcohol use disorder. Here, chemogenetic technology (i.e. Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs; DREADDs) was used to inhibit or excite the NAc core or selectively inhibit D1-or D2 receptor-expressing neurons in the NAc core to understand the role of the NAc core and how these subpopulations of neurons may influence compulsive-like ethanol (EtOH) drinking using C57BL/6J, Drd1-cre, and Drd2-cre male and female mice. Compulsive-like EtOH drinking was modeled with a two-bottle choice, drinking in the dark paradigm. The major finding of this study was that mice decreased compulsive-like EtOH intake when the NAc core was inhibited and there was no change of EtOH + quinine intake when the NAc core was excited. Interestingly, inhibition of D1-or D2 receptor-expressing neurons did not alter compulsive-like EtOH intake. Control experiments showed that NAc core excitation and selective inhibition of D1-or D2-receptor-expressing neurons had no effect on baseline EtOH drinking, intake of water, or intake of quinine-adulterated water. CNO reduced amphetamine-induced locomotion in the D1-CRE+ (but not the D2CRE+) group in a control experiment. Finally, pharmacological antagonism of D1 and D2 receptors together, but not separately, reduced quinine-resistant EtOH drinking. These results suggest that the NAc core is a critical region involved in compulsive-like EtOH consumption, and that both D1-and D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons participate in controlling this behavior.
Delineating chromatin accessibility re-patterning at single cell level during early stage of direct cardiac reprogramming.

Abstract Direct conversion of cardiac fibroblast into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) by forced expression of cardiac transcription factors, such as Mef2c, Gata4, and Tbx5 (MGT), holds great promise for regenerative medicine. The process of cardiac reprogramming consists of waves of transcriptome remodelling events. However, how this transcriptome remodelling is driven by the upstream chromatin landscape alteration is still unclear. In this study, we performed single-cell ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing) on early reprogramming iCMs given the known epigenetic changes as early as day 3. This approach unveiled networks of transcription factors (TFs) involved in the early shift of chromatin accessibility during cardiac reprogramming. Combining our analysis with functional assays, we identified Smad3 to be a bimodal TF in cardiac reprogramming, a barrier in the initiation of reprogramming and a facilitator during the intermediate stage of reprogramming. Moreover, integrative analysis of scATAC-seq with scRNA-seq data led to the identification of active TFs important for iCM conversion. Finally, we discovered a global rewiring of cis-regulatory interactions of cardiac genes along the reprogramming trajectory. Collectively, our scATAC-seq study and the integrative analysis with scRNA-seq data provided valuable resources to understand the epigenomic heterogeneity and its alteration in relation to transcription changes during early stage of cardiac reprogramming.
Next-Generation Sequencing in Cancer: Tools for Fusion Gene Detection

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has a striking impact on genomics research, especially in complex diseases, including cancer. NGS technology is allowing the discovery of novel genomic alterations and screening for known driver mutations and structural alterations as well as understanding interactions between gene and environmental factors. Structural alterations including translocations inversions, tandem duplications, deletions, insertions, chromothripsis and chromoplexy can result in oncogenic fusion genes or fusion transcripts, which are important in carcinogenesis. Rapid advances in NGS technology and analytical tools have allowed them to be used routinely in molecular diagnosis and personalised therapy. However, NGS technologies have significant challenges, such as analysis time, false-positive rate and storage to be overcome in the near future. This article discusses the current analytical tools for detection of fusion genes and reviews their pros and cons. Key Concepts Fusion genes/transcripts are common events in epithelial tumours. Whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) is the most commonly selected method for fusion-transcript detection. Sequel algorithms are used for detection of fusion transcripts. Mapping algorithms and filtering are crucial for detection of true fusion transcripts. Current fusion-detection tools yield false-positive and false-negative results. Keywords: next-generation sequencing; fusion transcript; RNA-seq; whole-genome sequencing; fusion-detection tools
The Procedure Execution Manager and its application to Advanced Photon Source operation

The Procedure Execution Manager (PEM) combines a complete scripting environment for coding accelerator operation procedures with a manager application for executing and monitoring the procedures. PEM is based on Tcl/Tk, a supporting widget library, and the dp-tcl extension for distributed processing. The scripting environment provides support for distributed, parallel execution of procedures along with join and abort operations. Nesting of procedures is supported, permiting the same code to run as a top-level procedure under operator control or as a subroutine under control of another procedure. The manager application allows an operator to execute one or more procedures in automatic, semi-automatic, or manual modes. It also provides a standard way for operators to interact with procedures. A number of successful applications of PEM to accelerator operations have been made to date. These include start-up, shutdown, and other control of the positron accumulator ring (PAR), low-energy transport (LET) lines, and the booster rf systems. The PAR/LET procedures make nested use of PEM's ability to run parallel procedures. There are also a number of procedures to guide and assist tune-up operations, to make accelerator physics measurements, and to diagnose equipment. Because of the success of the existing procedures, expanded use of PEM is planned.
Electronically tunable microstrip patch antennas

This paper presents the performance of a varactor loaded, probe-fed microstrip patch antenna. An effective impedance bandwidth of 50% is achieved centred around a frequency of 2.20 GHz. The simple transmission line model is used to predict the resonant frequency, and practical results obtained showed a good agreement between the predicted and measured values.
Interacting multiple bias model algorithm with application to tracking maneuvering targets

The interacting multiple bias model (IMBM) algorithm is presented as an approach to state estimation for systems with Markovian switching coefficients that can be isolated to a system bias. The IMBM algorithm utilizes the interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm and recent developments in two-stage state estimation. The IMBM algorithm is well suited for tracking maneuvering targets, where the target acceleration is modeled as a system bias. This algorithm is called the interacting multiple acceleration model (IMAM) algorithm. Simulation results for comparing the performances of the IMM and IMAM algorithms are given, together with a computational count for the two algorithms which indicate that the IMAM algorithm requires approximately 43% of the computations of the IMM algorithm when a constant velocity and two constant accelerations models are used. >
Civilizing the natives: marriage in Post-Apartheid South Africa.

Sous le regime d'oppression de l'apartheid, certaines pratiques de mariages traditionnels restaient tolerees dans les communautes noires. Quatre ans apres le changement de regime de 1994, le gouvernement adopta une loi sur le mariage permettant la continuation des ceremonials traditionnels, tout en les amputant de leur contenu patriarcal. Le but du legislateur a ete de promouvoir l'egalite des sexes conformement a la nouvelle constitution. Du point de vue des leaders traditionnels et d'autres habitants des zones rurales, cette loi manque a son devoir d'honorer les traditions des Noirs dans la nouvelle Afrique du Sud
Paging area optimization based on interval estimation in wireless personal communication networks

We consider an optimum personal paging area configuration problem to improve the paging efficiency in PCS/cellular mobile networks. The approach is to set up the boundaries of a one-step paging area that contain the locations of a mobile user with a high probability and to adjust the boundaries to gain a coverage that is matched to the mobile user's time-varying mobility pattern. We formulate the problem as an interval estimation problem. The objective is to reduce the paging signaling cost by minimizing the size of the paging area constrained to certain confidence measure (probability of locating the user), based on a finite number of available location observations of the mobile user. Modeling user mobility as a Brownian motion with the drift stochastic process and by estimating the parameters of the location probability distribution of the mobility process, the effects of the mobility characteristics and the system design parameters on the optimum paging area are investigated. Results show: (1) the optimum paging area expands with the time elapsed after the last known location of the user; (2) it also increases with the length of a prediction interval and the location probability; (3) the relative change in the paging area size decreases with the increase in the number of location observations.
Physical and Biological Controls of Copepod Aggregation and Baleen Whale Distribution

Abstract : Our long-term goal is to develop a fundamental understanding of the physical and biological mechanisms that aggregate zooplankton on spatial scales of hundreds of meters to hundreds of kilometers. These aggregation processes have a profound effect on the distribution, movements, and behavior of top predators, including those that feed directly on zooplankton (e.g., basking sharks, manta rays, right whales). While all marine mammals rely on prey aggregation processes for their survival, baleen whales are perhaps most dependent upon these processes because of the enormous quantities of food they must consume daily. Therefore, we have chosen to focus our long-term research efforts on the interactions between baleen whales, zooplankton, and ocean physics to better understand the environmental factors that influence marine mammal distribution. The specific objectives of this study are as follows: (1) to elucidate the mechanisms of copepod aggregation in the Great South Channel, a major springtime feeding area for right, sei, humpback, and fin whales in the southwestern Gulf of Maine; and (2) to examine the relationship between these mechanisms and the distribution and abundance of baleen whales,
On the intersections of basic and applied research in xenotransplantation.

Dalmasso AP. On the intersections of basic and applied research in xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 137–143. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: I am very grateful to the Council and members of the International Xenotransplantation Association for this Honorary Membership. In accepting this prestigious award, I pay tribute to my mentors Antonio Oriol i Anguera, Carlos Martinez, Robert A. Good, and Hans Muller-Eberhard for their guidance and friendship as I was beginning my travels in biomedical research. I also thank the many gifted collaborators, students, and technical personnel, as well as the agencies and taxpayers, who funded our research and made our scientific contributions possible. Here I briefly mention some of these contributions, including early work on the immunobiology of the thymus, my short incursion in the immunology of Chagas disease, and what have been the dominant themes of my career: the mechanisms of complement injury, the role of complement in pathophysiology, and induction of cytoprotection in the vascular endothelium. I emphasize our contributions on the role of complement as related to understanding and overcoming xenograft injury, a work that has been personally very rewarding. Now it is exciting to see that the field of xenotransplantation research is moving forward vigorously, a time of great optimism suggesting that many potential clinical applications of xenotransplantation will come to fruition in the near future.
Celestial Spectroscopy: Making Reality Fit the Myth

In the second half of the 19th century, the introduction of spectroscopy, which provided information on the composition of stars, revolutionized the way in which astronomical observations were performed. In her essay, Becker draws attention to William Huggins, an amateur astronomer who was one of stellar spectroscopy9s principal founders. Huggins first began to use spectroscopy in his astronomical studies around 1862 and soon achieved a position of prestige and authority among fellow astronomers. But in his own account of these early spectroscopic studies, Huggins presented a highly selective version of events that belie his own eclectic research style.
Synthesis and conformational properties of diribonucleoside monophosphates containing modified nucleosides as found in transfer RNA.

Abstract 1. The diribonucleoside monophosphates, adenylyl(3′ → 5′) N 6 -( Δ 2 -iso-pentenyl)adenosine (ApiPA), N 6 -( Δ 2 -isopentenyl)adenylyl(3′ → 5′)adenosine (iPApA) and adenylyl(3′ → 5′)pseudouridine (ApΨ) have been chemically synthesized and their solution properties studied by NMR and circular dichroism (CD) and compared with the nonsubstituted diribonucleoside monophosphates adenylyl(3′ → 5′)adenosine (ApA) and adenylyl (3′ → 5′)uridine (ApU). 2. NMR data indicates APΨ and ApU are nearly identical conformationally, while the CD results suggest somewhat greater base interaction in ApΨ. 3. ApiPA and iPApA by these criteria are both slightly less folded than ApA and the bases are interacting to a somewhat lesser extent. The relevance of these findings is discussed in terms of influence of the modified nucleosides on the structure of the anticodon loop of tRNA.
Physiology and biochemistry of ascocarp induction and development

Recent investigations of environmental factors influencing ascocarp induction, morphogenesis, and associated biochemical changes are considered in this review article. Nutritional studies confirm that specific nutrient sources and concentrations favour ascocarp production, and that the fungi vary in their response to particular nutrients. Ascocarp formation by many fungi is favoured by maltose or starch as a carbon source, and amino acids as the nitrogen source. It generally occurs over a narrow temperature range, most often near 20–240 °C. Comparatively few critical studies have been made of the effects of pH or moisture on ascocarp production. The qualitative and quantitative effects of light on ascocarp production and ascospore discharge have received much more attention, and the response of several fungi to light has been evaluated. Recent evidence indicates that a flavin compound serves as the photoreceptor for near-uv and blue light and is probably involved in an initial redox reaction involving cytochrome b. The effect of volatiles of various origins in the atmosphere has also been determined to affect ascocarp development of some fungi. Mycologists would like to learn how the environmental factors regulate the morphogenesis of ascocarps. Investigators addressing this question have studied the possible role of sterols, hydrolysis and mobilization of glucan reserves, respiratory pathway, tyrosine metabolism, cyclic AMP, and mycosporins on ascocarp induction. Some of the complex biochemical changes occurring during maturation of the ascocarp can be detected and localised by cytochemical and immunofluorescent techniques.
Near-Wall Velocity and Bubble Characteristics in Microbubble Laden Flows

Microbubble drag reduction has been observed in high Reynolds number turbulent flows. The interaction of microbubbles with the viscous sublayer seems to be of interest. In this study a microchannel on the order of 100 microns was used to simulate the shear rate of the near-wall region of a high Re flow. The interaction of the fluid flow with microbubbles at low void fraction in a microchannel was studied. The microbubble sizes ranged from approximately 10–50 microns. The liquid phase velocities were obtained by PIV measurement techniques. Electrolysis was used to generate bubbles within the channel and microbubble velocities in the flow were determined using separate cross correlation calculations. Simultaneous comparisons are made between the image-averaged bubble velocity and the image-averaged fluid velocity. Image processing techniques were utilized to both remove bubbles and decrease noise in the image. Results are shown comparing the fluid only velocity profile with the two-phase velocity profiles at three flow rates and two bubble generation cases. Results presented include the phase velocity differences, bubble size and bubble separation distances for three flow rates and three different bubble generation levels. It is seen that flow rates within the microchannel significantly reduce the average bubble size.Copyright © 2006 by ASME